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.

Two local graduates receive Maine Dental Association scholarship

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Two local graduates were selected to receive the 2019 Alva S. Appleby Scholarship from the Maine Dental Association Charitable Foundation.

Jenna Fongemie, a graduate of St. Dominic Academy, in Auburn, who attends the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Stephanie Watson, a graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, who attends the University of New England College of Dental Medicine, were two of 14 students that were selected for the scholarship.

Each of the students was awarded $3,500. To be considered for the annual Appleby Scholarship, a student must be from the state of Maine, have completed their first year of dental school, and be currently enrolled in a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association.

Fongemie is the daughter of Jeffrey and Joline Fongemie of Augusta, and Watson is the daughter of Thomas and Lisa Beeckel of Augusta.

Erskine senior receives Next Gen honorable mention

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Eleena Lee

Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), a nonprofit committed to ensuring that all students leave high school with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex financial world, is pleased to announce that Eleena Lee, a senior at Erskine Academy, has received an Honorable Mention Award in their third annual PAYBACK Challenge.

Over 900 students from across the United States submitted essays earlier last fall after playing the award-winning college finance game, PAYBACK. Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of NGPF, states, “Over 200,000 students played PAYBACK during the contest period. It was great to see the impact this game had on students’ attitudes and actions as they decide on their educational path after high school.”

Each of the honorable mention winners will receive a $500 award from NGPF to be used for educational purposes.

First Sci-Fi and Family Nerd fest planned

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Contributed photo

The first ever Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Fest will take place Sunday, January 26, at the Fairfield Community Center, in Fairfield. There will be a bevy of fun things going on which include, light saber fighting, a D&D battle royale to win a real fantasy sword, amazing cosplay characters for great picture taking, tons of vendors like artists, crafts, toys, authors and books, not to mention, comics, jewelry, fortune telling, face painting, and so much more.

Grand Prix races slated for grades 2-5

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Race track ready to go!

A free racecar event will be held at Kennebec Valley Baptist Church, 91 Marston Road, Waterville, on March 14, beginning at 2 p.m. Small wooden car creations built by youngsters age two through grade five with the help of a parent or other adult are raced. Trophies will be awarded for best design and fastest vehicle.

For the first time this year there will be a “race-after-the-race” for youngsters in grade six through adult. The $5 charge covers the cost of the wooden materials used to create the car. A “build day” will be held at the church where tools, building instructions, and helpers will be provided.

The Grand Prix is offered by AWANA, an international youth ministries program. The racecar project began in 1964 and is offered in more than 4,000 churches around the world.

To obtain a car project, folk may fill out a registration form at the church by February 1. The forms are available on Wednesday evenings between 6 and 8 p.m. For more information, call Patrick Simpson at 207-290-0341.

Melissa Brugnani promoted to mortgage loan officer at Kennebec Federal Savings Bank, in Waterville

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Melissa Brugnani, recently promoted mortgage loan officer at Kennebec Federal Savings Bank. (contributed photo)

Melissa Brugnani, who offers more than 20 years’ experience in banking and a “we treat every customer like family” work sensibility—has been promoted to Mortgage Loan Officer for Kennebec Federal Savings, in Waterville.

In her new role, Ms. Brugnani will professionally assess the credit-worthiness of those seeking various types of individual mortgages in the Waterville/Central Maine area, and match eligible mortgage-seekers with a financial solution thoughtfully designed to meet their individual and/or business needs.

“I am so excited to be promoted to mortgage loan officer, particularly at Kennebec Federal Savings,” said Ms. Brugnani. “KFS has been named a ‘Best Place to Work in Maine’ for six years in a row, and we work hard each day to pass that neighborly, positive, affirming experience along to each and every customer. When you walk in the door here, you become family.”

Allan Rancourt, President of Kennebec Federal Savings, said Ms. Brugnani was promoted to her new position because of her “neighborly professionalism” and passion for customer service. “With Melissa, ‘We treat you like family’ isn’t just a slogan. It’s the way she treats every customer, every day.”

Raised in Livermore Falls, and Massachusetts, Ms. Brugnani served from 2007 to 2017 at The Bank of Canton, in Canton, Massachusetts, and from 1999 to 2007 at Eastern Bank, in Randolph, Massachusetts. She has been employed at Kennebec Federal Savings since moving home to Maine in 2017.

For more information, please contact Rene Turner at Kennebec Federal Savings, 207-873-5151.

“Fighting Mental Health Stigma” and “Living with Depression” presentations set for Augusta and Waterville in coming weeks

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Free presentations on the topic of improved mental health will be offered by parishes in Augusta and Waterville in the coming weeks. All are welcome to attend either presentation.

