Cape resident earns peace scholarship

Amber Powell, a student from Cape Elizabeth attending the Southern Maine Community College has received a George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship to study in Ireland next fall.

Powell will attend the Cork Institute of Technology where she plans to study community development or business. Her great-grandmother was born in Cork County, Ireland, so she also hopes to explore her family history while she’s there.

The peace scholarship was created as a tribute to former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, of Maine, for his efforts in facilitating peace in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Powell is one of two community college students in Maine to receive the scholarship this year.

Open house at Thomas Memorial Library

On Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m., the Library Building Committee in Cape Elizabeth will hold a special reception and open house in the Pond Cove Annex section of the Thomas Memorial Library.

The committee is specifically inviting anyone who went to school in the annex building. Come see old friends, share stories, have a group photo taken and see the plans for the proposed library renovations and additions.

Also, a group of high-school students will be there to make a video for their senior-transition project and refreshments will be served.

RSVP to retbank@maine.rr.com.

Firing Range Committee appointments

At its meeting on Monday the Cape Elizabeth Town Council appointed Cross Hill Road resident Cathy Kline to the new Firing Range Committee, along with Benjamin Macisso, who will act as the committee’s certified firearms instructor.

Council passes Cape budget

Cape Elizabeth Town Council unanimously approved the new fiscal year budget of $34.2 million, which covers municipal, school and county spending.

Most of the tax rate increase, which is 49 cents per $1,000 of valuation, is due to the school budget, according to Town Manager Mike McGovern, who said there was zero impact on the tax rate from the $9.2 million municipal budget.

Residents have the final say on the $23.2 million school budget, which will go to a town-wide referendum on June 10.

– Kate Irish Collins

TRIAD to discuss AgeWell programs

On Thursday, May 22, 2-3 p.m., the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth TRIAD group will host a presentation on the AgeWell programs offered by the Southern Maine Agency on Aging.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Cape Elizabeth fire station, located at 2 Jordan Way. Light refreshments will be served.

Elizabeth Weaver from the Agency on Aging will explain the courses available in the AgeWell program – Living Well for Better Health; A Matter of Balance; and Chronic Pain Self-Management.

TRIAD is made up of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland senior citizens, police, and community members who work together to address problems faced by older citizens.

Call Officer David Galvan at 767-3323, ext. 208, or Officer Bob Libby at 799-5511, ext.7422, for more information.

Volunteers needed at Spring Point

The Spring Point Ledge Light Trust will conduct a day of training for all new and continuing volunteers on June 7 on the campus of Southern Maine Community College.

The trust is seeking summer volunteers to serve in several capacities at the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to the public weekends from June through September. Volunteers will receive an orientation to the lighthouse, learn its history and role in Portland Harbor, and learn how to lead tours inside the lighthouse as a member of a team. Volunteers who do not wish to walk the breakwater to the lighthouse will have opportunities to help at our onshore ticket shed. Volunteers can work at one of the following positions:

• Greeters: Greeting the public in front of the ticket shed and inviting them to tour the lighthouse

• Ticket and merchandise sales: Working with the public in the ticket shed/gift shop.

• Breakwater guide: Greeting visitors at the beginning of the breakwater and pointing out surrounding landmarks.

• Lighthouse tour guide: Conducting tours inside the lighthouse.

Additional “behind-the-scenes” volunteers are also needed.

Those interested in volunteering this summer may find more information on the Trust’s website at www.springpointlight.org/volunteer.

First Alumni Day celebrated at SMCC

Southern Maine Community College in South Portland will pay tribute to returning alumni, 2014 graduates and the college community during its first-ever Alumni Day celebration on Saturday, May 17.

The day begins with a 5-K road race at 8 a.m. and ends with an evening celebration that includes music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres. The day also features a children’s fun run, an alumni art exhibit, an alumni reception and more.

The SMCC Foundation has organized the event and all proceeds will benefit the foundation, which works to support academic programs, classrooms and equipment and scholarships.

“This is a festive celebration of our returning alumni, our graduating students and our college community,” Ron Cantor, president at Southern Maine Community College. “When people come to SMCC, they become lifelong members of our community. This is an opportunity for alumni to stay connected to other graduates and community partners who make up the SMCC family.”

See www.smccME.edu/alumniday to register or for more information.

City’s school bands to perform

Below are the dates and times for the final music concerts, both band and chorus, to be held at South Portland High School, 637 Highland Ave., South Portland.

Thursday, May 22: South Portland High School Choral Caberet Concert at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 28: 5th Grade All-City Band Concert at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 29: South Portland High School Band “Pops” Concert at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 4: Mahoney Band/Chorus Concert at 7 p.m.

Kids yard sale May 31

On Saturday, May 31, a Kids Yard Sale event will be held at the South Portland Community Center. This is a great way for kids to learn entrepreneurial skills, make a little money and sell their gently used toys, sports equipment, games and bikes. Tables are $15 each. Register online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/southportlandcommctr/Home or in person at the Community Center. Call 767-7650 for more information about this event.

Outdoor Adventures program in Cape

This week the Cape Elizabeth Community Center will kick off its new Outdoor Adventures program for kids in fifth through eighth grade. The program, which runs through June 10, includes lessons in kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. The cost is $75. Call 799-2868 or see www.capecommunityservices.org to register or for more information.

‘Les Miserables’ auditions on tap

The Portland Players in South Portland will hold auditions for its fall production of “Les Miserables,” directed by Michael Donovan, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3 and 4, at 6 p.m. Callbacks will be held on Friday, June 6, if necessary. See http://portlandplayers.org or call 799-7337 for more information. The theater is located at 420 Cottage Road.

Amber PowellThe Cape Elizabeth High School Mock Trial Team won its first ever trial at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, which was held in Madison, Wis., this past weekend. The team finished 31st out of 46 teams. In addition, several team members also earned individual special recognition for their mock trial skills. The team attended the national competition after winning its fourth consecutive state title earlier this spring. 

Copy the Story Link