Issue No. 86
July
2017 
The MSCN Newsletter
Welcome to Your July 2017 Newsletter!

"Summertime" by Mary Cassatt

Maine's Senior Colleges are hard at work over the summer, managing annual meetings, naming new board appointees and planning Fall classes. This is also the season of thank you's to those presidents and board officers who are stepping down at the end of their terms of service. Without all these volunteers we simply would not have a Maine Senior College Network! So thank you to all of you from the MSCN office at the University of Southern Maine!

I have two articles from Midcoast Senior College that help illustrate my paragraph above. In the first Midcoast SC introduce their new Board President, James Wilkes, and in the second they announce that Mark Smith is the recipient of their prestigious Founders AwardI also received a notice from Sunrise SC announcing their Fall classes are available for viewing.

Here is a list of some of the summer activities that will be of interest to Senior College members: 




The Gold LEAF Institute send us inspiration to go for long summery walks while we seek out the history of our local communities. And, f or those (we hope rare) rainy days you can stay indoors and listen to thought- provoking "Forum on the Future" discussions recorded by the Senior College at the University of Maine in Augusta.

Congratulations to Midcoast Senior College web wizards Jack Henderson and Clare Durst on the launch of your bold new website

Program Director
 
MidcoastSCPresident
Midcoast Senior College  names 
James Wilkes President of the Board


The Midcoast Senior College Board of Directors named James Wilkes President of the Board effective June 13, 2017 at its Annual Meeting Luncheon, Bowdoin College, Thorne Hall. Wilkes succeeds Dr. Anthony Belmont.

Wilkes has been Vice President of Midcoast Senior College for the past two years and chair of the Policy Committee since 2014 in addition to serving on the Finance and Nominating Committees.

Wilkes comes to the President's position having served on numerous not-for-profit boards including Chairman of the Board of Ohio's Samaritan Regional Hospital System; President of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors; levy campaign chair of the Ashland Ohio Mental Health and Recovery Board; and vice president of the Ashland Ohio City Schools Academic Foundation.  He also served on boards of the Maine Cathance River Educational Alliance; the Ashland, Ohio United Way; and the Ashland YMCA.

In his 38-year career in education Wilkes served as an Ohio city Superintendent of Schools, assistant superintendent, principal and teacher. After retiring from public education Wilkes worked in the private sector as a school facility planner for an Ohio architect and engineering firm. He concluded his career as Assistant Dean for Teacher Professional Development at Ashland University, Ohio.

Midcoast Senior College's mission is to provide non-credit academic courses and other educational events for people of 50 years and older to continue their lifelong learning. The 2016 - 2017 program involved 38 faculty providing 46 courses to Midcoast Maine residents. MSC also maintains an active web site (midcoastseniorcollege.org) for public use; writes, designs and mails newsletters to members; and offers off-campus activities including Winter and Summer Wisdom, Current Events, and Summer Excursion programs.

Submitted by Donna Marshall,  Midcoast Senior College

AcadiaandCOA
Acadia Senior College and College of the Atlantic 
3rd Annual Summer Collaborative:


"The Best of Acadia:  Back to College" 
July 10-14, 2017  


Location: College of the Atlantic campus, Eden Street, Bar Harbor

$60 for the week includes all talks and the sunset cruise (only a few seats remaining!)


Submitted By Jude Lamb, Acadia Senior College
GoldLEAFwalkers
Belgrade Lakes Walking Tour Expands Local History Buffs' Knowledge

Aerial view, Belgrade Lakes, Maine (Linen postcard between circa 1930 and circa 1945)

A recent Gold LEAF excursion in Belgrade Lakes was so popular that the presenter, Eric Hooglund, needed to offer a second "overflow" session, to a group of "wait-listers" who were very happy to not miss the experience.  

Eric's first visit and "summer experience" in the quaint village of Belgrade Lakes took place when he was four months' old, not that he can specifically remember it.  In the summers since then, and especially now as a retired historian and world-renowned speaker, he has taken on the task of learning the town's transitions so well that he shares them with ease.  

Walking Tour Participants

Beginning in the "Center for All Seasons" Community Center, Eric shared the History Room and its many archives which he has had a large hand in assembling and displaying.  After that overview, the group drove to St. Helena's where they parked at the south end of town and ordered lunch sandwiches from Hello Good Pie, which Eric cleverly arranged to be made while the "town tromp" took place.

Participants were particularly struck while standing in front of lovely stone structures, old stagecoach "inns" and other community centers and watering holes, some of which they had driven past countless time and never noticed. The history of each of these was shared as the walk progressed to the north, and then returned to the restaurant.  Much conservation information was gleaned from the new marine center, where maps gave a full picture of how the lakes connected.  Lake Smart certification and local hikes in the Kennebec Highlands were explained there.

Walking Tour Guide Eric Hooglund

At the local post office, the turn-around point for the tour, the group stood at the public put-in for carry-in craft such as kayaks and canoes.  The site of the stream, which leads to East Pond, and also connects to Long Pond to west, afforded everyone a sense of how the town "space" is shared.   The Village Inn, with its reputation for roast duck dinners, was hopping with young people enjoying its verdant lawn and Adirondack chairs.

It would take far too long to share all the many stories and local lore, so let it be said that a trip to history room at the Center for All Seasons would be worth the trek. Thanks to Eric for sharing this adventure, not once, but twice.

