Julia Pershken claims women’s rowing postseason honors
Julia Pershken, of Albion, claimed women’s rowing postseason honors from the NERC or NIRC, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Hayward inducted into Spanish National Honor Society
The World Languages and Cultures Department at Eastern Connecticut State University, in Willimantic, Connecticut, recently held its annual induction ceremony for Sigma Delta Pi, the national honor society for Spanish.
Kirstin Hayward, of Augusta, was one of the inductees. Hayward’s major is Continuing Education.
Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies..
History House Museum expanding volunteer team in Skowhegan
Submitted by Melvin Burnham
A Volunteer Open House at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center, 66 Elm Street, Skowhegan, has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 3 – 4:30 p.m. History House veteran volunteers and folks from the Skowhegan area who would like to learn more about the Volunteer Program are invited to attend.
History House volunteers consistently make a positive impact on the museum and its patrons. They play an active role in preserving and promoting collections dating back through the late 1700s and therefore contribute greatly to our community. Volunteers learn about early Skowhegan and the citizens of the time. They make new friends, utilize existing skills and learn new ones.
Volunteers assist with visitors and tours, design and create displays, assist with clerical work, answer the phone, or conduct research. Others maintain and clean the museum, teach small groups of children about local history and historic preservation and others work directly with artifact preservation and cataloging. Some volunteers like to dedicate their time to working in the Heirloom Gardens, assisting in preparing for major projects or events, or assisting with tasks pertaining to society membership, preparing materials for distribution or mailings, creating presentations, etc.
Museum staff strives to match a volunteer’s skills and interests to meaningful and necessary tasks. We utilize the skills that talented folks bring with them and we offer training to those who wish to learn new skills.
Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to attend the Open House. We welcome volunteers of all ages including high school students who would like to explore museum science or complete community involvement requirements. Come see what we have to offer and share your talents and interests with us. More information pertaining to the program can be found at skowheganhistoryhouse.org or by contacting Kay Marsh, volunteer coordinator, 465-7458, grammy.kay.cee@gmail.com.
Vassalboro Board approves 5-cent increase in school lunches
by Mary Grow
At their May 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members unenthusiastically approved a five-cent increase in the price of school lunches for next year, because if they didn’t they would risk losing federal subsidy money.
Finance Director Paula Pooler explained that federal funding for school lunch programs depends on a “price adjustment calculator” that says Vassalboro should be charging $2.85, instead of the current $2.60, for each full-price lunch. The federal program allows for gradual adjustment, however, so for 2017-18, $2.65 will satisfy the requirement.
If the board failed to act the federal subsidy might be reduced, Pooler said.
Board members also approved a 2017-18 school calendar, after wondering whether they should build in more than three snow days.
They discussed a letter from Vassalboro selectmen asking them to advertise future school board vacancies and agreed they will post any opening on the school website and notify the town office. By state law, the school board is authorized to appoint a new member to fill a vacancy until the next election, and must act within 30 days, Superintendent Eric Haley said.
Board members unanimously approved advancing 13 probationary teachers, nine moving from first-year to second-year, three moving from second-year to third-year and kindergarten teacher Danielle Smith finishing her probationary period and getting a continuing contract.
They accepted with regret resignations of Katherine Ladd-Cyrway, who is retiring at the end of the year; custodian Claire Young; and Kelly Donato from her position as English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator. The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 20.
Local resident volunteers to clean and repair cemetery headstones in Vassalboro
by Mary Grow
At their May 18 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen met resident Jody Kundreskas, who has volunteered to donate her labor and some of the materials to clean and repair old headstones in Vassalboro cemeteries.
Selectmen accepted her offers with pleasure.
Kundreskas said last summer she attended a workshop on proper cleaning and repair techniques; she is insured; and she knows other restorers who can advise as needed. Town Manager Mary Sabins offered the services of the Public Works Department if heavy lifting is required.
Vassalboro’s 27 cemeteries would provide “more than a lifetime of work for me,” Kundreskas said. She plans to start with a single-stone cemetery near her house.
Cemetery Committee Chairman Jane Auidi said there are legal requirements for working on headstones. She believes an annual legal notice in the spring, before work starts, will meet the requirements.
Auidi also reported the cemetery committee plans to use the rest of the Cross Hill cemetery account to finish surveying and laying out plots in the new section of the cemetery.
In other business, Road Commissioner Eugene Field shared results of a traffic speed survey on Church Hill Road early in May. Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus summarized: “Eighty percent of them were going way too fast.”
The road has a 35-mile-an-hour speed limit. Of a total of 1,819 vehicles recorded, 379 were driving within the limit. The highest speed recorded was 67 miles an hour. Selectmen decided they cannot approve Beth Morse’s request for a designated handicapped parking space in front of Hairbuilders on Oak Grove Road, because there is not enough room for the space without extending it into the road.
Sabins plans to discuss with Morse alternative ways to provide safe access to her business for people with canes, walkers or wheelchairs.
Selectmen signed a Spirit of America award certificate to the late Jim Mitchell, to be presented to his widow, Libby Mitchell, at the June 5 town meeting.
They approved a catering permit to allow serving liquor at a June 3 wedding in North Vassalboro.
The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 1.
Graduating seniors
Dancers from Stage Presence For Dancers, in Winslow, under the direction of Heather Vigue-Beaster, performed in the school’s 17th annual spring production entitled “Movement Speaks,” on April 28-29-30, at the Messalonskee Performing Arts Center, in Oakland. Graduating seniors Amica Jolicoeur, Shelby Stanley, Juliana Vanegas, Madison Grass and Jordan Jabar perform in a special piece with instructors Heather Vigue-Beaster and Ashley Roberge.
Photo by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography
Stephen Csengery earns Eagle Scout status
Stephen Csengery
On February 22, Stephen J Csengery, 17, from Troop #410, in Vassalboro, passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review. On May 7 Stephen received his Eagle badge at his Eagle Court of Honor. The COH took place at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church in Vassalboro. VUMC is the Charter Organization for Troop #410.
Rep. Dick Bradstreet, of Maine House District #80, attended and presented Stephen with a congratulatory letter from the Maine State Senate and House Of Representative.
Stephen is the son of Joseph and Cheryl Csengery, in Vassalboro. He is a junior at Erskine Academy, in South China. Stephen started scouts in 2006 as a Tiger Scout in Vassalboro Pack #410. He was an active scout attending all the meetings, field trips and camping trips. They made trips to Maine Criminal Academy, in Vassalboro, Fort Western, in Augusta, and Camp Hinds, in Raymond. His favorite trips were to Massachusetts to Battleship Cove as a Bear and to two trips to Coos Canyon, in Byron, as a Webelos 1 and 2.
On April 7, 2011, he achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts, Arrow of Light and crossed over to Boy Scouts.
He belonged to the Flaming Outhouse Patrol and enjoyed every part of Boy Scouts. He attended Boy Scout camp, merit badge colleges and many other trips. His favorite was two trips to the U.S Army Academy, at West Point, in New York. They also hiked to the 1963 B-52 crash site on Elephant Mountain, in Maine.
Even though he was busy with scouts he also attended Maine Isshunryu Karate Academy where he achieved his black belt at the age of 15. He still is training with MIKA under Renshi Glen Fitzmaurice, in Randolph, and he also works there as a instructor.
His eagle project, to benefit the Kennebec Land Trust, was clearing and cleaning up the Seaward Mills Conservation Trail, on Seaward Mills Road, in Vassalboro. He also build two benches which he put on the trail and also made signs identifying trees. Plus there was an area that was washed out from the drainage from the fields, where he rip-rapped the ditch to prevent more erosion.
Stephens goals for the future is go to college for electrical technology to become an electrician.
He wants to continue with Scouts as an assistant Scoutmaster or a Scoutmaster. He also wants to continue training in karate and becoming an instructor.
