This course is designed for beginning Excel users, demonstrating the basic layout and functionality of the program. In this course, students will learn to create new files, insert and manipulate data, and learn some useful and common functions. The goals of this course are to impart a basic mastery of Excel and to provide a solid foundation from which students can continue to develop their spreadsheet skills.  

John was born and raised in Ellsworth and received a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Maine.  He currently works in the field of sustainable aquaculture, focusing particularly on recirculating aquaculture systems.  John is an avid Excel/spreadsheet user, both within and outside of work, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for it as one of the most accessible and versatile computational tools today.

Do you have children who will be looking at college in the next few years or might you be thinking of returning to school yourself? Now is a great time to start thinking about the college financial aid process and ways to boost college savings. The earlier you start, the more confident and relaxed you will feel when it is time to apply for financial aid. Join Michelle Radley, College Access Counselor with the Finance Authority of Maine for this workshop as we talk all things paying for college.  This is a live, online class using ZOOM.

Do you want to improve your writing skills for work? Write a poem to your beloved or finish that family memoir? Or maybe you’ve considered writing a script? If so, come join us in this 6-week writer’s workshop where we will explore a variety of writing genres. 

In this session, we will be taking some time to address the concepts of Time and Place in our stories, poems, and plays. More specifically, how do they impact the scenes that unfold and the images we create, in both our earliest, developing rough drafts and in our polished, almost final revisions?  This is a live, online class using ZOOM.  

Kristin holds a Masters in English (Literature), as well as an M. F. A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine.  She is the 2019 recipient of the Maine Literary Award for Drama and Lit Fest’s 2019 Dramatic Writing Fellow for Emerging Writers. Her critical and creative works have appeared in The Explicator, Ekphrastic Review, The Atlantic, New Hampshire Public Radio, and more. Follow her at kristinjleonard.com.

Learn to navigate multiple worksheets, save your workbook, create formulas, use functions, change the layout of your worksheet, and how to create practical worksheets. 

Some examples of using Microsoft Excel as a Practical Tool:

• 1040 Income Tax – Maintain tax information that is very useful when preparing your annual tax return. 
• Grocery Shopping List – Quickly create a weekly grocery shopping list. What a time saver! 
• Contractor Estimate Calculator - Great tool for any contractor who has to provide estimates for customers. 
• Household Budget – Create a monthly budget of your household expenditures. 

This is live, online class using ZOOM. 

The design of this course includes 2-3 hours of work with the software between classes to gain maximum benefit from the sessions.

Makeup class, if needed, 03/27/25.

You will receive a link to a brief pre-assessment with your email receipt.  This will assist the instructor in meeting your goals for the class. 

You will want to have Microsoft Excel on your computer for this workshop and many people find it helpful to have two monitors, though it is certainly not necessary to benefit from the sessions.  There are two ways to accomplish this: 1) attach an external screen to your computer (contact our program if you need technical assistance with that); or 2) using two computers (one for Excel and the other for the ZOOM meeting).  

Val is a lifelong business educator and academic advisor focused on helping enrich and enhance students' educational and life purposes. He is experienced in college management and as an adult educator having taught at Mid-State College and Kennebec Valley Community College. His teaching experience covers over 45 years in the areas of computer applications, accounting, and Quickbooks training workshops.

200+ active volunteers keep Loaves & Fishes running!  Whether you’re looking to volunteer regularly or prefer to help when time allows, we have something for you.   There are many on-site tasks for example  assisting with the market, hosting community classes, serving as a digital navigator for our neighbors using our new bank of computers; offering classes and activities. There are additional tasks that can be accomplished  at home.  Take delivery orders, maintain computer records, provide support for mailings, technology projects, fundraising, development and grant writing.  Join us for this information session to learn about how you might make a difference addressing food insecurity in your community.  

In today’s competitive market, can you afford to not offer the very best customer service? 

When customers are pleased with a product or service they may tell one or two others, but when they are dissatisfied you better watch out!  One of the main reasons that customers stop doing business is because someone at that business treated them poorly. Offering consistent, friendly customer service is a key to repeat business and customer loyalty.  A big step to improving customer service is getting your employees to look at their jobs through the eyes of their customer.  

The Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is partnering with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to offer businesses and individuals an opportunity to enhance their customer service. Trainers will be area employers who focus on quality customer service. Each session will have handouts that can be added to the student’s personal growth file or shared with others in their workplace.  A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who successfully complete all four sessions.

Makeup class, if needed, 04/04/25.

Session I - Friday, March 7, 2025 – First Impressions – The Impact of Attitude and Appearance on Sales and Repeat Business. Participants will discuss positive and negative example of good customer service, 

• The importance of attitude – good or bad, both make a lasting impression
• The importance of dress – What is business casual?

Session II - Friday, March 14, 2025 – Effective Problem-Solving and Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Customers, 

• How to tell people what they don’t want to hear
• Simple ways to help diffuse anger
• In person and on the telephone – smiles work

Session III  - Friday, March 21, 2025– Communication – It’s What You Say AND How You Say It

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication – body language can speak louder than words
• Active Listening – taking in what is said and what is not said
• Using the right words – grammar is a reflection on you and your company
• Asking open-ended questions – seeking to fully understand situations
• Know your audience – diverse customers = diverse expectations

Session IV - Friday, March 28 , 2025- The Total Package – Going Above and Beyond 

• Taking the extra steps helps ensure customer satisfaction
• Effective problem solving

Reach balanced wellness by working on strengthening and stretching the muscles, preventing falls, improving cardiovascular and bone density health. Standing and floor work!

This dynamic, full-bodied exercise program supports muscle growth and increases stamina!  Prepare to be getting on and off the floor during the mat portion.  If you have been working on your fitness and want to challenge yourself, “Senior Fitness” will guide you safely and effectively.  This is a live, online class using ZOOM; 

Michelle Spencer is a Certified Stroke and Brain Injury Fitness Instructor, Coach through WellPeer, and a survivor of a Stroke and Ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation in 2014.

This class offers seated strength and flexibility exercises to improve mobility and fall prevention. All exercises will support people with arthritis, osteoporosis and other health concerns if they are cleared by their primary care provider.  This is a live, online class using ZOOM; 

Michelle Spencer is a Certified Stroke and Brain Injury Fitness Instructor, Coach through WellPeer, and a survivor of a Stroke and Ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation in 2014.