Welcome to WENA’s activities at the RCR, where all are welcome, all we ask is that you bring your best self! All Activities are FREE unless otherwise noted. Enter through Door 11 on the Clark Street side of Reiche, take the elevator or stairs up to the Community Room. ADA accessible.
Activities & Presenters
A.M.Exercise
Every Weekday 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Balance*Cardio*Strength*Stretch
with DVDs
All Are Welcome
Wear Comfortable clothes and Non-slip Shoes; Bring a Water Bottle
Die Well Death Education
with Leona Oceania
Thursdays 6:30-8 p.m.; NB 12/15 Monday exception
Session One: You’re going to die. Why not die well? Preparation is key. – 9/11
Session Two: Film: Barbara Karnes’s ‘This is How People Die – Part One: Natural Process of Dying from Disease & Old Age’ – 9/25
Session Three: Film: Barbara Karnes’s ‘This is How People Die – Part Two: Labor of Dying’ – 10/2
Session Four: The Importance of Legacy Work: What to Do, and Where to Start – Writing Your Own (or Someone Else’s) Obituary – 10/9
Session Five: MAID (Medical Aid in Dying) – 11/6
Session Six: Docuseries: Take Me Out Feet First – Season One Episode One: “Mom and Dad” – 11/20
Session Seven: VSED (Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking) – 12/4
Session Eight: Funeral & Body Disposition Options – There Are More Than You Think! – MONDAY – 12/15
Session Nine: Film: ‘In the Parlor: The Final Goodbye’ – 12/18
Leona 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.
*Individually wrapped, homemade skull cakelets will be provided at each session.
Magazine Readers
Monday 6:30-8 p.m.
November 3 & December 1
Not up for the demands of a book club? This may be for you. Each month a different participant volunteers to find a 1-4 magazine articles about a topic of their choice and shares them with the group in advance. Contact hello@wenamaine.org to receive the reading materials.
Movies
We alternate between classic (50+ years old) and foreign films. Doors open at 6 p.m. Film begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Free popcorn and fizzy water are available, bring a snack to share if you wish. Donations are always gladly accepted. If you’d like to be on the list to receive more detailed announcements let hello@wenamaine.org know.
Monday, Sept. 29 – High Noon
Monday, Oct. 20 – The Lady Vanishes
One-Offs & Specials
Thursday, October 9, 4-5:30 p.m.
Giving Up the Keys – Tom Meuser from the Maine Dept of Transportation Office of Traffic Safety will speak about retiring from driving. How driving skills change as we age, how to know when it’s time to stop driving, what are the options available to maintain independence when you no longer drive? Learn about and discuss these and other questions as they apply to you, your family and friends.
Thursday, October 16, 6:30-8 p.m.
Poetry and Prose Evening
Thursday, October 30, November 13, December 11 – 5:30-8 p.m. Powerful AARMS – Making the most of your textiles
Qigong
with Francis Kohl
Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a traditional Chinese mind-body practice that combines gentle, flowing movements, controlled breathing, and focused intention to cultivate and harmonize vital life energy, known as “Qi”. It is often described as dynamic meditation, aiming to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Primordial Qigong; set of 12 movements
1. Lower the Qi and cleanse internally
2. Gather the Qi to the three Dantian
3. Two hands roll the ball
4. The three Dantian; open and close
5. The Sun and Moon turning
6. Circular extension and contraction
7. Single leg ascending and descending
8. Double leg ascending and descending
9. Belt Meridian grinding
10. Heaven and Earth open and close
11. Collecting the Qi to the Dantian
12. Health massaging techniques
HUNYUAN Returning to one
Francis is a Taiji practitioner with a primary focus on wellness and meditation. As his personal practice expands, he finds a deep sense of gratitude for Dao and the long thoughtful development of forms that promote health and wellness from the Chinese people.
Study Circles
Study circles evolved in Scandinavia in the late 19th century as informal learning opportunities. A group of 6-12 people who have interest in a topic may form a study circle. While there is no teacher, one person may facilitate to keep things on track. Participants find and share resources, discuss and broaden their exploration and understanding of the subject. Unlike a club, there is no focus on activities or socializing. The study circle generally meets several times and participants are encouraged to commit to attending all the sessions.
This year’s first study circle will meet from 6:30-8 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 27, and Nov. 17. The topic will be Wabanaki Tribes of Maine—Then & Now.