Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post members place wreaths on veterans’ graves

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Pictured, left to right, Duane Alexander, Post Commander Paul Hunter, and Joe LaMacchia, lay a wreath at a veteran’s grave. (Contributed photo)

Malcolm Glidden Post #163 and Auxiliary, of Palermo, spent Saturday, December 14, putting wreaths at veterans’ headstones at local cemeteries. The wreaths came from Wreaths Across America. They were honored to do this service for the veterans at Christmas. They placed wreaths for veterans from the War of 1812, Civil War, WWI, WWII, and all the way to veterans who stood guard during times of peace.

Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post #163 Auxiliary President Chelsea Hunter, left, and Commander Paul Hunter, place a wreath. (Contributed photo)

Erskine announces Renaissance awards

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Staff of the Trimester award recipient Gilberto Ortiz, left, and Faculty of the Trimester award recipient Tyler Belanger. (Contributed photo)

On Friday, December 13, 2024, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.

Tenure awards were presented to eleven faculty members: David Farady for 15 years of service; Jon Jorgensen, Jenny Sutter, Jennifer Tibbetts, and Brian Dutil for 20 years of service; Susan Beckwith, Deann Porter, and Jamie Soule for 25 years of service; Deidre Dail and Cheryl York for 30 years of service; and David Barden for 40 years of service.

Renaissance Recognition Awards were presented to the following students:

Audrey Tibbetts, Mason LaGasse, Oryanna Winchenbach, Donovan Thompson, Kammie Thompson, Walker Jean, and Olivia Brann.

In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to seven members of the senior class: Octavia Berto, daughter Catherine and Jonathan Berto, of China; Elsa Redmond, daughter of Christopher and Laurie Grassi Redmond, of China; Ava Kelso, daughter of Storm and Bradley Kelso, of Vassalboro; John Edwards, son of Melissa and James Edwards, of Palermo; Gabrielle Daggett, daughter of Amber and Christopher Daggett, of Chelsea; Kaylene Glidden, daughter of Kim and Rob Picard, of Vassalboro; and Emmett Appel, son of William Appel and Suzanne Brown, of Windsor. 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, a Staff of the Trimester award was presented to Gilberto Ortiz, Custodian; and a Faculty of the Trimester award was presented to Tyler Belanger, Special Education Instructor.

Congratulations to all award recipients!

Senior of the Trimester award recipients, front row, from left to right, Ava Kelso, Elsa Redmond, and John Edwards. Back, Kaylene Glidden, Octavia Berto, Emmett Appel, and Gabrielle Daggett. (Contributed photo)

Waterville’s finest battle for community programs

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Waterville youth cheerleaders and the Unified Champions Club with the Waterville Police Department and Waterville Fire Department. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

On December 8, Watervilles bravest and finest laced up their sneakers for the Battle of the Badges basketball game. This thrilling showdown between the Waterville Police and Fire departments brought lots of excitement to the court but also helped raise vital funds for two transformative community programs: the Unified Champion Club and the Pay-What-You-Can Program at the AYCC.

The Unified Champion Club promotes social inclusion through sports, fostering a supportive environment where individuals of all abilities can thrive, while the Pay-What-You-Can Program ensures youth athletics remain accessible to all families, regardless of financial constraints.

** 50/50 winner took home $132
** Raised over $3,000 on Sunday
** Special Olympics of ME granted $10K

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support this year’s Battle of the Badges! From the intense competition to the incredible community spirit, it was a day to remember.

Our local heroes – Waterville Police Department vs. Firefighters – brought their A-game, and the crowd energy was unmatched. Congratulations to Waterville Fire – Rescue for taking home the bragging rights this year!

But the real winners? Our community – our Unified Champion Club, and youth athletes! We’re still compiling data, from the event, but congrats to all the mini-game winners, too.

For more information or to donate, visit https://www.clubaycc.org/battle-of-the-badges/ or contact the AYCC at 207-873-0684.

Sponsors were Central Maine Motors Auto Group, and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Vassalboro community garden project moves on to next step

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Karen Hatch, Vassalboro’s Community Program Director, is excited to announce the completion of AARP Community Gardens Project, Part of the 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant Program.

This first year four raised beds were built with the help of several volunteers, mostly older adults. Four more will be built in the Spring 2025. These beds are handicapped accessible and are tall enough that one doesn’t have to bend over to tend the garden. The garden beds are located at the Vassalboro Town Office.

