Northern Light named to best maternity care list

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photo: Newsweek: www.newsweek.com/best-maternity-care-hospitals-2020

Northern Light Inland Hospital has been named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek’s Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group. Inland Hospital is one of only five in Maine and fewer than 250 hospitals nationwide to receive the prestigious accolade

“We are very proud to be named to such an impressive list,” said Terri Vieira, president of Inland Hospital. “Inland’s Birthing Center is known for its excellent, safe care and for its skilled and caring providers and staff. We are a healthcare family that loves to take care of other families.”

Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met The Leapfrog Group’s standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics. This includes lower rates of early elective delivery, primary C-section rates, and episiotomy, as well as compliance with process measures including newborn bilirubin screening prior to discharge and blood clot prevention techniques for mothers delivering via C-section.

“We take the safety of our moms and babies very seriously,” noted William Bradfield, MD, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Inland Hospital. “We are very excited about this award because it recognizes that safety is our top priority. We hope it gives expecting families confidence in us to see that we are doing everything possible to keep them safe and healthy.”

Courtney Cook, RN, birthing director explains that, “We also provide valuable services to make sure moms and babies are healthy beyond the birth experience, such as our In Touch program that connects moms to a nurse 24/7 so they can ask questions or raise concerns after they get home. In addition, our lactation program, breastfeeding support group, and our postpartum support group (called Tree of Hope) all help keep moms healthy and empowered as their bodies change after their labor of love.”

“Best Maternity Care Hospitals showcases an elite group of hospitals from across the country,” said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief of Newsweek. “These facilities stand out for the care they provide to women and families, and for giving babies a strong start to life. Particularly in these uncertain times, we are honored to share this list of top-ranked facilities with Newsweek’s readership.”

The full list of recipients is available at newsweek.com/best-maternity-care-hospitals-2020.

For more information about the Birthing Center at Inland Hospital, please call 861-3100 or visit northernlighthealth.org/Inland-Hospital.

Volunteers needed to help set up outdoor classrooms in the China Schools Forest

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photo: China School’s Forest Facebook

Anita Smith, Director of the China Schools Forest, has been preparing the grounds for outdoor learning experiences in time for the beginning to the 2020-21 to year. The China School Forest provides ample space for students to socially distance in a calm, safe atmosphere, while learning. Volunteers have been essential. They have cleared brush, raked gravel on trails, stained picnic tables and water sealed a bridge over a pond. As school is about to begin, we need volunteers to give it one last push to prepare for the kids’ arrival.

Volunteers will be need on Friday, August 28, from 5 – 7 p.m., and Saturday, August 29, from 9 – 11 a.m. Four or five strong people with ladders to tie tarps up in the trees will be needed. The tarps will help protect kids from sun or unexpected sprinkles.

Contact Anita Smith at 207-445-3056 to volunteer. For more information about the China Schools Forest, visit chinaschoolsforest.wixsite.com.

Future needs for volunteers:

Saturdays, September 5 and 12 at 9 a.m., to cut and load firewood to store for neighbors in need. Bring chainsaws, work gloves, and goggles. If you own a pick-up truck, please bring it.

China For A Lifetime also needs more volunteers. We help with projects such as the China Schools Forests and with individuals who may need a helping hand or two. We run errands, rake leaves, shovel snow, basic home repair, minor chores and welcome neighbors. Contact them at 207-200-3704 or at chinaforalifetime@gmail.com.

B2B Showcase canceled for 2020

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Board member Emily Cates and Editor Roland Hallee sit at The Town Line’s booth at the Business-to-Business Showcase in 2019. (photo by Eric Austin)

Due to the closing of the Colby campus through the end of the year and the large gathering restrictions currently in place, it became necessary for the Mid-Maine Chamber to postpone the Business-to-Business Showcase to 2021.

According to Cindy Stevens, program director at the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, the showcase will be rescheduled, most likely to the usual late March date, assuming gathering restrictions are lifted by that time. In the event that Colby’s fieldhouse is not available an alternate venue is under consideration.

While no exact date has been announced at this time, all booth reservations will be honored, and all pre-paid deposits or payments applied to that event.

Once a date has been determined, the chamber will re-communicate to all participants with additional details.

