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Friday, April 17, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 16
Earth Day Celebrations at The Wells Reserve at Laudholm WELLS The Wells Reserve at Laudholm will be hosting a community Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will kick off with a beach cleanup on Laudholm Beach from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by nature-inspired crafts and activities at the Laudholm campus, from noon to 2 p.m. Activities include a pollinator scavenger hunt, seed planting instruction with Maine Master Gardeners, leaf printing, and earth pledges. T he m a i n at t rac t ion, “Within the Whale,” features
a life-size inflatable humpback whale and takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. Participants can step inside the whale (pictured) for an immersive experience that offers the chance to explore its interior and learn how whales support healthy oceans and a thriving planet. The festive, educational, and inspiring event is open to all, offering the public a chance to give Planet Earth a little extra love and care. The event is free with site admission, and registration is not required to attend. The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is Maine’s only National
Estuarine Research Reserve and is open daily for science, education, and public enjoyment. More than 50,000 people visit each year to explore seven miles of trails and learn about coastal ecosystems. The reserve is funded by the Laudholm Trust, a membersupported Maine nonprofit, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is located at 342 Laudholm Farm Rd., Wells, with the public entrance and parking lot located at 55 Skinner Mill Road. For more information, visit www.wellsreserve.org/calendar.
‘Kids Visit Free Day,’ Earth Day Celebrations at CFW CAPE NEDDICK The Center for Wildlife (CFW) is hosting a Kids Visit Free Day on Friday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With the purchase of one adult admission (18 and older), children are admitted free. The event includes outdoor exploration and educational programming. Scheduled activities include an owl pellet dissection from noon to 12:45 p.m. and a turtle talk from 2 to 2:30 p.m. CFW is also hosting an Earth Day celebration where the community can take part in hands-on crafts, wildlife encounters, and outdoor exploration. The event will take place Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors of all ages can
explore local wildlife, ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable practices. Guests explore the campus while taking part in a range of activities. Visitors can become Vernal Pool Detectives, discovering the hidden life within these seasonal habitats for salamanders and frogs. Families can also take part in environmentally friendly crafts, including recycled water bottle planters, or join a guided spring bird walk through the woodland trails. Throughout the event, guests can meet some of CFW’s Animal Ambassadors, includ-
Local Average Tide Chart Date High Low
KENNEBUNK BlixxHorses is a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit based in Kennebunk that offers interactive, therapeutic, non-riding programs to the public. Founded in 2007, the organization focuses on building bonds and developing relationships with horses to provide emotional and physical benefits, including stress reduction. The organization is hosting a fundraiser, “Unbridled,” on Sunday, April 26, from noon to 2 p.m. in honor of Lexxie, a resident horse who recently died. The afternoon includes a Blessing of the Animals, a silent auction and light brunch, a visit with resident horse Fritz, and open
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Some events will take place outdoors along uneven, forested terrain. Wheelchair- and stroll-
er-accessible trails are available See CFW on page 4...
BlixxHorses Honors Lexxie, Hosts Fundraiser
Arts & Entertainment 14-17 Calendar
ing birds of prey, turtles, and frogs, while learning about their unique adaptations and conservation stories. “Earth Day is a reminder to slow down, step outside, and reconnect with the environment we depend on everyday, and that even small actions can have a big impact in protecting the natural world,” said Saige-Lyn Gidzinski, a nature-based educator and outreach lead at CFW. “We want visitors to leave this event feeling inspired, curious, and empowered to care for the environment in their own communities.”
Obituaries Pets
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walks along BlixxHorses’ walking trails. Lexxie was born at Riverhurst Farm in Kennebunk on April 23, 2000, and was bred to be a performance horse. The buyer backed out at the last minute, and
she was sent to a horse auction instead. The breeder’s priority was primarily economic. BlixxHorses stepped in and rescued the 6-month-old alpha mare from a potential life of ongoing physical demands and mental pressure. Lexxie was purchased as a companion for BlixxHorses’ Thoroughbred rescue, Blue, who died in 2008. Lexxie was never ridden. The organization believes that encouraging use in performance industries can contribute to misuse and abuse, as horses were not designed to carry weight or perform in that way. Alongside Blue and a third rescue, Fritz, Lexxie helped thousands of people from around the world gain a better understand-
ing of horses and their individual needs and care. Her role in the organization was unique as a never-ridden horse. She was highly socialized, exceptionally trained, and allowed to live freely as a horse. She will be deeply missed. Fritz will now take the lead. For the week of April 20-24, BlixxHorses willl be hosting family open days at the ranch, in conjunction with School Vacation Week. The rescue has a variety of family-friendly activities planned. Contact BlixxHorses to learn more. BlixxHorses is located at 5 Portage Way, West Kennebunk. For more information, visit www.blixxhorses.org or call 207985-1994.
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