BIDDEFORD
Cultural and Heritage Center to hold presentation on local Jewish history
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will host a virtual presentation on the history of Jewish life in the Biddeford-Saco area at 6:30 p.m. Thursday via Zoom.
BCHC board member, local historian, and fourth-generation member of one of Biddeford’s oldest Jewish families, Jennie E. Aranovitch will present on topics including Jewish emigration to Biddeford; the history of Biddeford’s synagogue, Congregation Etz Chaim; and the cultural aspects of Jewish life in Biddeford-Saco, including adherence to kosher dietary laws, the evolving role of women, the establishment of local chapters of national Jewish organizations, contributions of local Jewish war veterans and the important role played by Jewish business owners in the area, particularly in Biddeford’s downtown.
Aranovitch is the curator of the 2006 Saco Museum exhibit “A Century of Jewish Life in Biddeford-Saco,” which was held in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Congregation Etz Chaim. She also authored a chapter, “A History of Congregation Etz Chaim: Biddeford, Maine” in the book Houses of Worship: Saco, Maine” (2011).
To request the Zoom link, please contact BCHC at bchc04005@gmail.com or call 283-3993.
For more details about the organization or the event, visit biddefordculturalandheritagecenter.org, email bchc04005@gmail.com, or contact BCHC president Diane Cyr at 283-3993.

Free course teaches bystanders how to stop life-threatening bleeding
To honor veterans and first responders, Nine Tigers Kung-Fu will host a “Stop the Bleed,” a free community training event from 7 to 9 p.m. at 321 Elm St.
Stop The Bleed campaign is a special national initiative designed to provide bystanders with the tools and knowledge to stop life-threatening bleeding, that can kill within minutes before EMS or other public safety providers arrive. Thus, the person closest to you may be the only one who can “stop the bleed” fast enough.
The 90-minute course will be taught by John Mulloy, EMT, and includes a formal presentation and hands-on practice of direct pressure application, wound packing, and use of a tourniquet. The course was developed for a nonmedical audience to teach you how to control life-threatening bleeding until help arrives.
For more details, go to zodiaccombatsports.com/events or call 303-4550.

BUXTON
Church hosts plant and baked goods sale
Tory Hill Church will hold its annual plant, green elephant and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1197 River Road.
The event will feature a variety of annuals, perennials, baked goods and a green elephant table, with an assortment of used pots, garden tools, etc.
Luncheon items, including hot dogs, potato chips and drinks, will be available. The event will be held rain or shine.

CAMDEN
Learn more about the immigrant experience 
The Camden Public Library welcomes Georges Budagu Makoko for the second online talk in its new immigrant experience series at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Makoko will talk about his journey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the U.S., his experience seeking asylum in Maine, and his transition to citizenship. He will share thoughts about the kinds of help that immigrants need and read excerpts from his memoir “Ladder to the Moon: Journey from the Congo to America.” Makoko’s appearance is co-hosted by Connecting Across Cultures. Email jpierce@librarycamden.org to request a link to attend.

Food writer to compare past and present Tuscany
Local food writer Nancy Harmon Jenkins will head an online presentation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, providing an insider’s look at how Tuscany of the past contrasts with Tuscany of today.
Using photographs taken over the years, Jenkins will give an intimate look at how her Tuscan community has been transformed and how her neighbors have morphed into residents of the 21st century. She will reveal how different the real Tuscany is from the version celebrated in romantic novels, travelogues, and films.
Camden Public Library will sponsor the event.
Email jpierce@librarycamden.org to request a Zoom link to attend.

FALMOUTH
Master Gardener Plant Sale announces order deadline
The 26th annual University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale is an online event this year, with advance orders being accepted until May 26, with pickups of orders to be held Memorial Day weekend, from May 28 to June 1 at Village Park, 271 Falmouth Road.
The online catalog includes hundreds of locally grown vegetables, flowers, herbs, native, and perennial offerings. All proceeds from this plant sale support educational and food security projects across Cumberland County and include large undertakings such as demonstration gardens, Maine Harvest for Hunger initiatives, therapeutic gardens, school gardens, and youth programs.
Place orders online along with a date and time to pick up the plants. Master Gardener volunteers will be on-hand to help load purchases and answer any questions.
For more details, go to extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/master-gardener-plant-sale, call Pamela Hargest at 781-6099 or email pamela.hargest@maine.edu.

KENNEBUNK
Free online workshop to decode food labels
The Registered Dietitians of Nourished Lifestyles LLC will offer a free online workshops on decoding food labels at 7 p.m. Tuesday and again at noon Friday.
Popular food labels include “100% natural,” “free range,” and “made with organic ingredients.” Some of that information is required, and some is just food marketing to get you to buy the product. Owner of Nourished Lifestyles and registered dietitian Leslie Ouellette-Todd will help to decipher what information is important and what can be disregarded. A Q&A will follow.
To register, go to nourishedlifestyles.com/events.

OTISFIELD
Plant sale benefits carnival admission 
The Otisfield Volunteer Firemen’s Association will hold a Perennial Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Spurr’s Corner Fire Station, located at 994 Route 121.
The sale will feature an assortment of healthy, home-grown, winter-hardy perennials. Sales will directly benefit an effort to allow families to attend the Otisfield Winter Carnival for free.
Those who wish to donate plants for the fundraiser should contact Noreen Edwards at 627-7033. Masks are required at the sale.