Knit Wits and Friends Meetings on Nov. 16, 19

The Knit Wits and Friends originated when members of the Maple Grove Grange gathered together to knit and crochet outfits for the newborns and tiny preemies at Maine Medical Center. The group grew as more crafty friends from the local area heard about their projects.

Currently there are 20 crafters in the group. The group expanded its original purpose and now helps build quilts and blankets for Project Linus. For the past four years Project Linus has provided 150 children and their famillies with blankets and quilts

lovingly created for young people in need of care and comfort.

The focus on the November meetings will be to complete and create items for children to purchase, gifts for $1 or less, at the Breakfast with Santa being held at the Sebago Center Community Church.

New members to the informal group are always welcome, as are donations of yarns and cotton quilt materials. For further information, contact Ann Burns at 787-2489. The Knit Wits will be meeting at Ann Burns’ home on both Friday, Nov. 16 and Monday, Nov. 19.

Breakfast with Santa

Maple Grove Grange members, along with the congregation of the Sebago Center Community Church, are hosting a Breakfast with Santa. This new treat for Sebago children and Sunday school students will be held on Dec. 8 at the Sebago Center

Community Church, 403 Bridgton Road. As seating will be limited, family reservations should be made in advance for one of three settings, 7:30 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; and 9:30 a.m. by calling 787-2489. Cost for the breakfast will be $3.50 for a parent and one child. Each additional child will be $1.

Santa will be present during the entire morning of the breakfast to visit with the children. Following the breakfast, children (only) will have a chance to shop at Santa’s workshop, where they may choose from a variety of specially-made or donated gifts, all for $1 or less.

You are welcome to bring your own camera for Santa photos with your children, or purchase photographs at the breakfast. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Sebago Center Commuity Church and the Maple Grove Grange Community Service programs.

Lakes Region Bus Service

I have follow-up information regarding the proposed Lakes Region bus service. At the start of the process, according to Matti Gurney, a planner with the Greater Portland Council of Governments which is overseeing the project, the council looked into routing options on both sides of the lake, but felt the greater population densities on the eastern side of Sebago Lake would be more likely to support the system. The proposed schedule and route are a work-in-progress however.

Three possible solutions suggested by Gurney with respect to the western side of the lake’s service options are as follows: Increase the number of service hours thus allowing the bus to travel both sides of the lake. For example, increase from eight

to 16 hours at a rate of $60 per hour, for 256 days per year, would essentially double the original operating cost from $122,880 to $245,760. Increasing the number of buses to two, for 10 hours a day at $60 per hour, 256 days a year would cost $307,200, or 2 1/2 times the proposed operating cost.

Another option would be integrating a feeder bus service. This would be a limited service that meets up with the full service bus at designated stops.

Costs add up quickly with an increase in either the amount of service hours offered or number of buses running.

An application was submitted for Job Access Reverse Commute Funding for $50,000. If the money is granted, participating towns would match the $50,000. Remaining costs would be made from the fare box, along with some funding from a community development block group grant. For more information, visit www.gpcog.org.

Veterans Day Assembly at Sebago Elementary

On Friday, Nov. 9, I was honored to witness the students and staff of Sebago Elementary school along with local community members honor some of our local Sebago veterans.

The students gathered in a semi-circle around the veterans monuments, while the veterans themselves were beside the monuments. Three children from each class marched in carrying handmade red, white and blue paper chains, each bearing inspirational messages such as: Free to grow, Free to play, Free to think, Free to vote. Grace Farrington, a fourth-grader, even held a photograph of her older brother, a Marine, who served in Iraq.

The assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Then, as the children filed by to leave and return to the school, they offered their own handshakes, and heart-felt thank-yous called out loudly as they walked by the

veterans.

The chains were hung on the gazebo, along with a wonderful large cloth “Thank-you” signed by all the children. The chains and thank-you flag were hung for the weekend for all to see.

Craft Fairs Coming Up

Just so folks don’t forget, the Spaulding Memorial Library Craft Fair, is Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9-12 p.m. There will be quilted items, jewelry, stained glass and baked goods. Also, the North Sebago United Methodist Church Craft and Bake Sale is the same day.