KENNEBUNK

Opera at the library

Opera returns to the Kennebunk Free Library at 1 p.m. Saturday with a viewing of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” with Renata Scotto and Placido Domingo; directed by Gian Carlo Menotti.

The screening is the first of four planned showings of operas on DVD, to be viewed in the library’s reading room.

Additional operatic offerings will include Humperdinck’s “Hansel & Gretel” on March 9, Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” on March 23 and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” on April 6.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, these free screenings each will include a short intermission between acts with light refreshments served.

No reservations are needed. For more details, call 985-2173.

‘Hunger Games’ party

A Hunger Games-themed party, for grades six through 12, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St.

The party will be a celebration of the bestselling young adult novel, “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins. It will include costumes, trivia on the first book only and an activity.

Pre-registration is required by calling 985-2173 Ext. 5 or emailing ts@kennebunk.lib.me.us.

BIDDEFORD

Library activities set

Skating, stories and science will be the focus of several individual projects being offered through the McArthur Public Library this week.

An interactive workshop for ages 7 and older with comic book artist Jay Piscopo will be held at 2 p.m. Monday.

Piscopo will teach youths how to use anatomy and perspective to create art that tells a story. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of Piscopo’s latest graphic novel. Reservations are required.

A free Eco-Bot Workshop for youth will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday to introduce them to robotic engineering concepts in a fun and accessible way.

On Thursday, the University of Southern Maine Chemistry Club will perform at Mad Science demonstration at 2 p.m.

The library will sponsor a free community skate night from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at West Brook Ice Rink, 234 Pool St. Attendees will get free admission and skate rentals. Concessions also will be available for purchase and free healthy snacks will be provided.

All events are held at the library unless otherwise noted.

To register or for more details, call 284-4181.

SMMC classes planned

Southern Maine Medical Center will offer a variety of health education programs this month.

A free Total Joint Replacement Education Class will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A Lamaze Childbirth Preparation Class will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for a $75 fee.

A “Look Good, Feel Better Program,” offering women diagnosed with cancer make-up and wig tips, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 at River Ridge Center, 3 Brazier Lane, Kennebunk.

A free “Macrobiotics Natural Foods” Cooking Class will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Sweetser, 50 Moody St., Saco.

A Breastfeeding Class will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 26. Pre-registration is required for most classes by calling 283-7350.

And, a “Safe Baby — Infant Safety & Infant/Toddler CPR” class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 for a fee of $15 per person and $25 per couple.

All programs will be held at SMMC at One Medical Center Drive unless otherwise noted.

BRUNSWICK

The Civil War on film

Time magazine film critic Mary Pols and Bowdoin College history professor Patrick Rael will be guest speakers during the next meeting of the Pejepscot Historical Society at 7 p.m. Thursday at Curtis Memorial Library’s Morrell Meeting Room at 23 Pleasant St.

Pols and Rael will lead a conversation on how the Civil War has been portrayed in popular films over the years.

Admission is $3.

For more details, call 725-5242.

ELIOT

Learn about mental illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Maine will sponsor a 12-week family-to-family education course detailing mental illness, beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at a private residence on Route 236.

The course encompasses major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and some anxiety disorders. It does not address issues specific to autism or ADHD. 

The education courses will be headed by two trained, experienced teachers.

To register, or for more details, call 703-0623 for more information and to register.

SCARBOROUGH

Making fabric flower pins

The Scarborough Garden Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hillcrest Community Recreation Center, 108 Hillcrest Ave.

Guest speaker Elaine Toher will give a demonstration on making fabric flower pins.

Guests and new members are always welcome. Meetings are free unless otherwise noted.

For more details, call 510-1514.

NEW GLOUCESTER

Talk on national cemetery

Alan Gregory, a former member of the American Battle Monuments Commission, will speak about Arlington National Cemetery at 7 p.m. Thursday at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, next to the Town Hall on Route 231.

Gregory, a retired military veteran, will talk about Arlington as a national shrine, connections to Maine and his personal assignments there.

The event is free and open to the public.

Refreshments will be served. For more details, call Leonard Brooks at 926-3188.

YORK

Old world vacation camp

Museums of Old York will sponsor a “Travel Around the World” vacation camp for kids Tuesday through Thursday at Old York’s Parsons Center, 3 Lindsay Road.

Designed for kids 6 to 12, the camp will feature a theme of traveling the world in early 20th century style, collecting exotic souvenirs, cooking food from different cultures and marking travels on a huge world map.

Cost is $65. Registration is required by calling 363-4974, Ext. 12 or emailing education@oldyork.org.

SWEDEN

Anniversary supper set

The southern Oxford County town of Sweden will observe its 200th anniversary this weekend with a 19th century supper at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Sweden Town Meeting House, at 144 Bridgton Road.

The Sweden Historical Society will host the event, which will include displays of early town documents, maps, illustrations and other memorabilia.

Cost of the dinner is $7 per person; children ages 12 and younger may attend at no charge.

The bicentennial celebration will continue through the year, with additional events planned for August, including a local-talent show, guided tours of historical spots in town, a traditional square dance party and other family activities.

LEWISTON

Heart health tackled

Central Maine Medical Center and Vascular Institute will offer a variety of heart health activities this month, in recogition of Heart Month.

A “Know Your Rhythm: Screening for Irregular Heartbeat” free cardiac screening will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Those interested in participating should call 795-8200 to schedule an appointment.

The free presentation “A fib: That Pitter-Patter In Your Chest May Not Be Love” will be offered from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the the CMMC’s Health and Fitness Center at 12 High St.

Free blood pressure screenings also will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday and again Feb. 27 at the CMMC’s Health and Fitness Center at 12 High St. And, heart health displays will be shown in the main lobby at 60 High St. through March 2.

To register or for more information, call 795-8448, email prevention@cmhc.org or go to www.cmmc.org.

SANFORD

Winterfest in full swing

The Sanford Recreation Department Winterfest 2013 is in full swing, with youth and family activities being offered daily around town, through Saturday.

A weeklong day camp will be offered Monday through Friday for children in kindergarten through grade 8, featuring daily activities like arts and crafts, snow sculptures, dodgeball, gym games, swimming, bowling and other activities.

The program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily at Carl Lamb School. Cost is $65 for the week with an additional $10 for field trips.

Pizza and bowling parties, open gymnasium events, skating, skiing and sledding opportunities will be offered daily.

For a complete list of activities, call 324-9130 or go to www.sanfordmaine.org and navigate to parks and recreation from the city departments link.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Varicose vein seminar

The Vein Healthcare Center will host a free varicose vein seminar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at 100 Foden Road.

Attendees will learn about varicose veins and how they are related to venous disease, as well as what can be done to relieve pain and discomfort.

Space is limited and advance registration is recommended. Call 221-7799 or email info@veinhealthcare.com.