Guatemala, according to a York County Audubon news release, “is a wonderful birding destination with many avian specialties, beautiful scenery, a colorful culture (including the proud Mayan, perhaps the richest indigenous culture remaining in the New World), and some of the best coffee in the world.”

In March, Doug Hitchcox led trip to that destination. The areas they visited were varied, from the cool pine-oak forests near Antigua and Tecpan (think Pink-headed Warbler) to humid tropical lowland forests in the Petén (the Caribbean slope).

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., York County Audubon will host Hitchcox and a program of that “spectacular trip.”

The program will be presented live in the Mather Auditorium at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, and also will be live-streamed via Zoom.

The tour started in the Petén with a visit to the Classic Mayan site of Tikal and Las Guacamayas which added a large number of birds (not possible on the Pacific Highlands side), including the opportunity to see Orange-breasted Falcon, as well as several Yucatan endemics that include Ocellated Turkey, Yucatan Poorwill, Yucatan Flycatcher, and the striking Gray-throated Chat.

According to York County Audubon, “Tikal is easily one of the best birding sites in all of Central America, but it will also amaze you for the immensity of the surrounding forest and the grandeur of the temples and complexes.”

Hitchcox is well-known in Maine and beyond. He’s the staff naturalist for Maine Audubon and writes a regular nature column for the Portland Press Herald. In his free time, he is one of Maine’s eBird reviewers, owner and moderator of the ‘Maine-birds’ listserv, and member of the Maine Bird Records Committee. He also served as the outreach coordinator for the Maine Bird Atlas.

To view the program via Zoom, participants need to register in advance at www.yorkcountyaudubon.org. After registering, a confirmation email will be sent with information about joining the meeting.

Arundel Heritage Day is Sept. 16

The Arundel Historical Society’s annual Heritage Day features local craft demonstrations, live music, family friendly games, and a “Reminisce Tent,” showcasing antiques from the town’s past, including its involvement in the 3rd Maine Infantry regiment in the Civil War.

This event is not just for the history enthusiast or an older generation, Jake Hawkins, president of the Arundel Historical Society, said. “We’re looking forward to a really good time, with lots more crafters, music groups, food, and kids games. This is a great family event,” Hawkins said.

Heritage Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the North Chapel Common with free parking and free admission. Highlights will include old steam engines from the Industrial Revolution, seafood sold from a vintage truck by the Lobster Company, spinning demonstrations held by the Guild of Spinners & Weavers and the Evergreen Quilters group, and pony rides and games for kids.

Graves Library announces upcoming events

Emily Franklin, author of “The Lioness of Boston,” has accepted an invitation to visit Louis T. Graves Memorial Library on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Community Room.

Franklin is the author of more than 20 novels and a poetry collection, “Tell Me How You Got Here.” Her award-winning work has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Guernica, JAMA, and numerous literary magazines as well as long-listed for the London Sunday Times Short Story Award, featured and read aloud on NPR and named notable by the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Parking is available at the Village Fire Station (North Street) and Consolidated School (School Street). Light refreshments will be served and copies of “The Lioness of Boston” will on sale with signing after the program.

Your Health Matters Book Club: The Kennebunkport Public Health Department and Graves Library will offer a lunchtime book discussion on “Year of No Garbage,” by Eve O. Schaub, on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at noon. Copies of the book are available at the library. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.

ALL aBOARD Games: Embark on a board game adventure with Miss Marina and Miss Terri on Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. at Graves Library. Patrons will play Apples to Apples and Catan. The event is for children 8 and older. Space is limited and preregistration is required.

Write On writing group: Enjoy putting pen to paper with your thoughts and stories? Join us for a different kind of writing group Thursday, September 21 at 3 PM at the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, 18 Maine Street, Kennebunkport.

When we meet, we will discuss our findings, share our writing, and get to know our own unique inner talents! Creative writing prompts will be given at the end of each meeting.

For further information, please call 967-2778 or visit our website at www.graveslibrary.org.

Movie Night: Join Graves Library for its monthly movie night on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6:45 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The library will show the recorded evening with David Baldacci at the River Club from June 22. Light refreshments will be served.

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library is located at 18 Maine St., Kennebunkport. For more information, call 207-967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

Wells Chamber of Commerce to host 14th annual Family Jamboree

The Wells Chamber of Commerce will host its 14th annual Family Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 23. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wells Harbor Park (fair weather only). The park is located at 331 Harbor Road.

