Sarina LaCroix has top state of Maine Americanism essay

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Sarina LaCroix

Vassalboro Community School (VCS) student Sarina LaCroix is the sixth-grade State of Maine winner of the annual Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the Elks Club.

Becky Fisher, sixth-grade English and social studies teacher at VCS, said the theme of this year’s contest is “What the Bill of Rights Means to Me.”

VCS students entered through the Waterville Elks Lodge in December 2023. Fisher was notified in February that four VCS students’ essays were chosen for the state-level contest. Later, she learned that LaCroix had written what was judged the best sixth-grader’s essay in Maine.

The contest is divided into four levels, for grades five, six, seven and eight. Contest rules say each essay must be no longer than 300 words and must be “typed or legibly printed in ink” by the student.

Each local lodge sends its 12 winning essays, three from each grade level, to a District Americanism Chairman. The district chairman forwards 12 winning essays to the State Americanism Chairman, who chooses 12 state winners.

In addition, by March 31 the state chairman forwards the first-place essay from each grade level to the Grand Lodge Essay Contest Administrator, in Cullman, Alabama. National winners will be announced at the end of June.

LaCroix will attend the Maine Elks Club state convention in Augusta, on Saturday, May 4, where she will read her essay and be presented with a plaque, Fisher said.

Theresa Gagne turns 105 years old

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Theresa Wilson Gagne, with her family, at her 105th birthday party. Inset, 105-year-old Theresa Gagne. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Theresa Gagne (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Irma Richard and Andrew Wilson gave birth to their daughter Theresa on April 18, 1919, in Brunswick. Theresa was one of eleven children. Theresa continued to live in Brunswick until moving to Waterville when she married the love of her life, Emile Gagne, on October 3, 1942.

Emile and Theresa have three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Joan (George) Meier, of Oakland, Lorraine Landry, of Waterville and Bob (Patti) Gagne, of Waterville. Michael Meier and Debbie Meier, both of Oakland, Carrie (Nick) Peterson, of South Carolina, Mindy Landry, of Augusta, Randi Burns and Renee Slaney, both of Waterville.

Emile and Theresa celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary just a few months before Emile passed away at the age of 90. Throughout the years, Theresa worked in several mills before retiring in 1977 from Bates Manufacturing, in Augusta. Theresa enjoyed several hobbies such as needlepoint, working with stained glass, quilting and jewelry making. Theresa still enjoys gardening, cooking, gambling, entertaining and spending time with family and friends.

Theresa continues to live on her own without any assistance.

Family and friends gathered for lunch at Front and Main, in Waterville, on Thursday, April 18, to celebrate Theresa’s 105th birthday, and cake and ice cream followed at Theresa’s home.

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.

Sidney girl achieves Eagle Scout status

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Eagle Scout Einin Riddle, of Sidney. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Einin Riddle, of Sidney, is just 14 years old but has accomplished something fewer than six percent of all scouts achieve – she earned the Eagle Scout rank.

The event was held at the Augusta Lodge of Elks on Saturday, April 6. She has earned 62 merit badges, her most recent was the Aviation Merit Badge. She has also earned six Nova and Super Nova STEM advancements.

She is homeschooled and is registered in the Lone Scouts program but has been active with Troop #428, in Pittsfield, and is currently a Den Chief helping with Cub Scout Pack #428. Troop #428 Scoutmaster Shelley Connolly presented her with her Eagle Scout certificate.

Connolly serves as her mentor in the Lone Scout program. Riddle plans to attend Thomas College, in Waterville, with a double major in criminal justice and psychology so she can become a psychologist. “My life vision is to be an individual who can help others,” Riddle said. “I always feel great helping other people.” She praised scouting and promised to always live the Scout Law.

