KENNEBUNK

Crafting Friends Group starting up

Is there a crafting or needlework project you intended to complete in 2015 but couldn’t seem to find the time for? It’s a whole new year and the Kennebunk Free Library has created a place for that to happen in 2016.

A new Crafting Friends Group is poised to begin Wednesday, offering a space for individuals or groups to meet, socialize and work on individual and varied craft projects. Sessions will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

Attendees are welcome to bring current projects they are working on, be it a fiber work, sewing project, paper or beaded creation, anything that can be done on your lap or small table.

For more details, email organizer Ruth Bettinger at bettinger.ruth@gmail.com or call 752-1071. Be sure to note Crafting Friends in the subject line of your email.

This program is free and the facility is wheelchair accessible.

The library is located at 112 Main St.

Expert in African art to speak at library

Artist, illustrator, educator and collector Toni Truesdale will head the talk “Beauty and Power: Feminine Identity in African Art” at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main St.

Truesdale will discuss a variety of topics, including daily life (art and artifact), iconic mother figures of power, representations of life passages and storytelling.

The program is free and wheelchair accessible.

For more details, call 985-2173, ext. 4, or go to www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

Speaker to lecture genealogy group

The Genealogy Case Study Group of the Kennebunk Free Library will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, featuring a talk by certified genealogist Pam Stone Eagleson.

Eagleson will present a lecture addressing a common problem faced by many family genealogists: how to find an ancestor’s parents if no document names them.

This group is open to the public and meets nine times a year.

For more details, go to www.gen-nections.com.

DAMARISCOTTA

Lunch, learn about Klowns of Kora Shriners

Louis Abbotoni, aka Kora Klown PaLou, will head a program detailing the Klowns of Kora Shriners at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Spectrum Generations weekly Lunch and Learn program.

The talk will include the history of the Kora Klowns and the order’s philanthropic work while having fun.

Luncheon reservations are required by noon Monday by calling 563-1363.

Cost is $6 per person.

BRUNSWICK

Gardening workshop to focus on veggies

The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Tom Settlemire Community Garden project will offer the first of three planned winter gardening workshops on Sunday. Master Gardener Linton Studdiford will discuss “Growing Vegetables in Maine,” including tips on best varieties, when to plant, seed sources and indoor winter growing.

Other upcoming sessions include “Selecting Native Woody Plants for Your Home,” on Jan. 24, and “Gardening Without Aches and Pains,” on Feb. 21.

All sessions will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Pleasant and Union streets.

Admission is by $5 suggested donation.

For more details, call 798-5899 or go to www.btlt.org/gardening-workshops.

ROCKLAND

Panel to address how to shift food systems

A “Slow Money Maine: Forum on Building a Healthy Local Food Economy” will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, 50 Willow St.

Panelists will be Slow Money Maine coordinator Bonnie Rukin, soil enthusiast and investor Samuel Kaymen and Heiwa Tofu owner Jeff Wolovitz, who will be joined by visiting Rabbi Natan Margalit.

The program will explore ways in which people can make the shift from a mass-produced, industrial food system to a more cooperative, local, and community-based food economy.

There will be time for question and answers and a wide-ranging discussion of our food economy, Judaism, health, and sustainability.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more details, email info@adasyoshuron.org, call 594-4523 or go to www.adasyoshuron.org.

SANFORD

‘Eat Smart’ program begins Friday

A four-week “Eat Smart, Live Strong” health-based nutrition program will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Friday and continuing on Fridays through Jan. 29 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1 Emerson St.

Designed by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the interactive sessions are about one hour each and include lessons by trained nutrition professionals, group discussions with warm-up and cool-down activities, food tastings, goal setting and follow-through, exploring classic dishes with a healthy twist and eating healthy on a budget.

To register, call 324-8119 or email stgeorge@gwi.net.

SACO

Grange sets potluck, jam session, club meet

Saco Grange No. 53 announced the following activities for this week, all meeting at 168 North St.:

Members will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday for a potluck dinner, followed by the initiation of new members. The Maine State Grange master will attend.

An acoustic country jam will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, featuring free coffee and a 50/50 raffle. Admission is by a suggested donations of $5.

The Knitting and Crafting Club will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Members are invited to bring quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, hook rug or other such projects that they are working on.

For more details, call 831-5784 or email sacogrange53@gmail.com.

SPRINGVALE

Job search workshops coming up

The York County CareerCenter continues its workshop programs for job seekers and those considering training to upgrade their skills for better employability.

The following workshops and programs will be held at the CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court.

Resume Writing, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Explore the basics of resume writing and learn how to promote the qualifications that directly match what the employer needs. Registration required.

Essentials of College Planning Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 11. The instructor will assist participants in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Registration is required. Call 800-281-3703 or 581-3736.

Monthly Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14. For a list of employers, check the website at www.mainecareercenter.com.

GATEways to Employment workshop on assessing and identifying interests and skills for a better job fit, 9 a.m. to noon Friday and again Jan. 22.

Introduction to Making Career Choices. 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 15. To register, call 324-5460 or 800-343-0151.

Interview Skills, 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19. Learn how to emphasize your skills, overcome objections and motivate the interviewer to hire you. Registration required.

“Trash to Cash: The Lucrative World of eBay,” 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 25.

“Let Your Age Be An Asset, Not A Barrier,” 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 29.

For more details, go to www.mainecareercenter.com.

PORTLAND

East African women’s henna art spotlighted

Portland Public Library will present “Innovations on a Tradition: Henna Art and Women’s Empowerment in Zanzibar” at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square.

