NASA guest

CUMBERLAND – The Southern Maine Astronomers will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Congregational Church.

Dr. Carl Pilcher, science program director of solar system exploration for NASA, will discuss NASA’s exploration program and, in particular, Mars, which will be in its best viewing position in many decades at the end of October.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, visit www.southernmaineastronomers.org.

Grange conclave

HINCKLEY – The 132nd annual Maine State Grange convention will be held at the Goodwill-Hinckley School from Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 26 to 29. The convention will begin with an annual banquet at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $19 and must be purchased in advance.

Other highlights will include the state master’s annual address, presentation of the budget, committee reports, action on resolutions, award presentations, a memorial service and election of state officers.

Scheduled speakers include Robert Spear, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Jay Pfeiffer, National Grange Gatekeeper. A full schedule of events is available online at www.mainestategrange.org/annual_convention.html or by calling 1-800-464-3421.

Open houses

LIMESTONE – The Maine School of Science and Mathematics will host open houses on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11, and Sunday and Monday, Jan. 15 and 16. Prospective families are invited to participate in scheduled events, or, upon request, transportation will be provided from key points on the interstate.

The tentative student pick-up and drop-off locations along I-95 are as follows: Westbrook, Lewiston, Augusta, Hampden, Medway and Houlton.

To reserve a space or request a 2006-2007 application, call the Admissions Office at 800-325-4484.

Food training

AUGUSTA – The first intensive, 12-week business skills course custom designed to increase profits and opportunities for businesses in Maine’s food industry begins next month in three locations.

The training, called “Calculated Risk,” includes modules in marketing, finance, funding sources and other topics intended to help business owners find and leverage a competitive edge and capture new opportunities.

The schedule is as follows: Bangor, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Family Business Center at Husson College; Augusta, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campus Center Conference Room at University of Maine at Augusta; Portland, Thursday, Nov. 3, 6 to 9 p.m. at 202 Payson Smith on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Campus.

For more information or to register, contact Sarah Hutchins at Maine SBDC at 780-4420 or visit www.mainesbdc.org to register on-line.

Rose society

AUGUSTA – The Mid-Maine Rose Society will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Ground Round Restaurant, 110 Community Drive.

Luncheon will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the meeting following at 1 p.m. Election of officers and annual reports will be held, followed by Bob Morse, North American Kelp, as speaker. All are invited.

Receives award

WESTBROOK – Junior Achievement of Maine has been awarded the nonprofit organization’s Gold Summit Award, one of Junior Achievement’s highest honors.

It is given by the JA Worldwide Headquarters to local offices that have reached outstanding success in financial health, program quality, management effectiveness and program growth. It was the second year the office has received the award. For more information, visit www.ja.org.

No hunting

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. – Hunters are reminded that hunting, weapons possession and use of off-road vehicles, including ATVs and motorcycles, are prohibited on National Park Service lands acquired for the protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Hikers and other recreational users are advised to wear hunter orange vests and caps during hunting seasons to increase their visibility on state or federal lands where hunting is allowed.

Maps that show the lands where hunting is prohibited are available for viewing at the Appalachian Trail Park Office, High Street, Harpers Ferry, West Va., (304) 535-6278; and at Appalachian Trail Conference Regional Offices in Lyme, N.H. (603) 795-4935; Boiling Springs, Pa. (717) 258-5771; and Blacksburg, Va, (540) 961-5551.

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