School year 2020: Difficult choices for parents

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by
by Jeanne Marquis

This month, parents are making a difficult decision: how to educate their children in the era of Covid-19. Do they opt to send their kids to public schools? If so, do they choose in-person or remote learning, or possibly a hybrid of the two? Do they choose a smaller private school if they have funds. Or, do they homeschool their children themselves, choosing from a variety of online programs available? The answers are personal and the reasons why the families select which method of education they choose is as varied as each individual family.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) published a Framework for Returning to Classroom Instruction which includes the six requirements for protecting health and safety:

  1. Daily symptom self-check for students and staff before coming to school.
  2. Physical distancing.
  3. Masks.
  4. Proper hand hygiene.
  5. Personal protective equipment.
  6. An isolation plan if staff or student becomes ill.

Public schools in the area have been planning since July to follow the guidelines and have surveyed area families on their intentions and preferences between in-person or remote learning. Every step of the day has to be thought through carefully by the administrators and staff to keep in compliance with the DOE framework.

The buses, according to the RSU #18 website, will have assigned seating, fewer passengers and frequent cleanings. Parents will be asked to drive students if possible to free up the bus seats for social distancing.

Facilities at the schools will be adapted to help students and staff practice illness prevention. Drinking fountains will be replaced at some schools with bottle refill stations and students will be allowed to bring individual water bottles. Where possible, waste baskets will be replaced with touchless versions to keep clean hands sanitary after washing.

Even lunch time at school will be adapted by the nutrition workers adding appropriate protocol. Additional time will be allowed for hand washing prior to meals. Single-serve packets will be provided instead of sharing condiments. More room will be added for seating and serving lines will be socially distanced.

For specific changes at your students’ schools, check the school websites frequently:

https://www.msad49.org/
Albion, Benton, Fairfield, Clinton Lawrence High School and Junior High.

https://rsu18.org/
Atwood Primary, China Primary and Middle Schools, Belgrade Central, James H. Bean Messalonskee Middle and High School, Williams Elementary.

https://www.svrsu.org/o/whes
Chelsea Elementary,Sheepscot Valley, Palermo Consolidated School, Somerville Elementary, Whitefield Elementary, Windsor Elementary.

https://www.vcsvikings.org/
Vassalboro Community School.

For those families who have chosen to homeschool, Homeschoolers of Maine at homeschoolersofmaine.org is an excellent resource to get you started. According to their website, a letter of your intention to homeschool is due to your superintendent of schools by September 1, 2020. This organization provides information on record keeping and assessment of your students progress.

Windsor resident publishes debut novel

/0 Comments/in , /by

Michael R. Goodwin

Author Michael R. Goodwin is excited to announce his debut fiction novel, The Liberty Key.

The story is set in fictional Hamilton, Maine, and focuses on Spencer, who buys a house to fulfill a promise to his deceased wife and child, who he lost tragically years prior. Shortly after moving in he learns that his house has the ability to heal and restore itself. When he finds a skeleton key that has powers of its own, he uncovers dark secrets about the house’s past and is taken on a journey that forces him to confront the darkness within himself.

The Liberty Key is a genre-defying novel that is captivating and fast-paced. It aims to satisfy all readers, but especially those who enjoy books by Dan Simmons, Peter Straub, and Stephen King.

Michael grew up in Auburn, and moved to Windsor in 2019 when he married his wife Jessica. Jessica comes from a large family with longtime roots in the Windsor community.

As a writer, Michael’s career started in 2008 when he began writing an online blog under a pseudonym. He wrote there for several years, its rising popularity leading him to publish articles on such sites as GoodMenProject.com and TheFatherLife.com. These articles gained enough interest on their own to land an interview with the Chicago Tribune. He published a collection of short stories in 2011, and released his first novel, The Liberty Key, earlier this year.

For more information about the author, or to purchase a copy of his book, please visit his website: www.michaelrgoodwin.com.

Winslow football gets youth outside and active

/0 Comments/in , /by

Participants in the Winslow Youth Football clinics included, left, third grader Landon catching a pass, and fourth grader Jacoby, right, running the ball downfield. (photos by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow Youth Football has been running special clinics for youngsters of all ages during the month of July. It was nice to see the young football players back on the field after being away from their friends during the pandemic.

Winslow Youth Football Director said, “We as an organization felt it was extremely important to give the youth of our communities a safe place to be physically active with their friends and classmates. The best part is all the kids leave tired and with a smile on their faces.”

The dedication of the volunteer coaches to be out there sweating instead of being with their families is humbling, he continued. “Our organization is what it is because of them.”

(All photos by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Braiden

Cameron

Chase

Blueberry festival set for Aug. 15

/0 Comments/in , /by

One of Maine’s all-time most beloved, popular, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 15, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. This year’s festival will be presented as a drive-through, take-out, “Blueberry Fest To-Go” event, with social-distancing protocols observed. Drive-through admission to the festival is FREE.

Over 700 mouth-watering blueberry pies and “all things blueberry” baked goods will be available through convenient drive-through/take-out/to-go service. Blueberry pies may be picked up at the church anytime from 3 to 6 p.m. the previous night (Friday, August 14) or the day of the festival (Saturday the 15th) from 8 a.m. to noon. Attendees may also participate in a 4-Lobster Shore Dinner Raffle in the drive-through, and an auction to be held on the church’s WinslowUCC.org website with a planned start date of Saturday, August 8.

A beloved community favorite since 1972, the Blueberry Festival raises funds to empower the local humanitarian/Christian-service work of Winslow Congregational Church. Celebrating its 192nd birthday this year, the historic church is housed in a building dating from 1796, which has been home to a worshiping congregation since 1828.

Everyone seeking a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beloved Blueberry Festival in a unique “Blueberry Fest To-Go” way this year is cordially invited to attend. Mark your calendar now!

For more information about the Blueberry Festival, please visit www.WinslowUCC.org.

Northern Light Inland Hospital welcomes Dr. Laviolette

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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.