News Notes

Scout master Bill Kiley and scouts Owen Treadwell, Josh Fogarty, and Mason Cole raise the sail on Adonai, a 60-foot catamaran, while scout Evan Lynch coils line.

Photo: Courtesy Karriann Wyman

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Scouts under sail in the Bahamas: 20 Boy Scouts and leaders from Sanford got to sail a 60-foot catamaran in the Bahamas this week, the payoff for two years of fundraising. The scouts of Troup 327 were training at Sea Base Bahamas, an adventure scouting program of Boy Scouts of America based at Marsh Harbor, about 200 miles east of Miami. The scouts flew down last Friday and were back home Thursday.

YMCA celebrates its expanded childcare facility: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA has been working on expanding its full-day childcare service for the past 18 months. Its new Early Learning Center, which will enable the program to include children aged six weeks to five years, will be opening soon. To mark this milestone, a ribbon-cutting and open house will take place on July 23 with Governor Janet Mills and other state officials joining in the celebration. The YMCA is still accepting applications to fill a few remaining openings in the full-day childcare program. Call the YMCA at 207-324-4942 to enroll in the program.

SRCC supervisor chosen to represent Women in 911: Congratulations to Megan Welch, supervisor at the Sanford Regional Communications Center, for being selected to receive a full scholarship, which enabled her to represent Women in 911 during this year’s National Emergency Number Association’s conference in Orlando. Welch was chosen from a pool of numerous dispatchers from across the country. The training, education, and tools that Welch will share with the communications team upon her return will help to enhance the center’s capabilities.

Where do you stand? The City of Sanford is hosting an online quick poll to gauge the level of public support for the construction of two new fire stations. The poll page also gives participants the opportunity to ask questions about the project and review updated poll results. To weigh in, go here.

Mark your calendars for Nasson’s 20th anniversary celebration: Having provided two decades of service to the community, Nasson Health Care is holding a Patient Appreciation and Open House on Aug. 8 at the health center at 15 Oak St., Springvale. The drop-in celebration runs from 9 am to 5 pm. The community open house runs from 5 pm to 7 pm. Attendees can enjoy refreshments, gifts, a raffle, and a tour of the facility, including the newly expanded dental suite. In addition, Nasson has posted a retrospective online, looking back at its name changes, relocations, expanded services, and growth. To see the photos, dating back to the organization’s groundbreaking in 2005, and to review the many milestones the organization has achieved, go here.

It may be a tough choice: The Maine Better Transportation Association is holding a Worst Road in Maine Contest, and the organization wants your participation. The winner will receive a cash prize of $555, a fitting amount since this figure is the average cost each Maine driver pays every year in repairs, increased fuel use, depreciation, and tire wear due to Maine’s poor roads. To enter the contest, take a photo of your favorite “Worst Road” and upload it here.

Local nonprofit announces new leadership: Kim Donnelly has recently been named the board president of The Center for Grieving Children. As executive vice president and director of wealth and business at Gorham Savings Bank, Donnelly brings leadership and strategic thinking skills to her new role. She replaces Doug Currier, who guided the agency as board president through a critical time, finding a new executive director and transitioning leadership. Currier will take on the role of immediate past president, where he will share his knowledge and experience with Donnelly and will remain a support for the center.

Shaved ice sales are heating up: Kona Ice has added a new trailer and will acquire its fourth piece of equipment, a more updated Kona truck, for its 2025 schedule. These additions will enable Kona Ice to do more pop-ups and service more fundraisers for various nonprofits. The business has been giving back 25 percent of every sale to groups holding fundraisers, resulting in nearly $67,000 donated in York County since 2022.

Make a splash this summer with the whole family: Summer Splash, a free event offering waterslides, a dunk tank, music, and plenty of Cheap Eatz, will be held at Curtis Lake Church on Aug. 4 from noon to 3 pm. Young children can join in the fun as well in Summer Splash Jr. FMI, go here.

Update on water projects: The Sanford Water District posted on July 11 that the work on Spencer Hill Road is nearly complete. NM Curtis Earthworks handled the water main replacement project and the City of Sanford paved the entire roadway. NM Curtis Earthworks will move on to William Oscar Emery Drive next to install a new 12-inch water main from River Street to Front Street, with work expected to start mid-July. The roadway is likely to be passable at all times, but there will be no parking on the north side of William Oscar Emery Drive (National Guard Armory) for the duration of the project. The Water District urges all those traveling in this area to use caution as this work will take place at the same time as the River Street reconstruction project.