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and why we do it.
I am very excited about the fall 2023 semester at UMA Senior College. Our instructors and volunteers have been working for months to bring you interesting classes. The classes will range through the categories of wellness, nature, history and the arts. Mike Bell will be back with a course titled “Memphis: City of Lights and Broken Dreams.” Carole Baldwin and Elizabeth Luckraft are teaming up to offer a class to “activate your artistic creativity”, and the Friday classic films and Tuesday lectures will return.
We are welcoming new instructors as well. Harry Vayo will lead a short course on late summer wildflowers which will include a field trip to the Viles Arboretum in Augusta. Claire Guy will present “Medi- tation in Motion” which I’m sure will benefit many of us with busy lives. In all, UMA Senior College will host 25 classes. For an early peek at classes for this fall, click here.
Over a dozen volunteers have worked to bring you these classes. Additionally, we are always trying to improve the steps that our members take to sign-up for classes. Last year, we found that the delivery of paper registrations by the US Post Office was often delayed. It literally was “snail-mail”. Our mem- bers who registered for classes over the internet were not affected. But the unpredictable mail delivery made it difficult to schedule the office volunteers and delayed the processing of the paper registrations.
Our solution:
• encourage people to renew their Senior College membership early over the internet;
• encourage more people to register for classes on our website; and
• replace paper registration with registration by phone for members who cannot register online.
You will receive a letter in the mail or an email with information about renewing your membership. I hope that you help us by taking this first step to begin the new Senior College year. I look forward to seeing you in class this fall.
Sincerely,
Louis Fontaine
Chairperson
UMA Senior College
JOIN A CHORUS!
Think that Barbershop music means 4 guys singing between shaves? You’re mistaken! This a cappella four-part-chord-style of singing dates back to 1800’s America in parlors, street corners, and gatherings everywhere.
Today, “Mainely Harmony” keeps the barbershop tradition going in Central Maine. From opening the Legislative session at the State House in Augusta singing the National Anthem in 4 part harmony, to performing for small family events, their performances range from a 2 dozen strong choir to a simple quartet. They also compete as members of the nationwide Harmony, Inc.
They have been rehearsing year round since 1989, (currently at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays) and are always looking for new members. Women of all ages who like to sing are welcome to join their rehearsals. Contact Dee at 207-740-4882, visit their website, or you can hear them here.
CODA Chorus is an all-inclusive community chorus located in Winthrop. There are no auditions; and they welcome any community members, high school age and older.
CODA presents two formal concerts a year and sings a wide variety of music styles, from classical, folk and Christmas carols to Broadway, jazz, and novelty numbers.
The Fall season will be starting on September 12. For more information visit their website.
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Learning Never Grows Old
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NEED A RIDE?
You’re in luck if you live in the lakes region north-west of campus. The Neighbors Driving Neighbors (NDN) organization has provided 100,000 miles of free rides since its founding in 2015.
The heart of the service is the 50 or so volunteer drivers. At a meeting to publicize the service to the recently added town of Readfield, a relatively new driver from a nearby town shared his experience emphasizing the social aspect of the program. One of his first pickups was an elderly woman who lived not far from the new house he and his wife had just purchased. As they drove by his new home on the way to her destination, he pointed it out, and she said, “I know that house very well. In high school, that’s where my boy friend lived!” Instantly, he felt he was becoming part of his new community
The Details
As long as you live in Vienna, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Belgrade, Rome or Readfield, a volunteer driver will take you to any location within 35 miles or so. Neighborhood drivers can take passengers to medical appointments, stores, the hair salon, classes, social events, or on other errands. Some ride regularly, others only occasionally, some are young, some are older. Can’t leave the house? The service can also provide grocery and pharmacy pick-up and delivery.
When asked about expanding to other towns, executive director Joe Austin said that they are not currently looking to grow more – if they did they might loose their community orientation. However, he would be happy to help others replicate their success. He’s learned a lot about regulations, insurance, the process for qualifying volunteer drivers and making it easy for them to choose which ride requests they will fulfill, all the administrative necessities.
Perhaps UMASC, though not geographic, is a community that might one day look for some advice on ride-sharing to lessen our dependence on Zoom! For now, if you do live in a participating town, check out the fall classes – you may see a class you didn’t know you could get to!
Join NDN
It is important to note that NDN is not a public “taxi” service. You must be registered to schedule a ride. So if you are a resident of one of the towns listed above, register now so that you can reserve a ride when you need one. There is no charge. Call (207) 860-0677 or check their website to learn more.
NEED A RIDE?
You’re in luck if you live in the lakes region of central Maine. The Neighbors Driving Neighbors (NDN) organization has provided 100,000 miles of free rides since its founding in 2015.
The heart of the service is the 50 or so volunteer drivers. At a meeting to publicize the service to the recently added town of Readfield, a relatively new driver from a nearby town shared his experience emphasizing the social aspect of the program. One of his first pickups was an elderly woman who lived not far from the new house he and his wife had just purchased. As they drove by his new home on the way to her destination, he pointed it out, and she said, “I know that house very well. In high school, that’s where my boy friend lived!” Instantly, he felt he was becoming part of his new community
The Details
As long as you live in Vienna, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Belgrade, Rome or Readfield, a volunteer driver will take you to any location within 35 miles or so. Neighborhood drivers can take passengers to medical appointments, stores, the hair salon, classes, social events, or on other errands. Some ride regularly, others only occasionally, some are young, some are older. Can’t leave the house? The service can also provide grocery and pharmacy pick-up and delivery.
When asked about expanding to other towns, executive director Joe Austin said that they are not currently looking to grow more – if they did they might loose their community orientation. However, he would be happy to help others replicate their success. He’s learned a lot about regulations, insurance, the process for qualifying volunteer drivers and making it easy for them to choose which ride requests they will fulfill, all the administrative necessities.
Perhaps UMASC, though not geographic, is a community that might one day look for some advice on ride-sharing to lessen our dependence on Zoom! For now, if you do live in a participating town, check out the fall classes – you may see a class you didn’t know you could get to!
Join NDN
It is important to note that NDN is not a public “taxi” service. You must be registered to schedule a ride. So if you are a resident of one of the towns listed above, register now so that you can reserve a ride when you need one. There is no charge. Call (207) 860-0677 or check their website to learn more.
We have been thinking and talking about Juneteenth these past few weeks: what it celebrates, its long, patient history, why most people hadn’t even heard about something so important to Black Americans. Why wasn’t it taught in schools? What brought it into our national consciousness after 150 years . . . ?
We have been thinking and talking about Juneteenth these past few weeks: what it celebrates, its long, patient history, why most people hadn’t even heard about something so important to Black Americans. Why wasn’t it taught in schools? What brought it into our national consciousness after 150 years . . . ?
HAPPENING NOW!
UMASC BOOK GROUPS
UMASC has a Monday and a Thursday book group.
See current information and archived book reviews.
TEACHERS
UMASC is always looking to expand our course offerings. We need instructors to teach classes and present lectures. Both in-person and Zoom venues are available
ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS
KLAHR CENTER – Current Exhibit
29 MAINERS — The "29 Mainers" exhibit, created by portrait photographer Erin Moore, was birthed out of the desire to add black faces to the world of fine art portraiture. read more