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