Annual Parade of Lights on tap for Friday

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Young elves participate in the annual parade last year.

The 13th annual Parade of Lights is scheduled for Friday, November 23, at 6 p.m., in downtown Waterville. The annual parade will assemble at Head of Falls, and travel down Main Street, and will continue to Castonguay Square where the giant spruce tree will be lighted for the holiday season.

Santa will arrive at Kringleville and get ready to welcome children leading up to Christmas.

The event is now under the stewardship of the Children’s Discovery Museum.

The parade takes place rain or shine.

Letters to the editor: Kudos to China voters

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To the editor:

Heath

The recent election was a great exercise of one of our most valuable rights as citizens, and the fact that 2,058 China residents (about 70 percent of registered voters) cast votes is very noteworthy. Of the three ballot questions approved, all three are being implemented.

Of the two ballot questions that were not adopted, I was particularly attentive that 1,241 votes were cast to preserve the Quorum Ordinance, which requires that at least four percent of the registered voters as of January 1 of each year must be present at a town meeting in order to conduct business.

As an optimistic person I am hopeful this indicates that participation will be different from recent history. Town staff expend considerable effort to ensure a quorum is present each year, but if residents are passionate enough to preserve the quorum requirement, I look forward to seeing all 1,241 of you who voted for the quorum requirement at my first town meeting in March 2019. That will be “Wicked Good!”

Dennis L. Heath
Town Manager

Community garden seeks seed money grant

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The Palermo Community Garden last summer. The group is seeking matching funds for a grant. (Contributed photo)

From November 15 to December 15, the Palermo Community Garden is seeking matching funds for a small grant to buy seeds, replace worn-out garden tools, procure organic soil nutrients, and generally upgrade the 22,000 sq. ft. garden that provides fresh produce for the Palermo Food Pantry. The Community Garden features 32 cedar log raised beds, raspberry and blackberry patches, and 18 kinds of perennial fruits and vegetables, including fiddlehead ferns. A spectacular grape arbor graces the north end of the Garden, which is a favorite place for holding all sorts of barbecues and celebrations.

Master Gardener Volunteer Connie Bellet cares for the gardens, with help from her husband, Phil White Hawk and occasional volunteers. “This is a ‘sweat-equity’ garden,” explains White Hawk. Anybody can come over and put in an hour of weeding and go home with all the produce their family can use. Bellet has planted some 140 varieties of edible vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit. “We try for at least one kind of exotic, weird, and colorful new plant every year, just to see if it will grow here,” she says. “We want people of all ages to come and join the fun!” Now, even with snow on the ground, everybody CAN jump in.

There’s not much time to do this, but please go to our donation page and donate whatever you can spare. “We are not trying to break the bank, but we do need your support, and we need it today, while you are thinking of it. Your timely donation is very important to us and highly appreciated. Thank you so very much for helping us meet our challenge of $800,” said Bellet. “All of us at the Palermo Community Center wish you and your family a holiday season of joy and abundance.”

Obituaries, Week of November 22, 2018

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ELEANOR B. POULIOT

WINSLOW – Eleanor B. Esancy Poulliot, 99, passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at Bedside Manor, in Oakland. Eleanor was born in Appleton on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1919.

She was the sixth child of Alice (Payson) and Herbert Esancy.

Her family moved to a farm on Lakeview Drive, in China, when she was ten years old. She attended Erskine Academy, in South China. Eleanor met Frederic J. Poulliot at Dowe’s Dance Pavilion, in South China. They were married September 21, 1935. They built a log home on the Wyman Road, in Winslow, where they lived and raised their family. They enjoyed 70 years together until Freddie’s death in January 2006. She lived in her home independently until shortly after her 98th birthday.

Eleanor worked in the spinning room of the American Woolen Mill, in North Vassalboro, for many years. She was very active in starting Winslow Football Boosters in 1957, while her three sons were playing. She worked on banquets for many years even after her sons graduated. She is the only person who has a Winslow “W” that didn’t participate in a sport to earn it. She was also active in music boosters and was a long-time supporter of Winslow High School and her grandchildren’s various activities. She liked snowmobiling with her children and grandchildren and was a member of the Fort Halifax Snowdrifters for many years. In her later years she welcomed company and the discussions that took place in her kitchen. There were always home baked goodies to share with coffee or tea. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her brothers, Clarence and Ralph Esancy; her sisters, Gertrude Ring, Hazel Fitzgerald, Doris Bumps-Newcomb, Evelyn Van Gemert, and Charlene Dyer; daughter-in-law, Judith Poulliot; and son-in-law, Laurier Bouchard.

