Northern Light Inland Hospital welcomes Dr. Laviolette

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Dr. Jessica Laviolette

Northern Light Inland Hospital is pleased to welcome Jessica Lavio­lette, DO. She joins our Northern Light Osteo­pathic Care practice at 180 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Water­ville.

Dr. Laviolette earned her undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lansing, Michigan. She is a specialist in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, which complements traditional therapies and offers non-surgical options for acute and chronic neuromusculoskeletal (nerves, muscles, and skeletal conditions) and joint conditions. She also provides Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, which is a set of hands-on techniques used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.

Dr. Laviolette treats a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, thoracic pain, neck pain, headaches, musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy, asthma in children, and newborn infants with fussiness or feeding difficulties.

Dr. Laviolette is accepting new patients. Talk to your provider today for a referral or call Northern Light Osteopathic Care at 861-7050 for more information.

Folksinger at Albert Church Brown Library in China

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Bill Berlinghoff

On Sunday, Aug. 16 (rain date Sunday, Aug. 23), at 2 p.m., the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, on Main Street, in China Village, will present folks­inger Bill Berling­hoff in an outdoor concert. Everyone is welcome, admission is free. Attendees are required to wear masks. They should bring their own chairs and space them at least six feet from others, and should bring their own refreshments.

Second Saturday pick-up group to resume work

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Tom Lefferts (left) and Richard Dillenbeck (right) out picking up trash along Lakeview Drive.

The Second Saturday litter pick-up group, established in 2019 by summer resident Richard Dillenbeck, will be resuming their work. The group is dedicated to cleaning up the road sides in China, especially Route 202.

They do so every second Saturday of the month, and they are always looking for volunteers. For more information, contact Richard Dillenbeck at 445-8186 or email rvdillenbeck@knology.net.

LakeSmart program presents award to Kennebec Water District

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LakeSmart crews at work!

The LakeSmart Program is a state-wide volunteer effort to provide lakefront owners with ideas about how they can protect the lake resources in Maine. Here in China, Maine, we are fortunate to have an experienced Youth Conservation Corps Program (the YCC) that provides the labor to help homeowners enhance their properties and protect the lake at the same time. To complete the Environmental work performed by the YCC for the China LakeSmart Program involves a cost sharing expense with the property owner.

For many years, the Kennebec Water District has supported the China LakeSmart effort and the work of the YCC with their generous financial contributions. In addition, since the early 1900s the Kennebec Water District has owned most of the Shoreland buffer zone in the West Basin of China Lake. When you go boating in the West Basin what you will see all around you is a very-well established forest in its natural state.

So why are trees so important in the Shoreland buffer area of a lake? The shade from trees keeps the shoreline water cool, encouraging habitat for aquatic fish species. On the shore, the root systems of trees trap polluted stormwater runoff and helps protect water quality. Trees also create a canopy that will catch heavy rain and slow it down before it pounds onto the ground, releasing sediments that could flow to the lake. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of living things in a lake are found along a healthy shoreline. Finally, since trees play a vital role in the Shoreland buffer zone, it is encouraged for lakefront owners to plant a few trees at the shoreline to protect the lake.

If you have lakefront property on China Lake, please contact your LakeSmart volunteers at ChinaLakeSmart@gmail.com for your free visit and LakeSmart evaluation. It takes about an hour. China LakeSmart’s trained volunteers will be able to provide you with information and ideas on how to help protect our lake from the effects of storm water runoff while offering plantings intended to enhance the aesthetics of your property.

Based on its track record on protecting China Lake by preserving its Shoreland buffer, the China LakeSmart Program is pleased to present the Kennebec Water District with its distinguished LakeSmart Award. Congratulations Kennebec Water District for a job well done!

Family outing: loon count on Sheepscot Lake

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Nine-year-old Harper Winkley sits in his grandparents’ boat searching for loons during the annual loon count on Sheepscot Lake. (photo by Pamela McKenney)

by Pamela McKenney

Throughout the night they called from the lake. Their wild, haunting voices are unmistakable and considered by many to be the definitive sound of summer here in Maine. I gladly accept the sleep disturbance to hear them any time, but this night was particularly exciting as I anticipated participation in my first official Audubon Loon Count.

