KENNEBUNK

THE NEW SCHOOL received a Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Grant to support a program to educate students about agricultural products, sustainability and permaculture. Pupils are being taught about organic gardening, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets and restaurants that use local food. A trip to the Common Ground Fair is planned this fall as part of those studies.

PORTLAND

THE MAINE NARROW GAUGE Railroad was awarded a $3,000 restoration grant from the Amherst Railway Society to restore the railroad’s steam locomotive Engine No. 7, being rebuilt by museum volunteers and professional contractors.

Engine No. 7 was built in 1913 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. It ran on the 2-foot gauge Bridgton and Saco River Railroad until service stopped in 1941. The locomotive then ran at Edaville Railroad in South Carver, Mass., before returning to Maine in 2003. Restoration work began in 2008 and is expected to be completed in 2013.

 

THE METRO is offering discounted fares for students attending schools in Portland, Westbrook and Falmouth and free rides for a limited time for students at local colleges.

High school students can ride METRO buses for $1. The regular fare is $1.50. After Sept. 10, students must present drivers with a student photo ID to receive the discount.

Students from the following colleges can ride the bus for free from Monday through Sept. 10: Husson College; Kaplan University; Maine College of Art; SALT Institute for Documentary Studies; Southern Maine Community College; University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine.

Some of those schools are offering additional discounts after Sept. 10. Students at SMCC can ride the bus for free throughout the school year.

For details, call 774-0351 or go to www.gpmetrobus.com.

STRATTON

DEAD RIVER Area Historical Society 2012 pictorial calendars are on sale for $6 at Pine’s Market and Fotter’s Market. The calendars also may be bought via mail order for an additional $2 postage fee by sending checks to: Dead River Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 15, Stratton, ME 04982. For more details, call Mary Henderson at 246-2271.

SANFORD

A GRANT from the Davis Family Foundation will fund a volunteer-led “Sharp Minds, Strong Bodies” program at Goodall Hospital. That program was developed to improve patients’ hospital stays by offering books and other activities. The pogram is being piloted on Goodall’s Medical/Surgical Unit, Marland II.

Goodall volunteer Kurtis Grant spent more than 100 hours setting up the program, which runs on 12 iPad2 units, to provide access to the Internet for patients. The program includes downloadable audio books, courtesy of the Maine State Library’s BARD Program, for the sight-impaired, as well as newspapers, magazines and brain teasers such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles and jumbles. For details, call Joanne Livingston at 490-7027.

NORTH YARMOUTH

JEANNE M. CHADBOURNE, a former selectman and retired teacher for School Administrative District 51, will be recognized Saturday with the North Yarmouth Distinguished Citizen Award.

Chadbourne taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades for 28 years. She retired and immersed herself in the community, serving two terms on the Board of Selectmen and the SAD 51 school board. She also volunteers at the Mabel I. Wilson School, serves on the town’s parks and recreation committee, and is active in the Congregational Church Fellowship Hall.

Chadbourne is the grand marshal in the parade at 9 a.m. Saturday at the town’s fun day event. She will receive the award after the parade.

ROCKLAND

THE ROCKLAND ROTARY has donated $2,000 to support two Broadreach Family & Community Services agencies. Donations of $1,000 each will benefit a free summer camp program for Youthlinks and early intervention services for young children with special needs at Mid-Coast Children’s Services. To find out more, go to www.brmaine.org, www.youthlinksonline.org or call 338-2200.

BUXTON

VENDORS are being sought for the Bonny Eagle Flea Market, set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 and 17 at Bonny Eagle Middle School, routes 22 and 35. Table spaces are $10 each or five for $40. For more details, call Karen at 692-2989. Proceeds are to benefit the Bonny Eagle High School scholarship fund.