Local woman publishes her second children’s book

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Sharon Hood displaying her new children’s book, Who Stole the Snowman’s Nose? (photo by Mark Huard)

by Mark Huard

Sharon Hood, local musician and radio personality of Cruisin’ Country 93.5, recently published her second children’s book Who Stole the Snowman’s Nose? this past November and it has been very well received. The book, a fictitious story about her son Anderson, tells the tale of him and his dog, Dallas, and the mystery dealing with who or what stole the carrot nose off of the snowman they had made while on February vacation from school.

Sharon says she has received many messages and emails from customers who gave the book to their children or grandchildren for a Christmas gift telling her the kids love to read it. It is geared to toward children ages 3 to 8. Elementary school teachers say it’s a perfect fit for their classroom.

“I’ve always wanted to write for children and especially read to them,” said Sharon. “When you’re reading a book to a child and you emphasize certain things – that’s when they are drawn into the story. I really hope, after the pandemic is over, that I can bring my books to libraries and classrooms and read them aloud. I want to see their faces when they discover who stole the carrot nose!” The book along with her previous, Anderson Gets a Puppy, is available on Amazon. You can also contact her on Facebook or her website for an autographed copy. She will gladly deliver those personally while also practicing social distancing.

Erskine Academy first trimester honor roll

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Grade 12

High Honors: Brooke Allen, Philip Allen, Isabella Bishop, Abbygail Blair, Everett Blair, Jane Blanchard, Christopher Bourdon, Nomi Bouwens, Samantha Box, Trevor Brockway, Ethan Cates, Anthony Chessa, Ashley Clavette, Joleigh Crockett, Cody Devaney, Jacob Devaney, Amelia Evans, Addison Gamage, Margaret Gamage, Avril Goodman, Avery Henningsen, Nathan Howell, Emma Hutchinson, Delaney Ireland, Madyx Kennedy, Kaylah Kronillis, Sierra LaCroix, Isabela Libby, Colby Lloyd, Emily Lowther, Chiara Mahoney, Jonathan Martinez, Michael Nicholas III, Ian Oliphant, Brian Ouellette Jr, Olive Padgett, Courtney Paine, Annaliese Patterson, Aiden Pettengill, Anna Pfleging, Sydni Plummer, Harry Rabideau, Kristin Ray, Allison Roddy, Joshua Tobey, Mollie Wilson, and Dylan Wing.

Honors: Mara Adams, Nicholas Barber, Paris Bedsaul, Rylee Bellemare, Johnathan Blair, David Bourgoin, Hailey Brooks, Eleanor Brown, Zoe Butler, Joshua Cowing, Nolan Cowing, Abigail Dumas, Phillips Gidney, Hailey Haskell, Braydon Hinds, Paeshance-Rae Horan, Bryan Joslyn Jr, Keith Knowles, Marina Lavadinho, Logan Lee, Joanna Linscott, Eva Malcolm, Hailey Mayo, Isaiah Michaud, Gavin Mills, Daniel Page, Isabella Parlin, Hayden Rowe, Hailey Sanborn, Paul Slimm, Hunter St. Jarre, Aarick Staples, Riley Sullivan, Logan Tenney, Jackson Tirrell, and Samuel York.

Grade 11

High Honors: Isaac Baker, Julia Barber, Maylien Beermann, Jacob Bentley, Autumn Boody, Lilian Bray, Emily Clark, Liberty Crockett, Gugliemi De, Isabella DeRose, Kaden Doughty, Abigail Dutton, Emma Fortin, Josette Gilman, Samantha Golden, Grace Hodgkin, Emma Jefferson, Grace Kelso, Tanner Klasson, Mallory Landry, Aidan Larrabee, Shawn Libby, David Martinez-Gosselin, Calvin Mason, Abigail Peaslee, Devon Polley, Sarah Praul, Letizia Rasch, Paige Reed, Riley Reitchel, Parker Reynolds, Mackenzie Roderick, Abbey Searles, Andrew Shaw, Hannah Soule, Hannah Strout-Gordon, and Lily Vinci.

