Veterans honored at Messalonskee High School

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by Tina Richard

On November 9, at the Messalonskee High School, the students from seventh and eight grade honored the veterans that were invited to the tribute. This was the fifth year of doing the event.There was a light breakfast and the students marched the veterans into the auditorium for the program.

They recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and Governor Paul LePage, who was the guest speaker, delivered a great message. The “Marches of the Armed Forces” was played by the high school band and the veterans from each branch of service stood and faced the crowd. The students had samplings of writings and movies in honor of the veterans. There was an announcement of the winner of the Waterville Forrest J. Pare, V.F.W. Post #1285, Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest by Commander Daniel Parker and Nancy Smith, of Camden National Bank. There was a moment of silence, taps were played and the seventh and eighth grade chorus sang “God Bless the USA.” It ended with parting words and the students marched the veterans out to the entrance of the auditorium to “Stars and Stripes Forever.” All the students and adults shook the hand of a veteran thanking them for their service. All the students did an amazing job and I was honored to be a part of it.

Season ski passes available for Quarry Road Trails

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CJ Gaunce, of Waterville, left, in orange jacket, loads one of the first chair lifts at Sugarloaf Mountain. He and several others were in line at 4:30 a.m. for opening day. Photo courtesy of Sugarloaf Mountain

Waterville Parks and Recreation has announced that discounted season ski trail passes are now available for the upcoming winter season at Quarry Road Trails, located at 300 Quarry Road in Waterville.

During the winter months, a state-of-the-art snowmaking system and daily grooming all but guarantees the trails will be covered for cross-country skiing. The area offers 12 km (7.5 mi) of trails for all levels of ability with lighting on 2 km of trail for night skiing. Other opportunities for winter outdoor recreation on the Quarry Road Trails include snowshoeing and, when conditions permit, winter fat biking. A full slate of events is already planned for the upcoming busy winter season. Over the past 10 years, the Quarry Road Trails have grown into a multi-use, four-season recreation destination.

Season ski passes are available at discounted pre-season rates through November 30 and can be purchased online at quarryroad.org, the Finance Department at Waterville’s City Hall, or the Alfond Youth Center. Season passes and day passes will also be available 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily at the Welcome Center yurt beginning on the area’s projected opening day, Saturday, December 2.

Volunteers are needed to help this winter in the following areas: staffing the Welcome Center, youth ski program, events, and trail maintenance. If interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, call (207) 446-7356 or email volunteer@quarryroad.org.

For more information about the area, programs, and events, call Waterville Parks and Recreation at (207) 680-4744 or visit quarryroad.org.

First in line on opening day at Sugarloaf Mountain

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CJ Gaunce, of Waterville, left, in orange jacket, loads one of the first chair lifts at Sugarloaf Mountain. He and several others were in line at 4:30 a.m. for opening day.
Photo courtesy of Sugarloaf Mountain

Annual Warming up for Christmas to benefit local ShineOnCass foundation

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Steve Fotter performs his self-written and produced song “Cass is Everywhere” at last year’s Warming Up for Christmas Concert. Proceeds from the concert will again support the ShineOnCass Foundation. Contributed photo

The 16th Annual “Warming Up for Christmas” Benefit Guitar Concert will be held Saturday, December 2, beginning at 5 p.m., at Williamson Auditorium, Lawrence High School, in Fairfield. The concert, presented by Benton musician Steve Fotter, has raised over $100,000 for local charities. This year’s concert will again benefit the ShineOnCass Foundation, in honor and memory of Cassidy Charette, of Oakland, who died October 11, 2014, in a hayride accident. Last year’s concert raised over $12,000 for ShineOnCass community programs.

The three-hour concert will include a variety of Christmas music, including rock, blues, jazz and folk, and features performances by Fotter’s 85 guitar students and musical friends. Concert tickets are $20, and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com (search Steve Fotter). Tickets are also sold at Down Home Music Shop, in Fairfield, and Animal Hospital of Waterville. Limited concert tickets will be available at the door for $25.

