EVENTS: Community Blue Christmas ceremony shines a light on winter solstice

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by Monica Charette

The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its Second Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends, and those who support them, Wednesday, December 21, at 6 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Light the Night will feature music, speakers, along with a reading of submitted names of loved ones’ lost and the lighting of memorial blue candles.

Blue Christmas ceremonies are held around the world in acknowledgement that the holiday season can be difficult for many who are grieving.

“This time of year can be so challenging when celebrations of peace and joy contrast sharply with the sadness and loneliness that come with loss,” said Monica Charette, founder and executive director of the ShineOnCass Foundation. “Our hope is to bring people together, both those who are grieving, and people who support them, to offer a comforting space where everyone feels less alone.”

In addition to the blue light ceremony, the evening will also feature music by local musician Will Pherson and the return of award-winning country recording artist Joan Kennedy, who will perform “Candle in the Window.”

Charette said the idea to host a community Blue Christmas Ceremony came from a gathering organized by her friends after the passing of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette, eight years ago. Cass, for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor, was a Messalonskee High School student and longtime community volunteer, who died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

“It was comforting when people came together to support our family, acknowledge our grief, and stand beside us during a very dark and lonely time,” Charette said. “We want to continue to share that experience with others in our community.”

Anyone in the community can participate by sharing their loved ones’ names being remembered, and receiving a blue candle to light at the ceremony. People are also welcome to attend in silent remembrance and offer support to others. To complete the online form, visit Light the Night: Blue Christmas on the Foundation’s website www.shineoncass.org. Deadline to submit is Monday, December 19. In case of inclement weather, Blue Christmas will be held one day later, on December 22. For more information, email shineoncass@gmail.com or call 207-314-6996.

Citrus orders deadline nears

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The deadline for ordering bright, tangy, and sweet citrus in time for Christmas is December 11. You can have it shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states for one low price. Just go to https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1018996 and take a look at all the healthy goodness you can send!

Proceeds from this sale benefit the Living Communities Foundation, which hosts the Palermo Food Pantry, in the Palermo Community Center, as well as the Palermo Community Garden and the Great ThunderChicken Teaching Drum.

The Palermo Community Garden is also eligible for a Challenge Grant from SeedMoney.org. Last year they raised over $1,100 through this crowdfunding platform, and they hope to get somewhere near that this year, but they only have until December 15, so please share your resources with them so they can share fresh, organic food with neighbors! Please go to https://www.donate.seedmoney.org/7991/palermo-community-garden and know that your contribution helps to alleviate food insecurity right here in our area.

The Town Line to benefit from bag sales

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Buy one of these reusable grocery bags in February, and the China Hannaford will donate $1 to The Town Line!

The Town Line, Inc., a weekly, reader-supported, nonprofit newspaper, has been selected again to receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of January 2023 at Hannaford, 33 Hannaford Drive, in South China.

F.A. Peabody Insurance opens new central Maine branch

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Christopher Anderson, President of F.A. Peabody Insurance (FAPCO,) is announcing the opening of the agency’s 11th branch office in Palermo. Palermo is centrally located in the tri-city community of Belfast, Augusta and Waterville.

With the addition of the Palermo branch, Christine Huntress joins the F.A. Peabody staff as a seasoned insurance professional with over 35 years of experience. She moved from York to Palermo in 2018 and has shown herself to be a valuable asset in expanding insurance services to the Central Maine community. By joining FAPCO, Christine will be in a better position to also increase the commercial insurance offering to the community.

“Christine brings extensive expertise in property casualty insurance to the F. A. Peabody Insurance Division. Her professionalism and friendly business style compliments our agency’s culture,” states Anderson. Christine says, “I’m very excited to join the F. A. Peabody team. Each client is unique with different insurance needs and I welcome every challenge.”

The F.A. Peabody Company was founded in 1927 in Houlton, and over its rich 95-year history has launched additional branch offices in Madawaska, Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Sherman, Lincoln, Calais, Hampden, Westbrook, and now, Palermo.

Christine can be reached at (207)993-5002 or christine.huntress@fapeabody.com.

Somerville farm to hold Yule Goat fundraiser

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Bacchus is one of the Yule Goats at Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, in Somerville. (photo courtesy of Pumpkin Vine Farm)

Pumpkin Vine Farm’s Yule Goat celebration, which aims to help spread the magic of Christmas from Scandinavia to India, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, December 11, at the 217 Hewett Road farm, in Somerville.

In Scandinavian tradition, the Yule Goat brings presents to children at Christmas, accompanied by the Tomten, a farm gnome that looks after the well-being of the animals, according to a news release from farm owner Kelly Payson-Roopchand.

This year, the Yule Goat is raising funds for underprivileged schoolchildren in Varanasi, India.

People can attend the holiday event for free, then pass on the gift through a purchase of a special fundraising goat calendar and/or direct donation. The festivities start with a traditional Scandinavian story followed by handcrafts and hot chocolate by the fireside.

Those who attend are encouraged to wear winter clothes and boots so they can take a hike with Yule Goats dressed in their bells and blankets to decorate a tree for the wild birds.

After a visit to the barn, people can browse local crafts and farm-fresh treats at the farmers’ market. The market will include snacks, holiday gifts, and all the fixings for a holiday table.

For more information, visit pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com, email info@pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com or call 207-549-3096.

Annual scouting food drive (2022)

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Scouts in Kennebec Valley District, which includes Somerset, Kennebec, Franklin, Lincoln and Knox Counties, are taking time during the holiday season to help other people through the annual Scouting for Food Drive. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Give blood ahead of hectic holiday weeks

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As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays. As a thank-you, all who come to give through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to give Dec. 16 – Jan. 2 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

In Kennebec County, Augusta, Monday, December 12, 12:30 – 6 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206; Monday, December 19, 12:30 – 6 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206.

