Easter is not about bunnies and eggs

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by Gary Kennedy

For all of you who are convinced that the holiday, “Easter,” has something to do with the Cadbury Bunny and her ability to lay chocolate cream filled eggs, I have become compelled after many hours of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude to research and confront this obvious hyperbole. I love chocolate covered Easter eggs, but two issues have risen to the degree of conflict. I took them to bed with me a couple of nights ago and thrashed them out in my dreams. I ended up with chocolate on my face but that rabbit didn’t lay a single chocolate covered, cream filled egg.

Because of the intensity of this traumatic conflict I was left with the burning desire to eat chocolate, cream filled eggs irrespective of their source. I am so weak. The other issue that I was left with was the definition of the real Easter, which had no bunny nor any humor. Bunnies are symbolic of spring and fertility as believed in days of old. However, they have nothing to do with Easter and its true meaning.

Easter which is also called Pascha (Latin, Greek, Aramaic), or the day of resurrection, is a precious time which is set aside to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus. This Easter will be observed on April 4. Easter is a Christian holiday, which the faithful celebrate reverently.

Unfortunately, it has become like a fairy tale over the years and so much of the dedicated observance has been abandoned. Even so, there are many of us that will attend church to be with others who feel compelled to give love and respect to the one we believe gave his everything to save us from ourselves. We are in times currently where that becomes so very important for our well being and for the training of our children.

The Passion of the Cross causes many of us to weep. A beautiful, perfect man suffered the pain and agony in the name of redemption. He loved his creations so much that he needed a sacrifice to redeem us from ourselves. We don’t know why it had to be that way with the pain and suffering of being nailed to a cross and hung in the hot, burning sun to die. One day we’ll perhaps understand the why of it all. For now we just have to accept what he did as a sinless man to save us all. Such is the thinking of a Christian.

There are others who see this story differently but that is up to them. What is the downside of this? The way I see it, if there was no salvation at the end of life, what did it cost you? You lived with some doubt but followed the doctrine. In other words you just always tried to do the right thing and prayed for forgiveness when you failed. Isn’t that a nice way to live, my friends? You have lost nothing and hurt no one. You just lived as you should have anyway.

The 10 Commandments is a heck of a great place to draw from. Love your neighbor as yourself. You would be amazed at the reciprocation. Most people react to sensitivity and kindness. This week my wife and I gave a few dollars to pan handlers. Each and everyone responded with “God Bless You.” Did they speak with sincerity? Perhaps we will never know but we felt good. If one blessed thank you was real, I’m a blessed guy. It sure makes my day.

So, yes there will be Easter egg hunts and other games surrounding Easter and I don’t think our creator has anything against that. Your families will be together which includes many children and grandchildren and, of course, love will be in the air. If your church is open, share the love with those who attend with you.

Easter received its name from the English goddess, Eostre who was celebrated at the beginning of spring. The one source for this information came from the writings of a British Monk named Bede, who lived in the late 7th century. The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ played no role in this. However, I suppose Easter is as good as any other name without just using the explanation of the event of the gift of salvation. The place where Jesus sacrificed his life was known as Golgotha or Calvary.

I hope my little narration of very minimal proportion opens your mind and heart to the true meaning of what we know as Easter. The entire story is both a work of tragedy and beauty. I suggest we all make it part of our lives if only for its moral value. I’m sure when you read the “greatest story ever told” you will realize much more than my fetish with Easter eggs. Also, don’t feel guilty when you pass by the beggar on the street. After all he “might not” be who he is claiming to be; or is he? As for me, I don’t like taking chances. Also, our country is in trouble currently so when you take a knee, pray for all of us who have lost our way. God knows we need it.

Have a great and safe Easter.

God be with you and yours, and God bless and guide America.

Colby professor says China Lake has moderate amounts of nutrients

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China Lake (photo by Eric Austin)

by Mary Grow

Colby College Professor Denise A. Bruesewitz, Ph.D., gave China Planning Board members “more than a little bit of food for thought,” Chairman Randall Downer remarked after her presentation at the board’s March 23 meeting.

Bruesewitz is a limnologist (the word means an expert on scientific aspects of inland waters) who has studied lakes in New Zealand and various parts of the United States. She is currently engaged in a National Science Foundation water quality project that uses robotics and computer modeling to study algae in lakes in Maine, including China Lake, and in other states.

Bruesewitz said China Lake is classified as mesotrophic, meaning it has a moderate amount of nutrients in the water. (A eutrophic lake has so many nutrients that algae blooms are common; an oligotrophic lake has few nutrients and therefore is unlikely to have algae blooms.)

Older surveys of China Lake have involved taking water samples from a boat and analyzing them. Bruesewitz said the current study uses drones that collect data and learn to recognize hot spots. There are plans to create diving robots.

