We have an amazing community here in the Bethel area with knowledge and skills that others are eager to hear and learn about. We are always looking for new ideas, topics, and classes to offer to everyone. If you have new, fresh, and innovating topics, hobbies, and skills that you are passionate about and want to share with others, let us know! Maybe you have an idea for a class and we just need to find the instructor~we want to hear from you also!  As our community grows and changes, we want to be able to offer new and exciting opportunities here at Telstar Adult Education. Contact us at adulted@sad44.org or call 824-2136. 

Help us continue to grow our enrichment and workforce courses that local Bethel community members and others as far as Rumford, Gorham, Fryburg, Oxford, and Waterford participate in. We are thankful for you all! 

*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. 

**There are full Ukulele kits available at True North Adventure in Bethel. 

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!

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.