BoomerTECH Adventures was begun in 2014 by three Maine educators who have worked with adults and technology for more than 100 years (collectively)! We provide expert guidance and personalized resources for the 55+ age group to develop competence and confidence using Apple devices. Our team: Ed Brazee—tennis player, runner, “refocused” professor & author/editor; Jill Spencer—traveler, enthusiastic gardener and photographer, middle school teacher, international consultant, and author; Chris Toy —chef, YouTube cooking sensation, long-distance biker, school principal, international consultant, and author.
Nancy Albertson is a certified plant-based nutrition coach and is passionate about sharing the benefits of a plant-based diet for anyone who is interested in improving their health and vitality. She started Plant Powered MAINE, (a Physicians Committee, Healthy Community) to foster strong community connections, support plant-based lifestyles, and provide educational programming that makes a lasting impact. Find our group on Facebook!
Alice Bean Andrenyak is a Master Maine Guide and Maine native who lives at Mere Point in Brunswick. Owner of Alice's Awesome Adventures and Maine e-Learning, she trains future Registered Maine Guides and outdoor enthusiasts in navigation, canoeing, SUP, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, nature studies, and overnighting skills, and is a former Guide's Board Examiner. She has been visiting Malaga Island for over 30 years and leads regular sea kayak and hiking tours of Malaga Island.
Anthony Antoloni is a member of the Midcoast Green Burial Working Group, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to establishing a green burial cemetary somewhere in Knox, Lincoln, or Waldo counties. He is also Director of Music at St. John's Episcopal Church in Thomaston, Artistic Director of Down East Singers, and conductor of Mozart Mentors Orchestra.
Paula Apro, Ph.D, DNM is a board-certified Alternative Medicine Practitioner who blends ancient healing wisdom with modern quantum science to help people heal from within. A certified practitioner of Eden Energy Medicine, Energy4Life, The Body Code™, and The Emotion Code™, she developed a groundbreaking bioenergetic approach based on her book A Quantum Shift: Embracing the Medicine of the Future to Heal the Pain from the Past. Her work uncovers hidden trauma and subconscious patterns that affect health and vitality. Dr. Apro’s mission is to empower individuals to release the past, restore balance, and awaken their full potential.
Debra Arter has been an educator with Adult Ed for over thirty years. She has been hosting people in her Airbnb since 2017. She also enjoys teaching baking and art classes in various venues.
Bill Babb is a retired teacher and home baker. He has searched for the perfect baguette for fifteen years taking several King Arthur Baking Workshops and attending Skowhegan Kneading Conferences along the way.
Trisha Badger has been a home cook for more than thirty years, and in summer does some private chef work on an island off the coast of Maine. By day she is Director of World Ocean Observatory, a Maine-based organization dedicated to communication and education about ocean and climate systems worldwide. She lives in Warren, Maine.
Ashton Benn has been in the golf business for seven years, the last two at Goose River. Currently a PGA apprentice studying to become a PGA Class A member, he previously worked at the Samoset Resort and Wawenock Golf Club. In the winter months he travels to work in Florida at courses which have included Frenchman’s Reserve, Bear Lakes, Trump National Jupiter, and Grand Harbor Golf Club. His goal is to introduce golf to as many people as he can.
Jesse Bifulco, elder law attorney, is passionate about helping his clients protect their family and property. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, he is admitted to practice law in Maine and New York. Jesse belongs to national organizations devoted to the advancement of estate planning and elder law, as well as the Elder Law and Trusts & Estates sections of the Maine State Bar Association. Jesse has lectured in estate planning workshops since 1998 and he undertakes continuous training to keep informed of the latest in this ever-changing and complex legal practice area. His classes are designed to teach people how estate planning techniques can be used to preserve their family wealth and prevent needless family conflict.
Gianna Bird, art teacher, silversmith, and jewelry maker, is most happy making things and problem solving. A recent arrival to the midcoast from Massachusetts where she helped found Five Crows gallery, Gianna manages and hosts the online community "Crafting an Artful Life" teaching watercolor, bookmaking, art journaling, and myriad crafts.
