Free workshops at Cape church

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth is hosting author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Margaret Bullit-Jonas for two free workshops on Jan. 15-16.

The workshops are: “What Makes Us Come Alive Spiritually?” on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m., and “Everyday Spirituality: Finding Serenity in the Midst of Stress” on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m.

The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Ph.D. has served as a priest associate of Grace Church since September 2004. A writer, retreat leader, and climate activist, she has traveled around the country since 1986 to lead spiritual retreats, conferences, and training programs in spiritual direction. She was a lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Episcopal Divinity School, where she taught courses on prayer, the spirituality of addiction, and environmental ministry. Her memoir, “Holy Hunger,” tells the story of her recovery from an eating disorder, and explores the spiritual longing behind addiction.

These workshops will be held at St. Alban’s, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth. No registration is required. For more information, contact the Parish Office at 799-4014.

No festival in Mill Creek this winter

Despite having considerably more snow this year than last, when members of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth worked valiantly to cover Mill Creek Park in artificial flakes, there will be no attempt to hold a second Winter Festival celebration.

“The Rotary will not be assuming a role with the WinterFest program this year,” confirmed the club’s president, Robert Flynn, last week.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary last year, the Rotary Club sponsored two days of winter-themed events in Mill Creek Park. The club also donated a new warming shack for ice skating on Mill Creek Pond.

City Manager Jim Gailey said the city won’t attempt to stage the event on its own. However, Parks Director Rick Towle said WinterFest may return next year.

“I had our team contact the Rotarians to prepare for the event in advance but they were not interested in hosting it with our assistance this year,” said Towle. “Instead we are internally as a department planning for such an event in 2014. We will gather public input as well as seek partners in the process once we have a better idea of the overall scope.”

– Duke Harrington

Scarborough WinterFest ?Jan. 19

Scarborough Community Services will hold WinterFest 2013 on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the school complex, with a rain date of Sunday, Jan. 20.

Events start at noon with the lighting of the bonfire at the ice rink and continue until fireworks at 5 p.m. and the crowning of the king, queen and royal family at 5:20 p.m. In between are activities and competitions like snow sculpting, milk jug curling, snow show obstacle course, skating and more. There will also be a concession stand and warming hut, a silent auction and raffle, wagon rides, s’mores and hot chocolate, a visit with the plow truck and fire truck, and an open skate.

Look for a complete preview of the event in the Jan. 20 edition of The Current.

In case of inclement weather, or to receive updated information, call Community Services at 730-4150, the Ice Rink Hot Line at 883-7645, or listen to your local radio stations.

Low-cost spay/neutering available

The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland has announced low-cost spay/neutering for pets of qualifying residents beginning in January.

The shelter will perform spay/neuters at the Animal Refuge League’s new IDEXX spay/neuter clinic in Westbrook on Tuesdays and Fridays. Because the low cost spay/neuters are only available to qualified individuals, people should call the shelter at 854-9771 for more information and for booking an appointment.

Fundraiser for human trafficking awareness

In observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Friday Jan. 11, Karma Fair Trade at 570 Brighton Ave. in Portland will be hosting a fundraiser for notforsalecampaign.org, an organization committed to fighting the global slave trade. A percentage of fair trade purchases will be donated to NFS. Also, from 4-6 p.m. there will be refreshments and a video presentation.

According to the group, human trafficking generates $31 billion annually and enslaves 30 million people around the globe, half of which are children, and 200,000 of which are in the U.S.

For more information, call 831-4531.

Local student news

Gable Lau of Scarborough was named to the dean’s list at the University of New Haven for the fall 2012 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative grade point average for the semester to be eligible for the dean’s list.

The following area residents have been named to the dean’s list at Providence College for the fall 2012 semester: Connor Shoos of South Portland and a member of the class of 2013; and Melissa Thomes of South Portland and a member of the class of 2013, To qualify for the dean’s list, students must achieve at least a 3.55 grade point average with a minimum of 12 credits.

Saint Michael’s College student Emma Kast, daughter of Ellen Kast of Cape Elizabeth, is studying abroad in Atenas, Costa Rica, at SFS, Sustainable Development Studies for the spring 2013 semester. Kast, a junior environmental studies major, graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School.

Free math ?help offered

Sylvan Learning Center of South Portland will be offering a free math check up on Monday, January 21, from 10:30 to 2:30 p.m. for students in grades 3-8. The assessment gives students the opportunity to find out what math skills they excel in and what math skills they need to work on. For additional details, parents should call Sylvan at 773-6424. Registration must be done at least two days prior to the test date.

Company holding event for troops

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware in South Portland is sponsoring a free, “Turn-A-Thon” event to send 150 customer-turned pens to U.S. troops serving overseas.

“Turn-A-Thon for Our Troops” will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 200 Gorham Road. The event is free and open to the public, for ages 12 and up. There is no cost to participate and Rockler is providing all of the needed supplies.

“We are just thrilled to be able to host ‘Turn-A-Thon for Our Troops’ at our South Portland store,” said store manager Molly Petit. “This event is open to everyone, regardless of skill level, will be loads of fun, and we encourage people to stop by and join us in supporting this worthy cause.”

Turners will have the opportunity to include a thank-you note with their handcrafted pen as well. Rockler has invited its customers as well as the Southern Maine Woodturner’s club to participate. Anyone age 12 and up are welcome to come by the store and make some sawdust.

For more information, call Petit at 761-4402.

SMCC Foundation announces awards

Southern Maine Community College’s Foundation has awarded more than 195 scholarships to students, the largest number of awards in the foundation’s history.

Through the scholarships, more than $210,000 will go directly to Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) students in the 2012-2013 academic year to support them in their academic endeavors. The scholarship recipients and donors were recognized at a Dec. 5 event at the college.

Founded in 2000, the SMCC Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization comprising business and community leaders dedicated to advancing the mission of SMCC. The foundation annually raises vital funds that enable SMCC to enhance key academic programs, revitalize classrooms and equipment, and provide scholarship support for its most deserving students.

Cape Outing Club gets grant

Cape Elizabeth High School is one of 18 high schools across the state to be awarded a grant from Teens To Trails, or “T3.”

Receiving grants were: Ashland Community High School, Brunswick High School, Biddeford High School, Bonny Eagle High School, Bucksport High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, Central Aroostook Jr-Sr High School, Cheverus High School, Dirigo High School, George Stevens Academy, Hall-Dale High School, Machias Memorial High School, Maine Central Institute, Marshwood High School, Monmouth Academy, Mt Ararat High School, Portland High School and Thornton Academy.

“High school Outing Clubs are the most effective way we have found for engaging teens in their natural world, with the potential to make fun safe outdoor experiences accessible to every Maine student,” said Carol Leone, Teens To Trails founder.

These schools were awarded support funds totaling almost $9,000 from Teens To Trails to help more teens get active outside. These grants were made possible by ongoing support from L.L.Bean and generous grants from The Davis Conservation Foundation and The North Face Explore Fund.