Fort sets trip

AUGUSTA – Old Fort Western is offering a special motor coach trip to Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Mass., on Saturday, May 5.

The cost is $80 a person ($75 for Augusta residents, $70 for members of Old Fort Western) and includes transportation to and from Plymouth, admission to Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II and the plantation’s Taste of Two Cultures (Wampanoag and English) luncheon.

Departure time is 6:30 a.m. from City Hall. It is expected that the tour will get back to Augusta by 9 p.m.

Participation is by preregistration only. Register by phone at 626-2385. The registration and payment deadline is April 18 at noon. A minimum of 40 must preregister for the trip to go forward.

Rachel’s retreats

PORTLAND – A friend’s baby, a child’s birthday party, Mother’s Day – for some women who have had abortions, these can be moments of intense sorrow, reminders of what could have been.

When there is an abortion many believe life will be as it was before, but for many, abortion is a life-changing experience. Many women, men, and even grandparents find themselves troubled years later and wonder why they cannot get over what happened.

Project Rachel of Catholic Charities Maine’s Family Life Institute sponsors Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats for those struggling with issues from an abortion. The next retreat in Maine will be held April 13 to 15. For more information, contact: [email protected] or call 879-1130, ext. 770, or 1-800-CARE-002 (statewide). All requests and registrations are confidential.

Audubon auction

BRUNSWICK – “Monhegan and Beyond: Merrymeeting Audubon Benefit Dinner and Auction” will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church meeting room, McKeen Street.

Biologist and photographer Geoff Dennis has amassed a collection of photographs of the birds of Maine. The presentation will focus on migrating birds on Monhegan Island.

Dinner and a silent auction will be $18 a person. Proceeds will benefit the Merrymeeting Audubon Scholarship Fund, supporting environmental education for children and adults. For reservations, contact Beth Bullock at 729-9650. For more information, visit www.maineaudubon.org/merrymeeting.

Lists winners

PORTLAND – The Portland Conservatory of Music has announced the winners of the annual Ocy Downs Piano Prize Competition held March 18.

The winners for 2007 are Lydia Killian of Weeks Mills, a student of Laura Kargul, and Will Bristol of Freeport, a student of Naydene Bowder.

The award was founded in 1999 to honor Maine pianist and teacher Ocy L. Downs. The competition is held annually and is open to all Maine piano students in grades eight through 12.

Each student was required to perform four pieces for a panel of judges. They were judged on technical skill, interpretation and performance. This year’s competition resulted in a tie, with the prize money being split equally between both students. For more information, contact Michelle Strattard, office manager, at 775-3356.

Clean-up weekend

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host a volunteer work day in celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 21. The Landscaping Committee is organizing activities for the day at the Common Ground Education Center.

Volunteers will focus on grounds clean-up and spring garden prep. The event will get under way at 9 a.m. and will run through 3 p.m. The association will provide snacks and a lunch for volunteers. Anyone interested in participating should call 568-4142 or [email protected] so coordinators will know how much food to prepare.

Greyhound reunion

AUGUSTA – The Maine Greyhound Placement Service will hold its semi-annual open house/reunion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, at the adoption center, 249 Old Belgrade Road. There will be fun activities for dogs and raffle items available. All dogs are welcome on leash. For more information, call Scott at 626-2893 or Mary at 846-4707.