BRUNSWICK

Civil War speaker to tell stories about 5th Maine

The next Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Round Table Lecture is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Curtis Memorial Library’s Morrell Room, 23 Pleasant St.

Speaker Curtis Mildner will present the talk “True, Untrue, Surprising and Amazing Stories of the Soldiers of the 5th Maine.”

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more details, call Al Prest at 443-2296.

Sale of Valentine treats will benefit hospital

Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary will host the “Sweets for the Sweet” Valentine bake sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the café corridor at the hospital at 123 Medical Center Drive.

Homemade fudge, cookies, cinnamon rolls, breads, coffee cakes, cherry tarts, pies, scones and other treats will be packaged with red ribbon for gifts.

Proceeds benefit the hospital. The auxiliary just completed its $120,000 pledge for the updated Maternity Unit infant security system.

For more details, call 373-6015.

PORTLAND

Authors to discuss dark side of love in fiction and poetry

Portland Public Library will present “Our Bloody Valentines: Love Notes From the Tuesday Mayhem Society” from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square.

The Tuesday Mayhem Society is a group of authors centered in Lisbon Falls who are dedicated to carrying on the literary traditions of Poe, Lovecraft, Bradbury and King.

Admission is free, and the authors will have copies of their books on hand for sales and giveaways.

For more details, go to www.portlandlibrary.com or call Rachael Weyand at 871-1700, ext. 723.

Garden club speaker to talk about pruning

The Longfellow Garden Club will host the program “Pruning for Success,” with speaker Tim Lindsay from Bartlett Tree Service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford St.

For more details, call Deborah Gray at 433-0427.

CAMDEN

Talk on the Spite House and its gardens at library

Marylee Dodge will discuss “The History of the House and Gardens of the Spite House” as part of the Camden Garden Club’s Winter Horticulture series at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Camden Public Library, 55 Main St.

The session is free and open to all.

Also, Coastal Senior College will offer the class “The History and Duties of the U.S. Secret Service,” with instructor Tom McCarthy, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Preregistration is required.

For more details, go to www. librarycamden.org or call Ken Gross at 236-3440.

TOPSHAM

‘Nemo,’ Maine skiing history and more on tap at library

Topsham Public Library will offer these activities this week at 25 Foreside Road:

n Family Movie Night will screen “Finding Nemo” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Attendees are invited to bring pillows and blankets for extra coziness. Popcorn will be served.

n Topsham Historical Society will present the program “Down-Mountain and Cross-Country: 140 Years of Skiing in Maine” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Presented by historian Scott Andrews, this overview covers the period from 1870 to the present.

n Tax Prep for the Self-employed will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Learn about preparing for the tax season, record keeping, small-business tax obligations and the IRS tax forms required for sole proprietors.

n A “Joy of Art” artist talk will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Crooker Gallery.

n “Joy of the Lens” registration opens at noon Saturday. The annual juried photography exhibit that features original photography by year-round Maine residents will include prizes in a variety of categories. Applications will be available at www.topshamlibrary.org.

n “Teen Scene, Chocolate War” will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. Bring your sweet tooth and a friend for a little friendly combat. Events include chocolate pictionary, stack and sort races, chocolate shuffleboard and more. Ages 11 to 18 are eligible to attend. Registration is required by noon Friday. For more details, call 725-1727 or go to www.topshamlibrary.org.

KENNEBUNKPORT

Tax preparation assistance, Valentine crafts at library

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, at 18 Maine St., will offer tax preparation help and a drop-in craft day, both Wednesday.

Volunteer tax preparers from the AARP Tax-Aide Program will provide free tax filing assistance on individual and joint returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday through April 15. Attendees should bring their last federal and state tax returns, a Social Security card and photo identification. No appointment is necessary.

Drop-in craft day for all ages will be held in the Junior Room, with materials provided to create a Valentine craft. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required.

For more details, call 967-2778 and ask for the Junior Room or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

KENNEBUNK

Kids invited to workshop on faux stained glass

Kennebunk Free Library will offer a youth workshop on creating faux stained glass windows, using tissue and construction paper, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at 112 Main St.

Children in kindergarten and older are invited to attend. Children younger than 8 might do better with a caregiver helping them.

Preregistration is required by calling 985-2173, ext. 5, or visiting www.kennebunklibrary.org.

