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Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education



Our Classes

Watercolor Studio: Let It Bloom (Level 2)
Online Registration Unavailable

Watercolor Studio: Let It Bloom (Level 2)

$55

with Catherine Scanlon

Calendar Next session starts Oct 21, 2026 at 5 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Continue your watercolor journey with a soft, confidence-building approach that expands on foundational skills. This Level 2 class invites you to loosen control and explore expressive techniques like intentional blooms, layered washes, and intuitive composition. Through guided exercises and small projects, you’ll refine your brushwork, deepen your understanding of color, and begin creating more dynamic, cohesive paintings. Ideal for those who have completed a beginner course and are ready to grow with watercolor. $20 materials fee; all supplies provided.

Foundations of Personal Safety & Self Defense
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Foundations of Personal Safety & Self Defense

$35

with Lisa Nakamura

Calendar Next session starts Oct 21, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week
2 additional sessions through Jan 7, 2027

In this interactive and energetic 90-minute workshop, you'll learn foundational skills to enhance your personal safety: Pick up and react to cues in your environment by using your senses and intuition; Set assertive boundaries using your voice and body language; Practice simple and effective strikes and kicks on padded targets, with options adapted for your own comfort level. SETpoint coaching is inclusive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered. You'll leave feeling strong, energized, and empowered! Lisa Nakamura is an 8th Degree Black Belt and certified as an Empowerment Self-Defense instructor. She is the co-founder and a Lead Coach of the SETpoint self-defense curriculum.

Writing Your Own Obituary
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Writing Your Own Obituary

$65

with Craig Siulinski

Calendar Next session starts Oct 22, 2026 at 5:30 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Have you ever wondered how you'd like to be remembered? This workshop offers a unique and transformative opportunity to reflect on your legacy by crafting your own obituary. Far from morbid, this session is an empowering exploration of life, values, and aspirations. Through guided exercises and thoughtful prompts, you’ll delve into your accomplishments, passions, and the mark you wish to leave on the world. By the end of the workshop, you'll walk away with a powerful piece of writing that not only captures who you are but also serves as a roadmap for the life you want to lead. Whether you’re looking for personal clarity, a creative challenge, or a fresh perspective on what truly matters, this workshop invites you to embrace the big picture with honesty, humor, and heart. No prior writing experience is necessary—just bring an open mind and a willingness to reflect. It is recommended that students have a gmail account as most handouts will be shared virtually via Google Docs. The preferred device for this course is a laptop rather than a tablet.

Chris and Ken's Awesome Cooking and Carving Adventure!
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Chris and Ken's Awesome Cooking and Carving Adventure!

$250

with Chris Toy

Calendar Next session starts Oct 23, 2026 at 8 am, runs for 1 week

Join master wood carver Ken Wise and cooking instructor Chris Toy for a fantastic weekend of hands on Carving and Cooking instruction. Come learn how to carve cooking utensils such as chopsticks, spatulas, and spoons. Then learn how to use them to prepare, cook, and eat some tasty Asian fusion recipes from Chris Toy's cookbooks! The retreat happens on the shores of Merrymeeting Bay in the Butler Head Nature Preserve. A limited number of AirBNB style overnight accommodations with shared bathrooms are available. Contact Chris Toy at christoy.net@gmail.com FMI. About the instructors: Ken Wise has been carving spoons, turning bowls and making Wildlife Art in Mid-Coast Maine for many years. He enjoys sharing the fun and challenges of working with wood through classes and private instruction. Chris Toy, long time cooking instructor, Maine Guide, and author of 6 Asian cookbooks has taught community education, in kitchen stores, and privately around midcoast Maine for many years. Stay On-Site or Drive In: Limited private rooms with shared baths are available for the weekend. Ask about special rates for double and triple occupancy! Contact christoy.net@gmail.com to book! *There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee for cancellations.

Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
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Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People

$65

with Craig Coffman

Calendar Next session starts Oct 24, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands-on instruction and partly lecture demonstration. *This course includes ONE live online session, and students follow up on their own with provided video lessons. Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director. He has over 30 years’ experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars, offered through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs, have been attended by over 30,000 students throughout Arizona, Minnesota and the United States over the last 27 years. He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

Drawing with Colored Pencils for Absolute Beginners
Online Registration Unavailable

Drawing with Colored Pencils for Absolute Beginners

$75

with Elizabeth Sokoloff

Calendar Next session starts Oct 24, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 1 week

Create a full-color drawing in this workshop! Learn about color theory, value, and how to use the magic layering capabilities of colored pencils to produce a vibrant and realistic drawing, ready to frame. We will follow a simple, step-by-step process designed just for beginners, so absolutely no drawing experience is necessary!

Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People
Online Registration Unavailable

Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People

$65

with Craig Coffman

Calendar Next session starts Oct 24, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 1 week

In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+. *This course includes ONE live online session, and students follow up on their own with provided video lessons. Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director. He has over 30 years’ experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars, offered through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs, have been attended by over 30,000 students throughout Arizona, Minnesota and the United States over the last 27 years. He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

Words Have Power
Online Registration Unavailable

Words Have Power

$65

with Cathi Belcher

Calendar Next session starts Oct 26, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on Mar 1, 2027

Words have power … the power to hurt, help or heal, depending on how we use them. What are some words that have power for you? In this 3-hour workshop, we will explore the process of creating a word collage using paper and glue of your power-word to create a unique piece of word art that will AMAZE you! It can be framed, made into cards, sewn as a patch on clothing, etc. What you need to bring: A word that has meaning for you. No prior experience is necessary. Tea and Snacks provided. *A materials fee of $20 covers the paper, glue, fabric and all other supplies and tools. 1 night class.





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