Tree ID snowshoe walk

BUCKFIELD — The McLaughlin Garden and Homestead and the Western Foothills Land Trust are co-sponsoring a winter tree identification snowshoe walk on Sunday, Feb. 17. Tish Carr, who is a forester and Norway’s tree warden, will lead the walk on the newly opened Packard Trail at the Virgil Parris Forest.

The two-mile Packard loop trail meanders through a wooded slope towards the southwest shore of South Pond in Buckfield. The trail was chosen because it provides a great diversity of tree species, views above South Pond and includes interesting geology like whalebacks, waterfalls and talus slopes.

The hike should last for two hours. There is no charge for the hike, but participants are asked to reserve a spot by calling 739-2124. Anyone needing snowshoes should call before Feb. 16.

Meet at the McLaughlin Garden gate at 10:45 to carpool to the trail. Four-wheel drive vehicles may park at the Packard trailhead, which is 1.2 miles south of Route 117 on the Sodom Road. In case of inclement weather, the walk will be rescheduled to Monday, Feb. 18.

Student play to be staged

MONMOUTH — Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers will present Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Showtimes will be Feb. 21, 22, 28 and March 1 at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 23 and March 2 at 2 p.m. at The Theatre at Monmouth.

Tickets are $10 for students and seniors, $12 for adults or $30 for a family. Call 370-0441 or email smashmaine@gmail.com. For more information visit smashmaine.jimdo.com.

YMCA launches new website

AUBURN — The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA has announced its new interactive website, www.alymca.org, including a new promotional video, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” The video features various community members who talk about how the YMCA has impacted their lives and those of their family.

As a nonprofit, charitable organization, the YMCA offers services and programs to meet the needs of the community. The video and website highlight the impact of Y programs on those in the Auburn-Lewiston region and how the Y fulfills its mission in three areas of focus: for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility.

“The Auburn-Lewiston YMCA is vital to our community. What it creates is a family place to be… a character-building environment, a health and wellness environment,” said Mark Anthoine Sr., president of the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA board of directors, in the video.

The video will be utilized to educate and inform various audiences in the community about the YMCA, its services, mission, programs and as part of the annual fundraising campaign. The www.alymca.org website is a newly designed, ongoing resource for Auburn-Lewiston YMCA members and the community to access information about the Y, events, schedules, news, registration and contact resources.

For more information, contact Kristin Melville, development director, at (207) 795-4095 or kmelville@alymca.org.

Open house at Fiddlehead school

GRAY — Open house dates to learn more about the regional Fiddlehead Art & Science School are scheduled for 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 23, March 2 and 9, and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 27, March 6 and 13.

For more information call 657-2244.

Fiddlehead School of Arts & Science, at 25 Shaker Road, was approved on Feb. 5 by the Maine Charter School Commission to become one of Maine’s first public charter schools. Guided by core values and inspired by Reggio Emilia, child-centered and place-based approach to learning, the regional school will open in the fall with 42 students in pre-K, kindergarten, first and second grade. Plans include expansion by one grade level per year culminating with fifth grade.

Though children may come from anywhere in the state, the catchment area includes Auburn, Casco, Cumberland, Gray, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Minot, Poland, Pownal, Raymond and Windham.

Tuesday book club selection

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Library’s Tuesday morning book club has announced its next selection: “The Casual Vacancy,” by J.K. Rowling. The next meeting of the club will take place on Tuesday, March 12, at 10:05 a.m. in the library’s Couture Room.

This newly-formed book club is accepting new members. To register, contact the LPL Adult Services Department at 513-3135 or LPLReference@LewistonMaine.gov.

LPL has three additional book clubs with openings for new members. For details, visit LPLonline.org/Bookclubs or contact the Adult Services Department.