Becky Hapgood honored for 25 years service to China

China town clerk Becky Hapgood, left, is congratulated by town manager Dennis Heath on the occasion of her 25 years of service to the town. (Photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Roland D. Hallee

It was 25 years ago – 1994: when O.J. Simpson led police on a slow speed chase in his white Ford Bronco, Major League baseball canceled the entire season due to a strike, Lisa Marie Presley married Michael Jackson, The Shawshank Redemption was the top film, Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart topped the pop charts, Law and Order was the number one television show, Bill Clinton was president, Robert Kraft bought the New England Patriots – and Becky Hapgood began her working career at the China Town Office.

Becky was honored at a reception at the China Town Office on Friday, February 8, by the office staff and town employees. She looked somewhat surprised, but not completely. “I noticed a lot of whispering going on around the office,” she said. “Especially this morning when they couldn’t wait to leave a meeting we were holding.”

Becky started working at the town office on February 2, 1994. “Although I didn’t like politics, and still don’t, I was working at BACK’s dairy bar, owned by my parents, and having just graduated from Thomas College with a bachelor of science degree in business management, I wanted to stay local, and find something year-round and full-time,” Becky remembers. A position opened at the town office, so she applied for it. She had also worked short stints at The South China Inn and Farrington’s Clothing Store.

“I learned how important it was to provide exceptional customer service, and loved the interaction with customers,” she added.

Becky succeeded Debra Fischer as the town clerk. She oversees a staff of five at the town office, deputies Kelly Grotton, Jennifer Chamberlain, Julie Finley, Kayla Krause and Tracy Cunningham.

Throughout the 25 years, Becky has worked with three town managers, Dennis Heath, Dan L’Heureux and Gary Brown.

China Town Manager Dennis Heath presents Becky Hapgood with a 25-year certificate. (Photo by Roland D. Hallee)

“Becky’s 25 years of service is a testament to her devotion to the people of China,” said Town Manager Dennis Heath. “The reputation of the town office has grown and been positive in large part to the relationships she has forged over her decades of service.”

Over a 25-year period, many things change. “Technology,” said Becky. “Information is at our finger tips. Computers enhance our ability to provide services to our residents.”

“We are required to attend certain trainings throughout the year,” commented Kelly Grotton, deputy town clerk. “Anytime Becky has the opportunity to meet new clerks she always offers to be a mentor if they have difficulty wading through all the aspects of the town clerk world.”

Becky’s dedication to the job is obvious in her achievements. She is a lifetime certified clerk of Maine, and was awarded as the Maine Town and City Clerk’s Association clerk of the year in 2015.

“One thing about her job that I don’t think people think about,” Grotton continues, “is how many different sets of laws and guidelines we have to know and follow. Most of what we do is set by law. Elections, motor vehicle registration, fishing and hunting licenses, and vital statistics (births, deaths, marriages, etc.) are a few of the state agencies to whom we have to answer.” To that list you can add tax collection, the lien process, payroll, accounts payable and all the laws associated with those.

Former selectman Neil Farrington added, “Becky and I have worked together for over 14 years. She was the person I would go to when asking for advice on local government policy and guidance. The town is very fortunate to have her as our town clerk.” Then he quipped, “I believe she created the phrase, ‘Neil alert,’ whenever I came into the town office.”

Becky has become a very much sought after member of the town office staff. “Several years ago, it was decided that she should have a wall because as her job has evolved over the years, much of what she does is better done with less interruption,” Grotton said. “The concept is good but didn’t work as expected. People will come in, look around and ask, ‘Where’s Becky?’ She will have to poke her head out to reassure them that she is right there.”

“She is highly skilled and vastly knowledgeable in town government,” added Heath. “If she doesn’t already know the answer, it won’t take long for her to get it. We are exceptionally grateful for her and her loyal service.”

“Becky has spent more than half of her life working for the town of China,” interjected Grotton while Heath was presenting Becky with a certificate and pin during the short and informal ceremony. Cake and punch was served.

