Road races to benefit Cpl. Eugene Cole’s family

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Eugene Cole

Sunday August 19, communities will join together to support the family of Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Eugene Cole, who was killed in the line of duty in April, to pound the pavement in a 5K or half-marathon road race. The half-marathon starts at 7:00 am with the 5K following at 8:00. Both races will start and finish at the Mill Stream Elementary School, 26 Mercer Road, Norridgewock Maine.

The course will include a few hills, country roads with shade trees, scenic views, and inspiration along the way. Every single day Law Enforcement Officers face an uphill battle as they serve to protect our communities. These hills signify that uphill battle and the realization that it’s not going to be easy but it will be worth it.

Runners, walkers, strollers, and well-behaved dogs are welcome to join the 5K race. While the half-marathon is open to runners both elite and novice.

Corporal Cole’s call number was 1312. The half marathon will be exactly 13.12 miles in respect of Corporal Coles call number. For all of those that have ever thought they wanted to run a half- marathon, this is the one! This race will be filled with encouragement and motivation throughout the course route. Every mile will be marked at 1.12 miles again incorporating Corporal Coles call number. Signs with words like, husband, son, dad, friend, 1312, will be displayed along the route to remind us of Corporal Cole and of the loved ones he still impacts. Quotes from Mrs. Cole will be incorporated throughout the course encouraging runners to dig deep and hold their heads high. Mill Stream Elementary School has been working on art projects which will be displayed along the route.

Leaving no stone unturned the best of the best have been secured for this day with Back 40 Events providing timing, chipped bibs, live announcements, and Central Maine Photography supplying race day photos with Mark Huard at Centralmainephotography.org.

Every element of this race involves support from the community, a local artist has created four awards for the first male and female lw enforcement officer across the finish of each race. While another artist is working on additional awards with supplies donated by Staples Gun Shop. Amber Lambkee is donating organic granola, Drink Maine Milk will provide chocolate milk to all runners, Gifford’s has donated ice cream and Road ID is giving every participant a $10 gift card. RFGH and Hights are just a few of the race sponsors. Race Day T-Shirts are being designed by law enforcement officer’s at the Somerset Sheriff’s Department and can be purchased on the race registration page: White T-Shirts are $15 while Blue T-Shirts are $100.

Race Committee includes J.P. Kennedy, Theresa Howard, Everett Flannery III, Samantha Delorie, Brandy Mills-Cain, and Jessica and Zoey Gleason.

In closing and in the words of Mrs. Cole “His shoes may never be filled, but his footsteps can be followed.” We will cap this race at 1,000 participants, register now to begin following Corporal Eugene Cole’s footsteps and lead your team and community in showing support to the Cole family and L.E.O.’s long after the bagpipes stop playing. All proceeds go to the Corporal Cole Memorial Scholarship Fund. Volunteers are needed and can e-mail Jess at CorporalColeMemorialRun@gmail.com.

Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Norridgewock/CorporalColeMemorial
Facebook: Corporal Cole Memorial 5K & Half Marathon

8th annual Battle for Breast Cancer tourney raises over $34,000

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Group photo of the teams from Dexter, Lawrence, of Fairfield, Maine Central Institute, of Pittsfield, Messalonskee, of Oakland, Mt. Blue, of Farmington, Nokomis, of Newport, Skowhegan, Winslow and Winthrop. Photo by Cheyenne Paron, Central Maine Photography staff

by Mark Huard

On July 21, field hockey teams from Skowhegan, Messalonskee, Mt. Blue, Nokomis, Winslow, Dexter, MCI, Lawrence, and Winthrop, in Central Maine, participated in the 8th Annual Battle For Breast Cancer Tournament at Thomas College, in Waterville. Now in its eighth year, more than $163,600 has been raised since 2011 for the beneficiary, the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital, in Farmington. Diagnostic breast imaging, biopsies, lab services, surgical consultations, and post-surgical garments are just some of the examples of how the money has been used.

