Huard’s Sport Karate team member Lucia LaCroix, 12, of Skowhegan, captured first place in forms at the Ocean State Grand Nationals Martial Arts Tournament, in Warwick, Rhode Island, on Sunday, April 2. She also captured third place in weapons competition. (photo by Mark Huard)
The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting will honor the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion during a special breakfast to be held on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m., at American Legion Fitzgerald-Cummings Post #2, in Augusta, located at 7 Legion Drive.
“Each year, scouting honors a person or group for their amazing contributions to our lives,” said Kennebec Valley District Commissioner Eric Handley, of Sidney. “Last year, we recognized the important work done by the medical professionals and support staff at MaineGeneral Hospital. This year, we are recognizing the veterans of the American Legion and the entire Legion family for providing outstanding service to our communities since 1919. They answered when our nation asked for their help and when they returned home, they continued to serve as members of the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons of the Legion.”
Join them for this breakfast to help say thank you to the American Legion family of groups for more than 100 years of patriotic service to our nation and state.
Space is limited to the first 100 attendees. Contact Chuck Mahaleris at cmahaleris@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios. Eagerly anticipated by all who enjoy handmade pottery, as well as anyone looking for a special and unique Mother’s Day gift.
Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
A Lakeside Studio Pottery, Wayne; AP Curiosities, Bowdoinhaml; d harwood Pottery aka Mudgirl, Winthrop; Delilah Pottery and Dominique Ostuni Ceramics; Bowdoinham; Fine Mess Pottery, Augusta; Jeffrey Lipton Pottery, Litchfield; Julie Mondro Pottery, Greene; Kennebec Clay Works, Augusta; Kennebec Pottery, Belgrade; Maple Lane Pottery, Windsor; Margaret Melanson, Gardiner; Muddy Toes Pottery, New Gloucester; Pots in Bowdoin, Bowdoin; Marie Palluotto, Augusta; Fischer Pottery, Lisbon; The Art Walk Shop & Sutio, Winthrop; The Potter’s Shed, West Gardiner; Upper Room, Farmington; Whitefield Pottery, Whitefield; Work in Progress, Lisbon; Prescott Hill Pottery, Liberty; and Unity Pond Pottery, Unity.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, is pleased to announce the bank has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks” based largely on service and trust metrics. Of the 75 US based banks to make the list, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is one of only three banks headquartered in Northern New England.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the best banks in the world, especially as this recognition is a reflection of our customers’ experience with us and their trust in Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Our dedicated team of 500 banking professionals work hard each and every day to ensure that every customer interaction is exceptional and that we are delivering the right technology, resources, and financial guidance to help our customers meet their financial goals. The global recognition from Forbes is another validation that we are doing banking right.”
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving the financial needs of Northern New England residents and businesses since it was founded in 1887. The Bank expertly balances the delivery of innovative products and services that customers require, such as mobile banking and mobile deposit, with a personal approach to banking that customers desire including a full-service branch network of more than 50 branches across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In the past 18 months, the Bank has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Banks” by Newsweek; one of America’s “Best-In-State Banks” by Forbes; and a recipient of the Doing Well by Doing Good Award from Mastercard®.
For Forbes‘ fifth annual list of the World’s Best Banks, which is published in partnership with market research firm Statistic, more than 48,000 customers around the world were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships. Banks were rated on overall recommendation and satisfaction as well as five key attributes: trust; terms and conditions; digital services; customer services; and financial advice.
Aubrey Slater (photo by
Trenetta Saba)
Aubrey Slater, a student at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, has been named a 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
This is a prestigious award, and Aubrey was one of the 50 winners out of 2,400 nominated students. Aubrey and the other scholars will be recognized in the fall of 2023.
On Tuesday, April 11, Senator Matt Pouliot (R-Kennebec), center right, welcomed Avery Theriault, center left, a senior at Cony High School, in Augusta, to the State House to honor her with a Legislative Sentiment for receiving the 2023 Maine Principal Association Award. This award is given to a student who has great academic excellence, participates in community service and contributes to the school community. Avery attended the senate session along with her parents and grandparents. (contributed photo)
Seniors of the Trimester, from left to right: Lilly Fredette, Sophie Steeves, Damon Wilson, Grace Hutchins, Kassidy Barrett, and Malachi Lowery. (contributed photo)
On Friday, April 7, 2023, Erskine Academy, in South China, held a Renaissance assembly to recognize second trimester award recipients.
Recognition awards were presented to Elijah Pelkey, Hannah Ratcliff, Kyle Scott, Abigail McDonough, Hailey Estes, and Jeremy Parker.
Eight seniors received Senior of the Trimester Awards: Sophie Steeves, daughter of Theresa and Gerald Steeves, of China; Kassidy Barrett, daughter of Peggy and Jason Barrett, of Windsor; Malachi Lowery, son of Hollie Hilton, of Vassalboro, and John Lowery, of Ellsworth; Lilly Fredette, daughter of Jessica and Jason Fredette, of China; Grace Hutchins, daughter of Teresa and Randy Hutchin,s of Litchfield; Damon Wilson, son of Aimee and Jeffrey Wilson, of Windsor; and Zuriah Smith, son of Charyl Malik, of China. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.
