BETHEL — The Western Mountains Senior College will kick off a new lunchtime discussion series from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. April 17 at Austin’s Holidae House Bed and Breakfast, college President Nancy Davis said Wednesday afternoon.

The Brown Bag Series will present selected topics, the first being Islam.

“One of the items that’s been under discussion at the college is how to make ourselves responsive to a new generation,” Davis said. “I created a focus group of individuals who will eventually be making their way up to the senior college and got a lot of ideas.”

The idea for a lunchtime discussion series was the most doable option for now, Davis said. The first discussion at will take place at noon to “attract the working population,” Davis said. “This is an idea that we hope will reach out to people who are working, and people who don’t ordinarily go to our classes.”

Historian Martin Ouwinga will facilitate the first discussion on the religion of Islam.

Davis said Ouwinga has taught two classes about the subject at the Western Mountains Senior College.

The Brown Bag Series is the third such program the college has offered to the public for free. The others were Down Home Maine and To Your Health.

Seating is limited so RSVPs are advised. For more information or to RSVP, contact Davis at 381-1110 or email her at nancydavis@megalink.net.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com