GRAY – The third annual March of Dimes motorcycle ride to prevent birth defects and premature births will be Saturday, Sept. 20.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the Gray Market Shopping Center on Route 100. For gathering donations of $25 or more, motorcycle riders can participate in a 60-mile trek that ends at Sebago Lake State Park with lunch, entertainment and prizes. Riders raising additional funds will earn incentive prizes.

Coffee and snacks will be provided at registration. Interested riders should contact the March of Dimes at 878-1199 or 1-800-668-5678 for information.

Conference set

PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School will present the third annual Women in Public Life Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.

The conference, “Making a Difference Across the Generations,” will focus on participation by women at all ages in public life. It will include workshops, speakers and forums highlighting leadership and mentoring opportunities.

A schedule is available on the Web site at www.mus-kie.usm.maine.edu/wpl.

Teachers’ seminar

PORTLAND – The Maine Humanities Council and the American and New England Studies Program of the University of Southern Maine are offering teachers in kindergarten through grade 12 a free, one-day seminar on Friday, Oct. 3, titled “Progress and Preservation: Historical Perspectives on the American Environment.”

The seminar will explore American attitudes toward the environment, including the historic tension between growth and preservation.

It will be in the conference room of USM’s Glickman Library. To register, people can call the council at 773-5051. Space is limited to 20 teachers.

Club banquet

ROCKPORT – The Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs will hold its fall conference on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18, at the Samoset Resort. Activities will include workshops, luncheon speakers and a banquet.

The federation, made up of more than 35 clubs, has been involved in community service projects for more than 110 years. Women interested in attending the conference may call Judi Lawrence at 563-3104, Elizabeth Williamson at 763-3488 or their club presidents for details. Hotel reservations need to be made by Sept. 20.

Expo tickets

AUGUSTA – Free admission tickets for Senior Spectrum’s fifth annual Mature Lifestyle Expo are available at more than 80 participating exhibitors throughout Central Maine. The Expo will be Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Coordinator Holly Couture said many nonprofit and community service organizations will be represented.

Couture said admission without a free ticket will be $3 at the door. There will also be music and speaker presentations. For a list of ticket locations and a schedule of events, people can visit Senior Spectrum’s Web site at www.seniorspectrum.com or call 1-800-639-1553.

Mentors organize

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Youth Mentors Inc. was created at the two-day retreat and will meet monthly to develop its program and plan activities. Several youths and parents met in August to organize the mentoring program for youth with disabilities in the western part of the state.

Youths attending the retreat were either home-schooled or attend the following schools: Poland Regional High School, Oak Hill High School in Wales, Leavitt Area High School in Turner, Fryeburg Academy, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris, Jay High School, Mount Blue High School in Farmington, Telstar High School in Bethel and Mountain Valley High School in Rumford. For more information, people can call Michelle Williams at 225-5005 or e-mail her at acotmw@megalink.net.