Teen environmental poster contest winners announced

Last May, the Teen Library Council of Patten Free Library partnered with the Brunswick-based organization Manomet to launch an environmental poster contest centered on the theme “Earth Day, Everyday.” Regional School Unit 1 students in grades seven through 12 were given the opportunity to create and submit posters with a message focusing on practices and innovations that promote sustainability. Manomet awarded cash prizes for the winning entries, which the library hopes to have on display this fall. 

From over 30 entries, a panel of judges at Manomet recognized the following posters and artists:

Finalists in grades 7-9:

First place: Isabel Strelneck, Bath, for “Skip the Turnpike, Take Your Bike.”

Second place: Iris Hennin, Woolwich,  for “Stop Food Waste.”

Third place (tie): Delaney Pascuzzo, West Bath, for “Buy Local.”

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Third place (tie): Nola Vallade and Zoe Brush, Georgetown, for “Join the Fight Against Plastic Waste.”

Fourth place: Emily Tetzlaff, Bath (“Earth Day Everyday”)

Finalists in grades 10-12:

First place: Emily Adams, Bath, for “Protect Your Skin.”

Honorable mention for content and message: Kerlin De Jesus, Bath; Miranda Burpee, Phippsburg; Aiden Shields, Bath.

Honorable mention for artistic quality: Wren Tetreault, Bath; Audrey Crews, West Bath; Isabel Strelneck, Bath.

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To view images of the finalists’ posters, visit https://bit.ly/2PjQQMZ.

Brunswick Girl Scouts earn Silver Awards

Two local girls were among 19 that earned Silver Awards for projects completed this year, according to Girl Scouts of Maine. The award reflects leadership and citizenship skills that set each girl apart and were recognized at Girl Scouts of Maine’s GIRL Celebration at the Waterville Opera House in the spring. 

For her Silver Award project, Adeline Dolley of Brunswick created busy blankets for Avita, an organization that helps seniors with memory loss. Busy blankets, also known as fidget quilts, are special blankets designed to help reduce agitation in a person suffering from memory loss. They are often made with brightly patterned fabrics and have different items, such as buttons, textured fabrics and zippers, sewn onto their surfaces.

After sharing with volunteers how the busy blankets combat the struggles of memory loss, with help from volunteers, Dolley was able to present 15 blankets to Avita residents. She also created a flyer to help build awareness to the importance of busy blankets and built a Facebook page to help promote them.

The town of Brunswick has very few options for composting, and the Curtis Memorial Library was spending tons of money to take away waste, like coffee grounds, that could serve a better purpose. Rayna Schinhofen, of Brunswick, saw her chance to make a difference and decided to design a composting system for the library that allows for biodegradable items to be disposed of in a more environmentally-friendly way.

“By earning this award, these young women reflect leadership in all its forms,” said Joanne Crepeau, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Maine. “They saw a need in their communities and took action. Their extraordinary commitment is making the world a better place.”

VFW scholastic programs available locally

Reverend Joseph Lamarre Memorial Post No. 2197 in Topsham is looking for students to sponsor in the Veterans of Foreign Wars national scholastic programs. Students in the general School Administrative District 75, Brunswick, Lisbon, Durham and Freeport areas, including homeschooled students, are encouraged to apply. Each year across the country, more than $3 million dollars in awards and scholarships are presented at local, district, state, and national levels. The “Voice of Democracy” competition is offered for high school students and the “Patriot’s Pen” is offered for middle school students in grades six through eight. The post will select a winner in each category, and sponsor them in district competition. There were no local applicants in 2017.

This year’s topic for the “Voice of Democracy” is “Why my vote matters.” The top award for the national winner is a $30,000 scholarship. The topic for “Patriot’s Pen” is “Why I honor the American flag.” The top prize for the national winner is a $5,000 award.

Entries must be submitted to the local post by Oct 31 via email at cha_rogsteve@comcast.net. For more information, go to the VFW website, click on community, then on Youth & Education, then on Youth Scholarships. Select either program to see complete rules and download an entry form. 


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