Anyone know of  a  highschool aged very high academic achiever whose family is in the low income bracket? Ever heard of Quest Bridge? Their 20applications are being accepted  beginning in the middle of Feb. according to their site: that's in just a couple of weeks.

Quest Bridge is a national program that offers full scholarships at top notch colleges and universities to very high achieving low income students. Here is the main site:http://www.questbridge.org/Here is the link to the National College Match Program:http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/cps-college-prep-scholarship
They also have college prep programs:http://www.questbridge.org/about-questbridge/college-prep-scholarship

There is a parent and child play group at  Waterville High through the KV Tech program. Bonnie Brown is the director. This is her email address:bbrown@aos92.org

  and # is 873-0102, ext. 222

I just spoke to the director for specifics regarding the program. I personally attended the playgroup with my son when he was a toddler over 20 years ago and the director at that time is still there.
She sent me this email today.

"Parents and caregivers, with their children, any age, can come to playgroup. It is a lab experience for my high school students who are studying Early Childhood Education. Our classroom layout is primarily for preschool age because we run a licensed and NAEYC accredited preschool. But on playgroup days we put out toys safe for infants and toddlers.

There is no fee and no registration. We generally have a full house based on word-of-mouth recommendations. It is mostly "free play" with activities offered like sensory play, the easel, dramatic play, blocks, etc. We have a "circle time" for the last 10-15 minutes because it helps the children understand that the session is ending. During circle we do songs and easy active games".

There are brochures of area resources and general info (oral health, Child and Family Services, Parent Federation, etc.)"

They are open this morning( Today is Monday Jan 27th from 9-10:30.) The next dates are:

February 24

March 3 and 17

April 7 and 28

May 5 and 19

June 2 (final playgroup until next fall)

Anyone looking for no cost items either to acquire  or donate, in other words to get or give?Well Freecycle is a world side no money exchanges hands program to do just that.
Here's Waterville's Freesycle group:https://groups.freecycle.org/group/WatervilleMaineFreeCycle/posts/all

Here's  Augusta's  Freecycle group:https://groups.freecycle.org/group/freecycleaugustame/description
\and here's Skowhegan's Freecycle group:https://groups.freecycle.org/group/SkowheganME/posts/all

There is a $ 5.00 per session yoga class on Friday nights at School St Yoga in Waterville  on Fri evenings.from 5:30-6:45. http://www.schoolstreetyoga.com/Workshops.html#Mindfulness_Communications
The fee for this over time over course could prove to be costly. However, if attending just once in a blue moon, sort of speak of course is much less,  so I thought it was worth mentioning.

For anyone that is currently undergoing cancer treatments, there are  free yoga classes at School St Yoga in Waterville.Contact info is  at 207-330-1450 or by email. Scroll down the page for more info:http://www.schoolstreetyoga.com/Workshops.html#Mindfulness_Communications

 Anyone looking to join in or visit a meditation group?There is an ongoing free meditation group in Waterville on Wednesday nights from 7-8PM .Its in  the School St Yoga on School St in Waterville.  According to the a site,Its open to everyone regardless of  past meditation experience. Scroll down the page for more info: http://www.schoolstreetyoga.com/Workshops.html#Mindfulness_Communications

Free Clothing Store in Fairfield

Lambs Clothing Store at the First Baptist Church on Newhall St in Fairfield offers free clothes for all ages and a variety of sizes (money donations are accepted but never required).Lambs had a flood in basement issue but the the organizers hope  reopen back up on Tues Feb.2nd from 9-12 AM Maxine Scribner may be called at (207) 453-6841 just prior to  the 2nd to confirm the reopening date. Just called Maxine stated that it is espexted to open the first week opf March.

Lawrence Library in Fairfield has some great sounding programs for families.There's a weekly Story and Craft Time for Preschoolers held on Wednesdays from 10:15-10:45.
http://www.fairfieldme.com/library/index.php/calendar-of-events/Weekly+story-time/month/2014/01/15

There's also a Montessori Parenting Support Group on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM for any family whether their children attend Montessori or not!:
http://www.fairfieldme.com/library/index.php/calendar-of-events/montessori+parenting+support+group/month/2014/01/28