Palermo woman receives award

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Sharon Nichols, left, presents an achievement award to Barbara Clorite-Ventura. (Photo by Shane Demo)

Barbara Clorite-Ventura, a volunteer at the Palermo Community Library, was recently recognized at the Library’s 16th annual meeting for her dedication in correcting the value of the library’s collection by adding the price of items that had not been previously recorded.

In two years, Clorite-Ventura brought the collection value from $33,835 to one more reflective of reality: $98,504. Sharon Nichols, chairman of the board of trustees, remarked: “This is only the beginning of the process and it’s a great opportunity for more volunteers.”

Andrew Pottle was elected as a Trustee to a three-year term. He was home schooled and is a local bluegrass musician with his band, Green Onions. He is employed as a Pharmaceutical Waste Specialist by Stericycle.

Also attending the meeting were Gary Nichols and Linda Lord, both former State Librarians, and Jamie Ritter, the current State Librarian. Sharon Nichols said: This all-volunteer Library wouldn’t exist without the support of the Maine State Library and its educational programming.”

The Two Old Cops, John Ford and Mark Nickerson, told many stories that had the large group enjoying a day of laughter.

Gifted Sisters

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Josette (left) and Lydia (right) Gilman

Sisters Josette and Lydia Gilman were each recipients of $250 in talent scholarship money from the Alfond Youth Center (AYC). For the past three years, the AYC in Waterville has been hosting its talent show at the Page Com­mons on the Colby College campus. Each year, the AYC solicits talented youth from the Kennebec County/ greater Waterville area to compete for 10 slots available as part of its ‘Annual Appeal’ (Dinner and Talent Show). Scholarship money can be used by the awardees to further their performing talents.

Lydia, a second-time scholarship award recipient, is a high-honors student at Erskine Academy, in South China, and will be a junior this year. She enjoys singing, playing the piano and dance.

For the 2018 competition, Lydia was joined by her younger sister, Josette. Josette, an honor student from China Middle School, enjoys singing and art. Josette will be a freshmen next year and attending Erskine Academy with her sister. The two performed “Royals” by Lord as a singing duet.

Lydia and Josette Gilman are the daughters of Lance and April Gilman, of China, and the granddaughters of Judi Gilman, also of China.

Seventh annual Bikes for Books held at Windsor school

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Bikes for Books T-shirts were awarded to the top three readers of each grade at Windsor Elementary School. (Contributed photo)

On June 6, Windsor Elementary celebrated reading at its seventh annual Bikes for Books awards program. Bikes and helmets were awarded to twenty students at this assembly. Bikes for Books is a reading incentive program for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Every time a student read a book and passed an Accelerated Reader test, his or her name was entered into a drawing to win a new bicycle and helmet. The more books a student read, the more chances he or she had to win. One boy and one girl were randomly chosen from each grade level. Bikes for Books T-shirts were also presented to the top three readers in each grade.

The following students received T-shirts: Codey Haskell , Adelynne Jose, Makayla Beaudry, Hunter Beaudoin, Jaycey Tilkins, Grace Lucier, Jude Sheehan, Christopher Ontiveros, Addison Brann, Andrew Trocki, Mason Marable, Griffin Hayden, Camden Hinds, Jackson French, Olivia Austin, Gwen Parker, Anderson St. Onge, Ryan Sevigny, Andrew Box, Alyssa Trocki, Hayden Scott, Parker St. Onge, Jacoby Furrow, Jeremy Parker, Alyssa Gagne, Damon Wilson, Brooklyn McCue, Parker Reynolds, Faith Mitchell and Tenny Lincoln.

The following students won bikes: Owen Barnes, Aubrey Norton, Dominic Trahon, Kayleigh Chamberlain, Emery St. Onge, Makenzie Turner, Griffin Hayden, Megan Bailey, Nathaniel Wooden, Leah Barrett, William Choate, Ashley Lacasse, Andrew Box, Rachael Johnson, Noah Crummett, Evelyn Rousseau, Carson Appel, Alexis Alcott, Connor Bragg, and Faith Mitchell.

