MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Friday, October 15, 2004

STUDENTS AND FACULTY DISCUSS 'NICKEL AND DIMED'

By Kimberly B. Caisse

	Students listen to Professor Sue Goldstein speak about "Nickel and Dimed."

About 30 students and faculty met for an hour Wed., Oct. 13 to discuss their opinions of this semester's common book, "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Ehrenreich took jobs as a waitress, hotel maid and house cleaner, among others, to learn first-hand the plight of the working poor. She documented her experiences in "Nickel and Dimed," a book that has sparked much discussion on college campuses across the nation since its release in 2001.

The group focused on questions such as: How does "Nickel and Dimed" relate to your life? Why didn't the people Ehrenreich work with resent her when she told them the truth about what she was doing? Was it a realistic account of the life of the working poor?

A few students indicated they work in food service and retail jobs. One of them, Jaimee Hagan, said she could "relate to just about everyone" in the chapter about Ehrenreich's experience working as a waitress at two restaurants in Key West, Fla.

Another student, Larry Collette, who worked for a retail story chain after serving in the Army from 1983 to 1991, said he didn't like the book. After reading it three times, he said, "I didn't really care for the book because she's not really like us. She's got resources she can fall back on."

A few professors mentioned they were struck by how hard Ehrenreich said she worked in the jobs she took for the book. They agreed with her that so-called unskilled jobs in fact require the people who do them to have a variety of skills.

"I think it's good we had to read this," Hagan said. "It shows how important education is. I think it's an eye-opener."

'WINDOWS ON OUR COMMUNITY' EXHIBIT COMES TO MWCC

By Kimberly B. Caisse

	MWCC student Linn Omaris Carrion views the photographs of Marilyn Humphries during the reception for the Windows On Our Community exhibit Wed., Oct. 13.

The History Project's Windows On Our Community photography exhibit spent more than a week in the MWCC library.

This traveling photography exhibit about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) historical events was brought to MWCC in recognition of GLBT History Month. It was sponsored by MWCC library, the Office of Student Life, MWCC Diversity Committee and the Spectrum and ALANA clubs.

The exhibit featured the work of Craig Bailey and Marilyn Humphries. Bailey's works included a publicity photo for Theater Offensive's production of "Muses;" Humphries' a photo taken at the ACT UP Die-In at Massachusetts General Hospital in March 1988.

For over two decades, The History Project has focused on preserving the history of Boston 's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and on making that history accessible to future generations. Windows On Our Community is one of its traveling exhibits.

NASHOBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER SELECTS MWCC FOUNDATION TO OPERATE HOLIDAY GREENS SALE

By Kimberly B. Caisse

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) Foundation, Inc. and Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) have announced the annual Holiday Greens Sale will be held once again at the Congregational Church in Groton on Sat., Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For over 55 years, the Deaconess-Nashoba Hospital Auxiliary operated the popular sale of holiday greenery, baked goods, crafts and more as a fund raiser for the hospital. The sale was last held in 2002. The non-profit Deaconess-Nashoba was sold to for-profit Essent Healthcare, Inc. in January 2003.

NVMC chose MWCC Foundation, Inc. to be a partner in this annual event to raise funds to support the professional development of the college's nursing faculty and to encourage highly trained nurses to share their knowledge with the college's nursing students.

NVMC CEO Andrei Soran said, "We are excited about the opportunity to bring together our hospital and its staff, our volunteers, and a local college, all involved in helping to prepare the new generation of nurses. It is an essential element of our mission."

"We are honored to be selected by Nashoba Valley Medical Center to operate this popular holiday event," said MWCC Foundation Executive Director Darlene Morrilly. " Nashoba Valley residents and businesses once again will get a chance to buy beautiful holiday wreaths and support an important cause."

The U.S. is facing a critical nursing shortage. According to an article published in the American Medical Association, the U.S will experience a 20 percent shortage in the number of nurses needed. "Supporting our nursing faculty training through this fund raiser is just one way Mount Wachusett Community College is addressing the problem," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

This year's Holiday Greens Sale will run much the same way as in past years. In addition to the sale of wreaths, baked goods will be available for purchase, a luncheon supported by Shriver Job Corps Center culinary arts students will be offered, and a raffle will be held. Hospital volunteers will continue to be involved in organizing the sale.

