Parade of Lights returns after two-year hiatus

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Fairfield Police Officer Casey Dugas makes his way across the Waterville/Winslow Bridge during the Parade of Lights, on Saturday, November 26. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

by Amarinda Keys
Children’s Discovery Museum

After two years, the beloved Parade of Lights was back! This annual event has drawn thousands of families for many years and serves as a fun and festive kickoff to the holiday season. The Children’s Discovery Museum was excited to collaborate with the town of Winslow and the city Waterville to host this wonderful event. The museum is working to create a brand-new play space for Central Maine. While they anxiously wait to open the doors of their new location, they are excited to coordinate such a wonderful event for the community.

The 2022 Parade of Lights was held on Saturday, November 26. Floats assembled at the Winslow High School, traveled down Benton Avenue, crossed the bridge, traveled up Main Street, in Waterville, and dispersed at the Elm Street/College Avenue/Main Street crossing. Santa made his entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Floats included dancers from SP4D, a collection of Jeeps from Central Maine Jeep Owners, and fire trucks and police cruisers from local towns. This year’s parade included a panel of judges. The winning float was Living Water Community Church and their float featured The Chronicles of Narnia scene with characters. Runner-up was Hamlin’s Marine, with the most festively-lit boat the judges had ever seen. This year’s Grand Marshal, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, was a longtime volunteer and local martial arts instructor and photographer, Mark Huard.

As always, the parade also kicked off the Kringleville season, a long-standing holiday tradition that is now organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum. Santa will be visiting children in his house at Head of Falls each weekend from 1 – 4 p.m., leading up to Christmas. Many weekends feature free hot chocolate, giveaways and special activities thanks to local businesses and organizations. Every child who visited with Santa will leave with a book donated by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Marden’s. Families will also be offered the opportunity to purchase a photo with Santa, courtesy of Central Maine Photography. For more information about Kringleville, including updates for the 2022 year, please visit kringleville.org.

Members of the Stage Presence Dance team, in Winslow, led Santa Claus in to Winslow/Waterville during the Parade of Lights, on November 26. From left to right, Malyn Beaster, Dinah Lemelin, Emmy Carlson, Lizzie Schmitt, Lexi Reynolds, Hayden Gates, Haley Martin, Addie Blackstone, Ailie Rancourt-Smith, Nevaeh Mason, Autumn Sawyer, Brooklynn Ferreira, Addie Benavente and Jayda-Ray Atkinson. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

14-year-old Albion girl achieves hunting grand slam

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At the age of 8, Emily Peirce, of Albion, took an interest in hunting. Since then, she has harvested six deer prior to this year. She has applied for a moose permit in years passed and was lucky enough to be drawn this year. Since being drawn for her moose permit Emily decided to try for the hunting Grand Slam.

To start the season, Emily shot her bear in Upper Enchanted Township on September 16, weighing 87 pounds. September 21 she harvested two turkeys on family land in Albion. On October 15, the last day of her permit, she was able to shoot her moose in Zone 4 weighing 769 pounds with a 50 ¼-inch spread. With determination and support, she shot a 4-point buck weighing 156 pounds on November 10, to complete her Grand Slam and her personal goal for the 2022 season.

Her friends and family are incredibly proud, and Emily is overjoyed with her success.

EVENTS: Yummy, Ready-to-Be-Baked Turkey Pies Coming

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It’s one of Winslow’s most beloved holiday traditions! On Saturday, December 3, from 12 to 3 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering over 400 incredibly yummy, ready-to-be-baked turkey pies for curbside/drive-through pick-up. Cost is just $12 per pie, with all proceeds going to empower the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Freshly-prepared for baking and featuring an all-new crust recipe and a mouth-watering blend of turkey, peas, celery, carrots, onions, broth, and a pinch of sage, each turkey pie will be perfect for supper or for freezing for later winter comfort-food enjoyment.

Also available for your sweet tooth will be various delectable dessert pies, also available for $12 each, prepared by the members of Benton Falls Congregational Church and which will raise money for that church.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 872-2544.

Local church collects for Samaritans Purse

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Gift boxes filled by China Baptist Church

Last Sunday was collection day for the ‘shoebox ministry’ of Samaritans Purse. Individuals fill shoeboxes with gifts intended for a boy or girl, in a specific age group. Suggested items include school supplies, hygiene items, hair accessories, toys, etc. These are then distributed around the world to children in over 170 countries and territories.

