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Friday, March 28, 2014
Volume 10 • Issue No. 13
Local Couple Creates Fundraiser for Autism By Maura Curley Special to Sentinel YORK When Greg and Christa welcomed their first child in December of 2010 they, like most new parents, didn’t know what to expect. Three years later they have learned more than they could have imagined, about parenting a child with a disability. The couple’s son Jackson, who turned three years old last December, was diagnosed with autism in October. Greg Silva says he and his wife noticed that Jackson was slow in his physical development, such as rolling over, crawling and walking. Then he wasn’t talking. The diagnosis, according to Silva, “took us back a little.” He says he and his wife were concerned about a hard life ahead for their son. But now they’re determined to help Jackson, as well as other children in Maine who have autism. Silva, who is the banquet manager at York Harbor Inn, and his wife Christa have organized a fundraiser April 2, from 5p.m. to
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Christa and Greg Silva with their son Jackson.
8p.m. in the ballroom of the inn to raise money for Maine Autism Alliance and Frasier Ford Development Center, where Jackson goes to school three hours a day, five days a week.
The event, according to Silva, will be like “a cocktail mixer for the family” with food stations serving gourmet pizzas for adults, and finger food for children. There will also be a
raffle, a silent auction of enviable prizes, a photo booth and DJ. The event coincides with the United Nation’s designation for April 2 as “World Autism Awareness Day”. During the month of April there is also a national initiative called: “Light It Up Blue” to create awareness about autism. Silva says many businesses and landmarks, such as the Empire State Building will be lighting up their structures with blue lights on April 2, as a demonstration of solidarity. The York Harbor Inn fundraiser will also celebrate the “Light It Up Blue” theme with blue lights. Silva says there will even be blue desserts at the buffet table, donated by Kate Design Delights in Kittery. Silva says he hopes the event will raise aware-
ness about autism, as well as money for the Maine’s autism organizations. He points out that Jackson is happy and doing well at the Frasier Ford Development Center, thanks in part to early intervention and the growing awareness of how to help people with autism. He says he and his wife, who is expecting their second child, hope to have Jackson able to enter first grade in pubic school. “That’s our goal”, he says. Silva observes his wife has been “amazing” in getting the right services for their son. He points out that one in 88 children in the United States have been diagnosed with autism, which is significantly more than See AUTISM page 24...
Learn More About Furry Parker Swanson named Friends at Pet Expo Maine Geographic Bee Semi-finalist
NORTH BERWICK Another Chance Animal Rescue will host Southern Maine’s finest animal rescues and local businesses at its first annual Pet Expo March 30 from 11a.m. to 3p.m. at the North Berwick Community Center on Lebanon Road in North Berwick. If you are looking for a new pet, a volunteer opportunity, or are interested in becoming a pet foster parent, this is the event for you. More than ten rescue and shelter operations will be participating, as well as vendors with the latest pet products. A series of pet experts will offer almost everything you need to know about pets. Curious about how a police K-9 works? Wondering how to humanely trap that feral cat in your yard? Want to know if you qualify for low cost spay/neutering services? Or maybe you are just seeking a new toy, home cooked food or homemade snack for your furry friend. Many businesses will be at the expo, just waiting to help you pamper your pet.
SOUTH BERWICK Parker Swanson, the son of Bradford and Jennifer Swanson and a fifth grade student at Marshwood Great Works School in South Berwick, has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2014 Maine Geographic Bee. Bees were held in schools
See BEE page 6...
Kiara Riley with new friend Alfie at Another Chance Animal Rescue in North Berwick.
“Wayne from Maine” will be entertaining children from 11a.m. to noon, and there will be a coloring and crafts corner for children, as well as refreshments and baked goods. The Pet Expo loves pets, but don’t take them to this event. Just bring them home a treat. For more information call Another Chance Animal Rescue at 207-490-2855.
Health & Fitness A section concerning your health... INSIDE:
with fourth through eighth grade students throughout the state to determine each school’s Geographic Bee winner. School level winners then took a qualifying test, which they submitted to the National Geographic Society. In each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia,
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Parker Swanson with his certificates of achievement.
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