Belfast Senior College presents a summer sampling of its offerings with six low-cost courses in July and August. Classes vary in length and subject matter and will be held in several downtown Belfast venues. The registration fee for courses ranges from free to $30.

As a summer promotional special, Senior College opens its registration to all community members, regardless of age.

Registration opens on Monday, June 3, at noontime, at belfastseniorcollege.org.

“For these summer courses, we invite all members of the public to check us out. With courses for the curious and the creative, we offer a variety of opportunities to try something new,” says Belfast Senior College board member, Denise Pendleton, in a news release. “You can take a course that is just one session or three or four sessions, be it with crafts, body movement, movies, learning about bees or a musical love story. The cost is minimal and the enjoyment is great.”

For those who prefer a one-session course, three are offered. “Galina and Slava: A Musical-Historical Love Story” will be taught by popular instructors, Robert and Mary Rackmales on Thursday, July 11, 10 a.m .- 12:00 p.m.. This class paints a picture of two larger-than-life personalities during their formative years in the Soviet Union, their exile and the political pressures they endured. Belfast area Tai Chi expert Dave Hurley offers an “Intro to Tai Chi,” for participants to try out a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures to increase balance and strength on Wednesday, July 31, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.. It’s “hands-on” for Jane McLean’s “Storytelling Through Fabric” one-session workshop, held Thursday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Belfast Free Library. Attendees will learn about the process of telling a personal story through textiles in traditional patterns. All materials will be provided and no sewing is required.

“Movies You May Have Missed,” this summer’s only three-session course, will be held alternating Tuesdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. July 16, July 30 and August 13 at Belfast Free Library. Three comedy/dramas from around the world will be shown and followed up with discussion, led by long-time Senior College photography and film instructor Paul Sheridan. This course, co-sponsored by the Library, is free and open to the public, and will include information about Senior College membership and our upcoming offerings.

For those able to attend a four-session course, two are offered on Wednesdays, from July 3 – July 24. “Gentle Yoga: Using a Chair for Seated Practice and Standing Support,” with certified yoga instructor Jackie Ascrizzi, will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Waterfall Arts. This class will include poses while sitting in the chair and standing movements or postures, using the chair for support. The goals of this class are to build strength, work on balance, stretch muscles and relax. “Honey, I Shrunk the Pollinator Population” led by seasoned Senior College instructor Patsy Meisner, will be held 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Penobscot Shores. This course will review pollination and its importance and introduce students to pollinators of various types. Content includes videos of pollinators in action, a visit to Penobscot Shores’ honey hives, and reading and discussion of The Bees, a novel by Laline Paull.

Belfast Senior College is an independent volunteer-powered, non-profit organization, now celebrating 20-plus years of programming. It offers year-round courses and events to provide stimulation, knowledge, social interaction and fun for people age 50 and up. We are always seeking additional instructors (and currently soliciting fall semester class proposals, due by June 28.) We welcome everyone, members and non-members alike, to sign up for summer classes to enjoy the Senior College experience.