February 11, 6 p.m. Annual Meeting, York County Soil and Water Conservation District, 6 p.m. social hour and silent auction, 7 p.m. guest speakers, Tom Rawinski, U.S.Department of Agriculture Invasive Plant Expert, District Member Joe Anderson, topic: Invasive Plants in Southern Maine, York County Soil and Water Conservation District, 21 Bradeen Street, Suite 104, Springvale. FMI: 207.324.0888 x 214, www.yorkswcd.org. February 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ski and Snowshoe Hike, free/land trust members, $5/non-members, $10/family non-members, Beaver Dam Heath on Diamond Hill Road, Berwick, bring a picnic lunch, explore this rare Atlantic White Cedar Swamp,Great Works Regional Land Trust, 610 Main Street, Ogunquit. FMI: 207.646.3604, www.gwrlt.org. February 12-13, 1-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Sa... 03/31/2010

January 21, 7-9 p.m. Bluegrass Folk Jam, bring your acoustic instrument for an informal evening of sharing songs, The Brunswick, 39 West Grand Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. FMI: 207.449.1126, www.thebrunswick.com, www.folkjam.org. January 21, 7 p.m. Collecting and Caring for Rare Books, talk lead by Frank Wood, co-owner of DeWolfe and Wood bookstore in Alfred, Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum, 505 Main Street, Springvale.FMI: 207.324.2797, www.sanfordhistory.org, www.dwbooks.com. January 23, 9 a.m.-noon, Ski/Snowshoe Tuckahoe Preserve, 1st public exploration of this 108-acre preserve along Salmon Falls River, donation $5/person, $10/family, free/Great Works Regional Land Trust members, Tuckahoe Preserve, 571 Hubbard Road, Berwick. FMI: 207.646.3604, www.gwrlt.org. January 23, 9 a.m.-no... 01/21/2010

September 17, 8 p.m. Roomful of Blues, an award-winning band, the Jason Spooner Trio will open the evening, prices vary, doors open at 7 p.m., The Landing at Pine Point, 353 Pine Point Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207.774.4527, www.thelandingatpinepoint.com September 18, 8 p.m. Friday Night Live featuring Cathaus, playing everything from the Beatles to Squeeze and Elvis Costello, $10/21+, The Landing at Pine Point, 353 Pine Point Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207.774.4527, www.thelandingatpinepoint.com September 19, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Acton Apple Festival, crafts, food, children's activities and more, food, fun and fresh air, rain or shine, Town Hall, Mary Grant Preserve, several orchards and Acton Congregational Church, 59 H Road, Acton. FMI: 207.636.3430, www.actonucc.org September 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ... 09/24/2009

If you live in the Boston area, or points south, and are a weekend vacationer or daytripper to the southern Maine lakes region, or just have an affinity for a good clean water body and a modest camp, you really need to check out both Kennebunk Pond and Swan Pond in Lyman. Why? Two major reasons - water quality and proximity to Boston. First off, the water quality in both of these small ponds is rated very good for clarity, color, and the possibility of algae blooms. The people who already own on these ponds are good stewards and it shows. Secondly, both of these small bodies of water are less than 100 miles from Boston, lying about 15 minutes west of the Biddeford/Saco Turnpike exit. How easy is that?! The downside? Well, if size really matters to you, i.e. bigger is better, then these ... 05/21/2009