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 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 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 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

"Making the Invisible Visible: A Photovoice Project by Black Elders in Maine" is a storytelling project undertaken by Black Elders to challenge the  invisibility of 'aging while Black' in Maine. Leslie Hill, Project Facilitator will describe the PV process from choosing focus questions, coaching in basic photography, sharing stories about the meaning of pictures taken, to celebrating the richness of Black older adults' experiences of and contributions to life in Maine. Learn in this session about the meaning and impact of storytelling with images.    

Leslie Hill, Bates College Professor Emerita and convener of the Black Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) Elders Group, led the work on this MCOA project.

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

Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance and Penobscot Nation tribal citizen Maulian Bryant (she/her) will lead a lecture and discussion on the Wabanaki tribal nations and the quest to restore important rights around sovereignty and self determination. She will analyze history and policy, make recommendations for how to heal the relationship between the tribes and the state, and share about upcoming work and how to stay informed. She invites questions and conversation.

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 presentation will focus on the climate and clean energy advocacy of The Natural Resources Council of Maine, the state’s leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and conserving Maine’s environment, now and for future generations. Since 1959, NRCM has harnessed the power of the law, science, and the voices of nearly 20,000 supporters statewide and beyond to protect the places and way of life that make Maine so special.

Josh Caldwell works to build coalitions that can effectively implement policy by pushing our state and federal legislators to act on climate and clean energy initiatives. For the past six years, he has been engaged in environmental and political organizing in Maine, forging new connections and deepening his knowledge of an incredible state.