Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is March 21 – 22. Here, a maple tree is tapped in the “traditional” way to collect sap, the first step in making maple syrup.
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
It’s that sweet time of year again! Maine Maple Sunday Weekend takes place March 21 – 22. The Maine Maple Producers Association provides a detailed map and list of participating sugar houses, including hours and activities, at mainemapleproducers.com. Locally, stop by Packy’s Sugar House, 232 Harry Howes Road in Sanford, 9 am – 3 pm both days, to purchase a bottle of their local maple syrup and try their delicious maple cashews, pecans and almonds. Families are invited to meet the makers and see how syrup is crafted from start to finish. Or swing by Maple Days at Sky Island Homestead Springvale, 273 Hanson Ridge Road, on March 22, 11:30 am – 2 pm, to enjoy some maple syrup, maple-elderberry syrup, maple treats and lavender goodies in their mini market.
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend
Joining friends for a meal, just as you like it: Did you know that Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) has a program that encourages older adults to get out in the community to share a meal? Its “As You Like It” nutrition program offers people ages 60+ an opportunity to enjoy a balanced, satisfying meal at several local partner restaurants. Meals are available for a suggested donation of $9. To register, participants must visit any one of the partner locations listed at SMAA to receive a free meal card. Registration requires a driver’s license or other proof of age. Once a participant receives a meal card, money can be loaded on the card at the SMAA website. From that point on, simply present the meal card at the participating restaurants to redeem meals. Up to 10 meals can be loaded onto a card at one time.
Currently, participating restaurants in Southern Maine include Egg Roll Cafe at 1299 Main St. in Sanford, The Golden Rooster at 236 Main St. in Saco, Chia Sen at 456 Payne Road in Scarborough, and Jaffa Mediterranean Grill at 364 Maine Mall Road in South Portland. SMAA is actively seeking more restaurants to participate. Restaurants interested in joining the program should email SMAA’s nutrition team at nutritionadmin@smaa.org.
The hunt is on: Round up the kids and head to Goodall Park, 38 Roberts St., on Saturday, April 4, for the Home Run Eggstravaganza. This free event offers a morning of egg hunting, prizes, and photos with the Easter bunny. As an added treat, a limited number of special Baseball Eggs containing prize information will be hidden throughout the park. Anyone finding one of those eggs can claim the prize. Egg hunt times are 9:30 – 10 am for children ages 5 and under and 10:30 – 11 am for ages 6 – 10. Pre-registration is required for planning purposes. Register online at Sanford Parks and Recreation.
https://sanfordme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29930
See you in court: Last Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maine filed a lawsuit claiming that the city of Sanford, its police department, and Chief Eric Small are refusing to comply with a public records request, made under the Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), related to the department’s cooperation with federal immigration officials. Specifically, the ACLU requested incident reports regarding traffic stops that resulted in people being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Sanford officials claim that the incident reports contain confidential information and therefore cannot be released. The ACLU says the records must be released with confidential information redacted rather than denying access to the records altogether. Sanford officials recommended that the ACLU take legal action to access the records. According to the ACLU, they have filed 117 identical records requests with other agencies throughout the state under the FOAA and have received responses in full for 112 of them. The lawsuit requests the court to order Sanford to provide the requested records as well as pay for legal fees that the ACLU incurs for the case.
New Chamber member is back at it again: The Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate J.A. Tree & Landscape Company joining the Chamber. The Sanford-based company specializes in tree removal and pruning, landscape installation, landscape rehabilitation, mulching, planting, hardscapes, and spring and fall clean-ups. Joshua Allaire has owned the company since 2016. After taking a break to pursue other interests, Allaire has begun taking on clients again. He grew up around a family-run excavation business and, from a young age, knew he was destined to open and operate his own business. FMI on the services offered, visit www.southernmainelandscaping.biz.