Francis Boscoe is a retired university professor living in Camden. He leads an Italian conversation group at the Rockport Library, and has attended an Italian immersion school in Torino, Italy, each fall since 2023.
Martha Brooks has been a Certified Zentangle Teacher since 2017, and her great joy is to share this fun, relaxing, and easy-to-do art method! She is also a retired Speech Pathologist who loves family and friend gatherings, greyhounds, goldendoodles, and the coast of Maine.
Tina Casteris is a self-taught knitter who loves sharing this craft with those who desire to learn and improve in a supportive environment.
Lilli Clark has fourteen years of dance experience and is here to teach the importance of being able to tell a story with sound and movement through tap dancing. With her knowledge of anything between hip hop, tap dancing, and ballet, she guarantees you will have a fun adventure that explores your creative side and gets your heart pumping, leaving you with an eagerness to return and learn more.
Sandy Clement has been teaching sewing classes for over 10 years. She has sewn since she was a child and has found it to be a valuable life-long skill. She has helped with costuming for local school and theater groups.
Charles “Kim” Coit, a veteran of Maine’s largest real estate agencies, founded the Center for Real Estate Studies to help people navigate the route to becoming a real estate agent, associate broker, or broker. He was later joined by top legal and real estate experts to offer pre-licensing and continuing education classes and courses for people pursuing careers in real estate.
Deborah Cook has been a practicing physical therapist for twenty-five years and a yoga instructor for eight. She has a master's and doctorate degree in physical therapy from Husson University and has studied and taught many holistic complementary practices such neuromuscular massage, stress management, Yoga Nidra and Hanna Somatics. She recently completed a nine-month advanced teacher training in Physiyoga which pulls all these practices together. She is very excited to share its wonderful benefits!
Kevin L. Cope is a retired faculty member from Louisiana State University now living in Maine. During his career as a researcher and teacher, he published numerous books and studies on Enlightenment culture, investigating both mainstream topics such as early modern philosophers and such delightful diversions as joke books, images of George Washington, hermits, and colossal statues. Kevin is currently preparing a comprehensive study on the subterranean world during the eighteenth century. He frequently appears on radio and television as a commentator on higher education in America.
Barbara Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with over thirty years of experience, the last twenty in private practice. She is trained in contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy, addictions treatment, trauma-informed expressive arts therapy, and mind-body medicine. In addition she is a sculptor with a BFA and an MFA in visual arts. Barbara has a private practice in Camden, Maine, and offers expressive arts workshops and classes online and in the community.
Peter Eckhart took over Don Sabins’ forty-plus-year-old sewing machine repair business in 2017 after twenty-six years as a Design Draftsman at SteelPro. Since then he has serviced many vintage sewing machines, including ones that have not been used in many years. He also keeps the newer machines at Camden Hills Regional High School and Camden-Rockport Middle School in working order.
Nicola Eden, former Physical Education teacher and career movement educator, loves using an individually appropriate approach to guide others to discover the gifts of yoga.
Randy Fein is an award-winning ceramic artist. She has found her way with clay for more than 40 years, producing original one-of-a-kind pottery, commissioned tile installations, and clay sculptures. She has conducted over 100 artist-in-resident programs in public schools throughout Maine and has taught at Unity College in Maine; Castleton State College in Vermont; and Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Preethi Fernando is the founder of Kelum Training and Consulting, the author of fifteen books and a top keynote speaker on emotional intelligence. A past winner of Stephen King’s Haven Foundation Award, Preethi lives in Loveland, Colorado. Visit preethifernando.com.
Stephen Florimbi has exhibited work at various venues in Maine, Connecticut, and New York. His loose brushwork and impressionistic style have earned him an honorable mention at the 2024 Ogunquit Plein Air Festival and juried acceptance into the 2025 Cape Elizabeth Paint for Preservation event as well as into the 2025 Adirondack Plein Air Festival. His painting, Coming and Going, was chosen for this year's Maine Boat and Home Show poster. Stephen believes in making nurturing, fun opportunities for everyone to be creative.
