Senior College Players in Rehearsal

by Rosabelle Tifft

“Who Murdered Who,” by Millard Crosby, is one of three plays to be performed by the Senior College Players on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, beginning at 7 pm at Gould Academy McLaughlin Science Center Trustees Auditorium. Players have been rehearsing since mid-September. A brief summary of “Who Murdered Who,” is included below, along with several photos.

This play is filled with laughs, thrills and excitement. Gould Trevor (Jack Kuchta) receives a threatening note. Jennie, Trevor’s housekeeper (Lorrie Hoeh), overhears Trevor talking of murder and thinks Trevor plans to murder her. Jennie flees, and a strange woman who calls herself Mary Jones (Rosabelle Tifft) takes over as housekeeper for Trevor. Excitement increases as mysterious happenings take place, with nearly everyone suspected of murder.

Watch for information on another play in the next BLOG.

Cast of "Who Murdered Who:" seated, Jack Kuchta and Tineki Ouwinga; standing, Lorrie Hoeh, Mark Antell, Kathy Berberian, Carole Timberlake, Rosabelle Tifft and Jim McLean  (photo R. Timberlake)

Carole Timberlake, Jack Kuchta, and Tineke Ouwinga  (photo L. Hoeh)

Jim McLean, Rosabelle Tifft, Mark Antell and Lorrie Hoeh  (photo L.Hoeh)

Lorrie Hoeh and Kathy Berberian  (photo L. Hoeh)

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

Senior College Players to Perform in November

by Rosabelle Tifft

Senior College Players are gearing up for an evening of mystery, mayhem, memories and a few “grammatical” surprises for their presentation on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at the Gould Academy McLaughlin Auditorium beginning at 7 pm. Ross Timberlake, director, and Lorrie Hoeh, assistant director, promise an evening of fun for all.

Under the heading of “Please Pardon Us for Stepping (Out of) on Your (Line) Limes,” there will be three delightful plays: “Who Murdered Who,” by Millard Crosby; “Shakespeare in Shambles,” by Wade Bradford; and “Light Competition,” by Louise Helliwell.

Photos shown are from one of the plays, “Light Competition,” a light-hearted Christmas play. Each year the city gives a prize for the best holiday decorations and two neighbors are in such a feud over the matter that only a miracle can stop them. A unique “miracle” is planned by two younger family members, resulting in the merriest Christmas in years.

Barb Dion, Jim McLean, Tineke Ouwinga, Jack Kuchta  (photo L. Hoeh)

Norman Milliard, Carole Timberlake, Rosabelle Tifft  (photo L. Hoeh)

Cast of "Light Competetion:" front, Jim McLean and Jack Kuchta; back, Tineke Ouwinga, Norman Milliard, Barb Dion, Carole Timberlake, Rosabelle Tifft, Mark Antell and Carol Campbell  (photo R. Timberlake)

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

New Directions for Senior College Players

by Rosabelle Tifft

Senior College Players resume this fall under the leadership of Ross Timberlake, as director, and Lorrie Hoeh, assistant director. Ross and Lorrie along with a team of veteran players are excited about continuing and moving in new directions.

Ross Timberlake and Lorrie Hoeh  (photo Rosabelle Tifft)

Current plans call for three plays to be performed in a ninety-minute fall production. Newcomers and veteran players alike are invited to join the troupe. Ross plans to hold a special orientation for newcomers and assures everyone that the “senior theater” tradition of carrying scripts on stage will be continued. There are also roles for interested persons who wish to become involved as “behind the scene” volunteers, such as the stage crews, props, costumes and other tasks associated with a dramatic production. Ross said, “The goal is to create a wonderful learning experience for new members, veterans and volunteers as we prepare to entertain our friends and neighbors.”

Ross brings extensive experience to his new role. He majored in theater at USM and has written and produced a number of plays, including the “Porch Plays” and “The Legend of Lefty” dinner theater play. He also co-founded the Bethel Performing Arts Project.

Lorrie’s interest in drama started in grade school when she played Joan of Arc in a play put on by her French teacher, and it continued while studying at Hiram College in Ohio. Through her experience performing, she has developed a keen interest in directing but she still plans to continue her love of performing.

Weekly rehearsals will take place on Mondays beginning September 16, from 1-4 pm at the West Parish Congregational Church. Dress rehearsals will be held on November 18 and 19. Performances are scheduled for Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23, beginning at 7 pm in the Gould Academy Trustees Auditorium.

Senior College Players is a course sponsored by Western Mountains Senior College and registrations will be held during WMSC’s annual meeting on September 4 from 5-7 pm at the West Parish Congregational Church. Those unable to attend the annual meeting may register at the Adult Education office at Telstar High School.

