EVENTS: Understanding land surveying

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A landscape painting by Uliana Fournier, Winslow High School, grade 10. (contributed photo)

An Understanding Land Surveying workshop will be held at the Benton Grange Hall, 29 River Rd., Benton, on Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

The sight of land surveyors peering into tripod-mounted equipment by the roadside is common enough, but what are they actually doing? Frank Siviski, a professional land surveyor with more than 30 years of experience, will shed light on the seemingly mysterious world of boundary determinations. Siviski has taught survey-related courses at Unity College, and is formerly an instructor at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield. His talk will help landowners understand how surveys are created, standards that are applied, and how landowners’ goals shape the outcome. If you have questions about boundary surveys, this is an opportunity to have those questions answered.

EVENTS: Bird migration in central Maine

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These eastern bluebirds huddle in an attempt to stay warm. (photo courtesy of Massachusetts Audubon Society)

A bird migration in central Maine lecture will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m., Unity Community Center, 32 School St., Unity

The Sebasticook River watershed provides a diversity of habitats that host well over 200 species of birds annually. Although many nest here, species composition changes throughout the seasons due to migration. Tom Aversa will lead in an evening of fun and exploration as they learn when and where to find this vast array of species. Aversa enjoys birds year-round while serving as the SRLT chairman. He has studied our avian friends for over 50 years, having penned several books on birds, serving on the Maine Bird Records Committee, and traveling worldwide in pursuit of natural history.

EVENTS: Safe, practical storage and display spaces for historic objects

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Conservator Ron Harvey of Tuckerbrook Conservation. (contributed photo)

Explore the best ways to care for your personal or museum collections. Come join this free workshop Monday, May 6, 2024, Safe, Practical Storage and Display Spaces for Historic Objects Workshop, at the L. C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley. This collections care and storage workshop will provide training on how to better care for your historic objects or family treasures. The National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored collections workshop will be led by renowned conservator Ron Harvey. The L. C. Bates Museum workshop will cover the basic needs and care of collections and include hands-on activities led by the conservator. There will be time to ask the conservator about your special collections and their care. A take home archival storage container will be provided for all participants. The May 6 workshop will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please email (lcbates@gwh.org) or call (207-238-4250) the museum for additional information or to register for this engaging program.

 

 

 

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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust accepting scholarship applications

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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is currently accepting applications for the Bank’s 2024 Career & Technical Education Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to income-eligible high school seniors who attend a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend a college or technical school in the academic year immediately following graduation.

Students must reside in counties in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont where the bank has a branch location. Applicants selected to receive a 2024 scholarship will be eligible to apply for an additional $1,000 scholarship in 2025 to be used for their second year of college or technical school.

The deadline to apply for the 2024 Career & Technical Education Scholarship is May 1, 2024. Interested students can visit www.barharbor.bank/scholarships for more information about eligibility and to download the application.

The Bank established the Career & Technical Education Scholarship in 2018 and has awarded 84 scholarships to date.

Bill to protect veterans unanimously clears key legislative committee

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Veterans in Maine may soon have more financial security after a bill providing protection from fraudulent and predatory claims practices cleared a key legislative committee last week. The bill, LD 2259, was sponsored by Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Somerset, and provides increased protection for veterans who are applying for U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) benefits.

The predatory practices, which according to the VA are conducted by people or organizations whom they call “Claim Sharks,” include aggressive and misleading tactics aimed at veterans, their families, survivors and caregivers. These practices often result in hefty fees to “assist” or “consult” veterans and survivors with the filing of their VA benefits claims.

During an awareness campaign launched last year, the VA said unaccredited claim sharks have no formal training in the VA system and operate outside the law. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that such scammers cost veterans and their families about $292 million in losses in 2022.

