EVENTS: Historical groups offer insights to local shipbuilding

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A painting of Josephus, built by Ebenezer Haggett, of Newcastle, in 1876. This painting is on display in the parlor of the Chapman-Hall House. (contributed photo)

On Saturday, July 19, the Damariscotta Historical Society, the Chapman-Hall House, and the Newcastle Historical Society will share with visitors a look at the tremendous work of local shipbuilders at three different locations. Visitors are welcome at the Damariscotta Historical Society and the Chapman-Hall House between noon and 4 p.m.; at the Newcastle Historical Society, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A Walking Tour pamphlet of Downtown Damariscotta, including the Newcastle Historical Society site, will be available at all three sites.

Between the 1760s and the 1920s, as many as 30 shipyards were called the Damariscotta River and Great Salt Bay home. The Damariscotta Historical Society has newly arranged its collections and now has on display a selection of photos of locally built vessels. The displays will also include a number of ship-building tools recently donated by Calvin Dodge. Mr. Dodge will be available on July 19th to answer questions about the shipbuilding that took place in this area. The Society is located at 3 Chapman Street, in Damariscotta.

The Chapman-Hall House will feature an exhibit of navigational instruments. Two owners of the Nathaniel Chapman Homestead, after it was sold out of the family, John Dickey and William Williams were both mariners; both would have been familiar with the tools necessary to determine if a vessel was on course. Jeff Miller, who reproduced the instruments that will be featured, will discuss the methods of using these tools during the afternoon. The Chapman-Hall House is located at 270 Main Street, in Damariscotta.

At the Newcastle Historical Society, the story starts in 1765 when shipwrights George Barstow and Nathaniel Bryant began building wooden sailing vessels and ends in 1920 when the last large schooner was built not far from where Lincoln Home is today. A display of photographs and narratives showcasing the development of marine vessels from the single-masted sloop to five-masted schooners can be seen at the Newcastle History Society Museum, located at the corner of Main and Pump Streets. Tim Dinsmore, historical archaeologist and president of NHS, alongside other NHS Board Members, will be present to answer questions and provide information on prominent Newcastle shipbuilders.

Friends of Lake Winnecook offers matching grants for erosion control practices

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Friends of Lake Winnecook, in partnership with the Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District, has announced the availability of matching grants available to landowners within the direct watershed of Unity Pond (Lake Winnecook), Eligible properties are located within the towns of Burnham, Thorndike, Troy and Unity.

Grants of up to $1,500 for 50 percent of allowed costs will be made to landowners who implement erosion control and stormwater management practices that help prevent sediment and runoff from entering the lake and undermining water quality.

Interested landowners should request a “Let’s Make it Clean Evaluation” by applying online at www.lakewinnecook.org or by picking up a paper application at local town offices, the Unity Public Library or Bangor Savings Bank Unity branch. Applications received by August 2, 2025, will receive priority consideration and will also qualify the applicant to receive a bundle of native buffer plants for spring installation at a nominal cost.

This initiative is part of the “Let’s Make it Clean, not Green” program, funded by a Clean Water Act Section 319 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The $122,503 federal grant is matched with $111,801 in local public and private contributions. Additionally, DEP will waive the typical Permit by Rule application fee (a savings of over $400) for eligible projects completed under this program.

A number of public and private road, driveway and property improvements are eligible for grant assistance. The largest investment will be made at the Kanokolus Boat Launch and Beach, in Unity, to direct road and parking area runoff away from the lake, pave the area adjacent to the launch, plant native vegetation, and stabilize the shoreline. Educational signage will be installed to showcase these best practices as a demonstration site. A graphical display of the planned improvements is currently available for public viewing at the Unity Town Office.

For more information, visit www.lakewinnecook.org or email secretary@lakewinnecook.org.

PHOTO: Siblings attend first concert

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Cameron Robinson, 11, and Zoey Robinson, 6, of Clinton, both attended their first ever concert on Saturday, July 5, at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, in Bangor. They both said they liked Kidz Bop and were excited that it was their first concert. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photograph)

Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

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Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow, with Olympic Bronze Medalist Cody Miller during the recent clinic held at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

2016 Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Cody Miller signed Dolphin Swim team member Sophia Rowe’s kick board. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025.

This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes.

Miller, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, is widely recognized not only for his achievements in the pool but for his engaging personality and dedication to motivating young athletes. Participants will receive personal instruction on technique, race preparation, mental training, and more.

