Letters to the Editor: Learn from history that we don’t learn from history

To the editor:

Roman men in the time of Jesus had complete life or death sway over their children.

The child would be presented to the father by the mother by placing the child at the husbands feet. And then for any or no reason the father would make a decision about who should live and who shall die.

It was mostly baby girls who were left to die along road sides where the baby’s would be found, and in time, groomed for a future of slavery or prostitution.

Christians took responsibility to look for the children and save them from a a difficult future.

Well, Rome was eventually destroyed by Barbarians and babies had new opportunities by being saved by Christians or kept by their mothers.

Romans became worse than Barbarians. But those days are gone. How could life be better?

Well, looking over 2,000 years later, Baby’s have been forced to go back to Roman Barbarian times.

So-called “Woman’s Health” has made the Romans look almost human, while Americans are becoming more like Barbarians.

Life has no meaning, babies are sold for their body parts at great profits, but they will never have a life to enjoy. Someone will make a lot of money from their destruction. Birth control is available everywhere, but that doesn’t matter. This is a matter of choice. Who will use birth prevention and who will choose to end life?

Parents are not even allowed to see X-rays of their babies in the womb. If they saw that, they might want to keep their baby who can be seen as alive and human.

Thanks to politicians, I see that babies can be carried for nine months and then, when born, will be allowed to live or die like animals, and we will go back in time and be just like the Romans 2,000 years ago. I thought we might grow up. This is what they call “Progressive?” How much more immoral will we become?

I am sad for our children and grandchildren.

Pastor James Ferrone RET.
China

Obituaries for Thursday, February 7, 2019

BONNIE L. OAKES

CLINTON – Bonnie Lynn Oakes, 51, of Clinton, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019, following a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Bonnie was born in Waterville on April 10, 1967, to Raymond Oakes and Lorraine Quimby.

She was never married but had two children with her first love and high-school sweetheart, Timothy Lizzotte. She spent most of her early adult years being a mother and homemaker. Through the years, she was employed in various industries, including hospitality, foodservice, and agriculture.

Bonnie’s daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren have been blessed to have spent so much time with her these past few years. The memories made during this time will last forever. She amazed everyone with how she handled her incredible health challenges, chronic pain, and disability. She faced it all with dignity, grace, zero complaining, and an incredible sense of humor despite it all.

Bonnie leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Chris Harrington; her grandchildren, Adalia, Anaya, Avaya, and Honor Harrington; her daughter, Sarah Stottlemyer; her grandson, Odin Stottlemyer; her siblings Brenda Oakes, Bill Oakes, Dana Oakes, and Carol Temple; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was predeceased by her parents.

For those who desire, donations in Bonnie’s memory may be made to Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

CHARLES M. CLARKE

OAKLAND – Charles M. Clarke, 64, of Oakland, passed away peacefully following a battle with many medical complications, on January 25, 2019, in Cape Coral, Florida. Charlie was born in Waterville, to Maurice and Jean Clarke on January 30, 1954. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1972. He married the former Ellen Jurdak on January 28, 2014, in Naples, Italy.

Charlie began as a cook in 1972 at local restaurants in Waterville before starting at Kennebec Supply Co., in 1974. Charlie continued with Kennebec Supply Co., turned F. W. Webb, for the following 42 years as an account manager until he retired in 2016. He was known for starting the 110 Yacht Club, in Boothbay Harbor. He was also part of the Boothbay Harbor Country Club.

Golfing and boating were his absolute favorite and enriched his life year round. When he was not doing one of the above, he was planning for the next trip including his most recent trips to Florida in the winter. Charlie also enjoyed his love of sports which included playing hockey, coaching hockey and watching the Patriot’s during football season.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Maurice Clarke, who passed in 1994, and his mother, Jean Rhodes Clarke, who passed in 1979.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Ellen Clarke, of Oakland; daughter Nicole Clarke and fiancé, Michael Foley, of Phoenix, Arizona; son, Nick Jurdak and wife, Lynn Jurdak, of Oakland; cousin, Sue Modereger and John Modereger; “brother from another mother,” Mike Carey and his wife, Patti Carey.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life that will be held from 1-5 p.m. on February 10, 2019, at the Waterville Elks Lodge, 76 Industrial St., Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Boothbay Region Ambulance Fundraiser, P.O. Box 280, Boothbay ME 04537, or your local youth scholarship funds.

