Yuletide Fair at First Congregational

On Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the First Congregational Church on Black Point Road in Scarborough will hold its annual Yuletide Fair. The event will feature “A Maine Christmas” theme. Holiday greens, books, quilts, baked goods and more will all be available. In addition, the church is offering a lobster roll luncheon for $15. Eat in or take out. Call the church at 883-2342 for more information.

Scarborough schools collecting Beanie Babies

The Scarborough School Department is holding a system-wide Beanie Baby collection now through Friday, Dec. 12. The donations will benefit Partners for World Health. Collection boxes will be located in the main lobby of each school.

European style market set for Dec. 13

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Nicholas Church on Route 1 in Scarborough will hold its annual Christkindlsmarkt, a European style village Christmas market. Call 883-9437 or email to stnicksmaine@gmail.com for more information.

The event will include live music, unique crafts, a kids’ shopping corner, baked goods, jewelry and more. A raffle will feature items from local merchants and the church cafe will serve German-style food from bratwurst to hearty meat and vegetarian soups. Also, attendees should expect a special visit from St. Nicholas himself.

Poetry and photography at library

On Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m., the Scarborough Public Library will host a program with local poet Ann P. Hammond and photographer Kristine Hoyt. This event is free and open to the public. Go online to www.scarboroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723, ext. 4, for more information.

The program, entitled “Sea Wings: A Pairing of Poems and Photography,” will feature readings from Hammond’s latest book of poetry, which was inspired by the beauty of coastal Maine.

Her words will be paired with breathtaking photographs taken by Hoyt, a familiar presenter of many Armchair Traveler series offered at the library.

The event includes light refreshments, and copies of “Sea Wings” will be available for purchase and signing, with all proceeds benefiting the library.

Local Rotary clubs offer Christmas trees

Both the Rotary Club of Scarborough and the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club are selling Christmas trees to benefit local charities and projects, as follows:

• Scarborough – Citgo Station, corner of Route 1 and Black Point Road. Sale hours are Monday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards accepted. A variety of balsam firs, Frasier firs and wreaths from Maine are available. See www.scarboroughrotary.org for more information.

• South Portland – Mill Creek Park. Sale hours are Monday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m., Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Trees are on sale through Dec. 21. See http://portal.clubrunner.ca/3770 for more information.

Date Night for parents in Scarborough

This holiday season Scarborough Community Services is offering local parents a chance to enjoy a night out without the kids.

The cost is $20 per child with a $5 discount for each additional child and a pizza dinner is included. The Date Night is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.

Parents can go out to dinner, watch a movie, get their holiday shopping and wrapping done, or just enjoy a quiet night at home without the kids. Activities offered include crafts, games and a movie.

Register online at www.scarboroughmaine.org/departments/community-services, call 730-4150 or register in person no later than Monday, Dec. 8.

Toy Drive starts Dec. 6

The 3rd annual South Portland Christmas Toy Drive will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Evelyn’s Tavern on Sawyer Street. New, unwrapped toys will also be accepted at Port Harbor Marine, on Spring Point Drive, until Dec. 11.

Want to adopt a family in need? Call Liz at 767-4243 or Cindy at 838-8085. The toy drive is sponsored by the South Portland Police Department, Port Harbor Marine, Maine Roofing, Inc. and Evelyn’s Tavern.

SoPo night at the Red Claws

Tickets are now on sale at the South Portland Community Center for the Feb. 28 Portland Red Claws game versus the Grand Rapids Cyclones at the Portland Expo. Tickets for this National Basketball Association Development League game are $6 per person. Call 767-7650 for more information.

Schools to hold winter concerts

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. the South Portland High School band will hold its annual winter concert at the high school. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 767-3266 for more information.

Then on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., the Mahoney Middle School band will be in concert also at the high school. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 799-7386 for more information.

Transit grant pays for upgrades

The South Portland City Council was expected to accept a grant totaling $75,208 from the Federal Transit Administration to make various upgrades in support of the city’s bus service at its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

According to a memo provided to the council in advance of the meeting, which was held after the Current’s deadline, City Manager Jim Gailey said three projects would benefit from the grant funding.

In addition to the money from the transit administration, the city is also kicking in some capital improvement funds, as well as some funds from its own transit reserve account.

The biggest project is construction of a 30-foot canopy that would extend along Thomas Street from the street entrance to the transit hub building. It would shelter passengers from rain and snow as they board their buses.

The second project would install a new heating and cooling system at the transit hub building and the third project would install an electronic sign at the Mill Creek transit hub building. The sign would provide passengers with up-to-date information on arrivals and departures.

The total cost of all three projects is estimated at $94,010, according to Gailey

SPHS honors good deeds

As a way of honoring the good work and deeds of the South Portland High School community, the Riot Pride Committee has created a new recognition program – the Student and Staff of the Month awards.

Each month, students and staff members are invited to nominate individuals they feel have gone above and beyond to make the high school an even more exceptional place to attend school and to work. One staff member and four students will be selected each month and will receive a prize from local businesses.

The honorees for the month of October are as follows:

• Students of the Month: Paige Carter for her welcoming spirit toward transfer students; Amelia Papi for her willingness to take her own workshop time to help other students; Hannah Brier for her advocacy and dedication to the Civil Rights Team and Gay-Straight-Trans Alliance during Ally Week; and Todd Dubuc for his dedication and perseverance in and out of the classroom.

• Staff of the Month – Tania Ferrante for her efforts and continued diligence on behalf of the school’s recycling program and her dedication and compassion to her students.

– Kate Irish Collins