BRIDGTON

Hospital offers classes on managing diabetes

Bridgton Hospital will present a three-part diabetes self-management class beginning Friday.

Session 1, headed by registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Linda Russell, will discuss meal plans, review carbohydrate counting, cooking tips, dining out guidelines, glucose monitoring and dietary management. This class, and all others to follow, will meet from 9 a.m. to noon in the large conference board room at the hospital.

Session II, with registered nurse and certified diabetes educator Elaine Drew, will be held Feb. 17 to provide an overview of diabetes, treatment options, high blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis, medications, foot care and diabetic neuropathy.

Session III, with optometrist Thomas Gordon, will discuss eye care and diabetes, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, lab tests, possible complications, psychosocial adjustment, goal setting and problem solving, as well as preventing, detecting and treating acute complications such as low blood sugar.

Preregistration and pre-assessment are required. A dietary consultation is required, and should be done before the classes begin. Following sign-up, participants will receive a class guidebook. Medicaid, Medicare and most insurance plans cover the course registration fee.

To schedule an appointment, call Linda Russell at 647-6062. For more information about the program, call 647-6064.

YORK

Free concert at library features blues and gospel

Blues guitarist and singer Bob Halperin and gospel ensemble RMS5 will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday as part of the York Public Library’s Winter Concert Series at 15 Long Sands Road.

Halperin will present a set of traditional country and urban blues before accompanying RMS5 in a performance.

This event is free and open to all ages. Refreshments will be available.

For more details, call 363-2818.

Organizations team up for weekend outdoor events

Come celebrate the great outdoors in the Mount Agamenticus area Friday through Sunday as part of the Great Maine Outdoors Weekend.

The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Program and partners have joined forces to connect friends and neighbors with the natural world and promote winter fun, physical activity and good health.

A youth cross-country ski session with the Agamenticus Ski Club will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Highland Farms. Grades 1-8 are invited to ski for free. No registration is necessary.

White Pine Programs will offer a Backtracking Bobcat program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. A snow tracking specialist will lead a group to bobcat haunts to search for evidence of this elusive animal. Cost for this program is $65 and it is open to ages 16 and older. For details and to register, visit www.whitepineprograms.org/calendar.

The Center for Wildlife talk “Seeking Sweethearts,” set for 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Mount A Learning Lodge, will detail owl courtship and nesting practices and includes a snowshoe hike. The outing is recommended for ages 10 and older. Cost is a suggested donation of $7 per person. For details and to register, visit www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org/news.htm.

FALMOUTH

Audubon’s Winter Carnival to feature owl, new book

Maine Audubon invites members and the public to celebrate the season at the family-friendly Winter Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, at 20 Gilsland Farm Road.

The event will feature outdoor games and activities, indoor arts and crafts, music and refreshments.

Maine Audubon also will release its new children’s book, “A Snowy Owl Story.” The book is expected to be the first in a new series called “Wildlife on the Move.” The goal of the series is to bring well-written, engaging stories about wildlife migration, conservation and respectful human interaction with nature to a pre-K through grade 2 audience.

There will be several readings and book signings at the event, as well as a live appearance of a snowy owl.

Ten percent of earnings from book sales will be used to support Maine Audubon educational outreach programs that benefit underserved preschools statewide.

The event is free for members and $7 for the public. To learn more, visit www.maineaudubon.org/wintercarnival.

NEWCASTLE

Dog training offered for therapy, good citizens

Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center will sponsor two six-week dog training sessions for therapy dogs and Canine Good Citizens at The Lincoln Home, 22 River Road.

Professional dog trainer Jean Conte will instruct dogs and their owners in the art of therapy dog training at 5 p.m. Thursday. The workshops for Canine Good Citizen will start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Both sessions will meet at the same time Thursday through March 19 for an $80 participant fee, payable to the instructor. Class sizes are limited.

For more information or to register, call 563-1363.

BATH

Scouts’ baby-sitting night will raise funds for trip

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will host a fundraiser baby-sitting event from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, offering parents time for an evening out together.

The childcare service will be provided by scouts and leaders trained in CPR and baby-sitting and will include games and crafts for all ages, as well as several movies available to watch after 8 p.m. Healthy snacks and drinks will be offered.

The event will be held at the American Legion on Congress Avenue.