ARTHUR E. GENEST

OAKLAND – Arthur E. Genest, 90, of Oakland, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. He was born in Waterville on July 5, 1928, one of 12 children of Albertine (Bourque) and Albert Genest.

He was a graduate of Waterville High School, class of 1946. In May of 1947 he began a 40-plus-year career with Maine Central Railroad, retiring in March 1986.

In 1951 he married Yolande Rachel Cloutier and together they would have five children. Over the years, Art was a member of the Maine Wood Carver’s Association; National Association of Veteran and Retired Railroad Employees (NAVRRE); United Transportation Union; Waterville City Council from 1970-1974; Representative to Maine State Legislature from 1971-1975 and was a sponsor of legislation to create the Maine State Lottery. After retirement Art and Yolande enjoyed many years in Holiday, Florida.

Art is survived by his three sons: Larry and his wife, Donna, of Benton, James and his wife, Linda, of Waterville, David, of Winslow; his two daughters, Jeannie, of Oakland, Susan Mowles and her husband, Gary, of Salisbury, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren: Holly Towle, Emily Genest, Christopher Genest, Stacey Genest, Jared Genest, Lauren Mowles, Allison Mowles; as well as one great-granddaughter, Jasmine Gogan; three sisters, Priscilla Drapeau, Barbara Hoffman, Marie Turner; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by sisters:Opal Cayford, Dorothy Allen, Gloria Hoffman,Anne Swears, Beulah Genest, Constance Genest; and brothers, Vincent, Raymond, Emile and Earl.

Burial will be in the spring in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family urges you to consider a donation to your local humane society.

RON CHAYER

SIDNEY – Ron Chayer, 79, formerly of Winslow, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at Togus VA Medical Center, Augusta. Ron was born in July 1939, in Waterville.

He was a graduate of Waterville High School, and served in the Army, stationed in South Korea and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his service, he attended Bryant College, in Boston, graduated from University of Maine with a bachelors degree in business, and Thomas College, in Waterville, with a masters degree in business. Ron worked for Keyes Fibre Company, in Waterville, as their director of information technology until his retirement in 1994, and continued utilizing his skills and love of computers by consulting for credit unions and schools, where he was affectionately called the nickname “Puter Man” by the students. He continued consulting up until shortly before his passing.

He met and married his wife, Claire Bruce, in 1967, and moved to Winslow, where they raised their two sons, Steven and David. They were married for more than 50 years. Ron enjoyed participating in the school’s sport programs, particularly hockey, with their boys. Later in life, they loved to travel and spend time with their grandchildren, Hope, Stevie, Brayton and Nathaniel. Ron’s favorite pastimes were many, as he never wished to sit still.

Along with his hours of landscaping and tinkering with home improvements, he enjoyed playing golf and cribbage with his friends, and spending quality time with his furry love, dog, Lacee.

He is survived by his family, sons and their spouses, Steve and Tricia Chayer, of Weeks Mills, and Dave and Olivia Chayer, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; granddaughter, Hope Chhum, of Medford, Massachusetts, and Stevie Chayer, his “oldest grandson”, Peter Chhum, and grandsons, Nathaniel and Brayton Chayer.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, Carroll and Ernestine and brother Harold Chayer.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in his memory to: V.A.V.S. Hospice Unit Voluntary Services 135, Department of Vet Affairs, 1 VA Center, Augusta ME 04330.

AUDREY G. CHILDS

LIBERTY – Audrey G. Childs, 93, passed away Monday, January 28, 2019, at Waldo County General Hospital, in Belfast. She was born January 12, 1926, in Albion, the daughter of Harlen and Glenna (Robinson) Childs.