Jami Fowler is an artist, ceramicist, and lifelong maker with a deep love for slow, tactile processes and everyday objects with stories. As the owner of Ferny Ceramics and a seasoned instructor, Jami blends practical skills with thoughtful, sensory-based teaching methods rooted in neurodivergent-friendly approaches. They believe in the power of making to heal, connect, and resist throwaway culture— bringing a grounding presence and a welcoming spirit to every class.
Carole Freeman’s background has been equal portions of respiratory therapy, exercise physiology, and massage therapy. Her career as a respiratory therapist began at Loma Linda University Medical Center where she discovered that most adult patients were in the hospital because of poor lifestyle choices. That inspired her to attend graduate school at LLUMC, majoring in Health Sciences. She now focuses her work in a relatively new field of pulmonary medicine - recognizing and treating breathing disorders. She has personally benefited from improved breathing patterns, “I have found that each day I was mindful of my breathing pattern, I gained more energy, and my breathing became easier. It felt like I was turning the clock back as I continued to gain strength and endurance.”
Angel Frost has been crocheting since she was fourteen years old when she learned the basics from her stepdad. You will always find her carrying a bag with a project or two. Currently projects include a corner to corner blanket, a cardigan, a blanket for her daughter, a blanket for a gift, and a bralette! She’s married to her best friend, has a two-year-old daughter, and lives in Liberty.
Will Galloway serves as the Director of Education and Programs at the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership. He has over thirty years' experience working as an educator, mediator, and organizational leader in a wide range of non-profit and educational entities.A graduate of Bowdoin College, Will served in the US Peace Corps/Thailand and earned an MAT from Colgate University. He also currently serves on the Leadership Team of the Northeast Climate Change Educators Collaborative.
Lindsy Gamble is a longtime editor and writer turned food professional. She completed a master’s program in food studies in Italy as well as a culinary certificate program at the Culinary Institute of America. While currently a chef at Dos Gatos Gastropub in Belfast, her experience in food ranges from research & development to recipe testing and editing. She has edited content for Bon Appetit, Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Leite’s Culinaria, to name a few. She loves to develop new recipes and create unique culinary gifts at home.
Paul García is a translator who taught at secondary and university levels for many years. He has lived and worked in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
Elisabeth Goodridge has been doing astrology readings for more than fifty years, starting with a column in Women's World Weekly in Montreal, after studying with astrologer John Manalesco. She has also studied with Tom Stanga in Salem, Massachusetts, and learned much from the works of Isabel Hickey, Sakoian and Acker, Robert Hand, Liz Greene, Linda Goodman, and others. She had a daily astrology spot on four radio stations in Maine and New Hampshire for many years in the 90s, as "Elisabeth the Stargazer".
Steve Hand started studying dance in 2013 to surprise his wife Amy for their 25th anniversary. Soon he was studying many different styles of dance and after a few years began co-teaching with Katie Tranzillo and studying with national professionals Cindy-Lee Overton and Angel Figueroa. When he found he had to give up playing and coaching ice hockey, Angel convinced him to use his coaching experience to teach dance. Today he focuses on teaching west coast swing, east coast swing and salsa, and runs the local dance Facebook groups Midcoast Dance and 207 Westie.
Jennifer Harris, Independent licensed training provider, is a lifelong Maine resident. She earned her degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Southern Maine. Jennifer has held numerous Red Cross certifications over the years including swimming instructor and lifeguard. With a passion for teaching, Jennifer prides herself on providing a learning experience that is engaging, fun, and informative. She resides in Washington with her husband Neil and has two young adult children who live in the area.
Joan E. Herzog is a Permaculture Garden Designer, retired Registered Dietitian and health columnist with a passion for organic gardening. In five years, she converted a ¼ acre city lot into a lush bird and insect haven with over 85 native plant species and large beds of fruits and vegetables. Joan has taught hundreds of food/nutrition workshops and is thrilled to transition to teaching permaculture garden techniques. Joan, only recently, has been diagnosed with a brain injury that changed her life in surprisingly positive ways. She also swears gardening is your best bet against an aging body and brain.
Susan Hill is a career visual artist; she works in graphic design, collage, and textiles, and has a special love for community arts, storytelling, and teaching/creating with others.
