Annual Polar Bear Dip held during Maine Pond Hockey Classic

Colby football players Travon Bradford and DJ O’Donnell, make their plunge. (photo by Missy Brown,
Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

The 27th Annual Polar Bear Dip took place on Sunday February 9 at the Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney.

The event helped raise $23,500 and had 114 dippers, Colby College Sports brought 68 dippers and raised over $4,000 by itself! 92 Moose’s Cooper Fox was live streaming throughout, and between the all weekend Pond Hockey Classic and the Dip, over $55k was raised. The event would not be successful without the hard work and support of site sponsor Snow Pond Center for the Arts and lead Dip Sponsors, Hannaford, Maine­General, and Nicholson, Michaud & Co.

Colby men’s hockey team. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

The Silver Street Tavern team won most money earned for the fifth year in a row with $7,400, led by team captain and highest raising individual with $3,900, Tony Tuell.

The Colby men’s hockey entry in the tournament included, front, from left to right, Reed Spear, Chase Lawler and Max Poulin, all CMYHA Mites. Back, Paddy Daley, Sean Holly and Mark Leprine. (photo by Sarah Fredette,
Central Maine Photography staff)

The challenge between Alfond Youth & Community Center CEO Ken Walsh and incoming board chairman Amy Bernatchez, ended in a tie of $2,400 each, thanks to a last minute pledge to do just that; however, Amy pulled out a secret $500 donation from Golden Pond Wealth Management to best Ken, who went into the sink, ‘70s wig, glitter jumpsuit and all. Then, as a show of solidarity and just to prove she could, Amy jumped in, too.

Best costumes included the AYCC Wellness team’s ‘80s workout theme, the afterschool program’s pink T’s decorated by Club kids, and the KVYMCA cape donned Super Hero Dippers, with honorable mentions to Colby football teams’ banana and football-shaped entries.

With over a dozen belly flops, an impressive Timber! Fall and too many cannonballs to count, Best Dips went to American Heritage Tour Director Kurt Mathies for most water displaced, Silver Street/Charlie’s Mules Tony Tuell for staying in the water while his team of ten jumped in individually, and the entire Colby men’s soccer team for twirls and flips that impressed us all.

Top prizes included a four-person portable hot tub (won by Tony) donated by Lowe’s and gift cards donated by Marden’s, Portland Pie, Amici’s Cucina, The Proper Pig, and Silver Street Tavern – each accompanied by its very own mini-Oscar.

And once again, thank you, Delta Ambulance for being on hand and not being needed (phew).

All money raised directly fund the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville’s Kid’s Kitchen, which serves more than 85,000 free, hot, nutritious meals and snacks annually to an average of 200 at risk children daily. Over 65 percent of these children say this is their last meal of the day. In addition, every weekend 125 families receive a meal supplement backpack through the center’s Weekend Meals Backpack program. Every $5 donation fills a backpack for a family of three for the weekend, according to a news release from the club.

AYCC Childcare leadership team, Chrissy Johnson, Bobbi Pelletier and DJ Adams, take the dip. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)