What Folks Near, At, or In Retirement Need To know

Retirement doesn’t mean escaping taxes—in fact, it’s one of the top challenges you’ll face as you plan for the future and understanding them is essential to preserving your income throughout your retirement. In this workshop, we will uncover critical tax issues that can erode your retirement savings and discuss practical strategies to protect your wealth. Understanding how taxes will impact your income is essential to preserving your money throughout your retirement. You'll learn about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs); how to calculate them and how they impact your taxes. Also, how Social Security, pensions, dividends, and interest affect your taxes. We'll even cover strategies such as Roth IRA conversions, tax loss harvesting, and how a step-up in tax basis and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can work to your advantage. By the end, you'll have knowledge and actionable strategies to consider that may help preserve your assets, maximize tax efficiency, and make your retirement dollars last. Please bring a notebook/pen and a calculator.

Anthony Corsino, owner of Zen Financial Planning, LLC in Andover, MA, holds a BS from Bentley, a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University, and holds other designations and certificates from The American College of Financial Services, The College for Financial Planning, and Villanova. He teaches financial planners nationwide in multiple university programs and serves as a subject matter expert at Boston University, Regis College, and through Greene Consulting, which partners with several universities including UNH and James Madison.

Impress your family and friends with your photos! Learn how to use the camera settings on your phone, as well as how to share and print your photos. Discuss picture-taking techniques and the best free and low-cost tools for editing, finishing, and image management. This class will include time viewing photos and the instructor will provide feedback on student work. Come explore the magic of smartphone photography with Steve!

Please have a computer, stable internet connection, and your fully charged smartphone (Android or Apple). Zoom link provided by instructor.

Steve McGrath is a professional freelance photographer and teacher with 25 years of experience. His love of the great outdoors led him to his true passion—nature photography. Steve was an active member of the Gateway Camera Club for many years and has won many ribbons and awards at fairs and competitions through the group and on his own. Many of his images have been published in school textbooks.

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Wish-cycling is the hope that if you throw something in the recycling bin, it will be dealt with. Recycling contamination is a huge issue world wide. Learn how you can help your community, the environment and the world all at the same time. Get the what's, where's, why's and how's of recycling. Knowing what to put in which bin has never mattered more!

Registration closes at noon on 3/5.

Annie Hayes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning & Policy with a minor in Ecology from the University of Southern Maine. After starting as an Education and Outreach Intern at ecomaine during her junior year in 2022, she transitioned to the role of Environmental Educator following her graduation in 2024. Her commitment to education and advocacy drives her efforts to make a positive impact in the Maine community.

Discover new techniques in gua sha, specifically for application to the meridians and their associated organs to support organ health. Learn more about the meridian map and discover how to apply gua sha to yourself and others for chest congestion, stomach aches, menstrual cramps, and headaches. Wear a swimsuit top (no sports bras) if you'd like work done on the skin of your upper back and shoulders. Gua sha spoons provided; we will also discuss other tools you can use.

Lisa Bouchard, a qualified massage therapist and acupuncturist, founded the MassageCraft & Acupuncture clinic in 1991.

In the US alone, there are over 38 million persons who suffer from diabetes! Learn about the various types of diabetes and how it develops in the body. Talk about how the environment and heredity contribute to the illness. Find out what the symptoms are, and discuss the organs that control sugar metabolism and the body's control over insulin and glucose. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, you don't want to miss this series!

Sarah Cote is a board certified Nurse Practitioner in Diabetes Education and Advanced Diabetes Management. She owns and operates a private diabetes-focused practice in Southern ME.

An estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste end up in landfills each year in America. Let's keep some clothes out of the landfill by learning basic hand-mending stitches! Explore different stitch techniques and create your own cloth stitching sampler book to take home. All materials provided.

Sara Ottomano has more than 10 years of experience teaching art classes. She enjoys encouraging others to play with materials, explore sustainable artmaking practices, and create stories together.

Learn a basic, tried-and-true sauerkraut recipe, technique, and troubleshooting topics. Add various vegetable shapes and designs along the sides for a beautiful presentation-these make excellent gifts! Delicious, locally-grown cabbage makes ferments that last for months, and maintains flavor and nutrient content. Discover the marvelous microorganisms that surround us, give us 'terroir' and keep us healthy by replenishing our microbiomes. This hybrid class (live or via Zoom) will include both microbiology and ferment creation. Registration closes at noon on 2/26. Zoom link, in-person address, and materials list provided by instructor.

Emma Holder attended McGill University, earning a BSc in 1991 and a Masters in 1993 in microbiology and immunology. Her passion is to connect with people and provide enjoyable learning experiences to create healthy, happy lifestyles.

It's easier than you think!

Make pasta sheets for lasagna noodles, ravioli, and tortellini with common kitchen ingredients. Watch demos on filling and folding and cook some filled pastas to enjoy with a browned butter and sage sauce or en brodo (in chicken broth). Chef Mary will bring a traditional family recipe to enjoy as a special treat. This is a demonstration class, however, students are welcome to either watch or put on an apron and get their hands dirty. Recipes provided. Bring an apron, baggies for leftovers and your appetite!

Mary Bailey, pastry chef and past owner/chef of Thyme and Honey Bakery in Biddeford, is passionate about baking bread and teaching people how to incorporate homemade bread into their daily lives.