Selectman Irene Belanger echoed the sentiments of others, applauding Becky by saying, “Becky isn’t only a very effective, good clerk, but she is a good friend to people as well.”

“I am appreciative,” Becky admitted. “I really love my job, the people I work with and the townspeople. Every day is different. The residents and my work family help to make this career a pleasure.”

Grotton summed it up best: “It is sometimes hard to gather the right words, in the right order, to express what should be conveyed. Becky has always worked toward making the town of China reflect in the most positive of lights. She has always stressed customer service and professionalism – she expects it of us and she models it in all of her actions. She considers the residents as hers and looks out for their best interests (picture a mama bear). She has always gone above and beyond any normal call of duty, not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. I have been happy to follow her lead for all these years.”

Becky resides with her partner Richard Doe, and her son Sage Hapgood-Belanger, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China. In her spare time, she has coached recreational soccer and school teams, founded China Community Days, and spearheads the Christmas assistance initiative through which 10-20 China families are usually given a very nice Christmas.

Reflecting back to 1994 and the years since, Becky shares her experience: “I didn’t know what the job would entail when I started working for the town, but quickly fell in love with the job and the ability to help people. I enjoy meeting new residents that quickly become friends. I want our town office to be the best in the state.”

Souper Bowl gathers 927 food items

The 2019 “Souper Bowl” Food Drive competition at Clinton Elementary School. (Contributed photo)

The week of January 28 – February 1, the student council led the annual “Souper Bowl” Food Drive competition at Clinton Elementary School. The classrooms were divided into two teams – the Patriots and the Rams – and competed to see who could bring in the most items for the Town of Clinton’s Food Bank. The Patriots team won and the school donated a total of 927 items, making the annual event a success for everyone involved.

Hard work, determination keep Abigail Dudley plenty busy

Abigail Dudley with her awards. (Photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Abigail Dudley, 12, of Winslow, carries the Martial Arts Creed, Virtues and Pillars with her in everything that she does. It helps her to maintain a heavy academic and athletic schedule. Her schedule includes Jui-jitsu with Shihan Mike Huard, Karate with Sensei Mark Huard and Shihan Mike Huard. She is also a member of Huard’s Sports Karate Team with Sensei Mark and Sensei Jayme Dennis. Despite a heavy schedule with other interests, Abigail has a very high attendance rate.

Recently she was also invited to join Team IPPONE with Sensei Denise Rouleau and Shihan Andy Campbell. This is a huge compliment to Abigail’s skills and training she has obtained with Huard’s Martial Arts.

To add to her already busy schedule, she also takes dance with Mr. Scott and Miss Ariel at Studio One For Dancers during the school year. Then does gymnastics in the summer at the Alfond Youth Center. Also during the school year she participates in after school sports while maintaining an “A” average in her classes at Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville.

Abigail is a four time S.M.A.R.T Ratings State Champion. In 2017, her first year competing in IPPONE ratings she placed fourth in New England in weapons. This past year 2018, she placed third in Kata and Fighting and fourth in weapons in New England. At this years 2019 IPPONE opening tournament, she was a triple crown winner placing first in all three divisions.

Abigail enjoys mentoring and helping the younger students in her dojo and on her teams. Her biggest enjoyment is empowering the younger girls at the dojo, on her teams and that she meets at other tournaments. She finds it very humbling that they want to learn from her and be like her.

Her goal in teaching and helping them is to show they can do and achieve anything they dream. Being a female in martial arts or any other journey you choose, doesn’t have to limit you. Abigail models that through hard work and determination you can do anything.