In Cassidy’s honor, the Foundation is helping fill Christmas boxes of clothing and gifts for more than 1,700 financially disadvantaged children in Maine through the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderer’s Christmas Program. Attendees are asked to please bring new, unwrapped items to the concert or drop off gifts at Animal Hospital of Waterville located at 20 Washington St. in Waterville.

There will also be a raffle for an electric guitar, donated by Down Home Music Shop, and a handcrafted blue afghan “Cassidy” blanket. Raffle tickets are 3 for $5 or 7 for $10 and can be purchased at Down Home Music, at the concert, or by calling 207-314-6996. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Cassidy Charette. Contributed photo

The ShineOnCass Foundation was created by the Charette family to educate, inspire and empower youth to con­­­­t­inue Cassidy’s passion for caring for others through volunteer charitable activities. Some of the programs created in Cassidy’s honor and supported by the Foundation include: “Cassidy’s Kitchen,” an outdoor kitchen built at Hart to Hart Farm & Education Center, in Albion; a student-led service program called “Cassidy’s Kids” at Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville; ShineOnCass mentoring programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine; girls youth soccer mentoring programs and annual $3,000 ShineOnCass Scholarships and Service Awards at Messalonskee High School.

For more information about the ShineOnCassidy Foundation, email shineoncass@gmail.com.

Two new members inducted into Whitefield Lions Club

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From left to right, Whitefield Lions Club membership chairman Steve Hatch, with new members, Rebecca Jones, Kyle Jones, and their sponsor, Lion Carol Jones. Contributed photo

Peace poster contest winners announced

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Winners of the Peace Poster Contest with their respective arts teachers, from left to right, Holly Hilton and Jenna Perkins, Whitefield; Rachel Richmond and Abby St. Cyr, Jefferson; Sandy Dunn and Liberty Kimball, Chelsea; Damon Wilson and Jenny Keller, Windsor; and Lion Barry Tibbetts. Contributed photo

Winners of the Peace Poster Contest were honored with their art teachers by the Whitefield Lions Club on October 26.

For the past 30 years Lions clubs around the world have sponsored the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

The theme of the 2017-2018 contest is “The Future of Peace”

Winners listed by school:

Whitefield: Art teacher Holly Hilton, first Jenna Perkins, second Hannah Jackson, third Acadia Kelley.
Jefferson: Art teacher Rachel Richmond, first Abby St. Cyr, second Victoria Ingram, third Seung Nam Montaro.
Chelsea: Art teacher Sandy Dunn; first Liberty Kimball, second Malaika Igbal, third Camyrin Thompson.
Windsor: Art teacher Jenny Keller, first Damon Wilson, second Mallary Hanke, third Anna Labbe.

China police log for September 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2:

12:05 p.m., report of disorderly conduct, Rte. 3. Complainant advised to speak with landlord.

SEPTEMBER 7:

5:05 p.m., Check of South China boat landing.

5:25 p.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.

5:45 p.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.

6 p.m., traffic complaint, Rte. 3, by Palermo. Unable to locate vehicle.

6:30 p.m., check of China Village boat landing.

6:45 p.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.

7 p.m., stationary radar detail. Main St., no violations noted.

8:10 p.m., business check, Windsor Rd.

SEPTEMBER 9:

2:15 p.m., traffic stop, Vassalboro Rd., warning for inspection violation.

2:33 p.m., traffic stop, Vassalboro Rd., warning for speed.

3 p.m., traffic stop, Rte. 3, warning for inadequate tires.

4:10 p.m., business check, Pleasant View Ridge Rd.

4:45 p.m., check of Thurston Park.

5:25 p.m., residence check, Neck Rd.

6 p.m., business check, Rte. 3.

SEPTEMBER 11:

1 p.m., complaint of trespass by motor vehicle, Rte. 3

2 p.m., traffic complaint, Pleasant View Ridge Rd.

SEPTEMBER 16:

noon, traffic complaint, Waterville Rd., passed on to Winslow Police Dept.

12:25 p.m., residence check, Neck Rd.

12:35 p.m., traffic stop, Neck Rd., warning for inspection violation. Summons for no insurance.

1:45 p.m., check of Thurston Park.

2 p.m., stationary radar detail, Pleasant View Ridge Rd.

