Wellness coach Hester Brooks will return to the Rockport Public Library on Friday, May 1, at 3:30 p.m. to lead an event called “Full Moon Rest Circle.” This free, 1-hr. program is part of the library’s “Let’s Feel Better in 2026” series. Brooks will guide participants through a meditation designed to help them unwind their nervous systems, release tension, and reconnect with peace and tranquility. Since the event coincides with a full moon, Brooks will also focus a portion of the meditation on manifesting abundance and fulfillment. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably and can choose to rest in the library’s chairs or bring a padded mat to lie down on. Warm beverages and cozy snacks will be provided. Hester Brooks is a Certified Daring to Rest Coach and Yoga Nidra facilitator based in Lincolnville. She helps individuals who are feeling exhausted nourish their nervous systems and make life decisions that lead to a calmer future. For more information, visit restwithhester.com.

On Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m., University of Maine Associate Professor Dr. Phillip Buckley will give a presentation examining freedom of speech from two overlapping perspectives: American constitutional law and American culture. Freedom of speech is a cherished American right. It is highly protected by the First Amendment, and a majority of Americans from all political perspectives claim to strongly support free speech. At the same time, free speech controversies and conflicts regularly rock American society. At times, many Americans seem to endorse a “free speech for me but not for thee” approach, crying foul when views they support are restricted but endorsing or at least accepting restrictions on expression with which they disagree. The program will explore questions such as: How does American law balance the individual right of free speech with the need that the government has to restrict speech at times? What philosophical and political values underpin the right of free speech? How does living in a “strong free speech society” impact what it means to be a citizen? What role has free speech played in American history and what role does it play in American culture and politics today? Dr. Buckley is a member of...

On Wednesday, May 13, at 1 p.m., the Rockport Public Library will host the third program in its Spring Horticulture Series in partnership with Merryspring Nature Center. John Fromer, Merryspring’s Program Director, will introduce the audience to a new digital tool that can dynamically enhance learning opportunities while at the 66-acre preserve. The live, interactive mapping application was developed by Fromer and BJ Richardson, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where Richardson served as a regional and national leader in computer mapping. The new app will provide users with multiple detailed maps of Merryspring’s trail network, gardens, and natural landmarks, offering real-time navigation and information about flora, fauna, and historical features. It will offer hikers, birdwatchers, and general visitors the opportunity to do deeper dives into notable points of interest — providing the option for a more enriched experience. Merryspring is a nonprofit, privately owned park and nature center offering educational programs, gardens, and trails open to the public year-round. Located in Camden, Maine, Merryspring is dedicated to promoting the understanding of the natural world through conservation, education, and community engagement. LEARN MORE AT: merryspring.org SAVE THE DATE FOR THE LAST EVENT IN THIS SERIES: Wednesday,...

The Rockport Public Library and Rockport Library Foundation welcome Peter Sagal to the Rockport Opera House for a free community event on Friday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. Sagal, one of the nation’s premier radio humorists and commentators, is best known as the host of NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” Sagal has traveled the country with the show for two decades, interviewing notable figures and entertaining audiences with his insightful and colorful commentary. He is also a playwright, screenwriter, author, and marathon runner, with a diverse and evolving career spanning various media. Sagal’s presentation will explore the intersections of politics, civics, humor, and entertainment, and how they all draw from each other to create the American experience. While the event is free and open to the public, seating at the Rockport Opera House is limited.CLICK HERE to reserve your seats on Thundertix. This event is sponsored by the Rockport Library Foundation. For more information about the Foundation, please visit their website: rockportlibraryfoundation.org