Schools
Beekeeping classes
AREA — Adult education-affiliated beginning and intermediate classes in beekeeping with beekeeper Peter Cowin of Hampden will take place:
• Bangor: Beginners, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 8-Sept 22. 992-5523.
• Newport: Beginners, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 9-Sept. 23. 368-3290.
• Bucksport: Beginners, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 10-Sept 24. 469-2129.
• Bangor: Intermediate, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 20-Nov 3. 992-5523.
• Hampden: Beginners, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct 21-Nov 4. 866-4119.
• Mount Desert Island: Beginners, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 22-Nov. 5. 288-4703.
For information, contact Cowin at 299 6948, email petercowin@tds.net and or on Facebook The Bee Whisperer.
Youth volunteer awards
AREA — The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is seeking Maine’s top youth volunteers of 2015.
Students in grades five through 12 are invited to apply for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. The application is available at http://spirit.prudential.com and nassp.org/spirit. Paper application forms may be requested by calling 877-525-8491.
Applicants for 2015 awards must complete their online applications by Nov. 4 then submit them for certification to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or HandsOn Network affiliate.
Calling All Teachers
AREA — U.S. Cellular announced that it will donate $1 million to fund teacher classroom projects through its Calling All Teachers program. Last year, the company contributed $500,000 towards educational materials for improved classroom experiences. One hundred and ten Maine teachers had their classroom projects funded by U.S. Cellular in 2013, totaling more than $62,000 and benefiting more than 5,300 students.
U.S. Cellular is working with DonorsChoose.org for a fourth time and encourages teachers to post their projects on the site for potential funding. DonorsChoose.org is a charity website that helps teachers identify funds from corporate and individual donations for classroom projects.
Kindergartern through grade 12 public school teachers may register at DonorsChoose.org and affiliate as a U.S. Cellular teacher. Projects must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 21, to be eligible for the funding. Selected projects will be in announced in October.
For more information, visit uscellular.com.
Colleges
Eastern Maine Community College
BANGOR — Eastern Maine Community College announced recently that The Quimby Family Foundation has awarded $50,000 to EMCC to help develop a two-year associate degree in applied science in outdoor recreation and tourism. The grant application was a joint effort by the Katahdin Region Higher Education Center and Eastern Maine Community College Foundation.
EMCC plans to base the program in Millinocket. The curriculum will include a blend of courses in guiding, recreation management and design, expeditions, tourism development, business, marketing and communication, along with EMCC’s general education requirements.
The curriculum development was led by local Maine recreation expert Steve Spencer. It has already received letters of support from Baxter State Park, New England Outdoor Center, Katahdin Woods and Waters, AMC Maine Wilderness Lodges and the Chewonki Foundation.
The new degree program would allow for a cohort of up to 24 students to live, study and work in the Millinocket region over the course of two years. Graduates would be prepared for employment with state, county and municipal parks, guiding and outfitting companies, tour operators, recreation facilities, meeting and convention development firms, and tourism development agencies, and other career options.
Graduates would earn a Registered Maine Guide license with up to six specialized classifications, as well as certifications in first aid, leave no trace and chainsaw operation.