Bees: Pollinators and Master Communicators

by Scott Hynek

Carol Cottrill, master beekeeper, president of the Maine State Beekeepers' Association and the guiding light behind the highly successful school for beekeepers given annually by the Western Maine Beekeepers' Association, spoke to the WMSC on Tuesday, April 23 at the Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge. She related a few of the many interesting things about bees, but focused on their importance as pollinators.

Renting bees to farmers as pollinators is how professional beekeepers make most of their income. Indeed, were honey bees to vanish (unfortunately, not impossible) most of the plants we eat would either cease to exist or become both limited in number and stunted.

Carol touched lightly on what beekeepers must know about bees, demonstrated how modern beehives are put together, and discussed how it is that bees can effect mass communication in dark, noisy hives: namely, with odors known as pheromones. 

One of these odors is given off naturally by larvae, and its strength indicates to the older, foraging bees the need to stress the gathering of pollen, on which the larvae but not the adult bees feed. Another odor is given off intentionally, to sound the alarm of impending danger to the hive. Still another is given off as a result of stinging, which act destroys the bee that stung, but which odor directs the attention of other suicide stingers. 

Carol also told us what to do if stung (scrape away the embedded stinger with a thumbnail or a credit card, do NOT pinch the stinger to remove it) and how to distinguish honey bees from hornets and the like (honey bees are fuzzy, the others are glossy).

 

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

Music and Youth Volunteers at the 10th Anniversary Celebration

by Lorrie Hoeh

 The Telstar Middle School ArtReach Group has been hard at work on intergenerational projects with area seniors from Western Mountains Senior College and Bethel Senior Citizens. Some of those projects will come to fruition on Thursday, May 2, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Telstar, when WMSC will continue the celebration of its tenth anniversary year with “Bridging the Generations—or What do Your Grandparents do all day?”

The Mahoosuc Community Band comprises members from middle school age to senior citizens, according to Kathleen DeVore. A small group from the band is planning a performance at the celebration. The group will consist of mostly flutists, along with percussion and a baritone horn, playing just a few pieces, about five minutes’ worth.

Steve Wight works with Telstar’s Interact, a high school service organization associated with Rotary Club. They are helping the Middle School ArtReach group to organize a volunteer day in the Bethel area. The idea is to help senior citizens with yard clean-up and other home projects. Come on May 2 to sign up for services with the Bethel Senior Citizens group.

In addition to the above mentioned projects, there will be displays of collaborative projects in art, creative writing, technology, gardening, and cooking. (There will be goodies to taste!) Other community organizations will have displays, and there will be an opportunity to become a regular member of the local food ordering group. At 3:30 there will be brief presentations and entertainment. Telstar cafeteria 3:00-5:00 on Thursday, May 2 - Hope to see you there!

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

Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

by Barb Dion

Is your glass half empty or half full?  The latest To Your Health offering, “Good Mind: Good Mood,” answered that question in a fun, insightful way.

Our first presenter, Lynn Arizzi, spoke about ways that “Music Makes the Soul Soar,” even through troubling times. She led the audience in singing many familiar songs, including “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” “We Shall Overcome,” and even “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”  Lynn concluded her session by inviting everyone to circle around a large, colorful parachute which had been placed in the center of the floor. They were asked to hold on and raise and lower it while she played an aria sung by Leontyne Price. The soaring notes lent a beauty to the gentle fluttering of the parachute.

Making the parachute soar.....

.... to the skies!

The next topic, “Staying Positive: Maintaining Connections through Movement,” was a fun and eye-opening audience participation presented by Janet Willie. She explained how important it was at this age to maintain good joint health, and demonstrated ways to stay flexible and learn how to relax. Janet encouraged the audience to join her in stretching and flexing exercises and gave many hints on how these can be performed at home. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the instruction, if the amount of laughter was any indication! 

Strectching with Janet Willie

Lastly, Ellen Crocker presented “Homework for Old Age: What’s the Assignment Now?” She reflected about growing older and how to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Ellen said this is the time of life to look back; to acknowledge the good and bad things we have done, and realize that right now is extremely precious. She mentioned it is not what we have, but what we enjoy. She then asked the group to comment on two questions: what was hard for you in going from one stage of life to the next and, what makes you happy now. A lively and heartfelt discussion followed and capped off this enlightening evening. 

Ellen Crocker, Janet Willie, and Lynn Arizzi

photos by Barb Dion

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

 

WMSC 10th Anniversary Update

by Lorrie Hoeh

Preparation for “Bridging the Generations,” a celebration of the tenth anniversary of Western Mountains Senior College at Telstar on May 2nd, continues. Telstar Middle School students who are members of Ms. Prescott’s cooking and gardening group have set a goal of working with representatives of WMSC and Bethel Senior Citizens to plan and prepare refreshments for the event.

The group has met with seniors twice, and together they have set April 25th as the date for preparing food for the May 2nd event. Members of WMSC and Bethel Senior Citizens are helping students decide on the menu and how jobs will be distributed among students and seniors. A quick glance at some of the proposed foods makes one’s mouth water. 

