Membership in South Coast Senior College makes you eligible to take classes at any of the 16 senior colleges in Maine. The membership is effective for September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027

This class will meet on Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 - 11:30. The instructor will lead discussions of books and authors. The books are from various genres and should all stimulate interesting discussion.  

 Sept 9  The Aviator and the Showman  Laurie Shapiro       Jackson

 Oct 14  Beyond the Truth              Bruce Coffin        Tripp

 Nov 11  The Keeper                                               Andrea Dresser

 Dec 9     James                             Percival Everett   Gauvin

 Jan 13   Secret War of Julia Child    Diane Chambers  Carlson

 Feb 10   A Well Behaved Woman     Theresa Fowler     Halamandaris

 Mar 10  Theo of Golden                   Alan Levy            Burke

 Apr 14  Buckeye                             Patrick Ryan         Julian 

 May 12  Daughter of Egypt              Marie Benedict      Peck

 June 8   Somebody's Fool                 Richard Russo       Jackson

Your story matters.  You have experiences and wisdom valuable to others.  This class will help you recall, organize, and write these episodes. Sharing our stories and experiences with others in class often leads to unexpected rewards. Enjoy the encouragement and support of writing and sharing with others in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.  New writers, unsure writers, experienced writers, all are welcome.

 Mike Davis believes everyone has a story to tell and wisdom to share.  His goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for persons to learn together.  Throughout his career he helped lead safe, respectful experiences of listening and sharing. He treasures each story and the opportunity to bring people together in transforming relationships.

ZOOM   Sept 21  Oct 5 -19   Nov 2-6-30  Dec 14  (1-3pm) 

Your story matters.  You have experiences and wisdom valuable to others.  This class will help you recall, organize, and write these episodes. Sharing our stories and experiences with others in class often leads to unexpected rewards. Enjoy the encouragement and support of writing and sharing with others in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.  New writers, unsure writers, experienced writers, all are welcome.

 Mike Davis believes everyone has a story to tell and wisdom to share.  His goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for persons to learn together.  Throughout his career he helped lead safe, respectful experiences of listening and sharing. He treasures each story and the opportunity to bring people together in transforming relationships.

ZOOM 10-12  THURSDAYS Sept 24  Oct 8 - 22  Nov 5  - 19 Dec 3 - 17

In this course we will tap into the wisdom of two gentlemen whose last name happens to be Berry: Thomas Berry, the late self-named geologion who is considered one of the fathers of the modern environmental movement, especially in the area of eco-spirituality; and Wendell Berry, who turned 95 recently, a farmer/philosopher/poet who not only speaks to our environmental crisis but to many of the deeper issues we continue to face today. Through this introduction to their lives and work we can hopefully glean the fruit of their wisdom and what it continues to offer to the healing of our planet, our nation, and our lives.

 Your Instructor:   Paul Doherty  

  He brings his overall 45 years of experience in education, broadcasting and ministry to his involvement in Maine’s Senior Colleges,  He has taught courses in Spirituality and Sustainability, particularly as the two work together.  

ZOOM Fridays October 9, 16, 23 at 1:00 2:30

A TASTE OF WHERE YOUR FOOD ACTUALLY COMES FROM

 This class solves the mystery of Who Done It? Who actually is responsible for you having all that food to eat?

CLASS ONE: LEBENSRAUM (LIVING SPACE)

All empires were created to secure a steady food supply for the home country: Rome, Greece, Ottoman, Russian, German, Dutch, British, Japan, American (hint: banana republics) The quest by competing European countries to have sugar led to all those different languages now spoken on the various Caribbean islands. Food rich countries never went to war.

CLASS TWO: WAR AND PEAS

Somebody has had to feed all those armies on the march throughout history and this military necessity has put a lot of army inventions in our kitchen including pasta, canned food and Cheetos.

CLASS THREE: HOW COOKING FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD SPREAD OUT

A look at the food supply and recipes from what we call the Middle East where wheat and grapes were domesticated into bread and wine, many of our favorite herbs originate, and how the cooking went into Asia (Punjabi, Indian) and Europe (Greek and Spanish).

