Crafting ornaments and gifts can be fun to do whether you are a crafty person or not, it’s easy.  They make great gifts and have more meaning because they were made by you!  Whether they’re glittery, colorful or simple scenes, each one is unique and reflects the joy with which they are made.  It is your chance to repurpose ornaments or decorations from wreaths, to use lace, buttons, ribbon, shells, dried flowers, pinecones, potpourri, glitter, paint, old man’s beard and/or lichen from trees, wooden forms, sticks and/or beads by working with scissors, paint brushes and glue.  Give it a try, have fun – you’ll be surprised what you can do. 

Instructor:  Suzie O'Clair has been making different crafting ornaments and gifts for presents for family and friends for years.  She's done this while experimenting with different mediums – glass, plastic, felt and wood – using ribbons, glitter, acrylic paint, natural items such as pinecones and moss, and various other things found around her home.

Class Information:  This is an in person only class - held in the Undercroft of St. Aidan’s Church, 36 Dublin Street, Machias, ME.

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

This is a fee-based class and for this class only, Sunrise Senior College (SSC) will be purchasing the materials for all the students.  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. MSCN and Non-Members will be charged an additional fee for supplies.

Important:  If at this time you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning to join as a member today, make sure you answer that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so that 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 incur 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, the 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.

Sunrise Senior College is pleased to welcome back Dr. Eric Jones as he tells us how plants communicate.  Can plants “talk”? Well for some time now it has been well documented that plants do communicate with others of their own kind and indeed, with non-plants through chemical messages. They release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air when damaged to warn nearby plants of threats and use underground mycorrhizal fungal networks to share nutrients and warnings with other plants, even those that are not directly connected by roots.

More recent studies have suggested that plants may indeed communicate in myriad other modes. It appears too that plant communication is far more nuanced than previously described. One result of this research is that plants may exhibit what can be described as consciousness based on Integrated Information Theory - a framework for describing consciousness in non-human systems. During this course, Eric will examine the evidence for plant communication and how that relates to the concept of plant consciousness.

Instructor: Dr. Eric Jones is the Associate Professor of Botany at UMM and teaches an introductory course in bioethics, where concepts of consciousness and moral status are key concepts.

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

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 at this time you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning to join as a member today, make sure you answer that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so that 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.

Did you realize that many of those seemingly innocuous items in your pantry or fridge have been the root cause of most of world history? For example, New England was discovered because Catholics needed more fish for Fridays, the Dutch sold Manhattan to get into the sugar and spice trade, and Columbus discovered Central America accidentally while seeking the shortcut to black pepper. Why not join Sandy Garson as she explores this unique way to look at history through the foods that people ate. During this fascinating six-week presentation, you will begin to appreciate just how powerful food really is as a driver of exploration and history. 

Instructor: Sandy Garson has been a caterer, cookie biz owner and cooking teacher who participated at Radcliffe in the inaugural university course in food history, is a lecturer in food history including for the Camden Conference, and began writing about food for magazines and in two cookbooks using her professional journalism skills. Sandy is now sharing with us the fascinating food history she’s learned over the last 35 years and telling us about inventions and ideas that are more impactful than the iPhone.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom. 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 $20.00 fee.

Important: If at this time you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning to join as a member today, make sure you answer that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so that 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 a gardener?  If you are an avid gardener or just a dabbler, you soon realize how much better your gardens grow when you have the benefits of red worms in your soil. Composting may seem like old news, but doing it with a bin full of worms probably doesn't.  

Why not join Stephanie Strongin as she tells us all about Red Worms, composting and the great benefits to organic gardening while producing both a natural fertilizer and an effective pesticide. Recycling anyone? Red worms eat your kitchen scraps. They transform soil and decaying plant material into an excellent soil supplement and conditioner called vermicompost. Your food waste will disappear and your plants will flourish! Indoor composting is perfect for apartment dwellers or small homes without access to outdoor space. She will also tell you what you do not want to put in your compost bin.

Presenter:  Stephanie Strongin has kept red worm compost bins at her school where she taught and at home. Her home bin has been maintained for the last 40 years. 

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom. 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 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 currently a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning on joining SSC as a member today.  Make sure you answer 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.

Sunrise Senior College is pleased to offer you this special field trip excursion to visit Downeast Institute’s Marine Research Laboratory, Hatchery and Education Center that proudly serves as the Marine Science Field Station for the University of Maine at Machias. Here is your opportunity to join Kyle Pepperman in a stimulating discussion about the work being done here in the easternmost Marine Research Laboratory in the United States. This single session presentation will begin with a classroom lecture at the Institute followed by a tour of the facility and tank rooms in which some parts are not fully handicap accessible. Participants will learn about the different types of clams, mussels, lobsters, oysters, scallops, and green crabs there are and the research being done at the Institute. This class will be offered in-person with the classroom lecture portion being offered on Zoom as well.  

Instructor: Kyle Pepperman became the executive director of the Downeast Institute in September 2025, bringing years of hands-on experience in marine science, aquaculture, and community-based resource management. He earned his B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Maine at Machias in 2009. Originally from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, Kyle now lives in Marshfield, Maine, with his wife and two children.

Class Information: This class will be held at Downeast Institute, 39 Wildflower Lane, Beals, Maine 04611.  It will be in person with the classroom lecture portion, which will be at 10:00 AM, also available on Zoom.

                                                    IMPORTANT:  See Below

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, make sure you answer 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 incur 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.

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.

Susan O'Clair 

Treasurer, Sunrise Senior College   

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.

Susan O'Clair 

Treasurer, Sunrise Senior College   

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.

Susan O'Clair 

Treasurer, Sunrise Senior College