The Senior Adult Growth Exchange at the University of Southern Maine will present a series of nine lectures beginning Tuesday, March 11. The lectures, running from 9:30-11:30 a.m. will be held at the Hannaford Lecture Hall in the Abromson Community Education Center, 88 Bedford St., in Portland.

The cost for the entire lecture series is $35 per person or $53 for two people registering together. Admission to individual lectures is $5.

Enrollment can be made by telephone at 780-4406 using VISA, Discover or MasterCard or walk-in on day of program

The lecture schedule:

Tuesday, March 11

Horticultural Musings, presented by Del Nickerson, retired senior horticulturist, biosciences department, Wellesley College.

Nickerson will lead an entertaining and educational presentation of perceptions from a 38-year horticultural career with all the excitement of a passionate plantsman. Explore the amazing adaptation of plants for survival in their natural environment, how they compete, lure pollinators, disperse seeds, and all this while battling invasive species and insects.

Tuesday, March 18

Marine Viruses, presented by Dr. Willie Wilson, virologist, Bigelow Laboratories, West Boothbay Harbor.

Viruses are some of the smallest and most abundant forms of sea life. Wilson, one of the most respected marine virologists in the world, will delve into the far-reaching implications in determining biodiversity, nutrient and energy flow, coral bleaching and climate control. A recent discovery includes a compound found in anti-aging creams.

Tuesday, March 25

Dreams and their Meanings, presented by Chris Beach, Jungian analyst and psychotherapist.

We spend almost a third of our lives asleep, much of that dreaming. Abraham Lincoln, Emily Dickinson, Black Elk, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and many others have discerned profound meaning in their dreams. Can we do the same? This discussion suggests ways to approach and understand dreams.

Tuesday, April 1

Living with Islam, presented by James Roberts, professor emeritus, political science, USM.

Can Muslims and non-Muslims (meaning here: Christians and Jews) live peaceably side-by-side? This session will look at the initial Arab imperial explosion, the Spanish experience, the Crusades and the Ottoman and Russian empires. Students will consider whether these experiences have lessons for our own times, particularly as they relate to the recent migration of Muslims into the Western world.

Tuesday, April 8

From Cabinets of Curiosities to Disneyfication: Some thoughts on the future of museums, presented by Mark Thompson, director, Portland Harbor Museum.

Because of increased competition from other types of entertainment and a reduction in government support, museums in the 21st century are reinventing themselves. Thompson will look at the challenges inherent in their struggle to survive and prosper.

Tuesday, April 15

Acting in Everyday Life: Body language and more. Presented by Professor Wil Kilroy, USM Department of Theatre.

Kilroy will explore how to read other people’s body language and verbal cues, to how to use acting techniques to relax and improve mood.

Tuesday, April 22

The Classical Heritage: Creation, the Greek gods, and some popular myths, presented by Dr. Evelyn S. Newlyn, professor emerita of English, State University of New York

According to the ancient Greeks, what happened “in the beginning?” Who made what, when, where, how and why? And then what happened? Newlyn’s presentation, illustrated with classical art, will unveil the Greek Creation story, will explain the major gods and goddesses and their role: and will discuss some of the fascinating stories that involve them.

Tuesday, April 29

Ancient Wisdom and the Measure of our Days, presented by Dr. Fred Brancato, world religions, New York University.

The longer a person lives, the more likely he or she will experience great losses in life, ranging from the death of a beloved partner, family member and dear friends, to diminishment of physical and mental functions. This presentation will explore how the world view of sages from eastern, western, and indigenous spiritual traditions may help a person in later years navigate this uncharted and often difficult time in life.

Tuesday, May 6

Benjamin Franklin: Patriot, Diplomat and Founding Father, 1775-1790, presented by Dr. H. Draper Hunt, USM professor emeritus of history.

The period in which Benjamin Franklin springs to the defense of Ameri-can rights, helps, draft the Declaration of Independence, creates a sensation at the Court of Louis XVI as American ambassador to France; helps guarantee the independence of the U.S. at the end of the Revolution and serves as the oldest member of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.