Steve Jones, owner of Fieldstone Gardens, in Vassalboro, provided help in determining where to place the garden boxes and also arranged purchasing the soil for the boxes and having the boxes filled. He also donated plants for the boxes.

Two garden benches are placed by the garden area for folks to be able to sit and rest or just enjoy being outside!

The goal of this community garden is to improve the health of the town residents by offering fresh garden produce, combat social isolation of older adults by having them come and socialize with other folks who are gardening here, relieve food insecurities and enhance community connectedness.

Additional garden space will be made for all ages to be able to use to help forge connections and bonds across generations, incomes, races and cultures. In the spring of 2025, more information will be made available as to how to sign up for a garden spot. Priority for the taller raised beds will be given to older adults.

Area combat veterans to benefit from sisters’ handi-work

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Thirty-five combat veterans and their families will enjoy the efforts from talented sisters Angeline LeHay, of Albion, and Nancy Lessard, of Jackman, shown here with Travis Mills. Each week, nearly every week of the year, combat veterans and their families enjoy a break at the retreat in Mount Vernon set up by the Travis Mills Foundation. (contributed photo)

Thirty-five combat veterans and their families will enjoy the efforts from talented sisters Angeline LeHay, of Albion, and Nancy Lessard, of Jackman.

The Travis Mills Foundation provides an environment for post-9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families to enjoy peace and tranquility amidst some of the most incredible scenery that Maine has to offer. They have provided this respite for approximately 2,000 families from across the nation with no cost to the veteran or their family.

Meanwhile, Nancy and her sister Angeline have been busy throughout the year crocheting beautiful afghans that fit most twin-sized beds. This year, the 35 afghans they made will be given by the Travis Mills Foundation to the families and veterans who visit the retreat.

On December 2, they were given a tour of the foundation by Volunteer Coordinator John Romac and were thanked for their efforts by Travis himself. Born and raised in Vassar, Michigan, United States Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Travis Mills, of the 82nd Airborne, is a recalibrated veteran, motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. In addition to being the founder of the Travis Mills Foundation, Travis also serves as the president of the board of directors.

Romac said the afghans would make a wonderful gift to the veterans and families who take part in programs at the Mount Vernon retreat.

Inaugural Thanksgiving dinner at SCCC well attended

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South China Community Church (SCCC) served about 55 people at its first free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 28. Photo by Jayne Winters

by Jayne Winters

South China Community Church (SCCC) served about 55 people at its first free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 28. While SCCC is known for its monthly Blessed Breakfasts and various dinner and soup fundraisers throughout the year, this was the first time its members provided a holiday meal.

The idea was discussed at the September Church Council meeting after a new Sunday service attendee asked if SCCC offered Thanksgiving dinner for people who are alone on the holiday, away from family or simply don’t have the energy or means to make dinner for their small families. Council members voted unanimously to do it and with Debbie Stowe taking the lead, church members enthusiastically got busy!

Dining room set-up and food preparations began Wednesday morning; kitchen workers returned early Thursday to finish cooking, carving, setting tables, slicing pies, etc. Following Pastor Paul Harwath’s opening prayer, folks thoroughly enjoyed their meal. The menu included turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potato, squash, pearl onions and other veggies, as well as cranberry sauces, homemade rolls, ambrosia, cucumber salad, corn bread, homemade pies and beverages. In addition to the wonderful cooks, there were food and beverage servers, clean-up crews, and, of course, dishwashers!

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this dinner such a success. Donations of food and gift certificates came from Hannaford, Tobey’s, Sam’s Club, Shaw’s, Walmart, and countless church and community members. A free will offering that totaled $236 will be used to help purchase gifts for three families SCCC is sponsoring this Christmas – thank you so much for your generosity!

SCCC’s first Thanks­giving dinner went very well and the church plans to do it again next year. Leftovers were taken to the Bread of Life Ministries, in Augusta, for distribution to two local food pantries. We have much to be thankful for, indeed.

