Last week, over 250 friends and supporters of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences came together for an evening of discovery and inspiration. Through the Big Splash fundraiser, the institute raised over $800,000 in sponsorships and bids — far exceeding the original fundraising goal — all of which will go to support the institute’s “bold science for our blue planet.”

BELFAST — The Waldo County YMCA and Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) are partnering to launch a new back to school tradition, School-a-Palooza, on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Waldo County YMCA. This free community event is designed to help Waldo County students head back to the classroom feeling prepared, supported and motivated. 

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on August 22, Greg Larsen will open his garden at 17 Tuva Trail in Lincolnville as the final event in the 2026 Belfast Garden Club Open Garden Days. The event will be held rain or shine. Admission is $5.

"This lovely space tucked into a woodland area in Lincolnville boasts an abundance of specimen trees," said the Garden Club, in a news release.

Larsen says his fascination with what trees can do and with their diversity and longevity in the landscape inspired his “mini-arboretum.”

Mary Cee, a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist for over two decades and a recovering alcoholic, will present on her book, In the Rooms: A Therapist’s Guide to Getting and Staying Sober, Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m., at the Thomaston Public Library. This collaborative community event is co-sponsored by Cushing and Thomaston public libraries, and is free and open to the public.

Cee "will bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the presentation," said a library news release.

Merryspring Nature Center will host its annual Bug Safari as part of its Free Family Fridays series on Friday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. 

During the Bug Safari, children and their families can learn about, find, and catch insects and other tiny creatures in Merryspring’s gardens.

"Darting dragonflies, buzzing bumblebees, fluttering butterflies, and busy beetles will all be on display during this program on a summer morning," said Merryspring, in a news release.

John Fromer will lead an outdoor presentation, Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 12 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center.

There are many new ornamental flowing plants available at local garden centers, according to Merryspring, in a news release.

"As breeders work to create new introductions to the market, they often cross different varieties which can create beautiful flowers that are not friendly to pollinators," said the news release.

John Fromer will host "Pollination and Pollinators" on Friday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m., as part of its Free Family Fridays series at Merryspring Nature Center.

"Pollination is very important to plants trying to increase their population and creatures looking for fruit, nuts, and seeds including us,
said Merryspring, in a news release.

New monthly series, library programs, and Common Ground Country Fair appearances highlight a growing literary community.

The Waldoboro Public Library launches its new Poet's Corner this September, opening the door to a month of readings, new programs, and literary gatherings that reflect the remarkable growth of Midcoast Maine's poetry community.

John Fromer will lead an outdoor presentation on "Arranging Dried Flowers," on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 12 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center.

Having dried your flowers, it is time to make arrangements. John Fromer has arranged dried flowers since the '80s personally and professionally, according to Merryspring, in a news release. He will discuss design and methods for creating both large and small arrangements. 

Merryspring Nature Center will host a live owl program presented by Chewonki on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. 

Join your friends and neighbors at the Waldo Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, at the Waldo Town Office, located at 629 Waldo Station Road.

Start your day with a guided hike at the Waldo Pound Trail, then enjoy a full day of family fun including a craft fair, bake sale, touch-a-fire truck, dunk tank, kids games, cornhole, cribbage, tug-of-war, races for the kids, and plenty of food including hamburgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork.

SWANVILLE — Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust and MaineHealth’s Community Health program for a guided hike along the trails of Meadow Brook Preserve in Swanville on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The trail has minimal elevation gain and winds through a variety of mature and newer forests and wetlands, with unique views into the wetlands around Hurds Pond. 

The gardens at Belfast CoHousing and EcoVillage, located at 25 Village Road, Belfast, will be open to view on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m, the next-to-last Open Garden Days event of 2026, sponsored by the Belfast Garden Club.

For more than a decade, this community of people who share communal ethics and spirit has lived and gardened in Belfast.

"The plantings added to the 41+ acre property have matured into a beautiful landscape," said the Garden Club. "Vegetable and herb gardens sit alongside perennial beds, fruit trees, and a wide-open landscape."

The public is invited to join a conversation about the Universal Healthcare ballot initiative on Saturday, August 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the First Universalist Church, 345 Broadway in Rockland.

Hosted in partnership with Healthcare for All Maine, this event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the vision for a healthcare system that serves everyone, hear from volunteers and campaign staff, and engage in a respectful discussion about the future of healthcare in Maine.

All are invited to check out what’s growing in more than 10 food and pollinator gardens around Rockland.

Sharon Turner will lead an outdoor presentation on "Native Trees and Shrubs for Birds" on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 12 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center.

Sharon Turner, of Crystal Lake Farm & Nursery, will speak about some of the popular native trees and shrubs that birds can nest and feed in. A short walk to the garden area will follow to discuss the various plants in Merryspring’s Native Tree and Shrub Border.  

People of all ages are invited to a game night, Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m., in the Community Room of the Rockland Public Library. The Library will provide Scattergories, Apples to Apples, checkers, playing cards, cribbage, and puzzles, but participants are welcome to bring a favorite game from home, according to RPL, in a news release.  

Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.