Members of the service organization Altrusa International of Sanford/Springvale: (front row, left to right) Stephanie Wilkins, Claire Creteau, Nancy Van Tassell, Sandy Gray, and (back row, left to right) Linda Logan, Sandy Bisson, Ellen Selfridge, Kathy Fernberg, Elaine Brady
Photo: Altrusa International of Sanford/Springvale
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
Over the years, organization targets literacy awareness and more: Altrusa International of Sanford/Springvale recently celebrated their 35th anniversary of serving the community. The club was chartered in September 1990 as a community outreach program by Altrusa International of Biddeford/Saco. Altrusa is a global service organization dedicated to community service and promoting literacy. It began in 1917 and has grown to over 390 clubs and over 10,000 members in many countries, including Mexico, Ukraine, Ireland and India.
Local clubs develop and lead projects to address community needs. Each club is required to include literacy awareness in their project plans. For the past two years, the local club has supported Boomer’s Bookworms, a literacy program of the Sanford Mainers. Other ongoing and past projects have supported Caring Unlimited, Grahamtastic Connection, Stuff the Bus and York County Shelter Programs, among others. FMI on current projects and membership, contact Stephanie Wilkins at 207-459-4853.
Gardening — good for the mind, the body and the soul: The Southern Maine Garden Club is hosting Dr. Geneie Everett, chair of the Therapeutic Gardening Committee at the Garden Club Federation of Maine, to speak about therapeutic gardening at Springvale Library on Thursday, Oct. 16, 1 – 3 pm. Even a small garden or some potted plants on the deck can stimulate the senses and improve mental and emotional well-being. Gardening has been shown to provide physical exercise, reduce stress and decrease anxiety. For those with physical limitations or cognitive challenges, therapeutic gardens can provide a sense of accomplishment and creative expression. The Garden Club invites the public to learn more about this topic and perhaps be inspired to nurse a few houseplants through the winter.
Renovations are in the mail: The back side of the Sanford Post Office will be undergoing some construction work soon to improve access for trucks and postal workers. Carrier Supervisor Matt Chapdelaine told the City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 7, that the rear dock will be completely renovated and the back entry and exit will be rebuilt as well. Currently there are ramps with extreme pitches, he said, that will be changed to one gradual pitch to make it safer for staff to use them. Work is scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 19, and may take up to six weeks, during which time the council has approved the use of the School Street parking lot for overnight parking of up to 10 Postal Service vehicles.
Don’t you just love a bargain? Books Revisited is holding its storewide Half-Off Sale during the entire month of October. Take advantage of savings on books of various genres, cookbooks, large print books, children’s books and more. Visit the store at 882 Main St., Sanford, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Award-winning water doesn’t happen by itself: Sanford Water District (SWD) flushes its water mains twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to clear any iron build-up. SWD will start the fall flushing program on Monday, Oct. 13, at 9 pm. Flushing will begin with water mains in the Elm Street/Pleasant Street area of Springvale. SWD anticipates flushing through the full system to take six weeks, finishing in the southern end of the system on Route 99 (near Walmart and Lowes). Flushing helps maintain water quality by removing naturally occurring minerals and sediment from the pipes.
Users may notice temporarily discolored water, a brief drop in water pressure, thousands of gallons per minute of water flowing onto roadways, and flashing safety lights from district vehicles and signage. SWD suggests that residents avoid doing laundry during flushing in their area. If water appears discolored, let it run from the cold tap until it clears. The water remains safe to use. Review the schedule here to see where and when flushing will occur throughout Sanford and Springvale,
Scenes from the Civil War Reenactment held Oct. 4 in Sanford. Rowen Sarette, 7, (left) displays a Civil War musket and a “wound.” Members of the 3rd Maine Infantry fire their weapons.
Photos: Gail Burnett
Muskets at the ready: Visitors to the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum got a taste of the Civil War on Saturday, Oct. 4, when members of the 3rd Maine Infantry reenactment group came to town. The soldiers, dressed in authentic wool uniforms and carrying heavy muskets, shared some of the sights and sounds of America’s deadliest war. They set up canvas tents on the museum lawn, described the lives of Union soldiers and the treatment of war wounds, and fired a few loud rounds with their muskets. There was even a visit by “Abraham Lincoln,” who delivered the Gettysburg Address inside the museum.