Stevens concluded, “while we regret having to cancel this event for 2020, it is out of an abundance of concern for the health and well-being of everyone.”

Skowhegan tailgate gathering rescheduled

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The Skowhegan High School Class of 1963 Tail Gate Gathering is being canceled due to rain on Saturday, August 29. The event will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at noon on Hilton Hill. Bring your lunches, chairs and masks, drinks and chips provided, and a comfort station will be in place. If any questions call Cindy @ 207-858-0946.

Anderson Buck earns scouting second class rank

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Anderson Buck

by Mark Huard

Anderson Buck, of Pittsfield, passed his review and earned his Second Class Rank with Boy Scout Troop #63, in Newport.

Some of the requirements were two hours community service, being able to start a fire by himself, staying physically fit for 30 days and coming up with a plan to earn money in order to buy something he wanted. In his case it was a metal detector. He did a month of chores and odd jobs to successfully earn the money.

In the First Class Rank he will need to pass the BSA swimming test (100 meters without touching the bottom of a pool/pond), do 4 hours of community service and learn different types of knots and how to use them along with many others things. He would also like to organize a fundraiser for the local food pantry.

Anderson Buck lives in Pittsfield with his mom, Sharon Hood, stepdad, Chad Hood, and stepsister, Jayden.

Area scouts receive recognition for patch design

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Scott Adams, left, head of the Bomazeen Old Timers, of China, presenting check to Zachary LeHay, of Troop #401, from Sidney. (contributed photo)

New design to celebrate 75 years of Camp Bomazeen

Patch is the design from Dalton Curtis that will be used by the Bomazeen Old Timers to fundraise for their efforts to provide ongoing support for Camp Bomazeen.

Scouts Dalton Curtis, of Skowhegan Troop #485, and Zachary LeHay, of Sidney Troop #401, both received $75 prizes from the Bomazeen Old Timers on August 12 during a special presentation at Camp Bomazeen. The Scouts had drawn the two winning patch designs during the camp’s 75th anniversary season celebration.

Initially, they were to receive $75 camperships to attend Camp Bomazeen but when the camp did not open due to Covid-19, Scott Adams, of China, head of the Bomazeen Old Timers, opted to present both Curtis and LeHay with their prize during the annual Kennebec Valley District Scout Leader Re­cog­nition Dinner/ Program Kick-Off.

Curtis had planned to work at Camp Bomazeen’s kitchen this summer and LeHay was planning to attend with his troop. Adams said the patches will be used to help raise money for the Bomazeen Old Timers, which is a group of camp alumni dedicated to help the camp.

Submitted by Chuck Mahaleris

Scott Adams, left, head of the Bomazeen Old Timers, of China, presenting check to Dalton Curtis, of Troop #485, from Skowhegan. (contributed photo)

Parochial vicar named to Corpus Christi Parish

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Fr. André-Joseph LaCasse

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced a new priest assignment for Corpus Christi Parish, in Waterville and Winslow.

Effective September 1, 2020, Fr. André-Joseph LaCasse, O.P., has been appointed a parochial vicar at Corpus Christi Parish (Notre Dame Church, Waterville; St. John the Baptist Church, Winslow; St. Helena Church, Belgrade Lakes).

A native of Lewiston, Fr. LaCasse is a member of the Dominican Order, formerly known as the Order of Preachers (O.P.). For over 800 years, the mission of the order has been “to proclaim the Gospel to every corner of the world” so that every soul may come to know and love Jesus Christ.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Maine at Orono. In 1986, he entered the novitiate of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, attending the Dominican House of Studies and receiving his S.T.B./M.Div. degree in 1992, when he was ordained to the priesthood. Since his ordination, Fr. LaCasse has served as a parochial vicar at St. Dominic Church, in Youngstown, Ohio; pastor of St. Patrick Church, in Columbus, Ohio; and, for the last ten years, pastor of St. Gertrude Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fr. LaCasse also holds a master’s degree in spirituality from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas (Angelicum), in Rome, Italy.