Honors: Elliott Atwood, Alana Beggs, Gabriella Berto-Blagdon, Jack Blais, Evan Butler, Jasmine Crommett, Colby Cunningham, Luke Desmond, Alexander Drolet, Chase Folsom, Wyatt French, Ciera Hamar, Trace Harris, Larissa Haskell, Isaac Hayden, Timothy Hinckley, Hannah Huff, Rachel Huntoon, Taidhgin Kimball, Lili Lefebvre, Madison Lully, Hunter Marr, Wes McGlew, Kaden McIntyre, Christian Moon, Rebecca Morton, Adam Ochs, Brady O’Connor, Kaden Plourde, Lilly Potter, Julian Reight, Ely Rideout, Kadince Rideout, Shawn Searles, Natalie Spearin, Lily Thompson, and Emily York.

Grade 10

High Honors: Carson Appel, Andrew Bentley, Abigail Beyor, Eve Boatright, Angel Bonilla, Katherine Bourdon, Breckon Davidson, Nicole DeMerchant, Lillian Dorval, MaKayla Gagnon, Loralei Gilley, Alivia Gower, Cooper Grondin, Elizabeth Hardy, Grady Hotham, Grace Hutchins, Olivia Hutchinson, Hallie Jackson, Beck Jorgensen, Kaiden Kelley, Meadow Laflamme, Dale Lapointe, Dinah Lemelin, Brenden Levesque, Malachi Lowery, Lily Matthews, River Meader, Nabila Meity, Angelina Ochoa, Timber Parlin, Kayla Peaslee, Jonathan Peil, Gabriel Pelletier, Casey Petty, Kathleen Pfleging, Sophia Pilotte, Kaden Porter, Ingrid Ramberg, Alexis Rancourt, Cadence Rau, Samantha Reynolds, Ally Rodrigue, Noah Rushing, Emmalee Sanborn, Aidan Tirrell, Mackenzie Toner, Emma Tyler, Lauren Tyler, Katherine Williams, and Damon Wilson.

Honors: Hailey Acedo-Worthing, John Allen, Molly Anderson, Zane Boulet, Samuel Boynton, Alexis Buotte, Emma Charest, Nicholas Choate, Courtney Cowing, Kayleen Crandall, Elijah Crockett II, Tianna Cunningham, Grace Ellis, Jacob Evans, Myra Evans, Hailey Farrar, Alyssa Gagne, Brianna Gardner, Reiana Gonzalez, Carson Grass, Ronald Haskell Jr, Kassidy Hopper, Acadia Kelley, Casey Kirkpatrick, Matthew Knowles, Emmet Lani-Caputo, Zephyr Lani-Caputo, Joseph Lemelin, Gwen Lockhart, Emily Majewski, Brady Mayberry, Brooklyn McCue, Gage Moody, Ethan Ouellette, Ezra Padgett, Maddison Paquet, Angelyn Paradis, Hannah Patterson, Michael Perez, Karen Potter, Sarah Robinson, Jarell Sandoval, Sophie Steeves, Daniel Stillman, Emma Stred, Jacob Sullivan, Paige Sutter, Hannah Toner, Colby Willey, and Joseph Wing.

Grade 9

High Honors: Abigail Adams, Isabella Boudreau, Robin Boynton, Elizabeth Brown, Kaleb Brown, Nolan Burgess, Eva Carlezon, Makayla Chabot, Elise Choate, Brielle Crommett, Noah Crummett, Hailey Estes, Ciara Fickett, Kaylee Fyfe, Caleb Gay, Nathan Hall, Tara Hanley, Stephanie Kumnick, Mackenzie Kutniewski, Sydney Laird, Kiley Lee, Aidan Maguire, Richard Mahoney III, Alexia McDonald, Holden McKenney, Austin Nicholas, Jazel Nichols, Jeremy Parker, Nathan Polley, Keith Radonis, Shae Rodrigue, Giacomo Smith, Kinsey Stevens, Lara Stinchfield, and Reese Sullivan.

Honors: Tristan Anderson, Austin Armstrong, Duncan Bailey, Lyla Bailey, Leah Bonner, Heather Bourgoin, Nathalia Carrasco, Timothy Christiansen, Simon Clark, Connor Coull, Thomas Crawford, Caleigh Crocker, Gavin Cunningham, Keira Deschamps, Hunter Foard, Cole Fortin, Brayden Garland, Aleigha Gooding, Bo Gray, Natalie Henderson, Bella Homstead, Hallee Huff, Kameron Kronillis, Carol Labbe, Logan Lanphier, Sophie Leclerc, Brody Loiko, Jack Lyons, David McCaig, Madison McCausland, Carlos Michaud, Cami Monroe, Royce Nelson, Hannah Oakes, Alejandro Ochoa, Alyssa Ouellette, Remy Pettengill, Evelyn Rousseau, Ryan Tyler, Baruch Wilson, and Brandon Wood.