Eleanor is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren: Norbert Poulliot, his daughter Jodi Leclair, husband Kenneth and their two children, Katherine and Joseph; his son Jeff Poulliot and his three children, Andrew, Nicholas, and Jocelyn; Milton Poulliot, wife Sylvia, their daughter Shelly Selwood, husband Joel and their two children, David and Carrie; their son Brian Poulliot, wife Kristy and their two daughters, Natalie and Ashley; Ronald Poulliot, wife Sandra, their sons Kevin Poulliot and Michael Poulliot, wife Lana, and their two sons Matthew and Christopher; and Sherril Bouchard, her three sons, Troy Bouchard, wife Brigette, and their three children Sebastian, Cedric, and Hattie; Scott Bouchard, wife Judi and their two children, Kelsea and Trenton; and Ryan Bouchard; many nieces, nephews, and one sister-in-law, Helen Z. Poulliot,of San Antonio, Texas.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901. An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfh.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

TABITHA L. LUCZKOWSKI

WINDSOR – Tabitha Lynn Luczkowski, 28, of Windsor, died unexpectedly Sunday November 4, 2018. She was born in Augusta on January 10, 1990, the daughter of Joseph Luczkowski Sr. and Tamara Schriver.

Tabitha attended local schools and graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield. Following graduation she got her certification as a CRMA and began working in the home healthcare field.

She was known as a hard worker, loving, caring, and genuine person. Tabitha would walk into any room and the room would brighten up, kids loved her.

Tabitha was predeceased by her grandparents, Dora and Robert Dolan, Paul Schriver, Mary Work, Michael Luczkowski Sr., Phillip Tame; an uncle, Todd Schriver.

She is survived by her parents, Tamara Schriver, of Windsor, and Joseph Luczkowski Sr., of Augusta; a daughter, Vada Luczkowski, of Windsor; three brothers, Anthony Luczkowski, of Windsor, Adam Schriver, of Augusta, Joseph Luczkowski, Jr., of Indiana; two sisters, Leah Cheney, of New Gloucester, Hannah Stayley, of Washington State; two uncles, Donald Work, of Westbrook, Michael Luczkowski, Jr., of Litchfield.

Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Tamara Schriver, 16 Barry Lane, Windsor, ME 04363.

MADELAINE BAUM

BENTON — Madelaine Baum, of Benton, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2018. Madelaine was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1934. She grew up in the Bitterroot Valley, in Montana, where she met and married Ralph Baum. They moved to Washington state, where they had a family of six boys.

After rearing her children, Madelaine started several small businesses, all of which were successful — a word processing firm and a chain of consignment shops in Seattle, Washington, a commercial kitchen serving Hanford Nuclear Works in Richmond, Washington, and an estate sale business.

Upon moving to Maine in 2007, Madelaine was hired at Redington-Fairview Hospital, in Skowhegan, where she not only worked but also made many friends. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and continued working past her 80th birthday.

Madelaine had many interests and developed many skills. She played the piano and autoharp, bred show canaries, hooked rugs, crocheted bedspreads, tablecloths and doilies, and crafted Victorian lampshades. She had a flair for home decorating, using many items she created. During her spare time, she was an avid reader and could often be found with a book in her hands.

Madelaine was predeceased by her son David; and her sisters Eva and Lillian.

She is survived by her sister Frances Avery of Arvada, Colorado; her sons Lawrence, Stephen, Alan, Ken, and Carl; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

STEPHEN SOUTHWICK

ALBION — Stephen Southwick, 47, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2018.

He is survived by his parents; his wife, Diana; his son, Paul; his daughter, Sarah; and his brothers.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfh.com. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in his memory be made to Albion Christian Church or: The Jerusalem Prayer Team.

ELDORA STRICKLAND

WINSLOW — Eldora (Dolly) Strickland, of Winslow, passed quietly on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, following a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to a dairy farm in Monroe with her parents when she was a toddler.

Eldora was the second born of seven children to Octave Lavway and Lucille (Roberts) Lavway.

Eldora graduated as valedictorian from Monroe High School and was awarded a bachelor of science degree in business education from Husson College, in Bangor. She taught business education at the high school level for over 30 years at Belgrade Center School, in Belgrade, Williams High School, in Oakland, and Messalonskee High School, in Oakland. She served as acting head of her department at Messalonskee High School and retired from teaching in 1989 due to health issues.