Women making a difference in the community: The next Girls Who Grant event will take place on Friday, Oct. 17, 6 – 8 pm at River Junction Brewing, 1491 Main St. in Sanford. The philanthropic organization brings women together to grant funds to local organizations. Attendees should bring $20 to go toward October’s grant and show up with a local nonprofit or project in mind for the organization to consider supporting. Those who gather at the event share ideas, discuss and vote on which nonprofit or project to award with the grant.
Learn what the Trafton Center is all about: The Trafton Senior Center is holding an Open House on Thursday, Oct. 23, 3 – 5 pm. Attendees are invited to tour the center, meet the instructors, learn about what the center provides, and enjoy some refreshments. The Trafton Senior Center, at 19 Elm St. in Sanford, is a part of the Sanford-Springvale YMCA. FMI, contact Robin Bibber at 207-457-0080 or email rbibber@sanfordymca.org.
Donations sought for Wreaths Across America, honoring veterans: Each December, the Rolling Thunder Maine chapter in Sanford works to ensure that every veteran laid to rest at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale is honored with a wreath during the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. This year, the organization is responsible for placing wreaths on more than 2,000 veterans’ graves at a cost of $17 for each wreath. Wreaths Across America Day will be held Saturday, Dec. 13. However, as the Dec. 1 fundraising deadline draws nearer, the organization finds it is falling short of its goal.
The wreaths that are placed annually for each veteran are not funded by the government. The organization must raise the money each year through local donations and community support. Sponsoring a wreath supports the yearlong mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. FMI, and to donate, go here. Alternatively, donors can either mail a check to Rolling Thunder Maine Chapter 1, PO Box 1274, Sanford, ME 04073, attention: Bonnie Boisvert, Treasurer, or drop a check off at Wears Bonnie Scrubs, 48 Winter St., Sanford.
Smooth move: A section of Lebanon Road (Route 202) near Jellison Road and Redcoat Lane will have mill and fill repaving by MaineDOT beginning on Monday, Oct. 13. That section of the road has transverse ripples or ridges in the road surface, also known as washboarding, and the work will smooth it out, making for a more pleasant ride that is also easier on vehicles.
Recipients of this year’s Sanford Police Department awards: (left to right) Major Mark Dyer, Officer Gary Cray, School Resource Officer Joseph Jourdain, Officer David Randt and Detective Erik Rae, with Chief Eric Small (in back)
Photo: Sanford Police Department
Police awards recognize commitment and service to the community: On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Sanford Police Department hosted their annual Awards Ceremony, a tradition that honors the hard work, dedication and achievements of the entire department. The ceremony also recognized staff who have served for 10 years or more, as well as employees who have served in the military, thanking them for their service to the country.
This year’s honors went to Officer David Randt with the Distinguished Teamwork Award, School Resource Officer Joseph Jourdain with the Community Action Award, Major Mark Dyer with the Chief’s Excellence Award, Detective Erik Rae with the Distinguished Teamwork Award, and Officer Gary Cray with the Special Commendation Award. Award recipients are nominated and selected by their peers, reflecting the respect and appreciation of those who work alongside them.
Turkey dinner with all the fixin’s to support church ministry: The First Baptist Church of Sanford, 905 Main St., is holding a Turkey Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 18, 4:30 – 6 pm. The menu will include turkey, stuffing, potato, peas, butternut squash, gravy, cranberry, rolls and apple crisp. The cost is $14 per dinner to eat in or take out. Enter through the Kimball Street entrance. All proceeds will benefit the church’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry. To reserve a dinner, call 207-324-5456 no later than Oct. 15.
Make a difference in the community: Sanford Backpack Program is seeking volunteers to help on Monday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday mornings and afternoons. In addition, the organization has seats available on its advisory board. If interested in helping fight student food insecurity in Sanford, email lori@strongersanford.org.
Older adults, cross a thing or two off that to-do list: Through its volunteer handyperson project, Thriving in Place: Age-Friendly Sanford may be able to help older adults take care of small home projects and odd jobs they need to complete. FMI, call the Trafton Center at 207-457-0080.
The post News Notes appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