Following the tradition set by the Deaconess-Nashoba Hospital Auxiliary, the MWCC Foundation is seeking volunteers to help decorate wreaths the week before the sale, donate baked goods for the sale, and work the sale itself. The foundation also is accepting donations of natural decorating supplies-pine cones, berries, acorns, etc.-from the public. These may be dropped off at MWCC's Devens campus, Sherman Square , 100 Jackson Road , Devens. The MWCC Devens campus will host daily wreath-decorating workshops for volunteers between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3.

The MWCC Foundation is accepting pre-orders of holiday greens. To place an order and/or sign up to volunteer, contact Diane Hamilton at dhamilton@mwcc.mass.edu or (978) 630-9387.

Campus Events:

• As part of the college's Works in Clay exhibition series, the works of Gardner artist Sonya DeConinck, an advanced ceramic student at MWCC, will be on display in the East Wing Gallery outside the Theatre at the Mount through Thurs., Oct. 28. Inspired by nature, DeConinck has experimented with low-fire clays, such as terra cotta and Massachusetts white, as well as a stoneware clay body. She often creates work on the potter's wheel, or hand-builds the piece, and then carves into the surface. Hanging in the East Wing Gallery until Fri., Oct. 29 are the oil paintings of Elizabeth Solley Caine.

• Tickets are still available for the Theatre at the Mount production of Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick's " Radio Gals" Fri., Oct. 15 and Sat., Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. Set in the late 1920s, "Radio Gals" concerns an enterprising woman, Hazel Hunt (played by Pattie Pichette), of Cedar Ridge, Ark., who, upon her retirement as the town music teacher, receives a Western Electric 500 watt radio transmitter and begins broadcasting as radio station WGAL. The New York Times called "Radio Gals" "a lively, cheery, nostalgia-dipped musical." Tickets are $18 for evening performances and $15 for the matinee show. For information and reservations, call the Theatre at the Mount box office at 978.632.2403. Tickets may also be purchased online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.

• MWCC's Devens campus, 100 Jackson Road , Devens, will host a workshop entitled "Advertising Strategies for Local Business" on Tues., Oct. 19 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participants will learn to develop the tools to create their own advertising, promote the most effective advertising possible within an appropriate budget, evaluate the cost of a customer and much more. The cost is only $60. For more information, or to register, call the Devens Applied Manufacturing Center at 978.630.9569.

• As part of the "One Book, One College" program, students, faculty and the public are invited to the showings of the film "Talking to the Wall: The Story of an American Bargain" on Tues., Oct. 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the North Cafeteria and Fri., Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 127. Film-maker Steve Alves will be at the Oct. 19 showing to discuss his film. For more information, call Michelle Valois at 978.630.9364.

• Registrations are being accepted for a six-week Preschool Yoga class at the Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College . The class will run from Wed., Oct. 20 to Wed., Nov. 24 from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Children ages 3 to 6 will learn the power of movement and breath through music, games and simple yoga positions. They will learn balance, how to manage their emotions and to understand the emotions of others. The cost is $30 for those with a family membership or $42 for non-members. For more information, call the Fitness & Wellness Center at 978.630.9212.

• MWCC's Interfaith Campus Ministry Office will hold a "Guided Meditation: Benevolence-Breath of All Life" prayer session on Wed., Oct. 20 from 11:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in room 125. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend. For more information, contact Lay Catholic Minister Coco Watkins at 978.630.9193 or c_watkins@mwcc.mass.edu .

• MWCC's Fitness & Wellness Center will host the lecture "How to Deal with Foot Problems and Keep on Running" by Jackie Shakar, professor and chair of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program on Thurs., Oct. 21 from 5 to 6 p.m. This free presentation is open to the public. To register, please contact the Fitness & Wellness Center at 978.630.9212.

• Tickets are on sale for Theatre at the Mount's only performance of the children's musical "How to Eat Like a Child" on Sat., Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. Based on the book by Delia Ephron, the show is adapted by John Forster and Judith Kahan with music and lyrics by John Forster. Tickets are $3 and may be purchased at the Theatre at the Mount box office or online at http://theatre.mass.edu. The box office phone number is 978.632.2403.

