BRUNSWICK

Award nominations sought for downtown preservation

Mary Berger, a 2015 graduate of Wells High School, recently began 10 months of service with AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps in Sacramento, Calif. Courtesy photo

The Brunswick Downtown Association is seeking nominations for its 2016 Downtown Preservation Awards, which recognize people and organizations that have created tangible value in the community through renovation or restoration of existing buildings or through new construction that enhances the traditional streetscape.

Retail, residential and institutional buildings are eligible for consideration as are infrastructure improvements. Projects completed in the past 10 years may be nominated.

Nominations are due no later than Jan. 7. Awards will be presented Jan. 28.

The nomination form is available at brunswickdowntown.org, or at the BDA office at 85 Maine St. (Norway Savings building) on the second floor. For more details, call 729-4439.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Holiday ornament sales will benefit historical society

The South Portland Historical Society is selling its 2015 holiday ornament. The metal-cast form, with brass finish, depicts the Portland Head Light framed by the Fishermen’s Point shacks at Willard Beach. The ornament comes in a cloth bag with a booklet outlining the lighthouse’s history.

The ornaments are $20 each and are available at the historical society’s museum at Bug Light Park and at Broadway Variety, Drillen Hardware and Embers Stove & Fireplace Shop in South Portland.

All proceeds will benefit the historical society. For more details, call 767-7299.

WESTBROOK

Candy-cane making event supports Dream Factory

The annual Make Your Own Candy Cane event, hosted by Haven’s Candy, raised more than $12,000 for the Dream Factory of Maine, a nonprofit that helps realize the dreams of chronically and critically ill children.

An estimated 700 children and adults gathered at the candy factory recently to make their own hand-rolled candy canes. The event sponsored by several area businesses included guest appearances by Slugger, the Portland Sea Dogs mascot, as well as Santa, Mrs. Claus and head elf Dennis.

To learn more about the Dream Factory’s work, go to dreamfactoryincmep.org or call 591-7012.

SOUTHERN MAINE

Rotary Clubs pitch in to feed the hungry

Rotary Clubs in southern Maine and coastal New Hampshire partnered recently to address food insecurity needs in their communities during the holiday season.

In York County, community members participated in a Stuff the Bus campaign, collecting nearly 19,000 pounds of food for the Bon Appetit Meal Program and food pantries in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

The effort was facilitated by Saco Bay and Biddeford-Saco Rotary Clubs, Interact students, Saco Explorer Club members, Shuttle Bus-Zoom staff, area grocery stores and Volk Packaging.

The Scarborough Rotary Club collected food to help Stuff the Bus in Biddeford. It also raised money for Thanksgiving meals for Project Grace.

The Westbrook-Gorham and Falmouth Rotary Clubs have been working with the My Place Teen Center to provide food and mentoring opportunities to teens after school. These clubs received a $3,500 matching grant from the Rotary District to buy fresh produce.

A Falmouth Rotary Club Thanksgiving/Christmas raffle raised $1,500 for the local food pantry.

The Sebago Lakes Rotary Club participated in Octoberfest at Camp Hinds to raise money for local pantries.

BIDDEFORD

Businesses raise funds for breast cancer survivors

Several local businesses recently donated $2,085 to support breast cancer survivors at Southern Maine Health Care’s Center for Breast Care.

The donations came from fundraisers held by Sodexo, University of New England, TJ’s Pizza and On the Go Hair Designs during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October.

The donations will help provide breast cancer survivors with support, education and amenities they need to receive cancer care close to home.

BRUNSWICK

Wild Oats raises $1,075 for Curtis Memorial Library

Wild Oats Bakery & Café owner Becky Shepherd and staffers presented Curtis Memorial Library a check for $1,075 from a recent promotion in support of the library.

The funds were raised through a Giving Tuesday event, a global day of philanthropy and volunteering that brings together nonprofits, civic groups, businesses, corporations and community members.

DAMARISCOTTA

Spectrum Generations seeks help with holiday gift effort

Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center is seeking monetary donations and homemade ornaments or other holiday items to be included in gift bags they are putting together for Meals on Wheels recipients in Lincoln County.

It also is gathering names of area elders and disabled individuals who do not have anyone to share the holiday with to receive a little something special.

Donations and gifts should be dropped off at Spectrum’s center at 521 Main St. by Dec. 21. For details, go to spectrumgenerations.com.

WISCASSET

Atlantic Motorcar takes car giveaway nominations

Atlantic Motorcar is accepting applications for its car giveaway. Since 2009, the dealership has annually sold a refurbished vehicle for just $1 to a family in need.

This year’s offering, a Volvo that has served as a customer service loaner car, features new tires and brakes. The winner of the car also will receive service for the vehicle for a year. The deal also comes with a free turkey and all the trimmings for Christmas dinner.

The nominee must have a valid Maine driver’s license. Submissions should include a description of why the nominee should be considered for the car, along with the person’s address and contact information.

Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 21. Atlantic Motorcar staff will read the nominations and select the recipient.

For more details, call 882-9969.

WELLS

Students join in ceremony for Wreaths Across America

The 2015 Wreaths Across America convoy made a stop at Wells Junior High School last Monday to participate in an annual wreath-laying ceremony with students at Ocean View Cemetery.

Since 2007, the convoy has carried thousands of holiday wreaths to be placed at gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and other locations. A stop at WJHS has always been part of the 750-mile journey to Washington.

The procession starts in Harrington, where the Worcester Wreath Co. made 70,000 wreaths for the remembrance.

Convoy participants, area veterans, dignitaries and more than 400 junior high students and staff took part in the memorial observances.

Recent grad begins service in Civilian Community Corps

Mary Berger, a 2015 graduate of Wells High School, recently began a 10-month, 1,700-hour term of service with AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps in Sacramento, California.

Berger will be part of a 10- to 12-member team that will carry out service projects such as mentoring children, assisting with food bank donations and making improvements to parks.

Berger, who attended York County Community College, is the daughter of Jim and Patti Berger of Wells.

For more details, go to nationalservice.gov/nccc.

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