Student visitors

PORTLAND – The Japan American Society of Maine and the University of Southern Maine are welcoming students in the University of Southern Maine-Rissho University Summer Program.

Students from Japan come to Maine for an intensive, month-long program. During the week, the students spend the day in the classroom and the nights in the dormitories at USM.

Students will be in Portland from Aug. 1 to 22. There are still opportunities for families to host students on two weekends, Aug. 3 to 5, Aug. 10 to 12, or both. Families are not required to do anything out of the ordinary, just share a weekend routine.

For more information, contact JASM Homestay Coordinator Max Calderwood at work: 780-5345, home: 727-4207 or at [email protected].

Youth day

SCARBOROUGH – The Scarborough Fish and Game Association has announced the Maine Youth Field Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at 70 Holmes Road across from Beechridge Speedway.

The free event and is open to the public. However, preregistration is required. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult for the day.

The program will include activities for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15. Approximately 60 young people are expected to attend. For more information, contact Harley Thibedeau, 55 Summit St., Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064 or 934-1842.

Volunteers needed

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association needs hundreds of volunteers for the Common Ground Country Fair Friday through Sunday, Sept. 21 to 23 at the association’s home.

The association also seeks volunteers for set-up Sept. 14 to 20 and clean-up Sept. 24 to 30. Volunteers get free admission to the fair each day that they work, and a meal in the common kitchen for each four-hour volunteer shift. Volunteers also receive one Common Ground Country Fair volunteer T-shirt.

Volunteer registration forms and information are available at www.mofga.org or call 568-4142 or e-mail [email protected]. The deadline for registration is Friday, Sept. 7. After that date the association will accept walk-in volunteers starting Friday, Sept. 14.

Hosts needed

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local families interested in hosting a high school foreign exchange student for the school year or semester.

The students are between age 15 and 18, are screened and speak English. Students come from Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Japan, the Czech and Slovak republics and the former Soviet Union.

Interested families or single adults have the opportunity to select the student of their choice from applications, family photos and biographical essays. The students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins. Each ASSE exchange student is insured, brings his or her personal spending money and shares in the household responsibilities.

Those interested in hosting a student should call ASSE Coordinator Joyce McKenney at 737-4666 or 1-800-677-2773, e-mail [email protected] for visit www.asse.com

Fall roundup

LITCHFIELD – The Maine Trail Riders Associations will hold its 50th anniversary celebration during the annual fall round-up. Festivities will be held at the Maine Trail Riders Association clubhouse, located on the Lunts Hill Road, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16.

Activities will include trail rides, camping out, a barbecue, music and dance, campfires and a hot Sunday breakfast.

Tickets are available at two levels. The first is a weekend camping package that includes a camp site, potable water, bathroom facilities, barbecue, music and dance and a breakfast on Sunday at $15 a person. The second level covers only Saturday nights events, which include the barbecue, music and dance at $10 a person.

Tickets may be purchased by contacting Marianne Cogswell at 437-5844 or e-mailing [email protected]. Reservations and payment must be received no later than Thursday, Aug. 30.