Briefly

Art classes for kids start today

LEWISTON — Art classes with Miss Jen will be held at the YWCA. Children can learn the art of paper mache.

The five-week course will be offered to 4-7 year olds on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and to 8-12 year olds on Thursdays, May 22 through June 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Member price is $45; nonmembers, $55.

The YWCA of Central Maine is at 130 East Ave.

Workshop identifies tree pests

AUBURN — A tree pest workshop will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the Auburn Public Library.

Learn to identify the signs of three of the most destructive insects that threaten Maine trees: Emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle and hemlock woolly adelgid.

Damage is projected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars — as bad as the Dutch elm disease if left unchecked.

The program is free and open to the public.

It is hosted by the Lewiston Auburn Community Forest Board.

For more information, contact Richard Shea at leftyrick@aol.com or 782-7018.

Iris, Spring Flower Show is May 24

LEWISTON — The 38th annual Median Iris and Spring Flower Show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 24, in the multi-purpose room at Lewiston High School, 156 East Ave. The entrance to the show is in the back of the school.

The smaller irises that bloom in May in Maine gardens are the focus of this show, accompanied by spring flowers including bulbs, perennials and flowering shrubs. Certified judges and people’s choice categories, horticulture and design divisions, combine to provide a colorful scene.

Wildflowers cultivated in gardens compete for the Bernard W. McLaughlin award. A special award is given to the best dandelion in remembrance of Phil Mellicone. American Iris Society Awards are given for the best iris specimens and are judged by certified judges. The best floral arrangement is given the Clara MacClaren award. The public is invited to vote in the people’s choice categories.

The show will be accompanied by a perennial sale. Admission is free.

Free coffee, treats at Poland church

POLAND — Free coffee and treats will be served from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at the Minot United Methodist Church, corner of Route 121 and Empire Road. The coffee is open to the public and everyone is is invited.

Community yard sale in Poland

POLAND — A community yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the A.B. Ricker Memorial Library, Route 26. Rain date will be Saturday, June 14.

More than 15 individual sellers with all kinds of items, large and small, will be participating. A used book sale will be an important part of this event.

There is still time for others to join the fun. Tables rent for $2 each and sellers are asked to donate 10 percent of the day’s profits to Friends of Ricker Library, the group organizing this fundraiser.