FARM ANIMAL? This photogenic seal found its way to the Blaisdell Farm on Southside Road in York on Feb. 16, taking a respite from the York River's chilly waters by sunbathing behind the barn. Tom Blaisdell explained that he and other members of the family found the seal as they checked the causeway to be sure it was clear of ice Saturday morning. "Needless to say, when we saw the seal we changed our plans," Blaisdell said, adding, "the seal just seemed to be tired and wanting to rest." They checked in with local police, and were told not to do anything if the seal appeared to be healthy, as visits from seals in the local area can be common occurrences and the seals often leave of their own accord within a day's time. If the seal did not move on within 24 hours, they were advised to call back. "So we left the seal to relax and enjoy the sun," Blaisdell said, and by Sunday morning this most unusual animal to find on a family farm had gone on its way.
Photo courtesy of Tom Blaisdell

CALLING ALL ANIMAL LOVERS: The Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick is seeking volunteers. If you love wild animals, are at least 16 years old and can spare at least four hours each week over a three-month period, the Center for Wildlife (CFW) may be the place for you. The CFW, the region's largest wildlife rehabilitation facility, treats over 1,500 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals each year. Located near the base of Mount Agamenticus in Cape Neddick, the center relies heavily on volunteers throughout the year to care for raptors, songbirds, water birds, small mammals and reptiles. Experience is not required for volunteers, and training is provided. One such raptor, a red-shouldered hawk, is seen here being released at the Center for Wildlife after being rehabilitated. The center is currently looking for assistance with facility maintenance projects and some basic handyman and carpentry skills would be helpful. The center is also looking to bring on a few new animal care volunteers, to be trained over the winter, who will be willing to stay with the center into the spring and busy summer seasons. For more information and to download an application, visit the CFW's "Volunteer" page, located at the center's website at http://www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org/, or call 361-1400.
Courtesy photo

SUPER SOUPER BOWL HELPS THE HUNGRY. Thomas Rasche and the Rev. Linda Hirst of York's First Parish Church are seen here as they deliver the church's soup pot of donations, collected during "Souper Bowl" Sunday, to volunteers at the York Food Pantry. The Souper Bowl effort got started in 1990 as a way to "utilize Super Bowl weekend to mobilize youth to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities" by collecting donations at their schools and churches in soup pots to be donated directly to a local charity of their choice. In 2008, nearly $7.45 million has been raised nationally while $26,073.08 has been raised in Maine. The First Parish Church in York raised $1,151.51 for the York Food Pantry. To learn more, visit the Souper Bowl of Caring website at http://www.soupbowl.org/.
Photo by Tori Rasche

PRESIDENTS' DAY. Just in time for the holiday honoring the nation's presidents, students at York Middle School too part in their Presidents, First Ladies and Notable Americans Event. On Feb. 13, eight-grade students created an interactive timeline of American culture, bringing to life historical figured ranging from President George Washington, portrayed here by Jake Cryan, to Rosie the Riveter, Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln and even Hillary Clinton. The projects were part of the students' social studies curriculum.
Photo by Tori Rasche

THESE KIDS HAVE HEART. Students in York's Village and Coastal Ridge Elementary Schools were bouncing, bounding and jumping during Valentine's week for a very good reason. As part of their physical education studies with teachers Andy Gray and Eileen Brault, the students were taking part in Jump Rope for Heart, an annual event that raises funds for the American Heart Association. Students had the option of collecting funds to help in the fight against heart disease, or simply participating in the fun and exercise of the event. Either way, the focus for students - like the second- and third-graders pictured here as they jumped in the gym at Coastal Ridge on Valentine's Day - was on the importance of staying physically active and making heart-healthy choices.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders

BINS FOR SALE. The York Energy Efficiency Committee is once again offering backyard compost bins at a reduced cost, as well as indoor scrap pails. The goal of this not-for-profit initiative is to help local residents reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by composting certain biodegradable household and yard waste. A sample bin will be available at the York Public Library entrance. For more information, call 363-6252.
Courtesy photo




WORLD THINKING DAY 2008. Over 150 Girl Scouts and their leaders attended this year's World Thinking Day celebration held at York Middle School on Saturday, Feb.9. The local theme chosen was based on the book, ‘‘The Hundred Dresses.'' This Newberry Honor-winning story, written in the early 1940s by Eleanor Estes, deals with a number of issues including cultural and economic differences, teasing and bullying, as well as understanding and generosity of spirit. During the event, Girls Scouts of all ages participated in activities that reinforced what they had learned from the book. They took part in book discussions, danced a polka, learned about Polish culture, sampled Polish cuisine, and made papercuts called Wycinanki. Older Girl Scouts created fashions from recyclable materials and put on a fashion show for everyone to enjoy. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) theme for World Thinking Day was water conservation. York Junior Troop 408 ended the day with a wonderful presentation of the importance of clean water and the fact that one out of six people in the world today lack access to clean water. World Thinking Day, officially designated as Feb. 22, is a day set aside for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world to think of each other.
Photos by Juanita Reed