Valentine Vaudeville

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Pictured, from left to right, front row, Emily Rowden Fournier, Maria Wark, Shana Page, and Katie Howes. Back, Joshua Fournier, Joseph Page and Jennifer Mayers. (photo by Ryan N. Toothaker)

Enjoy a night out at Valentine Vaudeville with a buffet dinner and floor show at 6 p.m., on Saturday, February 8, in the Ballroom, at Governor’s Restaurant, in Waterville. Purchase tickets online at signupforms.com/registrations/20575 or by calling 207-314-8607. For more information, contact Emily Fournier at 314-8607.

Erskine Academy girls basketball team holds fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis

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Participants in the Erskine Academy girls basketball team fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis, held at the school on January 26. Over $500 was raised for those stricken with MS, who need help with medical bills. (photo courtesy of Jane Golden)

Cassidy Roderick, left, with Erskine girls basketball coach Bob Witts. (photo courtesy of Jane Golden)

The Erskine Academy girls’ basketball team hosted a charity basketball clinic on January 26 with proceeds going to the Maine chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Thirty-five athletes between the ages of 8 and 12 came to the two-hour clinic to not only learn skills, but to also help raise funds for this worthy cause. Coach Bob Witts and several members of the girls’ basketball team worked with the clinic participants to run them through fun drills, teach them skills, and to play a few games.

Over $550 was raised at this event, which will go towards getting wheelchairs and walkers for people as well as helping pay medical bills for those that cannot afford it in Maine with multiple sclerosis (MS).

One of the Erskine basketball players, Mackenzie Roderick, has been personally affected by MS, as her sister, Cassidy, was diagnosed with the disease a year and a half ago, making this cause very special to her and her teammates. Cassidy joined the participants at the clinic, speaking to the kids and parents about how her wheelchair helps her, especially when she needs to walk a great distance or for a long amount of time.

This was a great way to inform the community about MS and its effects on the lives of those who have it. Congratulations to the Erskine Academy girls’ basketball team for holding such an important fundraiser, and thank you to the community for supporting this cause!

Submitted by Jane Golden, VP of HR, JMG Central Office, 65 Stone Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

Erskine Academy to host eighth grade open house

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

All eighth grade students and their parents from the surrounding communities are invited to attend the Erskine Academy 8th Grade Open House on Wednesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym. The administration strongly encourages all incoming freshmen and their parents to attend this event as registration materials will be available and information about the course selection process will be provided. In the case of inclement weather, a snow date of Thursday, February 27th has been set.

Parents who are unable to attend this event are asked to contact the Guidance Office at 445-2964 to request registration materials.

Social Security launches new campaign to fight scammers

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Campaign comes at a time of increased scamming activity in central Maine

The Social Security Administration launched a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to continue warning people about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. The PSAs feature a message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul. Social Security and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) continue to receive reports about fraudulent phone calls from people falsely claiming to be Social Security employees. The scammers mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments for help with purported identity theft, or to avoid arrest for bogus Social Security number problems.

“I want every American to know that if a suspicious caller states there is a problem with their Social Security number or account, they should hang up and never give the caller money or personal information. People should then go online to oig.ssa.gov to report the scam call to Social Security,” said Commissioner Saul.

People should also be on the lookout for a new version of this scam. Fraudsters are now emailing fake documents in attempts to get people to comply with their demands. Victims have received emails with attached letters and reports that appear to be from Social Security or the OIG. The letters may use official letterhead and government jargon to convince victims they are legitimate; they may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes.

The new PSA addressing the telephone impersonation scheme is available online at www.youtube.com/socialsecurity and below:

Social Security employees do occasionally contact people – generally those who have ongoing business with the agency – by telephone for business purposes. However, Social Security employees will never threaten a person, or promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money. In those cases, the call is fraudulent and people should just hang up.

Generally, the agency mainly calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, someone who is already receiving payments and requires an update to their record, or a person who has requested a phone call from the agency. If a person is not in one of these situations, they normally would not receive a call from the agency.

Social Security will not:

  • Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended.
  • Contact you to demand an immediate payment.
  • Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card, or cash.
  • Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe.
  • Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.

If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, in most cases Social Security will mail a letter. If a person needs to submit payments to Social Security, the agency will send a letter with instructions and payment options. People should never provide information or payment over the phone or Internet unless they are certain of who is receiving it.

Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Festival comes to central Maine

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“Who ya gonna call?” The Ghostbusters were sighted at the first ever Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Festival, held in Fairfield, on January 26. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Hundreds attend the first ever “Nerd Super Bowl”

by Mark Huard

Emilee Feyler, 9, of Winslow, left, and Mikayla Achorn, 9, also of Winslow, with Elsa from Frozen. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

The first ever Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Festival invaded Central Maine on January 26, at the Community Center, in Fairfield. About 250 fans gathered to share their love of cosplay, comics, games, and all things nerdy.

