WELLS
The National Honor Society at WHS inducts new members
The Wells High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) held its annual induction ceremony for new members April 10 at the Valjeane Olenn Performing Arts Center.
According to WHS English teacher and chapter adviser Ann Bechan, 29 students were inducted. They are: Grace Badger, Lauren Barber, Logan Blanchard, Garrett Bohn, Nathan Bolduc, Kayla Bolton, Olivia Boutot, Spencer Carpenter, Bailey Cavaner, Jasmine Cogliano, Samuel Coleman, Dyllan Davis, Brooks Fox, William Griffith, Colton Harding, Madelaine Hemly, Katarina Hoffman, Mason Hudnall, John Huppe, Sarah Jarry, Catherine Kaszubinski, Jackson Koh, Nathan Muchemore, Riley Nichols, Gabriel Ordway, Om Patel, David Patnaude, Brian Stevens, and Kameron Tufts.
WHS chapter officers Indie Brogan, Bryce Hoag, Nicholas Olsen and Jace Patel spoke on the society’s “four pillars,” which are character, service, leadership and scholarship. A demonstration of all four is required for acceptance into the NHS. Other speakers included faculty member Lee McGlashan, who spoke about honor, and student Samuel Coleman, who spoke on behalf of the inductees.
“This year’s inductees did a wonderful job of representing the four pillars of NHS through their outstanding scholarship, powerful leadership demonstrated in and out of the classroom, exemplary service to the school and wider community, and sterling character,” Bechan said.
SCARBOROUGH
Skyy Worster selected as Maine Connections Academy April STAR Student of the Month
Skyy Worster, a grade 11 student from Harrison, has been named Maine Connections Academy’s STAR Student of the Month, recognizing her as a scholar who embodies the school’s values and spirit.
Worster is committed to giving back to her community one gymnastics lesson at a time. As a volunteer coach, she’s logged over 1,000 hours of community service teaching gymnastics to students of all ages, ranging from kindergarten through high school. A gymnast for nearly eight years, she became a coach to help others find confidence through the sport. Worster coaches three to four classes a week at Western Maine Dance and Gymnastics in Bridgton and has been doing so since the eighth grade.
Worster said the most rewarding part of coaching gymnastics is seeing the kids’ faces light up when they learn new skills and encourage their teammates. She knows all too well that dedication and good mentoring are key for young gymnasts. She began gymnastics at age 10 and initially struggled to the point of nearly quitting. However, her coach at the time encouraged her to stick with it, and she eventually mastered her first major skill – fueling her passion for the sport. Worster has since combined that passion with a love of helping others, emphasizing that “the people who benefit from the volunteering are going to take what you give and return the favor when they get older.”
Worster also spends time each week volunteering at the Poland Animal Hospital, noting that her passion for volunteering is rooted in the tight-knit western Maine community she was raised in.
In addition to her volunteer work, Worster is an outstanding scholar and a dedicated honors students at Maine Connections Academy. She finds the school’s flexible online learning environment, which allows her to work at her own pace, particularly helpful for her fast-paced learning style. She is also able to tailor the curriculum to best fit her needs as a student and currently attends one in-person class at a local high school.
Worster was nominated as a STAR Student for her leadership experience, which includes participating in the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute and the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment.
SOUTH BERWICK
Triple C Stable offers new services and programs
Horses are Cathy Murphy’s passion, and thanks to innovative planning, she has found numerous ways to share this passion with others. Murphy and her family own Triple C Stable at 3 McLean Drive in South Berwick. Like many other stables, they offer boarding, riding lessons and summer camps, but Murphy has taken horse-related activities to another level.
Triple C Stable has begun offering a range of equine-assisted therapy programs for veterans, military members and first responders. Called “Freedom Rings,” the programs will include assisted riding, taking care of the horses or simply being able to spend time at the stables.
According to Murphy, studies have shown that both veterans and first responders benefit from equine therapy. “My husband is a veteran, so we understand the toll that service can take,” she said. “We are honored to offer Freedom Rings in hopes that it can play a role in guiding fellow veterans and others back to full and healthy lives.”
Also opening this year at Triple C is The Hayloft, an equine-friendly bed-and-breakfast that offers the perfect equine escape, sits adjacent to a new indoor riding ring and is situated above a two-stall compartment. The space has a full bath with Jacuzzi tub; fully stocked, top-of-the-line kitchen; sitting room with TV and pull-out couch; and sleeping space for eight.
Additionally, Triple C has long offered horse- and unicorn-themed birthday parties for up to 10 kids, but now looks to offer the space for weddings, fundraisers and other special events.
“We are still finalizing the details, but are already looking into weddings where the bride and groom can bring their horses, or the couple can make their exit in a lovely carriage,” said Murphy. “We will be partnering with other local businesses to put on the finishing touches.”
To learn more, visit www.TripleCStable.com or call 603-817-7870.
PORTLAND
Maine Track Celebration honors Class of 2023, marks the 15th year of the Maine Track partnership between Maine Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine
Maine Medical Center held its 11th annual Maine Track Celebration event April 29, recognizing the 39 Maine Track medical students who will graduate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston in May. After completing the program that includes classroom instruction in Boston with community-based practice in Maine, this year’s class will begin residencies this summer, 12 of them at MMC.
Dr. Caleb Swanberg, a Maine Track alumnus and the chief of medicine at Cary Medical Center in Caribou, gave the keynote address. Dr. Swanberg, who received Maine Track’s Roger A. Renfrew Rural Teaching Award in 2021, said teaching Maine Track students has been one of his favorite parts of practicing rural medicine. He impressed upon students the importance of both believing in themselves and taking care of themselves as they start their careers.
