Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Topsham, ME
Filter by Category
Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education Classes
Introduction to Upholstery: Ottoman Edition
with Kate Hedlund-Groden, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Ottoman Edition! This hands-on workshop introduces students to some of the foundational skills of upholstery. Over the course of three classes, students will learn to transform a plain, wooden frame into a beautiful, custom ottoman. Through guided instruction, students will become familiar with a variety of upholstery tools and techniques. Students will also learn how to measure and cut cushioning materials, and properly assemble a finished ottoman. If you're looking to gain a new skill, this course provides a brief introduction to the art of upholstery. Course Highlights: + Learn how to transform a plain, wooden frame into usable furniture. + Hands-on practice with a variety of upholstery tools: pneumatic staple gun, rubber and wooden mallets, staple remover, pliers, and more. + Guidance on fabric selection, estimating, and manipulation. + Basic padding, assembly, and finishing. + Safety procedures and proper tool usage. Materials: Students will need to provide their own fabric. All other materials, including the ottoman frame, will be provided. Recommendations on where to purchase fabric can be found on my website: khgupholstery.com. Feel free to reach out should you prefer to discuss fabric options prior to purchasing. *Upholstery weight fabrics preferred.* All tools will be provided for use during the class. What to Bring: 2 yards of fabric *Be sure to have your fabric on hand for the first class* For additional comfort, feel free to bring a pair of gloves, safety glasses, and/or mask to wear while upholstering.
Session 1: February 25, 26, and March 4
Session 2: March 5, 11, and 12
Session 3: May 6, 7, and 13
Session 4: May 14, 20, and 21
Latin Dance
with Sergei Slussky, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Latin dancing is contagious: once you start, you might never want to stop. Dance develops balance and coordination, physical, mental, emotional, and social abilities. Come to exercise & meet new friends. In this class, we will go over: Tango, Cha-Cha, and Rumba. This class is open to all skill levels.
This class is scheduled to run on the following dates: 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, no class 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, no class 4/22, 4/29.
Middle Eastern Belly Dance Mixed Level Drills & Thrills: Choreography
with Josephina Gasca, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! This is a great refresher class for experienced dancers and suitable for dancers new to belly dance. Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes in the studio. Zills (finger cymbals) will be used in class. Check in with the instructor before you purchase any. As an added bonus, you will also have access to a video library with instruction, drills, and ongoing choreography during the length of the session. *This class meets on the following Wednesdays: 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 5/13 (5 sessions total).
Poetry for the Rest of Us
with Nathan Leland, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
In this six-week course, we will try to make poetry seem less intimidating by learning a little bit about where it comes from and what makes it tick, but mostly by using a proven peer-critique discussion format to help us all become better writers, whether you're looking to tighten your songwriting, memorialize an important person or event, or just become a more thoughtful participant in language.
Weaving, Exploring, and Creating with Wise Women Sacred Art
with Diane Doiron, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Join me for a two-part workshop that blends meditation and creative weaving as you bring your own Spirit Doll to life. We’ll begin by connecting with your older, wiser self to explore a matter of personal importance, allowing insight and intuition to gently guide your process. From this place of inner wisdom, you will weave a Spirit Doll that is uniquely yours. Over time, you may find a special relationship forming. As you gaze upon your doll during moments of reflection, they become a reminder that your own inner guidance is always present, always available, and always with you. Participants will have the use of a loom throughout the two-part workshop. The loom must be returned at the end of the second class. Please note that a bit of additional weaving at home will be necessary before attending the second class. A material fee of $25 must be paid to the instructor on the first night of the class which includes the loom rental.
Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms of New England
with David Spahr, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Join author David Spahr for an indoor presentation and discussion of edible and medicinal mushrooms, identification, tools and equipment for harvesting, as well as books, materials, and other resources. David has collected edible mushrooms for 50 years. He is a member of the Maine Mycological Association and the North American Mycological Association.
How To Start Your Own Herb Garden
with Katie Munn, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Have you ever wanted to start your own herb garden but don’t know where to start? This class will go over the basics of growing annual and perennial herbs, how to start seeds, harvest and dry your herbs. We will cover the basic medicinal properties of the herbs so you can choose which ones you want to add to your garden. To top it off we will even start a few seeds in class to grow seedlings to add to your garden! *A $5 Material fee is payable to the instructor on the night of class.
Intermediate Beekeeping
with Carolyn Nichols, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
This six-session intermediate beekeeping course is designed for beekeepers with at least 2–3 years of hands-on experience who are ready to deepen their skills and expand their hive management knowledge. Participants will learn to identify and treat diseases, integrated pest management for varroa mites, hive configurations (nucs, splits, double nucs, Demaree) queens and swarm management, honey bee nutrition, and processing beeswax. The sixth class will be June 13, 2026 from 10-12 in the Morse High School apiary-bring your bee suit. This class is presented by master beekeeper, Carolyn Nichols. *Open Hive session Saturday, June 13, 2026 (Raindate June 14).