Costume-goers included Spider-Man, a giant Wookiee, Batman, an Ice Princess, Captain America, Wonder Woman and so many more.

Vendors were all about the event with tables filled with fantasy books, pottery, dice, dungeons and dragons, toys, woodworks, clothing and jewelry. GameStop provided video games, while many other activities dotted the place, one being a very popular padded weapons arena that included light up Star Wars-like laser swords.

Central Maine Photography grabbed many cool pictures of all the various festival attendees and even kids were dressed in elaborate sci-fi outfits. Also present were the Ghostbusters, a white armored trooper, and even a blue female elf character.

People really seemed to love what was being hailed as the Nerd Super Bowl put on by Michael Huard, who is a fantasy author himself.

There are plans for another next year, an event bigger and even more exciting.

Trenton Clark, right, of Oakland, with Chewbacca of Star Wars. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

At left, Preston Schneider, 8, left, and Quincy Schneider, 5, both of Madison, with Batman. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Tickets available for Vassalboro fishing derby

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Vassalboro Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 9, from 1-5 p.m., at the Olde Mill, 934 Main St., North Vassalboro.

The prizes! You don’t have to fish to win. There are over $600 in cash prizes from $50 to $300, plus a $256 Natanis Golf package, a voucher for two round trip Amtrak Downeaster tickets, Huhtamaki plates, Framed Pictures, Baskets of Goodies, and many other great gifts from very generous area businesses!

Family Fishing Fun! There’s $940 in cash prizes for 12 categories of fishing. In each category First prize is $40, Second is $20, and Third is $10. There is a kids (12 and under) category, PLUS each youngster who fishes earns a “Vassalboro Fishing Derby” ball cap! There is a trophy and $100 prize for the largest fish (not including pike). The categories include salmon, togue, brown trout, brook trout, white perch, splake, pickerel, pike, large mouth bass, black crappie and small mouth bass. In order to enter the fishing derby you must have one raffle ticket (purchased before 1 PM on 2/9/2020) per fish entered.

Support of Vassalboro Business Association projects! Proceeds from the event help sponsor the Flags along Main Street, the Welcome to Vassalboro Signs, Vassalboro Days, Scholarships for Vassalboro Students, the Color Me Too Fun Run, Halloween at the Olde Mill, the Community Tree Lighting, the Easter Festival, Bikes for Books, the fight against VCS Food Insecurity, and new this year—the Eighth Grade “Maine Event” project.

Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and available from Ray Breton (877-2005), Jim Maloy (441-0378), Linda Titus (631-3303) and Bernie Fortin as well as at Maine Savings FCU, the Olde Mill Store, Rte. 201 Battery & Tire, and the Vassalboro Library.

So the real question is how many books of 6 tickets would you like?

The drawings will begin promptly at 5 p.m., on February 9, at the Olde Mill. You do not have to be present to win! Your purchase will make a difference in our community.

*Here’s a tip — save address labels to speed your ability to fill out those tickets! Or make your own and include your phone number so we can notify you!

Erskine holds fundraiser for koalas

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Contributed photo

Students and staff at Erskine Academy recently held a dress down day to raise funds for the Koala Hospital, in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia.

The Koala Hospital’s efforts include the rescue and treatment of sick and injured koalas, conservation and expansion of koala habitats, research relating to habitat, disease, nutrition and habits of wild koalas, and provides educational materials to increase public awareness of all aspects of the koala. Pictured are members of the student council who helped organize the dress down day effort.

Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area awarded 6 Who Care Agency of Distinction

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Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area’s President Janna Townsend, right, and Eve Sotiriou accepted the 6Who Care’s Agency of Distinction award, at a ceremony held at the Portland Museum of Art. (photo courtesy of Lucille Murphy)

NewsCenter Maine, Channel 6, makes 45th annual presentation

News Center Maine has announced that Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area, has been named this year’s winner of the 6 Who Care Agency of Distinction award.

Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area’s Eve Sotiriou, with Lee Nelson, of WCSH TV channel 6. (photo courtesy of Lucille Murphy)

For the past 45 years, Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area has provided free, confidential, one-on-one literacy instruction to adults. By working with adults who have never learned to read, those where English is a second language and teaching parents how to help with their child’s reading skills, Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area is helping to create successful families.

Who Care is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to honor volunteers and agencies making a difference in our community. These volunteers could be neighbors or friends of yours. They build, they teach, and they inspire. They are people that go about their day never expecting a thank you for the things they do.

