Drug help day

AUGUSTA – There will be an official Medicare Part D prescription drug help day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Maine State Grange building, 146 State St.

People eligible for Medicare are invited to attend. Medicare counselors will be present to answer questions, review plans and sign people up for Medicare Part D.

Those attending should bring the red, white and blue Medicare card, a list of prescription medications and pharmacy’s name and location.

The Elks Lodge Diabetes van will be testing blood sugar and taking blood pressure.

Helping children

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. In honor, the Don’t Shake Jake Awareness Program has planned the following fundraisers:

Sunday, April 9, Basket Beano at the American Legion Hall in Naples. All proceeds will go toward the Don’t Shake Jake program. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, and are available at VIP EYES, 120 Center St., Auburn, by calling 650-2215 or visiting www.dontshakejake.org.

The largest event each year is the community baby shower. The program gives away care packages to hundreds of families with little ones or babies on the way. Prizes and raffles will be offered, and Pam Belisle will tell her story.

The event will be held on National Make A Difference Day, Oct. 28, at the Paris Fire Station. For more information, visit www.dontshakejake.org.

Nominations

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots are accepting nominations for the 2006 Community MVP Awards Program. The awards honor individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism.

Several winners will be chosen and grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to the nonprofit organization for which each honoree volunteers.

New England residents who are 13 years of age or older who provide volunteer services for nonprofit organizations are eligible. Only one nominee may be considered from each organization. The strongest applicants will be hands-on volunteers and may not receive any compensation – monetary or otherwise – for their efforts.

Nonprofit organizations may nominate volunteers by completing the application found at www.patriots.com/community. Forms must be received by April 21.

Scholarships

AUGUSTA – The Maine Commission for Community Service has announced that the Presidential Freedom Scholarships are available for the 2006 program year. The program, administered by Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service, provides presidential recognition and a $1,000 college scholarship to high school juniors and seniors for their leadership in community service.

The corporation is offering up to 6,500 scholarships (two per high school). The corporation will provide $500, which must be matched with at least $500 secured by the high school from the community.

The postmark deadline to submit certification forms is May 12. Schools are encouraged to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in service, rather than those who merely meet the minimum requirements of 100 hours of service to the community.

Interested students or parents should urge their local high school officials to visit: www.studentservicescholarship.org for more information.

School officials can also take advantage of the online certification process at www.cns.gov/about/programs/initiatives_pfs.asp.

To learn more about the Maine Commission for Community Service, visit www.maineservicecommission.gov or contact service.commission@maine.gov or 287-8933.

Park to open

GRAY – The Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26, will open for the season on Saturday, April 15.

The park serves as a permanent home for wildlife that cannot survive in the wild. There are nature trails and wildlife gardens, interactive exhibits, a snack shack, a nature store and gift shop.

Admission is free for ages 3 and under; $3.25 ages 4 to 12; $5 for adults; and $4 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $2.50 a person. For more informationm, call 657-4977, ext. 1, or visit www.mainewildlifepark.com or www.mefishwildlife.com.

Hawk-watching

POWNAL – Maine Audubon will offer free hawk-watching sessions at Bradbury Mountain State Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 15 to 25.

“The summit of Bradbury Mountain is an excellent place to see spring hawk migration,” said Margi Huber, Maine Audubon trips coordinator. “The easy climb up Bradbury’s 200 feet opens onto a south-facing granite ledge, offering a great view of soaring raptors.”

On a good day with a southwest wind, a hundred or more broad-winged hawks and a variety of falcons, osprey, bald eagles and other raptors can be seen. Last year over a 10-day period at least 1,800 raptors passed over the lookout.

Lionel Quirion will be on the mountain each day, weather permitting, to point out hawks and answer questions.

No registration is necessary. The state park charges a nominal entrance fee. For more information on this or other Maine Audubon programs, call 781-2330 or visit www.maineaudubon.org.