BETHEL – When Lynn Arizzi took early retirement from a lifetime of directing school musical productions, she didn’t exactly intend to get right back into the business. However, after moving to Bethel and joining the Western Mountain Senior College Group, she found herself planning and directing a new program for the group, namely, acting.

Arizzi and husband Joe had lived aboard a sailboat for 17 years when they lived in Virginia. Lynn was music director in Fairfax County and Joe worked for the federal government. They spent summers sailing to Maine and fell in love with the state. Finally they decided that Bethel was the town for their retirement years, which meant they could pursue their new interest in skiing.

The college group seniors are delighted to have a new dimension added to their courses and programs, according to Rosabelle Tifft. Others join for other reasons.

Lynn Mason, a visually impaired senior joined because it was a challenge. “At our age, you need to take on something that might be fun,” she said.

Her seeing-eye dog Bronson has a part in the play “Bye, Bye Brevoort” as a carrier pigeon. Since the actors read their lines from scripts, Lynn has large type to study from, but she basically memorizes her lines.

Karen Paul acts as a mime and says, “I was always too scared in high school to do plays. Now that I’ve hit 50, I’m ready for a challenge. It’s fun and I love it.”

Lorrie Hoeh says, “Working in this group allows that little bit of ham in me to emerge.”

Roberta Taylor says the group means she meets new people. “It allows me to open myself up more,” she adds.

Carolyn Campbell says, “I enjoy the challenge because it allows you to do more than you thought you could.”

The Senior Players can be seen in six one-act plays on Sunday at The McLaughton Auditorium in the Science Building on Church Street at Gould Academy. The show is at 2:30 p.m.

For more information, call Arizzi at 824-0080.