Come feast on the wild abundance of spring!  We will spend the day on identification, wise harvest, and cooking of multiple wild plants that grace the springtime table.  Ever eat a tree-leaf salad, nettle stir-fry or knotweed pie?  Come learn how and see how partnering with the wild can bring health, happiness, and hope.  We will provide a mostly-foraged lunch.

Date: Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Pay Instructor when you get to class.

Cost: $30-80 sliding scale

 For online registration: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe49Q2FZZsd6QhgUnenLCXrpltwCt1UuxGAXWxuoOTcivLllw/viewform

The Brown Family or their caretakers owned Valley Lodge for 181 years until 1973. Brothers David and Ephraim Brown came to Flintstown (now Baldwin) with their father, Captain David Brown, from Concord, Massachusetts, in 1783. Captain David Brown helped lay out the plot plan and worked on the roads in Flintstown. He never lived in Maine, but his son Ephraim built Valley Lodge. Ephraim's brother David built Saddle Back Farm (now gone) right above Valley Lodge. Ephraim had seven children who all lived to be adults. Thus, in the early 1800s, he added to the original cape by building a Federal Colonial over the front half of the cape. However, none of the early features of the cape were disturbed. It is possible to see the evolution of architectural styles from the mantels. From pre-revolutionary to the late Victorian periods, 95% of the original features are still present. Valley Lodge was featured in the April 2011 issue of Early American Life; a copy is at the Brown Memorial Library. Valley Lodge is located at 67 E. Saddleback Road, West Baldwin. Take Brown Road, which goes up behind Limington Lumber on Route 113. Take the first right, which is E. Saddleback. Valley Lodge is the first house. Please note: There is no charge for this tour. The $5 registration fee will be donated to the Baldwin Historical Society. If you would like to contribute other funds to the historical society, you may do so at  the time of the tour. Pre-registration is required due to spacing and safety issues. Extra sessions will be available as needed.

In a non-threatening, safe, women- only environment with no live ammunition present, learn the basics of handgun safety when kept in your home or throughout your daily routine; how to handle a pistol safely; parts of a pistol and ammunition; fundamentals of pistol shooting including holding, stance, and aiming; common malfunctions; cleaning; and selecting a pistol just right for you. You may not

bring your own handgun or any ammunition to class, but the instructor will have safe, unloaded examples to share. You will receive a textbook. The optional two-hour range time at Lincoln County Rifle Club in Damariscotta is separately scheduled during daylight hours during the week and has a fee of $50 payable to the instructor. If you go to the range, you’ll fire either your own pistol or one from the instructor and try to put five rounds of ammunition through four separate target circles at 10 feet using only 20 rounds. You will need 50 rounds of ammunition for your personal handgun. If you are “renting” a pistol from the instructor, she will have 50 rounds of ammunition for you for a cost of $25 for a total cost of $75. To pass this nationally rated course and get certified, you must attend all sessions and actively participate, pass a written examination, and pass the 10-foot shooting qualification, all within two weeks of the last class session. Certification can be used to apply for a concealed carry permit.

We've put all the experts in the 'room' with you! This course serves as a strategic guide for first-time home buyers. Participants will gain insights into overcoming these challenges, unlocking the secrets to successful home purchases, and strategically building wealth through real estate. From understanding the local market dynamics to making informed decisions, this course empowers first-time buyers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of today's real estate landscape with confidence. Whether you are looking to buy next month or in five years, get ready to master the market and turn your first home purchase into a stepping stone for wealth creation right from your front door.

Instructors: Jaclyn Bousquet, Scott Mertens, Jed Kelley with JS Kelley Home Inspections, Skye Tomasyan with Keslar Insurance

Format: Live-online

This class will teach you how you can grow and harvest edible, native plants. David Spahr installed a public, edible landscape across from the town hall in Washington, Maine, in June of 2014. The intention of this edible landscape is to educate and feed people. Wild bees support the pollination and are supported by the many wild local natives. Varieties include peaches, serviceberries, American plum, beach plum, American chestnut, shagbark hickory, highbush blueberries, raspberries, black raspberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries, strawberries, cranberries, raisin Viburnums, Sedum purpureum, violets, peppermint, garlic, day lily, Rosa rugosa, chives, rhubarb, Jerusalem artichoke and others. David has been farming wild, native plants for many years. His PowerPoint will show the native plants he farms with while he provides a discussion of the ecological implications.

Join Jacinda Martinez to learn about the basics of healthy soil and how to make your own using kitchen garden waste. She will walk you through different options and which gadgets actually do the trick!

In this class, you will use a variety of soap bases, scents, colors and textures to make you own soaps. Beth will provide molds, but you can bring your own. Please bring a microwavable glass container (mason jar, 2-cup glass measuring cup, or a small bowl). 

This cost of the class is per person. Class is limited to children ages 12 and above. 

Materials fee: $7 payable to the instructor, with the option to purchase additional materials. 

We are partnering with Franklin Memorial Hospital to bring a babysitting course to our community members.

All participants will earn an American Heart Association Certification in First Aid and CPR. Common knowledge and helpful babysitting techniques will also be taught during this course.