She was educated in the schools of Palermo. On July 27, 1989, she married Kenneth Childs, in Liberty. She was employed at Lipman’s Poultry, in Augusta, Penobscot Poultry, in Belfast, and spent 20 years employed at Maplewood, in Belfast. She was a member of the Palermo and Skowhegan churches and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed eating out, going to yard sales, collecting dolls and dancing.

Audrey is survived by two daughters, Barbara St. Clair and husband William, of Montville, Beverly Nickerson and husband Harley; four sons, Raymond Harriman and wife Vicki, of Nobleton, Florida, Richard Harriman and wife Cynthia, and Donald Harriman and wife Deborah, all of Liberty, and Warren Harriman and wife Donna, of Belfast; niece, Mary Thomson, of Newport; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Audrey’s memory to Garry Owen House, PO Box 34, Liberty Maine 04949.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

HOPE JOLICOEUR-CRAIG

VASSALBORO – Hope Marie Jolicoeur-Craig, 44, of Vassalboro, died unexpectedly at her place of work on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. She was born on August 31, 1974, in Skowhegan, the daughter of Theresa (Roy) and Paul Robinson.

She was educated in local schools.

Simply put, Hope enjoyed life itself, and she possessed a positive energy that showed itself in her big heart, being very social and she loved to dance. She had the gift of presence and she always had a smile on her face and was ready to help no matter the reason or circumstance. She was a great animal lover. Hope will be remembered for many fine qualities and she was very proud of her two sons, her granddaughter and her being a very good wife.

Hope is survived by husband Raymond Craig, of Vassalboro, her two sons, Anthony Jolicoeur and his daughter, Madison, of Winslow, Lance Jolicoeur, USMC, of Norfolk, Virgina; her mother, Theresa Robinson, of Waterville; her father, Paul Robinson, of Freeport; her brother, Joe Robinson, of Augusta; her stepdaughter, Heidi Craig, of Boothbay Harbor; her aunt, Yvette Roy; her cousin, Ann McCormick, of Waterville; as well as her sons’ father, Donald Jolicoeur, of Winslow.

She was predeceased by her brother, Bruce Robinson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 9, at Church of the Nazarene, 81 Main Street, Fairfield.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with Hope’s family.

RICHARD “DICK” LORD

OAKLAND – Richard “Dick” Lord, 62, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, following a heroic battle with cancer. Dick was born on June 12, 1956, to Thomas and Beverly (Violette) Lord.

Dick graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield. After graduation, he attended the University of Maine in Orono for one year before enrolling at the New England Institute of Mortuary Arts and Sciences, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

After Dick graduated mortuary school, he worked at Wheeler Funeral Home for one year before purchasing the funeral home in 1981. Dick continued to serve the families in the Oakland community, and surrounding areas for over 35 years until his retirement. Throughout those 35 years, Dick was a part of the Oakland Lions Club, he was the treasurer of the Oakland Historical Society, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Maine Funeral Directors Association, and he was a member of the Early Bird Coffee Club which included Norman, Nelson, Doug, Bruce, and Darrel.

Dick married his best friend, Jeannine Violette on June 25, 1976. They had one daughter together, Alexandria (Alex).

Dick had many passions which included, the love of sailing, traveling the world, summers at his camp on Messalonskee Lake, and Great Danes, but, Dick’s biggest passion was his family. With all of his world travels and trips, Jeannine was right by his side. Dick was always supportive of all of Alex’s endeavors. His grandson, Hunter, had a very special spot in his “Grand-Da’s” heart.

Dick was predeceased by his mother Beverly Lord; and brothers, Jon and Darrell Timothy Lord.

He is survived by his wife of almost 43 years, Jeannine Lord, of Oakland; daughter Alexandria Lord and fiancé, Jeff, of Oakland; grandson, Hunter; father, Thomas Lord and wife, Louise; brother, William Lord and wife, Donna; sister, Deborah Thomas and husband, Robert, of Knox; sisters-in-law, Tonya Lord, of Burlington, Vermont, and Donna Lord, of Clinton; Dick’s nieces and nephews.

There will be a gathering on Saturday, February 9, from 1-4 o.m. at O’Brien’s Event Center, 375 Main Street, in Waterville. There will be a private burial in the spring.

