WALDOBORO – The Downeast School of Massage will hold an open house at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 1 and 22. Tours of the facility will be given, refreshments will be served and administrators will be on hand for a group discussion as well to answer questions. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the programs and opportunities in the massage therapy field. The school is located at 99 Moose Meadow Lane. Interested individuals should call 832-5531 for a catalog, more information or to sign up for the open house.

Project Rachel

AUGUSTA – Project Rachel of Catholic Charities Maine sponsors Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats for those who are struggling with issues from a previous abortion. The next retreat in Maine will be held Nov. 14 to 16 in Augusta. For more information or to register contact birthinfo@ccmaine.org, call 871-7464 (Portland) or 1-800-CARE-002 (statewide).

First ship

ARUNDEL – The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design welcomes the community to join them at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, for a presentation on Maine’s first ship, the Virginia. Originally built during 1607 to 1608 at the mouth of the Kennebec River, the new Virginia symbolizes the birth of Maine’s shipbuilding tradition. She will be used to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of Maine’s place in early European exploration. For more information, call the Landing School at 985-7976. It is located at 286 River Road.

In harmony

GARDINER – Maine-ly Harmony, a 30-member women’s barbershop chorus and chapter of Harmony Inc. International Organization, invites women of all ages to attend group singing in four-part harmony from 7 to 8 p.m. for the next three Wednesdays, Nov. 5, 12 and 19, at the River View Community School, South Gardiner. Led by co-directors Denise Dyer of Standish and Katherine Greason of Hallowell, the group meets every Wednesday and is learning carols and other holiday music, unaccompanied, barbershop style. The women come from Hallowell, Chelsea, Dixmont, Winterport, Auburn, Vassalboro, Jefferson, Bangor, Fairfield, Waterville, Whitefield and Levant. Call Donna Ryder at 582-5523 or Carolyn Gray at 563-3578 for more information.

Fire program

AUGUSTA – The Pine Tree State Arboretum will present “Fire in the Forests” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Matt Gomes, forest ranger with the Maine Forest Service, has many years of experience fighting forest fires in Maine and the western U.S. In addition to his personal stories, Gomes will discuss fire ecology and prevention and cover the history of forest fires in Maine. Refreshments will be served. The program location is the Viles Visitors Center, 153 Hospital St., and is free to members of the Pine Tree State Arboretum and students and $3 for nonmember adults. Call 621-0031 for more information.

First ship

ARUNDEL – The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design welcomes the community to join them at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, for a presentation on Maine’s first ship, the Virginia. Originally built during 1607 to 1608 at the mouth of the Kennebec River, the new Virginia symbolizes the birth of Maine’s shipbuilding tradition. She will be used to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of Maine’s place in early European exploration. For more information, call the Landing School at 985-7976. It is located at 286 River Road.

Project Rachel

AUGUSTA – Project Rachel of Catholic Charities Maine sponsors Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats for those who are struggling with issues from a previous abortion. The next retreat in Maine will be held Nov. 14 to 16 in Augusta. For more information or to register contact birthinfo@ccmaine.org, call 871-7464 (Portland) or 1-800-CARE-002 (statewide).