Kennebunk Free Library is partnering with York County Early Childhood Coalition and the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children to present a Family Fun Day on April 15. The library will host a concert by KindKids at 10 a.m.

According to a March 24 news release, Rob Duquette and Amanda “Panda” Duquette offer performances that are interactive and promote a positive message. KindKids’ original music contains lessons about kindness, mindfulness, compassion, family, friends, resilience, and silliness.”

KindKids’ performance is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. In addition, the library will offer drop-in crafts from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children’s artwork supplied by Kennebunk’s public pre-K will be displayed at the library. Weather permitting, the concert will be held outdoors. If not, it will be in the Reading Room inside the library.

According to the library, “The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the world’s largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 50 local, state, and regional affiliates. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.”

The event is free and wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 985-2173 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org or www.maineaeyc.org/.

Art programs offered at Graves Library

Graves Memorial Library will host another session of Artists in Conversation on Saturday, April 1 at 3 p.m. Maine Artists Marguerite Genest and Brendan Roddy will discuss their style, process, and what inspires them. Genest and Roddy and Marguerite are long-time teachers who share the joy of creating with individuals of all ages.

The event is sponsored by River Tree Arts and Graves Library. Light refreshments will be served.

Early-release Wednesday: April 5 from noon to 4 p.m., participants can learn to play Carom, try the library’s Lego station, fishing, chess, crafts, and more.

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library is located at 18 Maine St., Kennebunkport. For more information, call 967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

House Plant and Seed Swap planned at library

Kennebunk Free Library will host its House Plant and Seed Swap event on Saturday, April 1. Set-up begins at 1:15 p.m. and trading commences at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Participants are asked to bring only healthy and pest-free plants and seeds that are less than 3 years old. Participants should be prepared to share the name and care information for the plants or seeds.

To register, visit the “Programs and Events” tab at www.kennebunklibrary.org and click on the registration link in the calendar.

The program is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., in Kennebunk. For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

South Congregational announces Holy Week offerings

South Congregational Church United Church of Christ, located at 2 North St. in Kennebunkport, will celebrate Holy Week with these offerings.

April 2 10:30 a.m.: Palm Sunday Service and Communion.

April 6 5:30 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Service including simple pot luck and readings from Haggadah, and an observance of the shadows. To sign up, visit the event page at www.southchurchucc.org. The event will be at the Community House, 8 Temple St.

April 7 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Good Friday Open Sanctuary, meditative music, images, a flyer with prayers. Participants may come and go as they please.

April 9 8:15 a.m.: Informal Easter Observance and Communion on the River Green next to the church (or the Community House in the event of inclement weather).

April 9 10:30 a.m.: Easter Celebration. Trumpet Prelude begins at 10:20 a.m.

Parking is available on the street or in the municipal lot behind Alisson’s restaurant.

For more information, email info@southchurchucc.org, call 207 967 2793, or visit www.Southchurchucc.org.

1-2-3, Play With Me! scheduled for April and May

In April and May, Kennebunk Free Library will host its first 1-2-3, Play With Me! program for ages 0-4 and their caregivers.

According to a new library news release, the program is “a five-week program for young children and their parents/caregivers, this fun, informal, play-based program provides a rich environment of toys, books, and art activities. Families have the opportunity to spend time together, make new friends, and talk one-on-one with a different community resource professional each week.”

Resource professionals scheduled to visit in April and May:

· April 20 – Early Literacy with Maria Richardson, KFL.

· April 27 – Library Visit Day and Storytime with Miss Allison, KFL.

· May 4 – Child Development with Melinda Corey, Help Me Grow Maine.

· May 11 – Nutrition with Kelly Roberts, York County Community Health.

· May 18 – Speech and Language Development with Amber Morrison and Rebecca Leger, Child Development Services York County.

· May 25 – Creative Movement with Abby Nolette, River Tree Arts.

