Pickleball players from Maine, New England, and beyond will meet at the Maine Sports Arena to raise funds for the Scarborough based nonprofit, the Kids First Center. The event is scheduled to take place over three days, July 21-23. The tournament is sanctioned by USA Pickleball and its rules for round-robin play will govern.

Pickleball players from Maine, New England, and beyond will meet at the Maine Sports Arena to raise funds for the Scarborough based nonprofit, the Kids First Center. The event is scheduled to take place over three days, July 21-23. Maria Skillings photo/Times Record.

Partnering with the Kids First Center is the tournament host, the Maine Sports Arena in Saco.

Steve Haines of MSA and director of Portland Pickleball is looking forward to the event. “This is one of the few sanctioned tournaments in Maine this summer,” he said in a June 8 news release. “We expect some of Maine’s finest pickleball players to compete at this inaugural event.”

USA Pickleball Association Regional Director Rocky Clark is also pleased to see the tournament scheduled for this summer. “Let’s all put Kids First and enjoy a fun pickleball tournament in Saco, Maine,” Clark said.

The Kids First Pickleball Tournament is set to be a celebration of the game while raising awareness of the mission of Kids First. The tournament will feature a variety of brackets, ensuring that players of every level have an opportunity to participate and test their skills against like-minded competitors. The tournament director is Joe Santoro of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Along with running many charity tournaments, Santoro is a past officer of the Board of Directors at USA Pickleball, serves on the Board of Directors of the Pickleball Hall of Fame, and is the USA Pickleball Referee Training Coordinator for the Atlantic Region.

The indoor climate-controlled event will be held at the Maine Sports Arena, 15 Lunt Road, Saco, boasting nine hardwood pickleball courts, ample spectator seating. The tournament will also feature vendor and exhibitor tables, offering an array of merchandise and services related to pickleball equipment, apparel, and more. Parking at the venue is free.

“We are thrilled to launch the first Kids First Pickleball Tournament,” said Timothy Robbins, executive director of the Kids First Center. “Pickleball is a sport that brings people together, promotes healthy competition, and creates lasting friendships. We welcome players and fans from all over to provide an unforgettable experience that showcases Maine’s best of this incredible sport. We were looking for a different kind of event to raise funds and awareness of the programming of the Kids First Center. The positive response to running a pickleball tournament has been overwhelming and gratifying.”

Those interested in volunteering at the event should contact the Kids First Center. Registration for the tournament is open, and players are encouraged to secure their spots early due to limited availability. For more information and to register, visit https://t.ly/R0g-kidsfirstpickleball.

For more information about Kids First Center’s programming or to get involved, visit www.kidsfirstcenter.org or call 207-761-2709.

Crafters sought for Apple Festival

York County Shelter Programs is looking for crafters for the Shaker Hill Apple Festival, which will be held on the York County Shelter Programs campus in Alfred from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The juried craft fair is a mainstay of the festival, which also features music, family activities such as hay rides, food and more. The Shaker Museum will also offer events.

Those interested should contact Bonnie Leslie at bleslie@ycspi.org or 207-324-1137, ext. 109.

Summer Food Service Program announced

Biddeford and Saco schools are participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children 18 years and younger without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be provided, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the following sites and times:

June 20-Aug. 18: Monday-Friday, breakfast 8-8:30 a.m.; lunch 11:30-noon.

Biddeford Middle School, 25 Tiger Way, Biddeford.

McArthur Library, 270 Main St., Biddeford.

Saco Community Center, 75 Franklin St., Saco.

For more information on other free meal sites, visit www.hotlunchsummer.com.

York County Commission designates Pride Month with proclamation

The York County Commission declared June 2023 Pride Month, after passing its first-ever pride proclamation last week.

The York County Commission declared June 2023 Pride Month, after passing its first-ever pride proclamation last week. Courtesy image

County Commissioner Justin Chenette, who represents Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, and Buxton, introduced the measure. According to a June 9 news release, Chenette is the first and only openly LGBTQ+ member of the commission and also serves as vice chair.

“We are at an inflection point in this country. Personal and legislative attacks against members of my community are more and more frequent,” said Chenette in an email. “It’s critical that those of us who are on the side of human decency and freedom from discrimination are heard over the voices of hate that are currently being amplified. This proclamation demonstrates York County’s commitment to treating everyone with respect and our commitment to standing with the LGBTQ+ community.”

According to the news release, the proclamation passed 3-2, with commissioners Chenette, Dutremble, and Clark in support, while commissioners Andrews and Ring voted against the measure. Details of the proclamation include using Pride Month to “engage in dialogue to strengthen alliances, build acceptance, and advance equal rights.”