https://www.southernmainelandscaping.biz
It’s all the same, only the name will change: Volk Packaging Corporation announced this week that its Sanford-based operation, formerly known as Volk Paxit, will officially transition to Volk Packaging Sanford on or before April 1. Since its founding in 2020, Volk Paxit has operated as a separate entity within the Volk Packaging family. However, company leadership determined that integrating Paxit fully into Volk Packaging will create greater clarity and efficiency for both customers and internal operations. “By bringing everything under the Volk Packaging name, we simplify the experience while continuing to deliver the same high level of service our customers expect,” said Derek Volk, CEO of Volk Packaging. The company says that customers can expect a seamless transition, with the only noticeable difference being the name change on purchase orders, quotes and correspondence. Importantly, the Sanford team will remain unchanged, including its leadership under Dan Brochu, a 25-year veteran of Volk Packaging.
A Meals on Wheels volunteer delivers a nutritious meal — and a cheerful bouquet of flowers — to a senior. Photo: Southern Maine Agency on Aging
Delivered to your door, with a side of wellness and warmth: For decades, Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) has been providing nutritious, home-delivered meals to homebound older adults across York County. But what they deliver goes well beyond the food on the table. When making their deliveries, volunteers and staff also provide a wellness check, giving peace of mind to clients and their families. Up to five meals are delivered to each program participant on Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally arriving between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Meals are delivered frozen. To be eligible, individuals must be ages 60+ (or under age 60 if receiving Social Security Disability Insurance); be homebound or have limited mobility; and have difficulty safely preparing meals. Meals on Wheels can even help on a short-term basis, such as during recovery from a temporary health problem or after surgery. There is no income eligibility requirement; however, a $3.50 per meal donation is recommended to help support the program.
For those who do not qualify for Meals on Wheels, SMAA offers home-delivered meals through Simply Delivered for ME. These dietician-approved meals, which arrive frozen and require no additional preparation, are available to accommodate special diets, such as heart healthy, low sodium, diabetic friendly, gluten free and more. Clients can receive up to seven meals per week. Meals are delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally arriving between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. The cost is $9 per meal.
To learn more about both programs, or to make a donation that helps SMAA support aging Mainers and their families, go here.
How creditworthy are you? A free Credit Score Seminar will be held at Sanford Community Adult Education on Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 7 pm. Staff from Atlantic Federal Credit Union will explain what builds, breaks and improves a credit score. Attendees can get answers, tips and real-world advice in this interactive class. Register here to join the seminar or call 207-490-5145 with questions.
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SanfordCommunityAdultEducation
Parks and Recreation wants your input: Sanford Parks and Recreation, along with the Recreation Advisory Board, invites the public to attend a Parks and Recreation Open Forum, to be held Wednesday, March 25, at 6 pm in the Memorial Gym Cafeteria. The forum will begin with a presentation by Sanford Parks and Recreation Director Brady Lloyd with an update on the Sanford parks and facilities. Attendees can then share with the Advisory Board any thoughts, questions or ideas they have concerning recreation here in Sanford.
Two-day suicide prevention training: Sanford Community Adult Education is holding a two-day training, “When Conversations Turn to Suicide,” on March 30 – 31, 9 am – 5 pm. Participants in this free program, presented by Maine Department of Health and Human Services, will learn the common myths about suicide, a framework for conversing with someone who is struggling, the links between trauma and suicide, the importance of power sharing, and more. The 16-hour training is open to providers, family members, peers, first responders, and anyone who wants to learn how to offer support to someone who is suicidal. Space is limited. FMI, call 207-490-5145.
Giving kids in need of a new set of wheels: Grayson’s Legacy is seeking donations to support their new spring initiative — a bike giveaway for boys and girls in need. They have updated their Walmart Wish List and are also accepting donations via PayPal and Venmo. Visit the Wish List here. FMI on making donations, email graysonslegacynonprofit@gmail.com.
https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/565d8765-64cf-428b-8a91-0c75c030b38c
A minute of your time can go a long way: United Way of Southern Maine, a partner of York County Community Action Corp., is inviting individuals and organizations in the community to participate in a quick, anonymous survey. With so many people struggling, United Way is trying to understand the real needs in the community to help direct the organization’s support and resources for the coming years. Take the community survey here.
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