Happy proclamation

AUGUSTA – The Secret Society of Happy People has announced that Gov. John Baldacci proclaimed Jan. 15 to 21, as Hunt for Happiness Week in Maine.

“When our nation was founded, one of the cornerstones of our constitution was the right to pursue happiness,” Baldacci said in the proclamation. “I urge all citizens to acknowledge and further their commitment to increase their personal happiness by pursuing happiness during the week.”

Since 2002, Hunt for Happiness Week has been sponsored by the Secret Society of Happy People the third week of every January to encourage people to actively seek happy moments.

The society’s Web site, www.sohp.com, provides I-Spy Coupons, a 31 Types of Happiness Word Search, Happy Inventory and age-appropriate youth activity suggestions for schools or youth organizations.

“Secret Society of Happy People members in Maine are very happy that Gov. Baldacci recognizes the importance of happiness,” said member, Carol Ayer, proclamation coordinator of Maine.

Astronomy course

FALMOUTH – Maine Audubon will offer an introductory course on astronomy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 24 and 31, Feb. 2, 21 and 28 and March 7.

Taught by astronomer Lori Agan, the course will provides an overview of astronomical information.

The course is $72 for Audubon members, $90 for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary. For more information, call 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Birding trip

PORTLAND – Maine Audubon will lead a trip to explore greater Portland’s birding hot spots from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 28.

Led by Linda Woodard and Turk Duddy and traveling together in Maine Audubon’s van, the group will start at Back Cove to scan the water for waterfowl, then work its way around the East End to Portland’s waterfront to check the congregations of gulls for unusual species.

The group will cross the bridge to Willard Beach and head to the Cape Elizabeth shore to Portland Head Light, Two Lights State Park and Kettle Cove (time and weather permitting.) Participants can expect to see loons, grebes, great cormorant, duck species and other seabirds.

The trip is $18 for Maine Audubon members, $22 for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary. For details and registration, call 781-2330. For more information about Maine Audubon, visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Hunt for lynx

KOKADJO – Maine Audubon is offering a trip to track Canada lynx in Maine’s North Woods from 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Feb. 3 to 5.

“Maine’s Canada lynx are rare and notoriously elusive,” said Margi Huber, trip coordinator for Maine Audubon. “This trip is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see where they live and track them.”

Led by Mark McCollough, endangered species biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and ecologist and outreach specialist Laura Sebastianelli, the group will travel by snowshoe into lynx habitat to look for and learn about tracks of all kinds.

Lodging will be at Kokadjo Camps. The trip is $325 for Audubon members, $350 for nonmembers. Advance registration is necessary. For details and registration, call 781-2330. For more information, visit www.maineaudubon.org.

Caregivers workshop

SOUTH PORTLAND – The Cancer Community Center has announced it will offer “Strength for Caring,” a one-day workshop that will provide education and support to family caregivers of those coping with cancer, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the center, 778 Main St.

The workshop will be co-facilitated by a registered oncology nurse and Jessica Colamaria, MSW, manager of volunteer services at the center. It will provide family caregivers with the information and skills they need to support their loved one through cancer treatment.

The workshop is intended for family caregivers only and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, contact Colamaria at 774-2200.

Home study

ORONO – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a home-study course for beginning investors with small dollar amounts.

“Investing for Your Future: A Cooperative Extension System Basic Investing Home Study Course” was developed for people who are new to investing and may not have much money to start with.

The home study guide was developed by a consortium of six land-grant universities and is available from UMaine Extension’s publications distribution center. Order a copy by calling 581-3792 or 800-287-0274, e-mailing puborders@umext.maine.edu, or via the Extension’s online books and publications site, http://extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu/.

New Web site

AUGUSTA – The Maine Humanities Council has launched a new Web site designed to support Maine’s One Book: One Community programs. The site, www.mainehumanities.org/onebook, is a statewide resource for libraries and communities interested in mounting their own One Book: One Community program.

Elizabeth Sinclair, council program officer, said the site “is full of useful and inspiring information and is searchable by town as well as by book.”

The material has been collected from Maine program organizers and includes book lists from programs in Maine; suggestions on the book selection process; tips on how to create a program; and a calendar of events and activities statewide. The site also links to other helpful sources of information.

The Maine Humanities Council received seed funding for the development of the site from the Maine Community Foundation.

Classical conclave

FREEPORT – Maine Classical School will hold its first Classical School Conference at Freeport High School on March 24 and 25. The conference, “The Well-Trained Mind: Academic Excellence Through Classical Education,” will feature nationally known author, Susan Wise Bauer.

The program will begin with a keynote address on Friday, March 24. Workshops on Saturday, March 25, will include “A Plan for Teaching Writing, Grades K-12,” “Great Books: History as Literature” and “Educating our Own Minds: How to Teach Ourselves as We Teach our Kids.”

For more detailed information and a registration form, visit www.mainecschool.org or call 865-6820.

Grange trip

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Grange is sponsoring a bus trip to Ohio Amish Country on May 7 to 12. Highlights will include a Roscoe Village living history tour, canal boat ride, visit to Warther’s Carvings, safari at Rolling Ridge Exotic farm, and wedding-style feast in an Amish home.

The cost is $899 for single occupancy, $699 double, $649 triple or $619 quad. Reservations must be made in advance and a $100 deposit a person is due by March 1. Payment in full is due by April 1.

For more information or to reserve a space, contact Maine State Grange Headquarters, 146 State St., Augusta ME 04330, 1-800-464-3421, master@mainestategrange.org. The complete itinerary is available at http://www.mainestategrange.org/grange_tour.html.

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