• The theme for National Physical Therapy Month is "Get Fit for Life." The public is invited to join the physical therapy assistant students and faculty in a Fun Run/Walk on Mon., Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. in parking lot D. Participants will run or walk about three miles. A $5 donation is encouraged; all proceeds will go to the Jimmy Fund. Sign up on Thurs., Oct. 14 in the college bookstore lobby or contact Margaret Jaillet at 978.630.9292.

• The "One Book, One College" program includes a panel discussion on the living- or minimum-wage issue and the working poor on Mon., Oct. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the North Cafeteria. Southern New Hampshire resident Wayne Monroe and MWCC student Regina Lovell will share their experiences with employment, housing and health care. State Rep. Christopher Donelan (D-Orange); Sheila Dansky, MSW, a social worker at North Central Human Services; Ellie Goderre, RN, manager of the Winchendon Health Center; and Director of Civic Engagement and Outreach Amy Casavina Hall also will sit on the panel. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Michelle Valois at 978.630.9364.

• A public discussion of "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America " by Barbara Ehrenreich is scheduled for Tues., Oct. 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in MWCC's Murphy Conference Room. Students, faculty and the public are invited to attend. Ehrenreich takes jobs as a waitress, hotel maid and house cleaner, among others, to learn first-hand the plight of the working poor. She documents her experiences in "Nickel and Dimed." A thousand MWCC students will read the book for the fall semester's "One Book, One College" initiative.

• The unique financial considerations of running a small business will be discussed in the workshop "Taking Control: Financial Management for the Small Business Owner" on Tues., Oct. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at MWCC's Devens campus. Topics participants will learn about include protecting their business future, planning to offer employee benefits and retirement plans, buy-sell agreements with business partners and much more. The cost is only $50. For more information, or to register, call the Devens Applied Manufacturing Center at 978.630.9569.

• MWCC's admissions office will host Discover MWCC Expo on Wed., Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Gardner campus. This event gives prospective students a chance to learn about MWCC's majors and student-oriented services, meet with admissions, financial aid, academic support, advising and career services counselors, learn how transferring to four-year colleges and universities is done and more. Attendees also will tour the campus. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to pre-register, contact the admissions office at 978.630.9110 or admissions@mwcc.mass.edu .

• College and university representatives will visit MWCC at various times during the fall semester. Those scheduled visits are: Fitchburg State College, Wed., Oct. 27,10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Enrollment Services; Mount Holyoke College, Mon., Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in the Murphy Conference Room; Smith College, Mon., Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in the Murphy Conference Room; Wellesley College, Mon., Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Murphy Conference Room; UMASS Lowell, Wed., Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Transfer Services table; Fitchburg State College, Wed., Dec.1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Enrollment Services. Students interested in meeting with representatives scheduled to be in Enrollment Services must register with Nancy Greenlaw for a half-hour appointment. She may be reached at 978.630-9321.

• The Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College will be hosting a Spin-a-thon for Diabetes on Sun., Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to noon. The spin-a-thon will consist of five one-hour spinning classes. To reserve a bike and a class time, call the Fitness & Wellness Center at 978.630.9212. A $20 donation is requested. All proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to support their research in finding a cure for diabetes.

• A "Succession Planning for the Family-Owned Business" workshop will be offered at MWCC's Devens campus on Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Business succession from one generation to the other is a process, not an event. This workshop will focus on two key areas in this process: the transfer of power and transfer of asset. The cost is only $50. For more information, or to register, call the Devens Applied Manufacturing Center at 978.630.9569.

• MWCC's admissions office and the College and Preparation Programs (CAPP) will host the annual Junior Symposium Wed., Nov. 3 for high-school juniors from Winchendon, Clinton, Leominster, Fitchburg, Murdock, Gardner and Lunenburg. Certified speaking professional and author Jeff Yalden will start the day's activities at 8:30 a.m. with a keynote address in the theatre.

• The second annual Wachusett Writer's Conference , sponsored by The Gardner News and hosted by MWCC's Lifelong Institute for Enrichment (LIFE), will be held Sat., Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road , Gardner. A pre-conference gathering at the hotel on Fri., Nov. 5 begins at 7 p.m. Leominster author R.A. Salvatore will be the keynote speaker. Registration for the conference cost only $75 and $10 for the pre-conference. For more information about the writing contest or the conference, contact Lorraine Wickman at 978.630.9176 or lwickman@mwcc.mass.edu.

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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