Natural Meditation, The Art of Jin Shin, and Autumn Scones return to Boothbay-Wiscasset Regional Adult Education this fall, along with new offerings, like Comparative Religions, Babysitter Training, and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s free Fix-A-Bike workshop. Classes begin Oct. 6 and now is the time to sign up by clicking on a class or call/text Director Raye Leonard at 207-315-5651.

New classes in the Boothbay Region include Basic Bicycle Maintenance & Roadside Repair from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Boothbay Region High School, and Thursday, Oct. 8, at Wiscasset Middle High School. Anyone who attends a basics class or with experience is welcome to sign up for Advanced Maintenance & Repair from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at WMHS.

Comparative Religions, Part 1 with retired college instructor John Blois begins on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Boothbay Region High School. This discussion-based class will look at questions of comparative religion by examining and discussing the major texts from Hinduism (The Bhagavad Gita), Buddhism (The Dhammapada), and Taoism (The Tao Te Ching). The cost is $65. Blois taught Eastern Religion and Comparative Religions at Central Maine Community College for 25 years. He grew up a Methodist in Melrose, Massachusetts, but was lucky enough to have studied in religious communities in India and Thailand. 

Jennifer Harris of First Point Training will offer Babysitter Training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Boothbay Region Elementary School. This American Red Cross certification course prepares 11-16 year olds to safely provide care for infants and children, including diapering, feeding and holding. In addition, kids learn how to react to an emergency situation, such as fire and water safety. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate from the American Red Cross valid for 10 years. This $125 course does not include CPR or first aid training.

Al D’Andrea brings back Natural Meditation from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Oct. 8, at Boothbay Region High School. This form of meditation teaches participants to let go of the need to do something and learn to just sit and observe what arises - thoughts, feelings, mental perceptions, and emotions. A simple yet profound way to work towards developing equanimity in the face of life's many challenges. Participants will sit in chairs, but bring a meditation cushion. The cost is $99.

The multitalented Margit Ahlin will teach Your Health is In Your Hands: The Art of Jin Shin from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 14, at Boothbay Region High School. Achieve physical, mental, and spiritual harmony and healing through the application of hands as “jumper cables” to gently balance the flow of life energy in the body. This course will teach you the physio-philosophy of the Art of Jin Shin, along with simple and highly effective hands-on self-help techniques that promote optimal health and well-being, facilitating your own profound healing capacity through this ancient healing art.  The cost is $79.

Finally, Deb Arter’s popular Autumn Scones class will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Boothbay Region Elementary. Scones are the perfect accompaniment to the fall season. Learn to make Harvest Pumpkin Scones, Double Ginger Scones, Savoy Hotel Classic Scones, Maple Bacon Scones and Cranberry Orange scones. Bring a container to take home samples. All ingredients and recipes provided in this $65 class.

Boothbay-Wiscasset Regional Adult Education offers high school completion, college preparation, English language learning, workforce training, and enrichment programs to the communities of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, and nearby towns. For more information, email rleonard@aos98schools.org or visit boothbayae.maineadulted.org.