Madison Legion Auxiliary collects essential items for children in DHHS system

/0 Comments/in , /by

Members of Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, in Madison, pictured left to right, Amy Washburn, Harriet Bryant, Irma Fluet, Gerri Jenks, Lisa Nelson, Nancy Misiaszek, Jackie Pollis, and Tammy Giguere. (contributed photo)

The month of April is recognized as Children and Youth Month. Members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, collected many essential items such as backpacks, Pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, shoes, socks, toiletry items, and hygiene products for the older children, etc.

These items benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System. Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. These backpacks provide them with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them. This year with generous donations of items from the members of the local community, and American Legion Family membership as well as the Auxiliary purchases, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison delivered 440 items valued over $1,500.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with Dirigo State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforveterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org or contact Jackie Pollis, President at jrdlps35@gmail.com or at 207-431-1844.

HealthReach welcomes new clinician, Dr. Stacey Anderson

/0 Comments/in , /by

Madison Area Health Center

Dr. Stacey Anderson

This April, staff of Madison Area Health Center are happy to welcome Dr. Stacey Anderson to their professional healthcare team.

Anderson earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Previously, she attended graduate studies in Bio­chem­istry at the University of California and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University. Dr. Anderson has a strong background in medicine, including a wealth of experience in OB/GYN and women’s health. We look forward to the knowledge and skill that Dr. Anderson will bring to the HealthReach team.

Anderson shares, “I am excited to join the team at the Madison Area Health Center. My goal, since starting Medicine as a career, has been to provide healthcare to underserved populations. My areas of special interest include Reproductive Health, Endocrinology focusing on Diabetes Care, and Whole Person Wellness.”

Anderson joins the existing Madison clinical team – Family Nurse Practitioners, JoHanna Davis and Jeanne Stokes; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Kelly Bell Bragg; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Danna Lee; and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Lauren Emery.

Madison Aux. unit observes Military Child Month

/0 Comments/in , /by

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.

Legislative Update for Thursday, March 21, 2024

/0 Comments/in , , /by

(photo by Eric W. Austin)

L.D. 2242, S.P. 964

An Act to Set a Debt Limit for the Anson and Madison Water District. (EMERGENCY) (Presented by Senator FARRIN of Somerset)
(Copies of the Bills may be obtained from the Document Room, First Floor, State House, Augusta, Maine 04333-0002 – Ph: 207-287-1408. Bill text, bill status and roll call information are available on the Internet at http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/search.asp. The Weekly Legislative Report is also available on the Internet at the House home page at http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/ under the “Documents” tab.)

UNE announces dean’s list (2023)

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

The University of New England, in Biddeford, has announced the following local students who achieved the dean’s list for the fall semester 2023:

Parker Higgins, Albion; Jessica Guerrette, Molly Mercier, Daraun White and Julie White, all of Fairfield; Alonna Battis and Caitlyn Mayo, both of Fairfield; Mallory Audette, of Jefferson; Mckenzie Kunesh, of Liberty; Katrina Barney, of Madison; Mackenzie Bertone, of Norridgewock; Brady Doucette, of Sidney; Wylie Bedard, Elizabeth Connelly, Catherine Kelso, Zoe Lambke, Ashley Mason and Dawson Turcotte, all of Skowhegan; Alexis Rancourt and Richard Winn, both of South China; Adam Ochs, Vassalboro; Asher Grazulis, Nabila Harrington, Emma Michaud, Elias Nawfel, Grace Petley, Lauren Pinnette, and Emilee Richards, all of Waterville; and Willa Dolley, Juliann Lapierre, and Justice Picard, all of Winslow.

Brianna Paine named to dean’s list (Fall 2023)

/0 Comments/in , /by

Brianna Paine, of Madison, was named to the Fall 2023 dean’s list at Berry College, in Rome, Georgia. The dean’s list honors students who posted an academic average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale while carrying a class load of at least 12 hours during the semester.

