PORTLAND

PATH team takes third place in automotive-skills finals

A two-student team from Portland Arts and Technology High School claimed third place recently at the 65th Annual National Champion at the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

The team of David Dutton and Kolbe Clifford, under the tutelage of instructor John Carmichael, was among teams from all 50 states.

Students were graded on quality repair workmanship and safety, combined with the results of a written examination taken previously.

Retiring USM faculty, staff awarded emeritus status

University of Southern Maine President Theo Kalikow recognized 16 retiring members of the faculty and staff, who were awarded emeritus or emerita status during USM’s 134th Commencement last month.

The following retirees were recognized for their exemplary teaching, scholarship and public service: Nancy Richeson, of Alfred, recreation and leisure studies; Betty Robinson, of Auburn, leadership and organization studies; James Westfall, of Cape Elizabeth, School of Business; Robert S. Caswell, of Gorham, Public Affairs;

Charles Kading, of Gorham, theater; Zark Van Zandt of New Gloucester, education and human development; David Vanderlinden, of New Gloucester, School of Business; Robert W. Coakley, of Portland, physics; Margaret A. Fournier, of Portland, nursing; David Hartley, of Portland, Muskie School; Barbara L. Rich, of Portland, School of Social Work; Charles Welty, of Portland, computer science; Robert Atkinson, of Scarborough, education and human development; Charlotte Pryor, of Scarborough, School of Business; Rosemary Johnson, of South Portland, nursing; and Helen Peake-Godin, of South Portland, nursing.

Reusable resource facility holding celebratory event

Ruth’s Reusable Resources, a nonprofit organization that transfers supplies from businesses to classrooms, is celebrating 20 years in the community with an event featuring live and silent auctions, refreshments and local artwork from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at 39 Blueberry Road.

For more information, visit www.ruths.org.

Rossini Club names winners of scholarship competition

Portland Rossini Club’s announced the winner of its annual scholarship competitions in piano, instrumental and voice, held June 7 at St. Luke’s Cathedral.

Winners of the Lucia A. Wright Piano Prize are Kelia Ingraham of Kennebunk (first place) and Shu Jing Lian of Mechanic Falls (second place).

Winner of the Barbara C. Littlefield Vocal Prize was Aaren Rivard of Portland, formerly of South China.

The Emily K. Rand Instrumental Prize was awarded to violinist Ryu Mitsuhashi of Old Town.

The annual competition draws Maine students age 17 through 25 who are registered as university music majors in the fall of 2014.

Gorham, Portland essayists win College of Art contest

Caitlyn Duffy, of Gorham High School, and Arun Devon, of King Middle School, are the winners of Maine College of Art’s premiere student essay contest.

The contest was created to foster a discussion of art among young people in Maine.

Full summer-camp scholarships were offered to the two students who answered the essay question with the most conviction and clarity of expression. The question was: “What would a summer of making art at MECA mean to you? How do you feel this experience would benefit your creative growth?”

MECA received dozens of essays from high school and middle school students around the state.

Finalists for the contest, who included Gaia Ayres, Oliver Beardsley-Stites, Jackie Christie, Dorian Heughan, Irena Manukian, Madeline Mathers, Sydney Morrison, Alyssa Ostrowski, Audrey Robidoux, Meghan Russell and Carsyn Vanier, won a week of art camp.

RAYMOND

Church creates space to gather every Monday

The vestry of the Raymond Village Community Church, at 27 Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to noon each Monday for anyone wanting to escape the summer heat, enjoy a glass of lemonade, iced tea or cup of coffee, or to share some time with friends and other community members.

“Our vestry stays cool on the hottest days,” said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Nancy Foran.

There is no set program or agenda for the Gathering Space, which will be staffed by church volunteers. People are encouraged to bring knitting, crafts, games, or just a good book.

One day a week may well expand to two or more days a week if demand warrants..

For more details, call 655-7749 or email revnancy@rvccme.org.

STANDISH

Volunteers sought to help in meals-for-kids program

Saint Joseph’s College is seeking volunteers to assist in the distribution of food for its 2014 Summer Meals program, a coordinated effort between the college’s in-house food provider Pearson’s Café, the Maine Hunger Initiative and Preble Street Resource Center.

The Summer Meals program provides nutritious meals to children in the Lakes Region and runs from June 23 through Aug. 22 at sites in Windham, Sebago, Naples, Harrison, Otisfield and Casco.

Volunteers are needed to attend these sites during the lunch distribution, which lasts about 90 minutes.

These volunteer opportunities are open to the entire community. Those with children are allowed to bring them to the volunteer site, to accommodate their schedules. High school students are also encouraged to volunteer, an opportunity that may earn them credits from their schools.

Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to email summerlunch@sjcme.edu or call 893-6693 for further information and to register.

STATEWIDE

TREE foundation’s ‘Teacher Tour’ still has openings

A few spots are still available for formal and non-formal educators who wish to attend the 17th Annual Maine TREE Foundation’s Teachers’ Tour, set from July 15 to 18 at the Birches Resort on Moosehead Lake and July 29 to Aug. 1 at Mt. Chase Lodge, near Baxter State Park.

The four-day tours will focus on the harvest and production of wood and fiber, including renewable energy and traditional forest products.

The sessions are geared toward teachers, Girl and Boy Scout leaders, land trust members and staff and conservation commission members.

A Project Learning Tree Workshop is offered on the first day and educators can tour renewable energy and wood products manufacturers, Baxter State Park’s Scientific Forestry Management Area or observe modern chain saw felling techniques.

They will visit active harvests using modern equipment and discuss the information and planning needed to practice sustainable forestry with landowners, foresters, loggers, mill owners and scientists.

The registration fee is $105. CEU’s and college credits are available.

For more details or to sign up, go to www.mainetreefoundation.org or call Cathy Jo Herlihy at 621-9872 or email mtf@gwi.net.

JEFFERSON

Workshop for youth teaches timber-frame construction

Hidden Valley Nature Center is offering a great opportunity for high school students, ages 13 to 19, to participate in a timber frame construction workshop, set for July 17 to 20.

Each year, HVNC hosts three timber frame classes, in which eight students work under the guidance of professionals to turn standing trees into complete frame in just four days.

Timber frame construction, also called post and beam, is a traditional New England building style that uses precisely cut joints to hold timbers in place rather than relying on nails and screws.

Tuition is $100 and includes instruction, tool use, lunch each day and a cookout at the end of class.

While this is not an overnight camp, HVNC has several rustic camping opportunities available.

There is a competitive application process, including letters of reference.

Application materials are available online at www.hvnc.org/registration, and need to be returned by Monday.

For more details, go to www.hvnc.org or call 200-8840.

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