Lawrence girls Box Out Cancer for Alfond Cancer Care Center

Brooke Lambert, Keegan Alley and Savannah Weston lead the Lawrence High School girls basketball team onto the court for their Box Out Cancer fundraiser. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

On January 29, Lawrence High School held its second annual Box out Cancer event. The money raised at this event is donated to the Alfond Cancer Care Center. This starts off with the Lawrence Girls Basketball Boosters selling pink ribbons that are hung on the gym walls the night of the event. On the night of the game, the cheerleaders and players from both Lawrence and Mt. Blue are given pink “Box out Cancer” shirts to be worn during warm-ups. These shirts were generously donated by Hometown Veterinary Care for the second year in a row.

Additionally, the boosters sell 50/50 tickets, pink ribbons, and T-shirts during the junior varsity game and the start of the varsity game. This helps to raise more money for this wonderful cause. Participants are very excited to take part in and event that will help so many. It’s a way for the community to give back and help people out at a very trying time in their lives.

The committee tries to think of ways to make this process fun. The Shopping Cart Frenzy is a fun-for-all game that is played at halftime of the varsity game. Fans can purchase a bag of three tennis balls for $5. These balls are numbered and the fans name is written on a chart next to their ball number. At halftime, a volunteer teacher throws on a helmet and cruises around the gym as fans try to throw the tennis balls into the shopping cart. If your number lands in the cart you win a prize. These prizes are also donated by local businesses. This year had donations came from Gene’s Market, Sonny’s Pizza, and Personali-tease, just to name a few. These donations helped to bring the community together to help fight one of life’s biggest battles for so many.

This year Lawrence girls basketball raised $1,300 for the Alfond Care Center. A member of the Care Center comes to the game and is presented with a check. Many people have been impacted by cancer and the havoc it creates in families. This event is meant to give our youth and their families hope. It creates a way to come together and fight this horrible disease together.

Members of the Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, and Mt. Blue High School, of Farmington, girls basketball teams pose for a photo prior to the game focusing on cancer awareness called Box Out Cancer, that took place at Lawrence High School. (Photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Why It’s Wise To Hire Veterans With Disabilities

(NAPSI) — “Today, nearly 4 million Americans have a service-connected disability. At a time when many employers are struggling to fill positions, hiring veterans with disabilities can boost diversity and inclusion efforts,” explained Jeff Hall, national employment director for DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

For example, Dave Ellis found it difficult to get a job after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army. “I had a severe back injury, but I also carried mental scars from active duty,” he said. After six months of searching, he was able to find a supportive company that understands and values the traits that come from military training, including job-ready skills, tested leadership abilities and a mission-focused work ethic.

For others, however, it can be a struggle. In fact, a survey in The Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation found that 57 percent of veterans with disabilities transitioning to the civilian workforce feared hiring discrimination due to their disability.

“The reality is that many of America’s businesses, big and small alike, recognize the importance of hiring veterans with disabilities, but often don’t know where to begin,” added Hall.

To address this need, DAV has published “The Veteran Advantage: DAV Guide to Hiring and Retaining Veterans with Disabilities.” This free, comprehensive guide is the result of more than four years of study about what the veteran community contributes to the workforce and how hiring veterans, especially disabled ones, can improve a company’s bottom line.

The 36-page publication, which can be downloaded at http://dav.la/jobs, offers best practices and helpful tools for employers. But it goes further, helping to correct misperceptions and inspire more organizations to hire from this talent pool. Content includes statistics about veterans with disabilities, in-depth on-boarding and retention strategies, a practical checklist for employers, and explanations of financial incentives, tax credits and other support.

The Guide also highlights powerful testimonials of veterans thriving in successful careers, and case studies from employers who benefit from having disabled veterans in their workplace. Nationally respected companies such as First Data and USAA apply the findings within their own internal human resources departments and hiring teams.

There are also free and helpful resources that veterans themselves can take advantage of to help with the transition into a civilian career. For example, DAV holds free career fairs throughout the country for veterans and their spouses. Details are available at http://dav.la/jobs.

