PORTLAND
Winners of essay contest announced
District 10 Veterans of Foreign Wars officials honored student winners of its Patriot’s Pen and Voices of Democracy essay contests recently during a small ceremony at Deering Memorial Post No. 6859, with department commander Michael “Keith” Davis and department auxiliary president Tammy Armstrong officiating.
District 10 represents veterans and residents of the towns of Gorham, Harrison, Fryeburg, Naples, Portland, Yarmouth and Windham.
Briella Doherty, a seventh grader from St. Brigid School of Portland, placed first at the Post and District levels of the Patriot’s Pen Program, and third at the state level of that competition, for her winning essay that was based on the theme “What Patriotism Means to Me.” Doherty received a $200 cash prize for each of those wins, as well as a lapel pin, certificate of participation, a medallion, and other gifts. She was sponsored by Deering Memorial Post 6859.
Hunter Edson, a sophomore at Windham Christian Academy, was the winner of the District 10 Voice of Democracy (VOD) writer’s contest, for his essay on the topic “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” He was sponsored by VFW Post No. 10643 of Windham.
Edson placed first at the Post and District levels of the VOD contest, also winning the aforementioned $200 cash awards and other prizes, as well as $750 as the Maine State champion. He then advanced to the national level of the contest, to compete as one of 52 first place finalists, representing each U.S. state, the Department of Europe and the Department of the Pacific. Edson finished 13th overall at this level, receiving the Jesse A. Lewis Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.
Nationals finalists usually are treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a ceremony honoring their efforts, as well tours of historical monuments and sites. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event was held virtually.

BIDDEFORD
Cultural and Heritage Center seek nominations for 2021 Hall of Fame
The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is seeking nominations for its 2021 Biddeford Hall of Fame, a BCHC program that recognizes and celebrates Biddeford citizens or non-residents who have contributed to the city’s history, heritage and culture or the world at large in a significant way.
Nominations should be sent in on the official nomination forms, available on the BCHC website, although any application will be considered. Nomination forms will also be available at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce, McArthur Library, Biddeford City Hall and at the Heart of Biddeford. Deadline for submissions is: May 6, 2021.
Honorees will be inducted at a ceremony tentatively set for noon June 26. While the induction event has traditionally been held at the La Kermesse Festival, it may be moved due to COVID restrictions. Nominations that were submitted last year, but not selected, will also be considered along with this year’s nominations. Inductees are featured prominently in a display at the Biddeford City Hall Council Chambers, which is open to the public for viewing during business hours. They were also featured on banners hung from the streetlights on Main Street in Biddeford.
Immediately following the induction ceremony, there will be a reception for family and friends of inductees and others. Representatives of BCHC will be present for those interested in learning more about the organization and its other programs serving the community and will answer any questions about getting involved.
To nominate someone for the Biddeford Hall of Fame, please submit no more than two pages of text along with the nomination form to: BCHC, c/o Diane Cyr, PO Box 896, Biddeford, ME 04005-0896 or email documents to bchc04005@gmail.com. Documents may also be submitted via the website at biddefordculturalandheritagecenter.org or submitted to any BCHC Board member or HOF Committee Member. For more information, contact BCHC President Diane Cyr at 283-3993.

ORONO
UMaine Extension 4-H starts citizen science club May 5
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will offer a virtual citizen science club for grades 4 through 8, meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. weekly from May 5 through June 9.
This virtual 4-H citizen scientists club encourages youth to practice citizen science in their own backyard, with a variety of citizen science opportunities to consider, and report their observations while making connections with fellow citizen scientists in their community and around the state. Youth will need online access and the ability to take and share photos.
The club is free to join; enrollment is limited to 15 members. Register on the 4-H club webpage at extension.umaine.edu/4h/4-h-citizen-scientists-club.
For more details, call 581-8206 or email sarah.sparks@maine.edu.

FARMINGTON
Hospital medical staff offering health care scholarships
The Franklin Memorial Hospital medical staff has established a scholarship fund for high school seniors, with one $500 scholarship to be awarded to a student from each of the following schools: Mt. Abram High School, Mt. Blue High School, Rangeley Lakes Regional School, and Spruce Mountain High School.
If a school does not have a scholarship applicant, the scholarship will be awarded to a qualified applicant from one of the other schools.
The applicant should demonstrate a strong motivation to pursue a health care career, along with academic excellence, and a dedication to community service.
Application requirements include a personal essay displaying future career goals; current academic transcript; two letters of recommendation: one from a health care professional and another from a high school educator.
The applications can be mailed to the Medical Staff Office, Franklin Memorial Hospital, 111 Franklin Health Commons, Farmington, ME 04938. The application deadline is May 1.

CARRABASSETT VALLEY
Library changing operating hours
Carrabassett Valley Public Library has announced a change in operating hours.
Effective immediately, the library will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through June 1.
The library is open for inside visits, with appointments recommended to comply with CDC gathering limits. Curbside service is still available. Seating will be available outside where Wi-Fi is open 24/7 with no password.

ELLSWORTH & PORTLAND
Scholarships available to young women pursuing science or engineering degrees
Applications are being accepted at the Maine Community Foundation for the Lydia R. Laurendeau Scholarship Fund, a renewable scholarship supporting graduating high schools seniors in Maine, who are pursuing post-secondary education in science or engineering at a four-year university. There is a preference for applicants demonstrating an interest and/or actively participating in their Franco-American heritage.
The deadline for applications is June 1. Applications are available at mainecf.org.