In the morning, all across Maine, bird enthusiasts would traverse to their designated sections of lakes, ponds, and rivers to count loons between 7 and 7:30 a.m. It is important to limit observers and observations to a particular time and space to ensure accuracy. For example, Sheepscot Pond, in Palermo, is divided into four sections. This year our counters included; Joe and Ursula Burke, Gary and Marge Miller, Lynda and Dave Pound, myself and husband Dale McKenney assisted by our 9-year-old grandson, Harper Winkley. The Loon Count on Sheepscot is one of several conservation efforts supported by the Sheepscot Lake Association of which Joe Burke, our loon count coordinator, is a long time member and currently serves on the board. Joe distributed materials well in advance of the count and asked us to record our direction of travel and time of observations using the chart and maps provided by the Audubon society.

Photo by Pamela McKenney

This year, on July 18, we woke Harper at 6:15 a.m. to dress and gather our equipment. We had our binoculars, camera, and papers ready to sight and document loons. The morning was cool and the water was shrouded in a light fog. At the mouth of the river, we traveled along the shore searching with binoculars. We had been watching them from a distance all summer, but would we spot one in our section this morning? Adding to the drama, the sun broke through the mist about half way through our circuit of the cove. But no loons.

At 7:20 a.m., we had crossed the main lake, and rounded the point into Turtle Cove when Dale pointed and asked, “What’s that?”

With binoculars, Harper confirmed that the dark silhouette across the cove was a loon. He marked the time and location just as I spotted another loon deep in the curve of the shoreline. As we continued to circle avoiding close contact with the pair and with just eight minutes to complete our section of the lake, Dale said, “I think there’s something with that adult. Maybe a chick?” He was right. The chick was at first riding on the adult loon’s back, then swimming beside it.

At 7:30 a.m., just as our part in the count finished, a bald eagle swooped out of a tall pine at the end of Howell’s Shore. Harper also saw a pileated woodpecker and kingfisher as we cruised up-river to our dock. The presence of these birds is something we often take for granted but on this day the iconic loon was counted. Sheepscot Lake counters reported sighting four adults and one chick. For more information about loons and the results of the statewide count, check out these sites. The Audubon website offers an interesting pamphlet, Living in Loon Territory, and each explains what the loon calls may actually communicate.

loons.org and MaineAudubon.org.

Contest winner

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Lucia, 9 years old, of Skowhegan (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)

Somerset Public Health held its third annual Dear Future Me contest and Lucia, 9 years old, of Skowhegan, took first place. She created a video and spoke as though she was talking to her younger self explaining how living a life free of drugs, alcohol and bad influences allowed her to reach all of her goals and lead a life of success and positivity. She received a New Balance gift certificate, Pittsfield Community Movie Theater gift certificates, and a gift certificate to Pop on Over Cafe, in Pittsfield.

Sheepscot courtesy boat inspectors

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The 2020 Courtesy Boat Inspectors are now working weekend shifts at the boat launch at Sheepscot Lake, in Palermo. They are encouraging boaters to check their vessels for invasive plants before entering the lake.

Riley Reitchel, left, will be a junior at Erksine Academy, in South China, in the fall. She is a high honor student and a premier soccer player. Jacob Sutter, a 2020 graduate of Erksine Academy, will be attending Thomas College in the fall to study business. (Contributed photo)

Group holds fundraisers to help purchase 230 Main St.

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Courtesy of: The Ecology Learning Center

There will be a fundraising event to help the Ecology Learning Center secure a home at 230 Main Street, in Unity.

On Sunday, August 2, there will be a Moonrise Yoga Adventure and Sail, from 5 – 9 p.m., at Belfast Harbor. You can register at www.MaineYogaAdventure.com.

Donations will be accepted. If they reach 250 donors, it’s a triple match. Items may include musical instruments (piano, fiddles, guitars, etc.), books (nonfiction, fiction, classics). Contact info@ecologylearningcenter.org.

The Ecology Learning Center practices Zero Waste. They are a grassroots, nonprofit organization with no glossy brochures, and no marketing agent. All donations go to the capital campaign.

They need your help to purchase 230 Main St., in Unity.

KV Connect finds new way to help nonprofits

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KV Connect traditionally hosts Waterville Green Drinks the second Tuesday of each month to raise money for local nonprofits while networking with other young professionals in the area. Since COVID-19 swept in, events have had to be canceled, but community needs continue to grow. KV Connect decided to pool its resources to continue to support the community.

“Our goal this year was to raise $2,020 during 2020 to help our local nonprofits. However, we needed to get creative due to COVID because we had to cancel our in-person fundraisers. We also have had to cancel our twice-weekly volunteer opportunity delivering food to the soup kitchen. We wanted to find a new way to engage members in the community and still have an impact,” said Samantha Burdick, president of the KV Connect Steering Committee.

