BOOTHBAY HARBOR – The Garden Club Federation of Maine will hold its 72nd convention on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 10, 11 and 12, at the Spruce Point Inn. The theme is “A Fantastic Journey through the Orient.”

Club members all over the state will gather to hear Jane Cheema speak on “Feng Shui,” Dr. Clifton Olds, Bowdoin College’s professor of oriental history, will discuss “Beauty and Illusion in the Japanese Garden,” and Arthur Davis will talk on “Bonsai.”

There will be an evening cruise as well as garden tours, brainstorming sessions, an oriental fashion show, awarded presentations, luncheons and a banquet.

For additional information, contact convention chairman Sandy Terry, Boothbay Harbor Garden Club, at 633-6891.

The federation has its own Web site: www.mainegardenclubs.com. The pages include the history of the state federation, its goals, the president’s project and information about the garden study and landscape design schools.

Maine-based horticultural groups that would like to be linked to the site should contact Melda Page at 465-7892 or hollyhock@adelphia.net.

Writers’ conclave

PORTLAND – The University of New England’s Maine Women Writers Collection announces the inaugural University of New England Writers’ Conference on Friday through Sunday, June 27 to 29, at the Abplanalp Library, UNE’s Westbrook campus, 716 Stevens Ave.

The theme is “Writing New England: Historical Fiction and Creative Nonfiction,” featuring the best-selling author Sena Jeter Naslund and Pulitzer Prize nominee Bunny McBride. Both will give public readings at the library.

The conference is open to men and women writers, from beginners to advanced. For more information, contact David Kuchta, conference director, 283-0170, extension 2174, or visit www.une.edu/admin/lir/mwwc/writconf.

Teen conference

ORONO – The Maine 4-H Teen Council will present a statewide teen conference, “Health Rocks!,” on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29, at the Old Town YMCA. Intended for Mainers between the ages of 12 and 19, the conference will feature social activities and a variety of workshops related to health and fitness.

Groups and organizations sending more then six participants are asked to provide a chaperone. The registration fee is $35. Nineteen workshops are scheduled. There will also be time for social and recreational activities.

Maine humorist Joe Bennett and the “KISS’ Rock Band,” featuring local police officers, will provide the entertainment. A dance with a DJ is scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Registration forms are available by calling 1-877-444-8623. The deadline is Monday, June 16.