And for some, it was quite an eye-opening afternoon....

One person brought in some Civil War maps that had been rescued from the trash--and discovered that they were valued at $15,000. A son learned that mother really does know best--to the tune of $5,000 for a Shaker basket and stand that he wanted to toss out and she wanted to save.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And a couple from Stockton Springs who'd saved an original Beatles poster for 30-some years discovered it was valued at over $500.

An event like this takes hundreds of volunteer hours to plan, promote and produce. Thanks is due to the appraisers who  graciously donated their talent and time: Dan & Elsie Andrews, Kaja Veilleux, Dana Philippi, Ron Jarvella and Philip Young. These experts spent three solid hours working nonstop. Even those waiting in line for their turn at an appraisal were amazed at how much they learned by listening to each appraisal.

The event also featured the River City Harmonizers who sang in the atrium during the afternoon. Senior College member Eunice Schleicher and her merry band of volunteer bakers produced a delectable array of sweets for attendees enjoyment. Other invaluable Senior College volunteers  collected admission fees, directed traffic in the atrium, arranged flowers for all the tables, and helped keep the lines moving

Appraiser Kaja Veillux shows the finer points to a young collector 

2003 Senior College Summer Conference Sessions Announced
The conference topics have been announced for the 2003 Senior College Summer Conference to be held July 13-15^th at the University of Maine Presque Isle.

Choose from among these class sessions taught by selected Senior College faculty from around the state who will share their wisdom.  Senior Scholar Sessions offer insights and perspective on a range of topics when you choose from the sampler of courses including:
*A Taste of France
*Maine Poetry Sampler
*Penobscot Man:History of Maine Loggers & River Drivers
*Lincoln’s Speeches
*Lighthouses Along the Kennebec
*Writing Memoirs:Telling YOUR Story
*Poetry Writing Workshop
*Geology

Additionally, the 2003 Senior College Summer Conference is a resource for of Senior Colleges throughout the state to meet and exchange information:
*The Business of Senior College:  From Data Management to Assumption of Risk
*Strategies for Change:  Planning for the Life Cycle and Maturation of Your Senior College
*Recruiting New Members and Communicating with Current Members
*Teaching and Learning:  Adding Excitement to the Senior College Classroom
*Planning a Special Events Program

For more information and registration information on the conference, click on Summer Conference and Senior Scholars Program

What We're Doing As usual, Maine Senior Colleges are very busy.  Here's a roundup of activities around the state: Augusta Senior College hosted a Poetry and Art Gala at the end of spring term.  Also at Augusta, Former Maine Chief Justice, Daniel Wathan led a discussion on Civil Rights in Times of War. Downeast and Acadia Senior College team up regularly to sponsor a course called Architectural Snoops.  Members enjoy an insiders look at homes in the area.  Most recently they toured Emily Muir-designed houses on Deer Isle. Coastal Senior College hosted food historian Sandy Oliver, who discussed New Englanders and their Food:  Beyond Baked Beans

Gold Leaf Institute at the University of Maine, Farmington will be enjoying Maine's short, but wonderful, summer by taking a bicycle trip on nearby hiking and biking trails and visiting the Lakewood Theater, Maine's oldest summer stage. A series of shorts courses and trips will be sponsored this summer by Sunrise Senior College at University of Maine, Machias.  Cleverly titled "Summer Shorts," the topics range will focus on a nine areas of interest--from lobster boats to gold mining in the Maine woods.  Yep, they say there is gold in them there woods! Everyone made it back to the train when York County Senior College took the Downeaster to Boston.  While there they enjoyed a Duck Tour on a WWII vintage vehicle.  QUACK!