Local restaurateur helps community during crisis

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Rita’s Catering staff ready to help feed community. From left to right, Shara Nabarowsky, Joshua Long, Carolyn Elkins, Areti (Rita) Lacroix-Menoudarakos and Zaharias Menoudarakos. (photo by Tawni Lively of Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

It was once said that “you don’t know what you are made of until you are broken.” When you are faced with trying times that take away your ability to live life as you have, what do you do? Well, the Kennebec community certainly knows what Areti “Rita” Lacroix-Menoudarakos, of Rita’s Catering, does in tough times…. she cooks! During this time of crisis when Covid-19 hit, she had a catering event that canceled after all the food had already been ordered. Cathy Bond, from the Winslow Credit Union, knows that Rita takes every opportunity to help the frontline staff at local police and fire stations. So when the event canceled, Cathy gave Rita the green light to do what she does, and help others in time of need. Rita and her staff started off on a smaller scale and made batches of food for the different departments to pick up.

As the State of Emergency continued, Rita adapted and thought of a way to help the broader community on a larger scale. Rita knows that this community has many people that depend on restaurants and takeout services to feed them on a daily basis. Many people do not cook and are now forced into isolation without supplies or knowledge of cooking or baking. This inspired Rita to develop a plan to create low cost meals for the community members during this time of need.

She used her gift of cooking to help others in their time of need.

This plan was extremely well received by so many. In fact, Rita went through all of the food that she had and then had to order two more times after that in order to continue helping the community she loves so much. The meals are being used for multiple different purposes from fueling our first responders to ensuring that our vulnerable elderly population is well fed. There are many seniors that pride themselves on being independent and these meals have helped them stay safe and nourished in this difficult time.

There are some wonderful federally-funded programs out there, but not everyone qualifies for those programs. Rita’s mission was to prevent people from falling through the cracks. She did not want the elderly to have to go out to the stores or go without food. The low cost has allowed others to purchase the meals for others as well, and enable more to continue giving and taking care of each other. Easter was difficult for many being away from family; however, Rita and her team worked hard to give affordable options for people to have a nice dinner over the holiday.

Apple crisps (photos by Tawni Lively)

Tracy O’Clair, of Waterville, says, “As a community we are blessed to have people like Rita.” I think many agree with these sentiments.

Meals ready for pick up at Rita’s Catering, on Bay Street, in Winslow. (photos by Tawni Lively)

During the time of crisis, Rita didn’t break but rather rose to the occasion. She used her gift of cooking to help others in their time of need. She didn’t think of herself, but thought only of how to help others. This pandemic will certainly go down in history, but for our community so will Rita and her generous acts of kindness.”

Meal pick up is at Rita’s House of Pizza, 51 Bay Street, in Winslow. She has also created a Facebook group called Rita’s covid-19 family meal.

If anyone is in need of help at this difficult time, please feel free to contact Rita at the Winslow House of Pizza at 872-0773.

 

 

Sheridan Corp. announces three promotions

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photo: Sheridan Construction

Sheridan Construction is pleased to announce three promotions of key personnel at Sheridan Construction’s corporate office located in Fairfield.

Scott Nielsen, is promoted to Vice President of Finance & Administration.

Scott has been a vital part of the corporate structure and will be celebrating his 35 years of service with Sheridan Construction this October. Scott oversees all accounting, administrative and financial systems for the company and will continue to provide the critical information Sheridan needs to effectively and efficiently utilize its management systems.

Gilbert Thibeau, is promoted to Vice President of Construction.

In his expanded role, Gil will assume the many and varied responsibilities required to oversee the multiple and complex construction projects Sheridan undertakes every year. Gil’s credentials in engineering, LEED and state of art Project Management systems have and will continue to contribute to Sheridan’s growth and capabilities as one of Maine’s leading commercial and industrial contractors.

Wilbur Ferland, is promoted to Vice President of Sales and Estimating.

Wil’s consistent and capable 27 years of service with Sheridan have brought Sheridan’s abilities to bring construction solutions for its clients to the very high levels needed in today’s technical and exacting world of construction. Wil’s solid estimating skills, product knowledge and construction management experience will be utilized to increase the already substantial depth of Sheridan’s capabilities to provide the services today’s sophisticated construction buyer expects.

