Taxes due, seat is open

The second half of real estate and property taxes are due May 2. Any Sebago resident with an interest in filling the recently vacated School Administrative 61 School Board position should contact Town Manager Robert Nicholson at 787-2751 or by e-mail at townmanager@townofsebago.org before May 2.

Scholarship available

Local students who plan on attending college are invited to apply for the Maple Grove Grange Scholarship. The scholarship program began 36 years ago, with dairy scholarships awarded to contest winning Granges by the Maine Milk Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture.

Maple Grove won for four consecutive years and when the program was discontinued, the Sebago Grange established a scholarship program that continues today. Since that time over 68 scholarships have been awarded.

For more 15 years, the program was solely financed by the doughboy booth at Sebago Days and more recently by raffles, yard sales and prize-winning displays at the Ossipee Valley and Fryeburg Fairs.

Last year, $200 awards were given to Nicholas Harrington and Courtney Parker. Applications for the 2008-09 scholarship may be obtained at Lake Region High School, from the Grange secretary, Glenn Haines, at P.O. Box 49, East Baldwin, Maine 04024, or by contacting Grange community service chairman Ann Burns at 787-2489 or P.O. Box 86, Sebago, Maine, 04029.

The award amount varies by the number of recipients and money available. Grange members, descendants of Grange members and Sebago residents are eligible. Scholarships are generally $250, and given after the first successfully completed semester of college. Completed applications must be received by the committee before May 15.

The beach is busy

Not long after the day I observed the lake in its frozen state in the morning, then thawed out in the afternoon, I noticed how very busy Nason’s Beach has become.

Within a very few days, it seemed like everyone and their brother had come out of the woodwork, with trailers attached to any manner of vehicle and all nicely lined up along the shore. Empty trailers attest to many happy folks out upon the lake.

It is my special pleasure now to note the number of vehicles and speculate on who is out fishing and where they are.

A concert to remember

The band and chorus members from Casco, Bridgton and Sebago elementary schools gave a very memorable spring concert April 17, at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco.

The beginner’s band performed first. Members had only one practice session, earlier in the day. The Sebago beginner band members are fourth- and fifth-graders, while the other two school beginners are fifth-grade students.

Next the combined chorus, all dressed up in black and white, were a sight to behold and sang with gusto.

The sixth-grade combined band members played pieces with a little more degree of difficulty, as most are second-year students. Also, performing was the special chorus, a smaller group, with some of members dancing in front while the entire group sang.

An excellent rendition of weather conditions was conducted by four girls who led separate sections of the audience, doing sound effects, which amazingly sounded much like rain, wind and thunder, all with no props, accompanied by the chorus.

I especially wish to commend Beth Rucci, the instrumental music teacher for grades five through eight, as it is her first year teaching. We parents of new musicians greatly appreciate her efforts, along with veteran music instuctor, Linda McVety, who is such a familiar face to Sebago concert families.

It was a great concert and I thank all the musicians, singers, teachers and the staff from all the schools involved.

What is your favorite spot?

Do you have a favorite spot you like to go to hike or fish? Do you know of a place that has fish galore? How about places that are just beg you to grab your camera and snap away? Let me know, I would like to share all your favorite places to go around Sebago, and out on the lake.

You can e-mail me a note telling me the location, or e-mail photos (be sure to let me know if you would like your photos or comments to be included in my column.

A week off

As it is school vacation week, we were busy keeping our children entertained. The Shrine Circus gave out tickets at Sebago Elementary School, so I know I shall be hearing stories soon about all the fun that was had at the circus.

May raffle tickets have gone home with elementary school students. Raffle tickets are also available at Jordan’s Variety store.

In other district news there will be a May 1 career fair at Lake Region High School from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with grades three, four and five attending. May 7 is an early dismissal day at schools, and May 23 is the annual GrandPals day at Sebago Elementary School.