TA Middle School presents
‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’

Thornton Academy Middle School is turning into Wonderland this month as the TAMS Drama Club presents “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”, featuring a cast and crew of more than 60 students from grades six through eight.

The play, based on the 1865 children’s novel, follows Alice as she travels down a rabbit hole into the fantasy world of Wonderland, where she encounters various animals and tries to end the reign of the evil Red Queen.

“Many of our students grew up reading ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ so they’re very excited to be performing the play this year,” said TA Drama teacher Katie Buttarazzi, who is directing the play. “Their energy and enthusiasm is really shining through on the stage.”

Performances are Jan. 31 and February 1 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Harry P. Garland II Auditorium on the Thornton campus. Tickets are available at thorntonacademy.org/arts.

Legislative sentiment
to honor Sgt. Wolterbeek

On Jan. 14, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, welcomed Biddeford Police Chief JoAnn Fisk, Deputy Chief Steven Gorton, Lt. Normand Allaire and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman to the Maine Senate to receive an in-memoriam sentiment for Biddeford Police Sergeant. Jacob C. Wolterbeek, who passed away last month.

“It is with deep sadness that we come together in remembrance of Sergeant Jacob C. Wolterbeek IX,” said Ingwersen. “I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to Jacob’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Biddeford Police Department. Sgt. Wolterbeek was truly a great guy who helped make Biddeford the safe and welcoming city that it is. Sgt. Wolterbeek, thank you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will forever be missed, but never forgotten.”

“Sgt. Wolterbeek was an 18-year veteran of the Biddeford Police Department and leaves behind his wife and three young children,” Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said in a statement released by the city of Biddeford last month. “Sergeant Wolterbeek was a respected member of the Biddeford Police Department and a valued city employee. In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Wolterbeek’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Sgt. Wolterbeek passed away in December while driving home from work on Interstate 95 south. Wolterbeek is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, parents, eight siblings, many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

The Maine Legislature presents in-memoriam sentiments to the colleagues and loved ones of community members who have recently passed away. These sentiments express the official condolences of the entire Legislature and serve as lasting reminders of the impact the deceased had on Maine communities.

Biddeford man
turns 100

Rene R. Bergeron, son of Oliva Sr. Bergeron and Mary Louise Chauvette, turned 100 on Jan. 18. He was born Jan. 18, 1925, in Biddeford.

Bergeron married Therese Lamontagne on June 2, 1945, in Biddeford. They were married 78 years. She passed away in 2023.

He has five children, Roger, Denis, Michael, Normand and Susan; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He worked in area shoe shops. He started as a callman in the Biddeford Fire Department in July 6, 1950, and worked as a firefighter for many years.

Dayton school
buses 100% electric

Beginning on Jan. 21, the Dayton School Department will began operating a 100% electric bus fleet, becoming one of the largest majority-electric school bus districts in the state. By replacing all four of its diesel buses with new electric models, the district sets a benchmark for sustainability and environmental responsibility in school transportation, according to a Dayton School Department press release.

This achievement was made possible through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2022, the district applied for funding through the program and was awarded $1.5 million. These funds covered the purchase of Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric buses and Proterra level 3 charging stations, along with the installation of the chargers by a local electrician.

“This transition is a game-changer for our district,” Superintendent Jeremy Ray said. “Not only are we significantly reducing emissions, but we’re also creating a healthier environment for our students and the community. We’re grateful for the support from the EPA and the Clean School Bus Program in making this vision a reality.”

The Clean School Bus Program assists school districts in transitioning to clean and zero-emission buses and prioritizes funding for rural communities like Dayton, according to the release. Electric buses offer numerous benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, quieter operation, and lower long-term maintenance costs compared to diesel counterparts. By leading this charge, the Dayton School Department demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and student well-being.

The district’s investment in electric buses reflects a broader effort to modernize school transportation across the nation, emphasizing cleaner, greener solutions. With its fleet now fully powered by electricity, Dayton sets an inspiring example for other districts to follow.

Scholarship available
for teen birders

The Maine Young Birders Club, in partnership with York County Audubon and Friends of Hog Island, is providing a scholarship opportunity for a young birder to attend the Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens program on Hog Island in June. The scholarship will cover 100% of the recipient’s cost to attend this renowned birding program.

