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.

What does it mean to "Cut the Cord"? It's about canceling cable or satellite services and being ableto watch television shows online, as well as options that would allow you to get rid of your landline.This class will not only show you the wide variety of options out there, but also teach you some tools to decide if cutting the cord is right for you.

No device is required for this course. Just bring yourself! 

When: Jan. 23, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Where: Telstar Adult Education

Tuiton: FREE

Are you interested in exploring your ability to write? Wanting to capture your thoughts on paper in a creative way but do not know where to begin, or feel shy about the words you see?

Stephanie Frykholm, a creative writer herself, will guide you while you write from prompts and will then be invited to read your pieces in a safe, welcoming environment. These are stand-alone writing workshops designedfor the new and seasoned writers alike. Free up  your voice through mindfullness wiritng practices. 

Having a creative space to write is key. This course is held "off site" at Cafe Dicocoa. Please bring a notebook and pen. $10 per session. 

Session I; Saturday, Jan 25. Winter Foods: Feeding Friendship

Session II; Saturday, Feb. 1.  Winter Rituals: Sustaining the Spirit

Session III; Saturday, Feb. 8. Winter Nights: Enchanting the Heart

Time for each session: 3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Tuition per session: $10

Particicipants must register for each session separately. 

Develop a deeper understanding of the Android system and its connection to Google, learn how touse common apps more effectively, and become comfortable with a wider range of settings.

Requirments for this class:

An Android tablet or phone with Internet access and completion of Android Basics or have equivalent knowledge.

This course is three daily sessions in total:

Monday,January 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, January 28 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 PM

Wednesday, January 29 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 PM

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. 

*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

Disasters, like the storm and flooding that struck Western Maine in December of 2023, can strike with little warning and cause enormous damage. The impact, especially to our emotional and mental wellbeing, can be long-lasting. This class will cover common emotional and behavioral responses to disasters and provide guidance on how to build resilience for yourself and your loved ones. It will also give information about how to be prepared for the next disaster by knowing where to turn for help, what to have on hand for emergencies, and how to respond when a disaster strikes.

 Join Brendan Schauffler, MPPM of Healthy Oxford Hills as he presents this class. 

This class is free and open to the public. 

Where: Telstar Adult Education