Since the passage of the PACT Act in 2022, which was the largest benefit and health care expansion in the VA’s history and now covers veterans who were exposed to burn pits and toxic substances, activity by claim sharks and other scammers has only risen. The sudden spike led to the introduction of competing U.S. House and Senate bills that will reinstate fines and jail time, which were suspended during the pandemic to aid the VA to catch up on benefits claims. Both bills have very strong support.

Typical tactics used by such predators often include offering a consultation from their own network of doctors while promising an expedited examination and guaranteeing an increased disability rating or percentage increase to their benefits. Claim sharks then apply hefty fees for their assistance or demand a high percentage of the veteran’s earned benefits.

The VA says veterans are never required to pay for benefits they earned. They launched a website to help veterans prevent fraud and how to report it and seek help if it occurs. They also have an online tool to aid veterans who are searching for accredited Veterans Services Organizations (VSOs) to help with various services.

“My bill will provide an extra wall of security for our veterans, further protecting them from predatory and deceptive practices that target their hard-earned monetary benefits. Veterans should never have to use their benefits to pay for these predatory practices; and I thank the Veterans of Foreign Wars for bringing this to my attention,” said Farrin. “Veterans did their duty for our country and deserve the greatest protections possible. It is our duty as a country and as a state to provide them with that security and provide as much information about VSOs as possible.”

The bill now moves to the Senate and House chambers for final passage.

Local students named to dean’s honor list

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Zachary Craig, of Benton, Catherine Estes, of Sidney, and Rebecca Riley, of Chelsea, were named to the dean’s honor list at Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio, for Fall 2023.

Emma Concaugh named to College of the Holy Cross’ dean’s list

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Emma Concaugh, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2024, was named to the College of the Holy Cross dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Oakland bike group takes the plunge for charity

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From left to right, Lynn Woodard, Director Megan Bragdon, Nick Leavitt, Road Captain Dawn Brasil, Treasurer Brad Wing, and Assistant Director Mark Spence. (photo by Sharon Roode)

On March 16 the American Legion Riders of Decker-Simmons Post #51, Oakland, along with other groups from the area gathered at the boat launch in Oakland for the Polar plunge to raise money to help fight food insecurity at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. They raised $1,986 with a grand total over all of $30,000.

Director Lynn Woodard was quoted saying “Motorcyclists sometimes, we don’t get a good reputation. So we’re here for the community. Our group, we’re not like a motorcycle club, we’re just riders, we represent the American Legion. A lot of our activity is just for the veterans, but today it was for the children.”

“That’s what life’s all about, helping everybody else,” added Assistant Director Mark Spence.

The group is taking the plunge to help fight food insecurity at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Sharon Roode)

Scouts receive Papa Bear award

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From left to right, Karla Talpey and Alan Duplessis, of Jackman, Sherwood Hilt, of Union, and John Wood, of Hope, receiving the Ray “Papa Bear” Kimball Award of Service. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Congratulations to John Wood, Alan Duplessis, Sherwood Hilt, and Karla Talpey on receiving the Ray “Papa Bear” Kimball Award of Service at the Kennebec Valley District Annual Scouting Recognition Dinner, held on Sunday, March 24, at the Winslow Parks & Recreation Department Hall. Talpey and Duplessis are both active in Jackman Troop #497 and are members of the Kennebec Valley District committee.

Hilt, of Union, and Wood, of Hope, have been active as district members of both Kennebec Valley District and the former Downeast Districts of Scouting. Wood currently provides Commissioner Service to more scouting units than any other volunteer in the district.

The award is the highest award that an adult leader, committee member or adult volunteer can be nominated for within a unit. The award consideration should be given based on outstanding service to youth within a unit above and beyond that of what is required of an adult. Also his or her ability to exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. The award is given to those who work in support of Scouting without seeking anything for themselves.

Ray “Papa Bear” Kimball was a long time Scoutmaster of Troop #443, in Winslow. He was also highly involved in Kennebec Valley District of Scouting as a district volunteer and a Unit Commissioner. He also spent all of his summers performing the duty of Camp Commissioner for Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade. Ray also had several sons who were Boy Scouts. Ray was an active member of his community and church. Ray always went above and beyond the call of duty wherever it was. Ray stayed active until he became ill and had to retire from scouting. Raymond Kimball died on November 25, 2007.

