PORTLAND

Garden produce sought for Wayside programs

Mason Curtis, center, of Rockland was recognized recently with a certificate of appreciation and gift cards for his volunteer efforts to keep the streets of Rockland clean. With him, from left, are Sierra Dietz, president of the board of directors of Rockland Main Street Inc., and owner of the Grasshopper Shop; Mason’s parents, Jeff and Terry Curtis; grandparents Ed and Shelley Curtis; and brother Miles Curtis. Photo courtesy Gordon Page

Maine Region 10 Technical High School teacher and Navy veteran Joanne McMahon, center, accepts the American Legion Humanitarian Award, presented by Brunswick Legion Post 20 Past Commander Marty Diller, left, and current Post 20 Commander Joe Donahue, right. Photo courtesy Ron Caron

The Wayside Community Meals Program is seeking harvest donations from area gardeners to benefit local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters and provide free meals.

In 2014, Wayside worked with farms, backyard gardeners, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Harvest for Hunger program and Hunters for the Hungry to redistribute 6,000 pounds of locally sourced food.

Gardeners can bring donations to Wayside’s operations center at 135 Walton St. Wayside can arrange pickup of large donations.

For more details, call Don Morrison at 712-4929 or email dmorrison@waysidemaine.org.

Eagles donate $33,600 to children’s hospital

Officials of the State of Maine Fraternal Order of Eagles recently presented a check for $33,600 to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital staff at Maine Medical Center.

The funds were raised through sales of T-shirts, a golf tournament, a motorbike ride and a raffle. The gift includes a grant from the national Fraternal Order of Eagles organization.

PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH

Foundation grants help 4-H, other Maine nonprofits

The Cumberland County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $59,745 in grants to nine nonprofits. They included 4-H Clubs and affiliated 4-H organizations for a new outdoor classroom to expand Kids Can Grow and other youth education programs.

Other grant recipients included the Center for Grieving Children, to increase training and consultation capacity for intercultural grief support and collective loss, and the Central Area Agency on Aging, to create age-friendly communities in Brunswick, Topsham and Harpswell.

The Cumberland County Fund is a permanent endowment that supports projects that strengthen communities in the county. Applications to the fund are reviewed by a committee of local leaders.

The next proposal deadline is Feb. 15, 2016. The application and guidelines can be found at mainecf.org.

ROCKLAND

Boy, 10, recognized for his downtown cleanup initiative

Mason Curtis, 10, was recognized recently for his campaign to clean up the city’s streets.

Armed with rubber gloves and a hand-held grabbing device to pick up litter, Curtis was spotted scouring the streets of Rockland, collecting discarded trash and placing it in a small wagon he was pulling. Friends occasionally joined Curtis in the effort.

Curtis’ clean-up efforts became known to Rockland Main Street Inc., a downtown advocacy group that recognizes young volunteers for their community service.

On July 31, accompanied by his parents, grandparents and younger brother, Mason was surprised with a certificate of appreciation, a gift certificate to Planet Toys and a Healthy Maine Streets tote bag. The family also received a gift card to Terra Optima Farm Market.

WESTBROOK

Governor directs $50,000 to My Place Teen Center

Gov. Paul LePage recently presented a check for $50,000 to the My Place Teen Center, a free, Westbrook-based, after-school program for ages 10 through 18.

The funds came from a discretionary State Contingent Account, set up by the Legislature to be allocated by the governor and not to exceed $300,000 in any given year.

This year, LePage directed those funds to several Maine nonprofit organizations to benefit thousands of residents.

LePage said the My Place program “is an excellent example of Mainers working together to fill an unmet need in their community. So much more than just a ‘place to go,’ the staff at the MPTC have created an environment where these youth can gain life skills, make positive connections with peers and role models, and access resources that may not be available to them at home.”

My Place Teen Center provides year-round programming and healthy meals. All services and meals are provided in a nurturing and educational environment at no cost to children and their families.

BRUNSWICK

Spindleworks artist’s work honors bank for its support

Androscoggin Bank recently received an honorary painting created by Spindleworks artist Emma Becker in recognition of its support of people with intellectual disabilities in the midcoast.

Becker’s painting, titled “Azaleas,” was selected from hundreds of artworks created by artists working at Independence Association’s nationally recognized artist studio Spindleworks.

Since establishing a partnership with Independence Association to raise awareness and funds to support individuals with intellectual disabilities, Androscoggin Bank has raised more than $10,000 as a platinum partner of the Run for Independence.

Teacher-veteran receives American Legion award

Maine Region 10 Technical High School teacher and Navy veteran Joanne McMahon recently was presented the American Legion Humanitarian Award by Brunswick Legion Post 20 to recognize her community service.

McMahon serves on the board of directors and as a member of the Family Advisory Council at Independence Association of Brunswick, a charitable nonprofit that serves adults and children with intellectual disabilities. She also serves on the board of Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation and is the co-founder of Veterans No Boundaries, a specialty program of MASR, and provides organizational and medical support during their recreational retreats.

McMahon teaches students from Brunswick, Freeport and Mount Ararat high schools who are earning their certified nursing assistant credential.

“I try to teach students that giving back to our community is an important part of everyone’s life,” McMahon said.

KENNEBUNK

Museum invites all ages to enter its photo contest

The fifth annual Brick Store Museum Photography Contest, presented by Kennebunk Savings Bank, is accepting submissions by amateur photographers of all ages until Sept. 4.

Photographs can be entered in the categories of Kennebunk, travel or nature, or a special anniversary category celebrating the art of smartphone photos, reflecting how these images have changed the way we capture culture.

Winners will be selected from each category. Each participant may submit a maximum of three entries. Three artists from the southern Maine community will serve as judges.

Each entry must consist of a digital image and entry form. Every image entered will appear on the Brick Store Museum’s website through Sept. 4 for viewing. Winning photographs, including a visitors’ choice, will be displayed in the museum’s History Showcase this fall.

For more information on the contest and rules, and to print an entry form, visit brickstoremuseum.org or call 985-4802.

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