In this class, you will make some iconic traditional dishes— including Fried Rice, Handmade Noodles, and Zongzi (Rice puddings). Each recipe highlights its cultural significance, traditional symbolism, and regional variations while guiding learners through authentic preparation methods and essential cooking techniques. The course emphasizes both culinary skills and cultural appreciation, allowing students to explore Chinese traditions through hands-on experience. From wrapping dumplings to shaping mooncakes, participants will gain practical understanding of the artistry, history, and values embedded in Chinese food culture, fostering deeper connections between cuisine and cultural identity.

Author David Spahr has an extensive native farming project. In this class he will discuss and illustrate the hows and whys of farming with native plants, trees, and bushes.

Learn the basics of coastal navigation using local charts, parallel ruler, and dividers. Learn what the symbols mean, how to determine safe and dangerous routes, create courses, learn rules of the “road”, what aids to navigation look like and do, plan for emergencies and more. For kayakers, sailors, powerboaters, and future Registered Maine Guides. Students will need access to either a Casco Bay Chart or Penobscot Bay Chart, parallel ruler and dividers. This course is offered via Zoom over two sessions. This is a LEVEL 1 program.

Bring a friend and enjoy a night of painting! $20 materials fee

Find yourself asking the question, “How do you get home care services in Southern Maine for myself or a loved one?” We will walk you through the steps to access care in the community. This will also cover access to assisted living and long term care, age well programs, meals on wheels, Medicare, MaineCare, and healthcare power of attorney.

During this one day outside workshop, you’ll be wearing snowshoes while improving your skills with: compasses (taking and following bearings), fire building, cooking using various techniques, shelter building, and how to search for a separated group member and handling some possible first aid issues. Designed for those with some knowledge who will be leading family members or small groups in the colder weather outdoors, or preparing to become a Registered Maine Guide.

Frustrating to gardeners and arborists, bittersweet is considered a largely useless bane on wildland. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were good for something? We can use ancient harvesting techniques to tend invasive bittersweet in the wild, simultaneously harvesting material for baskets while managing future growth.

Learn to weave a bittersweet basket. We'll employ several different weaving techniques in order to create a strong, beautiful basket for foraging, or use in the kitchen or garden. We’ll shoot for a basket about 9” wide and 7” deep, with or without a handle. This is a class for beginners, but some hand strength and dexterity is required.

Materials fee is included in the cost of the class!

Minimum: 4   |   Maximum: 10

Step back in time and discover the magic of tintype photography! Learn the history and context of wet plate collodion, the 19th century's most popular photographic process which gave working class Americans their first chance to own a picture of themselves or a loved one. Students will also have a hands-on chance to make their own tintype in this darkroom-based class. The instructor will work through each step in the process, from coating, sensitizing, shooting, developing and fixing the plate. Each student will go home with their own, heirloom quality, finished, half-plate tintype. No prior photography experience required.

Materials fee is included in the cost of the class.

Minimum: 4 | Maximum: 6 

MEET TROY!
Troy R. Bennett is an artist, journalist and musician from southern Maine. An award-winning daily Maine newspaper photojournalist for 25 years, Bennett began making wet plate collodion photographs 15 years ago. He lives in Portland. www.themysteryjig.com