AUGUSTA

Three Maine granges listed on register of historic places

Longtime Washburn-Norlands historic presenter Willi Irish, dressed for her historic portrayal of "Aunt Clara" a member of the Washburn family, who inhabited at the 445-acre homestead in the 18th and 19th centuries. Irish recently was honored for 40 years of serving at the living history center. Photo courtesy Sheri Leahan

The Maine Historic Preservation Commission has designated three Maine granges to the National Register of Historic Places list.

Those properties include Excelsior Grange No. 5 of Poland, Danville Junction Grange No. 65 of Auburn and Starling Grange No. 156 of Fayette. Those properties have been documented, evaluated and deemed worth of preservation and protection as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. The building were among the 588 individual grange structures built in Maine from 1873 to 1985.

Starling Grange was built in 1879 and enlarged in 1900; it was a popular meeting spot for public gatherings and graduations.

Danville Grange was built between 1898 and 1901, serving as a meeting hall.

Excelsior Grange was erected in 1914 as a replacement to an earlier grange in Poland that burned. The stucture features a Georgian Revival style that is one of very few architect-designed granges in Maine. It is thought to be the only grange designed by the Lewiston-based architect Harry S. Wilkinson, a Poland native.

LEWISTON

SeniorsPlus gets $10,000 to develop dining site and cooking classes

SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated agency on aging, has received a $10,000 grant from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation to develop a dining site and cooking classes, with interpretation and written translation, for older adult refugees beginning in 2017 in downtown Lewiston.

The program focus will be on cooking and sourcing nutritious food including local farm food, as well as creating a hub for social interaction. SeniorsPlus will work with the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center and Health Androscoggin to develop the program.

This grant is one of 22 “Healthy Food for Every Age” grants that the foundation awarded to not-for-profit initiatives in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire last week totaling $202,950.

For more details, go to www.harvardpilgrim.org/foundation.

BATH

Police detective nominated for national award

The Maine Elks Association and the Bath Police Department have nominated Detective Marc Brunelle for the Maine Elks Association’s prestigious National Enrique “Kiki” Camerena Award.

This award was established by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to recognize and honor law enforcement officers who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that “One person can make a difference.”

Detective Brunelle was recommended for the award by the command staff of the Bath Police Department Detective Sergeant Andrew Booth. His entry for this recognition was sponsored by the officers and members of the Bath Lodge of Elks No. 934.

Brunelle began his law-enforcement career with the Bath Police Department in 1996, moved up through the ranks and was promoted to detective in 2012. He has been teaching the DARE program since 2003 and is in charge of the DARE Fair that funds the program, as well as a youth rafting and hiking trip each summer.

Anthony Gause, chairman of the Maine Elks Association’s Drug Awareness Program, said he was impressed when he reviewed Brunelle’s nomination. “We had excellent nominees this past year,” Gause said. “However, Detective Brunelle’s work history and dedication in the field of drug awareness/prevention were the deciding factors in forwarding his name as the Maine Elks Association’s nominee for national recognition.”

David Merrill, Bath Elks Lodge past president said, “We are very proud to have the opportunity to sponsor such a dedicated officer for this national recognition. We are proud of his accomplishments and very pleased to have an officer of his caliber working for the people of Bath.”

SOUTHERN MAINE

Maine robotics offers summer programs for kids

Maine Robotics is offering a wide variety of academic summer programs in Southern Maine this year. Girls and boys, ages of 9 to 16, will have the opportunity to attend camps focusing on engineering, computers and programming; campers will work together as they learn new skills to solve challenges and create new things.

Washburn-Norlands Living History Center Campers can learn to build and program LEGO Robots in Falmouth, Saco, Berwick, Portland, Limington, Westbrook and Gorham; how to build their own desktop computer in Falmouth; or learn all about 3D Design and Printing in Windham or Falmouth.

Maine Robotics is a non-profit educational outreach company, established in 2004 to help Maine youth, teachers, and adult mentors in the STEM fields.

All of the programs are currently accepting registrations on a first come-first served basis. Camp season starts June 26 and runs through Aug. 19.

To view the schedule, go to http://camps.mainerobotics.org.

For more details, call 866-4340 or email info@mainerobotics.org.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Hospice seeks volunteers to provide companionship

Beacon Hospice is in need of volunteers to provide companionship to terminally ill patients and their families, with the areas of greatest need ranging from Saco to Ogunquit and Yarmouth to Topsham.

Specifically needed are veterans willing to visit fellow veterans, pet therapy providers, and folks who wish to provide companionship to patients and families at home or in facilities. Also needed are those with experience in scrapbookking or graphic work to make life charts for people with dementia.