Online condolences may be offered and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Dick’s name to: The Waterville Area Humane Society, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville ME 04901. or Charley’s Strays, Inc., P.O. Box 64, Limestone ME 04750.

GERALD A. HOLT

FAIRFIELD CENTER – Gerald Allan Holt, born February 9, 1931, in Fairfield Center, to Ralph and Evelyn Holt, who preceded him in death, passed away at Seal Rock, in Saco, following a long illness on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

The Holts were well known in the Fairfield Center area where Holt’s Superette was the general store there for several decades. Jerry was a long-time resident of Fairfield Center and the owner of Jerry’s Furniture Store, until retirement. He was also a sheriff for Somerset County for many years.

Jerry graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in June 1948, was in the U.S. Air Force and marred Theresa Gagnon in May 1952. Theresa preceded Jerry in death in 1999 after 47 years of marriage. Jerry and Theresa lived most of their lived most of their life in Fairfield Center and had a summer home on Snow Pond. When they retired, they spent several winters in Sarasota, Florida. Jerry spent the last part of his life at Seal Rock, in Saco, where they took very good care of him.

Jerry belonged to the Waterville Exchange Club, Waterville Elks Lodge, Victor Grange and several wood working groups. He enjoyed woodworking and carving as well as attending garage sales. He enjoyed his family, boating, skiing, cookouts at Snow Pond and traveling in their RV.

Jerry is survived by three daughters, Terry thompson and husband, Robert, of Hamden, Connecticut, Catherine Hold, of Saco, and Laurie Dumond and husband, Todd, of Gray; grandchildren, Chris Lounder, of Lima, Peru, Valerie Middleton and husband, Joey, of Elkridge, Maryland, Kristin Benzinger and husband, Robert Cleaveland Jr., of Yonkers, New York, Kaitlyn Weaver and husband, Craig, of Winterport, Robert Thompson, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Bryanna Dumond, of Gray and Danielle Jennings, of Saco; and two great-grandchildren, Ava and Kobe Middleton, of Elkridge, Maryland; his sister, Patricia Holt Leary and husband, Lawrence, of Palm Coast, Florida; a brother, Richard Holt and wife, Diane, of Saco; a niece, Karyn Caldwell and her husband, Lew, of Richboro, Pennsylvania; nephews Eric Holt and wife, Marlena, of Farmington, New Hampshire, and Daniel Leary, of Palm Coast, Florida.

His grandson, Tommy Mousseau, predeceased him in October 2018.

Visitation will be held at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield, on Friday, March 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 to 10”30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a luncheon at the Best Western, 375 Main Street, Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyifirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

Donations may be made in memory of Jerry Holt to the Fairfield Center Victor Grange. Please send to: Wanda Shorty, 118 Oakland Street, Fairfield ME 04937, with checks payable to Victor Grange.

OTHERS DEPARTED

ALBERT E. ARMSTRONG, 78, of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2019, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Locally, he is survived by a son, Aaron Armstrong and wife Crystal, of Windsor.

EVELYN R. MacKELLAR, 93, of Brunswick, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Horizons Living and Rehabilitation Center, in Brunswick. Locally, she is survived by a sister, Virginia Belanger, of Winslow.

With no public in attendance, selectmen make short meeting of ordinance amendments

by Mary Grow

With no members of the public present, the China Planning Board’s Jan. 29 public hearing on proposed ordinance amendments did not last long.

Since they did not need to explain the changes, board members discussed them among themselves, making one final adjustment to wording, and unanimously forwarded them to China selectmen with a request to add them to the April 6 town business meeting warrant.

Codes Officer Paul Mitnik had prepared a two-and-a-half page summary of the recommended changes. Most are in Chapter 2 of China’s Land Use Ordinance and are intended to eliminate duplications and contradictions and clarify requirements, rather than make major substantive changes.

For example, planning board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo told selectmen at their Feb. 4 meeting that rules governing septic systems will, if voters approve the changes, clarify that relocating a structure also requires updating the septic system if it does not meet current standards.

Another proposed change eliminates the requirement that a septic system have at least 1,000 square feet of land, because, Mitnik’s summary says, the requirement can make replacement of grandfathered systems on small lots near lakes impossible and because new technology allows smaller disposal beds.

Another group of changes, discussed at length as board members worked on the ordinance, separates commercial campgrounds from individual private campsites and clarifies which rules apply to which type.

A commercial campground is an area “providing temporary accommodation to the public for a fee in a recreational vehicle or tent.” A private campsite also provides temporary living in a tent or recreational vehicle, but is “used exclusively by the owner of the property and his or her family and friends.”

The planning board further recommends changes in a few of the definitions in Chapter 11 of the Land Use Ordinance and an amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance saying selectmen set fees the ordinance requires. Currently subdivision fees are listed in the ordinance, and therefore can be changed only by an ordinance amendment approved by voters.

At their Feb. 4 meeting, selectmen discussed some of the proposed changes, especially the section on private campsites, for half an hour before voting unanimously to add them to the April 6 warrant.

Miragliuolo told the selectboard, “Nothing any of us [planning board members] felt was controversial is in here.” There are more controversial issues to be reviewed for a later town vote, he warned; China has only conditional state approval for its Land Use Ordinance until voters bring shoreland provisions into compliance with state regulations.

Selectman Ronald Breton, former planning board chairman, supported presenting the amendments to voters with the comment, “I sat on that [planning] board long enough to know nothing’s going to be perfect.”

In other business Jan. 29, Miragliuolo announced he had received an email from District 3 board member Milton Dudley announcing his resignation from the board. District 3 is the southeastern part of China. The position of alternate at large is also vacant. That board member can live anywhere in town.

Board members canceled their Feb. 12 meeting, unless Mitnik receives an application for review. Their next regular meeting would be Feb. 26.

China town clerk: Get funding reports in soon; late fee now in place for dog licenses

by Mary Grow

Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood had three messages for residents and selectmen at the Feb. 4 selectmen’s meeting.

One was a reminder that any group that has not submitted its fiscal year 2017-18 report to be included in the 2018 town report needs to do so immediately.

Another was that dog licenses have a $25 late fee added as of Feb. 1, and it isn’t the town’s fault – it’s state law.

And, Hapgood assured selectmen, residents are watching their meetings on line and have told her how much they appreciate being able to follow town affairs on their own schedule. Most public meetings, including the selectboard, planning board and budget committee, are live-streamed and recorded. To watch a past meeting, anyone interested in viewing them should click here.

Selectmen also heard a presentation on the school forest behind China Primary School from Anita Smith. She and fellow retired teacher Elaine Philbrook have supervised maintenance and uses of the property for more than 20 years.

The forest has three main purposes, Smith said: education and recreation for all area residents, including, but by no means limited to students; display of the forest as a “dynamic ecosystem”; and, as a working forest, provision of natural resources, notably wood.

The forest has 20 outdoor classrooms and multiple trails. Signs provide directions and point out significant features.

Smith pointed out that the forest does not depend on tax money, but funds activities through proceeds from timber-harvesting and private organizations’ and state grants. She and Philbrook also welcome gifts of labor and relevant materials; for example, she said, Erskine Academy students and Eagle Scout candidates have worked on trails and facilities, and Inland Hospital donated enough snowshoes to outfit two classes at a time.

Another timber harvest is about due, Smith said. The most recent was early in 1998, to clean up after the ice storm.

Pending grants from Project Canopy and the Oak Grove Foundation will be used to replace the roof over the reading tree, one of the early improvements on the property.

Smith sees the property as an asset to China and the surrounding area and as a model for other towns and school units.

Selectman Ronald Breton encouraged her to ask for more help from the town public works crew and suggested she request an annual appropriation.

In other business, selectmen unanimously approved a Boston Post Cane policy setting out requirements and procedures for choosing the town’s oldest known resident.

Recommendations are welcome; the recipient must have been a resident for at least 25 of the previous 40 years.

They also approved the revised personnel policy on which they have worked for several weeks.

