Presenter: Dean Bennett

Dean Bennett has a PhD in Resource Planning and Conservation from the University of Michigan. He is Professor Emeritus from the University of Maine at Farmington where he taught secondary science education. He has eleven published books about nature, wilderness, and human relationships with the natural world. 

This lecture will review plant species recently added to the Maine Do-Not-Sell List. Join Crystal Ferris, Longfellow’s Greenhouses Nursery and Perennial Manager, to discuss how this will impact your home garden and learn about hardy, non-invasive plant alternatives.

Presenter: Crystal Ferris

Crystal Ferris started her agricultural career at the University of Maine’s research and development farm in Presque Isle. There she provided research-based information on new disease and pest management practices that are essential for Maine’s potato industry. After moving to southern Maine, Crystal began working at Longfellow’s Greenhouses where she is now the Nursery and Perennial Manager. She grows 60,000 perennials for the spring season, oversees the purchasing of the nurseries’ finished plant material, and provides advice on plant selection and garden design to customers. She lives in Fayette and enjoys spending time in the beautiful woods and waters of Maine.

Presenter: Mike Bell

Mike Bell loves American history! With a master’s degree in both history and teaching and an undergrad degree in political science, he has enjoyed a varied career in teaching and historical interpretation. Mike appeared on a History Channel special about PT 109, and for over 20 years portrayed many historical figures, including Butch Cassidy and Sam Houston.

Please join Pamela MacRae for an overview of global and local marine fisheries, focusing on fisheries catch data and management, different methods used in commercial fishing, impacts of  fishing on marine life, economic values and potential solutions to current threats. This presentation will also discuss some of the great work that has been done here in Maine to promote healthy fisheries and habitats.

Presenter: Pamela MacRae

Pamela S.D. MacRae was appointed Assistant Provost in January 2022, after her initial appointment as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine at Augusta in June 2021.  In her new role she oversees UMA’s Early College Program, Prison Education Partnership, Senior College Office, and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She earned a PhD in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University, a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Toronto and B.S. in Biology from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. Pamela is a field-based fish community ecologist and her research has focused on exploring the links between fish community structure and environmental variables in marine, freshwater and estuarine habitats. She has over a decade of teaching field based ecology, fisheries and marine science classes and she has published in scientific journals including Ecology, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and Copeia among others.

Presenter: Patricia Sullivan

Patricia Sullivan received her B.A. and M.A. in History from the George Washington University. She directed three notable American historic house museums and later became a consultant for the American Association of Museums and the Institute of Museum Services. In addition to curating several exhibits and developing major collections management strategies, Sullivan also developed the action and operating plan for the Newseum, a Washington DC museum of journalism, and she created future operating plans for the U.S. Mint (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) and the Museum of Latin American Art, both in Washington D.C.

Sullivan established the Museum of Maritime Pets in 2006, and is its Chief Operating Officer. The Museum has a world-wide following and relocated to Maine’s mid-coast in the Fall of 2021. Its exhibits, library and gift shop are located at 75 Mechanic Street in Rockland at the Sail, Power and Steam Museum complex.

Beautiful, fascinating lichens are common throughout Maine. They are made of two organisms, a fungus and a photosynthetic partner that live together and share resources. They are found on rocks, soil and trees from the tropics to the tundra. We’ll take an introductory look at lichens and consider what they are, what they look like, their role in the ecosystem, and how they are used by animals (reindeer, birds, etc.) and people (food, the colors of Harris tweed, bio-indicators). There will be pictures during the talk, and show and tell in the classroom. After class there will be an optional opportunity to go on a short walk around the loop outside the Klahr Center in search of lichens – a kind of lichen safari! Hopefully you’ll come away with a better appreciation of lichens, their beauty and their role in the world.

Presenter: Andrea Ostrofsky

Andrea Ostrofsky has lived in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Nebraska. She moved to Maine in 1982. Her background is in the biological sciences. She has worked in laboratories studying wood decay fungi for the USDA Forest Service and for the University of Maine. After moving to Augusta in 2006, Andrea began volunteer work at the Maine State Museum and worked in the library at Cony High School for 9 years before retiring. Currently she is enjoying UMA Senior College.

The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture has been an important catalyst for vitality and artistic exploration since its founding in 1946. Not only has it helped transform the art world of Maine (including transplanting several students!), its influence extends well beyond the borders of the state. In this lecture/conversation, Farnsworth Art Museum Docent Chris Williamson will present a few of the many fascinating artists and sculptors who benefitted from attending the school. As with earlier “virtual tours” of the Farnsworth, this in-person lecture will invite occasional close looking and audience participation. Chris is excited to meet in person!

Presenters:
Chris Williamson

Chris Williamson is a retired educator, including 23 years as a Head of School in two independent schools. Chris has been a docent at the Farnsworth Art Museum since 2015, returning to his early interest in the arts. He graduated from Williams College with honors in history in 1970, earned a master’s degree in English from the University of New Hampshire in 1975, and took graduate courses at Boston University in education and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in drama. After teaching, directing plays, coaching, and serving as arts chair, he took on various administrative roles prior to becoming head of school. Chris has presented at regional and national conferences, has served on several Boards, and has had articles published in professional journals. In addition to his on-going docent volunteering and training at the Farnsworth, Chris is taking the National Gallery of Art’s Teaching Critical Thinking Through Art course.

Adjusting medications that could be harmful to seniors is a common geriatric medical theme. In this interactive lecture Dr. Schneid will review the widely published Beers Criteria Medication List which discusses common prescribed and over-the-counter medications and their side effects. He will also discuss palliative care issues and help the audience understand common end of life issues.

Presenter: James Schneid

James Schneid M.D. is Board Certified in Family Medicine as well as Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is the previous Program Director and Chair of the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. Jim has a lifelong interest in End of Life issues and in 2017 helped develop the first Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship for physicians at the Togus V.A. Hospital and Maine Medical Center. As the VA Hospice Medical Director he enjoyed teaching nurses, chaplains, social workers, medical students, Resident physicians, fellows and attendings the art of Palliative Medicine.

Jim is still a faculty member preceptor at the Family Medicine Institute in Augusta and on the active staff of Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice.