The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE), a leading statewide entrepreneurship development organization since 1997, according to the University of Maine System, in a news release, will move its programs to the UMS Graduate and Professional Center (Maine Center) effective Oct. 1.

The transition will sustain MCE’s proven programs while strengthening the statewide impact of the entrepreneurship, innovation and workforce development efforts of Maine’s public universities, according to UMS. 

First National Bank has launched the Dream First Community Grant, a new $5,000 funding opportunity supporting food security-related programming in the Maine communities the Bank serves. 

One eligible registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, municipality, or school will receive funding to launch a new initiative, expand a promising program, or strengthen an existing service. Applicants must serve residents in Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Hancock, Penobscot, or Washington County.

SOUTH THOMASTON — Join Georges River Land Trust and Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District to learn about the diverse native plant species occupying Maine’s shorelines. Riverview Hayfields Preserve offers both saline and freshwater wetland habitats for exploring a variety of native plant species, how to identify them, and the unique ecological roles they play in our environment, according to GRLT, in a news release. 

CAMDEN—Last month, the long-dormant takeout stand on Route 1 opposite Camden Hills State Park got a new lease on life when Melissa Kachan, and her husband, Michael Travis reopened it and named it Happy's Take Out. 

"The whole idea was to create a positive experience for people," said Kachan. 

ROCKPORT — "Come fly a kite" as Coastal Mountains Land Trust hosts Kites & Ice Cream, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1:30 - 4 p.m., at Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport. This afternoon event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.

Free kites will be provided for registered children, along with a coupon for a complimentary ice cream cone from Sugar Plum’s ice cream trailer; ice cream will also be available for sale for adults, according to CMLT, in a news release. 

SOUTH THOMASTON — Join Georges River Land Trust for a morning on the trails of Weskeag Headlands Preserve constructing homes for fairies out of natural materials. This event will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

DRESDEN — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring an in-person half-day event on Stream Crossing Installation Practices, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, at Pownalborough Hall, 314 Patterson Road in Dresden. The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This 4-hour class qualifies for 4 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP. 

Maine’s annual statewide celebration of craft, community, and creativity returns this fall with Maine Craft Weekend. The event invites the public to plan a route on this free, self-guided craft artist open studio tour to discover the people, places, and stories behind Maine’s unique craft communities. 

CAMDEN—Filmmaker Gideon Baeza, 26, producer Marta Denny, 26, and a cast and crew of approximately 20 recently wrapped three weeks of an intense shoot for Baeza's first feature film, Hope Is Hip. 

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) welcomes Janine Gates, of Belfast, and Brittany Acciavatti, of Lincolnville, to its Board of Directors.

"Both bring valuable experience, strong community ties, and a shared commitment to strengthening nonprofits across Knox and Waldo counties," said UMC, in a news release.

On September 1, the Knox Clinic achieved its official designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center, Look Alike (FQHC-LAL).

"This milestone marks a tremendous leap forward for the nonprofit organization, which was founded by volunteer physicians in 1999," said the Knox Clinic, in a news release.

The Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) is seeking nominations for one elected position on its five-member Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors provides leadership and oversight for the District’s business affairs and operations and helps guide its mission of assisting the community in conserving land and water resources. The Board consists of three elected and two appointed Supervisors, who serve overlapping three-year terms.

Belfast Free Library's building will be closed beginning Monday, September 14, while the front entryway and plaza are under construction.

"We thank you for your patience as we complete this important work, and are glad to be able to provide many of our usual services curbside and have relocated our regularly scheduled programming thanks to local establishments!" said the City of Belfast, in a news release.

Library staff anticipate that this project will conclude on Friday, September 25.