In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, Faculty of the Trimester awards were also presented to Ethan Rettew, Social Studies Instructor; Marguerite Cullivan, Physical Education Instructor; and Betsy Benner, Guidance Counselor.
Faculty of the Trimester, from left to right: Betsy Benner, Ethan Rettew, and Marguerite Cullivan. (contributed photo)
Scouts in the Genealogy Merit Badge with guest speaker Emily Schroeder who is an archivist with the Kennebec Historical Society. From left to right: Anthony Fortin, of Augusta Troop #603, Ricky Phillips, of Winthrop Troop #604, Manny Stevenson, of Augusta Troop #603, Devyn Deleomardis, and Nicholas Gower, both of Anson Troop #481, and Emily Schroeder, of the Kennebec Historical Society. (contributed photo)
The following release was written by Scouts Anthony Fortin, of Augusta Troop #603, and Stasha Wells, of Winslow Troop #433G. This was one of the requirements for their Journalism Merit Badge they took during the Merit Badge College.
Taking place at the Augusta First Church of the Nazarene, a merit badge college for the Boy Scouts was held by volunteer Scouting leaders of the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting. The event was held on two days, spanning across two months.
The first half of the merit badge college was held on February 25, and the second, on March 25. To make it all possible, adult Scout leaders volunteered their time into teaching classes, and regulating behavior. Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, Kennebec Valley District of Scouting Program Director, took the lead to get the event up and running again with Theresa Poirier, of Augusta.
McKenney gave out multiple ideas for merit badges and the ones that gained the most interest were Art, Aviation, Cooking, Journalism, Personal Fitness, Reading, Weather, Basketry, Law, Genealogy, American Heritage, and Scholarship along with some additional training being offered for adults. Overall, there are 138 Merit Badges available to Scouts. Nearly 50 scouts attended the various classes, with some coming from as far away as Falmouth, Anson and Gorham.
McKenny, when asked how she thought the event was going, replied, “I think the event is going well.” She added her thoughts after Covid-19, “It has taken us a year to get the event running.” The college had been offered annually before Covid-19 but had not been offered since until this year. She added, “We are getting back after Covid. It is a good turnout.”
Adult Cub Leaders were given the opportunity to take Cub Leader training led by District Training Chairman Walter Fails, of Farmington.
Stacey Wells, an assistant scoutmaster from Troop #433G, in Winslow, said she heard from the “Famous social media outlet called Facebook”. Wells also said this would be an opportunity for both youth and adults to grow. At the end of the February 25 session, McKenney had a message board for scouts to make suggestions on what merit badges they would like to see offered at the next Kennebec Valley District Merit Badge College. Stay tuned for next year’s offerings.
Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, and Theresa Poirier, of Augusta, organized the program with their team of Scouting volunteers. It took several months to plan and recruit the Merit Badge Counsellors. (contributed photo)
Matthew Christen performing his winning forms routine. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
Huard’s Martial Arts student Jedidiah Keen, 12, of North Anson, captured first place in point fighting and fourth in chanbara at the Battle of Maine. (photo by Mark Huard)
The 41st Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships took place on Saturday, March 25 at Champions Fitness Club in Waterville. $1 of each spectator ticket went to help support the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. There were competitions is forms, fighting and weapons throughout the day.
Club Naha student Matthew Christen, 12, of Benton, captured first place in forms, weapons, and point fighting. He also took the Junior Grand Championship Titles for forms and weapons.
Referee Kyoshi Andy Campbell holding up Matthew Christen after he won first place in point fighting. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
In an age when international relations are often tenuous, AFS-USA, a leader in international high school student exchange for 75 years, is focused on providing opportunities for intercultural exchange that can help lead to a more just and peaceful world.
AFS-USA invites families and individuals from the Maine area and surrounding communities to become hosts for international students for 12 weeks, a semester, or an academic year.
Hosting provides individuals, families, high schools, and communities with opportunities to learn about the unfamiliar by exploring a diversity of cultures, all while sharing their own culture with a young person from a different country. Exchange students represent nearly 80 countries and cultures, including Kenya, Ukraine, Egypt, Türkiye, Italy, Germany, Chile, Thailand and more.
Once students and host families are matched, they receive ongoing support from trained staff and are welcomed into their local chapter of dedicated volunteers, alumni, and fellow host families. Hosts are expected to provide their student(s) with a bed, meals, and support and encouragement throughout their program. Students arrive with their own spending money and medical coverage.
“These students attend local high schools, participate in local community life, and are encouraged to share aspects of their culture,” AFS-USA President and CEO Tara Hofmann said. “They also discover first-hand what it’s like to live in America and form lasting friendships that create enduring links between the U.S. and other countries. In many cases, the bonds that form between AFS students and their host families last a lifetime.”
AFS-USA is the largest organization within the international AFS network that includes 54 partners around the globe.