Sherwood Hilt first discovered wood carving at Camp Bomazeen in 1990 where he learned how to do relief carvings, neckerchief slides, signs and a variety of other items. In 2012 he started carving shorebirds and ducks. He has taught merit badge wood carving for the Boy Scouts for many years. Sherwood has a degree in building construction and worked at Lyman-Morse as a cabinet maker until retirement.
Tom Jamrog is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, past President of the Maine Association of School Psychologists, and a Licensed Maine Guide. He is the 278th person to have completed thru-hikes of the Appalachian (AT), Pacific Crest (PCT), and Continental Divide Trails (CDT), and was awarded the “Triple Crown of Hiking” by the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West. He has been practicing Transcendental Meditation daily for the past fifty-five years, including daily I Ching readings for the past ten. He is excited to be offering this course again.
Angie Jones was a special ed educator for twenty-five years and is currently teaching at the Giving Tree School. She enjoys rehabbing furniture, decorative welding, stone carving, pottery, abstract painting, sewing, and especially working with children using found objects to make recycled art.
Concepta Jones is a fourth-generation South African Indian who grew up immersed in the rich aromas, bold flavors, and cultural traditions of Durban’s iconic cuisine. Her earliest memories are filled with the sound of simmering curry pots, family gatherings centered around food, and the creativity that shaped her family’s heritage. Today she brings that same warmth, authenticity, and storytelling into every dish she teaches. Through Concepta’s Studio, she offers her popular handcrafted spice blends and curated community cultural events. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned home cook, Concepta’s teaching brings confidence, joy, and cultural discovery to every session.
Ava Kabouchy has traveled extensively for work and pleasure and upon ending a long career in teaching and in other fields, she went to SW France to study French language and culture full-time and came across references to the Camino de Santiago one day and decided to see what it was all about. She has now been on two Caminos in Spain as well as one in France and another in Portugal. She has published travel articles on The Camino de Santiago, Saudi Arabia, France, Iceland, and coming home to Portland, Maine.
Alex Kelly is an artist and professional sailor living in Rockport. They are always looking to improve their craft and love to help others do the same. Finn Walsh is a multimedia artist, craftsperson, and educator based out of Midcoast Maine. They received their BA in Studio Arts and Classical Studies with a Concentration in Interdisciplinary Making from Smith College in 2024. finngardnerwalsh.com
Sofija Kleinschmidt learned the art of farm-to-table cooking in her grandmother's Lithuanian farmhouse kitchen. Her family came to Maine during the breakup of the Soviet Union. A young, music world visionary and former professional opera singer, she aims to cultivate a safe and inspiring learning environment in which students feel safe and excited to learn—whether singing or cooking!
Germaine Koomen is a fiber enthusiast, hiker, and teacher.
Patti (Prema) Kristiansen is a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) and Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) who brings over thirty years of therapeutic practice and tailors each class to individual needs as each person has their own "body story" such as old injuries, joint limitations, etc.
Sasha Laurita has been working with clay for 25 years, first as a potter and then as a sculptor. She holds a Master’s degree in Sculpture and Visual Arts from Fontbonne University where she completed one of the few programs in the country focusing on the art of the human figure.
Linda Leach and Sandy Clement have 30 plus years of painting and craft experience. They are the co-owner of the Maine Lights Collection. Visit their page at http://mainelightscollection.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/mainelightscollection/
Jacinda Martinez has been a professional farmer and gardener for over sixteen years. She loves teaching and sharing what she's learned.
Trisha Mason is a multi-instrumental performing artist, educator, and creative coach with years of experience on stage, in the studio, and in the classroom. Trisha believes that every student has a unique creative pulse and her approach blends foundational technique with the freedom to develop one’s own artistic identity, helping students gain confidence, skill, and a personal connection to their craft.
Michelle McAnaney, founder of The College Spy, is a leader in the field of independent educational consulting, an entrepreneur, speaker, podcaster and writer. Michelle has worked with hundreds of students and families to identify (and get accepted to) the colleges that best fit their unique needs and preferences. Michelle is an engaging and authoritative speaker, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about education and college admissions. Before founding The College Spy, Michelle worked as a school counselor at CHRHS; she is excited to return to her favorite Maine community and share her expertise.
