Square dancers engage in workshops

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Included in the picture are couples from New Sharon (Friendship Square Dance Club, of Farmington), Newport and Fairfield (Central Maine Square Dance Club, of Waterville), Monmouth (Squire Town Squares, of Winthrop), Oxford (Swinging Bears Square Dance Club, of South Paris), Richmond and Ellsworth. (Contributed photo)

Local square dancers were able to participate in two separate weekends of square dancing in the month of March. The weekend of March 2 – 3, saw the dancers heading to South Burlington, Vermont, for the annual Maple Sugar Dance Festival. There were many workshops for the various levels of square dancing along with different workshops for Round Dancing. They had a hall for class/mainstream, plus, A-1, A-2, and C, with round dancing in the plus hall. There were approximately 200 dancers in attendance.

On the weekend of March 16 – 18, they had the opportunity to attend the St. Patrick’s Day festival put on by the Sage Square Dance Club, of Brunswick. This event was held in Old Orchard Beach in an area called Ocean Park. With workshops Saturday morning and afternoon and a full dance Saturday night, it was a full day of dancing pleasure. Then on Sunday morning they got together for two more hours of fun dancing before leaving for home. They had almost 100 dancers gathered for this annual event.

CHINA: Thurston Park committee to sponsor photo contest

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Hikers in Thurston Park (Photo courtesy: Town of China)

by Mary Grow

China’s Thurston Park Committee is sponsoring a photo contest, with winning pictures to be turned into a 2019 calendar featuring “photos that best illustrate the beauty, history, and character of China’s amazing recreational destination.”

All pictures entered must be taken in the park in northeastern China. Photographers are welcome to submit pictures of flowers, trees, seasonal phenomena, historic artifacts and other natural and man-made features, wildlife and people engaged in recreational activities. Photos cannot be touched up or have filters added. They must be horizontally oriented.

Photos should be in the form of high-resolution images digitally sent to thurstonpark@gmail.com or on a CD that can be left at the China town office on Lakeview Drive. Accompanying each entry should be the photographer’s name, address and phone number; the date the picture was taken; what category it is entered in (landscapes, flora/fauna, people/pets, activities); and the names of any people shown with proof they have given permission for use of the photo.

The deadline for submissions is May 31. Photos will not be returned. By submitting his or her photo(s), the photographer gives the Thurston Park Committee “full and exclusive rights to print the photo in Thurston Park literature and electronic media and without further obligation to the photographer or those people who have their persons, property or items pictured.”

In addition to a calendar appearance, the committee offers a grand prize for the best photo, which becomes the cover picture, and prizes for the best photo in each of the four categories.

Winners will be announced, prizes awarded and calendars on sale at the 2018 China Community Days celebration.

People who need more information about the contest are invited to call Thurston Park Committee Chairman Jeanette Smith at 968-5016 or email thurstonpark@gmail.com.

Maine-ly Harmony elects officers

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Left to right: LouAnn Mossler, Candace Pepin, Cathy Anderson and BJ Sylvester-Pellett. Janet Dunham and Barbara Combs are absent from photo. (Contributed photo)

Maine-ly Harmony women’s barbershop chorus recently installed its officers. Serving the chorus are president Cathy Anderson, of Jefferson; vice president BJ Sylvester-Pellett, of Winthrop; secretary Candace Pepin, of Augusta; treasurer Janet Dunham, of Belgrade; and members at large, Barbara Combs, of Topsham, and LouAnn Mossler, of South China. Directed by Kathy Greason of Brunswick, the chorus member welcome singers to their Wednesday 6:30 p.m. rehearsals at the Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, 209 Eastern Ave in Augusta. Anyone interested in visiting a rehearsal or scheduling the chorus to sing for their event should contact Nancie Hugenbruch at 293-4779 or email hugabook4@yahoo.com.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute announces fall 2017 dean’s list

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The following local residents were among 1,608 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Worcester Massachusetts, named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2017 semester.

McKenzie Brunelle, of Sidney, is a member of the class of 2018 majoring in biomedical engineering.

Madison Michaud, of Vassalboro, is a member of the class of 2019 majoring in biomedical engineering.

Molly Silsby, of Augusta, is a member of the class of 2021 majoring in mechanical engineering.

Cpl. Eugene Cole’s wife leads a charge for community

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Some of the hundreds of placards along the motorcade route to Cpl. Eugene Cole’s funeral at the Cross Insurance Center, in Bangor. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

On April 25, there was literally a shot fired in the heart of Somerset County. Corporal Eugene Cole is a 13-year veteran of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, and on that date his life was viciously taken from him, his family and his “Brothers in Brown.”

This county is used to its share of tragedy, but this hit like none other. Corporal Cole was a real person that epitomized country life and honest living. He was professional and kind to all those he came into contact with.

In many ways, this act took an icon in the county and brought the residents to their proverbial knees. What happened next is a charge, a charge led by those seemingly the most impacted. The wife of Cpl. Cole, and Sheriff Dale Lancaster stood up, and with a battered heart they found the courage to lead a charge. Mrs. Cole picked herself up and she brought a community together by speaking calmly and with the wisdom and benevolence that her husband lived each day of his career.

At this point, something magical began to happen. The people of Somerset County stood up, grabbed a hold of their emotions and followed the lead of Mrs. Cole and Sheriff Lancaster until the capture of the man that took Cpl. Cole from us all occurred. Community members brought food, gifts, supplies and whatever else was needed. The law enforcement officers worked tirelessly and selflessly to continue to protect the community. Law enforcement from all over New England and the state came to assist.

As the capture of the suspect occurred, the community didn’t stop. They began working on the next task at hand, which was to honor Cpl. Eugene Cole. This charge was again led by his wife, who pledged to forever remain his wife and never be called a widow. She showed more courage and grace than imagineable and she rallied her family together. She ensured they held their heads high as the patriarch of the family would have wanted, because after all if you hang your head then you better be praying.

