Arts
MECA COLLECT: Online Summer Art Sale, opens 6 p.m. Thursday, June 18, closes 6 p.m. Sunday, June 21. For more information email collect@meca.edu or visit meca.edu/info-for/advancement/collect-2/.
Youth Ensemble Auditions at University of Southern Maine for 2020-21 season online submissions due by June 19. See usm.maine.edu/music/welcome-usm-youth-ensembles.
Friday 6/19
Conclave: Bell Systems, 8-9 p.m., a new live-streaming concert series via Facebook from The State Theatre in Portland. Visit statetheatreportland.com/calendar/ or facebook.com/statetheatreportland/ for more information.
Friday 6/26
Conclave: The Mallet Brothers Band, 8-9 p.m., a new live-streaming concert series via Facebook from The State Theatre in Portland. Visit statetheatreportland.com/calendar/ or facebook.com/statetheatreportland/ for more information.
Ongoing
317 Main Community Music Center, 30-minute concerts featuring teaching artists at 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays on Instagram, Facebook and Vimeo, and at 317main.org under “Listen.” Open mic every other week on Zoom. Sign up at openmic@317main.org. Free. Spring classes will also be online.
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, entire collection searchable online along with selected exhibits, Visit From Home activities, bowdoin.edu/art-museum.
Chocolate Church Arts Center Live From Home Series presents online concerts streamed via the Chocolate Church Arts Center’s Facebook page. Free, check Facebook for schedule.
Chris Ross, live Facebook stream, 6 p.m. every Wednesday and Sunday night, acoustic set. Free.
Cove Street Arts in Portland presents virtual exhibitions at covestreetarts.com.
Daponte String Quartet, digital content posted at 7 p.m. Wednesday on YouTube.
The Fresnel Theater in Portland presents virtual ComedySportz, a series of improv comedy shows at 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Pay-what-you-will. Visit The Fresnel Theater’s Facebook page for more information.
Jazz Sesh Facebook Group hosted by Blue in Portland, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Participants under 21 must have an adult present. Visit portcityblue.com for more information and a link to the Facebook group.
MMPA Antidote, positive and upbeat posts and links by Maine Museum of Photographic Arts, available at mainemuseumofphotographicarts.org. Readers are also invited to send images.
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum on the Bowdoin College campus is offering collections and exhibitions to view online at bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum.
Portland Museum of Art offers browsable collections online, as well as videos and podcasts. Visit portlandmuseum.org and scroll down to “Stay Connected!”
PSO: Notes from Home, digital video series by Portland Symphony Orchestra musicians who perform, demonstrate their instruments and talk about their professional careers. Available on Facebook and Instagram, as well as portlandsymphony.org.
SPACE Gallery of Portland House Shows, 8 p.m. Tuesdays on Instagram Live. Donations accepted via Venmo @space-gallery. Visit space538.org/calendar/ for schedule.
The State Theatre of Portland live-streaming shows via Facebook. statetheatreportland.com.
Benefits
We Walk with Haiti virtual fundraiser, through June 30. Hosted by Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership in Falmouth to help build a sustainable health system in North Hait, visit app.mobilecause.com/vf/KONBIT.
Wildwood Oyster Company is donating 50% of proceeds from select purchases to the Maine Cancer Foundation.
Ongoing
Special Olympics Maine Raffle, winner will receive a snowmobile, a four-wheeler and a Sea-do. Tickets $20, available until October by calling 879-0489, or mailing checks to Special Olympics Maine, 125 John Roberts Road Unit #5, South Portland, ME 04106.
United Way of Maine Urgent Needs Fund to help local initiatives and agencies at unitedwaysofmaine.org/covid/.
Books/Authors
Wednesday 6/17
Virtual Literary Lunch: Miranda Popkey on “Topics of Conversation” with Sarah Braunstein, noon-1 p.m., portlandlibrary.com/programs-events.
Thursday 6/25
Virtual Spotlight Lecture: Emma Straub, author of “All Adults Here” with Dave Patterson, 7 p.m., portlandlibrary.com/programs-events.
Ongoing
Books & Brews, 6 p.m. via Zoom first Wednesday of the month, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Share what you’re reading and drinking. Register at curtislibrary.libcal.com/event/6218333.
