This  course is offered in cooperation with Ed2Go. Self-guided and teacher led options are available. 

Please click this link to register; https://www.ed2go.com/telstar/online-courses/certificate-in-depression/

This course provides an in-depth understanding of depression, covering its symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options, both conventional and integrative. Gain the knowledge to recognize and manage symptoms of depression. You'll also learn about the critical issues surrounding suicide, including risk factors, assessment, and prevention strategies.

Depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is a common, yet serious, mental health disorder in adults, children, and adolescents. Depression interferes with an individual's daily life and normal functioning and may cause emotional pain for the individual with the disorder as well as family and friends. By understanding the symptoms, risk factors, criteria for diagnosis, and treatment options available, depression can be recognized early, and depressive symptoms can be reduced or alleviated. Death by suicide, which can result from depression, is a tragic reaction to stressful life circumstances. Understanding the issues surrounding suicide and mental health is a vital step in preventing suicide, helping others in crisis, and changing the way all of us view suicide and mental health issues.

Membership with WMSC covers membership cost for programs from September 2023 to August 2024. There may be an additional cost for specific programs. Serving primarily the over-50 population, with Associate Membership available for anyone over 18. WMSC membership grants access to courses at any of Maine's 17 Senior Colleges; https://www.maineseniorcollege.org/

Some courses offered through WMSC do not require that you be a member. However, most courses do require that you become a member. 

We offer: 

-A wide variety of regular classes, some with directed readings and discussion, others more hands on.

-No testing: participation is for the sheer joy of learning.

-Enjoyable and engaging members-only activities. 

Our Mission: To support lifelong learners in their quest for new knowledge and experience by providing a variety of programs and activities. 

Copies of WMSC By-laws are available upon request. 

For questions and more information, please email; wmsc@sad44.org

Join Reese Remington for this creative art course. 

Pour painting, also known as fluid art, is an abstract art technique that involves pouring liquid paint onto a canvas to create a painting. The paint's fluid consistency allows it to spread and move freely, creating organic shapes. 

Bring your paint clothes, an apron, and prepare to get messy. You will leave with your own unique piece of modern art on canvas that can be displayed in your home. 

All materials will be provided by the instructor. 

This class is for WMSC members only. To  become a member, please click this link and add it to your cart; https://sad44.coursestorm.com/course/western-mountain-senior-college-annual-membership

In this class, we will explore the most popular, free, cloud-based platforms to safely back-up theinformation that is important to you.

No devices required for this class; just bring yourself. However, please feel free to bring a device that can connect to the internet if you wish to work with your device while you learn. 

Deb Lewis is teaching a Watercolor  Skills Class at DiCoco’s!”

A new place, new time (10 to noon), and new lighting (the sun!). If you want to learn new skills, tricks of the trade, and have a group of like-minded people sharing ideas, then join us! Work at your own pace, explore new media, and find out what watercolors really can do!!

 Deb Lewis studied painting and sculpture at Maine College Of Art, has had studios in a variety of places in Maine as well as her own outdoor fine arts camps. Beyond art, Deb has collegiate education in biology, physics, chemistry, geology, and a lifelong love of marine science! Deb has been sharing her passion for the arts in the Bethel area for over 25 years. 

When: Wednesdays starting Feb. 5th for six weeks. 

Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm. 

Where: Cafe DiCocoa's Main St. Bethel

**NEW CLASS

If you went to The Pottery Studio for the Behind the Scenes class, then you must be excited for this new class with WMSC. 

** This class is for WMSC members only. To become a member, please click this link and add it to your cart; https://sad44.coursestorm.com/course/western-mountain-senior-college-annual-membership

Martha Grover will guide you through the steps for this hand build pottery class. Participants will learn to take thier slab of clay, roll it out, design it, cut it, and attach the pieces to create your own one-of-a-kind butter dish. 

*NEW COURSE*

**This course is through Zoom. 

Join students across the state and learn to play this beloved instrument! 

