WELLS
School district hosts second part of literacy workshop
Additional Photos
Wells-Ogunquit Community School District hosted some 250 parents and kindergarten through fourth-grade students recently for the second portion of Family Literacy Night at Wells Elementary School.
The first half of the event, held in September, featured a video for parents detailing the importance of child and adult interaction while reading a book together.
Students followed up by creating a book basket for home, picking out a new book to read and/or completed a response about a favorite book they have read.
The second evening was offered to provide literacy information for parents to support their learners at home and to provide interactive activities that encourage literacy.
Children’s author Matt Tavares attended the literacy night to provide an example of an interactive read-aloud.
A computer lab also was offered to teach parents how to locate books their child could read themselves and how to find more difficult books that are ideal read-alouds on two reading websites at Scholastic.com and Lexile.com.
KENNEBUNK
York County United Way holds fundraising finale
United Way of York County held its annual fundraising campaign finale recently at the Sanford-Springvale YMCA’s new expansion space.
The event was well attended, with 130 individual donors, volunteers and workplace representatives from companies who took part in the United Way campaign. More than 120 York County businesses hosted workplace campaigns this year to raise money for local programs and initiatives funded through the United Way.
The finale highlighted particular campaigns for their achievements and York County Spirit of Service awards were presented to the following companies: Making Strides Award to the Town of Wells; Creative and Energetic Campaign Award to coordinator Lisa Williamson of Hannaford-Saco; Giving Back Award to Tom’s of Maine; Campaign Coordinator Rookie of the Year to Stacey Anderson of Hussey Seating Company; Leading by Example Award to Kennebunk Savings; and the Model Campaign Award to Pratt & Whitney.
Along with the campaign recognition awards, the Second Annual York County Spirit of Service Award was presented to Lee Bryant for her commendable service to Ethel’s Tree of Life, for which she has volunteered since 2009. A $500 charitable donation from the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation will be given to the nonprofit or charitable organization of Bryant’s choice.
ELLSWORTH & PORTLAND
Community foundation announces policy scholars
The Maine Community Foundation has announced the Maine Policy Scholars 2013-2014 class.
One student from each campus of the University of Maine system has been selected to pursue a yearlong program of applied research in the area of Maine public policy. The 2014 scholars are Leah Grant, University of Maine at Augusta; Tyler Hadyniak, University of Maine at Farmington; Kahli Harvey, University of Maine at Machias; Angelina Jackman, University of Maine at Presque Isle; Nick Northcott, University of Southern Maine; Henry Norwood, University of Maine at Orono; and Kale O’Leary, University of Maine at Fort Kent.
During the course of the academic year, scholars work with faculty advisers to tackle a policy issue facing Maine.
After conducting extensive research, students produce a report, in the form of a memo to the governor or appropriate policymaker, that outlines the issue and the data available and offers policy solutions.
In late spring, the scholars present their reports in a briefing to a panel of policymakers.
The late Peter Cox established the Maine Scholars Fund at the community foundation in 1987. The Maine Policy Scholars program was introduced in 1995 and is managed by the foundation with input from an advisory committee.
For more information, visit www.mainecf.org.
SANFORD
Bank donates money to revitalize city walkways
The city recently received a $10,000 donation from SIS Bank to help with the Village of Springvale Improvement Project, a plan dedicated to revitalizing Springvale’s sidewalks, street lighting and fencing.
The funding was welcomed by the Village of Springvale Improvement Committee, which spearheaded an effort to complete a facelift in the part of town which has not had any public improvements in more than 40 years. Donations and trust funds are being used to remove and replace 23 existing street lights, install decorative fencing over the Mousam River on Bridge Street and to extend sidewalks connecting Holdsworth Park to the village.
The cost to complete this privately funded project is $210,000, with an additional $25,000 still needed to reach the goal.
Individuals, businesses or organizations wishing to donate to the project should endorse checks to the City of Sanford and mail them to: Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, 917 Main Street, Suite B, Sanford, Maine 04073.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Comments are no longer available on this story