Downer invited Bruesewitz to help board members develop standards for shoreland erosion barriers. She said she and her colleagues are not familiar with the type of solid vertical barrier that caused the planning board discussion, but in principle such barriers are not a good idea.

The zone where water and land meet, an area that is alternately wet and dry, is ecologically important, she said. Technically named the reference line, it is home to microbes that eat nutrients and is therefore critical to protecting water quality.

The shallow water on the lake edge of the zone houses life forms that are part of the lake’s food web, so it, too, should be protected from man-made disturbance, Bruesewitz said.

Downer asked how to quantify effects of a solid barrier. Bruesewitz replied it would not be easy. She suggested three possible methods: measure on-land nutrient uptake over the seasons and in different conditions; or look for relevant studies from comparable water bodies; or begin a citizen-science monitoring and sampling program.

Bruesewitz shared several documents with planning board members, including New Hampshire’s 2019 Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act that several members considered worth studying.

Replying to questions from board member Scott Rollins, Bruesewitz said China Lake’s biggest threats are the phosphorus that is already in the lake, plus on-land factors, like roofs, paved areas and other impervious surfaces and lack of buffers, that add more unwanted nutrients. Remedies, she said, include providing vegetated buffers that control run-off without separating land and water, and minimizing soil disturbance in the watershed.

She told the board she will be able to share results of the National Science Foundation project with them and with the Kennebec Water District, which uses China Lake’s west basin as its water source.

In other business March 23, Codes Officer Jaime Hanson’s report to the board included the comment that China is experiencing “a definite uptick in construction,” based on permit applications for new houses and other construction.

Board members continued review of the draft solar ordinance that, if approved by voters, will give them standards for reviewing applications for solar installations, both individual and commercial. The ordinance is not on the warrant for the June 8 town business meeting.

All solar installations require permits. Hanson bases his reviews on the six-year-old International Residential Code, and planning board members have been adapting standards for new structures to cover rows of solar panels.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13.

Teaching in the year of Covid-19

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China Middle School teacher Ron Maxwell with part of his daily uniform. (contributed photo)

by Jeanne Marquis

Covid-19 has created unprecedented times in our schools, full of challenges for parents, students and teachers alike. I had the opportunity to interview one of our local seasoned teachers, Ron Maxwell, a science teacher with China Middle School, who gave a frank look into what it is like to teach during this era of Covid. Although we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it is important to document what our teachers are going through during these extraordinary times.

Ron Maxwell said he had no experience teaching remotely before the pandemic. In late August at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year he was told the school was offering remote learning for some students using Google Classroom. So as Ron put it, “We kind of learned as we went because this was a brand new thing for most of us.”

“There’s something magical about a face. Our brain gets so much information from the entire thing. That’s what we’re missing the most. There’s a connection. It’s also half the communication.”

As every teacher did across the nation, Ron had to adapt his teaching methods as well as his classroom organization. He had to protect his students from a contagious virus, while at the same time connect with them inside the classroom and through his laptop screen.

Ron explained, “My philosophy has always been hands-on, so a lot is experiential. Most of my grading happens with what we do in the classroom and I use homework sparingly. We do a lot with lab reports. I set up stations in the classroom, and they run from here to there as they work in groups. And, of course, everything that I’m describing now went out the window.

“This school year all the things that I’ve been practicing and perfecting needed dramatic changes to be possible. We’re doing an electronic learning target right now where they’re learning the difference between series and parallel circuits. Over here, I have three bins of wires and bulbs and batteries, none of which I can use because I can’t put them down for the kids to use and then put back in the next group because of the sanitation.”

Sanitation became an essential part of the 2020-2021 school day to keep both the students and the faculty safe, adding another layer of complexity and stress. “Now I’m literally spraying down my classroom every time a class leaves. So imagine the bell rings. They all get up. They’re packing up. They’re chatting. They’re decompressing, and they’re leaving right? That is, if I can get them to leave, because they are junior high kids. We have to watch them to make sure they’re staying this far apart and they’re wearing their masks. Then I have to lock the door and spray everything down. So in essence, that’s what happens in that two minute time between classes.”

Another challenge to the 2020-2021 school year was learning how to connect with students through laptop screens. As a veteran teacher, Ron knew how to set guidelines upfront. To be counted as present in class as a remote student, Ron told them he needed to see their faces, not the ceiling or blank screen. That was a non-negotiable rule. He said in the beginning he had a few students who were reticent about showing their faces. Each morning as their faces popped up as they joined the class, he greeted them with a “hello that says I see you, you exist and you mean something.”

For the most part, Ron’s remote students are fully engaged, “I may just have the best students. Maybe that’s why or maybe the answer is sometimes their parents on the other end, and I can hear them in the background laughing at my jokes.

