Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Maine Awards $85,205 To Maine Organizations

BANGOR—

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Maine recently announced that it has awarded grant funding totaling $85,205 to seven Maine non-profit organizations. This brings the total grants awarded by RMCH of Maine in 2011 to $175,354.

RMHC of Maine is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help Maine children and their families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. While the Portland and Bangor Ronald McDonald Houses® are the cornerstones of the Charities, RMHC of Maine’s support goes far beyond the Houses. Since it’s founding in 1989, RMHC of Maine has awarded more than $1.7 million in charitable grants to not-for-profit programs that positively impact families and children across Maine.

In September and October 2011, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine awarded funding to the following organizations: Boys and Girls Club/YMCA in Waterville, Jobs for Maine Graduates, Healthy Kids in Damariscotta, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine in Portland, A Company of Girls in Portland, the Girls Scouts of Maine and Youth Alternatives Ingraham in South Portland.

RMHC of Maine is funded in part by McDonald’s® customers who generously make donations in the canisters found at every McDonald’s drive-thru and service counter. McDonald’s restaurants across Maine hold annual events to raise money for RMHC such as the ‘Hands’ fundraiser in the fall and the Maine McDonald’s All-Star Basketball Games in March. In addition, a portion of the sale of every McDonald’s Happy Meal® supports RMHC.

Ever Wondered Where The “Bowl” in Super Bowl Came From?

In North America, college football teams compete in a series of post-season games called "bowls." In fact, this coming weekend will see the nation’s “bowl,” as the Giants play the Patriots in Indianapolis. The term has become synonymous with post-regular season football. Many may wonder where the term "bowl" originated and other interesting facts about football bowls. It may also be a nice tension-breaker for when your Patriots and Giants fans come to a head during Sunday’s game.

Football's bowls can be traced back to the early 1920s, when the collegiate football postseason would be one game. In 1923, the postseason game was moved to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It wasn't until 10 years later that another large postseason game was held, this time in Miami, Florida. In order to capitalize on the popularity of the Rose Bowl, the Miami organizers called their game the Orange Bowl. Since then, numerous bowl games are held annually all over the country.

Prior to 2002, bowl games were not included in a player's season-long statistics. Today there are 35 bowl games played by collegiate teams, and even a rather popular one in the National Football League for professionals. The Super Bowl is one of the world's most popular sporting events and determines the NFL champion each year.

Other bowl games are not part of the postseason, but simply are games that promote the rivalry between two opposing teams. These include the Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl and Steel Bowl, among others.

Across North America, bowl games are very popular. Canadians also get in on the action. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) plays two semi-final "bowl" games, including the Uteck Bowl, played by the Atlantic Division Champion and the champion from another division. The Mitchell Bowl is played at the westernmost team's venue participating in the semifinals.

The origins of the term “bowl” notwithstanding, this weekend’s game is sure to bring with it quite the multitude of “bowl”-overs.

Jesse Mills Receives Maine Principal’s Award

WELLS—

Wells High School has announced that Jesse N. Mills has been selected to receive the Maine Principal’s Award for 2012. This award is sponsored by the Maine Principal’s Association, and recognizes Maine high school seniors with high academic achievement and good citizenship.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Mills about receiving notice of this award in the mail on January 20. “I opened it and I was really excited that I was chosen for it,” added Mills who has applied for admission to several colleges but remains undecided as to a major.

“Jesse has played an important role at Wells High School for the past four years,” read a statement from the Principal’s office on why Mills was picked. “He has been an outstanding role model and a high achiever.”

The statement later adds, “Jesse is a well-rounded student that has taken advantage of the optimal opportunities at Wells High School. Jesse is truly deserving of this award for both his academic accomplishments as well as his citizenship.”

Like other seniors picked to receive the Maine Principal’s Award, Mills is invited to a luncheon on April 7 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor. MPA winners will gather there to receive a plaque and a pin. In addition, five attendees will be picked to receive a $1,000 McGowan Scholarship in honor of former MPA Director Horace O. McGowan.

Academically, Mills has successfully taken numerous AP courses in his high school career and has not shied away from taking the ‘honors challenge’ afforded students in core courses at WHS.

Like many other students, Mills has also completed several college level courses by participating in a dual enrollment program between York County Community College and WHS.

Mills has demonstrated leadership and math skills on the WHS Math Team where he won several awards for his contributions. Jesse Mills is the son of Wesley J. Mills and Cheryl Dearman Mills of Wells.

This article provided by Reg Bennett.

Photo Caption: Jesse Mills of Wells High School recently received the 2012 Maine Principal’s Award. (Photo courtesy of Reg Bennett)