Wednesday, Feb. 19

Magician BJ Hickman will perform at the Wells Public Library Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Hickman entertains family audiences with comedy magic, dazzling deceptions and mind reading miracles. Hickman’s audience participation magic shows are a popular favorite throughout New England. He also performs at various nationwide venues, including the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. This event is free, no registration is required and it is sponsored by the Friends of the Wells Public Library. Contact Devin Burritt at 646-8181 or dburritt@wellstown.org with any questions. Directly after the magic show, around noon, the library will host “Reclaimed Inventions” for all ages. This free event will require participants to use their creativity to invent a robot, design a building or make a toy car using recycled materials, a little glue and possibly some glow-in-the-dark duct tape.

Thursday, Feb. 20

Dana Peterson will recount Edward Emery’s views of the Civil War on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum. Emery, born in Sanford in 1836, received his master’s degree from Bowdoin College in 1861. In 1863, he enlisted in the 17th Maine Infantry Regiment and participated in 13 engagements in the Virginia campaign. At Spottsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, he was twice severely wounded but recovered. Emery became a teacher and is known locally as the author of the first History of Sanford. Peterson, historian of Sanford’s North Parish Congregational Church, found Emery’s Civil War diaries at Bowdoin College. The Historical Museum is located at 505 Main St. in Springvale and is handicapped accessible. All are welcome to attend this interesting program, which commences at 7 p.m. There is no charge for admission.

Winter Wildlife Day at Wells Reserve is set for Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the family to explore the trails and treasures of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. Enjoy live animal presentations at 10 a.m. and noon; go on a wildlife tracking walk at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; get bird-watching tips; or create a wildlife project to take home. Bring sleds and snowshoes. Winter Wildlife Day is jointly presented by the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Center for Wildlife and York County Audubon, and is free for all. For more information, visit www.wellsreserve.org.

Friday, Jan. 21

The Kathy Duke “An Act of Love” variety benefit show will take place at the Biddeford City Theater Friday, Jan. 21. The event will feature rock music and comedy. The variety show is from 6-9 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $5. The benefit is in memory of Duke, who died Jan. 14, and was co-director of Stone Soup Food Pantry in Biddeford for many years. The show will benefit the food pantry.

Saturday, Feb. 22

An introduction to Vibrant Africa, through the eyes of the pan-Africanist poem “Karibu Celebration” by Saco-based writer Lindiwe Priscilla Krasin, will be Saturday, Feb. 22, 12:30-1:30 p.m., at the McArthur Public Library, 270 Main St. in Biddeford. A reading of the poem and discussion will be led by Krasin. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 391-0062.

The Republican Caucus of the Town of Lyman will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at the town hall. All Lyman registered Republicans are urged to attend.

Monday, Feb 24

The Maine Educational Opportunity Center hosts a free workshop “Essentials of College Planning” for adults 19 and older at the Springvale CareerCenter, 9 Bodwell Court, Sanford, at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. To register or for more information, call 1-800-281-3703 or visit http://meoc.maine.edu.