Submitted by Eileen Kreutz, The Gold LEAF Institute
MidcoastFounderAward
Midcoast Senior College presents Mark Smith with prestigious Founders Award 



During Midcoast Senior College's Annual Meeting and Luncheon on June 13, 2017 held at Thorne Hall, Bowdoin College, Mark Smith of Brunswick, Maine, was presented the prestigious 2017 Founders Award for his staunch support of MSC in numerous roles.  

To acknowledge the contributions of the two co-founders of Midcoast Senior College, Nancy Wheeler and the late Jack Thompson, the Board of Directors established in 2009 the Wheeler/Thompson Founders Award.  Presented annually at the Spring Luncheon, this award recognizes an individual who has supported the spirit and work of Midcoast Senior College in significant ways.

"Mark is a longstanding member and contributor to MSC. Serving as President of the Board from 2009-2013, Mark managed the rapid evolution and growth of the College," said Dr. Anthony Belmont, outgoing President of Midcoast Senior College. "During that time, he played a key role in the relocation from Bath to SNHU in Brunswick, helped create the Founders' Award, and oversaw the transition to independent 501(c)3 status."

The plaque and framed certificate was presented to Mark Smith by Dr. Belmont before more than 200 members, sponsors and invited guests. Nominations are solicited each spring from among past and present members, students, faculty, volunteers, and others. The Board makes the final selection.

Submitted by Donna Marshall,  Midcoast Senior College

UMAForumFutureTalks
Senior College at the University of Maine in Augusta - Forum on the Future

"La Sortie de l'opéra en l'an 2000" ( Detail)

The Senior College at the University of Maine in Augusta has posted Forum on the Future lectures and panel discussions on their website. 

This series is jointly sponsored by UMA and UMA Senior College. 





Forums are free and open to the public. For more information about the Forums, contact: UMA Senior College at (207) 621-3551.


SunriseSC-FallClasses
Sunrise Senior College 

Sunrise Senior College Announces Upcoming Fall Semester

Drawing, the Basics and Beyond, Health of the Gulf of Maine, Charlatan or Gifted Healer? These are just a few of the course titles in the line-up for the fall semester for Sunrise Senior College

The mission of Sunrise Senior College is to provide intellectual stimulation, practical knowledge, social interaction and fun to people 50 and older and their spouses or partners of any age. With that mission in mind the upcoming fall semester is sure to have something for everyone. 

Find the Fall Brochure describing all of the course offerings as well as a registration form on our website, or call us at 255-1384, leave your name and phone number with your message and we will return your call.

Submitted by Marci Gaglione, PR Chair, Sunrise Senior College
StorytellingEvents
You Are Invited to two Maine Storytelling Events!
Location: 
Pleasant St. Methodist Church,  61 Pleasant St. 
Waterville, Maine 

Three Maine Storytelling Guilds Jointly Present:
"A Storytelling Showcase"

Friday, September 15th, 2017
7:00 - 8:30 pm 

Suggested donation $10 benefitting the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter and Waterville Food Bank

Woman Reading

The Maine Storytelling Muster & The Maine Historical Society Present:
"Maine Stories - Then And Now"

Saturday, September 16, 2017 
10:00- 4:00 

This is a Cooperative Event of the Maine Storytelling Muster and the Maine Historical Society.
Maine Stories - Then And Now:  Wherever you live or have lived, turn a memory into a story. 

For More Information:  
Contact Phyllis Blackstone, Chair 
Phone: 207-860-6622

Download Flyers:
ColbyCollege
Art and Land Conservation Symposium 

Exploring the role of artists in American land conservation

August 3-4, 2017 
Colby College, Waterville, Maine. 


A two-day symposium exploring the critical role that 19th and 20th century visual artists played in the 
American conservation movement, and considering how their work can inform land conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, and policymakers in addressing contemporary pressures on the American landscape. Organized by the National Park Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 

Learn from experts on Adams, Bierstadt, Church, Cole, Hartley, O'Keeffe, Olmsted, Watkins and others how artists created landscape images for Americans who had never and might never experience them directly. Nationally-recognized scholars in art, history, American studies and law will relate how artists helped policy-makers embrace a land protection ethic based on the aesthetic values of nature that played an essential role in the creation of our national and state parks. Presentations on contemporary artists in Maine and national parks with a thematic focus on the arts will also be included. 

The symposium will precede "Views from the Maine Woods", the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's biennial conference. This week-long event includes over 240 hikes, numerous workshops, and excursions, some of which will relate to aesthetics, art and photography. 

For more information: 

Summer-SC-Programs
Senior College Summer Programs







The MSCN newsletter is sent to each Senior College board. The boards then forward the newsletter to their membership. However, if you are not a member of a Senior College or perhaps you are, and you simply want the news "hot off the press" subscribe here! 
 
Newsletter Submissions Deadline Date:
The 20th of each month!

Please submit your articles and photographs to Anne Cardale at acardale@maine.edu.


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The Maine Senior College Network is a program of the  

Maine Senior College Network
Links

Acadia Senior College

Augusta Senior College
 
Coastal Senior College

Downeast Senior College

Gold LEAF Institute

South Coast Senior College

Midcoast Senior College

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Penobscot Valley Senior College

SAGE at UMPI

Senior College at Belfast


St. John Valley Senior College

Sunrise Senior College 
 
Western Mountains Senior College

York County Senior College
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Maine Senior Guide is a comprehensive web resource about all things senior that provides "one stop shopping" for Maine's seniors at the link below: 

    
Contact Information
Maine Senior College Network 
P.O. Box 9300 
Portland, Maine 04104-9300 
(207) 228-4128

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