Last week, over 250 friends and supporters of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences came together for an evening of discovery and inspiration. Through the Big Splash fundraiser, the institute raised over $800,000 in sponsorships and bids — far exceeding the original fundraising goal — all of which will go to support the institute’s “bold science for our blue planet.”

One of the Midcoast’s favorite summer traditions is back! The 54th annual North Nobleboro Day will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road. Now in its fifth decade, this lively community celebration continues to draw crowds of locals and visitors with a winning mix of food, music, and community spirit.

Boothbay Railway Village Museum will host its highly anticipated annual Children’s Day this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BRVM is located at 586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27, Boothbay.

The family-friendly event features a full day of activities across the Museum's historic 4-acre village green. Included with regular Museum admission, attendees can enjoy lawn games, arts and crafts, bounce houses, a water slide, a slip-and-slide, and signature barrel and train rides. Families planning to use the water attractions are encouraged to bring bathing suits and towels. 

Being driven to the hospital for emergency medical services (EMS) used to be a morbid affair. Until the mid-20th century, funeral homes took over the duty of transporting patients since hearses, unlike most vehicles, were large enough to accommodate a stretcher.

Saturday, Aug. 1, the descendants of George Parker Matthews gathered from around the country (Maine, Indiana, Connecticut, Florida, Arizona and California) to honor the first light keeper of Squirrel Island.

Midcoast Conservancy is pleased to announce it will be hosting the State of the Lake on Thursday, Aug. 20, 4-6 p.m., at the Jewell Lodge at Wavus Camp in Jefferson. 

Merrymakers of all ages are invited to shake it all out at Jailhouse Rock, an evening of food, fun and foot-tapping tunes at Wiscasset’s Old Jail on Federal Street. The rollicking  music will be provided by the jazz-rock-blues band Leopard Girls, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, rain or shine.

The First United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor will welcome five accomplished musicians for a special worship service on Sunday, Aug. 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend this inspiring musical service. A freewill offering will be received to support the musicians’ ministries.

New monthly series, library programs, and Common Ground Country Fair appearances highlight a growing literary community.

The Waldoboro Public Library launches its new Poet's Corner this September, opening the door to a month of readings, new programs, and literary gatherings that reflect the remarkable growth of Midcoast Maine's poetry community.

The Cody Sisters bring their distinctive brand of bluegrass to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Maddie and Megan Cody have been making music together since ages six and eight, respectively. Raised on the Colorado folk and bluegrass scene—with encouragement from their dad, who often played guitar around the house and was the original bass player in the band—festivals like RockyGrass were high notes amidst a lifelong musical awakening filled with live performances, songwriting, and travel.

This fall, Coastal Senior College (CSC) again offers its popular course in “Revision Techniques: How to Cut and Prune Your Writing” with author and teacher Caroline Janover. Registration is now open for this and the 13 other courses in the fall catalogue.

The Waldo, at 916 Main St., Waldoboro, welcomes Northern Cross; New England’s premier tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to the stage on Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. 

This summer’s Salt Bay Chamberfest will bring audience members on a journey of exploration through time-honored masterworks, new works by living composers, and two world premieres. Titled ‘Music Unearthed,” the 32nd annual festival runs Aug. 4 to 16, with performances at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta, Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) in Rockland, and Minsky Recital Hall in Orono. SBC will also present multiple public-outreach events at local venues, in partnership with the Midcoastal Maine community.

Wawenock Golf Club in Walpole will mark a full century of golf and community on Saturday, Aug. 1, with a day-long centennial celebration honoring the club's opening on Aug. 11, 1926, and looking ahead to its next hundred years.

The club's story began on that August afternoon a century ago, when Murray Shipley stepped to the first tee and sent a true, well-placed opening shot down the fairway — a swing that, in effect, opened Wawenock Golf Club to the community it has served ever since.

A night out at the theatre became an opportunity to nourish neighbors across the Midcoast when The Waldo Theatre partnered with Veggies to Table during its June production of “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Through a silent auction and raffles held across the production’s four performances, the community raised $2,530 for Veggies to Table, supporting the nonprofit farm’s work to grow and donate organic produce and flowers to people experiencing hunger and needing joy.