Maine Crisp Company expands to new production facility in Winslow

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Maine Crisp Co. new expanded production facility on Lithgow St., in Winslow.

by Elaine Theriault-Currier

Karen Getz, founder of Maine Crisp Co.

Specialty food manufacturer Maine Crisp Company has expanded its production capacity tenfold by relocating to a Winslow facility. Expected to be fully operational by May 2021, the facility’s extensive capacity is necessary to fulfill demand generated by Maine Crisp’s recent New England-wide distribution deal with Whole Foods Market.

Maine Crisp launched in 2014 in a licensed home kitchen. Three years later, it transitioned to a 2,500 square foot manufacturing facility at 10 Railroad Square in Waterville, leasing 3,500 square feet of additional warehousing space in Benton as product demand grew. By relocating to the 17,500 square foot facility at 20 Lithgow Street, in Winslow, the award-winning producer of gluten-free and plant-based crisps will consolidate and grow its manufacturing, packaging, and warehousing operations.

“The new facility in Winslow offers the scaffolding to sustain our growth trajectory and ambitious distribution targets,” explains Steve Getz, Maine Crisp co-founder and VP of Marketing. “We are thrilled to have found a space that allows us to continue growing in central Maine, a region that has supported us from the beginning, when we graduated from home kitchen to industrial facility.”

The expansion of Maine Crisp’s manufacturing capacity is expected to triple employment within the next three years. Currently, new employees earn a minimum of $15 per hour and are offered health insurance and paid time off, including their birthday. The Winslow headquarters will support a diverse mix of jobs, from receipt and inventory of bulk ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, and finished goods inventory to marketing, logistics, and management.

With all operations unified under one roof, Maine Crisp is working with the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to design a layout that optimizes current production flow while accommodating projected future demand. In addition, as a specialty food producer, Maine Crisp requires an FDA-approved, dedicated gluten-free environment that meets regulatory guidelines to maintain the company’s non-GMO, allergen, and Kosher certifications. The 20 Lithgow St. facility also provides three-phase power, multiple loading docks, ample storage space, office space, and a front lobby for visitors and on-site retail.

“Working with MEP has been a fantastic experience – we are building a production flow that is flexible enough to support us for years,” states Claire Getz, manager of product quality control at Maine Crisp. “The MEP consultants’ deep, multi-faceted expertise makes them invaluable partners as we face the exciting challenges of scaling up while maintaining our artisanal quality.”

As a family-operated business committed to Maine, Maine Crisp utilized local service providers to finance and design the Winslow headquarters, including Kennebec Savings Bank and local architect Jim Shipsky. Maine Crisp sources its crisps’ primary ingredient, buckwheat, from Aroostook County and works with Lewiston-based branding and marketing firm Anchour. Maine Crisp products are available in Maine Hannaford stores, Whole Foods Markets throughout England, specialty shops along the East Coast, and online at mainecrisp.com.

WHITEFIELD: Parishioners shatter American Red Cross records despite pandemic

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When searching for reasons to smile during the pandemic, a common source of comfort has been the sacrifices made by many Mainers as they have looked past their own needs in hopes that those in greater danger might be helped.

Look no further than St. Denis Church in Whitefield and St. Francis Xavier Church in Winthrop. The churches, part of St. Michael Parish, not only found ways to safely hold blood drives in 2020 during the pandemic, they shattered records while they were at it.

“We had a remarkably strong year at both St. Francis and St. Denis in 2020,” said David Stires, of American Red Cross Blood Services, in Portland. “We collected more last year at St. Francis than we have in at least ten years and more at St. Denis than we have in six years. Since each unit of whole blood can be separated into three products—red cells, platelets and plasma—the amount we collected at the two churches potentially saved the lives of more than 1,000 people.”

Between the parishes, nearly 400 people gave blood, tripling the amount collected in 2019.