“One hundred percent of the money raised is used to support those with breast cancer living in Central Maine,” said organizer Paula Doughty. “And new this year are platinum through bronze sponsorship opportunities with special recognition in the event’s program and during the opening ceremony.”

This year’s event was another huge success and all of the teams together helped raise $34,126.85, the most yet in a single year.

A breakdown of the last seven years:

2011 – $16,655
2012 – $20,858
2013 – $25,936
2014 – $18,831
2015 – $25,105
2016 – $23,666
2017 – $32,563.

Last call for Common Ground Country Fair poster contest

/0 Comments/in , /by

The submission deadline for the 2019 Common Ground Country Fair Poster Contest is nearing.

If you have already sent in your poster design, thank you!

If you have not yet submitted, and are interested, you will find the the poster guidelines and application are available at http://mofga.org/The-Fair/Poster

The winning artist receives $2,500, a press release, and is highlighted in MOFGA’s quarterly newspaper, The Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener. The selected design is also featured on the Fair poster, website, T-shirt and in promotional literature.

The theme of the design must be in line with MOFGA’s mission and the general guidelines for participating in the Fair. We welcome all Maine residents and MOFGA members to enter submissions by August 3rd.

For more information please contact the Fair office at commonground@mofga.org.

Pollinators in agriculture: Identification and Conservation

/0 Comments/in , /by

Bumblebees are one of our most important native pollinators of food crops, including wild blueberries. (Photo courtesy
of Xerces Society)

There is a lot of buzz about pollinators these days, especially for farmers. Join farmers Brady Hatch and Brendan Quillen at Morning Dew Farm, in Damariscotta, on Wednesday, August 1, from 5-7 p.m., for a free walk and talk, “Pollinators in Agriculture: Who’s Who and How to Conserve Them.” Eric Venturini, Farm Bill Pollinator Conservationist and NRCS Partner Biologist will lead this program to ID pollinators on the farm, learn about their ecology, and discuss steps to getting involved in pollinator conservation efforts, including how to successfully establish wildflower plantings for pollinators.

In addition, Joe DeStefano, NRCS technical service provider and owner Posto Bello Apiaries, will be on hand to talk about building successful, beneficial partnerships between farmers and beekeepers. For those who wish to stay for a potluck following the program, please bring utensils, etc, and a dish to share.

This free program is part of the 2018 Farmer & Gardener Workshop Series sponsored by Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Midcoast Farmers Alliance; Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association is a co-sponsor of this event. For more information: www.knox-lincoln.org/beginning-farmer, hildy@knox-lincoln.org or 596-2040.

Update on Sheepscot Lake dam opening

/0 Comments/in , /by
Submitted by Carolyn Viens, Sheepscot Lake Association

Sheepscot dam

In March of this year, the residents of Palermo won a major battle in the opposition to LD922, the legislative bill mandating the opening of the Sheepscot Dam to Alewives, and other migrating fishes which would have had a negative impact on the health of the lake. Representative Jeffrey Pierce, of the Maine House of Representatives, and sponsor of LD922, withdrew the bill which is now tabled in the Maine House upon request of Governor LePage.

It was determined that several expensive steps would need to be taken before such legislation should be considered. These steps include the addition of appropriate biosecurity systems deemed necessary to adequately protect the Palermo rearing station, the securing of funding from private sources to assist in installation of a system meeting the DIFW criteria, and the determination of the appropriate timeframe to reopen the fish passage for sea run alewife once the necessary measures are in place at the Palermo rearing station. These steps would be extremely expensive and time consuming to complete, and as a result the legislation was pulled and the removal of the fish gate will not be permitted until needed infrastructure is in place.

The indefinite postponement was a direct result of the citizens of Palermo and the Sheepscot Lake Association (SLA) showing their concern repeatedly during town meetings, as well as through communication with government representatives. It would not have been successful without the ongoing involvement of Senate President Michael Thibodeau, who continually gave support throughout this process.

