The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in partnership with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), is offering $950,000 in grants and technical assistance to help small rural businesses reduce and manage energy costs.

The funding is available through the Affordable and Clean Energy for Rural Enterprises (ACRE) grant program, which supports energy efficiency, clean energy, and other measures that can lower energy expenditures and improve energy security and resilience, according to a news release.

A much-loved holiday tradition returns to the Camden area December 4 - 6 as the Camden Area Business Group presents the 40th annual Christmas by the Sea, and calls on businesses, organizations and community members to take part in the milestone weekend. 

Celebrate and preserve the vibrant heritage of St. George during "Celebrate Our Roots: Annual Meeting & Collection Highlights," Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., at the St. George Historical Society Museum, 38 Main Street, Tenants Harbor.   

"Whether you have called our town home your entire life or are a history enthusiast just discovering its unique charm, you are warmly invited to connect with neighbors and friends at our annual gathering," said the Historical Society, in a news release.

PORT CLYDE — Herring Gut Coastal Science Center welcomes Kayleigh Amerman to its Port Clyde team as an AmeriCorps member serving as Assistant Environmental Educator through Goodwill Northern New England’s GoodHealth Works AmeriCorps program.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey,” a free virtual session, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. The one-hour meeting is designed for individuals interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer.

Led by Jen Lobley, Extension Educator for Volunteer Development, the session will introduce what makes 4-H unique, ways volunteers can help young people thrive and roles that may fit different interests and schedules. No previous experience is required.

The Belfast Senior College will hold its Fall Fun(d)raising Auction Party on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at the Waldo County Shrine Club. 

"Bring your friends for a night of socializing and amusement," said the College, in a news release. "Browse the silent auction items then sit back with delicious finger foods and drinks, ready for the live auction action to begin."

Items to bid on include a night at The Alden House bed and breakfast, a signed archival print of a Jerri Finch original oil painting, “Burning Off," and a variety of other art works, food and craft items.

THOMASTON — Watts Hall Community Arts will host the Dot Jameson & Lucy Mayo Memorial Bean Supper on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m., at Watts Hall, 174 Main Street in Thomaston. The community supper will honor two longtime Thomaston residents whose love of cooking and commitment to their community left a lasting mark on the town. Proceeds will benefit the Thomaston Inter-Church Fellowship Food Pantry. 

Mandy Belanger, of Lewiston, could once afford three meals a day for herself, her two children and her mother, but she had to make difficult cuts in recent years while navigating the biggest surge in grocery prices in a half century. 

The Walker Building Redevelopment Project is reviving the Walker School Walk-a-thon as a community fundraiser to help the town pay for building renovations. This 5K “Walker-thon” will also host a Fun Run for those wanting to run rather than walk. The event will take place (rain or shine) on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m., starting and finishing at Walker School, 33 West Main Street, in Liberty. 

For many years, Walker students sought pledges from family and friends and walked to support their school.

The Waldoboro Fire Department will host its annual Open House on Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited to the fire station at 1600 Atlantic Highway in Waldoboro. There will be fire truck rides, popcorn, games, and an opportunity to meet Sparky the Fire Dog. 

During the event you can view the department's history through photos and news stories throughout the years. 

MaineHealth has been awarded a five-year, $13.2 million Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. The funding will be used to further develop the COBRE in Acute Care Research and Rural Health established by the MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) five years ago to improve research and rural health outcomes in diseases such as cardiac arrest, stroke, opioid use disorder, schizophrenia and newborn resuscitation.