Shine-On Oakland benefits school food pantries

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Colby Charette with some of the food recently collected during the Shine-On Oakland Day that will go to the Oakland School Food Pantries.The Shine-On Cass Foundation again partnered with the town of Oakland’s summer festival “Oakfest,” which featured three days of community events. (Photo courtesy of Monica Charette)

by Monica Charette

Oakland’s “ShineOn Oakland Day,” on July 27, collected a bus load of donated school snacks, bringing awareness to child food insecurity and the support needed for local families through Oakland School Food Pantries. The ShineOnCass Foundation again partnered with the town of Oakland’s summer festival “Oak­fest,” which featured three days of community events including an outdoor movie night, food and art vendors, local bands, a car show, triathlon and a “stuff the bus” event, where Oak­fest attendees climbed aboard a school bus to donate snacks that will be distributed to local students in need this fall.

The ShineOnCass Foundation organizes a kindness event to both support local families and give children the experience of giving back to the community as part of “ShineOn Oakland” Day at Oakfest. In addition to collecting hundreds of snacks, Foundation volunteers also hosted a “Kindness Matters Bookmark Project” where kids created positive messages on bookmarks to be placed anonymously in books in local libraries to help spread kindness. For information about the Kindness Matters Bookmark Project and other ShineOnCass initiatives, visit shineoncass.org.

The ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor the spirit, continue the work, and encourage others to live the legacy of Cassidy Charette, whose kindness and passion for others Shines On. Cassidy was a 17-year-old Messalonskee scholar and athlete, and a devoted community volunteer who died in a hayride accident in 2014. The organization’s mission is to educate, inspire and empower youth to make their world a better place through volunteer charitable activities.

Golf for Kids raises $38,000

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First place gross: Great Falls Marketing with players Mike Frautten, Steve Carrara, Mike Wilson and Mike McNaboe. (Photo courtesy of Monica Charette)

by Monica Charette

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s 20th Annual Golf Fore Kids’ Sake, held September 6, at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, with Invitational Partner Kennebec Savings Bank, raised over $38,000 to benefit school and community-based youth mentoring services for children in Kennebec and Somerset counties. Fifty-five golfers competed in the tournament.

2019 Golf Fore Kids’ Sake Tournament Winners:

First Place Gross: Mike Frautten, Steve Carrara, Mike Wilson and Mike McNaboe, (Great Falls Marketing).

Second Place Gross: Mike Latendresse, Tom Duffek, Blaise McDonald and Tyler Walsh, (Dead River Company).

First Place Net: Eric Gosline, Geoff Houghton, Jake Coan and Ron Trahan, (Gosline-Murchie Insurance).

Second Place Net: Peter Labbe, Nicole Labbe, Patrick Phair and Adrian Phair, (Cives Steel).

Contest Winners:

Longest Drive (Men’s): Eric Gosline, (Gosline-Murchie Insurance); Longest Drive (Women’s): Danielle Marquis, (Higgins & Bolduc Agency Inc).

Closest To Pin: Jessica Smart, (Century 21 Surette Real Estate).

Chipping Contest: Jeff Willett.

Golf Fore Kids’ Sake’s Annual Invitational Partner is Kennebec Savings Bank with support from major sponsors G & E Roofing and Gosline-Murchie Insurance and lunch sponsors SAPPI and Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo counties.

By partnering with parents, volunteers and organizations, children in the program have higher aspirations, greater confidence, develop better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and achieve educational success.

For more information about Golf Fore Kids’ Sake, enrolling a child or becoming a volunteer or mentor, please call 236-BBBS (2227) email info@bbbsmidmaine.org, or visit www.bbbsmidmaine.org.

First place net, Gosline-Murchie Insurance, with players Eric Gosline, Geoff Houghton, Jake Coan and Ron Trahan. (Photo courtesy of Monica Charette)

Recycled Shakespeare Company to perform ‘The Tempest’

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Come away to a private island where the plants, stones, and water are alive. Considered one of Shakespeare’s best fairytales, The Tempest is a magical journey through love, loyalty, and power. Recycled Shakespeare Company, now in it’s sixth season, will be performing at 7 p.m., on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, at Skills Inc. Ervin Center, 46 Front Street, Waterville.

