Friends of Merrymeeting Bay on Wednesday, Jan. 10 will host their annual potluck supper, membership meeting and fourth presentation of the 21st annual winter speaker series. Lee Cranmer, retired Maine Historic Preservation Commission historic archaeologist will be the featured speaker. The event takes place in Bowdoin’s Cram Alumni Building, 83 Federal St., Brunswick. All are welcome at the 6 p.m. potluck and 7 p.m. program.

Cranmer’s presentation, “A Tale of Three Privies,” looks at the archaeological excavation of privies on three diverse sites, an 18th-century fort, a 19th-century farmstead, and a 19th-century urban house. From the large quantity of nearly complete artifacts recovered, a picture of varying lifestyles emerges, along with an understanding of the different material cultures from each habitation site.

Cranmer retired in August 2010 from the MHPC and continues to conduct archaeology on a freelance basis including a number digs for FOMB. Cranmer has worked in Maine archaeology for almost 30 years and conducted well over 20 years of archaeology for the State. Prior to this, he spent two seasons in England doing archaeology.

All are welcome for the 6 pm potluck supper and brief membership meeting. Bring a dish to share and your own place setting if possible.

All FOMB Speaker Series events (second Wednesdays of each month from October-May) are free, open to the public and supported by Patagonia, Inc. in Freeport. The Feb. 14 presentation features wildlife biologist and forester Steve Pelletier, speaking about Maine bats. This event takes place in the Morrell Meeting Room of Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick.

For more information contact FOMB at (207) 666-1118 or fomb@comcast.net.