The Kennebunk Land Trust is holding its 23rd annual Earth Day Auction fundraiser, online from April 21-28. The event brings together hundreds of bidders, donors, and local items from restaurants, clothiers, jewelers, artists, experiences, and more. Kennebunk Land Trust is a nonprofit in Kennebunk conserving and stewarding land for public use and environmental benefit.

Participation helps the trust protect the environment and wildlife habitat. For the auction website, visit  https://kennebunklandtrust.org/auction/. To donate and item, contact the trust at info@kennebunklandtrust.org.

Kennebunk Land Trust was founded in 1972 to preserve and protect significant natural spaces in the Kennebunk area. The trust has preserved over 3,400 acres of forest, fields and waterways and holds educational and community events to promote natural resource protection and inspire others through nature. The trust is a member-based organization and relies on the community to achieve its mission. For more information, visit www.kennebunklandtrust.org.

Presenting Sponsor for the auction is Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution; Principal Partner is Kennebunk Savings Bank; and Partner Sponsor HM Payson; as well as Dowand Coulombe; Kennebunk Fish and Game Club; Mousam River Dentistry; Tricia Gallagher, Kennebunk Beach Realty; and The Village magazine.

Republican meeting set for April 12

The York County Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, April 12 at Alfred Town Hall, 16 Saco Road. The Municipal Development Committee meeting is will be held at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 to 8:30 p.m. business meeting, at which an election for the York County Republican Committee GOP State Committee at-large member will be held and upcoming local elections will be discussed.

Candidates for any upcoming town or school district election are encouraged to attend. For more information, email jbn.duprie@gmail.com, communications@yorkgop.org or call 207-468-2395.

Space race discussion scheduled

The next public meeting of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers will be held at Kennebunk High School’s Economos Lecture Hall at 88 Fletcher St. in Kennebunk on Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m. The speaker, John Doughty, has experience in leading his firm’s research effort and specializes in energy, economics, and geopolitical market trends.

At the beginning of the space era with Sputnik’s launch, the United States was involved in a race with the Soviet Union. Today a new race has come forth as space has become more affordable with the decline of launch and equipment costs. This has fueled a thriving space industry with dozens of companies and countries exploring ways to use the last frontier. China is challenging the United States’ primacy in space, and it is becoming more militarized as some countries have deployed counterspace systems.

Doughty will discuss the commercial and security aspects of the new space race as well as well as some of the major space exploration programs.

For more information, call Bob Dyer at 207-985-3634.

Planeteers of Southern Maine plan clothing drive

On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Planeteers of Southern Maine, in collaboration with The New School and Helpsy, will host a clothing/textile drive. Collections will take place at The New School – 38 York St. (Route 1) in Kennebunk. No early-bird donations will be accepted.

According to a news release, “The event will raise funds for community actions that lead to a more sustainable way of life. If you’d like to contribute to doing something positive for the environment, please stop by with your “discards” As a clothing collection company and a certified B corporation with an environmental goal to extend the useful life of clothing, Helpsy partners with municipalities and organizations across 10 states to collect unwanted clothing while giving back to the communities they serve. In 2022, Helpsy paid over $500,000 to charities for collection partnerships and saved municipalities over $1.5 million in disposal fees and donated over 28,000 coats to those in need.”

“We are dedicated to changing the way people think about clothing recycling while adhering to the highest level of social and environmental performance” says Dan Green, co-founder and CEO, in the email. “Helpsy’s mission is to keep clothes out of the trash.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, textile waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the United States, occupying nearly 5 percent of all landfill space, which is why Helpsy is committed to working with organizations, such as the Planeteers of Southern Maine, in order to give clothing the longest life possible. In 2022, Helpsy collected 30 million pounds of clothing.

With the goal of reusing, reselling, and repurposing the clothing they collect, Helpsy accepts clean, dry, and bagged clothing and fashion accessories, including dresses, shirts, pants, suits, coats, gloves, hats, belts, ties, scarves, wallets, purses, backpacks, luggage, shoes, towels, bedding (except pillows), costumes, stuffed animals, curtains, placemats, tablecloths, and other household textiles. Every item should be clean, dry and odorless. Helpsy does not accept rugs, bathmats, or bed pillows.

For more information, email someplaneteers@yahoo.com.

