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Friday, May 2, 2014
Volume 10 • issue No. 18
Morrissette and Grahamtastic Put VGo Robots in Classrooms
Community Spotlight
By Joyce Amend Staff Writer YORK COUNTY Children who are seriously ill are often isolated from friends and are unable to attend school. Fortunately, technology is now able to serve as a crucial link that can connect these children with the outside world. The Grahamtastic Connection, founded by Leslie Morrissette of Springvale, Maine, began in honor of her son Graham, who sadly lost his battle to cancer in 1997 at age 8. As a result, Leslie became keenly aware of a great need for children and families to access the internet as a learning tool. It was this need that inspired her to create a program that provides free laptop computers and tablets
Leslie Morrissette with VGo
to seriously ill children for educational purposes. The program has grown, providing computers to more than 150 recipients a year, with the tools and support needed to connect children with teachers, friends and medical staff. Grahamtastic has donated 800 computers to help toward their mission of educating children with medical needs. Recently Grahamtastic has engaged the use of a new robotic device throughout Maine and the region called the VGo. The first VGo robot owned by Gra-
hamtastic, was generously donated by Ira Rosenberg, owner of Prime Motor Group in Saco. VGo is 100% remote controlled, enabling a child who is medically unable to attend school, to replicate himself in a distant location. The VGo gives the child the ability to move around a school as if they were actually, physically there. “Tutors in the home can cost school districts tens of thousands of dollars, and often those costs are unanSee ROBOTS page 4...
Fogwell Gears Up for Diabetes Cure By Joyce Amend Staff Writer KeNNeBUNK On June 8, Brandon Fogwell will ride his bike once again to participate in the Tour de Cure for diabetes. He has been cycling in this event for the past
Index
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12 years. Last year he raised over $25,000 and was named the top fundraiser for the Kennebunk Tour. This year, he expects to raise another $25,000, and already has donations totaling $20,113.43! “The funds I raise will be used in the fight to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. It’s a way I can contribute to the community. It’s something I know I can do and hope that someday it will be cured.” The event will start at
Wells Reserve at Laudholm, 343 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells. Fogwell is motivated to ride this race for very personal reasons. His grandfather passed away from diabetes and his uncle and niece are currently battling the disease. He sets his fund-raising goals high, so one day there will be a cure for diabetes, and his uncle and niece will be free of this disease. “Right now, every day they struggle See FOGWELL page 10...
Taste of the Seacoast This Weekend eLiOT Grab a plate, tie on a bib, and immerse yourself in the cu-
linary delights of over twentyfive local restaurants for the Altrusa Club of the Seacoast’s
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second annual Taste of the Seacoast fundraiser. In addition to a fabulous food fest, other events to enjoy include a live auction, chances for beautiful and bountiful gift baskets, gift certificates for a variety of wonderful items graciously donated by Seacoast area businesses, and tickets for a money tree raffle. All activities will take place on Sunday, May 4, from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Regatta Banquet and Conference Center, Eliot Commons, 28 Levesque
Dr. (Rte 236), Eliot, (five minutes from Portsmouth). The Altrusa Club of the Seacoast is part of the International Altrusa Club - a non-profit service organization celebrating 74 years of dedicated community service. The mission of the local Altrusa Club is to provide help and support in the surrounding communities through a combination of hands-on projects and fundraising efforts for a variety of causes - including the Birchtree Center for Autistic See TASTE page 30...
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Sun Rise Sun Set Sat
Brandon Fog well smiles as he pledges to support Diabetes; Cyclists riding in 2013 Tour de Cure
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