WATERVILLE
Rotary club grants address food insecurity
Waterville Rotary Club recently awarded grants, totaling more than $15,000, to eight local nonprofits to address food insecurity in the greater Waterville area.
Funds were distributed to the following organizations: $1,950 to Central Maine Gleaners for the Community Fridge Program with fridge located in Waterville and food available to all; $2,850 to Waterville Area Essentials Closet & Starfish Village/First Congregational Church; $1,000 to Palmyra Baptist Worship Food Bank/Soup Kitchen for purchase of commercial stove to continue food provision to multiple community residents; $1,384 to Oakland Food Pantry; Mid-$2,000 to Maine Homeless Shelter to offer beds and essential items to vulnerable Mainers; $2,000 to Interfaith Resource Fund for emergency needs of residents of Waterville and Winslow for housing, food, and other essentials; $2,850 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterville to provide day care, meals, snacks and weekend meal backpacks for area youth throughout Kennebec County; and $1,500 to Northern Light Health to provide food and essential items through Women’s Health.
For more details, visit watervillerotary.com.

BATH
High school seniors earn biliteracy seal
Seven graduating Morse High School (MHS) seniors recently qualified to receive the Maine State Seal of Biliteracy, an award recognizing student achievements in language learning. To qualify, students had to score well on their SATs to prove proficiency in English and take a 4.5-hour test from the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages to prove proficiency in their second language.
Despite the challenges of distance learning, and a 50 percent reduction in class time, MHS turned out its largest number of qualifying seniors to receive the seal since the Maine Department of Education began the biliteracy program in 2019. To date, 15 MHS students have earned the seal over the past three years, and four were able to earn college credit for their achievement within the University of Maine System, including in French, Spanish, Serbian and German.
The 2021 qualifying seniors are Tanner Hennin, Eleanor Carrolton, Acadia Morse, Katelyn Anderson, Allison Siliezar, Evan Willertz and Nina Powers.

SCARBOROUGH
Kiwanis help bring Easter spirit 
The Scarborough Kiwanis Club recently helped with Easter holiday dinners for a number of area families in need of food assistant. The club delivered 45 ham steaks to the Scarborough Schools Food Service department and 75 hams to the Scarborough Food Pantry, as well as $1,100 worth of Hannaford and Sam’s Club gift cards to help round out those meals with additional food items.
In all, club members contributed $1,561.95 to those programs.
The club meets at noon each Friday at Cowbell Grille, 185 US Route One.
For more details, call club president Glen Cefalo at 508-776-0510 or email medic254@yahoo.com.

OGUNQUIT
Residents Alliance establishes scholarship 
The Ogunquit Residents Alliance is honoring Select Board member Bob Winn by establishing an educational scholarship in his name.
The Bob Winn Scholarships, each valued at $1,000, will be presented to two Wells High School graduating seniors this year.
Winn grew up in Ogunquit, attended the Ogunquit Village School, and graduated from Wells High School. After college, he returned to Maine to serve as a teacher and running coach. Winn is a national elite runner and a member of the Maine Running Hall of Fame. He has inspired students with his love of running and led teams to several state championships.
A GoFundMe page has been setup to keep the scholarship program going for futures graduates.
For more details, call Michael Sgambati at (617) 312-0649.

AUGUSTA
Three students win essay contest
Middle school students from Kittery, Poland and Trenton were named winners in Maine Municipal Association’s 10th annual statewide essay contest.
Themed: “If I Led My Community…” the MMA’s Citizen Education program contest asked students to demonstrate how they would improve their hometowns and cities if they held positions of local leadership. The essays were judged based on knowledge of municipal government, writing quality and clarity, and originality.
The 2021 winners are: Lucia Bolanos of the Shapleigh School (a resident of Kittery), Ada Stenhouse of Bruce M. Whittier Middle School in Poland, and Aerie Yin of Trenton Elementary School. Each student will receive a certificate and a $250 prize to be used for educational purposes. The awards will be presented by municipal officials in their hometowns.
Winning entries also will be published in the May 2021 issue of Maine Town & City, MMA’s monthly magazine and posted at the MMA website.

KENNEBUNK
United Way of York County exceeds fundraising goals
United Way of York County (UWYC) announced the organization projects to raise just over $1.3 million for the 2020 community campaign, exceeding its goal.
The campaign kicked off in September 2020, with a statewide food drive collecting over 37,000 pounds of food and over 26,000 diapers and wipes, setting a record for the state’s largest one-day drive.
Other 2020 financial campaign highlights include:
• With community partners, UWYC raised and distributed more than $200,000 through a COVID-19 Relief Fund.
• Tom’s of Maine doubled its corporate gift, contributing $100,000 through their “Giving For Good” Foundation.
• UWYC’s Tocqueville Society welcomed three new members and longtime partner VELUX matched employee giving by 100 percent.
To learn more about United Way of York County, and to give, advocate, or volunteer, visit buildcommunity.org, email give@buildcommunity.org, or call 985-3359.

CAMDEN
Bank donates $10,000 to LifeFlight Foundation
Camden National Bank has donated $10,000 to the LifeFlight Foundation to help provide critical emergency care and transportation for individuals across Maine.
This is the eighth year that Camden National Bank will be a major sponsor for the Cross for LifeFlight. The signature fundraising event, which began in 2013 as a swim across west Penobscot Bay from Northport to Islesboro, has now become a statewide, month-long event that encourages participants to cross whatever part of Maine suits them. Participants can swim, row, paddle, hike, walk, or bike – all while tracking their progress in the event’s proprietary online system.
To date, this event has raised more than $2 million to support LifeFlight’s mission.
To learn more about the 2021 Cross for LifeFlight and to register, visit lifeflight.donordrive.com.

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