The South Portland Professional Firefighters IAFF L1476 announced that its annual fundraising ice hockey event, Checking for Charity is scheduled for Sunday, March 19, at Troubh Ice Arena in Portland. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m and will feature special guest Boston Bruins’ national anthem singer, Todd Angilly.

The first of three games is the Red Riot Challenge at 11 a.m., featuring South Portland High School hockey alumni players and coaches. At noon, there will be a South Portland Middle School skills exhibition. At 12:45 p.m., the Firefighter Classic, featuring firefighters from South Portland and surrounding communities, will take place.

The event concludes with a Former Pro Showdown at 2 p.m. and will feature former professional and high-level college players.

The community-based, family-friendly event will include a cash bar, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, local mascots, Checking for Charity merchandise and more. The event is free of charge, though donations are accepted at the door. Doors will open to supporters at 10:30 a.m.

In addition to the in-person aspect at Troubh Ice Arena, the event will be streamed on Facebook, with a link available on the Checking for Charity website, www.cfcmaine.org, and social media before the event.

Checking for Charity will partner with Maine Cancer Foundation for this year’s event. A generous portion of the proceeds will help the foundation continue its work, while the remainder will be used throughout the year to help many local charities in need.

“It was such an honor to find out that South Portland Firefighters Local 1476 selected Maine Cancer Foundation as the primary beneficiary of the sixth annual Checking for Charity event,” said Ray Ruby, executive director of the Maine Cancer Foundation, in an email. “We are very excited to partner with this dedicated crew to answer the call to fight cancer here in Maine.”

“We have another great event planned for Sunday, and are excited to support the work that Ray and his team do every day at The Maine Cancer Foundation,” said Mike Norton, Checking for Charity committee chair. “Cancer in the firefighting community is all too common, and we’re just grateful to be in a position to help support their mission to battle cancer.”

Those unable to attend, can visit www.cfcmaine.org and donate an amount of their choice. For more information, visit the Checking for Charity website.

According to the news release, “Checking for Charity was born out of a love for hockey and a desire to give back to the community. In 2017, two South Portland firefighters hatched up an idea: A charity hockey event with a couple of games and a focus on South Portland. Through the support and hard-work of many firefighters and community members the event has grown and raised over $101,000 in its first six years.

“The event is the largest fundraiser the South Portland Professional Firefighters conduct each year. All of the money raised is donated to a variety of nonprofit organizations and charities. Although some money is donated to larger organizations, most of the money is donated to local groups.”

Resident makes Presque Isle dean’s list

University of Maine at Presque Isle announced its dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. Among the students on the dean’s list:

Kiera Whitten, South Portland.

Club salutes Rotary’s women presidents

On March 8, South Portland – Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club, in recognition of International Women’s Day, recognized all the women of Rotary, including past presidents. Those recognized included South Portland – Cape Elizabeth Rotary’s first 10 women presidents:
2018-19 Fran Bagdasarian
2017-18 Sue Sturtevant
2014-15 Kathy Cotter
2013-14 Ellie Speh
2011-12 Marge Barker
2009-10 Joan Frustaci
2008-09 Janet McLaughlin
2000-01 Katharine Ray
1999-00 Adrienne Murphy
1998-99 Nancy Hawes

SpringFest Gnome Drive is underway

South Portland – Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club announced March 2 that it has launched a Gnome Drive with a goal of providing every young person who attends the May 2023 SpringFest Community Celebration with a gnome.

Jim Britt, president of South Portland – Cape Elizabeth Rotary,  announced the Gnome Drive and “encouraged everyone to donate gnomes that need good homes.”

“Since we announced the 2023 SpringFest Community Celebration gnome theme, these little loveable little creatures have started to appear almost magically,” said Britt in an email. “When an inexpensive gnome spots you shopping at local gift shops or other retailers, buy that gnome and donate it to the SpringFest Gnome Drive. If lovingly cared for, gnomes live in your closets or boxes in storage, set them free by donating them to the Gnome Drive. All gnomes will be given to young people attending SpringFest this May.”

Bring new or like-new gnomes to:

South Portland Recreation Center, 21 Nelson Road, South Portland;
McDonalds Mill Creek, 150 Waterman Drive, South Portland;
Two Lights Dental, 200 Town Common Circle, Cape Elizabeth;
More gnome drop-off locations around South Portland and Cape Elizabeth will be announced and added to the Gnome Drive webpage.

Gnomes should be dropped off in a plastic bag with a note including the donor’s first and last name and email address to receive a thank you from South Portland – Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club. The Gnome Drive continues through May 17.

For more information, email Jim Britt at president@sp-ce-rotary.org or call 207-450-1385.

Genealogical society to host Franco-American program

The Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society will hold an in-person meeting with a speaker on Saturday, April 1, beginning at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place at First Congregational Church of South Portland, located at 301 Cottage Road.

Historian Craig Siulinski’s program is titled, “Franco-American History and Genealogy,” and will have a Quebec-to-New England focus. While providing historical perspectives of New France, particularly the province of Quebec, the program will tell the story of the Franco-American experience while offering sources of genealogical records. Other aspects of the story will look at immigration and the influence of the mills on the lives of Franco-American ancestors.

Those unable to attend can email gpcmgs@gmail.com to register for a Zoom connection to the free program.

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