BATH

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY / 7 Rivers Maine is offering a low-interest loan program to fund home improvements for qualified, low-income homeowners from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties and the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell. Financing will be provided for home improvements including for safety, health and energy efficiency. Loans of up to $5,000 that will be paid over 5 to 10 years for homeowners who earn between 25 and 60 percent of the average income (approximately $14,500 to $35,000 for a family of four). Interested applicants should call Ryan at 386-5081 or e-mail ryan@habitat7rivers.org to schedule a pre-screening appointment.

Additional Photos

SAD 6 students, from left, Megan French, Kathryn Bearor, Mykenzy Gagnon, Morgan Hauber and Sarah Champagne participate in a team problem solving activity during the 22nd Annual Spring Math Meet at Bonny Eagle High School. Photo courtesy Kathy Campbell

AUBURN

THE “MAINE’S GOT Talent” winner is Chris Camire, 18, of Auburn. A senior at Edward Little High School, he captured a $500 cash prize and an audition with Dolphin Entertainment. Camireperformed a Frank Sinatra song, “Almost Like Being in Love.” He will perform at the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant Finals June 19 at Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School. Tickets are available for $35 until June 12 by contacting Margaret Watkinson at 729-0224 or childrensg@suscom-maine.net.

AUGUSTA

THE BICYCLE COALITION of Maine has produced a free calendar listing hundreds of Maine bicycling events in 2010. It includes 62 weekly rides, 173 special events and a listing of Maine bike clubs, organizations and bicycle shops. Pick up a copy at local bicycle shops and sports stores throughout Maine. An online version may be found at www.BikeMaine.org.

PORTLAND

THE RACE TO STOP Extinction 5K Run/Walk and Kid’s Fun Run is scheduled May 23, on Portland’s Back Cove Trail and is looking for participants and volunteers. Race founder and coordinator Rachel Piper said the race has aligned itself with One Percent for the Planet, and all race proceeds will benefit the protection endangered species. Race commentary will be provided by local writer and announce for Maine Roller Derby Aimsel Ponti, with live music, organic refreshments and face painting for entertainment. For more information visit www.race2stopextinction.com

MATTHEW R. SIMMONS was speaker when University of New England hosted the Paul D. Merrill Business Ethics Lecture. The topic was “Our Fragile Energy System: Is It Sustainable? If Not, Where Do We Turn Next?”

CAPE ELIZABETH

ALL 18 STUDENTS in Morton G. Soule’s first-year Latin at Cape Elizabeth High School took the National Latin Language Exam and scored above the national average. Tori Downer, Maria Morris, Alex Cooley, Sam Sherman, Cameron Caswell, Robert Freccero, Francesca Governali, Henry Babcock, Catherine Powell, and Nolan Chase took home the Gold Summa Cum Laude prize, the highest award. Six students in second year were tested, and Robert Macdonald, Thomas Janick, Jacob Wasserman, and Kelsey Krull accepted the laurel wreath.

SOUTH PORTLAND

THE NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE is holding its local 2010 Opening Day Saturday. John “Slim” Lee, unit director of South Portland Boys & Girls Club since 1974, will be honored and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The 2009 boy’s league for ages 11 and 12 will be honored for winning last year’s District championship and for finishing as runners up in the State championship.

SCARBOROUGH

THE HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS performed in March at the Waterside Stage at the Walt Disney World Resort. Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply to perform each year as part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resorts.

WELLS

WELLS RIPTIDE, the grade 4 traveling basketball team, has won a Kittery Recreation Department basketball tournament, besting 10 teams to win. Students players include Jackie Beattie, Delaney McDonnell, Sarah Boston, Allison Brann, Anya Chase, Kayla Cummings, Leah Tufts, Caroline Ford and Hope Wolterbeek. The team is coached by Matt Chase and Chuck Tufts.

