Agriculture fairs planned at sites around the state

Meet your local farmers and fishermen, and learn about buying a share in their harvests, at one of 15 community-supported agriculture fairs that will be held around the state Feb. 24-26.

At the fairs, customers can learn what each farmer or fisherman has to offer and how they can purchase a share of this year’s harvest. Farmers will also have products for sale, and there will be light refreshments and live entertainment.

Portland’s fair will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford St.

The Brunswick fair will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 27 Pleasant St.

Other fairs will be held in Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Belfast, Ellsworth, Farmington, Hallowell, Newcastle, Norway, Rockland, Skowhegan, Springvale and Waterville.

The fairs are sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. For a complete list of fair dates and locations, go to bit.ly/wC3OIQ.

FALMOUTH

Author brings chocolates, books to Falmouth library

Kate Shaffer, author of “Desserted: Recipes and Tales from an Island Chocolatier” and owner of Black Dinah Chocolatiers, will speak at the Falmouth Memorial Library at noon Feb. 13.

Shaffer’s book will be available for sale and signing, and Black Dinah chocolates will be available for sale.

The Falmouth Memorial Library is located at 5 Lunt Road.

KENTS HILL

Simply Divine Brownies expanding online lineup

Simply Divine Brownies is expanding its online offerings at the same time it is closing its Freeport retail store.

The Freeport store will be replaced by a pop-up stand near L.L. Bean that will be open during holiday periods.

In June 2010, the gourmet brownie company took over The Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill and moved all of its brownie production there. The bakery continued to sell fruit pies, cinnamon rolls, artisan breads, dinner entrees and other baked goods and food products.

Favorites from the bakery will now be sold on the brownie company’s website, including cashew bars, pecan bars, cookies and homemade granola.

According to Trina Beaulier, chief executive officer of Simply Divine, the company has had its most profitable year so far, with sales approaching $500,000, but the changes are being made to achieve a better work-life balance.

PORTLAND

Free wine tasting Friday at Rosemont Market

There will be a free wine tasting from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Rosemont Market, 580 Brighton Ave.

This is the first wine tasting of the new year at the store, and will feature wines from Germany, Austria, Italy and Argentina.

STANDISH

Saint Joseph’s College hosts chocolate lounge

Saint Joseph’s College will host a chocolate lounge and ice bar on Feb. 4 as part of a two-day celebration of its 100th anniversary.

The college is throwing a Winter Carnival and Centennial Extravaganza Feb. 3-4 that will include activities from ice skating and sleigh rides to snow sculpture contests.

The celebration ends with the chocolate lounge and ice bar from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4. This 21-and-older event costs $10, with a cash bar.

There will be a dessert buffet in the chocolate lounge, and a lighted ice bar wll serve drinks, including a signature centennial cocktail, on the outside patio. Encore, a string duo, will provide the music.
RSVP by Feb. 1 to centennial@sjcme.edu or call 893-7890.