SACO – “Simple Gifts: The Alfred Shakers 1783-1931,” a new Saco Museum exhibit featuring the history of the Alfred Shakers, will be held Aug. 11 to Oct. 30.

The exhibit about the community life of the Shakers of Alfred explores their industries, lifestyle and religion. Items on display include baskets, furniture, photographs and a variety of decorative and functional accessories.

The exhibit will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. A weekly lecture series is also planned. For more information, contact the Saco Museum, 283-3861.

Volunteers needed

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association needs volunteers for the Common Ground Country Fair on Sept. 23, 24 and 25. The association also needs volunteers for set-up Sept. 17 to 22 and clean-up Sept. 26 to Oct. 8.

Volunteers get free admission to the fair each day that they work and a meal in the kitchen for each four-hour volunteer shift. They also receive a Common Ground Country Fair volunteer T-shirt.

Several areas of the fair need management help from people who would like to get more involved in planning. Anyone interested in joining the team should contact Barbara Luce, fair director, at 568-4142.

Volunteer registration forms will be mailed soon. To receive a volunteer packet in the mail, contact Common Ground Country Fair Volunteers, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988; call 568-4142; or e-mail: cgcf@mofga.org. Registration forms also will be available on-line at www.mofga.org.

Expo coming

AUGUSTA – Summer may have just arrived, but Senior Spectrum is already in the process of putting together the annual end-of-summer event – the Lifestyle Expo. Now in its seventh year, the expo is a celebration of life filled with live entertainment, free health screenings, speaker presentations and businesses and organizations exhibiting their products and services. This year’s expo will be held at the Augusta Civic Center on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17.

The deadline to register as an exhibitor is July 29. For more information, contact Holly Couture at 1-800-282-08764, ext. 146, or at hollyc@seniorspectrum.com.

Workshops

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host a series of workshops about sustainable farming techniques. The workshops are designed for and targeted to participants in the Farm Apprenticeship Program, but are free and open to anyone interested.

They are intended to give apprentices and other young, beginning and aspiring farmers the chance to visit other farms, learn from farmers about their areas of expertise and socialize with peers.

The workshops follow an informal format. They generally begin in the late afternoon with a farm tour, followed by a presentation and demonstration on the topic of the day. Participants are invited to stay for a potluck supper and discussion.

For more information, call 568-4142 or visit www.mofga.org/education.html.

Fair contests

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association encourages organic growers and craftspeople to start planning for this year’s Common Ground Country Fair Exhibition Hall. The fair will take place at the Common Ground Education Center on Sept. 23, 24 and 25.

Contests in the exhibition hall are open to Maine residents. Fairgoers interested in entering the fruits of their labor may obtain rules from www.mofga.org or by contacting the fair office, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988-0170.

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