News Notes: January 15, 2022

Sanford Soccer has been having some issues with people driving onto their chained-off parking area on Shaw’s Ridge Rd. and doing damage to the lot. They are asking residents to please alert the police if you see any vehicles there doing damage. They have been discussing the possibility of putting up a gate, and have a fundraiser planned in the late spring which could help with this.

Calling all Sanford Spartans senior athletes and students of the arts, the Sanford Mainers’ David M. Ahern Memorial Scholarship is now accepting applications. For full details on the scholarship, please visit scholarship.sanfordmainers.com. Application deadline is April 15.

Chelsea Harnum of Sanford won the Readers’ Choice Wildlife Award in Down East magazine’s 8^th Annual Reader Photo Contest with her great shot of a fox family. See her photo along with all the other winners at downeast.com/photography/8th-annual-down-east-reader-photo-contest-winners/.

SRTC’s latest house project hit the road on Friday and has set up at its new location on James Avenue. The building trades, electrical and plumbing students will be working there over the next semester to have it completed and ready for sale in the spring. Watch this short video of the house being loaded onto the trucks. facebook.com/watch/?v=1834182270262372.

The Sanford-Springvale YMCA reports that their Subway Cares Fundraiser in December was a HUGE success! Subway restaurant co-owner Bob Myott, along with Dan Heidenstrom, Rex Yi and Phil Lenhardt recently presented a check to Sanford-Springvale YMCA CEO Andy Orazio for $5,741 from the fundraiser held at the Sanford, Springvale, Berwick and North Berwick restaurants. This generous donation will help the Y provide programs and opportunities to individuals and families that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

On January 6, Waban Projects’ Deputy Director Gervaise Flynn retired after more than 35 years with the agency. More than 70 guests attended a retirement party in her honor. Friends and colleagues including Cynthia Caron, Waban’s Director of Program Integrity and Policy Compliance, who has worked with Gervaise for three decades, expressed gratitude for her long tenure. Gervaise’s family also attended the event. Executive Director Jennifer Putnam presented her with an award. Gervaise is pictured below center with her mother and sister.

York County received more than $40 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Visit this page to see how the funds are being appropriated and spent: yorkcountymaine.gov/_files/ugd/4237e6_48514ee457654bfc8f7139f9dfbca090.pdf.

Each January, homeless advocates conduct a point-in-time or PIT count to discover the scope of homelessness in Maine. This January 24, Maine’s PIT Count will take place statewide. The initiative will provide a snapshot of what homelessness looks like on a single night in our community and is central to better understanding its impacts. Data collected will be used to create programs and services to help those experiencing homelessness.

PIT counts are planned, coordinated, and carried out locally – though this initiative also takes place nationally. To successfully conduct this important initiative and to combat homelessness, numerous volunteers are needed. The process involves planning and training volunteers, as well as creating packages to be distributed during the count. This year, York County Community Action is working with partners at the York County Homeless Response Service Hub and they invite members of our community to join in this critical effort. There are various volunteer positions available and training will be provided. COVID-19 safety precautions will also be followed. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to Zoe Miller at zmstrategies@gmail.com for more information or sign up now at mainepit.org.

At the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation’s annual meeting last week, generously hosted by the Sanford Regional Technical Center’s culinary arts team, a new Executive committee was voted in: Kendra Williams, President; David Jagger, Vice President; Melissa Simpson, Secretary; and Cheryl Fournier, Treasurer. Want to get involved? Ask any of these kind, capable and generous volunteers and they’ll be happy to include you in supporting our education community with the little extras for our students!

The latest edition of the Main Street Memo is out now, and includes final thoughts from Fire Chief Steve Benotti and much more. Read it here: mailchi.mp/a8bb149b28c2/the-main-street-memo-edition-6

Don’t forget to renew your dog’s license! State Law requires all dogs over the age of six (6) months be licensed before Jan. 1 each year. There is a 30-day grace period until January 31st, after which a $25 late fee will be charged in addition to the dog license fee. The fees this year are $11.00 for an unaltered Male/Female dog; $6.00 for a Spayed or Neutered dog. Click the link to license your dog online: apps1.web.maine.gov/…/online/dog_license/index.pl.

Scam alert: If you receive a text about a “special offer” of clothing being sold by the Fire Department, it is a scam, do not respond.

Operation Ramp It Up is a national nonprofit organization that provides wheelchair ramps for veterans and others with mobility issues who have exhausted all other resources. Recently, their volunteers installed a ramp for Melissa, a Sanford resident with cerebral palsy. Operation Ramp It Up also recycles ramps to new homes when they are no longer needed. Visit their website at operationrampitup.com to learn more, make a donation, or request a ramp.

If you would like to follow along with the process of the Goodall Library’s upcoming expansion, bookmark this page: lbgoodall.org/renovation.php.

The York County Commissioners will be starting their meetings at 5:00 pm, beginning with the next meeting on January 18. Newly-elected Commissioner Justin Chenette of Saco had advocated for a 6:00 pm start time, but agreed to a six-month trial at 5:00. The Commission has been meeting at 4:30 pm in recent years, to make it easier for County employees to attend right after work. Meetings are conducted in person at the York County Government building at 149 Jordan Springs Rd. in Alfred, and are also Zoomed, with recordings posted at vimeo.com/yorkcountyme.

Sip & Sign Fundraiser: Enjoy an evening at The Sanford Elks Lodge on Wednesday, February 8, making beautiful wooden signs with proceeds going to benefit Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. The cost depends on the size and type of sign you want to make. They have many available. No artistic abilities needed! Your instructor will take you step by step. Everyone will leave with a beautiful wooden sign that you will be happy to hang or gift, like the ones pictured below. Get more info and sign up here: sipandsign.com/product/sip-and-sign-fundraiser-for-mental-health-awareness-and-suicide-prevention-february-8th-sanford-elks-lodge-6pm-to-8pm/222. Email sipandsign@gmail.com with any questions.

Kennebunk Savings once again wrapped up the year with what has become a holiday tradition: making a round of donations to local food pantries and meal programs. As part of the Bank’s $1.8 million in total giving to non-profits in 2022, the holiday gifts of $30,500 were handed out by local Kennebunk Savings’ branch managers in each of the Bank’s service areas. Strategies for a Stronger Sanford (Sanford Backpack Program), Curtis Lake Church, and the Sanford Food Pantry were among this year’s recipients.

February Basketball Camp with Coach Abi is scheduled for vacation week at the Nasson Gym. Grades 2-5 will have skills, drills, games and play from 8:00 to 10:00 am, while grades 6-8 will take the floor from 10:00 am to noon. The cost is $25 per day or $85 for the week. Pay by cash or check in the office the week of camp. Email office@nassoncommunitycenter.com to register.

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter and never miss a story! Visit sanfordspringvalenews.com/subscribe/ to sign up.