Silver Beaver award presented to area scout leaders

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by Chuck Mahaleris

The Silver Beaver is the highest award a local council can bestow upon a volunteer Scout leader. Two local scouters from across the Kennebec Valley District of Pine Tree Council received this award, Kelly Pillsbury, of Benton, and Joseph Poulin, of Oakland. Kennebec Valley District delivers Scouting in Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Somerset, and Franklin Counties.

Poulin has been active in scouting since 1990 when he was a Webelos Cub Scout and then crossed into Oakland Troop #454. He earned his Eagle Scout award in 1997. Since 2002, he has served as a volunteer leader in scouting at the local, district and council levels. He is currently serving as the vice chairman of Kennebec Valley District, training chairman for Pine Tree Council and a member of the Pine Tree Council Executive Board. Additionally, he has served as program director for Day Camp and Fun Pack Weekends. “I enjoy seeing youth succeed and grow,” Poulin said.

Kelly Pillsbury is a former district chairman for Kennebec Valley District and currently serving on the district committee and as a committee member for Troop #479, based in China. Both have received the District Award of Merit which is the highest award a local scouting district can bestow upon a volunteer. Pillsbury is a past Exalted Ruler of Waterville Elks Lodge #905 during which time she formed the “Antler Lodge” to bring the Elks program to youth. She joined scouting in 1995 as a Tiger Cub parent and has been active since. “Kelly has been active in Scouting for more than twenty-five years,” said district member Ron Emery, of China. “Kelly always has had goals to advocate that training was important for Cub leaders, scout leaders as well as scouts, and the troop committee should always support and encourage that training.”

The awards were presented in Raymond, at Camp Hinds, on January 18, by Pine Tree Council Vice Chairman Scott Valcourt.

Activities abound at RSU #18 schools

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National Pancake Day

 

Top, Mr. Moody and Mrs. Ridgeway treated China Primary School staff to a yummy pancake breakfast for National Pancake Day! What are your favorite toppings?

Surfrider Foundation Donation

Above, China Primary School’s fourth graders were recently engaging in a persuasive writing unit, and during the unit one student passionately wrote about how their school should have a fundraiser to raise money to help support a cleaner ocean. Mrs. Jacobs’ class organized a popcorn fundraiser with the support from the China PTO. They raised over $400 to donate to the Surfrider Foundation in Maine.

March Making a Difference Award

Congratulations to Maren O’Connell, left, and Christine Meader for receiving the March Making a Difference Award at Williams Elementary School’s recent Be the Light Assembly, in Oakland. The school appreciates all they do each day to support the students at Williams Elementary School.

Sharing Nonfiction Writing

Mrs. Couture’s second grade student, Eli, at the Atwood School, in Oakland, read his nonfiction writing piece about wolves to Superintendent of Schools, Carl Gartley. Eli shared, “I felt a little bit nervous but mostly honored to read to Mr. Gartley.” Gartley enjoyed Eli’s sophisticated word choice and fun facts. After Eli left central office, he said, “This was the best afternoon ever!” Eli’s work was definitely Atwood awesome.

Mobile Science Lab

China Middle School’s fifth through eighth grade students had the opportunity to work in the Mobile Science Lab! Two different programs were offered to students. Some students learned about balancing ecosystems with invasive species. They developed tools to mitigate the effects of the invasive species. Other students participated in the Micropipette Challenge where they practiced measuring and transferring liquids using a pipette. CMS was the first school the new Mobile BioLab visited. Sixth graders at China Middle then attended the kick-off event for Educate Maine and the Maine Mobile BioLab, at the State House, in Augusta!

Emma Concaugh named to College of the Holy Cross’ dean’s list

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Emma Concaugh, of Oakland, a member of the Class of 2024, was named to the College of the Holy Cross Fall 2023 dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Emma Concaugh named to College of the Holy Cross’ dean’s list

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Emma Concaugh, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2024, was named to the College of the Holy Cross dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Oakland bike group takes the plunge for charity

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From left to right, Lynn Woodard, Director Megan Bragdon, Nick Leavitt, Road Captain Dawn Brasil, Treasurer Brad Wing, and Assistant Director Mark Spence. (photo by Sharon Roode)

On March 16 the American Legion Riders of Decker-Simmons Post #51, Oakland, along with other groups from the area gathered at the boat launch in Oakland for the Polar plunge to raise money to help fight food insecurity at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. They raised $1,986 with a grand total over all of $30,000.

Director Lynn Woodard was quoted saying “Motorcyclists sometimes, we don’t get a good reputation. So we’re here for the community. Our group, we’re not like a motorcycle club, we’re just riders, we represent the American Legion. A lot of our activity is just for the veterans, but today it was for the children.”

“That’s what life’s all about, helping everybody else,” added Assistant Director Mark Spence.

The group is taking the plunge to help fight food insecurity at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Sharon Roode)

Local students named to president’s list at Plymouth State (2023)

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The following local students have been named to the Plymouth State University president’s list for the Fall 2023 semester, in Plymouth, New Hampshire:
Kaiden Kelley, of South China; Dylan Flewelling, of Oakland; Sidney Hatch, of Oakland; and Sondre Ashei, of Klepp Stasjon.

SNHU announces fall dean’s list (2023)

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Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampsire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 dean’slist. The fall terms run from September to December.

Nicholas Stutler, of Sidney; Justin Drescher, and Kristina Wilbur, both of Augusta; Carrielee Harvey, of Waterville; Emily Hernandez, of Embden; and Javyn Greenlaw, of Oakland.

Moments of Pride at RSU #18 schools: Atwood Primary School

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Atwood Primary School

Dress Like an Elf, Bring Food for the Shelf: At Atwood Primary School, in Oakland, adorned in creative elf attire, staff and students came together to generously contribute to Atwood’s Dress Like an Elf, Bring Food for the Shelf weekend food backpack program. This year, all donations made their way into the backpacks that the elementary school sends home on weekends, providing essential nourishment for families in need.

Matthew Parent on Clarkson University dean’s list (Fall 2023)

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Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a junior majoring in software engineering, was named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2023 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York.

PHOTO: Youth action on the gridiron

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Messalonskee Youth Football 5/6 Red team member, Peter McLaughlin (33), running down field while Augusta Jr. Rams Liam Ferran (48) goes for the tackle, in football action earlier this fall. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)