IMPORTANT  

New Member to SSC?  Welcome to our Senior College.  Please click the button to proceed.

You will now be asked to “Type the name of an adult to use as the contact for this cart.” Please enter you first and last name. The system will then do a search to see if you have taken a class with us in the past.

It will then present you a list of names that may match what you typed in - scroll down through the names and check to see if your name is there. If your name is not there, at the bottom of the list you will be able to “Create New Account” and add yourself to our system.  Please be sure and select “My SSC Membership is Current” during your checkout process - it will prevent the system from adding an extra $5.00 non-member fee to your purchase.

Current member? When you renew or sign up for Membership, you must pick the option that says “My SSC Membership is Current” when you are checking out so you don't get overcharged for the membership fee.

                                                           MEMBERSHIP POLICY

This membership covers June 1st, 2026, to May 31st, 2027. SSC Members must have a valid membership entry on your file to enjoy the full benefits of our Summer-Fall 2025 and Winter-Spring 2026 programs that take place during this period. You should select your 2026- 2027 membership one time as part of registering for your first class in this new year. If you need to apply for a scholarship to cover your membership fees, this is done using a separate application which is located on the SSC website. Your request must be reviewed and processed by the Scholarship Committee before registering for any classes.

If you are not sure what your current membership status is, before registering for this please contact SSC at sunriseseniorcollege@maine.edu or call 207-255-1384 and leave a message – we will get back to you.

Sunrise Senior College wishes to thank you for your tax-exempt donation.  Your generosity enables us to continue providing the programs and activities that are so vital to our community.  In accordance with IRS regulations, we acknowledge that no goods or services were received in exchange for this gift.  Please save this email for your tax records.  

Thank you.

Meredith Harris

Treasurer, Sunrise Senior College 

For centuries the very existence of the city was disputed and even doubted until a German with a passion for the ancient myths set out to prove the reality of the myth. In this class, Thiela Schnaufer will examine the life of Heinrich Schliemann and his obsession with the Trojan myths which drove him to his discovery of ancient ruins and artifacts attributed to the Trojan stories. Thiela’s knowledge and enthusiasm will bring life to these myths and Schliemann’s drive to discover the truth to the delight of Sunrise Senior College.

Instructor:  Thiela Schnaufer received a BA in Latin and an MA in Classics from the University of Georgia. She has taught in a wide variety of educational institutions in Georgia and South Carolina. She also received numerous awards including Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi from the University of Georgia. Her experience with professional education societies is deep and she has publications in New England Journals dealing with Classic education. She has also taught a number of classes for SSC.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom. This class will be recorded. The presenter will be in person.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is Free to SSC members who have paid the $25.00 membership for our 2026-2027 term (6/1/26 to 5/31/27). This is also available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members for $5.00. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $10.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.

Imagine getting a guided tour of the Downeast Institute on Great Wass Island—home to the easternmost marine research laboratory in the United States. Come discover the innovative research, hands-on education, and industry-driven solutions that define the work being done by the Institute. We’ll explore their state-of-the-art shellfish hatchery, where they produce bivalve species such as soft-shell clams, blue mussels, eastern oysters, and surf clams.

From there, we will visit their education center and marine field station to learn how they are inspiring and training the next generation of marine scientists and ocean stewards. The tour concludes with a stop at their lobster hatchery, where we’ll see juvenile lobsters up close and learn how they are raised for critical research efforts.

Next, we’ll take a short drive to the nearby Three Islands Oyster farm, a working aquaculture operation affiliated with the Downeast Institute. Here, we’ll hear the story behind the farm, what makes it unique, and what it takes to grow a premium oyster in the cold, clean waters of Downeast Maine. We’ll wrap up with a live oyster shucking demonstration by Kyle, followed by an optional tasting. Fresh oysters will also be available for purchase to take home and enjoy. 

Instructor: Kyle Pepperman is the Executive Director of the Downeast Institute, a nonprofit marine research and education organization based on Great Wass Island in Beals, Maine. A lifelong advocate for Maine’s working waterfronts, he leads efforts to advance applied marine research, expand aquaculture innovation, and strengthen education and workforce development programs that connect people to the ocean. Under his leadership, the Institute supports shellfish growers across the Northeast through hatchery production and collaborative research while inspiring students and community members to engage with marine science. Pepperman is committed to ensuring that coastal communities remain resilient and economically vibrant by bridging science, industry, and education in service of the blue economy.

Class Information: This class will be held at Downeast Institute, 39 Wildflower Lane, Beals, Maine 04611, and Three Islands Oyster Farm.  It will be in person only with the presenter in-person. There are two short flights of stairs at the Downeast Institute and one at the oyster farm.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is Free to SSC members who have paid the $25.00 membership for our 2026-2027 term (6/1/26 to 5/31/27). This is also available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members for $5.00. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $10.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.

Are you intrigued by old maps and remnants of history in the Downeast landscape? Come join editor, mapmaker, and author Jane Crosen in a virtual tour of Washington County in the late 19th century in the early days of Maine's mapping history. She will share a slide presentation on her newly arranged Coastwise edition of Colby's 1881 Atlas of Washington County and her adventures exploring the county's heritage landscape guided by period maps, photos, and other sources.

