LEWISTON – The Senior College program at Lewiston-Auburn College will offer 11 new courses for the fall semester from Sept. 19 through Nov. 11.

Highlights of the schedule include courses on such diverse writers as William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and C.S. Lewis, contemporary fiction, computers for beginners, American colonial history, regional trips and interactive uses of board games and cooking instruction.

The courses are open to all persons age 50 or older and their spouses. The cost of a course is $25 after a mandatory membership fee of $25 valid through May 2006. For those interested in registering for more than two courses a reduced fee of $10 will be charged per additional course. All classes will be held at L-A College on Westminster Street.

The courses are:

“Whodunits by Agatha Christie”: A selective grouping of four mysteries by the grande dame of the genre. Discussion led by Laurie Haynes St. Pierre will include the historical context and background of each book. The class will meet on alternate weeks from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning Monday, Sept. 19. The course fee will cover the cost of the books. St. Pierre owns and operates the Book Burrow and Cafe in Auburn, and is a former writer and newspaper reporter.

“Comic Relief: The Comedies of Shakespeare”: Join Barbara Randall in her specialty of English literature and culture as she highlights the humor and antics of three classics. The six-week course will include scene readings, music, background and videos, and will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays. Randall is a member of the Senior College Advisory Board and a retired English teacher from Edward little High School.

“Special Destinations: Points of Interest”: Tour guide Dot Rupert makes each class a field trip. Visit the Maine Maritime Museum, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, Joshua Chamberlain Museum, the Portland Museum of Art, the Victoria Mansion and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Members will provide their own transportation and all admission costs are covered by the course fee. Trips are scheduled for Tuesdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Rupert is a retired Lewiston schoolteacher and a Senior College Advisory Board member.

“Writing Your Life Story”: Learn to organize and write memoirs to leave a legacy for younger and future generations. Relive memories from the past in journaling life. The course will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Facilitator Cecile Forgues returns to share her writing experience and knowledge. She is an Advisory Board member and has been enrolled in Senior College since 1998.

“The Life and Writings of C.S. Lewis”: The works of English author and scholar C.S. Lewis challenge many beliefs and assumptions concerning Christianity, God, miracles and the nature of sin and evil in the modern world. The book “The Screwtape Letters” is a reading requirement and will be provided. Class size is limited and is scheduled for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays..

Instructor Charles W. Plummer is a retired educator, consultant and administrator and is a frequent presenter at Senior College.

“Clash of Culture – Clash of Empires”: The French and Indian War of 1754 to 1760 between the forces of Great Britain and France changed North America and shaped world events. The course will cover the ambition, fear, misunderstanding and miscalculation that led to the final conflict. A panorama of individuals, peoples and cultures and geography will bring that period to life from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

Instructor Robert M. Gilbert is a retired educator and administrator with the Auburn school system.

“Your Move: History of Board Games”: The course will explore the history of how and why board games were developed and the changes made to them. Participants will play board games during the class. The book “Classic Board Games” will be provided. The course will begin Oct. 6 for four consecutive Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Facilitator Bud Santos is a game master and the manager of KB Toys in the Auburn Mall.

“Rhythm of Compassion”: Elizabeth Lowe returns with an exploration of self and society to help understand oneself while providing care to others without depleting energies. The qualities of mature compassion and engaged spirituality will be discussed. Resource books will be provided. The course will be 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Lowe is a chaplain at Sisters of Charity Health System and recently participated in a Senior College course on spirituality.

“Impressive Cooking Made Simple”: Innkeeper Jan Barrett will demonstrate techniques that help her to manage her Ware Street Inn Bed and Breakfast. Learn how to impress guests “from brunch to munch” with simple recipes and kitchen tips. The evening course will be presented from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at L-A College.

Barrett received the Maine Tourism Regional Award and the Business Leadership Award in 2004 and is active in many local organizations.

“In the First Person: Contemporary Fiction for the Mature Reader”: Lincoln Ladd returns to Senior College with course focusing on American novels presented in the first person singular.

Using “The Spectator Bird,” “As We Are Now” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Gilead,” attention will be directed to concerns about aging, its characteristics and challenges. Books will be provided. The course is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays.

Ladd taught English at North Carolina University and UNC-Greensboro, as well as several American literature courses at Senior College.

“Computing for Beginners”: The class will enable the beginner to learn the basic use of the mouse and keyboard. Windows and icons will be explained. Participants will learn how to open, close and minimize programs in Windows. Elementary exposure to e-mail, the Internet and basic word processing will also be covered. The course will be 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays.

Instructor Wayne Hollingworth has taught computer courses at various educational institutions, including Senior College.

Senior College at Lewiston-Auburn College is a member of the Maine Senior College Network, an organization of the state’s 14 Senior Colleges. No previous college attendance is required.

An initiative of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USM, Senior College is also an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network.

For more information on the courses and enrollment, call 753-6510 or visit the Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/lac.