Bikes for Books is sponsored by Dirigo Lodge #104 A.F. & A.M. with support from Lily of the Valley # 157 O.E.S. and a matching grant from the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. This program was made possible with contributions from the following businesses: Netco Inc., Mark’s Saw Shop , Norm’s Small Engine, Rideout’s Market & Grill , J.C. Stone Inc., Hussey’s General Store, Ron’s Auto Electric, Windsor Veterinary Clinic, Aunt Gin’s Restaurant, Otto’s on the River, Elmer’s Barn, Augusta Upholstery, Sharon’s Redemption Center, Black Dog Graphics and Target.

Clinton July 4 celebration

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The Clinton July 4 Great American Celebration parade will start at 10 a.m. in Clinton, on Wednesday, July 4. The annual celebration, formerly held in Winslow, will be at its Clinton location for the second year.

This year, however, the parade will form at the Formtek parking lot on the Hinckley Road, across from the Tradewinds. The parade route will continue down Baker Street, take a left hand turn onto Main Street, pass Powers Auto Sales on Rte. 100, and continue on to the Clinton Lions Fairgrounds. This was done to make the parade route longer so more people can join the crowd to enjoy the parade.

They will be accepting floats or interested people in the parade until the day of the parade. Contact Anthony Barton or Matthew Gyles with any questions.

Those along the parade route are asked to park in appropriate places in order for the homeowners to stay happy.

Winslow McDonald’s holds grand re-opening

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Original general manager, Jim Sevey, and present general manager Chrystal Parker, cut the ribbon at the grand re-opening following recent major renovations.

The McDonald’s in Winslow, owned by Mike and Lana Ortins, gave away more than $1,500 at the restaurant’s grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 16.

The ceremony began with an official flag raising from Richard Poirier, a Bronze Star recipient and veteran of the Korean War, while the Winslow band played the Star Spangled Banner.  20 percent of that day’s sales from 9 am to 1 pm, along with a check for $1,000, was also donated to the Winslow Parks and Recreation Department.

Above, during the 1987 grand opening at McDonald’s, in Winslow, Bob Ortins, far left holding the ribbon, and original general manager Jim Sevey, right in black jacket, cut the ribbon. Current owner, Mike Ortins, can be seen directly behind the man holding the scissors, wearing a red and white shirt with a dark jacket.

Veteran of the Korean War and winner of the Bronze Star for bravery, Richard Poirier raises the flag to kick-off the grand re-opening ceremony. The Winslow High School band plays in the background.

 

Mike and Lana Ortins present a check to Winslow Band Director Ben Clark.

 

Mike and Lana Ortins present a check in support of Winslow Parks and Rec to department director Amanda McCaslin.

 

PALERMO: What’s the buzz about bees?

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What types of bees are found in Maine? Why are some bee species in decline? What can we do to protect bee populations in Maine? What plants encourage bees into our landscapes? Jennifer Lund, Maine State Apiarist, is passionate about honeybee health and helping beekeepers succeed. She will answer all these questions and more on Friday, June 29, at the Palermo Community Center. Ms. Lund has a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Maine and almost 20 years experience in the field, with several hives of her own at her farm in Argyle Township.

Join a friendly group of interesting agriculturists for a delicious potluck meal at 6 p.m., with Jennifer’s talk and visuals to follow. This event is free, but donations are highly appreciated for the Food Pantry and the Community Center, which is across from the ball field on Turner Ridge Rd. For info, call Connie at 993-2294.

Competition begins for Winslow teen

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Hannah Comfort of Winslow (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

June 28 marks the start of competition for Hannah Comfort, the Winslow teen competing in the 61st Distinguished Young Women National Finals. Comfort, along with 49 other state representatives, has been in Mobile for the past two weeks.

The program’s evaluation process includes scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression. Comfort has completed an individual interview with a panel of five judges and her scholastic performance has been scored through an evaluation process of her high school academic record and standardized test scores.

For her talent presentation, Comfort will perform a tap and vocal piece titled “I Can Do That.” Comfort is a 2018 graduate of Waterville Senior High School and the daughter of Michele Lacombe.

VCS holds new pavilion ribbon cutting

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The new pavilion at the Vassalboro Community School, funded through the PTO. (Internet photo)

by Mary Grow

Retiring Principal Dianna Gram did the honors at the June 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground pavilion at Vassalboro Community School, before a large audience of VCS students plus some of the people involved in the project.

