Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Winter thoughts about classes

Winter's upon us, however much we might wish we were at the beach.

So curl up in a chair with a cup of hot chocolate and give a few thoughts to courses you'd like for spring or fall. What topics ought we to offer? Who do you know with a special interest that he or she could turn into a course? 

Email us an idea or two; use the form in the right-hand column. 

And while you're contemplating PVSC, think about whether you could give some of your time. It takes a lot of willing hands to make this thing work. The publicity committee, in particular, is looking for a couple of folks. No skills required; mostly we distribute brochures and make a few phone calls. 

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Classes for winter


Wondering how to get through a cold Maine winter without any PVSC classes? There's a way: take a college class! Mainers over 65 (or who turn 65 during the coming semester) can take a course free. No tuition, no fees, just whatever the textbooks might cost. Most of us audit the course--take it for no credit, so no grade. 

Worried about tackling a college class with all those young people? Forget it. Prof. Kay Retzlaff, former PVSC Board member and frequent instructor, suggests UMA-Bangor. It's packed with older students, who love the free and easy parking and student-oriented faculty. Kay sent along info about spring courses at UMA:

Click here for the course guide. Look under "Location" for "OnSite, Bangor" entries..

Click here for complete course descriptions, which begin about 2/3 of the way through this complete catalog.

Meanwhile, don't forget the One-Day Event on Maine's Working Waterfronts. See the post below this one.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

One-Day Event!

Maine's working waterfronts

Mark your calendars for December 6 at 10:00. Another of our hot One-Day Events is coming our way! 

This will be a discussion of an issue you're going to be hearing a lot about; it's been huge news in Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor, for example, right now. Whose needs take priority, those of the tourist-industry developers or those of the traditional fishing folks? How do local folks fit into plans for the working waterfronts? Can you build a new ferry terminal in downtown Bar Harbor? What uses best serve the population, and the planet, in the long run? 

Come hear expert Tom Groening talk about our evolving waterfronts on December 6 at 10:00. It will be in Eastport Hall on the UMA-Bangor campus.


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

About climate change

Inspired by a class

A PVSC member, inspired by the class on climate change, passed this link along: what the average oldster (or anyone) can do, and learn, to help preserve our planet. 


We're always glad to post information that will interest seniors in our area!

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Spring classes

Fall classes are winding down. Winter is sending us reminders that it's out there waiting for us. But let's think about spring!

We hate to see classes end, but we know they'll start again when the robins arrive. Who do you know who should join us for all the fun? You may know someone who just needs a little nudge to sign up. Maybe he or she would come if there was your friendly face, or the offer of a ride, as part of the deal.

Senior College can't survive without new members. Fall and winter are ideal times to butter up your acquaintances. They'll have all winter to think about how great it will be when spring finally arrives and they have a new learning adventure to start!

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Upcoming event

Not a class, but a lecture

Check it out: could it get more interesting than volcanoes, the Nile, and ancient Egypt? Click the image to see the details.


Saturday, October 6, 2018

Classes and events statewide

Classes and events . . .

. . . are happening all over the state through the Maine Senior College Network. All it takes is a little driving!

One of the advantages of membership in Penobscot Valley Senior College is the opportunity to join in on events, classes, and activities in other Senior Colleges. Downeast SC in Ellsworth, for example, is a short drive for many of us. Many of us in the Bangor area make excursions to Belfast and Mt. Desert anyway, so it's worthwhile to see what might be available in those SCs. 

There's never a dull moment when you're part of Senior College! Check out what's going on statewide in the Maine Senior College Network newsletter.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Classes are starting!

It's finally here--the week classes begin!

We hope you're all signed up and ready to go. But if not, call 992-0118 today! The catalog is here on our blog. It's time to get learning!

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

The fall catalog is out!


This fall, you can learn about everything from iPhone use to biotechnology, from funeral traditions to Maine wildlife to watercolor painting. And a lot more besides.

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE FALL CATALOG!

Classes meet weekdays beginning September 24, so now is the perfect time to become a member and choose a class! Everything you need to know, including a membership form, is in the catalog.

Come join the fun!

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

It's a great time to be a senior!

Lots of good things are coming our way!

Most important, the fall course catalogs will soon be available to non-members (members' catalogs are in the mail). All the fun courses will be there for the taking, from Maine wildlife and family history to iPhone/iPad use and climate change -- and a lot more besides. We'll post the catalog on this site soon.

Meanwhile, there's the August 29 One-Day Event when we'll discuss citizenship and what it means in today's climate.

And, if you've signed up as a member, there's our wonderful lunch/meeting, which is really a big party. It's September 12.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Coming right up!

Events are in the forecast for the waning days of summer. Be sure these great member-benefit events are on your calendar. And if you're not a member, now's the time to sign up so you can take advantage of these events! Click the "Taking Classes" tab for all the info.


On August 29, Dr. Anne Pooler addresses a hot-button item: "Citizenship: A Community Conversation." 10:00 AM, Donald P. Corbett Hall, University of Maine. Registration is requied.

On September 12, it's our big party: members' Annual Luncheon and Meeting. Melissa Huston of Good Shepherd Food Bank will be the guest speaker. 11:15 at Spectacular Events Center. Again, registration is required. 

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Citizenship: A Community Conversation

One-day Event, August 29
10:00 AM, Donald P. Corbett Hall 105, Uof Maine
Dr. Anne Pooler

Citizenship is a dynamic, evolving right of individuals in the United States.  Each generation faces core principles, values, and responsibilities that define who we are as citizens.  We will take a brief “jog” through history to remind us of different groups who have sought citizenship and the circumstances that propelled their immigration.  Our conversation will focus on the concept of citizenship today with all its rights and responsibilities.

Anne Pooler retired as the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine and previously served as Associate Dean and a faculty member for many years.  Early in her career she was a high school history and government teacher.  She has served on multiple community boards and is currently Chair of Acadia Hospital Board and Chair of the Committee on Judicial responsibility and Disability.
  
This program will be free of charge and open to members and guests. Enrollment is limited to 40 so registration is important and members will be registered first.

To register please call 992-0118 and leave the names of participants as well as your email and phone number.  Acknowledgement by email or phone will be made approximately one week prior to the event.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

One-Day Events, coming right up!

One-Day Events are a member benefit at PVSC, though if space permits, guests are sometimes invited.

Two events are coming up in August:

August 1
"What is Cancer? and Melanoma and Pigmented Lesions of the Skin, presented by John S. Kaiser, MD." Dr. Kaiser will provide an introduction to cancer (types, treatments, causes). He'll also discuss causes, early detection, and treatments for those nasty skin cancers. Call 992-0118 to register.

August 29
Topic to be determined. The speaker is Dr. Anne Pooler, retired Dean of the College of Education, University of Maine. Watch your mailbox/email inbox for information about this program.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Supreme Court wrap-up


Sol Goldman's discussions of ongoing Supreme Court cases make up one of our most popular courses. This year Sol offered a special summer follow-up to this spring's court decisions. With the Court seemingly entering a new stage, this One-Day Event was eagerly attended.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Learning for fun and stimulation




Senior College is always fun, whether we're in class, taking part in a One-Day Event, or just chatting with new friends. And we're always stretching our minds, exploring new topics or digging deeper into old ones.

While we celebrate summer, we know that fall will be along soon, bringing our Annual Meeting and Luncheon (above) and a new slate of courses. To whet your appetite, here are some scenes from past classes.