Henna body painting is one reflection of the centuries-old Muslim heritage of Zanzibar in East Africa. A group of Zanzibari women recently translated traditional henna designs onto canvas and paper, gaining artistic and financial independence.

A professor of African art, an artist who has taught in Zanzibar and two architects, all from Portland, will share historical perspectives on the region’s art and architecture as well as their experiences collaborating to support and design a gallery space for these women.

For more details, call the library at 871-1700, ext. 723.

Workshops cover planning for college

The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will host “Essentials of College Planning” workshops for ages 19 and older starting this week at the following times and locations:

At 10 a.m. Tuesdays through Jan. 26 at Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Boulevard.

At 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Jan. 27 at Portland Adult Education, 14 Locust St.

To register or for more information, call 800-281-3703 or go to http://meoc.maine.edu.

Free coaching on setting realistic goals

Looking to pursue healthy lifestyle changes but desire a clear, realistic pathway to success?

The Portland Public Library will present “Setting Realistic Resolutions” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, detailing how setting small, achievable goals can boost confidence and lead to lasting lifestyle change.

Join certified health and wellness coach Ellie Foster, from the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, at this talk, which will be held in the Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square.

The event is free and open to the public.

Registration is not required.

Photojournalists exhibit, speak at library

Portland Public Library will open its “Photos of the Year: Maine Through Our Eyes, The Photography of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram” exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Lewis Gallery, 5 Monument Square.

This exhibit features 2015 photographs from across the state by the newspapers’ photojournalists. The library also will host a series of gallery talks with Press Herald photojournalists, including “Maine from the Sky: Aerial Photography” with Gabe Souza on Jan. 13; “Face to Face with Mainers: Portrait Photography” with Whitney Hayward, Jan. 20; and “Peak Moments: Sports Photography” with Derek Davis on Feb. 10.

Talks will be held in the library’s Lewis Gallery at 5:30 p.m. They are free and open to the public.

The exhibit will run from Thursday to Feb.12.

For more details, call Rachael Harkness at 871-1700, ext. 723.

ROCKPORT

‘Women of New Africa’ topic of talk

Judy Kahrl, Ph.D., will offer a talk on “Women of the New Africa” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rockport Opera House Conference Room.

Kahrl will share her experiences traveling in Africa for Pathfinder International, a nonprofit founded by her father, and speak about the history of the organization and its impact and influence in Africa over the past 60 years.

This event is free and open to all.

This presentation is hosted by the Rockport Public Library and offered as a free community event in anticipation of the 29th Annual Camden Conference: The New Africa, Feb. 19-21.

For more details, go to www.camdenconference.org, email info@camdenconference.org, or call 236-1034.

WELLS

Stories, classes at library this week

The Wells Public Library, 1434 Post Road, will offer the following services this week:

Mother Goose Storytime will meet at 10:30 a.m. Monday for ages 2 and younger and their caregivers. This will be a time to engage in lap activities, rhymes, songs and fingerplays.

Toddler Storytime will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday for ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. It will include stories, songs and movement, followed by a craft.

“Cooking with Jolene” will meet at 1 p.m. Monday featuring a healthy-cooking demonstration using locally sourced ingredients, as well as tips to make the cooking (and eating!) fun.

Genealogy Help One-On-One with Nancy Doyle will meet by appointment. Call Kristi Bryant at kbryant@wellstown.org or the library at 646-8181.

Computer Camp: File Basics will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for those who wish to learn how to save, organize and manage files and folders on the computer. Registration is required as space is limited. Call 646-8181.

For more information, email Kristi Bryant at kbryant@wellstown.org.

GORHAM

Basketball free-throw contest Saturday

The Knights of Columbus Council, No. 10221, of Gorham will sponsor its annual basketball free-throw contest at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Gorham High School Gymnasium, 41 Morrill Ave.

This is open to all children ages 9 to 14 from Westbrook, Gorham, Buxton and Standish. Proof of age will be required at time of registration.

Winners will advance to the district contest.

Registration begins at 1:30 p.m.

For more details, email Mike Chabot at mac1@maine.rr.com.

WESTBROOK

Let dance center keep you on your toes

Drouin Dance Center will host six-week Winter Workshop classes for ages 1 through adult at its facility in the Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge St.

Classes begin this week and range in price from $60-$75. For more details, call 854-2221.

SCARBOROUGH

Use social networking to find family roots

The Scarborough Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the society’s museum and meeting room, 647 Route 1 (adjacent to the Dunstan Fire Station).

A brief business meeting will be held, followed by a presentation by Don Taylor, a retired technology specialist, who will describe some of the techniques, and success, in using social networking for family history and genealogical research.

The meeting is free and open to the public. However, donations are always welcomed.

For more details, call Dr. Bruce Thurlow at 883-5445 or email Thurlow@maine.rr.com.

BIDDEFORD

Hospital offers childbirth education class

Southern Maine Health Care will offer a childbirth education class for expectant mothers in their last trimester, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at SMHC Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive.

The class will cover a variety of the birth information, as well as pain control, stages of labor, positions and breathing exercises.

Cost is $75, and pre-registration is required. Call 283-7350.

CAMDEN

Create healthful essential oils at workshop

The Camden Public Library will hold a series of hands-on craft workshops for adults during “Jumpstart January.”

The first workshop in the series is “Essential Oil Health Creations” led by Marcie Howard and Tayler Phillbrook at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

For more details, call 236-3440.