Biddeford Pool Community Center - The Biddeford Pool Community Center
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Biddeford Pool Community Center
biddefordpoolcommunitycenter.org
January / February Newsletter 2021
Enough of 2020, let’s move onward with a New Year
filled with new hopes, dreams, and better health for all!
Hopefully, you will soon receive our president Joe Valenza’s annual letter which
contains his message for the New Year, along with the annual dues envelope. Please be sure
to include clearly, any address corrections, or email address changes on the dues envelope
that we might update your information. Newsletters are sent out every two months to your
email or by USPS and on the website (above) . If you are NOT receiving newsletters please
contact Marysue Emhiser our Secretary @ marysue@maineseasiderentals.com or 508-284-
2164. Occasionally, accidental ‘un-subscribing’ occurs and is a quick fix! Our Web-site is well
worth checking out. Jim Oleson keeps it updated and filled with recent event picture. Take a
peek!
Sadly, Maine’s Covid numbers have increased to the point of being house bound for fear
of doing anything else (except that daily walk). That said, Center offerings have led to greater
creativity, via Zoom.
Functions regrets that we no longer offer ‘To Go Meals’, but it seems requests have
been made for cooking demonstrations. How about Elaine Robinson’s Puckerbrush Bread?
And in March a demo on cooking Corned Beef? Eve makes great Muffins and Scones. Elaine’s
Vidalia Onion Quiche? Vegetarian Baked Beans? What would you like to see?
Email or call Eve @ eve@maine.rr.com or 207-282-0417.
Let’s start with something simple and easy.
Eve’s Favorite Muffin Recipe
Monday Morning, January 18th, 10:00am
Let’s celebrate Martin Luther King Day with Coffee and Muffins together!
Email Eve (above), if interested, and she will invite you to a Zoom Cooking Demo.
Stay tuned for another Functions’ offering in February
Possibly one of Sue Maccalous’ amazing salads and home-made dressing.
Date and time to be determined.
Creative Studio
January/February
Knowing that our ultimate community concern at this time is to remain as healthy as we can, we have utilized
this premise in planning our winter and spring learning options. Members of the BPCC board and our
membership in general have participated in this consideration. We continue to elicit membership
involvement in our interest areas for offering a skill that you might enjoy teaching or learning, all on Zoom or
other on line option. The board has agreed that we will have our winter/spring options be donation only,
hoping to make classes available to all but also be mindful of attempting to have some revenue for BPCC.
JANUARY
We begin with a class on Zoom in January. We know many of you already have familiarity with Zoom, some
professionally, some informally but we have also heard that some might like to improve their skill level and
have an opportunity to have questions answered. Please see our note that follows on Patricia Burke’s Zoom
class on January 14th.
HAVING FUN WITH ZOOM! - Thursday, January 14th - 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Since Zoom seems to be a focal point of our connections with each other during these Covid times, we
welcome a chance to learn more about this tool that was not familiar to most of us this time last
year. Patricia Burke will host us and lead a fun, interactive and informative way to better utilize this way of
'being together'. We will discuss home set ups for Zoom, including lighting, position of your computer, how
to maximize your interactional style, and having fun with backgrounds, screen sharing, and playing
games. Bring your questions, frustrations, and interest!
To get the most out of this workshop please open a free account at Zoom and download the app before the
scheduled date. Go to https://zoom.us/pricing and click the button that says "Sign Up, It's Free" to open a
free account. Then go to https://zoom.us/download to download the Zoom app to your computer or IPad. If
you have any questions about how to open an account or download the app please contact Patricia at
pab@patriciaburke.com
Please register with Heather Davis heatherd@maine.rr.com (Patricia will send the link for this program the
day before class).
Donation ($10 recommended) only to BPCC
FEBRUARY
Ben Pratt will offer a class on Constitutional law, entitled
‘Constitutional Balance of Power’ - Thursday, February 4th - 2:00 - 3:30 pm
We have a number of other pending classes likely including: Drawing, Poetry in March, Meditation,
Literature, Cooking, iPhone use/Photography.