In creating the new edition, Jane arranged Colby's historic maps geographically as schooners sailed downeast, adding period photos and excerpts capturing Washington County's towns as they existed during the age of sail. She will share her journey of searching collections and, with help from local historians, sleuthing photos and the stories behind them, including historic images of the Machias area, amid the context of Colby's maps depicting the 19th-century landscape.

Presenter:  Jane Crosen’s life as an editor and mapmaker began at Delorme Publishing, working on the 1981 edition of the Maine Atlas & Gazetteer. To do her job she learned to research places and read maps, and has loved "map­ sleuthing" ever since. As Maine Mapmaker she has created a series of hand-drawn maps of Maine regions, including Schoodic Point to Machias, Passamaquoddy Bay & The Fundy Isles, and two Downeast lake regions, available as posters and other items. Along with her Coastwise editions of Colby's Hancock and Washington county atlases, she has also published two cookbooks and written numerous articles.

Class Information:  This is an in person only class with the instructor onsite - held in UM@M’s room SCI 102. This class will not be on Zoom, but will be recorded for those students who have signed up but find they cannot make it.

Should you wish, Jane will have copies of her atlas available for purchase at the class, or you can order one from her website. The atlas can also be found at Berry Vines in Machias, the Gates House in Machiasport, Smithereen Farm Store in Pembroke, West Quoddy Gifts in Lubec, and other local stores and historical societies. To see more of her work, visit www.mainemapmake.com.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators, and handicapped-accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                   IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is Free to SSC members who have paid the $25.00 membership for our 2026-2027 term (6/1/26 to 5/31/27). This is also available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members for $5.00. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $10.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.

Do you suffer from chronic illness... depression, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, or any number of other ailments? Have you exhausted the treatment methods of Western medicine? Have you resigned yourself to living with your illness and relying on medication to treat your symptoms?

After more than 40 years as a family physician, Dr. Hunkler came to realize that the root cause of most disease is not known and because of this, he was not trained to treat the underlying root of disease but rather the symptoms of diseases - mainly with medications. Over time he has searched for this origin of disease which is not known by Western medicine. Come join us as Dr. Hunkler offers us a perspective about the underlying cause of disease, and a non­conventional approach toward healing.

Presenter:  Dr. Samuel Hunkler, MD was a Family Medicine Specialist in Jonesport, ME with over 40 years of experience in the medical field and was affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Maine Coast Memorial Hospital and Down East Community Hospital. He graduated from Case Western Reserve U, School of Medicine medical school in 1987.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom and this class will be recorded. The instructor will teach this class in person.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                   IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is Free to SSC members who have paid the $25.00 membership for our 2026-2027 term (6/1/26 to 5/31/27). This is also available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members for $5.00. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $10.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.

Sovereignty means the power to exercise lawful authority over lands, resources, and people. In the United States, sovereignty is exercised through a mix of national, state, county, municipal, and often overlooked, tribal governments. Join Jim Oberly as he helps us examine the history and current status of Native American sovereignty over five classes.

The classes are as follows:

Class #1—After the Seven Years War: King George III and treaty-making as the basis for tribal sovereignty

Class #2—Chief Justice Marshall and the 19th century constitutional place of “domestic dependent nations“

Class #3—The Indian New Deal of the 1930s and the Re-Assertion of Tribal Sovereignty

Class #4—Rectifying Past Encroachment on Tribal Sovereignty: from the Indian Claims Act of 1946 to The Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement of 1980

Class #5—Contested Tribal Sovereignty in the 21st century: casinos, cannabis, and control

Instructor: Jim Oberly had a joint appointment in the History Department and Native American Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and taught courses on tribal sovereignty over his career. He also served as an expert witness in state and federal court cases over disputed matters of tribal sovereignty, involving the Stockbridge-Munsee Community of Mohican Indians, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the Lake Superior Chippewas of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom and this class will be recorded. The presenter will be in person. No class on September 23rd due to a prior commitment for the instructor.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                 IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $20.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.

At 63, Jill Chalsty boarded a ship alone, grieving her husband’s death and battling cancer. What began as a voyage around the world became far more than a trip. In this lecture, Jill shares the story behind her memoir Packets of Hope, inviting participants to travel alongside her through the ports she visited, the people she met, and the reflections that transformed personal adversity into strength and global impact. Jill demonstrates how one person’s courage can create ripples that span continents. Participants are encouraged to read her memoir, available free at https://www.packetsofhope.com/, before the presentation.

Presenter: Jill Siegal Chalsty has devoted her life to the transformative power of education. As founder of Overcoming Obstacles, the nonprofit she launched in 1992, Jill pioneered life skills instruction that has now reached more than 180 million students worldwide. What began as a mission to help young people navigate life’s challenges has evolved into a global movement for youth empowerment. Following the profound loss of her husband and her own battles with cancer, Jill embarked on a voyage of healing and reflection. That journey inspired her memoir, Packets of Hope, an exploration of resilience, love, and finding meaning through service. She's made her book available for free at packetsofhope.com.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom and this class will be recorded. The instructor will teach this remotely on Zoom.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                  IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $15.00 fee.

Important:  If you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today, when questioned about your membership make sure you select the response that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so the we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may occur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.