BRIDGTON

Grants awarded to teach kids about environment

The Loon Echo Land Trust has awarded small grants to four libraries and two elementary schools as part of its 2016 Environmental Educational Grant Program.

Naples Public Library, Bridgton Public Library, Casco Public Library, Harrison Village Library, Sebago and Harrison elementary schools all received funding to implement programs that help Lake Region children learn about the environment and the importance of protecting the region’s land and natural resources.

The programs will address wildlife, natural history, water resources and the creation of a “junior naturalist” backpack program.

For more details, go to www.lelt.org.

WOOLWICH

Planning a construction career? Scholarships here

The Maine Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction is accepting applications for scholarships it will award to Maine students pursuing a career in construction.

Now in its 36th year of granting scholarships, the chapter is seeking to raise funds focused on workforce development and job placement opportunities in-state.

Scholarship applications can be found at www.NAWICMaine.org.

The deadline for submissions is March 31.

For more details, call Robin Wood at 443-9747.

SEBAGO

Theater seeking donations to upgrade lighting system

Schoolhouse Arts Center is seeking community help to raise $10,000 to update its theater lighting system to a digital format.

The current system is outdated, with just 20 of its original 24 dimmers running. Replacement components for the system are no longer available to make repairs.

To date, two-thirds of the funding is in hand, with $10,000 needed to complete the upgrade.

The old lighting system moves to a smaller “blackbox theater” for smaller-scale productions and to train our theater interns, The Blackbox Teens, in lighting design.

To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/LightingUpgrade.

SANFORD

Bank employees, patrons provide fuel for 3 families

SIS Bank employees and customers recently supplied three local families with heating fuel.

For the third consecutive year, the bank’s South Sanford branch employees donated enough money to provide one family with 100 gallons of heating fuel for the winter. When SIS branch staff in Springvale and the main office caught wind of their efforts, they also raised enough to provide two more families with 100 gallons of fuel each.

Those wanting to know more or wishing to make a donation, call Dee Richard at 608-4372.

Winners of Winterfest contests announced

The Sanford Parks and Recreation Department announced the winners of a variety of Winterfest contests.

First place winners in the Annual Ice Fishing Derby were Haley Whitten and Lucas Barrow. Team James won the Snow Sculpture Contest with its life-size gorilla. Team Janowsek placed second for their creation of MOXIE. Team Hill came in third for their creation of Under the Sea.

The Pole/Pedal/Paddle had a group of first-place winners for each heat, including Nick and Carly Fahrenbruch, Peyton Pierce and Dillon Lambert, Adrien Letourneau and Dylan Dymond, and Zach Fahrenbruch and Michael Cote. The teams of two competed in a combination sledding, running with ski poles and biking event.

Grant to fund programs for domestic violence survivors

Caring Unlimited has been awarded a one-year, $40,500 grant from United Way of York County.

The money will be used specifically to fund eight weeks of trauma-informed group services for up to 40 adults and children whose well-being has been compromised by domestic violence. It will also provide up to 650 days of emergency supportive housing for adults and their children who can no longer be safe in their own homes because of abuse by an intimate partner.

To learn more, visit www.buildcommunity.org or call 207-985-3359.

ROCKLAND

Pet nail-clipping event raises $220 for catahoulas

The Loyal Biscuit Co. raised $220 to benefit the Catahoula Rescue of New England.

The funds were raised through a recent nail-clipping clinic at the company’s Rockland and Belfast locations.

For upcoming nail-clipping clinics, go to www.loyalbiscuit.com/events.

WELLS

Wildlife refuge seeking youth summer workers

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is accepting applications for its summer Youth Conservation Corps program.

Youths age 15 to 18 who are interested in working outdoors are encouraged to apply for a YCC position.

The crew will work with refuge staff on projects including trail maintenance, constructing and repairing facilities, control of invasive plant species and protecting endangered species such as piping plovers. The program will run from June 27 through Aug. 19, with crew members working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for pay of $9 per hour.

