Sebago Lions Club

The Sebago Lions Club, a charitable organization formed in 1977, is currently celebrating 30 years of service to the town of Sebago. I had the privledge of attending a pot luck dinner meeting on Nov. 15 and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting with the members.

They meet in the lower level of the old town hall (also known as Potter Academy) on Bridgton Road in East Sebago, on the first and third Thursday of the month. Pot luck dinner meetings are held on the third Thursday, fall through spring.

Among the many local services provided by the Lions: helping fire victims; providing eyeglasses and hearing aids to those in need; working with local youth programs; and donating holiday food. Some community, state and national services they perform include recycling eyeglasses, providing disaster relief, promoting diabetes awareness and sponsoring Fidelco Seeing Eye Dogs.

In regard to the seeing-eye dogs, the Sebago chapter has a personal interest, as member Roger Thomas’s daughter is blind. The Lions raised $3,000 toward the cost of a seeing-eye dog for her. One inspiring story that I heard at the meeting was of the time her dog saved her life by preventing her from stepping into an open elevator shaft when the elevator was broken.

The president is Diana Letellier, whom I had a reunion of sorts with as we worked together at National Semiconductor in the 1990s, and I enjoyed chatting with her husband, Fern. Fern had a whole table filled with photographs taken at their recent events, including the Veterans Day ceremonies in which they participated.

They would love to have new members. If you are 18 years of age and interested in volunteering your time, meeting new friends, helping those in need and giving back to your community, then maybe the Lions Club is for you. You need to find a Lions Club member to sponsor you.

For more information, contact Diana Letellier at 787-3532.

Boy Scouts Returning to Sebago

For two years, the boys of Sebago interested in becoming Cub Scouts have had to seek troops elsewhere. I know of two famillies who have traveled to Standish so their sons could remain in the Scouting program. I was happy to see a flyer come home to Sebago parents with an invitation to join Scouting and receive a free Pinewood Derby Car.

On Nov. 27, at 6 p.m. in the Sebago Elementary School cafeteria, Scouting volunteers from Pack 82 will be present to register families into their local Scouting program. The registration fee for the 12-month program is $10. Families need to provide uniforms, books and pay monthly dues.

Those unable to attend the registration may call Tony Bessey at 797-5252, Ext. 23, or just leave a message with your name and phone number at the local Boy Scout Office in Portland. Or check out the Web site at www.JoinCubScouting.org. Cub Scouts are for boys in grades 1-5.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies

The annual tree lighting ceremony at the Sebago Elementary School will be held Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The Lions Club has donated use of its trailer. Members of the Parent-Teacher Club will be serving cookies and hot cocoa. So, expect Parent-Teacher Club parents to call for cookies a few days in advance. I suspect Santa will make an appearance.

The Town Hall tree lighting ceremony will be held on Dec. 3. Inside the old town hall lower level, the Parent-Teacher Club members will have craft tables set up for the children, and snacks and drinks will be provided as well. Then, outside, the tree lights will be turned on.

Two Delightful Craft Fairs

The Spaulding Memorial Library was filled recently to capacity with tables set up with wonderful crafts and enticing baked goods for sale. J. Alton Cates had specially written poems available for sale. Jeff Wallace was there with his photo note cards and jewelry from The Sebago Kids Growing Gardens. Corinne Aucoin was at the Touch of Glass table with jewelry, etc. Norma Sicotte from the Sebago Seam Rippers had many quilted items. Michael Anderson, whom I wrote about previously with his weather Web site, is a self-taught artist. He had acrylic paintings for sale.

I bought some rice crispy squares, some of the many delicious baked goods offered for sale by the library, and Friends of Spaulding Memorial Libary.

The North Sebago United Methodist Church was equally enticing with all the crafts and crafters showing there. There were two rooms filled with goodies to purchase. Birch Art, by Christine L. St. Pierre, was the first crafter with whom I spoke. She lives in Standish, and paints nature pictures on birch bark. The completed work is then framed for sale. Multiple sizes are available. Maud Edwards, a longtime member of the congregation, had lovely embroidered linens.

The baked goods are a big draw every year, and this year was no exception. There were two tables worth. Light lunches were served as well. Here I bought some peanut butter-filled chocolate balls.

Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday this Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful time of year. I have much for which to be thankful. Mostly, I am thankful that my son, Chris, is coming home from college for the first time to visit this week.

Also, thank you to everyone who has been so patient and helpful with me as I try hard to compose my column each week. You are all a great help and inspiration to me. Please keep the stories coming. Small or large, I need and appreciate them all.