THOMASTON

New cat care facility open

The Humane Society of Knox County has opened The Cobb House, a new cat care facility, at 17 Buttermilk Lane.

The feline shelter was named for the late Martha Cobb, who donated funding for the building’s construction.

Cobb House provides housing for up to 60 felines. HSKC staffers have posted a wish list of specialized items needed to operate the new cat facility at the Walmart website: www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=86210622198.

PORTLAND

Pre-kindergarten application

Portland public schools are accepting applications for children who are eligible to begin pre-kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year.

Children must be 4 years old on or before Oct. 15 to start the program. Pre-kindergarten classes currently are located at Riverton Elementary School, Portland Arts and Technology High School, East End Community School and Cliff Island School.

Applications are available at www2.portlandschools.org/pre-kindergarten-classes.

Music sale at thrift store

The Catholic Charities Thrift Store received a donation of more than 3,000 albums and more than 1,000 CDs from Bill O’Neil’s House of Rock and Roll in Saco.

Fans of the shop will find hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s on vinyl for $1, 45s are three for $1 and CDs are $2 at the Union Station Plaza Store located at 244 St. John St.

FREEPORT

Rotary Club fundraiser

The Rotary Club of Freeport held its 2nd Annual Spring Gala fundraising event on March 10 to support Rotary programs in Freeport and Pownal.

Nearly 100 people attended the event, which was held at the Community Services Center on Depot Street.

The event featured food donated by Linda Bean’s Kitchen, Buck’s Naked BBQ, Old World Gourmet, and chocolates from Wilbur’s. There was a raffle and auction items were available for bid throughout the event.

There was also a fashion show with members of the local police and fire departments as the runway models.

LEWISTON

Animal rescue grant

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society is one of 55 animal rescue organizations receiving grant funding to participate in the first-ever American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals “Mega Match-a-thon” event this spring.

The GAHS cares for more than 5,500 sick, homeless and abused animals in the Greater Androscoggin area each year. Primary support comes from fundraising events and private donations.

To donate or for more details, call 783-2311 or go to www.SavingPetsInMaine.org.

BERWICK

Food drive benefit

A Noble Middle School food drive helped six area families in need as well as The Table of Plenty food resource.

The effort was led by eighth grader and Girl Scout Olivia Koss, whose goal was to collect 100 non-perishable food items in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Koss and 13 of her classmates and teachers created an awareness campaign along with collection boxes.

More than 600 food items were collected and distributed as a result.

BIDDEFORD

Clinic receives grant

The Biddeford Free Clinic has been awarded three one-year grants totaling $25,000 by United Way of York County to provide free medical and dental care to community members through its Dental Wellness Center.

Founded in 1993, the free clinic serves uninsured adults and children, offering free outpatient general medical care and non-narcotic medication to those who have no medical insurance and cannot afford private medical care.

For more details, call Joan Gordon at 282-1138.

WELLS

Student art awards

The artwork of several Wells High School students has placed in the 2012 Region 1 Scholastic Art Awards Contest.

Patrick Menard received a Gold Key in the mixed media “Video Game” category and a Silver Key in photography. He also received honorable mention for his entry in photography portfolio. His work will advance to the national level of competition.

Wantana “May” Theerathampitak was awarded a Silver Key in drawing and honorable mentions in drawing and printmaking.

Theerathampitak’s work is being exhibited at the Portland Museum of Art in Portland through March 31.

Also receiving honorable mentions were Hayley Boyle in design, Julianna Fischer in mixed media and Sarah Speare in the photography portfolio category.

KENNEBUNK

Students win MathCounts

The Middle School of the Kennebunks MathCounts team won first place at the Western Maine Regional Competition held recently at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham.

Team members include eighth graders William O’Neil and Gordon McCulloh, seventh grader Kyle Ryan and sixth grader Judah Phipps-Costin.

O’Neil and McCulloh placed first and second, respectively, in the written competition. Three of the school’s six alternates for the contest, Daniel Behrens, Pierce Rotman and Lily Verna, also finished among the top 15 individuals in the written round.

Those students will compete with the top four schools from the three regional competitions in Maine at the state level MathCounts competition to be held on March 31 at Kennebec Valley Community College.

CASCO

Donations needed

Casco Cares is seeking public donations to fund an emergency fuel assistance program to provide heating oil to Casco residents who do not qualify for town, state, PROP or other sources of aid.

The non-profit group is attempting to raise $15,000 by placing fundraising jars at public locations around the town and inviting the community to make contributions by mailing checks made out to Casco Cares and sending them to: Casco Cares, P.O. Box 22, Casco, ME 04015.