For day time activities, if Portland Public Schools are closed, the community room is closed.

Parks & Rec Department posts on their social media and local news stations regarding cancelations after school hours. You may also call 756-8130 which is their cancellation hotline.

Reiche Community Room Schedule – September-December, 2023

DATETIMEEVENTPRESENTERNOTES
September
Mon, Sep 11, 20237:00 p.m.Classic MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Wed, Sep 13, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.WENA General MeetingWENA Board MembersProgram – Project Canopy – Alex Marshall & Nan Cumming
Thu, Sep 14, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Sep 14, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Die WellLeona OceaniaSession 1: Why Talk About Death?
Mon, Sep 18, 20236:30-8:00 pm.Magazine ReadersMary Lou MoultonTopic: Mental Health
Thu, Sep 21, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.
Thu, Sep 21, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.**AARP SmarTekAndrew GrantLearn about the latest high-tech auto safety features.
Mon, Sep 25, 20237:00 p.m.Animation MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Thu, Sep 28, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Sep 28, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Speakers SeriesAllen ArmstrongElectric Cars
October
Mon, Oct 2, 20236:30-8:00 pm.Magazine ReadersPat Shutts
Thu, Oct 5, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Oct 5, 20236:00-8:00 p.m.Card MakingFaith GarnettBasics of Card Making – materials provided
Wed, Oct 11, 202312:30-4:30 p.m.**AARP – Safe DriverAndrew GrantRefresh your driving skills and get a discount on insurance
Wed, Oct 11, 20236:30-8 p.m.Election ForumWENA & WPNAMayoral Candidates
Thu, Oct 12, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Oct 12, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Die WellLeona OceaniaSession 2: Film: Barbara Karnes’s ‘This is How We Die’ Pt.1
Mon, Oct 16, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.FeltingPaulina BondaravaLearn to Make 3-D Figures and 2-D Pictures & Mending
Wed, Oct 18, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Election ForumWENA & WPNAAt-Large Council & School Board Candidates + Referenda
Thu, Oct 19, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Oct 19, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.FeltingPaulina BondaravaLearn to Make 3-D Figures and 2-D Pictures & Mending
Mon, Oct 23, 20237:00 p.m.Animation MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Thu, Oct 26, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Oct 26, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Speakers SeriesSteve GraefTravelogue – Eastern Germany, Czech Republic & Poland
Mon, Oct 30, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.**Climate CaféRosanne GraefHow Does Climate Change Make You Feel? Discussion
November
Thu, Nov 2, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Nov 2, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 6, 20236:30-8:00 pm.Magazine Readers
Thu, Nov 9, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Nov 9, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Die WellLeona OceaniaSession 3: The Importance of Legacy Work
Mon, Nov 13, 20237:00 p.m.Classic MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Thu, Nov 16, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Nov 16, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 20, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.
Mon, Nov 27, 20237:00 p.m.Animation MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Thu, Nov 30, 20234:00-6:00 p.m.Card MakingFaith GarnettUsing Stamps and Watercolors – materials provided
Thu, Nov 30, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Speakers Series
December
Mon, Dec 4, 20236:30-8:00 pm.Magazine Readers
Thu, Dec 7, 20234:15-5:15 p.m.BridgeKatherine CharbonneauLearn to Play or Learn to Play Better – Materials Provided
Thu, Dec 7, 20236:00-8:00 p.m.Card MakingFaith GarnettHoliday Cards – materials provided
Mon, Dec 11, 20237:00 p.m.Classic MovieWENADoors open at 6:30; popcorn & fizzy water available
Thu, Dec 14, 20234:00-6:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 14, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.Die WellLeona OceaniaSession 4:Barbara Karnes’s ‘This is How We Die’ – Part 2
Mon, Dec 18, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 21, 20234:00-6:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 21, 20236:30-8:00 p.m.
Ongoing – A.M. Exercise Begins 9/11 except as noted8:15-9:15 a.m. Mon –FriMonday Strength, Balance, Flexibility – DVDTuesday
Tai Chi Chih Sara Leonard Begins 10/17
Wednesday Qigong/Tai Chi Karen MorencyThursday Gentle Yoga Karen SheingoldFriday Strength, Balance, Flexibility – DVD
Book Nook7:30-9:30 a.m. Mon–FriCollection of Free BooksWENABrowse, Borrow, Donate – No Library Card Necessary

About the Activities and Presenters

Introductory Bridge Lessons

Have fun with other beginners and those who would like to review the game. This class will start with the basics of how to play bridge: evaluating different hands, when to bid, how to communicate with your partner. Bridge is good mental exercise. The classes will be an opportunity to meet neighbors
and have an enjoyable time.

