In this workshop, we will discuss backyard composting as a method to manage kitchen food scraps and debris from your gardens and lawns, as well as how to recycle those nutrients into usable compost that can go back into your soil.  We will cover the biology of the composting process and different techniques for successful backyard composting.  This is a live on-line workshop using ZOOM.  Makeup class, if needed, 10/11/23.

C. J. Walke has been working for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since 2006 and for the past decade, he has focused on providing technical services to farmers and teaching practical skills related to organic tree fruit cultivation.

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.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops.

Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Only Acadian Arts Retreats participants will be allowed to reserve overnight accommodations in the park.  This is an in-person retreat

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

COVID note: For everyone’s comfort and safety we suggest doing a COVID test 24 hours prior to arrival. We will be following CDC guidelines according to location and dates.

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!

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Only Acadian Arts Retreats participants will be allowed to reserve overnight accommodations in the park.  This is an in-person retreat

Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“Mary is a wonderful guide and a gifted teacher.”  “Very helpful watercolor instruction."

COVID note: For everyone’s comfort and safety we suggest doing a COVID test 24 hours prior to arrival. We will be following CDC guidelines according to location and dates.

This 3-part series focuses on organic methods to help gardeners and homesteaders establish and maintain healthy fruit trees for home fruit production. 

In Part 1, we will discuss variety selection and soil preparation for planting young fruit trees, as well as how to grow a young tree in its early years before flowering and fruit production. This is a live online workshop using ZOOM.

C. J. Walke has been working for the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since 2006 and, for the past decade, he has focused on providing technical services to farmers and teaching practical skills related to organic tree fruit cultivation.

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. 

Retreat to The Willows, a beautiful Victorian home with architecture that echoes the rich tradition and elegance of the 1800s. For the painters, York Beach is just a short stroll to breathtaking views of the sand, surf, and rocks.There is a spacious dining room and gracious living room with comfortable seating for all participants to relax, socialize and make new friends. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. Day students are welcome. For special weekend accommodations call Chris at 207-653-3163 or email him at christoy.net@gmail.com.  This is an in-person retreat.

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable.”  “We became extended family.”

COVID note: For everyone’s comfort and safety we suggest doing a COVID test 24 hours prior to arrival. We will be following CDC guidelines according to location and dates.

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!

Retreat to The Willows, a beautiful Victorian home with architecture that echoes the rich tradition and elegance of the 1800s. For the painters, York Beach is just a short stroll to breathtaking views of the sand, surf, and rocks.There is a spacious dining room and gracious living room with comfortable seating for all participants to relax, socialize and make new friends. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. Day students are welcome. The registration fee includes workshops and all meals.  For special weekend accommodations call Chris at 207-653-3163 or email him at christoy.net@gmail.com.  This is an in-person retreat.

Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“Mary is a guide and a gifted teacher.”  “We became extended family."

COVID note: For everyone’s comfort and safety we suggest doing a COVID test 24 hours prior to arrival. We will be following CDC guidelines according to location and dates.

Beekeeping is a wonderful and fascinating hobby and for Peter, a profession, or should that be obsession? This 90-minute interactive class explores what it is like to keep bees, what equipment is needed, where to go for help and advice, what is the cost and what are the rewards. This is a live online class using ZOOM.  Makeup class, if needed, 10/23/23.  

For those who decide to take up the hobby, Peter will be running several follow-up, in-depth classes. Have your list of questions ready! 

Peter Cowin a/k/a, the Bee Whisperer, started keeping bees in the 70s at the age of 11, and now tends to more than 130 colonies. He is past President of Penobscot County Beekeepers Association and mentor to many local beekeepers. Peter runs a beekeeping supply store in Hampden Maine. He sells packaged bees, produces queens and makes hundreds of nucleus colonies to sell each year. His bees produce thousands of pounds of honey per year sold under the Bee Whisperer name. Peter has been teaching beekeeping at his honey farm and in Adult Ed for more than 8 years.

Do you struggle with food obsession, overeating, undereating or bulimia? There is a solution. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is holding a free Information Session online and by phone.

For more information and meeting ID and Passcode, call coordinator (Sharon) at 207-250-7373 or email fa.newcastle.maine@gmail.com .