PORTLAND – The annual Ski Maine Tin Mountain Round-Up food drive, sponsored by Ski Maine Association, has taken in almost 6,000 cans of food to date for food pantries statewide.

“We’re wrapping up our Tin Mountain Round-Up this weekend at Mount Abram,” said Association Executive Director Greg Sweetser. “By the end of this food drive we hope to rival the amount collected during the 2003-2004 Tin Mountain Round-Up.”

In exchange for food, contributing skiers and riders will receive discounted lift tickets Saturday and Sunday at Mount Abram. Skiers and riders will receive a $5 discount on a lift ticket for donating three canned food items. The proceeds will benefit the Woodstock Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry.

For more information, contact Greg Sweetser or Heather Veitch at Ski Maine Association at 761-3774 or visit www.skimaine.com.

Help for veterans

AUGUSTA – Maine veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan in the post-Sept. 11 conflicts can apply for financial support for college under the Boulos Family Scholarship starting Tuesday, Feb. 1. The scholarship is funded by a $1 million pledge from businessman Joe Boulos and his wife, Sheri.

“We created this scholarship as a way to say thank you to our servicemen and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Boulos.

“Sheri and I hope this scholarship shows Maine veterans how proud we are of their service to our country,” he said.

The scholarship can be used at any regionally accredited Maine college or university. It is being administered by the Maine Community College System on behalf of the Boulos family.

A Web site has been set up to provide veterans and their families with information at www.boulosscholarship.me.edu.

An online application form, which will be active starting Feb. 1, must be filled out by applicants and a college official.

Adoption meeting

PORTLAND – The Maine Adoption Placement Service will hold an adoption informational session at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, MAPS International, 277 Congress St.

Preregister by calling MAPS at 775-4101.

The focus will be on USA, Russia, China and Kazakhstan.

See www.mapsadopt.org for more information.

Festival grant

BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin International Music Festival has received a grant of $2,000 from the Maine Arts Commission for organizational development.

The grant, matched with festival resources and grants from private foundations, will fund a part-time development consultant to assist the festival with increasing revenues.

A consultant will work with festival staff and trustees to analyze current development methods, propose new practices and monitor the institution of a development program.

Interested consultants should send a letter of interest and qualifications to Bowdoin International Music Festival, 6300 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011. Inquiries may be sent to [email protected].

Proposals sought

GARDINER – The Johnson Hall Renovation Partnership is seeking proposals for the planning phase of the renovation and operation of Johnson Hall, the historic 1864 Opera House in Gardiner.

The partnership committee is seeking consultants in architecture, fund-raising feasibility and business and organizational planning.

The proposal is available on the Web site, www.johnsonhall.org, or can be mailed by request.

Contact Executive Director Judy Lloyd at 582-7144 or [email protected].

Proposals are due on Friday, March 11, to Johnson Hall, P.O. Box 777, 280 Water St., Gardiner, ME 04345.

Attend seminars

WARWICK, R.I. – The Marine Technology Department at New England Institute of Technology was the site for two recent marine-related training programs.

A total of 40 individuals employed in the marine industry participated.

Completing an American Boat Builders and Repairers Association seminar titled “Top Coat Applications” was Anthony Cyr of Durham, Great Island Boat Yard, Harpswell.

Completing a seminar on “Volvo/Penta DP-S/SX Drive Training” were Peter Call of Parsonsfield, Portland Yacht Services, Portland, and Richard Palanzo of Casco, Maine-by Marine, Windham.