For more information about the players and volunteer opportunities, call Ross at 824-6545 or Lorrie at 824-2917.  

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

Matters of Faith in America

by Susan Herlihy 

The 23 students in Dan Johnson's spring class, Matters of Faith in America, reflected a wide variety of religious faiths, as well as apathy and atheism. Dan's masterful planning allowed for the inclusion of many faiths and thousands of years of tradition, with presentations that were objective, factual, and without bias. Participant input was encouraged, enriching the learning experience.

Colonial Religion (Week 1) was characterized by Native American practices, with their reverence for the natural world, and the arrival of the Puritans, who were seeking a place to enjoy religious freedom. Tidbit: In Colonial times sheep were synonymous with good people; bad people, goats. Scapegoats anyone? Anglicans, Catholics, Quakers, Jews, Mormons, Muslims, etc. all developed a presence in America, and Christianity was to have no place of privilege in the new country that espoused religious freedom.

Week 2 explored Secularism: civil religion, Humanism, agnosticism, private spiritual beliefs, and atheism. Scott Hynek and Laurence Austen provided insight into atheism.

Judaism was Week 3’s topic, focusing on the scripture of the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch or Torah) and the Diaspora, Crusades, Zionism, Third Reich, the establishment of Israel, and U.S. Judaism's Orthodox, Conservative & Reform branches. Thank you, Paula, for your input which provided such enrichment.

Session 4 covered Christianity's beginning as a sect of Judaism in 30 CE (Common Era) and its spread through the writings as they’re preserved in the New Testament, ending with a look at religion in America today. Included were the mainline denominations – Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, African Methodist Episcopalians, Baptists (American & Southern), Congregationalists, and Presbyterians - as well as those outside the mainline - Pentecostal groups, Christian Science, Quakers, Shakers, Amish, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

In the 5th session, led by Marvin Ouwinga, we learned about Islam. Several snippets from this session included that much of the Quran was written on scraps of leather or bone; “jihad” can refer to an individual’s inner struggle of conscience as well as an outright fight or war; and the differences between the Sunni & Shiite sects are major.

Session 6 was added to include an overview of Eastern religions: Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism and Buddhism. Bonnie Pooley held us rapt as she shared her personal journey as a practicing Buddhist.

Participants view this course as “just the tip of the iceberg” of such a vast topic and see its potential as the foundation for a follow-up course. They appreciate the instructor's breadth of knowledge on this set of topics, his thorough preparation, his stimulating presentation of the material, and his openness in sharing the floor with others in order to provide the fullest learning experience.

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

Genealogy: Jeanie's-alogy

by Barb Dion

Did you ever wonder about the man in the faded photograph that hung on your parents’ wall? What about the old diary you found in a trunk in the attic – are you related to this writer named Ellen Smith? Western Mountains Senior College’s newest course, Genealogy, can help you answer these questions.

A small but enthusiastic group of students, led by instructor Jeanie Waite, explored the various ways we can research our ancestors. Jeanie spoke about the wealth of information that can be discovered by accessing old birth records, ship’s passenger lists, census reports, and many other online references. She stressed that there are many free web sites that offer clues to our past, as well as paid sites such as Ancestry.com. Jeanie, who is an historian, showed us the value of maps in pinpointing the area in which our ancestors may have lived. This is especially valuable when searching in other parts of the world where borders may have changed through the years.
 

Once you start digging into the past, it’s very hard to stop! Each new discovery makes you want to look even further because you never know who will show up in your family tree!

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

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

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

 

"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

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

Spotlight on "The Odyssey"

by Jim McLean

If the endless saga, spellbinding and harrowing, of Lindsay Lohan, girl alcoholic, star-crossed by the gods of booze, gives zest to your routine day, you should know what a bunch of us is presently involved in. We're reading the tale of wily Odysseus, “man of twists and turns,” who led the Greek victory at Troy, a ten-year war which finally ended when he came up with the idea of the wooden horse. Returning home after the fight is what soldiers do, but long-suffering Odysseus did not have an easy journey. He's been traveling for more than nine years now, seven spent as prisoner in the luxurious cave of the nymph Calypso. Freed at last, fearless Odysseus sets out by sea (the “wine-dark sea”) on the remaining short distance home. But real, real troubles lie ahead – Circe, and Scylla and Charybdis, and the one-eyed Cyclops, and the easily offended god Poseidon, who when irritated sends raging storms and waves to batter struggling Odysseus. We twelve readers know that these dreadful hardships await. We also know that cunning Odysseus will overcome them all and at last reach home (after twenty years away!) and his faithful and long-suffering wife Penelope.

That's not quite the end of this glorious tale, however. Proud Odysseus still has to deal with the dissolute suitors who for a few years have been living in his palace, consuming his food and drink, and bugging his burdened wife to marry one or the other of them. And, boy, does he ever deal with those unfortunate souls!