The beginner's course is comprised of four lessons, one each week for four consecutive weeks. Each lesson lasts 1.5 hours. Because the beginner’s course is popular, in 2025, I will be teaching it once a month from February through May. 

Those enrolling do need to have a playable ukulele. For people who need to buy one, I have prepared a buying guide (contact Telstar Adult Education for more details) describing ukulele construction, sizes, and 2 options as well as how to care for the instrument. In addition, I am always glad to advise folks about what to buy and where they can find a decent reasonably priced instrument. I provide all the needed materials for my programs by email. For the Ukulele for Beginner’s course, this means 66 songs and over 60 pages of instructional items, including detailed notes summarizing what was covered in each lesson. I do not charge for these materials. 

I have found that students like being able to take the classes from the comfort of their homes without the need to travel, a particular advantage in winter. They can kick back, dress comfortably and even grab a bite to eat before class, instead of driving to and finding a place to park at a community site. The online Zoom format also facilitates my ability to help students, no matter where they are. When a current or former student needs a little extra help or advice, I'm just a phone call or email away and, if useful, we’ll have a one-on-one Zoom meeting to address the issue. I am also happy to do individual makeup lessons for those who can't attend a scheduled class owing to work or family complications. I am especially sensitive to the needs of seniors and work with individuals needing special attention. Please note that I never cancel classes for low enrollment and have been known to create new sections if class enrollments get too large.

Finally, I make it a point to be a forever-resource for past, current and future students. As to my background, I am a retired journalist and academic who has been playing the ukulele since 2007. While performing with a ukulele ensemble in 2014, an adult ed director came along looking for someone to offer ukulele classes in his program. Having taught the ukulele previously, I raised my hand and that’s how my connection to adult ed programs began.

Owing to the Pandemic, I shifted teaching from a few in-person, location-specific programs, to using the Zoom platform. This has enabled me to reach a much larger audience of ukulele enthusiasts in different and far-flung parts of Maine and other states. To date, I have taught over 1,000 adults the art of playing the ukulele. 

Don't be shy! Register now and learn to play from the comfort of your own home. 

**There may be an opportunity for a group zoom class to get together here at Telstar Adult Education if there is interest from local students. 

Four Sessions this winter/spring

Session I;Wednesdays,  February 5, 12, 19, 26

Session II; Tuesdays,  March 4, 11, 18, 25

Session III; Wednesdays,  April 16, 23, 30, May 7

Session IV; Tuesdays,  May 13, 20, 27, June 3

Time: 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

Tuition: $79

Where: YOUR HOUSE!

February is American Heart Month. To Your Health is pleased to host its popular annual heart-health educational program presented by Dr. Daniel van Buren, FACC, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the New England Heart Institute at Androscoggin Valley Hospital of Berlin, NH.

A resident of Bethel and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. van Buren will discuss recent advances in cardiovascular medicine.

Popular and well-respected on this subject, Dr. van Buren returns for the 11 th year, having presented a broad range of topics to the community over the past decade including Women and Heart Disease, Facts about Cholesterol, Atrial Fibrillation, Congestive Heart Failure, Valvular Heart Disease and more.

This year’s topic, entitled “Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Medicine,” will provide up-to-date information about new developments in the field. Following the program, Dr. van Buren will address questions from the audience and the program will conclude with an expression of gratitude and honorary recognition for Dr. van Buren’s decade of service to the community.

Dr. van Buren has been a member of the Androscoggin Valley Hospital Board of Directors since 2014, having joined the medical staff there in 2010. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine, and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Adult Echocardiography.

Now in its 19 th year, To Your Health, in collaboration with Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and MSAD#44 Continuing Education, has been providing free health education programs to the Bethel area communities.

For more information, please contact MSAD#44 at 207-824-2136 X1340 or email wmsc@sad44.org

When: Thursday, Feb. 6th 2025 (Snow date; Feb. 13th)

Time: 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Where: West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church St. Bethel, Maine