Program on national debt

GARDINER — “Will we Cause our Children be Buried in Our Debt?” will be the topic from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at Gardiner Area High School, 40 West Hill Road. Former State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin and the Honorable Scott Lansley, former State Representative of District 75, will be the featured speakers.

The speakers will address, among other things, the skyrocketing national debt and the consequences to America if Congress and the Obama administration do not address the problem soon. We will also get an update on the spending battle which is heating up in the Maine Legislature and how it affects the average Mainer’s financial quality of life.

This event is sponsored by Maine Taxpayers United. Admission is free. The general public is cordially invited.

Children’s Miracle Network benefit

WOOLWICH — The inaugural Mr. Maine Challenge will be held to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Taste of Maine Restaurant, Route 1.

Young men ages 13-24 have raised money and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and will also compete in on-stage competitions of public speaking, talent and wear-your-own-style. The winners will be honored as Mr. Maine and Mr. Teen Maine, receiving a trophy and other prizes.

Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15 each or by contacting Linda at 207-729-6341.

The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is the state platform of the Miss Maine Scholarship Program and benefits Maine hospitals through its fundraising efforts.

Sheepshearing classes set

NEW GLOUCESTER — Enrollment is still open for hands-on sheepshearing schools in April and May, sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Sheep Breeders Association to address an increasing need for skilled shearers as the sheep market grows nationwide.

A two-day school, from 8:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, will feature blade-shearer Kevin Ford of Massachusetts instructing in the use of nonelectric hand shears. The school is limited to 10 students; the $85 fee includes a shearing manual and lunch each day. The registration deadline is March 29.

Two other sheepshearing schools will offer beginner-level sessions on Saturday, April 20, at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport and Saturday, May 4, at the Arledge Farm in Littleton. Both are from 8:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon and will feature teams of shearing instructors. The schools are limited to 15 participants. A $35 course fee includes a shearing manual and lunch. Registration deadlines are April 12 for the Freeport session and April 27 for the Littleton school. Spectators are welcome at all three schools at no cost.

“With sheep markets strong, there is a push to expand sheep numbers,” says Richard Brzozowski, UMaine Extension educator. “There is a need for skilled sheepshearers across the country.”

For more information, to register or to request disability accommodations, visit umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/agriculture/sheep-shearing-school, call UMaine Extension at 207-781-6099 or email [email protected].

Open house for grad students

PORTLAND — An open house for prospective graduate students will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Abromson Center, second floor, USM Portland Campus, 88 Bedford St.

Free and open to the public. Full details can be found at usm.maine.edu/graduateadmissions.

Pulp, paper scholarships

FAIRFIELD – Kennebec Valley Community College has announced UPM Madison has donated $36,000 to fund scholarships for students in KVCC’s Pulp and Paper Technology Program.

The donation made to the KVCC Foundation will fund scholarships to six students in the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program. The awards will be made during the 2013-14 academic year.

KVCC offers the only two-year pulp and paper technology Associate of Applied Science degree program in the northeast. The college also offers a one-year certificate program.

KVCC will recruit interested students to enroll in the degree program and inform them of the possibility to receive scholarship support.

To learn more or apply for scholarship assistance call 207-453-5020 or email [email protected].