“The patients that will benefit are victims of car accidents, mothers with at-risk pregnancies, babies born prematurely, and people battling cancer,” said Stires. “The support is greatly appreciated now because it has helped us maintain a strong blood supply for patients during an unprecedented public health crisis.”

The commitment of St. Michael Parish to continue holding the blood drives during the pandemic through social distancing and other safety protocols turned out to be crucial as many venues that traditionally host blood drives stopped as a result of the crisis.

“When so many schools, businesses, and churches closed due to the pandemic, the parish made the courageous decision to keep its doors open to help others during this time of need,” said Stires. “It has helped us maintain a strong blood supply for the patients who are counting on us. We are incredibly grateful for the support of St. Michael Parish.”

The response was so great that additional blood drives are being added to the 2021 schedule, including once a month at St. Francis Xavier.

“It is very impressive how responsive parishioners and others in town are to the blood drives,” said Fr. John Skehan, pastor of St. Michael. “Even in a pandemic, people are thinking beyond themselves and helping care for people they don’t even know! And they do so without looking for anything in return. They just want to help someone in need. It’s wonderful.”

For more information about the future blood drives at the churches, including how you can help, call the parish at (207) 623-8823.

Madison legion donates boots and coats

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Bags of clothes donated to the Madison American Legion. (contributed photo)

The American Legion Tardiff-Belanger Post #39, in Madison, recently donated boots and coats for 38 students in need in school districts RSU #74 and MSAD #59 from the generous donations from local businesses and members.

The American Legion’s Mission: The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with “comfort items” and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

To learn more about Madison American Legion or to join, visit http://www.mainelegionpost39.org or call 696-5848

Fairfield’s façade improvement program strengthens local economic resilience

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Fairfield Town Manager Michelle Flewelling.

Fairfield’s Façade Improvement & Marketing Assistance Program (FIMAP), which launched in 2018, has continued to stimulate investment and enhance the visual aesthetics of the town’s districts and corridors. Entering its third year in operation, with similar programs previously utilizing Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the FIMAP is supported by town Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. The distribution of funding is spearheaded by the Fairfield Economic and Community Development Committee (FECDC) and has continued to increase in popularity.

The grant funding can be used towards a diverse array of project costs, including redevelopment initiatives and the renovation, restoration, and preservation of privately-owned business exteriors within Fairfield. FIMAP also provides marketing assistance to businesses via print media, radio advertising, social media platforms, website enhancements, and other options. Successful grantee applications can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of the cost of façade improvement and marketing projects.

“We are pleased to be in the midst of offering a third funding cycle for Fairfield businesses and property owners, and we are thrilled with the applications we have received in the past,” states Michelle Flewelling, Fairfield town manager. “Despite unprecedented difficulties faced by companies and property owners during the past year, local businesses have maintained an admirable commitment to the community, including moving forward on a focused range of restoration projects to launching e-commerce platforms that drive online sales. In turn, FIMAP projects are creating a strong foundation from which we can assist the local economy as we continue to invite growth and development.”

Fairfield has deployed seven grants totaling $67,591.50 since the program was originally conceived in late 2018. The FIMAP grants have stimulated more than $137,850 in direct investment into community businesses in less than three years.

With compact and asset rich commercial districts, Fairfield’s continued efforts of revitalization demonstrates a dedication to promoting growth, both from its current resident business owners and prospective entrepreneurs who are looking to expand operations. Recent recipients of grant funding have been Belanger’s Drive-In, IBEW 1253, Meridians Kitchen & Bar, Sunset Flowerland & Greenhouse, and Maine Avenue Auto Sales.

“The vitality of Fairfield’s downtown, commercial corridors, and residential neighborhoods has continued to catalyze positive growth and create tangible change,” states Garvan D. Donegan, Director of Planning, Innovation, and Economic Development at Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC). “Fairfield’s investments into the community and local businesses emphasizes the importance of stimulating local impact and creating conditions of economic resiliency.”

Eligible projects may apply for $3,000 to $25,000 in funding; FIMAP is funded by Fairfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. Interested applicants may access a FIMAP application at http://wwwfairfieldme.com/town/pages/business-resources or by contacting CMGC at 207-680-7300 or gdonegan@centralmaine.org.

About Fairfield’s Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee:

The Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee is a “citizens” committee with open membership to all Fairfield residents, business owners, and educators who have a vested interest in community development. Meetings are open to the public, and the committee typically meets monthly at the Fairfield Community Center; go to Fairfield’s online calendar of events for a meeting schedule.