“While our nation’s veterans, particularly those who have been injured in service, are faced with unique challenges, they also offer the skill sets, loyalty and dedication needed to help successfully power America’s economy,” said Hall.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: This is one guy who’s tired of telephone scams

image: AARP

by Roland D. Hallee, managing editor, The Town Line newspaper

This is an important message. Do not turn the page.

Does that sound familiar? I receive something like that every day, over the phone. It’s a robo call, and it sounds like this: “This is an important message. Don’t hang up.” At which point, I instantly hang up.

Times have become perilous.

Recently, I entered my seventh decade on this planet. I grew up in the 1950s, when times were simpler. During the post World War II and Korean War era, you didn’t lock your doors, a gentlemen’s agreement was settled with a handshake, and when someone gave their word, it meant something.

The dawn of the electronic age ushered in a new era of deceit and deception. A more complex world, wary of all phone calls, emails, etc., and a genuine distrust of other people.

Last week, on the front page of The Town Line, we ran an article about an ongoing scam involving Social Security benefits. That was to alert our readers of the scam. This article is to provide more proof to our readers that these scams do exist in our area in large scale, and everyone needs to be alert.

Rewind back to last summer, when my wife checked our answering machine one afternoon when she returned home from work. There, in broken English, was a warning that the IRS investigation task force had noticed four major and serious violations on our tax returns, and we had to notify them within 24 hours to rectify the matter. They wanted us to make the payment for back taxes. If we didn’t comply, the local “cops” would be coming to arrest us.

Nice try!

I knew it was a scam because I have used the same tax preparer for over 30 years, never had a problem. And besides, we file short form, standard deduction, and could not possibly have “major” violations. If there would have been any federal violations, we would have been visited by U.S. marshals, and not the local “cops.”

A call to the local police department led to a referral to the state’s attorney general’s office, in which case I was informed that it was, indeed, a scam. A very profitable one for the scammers, according to the AG’s office.

Now, we fast forward to last Saturday.

I received a phone call, on my cell phone, from a restricted number. Now, I don’t usually answer those calls, but I was expecting a call from a state agency on another matter, one that usually comes in restricted. I answered.

It was a male voice, with a slight speech impediment, informing me that I was the chosen recipient of a Publishers’ Clearinghouse $4.5 million prize. The voice, which had an unconvincing tone of jubilance for me, asked several questions. Like what time I would be home to receive my windfall prize; what I would do with the money; how I felt about winning so much money, etc.

My responses were mostly one word.

My wife and I are known to binge watch the three NCIS series, Monk, Bones, Columbo and Matlock. I consider myself an amateur sleuth, trying to figure out the conclusion of the episode before it gets there. I needed to follow this trail as far as it would take me, without compromising my financial assets. Then, pass my experience on to others, as to what I had learned, and warn them of impending fraud calls.

The first thing that tipped me off was the fact that he said I was selected because I had returned the form they had sent by mail. Something I never did. All of those mailings went straight into the paper shredder.

He then proceeded to give me a “code” number, and that I needed three forms of identification: my driver’s license, another one that I don’t quite remember, and that I had to produce the “invitational receipt.” When I informed the caller that I did not have that, he replied by saying, “Don’t worry, we can remedy that. Go to the nearest Wal-Mart, proceed to the customer service counter, and they would have the receipt there for me.”

Up came red flag No. 2. A lot of unlawful activities occur in Wal-Mart parking lots. And with the sophisticated electronic equipment of today, they probably could have retrieved all my personal information off my driver’s license while it was still in my pocket. I was not about to risk that, even if it is not possible.

He then informed me he would be calling back in 30 minutes. Now, when the call first came in, I suspected scam, and told the caller that I was driving and unable to take down notes. He asked if I could pull over and take down the information. I wasn’t really driving, but sitting in a rocking chair at a friend’s home where my wife and I had gone for Saturday morning coffee.

I concurred, pretended to pull over by the side of the road, and took down the information.

