BANGOR – The management, employees and customers of VIP Parts, Tires and Service have raised $67,984 for Ricky Craven’s charity, surpassing last year’s donation of $27,475.75. A check was presented to Craven on Jan. 30.

The fund-raising involved employees at VIP’s 51 stores throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The presentation marked the launch of the annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity in Greenville Jan. 31.

The charity provides funds for the Marrow Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, the Make a Wish Foundation, the Travis Roy Foundation and Give Kids the World.

VIP is headquartered in Lewiston.

Fiction seminar

BATH – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance will present “Writing Historical Fiction,” an intensive seminar with instructor Ellen Cooney on techniques, approaches and strategies for writers who are beginning or planning a work of fiction taking place in the past.

The class will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the office. Bring a brown bag lunch. Space is limited to 15. Cost of the workshop is $55 for members; $75 for non-members. Preregistration is required. Call MWPA at 386-1400 to register.

Sewing contest

AUGUSTA – The Committee on Women’s Activities of the Maine State Grange is accepting entries for its annual sewing contest. The deadline is April 15.

Any brand of pattern may be used and garments will be judged in the following categories: Adults, Teens, Children’s Garments, and Wearable Art. Separate categories are also sponsored for nonmembers and professionals.

A full set of rules is available at www.mainestategrange.org/sewing.html or by calling Grange headquarters, 1-800-464-3421.

Volunteers meet

HINCKLEY – The Maine Volunteer Connection held it annual meeting on Jan. 22 at the Good Will Hinckley School. The agenda included election of officers and board members as well as approval of a budget that calls for less than 8 percent administrative expense.

Laura Ring of Good Will Hinckley and Steven Wilkins of WausauMosinee Paper were elected to the board. Officers for the coming term are: president, Paul Mercier, Sappi Fine Paper, Hinckley; vice president, Dawn Girardin, Western Maine Community Action; treasurer, Ellen Conner, Maine Maritime Museum, Bath; secretary/clerk, Lillian Kerr Haversat, Talon Enterprises, Owls Head.

The Maine Volunteer Connection presents the governor’s service awards and the Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism.

Scholarships

PORTLAND – High school seniors headed to college this fall may apply online for scholarships awarded each year by Peoples Heritage Bank as part of the “Peoples Promise” program.

Scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to 10 Maine high school seniors. The program is designed to reward students from low- to moderate-income households for academic excellence and help offset their education costs.

For more information or to obtain an application, go to www.mesfoundation.com, or call the foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is administering the scholarship program for Peoples, at 1-800-922-6352.

Awards are based on financial need, academic achievement, involvement in school activities, community volunteer activity, work experience and a required essay. The application deadline is April 15. Recipients will be announced in May.


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