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COASTAL SENIOR COLLEGEAffiliated with University College at Rockland91 Camden Street, Suite 402 |
Go to September 2005 Newsletter |
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March 2006 Newsletter |
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The Up-to-Date News from CSC, edited for the Web |
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CSC Pursues Joint Jazz Grant Application In January and February, Coastal Senior College joined forces with the Camden Public Library to apply for an American Library Association grant. If our application is one of the 50 that is accepted, it will mean that we will be able to offer Looking at: Jazz, America's Art Form, an outstanding program of six carefully curated viewing and discussion programs. These are accompanied by a selection of compelling documentary films, essays written by eminent scholars, and an extensive resource guide for additional reading, Web sites, videos and DVDs. While acceptance of our application is by no means a forgone conclusion, the opportunity to cooperate with the library on such a venture was a new and exciting experience for CSC. The Camden Library continues to host classes for CSC, with two scheduled for the Spring semester. Have you Registered? Course Openings Available There are 12 classes with room for you that don't begin until March 22 or later, including an April 4 start for two classes listed below. The two-day a week Bird Watching in the Field doesn't begin until May 16 but is already more than half-full. The Coffee House is underway in Thomaston but you may drop in at any session. All classes are listed in the 2006 Spring Course Catalog (no longer available on the Web), but check these out first: Children's Literature Favorites: A Preparation for Lifelong Learning, and isn't that what Senior College is all about? Perhaps, after revisiting the literature of your youth on a Wednesday in Damariscotta, you will want to travel to Thomaston to participate in Reading It Aloud! Senior Police Academy is what you always wanted to know about the police, brought to you by officers and sheriff's deputies under the direction of a detective! If you think Terrorism and Guerrilla War in American History (begins April 4) refers only to the present, then take this class and learn how Washington and Jefferson dealt with Islamic terrorists. This is a class with Lessons for Post 9/11. Some lively discussions are guaranteed in American Environmental Policy in Contemporary Society as instructor Don Lord wrote the text that describes President G.W. Bush as "the worst environmental president." To give everyone a turn, there is a limit of 12 for this class - it was half-full at press time. Two of our most popular instructors have room for you in classes that are only half-full. J. Scott Creighton offers a literary smorgasbord in Reading, Writing and No Arithmetic and Joe Gray will take you outside for observations, weather permitting, to supplement his slide supported lectures on Tree and Shrub Identification. April 4 is a good time to go to the Camden Library where mystics, heretics, magicians, science, the Reforma- tion and witch-craze from the Millennium through the 17th Century will be examined in Saints and Sinners, 1000- 1700 with instructor Charmarie Balled. REGISTER NOW! CALL 1-100%-286-1594 |
Two Board Positions Open Senior colleges in Maine exist because of the many dedicated volunteers who are involved in every facet of their operation, from classroom assistants to instructors, from mailing crews to brochure and web site designers. All this is under the direction of a Board of Directors, many of them currently wearing multiple hats. CSC is in need of two people who would wear just one hat. The treasurer prepares monthly reports with figures provided by the university. The volunteer coordinator procures help from our list for many of the tasks that keep CSC running smoothly. Interested? Call CSC president/treasurer John Snow at 372-6512 or contact any Board member. Benefits of Membership We now have nearly 300 members, with new seniors signing up as they register for Spring classes. Remember, your $25 annual membership in Coastal Senior College (CSC) benefits include:
Summer in England Oxford Experience Offered Your Maine Senior College Network has negotiated with the University of Oxford (England) Continuing Education office to offer a special discount on their "Oxford Experience" program this summer for members of any of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes and all Maine Senior Colleges, including Coastal Senior College. The weekly sessions begin July 2 and end August 5, and the price includes accommodations and meals, all at Christ Church College. There are a choice of 11-13 seminar topics each week with morning classes and afternoon field trips or free time for exploring. Each topic group will be limited to 10 or 12 interest adult learners. Click for more information about the Oxford Experience (thie link now refers to the current program information). Senior College members will register (and pay) directly with Oxford. The program is "land only" and participants will need to make their own travel arrangements. To sign up you will fir instructions on the website (basically, download and mail the application form to Oxford with deposit). You will need to contact Julia Ridge in our USM office for information about how to get the discount, which amounts to 75 pounds off the regular price: jridge@usm.maine.edu or 207-780-4128. The Application deadline is April 1,2006. |