Thirty minutes later, the person called again. This time he asked if I was at Wal-Mart yet. I told him that I was still about 45 minutes away. I was on the road, and was headed home. He then instructed me to proceed to the Wal-Mart parking lot, and sit and wait in the car until he called again, in 45 minutes, with additional instructions before I entered Wal-Mart. Another red flag!

Within that 45 minutes, I called the local police department and informed them of the scam that was developing. They instructed me to not answer the phone when it rang.

Exactly 45 minutes to the second, my phone rang again. I did not answer. The phone rang a second time. Again, I did not answer. The caller tried four more times to contact me, within a span of five minutes. Every time, the caller ID indicated it was from an unavailable number. The calls then stopped.

I figured we were done.

At ten minutes before 2 p.m., the time they were supposed to deliver my “certified bank check, for $4.5 million,” my phone rang again. This time from a local number that looked familiar. I answered. It was that male voice again, asking what had happened and whether I was at Wal-Mart.

At that point, I informed him that I was through with him, that I had called the police, and that this was a scam.

I hadn’t even finished uttering the word “police” when the line went dead.

That was the end of that. But, my reason for relaying this story is that if you are in your senior years, and you receive calls like this, hang up immediately, do not engage in conversation with these people. They can make things look mighty attractive, and plant that doubt in your mind of, “what if this is legitimate?” But, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, they will ask for money somewhere along the way.

Remember the tried and true saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

My solution to all of this? As of this writing, Sunday afternoon, I am a little disappointed that I  have not heard back from the police seeking more details about the scam. The scam caller gave me his phone number to call if I had questions. The police had told me that this was the first time they had heard about his scam. So, maybe, this is something new and that word has to be relayed to folks to be on the lookout for this particular scam.

Instead of diverting $5.7 billion to build a wall on our southern border, why not appropriate funds to establish an agency, a la FBI, that investigates these scams, and tracks down these predators of the elderly for prosecution? This is going on all over America, and many unsuspecting and vulnerable senior citizens are being bilked of their hard-earned, well-deserved, and under-compensated livelyhood following a lifetime of work.

Dear fellow senior citizens, please be vigilant, and as attractive as an offer sounds, don’t fall for it.

Oak Grove School Foundation offers grants

The Oak Grove School Foundation is accepting applications for grants to support the education and cultural needs of students and non profit organizations in the greater Central Maine area.

Recipients must be educational, charitable or religious organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(30 Of the internal revenue service code.

Grant requests should be received by April 5, 2019. Funding decisions will be made in May and shortly after the funds will be distributed in July. Recent grants have ranged $500 – $5,000. The OGSF has also provided seed money for initiatives that last up to three years.

Groups interested in obtaining application forms and guidelines should contact Joann Clark Austin, Oak Grove School Foundation, P.O. Box 150 South China, ME 04358-0150 or Susan Briggs at briggsusan@gmail.com (https://sites.google.com/site/ogsfoundationorg/).

The goat farmer who grabs life by the horns

Brandon Holmes, with one of his goats, at 3 Level Farm, in South China. (contributed photo)

by Emily Cates

Can farming save a life? Is there redemption in working with one’s hands and caring for Earth’s creatures? The answer to these questions may be found in the life and experiences of an apprentice at a local farm right here in China, Maine.

This past December, I had the privilege of meeting Brandon Holmes – an intelligent, fun-loving, motivated person with a passion for the natural world. Right away, he made an impression as an authentic human being who has overcome unimaginable obstacles to get to where he is in life.

As I interviewed him in the apprentice cabin at 3 Level Farm, I was struck by how his story is about more than a simple goat farmer. It’s one about redemption and seizing life by the horns. It’s a story about the power of the individual to change his own life, and the power of the community to support him. Brandon is living proof that connecting with the earth can be one of the most compelling positive forces a person can experience.

Reflecting on his journeys in life that took him from a job at Harvard, to homelessness, to finally finding meaning in a simple life on a farm in rural Maine, Brandon fearlessly recounted his life with the perspective of someone who has experienced much more than a typical thirty-something.