“I’m deeply appreciative of all the support the parents give us. We couldn’t do our work if they weren’t doing theirs. I’ve said things have changed for me but things have changed for them, as well. Now, if you were to drive by the school building around 7:15 a.m., you would see the line of cars start. They wait in line sometimes for as long as a half an hour to drop their kids off and pick their kids up. I couldn’t imagine that. Parents, who used to be a two-income household, now they’re a one income household because one parent has elected to stay home and look after the kids. Yeah, and there are single parents of our students holding down a job, helping the kid appropriately attend classes, making sure they figured out how to get internet at home to deal with this. The community has really stepped up. We are blessed to have the support that we have. I’m proud of them as much as I am of my colleagues.”

Ron Maxwell expressed so openly what a challenging academic 2020-21 is for teachers, ed techs, students and their parents to balance safety, learning and technology. It’s a year where challenges are being met and adaptations are ongoing through human resilience and cooperation.

At the end of the interview, Ron said the one thing that he misses from the pre-Covid days that he will never take for granted again is seeing his students’ faces and he explained why: “The other day, I realized something important. I am looking solely at their eyes now. Yeah. And if I walk by them outside on the playground, I don’t know my own students. Oh my gosh. Because with their lower faces open, it changes who they are. It does. So, what do I miss the most? Yeah. I miss the faces.

“I have a student who had several older siblings, and I taught most of the kids in the family. She looks just like an older sister until the first time I saw her out there. [Outside at recess.] I was just amazed because she’s entirely her own person, of course.

“There’s something magical about a face. Our brain gets so much information from the entire thing. That’s what we’re missing the most. There’s a connection. It’s also half the communication.”

Check for unclaimed property

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Be sure to check for unclaimed property by visiting https://maineunclaimedproperty.gov on occasion, as new properties are added continuously. For unclaimed property in another state, you can search the national database of unclaimed property at www.missingmoney.com.

Palermo student earns climate scholarship

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John Edwards, an eighth grader at Palermo Consolidated School. (contributed photo)

John Edwards, an eighth grader at Palermo Consolidated School, won a scholarship to attend the 2021 Talk Climate Institute on March 23 and 24. John learned about climate topics and developed strategies to discuss climate issues. The institute, run by the Climate Generation, provides teaching tips, resources, inspiration, and community networking to assist in bringing climate change discussions to schools. John has been interested in topics of climate change since the fifth grade and he is excited to learn about strategies from around the world on how to protect the earth. John hopes to use this experience to enhance his knowledge and to share information and strategies with others.

China youth baseball, softball, T-ball registrations being taken

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Internet photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brendan-c/5722220187

The China T-ball and coach pitch baseball, for children ages eight and under has returned. For more information contact chinarecsports@gmail.com.

Also, through the Dirigo Softball League, they are able to offer softball for youths in first grade and up. For more information, email dirigosoftballleague@gmail.com.

Little League baseball will be offered through the Augusta Little League, for ages eight years old and up. For more information, visit the Augusta Little League webpage. Deadline is March 31.

T-Mobile has a grant program available to help with registration costs. The T-Mobile Little League Call Up Grant Program is dedicated to helping families in need by covering registration fees associated with their local Little League programs.

Dates to remember: March 31, registration closes; April 7, last payment receipt date; April 6, coaches meeting and selection; April 17, field clean up; May 1, bottle drive; May 15, picture day and pitch, hit and run.

Thomas College student, Winslow resident, modernizes snowmobile trip planning in Maine

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Jake Warn, a Thomas College junior, in Waterville, sits on a snowmobile. (contributed photo)

Website removes barriers to identifying routes, finding amenities and enjoying points of interest

A new website launched by a Thomas College student is modernizing snowmobile trip planning for resident and out-of-state riders. SledTRX.com aims to advance the economic impact of a legacy outdoor recreation industry and attract new riders by removing barriers to identifying routes, finding amenities, and enjoying points of interest.

A $600 million industry in Maine, snowmobiling still relies on traditional mail distribution of paper maps to interested riders. Each of Maine’s approximately 280 volunteer-based clubs maintain their own trails, requiring riders to contact multiple clubs to plan a trip. Trail maps may be uploaded to a club’s website, available via mail for a small fee, or simply posted at the trailhead. The inconsistent, time-consuming process can deter even veteran resident riders like Jake Warn, of Winslow, who saw an opportunity to simplify trip-planning and make Maine’s snowmobile trails more attractive to resident and non-resident riders.

“I’d spend six hours planning a trip to a new region. It’s really important to support snowmobile clubs all over Maine, and I wanted to make it easier for veteran and first-time riders to explore new areas across our state,” explains Jake Warn, founder of SledTRX.com. “Plus, an online presence helps snowmobile clubs expand their membership and seasonal businesses can connect directly with a large customer base.”