If any WMSC members would like to join the students in baking on Thursday, April 25, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm at the Bethel Alliance Church, you are more than welcome. Suzanne Dunham, the TMS cooking club manager, says it's fine to just show up, but if you would like to speak with her first she can be reached at 664-2967 or 515-0516.

Another group at TMS is learning about the proposed dog park in Bethel. They met with Steve Wight of Rotary and the dog park supporters’ group. They learned about the location for the park and that it will be divided in two parts. One will be for small dogs, and the other for large ones. Moreover, they learned about the proposed rules for the park. 

Steve Wight meets with TMS students interested in the proposed Bethel dog park. photo Melissa Prescott

Current goals are to meet with representatives who are supporting the dog park; to learn about their work so far; share some of their creative ideas for the park; and learn how to help in implementation. Among those ideas are getting doggy bag dispensers; a swimming lake for dogs; and making sure that dogs and owners are having fun in a safe environment. 

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to put May 2nd, 3:00 to 5:00, on your calendar. And watch this space for more information about cross-generation cooperation in Bethel, Maine.

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

"Bridging the Generations" WMSC's 10th Anniversary Community Celebration

by Nancy Davis

On Thursday, May 2, from 3:00-5:00 in the Telstar High School Cafeteria, the Western Mountains Senior College will sponsor "Bridging the Generations - or What do your grandparents do all day?" The public is invited to attend this event, which WMSC is featuring as part of its 10th Anniversary celebration. 

Major players in this event are members of the Telstar Middle School ArtReach class, under the direction of teacher Melissa Prescott. Each year, students in the Advanced Art Class at Telstar Middle School select and design an arts-integrated service-learning project. This year, students chose to help and work with seniors in our area.

The students have designed a website telling the ongoing story of how the project is proceeding. It showcases the work they are doing connecting youth and elders in the Bethel community; visit their website at http://artreach13.wix.com/2013. The students explain that "We have split up into groups that revolve around the individual focuses of this project. For example, we have a group called the Visual Arts Group, whose focus is on partnering with the Western Mountains Senior College Art Class to create works of art.”

A similar group combines members of the WMSC Creative Writing class and the Middle School class; their product will certainly be entertaining and will be featured at the May 2nd event. Other displays or live presentations will feature drama, music, technology, gardening, and good food. One group is working on volunteer projects for the future, with youngsters helping seniors in the community.

The Senior Citizens Group of Bethel, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will have a display at the event, and some of their members are helping in the planning sessions.  Watch the ArtReach website and the WMSC blog for updates as the project continues. 

At the May 2 celebration you will be treated to refreshments cooked by seniors and students together. A group of Telstar Middle School students meet with WMSC and Bethel Senior Citizen members to plan the menu for the celebration.      photo by Melissa Prescott.

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

"Good Meals in 30 Minutes or Less" Both Informative and Fun

by Barb Dion

Once again, the To Your Health program of Western Mountains Senior College presented another informative and fun program, “Good Meals in Thirty Minutes or Less.”

Chef Elton Cole

Chef Elton Cole and Stephens Memorial Hospital Registered Dietician Pat Watson educated the large crowd on the many ways to create healthy and tasty meals, with the emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients.  

Chef Cole spoke about food safety when preparing meals, touching on the proper utensils to use (plastic vs. wood), cleaning of cutting boards, and the correct way to defrost meats. He also demonstrated the best ways to cut vegetables and emphasized knife safety. Mr. Cole offered delicious dishes for tasting including couscous, pear muffins, and a chicken and vegetable dish prepared in a wok. 

Cooking lesson

Pat Watson suggested the various reasons people eat, including habit, pleasure, hunger, and stress (emotional eating). She spoke about the importance of a well-balanced diet. Healthier choices would be fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned, which tend to be high in sodium. 

Judy Whitman, Pat Watson, and Rosabelle Tifft

 Pat spoke about creating a healthy plate, with the emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein foods. Portion size is also very important, as well as avoiding foods high in fat, sodium, and sugar, all which can trigger a variety of health problems. She provided a number of healthy and varied recipes that are quick and easy to prepare.

 

”Good Mind : Good Mood,” the final To Your Health offering of the year, will be held on Thursday, April 11, from 4:30-6:00 pm at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel. Mark your calendars!

photos by Barb Dion

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

Down Home Maine Presentation: Pilgrimage to the 88 Sacred Places of Shikoku

by Bonnie Pooley

 

Toshio Hashimoto is truly a renaissance man. Not only is he an auto mechanic of great repute, a shitake mushroom grower, a Taiko drummer, and a Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue Team member, but he is also a lifelong, devout Shignon Buddhist. On March 4, Toshio spoke to a packed auditorium at Gould Academy about his pilgrimage around the Japanese island of Shikoku.