The shoebox ministry began in 1993 as a way to support the war torn country of Bosnia. That year 28,000 boxes were sent to children in the Balkans. Last year more than 10.5 million boxes were collected and distributed. This year the China Baptist Church filled 29 boxes…a small part in a very big mission.

Owen Riddle achieves Eagle Scout

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Eagle Scout Owen Riddle, 14, of Sidney shows off the more than 70 merit badges he has earned in Scouting since joining in 2019. During Covid-19, many Scouting programs stopped meeting but many met virtually and Owen was able to meet with Merit Badge Counselors not only from around the country but as far away as Germany to complete some of the badges. To earn Eagle, a Scout must have earned 22 Merit Badges including 13 required for Eagle.

by Chuck Mahaleris

Owen Riddle, 14, of Sidney, received Scouting’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout rank, after earning more than 70 merit badges and completing a project for the Messalonskee Middle School where he attends school.

Family and friends from as far away as Pennsylvania gathered at the Augusta Elks Lodge on Saturday, November 12, to witness the ceremony. “I like challenges,” Owen said before receiving the Eagle rank. “Scouting is a lot of fun and I enjoy the program a lot.”

“By the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and pleasure to pronounce you an Eagle Scout,” announced Pittsfield Troop #428 Scoutmaster Shelley Connolly. Owen’s mother, Sarah Riddle, then pinned the Eagle Scout medal on his uniform shirt pocket flap. His father, David Riddle, swapped off Owen’s old neckerchief for the new Eagle Scout neckerchief.

Owen received his first rank in his Scout Troop, the Scout Rank, on May 17, 2019. During his Eagle ceremony, he was presented 10 Eagle Scout Palms – one for every five merit badges he has earned above the 22 necessary to attain the rank of Eagle. Other awards he has received in Scouting include the Messenger of Peace Award, the National Outdoor Achieve­ment Award for Camp­ing, the Tho­mas Edison Super Nova recognition, the National Outdoor Achieve­ment Award for Conser­vation, the World Conser­vation Award, and the 50th Anniversary Environ­mental Protection Award.

Eagle Scout Dr. Paul Buckthal, Owen’s grandfather, led his grandson and the other Eagle Scouts in the room in the Eagle Scout Charge. “When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, using the same words which are found at the end of the Declaration of Independence, you seal your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout.” Paul earned his Eagle in 1962 but said that the skills he learned in Scouting and the life lessons of the Eagle Scout rank have been prominent in his life ever since.

“The Eagle soars high and seeks to rest only upon the lofty peaks,” Scoutmaster Connelly said. “As an Eagle Scout, you too must soar high. You must not swerve from the path of duty. You must strive to obtain that which is highest and noblest in life.” His Eagle Scout project saw the construction of eight handicap accessible picnic tables at Messalonskee MIddle School.

After high school, Owen plans to attend medical school and become a doctor. “My life vision is to become an individual that can help others,” he said. “I always feel great about myself when I am helping others in need.”

EVENTS: Waterville Rotary Club launches annual charity auction

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The 59th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and unique items will once again be held on-line through BiddingOwl.com. If you would like more information about the online auction November 27 through December 3, 2022, please see our webpage for details: https://watervillerotary.com/. You may also actively bid and participate in the auction simply by visiting: www.biddingowl.com/auctions.cfmon. Bidding opens at 6 p.m. on November 27.

The Waterville Rotary Club hosts the auction each year in late November to benefit what Rotarians determine to be among the worthiest causes of the region. Every year, for more than half a century, this important community event has supported Rotary’s efforts to make a difference in our community.
Proceeds from our 2022 Rotary Online Auction will again go to support community programs and initiatives. Early childhood development and education help to ensure a bright future for our community’s most vulnerable and valuable asset, our children.

The goal is to support the construction of the new Children’s Discovery Museum and the development of a second natural play area at Educare Central Maine. Together, we can make a difference for the children served by both amazing organizations located in Waterville.

Rotary Club of Waterville thanks the business community for its support and contribution to the local community.

For more information about the Rotary, visit the website at watervillerotary.com.

Happy birthday to a dear friend

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Rena Harding, center

Rena Harding, of Albion, spent her 100th birthday on October 29, 2022, at home with family and friends.

Rena is the daughter of the late Lesley and Gertrude Bailey, of Palermo. Rena’s last sister, Natalie Coro, of Waterville, attended her party.

She has four children, Eugene, Athene, Sheldon and Neil as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Karen Noyes Moody made a beautiful birthday cake.

I have spent many good times at Rena’s home and I was treated so nicely; she calls me her “little girl”. She worked very hard through the years and I am so happy that she had a nice birthday. She deserves it.

