Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

An award-winning Grand Victorian sea captain's home, The Homeport Inn and Tavern has 9 private suites tastefully updated with comfortable furnishings.  There is live music each evening in the tavern. 

The $495 tuition includes all lunches and dinners (beverages can be purchased through the tavern). Specially discounted rates including breakfasts, are available by contacting the Inn. 

Feedback from recent participants: 

“I learned so much from Chris that I can use immediately at home in my own kitchen"  "Great kitchen hints!'

Your instructor, Mary Laury is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!  

An award-winning Grand Victorian sea captain's home, The Homeport Inn and Tavern has 9 private suites tastefully updated with comfortable furnishings.  There is live music each evening in the tavern. 

The $495 tuition includes all lunches and dinners (beverages can be purchased through the tavern). Specially discounted rates including breakfasts, are available by contacting the Inn. 

Feedback from recent participants: 

“Great instructor!-Mary acts as a guide to develop our own style."  "Easy, no stress instruction." 

Learn how to make your own sauerkraut from scratch and taste test other fermented goodies to find your favorite ferments. This beginner-friendly class will teach you everything you need to know to make home fermented foods, including supply suggestions, recipes, and techniques!  This is an in-person class.

Lauren Landers is a gardening writer and active master gardener volunteer who enjoys sharing her love of nature with others. Focusing on hands-on learning and functional skills that will improve your gardening practice, Lauren's classes cover topics like pollinator gardening, edible gardening and food preservation.

There are many different facets to the student loan program that can be powerful in helping you achieve your financial goals but also can be confusing. If you are struggling with your payments, did you know there are several income-based repayment plans, as well as deferment or forbearance? Did you know you could get .25% off your interest rate if you sign up for auto-debit on your federal loans? Do you know you can work towards loan forgiveness now if you work for a non-profit, government or tribal agency? Whether you have recently graduated from college or have been repaying your students loans for a long time, join us to learn how to best manage your student loan repayment. Join others online to pro-tips and answers questions.  Live online class using ZOOM.

The Ellsworth School Department is looking for substitutes in all departments - teachers, ed techs, secretaries, bus drivers, and custodians.  Effective substitutes need to know how to access policies and procedures, as well as the facilities.  This workshop addresses these topics, as well as the application process, tools and tips for classroom management and instructional practices for substitute teachers.  It will be followed up by a meeting with school administrators at relevant schools. This is an in-person workshop.

Soups made with love are a nourishing and inexpensive way to feed your family. In this series, we will share techniques, tools, ingredients and tips learned through years of cooking for family and friends.  You’ll learn techniques for preparing ingredients and bringing them all together, as well as tips on storage and serving.  A focus of the workshops will be the use of affordable and locally available ingredients, and adapting recipes to a variety of tastes and dietary requirements.  Handouts, recipes and a small container of soup for your family to try will be provided.  This is an in-person class.

All registration fees are donated to the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.    

Brothy Soups  When you want a lighter soup featuring key ingredients this is the choice for you. We will be preparing chicken noodle soup.  This workshop will feature choosing the right broth and ingredients for your family, lifestyle, budget and diet.  

Annie has always loved to cook for family and friends.  She started cooking when she was seven and was a keen observer of all the cooks in her family and beyond. She's worked in kitchens and also spent most of her childhood and early adulthood in western and eastern Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, so her palate is broad. She shares her love of cooking with family and friends through the preparation of food full of flavor. One of her priorities when she's cooking is to create a meal that accommodates all dietary requirements--a meal that everyone can enjoy!

This is a bundled course with Basic First Aid on 11/14/24 and Heartsaver CPR Adult/Child/Infant on 11/21/24, at a discounted price. 

Basic First Aid certifies the student in several critical topics/skills needed to provide immediate lifesaving care for individuals who are dealing with a medical or injury emergency. It also covers environmental emergencies for the lay rescuer. 

The CPR course certifies the student in cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills for adults, infants, and children, as well as choking protocols. It also teaches competency in both Automated External Defibrillator use and Narcan.  This is an in-person class. 

This course certifies the student in several critical topics/skills needed to provide immediate lifesaving care for individuals who are dealing with a medical or injury emergency.  It also covers environmental emergencies for the lay rescuer.  This is an in-person class, and may be paired with the Heartsaver CPR course scheduled on 11/21/24 for a discounted price.