PARIS — The Oxford County Educators Association-Retired (OCEA-R) held their April 27 meeting at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, where the students in the culinary arts program served a great meal before the after-dinner program.

June Spear spoke about the life and work of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. She made his life story very interesting and tested attendees’ memories on some of his poems.

During the business meeting, moderated by John Kimball, the group heard reports from various officers and committees. One of the projects is to provide a new book to every Oxford County library which has a children’s collection. This year there will be two books: “Lost Trail, Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness” by Donn Fendler, published in 2011; and “The Bugliest Bug” by Carol Diggory Shields and illustrated by Scott Nash, published in 2002.

Anyone planning to retire soon should consult their financial advisors before June 30 because that date is important to many retiring teachers. They need to find out how their situation will be affected by new laws.

The scholarship committee made it clear that students who live in Oxford County or attend a school in Oxford County are eligible to apply for an OCEA-R scholarship. Interested students should see their guidance counselor about applying. Each scholarship has been for $500 in recent years, and three or four scholarships are awarded annually.

Blanche Sanborn, one of the members, informed the group that her son, Maj. Gregg Sanborn of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is battling cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Anyone who is willing is urged to go online to “Be My Match” and volunteer in the donor registry program.

The 60th anniversary of the Maine Education Association was held at the Augusta Civic Center on May 9. OCEA-R was well represented by four members. Each county has the opportunity to participate with a table of displays.

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