News Notes: August 20, 2023

The Springvale Library book sale will take place Sept. 8 and 9.

By Gail Burnett

So many books: The Springvale Public Library has had so many donations for its annual book sale that it’s had to put on the brakes: Only books published in the last five years, please. The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9, on the library lawn. Besides book sales, it will feature music, folded-book art, jewelry, crafts and some refreshments. Rain date is Sept. 15 and 16.

Walk right in: Nasson Health Care, which has long offered primary medical care at its Springvale location, now has a walk-in clinic. Patients can come in for minor health needs – things like injuries, infections, or rashes – Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. The walk-in clinic doesn’t replace regular checkups, and it’s not an emergency room. More information on the services offered by Nasson Health Care is available here.

Habitat homes: There’s still time to apply for a Habitat for Humanity home in Sanford. The program, which offers qualifying individuals and families a chance to help build a home and then learn about the responsibilities of property ownership, is planning two homes for Sanford. Read about income guidelines and other information about the program here.

Public hearings: The Sanford City Council has scheduled three public hearings during its Sept. 5 meeting beginning at 6 pm: An amendment eliminating the position of fire marshal, new regulations for recreational vehicles used as temporary housing, and establishment of licensing fees and standards for homeless shelters. Councilors did away with the fire marshal job, over the objections of many in the Fire Department, when they adopted the new budget in April. More information on all three changes is available on the city’s website.

Winnie and Wilbur are back: The Goodall Library Children’s Room’s mascots, guinea pigs Winnie and Wilbur, have returned following an unscheduled summer break caused by Winnie’s stubborn infection. The reunion with young patrons won’t last long, though, as the library will be closed for a month beginning Sept. 2 while it moves into temporary quarters at the Center for Shopping due to renovations. Those who wish to read to and otherwise spoil Winnie and Wilbur can do so this Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There’s an app for that: The Sanford School Department reminds parents that they can get notifications about snow days, school closures, lunch menus, sports schedules and other news by downloading the system’s app on their phones or other mobile devices. Just go to your app store and search for Sanford Maine School Department. The app allows you to choose which school or schools you want to get notifications from.

Host families needed: Ayusa, an international exchange program for high school-age students, is still looking for host families for this academic year. Hosts welcome exchange students as members of their families, supporting them academically and socially and helping them learn about our country. More information and a listing of students seeking families is available here.