Kids’ events will raise funds for FML expansion 

Students in Falmouth are lending their support to fundraising efforts to expand Falmouth Memorial Library through two unique events. On Dec. 8, Falmouth Middle School students will have a chance to Flip for Your Library at the Middle School cafeteria. Bottle flipping – flipping half-filled water bottles into the air in an effort to land them upright – is the latest craze to sweep elementary and middle schools across the country. While maddening for most parents and teachers, the library, with support of school officials, hopes to channel the new pastime into a fun way for local students to support the Library’s expansion.

The challenge will include three ways to test bottle-flipping skills – speed, accuracy and creativity. An entry fee of $5 covers all three activities, and prizes will be awarded in each event. Used bottles will be recycled, with the proceeds also benefiting the library.

On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m., the library will host a Pokémon tournament. The event is the brainchild of library patron Theo Kowalsky, 10, who wanted to raise money for the expansion project, and approached staff for help in planning and hosting the tournament. The library staff were thrilled at Kowalsky’s initiative. “People are at the heart of what we do here, most especially children,” said Library Director Andi Jackson-Darling. “So to have a young library patron like Theo so eager to help our fundraising efforts by organizing this event is really meaningful to us. It’s a concrete demonstration of how impactful our work is on individuals who use our services and attend our programming.”

Judges will be provided by Weekend Anime & Games of Westbrook. Standard decks will be accepted and Weekend Anime will provide prizes. Pokémon crafts and activities will be available and refreshments will be on sale during the event. There is a $5 entry fee to play, and space is limited, so participants must register in advance. Forms may be picked up at the library or downloaded from the library website at www.FalmouthMemorialLibrary.org.

Library Board President Marsha Clark said the library wanted to get kids excited about and involved in the library expansion project because a large part of the new library will be focused on the children’s and teen areas. “At the library we are always saying ‘Think outside the books,’ when it comes to engaging patrons,” said Clark. “These events are both great ‘outside the book’ ideas because they focus on what kids are excited about. And they are both really fun.”

Yarmouth youth chosen for Senate Page Program

Yarmouth native Samuel “Sammy” Holmes Potter has been selected for the United States Senate Page Program for spring 2017. Potter was nominated to the program by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, following a competitive selection process. He is the son of Bob and Dina Potter.

“Sammy is a highly motivated student with an impressive record of academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities,” Collins said. “I am pleased that he will have this unique opportunity to become intimately familiar with how Congress operates.”

Potter is a junior at Yarmouth High School, where he serves as the student body president. He is the founder of the Finance Club and the Table Tennis Club, and he participates in the Global Action Club, Be the Change Club, the student newspaper, and Student Ambassadors. He is also a member of the varsity cross- country team, varsity Nordic ski team, and varsity tennis team. Potter is very involved in the Yarmouth community as well, and has received awards for his leadership and community service.

Penny drive to benefit toy fund

Pennies are being collected through Dec. 16 by K-5 students in Maine School Administration District 51 to benefit the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund. Donations can be dropped off at the offices at Mabel I. Wilson or Greely Middle Schools in Cumberland. Checks can be made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund. For more, contact Jeff Brookes at 829-4815 or 776-5838.

On Nov. 19th, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts collected over 5,000 pounds of food and nonperishable items for the Freeport Community Services food pantry.