South Portland Music Boosters sing happy tune

On Friday, June 5, the South Portland Music Boosters awarded more than $19,000 to 24 graduating seniors in the music programs in the schools. 

Additionally, Albie Gingrich was awarded the Elaine Wolfson Memorial Scholarship, given to a graduating senior who has been a four-year student of the South Portland High School Chorus program and intends to pursue training in music education or music performance. 

A new scholarship was established this year in memory of Andrew Gerke, South Portland High School class of 2003 and one of the adult leaders of the marching band, who died in April from injuries sustained in a car accident. The scholarship was established to recognize a band student who best represents the ideals Gerke embraced and personified: Leadership, excellence and volunteer service.  

The Andrew Gerke Memorial Scholarship was presented to Laura Patriquin by Gerke’s mother, Robin Lawson, his sister Katie McAllister and one of his friends, Mike Neff.

 The 2008-2009 school year was busy for the music programs, culminated by a busy week of concerts for the city’s music students. The combined middle school concert bands and choruses fill the stage with young, eager musicians, and likewise inspiring are the high school band, ensembles and vocal groups who put on quite the show each year. Of note is the “live movie scoring” done by the combined high school concert bands and ensembles, directed by Craig Skeffington. Each year, clips from a well-known Hollywood film are edited together and shown on-screen while the band performs the music from the film.  

During the year, the South Portland music program received honors and distinction at both the middle school and high school level, achieving recognition for excellence in state and district scholastic music competitions.  

“Hello, Dolly,” was this year’s annual musical production that played to packed houses. Additionally, the South Portland High School Jazz Ensemble traveled to Disney World to compete in a national jazz festival. 

All of the above endeavors are funded by efforts of the South Portland Music Boosters – parents of music students, and parents of SPHS music program alumni.  Details on the current activities of music students and how to help to keep music alive by participating with the music boosters are available at www.southportlandmusicboosters.org. 

Local baking company expands

Spelt Right Baking Company in Yarmouth has expanded its reach into New England and eastern New York, through the Hannaford Supermarket’s Nature’s Place department and in independent health food stores.  

Spelt Right is the only baking company in the northeast focusing exclusively on spelt products, an ancient grain rich in vitamins, protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Spelt Right uses only organic spelt and other organic and natural ingredients in its products.  

Spelt Right was founded in 2007 by Tim Kane and Beth George of Scarborough, based upon their child’s sensitivities to common wheat and artificial additives in food. In July 2008, Spelt Right moved its operation to the historic Sparhawk Mill in Yarmouth, a sustainable and green facility which is powered by water.  

Spelt Right was honored with a “Best of Maine 2009” award by Down East Magazine and was featured in its January 2009 edition.  

Call for artists: Paint for Preservation

Cape Elizabeth Land Trust (CELT) invites artists to participate in Paint for Preservation, the second annual wet paint auction to take place Aug. 30.

On the day of the event, juried artists will paint onsite at designated public and private locations in Cape Elizabeth. That evening, the newly painted art work will be auctioned off during a cocktail reception at Apple Tree Hill, a private estate in Cape Elizabeth. 

Interested artists are invited to submit two samples (slides or digital images on CD) of original paintings in any medium for juried consideration to participate in Paint for Preservation. Slides or CD should be sent to ‘CELT Paint for Preservation’ at Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, PO Box 265 ccb, Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107. The deadline for submission is Monday, June 22. Send self-addressed stamped envelope for full prospectus or visit www.capelandtrust.org  for additional details. 

Since 1985, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust has permanently protected more than 560 acres.

Regional track and field meet June 24

South Portland Parks and Recreation will host the Hershey Track and Field Regional Meet. The event will take place at the South Portland High School track Wednesday June 24. Participants may preregister at the South Portland Community Center, or register at the track at 9:30 a.m. the day of the event. Field events will begin at 10 a.m. with events beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

For more information call the South Portland Community Center at 767-7650.