A junior at Thomas College, in Waterville, Warn was inspired by fellow student entrepreneur Dylan Veilleux, who built Tree Free Heat. With a passion for snowmobiling but little technical expertise, Warn connected with Mike Duguay, executive director of the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation, at Thomas College, who encouraged him to enroll in a free Tortoise Labs course to learn how to turn his idea into a business. Warn enrolled in July 2020, and launched SledTRX.com in December. As part of the course, Warn conducted consumer research; he found that industry experts and longtime riders shared his challenge of gathering accurate trail information, and that snowmobile clubs and related businesses would derive significant value from one statewide consolidated online trail map.

“The snowmobile community is in need of an innovative change,” explains John Raymond, president of the Northern Timber Cruisers Snowmobile & Crosscountry Ski Club in Millinocket. “Snowmobiling has such a big impact on our communities, and it has needed something like this to help preserve this seasonal pastime.”

According to the Maine Snowmobile Association, nearly 30 percent of Maine’s 85,000 registered snowmobiles belong to non-resident riders, who contribute a significant portion of the $210 million in direct spending that supports over 3,000 jobs in Maine. By combining 10,000 miles of trails with amenities and points of interest in an easy-to-use website, SledTRX.com positions the industry to attract additional out-of-state riders and expand their economic impact across Maine as they explore new regions.

COVID-19 vaccination info

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For your health’s sake, give vaccination a shot.

Maine residents age 60 and older are now eligible for vaccination against Covid-19 as part of Phase 1b.

Because Maine’s supply of vaccine is limited, appointments may not be immediately available and will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

There is no charge for the Covid-19 vaccine, but you should be prepared to provide any insurance information and proof of eligibility at the vaccination site. Additional vaccination sites will be added in the coming weeks.

If you are currently eligible under, contact your employer or professional association about vaccination.

The Covid-19 vaccine requires two doses. You must receive a vaccine from the same provider, either Pfizer or Moderna, for both doses. When scheduling your second dose, make an appointment with the same vaccination site where you received your first dose and follow their process for signing up for the second dose.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also available at some sites.

Some locations are now accepting or preparing to accept appointments for Maine residents age 60 and over. Appointment availability is dependent on vaccine supply. These listings are subject to change and will be updated regularly. A complete list of vaccination location can be found at https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites.

Women’s Equal Pay Day to be held March 24, 2021

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by Mary Grow
External Communications, Waterville Branch, American Association of University Women

The Waterville Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will observe Equal Pay Day 2021 on Wednesday, March 24.

Equal Pay Day is the date each spring that women catch up to men in terms of how much they earned in 2020. In other words, because women, on average, earn less for comparable work than men do, they must work longer for the same amount of pay.

Traditionally, Waterville AAUW branch members have observed the day with a bake sale at the Waterville Shaw’s supermarket, selling cookies to men for $1 and to women for 80 cents.

Because of the pandemic, this year they plan two substitute activities, for AAUW members and non-members. First, they ask people to write to their U. S. Senators and Representatives asking them to support the Paycheck Fairness Act. Second, they urge people to wear red on March 24, to signify that women are “in the red” in terms of pay.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is intended to update, clarify and close loopholes in the 1963 Equal Pay Act. In the 116th Congress (January 2019-January 2021), the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Fairness Act; the Senate did not act.

Equal Pay Day was first observed in 1996, to illustrate the pay gap between men and women. On average in 2021, women working full-time are paid 83 percent of what men working full-time in comparable jobs are paid.

The average gap is greater for mothers, who earn 70 cents for each dollar a man earns and for whom Equal Pay Day in 2021 is June 4, and for women of color. Latina women are worse off, earning on average 55 cents for each dollar comparably employed men receive; Latina women’s 2021 Equal Pay Day is not until Oct. 21.

Mailing addresses for Maine’s four Congressional members follow. Each has a website with information on sending him or her an email or telephone message.
Representative Chellie Pingree:

U. S. House of Representatives
2162 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515.

Representative Jared Golden:
U. S. House of Representatives
1223 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515.

Senator Angus King:
U. S. Senate
133 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510.

Senator Susan Collins:
U. S. Senate
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510.

Hope’s Place meetings to be held online on Wednesdays

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The next session of Hope’s Place will be held Wednesday nights online starting April 7, 2021. Groups begin at 6 p.m., and end by 7 p.m.

The mission of Hope’s Place is to provide a safe, supportive environment for grieving children, teens and families through peer support groups. This program serves youth ages 3 – 18 and their parents or caregivers. Families who have experienced the death of a loved one are encouraged to contact Jillian Roy at 873-3615, ext. 19, or email jroy@hvwa.org for more information, or to arrange a pre-group interview. Hope’s Place group sessions will be held virtually.