With original music and direction by Emily Rowden Fournier, of Fairfield, co-director Helena Page, of Clinton, and stage manager Debra Achorn, of Waterville, the scene comes alive as the exiled Prospero, (Raymond “Wingnut” Wing, of Waterville) creates a magical storm in order to shipwreck the queen and her courtiers. Prospero’s daughter, Miranda (Omm Stilwell, of Vassalboro) does not realize her father’s plan to introduce her to Prince Ferdinand (Cody Curtis, of Bath), but soon learns how she and her father came to be exiled on this island which is inhabited only by them, the monster Caliban (Aaron Blaschke Rowden and Joe Rowden, both of Fairfield) and Ariel, the musical spirit of the island played by nine singers and dancers. With would-be assassins afoot, can Ariel protect the queen and Prospero and still be freed from enslavement? Live accompaniment will be by Fournier on flute and Mia Fairman, of Waterville, on violin.

Recycled Shakespeare Company was founded with the mission of making theater accessible to all while using recycled and repurposed materials. The nonprofit group is Northern New England’s only grassroots Shakespearean community theater and has been featured at the Shakespeare Theater Association’s annual conference in Prague, Czech Republic, for their efforts in creating ecological theater.

This family-friendly production will be presented in the round, with the audience getting a 360 degree view of the stage, and is free to the public. Best view seats can be reserved with a $10 donation. Themed refreshments will be sold.

For more information or to reserve seats call 207-314-8607 or email RecycledShakespeare@gmail.com.

Winslow homecoming 2019

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A large crowd turned out for Winslow High School’s homecoming game versus Foxcroft Academy on September 28. (Photos by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow junior running back Rob Clark gains some yardage in Winslow’s 69-21 victory. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Kennebec Historical Society announces logo design contest for public

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The Kennebec Historical Society is seeking submissions for a logo design for use primarily across digital media.

Any member of the public is welcome to submit a design. The design should be created keeping in mind that its final use is for concise and easy-to-identify brand use, representative of the KHS mission and/or history of Kennebec County. The logo needs to be usable in social media, such as for a Facebook profile image or brand icon. This logo will not replace the society’s current logo; instead, it is intended to act as a supplemental logo that maintains a connection to the current logo.

A KHS committee, in conjunction with the KHS board of directors, will select the winner.

The designer of the selected logo will receive:

  • $100.
  • A one-year membership in KHS.
  • Recognition across platforms such as our newsletter, our Facebook page, and press releases sent to local media.

Logo designs should be emailed as .JPG, .EPS, and .PDF files to kennhis1891@gmail.com with subject line “Logo Contest Submission” by 5 p.m. December 1, 2019.

For more details about the contest, visit the Kennebec Historical Society’s Facebook page (enter “@KHS1891” in Facebook’s search window), email us at kennhis1891@gmail.com, or call us at 622-7718.

UNITY: Barn Raisers hold Day of Service

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Unity College students who participated in Day of Service. (Contributed photo)

The Unity Barn Raisers (UBR) held their annual Day of Service event on Saturday, October 5. The Day of Service is a celebration of community spirit and volunteerism. This year, nearly 100 volunteers completed 12 service projects in and around Unity (other towns include Freedom, Montville, and Thorndike), culminating in a community meal to thank the volunteers and sponsors of this great event. Many of these volunteers included first year Unity College students.

Unity Barn Raisers (Contributed photo)

Projects included trail work with Sebasticook Regional Land Trust, gardening at Triplet Park, tidying of local cemeteries, fall cleanup with the Unity Historical Society and Freedom Historical Society, post-fair cleanup at MOFGA, squash harvesting for the food pantry, stacking wood at Avian Haven Bird Sanctuary, painting the Community Center, and more!

This annual event is a fundraiser for UBR, ensuring their ability to serve Unity and the surrounding communities of Troy, Knox, Freedom, Thorndike, Montville and Burnham. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to complete important community enhancement projects that ensure local vitality and development while coming together as a community.