Toshio Hashimoto on his journey

He told his rapt audience, first, why he decided in March of 2011 to make a 670-mile pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples around the perimeter of Shikoku Island. When Toshio was born two months prematurely in his rural home 62 years ago, no one thought he would survive. His mother and all of her friends and neighbors prayed fervently to Kobo Daishi, the 9th century founder of their branch of Buddhism. When Toshio thrived, he owed lifelong gratitude to Kobo Daishi, and he made this pilgrimage to express his gratitude.

Toshio and statue of Kobo Daishi

Toshio next showed pictures and told stories of his 38-day walking journey and the rituals he performed at each of the 88 temples. The audience was moved by his openness in speaking of his sincere and devout Buddhist beliefs. Toshio told of the beauty of the shrines and the rural countryside. At times, he walked with a view of the Pacific Ocean; at other times, he climbed and descended endless mountains. We also saw pictures of the terrible blisters on his toes, the bus shelters in which he sometimes slept, and the vending machines where he often got his food and drink. 

With one of many fellow pilgrims

There were stories of fellow pilgrims, each with his story of why he was making this journey. And we saw the breathtaking loveliness of the coming of spring in Japan, cherry blossoms and all. Toshio said that, when he reached the 88th temple, he had a feeling of pure ecstasy, the emotion that Buddhists call nirvana, of having reached heaven on this earth. He hopes to make this pilgrimage again when he reaches 70 years old. 

Cherry blossoms in spring

Toshio’s talk once again proved that these western mountains of Maine harbor rich and multi-faceted hidden gems, one of which can often be found with his eyes peering into a Subaru engine.

One of the 88 shrines

photos by Toshio Hashimoto

 
Thanks to Herb and Paula Gross for producing and hosting this event.  Herb and Paula helped Toshio sort and organize his photos, sifting through more than 1000 pictures to arrive at the 200 slides in the presentation.


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

Photos from the 8th Annual WMSC Soup Swap

by Barb Dion

Social Diners

Laurence Austin

The 8th Annual Western Mountains Senior College Soup Swap was a big success! Thirty-six members enjoyed a wide variety of delicious soups and homemade breads and desserts.

The course registration table, manned by Lauren Gailitis and Kathleen DeVore, was a very popular spot, as members signed up for the next round of fun and informative courses. Artwork by the talented members of the Drawing and Painting class was on display as were written selections from the Creative Writing students.

Nancy Davis welcoming the attendees

Soup Swap organizer Marvin Ouwinga

Marcia Foster-Austin, reading her story

 President Nancy Davis welcomed everyone to the event and thanked Marvin Ouwinga for all his hard work organizing the soup swap. Nancy recognized members of the Drawing and Painting and Creative Writing classes who shared their work. She then introduced the new members of the college and thanked the Board of Directors, the Program and Communication Committees, Senior College Players, and the To Your Health and Down Home Maine 

Ruth Barrett, reading "Parachuting"

committees for all they do. All teachers and course facilitators were recognized and thanked for their contributions. Nancy briefly touched on the 10th Anniversary Celebration “Bridging the Generations” that is being planned for this May.
 
The evening was then turned over to a group of Creative Writing students who shared their diverse and interesting creations. Writings were presented by Ruth Barrett, Jim Bebko, Marcia Foster-Austin, Scott Hynek, and Barb Dion.

Artwork by Elise Caswell

Artwork by Karen Mills

 photos by Barb Dion

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

Photos from Saturday's Snowshoe Trek with Rick Churchill

On Saturday, February 16, thirty energetic people spent a pleasant two hours walking in the woods on snowshoes.  This outing, led by resident naturalist Rick Churchill, was co-sponsored by WMSC and the Mahoosuc Land Trust. 

Rick Churchill and his snowshoes, old and new.

Starting up the trail.

Climbing to the top.

Bonnie Pooley (photo by Jane Chandler)

Jane Chandler and Jean Bass

Diane McMahon

photos by K. DeVore

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

Gaining a Better Understanding of Heart Disease in Women

by Lorrie Hoeh 

Dr. vanBuren speaks with Kay Larson.  photo R. Tifft

On Thursday, February 7, there was another presentation in WMSC's “To Your Health” series entitled “Women and Heart Disease." Those of us who attended were treated to an excellent and informative presentation by Dr. Daniel E. vanBuren, M.D., of the New England Heart Institute and Androscoggin Valley Hospital.

The speaker told of how women have too often been ignored in the study of heart disease, which has long been thought of as a man’s disease.  Moreover, women presenting with symptoms of cardiac problems are often not treated with the same vigor as men presenting similar symptoms.  Also reviewed were the various statistics of cardiovascular disease, especially that it is the leading cause of death in women.  Dr. vanBuren then presented graphic descriptions of what goes on in a heart attack and what can be done to prevent it, emphasizing the importance of diet, exercise, and stress management.

The audience came away with a better understanding of heart disease, its prevention, and intervention protocols.

Dr. vanBuren was introduced by Rosabelle Tifft, who also reminded us of two upcoming “To Your Health” programs, “Good Meals: in 30 Minutes or Less” on March 21, and “Good Mind--Good Mood” on April 11, both in keeping with the theme of “keeping your glass half full.” 


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