“Bringing Cody Miller to the AYCC is about more than just fast swimming – it’s about showing kids what’s possible. In a community like ours, opportunities like this can spark a lifelong love of the sport and help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and connection through swimming.” Says Mid-Maine Dolphins Head Coach, Matt Reed.

Mid-Maine Dolphins team member Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow said, “In meeting Cody Miller, I was nervous and I also thought he would have short hair and he did not. I got to take a picture with him and wear his gold medal. It was kind of heavy. I got to race him and I knew he would win, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. My favorite part was him signing my kick board. I learned a lot of things about my worst stroke which is the breastroke. The facts that I learned will help me go faster.”

Miller said, “I’m the lead clinician for the USA Swim Clinics, so I travel around the country and spread the joy and love of swimming that I had as a little kid to young athletes everywhere. I have a YouTube channel where I teach people how to swim better and be better. One of my viewers sent me an email and said, ‘we’d love to bring you out to Maine.’ I was like, ‘yeah, sounds like fun,’ so here I am. I just try to make it as fun as possible. Swimming, and all sports, should be fun. If they’re not having fun, they’re not going to enjoy it, and then they’re not going to remember the things that you say. When I give them a drill or something, I try to make it fun and challenging in a way that stimulates the kids. Keep it exciting, keep it fun because swimming can be monotonous (lap and lap and lap). That’s not how I do things. It should be fun,” said Miller.

Clinic Highlights:

Hands-on instruction with Olympic medalist Cody Miller

Specialized technique and performance sessions

Exclusive meet and greet, photos, and autograph session

Official AYCC Swim Meet participation

Access to a dynamic community of student-athletes from across the U.S. and abroad

This event was hosted by the AYCC’s Mid-Maine Dolphins Swim Team and took place at the AYCC’s indoor pool.

Sebasticook Valley Hospital graduates nurses

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Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital and Eastern Maine Community College 2025 nursing cohort graduates pictured here at their pinning ceremony, from left to right, Sarah Kelly, Mary Butler, Kate Hight, Lily May Joy, Mackenzie Newman, and Nittaya Dow with their Sebasticook Valley Hospital Clinical Education instructor Nathalie McLaughlin, RN, BSN, CMSRN. (contributed photo)

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield and Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor are proud to announce their 2025 nursing cohort graduates.

The student nurses successfully completed two years of clinical and classroom education at Sebasticook Valley Hospital and Eastern Maine Community College to earn their Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN). Their senior project, which they worked on for the full two years of the program, focused on protein intake in hospital setting and the effect on readmission.

Sebasticook Valley Hospital clinical nurse educator Nathalie McLaughlin, RN, BSN, CMSRN, shared, “I truly have been impressed with this hardworking group of nursing students who have undergone rigorous academic and clinical training to obtain the knowledge, skills, and compassion necessary for providing patient-centered care. Each of them will be a great asset to our Maine communities. I am very proud of each of them and am honored to have been part of their nursing journey.”

“Since the start of this nursing degree collaboration program, we have graduated 11 registered nurses,” states Tracy Bonney-Corson, RN, PhD, MBA-H, vice president of Nursing and Patient Care Services at Sebasticook Valley Hospital. “This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Eastern Maine Community College, has been pivotal to our hospital’s success in cultivating a local workforce of registered nurses, thereby strengthening our capacity to deliver high-quality care to rural residents and enhancing both recruitment and retention efforts.”

“Our partnership with Sebasticook Valley Hospital makes nursing education more accessible for rural students. They complete clinicals and labs locally while staying connected to Eastern Maine Community College faculty and resources. This cohort is a strong example of how successful this model can be,” explains Heather Rushmore, MSN, RN, CNE, program director and department chair at Eastern Maine Community College.

If you have a passion for caring for others and would like to pursue a career in nursing, there will be an upcoming Nursing Information Session in-person at Sebasticook Valley Hospital on Tuesday, August 5 at 9 am in the Board Room, located at 130 Leighton Street on the hospital campus in Pittsfield. To learn more and to register, please visit emcc.edu/nursing-info-sessions or contact Nathalie McLaughlin, RN, BSN, CMSRN, clinical educator, at nmclaughlin@northernlight.org.

