Monday, December 31, 2012

Senior College Players Performances a Hit with Audiences

By Rosabelle Tifft

Senior College Players performed two holiday favorites this fall as a Christmas gift to the community. Two matinees and two evening performances delighted a total of nearly 150 persons in attendance.

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” by Dylan Thomas, was a sparkling rendition of this classic, with performers reading, acting and inviting the audience to join them in song.

"Memories of a Wonderful Life,” by Jonathan M. Zaley, a Christmas comedy that added an audience-friendly twist to this holiday classic, was also performed. Lynn Arizzi, Director, said audience members could relate this play to the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Players took the audience through the story with all its famous characters asking some audience members to join them on stage and play some of the characters. All audience members joined in the singing of well-known favorite songs.

This successful holiday event proved to be fun and enjoyable for both the Players and audiences as well. As one audience member said, “It was a very special evening of joy and entertainment for everyone.” 


Roberta Taylor, Mary Jane Shiverick (from audience)



Roberta Taylor, Tineka Ouwinga, Mary-Ellen Gartner, Rosabelle Tifft, Carol Campbell, Lainey Cross, Mary Jane Shiverick


Audience volunteer Lainey Cross plays the taxi driver with Roberta Taylor as George Bailey and Mary-Ellen Gartner as Mary, his wife.
Lorrie Hoeh as Mr. Welch, Roberta Taylor as George Bailey, and David Shiverick (from audience) as Martini's Tavern owner.

Audience members Marilyn Sahlberg (babysitting for Mary Bailey), Amy Davis, and Carolyn Gould.
 Photos by Joe Arizzi

This article also appears in the January issue of the Maine Senior College Network Newsletter 


For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Sunday, December 16, 2012

WMSC Holiday Party

by Barb Dion

On Thursday, December 6, WMSC celebrated the season with our annual Holiday Party at the historic Dr. Moses Mason House. Those lucky to attend were treated to a large variety of holiday treats and the fellowship of our amazing members. The highlight of the evening was the singing of traditional Christmas carols, led by Nancy Davis and accompanied by the musical talents of Dan Johnson and Kathleen DeVore.  Judy Whitman, her co-chairman Rosabelle Tifft, and their committee had decorated the room with festive lights which, along with the welcoming glow of the fireplace, added to the ambiance of the evening. 



Ellen Crocker and Rosemary McClean

Barb Dion and Rosabelle Tifft

Karen Bean, Roberta Taylor and Rosemary McLean
Carolers: Marcia Foster-Austin, Carlie Casey, Laurence Austin, Charlene Chase, Scott Hynek and Kay Larson

Dan Johnson, Kathleen DeVore and Judy Whitman

Nancy Davis
photos by Barb Dion 


The WMSC Blog will be on vacation until January 1. Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah, Joyous Solstice, Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!


For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Monday, December 10, 2012

WMSC Drawing and Painting Class Teams Up With Telstar Middle School Art

The same directions were given to the students in WMSC's Drawing and Painting Class and the students in Telstar Middle School's Advanced Art Class: "Create an original two-dimensional artwork inspired by 'movement,' but only finish it half-way."  After both groups completed this first step, they traded projects and finished each other's work.  Then, on Friday, November 16, the two groups met together to title the artworks, price them, and prepare them for display at the TMS ArtReach Student Art Show and Sale.
 



 
ArtReach is TMS Advanced Art's annual service-learning project.  This year the middle school students chose to focus their ArtReach project on helping and working with senior citizens in our area.  In addition to the collaboration with WMSC's art class, the Telstar students did oral history interviews, investigated issues important to seniors, and worked with adults and elders on musical collaborations.

The ArtReach Jamboree & Student Art Sale held last Thursday, December 6, featured a student art exhibit and sale, a showcase of service-learning projects connecting youth and elders, and a Jamboree concert focusing on the musical expression of older generations.  Our WMSC Holiday Party conflicted with the Jamboree concert, but for those of us who missed it, Melissa Prescott has posted a YouTube video of the flash mob the middle school students staged.  Check it out - it's really cool!

TMS Flashmob!

Proceeds from the event were given to the Oxford County Meals on Wheels program.

Photos taken by Joe Arizzi at the November 16 students/seniors get-together
 















For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Monday, December 3, 2012

WMSC Creative Writing

The Creative Writing class has just completed its fall session, and several members have submitted some of their work to share with you.  Enjoy!

"Parachuting" by Ruth Barrett

"October Visions" by Nancy Davis

"An Autumn Tale" by Barb Dion

"What If?" by Marcia Foster-Austin

"The Landscape Reveals Its Bones" by Scott Hynek
 
"The Feather" by Karen Mills




For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college