photo by Chuck Mahaleris

Local scouts attend Red Sox game at Fenway Park

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Scouts from the Winslow area Pack #445 took part in the Scout Day festivities. Front row, from left to right, Winslow Wolf Cub Ryder Johnston, Lion Lorelei Pullen, Tiger Elliot French. Back, Vassalboro Arrow of Light William Vincent and Winslow Bear Freddie Pullen. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Freddie and his sister Lorelei Pullen of Winslow pose with Wally the Big Green Monster himself, mascot of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Former Baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti once said about Fenway Park, “As I grew up, I knew that as a building (Fenway Park) was on the level of Mount Olympus, the Pyramid at Giza, the nation’s capital, the czar’s Winter Palace, and the Louvre — except, of course, that it is better than all those inconsequential places.” Legends of the game such as Ted Williams, Carl Yas­rzemski, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and David “Big Papi” Ortiz have all left their mark on the storied ball park. On Saturday, April 14, Scouts from Winslow area and Hartland area had the chance to touch the Green Monster and to see Fenway Park the way those icons saw- from the field. This happened during the annual Scout Day at Fenway.

“Walking out on the field was pretty cool,” admitted Troop #403 Scoutmaster Danielle Morse, of St. Albans. “Our trip was great. We had six Scouts go. The boys had a great time and thought it was cool to be able to touch the ‘Green Monster’ from the field.”

Scouts from our local area joined those from across New England to cheer on the BoSox, have hot dogs and peanuts and cracker jack, and took part in the Scout Parade on the field during which they literally walked in the footsteps of Manny Ramirez, Mookie Betts, and Jim Rice.

Sabrina Garfield is Cubmaster of Winslow Pack #445 noted that it was fun to watch the game and see the players live and even more fun because the Sox beat the Angels 5 – 4. “It was very exciting,” Garfield said. “It was all of my Cubs’ first game – mine, too!” The Sox had a 9 win and 7 game loss coming out of their Scout Day victory which included Masataka Yoshida’s first homer of the season.

This year’s Scout Day was a winning way to start off a busy Spring and Summer Scouting season and the Scouts thought it was a home run event.

Local scout leader receives training award

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Scouting Training Chairman for Kennebec Valley District Walter Fails, left, presents Christopher Santiago, of Vassalboro, with the Scouter’s Key. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Since kids don’t grow up overnight, it can sometimes be hard to tell from week to week how much of a difference you’re making as a scouting volunteer. Scouting leaders who complete training programs deliver stronger programs that reach each youth where they are every single week. On Sunday, March 24, four area leaders were recognized for completing all requirements for specific training awards as well as the more challenging to earn Scouter’s Key.

A training award is a position-specific recognition earned by scouters who meet certain tenure, training and performance requirements.The tenure requirement is one year for den leaders and two years for all other positions. Basic training for your position, plus specified supplemental training depending on their scouting position. Additionally, the scouter must do four or five things, which vary by position, such as participating in an annual unit-planning meeting or giving primary leadership in meeting a Journey to Excellence objective.

A Scouter’s Key is a more advanced award earned by the top leader in a unit (i.e., Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisor or Skipper). They must have three years as the top unit leader within a five-year period. As with the training awards, a Scouter’s Key requires basic training for the position they held plus specified supplemental training. Additionally, their Scouting unit must achieve at least the Silver level of Journey to Excellence for at least two years, they must participate in at least one additional supplemental or advanced training event, and they must complete one or two other program-specific requirements.

Christopher Santiago, of Vassalboro, earned the Den Leader Training Award, Scouter’s Training Award for the Cub Level and Scouter’s Training Award for the Troop level. Jamie Russell and Drew Riddle, both of Randolph, earned the Scouter’s Training Award for the Troop Level.

Christopher Santiago earned the Scouter’s Key for his work in the Cub Scout level of the program. The awards were presented by Kennebec Valley District Training Chairman Walter Fails, of New Sharon. The event was held at the Winslow Parks and Recreation Hall. Kennebec Valley District Scouters deliver the programs of Scouting in Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Somerset, and Franklin counties.

One hundred jumpers for one hundred years

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The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) held the annual Polar Plunge during the 100-year anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Waterville, on Saturday, March 16. More than 100 warm-hearted supporters took the plunge to support the AYCC Kids Kitchen.