Ashley Carrier graduates from Shenanhoah University

/0 Comments/in , /by
Ashley Carrier, of Madison, was among the 1,143 students who graduated from Shenandoah University, in Winchester, Virginia, during the 2022-23 academic year. Carrier earned a bachelor of science degree in public health.

KVCOG schedules household hazardous waste pickup dates

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , /by

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, based in Fairfield, plans to host Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in October in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Skowhegan, Anson, Bingham, Canaan and Madison will collect from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Skowhegan Transfer Station, 29 Transfer Station Drive. This is open to residents of those towns, who must call their own town office to schedule a time slot (Skowhegan, 207-474-6902; Anson, 207-696-3979; Bingham, 207-672-5519; Canaan, 207-474-8682; Madison, 207-696-3971).

Winslow, Belgrade, Clinton, Fairfield, Oakland and Waterville will collect from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 21, at Winslow Public Works, 135 Halifax St. Residents must call their municipal office to schedule a slot (Winslow, 207-872-2776; Belgrade, 207-495-2258; Clinton, 207-426-8322; Fairfield, 207- 453-7911; Oakland, 207-465-7357; Waterville, 207-680-4200).

Those who don’t have an appointment slot made with their town will not be able to drop off that day.

Many chemicals commonly used around the home are hazardous, either alone or when combined with other chemicals, and need to be disposed of by professionals trained to handle hazardous materials, according to a KVCOG news release.

Improper disposal of these materials can disrupt the function of sewage treatment plants or private septic systems, contaminate ground water, and harm animals and residents. Items that are difficult to recycle or dispose of — such as electronic waste, batteries, paint, anti-freeze, chemical cleaners, yard chemicals, old fuels, oils and mercury thermostats — many of which can also become harmful if left unmonitored.

The council will have local law enforcement officials on hand in Winslow and Skowhegan to collect and properly dispose of any pharmaceuticals that residents want to bring in.

HealthReach announces completion of Madison Health Center renovations

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Madison Health Center

Madison – HealthReach is excited to announce that recent renovations to its Madison Area Health Center are complete.

The renovations have increased comfort and patient capacity, while also modernizing the space so that busy clinicians and staff are able to achieve the best outcomes for their patients. Among many other upgrades, these renovations included expansions to the waiting room, exam rooms, administrative areas, and medical records areas.

With an updated nurses’ station, a new lab, and additional exam rooms, staff and patients will all benefit. New offices have been built for both the site’s Connector and Care Manager, improving patient comfort in their meeting spaces where they provide patient assistance. Additionally, new offices were added for both the site’s Behavioral Health Counselor and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These changes have already improved operations, and are allowing staff to serve more community members than ever before with an emphasis on personalized, whole-patient care.

Since its foundation in 1977, Madison Area Health Center had previously expanded its spatial capacity twice. The first expansion occurred in 1980, and the second expansion was in 1989. Today, we are excited to see this newest set of renovations allow the building to move forward as the practice grows and continues to serve the grateful people of Madison, Anson, and nearby towns.

EVENTS: Madison Legion Aux. to collect school supplies

/0 Comments/in , /by

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, is once again collecting school supplies for children in our local schools (Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec RSU #74). Here is a list of the items needed: backpacks, rulers, erasers, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens (blue, black & red), crayons, markers, glue sticks, water bottles (no larger than 20 oz), pouches for binders, 1″ binders, 1 subject notebooks, college and standard ruled filler paper.

Items can be dropped off in the collection box at the Madison American Legion Hall, on 20 S. Maple Street, on Mondays through Saturdays after 3 p.m. and on Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Don’t have time to shop, you can send a monetary donation and we will do the shopping for you. Make checks payable to Madison ALA with School Supplies in the Memo. Mail to: Madison ALA, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950.

You can also drop off items on Saturday, August 26, at the auxiliary’s booth at the Craft & Vendors Fair located in the green space, at Skowhegan Savings Bank, in Madison, during Madison/Anson Days.