NEWS CENTER Maine partners with United Way of Greater Portland and our sponsors, TD Bank and Dead River Company, to honor the volunteers who see a need in our communities and fill it with care and dedication.

This is the 20th anniversary of 6 Who Care. 140 winners have been able to allocate their grant winnings to local nonprofits throughout Maine.

NEWS CENTER Maine’s 2019 6 Who Care winners have been selected. Our Board of Governors had the difficult task of choosing the winners from a group of volunteers that are all helping to make Maine communities better places.

Literacy Volunteers – Waterville Area’s Eve Sotiriou, center, is sandwiched by Pat Callahan, left, and Amanda Hill, both of WCSH TV channel 6. (photo courtesy of Lucille Murphy)

St. John School, in Winslow, to close at end of school year

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St. John Regional Catholic School, in Winslow. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

Press release from the Diocese of Portland

Upon reviewing the parish’s consultative process which led to the recommendation by the pastoral council, finance council, and school board of Corpus Christi Parish, Bishop Robert P. Deeley has acknowledged their decision to close St. John Regional Catholic School, located on 15 South Garand Street in Winslow, at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

“Parents and parishioners, as well as the religious and clergy who have served the parish over many years, worked tirelessly to try to find a way to keep the school open. As evidenced by the sustained efforts over a long period of time by the devoted faculty, the generous support of the parish community, and the extensive consultation process by the parish leadership, their decision was not reached easily or quickly,” said Bishop Deeley. “The parish remains dedicated to the mission of Catholic education, and the diocese’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation will be working with Corpus Christi to ensure that alternative programs and ministries are in place to nurture the children’s spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth.”

“For over 90 years, students, teachers, and parishioners have generously supported this school.”
– Bishop Robert P. Deeley.

“There was a consensus among our parish councils that continuing to operate the school could risk the financial stability and health of the parish moving forward,” said Fr. Daniel Baillargeon, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish (Notre Dame Church, Waterville; Sacred Heart Church, Waterville; St. John the Baptist Church, Winslow; St. Helena Church, Belgrade Lakes). “We have already started helping current school families to assess their options, including possible enrollment at other Catholic schools for the next academic year.”

“The sad truth is that rising costs, a decline in school-aged children in the Waterville/Winslow area, and an increased demand for financial assistance made it unfeasible to keep the school open,” said Marianne Pelletier, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools. “As heartbreaking as this is for school families and alumni, we are grateful for the opportunity the diocese had in providing a quality education to generations of students. We also look forward to exploring new and creative ways to help children in the area cultivate their faith.”

St. John opened in 1927 with the Ursuline Sisters and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons overseeing the school, which was originally operated in the church’s assembly hall and south annex. In 1939, the north annex was attached. The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in 1960 and the school building in use today was constructed.

“For over 90 years, students, teachers, and parishioners have generously supported this school,” said Bishop Deeley. “The closing of St. John is not a result of a lack of generosity, but simply a demographic and financial reality. Corpus Christi Parish and the diocese will use this sad moment to strengthen our resolve to reach more young people with Jesus’ message of love.”

Home fire risks increase as weather cools

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(NAPSI)—The fall and winter seasons bring cooler temperatures, holidays, and images of cozy nights by the fireplace. Yet the change in seasons also comes with the chance of severe weather and an increase in fire risks. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more home fires occur in winter than in any other season.

“Space heaters, generators, and fireplaces all present fire hazards if not properly used and maintained,” said Steve Hirsch, chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “Residents should be aware of the dangers and take the steps to make sure their families and homes are protected.”

Follow these tips to minimize home fire and safety risks:

  • Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Test monthly to ensure they work.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms and test them at least once a month.
  • Know where the gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.
  • Place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, and living room, and make sure all household members know how to use them.
  • Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.
  • Keep portable generators outside and away from the home.
  • Install a screen in front of each fireplace or wood stove. Store cooled ashes in a metal container outside the home.
  • Have chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned every year.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, or other heat source.
  • Never leave lit candles unattended, and keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

Residents can also take an active role in protecting their communities from hazards such as fires, medical emergencies, and much more. Fire departments across the country are looking for volunteers to serve as firefighters, EMS providers, and auxiliary members.

“The majority of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers—neighbors helping neighbors in an incredible and rewarding way,” said Hirsch. “We need more people to answer the call to serve.”

Training is provided by the department, and volunteers can serve in a variety of roles, from providing life-saving emergency response services to conducting fire prevention programs and disaster preparedness planning.

Learn more and find a volunteer fire service opportunity by going to www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.