Trail introduction June 26 in Cape

The Cape Elizabeth Conservation Commission will host a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m., Friday, June 26, at the new Great Pond Trail. The trail is located on an easement purchased by the town and Cape Elizabeth Land Trust from Jodie and Patricia Jordan. This area has long been used by Cape Elizabeth residents. The new trail, however, is located in an area where legal public access has been obtained and connects to the new boardwalk installed by the town of Cape Elizabeth adjacent to Great Pond. With this trail link, another priority of the town’s 2001 Greenbelt Plan has been implemented. The public now can walk from Bowery Beach Road to Great Pond, exit at Fenway Road and continue across Fowler Road into the town’s Gull Crest trail system. From Gull Crest, a pedestrian bridge, constructed by the town across the Spurwink Marsh connects to the town center trail, intersecting the town center behind the high school.

Free math check up next Thursday

Sylvan Learning Center in South Portland is offering a free math check up on Thursday, June 25 from 1 to 2:30 pm.  For details, questions and to preregister, call Sylvan at 773-6424.  Registration must be done at least two days prior to the test date.

Darcy Wakefield Scholarship awarded 

The first Darcy Wakefield Scholarship recipient has been chosen at Southern Maine Community College. Kerri-Jean Newsham, of Westbrook, a graduate of the liberal studies program, was awarded the $500 scholarship at the college’s commencement exercises May 17. 

The Darcy Wakefield Scholarship is given in honor of Darcy Wakefield, an SMCC faculty member from Cape Elizabeth who died at 35 from ALS. The scholarship is given to women who are graduating and continuing their education at four-year institutions. The recipient is chosen based on a 500-to 750-word essay in response to a prompt. This year’s prompt was based on a quote by poet Mary Oliver. She asked, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” 

In Wakefield’s book “I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted – and ALS” (Avalon Publishing, 2006), she explored the urgent need to make her life meaningful and rich. In her professional life at SMCC, Wakefield had answered Mary Oliver’s question by being a dedicated and disciplined writer, a committed graduate student, a revered teacher, a reliable and loyal colleague, and a considerate friend. In short, she was an exemplary human being whose quest for self actualization was matched by her ethical commitments to others. 

Newsham, a liberal studies graduate, will be attending Smith College, Wakefield’s alma mater, in the fall. 

Amusement park tickets available

South Portland Recreation Department will be selling tickets to Funtown and Water Country at a discounted rate.

Funtown Splashtown day combo passes are available for  $26 each, or approximately 25 percent off the price at the park.  

Water Country passes are available for $28, about a 22 percent discount off the gate price. 

All passes can be bought using cash or checks only, and can be purchased at the front desk at the South Portland Community Center, which is located  on 21 Nelson Road.

For more information, contact the South Portland Community Center at 767-7650.

Host families needed this summer

This summer students from China and Spain will travel to South Portland with the Educational Homestay Program.

Chinese students will be here from July 14 through Aug. 2 and Spanish students will be here from July 9 through Aug. 14. 

Students will attend class Monday through Friday at Southern Maine Community College. Host families are asked to house, feed, transport to school (carpooling is an option) and treat the student as a family member. 

People who choose to be host families can get a 10 percent discount on many of EF’s travel and study abroad programs. 

For more information contact Lisa Bowe, lgbowe@gmail.com or 329-0704.

Track and field championship

The Maine Association of USA Track and Field will hold its age 15 to 18 championship and Region 1 qualifying meet for ages 10 and younger, 11 to 12, 13 to 14, 15 to 16, 17 to 18 on Saturday, June 20, at Scarborough High School. The field events and running events begin at 10 a.m. The triathlon, pentathlon, heptathlon, and decathlon will be held on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. On Sunday the heptathlon and decathlon events continue at 9 a.m.

Athletes who are 18 years old through Aug. 2 are eligible to compete in the Junior Olympic program. Age group is determined by subtracting birth year from 2009.

Individuals must be Maine USATF registered and can be obtained at the meet for $15. Entry fee is $5 for each event. Registration will begin one hour before the meet. Download an entry form from the Maine USATF Web site: www.meusatf.org. All entrants are to bring a copy of their birth certificate or other document showing proof of date of birth.

The top six individuals and relay clubs will qualify for the Region 1 meet to be held at Fitchburg State College June 26, 27 and 28. Registration for the Region 1 meet will be $7 per event and must be done before leaving.

The top three at the Region 1 meet will qualify for the National Championship to be held July 28 through Aug. 2 at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.

For more information contact Ron Kelly (883-2747) evenings or by email:rkelly01@maine.rr.com