News Notes for June 16, 2023

Hello Mainers: The Sanford Mainers’ 2023 season has officially begun, and residents had a chance to meet some of this summer’s team last Friday at Crystal Athletic Training Facility. Fans young and old could chat with the players, collect signatures, and hurl a baseball. The Collegiate Baseball League team’s season continues through the end of July. Home games are played at Goodall Park on Roberts Street.

Sun shines on graduates: Sanford High School students who had weathered the covid storm during their four years on campus were rewarded with a break in the drizzly weather for their graduation ceremony last Wednesday at Alumni Stadium. “You have the freedom to forge your own path, live with passion, live with courage, and follow your heart,” social studies teacher Brody Ford told students. “And wherever you find yourself in life, have fun with it.” Valedictorian Samantha Philips and salutatorian Hannah Baker encouraged graduates to embrace change in their lives and to trust themselves to make good decisions.

Opinions, please: The City of Sanford is looking for public opinion on how it communicates with residents after introduction of a new website and e-newsletter. To participate, visit the website at sanfordmaine.org or go directly to the survey: https://www.sanfordmaine.org/news_detail_T10_R84.php

More feedback wanted: The Sanford school system is working to update its mission, vision and core values. To do this, it’s asking members of the community to share their thoughts. The online survey will be available until June 30. It can be found at the Sanford Schools’ website, Sanford.org, or at this link: https://forms.gle/vFq8z2SyMyrbdREk7

National Honor Society news: National Honor Society members at Sanford High School were busy as the school year headed to a close. For the second year in a row, a large group of NHS members participated in the Day of Caring by painting, cleaning and gardening at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Later that same day, May 23, the society held its closing ceremony, recognizing graduating seniors and installing new officers for the 2023-24 school year. Departing officers were President Audrey Coleman, Vice President Miranda Tanguay, Treasurer Samantha Philips, and Secretary Abby Gifford. Incoming are President Alexander Payeur, Vice President Sydney Roux, Treasurer Aiden Gendron and Secretary Emma Adawadkar.

Goodall Library gave a preview of its summer reading program last week with Therapy Dog Story Time. Pictured are Duncan Marshmellow and his handler, Nancy, from Golden Love Therapy Dog Team.

All together for reading: Our two libraries have kicked off their summer reading programs, and there’s plenty to look forward to. Young patrons of Goodall Library are invited to enjoy story hour, crafts, live animals, prizes and other activities. To sign up, visit the library or click on lbgoodall.beanstack.org. At Springvale Library, children can enjoy a teddy bear picnic, yoga, crafts and a dozen other activities. There are also reading programs for teens and adults. For more information, stop by the library or go to its website, https://www.springvalelibrary.org/.

SCAE celebrates graduates: Twenty-one hardworking students received their high school diplomas last week from Sanford Community Adult Education. The ceremony at the school (the former Willard School) featured talks by student Katherine Osmer and Superintendent Matt Nelson, who praised graduates for their resilience. “Everyone has a story and has taken a different path to get here tonight,” Nelson said. “Be proud of your story and be proud of taking action.” Graduates included Ashton Armstrong, Alex Barrett, Brooke Beckwith, Tessa Buckley, Max Bradbury, Rose Caverno, Elijah Demers, Gabriella Dyer, Tyler Estes, Thomas Ferrin, Tristin Hale, Gemma Howard, Garrett Karwanski, Shannon Kendall, Corey Lyon, Jasmine Millington, Caleb Noble, Katherine Osmer, Alyssa Palmer, Joshua Rousseau, and Julianna Willey.

Summertime at the Rec: Holdsworth Park in Springvale, also known as “The Rec,” will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for the safety of the children attending summer camp there through early August. Up to 200 children take part in camp activities in the pavilions and on the waterfront every summer. Closing the Rec to the public helps create a safer environment for campers, camp staff, and lifeguards.