Fall 2024 Classes
Bridgton History Pre-Civil War
Mike Davis
Tuesdays, Sept 24 – Oct 22, 9:30-11:30am
A four-week set of classes on Bridgton history:
9/24: Transportation. Mike will discuss modes of transportation and tell stories of highway thieves.
10/8 and 10/15: the political climate in Bridgton leading up to the Civil War. Mike will touch on the abolitionist movement and the underground railroad and other topics pertaining to the times.
10/22: Letters From the Vault. Mike will read four letters from this period and give a summary of each letter.
Mike Davis of the Bridgton Historical Society has entertained many people with his colorful tales of days gone by. He is the author of the Bridgton News column “In Ye
Olden Times” and lectures at local historical societies.
Financial Preparedness
Charlotte Kelly
Wednesday, Sept 25 – 9:30-11:30am
In this class Charlotte will touch on the many ways that you can prepare yourself for life’s financial challenges. As we age, there are many changes that arise in our financial circumstances. For example, do you know what you need to have in place in the event that your partner passes away or becomes unable to make decisions? Have you looked at the type of accounts you have, and asked whether they are still right for you? Have you sat with a financial person at your bank to consider your needs going forward? Come hear about ways to protect your financial wellness.
Charlotte Kelly, a resident of Naples, has been a Private Client Banker at KeyBank for many years, assisting people with their financial wellness. Charlotte’s background in financial services started in 1989.
History of Deertrees Theater
Tom Durkin
Thurs, Sept 26 – 9:30-11:30am
Come to Deertrees Theater for a behind-the-scenes look into its unique history and its contribution to the Lakes Region. Maybe you have been to performances there but don’t know about the origins of the theater. Come learn interesting tidbits and trivia about how the town of Harrison came to have this gem in its midst.
The Senior College has arranged a private tour of Deertrees Theater led by Tom Durkin. We will meet at the Theater, 156 Deertrees Road in Harrison at 9:30. Class fee applies to this tour.
Tom Durkin has taught at the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior levels in high school, as well as trained other teachers. He currently serves on the board at Deertrees Theater.
Drawing with Colored Pencils and Watercolor Pens
Donna Kantor
Fridays, Sept 27 & Oct 11 – 9:30-11:30am
9/27 Colored Pencils
Donna will teach the first class using colored pencils. She will do a Fall landscape applying the principles of art in colored pencil. Please bring colored pencils that you may have. If you need supplies there will be an additional $5.00 fee. Paper will be supplied.
10/11 Watercolor Pens
The second class will use watercolor pens. This class will be painting leaves in watercolor. Learn how easy it is to let the water do the work! If you have watercolor pens please bring them. If you need supplies there will be an additional $5.00 fee. Paper will be supplied.
Donna Kantor is well known for her beautiful paintings of nature and has been teaching in the Sebago area for many years.
How To Protect Yourself From Fraud and Scam Attempts
Julie Flynn
Weds, Oct 9 – 9:30-11:30am
Scams and identity theft rob millions of Americans of their hard-earned money every year. Scammers are smart, creative and relentless, but there are simple steps each of us can take to protect ourselves and our families from these crimes. AARP is proud to be a leader in the fight to combat fraud everywhere — right here in Maine, too. Join us for a workshop that will help you recognize common scams and what you can do to avoid them.
Julie Flynn is an AARP Fraud Watch Network volunteer in Maine. She has been a presenter for AARP for over three years. She is the current Commander of the American Legion Post in Gray Maine and a Be The One instructor throughout the state of Maine.
Maintaining Healthy Joints
Nancy Donovan
Weds, Oct 16 – 9:30-11:30am
Healthy joints allow us to move without pain, perform functional tasks, participate in recreational activities, complete hobbies, and generally enjoy daily life. As we age our joints undergo wear and tear which may result in stiffness, weakness, pain, decreased range of motion, numbness, tingling and/or other unpleasant sensations. These signs and symptoms may be present in neck, spine, shoulder, elbow, hands, hip, knee, ankle, and/or feet. In this class, causes of the symptoms will be reviewed, and management of the problems will be discussed.
Nancy Donovan received her Ph.D., in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1985. She was a professor at Miami University of Ohio and The University of Illinois. She also received a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois in Chicago, has taught physical therapy at the University of New England and worked in the outpatient, inpatient, intensive care, and home care settings.
Maine in the Civil War
Paul Bibeau
Fridays, October 18 & 25 – 9:30-11:30am
“War is bad, heaven knows, but slavery is far worse. If the doom of slavery is not sealed by the war, I shall curse the day I entered the Army, or lifted a finger in the preservation of the Union. Of the old Union we have had enough and more than enough.” — Walter Stone Poor, a Maine soldier, in a letter to George Fox, May 15, 1861
The American Civil War preserved the union of the states, ended slavery in the United States, and was the costliest war, in loss of life, in American history. It was a defining moment in American history. Maine was involved in every aspect of the Civil War. Maine provided many political leaders, generals, soldiers, nurses, and agency leaders before, during, and after the war. Let’s take a look at Maine’s involvement in the many aspects of the Civil War and bring these events and people to life.
Paul Bibeau of Bridgton and Scarborough has history and education degrees from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA. He is a retired history teacher with 38 years of experience teaching American, European and Asian history to middle and high school students in Massachusetts and Maine.
Rosie’s Place
Gail Phaneuf
Weds, Oct 23 – 9:30-11:30am
Gail Phaneuf, playwright, educator, composer, actor and director and Artistic and Executive Director for Deertrees Theatre in Harrison Maine, will perform her one woman show, Kippy, Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living! followed by a discussion about Kip Tiernan and her many social justice triumphs during the '60s, '70s and '80s. Kippy is an imagining of the late, great Kip Tiernan, social justice hero, an extraordinary character and a force of nature who changed the face of social justice in Boston. Passionate and salty-tongued, she engendered outrage and empathy for the plight of poor and homeless women.
Gail Phaneuf has penned three full musicals and sixteen plays performed at venues around the world. Her award-winning MONSTERS! A Midlife Musical Meltdown, will be playing at Deertrees Theatre this August, and she will be joining the cast in the role of
FEAR. Her teen musical The Love Note had an Off- Broadway run in 2014.
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum
Jim Mann
Weds, Oct 30 – 9:30-11:30am
The Senior College has arranged to have a tour of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel led by Jim Mann. “The Museum showcases our geological history, displays renowned mineral and rock collections and provides educational opportunities for the novice and expert alike. MMGM displays one of the world’s foremost collections of extraterrestrial rocks—meteorites from Mars, the Moon and the Asteroid Belt. MMGM is located a stone’s throw away from the Western Maine mines that once sheltered these mineral treasures.”
Due to insurance issues, the College is not able to arrange transportation. Everyone will need to find their own ride. Cost of class is the $12 admission fee to the Museum.
Jim Mann was a professional gem cutter and metalsmith. He met Larry Stifler and Mary McFadden, philanthropists and founders of the museum, in 2004 and started acquiring collections and historical memorabilia. His acquisitions are now at the museum. Jim is a
member of Gallery 302.