Eldora enjoyed knitting, embroidery, reading and attending plays at Lakewood Theatre, in Madison, and Monmouth Theater, in Monmouth. Her favorite subject matter was history, particularly English history. She was also a member of the Maine Teacher’s Association.

Eldora earned respect and admiration from everyone she met and will be remembered with gratitude by acquaintances, family, and students alike.

She was predeceased by her parents; two sisters, Virginia and Gloria, two brothers, Vincent and Arthur; and a daughter Jean. She is survived by two sisters, Theresa Abbott and Janette Prescott; a daughter, Elizabeth and her companion Robert; two grandsons, Ashley Cully-Strickland, Kyle Boucher and his spouse Darcy; and a great-grandchild, Kylie-Jean.

Arrangements were under the direction of Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast.

MICHAEL O’BRIEN

SOUTH CHINA — Michael O’Brien, 62, died Monday Nov. 12, 2018, following a battle with cancer. He was born in Wilmington, Massachusetts, on July 6, 1956, the first son to the late Neil and Jeanne (Beliveau) O’Brien.

People liked Mike’s mischievous ways and his ability to always come out like a shining star. As a youngster he loved dogs which continued on throughout his life. He played little league in Wilmington, Massachusetts, which started his love of sports. He loved supporting his two sons through their school years watching them play sports as well as coaching and umpiring. As they grew older his entire family benefited from his love of the outdoors: hunting, fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and four wheeling. He loved to teach his boys which had a ripple effect on his entire family.

Mike was a graduate of Belfast High School in 1974. He attended Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, and went on to become a merchant marine. After shipping out for a number of years, he thought it would be better to stay home with his family and went on to start his own business called O’Brien Oil and Propane which he operated, in South China, for 29 years. Through all of his success he never lost sight of the less fortunate, he was a very compassionate and giving person.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy O’Brien, of South China ,who he affectionately called Jude; two sons, Christopher Michael O’Brien and his fiancé Krystina Foote; grandchild, Paisley Ann Marie O’Brien, or as Mike called her “Pumpkin” of South China; his second son Benjamin Daniel O’Brien, of Windsor; five siblings, Kathleen Weber and her husband Bill, of Englewood Florida, Donna O’Brien, of Belmont, Daniel O’Brien and his wife Tammy, of Searsmont, Judy Douglas and her husband Scott, of Frenchtown, Montana, and Patricia Cole and her husband Victor, of Tenants Harbor. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arrangement was under the direction of Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd, Rt. 32, Windsor.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the: Alfond Cancer Center or to any Humane Society

BARBARA L. HAMMOND

VASSALBORO — Barbara L. Hammond, 81, of Main Street, died Monday, November 12, 2018, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, in Scarborough, following a brief illness. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 4, 1937, the daughter of Richard L. Kent and Beatrice (MacDonald) Kent.

Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Hammond was employed as a customer service representative by L.L. Bean for many years.

Her husband, Charles B. Hammond, died on November 12, 2015. She was also predeceased by a son, Craig Hammond; and a daughter, Heather Mayo.

Surviving are five sons: Chris Hammond and Kerry Hammond, both of Milton, New Hampshire, Brian Hammond, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jimmy Hammond, of Vassalboro, and Scott Hammond, of Tampa, Florida; two daughters, Amy L. Hodgson, of Somersworth, N.H., and Lisa Dore of New Durham, New Hampshire; two sisters, Constance Allison, of Hudson, Massachusetts, and Carol Sanborn, of Shrewsbury, Mass.; two brothers, Alan Kent of Sutton, Massachusetts, and Richard Kent, of Worcester, Massachusetts; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

MANLEY O. GOWER

BENTON – Manley Orrin Gower, 88, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at Glenridge Nursing Home, in Augusta. He was born January 9, 1930, in Skowhegan, the son of Lloyd Vernon and Vivian Emily (Corson) Gower.

He was educated in the schools of Skowhegan and graduated from Skowhegan Area High School in 1948. He was a self-employed owner/operator of Manley O. Gower Excavation from 1963 until his retirement in 1985.

He loved to go to camp on Chase Hill and enjoyed hunting and 4-wheeling.

Manley is survived by his son, Ricky A. Gower and fiance Sherri Bearden, of Benton; two daughters, Deborah Wheeler and husband Jerry of Clinton and Rebecca Dixon and husband Douglas, of Benton; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by Jean, his wife of 49 years.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Manley’s memory to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

OTHERS DEPARTED

KENNETH E. WIL­LIAM­­SON, 70, of Fort Pierce, Florida, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2018, following a unexpected illness. Locally, he is survived by daughters Wendy Lee and husband Wayne, of China, and Laurie Roeske and husband Donald, of Clinton; sisters Della Foss and Shiela Bourget, of Clinton, Rose Jenness, of Vassalboro, and Sylvia Glidden, of Waterville.

