Are you a V.I.P.?

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for volunteers for its V.I.P., or Volunteers in Police Service program.

The volunteer program, which is new to Standish, would use community volunteers to assist the Sheriff’s department in its daily duties. Volunteers can serve three different branches; patrol, community service and events, and administrative.

Patrol volunteers would survey traffic, direct traffic during accidents, check on the many seasonal and vacation properties in the Standish area, and monitor traffic speed with radar. Volunteers would not use their own vehicle but would use the volunteer patrol car, a 1999 Kia, specially marked to be recognizable to the public as a patrol vehicle.

Community service volunteers will be running the Standish morning check-in program, a program already in existence where seniors call a designated phone number between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and speak to a volunteer. If the volunteer does not receive a call by 10 a.m., a dispatcher will call the participant to make sure they are okay. Community service volunteers would also be responsible for searching for lost or missing children, fundraising, and safety programs.

The administrative volunteers would assist different department divisions such as records, evidence, and would help detectives as needed. Volunteers are also needed to edit the community newsletter, and maintain the V.I.P. Web site.

“I think it is important for the people of the community to get involved in law enforcement,” said Deputy Paul Pettengill. “It gives citizens a sense of giving back to their community.”

Volunteers in Police Service Program Coordinator Janet Biczak agreed.

“I have always volunteered in my community in some way,” said Biczak, a 20-year Standish resident. “I think this program is very interesting and it is something our community could definitely use.”

There are currently five volunteers going through the application process, which includes a full background check. Pettengill is hoping to have 10-15 volunteers.

Deputy Chief Kevin Joyce, who researched and started the program, says the need for volunteers is crucial.

“It is really the community volunteers that make the program,” said Joyce. “We just give them the resources to do the job.”

For more information or to volunteer contact Janet Biczak at biczak@cumberlandcounty.org, or Deputy Paul Pettengill at pettengill@cumberlandcounty.org.

St. Joseph’s College Student Crowned Miss Maine 2008

On Nov. 25 at the Sheraton Tara Hotel in South Portland, St. Joseph’s College sophomore Kaetlin Parent was crowned Miss Maine 2008.

A communication major, Parent will go on to compete at the National Miss USA pageant which will be broadcast on NBC next spring. Parent, originally from Van Buren, was a former Miss Maine Teen USA in 2005.

Breakfast with Santa

The class of Bonny Eagle 2008 is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 8. Breakfast will be served in the high school cafeteria from 8 to 10a.m.

Besides breakfast, there will be face painting, Christmas carols, Christmas crafts, and, of course, a meeting with Santa Claus. Tickets for the breakfast are $5 for adults and $4 for children. Tickets can be purchased at all SAD 6 elementary schools through the lunch aids. All proceeds benefit Project Graduation 2008. For more information contact Mary Waters at 727-5640.

“Stuff The Box”

Standish Kiwanis and Lion’s Club will hold their annual Christmas “Stuff The Box” at Standish Hannaford Store at Colonial Marketplace on Route 25 on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The “Box” welcomes all toys, clothes, food, gift certificates and American currency. All the “Stuff” will be distributed to families in need. Standish Memorial American Legion Post 128 will also be there to help out. They wish to thank the community for their generosity and wish all a safe, good health and joyous holiday.

The Scene

Steep Falls Public Library is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Story hour for toddlers and preschoolers is held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Story hour is free and open to the public. Story

hour consists of circle singing, interactive storytelling, craft and a snack.

Friday

• The Schoolhouse Performing Arts Center presents “Little Women” at 7:30 p.m.

• Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Lipstick and Leather. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Saturday

• Steep Falls Public Library is holding a book sale from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 675-3132.

• The Schoolhouse Performing Arts Center presents “Little Women” at 7:30 p.m.

• Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes the Buccaneers. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Sunday

The New England Patriots game will be screened live at Emory Lane Music Hall on Blake Road.