Thrilling” is the word that immediately came to mind when I read the e-mail from Sally Chadbourne describing Windward Passage, a nonprofit organization in Castine that offers traditional sail training opportunities for high school students.

“Our program is expanding this year,” the Windward Passage board member wrote, “and we are trying to reach more kids beyond our local area.”

This summer, Windward Passage will sponsor three youth training cruises on two historic schooners: Maine Maritime Academy’s schooner Bowdoin, based in Castine, and the privately-owned schooner Nathaniel Bowditch, based in Rockland.

But this is the information I consider “thrilling:” Windward Passage is a scholarship program, and not only is the organization trying to reach beyond its local area, it is also encouraging young people who wouldn’t normally expect to have access to such an opportunity to take advantage of this special experience.

Chadbourne wrote that board members are hoping to encourage “young people who may particularly benefit from the teamwork and self-esteem building that comes with participating in a program like this” to apply.

The program is co-educational and open to students 14-18. No prior sailing experience is required.

Its scholarship fund typically covers 50 percent of the cost for each participant, with students and families paying the difference, which will be $250 for cruises this season.

However, consider this critical piece of information: According to the group’s press release, “no one is turned away due to an inability to pay, and scholarships up to 100 percent are available for eligible participants.”

The schedule is July 3-6 on the Bowdoin with 10 berths available; July 27-31 on the Nathaniel Bowditch with 20 berths available; and Aug. 4-7 on the Bowdoin with 10 berths available.

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. More information is available by e-mailing info@windwardpassage.org or calling 326-0606.

It is expected that a Web site, www.windwardpassage.org, will be up and running by April.

Windward Passage is a scholarship program of SailMaine, a 501c3 organization.

Tax-deductible donations are welcome.

The exhibit of Boston photographer Lauren Shaw, “Maine Women: Living on the Land,” opens with a reception, film presentation and book signing at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Maine Center for the Arts Bodwell Lounge on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono.

The exhibit runs through Saturday, May 6.

Shaw, an Emerson College associate professor in visual and media arts, spent nine years interviewing and photographing Maine women in order to tell their stories as a way to “celebrate the relationship between land and home.”

The exhibit about women who harvest blueberries, lobsters, potatoes, medicinal herbs, maple syrup, and raise sheep, goats and beef is free and open to the public.

A summer resident of the Belgrade Lakes region for more than 26 years, Shaw features in her exhibit the fulfilling lives of Raquel Boehmer, Monhegan Island; Sylvia Holbrook, New Vineyard; Leitha Kelly, Allagash; Deb Soule, Rockport; and Mary Philbrook, Presque Isle.

Also, Rep. Jackie Lundeen, Mars Hill; Gail Edwards, Athens; Jenny Cirone, So. Addison; Betty Weir, Cumberland; and Carol Varin, Beddington.

Bangor High School Music Department members Scott Burditt, George Redman and William Bell, with BHS Music Boosters members Bruce and Lisa Rocher, invite you to attend the BHS Pops Night with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Bangor High School on Broadway.

Admission is $5 per person or a maximum of $15 for families, and the evening includes refreshments, a Silent Auction and the terrific music of the BHS Jazz Choir, Jazz Bands, the Bangor fiddlers, soloists and the Middle School Jazz Bands and Combos.

University of Maine graduate student Erja Lipponen is organizing a women-only tour with a historical focus titled “In Search of the Irish Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley,” Aug. 5-17, with special guest, best-selling author Anne Chambers.

The March booking price is $3,498 and those who book in March save $150. The booking deadline is May 1.

Lipponen calls her women-only trips “Eurynome Journeys,” named for a pre-Greek goddess who created the world and whose name translates as “wide wandering.”

Other women-only tours organized by Lipponen include a Greek Island-Hopping Adventure May 27-June 10 and a tour of the Maine Coast, with a focus on art and nature, July 14-22.

More information can be found on the Web site: www.wanderwoman.com.

Interested women can also write Erja Lipponen, Eurynome Journeys/Leisure Markets Inc., P.O. Box 425, Camden 04843; call her at 236-0110, or e-mail wanderwoman-info@att.net.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.