Community News

The Gift of Wildlife

How about a gift that feels good and does good at the same time? How about taking a tax deduction on top of that?

The Gallery at Maine Wildlife Park is offering prints by nationally renowned artist, Persis Weirs, for sale through its sponsor, the certified non-profit, Western Oxford Foothills Cultural Council. The Gallery's Curator Pat Chandler said that Weirs' work is exceptional and the prints are very good representations of it. Toni Seger, Executive Director of the Western Oxford Foothills Cultural Council which sponsors The Gallery says that the prints make a perfect end of the year charitable contribution as well.

The Gallery's motto is "where art meets the environment" as it seeks to use artistic expression to raise consciousness about the environment. Artist Ms. Weirs was so impressed, she wanted to help raise funds for its support and donated some of her wildlife prints to The Gallery, last summer.

The Gallery sold raffle tickets for Weirs prints at the Oxford Showcase, at the end of October which were quite popular. Lucky raffle winners included Keith Willoughby of Waterford for an image of a mother bear and her cubs called "Playtime" and Glenn Davis of King's Hill Inn for an image of an eagle called "River Sentinel" which is pictured with this article.

The Gallery is offering to sell the prints for $125. each which is considered modest considering the fame of the artist. All funds raised from these sales will go to support The Gallery's marketing costs. Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. For more information about the prints, contact Pat Chandler at 743-8033.

Head Start Receives SEARCH Donation

Lewiston, ME -- Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care recently received a donation from the Catholic Charities Maine SEARCH (Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage & Hope) Program. Estelle Rubinstein, Executive Director for Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care, accepted hand made hats, mittens, scarves, slippers and blankets from Phoebe Lowell, Program Director, SEARCH. These knitted and crocheted items were the work of the volunteers in the SEARCH program.

Estelle Rubinstein said of the donation: "We would like to thank the volunteers with the SEARCH program for taking their time to keep our children warm. These items are a necessity during the cold winter months, and this donation will help to keep many of the children at Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care warm. Thank you so much for your generosity."
SEARCH is a non-denominational program in Androscoggin County that promotes independent living for elderly and disabled people in Maine. Their mission is to enable the frail, vulnerable, elderly and those with disabilities to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.

Experienced community volunteers are recruited, trained, and supervised by SEARCH staff, to provide services. These services are delivered at no cost and are designed to enhance quality of life.

Services include home visitation, telephone reassurance, information and referral, and a range of special services such as assistance with transportation, home and yard chores, and errands. The SEARCH program can be reached at 784-0157.

Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care has provided quality child development services to pregnant women, families, and children, newborn to age five, for forty years. Program options include Full Day, Half Day, Home Based, Home Start, Family Childcare, and Infant and Toddler Early Head Start.

Services through these programs are provided annually to over four hundred children and families throughout Androscoggin County. Centers are located in Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon Falls, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls and Turner. Applications for all Head Start programs are accepted at any time. Most Head Start programs are free to eligible children. Full day childcare services are available on a sliding fee scale for parents who are working, continuing their education, or participating in job training. Please call (207) 795-4040 for more information. Please visit our website at www.androkids.com. Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care, and Catholic Charities Maine SEARCH are United Way funded agencies.

Photo: Left to right: Phoebe Lowell, Director SEARCH; Branden O'Brien, age 4; Jordyn Davis, age 4; Kiara Fournier, age 4; Estelle Rubinstein, Director, Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care.