MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Mar. 26, 2004

Unsung Hero Melinda Estelle is Proud to Promote Library and Community

By Lea Ann Erickson

Melinda Estelle

When Melinda Estelle moved to Westminster in 1997, one of the fist things she did was visit the library. “I knew my kids would meet friends there and I’d meet people there.” A few years later, she co-chaired the 2002 Forbush Memorial Library’s Centennial Committee after serving as a volunteer in the library’s children’s room. “In a small community like this one, there are a lot of small groups,” she said. “We just brought them together.” She worked with scouting organizations, the schools, historical society, families new to town, as well as long-time town residents who had a wealth of memories about the library. The centennial celebration, lasting an entire year, featured 100 activities including a commemorative quilt, a historic trolley tour featuring residents dressed in centennial costumes, history mural, a scavenger hunt, postmark contest and much more. In addition, Estelle coordinated the Early Childhood Program, taught a Red Cross Babysitting course, served on the School Improvement Committee (SIMCO) and the Neighbors helping Neighbors Benefit Committee. Barbara Friedman, Former Forbush Memorial Library Director, who nominated Estelle, said the event developed a sense of community pride adding, “Melinda adds sparkle with a smile…and is the unsung hero of Westminster and it’s time to hear a little applause.” Mount Wachusett Community College and the Sentinel & Enterprise have joined forces to recognize the region’s “unsung heroes.” The partnership is designed to recognize individuals and organizations who have worked to better their communities and to give credit to those who have never sought the spotlight.

Thayer Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director Speaks to MWCC Students Prior to Weekend Symphony

By Lea Ann Erickson

	Maestro Wada

Over fifty MWCC students in The Art of Being Human course with Michelle Valois and Sue Goldstein asked Thayer Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director Toshimasa Francis Wada everything from what music he listens to in his spare time to whether his arms get tired while conducting when he spoke to them, Wed., Mar. 24. He was addressing the students, in part, to prepare them for this Saturday’s performance, which students will attend as part of their coursework. He will return to discuss the performance at their class, Mon., Mar. 29 at 12:40 p.m. in room 127.

He urged students to seize every opportunity. “Be persistent,” he said. “The world is out there waiting. Never hesitate to knock on a door.” He told the class that it was persistence that made him successful.

He also showed the class a selection of batons used for conducting, including Leonard Bernstein’s (which he passed around to the students). The batons can cost as much as $2,000 a piece. He explained that conductors use them to illustrate the “Ictus,” the lowest point the baton reaches in the conductor’s hand, which signals the musicians to begin. He also discussed the importance of precision for musicians in the symphony. “There will be 60 musicians on stage Saturday night and we (conductors) have to convey everything without verbal language. We have to use body language.”

Students attending the symphony will hear selections from the Russian composer Glinka, the American composer Samuel Barber, Norwegian composer Grieg and David Ott. They will also hear a solo from acclaimed pianist Frederick Moyer.

Campus Events:

• Sixth grade students at Gardner Middle School will be given a presentation about the nursing profession, Tues., Mar. 30 from local nurses who will discuss their healthcare careers as part of Kids to College program. The six-week curriculum combines hands-on activities with information on careers and college life. Kids to College is part of a Federal TRIO Program, Project Greater Opportunities (Project GO), with additional funding from Sallie Mae and the Worcester Consortium. For more information or to attend this event, please contact the College Access and Preparation Programs Program Assistant, Melanie Holloway, at 978.630.9248.

• In recognition of Women’s History Month, The Student Government Association is hosting an Open Mic Night, Tues., Mar. 30. The free event will feature poetry, literature and music written by famous women. The event is free and open to the public. Come and share your favorite poem, song, or piece of literature by a famous woman you admire. For more info, call 978.630.9252.

