China Transfer Station coordinator: Volunteers needed for Earth Day cleanup on April 21

/0 Comments/in , , /by
by Irene Belanger
China selectman

Thank you for your continued support of all the transfer station initiatives to “hold the line” on expenses! Once again April brings all of Palermo and China residents outside into warm spring days armed with rakes, large trash bags, and gloves to clean lawns and roadsides of winter debris. Volunteers are needed; April 21 is Earth Day and we will be cleaning roadsides of trash and other debris. Thank you to the Goodine Family and to the Boy Scout Troop #479 for their past years of volunteerism. Please call me to volunteer so that we can plan accordingly. If there is any confusion, please meet at the South China Community Church or China Baptist Church between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, to be assigned roads for clean-up. We will provide trash bags and gloves and bottles of water for hydration. You may take the full bags to the China transfer station directly or call 445-3033 to have the trash bags picked up or other heavy items left on the roadsides.

Drug Take-Back Day for China and Palermo residents is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Kennebec Sheriff’s Office will again sponsor the event at the transfer station. The KSO will have an officer on site to receive the returned medications. This is a good opportunity to remove unneeded medications out of the hands of those who should not have access to them.

Fiberight process takes solid waste to energy

/0 Comments/in /by

Fiberight is one of the first companies in the United States to have shown, at scale, that your trash is a resource. Their Hampden project will change the way Maine deals with its trash.

Once municipal solid waste is delivered, a first sort removes unsuitable waste, such as inert materials and large bulky items. A state of the art separation system recovers curbside-type recyclables from food waste and other organics in the waste stream. What’s left after sorting is pulped and converted.

Once the recyclables are removed, the rest of the waste is pulped and remaining plastics are separated from pulped organic materials. The organic pulp is washed to remove contaminants and dirty water is sent to the anaerobic digester to generate biogas and clean the water.

Clean pulp may then be used to make new paper products, biomass fuel or converted into sugars. Fiberight’s system is able to process the clean pulp by using bio-catalysts to break down natural carbohydrates into liquid sugars. These liquid sugars may either be processed into biogas by the anaerobic digester or fermented into biofuels.

Waste water is handled on site and re-used in the process.

Once renewable fuel production is complete, a digestate fiber is available for compost or to be pelletized for energy recovery.

For more information, contact Shelby at 207-592-6432, email info@fiberight.com, or visit their website www.fiberight.com.

China Middle School girls basketball team honored at State House

/0 Comments/in , /by

The China Middle School girls basketball team was recognized in the Maine Senate with a legislative sentiment presented by Senator Roger Katz (R-Augusta) on Tuesday, April 3. The sentiment honors their achievement of winning the Sheepscot Valley Athletic Conference Championship following a perfect season. The team, accompanied by Athletic Director Josh Brooks, was also congratulated by Representative Matt Pouliot (R-Augusta) and Representative Tim Theriault (R-China).

Vassalboro JMG students are pages for a day at State House

/0 Comments/in , /by

From left to right, Rep. Richard Bradstreet, Liberty Massie, Alyssa Trainor, Hailey Fonjemei, Sen. Roger Katz, Lucas Haskell, Jadon Callahan, JMG Director Victor Esposito, and Rep. Matt Pouliot. (Contributed photo)

Students involved with the Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) at Vassalboro Community School visited the State House on April 3 to serve as honorary pages in the Maine Senate. During their visit, they met with their local legislators, Senator Roger Katz, and representatives Matt Pouliot and Richard Bradstreet. The students, chaperoned by JMG Director Victor Esposito, were Liberty Massie, Alyssa Trainor, Hailey Fonjemei, Lucas Haskell and Jadon Callahan. The honorary page program provides an opportunity for students from third grade through high school to participate in the legislative process for one day’s session in either the House of Senate. For more information about the program, please contact Sen­ator Katz’ office at 287-1505.

Catholic diocese lifting flu prevention protocols

/0 Comments/in /by

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has reviewed the flu prevention protocols for Maine parishes that were put in place in late January. The research indicates that in most of the state, the incidence of influenza has considerably lessened. In some corners of the state, however, it continues to be a concern.

As such, Bishop Robert P. Deeley has decided to lift the protocols. He has, however, informed pastors at parishes throughout the diocese, which covers the entire state of Maine, to use their best judgment in deciding if the protocols should continue because of the situation in their local area.

Where the influenza protocols will be relaxed, the bishop continues to advise that if individuals have a fever, sore throat, cough or flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home and not attend Mass until fully recovered. When individuals are ill, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation.

With the protocols lifted, the distribution of the shared consecrated wine for the faithful is reinstated and parishioners may shake hands during the Sign of Peace.

All ministers of holy Communion will continue to sanitize their hands before and after distributing holy Communion, a practice that was in place prior to the protocols.