China Lake’s east basin iced over later than usual this winter

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Photo by Harold Charles

by Mary Grow

Many years, China Lake is frozen by mid-December. Former China Middle School teacher SueAnn Charles says she and her husband Harold, who live on the east shore, frequently went ice-skating during the after-Christmas school vacation.

Former resident Susanna Jacob lived year-round beside the lake until the early 1960s. She says her friend Theresa Plaisted, now 97 years old, used to skate by Thanksgiving; and one year when Jacob was in her teens, the two celebrated Christmas by skating from one end of the east basin to the other.

Jacob remembers one other time in this century, probably 10 or 12 years ago, when the lake didn’t freeze completely until Jan. 18.

This winter, Killdeer Point resident Bob O’Connor describes China Lake’s ice-in as follows.

On Dec. 19, O’Connor says, the lake was frozen. After the heavy rain on Christmas, there were two oval stretches of open water in mid-lake, one north and one south of Killdeer.

O’Connor says the north pond was smaller by Jan. 10 and both were frozen by Jan. 11, after a calm night when his thermometer recorded a low of seven degrees.

O’Connor explains that the wind keeps the water in the center of the lake from freezing, even when the air temperature is below 32 degrees. Ice forms when the water is cold and not moving.

China Lake’s example shows why people need to be careful about assuming any iced-over lake is safe to walk or snowmobile on. And given O’Connor’s evidence of two ice-in dates this winter, perhaps it explains why The Town Line runs an ice-out contest in the spring – for which Jacob sends in an annual guesstimate, though she lives 600 miles away – but no ice-in contest.

Retired Vassalboro fire chief recognized for 30 years of service

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Retired Vassalboro Fire Chief Eric Rowe, left, with current fire chief Walker Thompson. (photo courtesy of Vassalboro Fire Dept. Photos taken prior to Covid-19 outbreak)

by Chief Walker Thompson

Retired Vassalboro Fire Chief Eric Rowe in his turn-out gear. (photo courtesy of Vassalboro Fire Dept. Photos taken prior to Covid-19 outbreak)

In the spring of 2020, Chief Eric Rowe, who was fire chief for 30 years, decided to retire. Eric first joined the Vassalboro Fire Depart­ment April 8, 1980, and was promoted to fire chief on February 13, 1990.

Eric has always been a true role model, leader, mentor, friend and much more throughout the past 30 years as chief. Thompson said, “we would like to congratulate and thank Eric for all that he has done for not only the department, but the community as well. You could always count on Eric to be there, no matter what time of day or night. We would not be where we are today without all that he has done and accomplished throughout the past 30 years as Chief.” Chief Rowe still remains a member of Vassalboro Fire Dept., next to his two boys, Benji and Bennie Rowe, who currently serve as captains.

This year was a tough year for most and the busiest they’ve ever been, ending the year with a total of 175 calls of service, compared to 145 in 2019.

“Vassalboro Fire will continue to strive to be the best we can,” said Thompson, “and provide quality service to our community whenever we are called upon. We are currently staffed with 29 members in the department. As always, we would again like to thank our mutual aid departments, public works department, our dispatchers at Augusta Regional Com­muni­cations Center, and all law enforcement agen­cies that continue to provide support throughout each year.

“We would also like to thank the town officials and townspeople who support us every day. Lastly, I personally would like to thank all of the men and women of Vassalboro Fire Department for their hard work and dedication to our community. These folks are the definition of true professionals.”

Kringleville 2020: The magic of Kringleville like no other season

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A message from Mrs. Claus to our Kringleville, Maine, USA friends. This certainly was a season like no other Kringleville season. Though Santa and I could not visit with you in the cabin, we were so pleased to be able to connect with so many of you remotely. The thing Santa and I missed the most were your holiday hugs.

We enjoyed our brief visit to Maine, USA for Kringleville’s “Light Up the Town” event brought to you by The Children’s Discovery Museum of Waterville. Santa and Mrs. Claus are excited to share with you that The Children’s Discovery Museum is projected to open in the fall of 2021. We sure hope that you will all visit the museum to learn, grow and have fun!