What makes this course even more enjoyable is Lucia Owen's experienced guidance of the class. The story is long, crammed with people and places and dramatic doings, and sprinkled with capricious gods. Lucia has made order of all that, and showed the parallels with our own time and place and lives. She has considered the literary structure of this epic (“The Odyssey”) and discussed what is known of the long-ago author, Homer, among the greatest of all poets. With her leadership, it has all been delightful – and we still have two more sessions to go!

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

A Sampling of Art Work from WMSC's Drawing and Painting Class (Fall 2012)

"Waiting for Spring"
Joe Arizzi

"Summer's Done" 
 Kathleen DeVore

"Gourdon Lightfoot"

  Cathy Howe 

"A Day of Gourds"

Judy Huber

"Winter Flowers"
Victoria Meisner

 
"Brown Jug with Bittersweet"
Bonnie Pooley

"Rocks and Flowers"
Jackie VanLeuven

photos by Joe Arizzi

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

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

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

Senior College Players Offer A Christmas Gift To the Community

Group photo from "Memories of a Wonderful Life"

Two holiday favorites will be featured by the Senior College Players as a Christmas gift to the community on Friday, December 7, at 7:00 pm and on Saturday, December 8 at 1:00 pm and at 7:00 pm. Performances will take place at the Mason House Exhibit Hall, intersection of Broad and Mason Streets, Bethel (entrance on Mason Street). 

George, Mary and Family

Director Lynn Arizzi said, “Come sing, join us on stage, but only if you like, and celebrate the holidays with us.” This holiday special promises to be fun and enjoyable for both the Players and the audience. The Mason House will be in full holiday décor for these presentations.
 

From "A Child's Christmas in Wales"

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas, one of the featured plays, will be a sparkling rendition of this classic. Performers will read and act, and invite the audience to join them in song.

Joseph and Clarence

“Memories of a Wonderful Life,” by Jonathan M. Zaley, is an audience-participation Christmas comedy that puts a friendly twist on a holiday classic. Arizzi said, “If you recall the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ you’ll love this play."

Clarence biting Bert

 Buffalo Gals

Performers will take the audience through the story with all its famous characters including George Bailey, Mr. Gower, Clarence the Angel, Mary, Mr. Potter, Uncle Billy, Zuzu, Bert the cop, Ernie the taxi cab driver, and even God, played as Joseph.  Arizzi added, “We will need audience help to play all the characters. We’ll give you the lines so you can join in the fun.” 

Ernie taking George and Mary to their new home

Mary, baby and nurse

Senior College Players will be performing interchanging roles in the three performances. Players include Barb Dion, Leigh Dickinson, Mary-Ellen Gartner, Peter Gartner, Lorrie Hoeh, Dan Johnson, Laura Johnson, Jim McLean, Tineke Ouwinga, Roberta Taylor and Rosabelle Tifft.

Mr. Potter and George

Clarence

Senior College Players is offered as a course sponsored by Western Mountains Senior College. WMSC is celebrating its tenth anniversary year. Senior College Players have been performing for the community for six of those years. The public is invited to the performances and admission is free. However, donations will be accepted to offset Royalty fees. For more information, contact Lynn Arizzi at 824-0080.

Another group photo from "Memories of a Wonderful Life"

photos by Joe Arizzi

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

Good Turnout for Good Sleep

Carlie Casey and Lynne Kulik examine pamphlets brought by Dr. DellaValla.  photo J. Whitman

Twenty-nine people braved the rain on October 4 to attend To Your Health's first presentation of the year, “Good Sleep: Working to Keep You Healthy.” The presenter, Dr. Joseph DellaValla was informative and engaging as he explained why sleep is important and how we can learn to sleep better. He spoke of how melatonin is necessary for sleep, and how alcohol before bedtime, or light from a cell phone screen can block melatonin. He showed footage of a person experiencing an episode of sleep apnea (which several of us found downright scary!) and went on to show slides of several newer devices that help prevent it. Other things we learned: it's possible to recondition yourself to overcome insomnia; a light box used in the morning increases melatonin production and helps you sleep better at night; and a fifteen minute nap is better than a cup of coffee for eliminating drowsy driving.

The next To Your Health offering, “Good Balance: Staying on Your Feet in Bethel,” takes place on Thursday, November 1, from 4:30 – 6:00 pm at the West Parish Congregational Church. Doors open at 4:00, and the first 20 people will receive a complimentary balance assessment.

Future programs in this series include “Good Strong Heart - Women and Heart Disease” on February 7, 2013; “Good Meals – in 30 Minutes or Less” on March 21, 2013; and “Good Mind – Good Mood" in April, date to be announced.

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