Free Hospice Volunteer training classes start June 15 and continue for seven consecutive Wednesdays with graduation on July 27.

The Beacon Hospice South Portland office is located near the Maine Mall.

For more information, please call Volunteer Coordinator Donna Teague at 772-0929. Willi Irish Celebrates 40 Years at the Norlands

Garden group seeks board member volunteers

The Community Garden Collective, a nonprofit organization, is seeking a few talented and conscientious volunteer board members to assist in the growth of area community gardens.

The CGC’s mission is to develop safe, beautiful and well-equipped gardening facilities for growing and harvesting wholesome, organic produce and chemical-free herbs and flowers.

If you can contribute your time, thoughtfulness and leadership one evening a month, and are interested in exploring this opportunity, please email Susan Chase at communitygardencollective@gmail.com to find out whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you.

The group is especially looking for folks with computer/website skills, permaculture skills or marketing skills, folks from the west side of South Portland or those who are on the younger side of the community.

LIVERMORE

Living history center honors 40-year re-enactor

Washburn-Norlands Living History Center historical portrayer Willi Irish recently was honored for her 40 years of bringing historical figures from 18th and 19th century rural Maine to life at the property.

Irish has, over the years, taken on the aliases of “Aunt Clara,” “Mercy Lovejoy” and “Patty Washburn” during historical talks and re-enactments at the 445-acre Washburn estate that exists to offer visitors a glimpse of rural life in the past and also learn about the Washburn family who once lived here. She learned “living history” techniques, in which participants actually took part in the farm chores and housework as practiced 150 years ago, and interpreters assumed the dress and manners of the period.

An area native with ancestors directly descended from Plymouth Colony founder William Bradford, Irish serves as director of interpretation and training at Norlands.

ROCKLAND

Applications open for street vendors at Summer Solstice Celebration

Rockland Main Street, Inc., announced that applications for street vendors are available for the annual Summer Solstice Celebration, set to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. June 18 featuring street vendors, artisans, live music and other performers during an afternoon of family fun.

Following the street party will be a dock party at Journey’s End Marina. Both events are open and free to the public, and more information will be released in early June.

To obtain an application as a street food vendor, an artisan, or a non-profit, send an email to rocklanddowntown@gmail.com.

March for Babies group raises $11,000 for March of Dimes

Midcoast-based March for Babies “Team Garron” raised more than $11,000 to benefit the Maine Chapter of the March of Dimes.

The money raised goes to help prevent premature birth, birth defects and neonatal death through research, programming, education and advocacy. All of the money raised in Maine will be distributed within the state.

Team Garron walks in memory of Garron Martin, who was born prematurely in 2009. Team Garron was the top fundraising Family Team in Maine, and raised money through events and partnerships with area businesses.

KENNEBUNK

Tickets on sale for Fancy Dress Bash at Brick Store Museum

Tickets are now on sale for the Brick Store Museum’s inaugural Fancy Dress Bash, set for 7 to 9 p.m. June 30.

The evening will raise much-needed funds for the museum’s year-round operations, which include rotating educational programs and exhibitions, free admission and field trips for school groups, lectures and concerts, historical research, preservation of Kennebunk’s treasures, and encouraging the arts and humanities in our community.

With the Museum’s 80th Birthday this year, the Fancy Dress Bash will be a 1930s-style cocktail party with musical entertainment, a signature 1930s drink, and hors d’oeuvres, with private access to the Museum’s collections after dark. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy dress from their favorite decade to arrive at the party via a red carpet on Main Street.

Tickets are $65 and include a tax-deductible $45 donation to the museum. They can be purchased on brickstoremuseum.org or by calling 985-4802. Reservations deadline is by June 25.

For more details, go to www.brickstoremuseum.org/80thBirthday!

BATH

High school group seeks representatives for parade

Got an antique or classic car? The Bath High School Alumni Association wants you to know you’re welcome to join its anniversary parade on June 11, featuring Morse High School students, faculty and alumni who have attended Bath high schools in the 125-year history of the association.

Parade coordinator Tamara Lilly encourages class representatives to find a vehicle of their graduation year as part of their entry.

The parade will be held in conjunction with other alumni weekend festivities and will run from 11 a.m. to noon,.

Class entries are still being accepted. If you or your class would like to participate, please contact the alumni association by emailing bathalumniparade2016@gmail.com or call 358-0031.

BRUNSWICK

Library awarded $1,000 grant thanks to write-in votes

Curtis Memorial Library has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s “Community Matters More” program.

In February, the public were invited to vote for some 60 organizations throughout Maine to receive a grant funding, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

The library received the most write-in votes of any organization nominated in Cumberland County to receive the funding.

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