What does it mean to be “your community learning center”? Many people come to Cobscook to learn, but what separates Cobscook from a school or university is more than our unique location: it’s how we build our programs. It’s the central role that deep connection and community-building play in everything we do. It’s why Monday Night Music is our most enduring and consistent program here on campus: it has always been a way to bring people together—the music itself is just a way to help that connection happen.

We’re excited that we have several new programs to help round out what it can mean to be a “home place” for all of our community members. Starting in March, Gabi Montoya-Eyerman will be hosting a biweekly Monday evening Fiber Circle in our lobby to hold space for folks engaged in a wide range of fiber arts projects to share company and wisdom and just to connect. Back in the fall, Bold Coast Adventure Play began hosting play groups for young kids and their families on our campus, and that has developed into a weekly Friday morning child-directed free play group that alternates between object-based and art-based play opportunities. Finally, we’ve launched 1st Friday Game Night as an all-ages invitation to relax and connect over games and food, with shuttle transportation provided from Machias/East Machias.

As Susan Stafford Kelly wrote, “A homeplace becomes where you are. Whom you’re with. What you’re doing. It can’t be defined by locale…it’s anywhere one has known contentment.” Come and know contentment with your neighbors at some of our home place programs this season.