Books on Tap, 5:30 p.m. thirds Monday of the month. Currently meeting via Zoom, presented by Scarborough Public Library. Contact Tom Corbett at tcorbett@scarboroughlibrary.org.
Guerilla Poetry Whoop, 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Thursday of the month via Zoom, hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, thomasmemoriallibrary.org/poetry-at-tml.
Monday Afternoon Book Group, 1 p.m. via Zoom first Monday of the month, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Email refdesk@curtislibrary.com.
Patron Picks Parlor: An Online Book Discussion Group, 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, virtually hosted by South Portland Public Library, southportlandlibrary.com.
“The Orphan’s Tales,” live free reading series by Cat Valente, Maine sci-fi author, on YouTube live every night until lockdown ends. youtube.com/user/thelearnedcat.
Virtual Writers’ Meet-Up, 6 p.m. second Thursday of the month via Zoom through Portland Public Library. Visit portlandlibrary.com/series/writers-meet-up/ for more information, including monthly writing prompts.
Bulletin Board
Plant Sale – Gilsland Farm Audubon Center: place orders online and pick up plants Thursdays and Fridays at the Falmouth farmhouse. For details, visit maineaudubon.org/plants.
Topsham ReStore, 126 Main St., open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; high-risk customers 9-10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, 504-9340.
Classes & Tutorials
Food Preservation Webinar Series, 2-2:45 p.m. Tuesdays to Oct. 27, presented by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Free (optional $5 donation per session). Sign up at extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-preservation/food-preservation-webinar-series/.
Backyard Poultry Keepers, University of Maine Cooperative Extension at extension.umaine.edu/livestock/poultry.
MoneyMatters, free online financial education course hosted by Evergreen Credit Union. Four, 20-minute downloadable videos and PDF presentations at egcu.org/money.
“Make Your Own: A Recipe Guide,” includes salad dressings and casseroles to soups and grain bowls, customizable recipe forms in select categories can be used to print and share, extension.umaine.edu/food-health/recipes/make-your-own.
Songwriting Workshop with Jud Caswell, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom June 23 and 30. Hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Register at thomasmemoriallibrary.org/songwriting-workshops-with-jud-caswell/ (registration closes at noon day of).
Support Maine Wildlife with Native Maine Plants: Maine Audubon online plant finder at mainenativeplants.org for plants best suited for specific sites, provide best ecological function and benefit, and complement the landscape. Search by bloom time, sunlight, plant height, caterpillars hosted, and benefits to wildlife.
Ongoing
ecomaine nonprofit waste management organization, learning videos, virtual tours about recycling, composting, ecomaine.org.
Greater Portland Landmarks, download free activity books for kids at portlandlandmarks.org under education/publications, and free videos of lectures for adults at portlandlandmarks.org/videos.
“Growing Maine Gardeners,” extension.umaine.edu, features a new activity and video demonstration suitable for all ages, including making seed tape and forcing branches to bloom indoors. The focus is on family-friendly indoor and outdoor gardening projects. Call 581-3877, email extension@maine.edu.
Lincoln County Historical Association Education Outreach Program, lessons for grades 3 and up geared to American Colonial and early 19th century history. Free at lincolncountyhistory.org. Click on Learn, then Youth, and pick Education Outreach.
Maine Audubon, weekly post on environmental science for grades 6-8 at maineaudubon.org/education/connections.
Maine Dept. of Education: Rural Aspirations website supports teachers and families in community-based learning at communitylearningforme.org.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Organization, free newsletter at bit.ly/3ef1j9s.
Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce live webinars and virtual events, portlandregion.com/virtual.html.
STEM and Minute-To-Win-It style challenges Tuesdays and Thursdays, Yarmouth Community Services Facebook page and yarmouthcommunityservices.org.
“The Learning Space,” Maine teachers host on Maine Public Television, for students in grades 3 to 5 at 12:30 p.m. weekdays.
The Telling Room in Portland, open virtually to support teachers, instructors, parents and students with distance learning, including daily writing prompts for young writers on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. tellingroom.org/stories.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Learn at Home for parents, caregivers and students, 581-3877 or extension@maine.edu for more information. extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/.