The program requires registration. Families will register for all six program dates and encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. The event is free and wheelchair accessible. For more information and to register, call 985-2173 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

Museum event feature’s story time and concert

The Brick Store Museum is celebrating National Week of the Young Child (April 1-7), an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, starting Saturday, April 1. The free event for young children and their families will include a story time and children’s concert in the museum.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. on April 1, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Walsh will read aloud her recent children’s book, “The Lobster Lady.” At 11 a.m. award-winning children’s musician Sammie Haynes, of TreeTops Music, will perform an interactive music concert.

The event is free and open to children and their families. While visiting the museum, families are invited to explore the museum’s newest exhibition honoring young artists, the Kennebunk Elementary School Art Show, which runs through April 9.

For more information about the exhibition and the event, visit www.brickstoremuseum.org; explore additional offerings like MusicTogether classes for ages 1-5 beginning at the museum this spring, half-day art classes for young learners, and camp offerings for the summer.

Arundel Republican Town Committee meeting set

The Arundel Republican Town Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on April 6 at Booth Landscaping in Arundel.

Republicans are urged to attend the meeting for a discussion of the upcoming municipal and school board elections. Booth Landscaping is located on Route 111 in Arundel.

For more information, email afschutz1@gmail.com.

Kennebunk’s May Day Festival is May 6

Kennebunk’s 25th May Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 6. This year’s festival will feature most of the family-oriented activities that have been staged for years and some new additions.

Planning continues for the festival with events at the Waterhouse Center, Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Park and more.

Duffy’s Tavern and Grill will once again host a pancake breakfast. The parade will feature many of the favorites such as Dunlap Highland Band, Gym Dandies, Shriners, Kennebunk Twirlers, school bands and more.

For more information, email Linda Johnson at ljohnson@kennebunkmaine.us or visit www.kennebunkmaine.us/mayday.

St. David’s announces Holy Week services

Saint David’s Episcopal Church, 138 York St. (Route 1 south), Kennebunk, announced Holy Week services. Community members are invited to Palm Sunday (April 2 ) at 8 a.m. for Holy Communion with traditional language, or at 10:30 a.m. for Holy Communion with contemporary language, hymns, and singing.

On Maundy Thursday (April 6) join the church at 7 p.m. for a Commemoration of the Lord’s Last Supper and the stripping of the altar. On Good Friday, Stations of the Cross is offered at noon, and the Liturgy of Good Friday service begins at 7 p.m. A family Easter Vigil service welcomes all ages at 4 p.m. The evening Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) service begins at sundown at 7:30 p.m.

Easter Day will offer two worship opportunities at 8 a.m. with traditional language and 10:30 a.m. with more contemporary language. All services throughout Holy Week are mask optional. For more information, call 985-3073.

April exhibition announced

Kennebunk Free Library announced its April exhibition, “Celebrating the Young Child,” the artwork of the pre-kindergarten students at Kennebunk Elementary School. The exhibit will run April 4-28 in the library’s Speers Gallery.

The exhibit is in recognition of The Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

The 2023 Week of the Young Child is April 1 to 7.

According to a March 16 news release from the library, “Regional School Unit 21 has a large public pre-K program at Kennebunk Elementary and we are so pleased to be sharing our artwork as part of this important focus on young children. The students in pre-K at KES have enjoyed making art since the first day of school.

“We believe in the process of exploring materials in order to learn more about the world, and art is one terrific way for us to do so. We have seven classrooms of students and each class selected their own focus for the artwork, so you will be treated to a variety of subjects and processes when you visit the exhibit.”

The public is invited to view the exhibit in Speers Gallery from April 4-28 at 112 Main St., Kennebunk, Maine regular library hours when the gallery is not in use for library programs. For more information about current hours and gallery access, visit www.kennebunklibrary.org.

High school senior scholarship applicants sought

The Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel are seeking applicants for its Edmund Muskie Democracy in Action $1,000 scholarship. The award is given to a student residing in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, or Arundel who is a senior during the school year in which they apply.

Applicants must have been accepted, and can confirm their attendance, at a certified training program or an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Financial need is not a criterion.

According to a March 17 news release, “The winner will best exemplify the spirit of civic engagement – how they have worked to make a difference in their school and community through political and non-political actions.”

