High school meet

AUGUSTA – The Maine Farm Bureau Women’s/Ag Education Committee is sponsoring and judging the 2007 High School Discussion Meet from 2 to 5:45 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the State Future Farmers of America Convention. Contestants are high school students from a Farm Bureau family, FFA participants or 4-H participants.

Prizes are available for the top four students.

The meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and participation are expected from each member. The contestants are judged on constructive criticism, cooperation, communication and problem-solving.

Interested high school students involved with FFA, 4-H or Maine Farm Bureau can call 624-6600 for more information.

Seek host families

FARMINGTON – The Fresh Air Fund is seeking more families in the Western Maine area to give inner-city children a two-week vacation this summer. By volunteering as a host family for the fund’s Friendly Town Program, families can help give a child a break from the heart and noise of the city.

There are no financial requirements for hosting a Fresh Air child. Hosts can select the gender and approximate age of their visitor. First-time visitors are ages 6 to 12.

To learn more about hosting a Fresh Air child, contact the Children’s Task Force at 778-6960 or Pat Scucci at 652-2369. You can also visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.

Feed ME day

LEWISTON – On Saturday, June 2, WCSH 6, WLBZ 2 and Hannaford Supermarkets, with support from Maine’s Coast 93.1 and Kiss 94.5, will hold Feed ME, a food drive to benefit the Good Shepherd Food-Bank and the more than 525 member agencies located throughout the state.

WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 on-air personalities will broadcast live throughout the morning from Hannaford Supermarkets on Wilson Street in Brewer, 692 Sabattus St. in Lewiston, 295 Forest Ave. in Portland and at Garden Street Market in Kennebunk.

Food donations can be brought to those locations on that Saturday only; however, cash donations will be accepted at all Hannaford Supermarkets May 20 to June 2. For more information go to WCSH6.com or WLBZ2.com or call 1-800-464-1213.

Robot meet

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) will host the Northern Maine Robot Track Meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, in the college’s Alexander Fieldhouse. The day-long competition is open to the public free.

The spring robotic meet marks the beginning of Maine Maritime Academy’s third season as the host of the Maine North/East FIRST LEGO League Tournament held each fall.

Sponsored by Maine Robotics, the high-tech competition will welcome 65 elementary and middle school students from throughout Maine. Teams will be made up of children enrolled in grades three to eight. Teams enter the competition with robots that they have constructed to meet the challenges of several prescribed field events.

Thomas Bickford, president and director of Maine Robotics, said volunteers are being sought to assist in all areas of the meet organization. Those interested in becoming a volunteer may learn more about Maine Robotics at http://www.mainerobotics.org, or contact Bickford at 866-4340 or [email protected].

NAMES Project

The NAMES Project Northern New England has announced the formation of a chapter serving New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The chapter joins the NAMES Project Foundation and fosters the mission: To preserve, care for and use the AIDS Memorial Quilt to foster healing, heighten awareness and inspire action in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.

Since its beginning in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt has been used to name and commemorate the legacy of those whose lives were shortened by AIDS. The quilt has also been a tool to promote community education and awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS issues. For more information, visit www.newenglandaidsquilt.org.

Pruning booklet

The National Arbor Day Foundation is offering a free booklet, “How to Prune Young Shade Trees.” For a free copy, send name and address to How to Prune, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, or go online at www.arborday.org.