Mike McCune has a degree in Biology and has been carving and watching birds for over twenty years. He has taught duck carving for over eight years.
joani mitchell has been playing and teaching piano in the midcoast area for nearly fifty years. You may have heard her play for Our Lady of Good Hope Church, many of the musicals at Camden Hills Regional High School, in local community theaters, and for The Penobscot Bay Singers, among others. She created and implemented the music program at The Riley School. She has a music degree in piano performance from the University of Maine and has studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Kim Odell is an Occupational Therapist with thirty-plus years clinical experience. She is licensed in the state of Maine, and retired from general practice, but enjoys providing community education sessions. Mary Woodbury has thirty years' clinical experience as a hand therapist providing specialized therapeutic treatment of the hand and upper extremities, including shoulders and neck. She holds an advanced designation as a Certified Hand Therapist, CHT.
Dee Patel , who grew up in Gujarat, India, learned traditional Indian home cooking recipes and techniques from her grandmother and mother. Their kitchen became her classroom where family, culture, and food came together. Upon moving Rockport, she opened Namaste Indian Food, sharing vegetarian Indian take-out dishes with the midcoast community until closing its doors last year to spend more time for her family. She's delighted to begin her seventh year teaching her authentic techniques and ingredients to the community through the hands-on, welcoming environment of adult ed.
Laura Lee Perkins, MS is an author, educator specializing in Native American Flute and Life Skills. She has received 14 grants and been awarded 5 artist-in-residencies. She has published 18 books, 100+ articles, 5 flute CDs and she loves to teach!
Molly Phoenix manages The Sewing Machine Exchange in Portland, Maine. She has been sewing since she could grasp a seam ripper. Her projects range from scrunchies and apparel to home decor and camping gear.
Lindsey Pinkham is the owner and lead instructor of Midcoast First Aid. A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a professional emergency medical technician since 2002, she works for both emergency and transfer services in Maine. Sailing as mate she was designated the person-in-charge of medical care on bulk carriers, oil clean up vessels, and tugs across the globe. She has taught at Maine Maritime Academy in the classroom and on the annual training cruise. She holds licenses in National Registry EMT, Certified CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor, United States Coast Guard approved instructor, Unlimited Tonnage Mate.
Brie Pio is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional and the Principal of Birch Point Wealth Management LLC. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and lives with her husband and two children in Rockport, Maine. When Brie isn't working, she can be found outside skiing or boating. Jeff Schroeder, Financial Planning Apprentice, will be conducting the class with Brie's support.
Jamien Reynolds is an avid home cook, caterer, and local food advocate. She has most recently run a large organic farm where she worked to rehab an historic, abandoned farm into something beautiful and productive, with a focus on restoring soil health and making the farm a center of community once again. Through her many farm-to-table events and various classes taught over the years, Jamien shares her love of food and family within an ever-growing circle, and she is very excited to teach this class helping people connect with each other and to the food they prepare to nourish their lives.
Appleton resident Gary Roberts is a Registered Maine Guide and a volunteer naturalist, trip leader, and speaker for over thirty years. He specializes in guiding from a natural history perspective and focuses particularly on the native flora and fauna of Maine. Gary has been a long-time volunteer for Maine Audubon and has volunteered with the Maine Plant Conservation Volunteers, Mountain Birdwatch, Maine Owl Survey Project, and SEANET (Seabird Ecological Assessment Network).
Mary Sabins was born and raised in Maine, and lives in Union. Her interest in the hobby of needle felting began in 2016 when she took an Adult Education enrichment class at Camden Hills Regional High School to learn needle felting. She began teaching this felting craft to family and friends for fun and on a casual basis before retirement, and more regularly since then. Her student's response and enthusiasm for learning the needle felting craft inspires her to pursue teaching further.
Chris Sady and Lila Vultee have been playing mah-jongg for over twenty-five years and teaching the game locally for years. They are always looking for ways to sharpen their strategic mah-jongg skills and share their love of the game.
