Canal School ‘readers’ retreat’

Canal School now has a reader’s retreat area located in front of the school.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $5,000 Toolbox for Education grant to Canal School for a readers retreat – an outdoor space with a gazebo, benches, walkway and flowers.

Canal is one of more than 450 schools or parent-teachers organizations to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States during the 2010-2011 school year.

The gazebo is often used by teachers bringing their students for a read-aloud book, quiet reading or other activity that is made so much nicer by enjoying the outdoors at the same time. The staff and students also look forward to flowers planted in the early springtime.

Canal School extended its thanks to the volunteers who helped make the space possible: Scott Peters, Scott Gullatt, Scott Brown, Ricky Collins, Vickie Hebert, Susie Brown, Richard Tirrell, Mike Ruby, Jack Rozelle, Kevin Apt, Kaleb Apt, Brianna Gullatt and Mario Maston.

Library holiday events

The Youth Services Department at Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St., is hosting several special holiday events.

The specials are:

Friday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., make and take craft, Kwanzaa mat; 1-3 p.m., kids holiday movie.

Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1-3 p.m., kids movie.

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2-5 p.m., Wii bowling tournament.

Thursday, Dec. 29, 1-2 p.m. Storytime with Jan Schrock from Heifer International.

Friday, Dec. 30, 1-3 p.m., kids movie; 3-5 p.m., teen movie.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., make and take craft, New Year’s noisemaker; 1-4 p.m., New Year’s Eve Wii dance-off.

Everyone is welcome to participate. For more information, call the library at 854-0630.

Free Christmas meal

A free meal will be served 12-2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25, at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main St.

Besides a meal, the gathering offers companionship and comfort.

Labrecque earns masters

Jennifer Labrecque was awarded her master of arts in psychology from the University of Southern California on Dec, 14.

She is the daughter of Katherine and Warren Foye of Westbrook and Vic Labrecque of Lewiston.

Labrecque grew up in Westbrook and attended Saccarappa Elementary School and Wescott Junior High School. She graduated from Catherine McAuley High School in Portland.