Issue No. 113
OCTOBER
2019
The MSCN Newsletter

 Welcome to Your October 2019 Newsletter!


Celebrating Halloween with the October,1954 issue of 
Imagination!

This month's newsletter brings you exciting news! The  network has long been requesting a statewide conference. And now, t hanks to the generosity of the University of Maine Hutchinson Center and the Senior College at Belfast, we will be holding a conference in the spring of 2020! We are looking for your thoughts on what you would like to see at the meeting, so please take a moment to fill out our questionnaire

Other notable news includes an invitation to take part in a " Listening Session." Maine's Office of Aging and Disability Services is hosting regional Listening Sessions across the state. You are invited to attend and share your insights and experiences as Maine plans future services and supports for older Mainers. 



MSCNCONFERENCE
Save the Date!

"2020 Vision for Maine's Senior Colleges"
MSCN 2020 Statewide Conference
May 2, 2020.
Hutchinson Center

Thanks to the generosity of the University of Maine Hutchinson Center and the Senior College at Belfast we will be holding a statewide conference at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center on May 2, 2020.

Invitation to respond to a quick survey!
Help us plan for the conference by filling out our questionnaire!
Please spare 8 minutes of your time! Go to:  2020 Vision for Maine's Senior Colleges - Conference Program Survey

ListeningSessions
Maine's Office of Aging and Disability Services

Listening Sessions
You are invited!
Abstract Sea - Emilia Bayer 

In preparation for creating the State Plan on Aging, Maine's Office of Aging and Disability Services is hosting 8 regional Listening Sessions across the state - Older adults, caregivers, pre-retirees, veterans, adults with disabilities and service providers are invited to attend and share insights and experiences as we plan future services and supports for older Mainers. Everyone is welcome.

Please help us spread the word by sharing the attached flyer either electronically or in print.

Maine State Plan on Aging
Find a Listening Session near your Senior College! 
There is no cost and reservations are not required.

Spectrum Generations 
October 8 -  2:00 - 4:00 
VFW Hall 
50 Mill Street, Waldoboro, ME 04572

Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA)
October 15 - 2:00 - 4:00 
240 State St, Brewer, ME 04412

Spectrum Generations 
October 16 - 2:00 - 4:00 
38 Gold St, Waterville, ME 04901

Eastern Area Agency on Aging 
October 16 - 2:00 - 4:00 

SeniorsPlus 
October 22 - 1:00 - 3:00
SeniorsPlus  Offices 
10 Falcon Rd, Lewiston, ME

SeniorsPlus 
October 23 - 1:00 - 3:00 
1026 US-2 , Wilton, ME 04294

Southern Maine Agency on Aging 
October 24 - 2:00 - 4:00 
7th Floor 314 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103

If any accommodations are needed, please contact James Moorhead at 207.287.9200 or TTY: Maine relay 711. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting you plan to attend.


OquossocOutingThe Gold LEAF Institute at the University of Maine at Farmington

Gold LEAF institute's 
'Oquossoc Outing' 
Gold LEAF members about to embark on their boat ride on Rangeley Lake

In mid-July members of the Gold LEAF Institute at UMF enjoyed an exciting, educational field trip to the Rangeley Lakes Region. The 'Oquossoc Outing' half-day trip included a one-hour interactive scenic cruise aboard Rangeley Region Lake Cruises' new Oquossoc Lady II. 

Captain Kevin Sinnett (standing, left) describing the history of the region, and its natural resources.

After the cruise, they enjoyed a delicious lunch at the 45th Parallel Fireside Grille. The trip concluded with a tour of the Rangeley Outdoor Heritage Museum which offers a glimpse back at the lure and the lore of the Rangeley Lakes. A group discount on all three activities made the trip very affordable. More Gold LEAF members are looking forward to a second 'Oquossoc Outing' in early October to enjoy the fall foliage. For information on the 'Oquossoc Outing' contact Rangeley Region Lake Cruises at [email protected].

