Sebago Junior Girl Scouts Helping Harvest Hills Shelter

The girls of Junior Girl Scout Troop 920 in Sebago, are volunteering at the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg this winter. As well as volunteering, the girls will be collecting essential items needed to care for the animals.

The troop will have a collection box, located in the Sebago Elementary School’s lobby. The Girl Scouts and Harvest Hills’ many animals would certainly appreciate your donations.

Members of Troop 920 are: Maria Kolofsky, Danielle LaPointe, Maggie Knudsen, Devin Langadas, Zoe Barrett, Abby and Carolyn Lucy, Cassidy Grover, Heather Hall, Shannon Noble, Taylor Kwaak, Tori Giradin, and Abby Perry.

Below is a list of items they hope to collect to donate to the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter:

• Dry kitten food

• Trash bags

• Q-tips

• Cotton balls

• Laundry detergent

• Dish detergent

• Toilet paper

• Paper towels

• Kitty litter

• Dry cat and dog food

• Busy bones (no Ol’ Roy brand)

Breakfast with Santa

There was a good turnout for the first Breakfast with Santa held at the Sebago Center Community Church last weekend.

My family and I attended the second seating at 8:30 a.m. and the place was very busy. It was very festive with decorations galore. Tables were set up, Santa had a little alcove to himself with a tree and backdrop, for photo sessions. There was a waiting area for parents to wait while little ones shopped for gifts upstairs. We were served generous portions of pancakes and sausages (refills too). Hot cocoa, coffee and orange juice were all offered to drink.

Once the children were finished with their meals, elves (ladies and girls who volunteered, all wore adorable elf hats, some complete with pointed ears) took the kids upstairs. Ann Burns informed me that 700 items were available for the children to peruse and then buy. My son, Tommy, came downstairs with a large bag filled with gifts that were carefully wrapped and labeled. I was amazed at all he was able to find for the reasonable price of $5.50. We then went over to say hello to Santa, and I took a photo of Tommy with Santa. Santa is a member of the Cape Elizabeth Grange. Mrs. Claus was among those who wrapped gifts for the children upstairs.

There was a table set up next to Santa, where there were gifts for the children to choose as a reward for shopping for their loved ones. Parents paid for the items from the lists the elves provided.

The Sebago church and grange members feel it was a very successful venture. They raised $350, which was split between the church and the grange. In all, 700 items were available to purchase and by the time the little shoppers left, only 212 remained. They plan on repeating the breakfast again. The only change would be starting 30 minutes later.

New Project for Knit Wits

The Grange Knit Wits have a new project on which members are working. They have been busy knitting up red, white and green hats for babies delivered prematurely at Maine Medical Center. They currently have more than 40 hats and will soon be ready to deliver them to the hospital. Also, they are making gift bags with homemade cookies for those staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland. After Christmas, the knit wits will resume quilting.

Spaulding Memorial Library Happenings

The book discussion group at the Spaulding Memorial Library will be held on the third Monday of the month in 2008. The book for Jan. 21 is “Infidel,” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The book for Feb. 18 is “The Power of One,” by Bruce Courtenay.

Preschool story hour meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The topic for Friday, Dec. 21, is Happy Holidays. There is no story hour on Friday, Dec. 28.

The Touch of Glass jewelry group at Spaulding Memorial Library requests donations of used costume jewelry, including any items which have missing parts, even an earring without a partner.

If you’d like to join the fun creating jewelry, finding and using recycled glass to raise money for the library, call 787-2321 for more information.

The Friends of Spaulding Memorial Library is accepting donations of greeting and note cards for distribution to shut-ins, and community service groups. Please stop by the library if you wish to bring donated cards to individuals or groups who will use them.

The library has a generous supply and variety of cards. Also, some selected cards will be on sale at the library for 25 cents each or 5 for $1 to benefit the children’s programs. For more information please contact 787-2321 or e-mail director@spaulding.lib.me.us. The library’s winter hours are: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.; Monday, 8:30 a.m.-noon; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m.-noon, story hour at 9:30 a.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Correction

When writing about the concerts at the Sebago Elementary School, I made a typographical error regarding the Lake Region Television (local) channel. It is Channel 5 that airs the local events.

Snow, snow, snow

Well, we certainly have enough of it now. I hear snowmobiles going by quite often these days. My neighbors have appeared on the road on cross country skis. My dog, Raven, has loved romping in all this wonderful snow. I have been sick with a bad cold hanging on, but hope by press time to be out and about, sliding or helping my poor husband with all the shoveling. I am trying hard to make sure my birdfeeders are full.

Thanks to those of you who give me my news. Please, don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me, or stop by even if you have something you would like put in the paper. Happy Holidays to all of you.