In the early 2000s, at age 13, he started his own computer business and became financially successful, picking up his first major client at only 15 years old. Eventually, his skills and expertise landed him a job at Harvard University, despite the new and destructive habits which he was already developing.

He says, “There was lots of money flowing around, and with it comes a certain lifestyle – including lots of alcohol and other party drugs…at first it seemed to give me the world.”

Ultimately, Brandon became a victim of his own success and developed a severe addiction to alcohol. After several warnings from his employer, Brandon chose alcohol over job security and moved to Maine. Though now closer in proximity to his family, he found himself homeless.

“Stitching together several different jobs, couch surfing with lots of different friends,” he relates, “I was just a mess, basically drunk for 12 years, from the time I got up to the time I passed out at night.”

Even moving to Michigan, becoming a father, and an interlude of sobriety did not provide him with relief from his downward spiral.

He confesses, “My rock bottoms all had trap doors.”

Unfortunately, he resumed heavy drinking and ended up serving 17 months in maximum security prison for assaulting an officer while intoxicated.

After he was released from prison, Brandon found it difficult to obtain employment due to his felony status. Eventually, he moved back to Maine, and in 2017 he started helping his mother run a restaurant.

However, as he recalled, “Things didn’t go as planned…so I started drinking again and fell into a very serious depression. I ended up overdosing on all my medication and spending nine days in the intensive care unit.”

Following that harrowing experience, Brandon was finally willing to commit himself to a six-month recovery and work program in Portland, sponsored by the Salvation Army. By going through this and several other programs, focused on addiction and recovery, he realized he had to make radical changes in his life.

As he contemplated the benefits of a simple, healthful life, he thought of the idea to apprentice on a farm. Research through the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Asso­cia­tion’s apprenticeship program yielded a farm in Freeport that was a match for him, and he applied for the position. To his relief, he was accepted even though he had a criminal background. A new chapter of his life was about to unfold, beginning a journey that would acquaint him with the natural world and begin his healing process.

After finishing the first year of his apprenticeship in Freeport, he continued his second year at 3 Level Farm, in South China.

When he arrived at 3 Level Farm last January, one of Brandon’s first assignments was to observe the moon. “It was really a fun approach to connecting with nature,” he says. Mindfulness of the four directions (north, south, east, and west) was also very grounding and orientating for him. Most importantly, it was essential for him to be a part of a thoughtful community that provided the opportunity to be his best, and who encouraged him when he wasn’t.

Since Brandon has demonstrated the dedication and determination necessary to live a sober life, others in his community have taken notice and supported his decision. On one occasion, when he had a relapse with alcohol, the farmer he had apprenticed for handled it effectively and with compassion. Brandon has since been successful in his recovery as a result of this understanding, realizing that the people around him really care and want him to succeed. Most importantly, his personal resolve to deal with life without succumbing to addiction keeps him moving forward.

Since I also write The Town Line’s garden column, Garden Works, I had to ask Brandon, what is his approach to farming? In Brandon’s mind, good health through a holistic approach to tending the land and to one’s body are inseparable. Just as the health of the soil and its fruitage depends on being properly nourished and taken care of, he believes the same is true with our bodies. By keeping this in mind, he has been able to improve his own physical and mental health dramatically. He even lost 90 pounds!

He takes a similar approach with the creatures in his care. He always ensures his animals aren’t stressed, whether it involves their diet or their mental health and well-being. “I muck the barn once a week so that they’re not in their own squalor, and to keep virus and parasite loads down,” he says. Rotational pasturing also contributes to the health of his herd.

Most importantly, Brandon spends more time with the goats than his work assignment requires, so that he knows them well enough to spot problems early on. “I have a blast with them!” he says.

Regarding growing vegetables using moon cycles, he says, “During the full moon the gravity is going to be pulling outwards, so that’s the time to plant your leafy greens. When it’s a new moon, you’ll want to be planting your root crops, because they’ll be able to get down there [in the soil] faster.”

