Bill Andrews is back with another history course. This course topic is the American Civil War, specifically the America took to get there. 

This course is for WMSC members only or for those who are members of an affiliated Maine Senior College Network program. For more information on membership and to register as a member, please click this link: https://sad44.coursestorm.com/category/membership

In a time of intense political polarization when some Americans have suggested that the nation ight be heading to a new civil war, it may be useful to review how the American Civil War occurred. This course will explore how that happened, beginning with the establishment of the Constitution in 1787 and following through the political and social events that culminated in the seccession of Southern states and the commencement of war in 1861. This is NOT a course on the Civil War but instead a map of the road that took the country there. Such a review of that map will allow us to speculate on whether another civil war is likely or even possible. Documents from writers on all sides of the many issues (slavery, westward expansion, economic conflict, sectionalism, abolition, etc.) that led to the conflict will provide the basis for discussions. Participants will receie a copy of Causes of the Civil War, edited by Kenneth Stampp, which continas those documents. 

When: Mondays from April 21-May 19 (five sessions)

Time: 10:00-11:30 am

Where: Bethel Historical Society

The course is offerred to WMSC members only. If you would like to learn more about becoming a member, please go to: https://sad44.coursestorm.com/category/membership

Feet are our foundation. Our toes, at the peripheral edge of our feet, help translate information to our body, informing balance, flexibility, happiness...Toes and feet are often neglected parts of us, and often a source of pain. This interactive class will be grounded in the latest sciences of fascia, body mobility, and health practices. 

Taught by Janet Willie, LMT, LPN, who is a licensed massage therapist, serving our Bethel Community since 1991. Janet has been consistent with continued education, with fascia at the center of her 34 years of study, practice, and experience. 

This class is being taught at Cafe DiCocoa's on Main St. in Bethel.

Tuesday, April 29th

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m

NEW DATE: Thursday, May 1st  from 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

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, May 1st. 

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

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

   Using old books, and your senses, letting your eyes and fingers finding the words, you will find poetry hidden within. Starting with a single page or two, you will individually use words found on these pages to compose short poetry, which you will then share with each other. 

   With this beautiful way to upcycle, you will create a very uniqie poem and learn to see the old books you in your posession in a new way. Old books to reuse will be provided. 

   Pat Little will instruct this class for WMSC at the Whitman Memorial Library. This class is free and open to the public. You do NOT have to be a member of WMSC to participate in this class. Please register here on course storm. 

When: May 9th

Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Where: Whitman Memorial Library

Tution: FREE

**New Class**

Using fabrics and glue, our own Texture of Life Artist, Donna Gillis will lead you in the steps of cutting out and gluing fabrics to create critters that can be used to adorn your walls or to create your own home decor. 

Each person creativity will be encouraged so that each design reflects your own personality and tastes. 

This will be a fun class. No experience necessary, learning to see fabrics in a new light. 

All materials provided. 

$10 for WMSC members only. 

Tuesday, May 13th

12:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Robinson House (Bethel Historical Society) on Broad St., 2nd Floor. Please let us know if you have diffculty with stairs. 

This annual favorite is BACK! 

This course is for current WMSC (or members of affiliate Senior Colleges in Maine). If you would like to learn more about membership with WMSC, please click here: https://sad44.coursestorm.com/course/western-mountain-senior-college-annual-membership

This incredibly popular course, inspired by a cookbook entitled The Forager Chef's Book of Flora by Alan Bergio, returns for another session. We will meet in my kitchen -- no foraging required in this course. I will find things or suggest things you can look for and bring to the class if you have them growing on your property or know a source. The recipes include plants we usually don't think of as edible, from dandelion greens to goldenrod and hosta shoots to milkweed pods. We will adapt recipes and use cooking techniques from around the world, from Italy to China, and the Middle East. Cooks and cook wannabe's of any skill level are welcome. If you are an expert, come and share your secrets. Each class ends with a chance to enjoy the fruits of our labor with a complete meal. Invite your spouse, a friend, or significant other to the final tapas class -- everyone brings a wild and crazy dish and guests are judges, handing out awards for "BEST ????"

BYO bottle of wine to accompany the meals if you'd like! 

Instructor: John Reilly

Where: The Reilly Residence, 33 Panorama Dr., Newry, ME 

Date: Wednesdays starting May14th-June 4th

Time: 2:00-5:00 p.m. 

Tuition: $25. 

Please join us for the 48th Annual Indcution Ceremony & Show at the Country Music Hall of Fame! 

We are pleased to announce the induction of four new members to the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame!  

Inductees are:

   Jeff Budge

   Kim Curry

   Bobby Le Rawding

   Bill Smith

This exciting event is happening on Sunday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the Silver Spur; 272 Lewiston St., Mechanic Falls, Me. 

Doors open at 11:30 am. Tickets are $20 at the door with general seating. There will be a FREE Museum Open House from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the lower level and again, after the show. This is a family-freindly event!

The Country Music Hall of Fame is greatful to it's sponsors;~ McKusick Petroleum, RENY Charitable Foundation, Norway Savings Bank, William A. & Sue-Ann Buckley.  THANK YOU!

Registration is not available here on this website. Tickets are available at the door at the event. For more information about this event and more events at the Music Museum, you can go to their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MECountryMusicHOF/

We are pleased to have WMSC partner with OHMPAA to get this exciting upcoming performance out to you! The 2025 season for OHMPAA is underway. The upcoming performance of Boeing Boeing will be starting in June and held at The Norway Grange. This event is open to the public. Tickets for Seniors, Students, and WMSC members are $8.  All others, $10 at the window. 

Boeing Boeing ~by Marc Camoletti; translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans

This 1960's French farce adapted for the English-speaking stage features self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German, and  American fiancees, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent "layovers". He keeps "one up, one down, and one pending"---until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris, and Bernard's apartment, at the same time. 

~Directed by Lenore Grunka

*Boeing Boeing is presented by arrangement with the Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French. 

June 19-22 & 26-29, 2025

Norway Grange, 15 Whitman St. Norway, Maine

Tickets are available through "registration" here. Simply click the registration tab and purchase your tickets in advance. Your ticket will be available at the box office window. The shows with OHMPAA usually sell out! Tickets are non-refundable. 

OHMPAA, the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation of quality entertainment on a regular basis featuring the talents of local residents. On January 1, 2009, OHMPAA became a program of Norway Maine Opera House Corporation which is a 501c3 non-profit organization. 

OHMPAA began with its first show, Get Happy--A Speakeasy in 1985! OHMPAA began staging productions a the Paris Hill Academy building in 1990 and at the Norway Grange in 2002. OHMPAA is grateful to the Paris Hill Community Club and the Norway Grange members for allowing unrestricted access to the facilities, providing the luxury of flexible rehearsal schedules, storage space, and time to build and nurture many spectacular sets. 

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please contact Telstar Adult Education at 824-2136.