BIDDEFORD
Last chance to nominate for Hall of Fame
The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) reminds the community that Thursday is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2022 Biddeford Hall of Fame (BHOF).
Now in its fifth year, the BHOF recognizes and celebrates Biddeford citizens or non-residents who have contributed to the history, heritage and culture of the City of Biddeford or the world at large in a significant way.
Voting, which is conducted by the Hall of Fame Committee, composed of members of the BCHC and the Biddeford Historical Society, the mayor, and members of the public, will take into consideration the significance of a nominee’s ethnic background. People may nominate themselves.
Honorees will be inducted at a ceremony tentatively set for Sept. 10 at Biddeford City Hall Council Chambers.
Nominations should be sent in on the official nomination forms available on the BCHC website, though any application will be considered. Nomination forms are also available at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce, McArthur Library, Biddeford City Hall and at the Heart of Biddeford.
Please submit no more than two pages of text, along with the nomination form to: BCHC, c/o Diane Cyr, PO Box 896, Biddeford, ME 04005-0896 or email documents to bchc04005@gmail.com. Documents may also be submitted via the website at biddefordculturalandheritagecenter.org or submitted to any BCHC Board member or Hall of Fame Committee member.
For more details, contact BCHC President Diane Cyr at 283-3993.

High school seniors win scholarships
Two York County high school seniors were recently awarded the Arnold Shapiro Community Service Award by Congregation Etz Chaim in Biddeford.
Biddeford High School graduate Josiah Aranovitch, son of Jennie Aranovitch of Biddeford and David Versel of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Kennebunk High School graduate Elaina Hammond, daughter of Denise and Greg Hammond of Kennebunk, each received a $500 award to assist with the cost of their higher education.
Aranovitch plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, this fall to pursue a combined B.S./M.S. degree in data science, while Hammond will attend the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in Liverpool, England, to pursue a B.A. in acting.
The scholarship, which supports post-secondary study in college, professional or trade school, or other post-secondary training, is provided annually to members of Congregation Etz Chaim who are graduating high school seniors and have been selected by the synagogue’s Service Award committee.
The Arnold Shapiro Community Service Award was created to honor lifelong Biddeford resident and former present of Congregation Etz Chaim Arnold Shapiro, who selflessly dedicated himself to the congregation for more than 30 years.
For more information, visit etzchaimme.org

PORTLAND
Foundation gives over $1 million in endowments
The Catholic Foundation of Maine distributed more than $1 million in endowment dividends this year, providing assistance to parishes, schools, and other religious organizations. The endowment grants benefit Catholic ministries and programs, including seminarian education, religious congregations, lay continuing education, Catholic Charities Maine, Hispanic ministry, music ministry, parish social ministry, pro-life initiatives, and more.
“This year, we are particularly excited about new endowments that will provide vital support to those who are struggling and continued support for students, teachers, deacons, vocations, as well as retreats and educational and spiritual development programs,” said Elizabeth Badger, executive director of the foundation.
For more information about the foundation, contact Elizabeth at 321-7820 or info@catholicfoundationmaine.org.

ELLSWORTH & PORTLAND
Nonprofit gives almost $1 million in grants
Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) has given more that $919,003 in grants to help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Cumberland and York counties.
In Cumberland County, 18 grants through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program include $836,993 recommended by the Cumberland County Committee and 13 additional grants totaling $15,000 from people with donor-advised funds.
Grant recipients include Cathance River Education Alliance of Topsham, to merge with partner land trust to deliver conservation and nature-based education to communities; $7,000 to New Beginnings of Lewiston to expand the offerings at the Lewiston Drop-In Center for homeless teens and young adults; to People Plus of Brunswick to provide older people and teens rides to activities, field trips, food pantry pickups, and for other transportation needs; and to the Portland Public Library, to ensure access to information and literary programs for community members with hearing challenges and those with limited English proficiency.
Nine grants, totaling $67,010 will help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in York County that were recommended by the York County committee through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program.
Grant recipients include Continuum Arts Collective of North Berwick to provide K-12 students with musical instruments, art supplies, and art and music lessons; the Heart of Biddeford to collaborate with New American food entrepreneurs and improve inclusiveness in community events; and to Youth Full Maine, also of Biddeford, to address food insecurity in the community, especially in the county’s rural areas.

AUBURN
Cheerleader to be part of Pearl Harbor anniversary parade
Auburn Wreckers cheerleader member Meghan Webster will represent Varsity Spirit, a global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, and a division of Varsity Brands, at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade Dec. 4-9 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Cheerleaders and dancers, who are invited to perform in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, are part of a select group of All-Americans identified at Varsity Spirit summer camps across the country. All-Americans are based on superior cheerleading or dance skills as well as leadership skills at camps operated by Universal Cheerleaders Association, Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance, United Spirit Association or Urban Cheerleading Experience.
Meghan will perform with Varsity Spirit All-Americans in an exclusive performance prior to the opening ceremony of the parade and then be part of the parade before thousands of fans lining the streets of Waikiki Beach. This trip marks the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
She must raise $5,000 in order to make the trip. A GoFundMe account has been set up in her name at gofund.me/f934ddda.