Covering with care

Participation in the third annual “Make A Blanket” day for Project

Linus resulted in another 32 quilts for comforting youngsters in Maine. Sixteen Maple Grove Grange Knit Wits and friends met at the Sebago Center Community Church on a recent Saturday with Southern Maine Project Linus coordinator, Sue Kirk.

The room was decorated with quilts that had been created on a quilting day in January, with the display expanding as the day wore on. Additional quilts were brought by other individuals to surpass their goal to exceed last years total of 25.

Kirk brought blanket kits and led a workshop for those desiring a flannel quilt, while others worked to assemble tops prepared by workshop coordinator Ann Burns. As the volunteers shared a delicious lunch donated by nine area businesses, Kirk shared updated information about Project Linus and the children of local facilities who are served by the southern Maine chapter.

The next meeting of the Knit Wits will be March 10, at the home of Carol Brown on Robinson Hill Road. Lunch will be served, and the members will be working on preemie outfits for the Maine Medical Center. Guests are welcome to attend by calling 787-2489 for directions, information, and materials needed. Donations of kid friendly cotton materials for quilts and light colored yarns are always welcome. Remember them, as you clean out your closets during spring-cleaning.

Diamond sign ups

Now is the time to sign up for baseball and softball with the Sebago Youth Athletic Association. Registration forms were sent out in the Friday folders of Sebago Elementary School students. Additional forms may be obtained from Michelle Willey, school secretary, in the front office.

Forms must be returned by March 10, so the association will have time to order uniforms and equipment. Forms can be turned in to Willey at the elementary school. Registration fees are as follows:

• T-Ball (kindergarten age) – $15

• All other ball players – $25

• Family registration, for families with two or more children – $50

There is a $25 uniform deposit (separate check, please) for U10, U12 girls and minor and major boys teams. For more information contact Maureen Harriman at 787-3983 or Linda

Christianson at 787-3167.

Van Dusen visits

Those wishing to order books to be signed by visiting children’s author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen need to have order sheets and payments turned in by Friday, March 7. Please make checks payable to S.E.S. in order to get the books back in time for Van Dusens April 9 visit to Sebago Elementary School. For more information, contact school librarian Eve Abrams at 787-3701.

Full class

The cardio pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training class to be held at Spaulding Memorial Library Tuesday, March 11, at 5:30 p.m. has met its quota of 10 students.

More Spaulding News

The library’s artists of the month for March are Frank and Eileen Russo. They will provide a homemade Italian dinner for four, consisting of ravioli, Italian bread, salad and dessert.

Starting bid on this delightful meal is $60. The meal will be delivered to the home of the winning bidder. For more information, call 787-2321.

The book discussion group next meets Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. The book being discussed is “Emma,” by Jane Austen. Please call the library to reserve your copy of the book, if you are planning on attending. I myself have made it up to chapter four of the book I think. But, I usually read 1-2 books at any given time. I look forward to enjoying the discussion, as it will be my first time attending one.

Eileen Russo wants to remind those who have been collecting boxtops that there is a box at the library to collect them. Also, there is a large, very full basket that is soon to be heading over to the food pantry. Each time I am at the library, I check to see how full the basket is getting. I still have not managed to get over to see how full the pantry is, when I do, I will be sure to bring my camera.

Closing thoughts

Many thanks to everyone for all your thoughts and help on this column. Thanks first to Sue and Eileen at the library, where I now do my column each week. Thanks to Ann Burns for the updates from Project Linus. Thanks to Eve Abrams for the 4-H and author news. I apologize for the shorter columns these days. Being housebound a little too often is certainly part of the reason, one we are all facing on these frigid winter days. But spring is on the way. Meanwhile we need to keep it in our hearts. Have a great week, see you next Friday, same time, same place.