Grange event

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Grange will hold an open house at Headquarters, 146 State St., from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Refreshments will be served.

The Grange, founded in 1867, is the nation’s oldest general agricultural and rural advocacy organization. It is comprised of families and individuals who share a common interest in a wide variety of economic, educational and legislative issues that are represented at all levels of government.

For more information, contact Maine State Grange Headquarters, 1-800-464-3421 or [email protected].

Hosts needed

The World Heritage Student Exchange program is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls from Spain, France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy.

Students are already awaiting word on their host family for the 2006-2007 academic school year. Host families provide room, board and guidance for a teenager living thousands of miles from home. Couples, single parents and families with and without children in the home are all encouraged to apply.

The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins in the fall. Each student is fully insured, brings his/her own personal spending money and expects to bear his/her share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.

For more information, call Bethany Marking at 1-800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.

Track animals

AUGUSTA – An animal tracking workshop will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, led by Dorcas Miller.

The workshop will cover print size, track straddle and stride, habitat/context, scat and other clues. Those attending should bring a tape measure or ruler, paper, pencil, clothes appropriate for the weather and snowshoes. Snowshoes can be rented from the arboretum.

The seminar is designed for adults. An older child may attend if accompanied by a parent.

The seminar will be held with or without snow.

Thirty years ago Miller started sketching the prints she found in snow, sand and mud on near walks and far canoe trips. She subsequently wrote “Track Finder,” a 64-page guide to mammal tracks in eastern United States. She is a naturalist by inclination (not a biologist by training), and has written 11 other books about the outdoors and adventure sports.

Preregistration is required. The fee is $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. The program will begin at the Viles Visitor Center, 153 Hospital St. Call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected].