The Maine Wildlife Park, located on Route 26 in Gray, will open for the 2017 season on Saturday, April 15th at 9:30 am – just in time for the Patriots Day holiday on Monday, April 17th and school vacation week!

Park staff has been working diligently to remove enough snow for paths to be cleared, most wildlife exhibits to be open, and the parking lot and access road passable! The turtle ponds may still be frozen over and the nature trails may have too much snow on them to be passable, but visitors will be excited to see a new beaver in her pond in the furbearer exhibit!

A variety of new and returning weekend events are planned for the season, beginning Saturday May 6th with a ‘Creatures of the Night’ display, associated with the Park’s newest exhibit featuring nocturnal animals.

Further on through the season you can practice Archery and Laser Rifle target shooting, meet Game Wardens and Warden authors on Warden Service Day; experience Mr. Drew & his Animals too; learn about Portland’s famous International Cryptozoology Museum or enjoy a ‘night visit’ with Northern Stars Planetarium. The Bug Man, New England Mineral Association, Wildlife Encounters, Enchanted Forests and Honeybees will return and be featured as Saturday programs. Favorites like the annual Open House, Pow Wow, Chainsaw Artists, and Rick Charette will all be back as well. And Harvest-Fest will be expanded to 2 full weekend days in October. Plan to purchase your Family Season Pass now so you don’t miss any of the fun; and be sure to pick up an Event Calendar! Keep up with current photos, stories and events on Facebook too.

Many families cannot wait to visit their favorite animals after the long winter, but close to 30,000 followers have ‘kept in touch’ with our wildlife via Facebook over the winter, ‘liking’ and commenting on photos posted of our wildlife as they adapted to winter snow and cold. But everyone’s ready to see the moose, bears, lynx, cougar, eagles, owls, and more again in person!

For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977; or visit us online at www.mainewildlifepark.com, www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook!

by Mark Huard

Autism Awareness is growing at Winslow Elementary School. April is Autism Awareness Month and there are many activities planned.

Most people have heard about Autism by now, and many even know someone personally who lies somewhere on the Autism Spectrum. At Winslow Elementary School, the Autism program is spreading the word: Kids with Autism want to be included, just like you!

Autism is a social communication disorder that makes it difficult for a person to read social cues, interact, and express themselves. They may need to be taught how to make friends, or to read body language. It often affects the way they perceive the world, as well. The buzzing in fluorescent lights may drive them crazy. The sound of a fire drill may be unbearable. Looking into your eyes might be so distracting, they can’t listen to your words. On the other hand, you may know a person with Autism their entire life and never know they have a diagnosis! Every single person on the Autism Spectrum is unique!

At Winslow Elementary, they focus on individualizing the education of the students who are in our program. With their team of eight hard working ed techs and teachers, they work hard to make sure all of their students are getting the education they deserve, and that they have every opportunity to be included in the regular education environment. Sometimes this requires Assistive Technology such as an iPad for communication, or a visual schedule, or just some extra breaks included throughout their day. They have access to speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy if they need it.

“Working with kids with Autism is a wonderful experience, said Melissa Hanley, a teacher at Winslow Elementary School. “It teaches you to put yourself in another person’s shoes, and to look at the world at a different angle. Our students are so smart and they love to be a part of this school. We work with them to be as independent as they can be, and to handle the stress of everyday life in stride. I hope that through awareness and exposure, the world can accept the different needs of kids on the spectrum and help make the world more accessible”

If you would like to donate to the program, or would like to learn more, please consider coming to the community events: April 10, 4 – 7 p.m.: McPuzzle Night at McDonald’s, in Winslow.

Come enjoy a meal and play games with the WES Autism group, and 92.3 The Moose! Bring your bottles for the bottle drive! McDonald’s has generously offered to donate 20 percent of sales to the program!

April 13, 4 – 9 p.m.: Dining to Donate at Applebee’s, in Waterville.

Applebee’s is hosting a fun night of dining and will be donating 15 percent of all purchases! Have a nice family dinner knowing you’re helping out a great organization!

April 26, 4 – 9 p.m.: Sweet Frog frozen yogurt and sorbet, Waterville Commons.

Sweet Frog is donating 20 percent of proceeds to the program if you mention the fundraiser at the register! The group will be there with an information station, so bring your questions and they’ll be happy to chat with you!

Donations are also coming from Subway, and It’s a Good Pizza, both in Winslow.

If you have any questions, or would like to donate, contact Melissa Hanley at mhanley@aos92.org, or during the school day at (207)872-1967 X2107