Madison Legion Auxiliary support community

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From left to right, Madison American Legion Auxiliary members Robin Turek, Shirley Emery, Betty Dow, Ann Cody, Harriet Bryant, Tena Ireland and Sharon Ziacoma. (Contributed photo)

The Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39 supports community programs such as children and youth. Each year the members of the auxiliary donate school backpacks filled with school supplies and distributes them to four local schools in Madison and Anson area. This year they donated a total of 20 school backpacks.

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for nearly 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 women’s patriotic service organization, auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls 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 contact: Robin Turek, president – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

Springfield College recognizes dean’s list students

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Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, named the following local students to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2018 term.

Christopher Hayden, of Madison, studying applied exercise science.

Ryan Pellerin, of Albion, studying sport management

SOLON & BEYOND: Solon budget committee begins process

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

The Solon Budget Committee meeting was held at the Municipal building on Saturday, January 20, with the following in attendance: Ann Padham, Bruce Hills, Frank Ridley, Barbara Johnstone, Eleanor Pooler, Carol White, Donald Kenerson, George Williams, Albert Starbird, Allen Foss, Joseph Albuit, Jeff Pomelow, Lois Miller and Gaye Erskin . Selectmen, Elaine Aloes, Mary Lou Ridley and Sarah Davis; Treasurer, Sharon Begin; Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Leslie Giroux, Road Commissioner, Mike Foster, Fire Chief, Duayne Rollins. Others there were Keith Galleger, who is running for the selectman position in March and Lief and I.

A meeting of the Coolidge Library Trustees meeting was held at the library on January 18 with the following in attendance: Librarian, Megan Myers, Richard Roberts, Mary Farrar, Jane Ouderkirk, Allen Foss, Lief Bull, and Diane Trussell.

Megan passed out copies of her report and answered questions. The School Bookmark Contest continues to be popular. The winning submission is chosen from each class (Pre K-5) at Solon Elementary School. Megan was this year’s judge, along with the district art teacher.

The annual Summer Reading Program ran June 29 – August 10. This year’s activities were assisted by a local teen volunteer. During the program, Build a Better World, she focused on books and activities that promoted science, engineering, arts and community awareness. There was a small but consistent attendance. Meals were again available to all children and teens from the school’s Summer Meals Program.

Was pleased to receive an e-mail from Ferra Kelley about the following information: Once again, volunteer members of AARP will be preparing & filing Federal/State tax returns, free of charge, to senior and low income families in the area. The Crossroads Bible Church, 705 White School House Rd. Madison have again generously allowed us to work out of their premises, and we are taking appointments for Friday & Saturday mornings, beginning in February. Please do not make calls to the church directly, as they are not otherwise involved in the program. Call Ferra @ 643-2559 to schedule an appointment.

I’m glad that several of you liked the article on manners in this column last week, and as promised I will send more of them when space allows….but, we must leave space for Percy’s memoirs:

“It’s the little things we do and say
That means so much as we go our way.
A kindly deed can lift a load
From weary shoulders on the road.
Or a gentle word, like summer rain.
May soothe some heart and banish pain.
What joy or sadness often springs
From just the simple little things.”

This is from one of those little Salesian Inspirational Books, that I have collected for many years.

Quarter auction planned in Madison

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A Quarter Auction will be held on Saturday, September 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Madison American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street. Check out this exciting fundraiser that has never been done in this area before! Quarter Auction is a combination of an Auction, Vendor Fair and Luck of the Draw all rolled into a fun time.

Doors open at 9 a.m. Auction starts at 10 a.m. Admission is $2 per Auction Paddle. The kitchen will be open. 50/50 Raffle and various other raffles.

Bring your quarters! Quarters will be available to purchase. All proceeds to benefit veterans programs and local community charities. For more information, call Harriet 635-2051, Fran 696-3726 or Bonnie 772-418-4534, also as an event on Facebook entitled Quarter Auction. Event sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39-Madison.