Matthew Christen making waves in the martial arts world

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Matthew Christen

by Mark Huard

A 14-year-old from Benton is making waves in the martial arts world. Matthew Christen, a dedicated student at Club Naha Karate-Do, in Waterville, has earned a spot on the World Karate Confederation (WKC) Team USA and will represent the United States at the world tournament, held in Niagara Fall,s in October.

Matthew’s dedication to the sport is evident through his impressive performances in national competitions. He had consistently excelled in the Independent Promoters and Practitioners of New England (IPPONE), the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA), and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuits, showcasing his skills and commitment to martial arts.

Most recently, Matthew competed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the AAU National Championships. He brought home a gold medal and was crowned champion in the 14-year-old black belt division.

Matthew’s inclusion in WKC Team USA is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the support he receives from his national team, KTOC, in New York City. Despite his rising success on the national stage, Matthew remains deeply connected to his roots at Club Naha. His instructor, Craig Sargent, has been instrumental in shaping his martial arts journey, emphasizing the development of character, discipline, and respect – values that Matthew holds dear.

Matthew Christen in action. (contributed photo)

PHOTOS: July 4th boat parade at Sheepscot Lake

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(contributed photo)

The Sheepscot Lake Association held its sixth annual boat parade on July 4, with 35+ boats joining the parade, and several residents cheering the parade on from the lakeshore.

Lynda Pound, (top photo, standing) founding member of the lake association, with 10 years of service on the board, was Grand Marshal of the parade this year. (contributed photo)

contributed photo

Psychosocial Support Services at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

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A key improvement of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care expansion is having the space for a true one-stop-shop for psychosocial support, with staff now co-located, offering a full range of support to patients and families. The cancer center offers a variety of programs to enhance the quality of life for patients and family members while they navigate the complexities of cancer diagnosis, treatment and life after treatment. The team consists of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), financial counselors and dietitians, as well as an oncology care manager and community resource navigator. These compassionate professionals are available at any point in your journey. To learn more about these services, visit www.mainegeneral.org/cancer-support or call (207) 621-6123.

Local students named to University of Rhode Island dean’s list

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KINGSTON, RI (06/05/2025)– The University of Rhode Island, in Kingston, Rhode Island, announces that several area students have been named to its Spring 2025 dean’s list. Among them are:
Gavin Murphy, of Winslow, Tucker Pieh, of Rome, Danica Serdjenian, and Maddie Yakimchick, both of Waterville.

Gregory Bard earns high rank of Eagle Scout

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Gregory Bard’s mother, Mary, pins the Eagle Scout medal on his uniform. (contributed photo)

by Dan Allarie

Fewer than one of every youth who dons a Scout uniform will attain the Eagle Scout rank. Gregory Bard, of Troop# 401, in Sidney, managed to soar to that height and a ceremony was held in his honor at the former St John Catholic School, in Winslow, where he was presented this significant recognition.

Family and friends and fellow Scouts gathered on June 7 to celebrate all Greg had achieved in Scouting. After reviewing his accomplishments and highlighting some of his experiences, Troop #401 Scoutmaster spoke directly to Greg and with great solemnity said, “Be a leader but lead only toward the best. Lift every task you do and every office you hold to the high level of service to God and to your fellow man. So, live and serve, that those who know you will be inspired to finer living. We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and to gain selfish ends.”

Gregory’s mother Mary pinned the Eagle Scout medal onto his uniform and in turn he presented parent pins to his mother and his father Ryan.

Local leaders, such as Tom Purtell, of the Marine Corps League, and State Representative Alicia Collin,s of Sidney, presented Greg with testimonials and certificates. National leaders also added their praise of his accomplishments.

“The Eagle Scout award represents a great deal of hard work and dedication on your part. The improvements you made at the Sidney Athletic Association will be used and enjoyed for many years. You should be justly proud,” noted U.S. Senator Susan Collins. Greg’s Eagle Scout project saw him lead in the extension of the association’s storage shed and construct a new roof. The shed was not sufficient for all of the maintenance tools and grounds equipment. More than 100 hours of service was given to make this project happen and all of it was under the direction of Greg Bard.

“It is clear that you have developed a natural and effective leadership style- one built on leading by example, following direction when needed, and guiding others towards a shared goal,” Congressman Jared Golden wrote in his congratulatory letter. “That’s a rare combination, and one that will serve you well throughout life.”

Scoutmaster Handley gave one last piece of advice: “As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other Scouts of lower rank. You become an example in your community. Remember that your actions are now a little more conspicuous and people will expect more of you.”