This February, Porter Memorial Library’s StoryWalk® will feature The Giving Tree, a beloved classic by Shel Silverstein that tells the story of a tree’s unconditional love for a boy as he grows up. The tree selflessly provides for the boy at every stage of his life, offering her apples, branches, and trunk until she has nothing left. The book introduces young readers to the joy of selfless giving and the complexities of love and happiness.  Learn more.

The American Public Health Association’s Keep It Moving Challenge makes it easy and fun to promote healthy behaviors and engage in physical activity and movement in your community. We have tools to help you find creative ways to stay active and motivate others in your neighborhood, workplace or congregation. Every move counts! Invite your whole community to join!  Take your goals further with the free APHA Keep It Moving app. Track progress, build a team and earn points along the way. Get started and learn more here. (Remember you must download the app and register each year). Join anytime before April 13th!

Winter/Spring workshops from Assets for Artists are now live and open for registration. This season features some of their most popular sessions, returning favorites, and brand-new offerings—all FREE for artists in Maine.   New workshops this season:
⚡️ How to Survive As An Internationally Touring Indie Artist
⚡️ Show Biz: Independent Production & Collaboration Between Producers
⚡️ Artists Residencies 101
Spots fill quickly—don’t miss out! Learn more and register now.

Washington County Community College is offering a new 5-course sequence that will begin on 2/17 and run in three consecutive modules, with fully online, asynchronous courses—making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.  The courses are free through the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce.  This is a great way for individuals new to the industry to start the ECE pathway and degree track or for people working in the field who need ECE courses for certification or professional development.  See program flyer for details  or check out the program webpage.

Registration is live for Cobscook Institute’s Downeast Spring Birding Festival, May 23rd — 26th.  This event provides a unique birding experience during spring migration and the breeding season with four days of guided hikes, boat tours, and presentations, all led by local guides with local knowledge. The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has named the Down East Spring Birding Festival one of the best in the country, and Yankee Magazine listed it as an Editor’s Choice event in 2014.  Learn more and register here.

The Washington County Extension Association seeks nominations for the 2025 Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award, honoring a Washington County resident whose volunteerism has enhanced the lives of community members. Norman W. Duzen had a special place in his heart for the people of Washington County and donated many hours of his time to make their lives better. The recipient of this award will receive a wooden keepsake box, engraved with their name, at the WCEA annual meeting. The recipient’s name also will be added to a plaque at the Washington County UMaine Extension office. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 21. Nominee form and more information are available on the award webpage or by contacting 800-287-1542 (in Maine), 207-255-3345; tara.a.wood@maine.edu.

(From “Spoonful: A Bite-Sized Food and Nutrition Blog”)  We are in the thick of soup season and let’s be honest, who can ever have enough soup recipes to try? This Winter Black Bean Soup recipe is one of the fastest soup recipes I have made, coming together in less than 30 minutes perfect on busy weeknights.  Read more.

Some of the contact information to apply for the part-time executive assistant position supporting Down East Hospice Volunteers has changed.  See below.  This position is based in our Calais office. Compensation is negotiable, with vacation and holiday benefits offered — exceptional for a part-time position. To apply please send your resume and cover letter to: Down East Hospice Volunteers,  24 Hospital Lane, Calais, ME, 04619; or call Barbara Barnett, Executive Director at 207-726-5087; or send your resume and cover letter to: downeasthospice@yahoo.com.  View the job description.

What Caregivers Really Want Their Friends to Know: Remember when your first friends entered parenthood and you thought they seemed so boring and self-absorbed. And, then… you had a baby and you got it?  Well, that’s happening again. Only this time, it’s because some of us have started taking care of our aging parents. And others are wondering what happened to their fun friends. Read more.