Use of Photoshop, Spirituality, Creation of Craft Objects, Saco Ecology School in March/April
YOUR OWN AREA OF INTEREST????
WE WILL ALSO BE SEEKING ZOOM HOSTS FOR OUR PROGRAMS, SO DO LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN OFFER HELP
IN THIS WAY.
We are including a list of area Art Museums, many of which have on line learning programs.
PLEASE HAVE A SAFE, NEW YEAR, AND ENJOY SOME NEW LEARNING OPPROTUNITIES.
Creative Studio
Do you have an interest in History, Art or Art History? There is a plethora of free on line
diversions for you. May we suggest;
Lifehacker.com lists virtual tours of 500 Museums and Galleries
Youtube has a listing of 118 in depth Art History videos on every genre for your pleasure.
Harvard University has free online Art History courses, many 6 weeks in length
Yale has a free History Lecture series, one actually titled "Epidemics Since 1600."
The Frick has a weekly "Cocktails with the Currator" series which are free and streaming
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a few free virtual events too
Let's not forget our local Museums and Colleges offerings either:
Portland Museum of Art
Bowdoin College Museum
Colby College Museum of Art
Maine Historical Society has free on line public lectures lined up also for the winter
York County Senior College, a six week free on line lecture series, on a variety of subjects, for members or
those wishing to be members.
January 24, 2021, 4:30 PM
Photo courtesy of Richard Levy
BPCHS Presents a Slide Show and Talk:
A Carriage Ride Through Fortunes Rocks
And Biddeford Pool, circa 1890-1920
Cross the old bridge and take a ride with us along
the coast and streets of our neighborhood.
The Biddeford Pool Community Historical Society will host a virtual slide show and
talk on what the houses, highways, and byways of our communities looked like a century ago, on Sunday,
January 24th at 4:30 PM.
Please contact Peter McPheeters @ peter@oceanviewproperties.net or 468-1704 if interested in
participating. We will send out a Zoom link to all who respond as well as a map that you can use for easy
reference during the talk. If you would like to pick up a paper copy of the map, please let us know when you
make your reservation. We hope to see you there!
CREATIVE WRITING GROUP
The Creative writers are continuing to write every other Monday and posting their writings anytime
on a Google doc page set up by Patricia Burke. Two prompts are given, writings are posted and feed-
back to each writer is given on that page. We welcome new people to join.
If interested please contact Diane Noble: dbmn27@maine.rr.com
Dates for upcoming writings are: January 11 & 25, February 8, March 1.
Plein Air Watercolor classes. We regret to say that plein air watercolor classes have been
suspended for the winter. Stay tuned, come spring, when temperatures outside are more hospitable
and water will once again revert to its liquid form and be amenable to being applied to paint and paper.
BPCC DROP-IN BRIDGE - A group of us have been using BridgeBase Online (BBO) to play bridge
virtually for the last 16 weeks. Sometimes we only have enough for a single table, often two tables, and on
rare occasions three tables. If you have been thinking about joining us, we’d love to have you! All levels
welcome.
To play, please email Debbie Melican (burnsmelican@gmail.com) by 12 noon on Monday. You will receive a
return email saying that your name is on the list. At 1 pm you’ll receive the name of your partner and who
you will be playing.
If you would like a chance to practice before joining the Monday group, Debbie or Carol Bassett
(cjobmaine@gmail.com) would be happy to arrange a time to play with you before the Monday games.
Hoping you and yours had the best possible holidays in this crazy time in which we’re living.
Here’s to a happy, HEALTHY 2021! Carol Bassett & Debbie Melican
LIBRARY NEWS: As stated for the past several newsletters, our building remains closed. While the
library is not accessible to the membership, we would like to suggest that Biddeford’s McArthur Library has a
great program set up for the public to efficiently receive desired materials. The website
(mcarthurlibrary.org) will have access to all their information. The site is nicely organized and easy to
navigate. Many who utilized their service have expressed complete satisfaction with it.
Previously, I had suggested that many may have purchased their own books during the pandemic. These
would be very welcomed as donations to the library. Some have offered these up and we thank you.