Alfond Youth and Community Center to provide weekend meals

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Alfond Youth and Community Center staff gathered ingredients to provide meals to many at-risk children in the Waterville area. (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)

The Alfond Youth and Community Center, in Waterville, is still serving free meals and snacks at six locations throughout the community every Monday through Friday, with weekend backpacks available every Thursday and Friday at the AYCC location.

Now, thanks to the generosity of Colby College and the hard work of their amazing kitchen crew, meals will be handed out on Saturdays and Sundays, too.

The meals will be distributed on Saturday and Sunday, from 1 – 2 p.m., at the Alfond Youth and Community Center parking lot, on North St., in Waterville.

Inland Hospital workers receive surprise welcome

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First responders, police and firefighters greeted the workers at Inland Hospital and Lakewood with a surprise welcome as they arrived at work recently. (photos courtesy of Kathy Jason, Northern Light Health lead communication specialist)

by Kathy Jason
Lead Communication Specialist, Northern Light Health

It was an amazing ride into work for all of us at Inland and Lakewood today – what a heartwarming gesture!

Thank you to Waterville’s police, fire and rescue departments, and the many other departments from around the region who lined our campus to honor healthcare workers as we drove in and out of work this morning.

“It was an emotional and humbling experience, to be thanked by our community partners who we consider heroes – who keep people safe and save lives,” said Terri Vieira, Inland/Lakewood president.

Waterville police chief, Joe Massey explained, “We wanted to show our support for Inland and Lakewood healthcare workers. We are all fighting COVID-19 together and we are grateful for everything Inland and Lakewood staff members are doing. This effort shows our solidarity and how much healthcare staff mean to us and our community.”

Thanks again to all who attended to show their support: Fire/EMS from Albion, Belgrade, China, Clinton, Fairfield, Oakland, Rome, Sidney, Waterville, and Winslow; Waterville and Winslow police departments and Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department; and Delta Ambulance.

Inland and Lakewood staff are deeply touched by your kindness and we thank you for all you do to serve our community. Together, we will get through this!

Global school play day at RSU #18

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by Mandi Favreau

Global School Play Day was celebrated all over RSU #18 this year! Atwood Elementary School, Williams Elementary School, and CPS joined in on February 5, while Belgrade Community School and James H. Bean Elementary School scheduled their play days for the Monday and Tuesday of the following week.

Regardless of the timing, all of our elementary students got to experience a full day where they could let their imaginations and creativity run wild with their friends. Children played with dolls, play dough, puppets, Legos, and much, much more. Several students got to discover all the amazing things you can build out of cardboard boxes, others discovered a new found love for karaoke or for science exploration games.

Global School Play Day was developed in 2015 by a small group of educators who were concerned about the lack of unstructured playtime their students got to experience. Studies show that unstructured play boosts cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development while lack of play increases stress and can lead to many physical and mental health issues.

The day of play was definitely a huge hit with the students. The smiles on their faces say it all and are a terrific reminder of how important it is to simply give our children time to play.

China Region Lakes Alliance delays summer employment process

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photo by Eric Austin

With all the uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA) announces a delay in advertising for summer employment opportunities.

The lake stewardship organization traditionally hires seasonal members of its Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and Courtesy Boat Inspector (CBI) team. These positions, which typically start in June, involve working with the public and in close proximity to other team members. YCC members work on projects with private landowners to protect and improve lake water quality at China Lake, Three Mile Pond and Webber Pond. CBI team members interface with hundreds of lake users coming and going from area boat launches.

“We know a lot of kids in our community have come to count on us for summer employment, but we don’t want to let people apply for a job that we don’t know they will be able to hold come summer,” says Scott Pierz, CRLA president. “We hope to make a decision in mid- to late May on what YCC and CBI will look like this year.”

There are many unknowns regarding the summer season, and the health and wellness of community members are the CRLA’s top concern. The CRLA, together with its program partners, will use guidance from the state to determine how to best operate these critical lake protection programs. When decisions are made, the CRLA will provide details via The Town Line and the town of China website.