Generous sponsors of this event include Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Envirem Organics, UniTel, Down East Credit Union, Sandy Stream Mobile Home Park, Unity Foundation, Revision Energy, 93 Main Coffee Shop, TA’s Automotive, Depot Country Store, Hidden Valley Camp, Unity Forge, Timber Frame Farm, and VillageSide Farm.

Anyone interested in volunteering in the community please contact UBR at 948-9005 or unitybarnraisers.org.

Unity Barn Raisers works pro-actively to enhance small-town character and rural environment, while nurturing a thriving community-based economy. UBR believes that a community working together can shape its own future, and in so doing, significantly advance the quality of life of its people, both now and for generations to come.

China town staff tells selectmen of rude treatment by residents

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen reacted with indignation when Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood and Town Manager Dennis Heath told them people are rude to counter staff in the town office.

In addition to the usual daily business, people have been calling and coming in to question, dispute or pay their taxes, and Hapgood said staff have dealt with many “ill-mannered, vulgar and threatening customers in person and over the phone.”

Ronald Breton, acting chairman at the Sept. 30 selectmen’s meeting, pointed out that staff are not responsible for the tax rate or town policies; he invited people who want to complain to talk to selectmen. He also advised counter staff to politely decline to serve rude customers. And, board member Donna Mills-Stevens added, don’t hesitate to call 911 if necessary.

Hapgood said there are two other problems: some taxpayers are so out of practice writing checks that they make them out incorrectly or forget to sign them; and others look at only the top of the two little slips on the bottom of the bill and if the cents are an odd number, pay a penny short.

For example, if a bill is for $4,000.21, the September half payment is for $2,000.11; the March 2020 half payment, on the upper of the small slips, is for $2,000.10.

Heath estimated so far about 50 taxpayers owe a penny each for this error. He and Mills-Stevens doubted it would be legal to simplify things by rounding the hypothetical bill up to $4,000.22. He said he would see if there are other options.

The manager said now that China is down to two part-time patrolling policemen, Craig Johnson from the Kennebec County sheriff’s department and Jordan Gaudet from the Hallowell police department (plus continuing administrative and logistical support from the Oakland police department), he asked Johnson to develop a cost estimate for a full-time China officer. He is not yet ready to consider making a proposal to selectmen.

Heath gave selectmen a revised schedule of proposed fees for town office services like making copies, emailing, FAXing, notarizing and using the telephone (see The Town Line, Sept. 19). Board members approved it unanimously.

Looking back to earlier decisions, Heath reported the transfer of town funds to Bar Harbor Banking and Trust is well under way; and work has started to make the town’s new portable classroom, currently in Oakland, mobile. The building will be brought to the town garage lot until a pad on the town office grounds is ready and then moved there at no additional cost (see The Town Line, Sept. 19). Heath proposes using it as police office.

Selectmen again had to postpone action on the application for a Tax Increment Finance loan for Buckshot Power Sports because they lacked final supporting documents. Heath explained that review of part of the application was delayed because a computer crash required owner Mike Rackliffe to hand-write financial information.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is moved from the usual Monday to Tuesday, Oct. 15, to avoid the renamed Indigenous People’s Day holiday. It will be preceded by 6 p.m. public hearings on Nov. 5 local ballot questions and on amendments to the General Assistance Ordinance appendices.

Vassalboro FAVOR group seeks volunteers

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Vassalboro’s F.A.V.O.R. group will be holding a Window Dressers Build from November 16th – 21st. We are looking for volunteers to assist with measuring, frame building and completing the inserts. Now is also the time to request and purchase frames for your winter insulating needs. Please call the Town Office – Debbie 207 872 2826.

Palermo resident presented with Quilt of Valor

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From left to right, Clayton York, commander of American Legion Post #163, of Palermo, George and Beverly McKenney, and Mary Haskell, treasurer for American Legion Post #163 Ladies Auxiliary. (Contributed photo)

On September 29, a Quilt of Valor was presented to George McKenney, 89, of Palermo, by Clayton York, commander of American Legion Post #163, of Palermo, and Mary Haskell, treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary to Post #163.

Darleen Potter made the quilt and Charlene Mosher volunteered to “long arm quilt” the finished quilt.

