IN PERSON AT THE LEWISTON-AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For many people, the later years of life turn out to be the happiest, richest, and most meaningful.This course will explore factors which help us find satisfaction and meaning as we age. We will examine research about aging and happiness, identify some common barriers to happiness, explore possible resources for finding richness and meaning in later life, look at the role of sorrow and loss, and consider the challenges and opportunities of living alone. Our goal is to share information and insights that will help all of us enhance the qualty of our lives as we age.  

Jean Potuchek holds a PhD in Sociology from Brown University and, before her retirement, spent 25 years as an award-winning teacher of sociology and women’s studies at Gettysburg College.

Bill earned his BA degree at Brown and a Masters in Adult Education at USM. He taught for 31 years at CMCC before retiring and living in central Mexico and teaching English for five years before returning to Maine.  

IN PERSON AT SCHOONER ESTATES

A discussion of four novels based on historical accounts featuring strong female protagonist. The novels are Isola, Lioness of Boston, The Paris Express, and My Name is Emilia del Valle (The class will meet every other week to allow time for reading.)

Peggy Volock has presented several classes for senior college. Before retirement she was a medical technologist and a high school teacher. After retiring she worked as an adjunct instructor at CMCC and a library assistant at Lewiston Public Library.

IN PERSON AT THE FIRST UNIVERALIST CHURCH

Join Maine Inside Out for an interactive theater workshop from 3:30-5pm on September 24 at the First Universalist Church at 160 Pleasant Street Auburn! The workshop explores how theater can be a tool for deepening our understanding of ourselves and our community through play, collaboration, improvisation, and vulnerability.

Maine Inside Out (MIO) is a Lewiston based nonprofit that ignites collective creativity and inspires social action by engaging youth and adults impacted by system oppression to create and share original theater. Since 2008, MIO has facilitated theater workshops and performances inside Maine prisons, schools, and community settings. MIO's performance tours have engaged audiences across the state of Maine and as far away as Washington, DC and the University of Michigan. For more information about MIO please check out our website at www.maineinsideout.org.  

IN PERSON AT THE LEWISTON-AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Observers have noted the emergence of extremely fundamental Islamic groups such as Boko Haram, Taliban, the Islamic State among others. These groups did not suddenly appear but have a long ideological history and rationale behind them. This class explores the major thinkers that led to a divergence of Islamic ideology - both the more accommodating worldviews and the far more intolerant beliefs that have dominated much of the news since 2000.

After teaching chemistry from the time of four known elements, Chuck Parker decided upon retirement not to take up golf but to earn a master's degree in history at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he studied radical Islamic groups. Since graduating in 2014, Chuck has offered a series of classes in Middle Eastern history in Maine Senior Colleges.

IN PERSON AT THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY

This course explores the literal and metaphorical value of rhythm in the context of human behavior. It will connect rhythm to individual physical and mental health and highlight the role of rhythm in supporting and sustaining social connection. Each session provides a brief background in the science behind rhythm (attunement, entrainment, and embodiment) and will spend more experiential time drumming to translate theory into practice. No musical experience or knowledge is required. Instruments will be provided and participants are invited to bring their own hand drums/percussion instruments.

Sean Douglas, LCSW has been tapping out rhythms for as long as he can remember and has been practicing as clinical social worker for 20+ years. As a therapist, he has brought drumming to individuals, couples and groups in a variety of clinical, professional and recreational settings.  

IN PERSON AT AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND ZOOM

Everyone who registers will receive a link to ZOOM in their email on the morning of the class, and may attend either in-person or by ZOOM

This program will focus on the innovative, experiential, and affordable education programs that the Boothbay Sea and Science Center offers to youth ages 5 -17.  These programs are focused on opening doors of opportunity for students, instructors, and teachers with hands-on learning, instilling lifelong skills and creating career pathways in STEM fields.  

Pauline Dion is co-founder and executive director of the Boothbay Sea and  Science Center. A passionate lifelong sailor, Pauline chaired the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sailing and Tennis programs from 2005 – 2012. Pauline received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (with an emphasis in Adult Oncology) from Salve Regina College, and earned a Masters Degree with an emphasis in Nursing Education from Boston College School of Nursing. She has served as a Clinical Nursing Instructor at several hospitals including St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Brighton, MA), Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), and Maine Medical Center (Portland, ME).  

IN PERSON AT AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND ZOOM

Everyone who registers will receive a link to ZOOM in their email on the morning of the class, and may attend either in-person or by ZOOM

African Americans have actively resisted racism and inequity in their lives and throughout Maine’s history. This presentation focuses on Black Mainers’ persistence, resilience, and resistance to oppression by exploring a few of the stories of Black Mainers who have been important parts of our communities from the Revolutionary War period through the early 20th Century.

Alex Magnaud is an educator for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC). She has a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies from Colgate University and a Master’s in Childhood and Special Education from the College of Saint Rose and has worked as an educator in a variety of roles and settings. In her role with the HHRC, Alex does educational programming for students, educators and community members throughout the state. 

(Thanks to the Holocaust and Human Rights Center for generously making this presentation available to us.)

IN PERSON AT THE LEWISTON-AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE PUBLIC THEATRE

Lewiston-Auburn Senior College is partnering with The Public Theatre to offer a unique opportunity for you to get a behind-the scenes look at a thrilling stage adaptation of Stephen King’s MISERY, the first play in The Public Theatre’s 2025-26 season, The Theatre will be offering us a sneak peek into the rehearsal process, including the chance to ask questions about the experience of how much work it takes to produce a professional play.

You may have read Stephen King’s best-selling psychological thriller or seen the Oscar-winning film adapted by William Goldman (Marathon Man), but nothing compares to seeing the story play out live on stage. Truth is stranger than fiction when a famous romance novelist veers off the road in a winter storm and wakes up incapacitated in the home of his “number one fan.” A heart-pounding life or death game of cat and mouse quickly ensues as his number one fan unexpectedly becomes his number one enemy.

Session One: October 8, 11-1 at the Chamber of Commerce Conference Room (415 Lisbon Street, a short walk from the Public Theatre). A two-hour discussion about the themes and content of the play.  How does it differ from its source material?  How are the events from the book and the movie depicted on stage in front of an audience?  How do we give a sense of time and place on the stage, without the book’s narration and the film’s ability to be virtually anywhere?  We will also include a sneak peek of set and costume designs for the play. After the discussion, we will travel over to the Public Theatre to see the set “in progress.”  Experience up close the amazing craftsmanship of the set designers and builders.

Session Two: October 15 (at the Public Theatre, time TBA) A Rehearsal Sneak Peek:  Attend a short piece of rehearsal to watch the script transition from page to stage.  See the Director work with the actors to make the story come to life.

Session Three:  October 26 (at the Public Theatre, 2pm) Attend a matinee performance of MISERY, which will be followed by a post-show discussion with cast members, led by The Public Theatre’s Artistic Director, Janet Mitchko. (Cost of matinee ticket is covered by tuition for the course.)

Reading:  

NOTE:  A familiarity with MISERY is helpful, but reading the book or seeing the movie is not a prerequisite for participation.  Participants will be asked to read the play’s script prior to the first session.  It is available in one of four ways: 

• You may purchase the script for $13 at Dramatists https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=5493
• You may read it free on line at: https://www.scribd.com/document/852716717/Misery-Script
• You can sign out one of 2 copies for 3 days at the Public Theatre.  Please call ahead to reserve the copy for pickup at 782-2211.
• The Lewiston Public Library has ordered copies of the script for borrowing.

Ray Dumont is Executive Director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine 

Janet Mitchko is Artistic Director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine