Winslow resident inducted into International Honor Society

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Saint Anselm College student Christine Quirion, of Winslow, a business major in the class of 2022, at the college, in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been accepted into the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration for the 2021-2022 academic year.

To be eligible for induction a business student must rank in the top 20% of their junior or senior class and must be invited by their chapter’s faculty officers.

St. Michael Parish donates over 5,000 Diapers

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St. Augustine Church in Augusta (photo by Eric Austin)

As part of an initiative for parishioners to learn, act, and pray on the life and dignity of the human person, St. Michael Parish, in Augusta, held a collection for items and financial assistance for the Open Arms Pregnancy Center, in Augusta, which offers encouragement and support to pregnant women and young families.

In total, the donation drive led to 5,381 diapers, nearly 300 large packages of wipes, an assortment of outfits and clothes, toys, new and slightly used pack n’ plays, bibs, rash ointments, and over $500 in cash. All of the proceeds have been delivered to Open Arms.

“This is almost a year’s worth of diapers and wipes,” said Pat Bonney, director of Open Arms. “I am so grateful to the parishioners. This is just a tremendous blessing to me and our clients.”

The initiative at St. Michael Parish also included a virtual session exploring the topic of upholding the dignity of human life from conception to natural death and will feature a special prayer service focused on the theme on Tuesday, June 28, at 7 p.m., at St. Mary Church, on 41 Western Avenue, in Augusta. All are welcome to gather at the service. For more information, contact the parish at (207) 623-8823.

For more details about the services and opportunities at Open Arms, visit www.openarmspc.org.

China Boy Scout earns Eagle Scout status

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Eagle Scout Kaiden Kelley

by Ron Emery

On Saturday, June 11, Troop #479, of China, honored an Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held for China resident Kaiden Sawyer Kelley, at the China Masonic Hall. Family, friends and Scouts attended the ceremony marking the advancement of this young man to the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Kaiden joins a group of Eagle Scouts who have completed community service projects with the help of fellow Scouts and other volunteers. Each Eagle candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile in his community.

Kaiden’s Eagle Project had two parts. The first part was the maintenance on a local park trail. Talbot Cemetery Trail within Thurston Park had a large tree removed that was covering the entrance of the trail. The path to the gravestone had the trailblazer refurbished and additional signage was added to the trail. The second part was visiting Maine State Parks and taking 360-degrees pictures. These images were compiled on the website MaineParks.org and are available for anyone who wishes to visit Maine State Parks from home.

Kaiden and his family created the Eagle Scout Ceremony and invited other members of Troop #479 to take part in this celebration. Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Bodine was asked to be moderator for the ceremony. Pastor Ronald Morrell, Sr., gave the invocation. Scouts Isaac Audette and Bryson Pettengill posted the colors.

Kennebec Valley District’s Membership Chair Chuck Mahaleris called the Eagle Court of Honor to Order.

Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Emery introduced the special guests. Chuck Mahaleris brought greetings from Senator Susan Collins and read a letter from her. Other letters of sentiment were received from U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, as well as many others.

Kaiden is the son of Kern and Michaela Kelley, of China, and will be a senior at Erskine Academy, and will graduate in 2023.

Read more stories about the Scouts here.

Central Maine to host U12 Major World Series for first time

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Games to be played at Purnell Wrigley, Waterville and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland
Former major leaguers to attend

For the first time ever, Maine hosts the Cal Ripken U12 Major 60 World Series right here in Waterville and Oakland. Twelve teams from across the United States play six pool play games per day from August 6 – 10, with playoff games, August 11 – 13. Games will be played at Purnell Wrigley, in Waterville, and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland.

Bill Green

Bill Green, Banquet Emcee

For 20 years, Green was host and executive producer of “Bill Green’s Maine.” Having retired from his 47-year television career in November 2019, Bill is an inductee to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame, and the Silver Circle of the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Ferguson Jenkins

Ferguson Jenkins
Guest Speaker, Opening Game Commentary Aug. 6

“Fergie” is an All Star Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox from 1965 to 1983. He was the first Canadian and Cubs pitcher to win a Cy Young Award.