I love you and wish you more birthdays.

Ruth Fuller
China Village

Skowhegan wins another field hockey state title

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Photo courtesy of Knightvision Photography

by Mark Huard

On Saturday, November 5, Skowhegan Area High School won its 20th field hockey state championship, defeating Cheverus High School, of Portland, at Messalonskee High School field, in Oakland.

It was a beautiful day with a great turnout for both schools. Each team went into the game undefeated with a 17-0 record. Cheverus had scored 138 goals and had five against and Skowhegan had scored 104 goals with four against. It was a matchup the state was eager to see. In 2021 Cheverus had defeated Skowhegan and a follow up game would certainly be exciting for the field hockey community.

Skowhegan scored early in the first quarter with a goal by Layla Conway assisted by Laney Leblanc. After Cheverus took the lead with two quick goals by sophomore standout Lucy Johnson. Skowhegan tied the score in the fourth quarter, and later took the lead, 3-2, also scoring two quick goals by Layla Conway, and assisted by Samantha Thebarge and Kate Kelso, respectively. Skowhegan held on to the lead for the remainder of the game.

Head Coach Paula Doughty attributed the win to solid training and commitment of her players and coaching staff. The assistant coaches Tammie Veinotte, Kim Leo, Fawn Haynie, Lizzie York and Megan Smith were instrumental in the team’s success. The summer and fall were spent readying for this tournaments and the hard work paid off.

Skowhegan entered this game by winning its 21st Northern Maine final in a row and 27 regional finals in the team’s history which is an accomplishment not matched in Maine. The team had battled a strong Oxford Hills team in the Northern Maine final to secure the spot in the final. This was Skowhegan’s 27th trip to the state game since 1991 and has a record of 20 state wins and 7 state losses.

The team believed in a quote by one of the team captains, Norie Tibbetts: “I know we lost last year, and I guess some could say we’re underdogs, but we’re still Skowhegan Field Hockey.”

Volunteers still needed for Festival of Trees

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Additional volunteers are still needed as the Alfond Youth & Community Center presents Family Festival of Trees again this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition begun by the Sukeforth family in 2015.

When you participate in this event, you are creating or continuing a fabulous holiday tradition. At the same time, the money you help raise supports our families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and reinforces workforce development projects in the region.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful holiday tree? Imagine over fifty trees and the beauty and creativity represented. This wonderful family tradition will be held at The Elm, 21 College Ave., Waterville from November 18-20 and November 25-27. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drawings for tree winners will begin on Sunday, November 27 at 5 p.m.

A daily 50/50 drawing will be held each day of the event, with the final 50/50 drawing held at 4 p.m. at the close of the event. You do not need to be present to win – winners will be contacted by phone each day.

The Family Festival of Trees will provide a magical experience the whole family can enjoy. Admission for ages 12 and over is just $2 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. Free children’s books will also be distributed, while supplies last. Purchase and drop your individual tree tickets (just .50 each) into the container of your favorite tree and you could go home at the end of the event with a beautifully decorated tree complete with all the gift cards and merchandise displayed. Only cash payments are accepted for the admission, tree tickets and 50/50 entries; however, an ATM is available on site.

Please join in this magical experience. Whether you visit to view the trees on display or are willing to volunteer some time to help staff the event, it will be time well-spent – and you will be helping support your community through your participation.

For more information about the festival, or to volunteer, go online to www.festivaloftreesmaine.com. If you would like to volunteer as a group, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Bonnie McBreairty, bmcbreairty@clubaycc.org.

EVENTS: Tea and Troubadour: A literary tea

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submitted by Lyn Rowden

Recycled Shakespeare Company is beginning their tenth season with their popular Literary Tea on Sunday, December 4, 2022, in the beautiful hall of the South Parish Congrega­tional Church, 9 Church Street, in Augusta.

A splendid tea party beginning at 2 p.m., is the setting for a delightful afternoon of poetry readings highlighted with songs old and new. An occasion to dress up and enjoy Recycled Shakespeare Company and Friends sharing the works of troubadours through the ages, this event makes a beautiful Sunday outing or a special holiday gift to remember.

The $25 per ticket includes tea, tidbits, dessert, favors, and supports RSC in its mission of providing free quality theater to Central Maine and beyond. There will also be an auction of special items to help RSC raise funds to build a much-needed storage unit.

Reservations are required. Seating is limited and sells out so please order tickets as soon as possible by calling Lyn at 314-4730 or Cathe at 612-6688.