Volunteers firefighters to hold Picnic in Palermo

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Photo: Palermo VFD Facebook

The Palermo Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) will be holding a fundraiser on Sunday, August 22, from noon – 4 p.m., in the Branch Mills Village field opposite the old Dowe General Store (2 N. Palermo Rd). You invited to join in fellowship and see old friends, welcome new residents, celebrate the community, and raise important funds.

The VFD will be grilling local burgers and hot dogs, from Haskell & Daughter Beef, with veggies and sides from Wild Miller Farm. Tickets are $10 ($12 on the day of the event) and available at the Palermo Town Office, Community Library and Tobey’s Grocery. Volunteers who would like to assist or participate in the event should contact Will Armstrong (armstrongpalermo@gmail.com or 993-5016).

The picnic will feature a controlled burn and the return of the VFD’s Engine No. 4! They will host Palermo authors Gary Dyer (Apple Pie and Sharp Cheese) and Jeanette Scates (the upcoming There Wasn’t Always Peace in the Valley). The VFD is delighted to have support from other Palermo organizations, including the Branch Mills Grange, the Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post #163 and Auxiliary, the Palermo Community Library, and more.

They will have metal folding chair seating and some lawn games on hand, but, you are invited to bring your own of each.

Disabled parking is available on-site and village parking is nearby.

Prize Vegetable Contest & Children’s Best-Decorated Fruit or Vegetable Award

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Branch Mills Grange #336. (photo courtesy of the Kennebec Journal)

The Branch Mills Grange (20 Branch Mills Road) is hosting two agricultural contests during the Palermo VFD’s picnic, a Prize Vegetable Award and Children’s Best-Decorated Fruit or Vegetable Award, each with cash prizes! Children aged one through 12 are welcome to decorate a fruit or vegetable in their favorite style – they want entries with flair (googly eyes welcome).

Registration is on Friday, August 20, and Saturday, August 21, from 3 – 6 p.m., at the Grange. Prizes will be awarded on Sunday, August 22, during the Palermo Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser.

Vassalboro school supplies drive at VCS

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Help Our VCS Kids, the 3rd annual school supplies drop off, hosted by Don and Lisa Breton, will take place at the North Vassalboro Fire Station, Rte. 32, on Saturday, August 28, from 10 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact Don at 207-313-3505, or dlbreton@roadrunner.com.

Pauleys celebrate 65th anniversary

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Don and Christa Paula celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2021. This photo was taken on their 50th anniversary near Mt. Blanc, in Switzerland.

Don and Christa Pauley, of South China, are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2021. They were married in Raymond on August 19, 1956, and moved to South China in 1958 after Don’s active duty in the U.S. Army. They bought their home on China Lake in 1960. Don served on all town boards over a span of 20 years with the exception of the planning board. He is the last of the original three-man board of selectmen.

Christa was gifted with a powerful lyric soprano voice and gave of her talent to so many weddings, funerals and the great adult variety shows for Erskine Academy in the 1960s through the 1980s. Don was her accompanist and gave of his time to accompany the Erskine Academy Chic-a-Laca student shows and the adult Boosters of Erskine Academy (BEA Club) variety shows during those same years. Don retired from Brown and Pauley Fluid Power Engineering Company that he and his good friend, Bill Brown, founded when he retired in 1999 at age 65.

2021 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) at work

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Members of the 2021 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) work on a China LakeSmart project. From left to right, Beck Jorgensen, YCC Director Sage Hapgood-Belanger, and Ryan Tyler. The YCC and China LakeSmart are operated by the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA) and CRLA Executive Director Scott Pierz. (photo by Rebecca Hapgood; text by Scott Pierz)

Central Maine youth ballplayers meet the big leaguers

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Carson Mattice, center, and Wyatt Jones, right, get autographs from 2004 Red Sox World Series closer Keith Foulke. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Charles Ferris, 10, of Waterville, has a baseball signed by former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography

Thanks to the generosity of Ray Haskell, the youth in Maine have had the opportunity to attend a baseball clinic working with the Alfond Youth and Community Center, at Maine’s Fenway Park, in Oakland, and Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville. This year’s event was hosted at Purnell Wrigley Field on August 11, in which 100 youth from around the state attended.

The clinic was conducted by the Major League Baseball Alumni Association, led by Geoff Hixson and the Red Sox Foundation. Former MLB players came along to help that included 2004 World Series closer Keith Foulke, former Red Sox Bill Lee, Mike Torrez, Tom Burgmeier, Steve Crawford, Chico Walker, Rick Miller, Jerry Martin, Kevin Buckley, along with other players including former MLB players from Maine, Matt Kinney and Pete Ladd.

After the clinic all the ball players attended the annual Golf Fundraiser at the Waterville Country Club. Thanks to Ray Haskell and the golf steering committee over $1,000,000 has been raised supporting programs at the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA over the past 15 years.

Waterville Cal Ripken Baseball team member Carson Mattice said, “I loved meeting the players. It was such a cool experience meeting players who were once at my level and age, who made it to the major leagues.” Carsons dad Stephen Mattice said, “As a parent, I would say that I truly appreciate these gentlemen coming out and spending some time with the kids and providing them with some advice and tips. They were all extremely down to earth and friendly to all.”

Cameron McInnis, 10, of Waterville, said “it was awesome! I enjoyed getting autographs from the players that were there. I really enjoyed the pitching tips I learned!”

