Library’s after-hours series hosts Casco Bay Tummlers

The South Portland Public Library continues its series of free after-hours events with a concert given by The Casco Bay Tummlers, which will perform an evening of soulful, grooving Klezmer tunes and wailing Balkan music from Eastern Europe and beyond. Lively, poignant, and jazzy, the versatile Casco Bay Tummlers will take its audience on a memorable musical adventure. This concert will be held at the library’s main location at 482 Broadway, South Portland, on Saturday, May 31, from 7-8:30 p.m.

The Casco Bay Tummlers, based in Portland, have been performing together since 1988. The unique sound and stage performances for which they are noted is a result of the collaboration built on each member’s musical strengths. Steve Gruverman brings an extensive background in ethnic dance music to his soulful clarinet playing. Carl Dimow has developed a unique klezmer flute style, making the instrument an equal solo voice in the music. John Clark is an incredibly versatile bass player –inspired by everything from symphony to surf – perfect for the Tummlers eclectic approach to klezmer. Nancy Hoffman brings a playfulness, which audiences love, to both her accordion playing and her singing. Peter McLaughlin keeps drums with elements of jazz and improvisation. The band’s repertoire is versatile, ranging from original music to traditional dances and songs of the Yiddish theater and Jewish ghetto.

Woodworkers fighting hunger

To help bring attention to the issue of people going hungry in Maine, the Southern Maine Woodturners will host an “Empty Wooden Bowls Turn-a-thon” on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, at the Rockler Woodworking and Hardware store in South Portland.

The event raises money for the Good Shepherd Food Bank and the goal is to exceed $1,500. During the event, which runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on June 7 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 8, craftsmen belonging to the woodturners group will be on hand to create one-of-a-kind wooden bowls. Most of these utilitarian bowls sell for less than $30.

Rockler is located at 200 Gorham Road near the Shops at Clark’s Pond. Call 761-4402 or see http://smwt.squarespace.com for more information.

SMCC offers summer session scholarships

Southern Maine Community College in South Portland is offering $125,000 in Summer Success Scholarships to help qualified students cover the cost of summer courses. The summer session begins this week.

The scholarships are available to students enrolled in a degree program, who are in good academic standing and have a demonstrated financial need. Southern Maine Community College is offering nearly 300 credit and non-credit classes during the summer semester.

The scholarships will provide up to $325 for qualified students enrolled in at least three credits and up to $650 for those enrolled in six or more credits. Summer classes are offered at the South Portland campus, the Midcoast Campus in Brunswick and online.

See www.smccME.edu/register for more information or to register for a course.

Movies at the Library

On Monday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m., the Scarborough Public Library will show the movie “The Monuments Men.” This event is free and open to the public and includes light refreshments. Call 883-4723 or see www.scarboroughlibrary.org for more information.

This PG-13 movie has a running time of 112 minutes and features a star-studded cast including George Clooney, Matt Damon and Cate Blanchette. The movie is based on Robert M. Edsel’s book, “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History,” which tells the incredible true story of the seven art historians and museum curators who went behind enemy lines during World War II on a mission to recover some of the world’s greatest works of art.

Rotary offers ‘Touch A Truck’

On Saturday, May 31, the Rotary Club of Scarborough will hold a Touch a Truck fundraiser at Scarborough Downs. Admission is $5 per person, or $15 per family. Children under 2 are free.

Proceeds from the event, which runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will go toward scholarships for local graduates and other charitable causes in the community.

Children can climb aboard a fire truck, big rig or bulldozer. Children will be allowed to touch, climb on and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment.

Accompanying personnel will also teach the children about the equipment displayed and how these machines help the community.

“Touch a Truck provides a unique opportunity for children (of all ages) to explore vehicles of all types, from public service to landscaping, all in one place,” according to the Rotary Club’s press release.

Face painting, a bouncy house, pony rides, live music, and kid-friendly food will also be available all day.

Teen ‘lock down’ at library

To kick off its Teen Summer Reading Program, the Scarborough Public Library will hold a “lock down” event on Friday, June 6, 6-8:30 p.m. The reading program is free and open to students entering grades 6-8. Pre-registration is required. Call 883-4723, ext. 3, to register or for more information.

