Coastal Senior College’s fall classes

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 10:15am

Coastal Senior College’s fall term includes the return of “Our Towns,” a highly popular course first offered 11 years ago.

Course facilitators Emily MacKenzie and Betty Welt have arranged for historical societies in the towns of Camden-Rockport, Edgecomb, Jefferson, Rockland, Thomaston and Waldoboro to offer presentations on their town’s history, interesting features and local color.

A new offering this term examines “The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins.” Taught by the Honorable Leah W. Sprague and Michael Chaney, this 5-part series examines Perkins’ Maine roots, her years as Cabinet Secretary, and her work creating Social Security, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other New Deal programs. A visit to her homestead in Newcastle is included.

With 16 additional CSC courses you can also be challenged by Paul Kando’s new paradigm modeled on nature to solve current social, economic and ecological crises; Bruce Rockwood’s review of environmental law and policy choices facing Maine; William Solomon’s inquiry into the use of documentaries to help us understand the causes and consequences of major national and international events; and Bob Smith’s look at America’s century-old War on Drugs.

Interested in literature? Maryanne and John Ward offer in-depth looks at Jane Austin’s oeuvre while Harold Schramm focuses on “Shakespeare In and On Love.”

Like to sing? Ed Wynne teaches a course on the story behind your favorite hymns with a chance to sing some of them.

Interested in the history of religions? Tom Shriver explores “Early Celtic Spirituality in Ireland” and Steve Shaw examines history, culture and music in Jewish communities worldwide.

Are you a writer? CSC has three instructors dedicated to helping you write your memoir: Debby Atwell, Alice Dashiell, and Caroline Janover.

If archeology is your interest come to Rolf Winkes’ “Handmade I” lectures on ancient Greek and Roman crafts. If oceanography is your interest join Jack Farlow’s “Ocean Motion Notions” class.

Like to cook? Nate Randall will demo Italian regional cooking traditions and techniques with some help from class participants in cooking and sampling.

Ongoing groups free to CSC members are: the CSC Coffee House facilitated by Bill Newman and Peter Muth, and the Challenge of Change coordinated by Carmen Lavertu.

CSC serves seniors age 50 and over in Lincoln and Knox counties. Classes are $30 each and membership for the year is $25. For further information, visit coastalseniorcollege.org. Classes start Sept. 11. Call 800-286-1594 to register.