FUN AND GAMES. There's a new place to have recess at York Middle School, and it has been named in honor of School Resource Officer Scott Cogger. "Cogger's Corner," as the new YMS game room is called, had its grand opening on Oct. 25 as students, parents and faculty gathered in this festive space - designed with New England's beloved Red Sox and Patriots and other area sports teams featured along the walls - which was once just an unused storage area. Cogger had the support of Principal Steve Bishop as well as York Police Chief Douglas Bracy and Capt. Kevin LeConte in creating a space to provide an alternative for students who might not be comfortable with daily outdoor recess. The students pictured here are playing one of the various games in the room in front of a replica "Green Monster" painted by members of the school's maintenance staff. The room features such games as air hockey and table tennis, which had been purchased about three or four years ago through donations, Cogger explained, and were once housed in a smaller area. The new area also has space provided for students to choose to spend their recess time doing puzzles or playing cards or board games. Cogger praised the volunteers who made the room possible while the students and Bishop dedicated the room to Cogger for his vision and for the dozens of hours he spent refitting the room and installing flooring. Bishop said the goal is to have Cogger's Corner open as much as possible during recess times as an option for students, and parent volunteers are welcome to call 363-4214 to assist with supervision of the new area. "I just hope the kids will have fun with it," Cogger said, adding that he has no doubt they'll take good care of it.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders

THE ODD COUPLE: FEMALE VERSION. York High School is the place to be on Friday and Saturday evenings, Nov. 2 and 3, to see Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple: Female Version." If you thought the original play was funny, just wait until you see Simon's rewrite with all the roles reversed. The production is directed by York High School teacher Rebecca Hembree and features a cast of YHS stars including Sara Demos as Olive Madison, Taylor Bradbury as Florence Unger, Dayna Dervishian as Mickey, Ashley Burbank as Renee, Morgan Meagher as Vera, Erin Henry as Sylvie, Curran Russell as Jesus Costazuela and Thomas Freitag as Manolo Costazuela working with Stage Manager Tanya Amalfitano, House Manager Emily Rose and the lighting crew of Jason Roy, Stuart Mason and Sam Milinazzo. Performances continue Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the York High School Auditorium. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Don't miss this hilarious comedy with a new twist!
Photo by Tori Rasche

PRESSING BUSINESS. Coastal Ridge Elementary School teacher Mike Harris is seen here giving second-grade students a chance to try their hands at an old-fashioned fall favorite: pressing apples into cider. Students in each of the schools' second-grade classrooms were able to celebrate the season with their teachers and parent volunteers by taking part in making cider and apple crisp on Oct. 26.
Photo by Beth Murphy

CITIZENS OF THE YEAR. Marianne Quinn and Fran Koerschner, former directors of the York Food Pantry for many years, have been named as this year's York Citizens of the Year. Each year, the award is presented to an individual - or individuals - who have served the community of York by giving time to a local church, library, school, service club, volunteer board or "through any selfless act has helped to make the community of York a better place to live." During their more than eight years of service as directors of the York Community Food Pantry, Koerschner and Quinn managed a staff of over 40 people, maintained the pantry through donations and purchases, organized food drives and worked to provide for members of the York community in need. The Citizens of the Year will be honorary guests at the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce's Not So Normal Gala and Auction on Dec. 7 at The Red Barn in South Berwick and will serve as the grand marshals of the Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 1 in York. 
Courtesy photo