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Outstanding Teacher Lost John Syrett 62, Died in August Boating Accident |
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On Wednesday, August 17th, Coastal Senior College lost an extraordinary teacher and important board member. John Syrett, age 62, and a neighbor died, apparently drowning, after their small sailboat sank off Owls Head. At his memorial service, attended by an overflow gathering at Owls Head Community Center, four presenters reviewed various stages of his active life. A life-long friend described John's early years as a leader in the student body, in sports and in "raising Cain". Two other speakers described the respect, admiration and affection he developed as a college professor and as an active participant in Maine politics. Finally, his son reminisced about Syrett family life. It was a light but respectful and appropriate, tribute to an accomplished and very enjoyable man. As chair of the CSC curriculum committee, John was a key member (in many ways the key member) of the Board of Directors. In this capacity he led the College in attaining very high quality course offerings with outstanding teachers. He will be remembered by many, though, as their favorite teacher. His knowledge of American history and the passion he brought to the classroom made him one of the most popular teachers at the College. His passing leaves a space at CSC that may never be filled. |
At the September meeting, the Board will be considering a memorial in memory of John that will be a continuing reminder of the high standards in education that he represented. In the photo above he is shown teaching "American Presidents and First Ladies: The Best and the Worst" last spring in Damariscotta. The class was to have been repeated this fall in Camden. |
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A New Website for CSC We now have our own website, complete with course offerings and a printable registration form. Check it out at: www.coastalseniorcollege.org The website was constructed by Alan Pease of Camden. A former judge who once served in the Maine legislature, he volunteers his retirement hobby of web expertise to assist area non-profit organizations. |
Midcoast Internet Services is our host, donating the site with no monthly fee. CSC purchased the domain name and paid a small set-up charge. We are linked to the University College site as well as the Maine Senior College Network site. |
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Consider These Classes Many Choices Still Available Most classes begin on September 20 or later, so there is still time for an opportunity to learn something new and enjoy comraderie and lively discussions with your contemporaries. All classes are listed inside, but check these out first. In Search of Shangri-la:
The focus of the 2006 Camden Conference will be China On The World Stage. In preparation for the conference. Coastal Senior College offers a look into an ancient minority culture in a remote region of China. Ever since James Hilton's Lost Horizon was published during the Depression, people have been searching for his earthly paradise, a place of retreat from the worries of modem civilization. Some believe Shangri-la resides among the Naxi people of Yunnan Province in the Himalayan highlands, a matriarchal culture discovered by Dr. Joseph F. Rock in the 1920's |
and more recently by Paul and Carole Johnson, the instructors of this course. Using Simon Winchester's The River at the Center of the World (2004), a Yangtze River odyssey that ends in "The Garden Country of Joseph Rock", the Johnsons will share their interest in this region of China. The Johnsons taught in China in 2000-2001 and have returned several times since then. Paul, a graduate of Bowdoin and Yale, first went to China in 1993 with a group of teachers from New England. He has taught Chinese Studies for a decade. Carole began her forty year teaching career in England and Paul started at the School of International Studies at the American University. He currently serves on the Bath School Board and is an international consultant to Qatar in the Middle East. The Johnsons bring a wealth of experience to a fascinating topic. Join them as they share their knowledge of this Himalayan people. Register soon to assure a place in this class. |