China for a Lifetime kicks off volunteer initiative

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More than two dozen residents turned out to hear about volunteering in China. (Photos by Eric Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

The China for a Lifetime Committee held a public meeting on Saturday, November 17, at the China Lake Camp and Conference Center to launch a volunteer initiative as part of their mission to improve the lives of residents through community activism.

The committee had identified 18 areas where volunteers can help to make the community better and support our most vulnerable citizens. Those areas included: drivers, home repair, shopping, shut-in check-ins, snow shoveling and firewood help for disabled and elderly residents, volunteers for litter clean-up, tutoring/mentoring, substance abuse support, help with the “free” building at the transfer station, a welcome wagon team to greet new residents, a fire department maintenance team, volunteers for the China and South China libraries, a phone tree for getting the word out about important announcements, and help with the China School Forest.

The committee is also looking for volunteer coordinators to help organize tasks and volunteers. Sign-up sheets for each category were available at the meeting on Saturday for people to express their interest in working on one of these initiatives.

Twenty-nine people from China attended the event and spoke about the needs and opportunities for volunteering in the China area.

Christopher Hahn, chairman of China for a Lifetime Committee, addresses residents who attended the meeting.

Christopher Hahn, chairman for the China for a Lifetime Committee, spoke about the mission of the committee to promote community activism, and encouraged everyone to join the “Friends of China, Maine” Facebook group, which has been setup by the committee to facilitate communication between residents.

Lois Rogers and Jodi Blackinton, representing the China Food Pantry, spoke about the need for volunteers to help at the pantry, particularly between the hours of 9:30-10:30 a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, when boxes of food are carried in. The China Food Pantry serves around 75 families a week, and gave out nearly 60 turkeys to needy families this Thanksgiving.

Anita Smith, representing the China School Forest, spoke about the need for help maintaining the forest trails and emphasized that, despite its name, the China School Forest is owned by the town, not the school district. After storms they often have fallen trees that need to be cleared.

Jenny Claire spoke up about the need for a local support group for parents of disabled children. This is a particular need for parents of older children who no longer benefit from the support they receive as part of the public school system.

China Town Manager Dennis Heath spoke about the improvements made recently to the town office website, including a new calendar feature, listing town committee meetings, and a new service they’ve implemented which provides live video streaming for active meetings. It is his intention that all meetings in the central conference room will be recorded and stored for future reference. An archive of recorded meetings can be found by going to the town website and clicking on “Live Stream” in the menu on the left-hand side of the homepage.

Heath also mentioned that he sees a need in the community for free financial management counseling for some residents. The CFAL committee will add that to their list of volunteer opportunities.

Finally, Rick Hansen, Camp Director for the China Conference Center, spoke about the role he hopes the conference center can play in the community. Currently, the center hosts a Healthy Heart Walking program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7-10 a.m. in the gymnasium.

The China for a Lifetime Committee meets the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the town office. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m. Residents of China are welcome to attend.

The committee is still looking for volunteers and if you would like to help, please email your contact information (name & phone number), along with the volunteer category you are interested in, to the committee at ChinaforaLifetime@gmail.com.

Manager directed to continue talks with CMP over LED street lighting

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by Mary Grow

For the second meeting in a row, Vassalboro selectmen were able to take care of one of the recurring items on their agenda, leaving others for future discussion (see The Town Line, Nov. 8).

After analyzing options for switching to LED streetlights, board members unanimously directed Town Manager Mary Sabins to continue conversations with Central Maine Power Company about converting the lights without changing companies. Other companies offer LED conversions, and Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus said Vassalboro could have asked for bids. However, dealing with another company would require buying the lights from CMP and would make maintenance a town responsibility.

Left to be re-discussed at one or more future meetings were the police chief’s job description, emergency services dispatching, possible acquisition of the Riverside fire station and renewal of Vassalboro’s cable franchise.

The job description for the police chief, currently Mark Brown, has become increasingly controversial, with Selectman John Melrose focused on the reality of a 15-hour-a-week policeman having limited time and therefore, he recommends, limited duties and others, including Brown, preferring more flexibility.

Brown and Sabins prepared a draft description that Brown defends and Melrose wants changed. Titus said he could accept either version.

