Buxton students on SMCC dean’s list

Fifteen students from Buxton have been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

They are:

Kimberly Cressey, Shawn Franck, Jaime Frasca, Joline Gagnon-Frizze, Brad Gaumont. Chad Havu, Timothy Hubley, Matthew Maclean, Ryan Mater, Jenna Philpot, Eric Randall, Hidi St. Peter, Erika Stahl, Christopher Swenson and Sara VanDeventer.

Youland wins sales award

Brandy Youland has been recognized for topping the nation in sales in November at AtHome America.

She received the award because she has shown determination and commitment, a company statement said. Lisa Brandau, president of the company, said she is proud of Youland’s achievements.

“Brandy had an incredible month. All the energy she put into her business really helped her to earn this prestigious award,” Brandau said. ” I couldn’t be happier for her.”

Chinese New Year celebration

On Thursday, January 26th, the kindergarten classes and Heather Davidson’s multi-age class at Jack Memorial School participated in a cultural experience about Chinese New Year.

Molly McNutt, a student in Diane McNally’s kindergarten class, was born in China. Her parents, Charles and Michelle McNutt, came to the school to share information about Chinese New Year and China. They brought traditional children’s clothes, music, scrolls, a video, and many other items for the students to enjoy.

The students saw Molly model traditional Chinese garb, which is worn on special occasions. They learned how to say some words in Chinese and sang a song in Chinese to the tune of “Frere Jacques.”

Portions of the video “Big Bird in China” were shown. The students got to see Chinese people on bicycles; children in school; people speaking Chinese; and the Great Wall of China.

The McNutts gave all the students chopsticks and popcorn to see if they could learn to pick up the popcorn with the chopsticks.

Michelle McNutt read the students a story called “My First Chinese New Year.” Charles McNutt showed them some different scrolls (wall hangings) that Chinese families would have in their homes. Many of the scrolls have Chinese characters on them, which are symbols, not letters. There are over 40,000 Chinese characters.

Next, they made panda puppets. The McNutts also paraded around the cafeteria with a big Chinese dragon puppet. It was colorful and the students liked the dragon’s big tongue and the fire coming out of his nose. In China, it is believed that dragons are good because they scare away bad luck and evil spirits.

As they finished this experience, Molly gave every student a red envelope with chocolate coins inside! On Chinese New Year, children receive envelopes with real money inside.

Geography bee winners

Fourth and fifth grade students at the Frank Jewett/Hanson School in Buxton recently participated in a geography bee.

Students answered questions in preliminary rounds that were held in the classrooms. These classroom rounds determined the students who qualified for the final round.

The students were: Breanna Mondor, Amanda Thibodeau, Victoria Cady, Jacinda Volpe, Caleb Porter, Travis Harmon, Corey Leach, Matthew Hoyt, and Libby DesRuisseaux. The winner, Travis Harmon, will take a written test to qualify for the state bee.

BEMS team honored

The Bonny Eagle Middle School honor flag was raised to celebrate the Bonny Eagle Middle School’s eighth grade basketball team.

They won the Pepsi Invitational Basketball Tournament Championship at St. Joseph’s College on Feb. 4. This is the first Bonny Eagle Middle School team to take home the trophy. The team was coached by Cory Abbott.

Childs graduates Air Force training

Air Force Airman Timothy W. Childs has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, Childs studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Childs, a 2003 graduate of Bonny Eagle High School, is the son of Steven and Joanna Childs of Cemetery Road.

Red Sox Toronto trip

The Buxton Recreation Department is sponsoring a three-day round trip by bus in April to Toronto to see the Boston Red Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays.

The trip includes coach transportation, two nights at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Toronto and tickets to two games on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23.

The trip also includes a stop in Cooperstown, N.Y., to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The bus leaves at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 21, and returns at 5 a.m. on Monday, April 24. Cost is $275 per person (double); $450, per person (single); and $250 per person (triple).

Buxton Recreation Director Chris Barstow said 25 people had signed up by last week and there’s room for 15 more. “It’s first come, first serve,” Barstow said. “It’s an excellent trip.”

To register or for more information, contact Barstow at 929-8381 or www.buxtonrecreation.com

(#941) – Molly McNutt, kindergarten student at Jack Memorial School in Buxton, wears a traditional Chinese outfit. (#951) – Whitney Regan (front) and Deidra Perreault along with other Jack Memorial kindergarten students finish making their panda puppets for the Chinese New Year. Parents, Charles and Michelle McNutt help out with the festivities. Cutline (1275) – National Geography Bee Jewett/Hanson fourth and fifth grade participants are, left to right in the front row, Breanna Mondor, Amanda Thibodeau, Victoria Cady and Jacinda Volpe (runner-up); back row, Caleb Porter, Travis Harmon (winner), Corey Leach, Matthew Hoyt and Libby DesRuisseauxCutline (0010) ke Spiller and Tyler Ruby.Cutline (Timothy Childs) – Air Force Airman Timothy W. Childs has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.