BETHEL – Western Mountains Senior College will hold registrations for spring classes in conjunction with the second annual “soup swap” on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Bethel Congregational Church.

Class registrations will start at 5 p.m., and the “soup swap” will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Besides registering and having all kinds of soup, those attending can test their knowledge of “soup trivia” with quizzes and other puzzles.

An array of spring classes will be scheduled, with three courses returning. The “Great Decisions Discussion Group” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, starting March 24, at the Bethel Congregational Church for five weeks. The group will discuss energy and the global economy, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the global food supply and the U.S. and rising powers. Cost is $25.

“Explorations in Spirituality” will return from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 20, at the Victoria Inn. Classes will meet on alternate Fridays through May 15. The on-going course focuses on personal spirituality through reading and discussion. Fee is $25.

“Creative Writing” will return Friday, starting March 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at Telstar High School. It will alternate Fridays with “Explorations in Spirituality.” The final class will be May 8. There will be individual and group writing activities. The course is a continuation of one begun last fall. New members are welcome. Suzanne Taylor will facilitate. Fee is $25; returning members, $10.

A new course, “Multiple Intelligences,” facilitated by Marcia Foster-Austin, will be held at Telstar from 10 a.m. to noon for five Wednesdays, beginning March 18. Classroom activities will help members understand learning in new ways. At least one session will focus on emotional intelligence. Cost is $25.

Another new course, “Jane Austen’s Novels,” will be facilitated by Bonnie Pooley and held at the Holidae House, Main Street, from 10 a.m. to noon five Wednesdays starting April 22. The course will take a look at 18th century small town life through the eyes of a gentle critic with a clear view of human foibles, virtues and vices. Fee is $25.

Classes are open to Senior College members and new members are welcome. For more information, contact Program Committee Chairman Peter Gartner at 665-2181.

The WMSC Program Committee initiated the first “soup swap” last year. The event proved to be so much fun that the committee decided to make it an annual event. Jackie Cressy, WMSC co-chairwoman and committee member, explained.

Participants bring two quarts of hot soup for tasting and up to four quarts in quart containers already frozen. After the tasting, those who brought frozen soup may choose different soups to take home, equal to the number they brought.

Cressy said, “So, you’ve only had to make one kind of soup, but you go home with four different kinds, all ready to pull out of the freezer when you don’t feel like cooking or have had a particularly busy day.”

Cressy said, “If you are a WMSC member who lives alone, or don’t have the facilities for making a big batch of soup, you can still have the fun of participating. Several WMSC members are bringing extra hot soup so there will be plenty for all. You can make a monetary donation for your soup-tasting and dessert, and will be able to purchase frozen quarts to take home.”

In order to assure that there is enough soup for all, call to register with one of the following committee members by Wednesday, Feb. 25, if planning to attend: Marcia Foster-Austin, 824-3400; Beth Brough, 875-2216; or Jean Waite, 824-2780. Those who would like to participate in ways other than bringing soup may volunteer to bring a dessert, bread or crackers.

Members who participate in the soup tasting, and who do not bring soup or other foods, are asked to bring a canned item for the local food pantry. All monetary donations will go toward purchasing the family food boxes that contain enough food for a family of four for three of four days.

This winter social activity is a WMSC member-only event. However, persons who wish to join WMSC and attend may contact Jackie Cressy at 824-0508. New members would also be eligible to join the upcoming spring courses.