Several weeks ago, Bryan and Darleen Potter contacted Mary Haskell and asked if she could choose someone from Palermo to deciate a Quilt of Valor. She immediately thought of McKenney, and the work began.

The quilt is dedicated to McKenney as a thank you for his service during the Korean War. Many family members, legion and auxiliary members attended.

The Quilt of Valor Foundation is an organization that began in 2003. The purpose of which is to award quilts to veterans in the United States. These quilts are to say “thank you for their service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation in combat.”

The quilts presented to veterans during this month of September is 1,250; and the total number of quilts awarded to date is 228,767 nationwide.

McKenney’s quilt is the first awarded by Post #163.

Visit the QOVF.org website for more information. McKenney’s quilt is registered with the foundation.

Contributed photo

Erskine students think globally to establish a United Nations Girl Up club

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Members of the Erskine Academy Girl Up program. (Contributed photo)

by Jeanne Marquis

During the summer before her junior year at Erskine Academy, in South China, Madyx Kennedy searched online for a new school organization. She was already active in the clubs Erskine offered, but she was looking for a club that could make a difference in the world and better matched her passions for her own future. Madyx came across an organization founded in 2010 by the United Nations called Girl Up.

Girl Up supports programs globally to provide adolescent girls an equal chance for education, health, social and economic opportunities, and a life free from violence. Why Girls? When girls are empowered by education, it raises their families and community out of poverty. One in seven girls in developing countries marry before age 15. When marriage is delayed and a girl has the opportunity to attend school, her income potential rises 10-20 percent for each year of schooling.

“What it boils down to is simple: If we want to drive progress in the world, we need to put girls in the driver’s seat.” – Kathy Calvin, CEO and President, UN Foundation.

Erskine student and local Girl Up chapter founder Madyx Kennedy. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

Madyx, the Erskine Girl Up club founder, was inspired when she came across the Girls Up website. This organization’s mission aligned with what she envisions for her own future. She plans to go on to law school after her undergraduate degree and be a legal advocate for gender equality.

Madyx did her homework over the summer, so to speak, and learned what it took to establish a Girl Up club at Erskine. Headmaster Michael McQuarrie was highly supportive. Madyx compiled a list of potential teacher advisors for the club and prepared to go to each one to promote her idea. Ms. Beth Lawrence, her Spanish teacher, was the first one on that list and told her without any hesitation she wanted to be their advisor. When she had the school administration on board, the lingering question was ‘would there be enough support from her fellow students?’

Madyx was asked to speak about the club at an assembly in September. At the end of her presentation, she asked those who were interested to meet her by the stage. She expected two or three other students, instead to her amazement, she found nearly 30 other enthusiastic students, including a few males.

Nate Farrar learned at the first meeting the impact the club could make around the world. Nate says, “You don’t have to be a female to help out a great cause for today’s society involving women, step up men.”

After only two meetings, Erskine’s newly-formed Girl Up club has projects underway. The club’s first major project is to raise money to purchase bikes for girls to get to school. The lack of transportation can be a major barrier to getting an education in developing nations, especially for girls. SchoolCycle, one of the initiatives of the Girl Up organization, has raised funds for 1,550 bikes for girls in Malawi and 250 bikes for girls in Guatemala. In Malawi, less that 25 percent of girls finish primary school. In both these countries, families live many miles to the closest school, putting girls in risk of violence or harassment during their commute.

The Girl Up club at Erskine Academy is already implementing a fundraising campaign to raise money for more bicycles—including letters to local business, a booth at the Erskine AFS craft fair on December 14, and a fundraising page at gofundme.com/school-cycle.

While seeking to make an impact globally, the Erskine students realize there is work to be done locally to help close the gender gap in our country. They envision, in the club’s future, hosting local workshops for middle school girls to build confidence and self-esteem. Madyx wants to pass along the spirit to younger girls that all things are possible.

“Madyx has always been raised to believe that she can do anything she sets her mind to and nothing isn’t possible, especially not because of her gender,” explains Alysia Farrington, Madyx’s mother. “I think Madyx has chosen law as her career path because she feels a strong need to make women’s voices heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”