LEWISTON — Do you like to sing? The Center for Wisdom’s Women is starting a women’s “Singing Circle.” Any age, any ability is welcomed, no experience necessary; you don’t even have to read music. Participants will sing just for fun and to nurture their spirits. The kick-off event will be on the solstice, Friday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. All women are invited. The group will continue thereafter on the full moon starting Sunday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m.

On Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. Peg Hoffman will lead a workshop on holiday coping. Other holiday highlights at the center include the annual Christmas party on the 21st at 10.

On New Year’s Eve there will be bingo at 10 and a celebration to bring in the New Year at 1. The center will be closed the week of Christmas, Dec. 24-28, and New Year’s Day. The winter storm policy is that if Lewiston schools are closed, so is the center.

The monthly Wise Women Cooking Group with Denise Dill will be on Dec. 18 and will focus on holiday fare. The monthly clothes give-away will be on the 20th. Wednesdays have an art focus. The scrapbooking group and a watercolor painting class will meet on the 5th and 19th, a paper printing class led by Sarah Shepley will take place on the 12th. The ART VAN returns on Wednesday, Jan. 2. These and other morning programs all begin at 10.

Several support groups meet regularly at the center. The fibromyalgia support group is scheduled for Thursdays, Dec. 13 and Jan. 3. A weekly Al-Anon group meets on Wednesdays at 12:15. Other ongoing groups include the Writer’s Workshop on Monday mornings and Beating the Blues and Wisdom Circle on alternate Tuesday afternoons at 1. For more information and a complete calendar of activities, see www.wisdomswomen.org.

All women are welcome and no appointments are needed. All programs are offered free of charge. Personal hygiene items and oatmeal breakfasts are also available and the center has a shower available for use. Donations of full size shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion and toothpaste are needed and welcomed.

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering contact the executive director, Klara Tammany, at 513-3922. Donations can be written to Trinity Church/Wisdom and sent to The Center for Wisdom’s Women at PO Box 1016, Lewiston ME 04243.

Center for Wisdom’s Women plans Dec. 1 open house

Although the Center for Wisdom’s Women has been in existence since 1999, it is entering its fifth year of being open independent of the founders. The center will be celebrating all year, beginning with a grand open house on Saturday, Dec. 1.

This year’s open house, in conjunction with the Festival of Art and Light, will take place all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities scheduled throughout the day. There will be free beverages and snacks and a bake sale. Denise Dill will perform at 11, a sample singing circle will take place at 1. Sarah Goodrich will offer chair massage between 2:30 and 4. Throughout the day attendees can make a “Wisdom Box” or purchase some. At 4 there will be drawings for the quilt raffle and a door prize.

Another highlight of the day will be at noon when the center will honor its SHEROs. These donors are the backbone of the center’s support. They give $1 each day that the center is open — five days a week, $20 each month or $240 annually. Any person, business, church or group can be a SHERO. Some wonderful people have been SHEROs for all of the first four years.

The Festival of Art and Light will feature artists, craft persons and music downtown. The women’s center is a two-block walk away, just off Bates Street between Pine and Ash, behind Healey Terrace. Look for the sign with a sunflower on it.