Applications are due back by April 1 and can be found online at www.fws.gov/refuge/Rachel_Carson/what_we_do/ycc.html or by stopping by the refuge office at 321 Port Road, or by calling 646-9226.

PORTLAND

Parish assignments for three priests announced

Bishop Robert P. Deeley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has announced the appointment of three priests to parishes in Maine.

Effective May 4, the Rev. Richard C. Malo will begin pastoring at St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, which includes St. Mary of Lourdes Church in Lincoln, the Sacred Heart Church in Winn, St. Anne Church in Danforth and St. James Church in Kingman, as well as the St. Leo the Great Parish in Howland.

Effective July 1, the Rev. Paul R. Marquis will pastor the St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, which includes the Holy Name Church in Machias, Sacred Heart Church in Lubec, St. Michael Church in Cherryfield and St. Timothy Church in Campobello, New Brunswick.

Also, effective July 1, the Rev. Timothy J. Nadeau will serve as pastor of the Prince of Peace Parish, which includes the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Cross Church and Holy Family Church, all in Lewiston.

For details, call Dave Guthro at 321-7810 or email dave.guthro@portlanddiocese.org.

BRUNSWICK

Quilt show at coffee shop to help needy with pet costs

The Community Spay-Neuter Clinic will display its large collection of animal-themed handmade quilts during the month of March at the Little Dog Coffee Shop, 87 Maine St.

The display kicks off the clinic’s sixth year of providing subsidized pet spay and neuter services for the pets of low-income residents.

Proceeds from the quilt show will directly benefit the clinic’s “Jackie Fund,” which is used to provide significant relief in the event of a condition following spaying or neutering that a pet’s owner cannot afford to treat, for example, a severe parasite infestation or an infection.

Refreshments will be available and all quilts will be available for sale.

For more details, call Elizabeth Stone at 540-4032 or email vetdocstone@gmail.com.

SCARBOROUGH/YARMOUTH

Softball organization gives scholarships to two women

The Southern Maine Flame, Maine’s premier fastpitch softball organization, has awarded $500 in academic and athletic scholarships to 2015 graduates Kallie Hutchinson, a Yarmouth High School graduate, and Brittany Plowman, a graduate of Scarborough High School.

Hutchinson and Plowman both played for the Flame organization from U10 into high school.

Hutchinson attends Colby College, where she plays field hockey. Plowman attends the University of Southern Maine, where she plays softball for the Huskies.

KENNEBUNK

Library’s vintage cabinet will go to highest bidder

For many years, Kennebunk Free Library patrons have admired a vintage library display cabinet on the premises. Now staffers are willing to part with this piece of their past to ensure funding for their future.

Now through March 14. the library is accepting sealed bids on the cabinet, which will be sold to the highest bidder. All interested buyers should make a bid of at least $500. Bids must be dropped off at the adult services desk.

The 6-foot-high birch cabinet stands near the adult services desk on the main floor of the library. It has eight rows of drawers of varying sizes. The cabinet is topped with three display racks.

For more details, call 985-2173 or go to www.kennebunklibrary.org.

BUXTON

Free health center awarded United Way grant of $8,700

Leavitt’s Mill Free Health Center has been awarded a two-year grant from United Way of York County totaling $8,700.

The health center provides free health care services to people who have no insurance and sponsors health promotion activities for the entire community.

For information call 929-6455 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Leavitt’s Mill Free Health Center is located at 63 Main St.

STATEWIDE

Maine Drama Festival gets underway Friday, Saturday

In the upcoming weeks, nearly 3000 Maine high school students from 81 high schools will compete in the 85th annual Maine Drama Festival.

The event is sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association and the Maine Drama Council.

Regionals are Friday and Saturday at nine regional sites. Winners from each regional will advance to the state finals on March 18-19.

The Class A finals will be at Camden Hills Regional High School and Class B at Stearns High School.

One school from each state final will be selected to advance to the New England Drama Festival set for April 21-23 in Old Saybrook, Conn.