 

Lou Pinella

Lou Pinella
World Series Game Commentary, Aug. 13

MLB Alumnus “Sweet Lou” played 16 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1969 and captured two World Series championships with the Yankees in ‘77 and ’78.

EVENTS: Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual membership meeting Thurs., July 21, 7 p.m. Palermo Consolidated School (2022)

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Sheepscot Lake Association will be hosting its Annual General Membership meeting on Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Rte 3. Please attend that evening to renew your membership, meet your neighbors, and discuss the programs that help keep the lake healthy. The Courtesy Boast Inspection Program, LakeSmart, Water Quality Testing, and the annual loon count are all important programs that need membership involvement to continue functioning. If you are not able to attend the meeting and would like to renew your membership, join SLA, or get involved in one of these programs, please email at sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com, or visit the website www.sheepscotlakeassocation.org.

EVENTS: Palermo library 2022 annual meeting slated

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Captain David Sulin in Civil War attire. (photo by Mrs. Sulin)

Learn about Palermo Soldiers’ role in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Palermo Community Library’s Annual Meeting.

The Palermo Community Library will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the annual meeting on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. The Palermo Historical Society joins the library in co-hosting our featured speaker, Captain Sulin, a member of Maine 20th Volunteer Infantry Company B reenactors. Captain Sulin will tell us about soldiers from Palermo and their role in the Battle of Gettysburg. He will also bring lots of artifacts and personal items from the Civil War.

Although the meeting starts at 2 p.m., Captain Sulin encourages the public to come as early as 1 p.m. to look at his large display and ask any questions you may have. Captain Sulin’s talk will serve as a nice lead-in to the Maine 20th reenactor’s Palermo Days encampment next to the Worthing House August 12, 13, and 14.

This is a public meeting and all are invited. Light refreshments will be served. The library is located at 2789 Route 3. For more information call 993-6088 or email palermomelibrary@gmail.com or visit www.palermo.lib.me.us.

Erskine Renaissance awards 2022

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Seniors of the trimester, from left to right, Larissa Haskell, Madison Lully, Jesse Cowing, and David Martinez-Gosselin. (contributed photo)

On Friday, June 10, 2022, Erskine Academy students and staff attended the final Renaissance Assembly of the year to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.

Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Aydan Desjardins, Kenneth Fredette, Morgan Miller, Austin Nicholas, Lilly Fredette, Zuriah Smith, Emma Jefferson, Isavel Lux Soc, Gabriella Berto-Blagdon, Sarah Praul, and Malcolm Martinez.

In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to four members of the senior class: Larissa Haskell, daughter of Tanya Haskell, of China; David Martinez-Gosselin, son of Louise McMillan, of Whitefield; Madison Lully, daughter of Janet and Kevin Lully, of China; and Jesse Cowing, son of Kirsten and Anthony Cowing, of Palermo. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.

Faculty of the trimester, from left to right, Colt Pierce and Shara MacDonald. (contributed photo)

In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, Faculty of the Trimester awards were also presented to Colt Pierce, maintenance, and Shara MacDonald, health educator.

Red Cross asks for donations

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The American Red Cross sees a pretty big decline in blood and platelet donations during holiday weeks – around 21 percent. When blood donations drop, so does the availability of blood products for hospital patients. Donors can help ensure blood is ready when needed by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks.

As a thank you for helping, all who come to give June 30-July 10 will receive an exclusive Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag, while supplies last.

Erskine Academy’s Paige Reed named America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022

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Paige Reed, front, surrounded by cheerleading coaches, from left to right, Tarsha Donar, Julie Wing and Amy Rau. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Amy Rau

Varsity Brands, the national driving force behind cheerleading’s transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, has named Erskine Academy senior Paige Reed America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022. The award program celebrates schools, organizations, and individuals that go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement, and community spirit, and carries with it a $3,000 cash prize.