Kennebec Savings Bank, Huhtamaki, Maine-ly Docks, Allen Insurance & Financial, and Day’s Jewelers sponsored the 31st annual event. This year’s icy plunge took place at the Oakland boat launch and raised over $43,000 for the AYCC Kids Kitchen.

Food & Nutrition staff provide more than 70,000 nutritious meals and snacks to kids in AYCC After School and Summer Enrichment Programs each year. This free program relies on support from generous sponsors and events like Polar Plunge to operate.

Jumpers included AYCC CEO, Ken Walsh; Waterville Chief of Police, Bill Bonney; Huhtamaki Plant Manager, Chris Perry; motorcyclists from Waterville Elks Lodge #905, American Legion Post #51, Oakland, and United Bikers of Maine; seasoned jumper, Tony Tuell; Boulerice Management CEO, Matthew Boulerice; and EXP Realtor, Nick Isgro.

Madison Aux. unit observes Military Child Month

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The Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony was performed by Past Commander, William Price, left, and Unit Chaplain, Geraldine Jenks. (contributed photo)

American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, Madison recognized April as the Month of the Military Child which honors the sacrifices made by military families, with emphasis on children. The Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony was performed by Past Commander, William Price and Unit Chaplain, Geraldine Jenks, on April 1, 2024.

The ceremony includes:

The POTTED FLOWERING PLANT symbolizing that a military child may flower and flourish where they are planted

The HAND SPADE recognizes that they maybe transplanted to a new place in the world at a moment’s notice

The BIRTHDAY HAT AND UNLIT CANDLES, along with the baseball and glove, and ballet slippers represent special occasions that are missed

The FAMILY PHOTO depicting a child with his/her uniformed parent demonstrates our country’s strength

The final touch to the table setting is the AMERICAN FLAG to remind us that families are united in their commitment to national service, at home or away

Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported. Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue all are thought to combine together as a single color, purple.

The table will be set up throughout the month of April.

China woman places second in the Women’s Master’s Division of USA Powerlifting Maine State Championship

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Toni Wall

Toni Wall, of China, attended the USA Powerlifting Maine State Championship on March 23, 2024, at Casco Bay CrossFit Undaunted, in Augusta. Competitors from all over Maine came, despite the winter storm, to show their strength in the squat, bench press and deadlift.

According to the USA Powerlifting, the sport consists of three lifts: the back squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Competitors are categorized by gender, age, and bodyweight. Athletes are allowed three attempts at each of the lifts, the best lift is added to the total weight lifted.

Toni competed against three other women in the Master’s Division, ranging in weight and age.

• Taryn Turcotte, (211 lbs., age 44) squat 226 lbs., bench press 154.3 lbs., deadlift 281.1 lbs. for a total of 661.4 lbs.
• Tina Elliot, (178 lbs., age 58) squat 209.4 lbs., bench press 99.2 lbs., deadlift 264.6 lbs. for a total of 573.2 lbs.
• Toni Wall, (129 lbs., age 64) back squat 154.25 lbs., bench press 121.25 lbs., deadlift 209.25 lbs. for a total of 485 lbs.

According to socialpowerlifting.net, scoring is based on the Dots Score or the ratio between a lifter’s body weight and the weight they are lifting.

Toni has been powerlifting since 2017 and has previously competed in the Women’s Masters Division. She competed in the 2019 State Championship where she placed third and most recently in the 2023 State Championship again placing third in the Women’s Masters Division. Toni trains at Casco Bay Undaunted, a CrossFit and Powerlifting gym. She is coached by Lyn Gagnon-Kelley.

Toni will be heading to the USA Powerlifting Northeast Regional Championship, in Portland, in June 2024, where she hopes to have a total of 500 lbs. or more.

China Primary School observes 100th day of school

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Mrs. Eaton’s first grade class, at China Primary School, celebrated the 100th day of school. They rotated through stations such as making 100 gumball machines, stacking and ordering 100 cups in number order, making the number 100 with 100 Legos, following pattern block templates with 100 pattern blocks, and so on! The class enjoyed celebrating being one hundred days smarter in first grade!