The Sheepscot Lake Association is continuing efforts to explore the impact of alewives and other species in Maine lakes. We have been working with representatives from other lakes, including Dennis Brown, of the Highland Lake Association (located outside Falmouth), regarding their experience with alewives and the impact on their deteriorating water quality, especially in seasons of low water levels associated with global climate change. Dennis will be discussing his experience at the SLA annual meeting on Wednesday, July 25, (7 p.m., Palermo Town Library).

Let’s all keep up our efforts to keep Sheepscot the beautiful, pristine, and healthy lake shared by so many each year! Thank you for your ongoing support and hope to see you on July 25th!

Fishy Photo: Nice trout caught at “hush-hush” pond

/0 Comments/in , /by

Kayden Painchaud, 11, of Vassalboro, shows off a 24-inch brown trout he caught on July 14, at a pond he did not want to reveal.

Local youth meets favorite WWE star

/0 Comments/in , /by

Isaiah Vear, 12, of Waterville, met his favorite WWE star on July 9 when Jeff Hardy arrived at the Augusta Civic Center for the WWE show. (Photo courtesy Central Maine Photography)

Local martial arts students claim title belts

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Huard’s Martial Arts students Skye Pollis, left, and Ely Yang, won prestigious Grand Champion Title Belts at the Black Fly Kids Brazilian Jiu jitsu championships, in Rangeley, held on June 23. Huard’s Martials Arts dojo is located in Winslow. (Photo by Mark Huard)

Waterville hosts regional Cal Ripken tourney

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Spencer Brown scores a run

Above, Spencer Brown, of Waterville, runs out a ground ball during the New England Regional Cal Ripken 12U baseball tournament held at Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville, last weekend. Teams participating were from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Below, Ben Foster, high fives his dad and coach, after Ben scored.

Photos by Cheyenne Paron, Central Maine Photography staff

Ben Foster and his dad

Palermo Scout earns Eagle status

/0 Comments/in , /by

Tucker Leonard

On June 16, Troop #479 honored an Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held for Palermo resident Tucker Davis Leonard at the China Baptist Church. Family, friends and Scouts attended the ceremony marking the advancement of this young man to the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Tucker joins a group of Eagle Scouts who have completed community service projects with the help of fellow Scouts and other volunteers. Each Eagle candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile in his community.

Tucker’s project at the Palermo Grammar School was to select a space on the trails in back of the school to clear an area for an outdoor class. He selected the area after meeting with a teacher from the school and marked the trees that needed to be cut. Trees were cut and the firewood was carried out to donate while the brush was dragged into the woods. The location of the tables were selected and raked. The many pieces of the tables were carried into the selected location across the rough trail. The five tables were then built and placed on pads. Scouts, leaders and parents came early in the morning to work in a light rain under his leadership. Christian Hunter reflected on what it means to be an Eagle Scout. In terms of badges, he has earned the Scout badge and the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. Along the way, he earned 13 required merit badges and a minimum of 8 elective merit badges, served in troop leadership positions for a total of 16 months, and spent at least 13 hours on service projects, not including the many hours he spent on his Eagle Scout service project. In all, he has completed approximately 325 different requirements throughout his Scouting career.

Christian then introduced Scoutmaster Scott Adams of Troop #479 for the Eagle Presentation. Scoutmaster Scott Adams then asked Tucker to escort his parents to the front. The Eagle badge was presented to Tucker’s parents to pin on Tucker’s uniform. A miniature Eagle badge was given to Tucker to pin on his mother. An Eagle neckerchief was given to his father to place around the neck of his son.

Tucker was also presented a gift, a frame painting of an Eagle, by a friend Eagle Scout Derik Boutin who was presented this painting by his mother when he earned his Eagle rank.

Tucker recognized all those who helped him to reach the Eagle Rank. Tucker also thanks all the guests who took time to come to his Eagle ceremony and for all the Scouts who helped him with the ceremony. He presented the mentor pin to his father, Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Leonard, who helped him with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Always given him a push when he needed someone to remind him what was due next for advancement.