 

 

 

 

Vassalboro Public Library announces upcoming programs

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The Vassalboro Public Library, with support from the Maine Humanities Council, is sponsoring a Chalk Fest. Registration is now open at the library, 930 Bog Road, East Vassalboro, to receive a free pack of chalk. Create designs on your own property effective immediately. Surrounding town members are encouraged to register and participate in this event. Social distancing and mask wearing is always encouraged when you are outside creating your art.

Chalk sites will be open September 5 to 13 at various locations around Vassalboro. These include Vassalboro Library, Historical Society, Town Office, Fire Station (Rte. 32), the old Town Office (next to Ferris’s), Maine Savings FCU, and St. Bridget Center. Spaces at these sites are limited so register by visiting the library, calling 923-3233, or email vplibrary@gmail.org. Please send pictures of your designs to our email. We would love to see your work!

On Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vassalboro Public Library will be hosting a book sale at $2 a bag! Everything must go! A great selection of books for sale: fiction, non-fiction, craft and hobby, children’s books, puzzles and much more! Weather permitting, books will be available for viewing and purchase outdoors. Due to spacing guidelines from the state we will be enforcing spacing restrictions for those who view books inside the library. Be prepared for a wait time if things get busy inside the library because we will take time to sanitize. Remember to social distance. Mask wearing is required.

Vassalboro Library now hosts an ongoing year round book sale during the library’s regular operating hours: Monday and Friday noon – 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hundreds of new pieces of original artwork by the late Father Paul Plante now available

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Fr. Plante’s most famous work focuses on the eyes of songbirds.

Last week, hundreds of never before available pieces of artwork by the late Fr. Paul Plante have been posted for sale on a tribute website that serves as both a canvas of his immense talent and a tribute to his indelible legacy.

The work of Fr. Plante, who died in June 2016, has been featured in art galleries around the country. His most famous work focuses on the eyes of songbirds, hawks, ducks, and other birds in 4 ½” x 4 ½” oil pastel paintings. The paintings reflect his fascination with birds, their spirit and their furtive nature. His portfolio also includes fish, plums, apples, and more. The work is searchable by collection and category on the website which can be found at www.paulplante.com.

Visitors to the site will also have the chance to explore a few of the many other contributions Fr. Plante made during his life. One section features his homilies, while another is dedicated to his professional experiences and even includes the words of the artist himself.

“I look at my artwork with the same awe that makes me wonder who I am as a person,” reads part of Fr. Plante’s writings. “In many ways, I’m discovering myself in my art. I also sometimes feel as though the depths of my being are exposed through my art. When the result in another person is joy or awe and wonder, it makes it all worthwhile.”

A Sanford native, Fr. Plante attended St. Ignatius Elementary and Junior High School taught by the Ursuline Nuns and the Brothers of Christian Instruction. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1971, by Archbishop Peter L. Gerety at St. Ignatius Church, in Sanford. After his ordination, he served as chaplain of the Portland hospitals (1971); parochial vicar at St. Louis Church, in Auburn (1971-1975), St. Joseph Church, in Biddeford (1975-1976), and Holy Cross Church, in Lewiston (1976-1985); parochial vicar as well as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Portland (1985-1993); and pastor of St. John Church, in Winslow (1993-2004) and Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, in Oquossoc (2004-2016). In 2009, he was assigned as Vicar for Priests while remaining pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes.

At the request of Fr. Plante, all proceeds from the website will be given to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to be used for diocesan needs.

American Legion collecting school supplies

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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). With all the uncertainties ahead this year, the need is even greater. Here is a list of the items needed: rulers, erasers, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens (blue, black & red), crayons, glue sticks, backpacks, pouches for binders, 1″ binders, 1 subject notebooks and college ruled filler paper.

Items can be dropped off in the collection box at the Madison American Legion Hall, 20 South Maple Street, on Wednesdays and Fridays, after 3 p.m., and on Sundays noon to 4 p.m. If you would like to send a monetary donation, make checks payable to Madison ALA, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950 with School Supplies in the Memo.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) helps to advance the mission of The American Legion. With more than 600,000 members, the ALA is one of the nation’s most prominent supporters of veterans, military, and their families. ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1.1 billion each year. From helping to draft the GI Bill in 1944 to advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill. The American Legion Family has been instrumental in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. If you would like to become a member contact Robin Turek, president, at 696-8289.