Local church adapts with lakeside, car side Easter service

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Members of China Baptist Church attended Easter Sunrise Service in their cars at the head of the lake. (photo by Sharon Peabody)

by Linda Morell & Jeanne Marquis

It was a beautiful brisk morning overlooking China Lake. The lake was calm reflecting the homes along its shores as the cars filled the parking lot at the head of the lake. To an outside observer, it might have looked like a typical Sunday, instead it was a local church creatively adapting to social distancing due to the pandemic.

The Easter Sunrise Service at China Baptist Church began at 5:50 a.m. as it had for many previous decades, but this year the congregation stayed in their vehicles and listened through the internet. The glorious sun rising over the lake provided the visual inspiration.

The service began with music recorded by the music director and pianist, Donna Gorton followed by prayer and a message from Pastor David Gorton. Dennis Heath closed the service with an Easter message to those gathered.

At the close of the service, cars drove by the church to receive a raspberry roll baked by Sharon and Dale Peabody. The post service coffee hour was postponed until 10 AM so church members could safely return home and reconnect over Zoom.

Linda Morrell commented, “In these crazy times, it was good to see, if only from a distance. our many friends from our China Baptist Church family.”

Brad Bickford led the technical team that made the service possible. Dwayne Bickford, Brad’s father explained, “Brad and the church have been working on the ability to record and stream the services for some time. The basics were already in place. We only lacked the internet bandwidth which we quickly corrected by switching service providers.”

Dwayne Bickford scheduled the online meetings and communicated detailed instructions through multiple platforms to reach all generations of the congregation.

Dwayne said, “I’ve felt called to find ways to bring us together in this time of physical distancing. We are thankful for technology that didn’t exist a few short years ago. Zoom, Facebook and Google Hangouts have been instrumental in making it happen. The next challenge was explaining the usage to people of all generations and abilities. It wasn’t as bad as it might have been because most [of our congregation] were very motivated to figure it out. People are driven to get back to the normal worship they are accustomed to, especially in these times.”

Alene Smiley, longtime church member, said, “Easter Sunrise Service at China Baptist Church is always special as the setting at the head of the lake is a reminder of God’s power and goodness. This Sunday I did not expect to experience the same feelings that Easter Sunrise Service usually brings but many friends joined together was extremely meaningful. Just another reminder that no matter the circumstances, God is always with you if you look for Him.”

Charlie Matthews honored for 55 years in scouting

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Charlie Matthews

The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting honors Charlie Matthews, of Fairfield, for celebrating 55 years in the Scouting program. Charlie would have received a 55-year veteran service pin at the annual Scout Leader Recognition dinner this month but it was put on hold in response to Covid-19.

“Charlie Mathews has been a steadfast stalwart Scouter,” said Kennebec Valley District Chairman Butch Dawbin. “Whenever there was a need, Charlie stepped up and performed very well. Troop #460 always achieved high standards when they were at district events under Charlie. It was his leadership and turning over that leadership to his Scouts that made this happen. “Charlie was a youth member of Troop #470, in Fairfield, from 1953 to 1955, and then from 1967 through 2019 he served as Scoutmaster of Fairfield Troop #460.

“I have enjoyed working with young people and see them go from a new Scout who wasn’t sure of himself to become a leader with confidence in himself,” Charlie said. Matthews led the Scouts to annual visits to Camp Bomazeen or Camp Hinds and some very challenging experiences as well. “I think that some of the most favorite experiences were the camping trips. I especially enjoyed hiking 50 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoyed seeing a Scout taking care of himself for six days. He carried everything he needed for the trip. Many enjoyed it and did the hikes for several years. I had one Scout tell his father that he “did it, done it and never do it again.” His family moved to Kentucky. They wrote to me when he made Eagle.”

Lyn Rowden, who is a neighbor of Matthews, has two examples of Charlie’s great work with youth. “Our two sons joined as Tigers and became Eagles under Charlie’s tutelage. They had a lot of fun at camp, on Appalachian Trail hikes and all the Scout activities. As adults in their 30s they both truly respect Charlie to this day,” Rowden said. “Countless boys have benefited from his dedication to the scouting program. It is Charlie’s knowledge and his easy-going personality that has attracted our family to Boy Scouts.”

Bruce Rueger, who has been in Scouting in Waterville for more than 40 years, admires the example Charlie Matthews presents. “Charlie Matthew is the epitome of adult scouting. He always has time to share and has an incredible amount of knowledge. Whenever Scouting is in action he can be found there in the background providing guidance and support to the Scouts who are in front providing the leadership.”