For example, Melrose does not want Brown to spend time on traffic duty, which he envisions as sitting by the roadside waiting for speeders. Selectman Robert Browne wants Brown to be able to respond to residents’ complaints about persistent speeding on certain roads. First Responder Peter Allen added that there have been complaints on social media about vehicles passing stopped school buses; he doesn’t think state police or sheriff’s deputies have time to trail buses.

Melrose also wants court appearances deleted from the job description. Sometimes, people pointed out, the local police officer has to go to court.

The discussion ended with suggestions about dividing the draft document into a mission statement, a policy statement and a job description before presenting it to a future meeting.

Selectmen sought information on the future of emergency services dispatching from Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason and Cliff Welles, head of the state’s Regional Communications Center (RCC) in Augusta. As of June 30, 2019, Welles said, the RCC will discontinue dispatching law enforcement personnel, although it will continue to serve area fire departments and rescue units.

Mason said the sheriff’s office has two options. He could help support an expansion of the city of Augusta’s dispatch center, which now serves Augusta and Hallowell, and contract to use its services; or he could invest in equipment and personnel to set up a KSO communications center, but only if every area town on a list he compiled joins. In addition to a communications center, Vassalboro and other municipalities need a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) where 911 calls are answered and referred to the appropriate center.

Vassalboro selectmen did not attempt to decide what to do. Whatever they choose, Titus concluded, will be more expensive than the current system.

The Riverside fire station belongs to the Riverside Hose Company, which firefighter Mike Vashon said exists only on paper, under a deed that says the land reverts to the prior owner if it is not used by the fire department. Town officials have said the prior owner is probably long dead and his or her heirs are unknown.

Selectmen are considering asking voters to buy the property and lease it back to the fire department. Vashon said firefighters attending the department meeting earlier in the week voted unanimously in favor, and further authorized having the property boundaries surveyed. Rowe and Wendell, of Waterville, will do the survey at an expected cost of $1,500 to $2,000, he said. Selectmen agreed the cable franchise renewal process seems to be confusing. Sabins said she is waiting for a reply to queries. Vassalboro’s current contract expires in March 2019.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Dec. 6, a gap of three weeks instead of the usual two weeks.

Give us your best shot! Week of November 22, 2018

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To submit a photo for The Town Line’s “Give Us Your Best Shot!” section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@fairpoint.net!

TRIPLE PLAY: Joe and Adele Suga, of Vassalboro, spotted these moose in Ragged Stream recently.

 

EARLY WINTER: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, snapped these blue jays appearing to feel the late fall cold weather.

 

RARE SIGHTING: Seeing one pileated woodpecker is a treat, but Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, photographed two, a sure rarity.

Thanksgiving: a time for reflection, giving thanks

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by Gary Kennedy

Well, it’s that time of year, again. I am sure most of us don’t give Thanksgiving much thought. It happens every year and we tend to do the same things for each and every one of them. Generally, we join family and friends, those we love and care. It’s generally a time of joy and well being. It’s a time of sharing those tasty treats that we all believe are better than anyone else’s. Of course, all present will compliment and state that they have never tasted better. Secretly, they will say, “It’s good but mine is a little better. Oh well, that is just part of our competitive nature, no harm intended.

Lately, being an international volunteer, I have been giving a lot of thought to the word, “Thanksgiving.” Was the word intended that way or was it intended to actually be two words, Thanks and Giving? What we do know is that it was a pilgrim thing and became synonymous with the meal of the time, turkey. It has become more evident as of late why that happened. The little critters have been reintroduced to Maine and have become extremely prolific. They are everywhere, it seems. Soon they will be eating out of your hand. There are mixed reports on how they taste.

Anyway, that being said, let’s get back to the word Thanksgiving. It seems it’s a word saying thank you and a word suggesting giving. It seems to me it should be GivingThanks Day. In any case, what does it mean to you? It seems to be indigenous of the United States with origins in the original colonies; or is it? Can you imagine how tough the times were back then? They had drafty log cabins, open wood fires, handmade clothes and food was very hard to come by. Still, they created Thanksgiving Day, a day of reflection, thanks to the Creator and for what little they had. It was a time of celebration with family, friends and neighbors. It was a time of collective participation and the sharing of the foods that they had available at that time.

Well, times have changed and the population is far greater than those times. However, has the spirit of this great holiday been diminished? If so, then it is time we got back on track and remember what we have been given and also be aware that even in this day and age there is still the drafty cabin and lack of food among us.