Reed’s classmates voted her as “most school spirited” earlier in the year, recognizing her love for Erskine Academy and its community of students, faculty, and staff.

Reed, of Vassalboro, was nominated for Varsity Brands’ award by her cheerleading coaches Amy Rau and Julie Wing, and her school advisor Shara MacDonald. The nominators penned the required 500-word essay, solicited letters of recommendation, and gathered “spirited photos” of Reed in action.

On June 1, Reed joined other finalists from across the country for a virtual awards presentation, viewed by Rau, Wing, and MacDonald, who were anxiously awaiting results. The three fought back the tears when hearing Reed named Varsity Brands’ Most Spirited Student in America, and accepting the award on her behalf, as she could not accept it while recovering from a stem cell transplant as part of her battle with a second bout of leukemia. Early in the school year and following a 12-year remission, the Reed family and Erskine community were shocked yet united by the resurgence of leukemia affecting Paige. Subsequently, Reed endured several months of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and stem cell transplant with cells donated by her hero brother, Seth.

Paige and her journey, entitled Paige Power, became well known by the outpouring of support and good will through fundraisers, benefits, and gatherings, particularly within the cheerleading and basketball communities, all worthy yet bittersweet. “It is a welcome change to be in the news at this time to celebrate the positive for Paige,” said cheerleading coach and nominator Rau.

Paige is currently home from Boston and recovering well. Coach Wing was able to Facetime her about the award, and with the news, she was back to her sassy, fierce teenage self. The entire EA community cannot wait until she is well enough for visitors and when she returns to her friends and teachers in her special and favorite place, Erskine Academy.

Nathaniel Lombardi captures grand championship title

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Nathaniel Lombardi

by Mark Huard

Nathaniel Lombardi is a long time student of Huards Martial Arts. He has achieved a third degree black belt in karate and jujitsu at the school. Lombardi is no stranger to the competition scene, as a veteran member of the Huard’s Sport Karate Team. He has travelled throughout Maine and New England competing in weapons forms, open hand forms and fighting.

On Saturday, June 18, Lombardi traveled down to Gorham to attend the Friendship Tournament. This is only the third tournament Lombardi has attended since the pandemic, which ended the tournament seasons for two years. Local tournaments depend upon volunteer black belts to judge and guide the under belts, and Lombardi did his part by sitting as a corner judge prior to his own competition.

The first event for Lombardi was the weapons division. He picked up his trusty nunchucks and worked his way to fourth out of eleven competitors ages 18-29. He went on to improve his performance in his kata division, finishing third amongst the other highly trained martial artists.

Lombardi’s third division of the day was kumite, or point fighting. The objective of this division is to score five points first by landing a kick or a punch on their opponent to specific areas (light contact to the face, side of the head, chest, stomach and sides). Lombardi says prior to the event, he visualized throwing and landing his techniques on his opponents. This is a technique that helps attain focus and grounds competitors. The division was filled with many men that focus solely on this style of fighting and are extremely fast and agile.

Lombardi knew that he needed to bring his “A” game and win this division so he would have the opportunity to compete in the Grands. He had several fights in the 18-29 division, and managed to capture first in a couple of back and forth battles. He went on to compete with older age divisions and was able to capture the overall Men’s Fighting Grand Championships. He fought many veteran fighters who have competed for years, and have many tricks of the trade that they utilized against the younger Lombardi. He displayed his stamina and athleticism throughout the rounds, and came out victorious. Lombardi works out consistently in the dojo and additionally in the gym to always stay competition ready.

Lombardi credits his instructors and training partners at Huard’s for his successes and was pleased to demonstrate his skill sets to be a role model for the next generation of Martial artists.

He is also a first responder as an emergency medical technician. He works long hours and stills finds the time to devote to his training. Those that know Lombardi credit his discipline, integrity and commitment to himself and his team.