PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 62 Portland, ME ECRWSS www.capecourier.com TheVolume 22 Number 7 June 6, 2009ape An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper C Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 School Board to Cape remembers its fallen, honors those who serve vote on revised substance abuse policy on June 9 Consequences would change for fi rst-time offenders who self-report By Wendy Keeler Cape Elizabeth students who turn them- selves in the fi rst time they violate the School Board’s substance abuse policy will no longer have to sit out games or extracurricular events, if the School Board approves changes recom- mended by the board’s policy committee. The board will vote June 9 on the revised policy, which would also change some lan- guage in the document and how parents and students are educated about substance abuse rules regarding participation in extracurricu- Photo by Jenny Campbell lar activities. All of the changes to the policy, which the board approved in a fi rst reading By Elizabeth Brogan on May 26, address only students involved Cape Elizabeth paid tribute to those who in athletics and extracurricular programs. died in service to their country, while also If the new rules go into effect, fi rst-time honoring veterans and active-duty person- offenders who report themselves within 48 nel, at a Memorial Day parade and ceremony hours of an incident, or whose parents do so, May 25. would meet with a school social worker or Marchers in the town center parade in- guidance counselor for as many meetings as cluded Cape’s veterans, elected offi cials, the counselor considers necessary and follow and town manager; members of the Cape any plan the counselor recommends. Elizabeth Police and Fire and Rescue De- Athletic team captains who report them- partments and WETeam; the Lions Club, selves after violating substance abuse rules carrying the large Garrison Flag; the Cape for the fi rst time, however, would be stripped Elizabeth Middle School band and various of their leadership roles, as they are under the boys’ and girls’ scouting troops. current policy. The parade concluded at the War Veter- The revised policy would not change ans’ Memorial on Scott Dyer Road, where penalties for students who use or possess Parade Marshall Lee Humiston placed a drugs or alcohol at school, or at school- wreath. sponsored events on or off campus. Under Humiston, a veteran of the Vietnam War, those circumstances, all students face school served one year with the Maine Army Na- suspension and loss of extracurricular privi- tional Guard in an antiaircraft battalion and Patricia McCarthy Photography leges, whether or not they report themselves. six years with the United States Air Force Athletes and kids involved in extracurricular Orientation Group. During his tour with the Above, fi rst-graders Mimi Dietz, left, and Anna Flaherty, members of Brownie Troop 1538, programs, however, are expected to uphold Orientation Group, Humiston served with proudly march in the Memorial Day parade. At the top of the page, a color guard of Cape the policy at all times and in all places. over 100 WWII returned prisoners of war. He Elizabeth police and fi refi ghters leads the parade. More pictures appear on page 6. —see SCHOOL POLICY, page 18 —see MEMORIAL DAY, page 6 Newspaper seeks new publisher, as Virginia Hanson prepares for move With sadness and regret, The Cape Couri- Our friends here have become family and electronically to our printer in Bruns- er is seeking a new publisher to fi ll the posi- they can never be replaced. As our oldest wick. These more specifi c tasks may tion so ably held by Virginia Hanson during son, Sether, will be attending Bowdoin Col- be learned on the job. the past two years. lege in the fall, we look forward to many re- The job of publisher requires 10-15 The Hanson family will be moving to turn visits. I think that Cape Elizabeth will hours per week and is a paid position. Oregon at the end of the summer. A loss for always be ‘home’ to us.” “I have thoroughly enjoyed my The Cape Courier, where Virginia’s organi- The publisher’s duties at The Cape Couri- time as publisher of The Cape Cou- zational skills, business acumen, and calm er include overseeing the day-to-day opera- rier,” Virginia said. “There is a lot of demeanor have been invaluable, Virginia’s tions of the paper and working with the edi- collegiality among the staff and volun- departure is also a loss for many in Cape tor, community editor, advertising manager, teers, and we work very well as a team. Elizabeth. production manager, bookkeeper, volunteers, The job’s requirements and fl exibility “My family and I will sorely miss liv- and the board of directors. Some computer have enabled me to learn new skills, ing in Cape Elizabeth,” Hanson said. “We skills are necessary and a familiarity with feel more connected to the community, moved here when