Santa was so happy to be able to receive your letters that you mailed to him at the Kringleville cabin in Castonguay Square, in Waterville, thanks to Kringleville’s postmaster Scott McAdoo. Your letters flooded into our North Pole mail room day after day.

The Kringleville Facebook page ended the 2019 season with 3,284 friends and followers.

We’re happy to share that there are even more Kringleville friends and followers in 2020: 4,612 and growing. This season, thanks to Santa’s friend Eric Lunt, Santa and Mrs. Claus were introduced to Fran Nuite. The good people at the Faith Church, in Waterville, allowed Fran to borrow their filming equipment and transport the equipment to the North Pole to film this season’s Kringleville videos for you. So much Christmas magic was able to be shared with you thanks to Fran and Eric.

It’s not too late to view the Kringleville videos. As Mrs. Claus always says, “Kringleville is not a season. It is a friendship.” The Kringleville Facebook page is active year-round, so we hope that you stay connected, because the spirit of Christmas should be more like the Hawaiian spirt of Aloha and live in all of us year-round.

This season’s videos include, storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, songs by Eric Lunt (a.k.a. the Big E), songs by REZ Life Church, songs from Mrs. Claus, Santa and Mrs. Claus winter waltz, Christmas dance performances and cookie time with Mrs. Claus and friends, Santa and Mrs. Claus carriage ride arrival.

We decided to have a virtual season to try our best to help keep our Kringleville friends healthy and safe during this worldwide pandemic. We know some were disappointed to not be able to sit on Santa’s lap, but thankfully you were able to get a Christmas picture with Santa 2020 style through the computer. Santa and I enjoyed our zoom visits with you and wish that we could have spent more time with you, but you know that there were so many who wanted to visit with us, and it was also our busy season here in the North Pole.

One thing that Santa and I stressed to all of you this season was during all the changes, we hoped that you were still kind to others and to yourselves. What we heard over and over again this season was honesty from children. You expressed that this was a difficult year and that you were worried about making the nice list. One even said that his halo was a bit crooked, but that he tried his best. This genuine honesty coming from child after child had Santa and Mrs. Claus telling children that as long as you tried your best, that is all we can ask. And just like that, honesty placed many children on the nice list, because being honest is what good boys and girls do.

This season’s annual Kringleville Christmas ornaments were available for purchase in downtown Waterville at Holy Cannoli and Jorgenson’s Café on Main Street with 50 % of proceeds donated to the Children’s Discovery Museum and as always, the other 50 percent was a personal donation from Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. Santa and Mrs. Claus hand paint the collectible ornaments each year and donate proceeds to charitable causes that directly benefit children.

If you or your business would like to contribute to the success of this timeless Waterville tradition, please contact Amarinda Keys, at The Children’s Discovery Museum. Email Amarinda at amarinda@childrensdiscoverymuseum.org to ask how you too can be a part of the magic of Christmas at Kringleville for the 2021 season. If you would like to share your time and talent with our Kringleville family in 2021, please contact Amarinda to be placed on our Kringleville 2021 “I want to help Santa list”!

Santa and I ask that you continue to try your best. You have been brave…Continue to be brave! You have been strong through all of the changes that the year 2020 brought to you and the world you live in. Always remember to be part of solutions, rather than adding to problems. Be respectful of all others, because kindness begins with respect and a smile.

Though the 2020 Christmas season started with the newspaper headlines that Kringleville was canceled, we certainly proved that no one cancels Christmas, because Christmas lives in our hearts. Santa wants everyone to keep in mind that Christmas isn’t something you should have in your heart only once a year. The spirit of Christmas should live in your heart year-round. So, take Santa’s advice and be kind to all others! Mrs. Claus sends big hugs from my North Pole home to your home. Santa and I wish you all the best in this new year!

Bear Cub Scout receives religious emblem

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Bear Cub Scout Tristan Morton, of Pack #603, Kennebec Valley District. (contributed photo)

Tristan Morton reading the liturgy. (contributed photo)

Bear Cub Scout Tristan Morton, of Pack #603, Kennebec Valley District, read the liturgy to St. Michael School second and third graders at St. Mary’s Church, in Augusta. Right, large in spirit, he is standing on a riser to reach the text. Bear Den Leader Marleen Lajoie pinned the Catholic Religious Emblem on Tristan, with Father John Skehan present. Tristan is a third grader at St. Michael School, in Augusta.