An estimated 75 people participated in a No Kings rally last Saturday in downtown Sanford. It was part of a nationwide protest of President Trump’s policies. Smaller demonstrations have been held every Friday afternoon since April.
Photo: Gail Burnett
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
Rid your home of hazardous waste: Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 9 am – noon, rain or shine, at the Sanford Transfer Station, 81 Rushton St. This opportunity is open to Sanford and Springvale residents with a transfer station sticker or current proof of residency. The fee is $20 per unit (5 gallons, 20 pounds, or a combination), payable by cash, check or credit card. Only household hazardous waste, including vapes and vape pens, will be accepted; no electronic waste. The Transfer Station will not be open for regular operations on June 28. FMI, including a list of acceptable items and what not to bring, go here.
Have some fun, meet new friends on the playground this summer: The Basics Sanford has scheduled several Summer Playground Pop-ups for children and their caregivers. In addition to play time, each pop-up includes free meal distributions for children ages 18 and under. The dates and times are: June 23, 9 – 11 am, at Springvale Park, 3 Edmond St. in Springvale, with breakfast available 8:45 – 9:15 am and lunch available 11:30 am – noon; June 30, 11 am – noon, at Carpentier Park, 82 High St., with lunch available 11:15 – 11:45 am; and July 10, 11 am – noon, at the Sanford Pride Elementary School playground (behind the school), 708 Main St., with lunch available 11 am – noon. FMI, email spalmer@sanford.org.
This year’s summer reading challenge has something for all ages: Springvale Library is daring kids, teens and adults to Level Up at the Library this summer and participate in its reading program. Each age group has a different challenge. Adults can earn tickets toward a Backyard Fun grand prize. Children, ages 2 to 12, are challenged to read and earn prizes, while teens in grades 6 to 12 are invited to Dragon Up. Teens can read to earn books, raffle tickets and special dragon cards in this dragon-themed program as well as schedule volunteer time if community service hours are needed. Learn more here, but don’t delay. The program began on June 16 and runs through Aug. 9.
Bob Sirois of Shapleigh, a volunteer driver at First County Food Pantry in Alfred, helped fill the bins after a recent food donation pick-up.
Photo: First County Food Pantry
Food pantry seeks volunteer drivers to pick up food donations: First County Food Pantry, part of the nonprofit First County Foundation which operates the former York County Shelter Programs pantry, needs several volunteer drivers. According to Rob Boyd, pantry coordinator, the volunteer task involves driving from the pantry on Swett’s Bridge Road in Alfred to local supermarkets and other entities, loading their food donations, and returning, using a pantry vehicle. Most times, there is volunteer crew members back at the pantry to help unload. Volunteers should be able to lift at least 50 pounds, he added.
The pantry has three regular morning runs two days a week and a single morning run on one day. There are also occasional runs to other locations. With just one volunteer driver at present, Boyd has been doing the remaining runs himself.
“Some drivers volunteer with a friend,” who helps load and unload, Boyd said. One such volunteer is Bob Sirois, who has been volunteering at the pantry for eight years. Sirois takes another volunteer with him who helps him load the van, and then along with others, helps unload once back at the pantry. FMI, and to fill out a volunteer form, contact Rob Boyd at 207-289-9668.
Former state senator gets local support in bid for governor: Gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson picked up the support of Adam Cote in his bid for the Blaine House, according to Jackson’s campaign. Cote said he endorsed Jackson because he has “always stood up for working-class Mainers.” Cote is a lawyer and energy entrepreneur who ran unsuccessful campaigns for Congress and for the Blaine House.
Holdsworth Park summer closure schedule: From June 24 to Aug. 20, Holdsworth Park, also known as “The Rec,” will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the safety of the children attending summer camps there. The Rec will be closed from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. If the camps are not in session on one of these days, the park will be open to the public.
It’s coming next month? Surely you joust: The Maine Renaissance Faire will return to the Acton Fairgrounds on the weekends of July 19/20, July 26/27 and Aug. 2/3, 10 am – 6 pm each weekend. The parking lot will open at 9 am. FMI, and to purchase tickets, go here.
Photo: Sanford Fire Department
SFD captain retires: The City of Sanford said goodbye this week to Captain Scott Lizotte, who is retiring after 33 years of service to the city and the community. Lizotte joined Sanford Fire & EMS when he was 19 years old. He worked his way through the ranks, promoted most recently from lieutenant to captain in 2016, and mentored countless firefighters along the way. Lizotte graduated from Sanford High School in 1990.
How many donuts can you eat? Registration is now open for the Devouring Donuts for Donations, a fundraiser to benefit the Sanford Backpack Program and help fight student hunger. Participants will eat as many donuts as possible from Frannie’s Mini Donuts, with prizes going to the top three donut eaters as well as to the top three participants who raise the most money. Each registrant will get a personal fundraising page to share with friends and family in order to get pledges. FMI, and to register, go here.
Charity event is par for the course in Southern Maine: The 14th annual Chip in Fore Charity golf tournament June 11 raised funds for service initiatives and awarded prizes to winning teams. The tournament, co-organized by Kiwanis Club of Sanford and Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, operates in a scramble format, offering various forms of competition along the course, including a Hole-in-One Contest, Longest Drive, and Closest to the Pin challenge. After the entire 18-hole course was finished, everyone came together for lunch and to celebrate some awards.
The tournament results included the Partners Bank team in 1st place, the Just Do It team in 2nd place, and The Dogs Cards in 6th place. Wayne Burbank was the winner of the 50/50 raffle, topping off one of the area’s most anticipated sporting events.
Fundraising at events like this directly provides these organizations with resources for school scholarships, youth mentorship programs, food security initiatives, and community development projects in Southern Maine.
Want to buy a home but unsure how to begin? York County Community Action Corp. (YCCAC) is offering monthly Home Buyer Education Classes for first-time home buyers. The classes provide honest, accurate information about home ownership and prepare individuals and families for the steps in the home-buying process. The next available YCCAC class, conducted over three sessions via Zoom, will be held July 8, 9 and 10 — 6 – 8:30 pm for the first two sessions and 6 – 9 pm for the third session. Registration fees are $45 per person and $80 per couple. FMI, email Lee Sullivan, home buyer education coordinator, at lee.sullivan@yccac.org, or call 207-459-2961. To register, go here.
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