School Board and Parent Teacher Organization member Jessica Clark said the pavilion replaces a tree that provided a shady resting place for many years. When the tree began to die, Clark and the PTO proposed a pavilion instead.

They were able to get help from PTO funds; a grant, through Duratherm Window, of Vassalboro, from Pella Rolscreen Foundation; donated tree removal and preliminary groundwork from Jason Tyler, of Comprehensive Land Technologies, in South China; materials supplied at cost by McCormack Building Supply, in Winslow; and partly-donated labor by Ray Breton, of North Vassalboro, and his crew.

The pavilion was built during the school year, letting students monitor construction. Now that it’s officially open, it will be available for outdoor classes next fall and for use by community members during non-school hours.

Rules for community use are the same as for all school property, Clark said: no alcohol, drugs, tobacco (or vaping) and no antisocial behavior. Since the pavilion is not lighted, people are expected to use it during daylight hours only.

Lizotte receives recognition

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Contributed photo

Laurie Lizotte, Child Care Administrator for the Vassalboro Community School Child Care Program, was recently recognized at the staff luncheon at the school on Tuesday, June 19. The recognition is for her past 20 years of service for administering a licensed, nationally-accredited, Quality Level 4 child care program.

New community center opens in Vassalboro

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Jim, left, and Rachel Kilbride. (Photos by Eric Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

Looking at Rachel Kilbride, you wouldn’t think she’s the type to hear voices, but that’s exactly what prompted her to buy the St. Bridget Catholic Church, in Vassalboro, and turn it into a local community center.

“I wasn’t planning to retire in Vassalboro,” Rachel told me. A Winslow native, she was living in Wells with her husband, Jim, when, in the summer of 2014, she responded to an inner urging to look into what was being done with the shuttered Catholic church.

“This building was closed in 2011,” she explained at the recent open house for the new community center, “and in 2014, I was driving by and this little voice said, ‘Buy me!’”

Jim Kilbride said it was a voice that wouldn’t go away. “Every time she went by it, she’d get another nudge,” he continued. “So, Rachel finally said, ‘The heck with this, I’ve gotta check it out.’”

That nudge eventually pushed them to contact Corpus Christi Parish, which owned the rectory, church and accompanying grounds, to find out about buying the property. The parish was amenable to selling, and in January 2015, the couple put their house in Wells up for sale and moved into the old church rectory. It was the beginning of a long, three-year journey to restore the two buildings and surrounding grounds.

“We slept in the rectory in sleeping bags for about six months,” she recalls with a laugh. The couple set about renovating the rectory and making it habitable before turning their attention to the main church building.

The interior of the renovated church. Photos by Eric Austin)

Was it worth it? The results are impressive. With high, cathedral ceilings, gleaming wood floors, and big, wavy-glass windows that let in plenty of light, the interior of the old church is undeniably beautiful. “A hundred and sixty gallons of paint later,” Rachel confides, with the air of someone who has just climbed a mountain and is now enjoying the view.

“I wanted to preserve the history,” she explains. Rachel and Jim have worked to retain many of the historic features of the building, such as the St. Bridget statue out front, the original doors, wood floors, and the old fashioned, wavy-glass windows.

The first church built on the site was destroyed by a fire in 1925, she said. The entire town of Vassalboro came together to rebuild it, a task they completed in only six months. It’s a feat that still astounds Rachel, who has spent the last three years just doing the restoration.

The response from the Vassalboro community has also been positive, with nearly 200 people showing up for the open house. Stewart, a resident of East Vassalboro, when asked how he felt about the Kilbrides’ initiative to restore the old church, replied, “I think it’s fantastic! Are you kidding me? Look at this! It was falling down before they took it over.”

The Kilbrides hope to rent the building for banquets, weddings, and other community and charity events. They have added a kitchen, installed new wiring, an entrance ramp, and a handicap-accessible bathroom to bring the building up to modern standards.

For more information, email them at StBridgetCenter@gmail.com, call 616-3148, or visit their blog at https://stbridgetwhispers.wordpress.com/.