STEUBEN – The old excuse, “There’s nothing to do around here” on Friday nights doesn’t fly anymore in this town.

As many as 30 people have been gathering each Friday evening in October at Eagle Hill, the nonprofit foundation and research facility that is tucked into Steuben’s back woods. The place is named for Eagle Hill, the highest part of Steuben’s densely wooded Dyer Point.

A mix of young families through older adults have been meeting at the Commons Building at Eagle Hill, part of the wooded campus for the internationally known Humboldt Field Research Institute that focuses on natural history.

At the main lodge guests share conversation, read from the library, play cards or board games, have a light supper of soup, hear a speaker or just sit by the fireplace.

Conducted for the first time this fall, the Friday evenings are such a success that the Eagle Hill staff probably will host the open houses right through March.

It’s free to walk in the door, although donations are appreciated.

The evenings begin at 5 p.m. and feature a speaker at 7 p.m. Food and drink is available for nominal charges – $1 for a cup of coffee or tea; $5 for a supper of soup and fresh bread, and $2 more for a second helping.

Documentary films have been the draw, as well as local speakers. So far there have been two films – one about the work of British environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy and the other about cane toads.

Richard Ossolinski of Gouldsboro – a fruit tree specialist – talked about growing apples Down East. This Friday, Oct. 27, Keith Goldfarb will present “Living with Solar Power.”

On Nov. 3, Steuben sculptor Jesse Salisbury (“Sculpting in Stone”) will present the plans for the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium, which he is helping organize for Winter Harbor in August and September 2007. The symposium will bring international and local sculptors together for seven weeks, and the resulting pieces will become public art in towns within Hancock and Washington counties.

The Eagle Hill staff anticipates bringing in an even broader range of presenters through the winter, including other local artists and authors.

This is the first year for the program, which complements the Cosmos Colloquia, a longer-standing series of five academic evenings during the summer that include a full dinner.

For more information about Eagle Hill and its year-round programs, contact Anne at anne@eaglehill.us or call 546-2821.