UMaine’s Fogler Library: New Remote Learning Resource guide for K-12 students, families, and educators, bit.ly/3bNKb8P.
Virtual Science Café for Teens, hosted by University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H for in grades 7-12 each Tuesday from 3-3:45 p.m. Learn about science in action in an informal discussion. Registration required for each session at 581-3877, jessica.brainerd@maine.edu.
Wolfe’s Neck Farm, educational environmental activities at wolfesneck.org/educational-activities.
Dining In
Summer Meals for Kids, Teens and Guardians, 12-1 p.m. Monday-Friday at Children’s Garden, Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth. Sponsored by Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.
Ongoing
Deering Center Community Church in Portland, food available Wednesday afternoons through Friday while supplies last, reserve a box before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday through pastordon@deeringcenter.org or leave a message at 773-2423.
Freeport Community Services Food Pantry, prepackaged bags of food 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visit fcsmaine.org/covid-19-update/ for more information.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Organization, find organic products and farms at mofga.org/find-organic.
Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, is offering to-go lunches and pre-packed boxes outside the eastern entrance and the food pantry. Visit mchpp.org/covid/ for details or call 725-2716.
Donations Needed
Bottle Drive, Falmouth Transfer Station, Bucknam Road, benefits projects supported by the Falmouth Lions Club. See e-clubhouse.org/sites/falmouthme/projects.php.
Ongoing
Deering Center Community Church Food Bank, demand is growing for juices, pasta sauce, cereals, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish and eggs, which can be left inside the entrance door at 15 Alba St., Portland, Tuesdays through Fridays or on the stairs to the entrance. Anyone that needs food can email pastordon@deeringcenter.org or leave a message at 773-2423.
Independence Association in Brunswick, a nonprofit supporting residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, houses clients with health vulnerabilities and is preparing in case anyone develops COVID-19 symptoms. A list for needed items has been posted on amazon.com.
Falmouth Food Pantry, donations can be made via check made out to the Falmouth Food Pantry and mailed to 279 Middle Road, Falmouth, ME 04105 or PayPal at paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1807575.
Habitat for Humanity Greater Portland, donations sought at app.etapestry.com/hosted/HabitatforHumanityofGreate_1/OnlineDonation.html.
Maine Farmland Trust and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association accepting donations at 78270.blackbaudhosting.com/78270/Operations.
Seek Elderly Alone – Renew Courage and Hope programs need toilet paper, sanitizing wipes, paper towels, cleaning supplies, tissues and liquid hand soaps. To donate call 725-2624 for a pick up/drop off date at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick.
Yarmouth Community Food Pantry needs pasta sauce, beans, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, canned vegetables and canned fruit. Donations can be placed at the rear of the First Parish Church, 116 Main St., in the basket by the Food Pantry door.
Health
Thursday 6/25
Ticks in Maine, 1–2:30 p.m., free webinar hosted by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, register at extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/ticks-in-maine.
Ongoing
COVID-19 Food Safety Information, University of Maine Cooperative Extension links to fact sheets, guidelines and videos about proper disinfection techniques, food purchasing and storage, recipes using pantry staples, role of hand washing in food safety, extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety.
Cultivating Mindfulness in Turbulent Times, with Anne Gosling, 3 p.m. Fridays, presented by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Visit thomasmemoriallibrary.org/events/ for more information and to register.
Dempsey Center, virtual health and wellness workshops such as yoga, acupressure, massage and meditation. dempseycenter.org/programming.
People Plus in Brunswick, free exercise videos online at peopleplusmaine.org/article/people-plus-free-exercise-videos.
YMCA, free online workout videos at ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/videos and ymca360.org/.
Kids
Ongoing
OUT Maine hosts a different virtual activity Monday-Friday. All programs are free, but advance registration required at outmaine.org/programs/youth-programs. Future Virtual Rainbow Ball events can also be found online.
Thomas Memorial Library is offering virtual programs. Visit thomasmemoriallibrary.org for calendar updates and links to live streams.
Merrill Memorial Library’s Mrs. O’Connor read aloud, 4 p.m. every week day on Facebook Live and Instagram.
Miss Mary Story Time, 10:15 a.m. Fridays, pictures books Mondays and Wednesdays, on Merrill Memorial Library’s Facebook Live.
