News Notes

York County Community College nursing students Zoe Lafleur-Kief, Jazmin Buck, and Susanna Maynard, standing left to right next to Sheila Dube, Springvale Library’s youth services librarian, met with their “patients” at the library’s Teddy Bear Clinic on Oct. 25. The stuffed animals were all cared for and their young owners learned about what to expect when visiting the doctor.

Photo: Springvale Library

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Info on health insurance options at your fingertips: Nasson Health Care recently posted a reminder that open enrollment for health coverage in Maine began Nov. 1. CoverME.gov, through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is the state’s official health insurance marketplace where those needing coverage can shop for health plans and apply for financial help that can lower monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs. For those who are uninsured and do not have access to affordable health insurance through their job, or for those who buy their own insurance, the website provides information to help people select the right coverage, including a comparison tool for choosing between different plans. FMI, visit the www.coverme.gov website.

Pull tab, help others: Every year, Great Bay Services collects can tab tops to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Maine. The tabs are recycled and turned into a monetary donation, which helps Ronald McDonald House continue to provide housing and resources for the families of children with cancer while the children receive treatment. Great Bay Services is grateful to Amvets Post 3 in Sanford for donating multiple bags of tabs to support its tab top drive this fall.

Can you spare some time? Books ReVisited at 882 Main St. in Sanford is seeking volunteers to work three-hour shifts. The store, which operates with an all-volunteer staff, sells used books and other items, including puzzles, CDs and DVDs, to help fund programs and services provided by York County Shelter Programs. FMI, call the store at 207-490-1320.

Cars for Homes may help you at tax time: Donating your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity’s car donation program, Cars for Homes, helps support the organization’s work in York County. Your donation helps to provide a family with a safe, stable home, and as an added bonus, you may qualify for a tax deduction. All types of vehicles may be donated, including cars, trucks, SUV’s, RV’s, motorcycles, boats, planes, snowmobiles, farm equipment, and more — whether they are running or not. FMI, visit here.

Nasson gets a new look: The building project at Nasson Community Center and Little Theatre is moving along. Phase 3 of the building’s outside improvements and maintenance began with installing new vinyl siding for the gymnasium. Have you seen the new color?

Trafton Center travel eyes the Emerald Isle in 2025: The YMCA Trafton Senior Center is offering a “Shades of Ireland” trip, scheduled for 2025 from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8, during which travelers will have the chance to see many of the sites that have made this destination so special for so many people. From Dublin to Killarney to Galway and more, the Trafton Center’s travel partner, Collette, has it all planned. FMI, call the Trafton Center at 207-457-0080.

Curbside composting to end Dec. 2: Garbage to Garden is terminating its curbside composting service in Sanford, effective Dec. 2, 2024. The company’s enrollment numbers in the city have not grown sufficiently to support the costs of offering the service. Billing on customer accounts will be turned off Nov. 1. Buckets will be collected on the final service day, Dec. 2. The company will continue to accept city requests for Sanford through its website, and may reconsider offering the service in the future if there is more interest in participation. FMI, email info@garbagetogarden.org or call 207-332-0277.

Helping those less fortunate and a bonus for you: Through Thanksgiving, Ted’s Fried Clams at the Main Street Marketplace in Sanford is collecting non-perishable food items to donate to the York County Shelter Programs Food Pantry. Anyone who brings in a donation will get a coupon for 10 percent off their entire bill.

Photo: Nasson Health Care

Nasson welcomes new health care providers: Three new providers recently joined the Nasson Health Care team. Kathleen Ingellis has joined as a psychiatric nurse practitioner along with Melanie Busey, family nurse practitioner, and Erica Berube, behavioral health clinician. Read more about them here.

Quilt raffle to raise funds for land trust: A fall-themed “Silent Lake” quilt, generously donated by Knots & Bolts Creating Co. at 911 Main St., Sanford, is being raffled off to support Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT). Raffle tickets, priced at three tickets for $10, are available at the TRLT website or at the Knots & Bolts shop. The drawing for the quilt, which is on display at the shop, will be held Nov. 14 at 6 pm.

Parking ban on Miller Street Nov. 4 – Nov. 8: The Sanford Department of Public Works has announced a parking ban on Miller Street in effect Nov. 4 through Nov. 8, from 6 am to 7 pm each day. Vehicles are subject to towing if parked on the public way during the ban. Overnight parking is permitted in the Benton Park parking lot on Roberts Street and the Heritage Crossing parking lot.

A photo op with the Wienermobile? Relish the moment: The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is coming to Sanford on Nov. 16 for the Annual 5K/10K Turkey Trot and 1-Mile Dog Jog/Walk. The race, hosted by Sanford Parks and Recreation, starts at 9 am, with check-in from 8 am to 8:45 am at the Memorial Gym Cafeteria, 678 Main St. Online registration must be done before midnight on Nov. 13. Bring a non-perishable food item to the event for the seasonal food drive. FMI and to register, go here.

Fall prevention for every season: Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) is offering “A Matter of Balance,” a free, discussion-based class mixed with some gentle exercise for people aged 60 and older. Participants will learn falls prevention tips and tricks, how to increase activity levels to improve strength and balance, and how to make safety changes in their home. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 am to 12 pm, from Nov. 13 to Dec. 16 at the Anderson Learning Center, 21 Bradeen St., Springvale. Pre-registration is required. To register, go to SMAA’s website here.

A book reading to delight young families: Ashlee Ridlon, a local Maine children’s author, will visit Sanford Community Adult Education (SCAE) at 668 Main St. on Nov. 16, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, for an interactive reading of her latest book, “The Ordinary Snowflake, A Tale on Finding Your Sparkle!” Ridlon brings the story to life with expressive storytelling, and invites children to join in with sound effects, character voices, and more. The event will include a book signing as well as craft stations and coloring pages inspired by the book. Space is limited, so reserve a spot by calling SCAE at 207-490-5145. As a bonus, the first 50 families to register will receive a free copy of the book.

SCYA Open Forum scheduled for Nov. 7: The Sanford Community Youth Alliance will hold an Open Forum on Nov. 7 at 6 pm at the Nasson Little Theatre for anyone interested in learning about the organization and the work they do to help unaccompanied youth in Sanford/Springvale. FMI, email cpattershall@sanford.org.

Get a jump on holiday shopping while supporting local crafters: The YMCA Trafton Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Nov. 9 from 9 am to 2 pm at 19 Elm St. in Sanford. In addition to items offered by crafters, there will be tasty treats at the bake table, fabulous raffles, and a hot soup and hot dog lunch. FMI, call 207-457-0080.

Maine romance author writes much of her debut novel at local library: Goodall Library recently highlighted a new book, “Cinnamon Bay,” by Maine author Beatrix Eaton, and is featuring the title in its collection. Interestingly, Eaton wrote almost the entire book at the library’s 952 Main St. location.