Wabanaki Child Welfare

HERMON — Mainers are still finding out that we are the very first state in the country to confront the truth about what happened to Wabanaki children and families in Maine involved with the Maine child welfare system.

It’s called the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation (TRC). Five commissioners have been chosen to listen to all Mainers, both native and non-native, who want to come forward to share their experiences. The commissioners will be formally sworn in on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at a daylong event in Hermon.

The day before, Feb. 11, the TRC calls on all people to help them prepare for their difficult work ahead by a Day of Reflection, Meditation and Prayer. A focal point will be at 11 a.m. when many around the state will have a moment of silence to consider the importance of the TRC and how everyone can support its three-fold purpose of uncovering the truth, promoting healing and making recommendations for best child welfare practices. It is also a time to remember the many children who were taken from the 1800s right up through the 1990s.

Faith communities or individuals who want to show their solidarity and are moved to organize an event to acknowledge the day are requested to provide details about it to TRC Interim Director Carolyn Morrison. She can be reached at carolynnmorrisontrc@gmail.com or (207) 896-3042.

Singing auditions for Maine Games

LEWISTON — The Maine Games is seeking a special combination of vocal talent and patriotism and will be auditioning as many as two dozen Maine singers on Saturday, April 13, at the Kora Shrine Temple starting at 2 p.m.

Singers age 10 and over are encouraged to complete an online application to become one of those invited to perform live before a panel of judges. The winner will become the 2013 Maine Games National Anthem Vocalist, and will receive a valuable prize package including a recording session at Blue Wave Creative in South Portland.

Additionally, the winning singer will be invited to perform live before a Portland Seadogs game at Hadlock Field, at the Maine Shrine Circus, the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl and other events around the state this spring and summer.

This event is free for invited singers. A $3 donation is requested at the door for spectators.

To learn more or submit an online application, go to www.planetreg.com/MaineGamesNationalAnthemAudition.

Scholarships available

ELLSWORTH/PORTLAND — The Maine Community Foundation offers nearly 450 scholarships that support students pursuing music, journalism, teaching, horticulture, technology, the arts and many other fields. They are available for students attending secondary, post-secondary and graduate schools, as well as non-traditional programs.

A complete listing of scholarships available for the upcoming school year is online at www.mainecf.org.

In 2012, the community foundation awarded more than $1,700,000 in scholarships to 1,170 Maine students attending schools in the state, across the country and around the world.

These funds are established for a variety of reasons, from honoring a family member to carrying on the tradition of “giving back” that helped an individual through college. To establish a scholarship fund at the community foundation, call Cherie Galyean, scholarship manager, at 1-877-700-6800.

Fresh Air Fund’s 137th summer

STATEWIDE — Join host families in and around Central Maine for our 137th summer and open your heart and home to a Fresh Air child. Each summer, more than 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.

The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.

For more information on hosting a Fresh Air child this summer,  contact Jeanne McNeill at (207) 844-0366, The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.

Artists’ residency applications

MONHEGAN — Applications are being accepted for the Monhegan Artists’ Residency for emerging Maine artists. In addition to two five-week residencies on Monhegan Island for Maine-based visual artists, the program is offering a new two-week residency for a Maine art teacher.

“Thanks to the generous support of donors and foundations, we are excited to be able to support three residencies for the first time,” said Susan Danly, chair of the program’s board of directors.

The application deadline for all three residencies is March 15. For guidelines, a history of the program and a list of past residents, visit monheganartistsresidency.org. Applicants will be notified by March 29.

The residency program provides living quarters, studio space and a $100 per week stipend. The 2013 residencies for emerging artists run June 1-July 5 and Aug. 31-Oct. 4. Only Maine residents are eligible to apply. The Maine art teacher residency runs July 6-20.

Quality of work is the primary criterion for selection. A jury of art professionals will select the 2013 artists.