PORTLAND

Sparks’ Ark to aid brain injury group’s fundraiser

A live animal presentation by Sparks’ Ark will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Stevens Avenue Armory at 772 Stevens Ave.

The event is a fundraiser to benefit Brain Injury Voices. It will include photo opportunities with Squeezer the snake, animal crafts, door prizes, a raffle table and bake sale. Doors open at 1 p.m. Donation is $5 per person and photos are $2 extra. Tickets are available at the door. Space is limited.

Sparks’ Ark is a popular presenter of fun, educational animal programs.

Brain Injury Voices is a local volunteer group of brain injury survivors who educate, advocate and support those living and working with brain injury.

For more details, call 892-8905 and leave a message for Paula.

‘Chemicals in Environment’ lecture set at planetarium

“Chemicals in the Environment” will be the subject of a talk given as part of the Southworth Science Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St. Cory Theberge, University of New England assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, will speak. Theberge conducts research in medicinal chemistry and veterinary pharmacy and is interested in the long-term effects of exposure to environmental chemical residues from pharmaceuticals and personal-care products.

Admission is by donation and reservations are recommended. Light refreshments will be served. For more details, call 780-4249, email egleason@usm.maine.edu or go to www.usm.maine.edu/planet.

ALFRED

Senior College presents final talk in Sullivan lecture series

The final talk of the Gary Sullivan Memorial Lecture Series presentation of the York County Senior College will be held Wednesday at Denis Hall on the campus of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, 133 Shaker Hill Road.

Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci, professor and director for geriatrics education and research at the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and director of its fitness and wellness program for older adults, will help seniors see maturity in a new way with “Granny’s Got Her Groove On: Society, Aging, Sex, and the Individual” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Following lunch, attorney and president of the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire, Charles Doleac, will give the talk “Portsmouth Treaty of 1905: Teddy Roosevelt and the Cherry Blossoms.”

Early registration for both is encouraged. The fee for the program is $15 for York County Senior College members and $20 for nonmembers, payable at the door by cash or check payable to the Brothers of Christian Instruction. Lunch is included.

Reservations are due by Monday. For more details, go to www.maineseniorcollege.org or call Ted Hargrove at 324-4478.

BRIDGTON

Loon Echo Land Trust sets annual sunrise mountain hike

Loon Echo Land Trust will hold its annual sunrise hike up Bald Pate Mountain on Thursday. Attendees will joint Loon Echo stewardship manager Jon Evans at 6 a.m. in the Bald Pate Mountain parking lot on Route 107 in South Bridgton. Wear appropriate warm clothing and boots; bring water, snacks, a headlamp and snowshoes. Sunrise is at 6:47 a.m.

This moderate hike will include a 300-foot elevation gain and take approximately two hours. Hot cocoa and snacks will be offered after the hike.

All hikes are free, but donations are always welcome and will qualify you for a one-year membership. For more information about this hike, other Loon Echo events, or to reserve snowshoes, call Jon Evans at 647-4352.

THOMASTON

String quartet, historical society to honor Harding

DaPonte String Quartet and Thomaston Historical Society will honor Beniah Harding for his many contributions to the society and to the town of Thomaston with a concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John Baptist Church, Main and Green streets. Harding has, for many years, supplied the society with valuable artifacts and historic photographs featuring the local cement plant on Route 1.

The concert, sponsored by the Thomaston Historical Society, is called “Voices of Angels.”

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Maine Coast Books or through PayPal at www.daponte.org.

The concert is free for people under the age of 21. There will be a reception following the concert at which attendees can meet both the musicians and the honoree.

BIDDEFORD

Eastern Trail Alliance to host moonlight Eastern Trail walk

The Eastern Trail Alliance will host a moonlight walk on the Biddeford section of the Eastern Trail at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The route will include an area that has seen a great deal of beaver activity, with evidence visible from the trail.

Meet at the rear of the Southern Maine Health Care parking lot off Route 111. No flashlights or pets, please. Stabilizing footwear and ski/shoe poles are recommended for attendees.

For more details, call 283-4487 or Joe Yuhas at folk44@aol.com.

BRUNSWICK

Land Trust fundraiser event set on food preservation

Join Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust for a fundraiser event detailing food preservation from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 27 Pleasant St. Master preservers Allison Duffy and Kate McCarty will share their food preservation tricks and techniques.

Admission is $10, with proceeds going to the Tom Settlemire Community Garden. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Land Trust office at 729-7694 or in person at 108 Maine St. Seating is limited.

WESTBROOK

Life coach to talk about time management at library

Walker Memorial Library will host the program “Too Much on Your Plate” at 7 p.m. Thursday at 800 Main St.

Deb Bergeron, a certified personal and professional life coach, will talk about strategies for managing one’s schedule, planning for more rest and less stress. The program is free and open to the public. For more details, go to www.walker.lib.me.us or call 854-0630 Ext. 256.

SPRINGVALE

Succession planning for woodlot owners scheduled

Who is going to carry on your work on the family woodlot or family farm when you’re gone?

The Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, 3 Rivers Land Trust and the York County Farmers Network will present a program on Succession Planning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Anderson Learning Center (the old Nasson College Library) in the Nasson Heritage Room.

Rich Merk, president of SWOAM, will lead a discussion on succession planning and how to plan for the future ownership or control of real property that you have invested in for years or maybe generations.

A potluck supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. for those who would like to bring a dish to share. For more details, call Carl Davis at 636-3709 or Richard Nass at 477-2607.

FREEPORT

Woman’s Club to present tips to avoid home injuries

The Freeport Woman’s Club will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at the meeting room of the Freeport Public Library. Guest speaker will be physical therapist Kathy Morrison, who will discuss tips on how to prevent injuries in the home.

Refreshments will be served following the meeting. All are welcome. For more details, call Sheri Bunting at 865-3996.