Kids raise money for cancer program

Young kids are always putting on shows for their parents in living rooms and back yards as a normal part of playing. It’s not as common that they want to open it to the public and raise money for a good cause. But that’s exactly what came about when Eliza MacLeod, 6, and Emily Patashnik, 7, both of Scarborough, decided they wanted to have a talent show so they could raise money for kids with cancer.

 On Saturday, June 14, Eliza, Emily and 10 other kids from the neighborhood presented a one-hour talent show to about 40 neighbors, family and friends in the backyard of Eliza’s house. 

There was a $2 per person suggested donation and they ended up raising $236. All proceeds benefit to Maine Medical Center’s Children’s Cancer Program.

 “I was surprised and impressed when Eliza and Emily called me down to the basement playroom one day a few months ago,” said Jennifer Manzi MacLeod, Eliza’s mom. 

At the end, the kids invited children in the audience to come up on stage and join them in group dance numbers such as Ho Down Throw Down (from the Hannah Montana movie), the Macarena and Dancing Queen. 

It’s still up in the air whether or not this will be an annual neighborhood event. 

Both Eliza and Emily said that they felt “really good that they did this and they were helping kids who are sick from cancer.” 

Wells named Student of the Year by Rotary

Scarborough High School Principal Patricia Conant shared with Scarborough Rotarians her first encounter with Steven Wells. It was the year she became principal, and Wells was the only one who had the keys to the auditorium when Conant needed them. It caused her to question: Why would a freshman have the keys to the auditorium, and not her?

At the Scarborough Rotary Club meeting May 12, Wells was awarded Student of the Year by Scarborough Rotarians. Accompanied by his family, Conant, and guidance councilor Susan Ketch, Scarborough Rotarians learned how instrumental his contributions have been to the high school and the Scarborough community.

For the past four years, Wells has offered his time and energy to serving the technical needs for the SHS Auditorium and other areas of the high school. Early in his freshman year, he learned how to run the lights and sound and helped out on concert nights. 

He quickly became known as the quasi-auditorium service manager – helping out and serving, whenever, and wherever he could; choral and band concerts, children’s theater, fashion shows, Oak Hill Players, one-act plays, assemblies, fundraisers, musicals, and information nights – you name it, Wells was there. And it took no time at all for Conant to know that those keys were in good hands.

His love for technical media grew; he purchased his own lighting equipment to add special effects, made tapes and videos, took on roles as DJ, and other creative roles to give any presentation or performance a creative touch.   

“We, as a high school and a school system, have been extremely lucky to have a student that has made this a focus of his community service for the last four years,” said Ketch, who nominated Wells for the award.

Wells will head to New England School of Communications in the fall.  Scarborough Rotary Club acknowledged his accomplishments with a framed certificate and spending money.

Summer reading events at public library

More than 25 events for tots to teens have been planned for this year’s Summer Reading Program at the Scarborough Public Library – and all are free and open to the public. The program runs through Aug. 14. 

In addition to weekly reading games and ongoing Children’s Room and Teen Scene activities, the library will offer a series of programs focused on the arts and sciences in celebration of this year’s themes “be creative” and “express yourself.”  

The Summer Reading Program is funded by the Friends of the Scarborough Library.