News Notes: December 18, 2022

Toy Distribution: The weather this weekend didn’t stop the hardworking elves from Toys for Tots of Southern York County. The annual toy distribution was held at Curtis Lake Church thanks to the many volunteers and many generous donors.

Scouts USA Troop 327 is doing its second annual Christmas Tree Pickup Fundraiser. They work with a local business to reuse your discarded Christmas tree and turn it into wood chips. So don’t just toss that tree! For a $15 donation, repurpose it and help Troop 327 get scouts to Florida Sea Base in 2024. Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/213393699739071 and choose your pickup date – December 26, January 1, January 8 or January 15. Very important: all trees MUST be completely free of decorations and tinsel. Text 207-651-2142 or email sanfordbsatroop327@gmail.com with any questions.

Caps for Care, an outreach of Saco Grange #53, delivered a bounty of warm handmade blankets, caps and mittens to the Sanford Housing Authority last week, along with storebought socks, slippers and toiletries. Dozens of skilled artisans donated their time and talent to benefit their neighbors with warm Christmas cheer. The items will go to the SHA’s low-income senior residents. Pictured on the left is Tanya Cook, Sanford Housing, Occupancy Specialist, and on the right is Patti Frohloff from Saco Grange #53.

Quick, before it melts! The Goodall Library has sleds for the whole family to check out, and the Springvale Library has snowshoes.

Holiday Hours: City Hall and all City offices will be closed Monday, December 26 for the observance of Christmas, and Monday, January 2 for the observance of New Year’s Day. The Transfer Station will be closed Tuesday, December 27. There will be regular trash and recycling pickup during Christmas and New Year’s weeks.

Reverend Susan Murphy has joined the board of the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation. Susan worked in education for 28 years before becoming an ordained Episcopal minister. After retiring as rector of St. George’s, she continued to be very involved in the Sanford community as a member of the Sanford Food Pantry Board of Directors and President of Strategies for a Stronger Sanford.

McDougal Orchards was honored this week as one of the top three farmers in the state providing the most fruits and vegetables to Maine families through the Electronic Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Lesley Unger, Director of the Springvale Public Library, was interviewed by Rick Stanley for his Chamber Talk radio program last week. If you missed it, you can listen here: https://www.sanfordmainechamber.org/chamber-talk.

The Springvale Fish and Game Club awarded prizes in the 2022 Deer Pool at the annual Sportman’s Banquet last week. Check out all the photos here.

Would you like to see some adorable puppy photos of the Sanford Police Department’s future comfort canine, Winston? They’re right here in the latest issue of the Main Street Memo. You can subscribe to the MSM on the City’s website at sanfordmaine.org.

York County K-9 Makes First Drug/Gun Seizure: In the early morning hours of December 11, Deputy Cody Frazier and K-9 Rebel of the York County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business in Cornish for a suspicious activity complaint. During the subsequent investigation, K9 Rebel was deployed to conduct an exterior sniff of the involved vehicle. K-9 Rebel had just recently graduated from narcotic detector school. K9 Rebel alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted and 1.9 grams of meth, 5.1 grams of fentanyl, along with a firearm and other drug related items were located. A 50-year-old Hiram resident was charged with Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamines.

Drive-By Christmas Lights: Sanford Parks and Recreation has released a list of addresses where there are Christmas lights you can drive by and enjoy:

• 3 Grace Ln, Sanford
• 178 High St, Sanford
• 23 Carver St. Sanford
• 13 Tanguay St. Sanford
• 96 Jackson St., Sanford
• 68 Shaw Rd, Sanford
• 2 Crestwood Dr. Springvale
• 7 Prospect St. Springvale
• 10 Kirk St., Springvale

This week, staff from the Sanford Water District completed CPR & First Aid training with Sanford Community Adult Education Instructor Thomas Miskell Jr. The class was funded with a grant from the Maine Municipal Association. Left to right are Sanford Water District Meter Reader/Operator Don Wilson, Distribution Operator Matt Parks, Admin Assistant Donna Ouellette, Water Quality Manager Nick Tumolo, Billing Clerk Diane Scarponi, District Engineer Keith Levasseur, Lead Person Richard Sherman (standing in back) and Service Coordinator Lori Talbot. Sanford Water District Business Manager Judy McKula was also present. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by the Giant Christmas Party at Curtis Lake Church last weekend.

The York County Vaccination Center is offering bivalent boosters to children 6 months to 5 years who meet the eligibility criteria:

• Children 6 months-5 years old who received Moderna’s two-dose primary series at least 2 months ago.
• Children 6 months-4 years old who have not yet received the 3rd dose of Pfizer’s 3-dose primary series.

Children 6 months-4 years who have already completed Pfizer’s 3-dose primary series cannot get the bivalent vaccine as a booster at this time. The Vaccination Center at 1364 Main St. is open Tuesdays and Thursday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. (Closed 12/22 and 12/24.)

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