Take time during this holiday season to think of others. Make your holiday a great one in the knowledge that you have made someone else happy. Find a way to give to some family you don’t even know. Doesn’t just the thought bring a smile to your face?

As we know Thanksgiving here had its ups and downs. President George Washington was in favor of the holiday, but later, President Thomas Jefferson eliminated it during his time in office. He felt that public demonstrations of piety to a higher power, like that celebrated at Thanksgiving, were inappropriate in a nation based in part on the separation of church and state. Subsequent presidents agreed with him. In fact, no official Thanksgiving proclamation was issued by any president from 1815, until October 3, 1863, when Lincoln took the opportunity to thank the Union Army and God for a shift in the country’s fortunes. In the meantime, the concept continued in the hearts of many, and was continued on a personal level. Later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a legal holiday, on the fourth Thursday of November.

Actually, one of the first Thanksgivings for us was held in Virginia in 1620 and later in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Native American tribes such as the Wampanoag. There were 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrim at the Virginia event. There were originally 102 Pilgrims that landed on Plymouth Rock by mistake, intending to join with the settlement in Virginia. However, they stayed and more than half died during the first winter. The second year, with successful crops and the help of the the Native Americans, they prospered, and began the official Thanksgiving that we know. Remember this event was giving thanks to God for all his blessings.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some religious information here. In John 10:22, Jesus Christ was present at a Jewish celebration feast of dedication which was a Thanksgiving of the purification of the temple. Thanksgiving Day is a day that is set aside for the enjoyment of family and friends while at the same time thanking God for the blessings of his bounty. King David wrote in Psalms, “Let us come before his presence with Thanksgiving.” Verses you could review are: Psalms 95:3, 100:4, 107:1, 8-9;  also Phil. 4:6 and Eph. 5:20. These are some of the many ancient religious citations pertaining to our Thanksgiving. I use the word OUR as there are several Thanksgiving events of not only religious but also Pagan origins. I mention the above citations so that we can remember other true reasons why we use the term Thanksgiving. I personally, firmly believe that forgetting this would be a very costly mistake.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us but don’t forget to give praise and thanks for all we have and enjoy. Always realize during festive occasions of celebration that some of us have more than others. Believe me, sharing with others who have less than you will bring you and yours joy, great happiness and blessings. Happy Thanksgiving, and please be safe.

2018 Winslow boys U13 travel soccer team

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Members of the Winslow boys U13 travel soccer team include, front row, from left to right, Coach Mike Parks, Noah Hurd, Jacob Owen, William Alger, Cooper Blakley, Tyler Nadeau, Jacob Genest and Coach Jesse Beckwith. Back, Coach Paul Vicneire, Andrew Beckwith, Cole Fortin, Luke Parks, Joey Richards, Ryan Parks, Lucas Vicneire, Matt Reynolds, Chris Wastella, David Doughty, Grayson Podey, Brady Willette, and Head Coach Wayne Doughty. (Photo by Tawni Livel, Central Maine Photography staff)

Mid-Maine Dolphins make a splash!

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From left to right, Olivia Roy, Sarah McNeil, Emma Farnham and Elyse St. Pierre. (Contributed photo)

Saturday, October 27, opened the YMCA’s swim season with the “Spooktacular” swim meet held at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, in Rockport. Bolstered by new coaches filled with passion and high hopes, the Alfond Youth Center’s Mid-Maine Dolphins Swim Club flew off the starting blocks and into the water.

The Dolphins held a commanding presence with first place finishes in multiple individual events; including athletes: Jadyn Arnold (100 freestyle, 100 backstroke), Ebba Heaton-Jones (50 and 100 freestyle), Emma Farnham (100 backstroke), Leah Shoulta (100 backstroke), Edmond Couture (100 freestyle), Eric Booth (200 IM), and many more. Over half the team was within seconds of beating their personal best event times and a handful of swimmers succeeded in surpassing their previous bests. The team’s goal is to use this early momentum to rush toward the head of the pack this swim season. With the coaches’ teaching methods based on “Positive reinforcement and fun,” the club swimmers are ready to achieve that goal.

The Mid-Maine Dolphins are led by the coaching trio of new head coach Kyle Bauer, returning associate head coach Sara Rushton and new assistant coach Colin Vidas. The Mid-Maine Dolphins are still hosting tryouts; please contact the Alfond Youth Center (126 North St., Waterville, ME) at 207-873-0684 and visit online at www.clubayc.org to setup a time to meet with the MMD coaches.