Through the movements of Tai Chi and relaxed breathing, you will cultivate, store & circulate your internal energy. The movements are non-impact, smooth and practiced very slowly at first. Western research has shown improvements in heart, bone and muscle strength, as well as large reductions in the effects of stress, and an improvement in overall balance, with regular practice. This is the 20th continuous year of Tai Chi classes through the Five Town Adult Education program!

There is nothing like the aroma of baking sourdough bread unless it is biting into a slice fresh from the oven! Students will learn how to care for a sourdough starter, how to knead using two different techniques, and how to mix, shape, and score the bread for baking. The instructor will demonstrate two ways to bake a loaf––using a cloche or a stone with steam in the oven––followed by a taste testing. Students will then shape, score and bake a loaf of their own in class. Bring a 32-ounce container to take home some sourdough culture for home baking. A $5 ingredients fee is payable to the instructor at class.

This 2 ½-hour course is for firearm owners and non-owners. You will learn what to do when you see an attack or if you are attacked and respond with force. You will learn how to contact the first responders, how prosecutors might view what you did, rules about concealed carry in the US and Maine, and various ways to protect yourself without using a firearm. Part 2 of a 3-part series but can be taken separately.

This class will feature easy-to-understand information on finding, collecting, identifying, and preparing the safe, most common edible and medicinal mushroom species of New England and Eastern Canada. Whether you are a cook, forager, herbalist, or restauranteur, you will enjoy this class. The book "Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada" will be available for purchase in class for $21.

In this class, we will learn how to make three homemade gifts from natural items. These are wonderful gifts to continue to make and perfect for the holidays! Who loves Gnomes? In this class, we will make Giant Holiday Gnomes out of balsam, fir and white pine while using the framework of a tomato cage. To finish them off, we will add a nose and large holiday hat. These Gnomes will be about 3’ high and perfect for your holiday season. We will also make smaller gnomes that can be a holiday decoration or used for a cork stopper in your holiday wine. They are very cute for that small holiday gift. Finally, we will learn how to collect and process balsam for your own balsam fir bags/pillows. In most gift shops here in Maine we sell the fragrance of the wilderness. Another perfect gift for yourself or a loved one. NO REFUNDS UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.

This 2 ½-hour course is for anyone that goes into someone else’s home to do work, repairs, estimates, sales, nursing, or outside the home contractors. How can you be safe? Learn the basics to access the surroundings, stay safe and protect yourself without using a firearm. Part 3 of a 3-part series but can be taken separately.

There is nothing like the aroma of baking sourdough bread unless it is biting into a slice fresh from the oven! Students will learn how to care for a sourdough starter, how to knead using two different techniques, and how to mix, shape, and score the bread for baking. The instructor will demonstrate two ways to bake a loaf––using a cloche or a stone with steam in the oven––followed by a taste testing. Students will then shape, score and bake a loaf of their own in class. Bring a 32-ounce container to take home some sourdough culture for home baking. A $5 ingredients fee is payable to the instructor at class.

Have you always wished you could play the fiddle but didn’t know where to start? This class will begin at the very beginning: how to hold the instrument and how to hold the bow, as well as proper set up and tuning. We’ll learn some simple tunes focusing on both ear training and sight reading. Yes! we will be playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star AND Hot Cross Buns along with some simple tunes from the New England fiddle repertoir. *You must have an instrument in order to take this class. Please contact the instructor if you need guidance about buying an instrument