Anchor ME Farm offers non-clinical goat therapy activities

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Snuggling with a couple of the goats. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

by Jeanne Marquis

A local goat farm, in Windsor, is offering non-clinical therapy activities with their goats for people with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The farm, called ” Anchor-ME Farm,” owned by Cara and Brian Cribb, is home to goats, ducks, geese and dogs. The goats are all friendly and well-socialized, and they love to interact with people of all ages.

The Anchor-ME farm, located at 584 Ridge Road, Windsor, offers a variety of non-clinical therapy activities, including:

• Goat yoga: Goat yoga will be returning soon. The first class will take place on Thursday, May 9, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Jessica will be teaching and the goats will be cuddly and hysterical as usual. Get your tickets through Eventbrite or email – info@anchormefarm.com.
• Every Sunday Support Group: Starts April 7, and continues every Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
• Goat walks: Participants take a leisurely walk around the farm with the goats. The goats provide companionship and help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Goat cuddles: Participants can cuddle with the goats in a quiet and relaxing setting. The goats provide comfort and help to promote relaxation.
• Special Events: The next one is PAINT AND PET, Saturday April 27, from 1 – 3 p.m. A chance to paint under a tent in the company of animals featuring the talents of WickedIllustrations Studio & Gallery. Please sign up at WickedIllustrations.com. Cost is $40. $5 of the cost goes to The Anchor ME Farm.

Cara Cribb explains how the farm came to be: “I had an idea about this amazing place that has cuddly animals or just intriguing animals, where people could come to forget their troubles for an hour or two. I was at my breaking point, stuck in Rhode Island, literally nothing except dwelling on my trauma and reliving it every second. Once I convinced my husband that this could be a thing, we started the process of moving again.”

Goats at the Anchor ME Farm, in Windsor. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

As the couple began its search for a farm, the pandemic struck and Brian Cribb’s job went remote, which opened up the possibility of locating their farm in Maine. Before long, they found a home that has seen at least a century in Windsor and through a journey of sweat-equity, restoration and building formed a home for themselves and a happy herd of goats.

The Cribbs want the public to know they are not therapists, the goats do the therapy. Goats are highly adaptable creatures who are often used in therapy because they are playful, gentle and have the unique ability to recognize human emotions and react as needed. If a person needs a hug, they are there for a quick nudge and a long cuddle. If a child needs to play, goats love to romp and are famous for their zig zag jumps from side to side, which will generate some laughter from most humans. Interactions with animals, especially goats, can positively affect brain chemistry by reducing cortisol levels and increasing dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins – the brain chemicals that provide humans the feelings of security and well-being.

The need for all types of therapies, even non-clinical goat therapy, has been increasing in the last few years. According to the February 2024 Forbes Mental Health Statistics Report, the number of people with mental health conditions has increased in the United States, with 23.1 percent of adults experiencing one in 2022. The number of anxiety and depressive disorders has also increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 28 percent more people experiencing depressive symptoms and 25 percent more experiencing anxiety disorders.

Anchor ME farm also has a licensed bakery on site called the Anchor ME Gluten Free Bakehouse. Everything is made to order from requests on their website. They generally need two days for an order and will confirm when you will pick it up at their farm stand. Ingredients are listed online but If you’re trying to avoid an ingredient, send an email so they can try to accommodate. Some of their diverse offerings include cookies, doughnuts, bagels, pumpkin bread, apple fritters, brioche, focaccia, challah, naan, brownies and crackers.

The Anchor-ME Farm is nonprofit, 501(c)(3), that provides a safe place for people who are dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety with the help of animals.

Located at 584 Ridge Road, Windsor. For more information, call (207) 445-8192 or check out Anchormefarm.com and view their Facebook often for updates on special events.