One of Charlie’s Eagle Scouts, Nathanael Batson, was quick to praise his former Scoutmaster. “He never fails to put the Scouts before himself, which shows his kind heart,” Batson said. “Charlie is like a Scouting encyclopedia who is always willing to teach others as well as assist in the trail to Eagle.” Batson earned his Eagle rank in 2015 with Matthews as his Scoutmaster.

Along with his service as Scoutmaster, Charlie has served on the Catholic Committee for Scouting, the Kennebec Valley District Scouting Committee, the Nominating Committee and various special event committees over the years. “Through the Boy Scouts and Catholic Committee on Scouting, I have met people from all parts of Maine and New England,” Charlie said. “I found them very dedicated to the program and nice people.” In 2015, Charlie was the Scoutmaster of Nathanael Batson who received his Eagle Scout rank that year. Nathanael, who is blind, overcame many obstacles to achieve his goal with the support of Charlie.

Charlie said, “The sad part of serving 55 years is that a lot of the old Scouters are gone and that many of my Scouts have passed on also. I never set out to be a lifelong Scouter. I enjoy the Scouting program and I just registered every year without giving any thought to not signing up again. Now I tell people that I am too old to quit. There are many good people involved and many young people who can benefit from the program.”

The award will be presented to Charlie at an appropriate ceremony after the current Covid-19 challenge has passed. He remains an active Scouting volunteer.

Dealing with difficult times

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Special letter: Max Poulin, 8, of Waterville, made this special letter during the last week of March, honoring the hospital workers at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Unit, in Waterville. (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)

Directing traffic: Ryan Poulin, chief executive officer at New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, on Grove St., in Waterville, stands in the rain while directing customers at the drive-thru. The credit union lobby is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (photo courtesy of Tammy Poissonnier, MBA Communications)

Area churches prepare for virtual services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday

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Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterville (photo: Google streetview)

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 5, and continues through Easter Sunday, April 12. Below, you will find a list of livestreamed Masses and liturgies at local parishes during Holy Week. All of the information is also listed at www.portlanddiocese.org/HolyWeekLiveStreaming (this webpage will be updated frequently as additional parishes submit schedules and when changes are made to schedules).

Corpus Christi Parish, Waterville

www.facebook.com/CorpusChristiMaine

Palm Sunday – 9 a.m.

Holy Thursday – 6 p.m.

Good Friday – 6 p.m.

Easter Sunday – 9 a.m.

St. Michael Parish, Augusta

Website: www.stmichaelmaine.org/our-virtual-parish

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StMichaelMaine.

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6PMvJoqkRRBztsSqKRFpA

Palm Sunday – A taped Mass will be available on the parish website (under virtual parish), on the parish Facebook page, and on the parish YouTube channel by 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

Holy Thursday – A taped Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be available on the parish website (under virtual parish), on the parish Facebook page, and on the parish YouTube channel by 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.

Good Friday – A taped Good Friday liturgy will be available on the parish website (under virtual parish), on the parish Facebook page, and on the parish YouTube channel by 6 p.m. on Friday, April 10. A taped Stations of the Cross is currently available on the YouTube channel and will soon be available on both the website and Facebook pages.

Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil Mass will be live-streamed at 8 p.m. on the parish Facebook page and website.

Easter Sunday — A taped Easter Sunday Mass will be available on the parish website (under virtual parish), on the parish Facebook page, and on the parish YouTube channel by 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 12.

Winslow Congregational Church to offer online Holy Week services

Live-stream online church services from Winslow Congregational Church, led by Rev. Kim Shrader, will be available during Holy Week on YouTube. Services and starting times will be: Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. / Good Friday, 2 p.m. / Easter Sunday sunrise reflection, 5:50 a.m; Easter worship 10:30 a.m. Live streaming is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSqXn3KhHXs&feature=youtu.be

For more information, please call (207) 872-2544.

Palermo Christian Church streaming services

The Palermo Christian Church is currently streaming Sunday morning services at 9 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook. The links can be found on their website, www.palermochristianchurch.org. They will do this for Easter Sunday as well, and all other services have been canceled until further notice.