Because their next regular meeting would have fallen on Presidents Day, Feb. 18, when the town office is closed, they moved it to Tuesday evening, Feb. 19.

Hard work, determination keep Abigail Dudley plenty busy

Abigail Dudley with her awards. (Photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Abigail Dudley, 12, of Winslow, carries the Martial Arts Creed, Virtues and Pillars with her in everything that she does. It helps her to maintain a heavy academic and athletic schedule. Her schedule includes Jui-jitsu with Shihan Mike Huard, Karate with Sensei Mark Huard and Shihan Mike Huard. She is also a member of Huard’s Sports Karate Team with Sensei Mark and Sensei Jayme Dennis. Despite a heavy schedule with other interests, Abigail has a very high attendance rate.

Recently she was also invited to join Team IPPONE with Sensei Denise Rouleau and Shihan Andy Campbell. This is a huge compliment to Abigail’s skills and training she has obtained with Huard’s Martial Arts.

To add to her already busy schedule, she also takes dance with Mr. Scott and Miss Ariel at Studio One For Dancers during the school year. Then does gymnastics in the summer at the Alfond Youth Center. Also during the school year she participates in after school sports while maintaining an “A” average in her classes at Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville.

Abigail is a four time S.M.A.R.T Ratings State Champion. In 2017, her first year competing in IPPONE ratings she placed fourth in New England in weapons. This past year 2018, she placed third in Kata and Fighting and fourth in weapons in New England. At this years 2019 IPPONE opening tournament, she was a triple crown winner placing first in all three divisions.

Abigail enjoys mentoring and helping the younger students in her dojo and on her teams. Her biggest enjoyment is empowering the younger girls at the dojo, on her teams and that she meets at other tournaments. She finds it very humbling that they want to learn from her and be like her.

Her goal in teaching and helping them is to show they can do and achieve anything they dream. Being a female in martial arts or any other journey you choose, doesn’t have to limit you. Abigail models that through hard work and determination you can do anything.

Lawrence girls Box Out Cancer for Alfond Cancer Care Center

Brooke Lambert, Keegan Alley and Savannah Weston lead the Lawrence High School girls basketball team onto the court for their Box Out Cancer fundraiser. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

On January 29, Lawrence High School held its second annual Box out Cancer event. The money raised at this event is donated to the Alfond Cancer Care Center. This starts off with the Lawrence Girls Basketball Boosters selling pink ribbons that are hung on the gym walls the night of the event. On the night of the game, the cheerleaders and players from both Lawrence and Mt. Blue are given pink “Box out Cancer” shirts to be worn during warm-ups. These shirts were generously donated by Hometown Veterinary Care for the second year in a row.

Additionally, the boosters sell 50/50 tickets, pink ribbons, and T-shirts during the junior varsity game and the start of the varsity game. This helps to raise more money for this wonderful cause. Participants are very excited to take part in and event that will help so many. It’s a way for the community to give back and help people out at a very trying time in their lives.

The committee tries to think of ways to make this process fun. The Shopping Cart Frenzy is a fun-for-all game that is played at halftime of the varsity game. Fans can purchase a bag of three tennis balls for $5. These balls are numbered and the fans name is written on a chart next to their ball number. At halftime, a volunteer teacher throws on a helmet and cruises around the gym as fans try to throw the tennis balls into the shopping cart. If your number lands in the cart you win a prize. These prizes are also donated by local businesses. This year had donations came from Gene’s Market, Sonny’s Pizza, and Personali-tease, just to name a few. These donations helped to bring the community together to help fight one of life’s biggest battles for so many.

This year Lawrence girls basketball raised $1,300 for the Alfond Care Center. A member of the Care Center comes to the game and is presented with a check. Many people have been impacted by cancer and the havoc it creates in families. This event is meant to give our youth and their families hope. It creates a way to come together and fight this horrible disease together.

Members of the Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, and Mt. Blue High School, of Farmington, girls basketball teams pose for a photo prior to the game focusing on cancer awareness called Box Out Cancer, that took place at Lawrence High School. (Photo by Central Maine Photography staff)