our eldest, Emma, was Microsoft Word and Excel is desirable. The and still left me time for my family and entering second grade in 1995. We have publisher also works with InDesign software other pursuits.” put down deep roots, becoming involved in and manages the classifi ed, real estate and Anyone interested in this position school activities, Cape Elizabeth soccer and public-safety log sections of the newspaper. should contact The Cape Courier at Virginia Hanson Little League and at Saint Alban’s Church. The publisher is responsible for sending fi les [email protected]. Page 2 • The Cape Courier • June 6, 2009 LETTERS Community gardeners grateful to Maxwells Volunteers play ‘vital The Cape Courier P.O. Box 6242 and ‘gardener extraordinaire’ Nancy Miles role’ in success of Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 The Committee of the Cape Community to local food pantries as well. senior programs Telephone: 207-767-5023 Garden at Maxwell’s Farm would like to Finally, we’d like to express our gratitude Online: www.capecourier.com extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Maxwell to the dedicated and tireless work of Nan- Three Cape Elizabeth residents have vol- family for the use of a portion of the farm cy Miles, gardener extraordinaire, without unteered over and over again, at the Cape OUR MISSION STATEMENT The mission of The Cape Courier is to foster a to establish a community garden. For Cape whose leadership and hard work, this com- Elizabeth Community Center with our se- sense of community by presenting news specifi c residents traveling on Spurwink Road by munity gardening effort would not have nior citizen luncheons and programs. Lise and unique to Cape Elizabeth or its residents, the farm, you may have noticed a vegetable been possible. Letarte, Edna Krull and Pat McBride have and whenever possible to promote volunteerism garden taking shape in the fi eld near the The Gardening Committee of the Cape consistently assisted us with senior lunch- within our community. day care center. The new garden will ben- Community Garden at Maxwell’s Farm: eons and have played a vital role in the Board of Directors efi t many families in Cape with, we hope, a Deb Cavanaugh, Wendy Garland, Alice success of that program here at the center. Debbie Butterworth, Bob Dodd, Carol Anne bounty of fresh vegetables. Two of the gar- Grant, Lynne Holland, Melissa Kelly, People like them make it possible for us at Jordan, Gene Miliard, Bill Springer, den plots will be used to donate vegetables and Marybeth Richardson Community Services to continue to offer Beth Webster, Clerk: Paul Thelin quality programs for our residents. Publisher .................................. Virginia Hanson The three always arrive well in advance [email protected] of the function to set up for the event, serve Editor ......................................Elizabeth Brogan PCPA grant allows teachers to ‘stretch a dollar’ [email protected] lunches to the seniors and then work dili- School/Community Editor .........Wendy Keeler for ‘much-needed school supplies’ gently at cleaning up after the event. I am [email protected] forever saying to them that I don’t know Advertising Manager ................Colleen Taintor Last September, Pond Cove School teach- plies. There are no restrictions on the num- what I would do without their help. [email protected] er and kindergarten team leader, Linda Paul, ber of visits or the number of items taken by Thank you so very much to all three of Bookkeeper ................................. Dorothy Stack submitted a grant to the Pond Cove Parent members. The only request made by Ruth is [email protected] them! Production Manager...........Sheila Zimmerman Association (PCPA) for a one-year member- that the teachers and students write thank- Karen Allen Web Master .......................... Wendy Derzawiec ship to Ruth’s Reusable Resources, located you notes to the donors. Adult Programs Coordinator, Photo Finishing .........................Diane Brakeley in Portland. The grant was for $1,200, or $1 The 2008-09 grant was approved, and the Cape Elizabeth Community Services Distribution ..................................... Jeff Hewett per student enrolled at Pond Cove. faculty made a great return on the invest- Writers Ruth’s is a nonprofi t organization and an ment. To date, the teachers have obtained Elizabeth Brogan, Debbie Butterworth, 9,620 items from Ruth’s, worth a total of Opposition to Wendy Derzawiec, Bob Dodd, affi liate of Kids in Need (KIN). A member- Wendy Keeler, Ellen Van Fleet ship in Ruth’s Reusable Resources provides $24,420.50! expansion of Shore Photographers access for teachers to obtain school supplies, Way to go, faculty! The PCPA board has Jenny Campbell, Claudia Dricot, craft items and much more – at no additional already approved this grant again in advance Road business zone Ann Kaplan, Jack Kennealy, cost beyond the membership fee.