‘Secret Garden’ opens

“The Secret Garden” opens at Lyric Music Theater in South Portland on Friday, March 11, at 8 p.m.

Based on the beloved novel of the same name, which was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1911, this musical version of the story won three Tony Awards when it debuted on Broadway in 1991.

The story follows the orphaned Mary Lennox, who returns from India to live in an old family mansion on the moors of Yorkshire following the death of her parents. While bringing a forsaken garden back to life, Mary helps more than just herself.

The show runs through March 26, with show times at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $21.99 for adults and $17.99 for seniors.

See www.lyricmusictheater.org or call 799-1421 to order tickets or for more information. The theater is located at 176 Sawyer St.

Bellavita offers fraud workshop

Bellavita at Scarborough, a senior living community, will hold a workshop, “How to Protect Yourself from Scams: Learn How to be a Fraud Fighter,” on Monday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m.

According to statistis, very 2 seconds, someone’s identity is stolen, which robs millions of Americans of their hard-earned money. Scammers are smart, creative and relentless, but there are simple steps each of us can take to protect ourselves and our families from these crimes. 

At the workshop, attendees will be taught to recognize common scams and how to avoid them. Call Dani Swenson at 883-3889 for more information.

‘Light is On’ offered at St. Bart’s

From Monday, March 14, to Friday, March 18, all Maine Catholics are invited to experience God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation. Locally, St. Bartholomew Church in Cape Elizabeth, will hold special sessions on Tuesday, March 15, 4-5 p.m.; Wednesday, March 16, 2-3 p.m.; Thursday, March 17, 6-7 p.m.

“Each year the season of Lent provides an opportunity for Christians to deepen their baptismal faith (and) confront (their) sinfulness, and seeking reconciliation is an important part of that conversion of faith,” the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said in a press release. “Reconciliation is the way in which we return back to full communion with the Lord.”

See www.portlanddiocese.org/light-is-on-parishes for more information.

Series focuses on

climate change,

health impact

The Scarborough Public Library is hosting a two-part series, presented by the Maine Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, which will summarize some of the major health threats to Maine residents resulting from climate change.

On Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m., Dr. James Maier will present “The Chemical Conundrum.” The second workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 23, also at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Daniel S. Oppenheim, whose presentation is titled, “The Health Crisis of Climate Change.”

Both events are free to attend and open to the public. See www.scarboroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723 for more information.

St. Patrick’s Day lunch

South Portland Parks and Recreation will offer a special St. Patrick’s Day boiled dinner and live entertainment by the Stillson’s School of Irish Dance for local seniors on Thursday, March 17, 12:30-2 p.m. The cost is $12 and pre-registration is required. Call 767-7650 or stop by the Community Center to register in person. 

Scarborough Garden

Club to meet

The Scarborough Garden Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, in the recreation hall at the Hillcrest Retirement. The featured speaker will be Marie Jordan, a birder, traveler and photographer. Guests are welcome. Call 510-1371 for more information.

Osewantha club meets

Osewantha Garden Club of South Portland will meet at the South Portland Community Center on Nelson Road at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. 

A business meeting will be followed by a program, “Attracting Birds to Your Back Yard,” given by Osewantha member Candi Oliver, who will share her and her husband Bob’s secrets to attracting the birds you want and keeping unwelcome critters out of your feeders.

Open play at Camp Ketcha

Camp Ketcha in Scarborough is now offering Open Play on Monday mornings for parents and their young children. The coffee and activities are supplied, including story time, arts and crafts and gym toys. Open play is for children 5 and under and is held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The cost is $3 per child or $5 per family. See www.campketcha.org or call 883-8977 for more information. 

“The Secret Garden” opens Friday at Lyric Music Theater in South Portland.

The Scarborough Garden Club is holding a meeting with a local birder and photographer on March 17.

South Portland Parks and Recreation is offering area seniors a special boiled dinner event on March 17 in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.