Zumba-thon for veterans a success

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The Zumba-Thon for Veterans was held on April 21 at Madison Junior High School to benefit the programs for veterans at Togus. More than $1,100 was raised which will be donated to the programs such as the VA/VS which includes keeping the supply closet of comfort items for every veteran who is admitted, coffee and newspapers in the waiting room, gifts at Christmas and other activities. Below, the nine instructors who conducted the zumba-thon, from left to right, Christine Marie, Hillary White, Lisa Berry, Allison Marcoux, Tiara Nile, organizer, Lisa Doyon, Denise Delorie and Suzanne Lamb.

Contributed photos

Two local students on URI dean’s list

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The University of Rhode Island, in Kingston, Rhode Island, has announced the Fall 2016 dean’s list. The following students were named to the dean’s list with their area of study: Alexandria M. Jarvais, of Madison, majoring in Pharm D, and Rachel Cambridge Pratt, of Cornville, majoring in Kinesiology.

Fun in the sun, with chocolate help

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Mathis Washburn

Left photo, Mathis Washburn, of Canaan, makes his way down the Chocolate Slip ‘n Slide, at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, at Yonderhill Campground, in Madison, on July 30.
Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography

 

Riley Landry, of Vassalboro, Tate Jewell, Adam Fitzgerald and Landon Nunn, all of Skowhegan

Right, from left to right, Riley Landry, of Vassalboro, Tate Jewell, Adam Fitzgerald and Landon Nunn, all of Skowhegan, get set to join in the slide.
Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography

Foley graduates from WPI

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On Saturday, May 14, on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) campus quadrangle, in Worcester, Massachusetts, 907 bachelor’s degrees were awarded during the university’s 148th commencement ceremony.

Kyle Foley, of Madison, was awarded a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

IF WALLS COULD TALK: Week of July 21, 2016

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Katie Ouilette
by Katie Ouilette

WALLS, just ‘where’ will you begin and end with this column?  There sure is a lot on our plate this week!  Eat up, faithful readers, and in case you are one that says there’s nothing to do here, read on!

WALLS, it’s time for you to speak loud and clear, as last Saturday, the Lake Wesserunsett Association had its annual meeting and it was superb.  Yes, first there was breakfast served to almost everyone attending at the East Madison Grange Hall.  Oh, breakfast was prepared by East Madison Grange members.  Then, upstairs we went for the meeting which was brought to order by “Gene” Chiappetta, and we all wished him well as he left his presidency, and that office was assumed by Mark Doty, who lives at the inlet end of Lake Wesserunsett.  We learned a lot about Somerset Woods Association from our peaker, Jack Gibson.  By the way, Somerset Woods was, first, located on U.S. Route 2 and was a gift of Governor Abner Coburn’s sister, Helen.  Now, the association owns many tracts of land and are preserving the lands for us to enjoy.

East Madison Fire Department was host to the Madison selectmen’s meeting on July 11 and a truly great meeting it was!  First, WALLS, let faithful readers know how very lucky we of East Madison are to have such loyal selectmen, who are willing to hold their meeting in East Madison every five months, so that all attending can tell their thoughts and get answers from each selectman to whom the questions are addressed.  Frankly, we must be grateful to Madison Town Manager Tim Curtis, for his always vital interest in East Madison.

Speaking of the great things that are happening for area folks and tourists to attend, the annual kneading conference will be held at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds on July 28, 29 and 30 and we must thank Amber Lambke and her committee, which includes members of Great Grains, Plus, those great bread makers that join in the entire ‘learning and baking weekend.’. Be prepared to have the great bread fair at your fingertips, faithful readers.

WALLS, for sure you would be remiss if you didn’t at least tell our tourists and visitors about the Skowhegan Free Public Library, a gift of Gov. Abner Coburn  His sister, Helen, gave Skowhegan its History House.  Yes, the History House is now called the Research Center, also, and its executive  director, Melvin Burnham, gives lectures at Skowhegan’s historic locations at least once a month and all are invited to attend.  The Skowhegan Free Public Library also has a Genealogy Research Center that has recently been completed by Steve Dionne, owner of Lake George Construction.

So, WALLS, now you can leave the ‘exploring’ for folk’s own interests….but, for sure, there is a lot to experience in this central Maine area.