Perhaps some will again consider this idea over the coming months. Books may be left in the “return box”
placed at side door at the BPCC and noted as a donation. If you have several items, I would appreciate
contact beforehand to Sue Maccalous @ 207-283-1743(H) email xraychic17@yahoo.com.
Today I am offering a partial list of titles I would like to add to the library during the months ahead along with
some personal favorites of mine. I’d love to know yours!
Bruce Robert Coffin - ( Maine writer) the Detective Byron series - four books
Alex Trebek - memoir The Answer
Zadie Smith - Intimations: Six Essays
Hilary Mantel - The Mirror and the Light book 3 of series
Louise Erdrich - The Night Watchman
Jeannine Cummings - American Dirt
Isabelle Wilkerson - Caste
Charlotte McConaghy - Migrations
Karen Arsenault - Mill Town
Elena Ferrante - any of her series
Paul Doiron - most any as we only have 2 at this time
** The above would all be new additions for the library
The following recently read and enjoyed by me and others..
Paulette Jiles - News of the World
Ann Patchette—The Dutch House
Martin Walker - Bruno, Chief of Police ( 1st of a series)
Delia Owens - Where the Crawdads Sing
Mark Sullivan - Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Jojo Moyes - The Giver of Stars
A Netflix recommendation is The Professor and the Madman - The creators of the Oxford English Dictionary
I’ve got an idea to get people moving and outside.
Hey let’s get moving! In 2021!
Walking is free! Dress for the weather, wear a mask, social distance. Log your progress. Begin on January 8th
through February 8th. The challenge is to walk 30 minutes a day for 30 days. If you complete the 30
minutes/30 days your name will go into a drawing for a chance to win a $30 grocery gift card (provided by
me). Only one winner will be rewarded. The winner will be notified by email. To enter the drawing you
must have your name and email sent to me (barbaralisa6@gmail.com) no later than January 8th 2021.
Please keep track of your progress honor system. Yes you can, if need be, use indoor equipment! 30
minutes/30 days! Easy right! On February 8th e-mail me with your honor system results saying you
completed 30 days/30 minutes and I’ll put you in the drawing! Drawing will be held on February 8th!
To good health!
Virtual Fitness Classes with Tracy!
Since we are in a virtual world now, you can exercise with me all year long. I have several
virtual options for my Biddeford Pool tribe. With the colder weather here, it’s hard for many
of you to exercise outdoors. I would love to have you join me live or on replay. I’m happy to
let you know about all the classes I’m offering. I have everything from classes for seniors to
high intensity interval classes. A portion of your class dues will be donated to the BPCC
Education Fund. I do have a couple of free virtual options as well. Please email me for more
information at gtfamily@comcast.net. Stay healthy and keep moving! It’s one of the best
ways you can protect yourself from a disease that’s more threatening to the de-conditioned population.
Education Award
The Education Committee has been busy reviewing candidates’ applications for the Joan
Beaudry Education Award. Candidates were also interviewed via Zoom by the
committee and the recipients will be announced in October. All of this year’s candidates
were insightful, engaged and ready to tackle this school year no matter what the
challenges may be. Some are staying home with all classes remote, while others are
doing a hybrid and living on campus. Fingers crossed for a successful year. We welcome
any undergraduate college students who have ties to the BPCC to apply. The scholarship
deadline is June 1st every year (although stay tuned as we may extend the deadline due
to COVID). The application can be found on the BPCC website. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of
2.5 and value leadership, citizenship and community service. Complete eligibility guidelines can be found
here: https://biddefordpoolcommunitycenter.org/education-fund/. If you have any questions, please
contact co-chairs Tracy Callahan gtfamily@comcast.net and Greg Tarbox gftbox@gmail.com
BPCC Board Meetings
Board meetings being held by Zoom on third Wednesday of each month.
If interested in joining contact Joe Valenza @jjvidal@gmail.com.
Board Minutes may be found on the website biddefordpoolcommunitycenter.com
Center Rentals and other Requested Center Uses should contact Jim Oleson at
(508) 641-7768 or jimoleson57@gmail.com.
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