SOUTH PORTLAND

Pape Subaru donations support Boys & Girls Clubs

Instructor John Cullen demonstrates safe chain saw practices to a group of students. He will lead a Women’s Chain Saw Safety Class at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson on April 18 and 19. Photo courtesy of Andy McEvoy

Pape Subaru and Subaru of Northern New England recently presented Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine with a check for $17,198 as part of their Share the Love event held in late 2014.

Throughout the event, patrons who bought a new vehicle at Pape in South Portland had the opportunity to choose one of five charities to receive $250 from Subaru. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine was the local charity that Pape Subaru chose to include this year.

The funds will directly benefit after-school programs that support academic success, healthy lifestyles, character building and responsible citizenship initiatives in the Greater Portland and Lewiston/Auburn areas.

JEFFERSON

Chain saw safety class is geared toward women

Registrations are being accepted for a Women’s Chain Saw Safety Class to be offered April 18 and 19 at Hidden Valley Nature Center.

Instructor John Cullen will head the sessions, demonstrating safe chain saw practices in this hands-on class.

The first, half-day session introduces attendees to safety clothing and equipment, basic saw mechanics and maintenance, and chain saw uses like bucking logs. Day two will be a full day of hands-on learning of basic operation and safe practices, where students will learn about and practice safe tree felling techniques.

Women ages 16 and older are encouraged to attend. The cost is $130 for HVNC and partner organization members and $150 for others. Some scholarships are available by writing to andy@hvnc.org for more details or go to www.hvnc.org.

DAMARISCOTTA

Community organic garden taking reservations for plots

The Damariscotta River Association is taking reservations for those who wish to work a garden plot at its Organic Community Garden along Great Salt Bay.

The plots are about 340 square feet and have full southern exposure.

Garden tools, water and hoses are available on site, though rationed, as is mulch hay and leaves.

Many educational resources on gardening also are available to participants.

Gardeners are required to do two hours of volunteer work in the garden over the course of the summer to keep the commonly shared elements of the garden, like the paths and the tool shed, in good condition.

The fee is $25 per plot and provides the community a place to grow vegetables and flowers free of pesticides and herbicides.

For more information, call 563-1393, email dra@ damariscottariver.org or go to www.damariscottariver.org.

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