WASHINGTON, D.C.

WELLS NATIVE Jonathan Guerrette and his Dartmouth College peers Devon Anderson and Nathan Niparko placed second in the undergraduate category of the Collegiate Inventors Competition, held last week in the nation’s capital. The team received $5,000 for its creation of an absorbent, bioresorbable surgical sponge that would harmlessly dissolve in the body if forgotten during an operation.

Guerrette said the invention would benefit the medical field by eliminating the need for costly follow-up operations to retrieve a forgotten sponge while avoiding potential lawsuits. For more information on the competition and past winners, go to http://www.invent.org/collegiate.

WELLS

WELLS HIGH SCHOOL senior Bridget Boyle is a semifinalist in the 56th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The distinction allows Boyle to compete to become a finalist and qualify for more than 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, to become available in spring 2011.

Boyle, a top academic performer, is involved in many extracurricular activities, including the National Honor Society, marching and concert bands and theater. A volunteer, she also is co-editor of the school newspaper and an accompanist for the school chorus.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

THE ZONTA CLUB of York County has donated $500 to Caring Unlimited. The funds will support programming to provide direct safety planning and support services to women, men and children whose lives are affected by domestic violence.

YORK

THE GREATER YORK Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is seeking nominations for its 2010 Citizen of the Year award, honoring individuals whose efforts have improved the lives of York citizens. The nomination deadline is Nov. 15.

Forms are available at the York Town Hall or can be downloaded at www.gatewaytomaine.org. For more details, call Cathy Goodwin at 363-4422.

STATEWIDE

THE VOLUNTEER INCOME Tax Assistance and AARP Tax Aide programs are sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the AARP Foundation to provide free tax return preparation assistance to people who qualify, such as seniors, persons with disabilities, low- to moderate-income individuals and families, and people with limited English proficiency.

The programs are looking for volunteers with income tax or financial backgrounds to help educate taxpayers about the many credits and deductions that may help increase their refunds. In 2010, volunteers helped electronically file more than 14,7000 individual federal income tax returns, claiming $17.2 million in tax refunds.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, visit www.cashmaine.org or www.aarp.org/taxaide, or call Joan Jagolinzer at 883-8415.

GRAY

THE FIDDLEHEAD ART & Science Center has published its first children’s art and science calendar and is selling copies to support the center’s children’s scholarship programs.

Copies can be ordered from the center, 25 Shaker Road, or by calling 657-2244.

PORTLAND

PAUL LORING AND Margaret Loring-Scott, brother and sister to war hero Maj. Charles Loring, were present for the dedication of the Loring Memorial Trail on the Eastern Promenade on Oct. 21.

The trail is named in honor of Maj. Loring, an Air Force pilot who sacrificed his life in the Korean War and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The new trail winds down the hill from Loring Memorial Park, connecting the Eastern Promenade, Back Cove and Bayside trails.

GORHAM

THE DANCE STUDIO of Maine has introduced Breath of Life Dance, a no-cost outreach program for young people who want to learn dance but cannot enroll in traditional programs because the cost is prohibitive.

The studio will offer two classes through the program starting this month and running through June. A jazz class will be offered from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays for dancers 6 to 8 years old, and a contemporary jazz class will be held from noon to 1 p.m. for dancers 9 to 12 years old.

For more information, visit the Dance Studio of Maine, 6 School St., or e-mail dancestudioofmaine@ msn.com.

WESTBROOK

WALKER MEMORIAL LIBRARY is assisting the Marine Corps’ Holiday Toys for Tots program with a collection box in the lobby for toys. Donations can be made during regular library hours, and donations can be any toy in its original packaging.

Toys will be collected from the library the week of Dec. 6. Toys donated should not be gift-wrapped, but should be new for any age.