Donations are to benefit the scouts’ planned trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, in July.

To reserve a spot or for more details, call Mike Barone at 607-0265, email scoutmaster barone@gmail.com, call Cassie Tarbox at 319-6155 or email cmtarbox@gmail.com.

WELLS

Tax help and health care sign-ups at the library

Wells Public Library will host a number of programs this week at 1434 Post Road.

• An AARP Tax Aide Program, from 1 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday through April 14, will provide trained volunteers to answer tax questions and help with electronically filing taxes. Volunteers also will be available to help with the new Property Tax Fairness Credit, formerly known as the Property Tax and Rent Refund.

• A computer camp on Internet searching will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

• Health care navigators will help people apply online for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call Kristi Bryant at 646-8181 or email kbryant@wellstown.org.

• Come to the library at 2 p.m. Friday to learn how to start and care for your own seedlings with Master Gardener Jolene Staruch. Seeds, peat pots and the know-how will be provided. Preregistration is required to ensure there are enough materials. To register and for more information, call 646-8181 or email kbryant@wellstown.org.

HIRAM

Author to discuss book; sales to benefit fire chief

Soldiers Memorial Library will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with a fundraiser with local author Blaize Nolynne at 1 p.m. Saturday at 85 Main St.

Nolynne will discuss her latest book, “The Captain’s Last Year: Battling the Flame and Cancer.”

All royalties from this book will be donated to Team Jeff to help West Baldwin fire Chief Jeff Douglass, who has pancreatic cancer.

Music will be provided by folk artist Katherine Rhoda and refreshments will follow.

SANFORD

Ice fishing derby to support Children’s Cancer Program

The Sanford Elks Lodge and the Maine Children’s Cancer Program will present the Square Pond Ice Fishing Derby from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Square Pond in Acton and Shapleigh.

Some extra fishing gear will be available. Attendees are reminded to dress warmly.

Registration is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 15 and younger.

Registration forms are available at Sanford Elks Lodge; Beadles Bait Shop, Lakeside Sport & Marine, Acton Trading Post and Boonies Country Store, all in Shapleigh; and A-Pro Sporting Goods in Springvale.

Registration may also be completed from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the derby command center on the southwest shore of Square Pond on West Shore Drive in Acton, near the DIFW boat launch site.

Cash prizes will be awarded in a variety of divisions. For more details, call Larry Young at 324-9778.

TREE Center opens facility with day of free activities

The TREE Center invites the public to an open house and winter activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 5 Dunaway Drive.

Outdoor activities will include a snowshoe hike and races, ice fishing, winter archery and ice skating and marshmallow toasting. Refreshments will include hot chocolate.

All activities are free.

The event serves as the public grand opening of the Experiential Education Center, a renovated facility with features such as geothermal heating and energy-efficient plumbing and lighting.

The TREE Center has over 2 miles of universally accessible trails, a waterfront camp and programs for groups and individuals of all abilities.

For more details, call Selena Brock of Waban Projects Inc. at 324-7955, ext. 622, or email sbrock@waban.org.

SEARSPORT

Land trust to lead excursion in Long Cove preserve

Coastal Mountains Land Trust will offer a winter exploration of the Long Cove Headwaters from 10 a.m. to noon Friday.

Explore a range of forest types and several frozen wetlands and look for signs of snowshoe hare, deer, moose, raccoon and other wildlife.

An excursion via snowshoe or cross-country skis will explore the 450-acre preserve. Participants should come prepared for an easy to moderate excursion; extra layers and water are recommended. No equipment will be provided.

Because of recent snowfall, there is no parking at the trailhead. Please carpool and meet at 9:30 a.m. at Tozier’s Grocery parking lot in downtown Searsport. The group will meet at the trailhead on Savery Road in Searsport at 10 a.m.

For more details, call 236-7091 or visit www.coastalmountains.org.

ELLSWORTH

Hospital offers free talks on fats and cardiac health

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital will host the free talk “Healthy Fats and Oils” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the classroom at 50 Union St.

The event also will include a meal. Reservations are requested by calling 664-5314 or registering online at www.mainehospital.org.

The hospital also will host the free forum “Cardiac Health and Rehabilitation” from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday in the classroom at 50 Union St. A light lunch will be served. For more details, call 664-5337 or register online at www.mainehospital.org.