Service groups need more skate donations

The Biddeford Free Masons and Knights of Columbus are looking for donated ice skates to Westbrook Skating Rink. If you’d like to contribute, contact Roland at 284-4058.

Swap’n’shop planned for April in OOB

  OOB 365 will host Swap’n’shop at Milliken Street parking lot from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 10. The event will feature a free swap area, and 10 by 10-foot spaces may be rented for $10. Donations will be accepted for a local church clothing store, books for the library and donations for a bottle drive to support the Ballpark Fund.

Local students to perform at USM

Kevin Lynch of Biddeford and Joey Valliere of Old Orchard Beach will perform in the University of Southern Maine School of Music’s Birthday Bash April 8 in honor of Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday.

Under the direction of Edward Reichert, current USM musical theater majors will be joined by more than a dozen singers from the USM Opera Workshop to celebrate the more than 50 years of work from one of the country’s most prolific composers of musical theater. Joining them as special guests are a number of professionals, former musical theater majors and six members of the school’s voice faculty.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Corthell Concert Hall on the Gorham campus. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors and USM staff, and $5 for students. Call the Music Box Office at 780-5555 for reservations.

New community classes are offered

OOB/Saco Adult & Community Education is offering the following new classes:.

• Substitute Teacher Training, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays, March 29 to April 29, $79.

• Latin Ballroom Dance, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, April 1 to May 13, $89.

• Old Fashioned Rug Hooking, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 3, $39.

• Computer Basics: E-mail & MS Word: Section I, 6:30 to 8:30 P.M., Tuesdays, April 6 to May 11.

• Discovering Your Authentic Vocation, 6 to 8 p.m., April 6, $19.

• Pilates Basics, 6:35 to 7:35 p.m., Tuesdays, April 6 to May 11, $69.

For more information, call 934-7922 or register online at www.oobsaco.maineadulted.org.

French school founder to speak at Richelieu

Willy LeBihan, founder and director of  L’Ecole Française du Maine in Freeport, will be the guest speaker April 6  at the Richelieu Club of Biddeford .

L’Ecole Française du Maine is the only French immersion school north of Boston.  All academic subjects are taught in French. LeBihan will offer a short film and history of the school.

The Richelieu club encourages members of the public to attend.  The meeting will be held at the Wonderbar Restaurant.  Cocktails at are at 6 p.m., dinner at 6 :30 p.m. and speaker at 7 p.m.  Reservations can be made by calling Lucille Simard at 284-7627. For more information about the Richelieu Club of Biddeford, contact President Lucien Huot at 934-2699.  

Book Shed reopens for season April 1

The Book Shed behind the Libby Library on Staples Street in Old Orchard Beach will open for the season on April 1.

The shed will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and Fridays. It will be closed in the event of rain.

In addition to hardcover and paperback books, available items will include audio books, videos, CDs, DVDs and puzzles.

Donations will help to support Libby Library programs and activities. For more information call the library at 934-4351.

Free GED orientation session set for April 7

OOB/Saco Adult Education will host a free GED orientation session starting April 7 at the Saco Learning Center, 80 Common St. Orientation sessions are the first three Wednesdays of the month from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Call 934-7922 to register or for more information.

Parish plans bottle drive to raise funds

Good Shepherd Parish high school youth will have a bottle drive to raise funds for a trip to Canada. Bottles may be dropped off at St. Joseph parking lot in Biddeford on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Youth also will conduct a door- to-door bottle drive in Saco and Biddeford.

Women’s group offers $1,000 scholarships

The Women’s Educational and Industrial Union of Saco will be award two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Thornton Academy or Old Orchard Beach High School.

 Students who plan to further their education at a two-year or four-year college may apply for these scholarships.  Applications and additional information may be obtained in the guidance department of Thornton Academy or Old Orchard Beach High School. The deadline for applications is April 9.

Trips to Boston and SMCC lunch

Saco Parks & Recreation Department will offer two trips in April. On April 22 a family trip to the New England Aquarium in Boston will leave the Saco Community Center by 8 a.m. and return before 5 p.m.  Time should allow lunch and shopping at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

The April 23 trip will be to Southern Maine Community College for a Friday lunch buffet. Twenty seats are available for the excursion, which will leave the Saco Community Center by 11:15 a.m. and return before 2:30 p.m.   The cost is $16. Call 283-3139 for more information on either trip.

Biddeford ArtWalk is Friday at mill

Biddeford ArtWalk: All Under One Roof will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at North Dam Mill. The ArtVan, Joyful Harvest and t Community Bicycle Center will have projects for the children. Live music by Valerio Mongillo will be from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and by Jeff Bucci from 6 to 8 p.m.

 ArtWalk will remain indoors at the North Dam Mill, 2 Main St., through the April 30. Visit www.biddefordartwalk.com for a list of this month’s participants.

New bridge course  to begin at Ross Center

An eight-week advanced beginner’s bridge course will be 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 1 through May 20 at the Ross Center with instructor Bob Blackmore. The cost is $25 for Biddeford residents  and $35 for non-residents.

 The course will include a review of the Modern Standard American Bidding System and the tools of card play, both declarer and defense.

Call 282-5005 to preregister with Debbie or Steph. Cash and checks are accepted.

Living well sessions will start in April

Living Well for Better Health, a six-week program for adults living with ongoing health conditions including arthritis, diabetes,  hearing and vision, will be held Fridays, April 2 through May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 136 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough,  or  Tuesdays, April 6 through May 11 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at The Pines, 20 Manor St., Ocean Park.

For more information or to register, call Anne Murray at  1-800-427-7411, ext. 529

Compost bins for

sale through city

The city of Saco has Earth Machine compost bins for sale at the Saco Transfer Station.  They are available from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4  p.m. for $37.50 and come with a booklet that explains what can go into compost.  For more information, visit the city Web page at www.sacomaine.org. style="">  Any questions may be directed to Sarah Bernier at sbernier@sacomaine.org or by phone at 282-1552.