KV Connect’s Community Service and Outreach Committee decided to take things virtual, by trying its first-ever digital fundraiser using Facebook. KV Connect launched the digital fundraiser on July 13 with hopes to raise $500 in five days. “Our goal was to raise $500 in five days to help United Way’s Community First Fund. We know that this fund helps so many non-profits in our region that have been impacted by COVID and our support would go where it is needed most,” said Courtney Squire, chairman of the Community Service and Outreach Committee.

The group was able to exceed its goal. By week’s end, a total of $740 had been raised for the Community First Fund with giving by 19 donors on Facebook. The money will be used to fund programs or projects that address needs in the region. Since March, over $55,000 has been awarded to local nonprofit organizations to help confront food insecurity and provide essential needs to families and children. “We strive to be a community partner, and help young professionals become involved in their community. We are blown away by the support of our members and look forward to continuing to support the community through our volunteer and fundraising efforts,” said Burdick. Those looking to get involved with KV Connect should contact Courtney at the Mid-Maine Chamber (courtney@midmainechamber.com).

KV Connect is a networking group for professionals in the greater Waterville area. Its mission is to connect young people not only to each other but to the many resources the community has to offer. It seeks to positively impact the community through economic, social, political, and community service initiatives.

United Way of Mid-Maine serves communities throughout Somerset, northern Kennebec, and western Waldo Counties. United Way of Mid-Maine is a community partner that works with local non-profit organizations to ensure the community has access to critical service in the focus areas of Strengthening Children, Youth, and Families, Promoting Independence, and Meeting Immediate Needs.

The United Way Community First Fund is accessible year-round to nonprofit organizations to provide extra funding for programs or projects that address a need in the community, or aid in the continuation of an organization’s mission.

The Community First Fund provides funding for programs or projects that are: Combating food insecurity, such as a food bank or meal program, providing access to basic essential needs like toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, baby essentials, providing family and child enrichment, such as book or arts programs, providing community relief for disasters such as flood or ice storms, and providing community support for a crisis such as COVID-19.

Waterville Creates! awarded grant for art kits for all program

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Photo: Waterville Creates!

Waterville Creates!, a nonprofit supporting and promoting high-quality, accessible arts and cultural programs and institutions in Waterville, is the recipient of a $2,500 United Way of Mid-Maine Community First Fund Award for the collaborative Art Kits for All pandemic response program – an effort to help keep our community’s families engaged and entertained during this public health crisis by providing free art supplies and instructions for art projects that can be created at home.

“We’re utterly thrilled. This funding will make a huge difference to many local families who rely on our art programs, events, and scholarships to live a fulfilling and balanced life,” says Waterville Creates! President and CEO Shannon Haines. “Closing our doors during the COVID-19 pandemic was heartbreaking to us. Art Kits for All is an innovative, collaborative program designed to get art supplies into the hands of families and fulfill our mission to support and promote high-quality, accessible art experiences albeit in a completely reimagined way.”

The United Way of Mid-Maine’s Community First Fund supports community betterment and crisis recovery efforts, providing extra funding to local non-profit organizations by funding programs or projects that address a need in the community, or aid in the continuation of an organizations mission.

“We are honored to support Waterville Creates! and their effort to connect families with art resources,” says Bethany Drouin, Resource Development Director of the United Way of Mid-Maine. “The Art Kits for All program will provide value to the lives of families throughout our communities.”

A network of local nonprofits powers the Art Kits for All program, generously providing volunteers and supplies to keep this popular relief program engaging and informative. Representatives from the Colby College Museum of Art, the Kennebec Montessori School, Waterville Public Schools, and the Family Violence Project gather weekly to plan future Art Kit themes relevant to the community, obtain supplies, develop instructional materials, and pack the Kits.

Art Kits for All are distributed for free at the George J. Mitchell School and Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market. The Art Kits are assembled at the Common Street Arts’ Studio, currently closed to the public. Masks and gloves are worn during kit assembly, and all art materials are disinfected to remove any risk of contamination. The kits are prepared and sealed a week prior to the distribution date to further minimize any transmission risk. Future Kit themes include activities inspired by the art of Bernard Langlais and Hew Locke on display at the Colby College Museum of Art, a Plein Air watercolor painting Kit, and a Pastels Kit. Past kits activities have included creating zoetropes, kite-making, and clay sculpting.

Community donations in support of this ongoing effort are requested; donors can sponsor one Art Kit for just $10, and all gifts are tax deductible. To donate, visit: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/waterville-creates/art-kits-for-all.