GIVING BACK. Ask 11-year-old Stephen Carr what he wants to be when he grows up, and there is no hesitation in his response. This York Middle School student hopes to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and become a professional firefighter. And with such a calling, Stephen has been learning all he can from the firefighters here in town. To thank them for their willingness to teach him about what they do, even though he has a couple of more years before he can become a junior firefighter, Stephen organized a cookout on Sept. 21 to raise money for the York Fire Department. With donations from family, friends and neighbors who took part in the event, Stephen was able to surprise York Fire Chief Chris Balentine, pictured here, with a check for $1,355 for the department at its monthly meeting on Oct. 2. Stephen said he is really impressed with York's professional and volunteer firefighters and is looking forward to a future day when he can join them. As he put it, "I can't wait to have the sirens blaring and me driving the truck."
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders

YHS STUDENTS PRAISED FOR NATIONAL MERIT SCORES. Seven York High School seniors have been honored for their outstanding performance in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. Curran Russell and Melissa Enright have been named as semifinalists while Emily Marshall, Stuart Mason, Molly McCarthy, Jillian Means and Samuel Rasche have been named Commended Students. Russell and Enright now have the opportunity to continue on in the competition for 8,200 National Merit Scholarships totaling about $35 million to be offered next spring. To be considered for one of the awards, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist stage of competition, including maintaining an outstanding academic record throughout high school, being endorsed and recommended by their principal and earning SAT scores that confirm their performance on the qualifying test. Although the Commended Students will not continue in the 2009 scholarship competition, they have each received a Letter of Commendation from York High School and National Merit Scholarship Corporation honoring their placement among the top 5 percent of the more than 1.5 million students who took the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). According to a spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, "The young people named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their strong performance in this highly competitive program. We hope that this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and that they will continue to diligently pursue their professional goals." Pictured, from left, are Molly McCarthy, Sam Rasche, Stuart Mason, Curran Russell, Emily Marshall and Jillian Means after learning of the honor at York High School. Missing from the photo is Melissa Enright.
Photo by Tori Rasche

PEACE SIGNS. In honor of the United Nations' International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, York Middle School social studies students, some of whom are pictured here, worked with teacher Melissa Fenelon to create their own "Pinwheels for Peace" to display on the school's front lawn. The students made more than 100 pinwheels in honor of the event in the hope of raising awareness of the U.N.'s efforts. Meanwhile, across town at the Union Congregational Church in York Beach, a similar project was underway as local groups focused on the importance of this international effort. For more about the annual event, visit the website at www.internationaldayofpeace.org.
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ONE JOB AT A TIME. While you may not see vegetable farmer, logger, brewmaster or lobsterman on Charlie Summers' resume, the Republican candidate in the race to represent Maine's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives, seen here getting some on-the-job training from Estes Oil employees in York, has embarked on a quest to experience "30 Jobs" of the First District by visiting Maine businesses and individuals to get a firsthand look at the way the issues facing the nation have real impact on the daily lives of those who live and work in our state. As Summers put it, "I've had the pleasure of speaking with countless hardworking Mainers throughout this campaign about the issues important to them, but there's nothing like taking a walk in someone else's shoes to truly understand their challenges, and their priorities." Summers visited several local establishments during the morning of Sept. 24. For more information about Summers and his campaign, visit http://www.summersforcongress.org/.
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KENNEBUNK EVENT A HIT. The weather cooperated and granted us a beautiful late summer day for this year's Children's Fall FunFest and Mum Sale benefit fundraiser for WABAN that was held Sept. 20 at Wallingford Farms in Kennebunk. Over 500 children and families enjoyed listening to live music from Kennebunk-based Little Melodies, meeting some of their favorite children's authors, learning more about natural habitats and local wildlife, dancing with Kennebunk Savings Bank's own Kenny Bear, decorating pumpkins, jumping in the "bounce-house", having their faces painted, going on hayrides, buying fall mums, and helping to raise funds for WABAN's programs for children with developmental disabilities. All together over $3,500 was raised.  Sponsors and donors included Kennebunk Savings Bank, the major underwriter; the hosts at Wallingford Farms, and Arundel Market, Cookies By Design, Doles Orchards, Garden Street Market, Hannaford, Kennebunk Toy Company, McDougal Orchards, Rhumb Line Resort, Sanford Bonanza, Your Body Works, and Eddy-Taylor Integrated Massage & Bodywork Studio. Pictured here is "Bon-Bon" and her friends in the pumpkin patch.
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PINWHEELS FOR PEACE. Sunday School students at Union Congregational Church in York Beach were among those taking part in the United Nations' International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, which is defined as a "global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace." At Union Congregational Church, the students decorated the pinwheels in honor of the day, while members of the congregation were able to write messages of peace and tolerance to be displayed on one side of each pinwheel. Following the Sunday service, the pinwheels were "planted" in front of the landmark York Beach church, as seen here. Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, the International Day of Peace is now celebrated around the world, and was also honored by several groups in York, including students at York Middle School.
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