The Coastal Maine Bird Studies for Teens program is an immersive, six-day, five-night experience taking place from June 15 through June 20. This opportunity allows passionate young birders to work alongside some of the country’s leading birders and ornithologists, learning about field identification, bird ecology, and conservation. The program offers hands-on experience with Audubon’s seabird restoration efforts and a visit to Eastern Egg Rock to observe puffins during their breeding season (weather and sea conditions permitting).

The scholarship application, along with complete program details and instructions, is available at yorkcountyaudubon.org. The application deadline is Feb. 19. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 17 to apply. In return for this scholarship, the recipient will be asked to submit a short summary of their trip and the lessons learned.

For full program details, visit hogisland.audubon.org/programs/bird-studies-teens.

The Ecology School hosts
Teacher Institute weekend

From January 24-26, The Ecology School will facilitate a three-day event for teachers from across the country centered on outdoor, place-based learning. The 3rd annual Winter Weekend Teacher Institute is part of multi-year funding from Poland Spring to strengthen climate and water resilience education opportunities for teachers and students across the country.

The Ecology School will host a cohort of teachers and school administrators to discuss how outdoor learning and place-based education can align with their school’s curriculum. Attendees will convene at River Bend Farm, home of The Ecology School, to experience hands-on outdoor learning experiences, meet with community partners experienced with place-based instruction, and hear from teacher ambassadors about how they are including these experiences for their students, often year-round.

Sharon Gallant, a high school teacher and 2023 Kennebec County’s Teacher of the Year, said about her Institute experience: “I have been teaching for 30 years. This experience was perhaps the most impactful of my entire career! The passion around outdoor education and the desire to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk was evident throughout the entire weekend. We were treated like professionals and worthy of the time to create amazing outdoor learning opportunities for our students.”

Camp Ellis HarborFest
set for Aug. 9 and 10

Camp Ellis HarborFest, celebrating Saco’s working waterfront, returns for the third year since the festival was revived in 2023.

The 2025 theme for the family-friendly event, “Camp Ellis – Back in Time,” pays respect to the centuries of human experience interacting with the natural environment at the mouth of the Saco River.

The festival on Aug. 10 – fireworks on Aug. 9 – will feature live music and dance performances, a variety of local and regional food trucks, opportunities to interact with the working waterfront (including the children’s crab derby), and a variety of nautical-themed arts and craft vendors.

Food and arts and crafts vendor applications are available. Those interested should sign up soon as vendor spots are limited.

Submissions for the 2025 T-shirt and poster design are being accepted. The creator of the chosen work will receive a cash prize and free HarborFest merch featuring their design. All submissions should reflect the theme, “Camp Ellis – Back in Time,” and are due by Feb. 3.

View the vendor applications and design submission requirements on the website at sacomaine.org/harborfest today. Volunteers are also needed and those interested can sign up on the website.

Residents achieve
academic honors

Hannah Grohman of Biddeford, and Chase Buzzell of Saco, were named to the Dean’s List at Bates College for the fall semester.

Lindsay DesRoberts of Saco was named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Curry College.

Local students named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire University include: Liam Freeman of Saco, Alyssa Escalante of Saco, Gage Robert Cristian Lamontagne of Biddeford, Karen Hicks of Biddeford, Morgan Day of Biddeford, and Alyssa Huber of Biddeford.

Local students named to the named to the Fall 2024 President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University include: Mikas Freeman of Saco, Hailey Kenerson of Saco, Isabella White of Saco, Nicole Henry of Saco, Eric Bonnette of Saco, Lindsey Doyon of Arundel, Daniel Governale of Arundel, Shelley Kane of Biddeford, Amy Stubinski of Dayton, Layla Thomas of Biddeford, Marissa Champagne of Biddeford, Nicholas Feero of Biddeford, and Shane Otoole of Biddeford.

Local student Ava C. Menard of Saco was named to the Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College for the Fall 2024 semester.

Local students named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University are: Chris Balzano of Saco, and Maria Reyes Navarro of Arundel.

Local students named to the Dean College Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester include: Scarlett Fontaine of Lynch of Saco, Bree Aldrich of Biddeford, and Owen Critchley of Dayton.