Summer camps

LIMESTONE – The Maine School of Science and Mathematics is taking applications for summer camps. The school will offer week-long residential camps designed to provide students who are curious about math, science and technology with opportunities to explore the fields.

The goal is for every camper to become more confident and excited about pursuing studies and careers related to the fields. The camps will run throughout July according to the following schedule: July 8 to 4, boys currently in grades five to seven; July 15 to 21, boys currently in grades seven to nine; July 22 to 28, girls currently in grades seven to nine; July 29 to Aug. 4, girls currently in grades five to eight.

For more information or for an application, call Danielle at 1-800-325-4484 or visit www.mssm.org/spec.htm.

Young authors

HALLOWELL – Seven Maine high school juniors will find out today, if their written words will earn them an honor, to be named one of Maine’s three “Young Writers of the Year,” and a cash award.

The students have been named semifinalists in the Maine Community College Systems’ Journey Into Writing contest – a statewide writing contest for high school juniors. Their work was chosen from more than 231 entries from 85 high schools throughout Maine.

The semifinalists are Julia Bald of Brunswick High School, Alex Forsythe of Richmond High School, Max HoddWells of Maranacook High School, George Murray of South Portland High School, Aimée St. James of Brunswick High School, Siobhan Smith of Freeport High School and Anna Whiston of Kennebunk High School. The semifinalists’ submissions can be viewed on the contest Web site at writing.mccs.me.edu.

Maine authors Richard Russo, Linda Greenlaw and Wesley McNair are the contest judges. They are expected to join Gov. John E. Baldacci and sponsors of the contest at a luncheon ceremony to announce the winners at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. All seven semifinalists will receive $100 and a plaque. In addition, the three winners will each receive $2,500.

Flags to fly

AUGUSTA – The American Legion and Sons of the American Legion will post 25,000 eight-foot tall American flags on Veterans Day, filling Capitol Park and flowing south through participating communities along the byways of I-95 and the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire border. The flags will follow the on- and off-ramps of I-95 and into participating host towns along the way.

Paul Swenson, founding sponsor of the Colonial Flag Foundation, administrators of the Healing Field Program, announced that it will be the largest Healing Field since the introduction of the programs in September 2002.

The temporary memorial will honor veterans and their service to the country, as well as to honor lives lost and to heal by encompassing the American spirit.

The flags will be posted by volunteers and sponsored for $15 by area businesses, individuals and Legionnaires. At the end of the event the flags will be taken home and flown or donated back to the “Flag in Every Classroom” program sponsored by the Maine American Legion. Event sponsors are being sought and volunteers are needed for set-up and take-down.

All proceeds will benefit state veterans programs. Contact information, details and sponsorship information are available at www.healingfield.org/maine.

AIDS quilt

OGUNQUIT – Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display Memorial Day weekend at the Dunaway Center on School Street. The 13th annual display will consist of 112 panels. An opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 26, with the display remaining open until 10 p.m.

The display will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 27, and noon to 6 p.m. Monday, May 28. All are welcome to this free event; donations will be accepted.

Each quilt panel was made with love for the person lost. Information on how to make a panel as well as photos of the panels for the display can be viewed at www.ogunquitaidsquilt.org.

Drivers needed

LEWISTON – Meals on Wheels is in need of individuals who would be interested in helping with meal deliveries in the L/A area. Volunteers may choose to do a route once a week or once a day. Volunteers decide on the commitment that fits their schedule.

SeniorsPlus is also looking for volunteers to share their time with the transportation and grocery shopping programs. All of the programs offer mileage reimbursements.

SeniorsPlus is also planning summer training for the tax and rent rebate program and the Medicare advocate program. Volunteers are needed for these short-term programs in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

Those who would like to volunteer should contact Trudy Hamilton at 795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241 or [email protected] or visit www.seniorsplus.org for a full menu of volunteer opportunities.

Honor elders

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci, joined by the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the director of the Office of Elder Services, signed a proclamation on May 17 declaring May as Older Americans Month.

Pam Allen, president of the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging, a participant in the signing ceremony, said, “This proclamation recognizes the valuable contributions of older adults to our society, and that they, and those that care for them, deserve to be honored during May and throughout the year.”

Quebec reunion

The Audette, Audet and Lapointe families all have the same ancestor. At 26 years of age in 1663 Nicolas Audet left his birthplace in Maulais, France, to settle on the le d’Orléans in New France next to the city of Québec where, in 1670, at the Ste-Famille parish, he married Magdeleine Després of Paris. He died in 1700.

Direct descendants of this common ancestor are invited for a family reunion on Sept. 8 and 9 in Lac-Etchemin, Quebec. For reservations on a first-come, first-served basis, get in touch with Jean.-Denis. Lapointe by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 297-2730. For more details about the Audet dit Lapointe Association, visit www.audetditlapointe.ca.