SOUTH PORTLAND – The 2005 Girl Scout Cookie Sale program will begin Friday, Jan. 7. Girl Scouts of the Kennebec Council will sell Animal Treasures, Caramel deLites, Iced Berry Pifiatas, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Shortbread, Lemon Pastry Cremes and Thin Mints.

For close to 90 years the Girl Scout cookie program has helped girls develop skills they will use throughout their lives. Through this annual activity, girls learn how to work together as a team, set goals and develop plans for reaching those goals. Girls also learn about business ethics, public speaking and interpersonal communication skills while acquiring knowledge in marketing, money management and customer service.

For more information about the annual cookie sale program, contact Carol Smith at 772-1177 or [email protected].

Agricultural Trades show

AUGUSTA – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host several presentations and discussion groups covering a wide range of sustainable agriculture subjects on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The program will take place at the Augusta Civic Center as part of the annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show, which runs through Thursday, Jan. 13.

All presentations are free and open to the public. The association will have an information exhibit during all three days of the show. Members are encouraged to attend the association’s annual meeting, which will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Civic Center’s Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Rooms.

For a complete listing of presentations including room locations at the show, go to www.getrealmaine.com/visit/trades_show_tues.html. For more information about the association, visit www.mofga.org.

Maritime Academy open house

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy will host an open house for prospective students and their parents on Sunday, Jan. 16, at the Sheraton Hotel near the Maine Mall in South Portland. The open house will consist of an informational presentation at 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 1.

Designed to bring Maine Maritime closer to the homes of southern Maine students, the open house will provide in-depth overviews of the college’s academic programs, extracurricular activities and options in student lifestyles.

A special workshop will focus on how to apply for financial aid and scholarships and will allow the opportunity for participants to calculate their expected family contribution from financial aid information they provide. Financial aid advice and admissions interviews will also be available. For a reservation, call 1-800-464-6565 (Maine), or 1-800-227-8465 (out-of-state).

Catholic Women council meeting

AUGUSTA – The quarterly meeting of the Maine Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will take place on Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Augustine’s Church. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Soup will be furnished; bring whatever else for lunch. Those who plan to attend should notify Lorraine Douin at 19 Townsend Road, Augusta, 04330 or call 623-7709 by Sunday, Jan. 16.

Each unit or member is asked to bring a basket with goodies in it. Tickets will be available to purchase and there will be a winner for each basket. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. For more information, call Linda Jack at 743-2340.

Beekeeping school slated

RUMFORD – The Western Maine Beekeeper’s Association will hold the annual Beekeeping School starting Jan. 19 at Mountain Valley High School. The classes last 12 weeks and are scheduled so that students will complete the series just in time to set up their hives.

The sessions are taught by area beekeepers, so the information is practical and relevant to the climate in Western Maine.

Class subjects include setting up hives, acquiring honey bees, harvesting honey, disease prevention and hive management. Students who set up hives have the support of club members as they gain hands-on experience with the bees. Throughout the summer club members hold open hive meetings to demonstrate the application of the information that was presented in class.

There are different “breeds” of bees, and local hobbyists urge new beekeepers to pick those that are known for their docile behavior. Proper handling of the honey bee colony will minimize the possibility of being stung, and new keepers are taught the proper techniques to use when working with their hives.

Registration will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Mountain Valley High School. The cost of the classes is $25 and includes books and handouts. Anyone interested in learning more about the bee school, or the club, can contact Carol Cottrill (364-0917) for information.

Tracking workshop

AUGUSTA – An animal tracking workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, 153 Hospital St.

Spend an intense day in-the-field learning how to observe and interpret the many clues left behind. The workshop will be led by Laura Sebastianelli, an experienced naturalist and educator, as well as an accomplished and passionate animal tracker.

Preregistration is required; limit, 12; fee, members, $20; nonmembers, $30. Call 621-0031 or e-mail [email protected] for more information or to register.