Cpl. Eugene Cole

The day of the funeral was a day of closure for many closest to Cpl. Cole. The streets of the county were lined with officers, firemen, security guards, business owners, students and concerned citizens. A flag hung in the center of town and evoked through this sadness a sense of pride. Pride to be a member of this county, built on hard work and a genuine desire to be better today than yesterday.

So while this was a day of closure for Cpl. Eugene Cole’s family, perhaps it was a day of new beginnings for the community. This county came together in a way that was virtually gone in recent days. It’s apparent that Cpl. Cole’s work was not done, it was just done here on earth. His last call on earth, but certainly not his last call. His family and the close to 4,000 people in attendance at his funeral paid their respects to a law enforcement officer that gave his life to protect others. His family conducted themselves with dignity and respect and again led the charge for the rest of community to follow.

New flag flies over First Baptist Church

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Sam Goddard puts up the new flag. (Contributed photo)

A few months ago, the flag in front of the First Baptist Church, in Waterville, was stolen and the pole damaged. Today, the flag pole has been repaired and a new flag waves. Church moderator Sam Goddard, of China, raises the new flag.

Mid-Maine Tech Center announces top seniors

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From left to right, Nicholas Veilleux, electrical technology, Messalonskee High School; Brandon Davis, criminal justice, Winslow High School; Jacob Deraps, information technology, Winslow; William Bean, construction technology, Messalonskee; Lawrence Lawler, emergency services, Lawrence High School; Gabe Derbyshire, culinary arts, Messalonskee; Kassandra Gregory, medical careers, Winslow; Marissa Carpenter, early childhood education, Winslow; Jacob Kershner, precision machining, Winslow; James Lauzon, mass media communications, Waterville High School. Absent from photo, Jacob Dow, automotive technology, home schooled; Jacob Bickford, collision repair & refinishing, Lawrence. (Contributed photo)

The Mid-Maine Technical Center, in Waterville, recently recognized the outstanding seniors as MMTC students of the year. Representing each program, students of the year demonstrated extraordinary professionalism, skill development, leadership and contributions to the school and their respective communities.

China filmmaker to present documentary on Kosovo with “A Cup of Sugar” at Railroad Square Cinema

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China filmmaker Luke T. Harwath will present a documentary film on Kosovo and its relationship with the state of Iowa. (Contributed photo)

Join this special one-time screening and Q&A with the filmmaker of a documentary that explores the strange relationship between Kosovo and the state of Iowa.

Central Maine Filmmaker, Luke T. Harwath, will be hosting a one-time screening of the documentary “With a Cup of Sugar” at Railroad Square on May 22, at 7:15 p.m.

Having been the frequent battleground for political and cultural unrest, Kosovo has emerged from war to become Europe’s newest country. In a fight for the future, Kosovo must bolster its war-torn image and forge meaningful relationships across the world if it is to survive. One of these relationships is with the U.S. state of Iowa.

View the trailer for the film at the bottom this page, or on Youtube using the link: https://youtu.be/6Qbz_Er3EB8

Q&A with Filmmaker Luke T. Harwath to follow the screening of the film.

Harwath, who lives in Central Maine, was provided unprecedented access in Kosovo and spent years filming the documentary. He says, “Information about Kosovo tends to focus primarily on tear-gas in parliament, rows with Serbia, or a handful of extremists that have since been dealt with. It paints a picture of instability and a country that’s not ready to participate in a dialogue with the rest of the world. That picture is incomplete and leaves out the majority of the story.

“I wanted to create a clearer picture of the nation as it exists today from a number of different perspectives. Kosovo is here to stay. At the same time, it’s important to be honest about the challenges faced today in Kosovo, because there are some heavy obstacles that it faces if it is going to continue its steady work toward a bright future.”

On Kosovo’s relationship with Iowa, Harwath says, “The relationship between Kosovo and the state of Iowa is well recognized in certain circles, but perhaps not to the general public. This relationship demonstrates, for any small nation, the importance of establishing genuine, mutually-beneficial connections in order to ensure stability.”

 

 

Vassalboro Senior Services Fair set for May 23

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source: http://www.vassalboro.net/

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro’s second senior services fair is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, in St. Bridget’s Center, the new community meeting space in the former Catholic church at 864 Main Street in North Vassalboro.

Sponsored by FAVOR (Friends Advocating for Vassalboro’s Older Residents), the fair will take advantage of the larger space – last year it was held in the town office meeting room – to offer something for almost everyone.

Twenty-two organizations are listed alphabetically on the posters advertising the fair, starting with AARP Maine and the Alzheimer’s Association and ending with Waterville Area Habitat for Humanity and 47 Daisies, the educational farm on Webber Pond Road.

Those attending the fair will be able to get information from representatives of those groups and a variety of other educational, medical and social service agencies.

Admission to the fair is free. There will be door prizes, and from 11:30 a.m. on, students in Vassalboro Community School’s JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) program will sell hot dogs and other refreshments. More information is available from Debbie Johnston at the Vassalboro town office. According to the 47 Daisies website, the farm is sponsoring a community potluck at the mill in North Vassalboro beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, May 18. Residents are invited to share food, listen to live music and learn about the farm’s mobile food access program.

Students named to Colby-Sawyer College dean’s list for Fall 2017

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Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, New Hampshire, recognized 254 students for outstanding academic achievement during the 2017 fall semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours in graded courses.

Ross Sirois, of Norridgewock, a member of the class of 2018, majoring in biology.

Haley Carver, of Sidney, a member of the class of 2020, majoring in sociology.

Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2021, majoring in business administration.