A new class of volunteers

The new class of the Volunteers in Police Service program had its first meeting May 12, at the Gorham Municipal Center.

In attendance, to train and speak to the volunteers were Cumberland County Chief Deputy Kevin Joyce, Community Policing Officer and program leader Paul Pettengill, and Lt. Christopher Sanborn of the Gorham Police Department.

The Volunteers in Police Service program uses community volunteers to assist the Sheriff’s Department in their policing duties. Volunteers can serve three different branches – patrol, community service and events, and administrative.

The program started in Standish in January 2008 and has been a success, police say, leading the town of Gorham to join forces with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.

“We think it’s going to work well for us too,” said Gorham Police Chief Shepard.

Shepard said the Gorham police had participated in the Volunteers in Police Service program approximately four years ago, but it did not work out. He is hoping for a better outcome this time.

“We felt now was the time to jump back into it,” said Shepard. “The volunteers kind of dovetail what we already do. Sometimes we don’t have the time or manpower to do everything.”

More than 10 people from around the area attended the first class in Gorham. There are more than 20 active volunteers in the Standish division of the program that work all over Cumberland County when needed. For more information on joining the program, please contact Biczak@cumberlandcounty.org.

Aliens!

The OCD (Obsessive Comedy Disorder) will present two episodes of The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show on Friday, June 5, at Schoolhouse Arts Center. The two episodes of The Case of the Missing Mother Ship, written and directed by Keith Halliburton, will be taped before a live audience on June 5 for future airings on WJZF-Standish (97.1 FM).

Bring the whole family and enjoy the antics and adventures of our three aliens as they try to locate the missing Mother Ship. These two episodes of The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show are interactive and audience members will get to join in the fun of creating the sounds for the radio show. If you missed any of the first airings of The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show, you can listen to the previous episodes on WJZF-Standish at 97.1 FM on Sundays at 6 p.m. or Fridays at 9 p.m.

Members of the OCD include Greg Copeland from Biddeford, Harry Bee, and Chris and Jen Day from Cornish, Lesa Mosey from Gorham, Heidi Libby from Limerick, Terri Plummer from Limington, and Sumida Sferes from Windham. The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show is written and directed by Keith Halliburton form Limerick. Future episodes of The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show will be presented at the Schoolhouse Arts Center and on the air at WJZF-Standish throughout the year.

The one-night only presentation of The Case of the Missing Mother Ship, Episodes 3 & 4, radio shows will be held at the Schoolhouse Arts Center on Route 114, just north of the intersection of Routes 114 and 35, in Sebago Lake Village, on Friday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Call 642-3743 for more information.

Memorial Day service

The town of Standish in association with the Standish Historical Society and The American Legion Standish Memorial Post 128 is hosting a Memorial Day Service to honor past and present military personnel. Radio personality Bud Sawyer will be opening the event. State Rep. Mike Shaw will be on hand as well as local town officials to give their thoughts on Memorial Day. The American Legion will perform an honorary wreath laying ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial and the presentation of colors will be performed by area Boy Scout troops.

The service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Standish Municipal building on Route 35.

5k for fun

Standish Recreation invites you to celebrate National Trails Day at the Fifth Annual Mountain Division Trail Family Fun 5K Walk and Run. The event starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, at the Otter Pond Y.M.C.A. Camp on Route 35 in Standish. Participants will be traversing the trail that connects the Standish, Gorham and Windham communities. The Parks and Recreation Departments of all three towns will be hosting a day filled with family fun for everyone at the Mountain Division Trail event. The fee is $7 per individual or $25 for a family of four or more. Registration forms are available at the Standish Town Hall. For more information, contact Linda Brooks at 642-2875.

Improved Sebago Lake landing opens

The new parking area leading to the upgraded town boat launch site on Sebago Lake in Sebago Village, will be open to the public at noon on Friday, May 22, 2009.

There will be a new fee structure this year along with new rules for use of the facility. Copies of the rules and fees will be posted at the site and attendants will have hand-outs upon request. There will be charges for all launch and parking activities except for one hour viewing slots near the water’s edge. Residents who purchase a sticker for their boats at the Standish Town Hall will be eligible for parking discounts.

Summer story hour

The Steep Falls library is offering a summer reading program for area children. Starting in June, the program will be held every Wednesday during the summer at 10 a.m. at the Steep Falls Library. Volunteer Jeanine Dalton reads new and exciting stories to participants every week. Story time is followed by parent/child crafts and snacks. For more information, contact the library at 675-3132.

Friday

Plaid Daddy Band performs at Memory Lane Music Hall.

Saturday

Farmers Market in the Steep Falls Library on Route 113 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Flowers, veggies, baked goods, crafts and more.

Plaid Daddy Band performs at Memory Lane Music Hall.

Come watch as the cast records an episode of The Three Aliens Interactive Radio Show. Cast members include Jen Day, Chris Day, Terri Plummer, Sumida Sferes, Heidi Libby, Greg Copeland and Harry Bee.