“It is a tremendous honor to address the Maine Track Class of 2023 at their Celebration,” Dr. Swanberg said. “As a student, the Maine Track provided me with so much: a wonderful medical education, faculty who have become lifelong advisers and friendships that I will always cherish. As a physician, teaching Maine Track students has been a true privilege.”
The Maine Track program is a partnership between MMC and Tufts formed 15 years ago to help address the shortage of doctors in Maine, provide financial assistance to aspiring medical students with a connection to Maine, and develop an innovative curriculum focused on community-based education. MMC’s annual Maine Track celebration marks the local recognition of the medical school students, who also will take part in a graduation ceremony with Tufts on May 21.
When this year’s cohort graduates from Tufts, 401 physicians will have graduated from the Maine Track program since it began. As of 2022, 45% of Maine Track graduates who have completed their residencies are practicing medicine in Maine.
PORTLAND
Samuel Plummer of Raymond awarded $1,500 scholarship
The Portland Water District recently awarded its DiPietro Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, to Windham High School student Samuel Clifford Plummer of Raymond.
Established in 2003 to commemorate longtime trustee Joe DiPietro’s dedication to advancing youth education, the scholarship is given to support the postsecondary education of local students who are entering the water, wastewater, science and environmental fields.
Plummer plans to pursue a degree in marine science at Saint Joseph’s College.
PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH
MaineCF’s Animal Welfare Fund seeks grant proposals and volunteers
Grants from the Maine Community Foundation’s Animal Welfare Fund are available to organizations that advance animal welfare in the state.
Last year, the Animal Welfare Fund awarded $343,500 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations, including general support for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, Humane Society of Waterville Area and SPCA of Hancock County.
To apply, visit www.mainecf.org/animalwelfare by the June 1 application deadline.
MaineCF also is seeking volunteers to review proposals to the Animal Welfare Fund. Grant proposal reviewers provide comments to applicants and recommend funding based on the program criteria and priorities. Volunteers must commit to attend a one-hour virtual training session in early June and review six to eight proposals by July 10.
Reviewers will receive a $350 stipend in appreciation for their time and contribution to the Animal Welfare grant program decision-making process.
To learn more about volunteer requirements, visit www.mainecf.org/animalwelfare, or contact program officer John Ochira at jochira@mainecf.org or 412-0837.
BRUNSWICK
Midcoast Humane to offer low-cost spay/neuter clinics
Midcoast Humane will host a public spay/neuter clinic for dogs and cats May 22 at the shelter, located at 5 Industrial Parkway. All surgeries will include the rabies vaccine, feline and canine distemper vaccines, microchips, pain medication, and nail trims.
Midcoast Humane executive director Jess Townsend said the clinic is being offered in response to requests from numerous community members who are unable to afford the rising costs of spay and neuter surgeries for their pets, as well as to stem an increase in the number of pet litters being surrendered to the shelter.
“We are seeing more animals coming into the shelter and a decline in the number of adoptions, particularly in dogs, in 2023,” Townsend said. “It is vitally important to shelters and homeless animals everywhere that pet owners continue to spay and neuter their pets.”
These lower-cost clinics are intended to help the people who live in the communities served by Midcoast Humane, from Falmouth to Somerville. There are a limited number of spots available, and registration is required. The fees are $130 for a feline spay and $100 for a feline neuter. Canine surgeries are based on the weight of the dogs and range from $225 for dogs under 25 pounds and to $350 for dogs over 91 pounds. Optional services include the feline or canine heartworm tests for $45, e-collar for $10 and deworming for $10.
To make an appointment, contact Midcoast Humane’s community resource manager, Tammy Walsh, at twalsh@midcoasthumane.org or 449-1366, ext. 303. For more details, visit MidcoastHumane.Org.
NEW GLOUCESTER
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village hiring guides, interns and more
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village – Maine’s largest National Historic Landmark and the home to the world’s remaining Shakers – is hiring to fill several openings.
Tour guides, an assistant herb gardener, paid garden interns, and cleaning and housekeeping workers are all sought. For more details, go to maineshakers.com/employment and click on the job postings, then email Michael Graham, director, at usshakers@aol.com with a letter of interest and qualifications.
NORWAY
Cancer Resource Center distributes care baskets to cancer patients in western Maine
Utilizing money received through fundraising efforts and donations, the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine was able to make 50 care baskets for cancer patients located in western Maine who were in need of some extra help.
Several volunteers came in to help put the baskets together. They were filled with cleaning supplies, paper products and personal hygiene items.
This is the third year of the project, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of many cancer patients not being able to purchase these items with their food stamps.
CAMDEN
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine Chapter gets charter on Earth Day
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine Chapter was chartered on April 22 – Earth Day – in honor of Maine Native Plant Month with the election of its founding officers: president Lynn Rutter, vice president Ali Dailey, secretary Chelsea Plimpton, treasurer Rachel Thompson, membership chair Molly Stone, outreach chair Marcia Coakley, development chair Cristina de la Vega and programming chair Marisa Baskin.
Wild Ones Midcoast Maine, founded in February 2023, is a native plant gardening group based in Camden and serving midcoast Maine. Its mission is to promote environmentally friendly and sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities in midcoast Maine.
In support of the organization’s mission, all midcoast neighbors who are interested in or want to learn more about native plants are invited to join the first Maine chapter of the national nonprofit organization Wild Ones. The chapter includes a diverse, multigenerational membership of about 50, and is excited to be planning programs and events to reach a wide audience. Volunteer and educational opportunities are being added to the chapter calendar, and the public is encouraged to reach out to the board online at midcoastmaine.wildones.org.
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