Applications, which include writing an essay describing their civic engagement, can be requested by emailing dkascholarship@gmail.com, and must be returned to that address by midnight, April 25.

Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel Executive Committee members and members of the Scholarship Committee and their families are not eligible. The Executive Committee may elect to award one or more scholarships each year.

Mandolin reigns at Mid-Week Music

Mid-Week Music continues Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. with “Grab Bag.” Guitarist Dana Pearson, pianist Mark Gunter, and mandolinist Carl Mabee will perform a mix of classic folk and modern songs that they feel would benefit with the addition of a mandolin.

The tunes include “Shenandoah,” Jay Ungar’s “Ashokan Farewell,” Steve Earle’s “Galway Girl,” Chuck Berry’s “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” and The Waterboys’ “Fisherman’s Blues.”

The monthly concerts are held at the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s Town House School at 135 North St.

For more information, visit www.kporths.com/events, email info@kporths.com, or call 207-967-2751.

Newcomers club schedules April 13 meeting

The Newcomers and Neighbors Club of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel invites the public to meet Capt. Costas Balomenos and hear stories about adventures at sea. His career working at sea spans 40 years with travel experiences that include surviving an oil tanker explosion in the mid-Atlantic.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 13 at the Community House at 8 Temple St., Kennebunkport. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with social time, followed by the presentation at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.kptanewcomers.org.

Village Ringers to begin spring rehearsals

The Village Ringers, a community hand bell choir affiliated with Christ Church in Kennebunk, is seeking choir members. The group plays at venues in southern Maine, including Kennebunkport’s annual Christmas Prelude.

The Village Ringers rehearse at Christ Church, 6 Dane St., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays. Spring rehearsals begin March 27.

Those interested in joining the choir, or seeking more information, can email Janet Filgate, director, at jafilgate@gmail.com.

Library offers trustee information sessions

Kennebunk Free Library is seeking new trustees who will be active participants at monthly board and committee meetings. According to a March 7 news release, library trustees “serve as library advocates, promoting the library in its mission to inspire and enable our communities to discover, learn, and connect.”

Those interested should visit the library’s “FAQ for Potential Trustees” at www.kennebunklibrary.org. Visit the website and click on the “About Us” tab.

To learn more, the library will host in-person information sessions on Tuesday, April 4 at 5 p.m. and Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Current trustees will be available to answer questions and describe their trustee experience. Register through the calendar on the library website or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

Amateur Radio Society announces meetings

The New England Radio Discussion Society meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. throughout the year at The New School in Kennebunk. The club gathers to support and promote amateur (ham) radio. Discussion topics include: early and contemporary equipment, digital technology, internet integration, and striving for rare and international contacts. Most meetings include a tech talk by club members.

Upcoming meetings will be held April 11, 25, and May 9, 23. The New School is located at 38 York St. For more information, contact Alex at 967-8812.

Astronomical Society of Northern New England sets April meeting

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England has scheduled will hold its monthly meeting on Friday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The New School, 38 York St., in Kennebunk. A business meeting, also open to the public, commences at 7 p.m.

The society will host a presentation by Dr. Ian Durham. Durham is president of of the society and a professor and chair of physics at Saint Anselm College. He is also a member of the Foundational Questions Institute. His current research centers around foundational problems in physics, particularly the intersection of quantum mechanics, relativity, and information theory, as well as formal models of consciousness. He and his family live in Kennebunk. In his spare time he enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and canoeing.

Durham is the member Foundational Questions Institute asks to pick the five most important physics stories of the year. He talks through his selections in an institute podcast series, including a few runners-up. At the April 7 meeting, Durham will give an abbreviated, less technical, run-through of the top five, also explaining the reasons for his selections.

The April meeting agenda includes: Bernie Reim’s “What’s Up for the Month” and “Astro Shorts,” where attendees and members share questions, activities, news and observations. Refreshments will be served.

For newcomers, questions about our club, observing, telescopes, and astronomy in general, will be answered by society members.

For more information about Astronomical Society of Northern New England, including directions and events, or to contact the club, visit www.ASNNE.org.