AARP Smart Driver class set for June 3

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging in Scarborough will host an AARP Smart Driver class on Tuesday, June 3, from 1-5 p.m. Designed to help experienced mature drivers, this class will review defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws, and rules of the road. A variety of driver safety issues such as blind spots, driver distractions, safely negotiating busy intersections, the effects of medications on driving, and maintaining proper following distance will be addressed.

Maine residents completing this class may be eligible for a reduction on their automobile insurance. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for others. Class size is limited. Call 396-6500 to register.

Upcoming events on the Eastern Trail

A couple of fun events are scheduled for the Scarborough section of the Eastern Trail.

On Saturday, June 7, volunteer Russ Lamer will lead cyclists on a loop rides between Scarborough and Saco. Number of riders limited to 25. Contact Russ at crankoneta@gmail.com to sign up or for more information. This is the first of the summertime loop rides being offered.

In addition, this summer Eastern Trail Alliance trustee Jim Munroe will hold Monday morning walks on Scarborough’s sections of the trail, starting at the cemetery on Old Blue Point Road. Walks start at 9:30 a.m. and last about an hour to 1 1?2 hours. Pre-registration is required. Call Jim at 207-934-3834. The first outing is scheduled for June 9.

Business earns workforce award

Laboratory instrumentation manufacturer Fluid Imaging Technologies, based in Scarborough, was recently honored as the “Employer of the Year” for providing excellent opportunities to the unemployed. The achievement was recognized at the Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. 12th annual meeting held May 15.

Coastal Counties Workforce is a nonprofit group responsible for administrative oversight of the federal Workforce Investment Act. The employer-of-the-year award recognizes a company that goes above and beyond in its collaboration with the workforce board and its local centers.

“We are honored that Coastal Counties Workforce has recognized Fluid Imaging Technologies as the ‘Employer of the Year,’ ” said Kent Peterson, CEO of Fluid Imaging Technologies.

L’Heureux earns college honor

Mae L’Heureux of Scarborough, a senior at Assumption College, was honored on May 16 with the college’s Crown and Shield Award. The award recognizes students who have distinguished themselves throughout their four years at Assumption in the areas of leadership and service.

The recipients have protected (shield) and furthered (crown) the interests of the student body and Assumption College in various areas of leadership and community service. They were nominated by faculty, staff and administration.

“In observing each of you, and getting to know many of you, these last four years, you have been leaders who have utilized your talents among your peers on campus, among those you have encountered through the service organizations that you have led, and through the personal achievements you yourself have accomplished by surpassing the challenges you have encountered through your hard work, dedication and perseverance,” Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo told the recipients.

Henny wins essay contest

Laura Henny, a student at Scarborough High School, has won the 2014 National Peace Essay Contest for Maine and has earned a $1,000 academic scholarship to honor her achievement.

The United States Institute of Peace sponsors the annual contest. Henny’s essay, entitled, “Secrets of Success: The Importance of Security Sector Reform during Political Transition,” examined how security sector reform contributes to sustainable peace.

Each year, the scholarship competition challenges students to think about international conflict issues related to the Institute’s work. The goal of the Institute of Peace is to build professional, sustainable and locally supported security institutions that promote democracy and the rule of law by assisting U.S. and foreign governments in reform efforts and developing cadres of experts through education and training.

Grant promoted

Jason Grant of South Portland has been named the new facility manager at ReEnergy Lewiston. He comes to the company with experience in project management and business development in environmental, industrial and recycling service settings.

Most recently Grant worked for TMC Environmental Services as a director of industrial services and also worked for Clean Harbors Industrial Services.

“Jason will be putting his skills to work to optimize efficiency at the facility and to increase penetration into the local market areas for disposal/recycling services,” said Richard Geisser, ReEnergy’s regional manager for recycling operations. “ReEnergy anticipates implementing process improvements to increase/expand materials recycled including old corrugated cardboard, plastics, shingles, metals and wood fuel.”

Grant attended the Community College of the Air Force in Alabama and served in the Maine Air National Guard.

Woodworker Peter Asselyn leading a bowl-turning workshop at Rockler last year. Members of the Southern Maine Woodturners group will be making and selling bowls like these June 7 and 8 in South Portland to help fight hunger in Maine.  The Casco Bay Tummlers will perform at South Portland Public Library on May 31. Jason Grant