As part of its ongoing “Coffee and Conversation” series, the St. Michael Parish Social Justice Commission will sponsor a presentation and discussion on “Fighting Mental Health Stigma.” The session will be held on Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m., in St. Monica Hall, on 5 Kendall Street, in Augusta.

St. Michael parishioners Emily Dowdell and Andrew Phinney, both professionals in the mental health field, will lead the discussion. For more information, contact the parish at (207) 623-8823 or St.Michael@portlanddiocese.org. You can also visit the parish’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StMichaelMaine.

Corpus Christi Parish, in Waterville, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon, in Winslow, will co-host “Living with Depression” on Sunday, January 26, from 2 p.m., to 3:30 p.m. in the hall of Notre Dame Church, on 116 Silver Street, in Waterville.

Marc Sirois, a parishioner of Corpus Christi and the manager of outpatient behavioral services for MaineGeneral Medical Center, will discuss the causes and treatments of depression as well as strategies for living with depression and supporting those who do. For more information, call (207) 873-4512 or email csjsoflyon.maine@gmail.com.

For more information about these and other special events occurring in the Diocese of Portland, visit the special events section of the diocesan website at www.portlanddiocese.org.

“Manufacturing Augusta: The Cotton Mill Fire and the Breaching of the Edwards Dam” local history presentation at Lithgow Public Library

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On Wednesday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m., the Lithgow Public Library, in Augusta, will host “Manufacturing Augusta: The Cotton Mill Fire and the Breaching of the Edwards Dam,” presented by the Heritage Center at Mill Park. The event is free and open to the public.

This is the fifth in the series of presentations on local manufacturing history by the Heritage Center at Mill Park. Come learn about the rich local history of industrial Augusta in this event spotlighting the massive fire at the Bates Manufacturing, Edwards Division cotton mill in 1989 and the breaching of the Edwards Dam in 1999. Jan Michaud, founder of the Heritage Center at Mill Park, will share the video interviews and footage, concluding with a brief discussion.

Lithgow Library is located at 45 Winthrop Street, in Augusta. For more information, please call the library at (207) 626-2415 or visit our website at www.lithgowlibrary.org.

Oakland mom chosen Maine’s Mother of the Year for 2020

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Adrian Phair

Adrian Phair, of Oakland, was recently announced as the 2020 Maine Mother of the Year. She was nominated for her contributions as a mother in her home, workplace and community. She is the 59th woman in Maine history to hold this honor.

Mrs. Phair is a former Child Protective Services social worker and mother of two. She is being recognized for her leadership as Board President and Camp Director at Camp To Belong Maine, a nonprofit organization that works to reunite siblings that have been separated from each other while in foster care.

Mrs. Phair, along with honorees from states across the US, will be recognized during the 85th National Convention of American Mothers, Inc. in Washington, DC, April 19 – 21. She will also serve as an ambassador for Maine mothers during visits with members of Congress. One honoree will be named the National Mother of the Year during a gala fundraiser for the American Mothers’ “Golden Rule Grant Fund” on April 21.

“For 85 years American Mothers, Inc. has held the responsibility of searching for and selecting the Mother of the Year in every state, district and territory in our country,” said Connell Branan, Board President. “Like all of the honorees before her, Mrs. Phair now joins the ranks of Maine history, with the opportunity to become a part of American history as she represents the mothers in her state and is considered for the honor of 2020 National Mother of the Year.”

For more information about the organization, visit AmericanMothers.org and look for @AmericanMothers and #MomNation on social media.

Vassalboro, Winslow: After-School programs win award

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Front row, from left to right:, Jennifer Lizotte, administrative assistant, and Tiffany Carrigan, director of programming. Back row, Jim Fortunato, and Samantha Bernatchez, director of operations. (contributed photo)

Jim Fortunato, Let’s Go! Northern Kennebec County Coordinator, Northern Light Inland Hospital, has awarded the Winslow and Vassalboro Before/After School Programs with a Gold Recognition for the 2018-19 school year. This is the highest level of recognition for sites that have achieved all five priority strategies of the 5210 Let’s Go! Program.

The 5210 Let’s Go!, introduced in 2012, is committed to promoting policy and environmental changes at childcare programs, schools, out-of-school programs, health care practices, and workplaces. The program’s multi-setting approach, daily 5-2-1-0 message (five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity and zero sugary drinks) and 10 evidence-based strategies are used to effect change across the state of Maine. Strong leadership from The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and collaboration across health systems and community health coalitions contribute to the program’s success.

The 5210 Let’s Go! awards bronze, silver and gold awards to programs who support and collaborate with them around healthy eating and increased physical activity. A Bronze award reflects a site’s implementing the program’s five evidence-based priority strategies. Silver acknowledges a site that has communicated these changes to parents and family members. Gold, the highest level of recognition, is reserved for sites that have written all five priority strategies into policy or have school staff participate on the district’s wellness committee.