D.A.R. meeting
BANGOR — The Esther Eayres Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution invites women in the area who are interested to attend a D.A.R. meeting at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in the 2nd floor conference room of the Phillip-Strickland House.
The meeting will honor George Washington, the first president of the United States. The event will include a potluck luncheon, with a special cake.
Breakfast with U.S. Sen. King
BANGOR — U.S. Sen. Angus King Jr. will speak at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Husson University.
During the first hour of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to network with members of the community as they enjoy a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, tea and water.
After the networking portion of the event, King will share his thoughts on issues facing the new Congress, including health care, the environment, homeland security and education reform.
The title of King’s presentation is “The 114th Congress: Where We Are and Where We’re Going — A Washington Update.”
The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required by contacting Julie Green at 941-7129 or greenj@husson.edu.
EAAA Annex
BANGOR — Noelle Merrill, executive director of Eastern Area Agency on Aging reports that approximately 420 people attended an open house Jan. 20-21 at the agency’s new annex at Airport Mall.
“All our class offerings were filled,” she said. “It was terrific to see how interested everyone was in our services and particularly in our exercise classes. We also had numerous people sign up for meals after trying the [food] samples. I have to liken this to a mini expo. It was an event that went way beyond our wildest expectations.”
Opera talk
BREWER — The Brewer Public Library is partnering with the Collins Center for the Arts to offer a series of talks to discover what opera is all about. Steven Evans and Jennifer Moxley will introduce the opera, “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the library.
Attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of free Met Live tickets, to be drawn at the end of the program. For information, call the library at 989-7943.
School registration
HAMPDEN — Registration for Hampden and Newburgh children entering school for the 2015-2016 school year will be held 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, and 9:30-2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at McGraw School, 20 Main Road North in Hampden.
Parents unable to stay and complete the registration packet during those hours must return the completed packet to McGraw School 9:30-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. If that is not possible, parents should call the school at 862-3830. Along with the completed registration packet, parents must provide the child’s state issued birth certificate (not hospital issued), current immunization records and a small photograph.
Children must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 to register for kindergarten.
For kindergarten registrants, a screening time on Friday, May 1, or Friday, May 8, will be scheduled when the completed registration is returned to McGraw School.
The RSU 22 pre-kindergarten program provides free, inclusive education for children who will be 4 years old on or before Oct. 15. Some openings are available for 3 year olds. Pre-kindergarten applications will be available at kindergarten registration or by calling 973-3567. Although the program is free, there may be a small fee for meals, depending on eligibility.
Adult ed
HAMPDEN — The RSU 22 Adult Education program has a line-up of course offerings that range from fitness to vocational training. Those with a yen to learn more about baking may opt for a class in baking pies, whoopie pies, yeast bread and rolls, baklava or biscotti.
Arts and crafts offerings include primitive rug hooking, penny rug making and watercolor painting for those at the intermediate and advanced level.
For general enrichment, classes in digital photography, jewelry making, beekeeping, fly tying, tai chi, dance fitness and many other classes are available.
RSU 22 Adult Education also offers a motor coach day trip to the Boston Flower Show on Saturday, March 14.
For information about class start dates and cost, or to register for a class, visit http://orono-hampden.maineadulted.org/ or call the adult education program office at 862-6422.
Family Valentine’s Dance
NEWBURGH — The Newburgh Recreation committee will sponsor a Family Valentine’s Dance 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Newburgh Town Office, 2220 Western Ave. The event will include a free line dance lesson at 6:30 p.m., and a photo area. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Admission to the event is $5 couple, $2 each additional person with a family maximum of $10. Tickets are available at the Town Office or at the door.
For information, call the Town Office at 234-4151.
Winter Family Day
OLD TOWN — Hirundo Wildlife Refuge will host a Winter Family Day 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at the refuge. The event will offer activities for all ages and abilities.
During the winter ecology walk, wildlife ecologist Bucky Owen will talk about how animals cope with the cold. Attendees will search for signs of animals during the guided walk.
Hirundo’s Biathlon will measure speed and agility in a snowshoe race, and precision by throwing snowballs at a target.
Or, try curling and animal snow sculpturing.
Participants may opt to take a break by the campfire and warm up with hot chocolate. Bring a lunch and enjoy it next to the fireplace in the Parker Reed shelter.
Attendees who prefer to be on their own can take advantage of the refuge’s self-guided activities. Admission is a $5 donation.
For information, visit hirundomaine.org. To register, call 394-2171.
Annual ice harvest
ORRINGTON — The Curran Homestead will hold its annual living history ice harvest 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, on Fields Pond, 372 Fields Pond Road.
Blocks of ice will be cut from the surface of the pond with authentic tools and equipment from the homestead’s collection. The event will offer hands-on activity for the family.
For information, call 945-9311 or visit curranhomestead.org.
Project Graduation
ORONO — A fundraiser for the Orono High School Project Graduation 2015 will be held 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Orono American Legion Hall, 156 Park St. Music will be provided by Juicebox. The event will offer food, fun and a silent auction.
Admission is $25, $40 couple. For information, call Allison at 944-6959 or email Beth Sypher at sypherfamily@hotmail.com.
Mid-winter celebration
ORONO — Celebrate the middle of winter and the promise of spring 4-5 p.m. Monday, Feb.2, at Orono Public Library. The event will feature violin music, poetry, readings and food. Admission is free. For information, call the library at 866-5060.
Opera talk
ORONO — Opera lover Cathleen Bauschatz will introduce the opera, “Tales of Hoffman,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Orono Public Library. The Metropolitan Opera HD Live performance will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Collins Center for The Arts. Learn about the composer, his music, the story and much more. A drawing for two free ticket vouchers to the opera will be conducted. Admission is free. For information, call the library at 866-5060.
Star shows
ORONO — Public star shows at the Emera Astronomy Center will return to bring the stars and planets to visitors at 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Friday night shows will feature “Stars,” an exploration of the powerhouses of the universe, on Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
For younger sky watchers, Sunday afternoon shows explore the earth’s place in the universe in “Earth, Moon and Sun” on Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 .
Each star show features a tour of the Maine sky and tips on how to view upcoming astronomical events. February will feature an extraordinary clustering of planets in the western sky, and with new state of the art equipment the planetarium can show visitors exactly what to look for and when and where to look for it.
Admission is $6. Seating is limited. For information and reservations, call 581-1341 or visit Astro.UMaine.edu. Private shows and school field trips can be arranged for these and other shows.
Tax filing assistance
ORONO — Accounting students in the Maine Business School at the University of Maine will offer free federal and state income tax filing assistance to the public, under the supervision of Steven Colburn, associate professor of accounting.
From Jan. 29 through April 10, except for the weeks of March 2 and March 9, free help sessions will be available 3:30-5 p.m. Thursdays, at 312 D.P. Corbett Business Building on campus, and from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, at the Orono Public Library, 39 Pine St.
Filers are asked to bring their tax information for 2014 and, if they have it, a copy of their 2013 return. All filers’ information will be treated confidentially. Colburn will review all tax returns before they are filed.
To make an appointment, which is required, contact Colburn at 581-1982 or colburn@maine.edu.