NORTH YARMOUTH

THE EVENTS COMMITTEE is seeking artists to participate in their 2010 Fun Day logo contest. The winning entry’s design will be featured on the front of the 2010 Fun Day t-shirt and will appear in the Fun Day program brochure and Web site. Entries must be sent by May 15 and a winner will be announced June 1. Send entries with “Fun Day Logo Contest” on the envelope, to Darla Hamlin, c/o Town of North Yarmouth, 10 Village Square Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097 or to darla@softtrac.com. For more information, call 831-0160.

SACO

THORNTON ACADEMY Middle School Environmental Club students will double the size of their community garden via a mini-grant from the Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition. The project teaches students about growing, harvesting, nutrition and supporting local food growers. The students recently hosted a dinner for parents and community members to share what they’ve learned. The created and served a soup made from their crop of stored root vegetables. The students are now working to change the school’s culture to be more environmentally friendly, raising awareness about using recycled products.

BRUNSWICK

THE DAUGHTERS of the American Revolution local chapter recently honored DAR Good Citizens from seven high schools at the Thornton Oaks Retirement Center. Honorees included Olivia Ann Chance from The Hyde School of Bath, Daniel Van Note from Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Cheslea Bruno from Brunswick High School, Mariah Vitali from Freeport High School, Kayla Harrison from Yarmouth High School, Lucyna Krzywon from Pine Tree Academy in Freeport and Kean McDermott from Morse High School in Bath.

SANFORD

CARING UNLIMITED has been awarded $7,000 from the One Day at a Time Fund and the York County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support a Systematic Training for Effective Parenting course for mothers who have experienced domestic abuse. Attendees of the seven-week program will be taught parenting skills and strategies for dealing with child misbehavior, effective communication, problem-solving and building responsibility. The STEP course also will include three supplemental sessions detailing specific challenges faced by parents and their children who have witnessed domestic abuse. Free child care will be provided during classes. For more information, go to www.mainecf.org or call (877)700-6800.

STANDISH

THE ACTIVE SENIOR Citizens group of Standish donated Webster’s dictionaries to Grade 3 students at Edna Libby Elementary School. The dictionaries each were personalized with a book plate bearing students’ names on the front inside cover.

HEBRON

FORTY-ONE HEBRON Academy Middle School students and their chaperones recently journeyed to Montreal, Canada, for a tour of the city and a visit to the Montreal Science Center. They ended the day at a Cabana a Sucre, where the group was served a family-style meal of foods made from maple syrup.

BIDDEFORD

SOUTHERN MAINE MEDICAL Center joined forces with The Church on the Cape in Cape Porpoise to provide over-the-counter medical and personal hygiene items to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti. They were handed to a 12-member team from Partners in Development, Inc., a New England based non-profit that has worked in Haiti for 20 years. The hospital also donated seven hydraulic stretchers, three medical supply storage cabinets and an ECG Unit, along $7,686.70 to benefit the work of the American Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. For more information about Partners in Development, Inc., go to www.pidonline.org.

KENNEBUNK

THE DEADLINE for applying for the SMMC Visiting Nurses’ three-year nursing “Joanne Wrba Memorial Nursing Scholarship.” Two scholarships, one at $1,000 and the other a multi-year award for $4,000, will go to a graduating senior of Kennebunk High School or the Biddeford Resource Center of Technology accepted into an accredited nursing program.

The other award of $1,000 will be given to a York County resident or non-traditional student (adult learner) working in health care and seeking become a registered nurse. To print an application, go to www.smmcvisitingnurses.org. For more details, call 985-1000.

GRAY

BOB MORRILL, second district second Vice Commander, American Legions Post 86 in Gray, was honored April 13 during the second district’s annual banquet at the post.

The banquet honors past county and district commanders and ALA past District Presidents but Morrill was recognized for his recruitment efforts which have taken him to all 17 districts in the department. He has earned six Gold Brigade Awards, each for recruiting 50 or more new members, with a total of 454 credited to him.

In 2002, he was recognized as the department’s Legionnaire of the Year.

In addition to serving on several committees, Morrill has been commander of Cecil R. Cole Post 94, Greenville, Piscataquis County commander, Cumberland County commander, and Assistant Dept. Adjutant from 2003 to 2006.

He has also served on the National Distinguished Guest Committee since 2001.

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