This event features games, including a doughnut/apple eating challenge, ball toss, beanbag toss and relay races, activity booths to make a beaded bracelet, temporary tattoos, fan making and pumpkin decorating, compliments of Nancy Hafford-State Farm agent. Ranger Tom will be back again this year with his Explore Archery game.

The Wells Fire Department will be in attendance with its Junior Firefighter obstacle course, Knock Down the Flames and emergency vehicle displays. Craft vendors will be in attendance and Tony Hafford will be there with his Vera’s Vittles food truck. Admission, parking and all games and activities are free.

For more information, visit www.wellschamber.org or call 207-646-2451.

Former Intelligence Officers group sets next meeting

The Association of Former Intelligence Officers will begin a new season of public speaker programs with S.W. O’Connell, a retired U.S. Army and Senior Defense intelligence officer. He has a background in military history in addition to over 30 years experience of planning and running intelligence and counterintelligence operations in Europe and worldwide.

O’Connell has written historical fiction thrillers including a Revolutionary War spy series, “Yankee Doodle Spies.” In his presentation, he will put in perspective the war regions and strategies used by both sides as they related to intelligence operations. His final view will be about Revolutionary War lessons for today.

The program begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Kennebunk High School’s Economos Lecture Hall at 89 Fletcher St. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.

SMAA announces autumn classes

September is National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and the Southern Maine Agency on Aging announced  its autumn classes of A Matter of Balance and Tai Chi between September and November. The classes are designed to enrich the quality of life for adults 60 and older by improving their physical wellness and self-confidence.

A Matter of Balance is a falls prevention class designed to help participants increase physical activity, make important home safety improvements, and learn how to respond if a fall does happen. The class empowers participants to take charge of managing their health, and to share their own experiences and concerns about falls.

Tai Chi classes use gentle movements, combining exercise and mental strength to improve mobility, breathing, and relaxation in ways that help people feel greater control over their daily life. It is a safe way for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy life and meet new friends while taking control of their physical, emotional, and mental health.

A Matter of Balance classes meet twice a week for four weeks, and Tai Chi classes meet twice a week for 10 weeks.

A Matter of Balance classes

Sept. 19 – Oct. 12, Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot St, Bridgton.
Sept. 18 – Oct. 11, Mayflower Place, 27 Mayflower Drive, Sanford.
Sept. 18 – Oct. 16, South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland.

Tai Chi classes

Sept. 12 – Nov. 17,  Parks & Rec. Community Room, 20 Recreation Way, Kennebunkport.
Sept. 12 – Nov. 16, Scarborough Community Services (The Hub), 418 Payne Road, Scarborough.
Sept. 11 – Nov. 16, South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland.
Sept. 11 – Nov. 15, Unity Gardens Community Room, 124 Tandberg Trail, Windham.
Sept. 11 – Nov. 15, Tai Chi Deepening (virtual class meets on Zoom).
Sept. 12 – Nov. 16, Tai Chi Deepening (virtual class meets on Zoom).

Preregistration for all classes is required, as class sizes are limited. To register, visit www.smaaa.org/events.html. For more information, contact the SMAA Agewell team at 207-396-6578 or email agewell@smaaa.org.

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is the focal point in Cumberland and York counties for resources, services and information to empower older adults and adults with disabilities.

St. David’s hosting Rollie’s famous Italian supper  

One of the many traditions that was curtailed by the COVID pandemic was the Italian Supper at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk. Summer residents Roland and Patty Gagne would work for weeks preparing a true feast of six or seven courses for the community: chicken piccata, eggplant and chicken parmesan, meatballs, sausage, peppers and onions, and of course, plenty of pasta. Volunteers and guests brought salads and desserts. When the pandemic halted the Gagnes’ annual offering, they’d hoped to resume it once it was safe to gather again. Sadly, Roland died in February, before the dinner could be restarted. As a tribute to a great man who loved a good meal, his children and beloved wife Patty have stepped up to serve Rollie’s Famous Italian Supper this fall. All are welcome to enjoy this meal in his honor on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 5-6:30 p.m. at St. David’s, 138 York St. in Kennebunk. 

Kennebunk Free Library receives “Remote Work Through Libraries” grant

Kennebunk Free Library is thrilled to announce that we are the recipient of a Remote Work Through Libraries grant in the amount of $91,661. This grant comes to us through the Maine State Library by way of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. This funding will be used to expand services for the community’s remote workforce through improvements to our Wi-Fi and electricity, technology additions, and new furniture.

The Town of Kennebunk and the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce supported the library in this competitive grant application process.

Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St. in Kennebunk. For more information, please call 207-985-2173 or visit us online at kennebunklibrary.org

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