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Images and Cultures of the World Experience some of the most remote and beautiful cultures and places in the world through the images of Victor Hart this fall. His engagement with the cultures of emerging countries is profound and we are very fortunate he is willing to share his photographs and experience with us. This is the first course that Hart has offered at CSC. Hart practiced law in New Jersey for thirty-five years. A serious photographer and eclectic reader for much of his life, in retirement he and his wife have traveled widely. With a keen eye Hart captures images that reveal or suggest deeper layers of the culture in which those images are found. He is an experienced lecturer and producer of slide shows, though he points out that this |
course will be more than a conventional picture show. Through digital images, the class will seek an overview of cultures and geography not always in the forefront of media attention. Images of Northern India, the Sudan, Turkey, Nepal, Tibet, Peru, Patagonia, and Greece will be shown. Participants will discuss the cultures, religions, problems, strengths and lives of the peoples of these lands. Curiosity about the wider world, including emerging countries, is the only prerequisite for this course. Travel the world and gain insight into complex cultures while never leaving the Midcoast. Register now for this wonderful opportunity. |
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An OLLI Trip Highlights of Ireland:
In May Dick and Kay Miller and BJ and Les Frederick (left to right in photo) toured Ireland with 22 other senior learners, sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Portland, in collaboration with EIL Intercultural Learning. (EIL stands for Experiment in International Living.) The first three days were spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and included an interactive workshop with local facilitators addressing the history of the unique political and cultural background of Belfast and Northern Ireland, as well as field trips to view the political murals of East and West Belfast, where the writing is literally on the walls! |
The trip also included an excursion to the giant's causeway in northern ireland, the hill oftara, the rock of cashel, trinity college and the book of kells, the james joyce center, cork city, blarney castle, the burren and the cliffs of moher. a visit for dinner with local families in carrigaline was a unique part of the trip. The original idea for the trip came from the USM OLLI Event's Committee where it was determined that an Ireland trip should include Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland. Kali Lightfoot, (OLLI - USM Director), had worked with Aisling Meade, EIL manager of group programs, when they were both associated with Elderhostel. It was through this connection that the itinerary was planned. OLLI is planning a return visit to Prague in spring 2006. These trips are open to any OLLI member, and to any member of the Maine senior College Network, if not filled by OLLI members. For more information on upcoming trips contact OLLI at 1-100%-100%-4876, extension 4406, or 207-780-4406. |
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES If you think one of the following positions is just right for you, please call John Snow at 372-6512 or e-mail BJ Frederick at bj@bjandles.com. And remember, we are always looking for folks who may be interested in helping with one of our many committees. Let us know how you can help! WANTED: CHIEF MAILER 5 or 6 times a year CSC sends out mailings such as course catalogs and newsletters. The procedures are in place, and a trained group of volunteers stands ready to assist. We need one person to be responsible for calling the volunteers, supervising the operation, and training others. Time commitment: 1/2 day 6 times a year. WANTED: DAY TRIP COORDINATOR Many Senior Colleges offer a wonderful selection of day trips and events, often when regular classes are not in session. The Coordinator, a new position, needs to possess good organizational skills, and enjoy the details such planning entails. Time commitment: This job could start small - with 3 or 4 excursions annually - and grow as large as one wishes. WANTED: STATISTICIAN/NUMBER CRUNCHER Working under the direction of the Membership Chair, this person would be responsible for answering questions such as "How many folks who took classes last year have not renewed their membership?" and "What percentage of members in Knox County travel to Lincoln County for classes?" Time commitment: Perhaps rather extensive at first, while preliminary data is collected, then probably twice a year for a few hours after each semester's registration is complete. |
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Coastal Senior College - University College at Rockland - 91 Camden Street, Suite 402 - Rockland, ME 04841 800-286-1594 [Home] [Fall 2008 Course Catalog and News] [Fall 2008 Schedule] [Register] [Contribute/Volunteer] [Be A Teacher] [Newsletter Archives] [Monthly Email News] |
Rockland, Maine 04841