Winslow, Thursday, December 15, 1 – 6 p.m., MacCrillis-Rousseau, VFW Post #8835, 175 Veterans Drive.

Gardiner, Saturday, December 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 109 Spring Street.

Northern Light welcomes three new specialists

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Clockwise from top-left: Muhammad Zakariya Alam, Brendan Wallace, Steven LeClair.

Northern Light Inland Hospital has announced three new specialists to the staff in Waterville.

Muhammad Zakariya Alam, MD, joins Northern Light Neurology; nurse practitioner Steven LeClair, AGACNP-BC, is now part of Northern Light Gastro­enterology; and Brendan Wallace, MD, joins Northern Light Urology. All are welcoming referrals. Their offices are located in the Medical Arts Building, attached to Inland Hospital on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

Dr. Alam is a skilled neurologist, board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neuro­logy, with an expertise in clinical neurophysiology with a particular interest in epilepsy, neuromuscular conditions, headache and post stroke care and rehabilitation. Dr. Alam shares, “I enjoy listening to and developing relationships with my patients and their families. Hearing them out and validating their concerns is important. They or their loved ones need to advocate for themselves, and I will be their partner in finding the best solutions.” Learn more about Dr. Alam by calling his office at 207-861-7050.

Steven LeClair is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and is also board-certified with the American Nurses Creden­tialing Center. Steven provides treatment and medical management of liver and digestive issues, hepatology, dysmotility, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Steven says, “I empathize with my patients as I have had GI issues in the past and understand how frustrating it can be. Our goal is to guide patients through the care experience. I have lived in Maine my whole life and grew up in these communities; these patients are my community members, and we must look out for each other.” Contact Steven’s office for more information at 207-861-7874.

Dr. Wallace is a urologist, board-certified by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and is board-eligible by the American Board of Urology. Dr. Wallace specializes in the medical and surgical management of kidney stones using minimally invasive surgery. He provides urete­roscopy, transurethral resection of prostate, transurethral resection of bladder tumor, prostate needle biopsy, circumcision, hydrocelectomy. “Working with my patients on shared decision making ensures patients are involved and engaged in creating individualized care plans. I also like my patients to be well educated so they have a better understanding of what to expect with treatment and with their diagnosis.” For more information about Dr. Wallace’s services, reach out to 207-861-7874.

Contact your primary care provider for a referral. For more information, please visit northernlighthealth.org/Inland.

Waterville Creates announces staffing changes

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Waterville Creates (WC) has announced the arrival of several new staff members across the organization.

Bryant Cyr was hired as production manager and Michael Churchill appointed technical director for the Waterville Opera House.

Cyr previously worked in the Boston and New York City theatre industries for national tours, regional productions and Off-Broadway shows. Churchill studied entertainment production at the New England School of Communications prior to beginning his career at theaters around New England.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bryant and Michael to the Waterville Creates team,” said Michelle Sweet, executive director of the Waterville Opera House. “They bring years of experience in the industry that will elevate our stage productions and enable us to expand offerings at the Waterville Opera House.”

Austin Frederick was hired as AV coordinator at the Maine Film Center (MFC) on Nov. 1. Frederick brings invaluable experience from previous roles at the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF), including operations coordination and venue management.

“We’re so excited to welcome Austin to the MFC staff,” said Mike Perreault, executive director of MFC. “Austin will coordinate regular-run and special screenings at MFC, technical components for special events throughout the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and projection operations of MIFF.”

Lisa Wheeler has joined the Waterville Creates staff as education and outreach coordinator. In her previous role as art educator in the Waterville Public School system, Wheeler oversaw Waterville’s gifted and talented program for the visual and performing arts and was a frequent community collaborator with Waterville Creates.

Jordyn Chelf has joined Waterville Creates as marketing and development coordinator. Chelf brings extensive theatre experience to her new role, having worked at the Theater at Monmouth in Maine, as well as the Creede Repertory Theater, in Colorado.

Sara Stewart was hired as WC’s event and volunteer coordinator and brings a wide array of event and operations experience from her previous roles at the Tribeca Film Institute, in New York City, Campus Movie Fest, in Atlanta, and the Sunset Beacon Neighborhood Center, in San Francisco.

“We are delighted to welcome our new employees to the Waterville Creates team. Their collective expertise, professionalism and enthusiasm to support the arts in Waterville is both inspiring and provides a solid foundation which enables us to offer a wide range of arts experiences,” said Vice President Patricia King.

More information about upcoming events and classes can be found at watervillecreates.org.

Waterville Creates connects artists, organizations, and the public with arts and cultural events and programs happening in our community.

Admit Day at Winslow High School

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Sharon Oliver, back, Director of Transfer Admissions at the University of Maine, with Winslow High School senior Lainey Bell. (Central Maine Photography photo)

by Mark Huard

On November 29, 2022, Winslow High School hosted its annual Admit in a Day for Seniors. Admission representatives from the University of Maine, Husson University, of Bangor, Thomas College, of Waterville, Kennebec Valley Community College, of Fairfield, the University of Maine at Farmington, and the University of Maine at Augusta, were at WHS and gave students on the spot admission decisions, as well as feedback on their applications. In total 61 of 101 WHS seniors scheduled 117 admissions appointments for application review. Winslow High School is pleased to report that 100 percent of the students who participated were accepted at one or more colleges. As a result of their commitment to academics while at Winslow High School, the six colleges and universities awarded a total of $2,038,000 in merit scholarship money to students over their four years with the expectation that they maintain an identified GPA.