Forest bathing, known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is the practice of spending time in nature,especially in forests, to connect with the environment and enjoy its therapeutic benefits. This practice encourages individuals to intentionally immerse themselves in nature, often throughslow, mindful walks, while actively engaging their senses to fully experience their surroundings.

This practice promotes numerous health benefits that include:

 Reduced stress and anxiety  Lowered blood pressure  Improved mood and focus  Boosted immune function  Improved sleep quality 

The two-session course is led by Aimee Dion, the owner of Mindful Wandering. Aimee holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified fitness trainer. She is also a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide through Kripalu’s School of Mindful Leadership and a trained Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.

Learn to use gelli printing plates! We will cover a variety of layering techniques in this entertaining printmaking session, incorporating found materials to add texture. Have fun experimenting and creating art that can be displayed on its own or used in other crafts or collages. All materials provided.

Karalyn Thayer has a BFA from the ME College of Art with a background in teaching web and graphic design. She creates her art with the use of mixed-media illustrations and loves experimenting with at-home printmaking.

You will be introduced to different types of gravestone materials, and the proper steps to clean them, starting with how to get permission. For part 2, we will meet at a cemetery at 9:00 am to do hands-on cleanings.

Beth brings a wealth of experience and creativity to guide you as you make your own piece of hammered silver jewelry.  You may choose to create earrings, pendants or rings. Kits for sale. 

**Bring a hand towel to work on and any jewelry tools that you might have.

Materials fee: $10 per piece, payable to the instructor. 

Learn how to turn between centers, focusing on turning spindles from rough stock, and turning coves and beads. These are the skills needed to make furniture parts for chairs, stools, and tables. The exercises will include activities to challenge your cutting touch, sharpen lathe edge tools, and start to explore bowls.

Come learn about the Chaga Mushroom: its uses, benefits and side effects.

Inonotus obliquus, commonly called chaga, is a fungus in the family Hymenochaetaceae. It is parasitic on birch and other trees. The sterile conk is irregularly formed and resembles burnt charcoal.

Join us for an evening of DIY fun where each participant will make a beautiful piece of living art.  We will make a moss wall art that each person will get to leave with that day. This class is meant for beginners.  All tools, instructions, and materials will be waiting for you when you arrive. A $20 material fee is to be paid in cash on the night of your class. Melissa started her jewelry business, Gem Lounge Jewelry, in 2009 and is a proud 8th-generation Mainer, having grown up in southern Maine before attending college in New Orleans. Upon graduation, Ms. Evans moved back to New England, eventually settling back in her beloved state of Maine and finding inspiration for her creations all around. While her roots in Maine keep her grounded in the beautiful state, wanderlust brings her on travels worldwide.

Wednesday, 5/14, 6:00pm-8:00pm, GMS, $40

 

Mid Coast Maine has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, but within the beauty are hazards that can quickly ruin your day on the water. Geography, tides and weather can combine to make even the most experienced mariner opt to stay ashore. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2-5, located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, offers an introduction to navigation course that can help recreational boaters cruise the area. The basics of coastal navigation are covered using the chart of the Boothbay area. What we cover applies to all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) navigation charts. Navigating Mid Coast Maine covers the basics of navigation and trip planning while taking you to the far corners of the local “Cape Small to Pemaquid” #13293 chart. Our experienced instructors have hundreds of hours cruising the waters covered in this course as recreational boaters and on the water conducting Coast Guard Auxiliary patrols. They are certified CG Auxiliary Small Boat Coxswains and Boat Crew members as well as local residents. Topics include basic navigation using both traditional paper charts and various electronic chart formats, understanding navigational aids, and buoy systems. Problem sets will help you understand the building blocks of course planning including exercises on tides; time, speed, distance; and course layout and labeling. To take the course you need either a printed chart or access to an electronic chart of the Boothbay Harbor area. Paper Chart and Nav Tools: We recommend charts printed on quality paper so you can draw (and erase) course lines using a pencil and add information easily. The NOAA chart of the area is The Three Rivers Chart (#13293). In addition two charting tools are recommended. The chart and tools may be purchased separately at the start of class. The chart costs $30. Along with a paper chart you should have two navigational tools. One is a divider (compass) cost: $10. The other is a roller plotter or parallel rule cost $35.