Stephen and his parents thank the following people who supported Stephen and mentored him throughout his scouting adventure: Rick Lees who mentored him throughout his Eagle Project. Rick went above and beyond and it was much appreciated; Kevin Reed who was his scoutmaster though out his Boy Scout years; Rick Denico was there for Stephen thorughout his Cub Scout years as his Cub master.
Also to the following people who donated to his eagle project: Dana Suga for a huge donation of rip-rap rocks, Ross Trainor for the use of the sawmill and to John Tracy for being the official photographer.
Also to all those that help with the project from clearing, placing the benches and rip-rapping the ditch.
Inland Hospital collects healthy food and essential items for local communities
Inland Hospital, in Waterville, is gearing up to fight hunger in local communities! Partnering with United Way of Mid-Maine, Inland will collect non-perishable food items and essential products for local food pantries until May 30.
The hospital is asking for healthy choice food donations; low-sodium, low-fat, whole wheat or whole grain items such as pasta and cereal, canned vegetables, and fruit canned in fruit juice are suggested.
Personal and household essential items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, diapers, paper towels, trash bags and household cleaning products are also welcome.
Donations can be dropped off at Inland Hospital’s cafeteria, located at 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville, during regular business hours through May 30. All items collected will be delivered to local food banks. For more information call 861-6047 or email inlandcr@emhs.org.
Laliberte joins Central Maine Photography staff
Jessica Laliberte
Photo courtesy of Elm City Photo
Jessica L. Laliberte, of Waterville, has joined the Central Maine Photography staff as a reporter/writer. Jessica has a long media background having worked in radio, TV and print press. She was the first Central Maine Bureau Chief for WABI-TV 5 News. She is the president at The Liberte Consulting Group, LLC, a local media relations and lobby business. Jessica holds her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Maine and her masters of business administration from Thomas College, in Waterville.
PERFORMANCE DOG: Big news about rally obedience
TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG
by Carolyn Fuhrer
Since its introduction in 2005, Rally has grown in popularity. Rally is a course set up consisting of signs indicating skills in a numerical order which the dog and handler must perform.
You are allowed to talk to your dog and praise your dog throughout the entire course. There are currently three levels – Novice, which is performed on leash; Advanced and Excellent (which are off leash). Each class contains progressively more difficult obedience skills and the advanced and excellent classes require the dog to jump. You can earn a title in each class: Rally Novice, RN; Rally Advanced, RA; Rally Excellent, RE. There is an RAE title that can be earned by passing an advanced and excellent course on the same day on 10 different days.
Beginning in November, 2017 there will be two new classes introduced as well as a rally championship title, or RACH (sounds like rock).
The Rally Intermediate class (RI) has been created to provide another on-leash class that requires advanced skills, which will help teams prepare for the off leash performance required in the advanced class. This class will mirror the advanced class but will not contain a jump. After you have completed a Rally Novice title you may choose to enter Rally Intermediate or Rally Advanced. A Rally Intermediate (RI) title is not required to go into Rally Advanced.
There will also be a new master class and associated title RM with 22 NEW exercises, some of which ae very challenging.
Several new exercises have been added to the existing Rally classes and handlers should be aware of these as they may be included in classes after November 1. Novice has 6 new signs and Advanced and Excellent class each have 5 new signs. The wording on some of the signs has also changed.
To earn a RACH – Rally Championship title – teams are required to earn 20 triple qualifying scores; qualifying in the Advanced B, Excellent B and Master classes at the same trial at 20 separate events, plus earn 300 RACH points from the Excellent B and Master classes. Points are determined by a dog’s score. For example: a 91-96 would earn 1 point; a 97 would earn 2 points; 98 would earn 3 points; 99 would earn 4 points and a score of 100 would earn 5 points.
There will be much to learn to be successful in Rally after November 1. If you are looking for help, check out Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine and North Star Dog Training School. They will be working together to present a series of Spring and Summer workshops to prepare handlers and dogs for all the new skills that will be required to enjoy showing in Rally Obedience with your dog.
Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 90 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.