CLASS FOUR: EATING ON THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

A look at the vastly different ingredients and recipes and where they originated and spread: India is three distinct culinary countries. Persian cooking very much influenced northern Indian and Pakistani meals while Tibetan and Nepali food rule in the Himalayan states.

CLASS FIVE: IMMIGRATION OF THE FOOD SUPPLY

How your stomach goes global while you stay put because immigrants always bring their food with them. That’s how we got the enormous variety in the American diet from spaghetti to dumplings, grapes, chocolate ice cream and burritos.

CLASS SIX: THE ART OF SCIENCE—FROM CROSS POLLINATION TO GENETIC ENGINEERING

How foods we eat came to be. Chicken, lettuce, corn. And what does GMO, Organic, All natural really mean?    

Your Instructor:  Sandy Garson is a former caterer and cookbook writer who became a food historian 36 years ago and has published many articles, given numerous talks and still teaches her very popular first ever course: Food: the Secret Sauce of History. She lives and cooks in Bath. Tech genie Star Pelsue will handle the visuals and ZOOM invites.

Have you ever wanted to try watercolor painting but didn’t know where to begin?

This course is designed to get you started. However, anyone who enjoys watercolor painting is welcome.  We will discuss choosing the right materials and will practice a number of basic watercolor techniques, then practice on a variety of landscapes, seascapes, and florals. These classes are designed for beginners; no previous art experience is required. .A supply list will be sent to registrants before the first class.  A one-time $ 5.00 material fee will be collected at the first class.

InstructorJudy Gaudet has enjoyed painting, especially watercolors, for many years. She has studied art at Mass. College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, and U.C. San Diego as well as with several private instructors

Art is one of God's gifts for healing the human spirit. While it cannot cure every illness, research has shown that creative expression can reduce stress, ease anxiety, improve focus, stimulate the brain, and bring hope during difficult times. For people living with chronic illnesses, art can also encourage movement, improve hand-eye coordination, and restore a sense of purpose.This course is not about becoming a great artist. It is about discovering that everyone has the ability to create and that the creative process itself can bring healing, peace, and joy.            "He has made everything beautiful in its time." — Ecclesiastes 3:11---

Week One – Created to Create    Genesis 1:27"So God created mankind in His own image...God is the first artist. He created the heavens, the earth, and each of us in His image. Because we are created by a Creator, creativity is part of who we are. 

   Activity: Create a simple painting or drawing using favorite colors. There is no right or wrong way.(Testimony"When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's, I thought many of my best years were behind me. My hands became less steady, and simple tasks became more difficult. Then I began painting. Instead of focusing on what I had lost, I discovered something I still had—the ability to create. Every brushstroke became a reminder that my disease does not define me.

-Week Two – Art Gives Our Emotions a Voice Psalm 34:18"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted... Many emotions cannot easily be spoken, but they can often be expressed through color, shape, and texture.

Activity:Paint an emotion using only colors and simple shapes. Example;One person may paint sadness using dark blues and grays. Another may express hope with bright yellows breaking through the darkness. Neither painting is wrong because each tells a personal story.

Week Three – Finding Beauty in imperfection Corinthians 12:9"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.".ActivityCreate a picture using unexpected marks, smudges, or mistakes. Instead of throwing them away, turn them into something beautiful.Testimony"Some days my Parkinson's makes my hands shake more than others. I used to fight every shaky line. Then I realized those lines tell my story. They remind me that beauty can exist alongside weakness.

Week Four – Living with Hope Jeremiah 29:11"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord...Final Project Create a painting that represents hope.Each student will share- What they created.- What they learned.- How art has affected them. My paintings are no longer just pictures. They are reminders that hope is stronger than fear., hope where we once saw fear, and purpose where we once saw loss. 

INSTRUCTOR:

Ian Kaiser brings deades of life experience and creativity to his Art as Healing class, that is designed especially for adult learners. Starting painting and drawing at 69 without formal training, Ian discovered art as a powerful way to express emotions and find healing.

Living with Parkinson's disease, Ian uses this journey to inspire and guide students in exploring creativity as a source of joy and connectiion. His compassionate approach helps seniors tap into their own creativity for emational and spiritual well-being.