THOMASTON

Historical fashion program

Historian Julie Stackpole will speak on “Dressing the New Republic – Authentic American Costumes from 1775 to 1805” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Thomaston Historical Society, 80 Knox St.

The program will offer tips for anyone interested in creating period costumes for living history re-enactments, museums or historically accurate displays. It also will provide an informative glossary and terminology of fabrics, where to find patterns and accessories for costume making.

The talk will explain the fashion expectations of this period and samples of reproduced costumes and various types of cloth will be displayed.

A short annual meeting of the society members will take place at 7 p.m. to vote on board appointments, and the program will follow. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more details, call Eve Anderson at 354-8835.

TOPSHAM

Write Your Own Hero workshops set

Topsham Public Library will host three Write Your Own Hero workshops this summer at 25 Foreside Road.

Each of the one-hour sessions will begin at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month and will build on the theme of character writing, though each segment is intended to stand on its own.

This Tuesday’s session, The Only Good Hero is An Anti-Hero, explores the rising popularity of dark fiction, as the classic notion of a hero seems to be losing ground to more complex champions. Follow-up sessions include The Hero’s Choice on July 7 and When The Good Die Young on Aug. 4.

Melissa Walshe will head the sessions. Space is limited and available on a first come, first-served basis. For details, call 725-1727 or go to www.topshamlibrary.org.

Gardening fitness program

The Topsham Garden Club talk “Gardener’s Fitness: Weeding Out the Aches & Pains” will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road.

There will be a business meeting at 12:30 p.m. followed by the program at 1:30 p.m., presented by Dr. Lisa Khoury, an orthopedic surgeon; Richelle Sipiora, a physical therapist; and Kim Odell, an occupational therapist from the Mid Coast Orthopedic Therapy Center.

Attendees should bring a lunch; coffee and dessert will be provided. All are welcome.

For details, call 725-1727 or go to www.topshamlibrary.org.

Nature journaling workshop

A nature journaling workshop will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road.

The activity is intended to help others connect to nature, enhance observation skills, incorporate science, writing, math and art through journaling.

The session is open to all age and skill levels. Paper and writing materials will be supplied or attendees may bring their own journals or notebooks.

To register, call 725-1727 or go to www.topshamlibrary.org.

PORTLAND

First Tuesday Book Club

The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association’s First Tuesday Book Club will meet at noon Tuesday at Mechanics Hall, 519 Congress St.

This month’s selection is “Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch; drinks and sweets will be provided.

For more details, call Pat at 773-8396 or email mcma1857@gmail.com.

Tea in Tate House garden

Tate House Tea in the Garden will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the historic house museum at 1267 Westbrook St.

The garden, which overlooks the Stroudwater River, will be the location for hot and iced teas served with scones, lemon curd, jam, clotted cream and other sweet and savory confections.

The Tate House, a Georgian-style Colonial house, will be open for tours.

Admission is $12 for members and $16 for all others. Reservations are requested by calling 774-6177 or e-mailing info@tatehouse.org.

College planning workshops

The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will host free Essentials of College Planning workshops for adults at the following times and locations:

10 a.m. Tuesdays through June 30 at Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Boulevard.

10 a.m. Wednesdays, June 10 through 24, at Portland Adult Education, 14 Locust St.

To register or for more information, call (800) 281-3703 or go to meoc.maine.edu.

Matter of Balance workshop

A Matter of Balance workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, from June 8 to July 27, at New England Rehabilitation Hospital, 335 Brighton Ave.

The class is designed to help people manage fears of falling, set goals for increasing activity, learn exercises to increase strength and balance, and make changes to reduce the risk of falling. To register or learn more, call 396-6583 or email mdefabritiis@smaaa.org.

Health insurance assistance

Volunteers are offering weekly health insurance assistance presentations from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through August at the Portland Public Library’s Meeting Room No. 2, at 5 Monument Square.

The sessions are intended to help people with questions about health care provided through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

No appointment is necessary. For more details, call Sonya Durney at 871-1700, ext. 711.

Sirius Singers at the library

The Sirius Singers will perform at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Portland Public Library’s Lewis Gallery at 5 Monument Square.

The concert will include an eclectic mix of rounds, spirituals, shape note, show stoppers and even some exotic world music.

For more details, go online to portlandlibrary.com.

‘Those That I Guard’ author

Stephen Johnson will speak about his book “Those That I Guard” at noon Friday in Meeting Room No. 5 of the Portland Public Library at 5 Monument Square.

