Senior College Network-ing

A woman stands beside a stone sign indicating the historic marker for Fort Kent, Maine, and points to a star at the top of a map of Route 1.

I had the opportunity to travel to three of our senior colleges recently: Sunrise in Machias, SAGE in Presque Isle, and St. John Valley in Fort Kent. What I called my Great Northern Tour.

Each of our senior colleges has their own personality, an offshoot of the community in which they reside. Whether they're big or small, in-person or online, new or established, the colleges are full of people with common and varied interests. Yet they all share one trait: a welcoming group of people engaged in learning and experiencing new things.

Talking to both organizers and members, I found an energy for their colleges, for lifelong learning, and for the community they have created. Those communities have a space for you. Find your senior college match on our network website. I hope to see you at my next visit!

Best wishes,

Joyce

Joyce Doyle

Communications Coordinator

Maine Senior College Network

In this issue

Scroll down the page to see each article.

Hello from South Coast Senior College

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Planning for the Future of SAGE

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What's new at our colleges

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Take a class near you

Stay up to date!

Visit our website to find out What's Happening and to discover a Senior College near you!

Visit our website

Questions? Contact your local senior college linked below.

How the senior colleges work

Become a member of your local college so you can join in classes for a small fee. Most memberships cost between $25-$40.

Your membership is good across the network!

Hello from...

South Coast Senior College (York County)

South Coast Senior College (SCSC) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that offers affordable, engaging courses for older adults across southern Maine. For more than 15 years, SCSC has adapted and grown, continuing to serve learners through in-person classes at the York Region Chamber of Commerce, Wells-Ogunquit Senior Center, and York Public Library, as well as online classes via Zoom.

Membership: $25

Classes:

$0-25

Portland Headlight lighthouse on a cliff with the words South Coast Senior College.

Photo by Michael Denning on Unsplash

What Makes SCSC Right for You

Small classes that encourage conversation, connection, and personal engagement.
Innovative courses designed to be interesting, enjoyable, and accessible.
A friendly learning community led by volunteer instructors who care about lifelong learning.

Upcoming Courses

Upcoming offerings include Watercolor; American Pie: History Set to Music; Art as Healing; A Tale of Two Berries; The American Wisdom Figures; Book Club; Life Story Writing; and Your Kitchen Is an Immigration Center.

Contact with questions or to volunteer: Email Sandi Kaan or call (207) 274-3105.

South Coast Senior College Courses

Planning for the Future of SAGE

Three people gather around a table covered in paper and markers. One holds a poster that says Miscellaneous Classes.

Members of Seniors Achieving Greater Education (SAGE) at the University of Maine Presque Isle gathered to brainstorm what the college should offer for the next two years—and what a list they created!

Photo courtesy of SAGE

What's New at Our Colleges

Belfast Senior College: Celebrating 25 Years of Fun

Fun(d)raiser October 24

Mark your calendar now for the first Belfast Senior College Goods and Services Auction on October 24, at 4 p.m., at the Waldo County Shrine Club. This event is a Fun(d)raiser to help BSC with its operating expenses.

But it is so much more. There will be snacks and drinks and lots of opportunity for socializing. Bidding on silent auction items will begin at 4 p.m. The event will culminate with a live auction under the expert, professional gavel of Lin Calista. All Senior College members are invited; admission is $10.

Gold LEAF Institute: Fall/Winter Term Kick-Off

Orange and read leaves lined up in a row on top of snow with the words: Gold LEAF Institute 2026-2027 Fall/Winter Term.

Kick-Off Event

Date: October 7, 2026

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Location: St. Joseph Parish Hall, 130 Quebec St., Farmington, ME

Registration: Online registration for Fall/Winter Term is open!

Some GLI presenters will be there to explain their classes.

Light snacks and beverages
Free and open to the public
We hope to see you there!!!!

Gold LEAF Institute

Midcoast Senior College: Largest-Ever Fall Term

Midcoast Senior College (MSC) is celebrating a milestone this fall, opening registration for the largest single-term course offering in the college’s history, with 20 courses scheduled for Fall Term II.

The record-setting lineup reflects both growing interest in lifelong learning and MSC’s efforts to make its programs accessible to more older adults across the Midcoast region and beyond. In direct response to requests from students for more online learning opportunities, MSC has added four Zoom courses to the Fall II schedule.

About Fall II classes:

Registration is now open.
Courses are $60, and an annual MSC membership of $40 is required.
Classes begin the week of November 2.
Courses offered at MSC’s Learning Center at 14 Middle Street in Brunswick and at partner locations in Brunswick, Topsham and Bath.
Most courses run four to six weeks, with morning and afternoon options.

Midcoast Senior College

Find more highlighted events in our What's Happening blog!

Take a Class Near You... or from Afar!

Did you know Maine is the only state with a Senior College Network? Our college courses are open to anyone age 50 and above. We offer multi-session classes, one-time workshops, local and international travel, and so much more. Members can take classes at any college. Discover what membership can do for you!

Visit a Maine Senior College for upcoming in-person and online class offerings.