This was surely a great opportunity for kids of all ages.

Tom Burgneier, major league pitcher for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s teaches the finer points of pitching to local youth. (photos by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Palermo VFD receives gift from women’s extension group

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Photo: Palermo VFD Facebook

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the July Palermo selectmen’s meeting, a check for $800 was presented to the Palermo Volunteer Fire Department Chief Roger Kormandt, by the Palermo Women’s Extension Group, to be used for much needed equipment/materials.

The check was made out to the Town of Palermo for the express use of the Palermo Volunteer Fire Department. As a gift, the $800 may be used only for this purpose. The check was presented to Chief Kormandt by Anne Kurek, vice president, Palermo Women’s Extension Group. Chief Kormandt then gave the check to Mary Andrews, town clerk, to keep for the fire department.

The Palermo Women’s Extension Group was pleased to present this gift to the Palermo Volunteer Fire Department. And are happy to know that it will benefit the Town of Palermo and its residents.

Also in attendance were selectboard members: Chairman Robert Kurek, Ilene McKenney, and Pam Swift, Deputy Fire Chief Josh Seikens, Sherry Kormandt, and Diane Bent, treasurer, Palermo Women’s Extension Group.

Mid-Maine Chamber announces scholarship winner

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Zoey Trussell

Zoey Trussel, of Waterville, has been selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants.

Zoey ranked second in her class at Waterville Senior High School. She started volunteering at a young age, along with her sister. She volunteered at Adult Ed with disabled adults and volunteered at Alfond Youth Center distributing meals during COVID.

Zoey assisted the swim team and drama club at Waterville Junior High. She worked with the National Honors Society Chapter to organize a Voting Registration Drive to promote civic engagement, along with many other projects.

Zoey will be attending the University of Maine at Orono to pursue elementary education.

The annual scholarship was established in memory of Joseph B. Ezhaya, a community leader who was known for his generosity and dedication to civic engagement.

This $750 annual scholarship will be distributed to the recipient after the completion of her first semester with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and will be awarded for up to four years, for a total of $3,000.00.

Maritime Energy president, Susan Ware Page, nominated for NEFI Legends Award

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Susan Page Ware

The National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) announced its slate of Legends Award honorees to pay tribute to energy industry leaders in each state for 2021. Susan Ware Page, President of Maritime Energy, was selected for this honor in 2021 and will represent the State of Maine at the awards dinner in September of this year in Connecticut.

NEFI Legends Awards are presented to those who are industry pioneers and leaders whose experience and dedication serve as an example for all those in the heating and energy trades. In 2021, NEFI will feature an all-woman slate of honorees in recognition of the tremendous impact and leadership that women have made on the industry.

“I am thrilled to be selected as an honoree for this prestigious industry award. It is a great honor to be nominated and represent the energy industry and the State of Maine at this event.” – Susan Ware Page, President of Maritime Energy

NEFI has worked to strengthen and advance the market for liquid heating fuels through innovation, policy, education, and advocacy since 1942. The organization works at the local and national level to promote main street businesses and their efforts in efficiency, conservation, and safety. In addition to being a full service trade association, NEFI has developed the NEFI Education Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to conduct industry research and provide education to its members.

Maritime Energy is a full service, locally owned family energy company serving Knox, Lincoln, Waldo, Hancock, and Kennebec counties. Services include heating, cooling, and plumbing installations, maintenance and repair. Maritime’s fuel products include heating oil, K-1, diesel, propane, and gasoline. As part of Maritime Energy’s fuel price protection programs, it offers participants up to 5¢ off each gallon of gasoline purchased at a Maritime Farms convenience store.

For more information or to find a fuel office or Maritime Farms store visit: https://www.maritimeenergy.com or call 1-800-333-4489. The company currently has 5 fuel offices including the main office in Rockland, Maine, and 13 Maritime Farms convenience stores throughout Midcoast and Central Maine.

Vassalboro Library to host animal events

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Photo: Vassalboro Public Library

The Vassalboro Public Library will be sponsoring two popular live animal events in Vassalboro as a part of their end of summer reading. Families from surrounding communities are invited to attend. This event is free for all ages with donations welcomed.

Please register online (Library or Town Office website or Facebook) or by calling the Vassalboro Library at 207-923-3233. Registration will help ensure you and your child(ren) will have a space within a gated area. First come first served for those who register. Those who do not register may view the program from a distance.

These programs will be outdoors, rain dates will be determined the week of the event.

Mr. Drew and His Animals Too

August 17, at the Mill – 934 Main Street , first program 2 p.m., second program 3:15 p.m. https://forms.gle/FaPcGs5Us8Wo31PcA

Mr. Drew and His Animals Too is a natural science and exotic animal rehabilitation center in Lewiston. This program will include reptiles, mammals, and insects. Mr Drew will bring his passion for rehabilitation and knowledge of animals in a fun filled presentation full of facts and laughs.

Photo: Vassalboro Public Library

Chewonki – Owls of Maine

August 24, at the Vassalboro Recreation Fields – 800 Bog Road; First program 2 p.m., second program 3:15 p.m. https://forms.gle/5mRdRMmpxgKyKjF37

Chewonki is an education center in Wiscasset. Birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians arrive with injuries or conditions that prevent their return to the wild. Their teachers are extensively trained and take deep pleasure in making connections with students, and in passing on a lifelong appreciation for the value of wildlife and nature.