News Notes: March 6, 2022

Mingling with Celebrities

Abbey Gifford, a junior at Sanford High School, got the opportunity to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week last month. She modeled for designers S&N and Nonelillah. Read more about Abbey in Keira Kilkenny’s article for the Spartan Times.

Brett Williams, director of the Sanford Performing Arts Center, was the first contestant this week on National Public Radio’s hilarious trivia show Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me! He knocked it out of the park, and even got in a plug for the SHS spring musical, Mamma Mia! You can listen to the show here: npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/.

Face Time

Effective immediately the Diocese of Portland is removing the strong recommendation to wear masks at masses celebrated in Maine’s Catholic churches. Masks will also be optional at Catholic schools as of Monday, March 7.

Also as of Monday, face masks will be optional at the Sanford-Springvale YMCA.

Helping Hands

On March 10, Above & Beyond Catering‘s pop-up shop of oven-ready meals will benefit Sanford High School’s Class of 2022 for their end of year activities. There are some delicious choices! More info here. While you are there picking up your meal, please consider purchasing a gift certificate for the Fromwiller family to use for future meals. Their son Chace is battling a rare form of cancer. #FrommieStrong

The Sanford Elks held their 2nd Annual Al St. Laurent Bowling Tournament on Saturday, February 19th at Smitty’s Cinema and Game Lab. This event is held in memory of Al St. Laurent who was a beloved member of the Elks. Continuing his passion for raising funds for Autism helps to celebrate the life of a person who was taken too soon and will never be forgotten. This year’s total was $2,380. The Sanford Elks thank everyone who showed their support.

MaineHealth’s Care Partners and Partners for Healthier Communities programs are teaming up to collect needed items for asylum seekers in Maine. Suggested items include baby items, toys and blankets, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies and gift cards. If you can help, drop your items off at 15 Daigle Ln. in Sanford on Thursday, March 24 between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. More info here.

The Springvale Library is gearing up for its second online auction, planned for April 8-17. They are now gratefully accepting donations of items, experiences, and services until March 15. The Springvale Public Library, at 443 Main Street, is “the heart of the community.” Serving the Southern Maine region, this special gem boasts a Maine Genealogy room, a regional book lending system, reading programs for adults and children, craft classes, birding programs, and an outdoor equipment lending library.  If you’d like to contribute to the auction, please email Lesley Unger at lunger@springvalelibrary.org. Beginning April 8, you can go to the Library website and begin bidding!

Sports Section

Nasson Men’s Basketball League is starting up soon! Draft Day is March 20 at 4:30 p.m. There will be eight weeks of play followed by two weeks of playoffs. All games will be officiated. The cost is $110 per player. High school players are welcome. Email jdavie@nassoncommunitycenter.com for more info. All games will be held at the Nasson Gym.

SHS Wrestling Coach Nate Smith has organized a GoFundMe to send Spartan wrestlers James Blood, Mason VanGeison, James Chaplick, Luke Callis and Canton Hill to the National High School Coaches Association Nationals in Virginia Beach March 25-27. This is the premiere high school wrestling tournament in the country. There the boys will be able to compete, learn in clinics and get exposure to college coaches. Anything you can give will help and be appreciated. Donate here.

Bowl-a-Rama’s After School Junior Bowling League for kids 8 and up starts this week! There will be a Tuesday league and a Thursday league. The cost is just $45 for the entire 8-week program. More info here.

Opportunity Knocks

York County Community College is holding an Open House at their Sanford Instructional Site at 60 Community Drive in the Sanford Industrial Park. This event is on March 16th, from 5 pm – 7 pm, and they will be showcasing the Manufacturing and Drafting programs. If you are an employer in Precision Machining and/or Manufacturing, an employee that wants to further their skills, or just interested in what this impressive program is all about, come to the open house and tour the facility, speak with faculty and learn more about financial aid. Contact admissions@yccc.edu or 207.216.4409 for more information.

It’s not too late to sign up for home heating assistance. You can apply with York County Community Action through July 15. Your application can be taken by phone, so call (207) 459-2950 to get started.

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