Entries by Eric W. Austin

China resident recognized with prestigious Sages award

by Eric W. Austin Jodi Blackinton, a resident of China, is a recipient of the 2020 Sages of Clinical Services award by her employer Optum, UnitedHealthcare and United Group Clinicians. The award is given out to employees that have demonstrated their commitment to the values of Integrity, Compassion, building trust in Relationships, Innovation, and Performance. […]

China manager leaving town in good shape

by Eric W. Austin “Above all, I hope the people of China have an optimistic outlook about the future,” said Dennis Heath, who is resigning from his position as manager for the town of China this week. “With Becky [Hapgood] stepping up as town manager they have nothing to fear.” Heath was hired as China’s […]

Despite fewer volunteers, longer hours, local food pantries soldier on

by Eric W. Austin Pervasive in my discussions with local food pantries is a sense of profound gratefulness. “We have been receiving monetary and food donations from many residents,” says Vassalboro Food Station director Cindy Ferland. “The community support has been tremendous.” Food pantries in China, Winslow, Albion and Palermo expressed similar sentiments. “There are […]

The bird man of South China: 100 birdhouses or bust!

by Eric W. Austin “More than a billion birds have disappeared in recent years,” says South China resident Clinton Hayward, a local conservation activist who has established five chapters of Ducks Unlimited across Maine and has spent 70 years birdwatching and following the research on bird populations in North America. Hayward’s latest project is to […]