Help For New Students

Introducing the Home to School Liaison Program with Leslie McConnell. This program is designed for three and four year olds smooth transition into kindergarten. McConnell will help parents and caregivers provide a positive transition into public schools. For more information, please contact McConnell at 693-6828 or lmcconnell@sad61.k12.me.us

Feb. 16 – 24 is SAD 61 winter break.

Relay for Life

Children at Crooked River Elementary School are challenged to help raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The relay will be held on May 30 from 6 p.m. – 8 a.m. This 14-hour event takes place at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s track in Oxford. If you are interested in joining the cause, please attend our kick off meeting Tuesday Feb. 12 at 3:15 p.m. in the Crooked River Elementary School library. For more details contact Alison Caulfield.

Library Workshops

The Casco Library will hold winter workshops for adults and older teens Sundays at 2 p.m.

• March 2: Creating A Wildlife Sanctuary

Members of the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension will teach this workshop on turning your yard into a wildlife sanctuary. Maine’s Cooperative Extension is the only one in the country currently working with the National Wildlife Federation in its certification program.

• March 9: Identifying Trees In Winter

Pam Edwards, amateur botanist, will teach the basic skills needed to identify trees in the local woodlands. The first part class will be held indoors using twigs to learn basic terminology. The last part of class will be spent outdoors identifying trees using the skills just learned. There is a workshop limit of 10.

• March 16: Spring Floral Design

Create your own arrangement with the help of professional florist Jessica Fay, owner of Raymond Village Florist. Registration is required, and there is a $15 charge for materials.

• March 30: Fly-Tying

Back by popular demand, Dave Morton will once again teach this functional and beautiful craft. Dave will provide all the necessary tools and supplies.

• April 6: Fitness Mythbusters

Carbohydrates: Friend or Foe? Are you confused about carbohydrates and sugar? Let’s figure it out together. Bring the label from one or more of your favorite foods and we will decode the label to find out if it is a friend or a foe. This workshop is great for people trying to lose weight or diabetics learning about the glycemic index. Presented by Lisa Magiera, a personal trainer and owner of BKD Fitness Center.

• April 10: Thursday Big Night Road Watch

Bridie McGreavy, from Lakes Environmental Association, will explain the spring migration of frogs and salamanders. After the first warm spring rains the roads are covered with spotted salamanders, newts, and several varieties of frogs leaving their underground winter homes to reach vernal pools, which serve as their mating grounds. They run the risk of becoming roadkill. Teams will be set up and taught how to aid motorists to avoid them. McGreavy will follow up this event with a workshop on vernal pools.

• April 13: Cooking Traditions Potluck

Join Mark Howard, our cookbook collector and historian, as we explore cooking traditions. Bring a family dish and story to share. Since Howard workshops have been so popular in the past, sign-up is required.

• April 20: Recycled Art

Have fun with this retro art form. Bring in any intriguing items you wish to work with. Materials will be provided. Books with examples are available at the library. Workshop limit is 20

• April 27: Spring Migration

Stella Walsh, birder and long-time Volunteer Naturalist at Maine Audubon, will present a slide show with a focus on migrating birds we might see in our backyards and woods. Participants will also learn some ways to help make their yards bird friendly and tips on finding and enjoying the birds of spring.

For more information, call the library at 627-4541 or check the Web site at

www.casco.lib.me.us

Upcoming Town Meetings

Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Selectmen’s Workshop Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Central Fire Station

Wednesday, Feb. 13 – Planning Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Central Fire Station

Thursday, Feb. 14 – Casco Naples Transfer Station Council Meeting, 7 p.m. Naples Town Office

Monday, Feb. 18 – Casco Town Office closed for President’s Day