3:15 p.m., keys locked in vehicle, Killdeer Point Rd.

3:35 p.m., traffic stop, Alder Park Rd., warning for speed.

SEPTEMBER 23:

10:27 a.m., residence alarm, Sunset Lane.

11:10 a.m., check of South China boat launch.

12:10 p.m., check of Thurston Park.

12:50 p.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Dr., warning for speed.

1:10 p.m., business check, Windsor Rd.

1:30 p.m., traffic stop, Windsor Rd., warning for speed.

SEPTEMBER 29:

Excessive acceleration complaint, Alder Park Rd.

SEPTEMBER 30:

12:20 p.m., stationary radar detail, Alder Park Rd.

1 p.m., assist China Fire Dept., near Branch Pond.

5 p.m., assist homeowner with grass fire, Lakeview Dr.

Waterville ‘Parade of Lights’ set for Nov. 24

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Image credit: City of Waterville/Kringleville.org

by Mark Huard

Downtown Waterville’s Annual Holiday parade held the evening after Thanksgiving has drawn thousands of families to Main Street for many years and serves as a fun and festive kickoff to the holiday season. The Children’s Discovery Museum is excited to be adopting this wonderful event. The museum has been a staple in the Central Maine Community for many years and will be relocating to a large space in Waterville in the spring of 2019.

While the staff of the Children’s Museum waits to open the doors of their new location, they are excited to be hosting such a wonderful family event for the community.

The 12th Annual Parade of Lights will be held on Friday, November 24, at 6 p.m. New this year floats will assemble at the Waterville Legion Parking Lot, at 21 College Ave., and travel down Main Street and continue to the Castonguay Square with the lighting of the giant spruce tree and Santa’s arrival at Kringleville. Central Maine Photography will be offering light up wands at the parade for anyone who is interested.

What a great time of year to get together and show our community spirit and support for one another.

Santa will visit with families and children on the following dates:

November 24 – after parade until 9 p.m.; December 2-3, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; December 9-10, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; December 16-17, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; December 20-22, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Educators help to provide necessities for needy

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From left to right, Kappa members Mary Whitten, of Gardiner, and Betty-Jane Meader, of Waterville, load the car for delivery of a variety of items to The Essentials Closet. Contributed photo

Members of the local Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International recently donated a variety of items to The Essentials Closet at the First Congregational Church on Eustis Parkway in Waterville.

Pastor Mark Wilson initiated the idea of The Essentials Closet about a year ago, noting that we have the local soup kitchen, evening sandwich program, the food pantry, and homeless shelter. In none of those places can people get the essentials — laundry detergent, toilet paper, dish detergent, shampoo, paper towels, tissues, bath soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, diapers, baby wipes, and toothpaste.

“Furthermore, these items cannot be purchased with their EBT cards and state assistance programs,” explained Pete Downing, director of the program with his wife Lora, of Sidney.

Some members of St. Mark’s Church have chosen to fill the needs of diapers and feminine hygiene items. “We recently had 1,500 diapers delivered by this church. This is a huge blessing and will be of such great help to many of your young mothers,” says Lora.

“People need to feel clean and have clean clothes in order to go to work and have their children go to school bathed and in clean clothes,“ commented Lora.

The Essentials Closet is staffed by three or four volunteers and is open the last two weeks of every month—Mondays, 5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. Since April 17, they have served 580 different people, and some come every month. “We average about 180 people per month from all over Central Maine,” said Lora.

Delta Kappa Gamma is an international organization of women educators from around the world. One of the primary strands of the mission is service to local communities. There are 16 chapters in the State of Maine.

New books at Albion Public Library

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Non-fiction:

Anthology of Vassalboro Tales, by Esther Bernhardt and Vicki Schad
More Than a Train Yard and Whistle Stop: The Canadian Pacific Railway’s Brownville Division, 1886-1963, by Kenneth Hatchette
Carnival Glass, 11th Edition, by Mike Carvile.

Fiction:

The Dog Master, by W. Bruce Cameron
The Train to Crystal City, by Jan Jarboe Russell.
The Land of Painted Caves, by Jean M. Auel.

Juvenile Fiction:

The Demigod Diaries, by Rick Reardon.