GrowSmart picks Standish

The GrowSmart Maine board of directors recently selected Standish as the Model Town Project community.

Since 2004, GrowSmart Maine has been talking with the leaders and residents of Maine communities about the increasing growth pressures many communities are facing. As a result of these meetings, GrowSmart created the Model Town Community Project in order to provide tools and advice to help growing Maine towns shape their futures.

Standish was selected, in part, based on its readiness to implement a new Comprehensive Plan. Standish adopted and received state approval for its plan in 2006.

Scenic byway

The Maine Department of Transportation has recently designated Route 113 from Standish continuing through to the White Mountain National Forest in Laconia, N.H., as a state scenic byway. Signs will soon be installed along the route as public recognition.

Bonny Eagle drama

Attention Bonny Eagle High School Drama alumni! If you are interested in participating in an Alumni Musical Review in any capacity (musical, non-musical, pit, tech – or any non-musical roles) to benefit the current Drama Club’s trip to the Fringe Festival in Scotland, contact MaryEllen Schaper at the middle school at 929-3833×125 or e-mail MaryEllen_Schaper@sad6.k12.me.us by Oct. 1.

Comedy workshop slated

Improv Comedy Workshop for high school students will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 1-4 p.m. in the Bonny Eagle High School Auditorium. The workshop is free to all students. A professional improv troupe from Rhode Island is coming to work with students for the day and will be putting on an evening performance for the public. Contact Mr. Osann at 642-9080.

Get fleeced

The class of 2008 is selling green Bonny Eagle fleece blankets to benefit Project Graduation. They are $15 each and must be ordered by Oct. 5. For more information contact Deb Young or Karen Boucher at Bonny Eagle Middle School at 642-9071.

The Standish Scene

Friday:

Country/rock band WolfCreek performs at Memory Lane Music Hall. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Saturday:

•BEHS Class of 1992 15th Year Reunion is being held at the Roost on Chicopee Road in Buxton. All years that went to school with the class of 1992 are also invited to attend. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in advance. There will be a cash bar and entertainment with DJ Tommy Blaze. For more information contact Samantha Irish-Sawyer at 749-9710.

•Memory Hall Music Lane in Standish welcomes Prana Saturday night. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Students take to the air

The popular radio program, “Bonny Eagle in The Spotlight,” returns for a second year on WJZF 97.1 FM. The program is written, produced and performed by Bonny Eagle High School students. Host Samantha York, with the help of her mom, started the program last year after a teacher encouraged her to meet with the radio station’s owner, Dave Patterson.

“I wanted everyone to know the positive things the school and the students were doing,” said York. “I thought it was important to recognize the people that deserved to be recognized.”

York then got to work recruiting friends she thought would be interested. Co-host Tyler Brown joined right away along with Zach Litif as job and field reporter and Eliot Douin as sports reporter. New to the program this year are senior Annie Ashby and team supervisor, Steve Hilton.

“It is a lot of fun for all of us,” said Douin. “We have a great time.”

Besides student and faculty recognition “Bonny Eagle in the Spotlight” also covers sports, upcoming events, and job postings and resume tips for seniors. The program was on hiatus over the summer but is set to resume in the next few weeks. For more information on the program or WJZF radio visit www.wjzf.org/site.

Heidi’s Take

Love is in the Air

I have a secret. A secret I am willing to share only with the Lakes Region Weekly’s loyal readers. Here it is, my deepest, darkest secret, wait for it, wait for it…I Heidi MacVane am in love. That’s right I said it, love. Deep, lasting, soul mate kind of love. Who am I in love with you might ask? It’s not a who, it’s a what, or a thing, or possibly a place, or maybe just a slice of time but it is a love that cannot be cured, for I am in love with fall.

I am in love with golds and reds and oranges of every hue. I am in love with gourds and ghouls and cinnamon spiced cider. I crave pumpkin pie, funnel cakes from the fair, and my grandmother’s apple crisp. I long for car rides through the Maine hills to see the trees on fire with palettes that only autumn can supply.

Each morning I relish in the joy of watching the steam rise up from the coffee I am drinking on my porch at 7 a.m. while bundled in my fluffy socks and faux wool sweaters. I am filled with utter euphoria when I sip my hot chocolate while watching the home team score another goal or touchdown. My ears perk with excitement when the leaves crackle under my feet during long walks.

I have what my husband refers to as “the madness.”

I am sure that some of you are thinking I have lost my mind, and maybe I have – the crisp autumn air can do that to a person. But be assured, this is a long lasting love, a love that stands the test of time, a love so rock-solid I can’t shake it after nearly 31 years, a love I want to share with readers.

So this Sunday when autumn officially begins, I want you all to get out there and fall in love. Hike a trail in the woods and collect red leaves; get up early and breathe the crisp morning air; pick a bushel of apples and bake a glorious pie; brew some Pumpkin Spice coffee and drink it on the deck. I promise you’ll fall in love, too. And if you don’t, come on over to my house and we’ll jump in a pile of leaves, for anyone on the fence, that always does the trick. I’m even willing to share Me-Me’s fresh baked crisp. But you better hurry; autumn is a fickle lover, here today, winter tomorrow.