ROCKLAND — The Rockland Public Library presents Lance Lee, Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to all.

When the Acura Legend sedan arrived in the U.S., in 1986, we were already imprinted on Honda cars and motorbikes (not to say lawnmowers, snowblowers and outboard motors), so a luxury brand from the same company, while novel, was well received. Toyota and Nissan soon followed with Lexus and Infiniti, and it didn’t take long for distinct identities to emerge for each — identities that have changed little, if at all, in four decades. 

ROCKLAND — Program staff for Trekkers completed a Youth Mental Health First Aid course in March. Delivered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the website says, “just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.”

ST GEORGE — The St. George MSU Board has approved Dr. Christina Wotton as the next superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. The current superintendent, Mike Felton, who has led the district for ten years, will be stepping up to become the Executive Director of the CTE Makerspace Program.

Maine Department of Labor announces its no-cost upcoming trainings for May 2025.

Heat Illness Prevention -
May 6, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. This course educates employers on signs and symptoms of heat illness, recognizing heat hazards, and providing resources to keep workers safe.

CAMDEN — Join Matt Blazek, director of Educational Operations with Maine’s First Ship, for a fascinating presentation about the 1607 pinnace Virginia, the history of the Popham Colony, and the Bath-based nonprofit’s reconstruction of the ship as an educational and community project. This program will take place Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., in the Picker Room. All are welcome.

CAMDEN — The Camden Rotary Club has awarded grant awards totaling $40,000 to 11 local nonprofit organizations.

The Penobscot Bay YMCA received $7,000 to help support the continued operations of its childcare centers. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare enables parents to maintain steady employment while ensuring their children receive enriching social, emotional, and educational development opportunities.

CAMDEN — The next installment in the United Midcoast Charities' LEARN @ UMC workshop series is Turning Fad into Function: How to Actually Start Using AI at Your Organization. This hands-on session will introduce nonprofit professionals to practical ways AI can enhance their daily work, from writing prompts that yield better results to integrating AI into workflows for content creation, donor strategy, and more.

CAMDEN — Nick Pucello, of Rockport, has joined Allen Insurance and Financial as a commercial lines producer, specializing in marine insurance.

Pucello holds a bachelor’s degree in small vessel operations and a master’s degree in international logistics management, both from Maine Maritime Academy. Additionally, he holds a 1,600-ton USCG masters license and a property and casualty insurance license in the state of Maine.

CASTINE — Maine Maritime Academy is the recipient of a $1.5 million gift from Guy E. Mossman ’79E that will establish The Maine Maritime Academy Endowed Chair of Nuclear and Reliability Engineering in memory of Edward L. Mossman ’50E. The funds associated with the endowment will support a faculty chair position in the Academy’s Department of Engineering in perpetuity.

ROCKLAND — In its second winter in existence, the Emergency Warming Center in Rockland saw five times the usage in comparison to its inaugural year, partly because it was open three times more often and more people were learning of the shelter’s existence. The volunteer organizers are elated by the increase in numbers walking through the doors on the coldest nights.

ROCKPORT — Aldermere Farm, at 20 Russell Ave, will open its doors and barnyard to the public, Saturday, May 3, during Calf Unveiling Day to introduce the newest members of Aldermere’s Belted Galloway herd. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. volunteers will give behind-the-scenes tours of the barnyard and the calves born this spring.

CAMDEN — The Camden Rotary Club celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with members recalling its history and anticipating further efforts in the coming years. 

BELFAST — Nicolle Littrell, of DoryWoman Rowing, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Women’s Net, a national organization that provides funding for female business owners and entrepreneurs. Littrell’s proposal won the monthly Business Category grant in Health & Fitness for February.  

THOMASTON — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting Maine Audubon’s Stream Smart Training – Phase One for Municipalities in Knox County, Tuesday, April 29, at the Lura Libby Room, Town of Thomaston.

This training is the first part in a three-part series geared toward Knox County thanks to the generous funding through the Midcoast Council of Governments “Weathering the Storm project.”

On Monday, April 7, 2025, updated building codes take effect in Maine, leading to energy savings while improving health and safety in new residential and commercial construction, according to the Fire Marshal's Office, in a news release.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office and other state agencies, is sharing information about the updated codes to ensure that homeowners, code enforcement officers, builders, architects, design professionals, and others are aware of the changes.

OLD TOWN — The University of Maine unveiled its new robotic milking barn – the third of its kind in Maine and a new resource for bolstering the agricultural workforce and pursuing research activities – at Witter Farm in a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday, April 2.