Monday Minis Story Time, 10:30 a.m. every Monday on South Portland Public Library’s Facebook Page.
Music Fun Fridays, 10:30 a.m. every Friday through Aug. 28 with Miss Theresa via Facebook Live. Hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.
Peaks Island Children’s Zoom Book Group, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. For grades 3-6. Contact peaks@portlib.org for details on how to join.
Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department is sharing stories nightly at 7 p.m. with young readers at facebook.com/PortlandMainePRF. Also included on Facebook and Instagram are games, songs, links, videos, outdoor places to visit, craft ideas and more.
Portland Stage Play Me a Story Education Program, 10:30 a.m. Saturday mornings on Facebook Live. Gives kids ages 4-10 the experience of theater as professionals perform children’s stories and offer acting workshops. Free.
Saturday Stories, 2 p.m. every Saturday on South Portland Public Library’s Facebook page. Geared towards ages 3-5.
Sunday Starlight Stories, 6:30 p.m. every Sunday on South Portland Public Library’s Facebook page. All ages.
Teen Read Aloud Live, 3 p.m. Thursdays, hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell via instagram.com/tmlteen/.
Teen Virtual Book Club, 3:30 p.m., hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. For more information email Melissa at morth@curtislibrary.com.
Libraries
Chebeague Island Library, Wi-Fi accessible from the parking lot. Book drop is closed. Check cheblib.wixsite.com/chebeaguelibrary for reopening plan.
Cundy’s Harbor Library, Wi-Fi accessible outside the Harpswell building. Free library available at Community Hall. Visit the library’s Facebook page for updates.
Curtis Memorial Library, curbside pickup has resumed. Visit curtislibrary.com/cloudlibrary-ebooks-audiobooks/ for cloudLibrary instructions. Similarly, Flipster can be used to access digital magazines at curtislibrary.com/flipster-downloadable-magazines/.
Freeport Community Library, curbside service has resumed. Book drop is open. Virtual library with links to eBooks, audiobooks, YouTube videos and more. Visit sites.google.com/view/freeportlibrary.
Merrill Memorial Library, curbside pickup resumes June 15. Free access for Yarmouth residents to the virtual library TumbleBooks at yarmouthlibrary.org/library_event/tumblebooks/. Digital Maine Library and cloudLibrary also available.
Patten Free Library in Bath, book drop open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Curbside pickup has resumed. Access to cloudLibrary, the New York Times, TumbleBooks and more. patten.lib.me.us/eLibrary/.
Portland Public Library, reserve and pick up books using PPL To Go at portlandlibrary.com/togo/. Book return boxes open and materials are due June 29. CloudLibrary is accessible to check out eBooks. Visit portlandlibrary.com/highlight/cloudlibrary/ for instructions. Visit the library’s Facebook page for information about virtual activities.
Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland, open for curbside service. Go online for details. CloudLibrary is accessible to check out eBooks. Visit princememorial.org/cloudlibraryinstructions/.
Scarborough Public Library, curbside pickup and computer use available through appointment. Digital services including cloudLibrary, TumbleBooks, Flipster and Kanopy, are available at scarboroughlibrary.org. Book return now open.
South Portland Public Library, requests and curbside pickup by appointment now available (details online). Book drops are open. The library offers access to the the Digital Maine Library. Visit southportlandlibrary.com for details.
Thomas Memorial Library, curbside pickup now available. CloudLibrary and TumbleBooks are accessible to check out eBooks from Cape Elizabeth. Kanopy (streaming service partnered with public libraries) and the Digital Maine Library are also accessible at thomasmemoriallibrary.org.
Topsham Public Library, curbside pickup now available and book drops are open Saturdays and Sundays. Wi-Fi accessible outside the building. Visit topshamlibrary.org/stay-at-home-mega-list/ for a list of resources to eBooks, online courses, cloudLibrary and more.
Parks and Nature
Stage 1 of Gov. Janet Mills’ reopening plan included the usage of parks, trails and recreation fields. Go online or call your town’s parks and recreation department for the most up-to-date information.
Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport, open barn time 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. See full June calendar at wolfesneck.org/calendar/
Maine Audubon sanctuaries in Falmouth, Freeport, Scarborough and West Bath are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Buildings are closed. No pets. Virtual bird watching with nest and feeder cams at maineaudubon.org/news/connections-nest-and-feeder-cams/. Check maineaudubon.org for more events as they are added.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, information about recreational opportunities, including fishing, riding, hunting, trapping and hiking at mefishwildlife.com.
Natural Resources Council of Maine, maps to explore the state, nrcm.org.
Support
Ongoing
Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, to register see communityresourcefinder.org. Helpline at 800-272-3900 available for around-the-clock care and support.
Clapping for Workers at hospitals, nursing homes nightly Deering Center neighborhood event in Portland at 7 p.m. Participants social distance on doorsteps and sidewalks and clap to say thank you. See Deering Center Neighborhood Association Facebook page for details.
Deering Center Neighborhood: Step Outside Your Doorstep and Sing with Your Neighbors, every Saturday at 9 a.m. in Portland.
Dempsey Connects, virtual support groups for cancer patients at dempseycenter.org/virtual-services-resources.
Freeport Community Services Thrift Shop is taking requests via phone and email for emergency clothing and household items. Contact Sarah Lundin at 865-3985 ext. 205 or slundin@fcsmaine.org. Visit fcsmaine.org/covid-19-update/ for more information.
Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer One2One Confidential line, leave a message at 441-5374 or 1-855-552-7200 ext. 801; a volunteer will call back. mcfpc.org.
Maine Farmland Trust and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association are introducing new Maine Farm Emergency Grants of up to $2,000 to assist farmers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Details can be found at mainefarmlandtrust.org and mofga.org.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Maine) Teen Text Support Line, a new mental health program for youth 14-20, text 207-515-8398, noon-10 p.m. daily.
OUT Maine, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ youth throughout the state, is connecting staff with at-risk youth through the phone and social media. More information at outmaine.org.
Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine, free and private virtual support groups at sassmm.org.
Sweetser’s myStrength, online exercises to cope with daily challenges visit sweetser.org for titles such as Staying Connected While Social Distancing, Managing Time at Home with the Kids, Parenting in Challenging Times, and Changing Plans and Handling Disappointment.
The Yellow Tulip Project, support and community for those with mental illness, online resources at theyellowtulipproject.org.
Workshops/Talks
Understanding cloudLibrary: A Webinar by National Digital Equity Center, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20, or 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27. Check the calendar on the Curtis Memorial Library website for more information.
Thursday 6/18
Virtual Talk: Sunblock and Other Syzygies, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Facebook Live, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Learn about planetary alignments and how we use them to discover planets around other stars.
Wednesday 6/24
“It’s Your Estate. Are You in Control?” 6 p.m., free webinar presented by Prudential via Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Contact Patrick Sowell at 482-2861 or patrick.sowell@prudential.com to RSVP by Friday, June 19.
Maine Preservation: Learn about Maine’s architectural styles, 4 p.m., register for virtual talk through mainepreservation.org.
Ongoing
Daily Fika, 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Visit thomasmemoriallibrary.org/fika/ for more information and to register.
Greater Portland Landmarks, content about historic people and places at portlandlandmarks.org.
Institute for Family-Owned Business is offering online webinars. Many are free, but donations appreciated. Preregistration required at fambusiness.org.
Let’s Talk America, 6 p.m. first Thursday of the month via Zoom through Scarborough Public Library. Forum to discuss contemporary issues happening locally and globally. For more information contact contact the forum’s facilitator, Sam Kelley, at 650-1814 or visit scarboroughlibrary.org/adults/events/series/lets-talk-america.
Online Library Knitting Group, 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, hosted by Scarborough Public Library. Email askspl@scarboroughlibrary.org for access.
Parent Chats, 7 p.m. Mondays via Zoom, hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Visit thomasmemoriallibrary.org/parent-chats/ for more information and to register.
Reel Talk Film Discussion Group, 1 p.m. every third Tuesday via Zoom. Hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. Register at thomasmemoriallibrary.org/reel-talk-film-discussion-group/.
Virtual Craft Meetup, 5 p.m. via Zoom Mondays through July, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Email Sarah at sbrown@curtislibrary.com to receive an email with login details in advance.
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