“Time to stock up on pencils, pens and notepads as September signals the beginning of a school year for many, including Belfast Senior College,” said the Senior College, in a news release.

Registration opens at Noon on September 1 and most classes start on September 16. For the fall 2024 semester, members can choose from among nineteen classes presented in nine Belfast venues with one class offered on Zoom. Most classes run for six weeks and are offered five days of the week at various times of the day to meet varying schedule needs. Belfast Senior College (BSC) welcomes all who are ages 50 and over to become a member to enjoy this community of learners.

Those who want to learn more about art and music will find classes on architecture, creative placemaking, drawing, embroidery, photography, journaling and storytelling. For those who enjoy learning about history and current events, five courses offered include “Hot Topics for Cool Heads,” two that integrate history with music, one on the impact of local news on democracy, and another on the Civil War soldier. Literature courses include a reading and discussion of Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson and a class featuring the poets of Belfast. Those interested in personal growth and health, will find classes on Jung’s quest for a mature spirituality, hunger in Waldo County and learning to read Tarot cards. Lastly, the topic of nature and environment includes three classes, “Drowning Belfast,” “Enhancing Community in Belfast: Creative Placemaking,” and “Safe and Fun Day-Hiking.”

Three new venues for the Fall Session are the Bay Chamber Music School in Camden, the United Methodist Church in East Belfast and Bell the Cat. With Coastal Senior College, BSC is co-sponsoring the class, “Music, War and Memory” at the Bay Chamber Music School. Courses offered at the United Methodist Church include “America’s History with America’s Music” and “American Architecture – Colonial to the Civil War.” In Bell the Cat’s Magnolia Room, two classes, “Storytelling” and “Journeying Through the Tarot” will be offered. All of these venues offer easy accessibility with plenty of parking and the Music School is notable for its perfect
acoustics.

Since BSC lost its access to the Hutchinson Center, it has offered classes in a variety of downtown Belfast locations, including the Belfast Free Library, Social Capital, Waterfall Arts, Penobscot Shores, and various local churches.

“This new model allows BSC to have both a variety of venues and a variety of times and days of the week,” said BSC board president, Mayo Bulloch, “We really appreciate the flexibility of our members and of our instructors in adapting to our new way of operating. Senior College has had to change, but we remain strong and healthy!”

Belfast Senior College is an independent and volunteer-powered non-profit organization, now celebrating twenty-three years of programming. For the continued affordable price of $25 for a one-year membership, BSC offers year-round courses and events to nourish creativity, curiosity, and community for all those fifty and over who seek learning opportunities. Members’ spouses and partners of any age also are welcome to join.

Class tuition varies from $30-$40 depending on length of class. To register for classes on or after September 1 or for information now on individual class descriptions, details on membership and more, go to https://belfastseniorcollege.org, or visit the new Senior College office, at Belfast CoWorking, 17a Main Street near the waterfront. The office is open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment. Limited scholarships are available for students or members. Call the BSC office at 207-707-6010 for more scholarship information. go to https://belfastseniorcollege.org.