Join the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the 29th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, February 13-16. This free and fun event is for people of all birding abilities. Together, we’ll see how many birds from around the world we can spot in 4 days. Can we get one million people to go out birding over the weekend? Find out more!

Safe Families for Children have volunteers in Machias, ready to step in when a family is in crisis by providing caregiving services.  Providers are encouraged to attend one of 2 free Lunch N’ Learns on February 10th and April 9th for information on the impact of Safe Families for Children; who they are, what they offer, whom they serve, and how to refer.  Reach out to maine@safefamilies.net for details.  Download a flyer to share.

---

Downeast Salmon Federation is hosting a free ice fishing day for families on Saturday, February 14th, from 10 am – 2pm at Six Mile Lake in Marshfield.  Download a flyer to share.

---

Save the dates of February 14th–28th for Wayfinder Schools’ Great Escape online Auction – the Valentine’s edition!  Join us online from February 14–28, 2026 for two weeks of exciting bidding, and stay tuned for more details about our incredible Maine Escape travel packages – you won’t want to miss this!

---

[From Sunrise County Economic Council]  Correction: The next Upper Machias Bay Master Plan meeting will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026. We apologize for any confusion.  Join us to share feedback on draft recommendations for the four areas of focus for the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan: downtown flooding, the dike replacement project, water quality and natural resources.  Dinner & childcare will be provided. This is the 4th in a series of public meetings for this project. Learn more about this project here and register for the meeting here.

---

The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center is pleased to announce a new 8-week mindfulness series beginning Thursday, February 26, led by instructor Jen Harry. The program is based on the book Mindfulness: An 8-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World and is designed to help participants build practical skills for stress reduction, emotional wellness, and everyday balance.  This in-person series will be held at the Ellsworth Center with a polycom option for participants joining as a group from the Baileyville Center, as well as a Zoom option for individuals at home.  Sessions will be held on Thursdays at 2 times: 10-11:30 am and 1-2:30 pm. For more information, contact Stacy Foss, stacy@bethwrightcancercenter.org or (207) 667-0339.  Register here.

---

Save the date of September 17th for the 9th annual fundraising dinner benefiting Families First Community Center.  The event will take place at Big Cat’s Catering in Trenton.  Doors open at 4:30 pm.  Watch for more info.

---

Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center is conducting research on cancer data accessibility in Washington, Hancock, and Aroostook Counties. Public health professionals are invited to participate in this survey, whose purpose is to better understand current cancer data access and sharing practices, and to identify any needs, gaps, or barriers related to cancer data resources within our communities. Thank you for your participation and for the important work you do every day to support the health and well-being of Maine communities.  Cancer Data Collaboration Survey

---

Caregivers of aging parents often report having feelings of anticipatory grief, watching a parent’s health decline, and grieving the person they once were—especially if their loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of cognitive decline. Caregivers may have feelings of resentment, guilt, and burnout from constantly questioning whether they’re doing enough.  If you’re juggling school pickup and checking  whether your mom’s nurse show up, you’re living the reality Whitney Port lays bare on With Whit.  In a raw conversation with Care.com general manager and social worker Jill McNamara, Port talks about caring for her mom as her memory declines while still being a present partner and parent. It’s heavy, and she doesn’t sugarcoat it.  Read more.