Grants of up to $20,000 are available through the Maine Community Foundation to help nonprofits implement energy efficiency measures in historic buildings they own. The community foundation’s Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Fund typically awards approximately $250,000 per year for the restoration of historic buildings. The program will expand in 2018 to award an additional $100,000 each year for energy efficiency projects in historic buildings.

A new comprehensive information website is being created for the Twin Villages of Newcastle and Damariscotta.

The Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers Association is offering its annual bee school to individuals interested in learning more about keeping bees. Instructors of the classes are members of the association. In addition, the Maine State Apiarist will speak one evening on honey bee pests and pest management.

Sen. Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, announced on Thursday, Jan. 25 the addition of $11.6 million to Maine’s Unclaimed Property Fund. This property consists of financial assets that have gone unclaimed by their owners. The last known owner’s information is now available at maine.gov/unclaimed. In total, the Office of the State Treasurer has more than $241 million of unclaimed property.  

Gardeners, both beginners and experienced ones, who enjoy growing new plants will likely enjoy the annual Seed Swap Day on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Knox-Lincoln County Cooperative Extension, 377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro.

This has been a difficult winter, especially for seniors in the community who are living alone. Members of the community are encouraged to reach out to the elderly neighbors they know and to meet new neighbors by volunteering. The Catholic Charities SEARCH Program of Greater Bath and Lincoln County is looking for volunteers to assist seniors in Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Pemaquid peninsula towns (Bristol, South Bristol, Bremen), and the Boothbay region.

The Knights of Columbus benefit dinner that was supposed to be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 in the hall of St. Denis Catholic Church hall in Whitefield has been postponed to a spring date yet to be announced.

Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, is pleased to announce the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan and what it means for the state and region. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge, and other transportation projects throughout the state.