News Notes: September 17, 2023

Sanford-Springvale YMCA Titans Swim Team Registration is Open

Photo Credit: YMCA

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

Everybody into the Pool: Registration for the 2023-24 Titans Swim Team through the Sanford-Springvale YMCA is open. The program welcomes children ages 7-18 who are interested in challenging themselves in the areas of mental and physical training and are dedicated to competitive swimming. The swim season runs from Sept. 18, 2023, to March 3, 2024. All practices take place at the YMCA in a family-friendly, positive environment with experienced coaches who embrace the organization’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Registration packets are available at the YMCA Welcome Desk or here. FMI contact the Aquatics Director, Ali Fair, at afair@sanfordymca.org.

VISTA Volunteer Wanted: In collaboration with the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI), the Sanford Police Department is looking for a Volunteer in Service of America (VISTA) member to work in the Recovery Corps alongside the police to address the opioid epidemic and expand access to treatment and recovery. Providing one year of service, the volunteer will share information between new state units to evaluate best practices and track community partnerships. The Recovery Corps was started in 2017 through AmeriCorps to help build, strengthen, and sustain police-led programs to reduce overdose deaths and make treatment available to those with substance use disorders. Anyone interested in this unique opportunity to serve the community can send their resume to vanessa@paariusa.org.

Be in the Know: The 2021-2022 Annual Report from the City of Sanford is now available. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or just curious about the city, you can find plenty of information, including departmental reports, outstanding taxes, the financial report and much more. Access the report here or stop by either the Clerk’s Office or the Planning and Codes Department to pick up a copy.

Free meals available: Free school meals are available to all students at Sanford schools, because of the school department’s participation in the federal government’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are available without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. For more information, contact dboger@sanford.org

That’s the Ticket: The Sanford Performing Arts Center (SPAC) ticket office is now conveniently located in its lobby inside Door #43. This is the location to use whether purchasing tickets or attending a show, even when school is in session. The ticket office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to noon and one hour before every show.

Narcan and Harm Reduction Training: Join York County OPTIONS clinician Lacey Bailey and the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, September 19, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm for a community training on Substance Use Disorders 101- Why People Use Drugs and Anti-Stigma: A Case Study Presentation. The training session will take place at the Sanford Police Department Training Room. Those people who register ahead of time will receive a Narcan kit. RSVP to lmbailey@sweetser.org or lmbailey@sanfordmaine.org. FMI call Lacey Bailey at 207-468-4015.

Carpentier Park Project Update

By Kristi King

The Sanford Parks and Recreation Department is moving ahead with the Carpentier Park revitalization project. The department has received the finalized survey done by the civil engineering firm, Sebago Technics. The next step is to draft an RFP, and then have an architectural design completed. The project would then go out to bid for a contract. The park project will include a new splash pad along with new playground equipment. The project is being funded in part by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant with additional monies from the City and is estimated at a cost of $250,000.

Lifelong Learning for York County Seniors: The Fall 2023 course line-up at York County Senior College (YCSC) is now available with classes scheduled to begin the week of September 25. YCSC offers low-cost, stimulating and stressless educational and social opportunities for adults 50 years of age or older. Courses are presented online via Zoom, some in-person and some outdoors. January through March, a winter series of one-day lectures is offered. FMI on offerings and registration, visit here or email info@yorkcountyseniorcollege.org.

Maine Attraction Water Ski Photos Needed: If you have any photos or videos from this season’s shows, the team is requesting you submit them for their end of season video — especially any drone footage that was taken at the shows. You can email the files to maineattractionwaterski@gmail.com.

Music, Dance, Crafters Coming to Shaker Hill: Come and enjoy the live entertainment featured at York County Shelter Programs’ annual Shaker Hill Apple Fest on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10-4 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 24, 10-3 pm. The event is free and offers lots to see and do. Saturday features Northern Explosion dancers and musicians Dave Durrell, Eddie C. and C.A. Wortley. Sunday offers Haloye and the Boys, Joe Sweeney and his ukuleles and Frank Gallagher of the Portland Buskers. There’s also a craft fair, activities for the kids, a yard sale, tours of the nearby Shaker Museum, apple picking at Gile’s Orchards, delicious fair food and more. The festival is a fundraiser for YCSP and is being sponsored by numerous local businesses and organizations.