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MSAD#44 Adult & Continuing Education

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General Enrichment

in Personal Enrichment

Beginner Ukulele

$79

with Duncan Perry

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 4, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 4 weeks
2 additional sessions through May 13, 2025

*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!

Introduction to Forest Management

$25

with Michael Richard

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 4, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 6 weeks

This six-week course is intended to give participants a better understanding of forest management in Maine. The course will provide basic instruction for landowners or people who want to better read the landscape on: forestry, wildlife, ecological and recreation management. The classes will be hosted by the Maine Forest Service District Forester, Mike Richard and will include guest speakers. 

**Please note that as a Public Servant, the instructor receives no financial benefit from this course. All proceeds go to MSAD#44 Continuing and Adult Education to continue to be able to offer courses such as this. 

Topics to be covered over the course weeks include; 

Forest Terminology, Landowner Goals, Deeds & Boundaries, Timber Tresspass and Wildfire, Management Plans & Cost-Share Programs, Non-timber Forest Products, Tree Planting and Timber Stand Improvment, Common Diseases & Insect Pests, Silviculture, Wildlife Managment, Chainsaw Safety Basics, Consulting Forestry~Forestry Rules and Regulations, and possibly a field trip. 

Six weeks beginning Tuesday March 4th. 

Extra Session Possible; Optional Field Trip TBD

 

When: Tuesdays; 6 weeks starting March 4th 2025

Time: 6-8 p,m. 

Where: Tesltar Adult Education 

Tuition: $25

American Sign Language for Beginners

$50

with Erin Johnson

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 5, 2025 at 4:15 pm, runs for 4 weeks

**POPULAR CLASS**

Erin is a former teacher of Deaf students in Vermont and loves to share this beautiful language with others. This class is geared towards new and beginner signers.  We will go over some basics of the language,  learn the alphabet and progress to short conversations.

4 Weeks

Wednesdays: Starting March 5th 

Time: 4:14-5:30

Tuition: $50

 

Sewing 101

$100

with Ruth Howe

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 6, 2025 at 4 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Sewing 101; The Next Step

If you took Ruth Howe’s Sewing Machine class this spring, then you are ready for this class. Building on the knowledge you gained about your machine and how well you know it now, Ruth will help and guide you through a simple sewing project of your choosing that will make you feel more confident to start sewing on your own at home. This class is for people new to sewing but have knowledge of their machine. The first project will be chosen during class and Ruth will help create a list of materials you will need for your project. A second project may also be taught as the class progresses if there is time. Please bring a three ring binder, your own sewing shears, thread, and machine. Tuition includes text books and some materials. Ruth will work with you to determine what you will need to purchase for your project. Six weeks. 

When: Thursdays, starting March 6th

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

Where: Telstar Adult Education

Tuition: $100 includes some materials and The Sewing Book 

TYH; Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes: Getting Comfortable with your Diabetes

Free

with Karen Swan

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 6, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes: Getting Comfortable with your Diabetes A Free Wellness program sponsored by To Your Health

 

To Your Health is pleased to present Karen Swan, RN and Diabetes Education Coordinator, on the topic of prediabetes and diabetes – “Getting Comfortable with Your Diabetes.”

Ms. Swan will lead a conversation on diabetes myths and facts, recommend practical steps toward lifestyle management, and share self-advocacy tips. All ages are welcome. "As a new nurse I recognized that diabetes is a very confusing, complex condition which is often overwhelming for patients and caregivers.

Many households are affected by the disease. Thus, I earned a specialty in this field and have the goal of making the management of diabetes both understandable and doable by my patients,” says Swan.

For nearly 20 years, Swan has been a Registered Nurse and for ten of those years, a Diabetes Care Education Specialist. She currently is employed at MaineHealth Stephens Hospital and was previously at Central Maine Medical Center.  

There will be time for questions during and after the presentation and handouts will be provided.

DATE: Thursday, March 6 th , 2025 (Snow date March 13 th )

TIME: 4:30 PM TO 6 PM

LOCATION: West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church St, Bethel

COST: FREE. Registration recommended.

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.

Registration for this event is encouraged but not required.

To register online please visit https://sad44.coursestorm.com/ and click on the Western Mountains Senior College tab on the lower right corner.

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine

$100

with Ruth Howe

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 6, 2025 at 6:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks

 

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine; Learning to Sew from the Bobbin Up!

Ruth’s SOLD OUT class is back. Do you have a sewing machine but don’t know how to use it? Do you have a machine but it isn’t working properly? Maybe you inherited a machine that means a lot to you but have no idea how it works? Ruth Howe, a.k.a. “The Barefoot Seamstress” has been repairing machines for years and has a wealth of knowledge (and the manual!) for almost every machine and will teach you everything you need to know about yours!! Over the course you will go over your machine, learn to clean it properly, know your manual, tension adjustments for different projects, the do’s and don'ts of your machine, learn sewing terms, essential tools, needles and pins, threads, and fabrics too! 

No machine? You can contact the instructor for information on borrowing one or where to get one to work on. 

This is an all inclusive, top to bottom, in and out sewing class! Dust off your (or your grandmothers) machine and bring it and yourself to this class! Textbook included. Six weeks

When: Thursdays, starting March 6th          

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Telstar Adult Education             

Tuition: $100 includes book; You and Your Sewing Machine

Pottery; Try Out the Potter's Wheel

$45

with Joshua Rysted

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 7, 2025 at 6 pm
1 additional session on Mar 8, 2025

**Two Dates Available**

Experience working on the potter’s wheel in this two-hour session for adults. Working on the wheel is an age-old practice of using your hands and a spinning wheel to create useful and beautiful objects out of clay.  You will learn the basics of centering the clay on the wheel, opening the form, and pulling up the walls to make everything from bowls to vases.  Up to three completed pieces per person will be glazed in your choice of color and will be ready for pick up approximately two weeks after class. The pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe. No previous clay experience is required for this class. All tools and supplies will be provided by the clay studio.

Session 1

Instructor: Joshua Rysted

When: Friday, March 7

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Where: The Pottery Studio

Tuition: $45.00 per person for 1 week

Bringing Wildlife Home; Creating a Garden for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

$10

with Barbara Murphy

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 11, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 3 weeks

Join Habitat Garden Designer Mike Murphy and his wife, Master Gardener Barbara Murphy for this three-part series on how you can transform your backyard into a sanctuary for butterflies, bees, and 
birds. 

For more information about the Habitat for All Garden, upcoming events, and for information about Mahoosuc Land Trust, please visit https://www.mahoosuc.org/hfa-garden

Mike Murphy designed the Habitat for All garden at Valentine Farm. Barbara Murphy is the Program Director for the Habitat for All at Valentine Farm in Bethel. 

Barbara does not recieve any monetary compensation for this course. All fees associated with this course are used to continue to offer educational instruction like this. Thank you for your support. 

When: Tuesdays, March 11, 18, and 25th

Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. 

Where: Telstar Adult & Community Education

There will be an optional zoom link for those living further afield! The zoom link will be sent out via email closer to the class start date. 





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