Who is Stinking Benjamin? What's the difference between wintergreen and teaberry? Are conifer needles safe to ingest? The Saco Heath is a very special ecosystem unlike many others in New England! Come and see rare and familiar plants and learn what is edible, medicinal, poisonous, touchable, smellable and best to be admired from afar! In spring time the heath shares treasures such as lady's slippers and trillium, as well as Maine favorites hemlock and bracken fern. Learn to look closely at the world beginning to bloom in this very unique place! This trail, located on beautiful Wabanaki land, is moderately flat and may be muddy in spots, depending on whether we had rain recently. Half of the trail is a wooden board walk with several stopping points with benches. Rain date Wednesday, May 22nd.

Meet in the Saco Heath parking area. Walk starts promptly at 9:30 AM.

Note: Please communicate any accessibility concerns at registration and we will ask Laura to contact you to discuss any needed accommodations.

Required: Proof of registration. Bring binoculars, if desired. Wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen and an optional brimmed hat or cap which helps with both sun and bugs.

Laura Grover is a plant and bird hobbyist, botanical illustrator for Fedco Seeds, and a mindfulness ambassador. She has led many plant identification and mindful foraging walks for people of all ages. She enjoys bringing people together to look closely in nature, practice mindfulness outside, and be a sensory animal in the woods.

Is Pickleball for you?

Join us for the basics for those new to the game and absolute beginners. Learn the rules of scoring, court basics, the non-volley zone, common terms, faults, hot tips, and serving—the most significant difference from tennis. Students will be notified of weather location change the morning of class.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Is Pickleball for you?

Join us for the basics for those new to the game and absolute beginners. Learn the rules of scoring, court basics, the non-volley zone, common terms, faults, hot tips, and serving—the most significant difference from tennis. Students will be notified of weather location change the morning of class.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Is Pickleball for you?

Join us for the basics for those new to the game and absolute beginners. Learn the rules of scoring, court basics, the non-volley zone, common terms, faults, hot tips, and serving—the most significant difference from tennis. Students will be notified of weather location change the morning of class.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Does honeysuckle smell like honey? Which flowers are edible? Do people have herbal medicine in their yards and not even know? Join Laura on an educational nature walk in downtown Saco. Be surprised by all that is growing in the city itself, which is still beautiful Wabanaki land. Nature is prolific and will pop up through the cracks in the sidewalks and on the edges of the street. We will look closely at what is growing and meet many early summer native and invasive plants, as well as learn what unique gifts city plants give us. Look closely and learn to identify plants you may have in your own backyard. This walk will mostly be on sidewalks but nearer to the river there is a section with many stairs  which will take 15-20 minutes and those who want to skip that part will have access to benches to wait upon. Rain date 6/13.

Meet at the benches between the Saco Post Office and Saco Scoops.  Walk begins promptly at 4:30 PM. 

Note: Please communicate any accessibility concerns at registration and we will ask Laura to contact you to discuss any needed accommodations.

Required: Proof of registration. Bring binoculars, if desired. Wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and an optional brimmed hat or cap (which helps with both sun and bugs).

Laura Grover is a plant and bird hobbyist, botanical illustrator for Fedco Seeds, and a mindfulness ambassador. She has led many plant identification and mindful foraging walks for people of all ages. She enjoys bringing people together to look closely in nature, practice mindfulness outside, and be a sensory animal in the woods.

Practicing the basic strokes of pickleball keeps your game consistent, but one of the more fun things to do is to try out new shots. Strokes allow you to apply action to the ball, whereas a shot is more specific and happens after you have made a stroke. Get an introduction to a variety of shots, including the block, dink, lob, and volley shots. Serve and return of serve will also be covered. To have the best experience in this class, players are encouraged to have taken a Pickleball Taster course or played at the beginner level. Rain date 6/30.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Is Pickleball for you?

Join us for the basics for those new to the game and absolute beginners. Learn the rules of scoring, court basics, the non-volley zone, common terms, faults, hot tips, and serving—the most significant difference from tennis. Students will be notified of weather location change the morning of class.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.

Is Pickleball for you?

Join us for the basics for those new to the game and absolute beginners. Learn the rules of scoring, court basics, the non-volley zone, common terms, faults, hot tips, and serving—the most significant difference from tennis. Students will be notified of weather location change the morning of class.

Required: Proof of registration, pickleball paddle and ball (approx. $15–$40 on Amazon, deals for packs of 2 paddles), active wear, weather-appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, and water.

Andra Yanchenko specializes in fitness, functional movement, and racquet sports. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Health Coach, USTA, USPTA, PTR Coach, and YogaFit Instructor.