For more information, contact Dave Guthro, Communications Director for the Diocese of Portland, at (207) 321-7810 or dave.guthro@portlanddiocese.org.

Heather Kervin named to Castleton University dean’s list

/0 Comments/in /by

Heather Kervin, of Winslow, was recently named to the Castleton University dean’s list, in Castleton, Vermont, for the fall semester of the 2017-18 academic year.

To qualify for this academic honor, the student must maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 3.5.

Whitefield Lions announce speak out contest winners

/0 Comments/in /by

Left, Hagen Wallace. Right, Conor Skehan.

The White­field Lions Club hosted the annual Speak Out contest at their March 22nd meeting.

The contestants, both juniors at Erskine Academy delivered a talk of allotted time that they feel strongly about.

The students were accompanied to the Lions meeting and contest by their parents and Nicholas Waldron, the acting advisor for speech and debate teams at Erskine Academy.

First place was presented to Hagen “Joki” Wallace who is also active in FBLA and speech and debate teams at Erskine.

Second place was awarded to Conor Skehan who is on the math team and the founder of the Erskine Film club.

The winner moved on to compete in the Region 5 Speak Out contest on March 27 at the Margaret Chase Smith Library, in Skowhegan.

Lamontagne named to SNHU’s president’s list

/0 Comments/in /by

Taylar Lamontagne, of Waterville, has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2017 president’s list, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Eligibility for the president’s list requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the semester.

Aiden Pettengill achieves rank of Eagle Scout

/0 Comments/in , /by

Eagle Scout Aiden Pettengill

CHINA – Throughout its history, the Boy Scouts of America has provided leaders for tomorrow who are prepared as good citizens, always ready to serve others. Service often occurs in small, unassuming ways – good turns and acts of kindness by individual Scouts, often unnoticed throughout their daily lives. It happens on a larger scale, too, when an Eagle Scout candidate plans and carries out his major service project. The celebration of this event was held March 17, 2018, at the China Baptist Church, for Eagle Scout Aiden Pettengill of China Troop #479.

Friends, family members, elected officials and other scouts gathered together to honor Aiden for earning his wings – the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. The Eagle is the highest rank that scouting bestows in the advancement program. Eagle Scout Aiden Pettengill, his family, his Scout leaders, and other members of the community were recognized in this special presentation.

Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Bodine gave a brief description Aiden’s Eagle Project. Aiden’s Eagle Project was at the new location for the South China Library. His project was to design and build a reading outdoor station. His final design included clearing a space under a large tree, having two benches built, two large flower beds surrounded by two layers of round rocks. He had many donated flowers and bulbs to plant. Scouts and Leaders came the morning he selected to work under his leadership. His outdoor reading station will be available this summer when the Library is moved. His project couldn’t have happened without Aiden’s leadership and drive to succeed.

Assistant Scoutmaster Darryl Praul and Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Leonard were introduced. Darryl Praul asked Eagle Scout Aiden Pettengill to advance his name on the board of Eagle rank. Doug Leonard presented the gift from the Troop Committee, Running Toward Danger – Real Life Scouting Action Stories of Heroism, Valor & Guts by Michael S. Malone

Advance Chairman Ron Emery introduced special guests. Sentiments were presented by Daniel L’Heureux, China’s Town Manager and Chuck Mahaleris, Kennebec Valley District Advancement Chairperson. It should be noted that letters of sentiment were received from Past President George W. Bush and his father and members of U.S. Congress, and many others.

Aiden expressed gratitude to all those who helped him to reach the Eagle Rank. Especially Scoutmaster Scott Adams, Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Bodine and Advance Chairman Ron Emery and his parents who all gave him help whenever needed. Aiden also thanked all the guests who took time to come to his Eagle ceremony on his special day and for all the Scouts who helped him with the ceremony.

He is the son of Lee and Danielle Pettengill, of South China, and is a freshman at Erskine Academy, in South China.

Waterville art scholarship registrations now being accepted

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Waterville Area Art Society (WAAS) is now accepting applications for its annual $500 scholarship award to be given to a graduating high school senior who pursues a degree in visual arts, performing arts or music. It is open to students from the following high schools: Waterville, Winslow, Lawrence, Messalonskee, Erskine Academy, Snow Pond Arts Academy and Mid-Maine Technical Center.

Information has been sent to the schools. Teachers are asked to submit nominations and include: student contact information; recommendation; information about student’s artistic ability and need; three photos or video clips of student work. These can be submitted by mail (WAAS) PO Box 2703, Waterville, ME 04903-2703) or digitally to waasmaine@ gmail.com. Nominations must be submitted by May 1.

Previous winners and former applicants are eligible to apply again with a former high school or college teacher’s nomination and materials. To receive further information, send email to waasmaine@gmail.com or contact Mary Morrison at 872-5843.