PORTLAND

SailMaine open house

SailMaine will hold its third annual open house and offer free sailboat rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday on Portland’s waterfront, northeast of the Ocean Gateway Terminal.

Sailing instructors and coaches will offer the rides to adults, teens and kids older than 8 aboard 21-foot Ynglings and 14-foot 420s. Cruising sailboats will also be available to provide free sails for larger parties. SailMaine’s powerboats will be on hand to safe guard the sailing fleets around the harbor.

“Our goal is to get kids and adults sailing and encourage more people to experience Portland’s vibrant sailing community” Jeff Cumming, executive director of SailMaine said in a press release. The event will also feature shoreside family-friendly activities including boat-rigging and knot-tying demonstrations and a marine yard sale.

Parental permission forms can be found at www.sailmaine.org or at the event. SailMaine will provide life jackets, but sailors who have one are encouraged to bring it.

For details, call the SailMaine event coordinator at 650-2085.

 

Cancer Society dinner

Students at Deering High School are hosting a spaghetti dinner to benefit the American Cancer Society from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the high school cafeteria. The dinner is $5 for students and $7 for adults. This dinner is part of fundraising efforts for the Relay for Life teams from the school. For more information, call 871-1462.

 

Program on aiding pygmies

Pastor Ruben Ruganza, leader of a group of Africans and Americans dedicated to saving the pygmies of central African country of Burundi, is hosting an informational dinner about his organization, FAMA Ministries.

The presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Keeley the Katerer on Warren Avenue, The organization is in its fourth year of helping the pygmies. For more information, call Ruben at 221-6761.

 

Martin Steingesser poems to be read

Poets, musicians and friends of Martin Steingesser will read poems from his book, “Brothers of Morning,” followed by a presentation of new poems by the author at 7 p.m. Thursday at Longfellow Books, 1 Monument Way. Readers include flutist Carl Dimow and Judy Cormier, singer, guitarist and composer Con Fulum, poet Brice Spang, co-manager of Longfellow Books Chris Bowe and performer Judy Tierney.

Learning as Leading lecture

“Learning as a Way of Leading” is a free, public lecture at 6 p.m. today at the University of Southern Maine’s Glickman Library.

The presentation is by Stephen Brookfield, a Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education recipient and a recent inductee into the international Adult Education Hall of Fam. For more information, call 780-5373.

 

Road race, shoe collection

Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that collects gently worn footwear for people in need, will collect shoes at The Race To Stop Extinction on Sunday at Payson Park.

The race will be held at 9 a.m. around Back Cove, followed by live music, food, and activities for kids. Shoe donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Company officials estimate that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets.

 

Extension plant sale

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Cumberland County Master Gardener’s plant sale is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Barron Center, 1145 Brighton Ave.

The sale features herbs, vegetable seedlings, annuals, dahlias, perennials and gardening books. Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to share growing tips.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Land trust plant sale

The South Portland Land Trust is hosting its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion on Broadway. There will be annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, wildflowers and ground covers as well as baked goods and coffee for sale to benefit the trust.

The trust is looking for plant donations to be sold and volunteers willing to transplant and dig. For more information, call 799-3574.

SCARBOROUGH

Blue Point chowder contest

Blue Point Congregational Church is hosting the third annual Chowder Challenge from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The event will allow taste testing and judging to determine which recipe wins the challenge.

A panel of local chefs and restaurant owners will do the judging. A people’s choice award will be presented. Part of the proceeds will benefit Project Grace. For details, call 883-3773 or 883-3159.

 

Puppet show at library

The Friends of Scarborough Library is hosting a puppet show, “Everybody Loves Pirates,” at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Wentworth Intermediate School Gym.

It is performed by the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, based in Bar Harbor. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., and though tickets are not needed, it is recommended to arrive early.

Visit www.scarboroughcrossroads.org/libraryfriends or call 883-4723.

WINDHAM

Discovery Center carnival

The Childrens’ Discovery Center is hosting a carnival and open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with games, crafts, gardening, face painting, magic, juggling and more.

The festivities will provide information about early childhood education and the center’s various programs. The center is at 48 Roosevelt Trail. For more information, call 892-4400.

FREEPORT

Prep Kitchen benefit event

The Prep Kitchen, a meal assembly business on Route 1, will open for a special no-reservations session from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Ten percent of gross sales will be donated to Good Shepherd Food-Bank.

In addition to The Prep Kitchen, Freeport Cheese and Wine’s Eric Fullagar will be on hand from 3 to 5 p.m. to discuss wine pairing. For details, call 865-6377 or visit www.PrepKitchenOnline.com.

CUMBERLAND

Two Old Friends concert

“Two Old Friends” Mac McHale and Emery Hutchins will perform traditional songs, ballads and stories at 1 p.m. Saturday at Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St. For more information, call 829-2215.