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Ghost Stories for Summer Nights
with Laurie Notch, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

*NOTICE OF LOCATION CHANGE: The location for this program has been moved from Brunswick High School to the Adult Center Center in Topsham.
Remember sitting around the campfire toasting marshmallows and telling scary stories? In this short course with Laurie Notch, you will learn the history of the ghost story, why it is popular in cultures worldwide, and how to spin your own spooky yarn for fun and entertainment.
Machias - Historic Gem of Washington County
with Elyse Socker, Central Lincoln County Adult Education

The town of Machias is the county seat for Washington County and a lovely but less-traveled part of Downeast. The word Machias in the Passamaquoddy language means “bad little falls”, which refers to the beautiful and rugged waterfalls located on the Machias River in the center of the community. The town became famous as the location of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, 250 years ago this year. In 1775, locals were told of the battles of Lexington and Concord. When a small Royal Navy ship demanded Machias provide lumber to be used by British forces down in Boston, the locals decided on a different plan. The Machias Patriots sailed after the little British ship, fought its crew, and captured it. Today, you can visit Burnham Tavern (built in 1770), where the Patriots came up with their audacious plan to take on the British, and which was set up as a hospital during the battle. Nearby Machiasport is known for the unique Jasper Beach, a sandless beach covered in beautiful stones worn round by the sea - a beach with its only match in faraway Japan - and the 1810 Gates House Museum. This trip will include a guided tour of Burnham Tavern, and visits to Jasper Beach, The Gates House, Helen’s Restaurant for lunch (famous for their blueberry pie), the stunning Bad Little Falls, and a final stop at lovely Roque Bluffs State Park. No meals or optional admission donations are included. We will meet at Camden Hills Regional High School then travel on a coach bus to Machias, with a brief rest stop in Ellsworth. Planned Itinerary: Leave CHRHS 7:30 AM Brief pit stop in Ellsworth Burnham Tavern 10:30 AM Helen's 12:30 PM Gates House 2:45 PM Jasper Beach 4:00 PM Takeout options in Machias 5:15 PM (Riverside Cafe, Tom's Mini Mart, or Freshies) Roque Bluffs 6:00 PM Depart 7:00 PM Brief pit stop in Ellsworth Arrive CHRHS 10 PM
Machias: Historic Gem of Washington County
with Elyse Socker, Five Town CSD Adult & Community Education

The town of Machias is the county seat for Washington County and a lovely but less-traveled part of Downeast. The word Machias in the Passamaquoddy language means “bad little falls”, which refers to the beautiful and rugged waterfalls located on the Machias River in the center of the community. The town became famous as the location of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, 250 years ago this year. In 1775, locals were told of the battles of Lexington and Concord. When a small Royal Navy ship demanded Machias provide lumber to be used by British forces down in Boston, the locals decided on a different plan. The Machias Patriots sailed after the little British ship, fought its crew, and captured it. Today, you can visit Burnham Tavern (built in 1770), where the Patriots came up with their audacious plan to take on the British, and which was set up as a hospital during the battle. Nearby Machiasport is known for the unique Jasper Beach, a sandless beach covered in beautiful stones worn round by the sea—a beach with its only match in faraway Japan—and the 1810 Gates House Museum. This trip will include a guided tour of Burnham Tavern, and visits to Jasper Beach, The Gates House, Helen’s Restaurant for lunch (famous for their blueberry pie), the stunning Bad Little Falls, and a final stop at lovely Roque Bluffs State Park. No meals or optional admission donations are included. We will meet at Camden Hills Regional High School then travel on a coach bus to Machias, with a brief rest stop in Ellsworth. Checks or cash only for this trip. No senior discount.
Fishing Adventure Camp
with Martin Samelson, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

Ages: 8 - 12
Are you ready to go fishing? Merrymeeting FISHING ADVENTURE CAMP is a full 3-day freshwater fishing program for beginner or experienced anglers, grades 3 to 6. It is fun, safe and educational. Lifelong fisherman and college professor Martin Samelson will be there to identify target species (Bass, Trout, Sunfish, Pickerel and Perch), help anglers match their bait and tackle to their target species, and encourage ''Catch & Release" fishing to be mindful of Maine's natural marine resources. Info sheet regarding equipment/materials will be provided. *Pickup & Drop-off at Adult Ed Center in Topsham. Session 1: Tues-Thur: 7/15, 7/16, 7/17 (Rain date: 7/18). Session 2: Tues-Thur: 8/19, 8/20, 8/21 (Rain date: 8/22).
Ultimate Beginner Watercolor: Level 3
with Catherine Scanlon, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

Join Catherine for this 1 night class to learn new ways to incorporate mixed media techniques in your work. Create depth, texture and interest with gouache, fluid acrylic, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, dual tipped markers and posca pens (and more). Class will start with a refresher on color and techniques covered in previous levels and then transition to discuss new ways to think about layers while introducing various mixed media supplies. We will spend the rest of class playing with a variety of materials to incorporate new and old techniques to complete a fun and uplifting illustration. Materials fee: $20.
American Red Cross-1st Aid/CPR Adult & Pediatric - July 2025
with Pine Tree Education, Mid-Coast School of Technology Adult Education

Participants in Pine Tree Education's interactive class will learn to confidently provide care for Adults/Children/Infants who have experienced a sudden illness or injury until Emergency Medical Services arrive and take over care. Following national Emergency Cardiac Care guidelines, revised during the COVID pandemic, students will learn to recognize a heart attack, and each will work on their own manikin to learn CPR and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Students will learn how to recognize stroke, and care for breathing emergencies, such as asthma, and choking. First aid skills include the care for burns, bleeding, and other injuries. Instructor looks for attainment of skill level as each skill is taught without a formal testing situation. Optional written tests are available, at no additional cost, but not required for certification. Nationally Recognized Certificate and Ready Reference Cards included.
Saco Museum Tour
with Tara Raiselis, Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult Education

Join Museum Director Tara Raiselis for a tour of the Saco Museum, a treasure trove of local history! Since its founding in 1866 (under its original name, York Institute), the stated purpose of the organization was "to promote the study of natural history; encourage science and art; and also to collect and preserve whatever relates to the natural and civic history of York County." Evolving over the years to meet the changing needs of the community, the museum's galleries are set up to allow revolving exhibitions showcasing the extraordinary collections, special interpretive exhibits, and work by contemporary Maine artists. Permanent exhibits include paintings, furnishings, and household objects with documented histories of ownership in the Saco valley in the 18th and 19th centuries. The second floor includes a room furnished to reflect a mill girl's boarding house bedroom from the 1840s. The museum also has a display of antique natural history specimens, including birds of New England.
Preregistration required as space is limited, registration closes at noon on 7/16.
Tara Vose Raiselis has served as Museum Director at Dyer Library & Saco Museum since 2012. She holds a BA & MA in History from Pennsylvania State University, and an ABD from the College of William and Mary, also in History. Prior to her time in Saco, she worked at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH, and served as curator of the History Media Center at the University of Delaware.
GET HOME SAFE- ADDRESSING POTENTIAL BIKE PROBLEMS, SESSION 2
with Local Gear Staff, Sacopee Valley Adult & Community Education

What happens if you get a flat? How do you take off your wheel? What if your chain falls off when you’re out on a ride? What should you do if your brakes are rubbing? Don’t be caught walking your bike home! The Local Gear is offering a class to teach you the skills needed to get home safely from common mishaps on a ride and how to address problems with your bike before they happen. Please pre-register as space is limited to 10 participants per session. To register email Dave at dave@thelocalgear.com or call 207-625-9400.