Submitted by Jan Benschop, The Gold LEAF Institute at UMF

WMSCTOYOURHEALTH
Western Mountains Senior College Presents:


To Your Health
Thursday, October 10 

To Your Health: The New 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Peter Baker, Program Director of the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will discuss the newly developed 10 warning signs that will help people recognize this disease. 
Free and open to the public, light refreshments served. 
Thurs., Oct. 10; 4:30-6:00; West Parish Congregational Church, Bethel.

Tuesday, October 15
Brown Bag Lunch: Pollinator Garden at Valentine Farm

Bring your lunch and join Barbara Murphy of the Mahoosuc Land Trust to see the Pollinator Garden at the Valentine Farm, and learn how to create a pollinator haven in your landscape at home. Free and open to the public. FMI or to save your spot contact
.
Tuesday, October 15; 12:15 - 1:30 pm; Valentine Farm Conservation Center, 162 North Road, Bethel.

Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, October 24

Down Home  Maine: The Changing Face of Conservation in the Mahoosuc Region
 
Gabe Perkins of Mahoosuc Pathways  and Kirk Siegel of the Mahoosuc Land Trust will explain how their 
organizations are collaborating to advance 
conservation and recreation for public benefit. With a presentation of short videos, slides, and perspectives they  hope to engage participants in an active discussion about what is important to our region. 
Free and open to the public.
Thursday, October 24; 7:00 pm; McLaughlin Auditorium, Gould Academy.

This program is sponsored by Down Home Maine of Western Mountains Senior College. Admission is free to the public, however, donations are accepted. Light refreshments will be served.



LASCFood4Thought
University of Southern Maine, Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Presents:

"My Kenyan Safaris"
Presenter: Anita Denis

Food for Thought Luncheon
Friday, October 11, at noon 

Lion in the Sage by Kim Donaldson (2009)


The USM-LAC Senior College is pleased to announce Anita Denis as our speaker for Friday, October 11, 2019 at 12:00 noon. Doors open at 11:30 am for the luncheon with the program to be presented at noon.
Anita will present a talk and photos about Kenyan safaris. This free public program will be held in room 170 at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston Auburn campus 51 Westminster Ave., Lewiston, ME.

Anita Denis
Anita is a retired secondary social studies teacher in international schools for over 40 years. She taught in the International School of Kenya in Nairobi for nine years. During that time she was able to go on safari three or four times a year. Anita will share photos and speak of these "experiences, pleasures, and warnings of going on safari. " Anita states "Safari provided me my best memories from living and working in Kenya and I wish to share my experiences."

For those who wish to have lunch, the cost is eight dollars and a reservation is required before noon on Wednesday, October 9. Call 207-753-6510 for a lunch reservation. Food can also be purchased at the campus café.
OLLIsage
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Southern Maine, Portland campus

OLLI at USM 
SAGE 2019 Fall Lecture Series
Lecture Times: 9:30 - 11:30
Location: Hannaford Hall 

SAGE eight-week lecture series are held each fall and spring, exploring new dimensions in the arts, sciences, history, culture, business, recreation, and current events. Lectures are presented by experts in their fields and are held in Hannaford Hall in the Abromson Community Education Center on USM's Portland campus.

Walk-in seating for individual lectures is $10 at the door for each lecture at Hannaford Hall


October 8 
Heather Davis, LearningWorks  Executive Director
LEARNING WORKS: STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH NON-TRADITIONAL MEANS
Discover how LearningWorks empowers students whose academic needs are not met by traditional educational systems.



October 15
Bass Professor of Natural Sciences, Biology, Emeritus
HOW TO BE A NATURALIST IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Being mindful, curious and knowledgeable about the natural world in the digital age.


October 22
Tilly Laskey, Maine Historical Society  Curator
HOLDING UP THE SKY: WABANAKI PEOPLE, CULTURE, HISTORY AND ART
Explore 13,000 years of Wabanaki residence in Maine through 17th century treaties, historic items, and contemporary artworks.