TD Beach to Beacon 10K registration dates set

Organizers of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K road race, which will celebrate its 25th running in 2023, announced the registration dates for this year’s event that will take place Saturday, Aug. 5.

Open registration for Cape Elizabeth residents will take place Wednesday, April 19, followed by open registration for the general public on Thursday, April 20. An open lottery registration for any remaining spots will take place Friday, April 21. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. on each open registration day through the race website, www.beach2beacon.org.

New this year are dedicated registration days for current and past race beneficiaries. Valo, the 2023 charitable beneficiary, will have up to 50 bibs available for those who race to raise funds for the organization. Valo’s bib holders will have the opportunity to register on Wednesday, March 15. Runners who want to run on behalf of previous beneficiaries will have open registration on April 1.

Following the close of registration, remaining bibs will be distributed to elite runners, sponsors and more than 100 legacy runners who have participated in every running of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K since its inception in 1998.

The Kids Fun Run and the High School Mile will also return in 2023, on Friday, Aug. 4 at Fort Williams. Registration for the Kids Fun Run will be open online from May 1 through Aug. 3. More information on the events can be found at www.beach2beacon.org.

Road race raises funds for ‘recalibrated’ veterans

The 12th annual Miles for Mills Memorial Day Weekend 5K, presented by New Balance Foundation, will be held Sunday, May 28, at Brunswick Landing, the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. The race will begin at 9 a.m.

Registration (www.milesformills.org) is $30 per person and registrants receive a T-shirt if signed up by April 1 (while supplies last); registration is $35 after April 1. Travis Mills Foundation fundraising incentives will be announced soon for those who raise funds above the registration fee.

The race was established and is named after U.S. Army SSG (Ret.) Travis Mills, who in 2012 set his backpack down on an IED, becoming one of five quadruple amputees from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Since then, Mills has made it his mission to give back to other recalibrated veterans like himself, and their families. The doors to the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat opened in 2017 in Rome, in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine, serving thousands of veterans and their families since then.

Proceeds from Miles for Mills, which last year raised approximately $135K, supports the seven programs offered at the foundation for veterans, their families and combat veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress. The event will also include food, drinks, music, children’s activities, awards and an after-party at Flight Deck Brewing and Wild Oats.

The organization’s goal is to raise $200K at this year’s Miles for Mills 5K. For more information, contact Molly Lovell-Keely, communications and marketing manager, at molly@travismillsfoundation.org or 207-632-7475.

Oldies Benefit Dance set for April 15

The next Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance is scheduled for 7 p.m. to midnight, April 15 at the Biddeford Eagles Hall at 57 Birch St. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited.

For more information, purchase tickets or volunteer, call Bruce Martin at 207-284-4692.

Next Nature Walk is April 1

Kennebunk Land Trust recently announced its 2023 Nature Walk schedule. The land trust invites participants to learn about nature and get outside. The first Saturday of each month, Kennebunk Land Trust will host a nature walk on a different preserve following a different theme. Patrons can visit a local preserve and enjoy nature in all seasons.

The walks are led by Maine Guide, Master Naturalist, and environmental educator at Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Linda Littlefield Grenfell.

Littlefield Grenfell will take participants on a walk while sharing her knowledge and asking questions about the flora, fauna, and general wonderment of nature.

The walks are held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and are free of charge. Donations are accepted. The yearly walk schedule is subject to change with notice. The remaining schedule:

· April 1 – Oxbow Preserve. Theme: Trees

· May 6 – Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary. Theme: Vernal Pools

· June 3 – Butler Preserve. Theme: Water

· July 1 – For All Forever Preserve. Theme: Wildflowers

· Aug. 5 – Hope Cemetery and Woods. Theme: Trees in Summer

· Sept. 2 – Sea Road Preserve. Theme: Bugs/Ferns

· Oct. 7 – Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary

· Nov. 4 – Butler Preserve. Theme: Geology

· Dec. 2 – For All Forever Preserve. Theme: Winter Weeds

For more information, email sandy@kennebunklandtrust.org or call 207-985-8734.

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