News Notes

Adorned with big smiles are some of the winners at the 6th Annual Spree of Trees held last week.

Photo: Sanford Alumni Association

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Another successful Spree of Trees: Sanford Alumni Association announced the People’s Choice Award for this year’s 6th Annual Spree of Trees held Dec. 5-8. For the third year in a row, True Comfort Heating and Cooling won the award. Check out Sanford Alumni Association’s Facebook page for the complete list of winners.

Is 2025 your year to help shape Sanford’s future? The City of Sanford has several openings for boards and committees in 2025. The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 19 at 5:30 pm. Applications and committee descriptions are available by contacting the Sanford City Manager’s office at 207-324-9173 or by email at sancommittees01@sanfordmaine.org, or by visiting www.sanfordmaine.org under Government/Boards & Committees to download a fillable application form. Appointments will be made Jan. 7, 2025.

Tailoring their care to older adults’ needs: Pinnacle Health and Rehab has achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System, an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. This achievement recognizes the staff’s commitment to ensuring age-friendly care for the older adults they serve.

Spring internship presents an historic opportunity: The Sanford-Springvale Historical Society is seeking two interns for the spring semester starting in January. If you are a college student who is interested in learning more about educational programming in museums or collections management and archives, contact Patti Violette, executive director, at pviolette@sanfordhistory.org.

Pie making was the pre-Thanksgiving activity at Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Adult Day Program in Springvale.

Photo: Southern Maine Agency on Aging

It was easy as pie: Members of the Adult Day Program at Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Springvale filled the air with delicious scents as they made apple, pumpkin and chocolate cream pies the day before Thanksgiving. The Adult Day Programs in Springvale and Biddeford, which are geared toward older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, offer fun, person-centered activities that are physically and cognitively stimulating. The program provides caregivers with several hours of much-needed respite while their loved ones enjoy the activities. Learn more about the program here.

YCSP Food Pantry to offer holiday meal baskets, but needs volunteers: York County Shelter Programs will be distributing holiday meal baskets from its Food Pantry at 5 Swetts Bridge Rd. in Alfred on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, 9 am to 3 pm. Holiday meal baskets will include either a ham or a turkey, plus the fixings needed to make a holiday meal. FMI, contact Rob Boyd, Food Pantry coordinator, at robertb@ycspi.org or 207-324-1137.

Also, the Food Pantry needs volunteer drivers who can work 2 to 3 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. Drivers pick up food from donors, so volunteers must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. If interested, contact Rob Boyd, Food Pantry coordinator, at robertb@ycspi.org or 207-324-1137.

A little help to sweeten your holiday: Shaker Hill Bakery at 7 George Rd. in Alfred, on the campus of York County Shelter Programs, is still taking holiday orders for bread, rolls and pies — all the delicious treats to round out your holiday meal, including raisin loaves, cinnamon rolls, a wide selection of pies and more. They are open every Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm, until Dec. 24, its last day before closing for the winter. FMI, contact Joseph Washburn at josephw@ycspi.org or call 207-324-8811.

Take a chance this holiday season: Tickets are now available for the Family Holiday Raffle at The Old Timers’ Shop, 917 Main St., Sanford. Stop by to purchase tickets and try your luck at winning handmade items created by local crafters. The date of the drawing is Dec. 18.

There’s been a lot happening at SSHS: The past quarter has been very busy at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society (SSHS). The organization added a new executive director, hosted several well-attended programs and events, and completed some overdue maintenance projects, plus much more. Planning for a full program of 2025 events is already under way. Learn more by reading SSHS’s newly released Winter 2024 newsletter.