October 29
Alison Beyea & Zach Heiden, ACLU Maine
Executive Director & Legal Director
LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL: EXPANDING THE PROMISE OF THE CONSTITUTION
Learn how Maine's ACLU is working in the courts, the legislature, and our communities to build a more perfect nation for the generations to come.


November 5
Jeff Tarling, City of Portland City  Arborist/Forestry & Horticulture Manager 
KEEPING PORTLAND THE FOREST CITY
From our historic heritage trees to our new plantings, learn how Portland has planned and cared for our trees, parks, and green spaces.



November 12
AUTHOR OF CALL ME AMERICAN
Be heartened and amazed as Abdi tells how he beat 600-1 odds to obtain a green card to enter the USA.

Download Flyer (pdf)



SAGEatUMPISAGE at University of Maine Presque Isle invitation: 

Plan Ahead - Save the Date! 
& Learn About Zoom
Prepare for Online Classes with SAGE at the University of Presque Isle

2020 Online Class
The Power and Influence of Big Money
with Alice Bolstridge, PH. D. English Literature. Writer. Activist. 

Lively discussion is expected in this ZOOM-at-home class about the effects of big money on legislative policy and citizens' lives. Selected readings from a book in progress about life as a volunteer activist will be emailed to participants prior to each class. The title, Through the Eye of a Needle by Alice Bolstridge, refers to Jesus' warning: "It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven." The book includes extensive observations made in 2018 of the 128th Maine Legislature dealing with problems the class will discuss: income inequality, the environment, health care, and education. 

Two women planning to Zoom their next class.
(Detail from Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "The Hunters in the Snow.")
 
Prepare for class with Zoom Tutorials
ZOOM is easy-to-use videoconferencing. It is catching on in the Maine Senior College Network as a way to take online courses from home ... even during a snowstorm! This is SAGE at UMPI's first ZOOM class. ZOOM is similar to Skype. Your computer needs a camera and a microphone. To see if your computer qualifies, and/or if you are simply curious about zooming, email Nancy Roe.  Nancy will help you prepare for Alice's class or if you are simply interested in zooming, two tutorials are scheduled for you, using your computer at home. You will need to notify Nancy so instructions can be sent if you wish to participate. 

Nancy Roe is a ZOOM enthusiast. She is a founding member of SAGE and a member of the SAGE Board of Directors.

GLITHINKTANK
The Gold LEAF Institute

"Supporting Optimism in the 21st Century: Where is humankind going from here?"
 Report on the Gold LEAF Institute's new Think Tank
 

Carl Gustav Carus - Wanderer on the Mountaintop

During the summer semester of Gold LEAF a new (no-charge) drop-in class/discussion group was formed. "Supporting Optimism in the 21st Century: Where is humankind going from here?" The group meets twice a month, and is scheduled to stay in the Gold Leaf curriculum indefinitely.

The idea originated with Phil Poirier, joined by Jan Benschop. Together they act as the group leaders. They decided that due to seeing so much negativity in the news lately, an antidote was needed! The group aims to be just such an antidote, featuring brainstorming sessions about sociological, ethical, and technological advances that may bring positive, sustainable alternatives to "business as usual." Emphasis is placed on solutions to global challenges in every arena of human endeavor. The actionable intent here is to put suggestions toward possibly workable solutions "out there" for the benefit of everyone everywhere. Perhaps innovative entrepreneurs might even be inspired to pick up the gauntlet and run with their new ideas...

generation, and new separate advances in medicine that might be put into use synergistically. The group is not a book club, although isolated ideas from current literature and periodicals dealing with futurism could be posited as future subjects.  Instead, the group has adopted a pragmatic approach and suggest that all participants "Think of it as a think tank..."


Submitted by Jan Benschop, The Gold LEAF Institute at UMF

FallCoursesMSCN Fall Classes - Links to Course Information

Fall Classes
Fall Plowing by Grant Wood
 


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 end of each month.

Submit your articles and photographs to Anne Cardale at [email protected] .


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Links

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Coastal Senior College

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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

Email:

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