• The Wachusett Folk Cafe is back! Tickets are now on sale for the much anticipated re-opening of the folk music venue. Expatriate New Yorker, now living in Argentina, Richard Shindell will appear on stage, Fri., April 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Shindell is a meticulous craftsman of song whose four studio albums and recent live recording have been revered by critics and fans alike. Tickets may be purchased on line at http://wfc.mwcc.edu or at the box office at 978.632.2403. Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Online tickets may be purchased via credit card (MC, VISA or Discover). There is no charge for using this service, however you cannot choose a specific seat. Our box office personnel will give you the best available seat(s) at the time of purchase and hold your ticket(s) at the door. For more information, call Diane Hamilton at 978.630.9387.

• A free Discover MWCC Expo will be held, Sat., April 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants will be able to learn about MWCC’s majors, meet faculty and students, tour the campus and learn how to transfer to four year colleges and universities and save money through Joint Admissions and the Tuition Advantage Program. For more information, call admissions at 978.630.9110.

• As part of MWCC’s Decade of Civic Engagement, Theatre at the Mount, in collaboration with the Molly Bish Foundation, will provide complimentary Child Identification Kits to parents on Sat., April 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the theatre lobby before and after 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. performances of the Children’s Musical, Charlotte’s Web, based on the book by E. B. White. These kits are used to keep a child’s current photograph, fingerprints and identifying data together in a readily accessible location. Since October 2000, the Foundation has provided kits to approximately 60,000 children and adults throughout the region. The show begins as young Fern Arable adopts a baby pig on her family farm. When it looks as if her favorite pig will end up under the butcher’s knife, the wise spider Charlotte and her animal friends come to the rescue – making Wilbur famous in the process. Tickets are $6.00 and may be purchased at the Theatre at the Mount box office at 978.632.2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu. For additional information concerning the Child Identification Program, contact Emily Ball at 978.630.9564. The Free Child ID Kits are available to all parents, with or without the purchase of theatre tickets.

• A “Celebrating Our World,” event will be held on campus, Wed., April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Desserts from around the world, workshops and a performance by INCA Sun will be featured. The Student Government Association, Multicultural Awareness Committee as well as the college’s Civic Engagement and Service Learning initiative are sponsoring the free event. For more information, call 978.630.9252.

• Working full-time? Find out how you can earn your Early Childhood Education Associate Degree in three years by attending weekend courses once or twice a month in combination with convenient online courses. Free Information sessions will be held Wed., April 28, Mon., May 17 and Wed., June 9. All sessions will be held in the Murphy Conference room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. Schedules for this option begin in the fall and are planned in advance so students will know exactly what is expected of them for the entire program. No cancelled classes. To pre-register, call Missi Howlett at 978.630.9273 or email her at mhowlett@mwcc.mass.edu. Learn about the program, schedule and financial aid opportunities and see an online learning demonstration. For more information about the program, go to http://earlychildhood.mwcc.edu

• Tickets are now on sale for THE NEW SENIOR DAY (for adults 50 and over), hosted by MWCC’s LIFE program and the Gardner Council on Aging and sponsored in part by Fallon Community Health Plan. Entertainment, vendors, health screenings and speakers will be at the Colonial Hotel, 425 Betty Spring Road, Gardner, MA on Thursday, May 27th 2004. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with luncheon served between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $5. Eight-year old Mackenzie Melemed, “The Little Piano Man”, has performed over 125 concerts; he plays, composes music, and sings and was recently honored on Channel 4 TV as a Hometown Hero for outstanding accomplishments in New England. Registration for this event will be held at the Gardner Senior Center, 70 Waterford St., Gardner. Office hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lorraine Wickman at 978. 630.9176 or by email at lwickman@mwcc.mass.edu.

• The Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College is offering two sessions of the Red Cross lifeguard certification course. The first session will run during April on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (no class on 19th). The second session will run in May on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (no class on May 31st). Course will lead to Red Cross certification(s); Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR for the FPR, AED, and Waterfront module. Cost: $230.00 for non members and $200.00 for members.
  Re-certification fee is $100.00. Register at the Fitness & Wellness Center or call 978.630.9212 for further information.

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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