For more details, call Rachael Weyand at 871-1700 ext. 723.

SCARBOROUGH

Managing chronic pain

A six-week Chronic Pain Self-Management workshop will be offered from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays from July 21 to Aug. 25 at Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 136 Route 1.

The workshop consists of a group of 8 to 12 people who meet weekly to explore the pain and symptom cycle and strategies to manage their pain and other health symptoms.

To register or for more information, call 396-6583.

SACO

Meteorologist at luncheon

John Jensenius, lightning safety specialist and warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, will be the featured speaker at York County Senior College’s annual membership meeting and luncheon set for 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Ramada Inn.

The event will begin with a social hour, followed by a luncheon, council elections and Jensenius’ lecture.

Advance reservation is required by calling 282-4030. The event is free to members and $25 for all others.

Dyer Library concert, exhibit

The Dyer Library Community Gallery will host a concert and opening reception of a photographic art exhibition Tuesday evening at 371 Main St.

The Saco Bay Chamber Ensemble will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception from 7 to 8 p.m. For more details, call 283-3861.

BRUNSWICK

Activist and author to speak

Author and activist Frida Berrigan will speak and read excerpts from her new book, “It Runs in the Family: On Being Raised by Radicals and Growing into Rebellious Motherhood,” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Curtis Memorial Library’s Morrell Hall.

For more details, call Martha Spiess at 232-8270.

FALMOUTH

Plant sale at Sedgewood

Sedgewood Commons will host its annual plant sale from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at 22 Northbrook Drive.

The facility’s chief gardener will host a seminar on organic soil preps and care of perennials and shrubs.

All proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter. Cash or checks made out to the association will be accepted. For more details, call 781-5775.

Cookies for scholarships

There will be a benefit cookie sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Shaw’s Supermarket at 251 Route 1.

Customers are invited to mix and match a dozen homemade and gourmet cookies for $5.

All proceeds are to benefit the Nancy King Memorial Scholarship fund to provide a $1,000 scholarship to a Falmouth High School senior each year.

Donations of home-baked goods are appreciated. For details, call Gail Mason at 803-2279.

YORK

Book talks, more at library

York Public Library will host a variety of programs this week at 15 Long Sands Road.

A book talk on “The Putin Mystique” will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, headed by Mary Behnke.

Author Bette Freedson will discuss her book “Soul Mothers’ Wisdom: Seven Insights for the Single Mother” at 7 p.m. Thursday.

An Adult Mental Health First Aid training session will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness for anyone age 16 and older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or problem. Registration is limited to 30 participants. To register, go to www.namimaine.org/events. For more information, email Christopher@namimaine.org or call 363-2818.

KENNEBUNK

AARP Smart Driver course

The Senior Center at Lower Village will host a four-hour AARP Smart Driver course beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The class is designed to help experienced drivers improve their driving skills and adjust their driving to take into account age-related changes.

Among the topics discussed will be new laws, rules of the road, road configurations and safety features on new cars. Most Maine drivers over the age of 55 will be eligible for a discount on their automobile insurance upon completion of this course.

The fee is $20, with a $5 discount for AARP members. Class size is limited.

To register, call 967-8514.

KENNEBUNKPORT

Dog Day at Seashore museum

Seashore Trolley Museum will sponsor an Animal Welfare Society Dog Day from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 195 Log Cabin Road.

Adoptable dogs will be stopping by and there will be a variety of dog-related activities throughout the day.

Lunch service will be provided by Ned’s Bakes & BBQ.

Events include a blessing of the dogs at 11 a.m., dog washes and manicures, and a fashion show offering prizes for dogs and their owners in a variety of categories at 1 p.m. For more details, call 985-3244 or go to animalwelfaresociety.org.

Graves library programs

Graves Memorial Public Library will host two programs this week at 18 Maine St.

A guest reader from the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust will offer a nature story at 10 a.m. Friday. This program will include themed stories, fingerplays and a craft. All ages are invited.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Seniors to Seniors, a collaboration between Kennebunk High School students and local seniors, will feature editor and mentor Elizabeth Peavey. Refreshments will be served.

No registration is required for either program. For more details, call 967-2778 or go to www.graveslibrary.org.

SOUTH WATERBORO

Talk on unique gravestones

Jeannie Grant of the Waterborough Historical Society will present a talk about unique gravestones located around Waterboro at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Grange Hall at 31 West Road.

The public is invited to come and hear how to adopt a cemetery on or near their land.

Refreshments will be served. For more details, call Jim Carll at 247-5878.