Lego Club meets at Kennebunk Free Library

Kennebunk Free Library is offering a Lego Club for children ages 4 and older. Lego Club will meet on Thursday, April 20, from 3:45-4:30 p.m. Participants will build new creations or ask the librarian for a challenge to complete. All Lego blocks will be supplied. Participants are asked to not bring their own Legos. Registration is appreciated.

Lego Club is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk. For more information or to register, call 985-2173, ext. 108 or register online.

Historical society bean supper is April 29

The Arundel Historical Society will host a baked bean and pasta supper on April 29 from 4:30 to 6  p.m. It will be held at the M.L. Day School gym. Mildred L. Day School is on Limerick Road in Arundel.

The supper will feature two types of beans, bac and cheese, American chop suey, hot dogs, coleslaw, bread/rolls, homemade desserts, drinks, and coffee with take-out available. Donation of $8/person; children 5 and and younger eat free.

Historical displays will be shown and the annual spring raffle calendar will be available. The supper benefits the Arundel Historical Society and is a family-friendly event. All are welcome. For more information, call 207- 283-9699.

Library hosts Kindness Club

The next meeting of Kindness Club is 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Kennebunk Free Library. Participants will make a lollipop flower to give to a friend or family member. The program is open to ages 6 and older; registration is appreciated but not required. Kindness has no age requirement – if a friend younger than 6 would like to join in, contact Miss Maria at mrichardson@kennebunklibrary.org, or 985-2173, ext. 105. Parents are encouraged to join in.

For more information and to register, call 985-2173 or visit www.kennebunklibrary.org.

Elementary school artwork exhibited at museum

The Brick Store Museum will host the Kennebunk Elementary School Art Show, which is on view through Sunday, April 9. Over 200 artworks by the community’s youngest artists are on display in the museum’s ground-floor galleries.

According to the museum, Kennebunk Elementary School art teacher, Mrs. Allard, and parent volunteers, curated the show. Pre-K, kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade students all participated in the show, and submitted a piece illustrating the natural beauty of Kennebunk’s parks and trails.

Admission to the museum is free during the Kennebunk Elementary School Art Show for the entire community.

For more information about the exhibition and related events, visit www.brickstoremuseum.org; explore additional offerings like MusicTogether classes for ages 1-5 beginning at the museum this spring; half-day art classes for young learners; and summer camp offerings.

Graves Library announces April events

Children aged 8 and older are invited to make a miniature terrarium, Wednesday, April 12, 3:15 to 4 p.m. Create a tiny ecosystem in a recycled glass vase or jar. The class will be taught by Shelley Wigglesworth, Maine master gardener. All supplies are provided. Pre-registration is required.

Musical matinee: All are welcome to attend a musical movie matinee event Saturday, April 15 at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library is located at 18 Maine St., Kennebunkport. Participants are asked to use the parking lot entrance. For more information, call 207-967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

Library to host Furry Tales with Animal Welfare Society

Kennebunk Free Library will host its Furry Tales Story Time with the Animal Welfare Society on Friday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. Miss Amanda from AWS will share songs and stories. She’ll even bring a furry friend for participants to meet. All ages are welcome to attend. No registration required.

The event is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk. For more information, call 985-2173 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

Birding session with avian field researcher planned

Kennebunk Free Library will host a birding discussion on Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. The featured guest is Debbie Lyons, who will share data and photographs from birding excursions.

Lyons, a lead mentor for White Pine Programs, is a Level 2 tracker and multi-year avian field researcher for the Maine Bird Atlas project. She will share some of the ways she has learned to read the story of the birds’ sounds and signs. The program is sponsored by White Pine Programs, Arundel Conservation Trust and Kennebunk Free Library.

Lyons has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from New England College and an master’s in environmental education from the University of New Hampshire. The past three summers she joined the Maine Bird Atlas team helping to complete the state’s five-year study on all bird populations in the state. The study included point counts, marsh bird surveys, nightjar surveys, and bird audio analysis.

Registration is appreciated, but not required. Register through the calendar on the Kennebunk Free Library website or call the adult circulation desk at the library. The program is free and wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email  kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

Celebrate National Poetry Month at the library

Kennebunk Free Library will host a poetry reading on Saturday, April 29 at 1 p.m. in the Walker Room. Local poets will read their works and poetry lovers will read some of their favorites written by others. Those interested in reading poetry, original or personal favorites, should call the library or register through the calendar on the website to sign up for a five-minute time slot.

For more information call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

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