Libby Schrum is a furniture designer and maker in Camden with nearly 20 years of woodworking experience. She often teaches at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship and offers one-on-one instruction in her studio.
Mike Shunney is the Director of Inner Works Taijiquan and Qigong in Rockland: www.InnerWorksCenter.com. He is privileged to be recognized by the First family of Taijiquan in China, the Yang Family, as qualified to teach their system of Traditional Yang Family Taijiquan, which includes Qigong, Taijiquan, Taiji Jian (sword), Taiji Dao (broadsword), Taiji Qiang (spear/staff), and two-person play. He is the first person in Maine to hold that honor.
Holly Smith is a Maine native who graduated with a B.S. degree in Art Education from the University of Southern Maine. Retired from teaching high school art and photography for thirty one years she now happily teaches adult ed. Holly is represented by the Portland Art Gallery, Bonnie Farmer Assemblage Art & Gallery, and the Lincolnville Art Gallery.
Jeff Space has been fly fishing and tying flies for over twenty years and loves to share his knowledge with others. Jeff is a resident of Hope and loves to be on the water.
David Spahr is a naturalist, photographer, and forest farmer who has collected, photographed, and eaten wild mushrooms for thirty-five years. He is a member of the Maine Mycological Association and maintains a website devoted to the subject, mushroom-collecting.com. He is currently writing a book on foraging.
Jessica Steele has a deep passion for the wilderness and for teaching. She has been working in the field of Adventure and Environmental Education for more than thirty years. This leg of her journey is about connecting more deeply with herself, others, and the wilderness. Join her for a program of connection, learning, and growing.
Amanda Strong, co-founder of Midcoast Strong fitness studio in Rockland, has taught group fitness professionally for 16+ years. She loves encouraging others to move in ways that keep them feeling joyful and healthy. www.midcoaststrong.com.
Bobbie Tilkens-Fisher purchased a child’s frame loom after the birth of her son in the summer of 2017 and taught herself how to weave. She promised herself that once she’d made at least ten solid weavings she would buy a “real" loom. Soon her collection of looms and fibers grew large enough to take over a spare bedroom. By manipulating or plain out ignoring some of the traditions of tapestry weaving, she arrived at a style that is all her own—sculptural, vivid, and flowing. She now dedicates her career to weaving and teaching others her craft.
Sharon Turner owns Crystal Lake Farm and Nursery in Washington, Maine. She specializes in open-pollinated vegetable and flower seedlings, native perennials, shrubs, trees, and cut flowers. She grows for Fedco Trees and the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District. She has been a certified Master Gardener Volunteer for more than twenty years.
Karen Vellekamp is a retired math teacher who has been knitting for forty years. She taught herself to knit after finishing college. Her specialty is making sweaters; and her winter wardrobe consists almost exclusively of her knitted garments and accessories. She is also quite skilled at fixing mistakes in knitting (which is handy since she makes a lot of them) and often helps others with their knitting "disasters."
Deb Vendetti holds a BFA in Painting (UMass Dartmouth) with Graduate studies in Creative Photography (Cranbrook). She has been active in the local arts community since 1981; Education Coordinator at the Farnsworth Museum (1987-1998); local chair, Union of Maine Visual Artists (2003-2008, and 2022-present). She has led adult drawing workshops for Maine Crafts Association, Lincoln Street Center, Round Top, Orppersdorf Studio, and CHRHS.
Nickie Welsh is dedicated to empowering adults with practical technology skills, ensuring they never have to rely on teenagers for tech help again. With a focus on building confidence in technology use, Nickie helps her students feel included in tech conversations with family and friends and understand technology topics mentioned in the news. Her mission is to make technology accessible and comprehensible for everyone, fostering a sense of inclusion and confidence in the digital age.
Mike Wilson has been helping adults and seniors face their technology fears for over seventeen years, proudly meeting his "no student left befind" goal. Mike instructs students virtually from the privacy of their own homes. His live zoom sessions are great for dabblers, tinkerers, and those who've recently bought a computer for personal or business use