Area scouts take part in Veterans Day parade

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Front Row, left to right, Bear Scout Declan McLaughlin, Girl Scout Lila Reynolds, Tiger Scout Boone Mclaughlin, Girl Scout Cadence Metcalf, and Bear Scout Beckett Metcalf. Back, Cubmaster Christopher Reynolds, Bear Scout Lux Reynolds, Webelos Cole Stufflebeam, Tenderfoot Scout William Vincent, Tenderfoot Scout Christopher Santiago, Tenderfoot Scout Hunter Brown, and Scoutmaster Christopher Santiago. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

On November 11, 2024, Scouts in Cub Scout Pack #410 and Troop #410 joined Scouts from Augusta Troop #603, Windsor Pack #609, and Winslow Troop #433, in marching in the Waterville Veterans Day Parade to honor and thank all veterans but specifically those from our Central Maine/Kennebec Valley Region. Troop #410, in Vassalboro, Scoutmaster Chris Santiago said, “This is our third year in a row marching in the Waterville Veterans Parade (post-pandemic). It is an honor for us to march to honor and show gratitude for the veterans of the Armed Forces within our community who have served our great country.

“We do so with admiration and gratitude, especially for our Charter Organization, American Legion Post #126 Vassalboro. The parade helps reinforce lessons about character and leadership, citizenship, personal fitness, and a love of the outdoors. These are four of scouting’s major tenants, the other two being personal safety and family/reverence.”

Pine Tree Council Commissioner Mike Labbe said that Scouting has a long history of strong partnerships with and support to our nation’s veterans. Labbe, who is the MyHealthy Vet Coordinator at VA Maine Medical Center, is also a Navy veteran himself having served on most ship types, with aviation squadrons, and with NATO commands.

“Some of Scouting America’s earliest partnerships as an organization were with groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. We, as a nation, owe so much to those who stepped forward and answered the call to serve. We teach our Cubs and Scouts to practice good citizenship and that includes by honoring our veterans.” Santiago added, “Our unit currently has approximately 20 scouts representing the communities of Vassalboro, China, and Waterville, but we always welcome new scouts. Our Cub Scout Pack accepts boys and girls in Grades K-5. For more information contact vassalborocubscoutpack410@gmail.com. Our Troop currently accepts boys in Grades 6-12. For more information contact vassalborobsatroop410 @gmail.com.”

EVENTS: Maine-ly Harmony presents Christmas concert

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Front row, from left to right, Judy Labonte, Jennifer Clair, Betty Avery, Martha Tait, Lynn Izzi, Kathy Joyce, Lea Davis, and Barbara Combs. Second row, Martha Bangs, Peg Dubrow, Candace Pepin, Janet Dunham, LouAnne Mossler, Donna Ryder, Dotti Meyer. Third row, Lynn Rogers, Danielle Bolouc, BJ Sylvester-Pellett, Cathy Anderson, Nancy Bossie, Sue Staples, and Director Kathy Greason. (contributed photo)

Join the Maine-ly Harmony Chorus Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m., at the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, 35 Highland Avenue, Gardiner, for the Songs of the Season – your favorite Christmas songs, including a silent auction, refreshments and a special appearance from Jolly Ole St. Nick! A donation of $15 is accepted at the door.

Jeffery Flye honored by UBM

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Shawn Nava, left, President of United Bikers of Maine, along with other members of U.B.M presented a plaque of appreciation to Commander Jeffery Flye and American Legion Post #51 for help and support of their organization. (contributed photo)

Garden Gives Back – In Color!

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Blazing orange tomatoes, purple cabbage, golden and purple beans and snap peas decorated the plates of some 70 families who came to the Palermo Food Pantry this growing season. These delicious and nutritious veggies are just some of the exceptional offerings from the Palermo Community Garden. Until noon on December 15, you have the opportunity to help feed our neighbors in need. Families from 12 towns come to our pantry. Once again, Seedmoney.org, of Scarborough, is sponsoring an online crowdfunding event plus offering grants to participating community gardens, and YOU can extend your kindness to help our hard work and increase the productivity of the garden. It’s easy. Just go to https://donate.seedmoney.org/10184/palermo-community-garden and click the orange DONATE button to enter your card number and the amount you want to share with us.

Their goal is to raise $1,500 by noon on December 15. The number of households they welcome is growing, and are already expanding the parking areas to accommodate them. They are also replacing lighted sign, as well as the fruit trees lost last December in the storm. The fruitful but thorny blackberries will be replaced this spring with thornless canes, to make picking much safer for all. These are big projects, and they are certainly grateful for your generosity. For more information, please call Connie at 993-2294 or email pwhitehawk@fairpoint.net.