In late March and during the first week of April at Boothbay Region Adult Ed, you can explore the settings and modes on your digital camera, learn about homesteading, protect your computer when surfing the Internet, and start researching your family history.

In Beginning Genealogy on Thursday, March 26 learn how to research your family history. It’s like a treasure hunt; sometimes there are false leads, however, when you get the right clue, it can be exciting and very rewarding. In addition to internet resources there are many other good sources that are not online. Sally Lobkowicz will discuss both types of research and talk about some examples of where to start. Sally is best known as the Lady in the Red Cloak and is an experienced genealogy researcher. The time is 6 to 8 p.m. and the fee is $15.

You probably have no idea how much stuff is downloaded onto your computer when you are on the Internet. Take Internet Security, Settings, and Clean-up to learn about these files that can cause a slow down of your computer, make pop up adds appear, and send information about you to websites when you are online. Learn about identity theft, virus outbreaks, trojans, and spyware. Protect your email from spam and other threats. Safely delete these files and programs, install free programs, and change your settings to guard your computer. This class meets on March 30 and April 1, 6-8 p.m. The fee is $28.

In Get to Know Your Digital Camera with Leisha MacDougall on March 31 and April 2, you'll learn to take great photos with your digital camera, and gain a better understanding of your camera’s features. Bring your digital camera (w/ fresh batteries) and manual to this hands on class and learn to access different settings and functions. We'll discuss general camera basics, automatic settings, exposure modes, flash, and how to customize settings to get the pictures you want. The time is 6 to 8 p.m. and the cost is $28.

On Wednesday, April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m., Kim Scheimreif of Shepherds and Such Farm will talk about Homesteading Through the Seasons. Learn to make the most of what nature offers with just a small piece of land. Find out how to incorporate all of the parts of your homestead into a whole integrated system. Kim and her family have been homesteading in Waldoboro since 1996, and live in a 200-year-old stucco cape listed on the registry of historical homes. The family raises pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and bees and have a medicine wheel garden, pond, and vegetable gardens. Shepherds and Such Homesteading Farm was featured in the August 2010 issue of Backwoods Home Magazine. The cost is $10.

To register for these or other Adult Ed courses, complete the registration form in the brochure. You can also print the form from our website: boothbayae.org. Include payment and mail to: Boothbay Region Adult Ed, 236 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or drop your registration and payment off in the high school office weekdays. If you have questions or need more information, call 633-3224 or email boothbayae@gwi.net