Get Educated

Winter classes begin Jan. 5 at the Schoolhouse Performing Arts Center on Route 114 in Sebago Village. Classes offered include Storybook Theater, Acting for Adults, Acting II, Beginning and Intermediate Guitar, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Beginning Bagpipes. Classes are available for all ages from preschool to adult.

The new Musical Theater program will also be offered to children ages 8-14 and teaches voice, improvisation, and acting. The workshop lasts for 16 weeks, and participants will perform “Bugsy Malone Jr.” in May to show off their newly acquired skills.

For Creative non-performers, the Schoolhouse offers Saturday classes in Scrapbooking and Basketing. For more information or to sign up, please contact the Schoolhouse at 642-4743.

Calendar

The fourth issue of Portland Water District’s Images of Sebago Lake Calendar is now available for the public. The 2009 calendar is comprised of images taken solely by amateur photographers. The calendar can be obtained by visiting the Sebago Lake Ecology Center in Standish at the intersection of routes 237 and 35 or the water district’s Portland offices at 225 Douglass St. Due to a limited number of copies, only one per person will be given out.

Fishing for Fun

Standish Recreation invites all Standish students in grades 3-5 to join them for some ice fishing and fly tying. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for seven Wednesday’s starting Jan. 7, students who participate will craft their own ice fishing pole, lures, jigs and flies in order to prepare for one of Maine’s favorite winter pastimes. Once the ice is safe, students will test out their creations in local waters. For more information and the cost of the class, please contact Program Coordinator Brett Levin at 642-2875 or fishteach@roadrunner.com.

Meeting

School Administrative District 6 is holding a legislative forum on Monday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Bonny Eagle Middle School Library. The agenda will include a presentation of the most recent audit, a report on goals and projects, anticipated changes in school funding, and a round table discussion of mutual interests. This is open to the public.

Pancakes for Print

The Bonny Eagle High School newspaper, The Eagle Times, is holding a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 3. The fundraiser will be held at Applebee’s in South Portland next to Target. The cost of the breakfast is $5. Contact Ms. Lannin at the high school, or just show up on the day of the event.

Saturday

The Bonny Eagle Varsity Cheerleaders will participate in the Westbrook Cheer Invitational at 8 a.m. at Westbrook High School.

Farmer’s Market in the Steep Falls Library on Route 113 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Flowers, veggies, baked goods crafts and more.

The Second Annual Bonny Eagle Alumni Show presents “From Love to Hate and Back Again,” at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

Leaving Eden performs at Memory Lane Music Hall.

Heidi’s Take

Inspired

Everyone who knows me knows that I do not make New Year’s resolutions. I never have, and I have never wanted too. I generally don’t believe in them. People make them and break them, and it seems like an all around waste of time. But this year, I have changed my mind.

One of my heroes, my Aunt Connie, passed away on Dec. 26. She was my hero for many reasons. She was probably the classiest person I have ever met. Connie had a heart of gold, style to make any fashionista jealous, and the ability to make everyone feel like a million bucks. Aunt Connie always said the right thing, wore the right thing, and did the right thing. She was the kind of person that inspired everyone around her to be a better human being. She volunteered, she donated time and money to nonprofits she believed in, she fostered and adopted abandoned pets. She even fed wildlife that wandered through her yard, from birds to raccoons. She was magnificent. Her smile would make your whole day, and to be loved by her was an honor.

It’s in the spirit of my beloved aunt that I am making a New Year’s resolution and encourage you to do the same. I pledge to be a better person to others. If I don’t have time or money to donate, I’ll donate a smile to someone that needs one. If I can’t adopt a pet, I’ll feed the squirrels. If I am stuck in traffic, I’ll let someone out even if it means arriving 2 seconds later to my destination. I want to be a better person for me and for the world. Last week the world lost a great contributor, but I hope I can make up for part of that loss and maybe if everyone vows to be a better person, just one time, the world will be a little better off.

So make a resolution to give a smile, give a hug, or just wave someone into line, and remember what my other hero Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Happy New Year!