LEWISTON — The Center for Wisdom’s Women, a day drop in center for women in Lewiston, has set its December program calendar, including several holiday focused programs and events.

A highlight this month will be a new special event, a Solstice Quiet Day on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At the height of the busy holiday season and on the shortest day of the year, the public is invited to come for a gentle day for rest and quiet.

There will be some opening reflections, seasonal readings during lunch, and a closing conversation. Otherwise the day will be spent in silence. Bring your slippers, a favorite mug, a journal, a symbol for the altar, and an offering for a simple shared lunch. No cell phones or laptops allowed.

Call to RSVP and for more information, or sign up at the center.

Other special events include a special 5th anniversary celebration n open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Also planned is the annual Christmas party starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, which will include the monthly bingo game.

Holiday cookie baking classes are scheduled for Dec. 10 and 18 at 12:30 p.m. Those who participate in at least one baking class and return with one plate of their own homemade cookies with matching recipe to share will be able to participate in a cookie swap at 10 a.m. on Dec. 20.

There will be a class for stringing popcorn and cranberries on Dec. 6, stenciling holiday t-shirts on Dec. 10, card making on Dec. 12, and ornament making on Dec. 13. Those classes will all be held from 10-11:30 a.m.

An additional ornament making session will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the Tuesday, Dec. 17.

A cooking class will be offered by The Nutrition Center of Maine at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

The regular writing workshop will continue to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday mornings, except on Dec. 23.

A clothing give-away will be Thursday, Dec. 19, and the December birthday party is set for Friday, Dec. 20.

Bonney Rousseau will introduce a “Fitness Made Easy” class, including making energy bars, at 10 a.m. on Dec. 17. She will continue the class regularly in the new year if there is enough interest.

Several support groups meet at the Center. A group that focuses on issues of weight and self esteem meets Mondays at 11:30 a.m. Support for family caregivers is available on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. and a weekly Al-Anon group, the only one in Lewiston, meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

The BLT group for bisexual, lesbian and transgendered women and their friends or family will meet at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19.

A “Complain and Be Grateful” group will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 16. Come gripe away about anything you’d like, and after getting it out of your system, learn to transform it all with an “attitude of gratitude.”

The center is continually in need of donations of hygiene items to give away. Full size, unopened basic items such as shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, toothpaste and brushes are welcomed.

The center is currently taking applications for its core volunteers called “companions.” These women give at least a half day weekly, the same day each week and serve as the listening presence at the center. Companions must have a experience in chaplaincy, social work, teaching or other related fields.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday with morning classes daily from 10-11:30, and afternoon classes from 12:30-1:30. On Fridays the center closes at noon. 

All women are welcome and no appointments are needed. Programs are offered free of charge. Oatmeal breakfasts are available daily and the center has a shower available for use.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact 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 04243. 

A full calendar of events is posted at www.wisdomswomen.org.