BETHEL – Western Mountains Senior College (WMSC) has scheduled six multi-session courses to begin in September. Courses are open to COLLEGE members and nonmembers who wish to join.

Registration for courses may be done in advance or at the WMSC annual meeting to be held at the Gehring House, 77 Broad St., from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.

A new course, “Hola! An Introduction to Spanish,” will be facilitated by Pilar Bates. The course focuses on speaking and understanding everyday conversations and will be held on seven Mondays beginning Sept. 28. Another new course, “Flannery O’Connor’s Short Stories,” will be instructed by Suzanne Taylor. The discussion course will examine the talent of the woman writer. The course will be held on six Wednesdays beginning Sept. 23.

Returning courses include “Great Decisions,” which is the longest running, largest grassroots world affairs education program in the U.S. Fall topics include “The Arctic Age,” “Cuba after Castro,” “U.S. and Egypt,” “Human Rights in a New Era” and “Wars for Peace.” Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10, and are limited to 20 participants.

“Creative Writing,” facilitated by Suzanne Taylor, will return on Friday, Sept. 25, and will be held every other Friday for five weeks. Both individual and group writing activities will be included, with time for in-progress discussion and consultations if desired.

“Explorations in Spirituality” is another returning course for anyone who wishes to explore their spiritual journey in a non-judgmental, open and caring group. Classes will be held every other Friday for five weeks beginning Oct. 2.

“Senior College Players,” a course for budding thespians directed by Lynn Arizzi, will return on Thursday, Sept. 17, with weekly rehearsals held through Nov. 5. Dress rehearsals will follow and public performances are scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22.

Other programs scheduled for fall, which are open to the public without charge, include To Your Health and Down Home Maine.

The To Your Health series, offering information on health issues of concern to the community, will present three programs. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Dr. R. Reed Gramse, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Portland, will address “What’s New in Joint Replacement Surgery.” On Thursday, Oct. 15, Sandy Bart Heimann, holistic nurse and artist from Owl’s Head, will talk on “Aging Gracefully.” On Thursday, Oct. 29, Dr. Daniel Spratt from the Maine Center for Reproductive Health, Portland, will speak on the “Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis.”

Down Home Maine will continue to focus on unique, creative and adventurous Maine people. On Thursday, Oct. 1, Gill Whitman will speak on “A Sculptor’s Life – A Work in Progress,” and on Nov. 5, Eric Topper will discuss the Maine Handicapped Skiing Program.

Complete information on the courses and programs are available in the fall issue of the WMSC newsletter, recently mailed to members. Nonmembers interested in joining WMSC may contact one of the co-chairwomen for more information: Jackie Cressy at 824-0508 or Bonnie Pooley at 824-2236.