Kennebunk rescue earns distinction

Last week, Gov. John Baldacci joined Maine EMS providers and other health and community representatives to recognize the outstanding achievements of emergency medical service personnel. The 22nd annual Maine EMS ceremony focused on the partnerships that are improving quality care statewide and the day-to-day contributions of first responders.

The HeartSafe Community Program promotes early access to pre-hospital treatment protocols to speed diagnosis and treatment. This year eight new communities, including the Kennebunk Fire Rescue have been designated for the HeartSafe program, for a total of 37 statewide, covering about half of Maine residents.

Baldacci said there are many examples of Maine EMS contributing to the ongoing efforts to ensure Maine has the best health care available from one end of the State to the other.

“Programs such as HeartSafe Communities and the Maine Quality Forum’s ‘In a Heartbeat’ initiative promote the kind of collaboration among communities, providers and health care organizations that helps ensure all Maine people receive the care they need, when they need it,” Baldacci said.

Event for local ‘Field of dreams,’ Sunday

Kennebunk Kennebunkport Youth fields Association hosts a “Community Field Day,” from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday May 31, to raise awareness and money for the state of the art athletic fields and community playground to be developed at the Kennebunk Elementary School. The association is a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to fundraise and develop playing fields and a community park for  citizens of the Kennebunks. First voted on  in 2004, the concept of developing playing fields on the grounds of Kennebunk Elementary School has evolved into a “Field of Dreams” supported by three primary youth athletic clubs, MSAD 71 and the board of selectmen. 

The community park will consist of teo artificial turf fields, one little league baseball field and one little league softball field. Plans are to develop this park in two phases. It will all be funded through individual and business donations as well as grants.

The association needs to raise $1.2 million for the first phase. There will be live music provided by “Too Far North,” free food, face painting, games, athletic clinics for the kids, and of course walking tours of the field sites.

Stockmayer slated to ride in challenge

On Aug. 1 and 2, Ellen Fisher Stockmayer of Kennebunkport will ride in the 30th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the nation’s pioneer charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. She will be among the more than 5,000 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising millions of dollars for lifesaving cancer research and care for adult and pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

The challenge is all about heart and soul. Doctors ride alongside their patients; friends and family members ride in honor of loved ones lost to, or battling, cancer. Nearly 300 cancer survivors will ride to give back and give thanks for being given a second chance.

 The challenge runs through 46 cities and towns across Massachusetts. Cyclists choose from seven routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability. Cyclists are required to raise between $1,000 and $4,200 to ride in the challenge, depending on the chosen route, yet the average cyclist raises more than $6,000. 

To become a virtual rider, or make a financial contribution to Stockmayer or any rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE.

Lyme disease film showing tonight

“Under Our Skin,” the award-winning documentary film on the rising incidence of Lyme disease, will be shown at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 29 at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Kennebunk.

The event, free to the public, will include guest speakers and discussion on the prevention and the controversy surrounding the treatment of Lyme disease, which has increased by 60 percent in Maine, with children ages 5 to 12 the most affected.

This is an opportunity to see the film before its public release, and gain information about protecting against the disease. All are encouraged to attend, as it is now tick season in Maine.