Brandon cautions that farm life is not for everyone, but can be very stimulating and rewarding for those who take to it. “The key thing for me is that no two days are alike,” he says. “There are some processes that you do every day, but even if you get up with a plan of what’s going to happen that day, it’s not necessarily going to happen. Everything can go to hell in a hand basket just like that! You thought you were going to be up setting up irrigation today? Well, guess what? You’re going to be mending goat fences because the goats found a hole they can get out of. You never know where you’re going to end up in a day. For me, I like that as opposed to the monotony of a lot of jobs that are available to [those in my life position].” Best of all, he says, “I feel like I’m getting paid to work out!”

“One great thing about the farming world,” he tells me, “is how helpful they all are. Since I’ve started [a lifestyle vlog and a trending GoFundMe page to help fund it], I’ve had farmers reach out to me from all different areas of the farming world – cheesemakers, a licensed vet tech – who offered to help finish raising money for the GoFundMe project.” It’s that sense of community and support that keeps him going.

Also, of equal importance, are the goats that bring meaning, purpose, and unconditional friendship to his life. To Brandon, this is essential. “I feel that society could learn a lot from them,” he says. “I never feel judged when I’m out there with the goats.” To him, caring for goats is a healthy outlet that can help with the rougher realities of the worlds around us and within us.

If you, like Brandon, have the same determination to live a sober life and would like to be part of a supportive community that finds meaning in connecting with the natural world, feel free to reach out to him. If you’d like to check him out on social media and be utterly entertained, look up his website “Life Beyond the Burbs” and his YouTube channel. Enjoy, reflect, and see for yourself the joys and benefits of working closely with nature.

Kennebec County retired educators support classroom

Two teachers in Kennebec County were recently awarded $150 grants by the Kennebec Retired Educators Association (KREA) to supplement expenses for classroom projects. The recipients were Nathaniel Paine who teaches science and technology at Cony Middle School in Augusta and Sarah Lucas, a Grade 2 teacher at the Helen Thompson School in West Gardiner.

Paine proposed an inter-disciplinary project known as “Raspberry Pi” allows students to assemble the hardware of a computer and code in Python—one of the most widely used programming languages. He will collaborate with other seventh grade teachers—Mrs. Moore, Mr. Joyce, and Mr. Colburn.

He explains, “Our seventh grade team has structured time into our schedule for extension activities that encompass four major study areas—science, math, English language arts, and social studies. Raspberry Pi enables students to design and code computer programming to solve problems that integrate across our four subject areas.”

Ms. Lucas also plans to integrate interdisciplinary studies in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). “These projects encourage creative problem solving and innovative thinking as well as teamwork and communication skills. These skills translate into real life work environments where problem solving and teamwork are integral parts of the relevancy of the project.”

George Davis, of Skowhegan, KREA president and chairperson of the KREAtive Grant Committee, says, “We are committed to helping teachers and students in many ways—by substituting, volunteering, serving on Boards of Education, and undertaking projects to enhance the classroom experience.”

Other members of the KREAtive Grant Committee are Phil Gonyar and Carl Daiker, both of Waterville; Linda Ellis, of Clinton; Joann Tyler, of China; and Kay Grindall, of Oakland.

The Kennebec Retired Educators Association (KREA) is an affiliate of MEA-Retired and is comprised of retired educators from 60 schools in 31 cities and towns. Grant description and applications disseminated to every principal of all Kennebec County elementary, middle, and high schools in September of every year. The principals make them available to classroom teachers.

2019 Real estate tax schedule

2019 Real estate tax schedule

CHINA

Second half taxes due
Friday, March 29, 2019

VASSALBORO

Third quarter payment due
Monday, February 25, 2019

WINDSOR

Second half payment due
Sunday, March 31, 2019

WINSLOW

Third quarter payment due
Friday, March 8, 2019