Katherine Charbonneau, has been playing bridge for over 20 years and knows she still has much to learn about the game.

Card Making for Beginners

This class will focus on card stock, decorative paper, folding and stamping. All materials to make three cards with envelopes will be provided along with detailed instructions so that the student can go home and make more on their own with their own supplies.

There will be follow-up sessions in November & December. All supplies will be provided. Limited to 10 participants.

Faith Garnett began teaching card making in 2009. She sells her work at craft fairs, through private sales and online.

Die Well Death Education

We are all going to die, so why don’t we talk about it? Do our best toprepare for it so we can facilitate the “best death” possible for ourselves? While it can be overwhelming to think and talk about, talking about it does not “make it happen,” and once you have taken the steps to prepare the best you can, you can live your best life with the confidence and comfort of knowing that you have prepared for the inevitable. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones. It all starts with a conversation. Let’s have that conversation.

Leona Oceania has always been fascinated with death and baffled by the fact that we don’t talk about the one thing that is going to happen to all of us. She has trained to become an End-of-Life Doula, a Home Funeral Guide, a Life Legacy Facilitator, and a Death Educator. She also serves on the board of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine, is the facilitator of the Portland Death Café, and is a volunteer with a local hospice organization. She has built a bookcase coffin with the prodigious Chuck Lakin, which is currently in use as a bookcase in her living room until it is needed as a coffin.

Electric Cars

Is There an EV In Your Future? What’s the story on Electric Vehicles? Are they a good way to reduce emissions? Are they really more expensive? Is charging a big hassle? Are they actually more fun to drive? What’s available?

Allen Armstrong is a retired mechanical engineer who has presented on topics related to climate change. His experience with electric vehicles goes back to 1972 when he designed an electric truck for the post office. His family has been driving a Chevrolet Bolt for six years.”

Felting

Learn to make small figures out of wool – animals, houses, trees and more. Explore needle felting pictures and as a method for repairing or embellishing textiles. All supplies will be provided. Limited to 10 participants.

Paulina Bondarava is from Belarus. She taught hearing impaired youth and is experienced at different arts, including watercolor and silk painting, batik, and tie-dye.

Qigong/Tai Chi

Qigong/Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise that is about moving more of your body parts with ease and awareness, opening up energy flow, circulation, and enhancing balance and strength. Tai chi is relatively easy to learn and, for many, it often continues as a lifetime journey.

Karen Morency has been teaching Seated, Low Key, and Water Tai Chi/Qigong since 2007. Being a Mechanical Engineer by training and with her knowledge of energy healing, Karen shows students how to move out of compensatory patterns into optimum ease of flow and movement.

Tai Chi Chih

T’ai Chi Chih is made up of 19 moves and 1 pose. It is a form of Moving Meditation, and with regular practice, it has been clinically proven to help with sleeplessness, ADHD, blood pressure, balance, stress, and much more. It’s a “user-friendly” form, doable just about anywhere, at any age, seated or standing. Just dress comfortably, wear shoes you feel balanced in, footies, or go barefoot.

Sara Leonard has been been a Certified T’ai Chi Chih instructor in the Greater Portland area for several years and was a student for several more. She came to T’ai Chi in search of better health, a way to combat stress, find better balance in life, bring blood pressure down. She has found that and a lot more.

If you would like to look up information on T’ai Chi Chih, simply go to taichichih.org.

Yoga

In this gentle one-hour class discover how meditation, breathing and asana can bring you clarity and calm. Soften and open as you move, breathe and focus. Relieve stress as you strengthen, balance and stretch.

Karen Sheingold has practiced yoga since 1990 and taught since 2005. With warmth, humor, clarity and a calm presence, she teaches classes that are life-affirming, heart-opening and empowering. She encourages students to explore and appreciate the potential of their hearts, minds and bodies.

Have something you would like to add to WENA’s Calendar?

Contact Us

Other important calendars:

Portland Public Schools
City of Portland