Castleton University, in Castleton, Vermont, is excited to welcome Heather Kervin of Winslow, ME to the Castleton community. Kervin is one of more than nearly 600 new students who have registered for the fall 2017 semester!
St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, has welcomed Saige Knight, of Oakland, as a member of the class of 2021. Knight attended Messalonskee High School.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) is looking for volunteers in Kennebec Valley to serve as coordinators at its School-Based mentoring programs. Coordinators are adults from the community who can dedicate 1½ hours one day each week from October through May (except school vacation weeks) to be at the match meetings of high school “Bigs” and elementary school “Littles.” The meetings take place after the school day.
Every school mentoring location has 1-2 coordinators who attend each week to oversee and supervise the weekly match meetings to ensure match quality and child safety. School-based coordinators are interviewed, screened and trained and receive ongoing support and training from BBBS staff throughout the year. Continuing education credits are also provided.
Successful coordinators are responsible, dedicated, enjoy working with and coaching youth of all ages and backgrounds, have great listening skills, are willing to learn, love to play, have patience, flexibility and a sense of humor. Coordinators arrive early to greet the matches, help set up and clean up meeting supplies and snacks, facilitate group match activities if appropriate and coach “Bigs” as they navigate their relationships with their “Littles.” Coordinators have regular weekly contact with BBBSMM staff to discuss match meeting and site logistics, attendance, successes, issues and concerns.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine has immediate need for School-Based Coordinators at the following local sites for the 2017-18 school year:
Hussey Elementary (Augusta): Mondays, 3 – 4 p.m.
Gardiner Area Boys and Girls Club (Gardiner): Thursdays, 4 – 5 p.m.
Alfond Youth Center (Waterville): Mondays, Wednesday, or Thursdays 2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer School-Based Coordinator in the Kennebec Valley region, please contact Lindsey May, School-Based Manager, at (207) 592-4606 or email lindsey@bbbsmidmaine.org.
Their meeting twice rescheduled due to lack of power, China selectmen finally connected with two health insurance experts at a Nov. 1 meeting that was also attended by town employees.
China employees, like those in many other Maine towns and cities, are insured by the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust, a nonprofit affiliate of the Maine Municipal Association. According to Director of Health Trust Services Anne Wright, they have the best of the five insurance plans offered.
At the instigation of board member Jeffrey LaVerdiere, selectmen invited a representative of F. A. Peabody Company, an insurance broker, to talk about private insurance plans.
Max Lynds, vice president for Life and Benefits in Peabody’s Houlton office, said up front he could not duplicate the current policy with no deductible and low co-pays. However, LaVerdiere said, if a different policy cost employees more the town could reimburse them and still save enough on premiums to come out ahead.
An hour-long blizzard of facts and figures followed – co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, health reimbursement accounts, health savings accounts, drug benefits, diagnostic benefits, primary care providers, specialists, in-network, out-of-network, individual rates, couples rates, family rates. After the presentations and questions, selectmen considered town employees’ health insurance in an executive session. After that, Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux reported, they voted to switch to the Health Trust’s POS (Point of Service) 200 plan. L’Heureux estimated future savings to taxpayers at about $23,000 a year. Asked the effect on taxes on a $100,000 house, he replied the homeowner would save about $5.
There is a general expectation that rates will increase in 2018. L’Heureux said during the discussion that Health Trust rates are likely to increase from two to six percent, private group plans from 15 to 18 percent and individual rates by even more. Neither Lynds nor Wright contradicted his figures. The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Nov. 13. L’Heureux said the agenda includes a review with China’s emergency service providers of the stipends voters approved at the March town business meeting.
The Masse Sawmill site on Rte. 32, in East Vassalboro. Contributed photo
The Alewife Restoration Initiative has announced the successful completion of the first of six dam projects on China Lake Outlet Stream. To celebrate, they welcome the public to an informational nature walk at the Masse Sawmill site, in Vassalboro. Please join them for a short afternoon stroll along the restored section of Outlet Stream, while learning about the many ecological processes that are beginning to return the stream to natural habitat.
They will start the walk at 1 p.m., on Saturday, November 11, and expect it to last around an hour. The following experts in fields related to the project will give informal presentations and answer questions:
The event will take place on Saturday, November 11, beginning at 1 p.m., at the Masse Sawmille, 373 Main St., Vassalboro. Dress for the weather, and for easy trail walking. The distance covered will be short (1/4 mile to 1/2 mile), and the walking easy, but there will be no indoor shelter or bathrooms available. Prepare to be outdoors for an hour or so. Event will be held rain or shine, barring very severe weather.
For more information, email or call Matt Streeter, mstreeter212@gmail.com, 207-337-2611.
Senior night took place on October 17 for the Lawrence High School, of Fairfield, soccer team. Members of the team make their way onto the field for their last game of the season.
Aiden Pettengill’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. Thanks to all the Scouts and Leaders that came this morning to work under his leadership. The library, Scout leaders, town residents and parents should be very pleased with the results.
Pictured, from left to right, Lance Gilman, president & CEO – IGT Retirement Solutions, Sharon Leighton, winner of the fundraiser vacation package, Penny Morris, owner of Penny’s Barbershop, in Augusta, Judi Gilman, owner of Sunset Pine Cottages, in China.
Contributed photo
For the past three years Penny’s Barbershop in Augusta has sponsored initiatives to help veterans in need. In those three years, Penny and her team have raised nearly $10,000 to help veterans. This year her goal is to raise at least $3,500. All of the money she raises goes either directly to veterans or to organizations that directly support veterans. The goal for this year, set at $3,500, is for a distinct purpose: $3,500 is the exact amount that is required to provide one fully-trained service dog to a veteran requiring such help or support. Both the service dog and training are fully covered for the veteran. Once an application is received, K9s On The Front Line (a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization out of Portland) will schedule the training for both the veteran selected and the service dog to complete a 16-week training program. Then the service dog will remain with the veteran after the training to help them.
This year, IGT Retirement Solutions, LLC, a retirement planning and Investment firm located in China, sponsored a one-week vacation at Sunset Pine Cottages, also on China Lake, to help in Penny’s fundraising efforts. This was one of many prizes people could buy raffle-tickets for to have a shot at the prize. Lance Gilman, President & CEO of IGT Retirement Solutions, is a veteran and was very glad to sponsor the one-week vacation at Sunset Pines to help raise money for the initiative.
This year’s winner of the vacation package was Sharon Leighton. Sharon was delighted to have won the vacation package and to support the efforts as well. “It’s been over ten years since I have had a vacation. This is great!” Sharon said. “I am also glad to have contributed to this worthy cause.”
The group has raised approximately $3,200 to date. They need about $300 more to meet their $3,500 goal, which will provide one fully-trained service dog to a veteran in need. If you would like to contribute to this noble effort, please contact Penny’s Barber Shop, located at 173 State Street, in Augusta, by calling 207-380-6224. You can also make a tax-deductible contribution by making a check payable to “K9s On The Front Line” and bringing it to Penny’s Barber Shop.
On Saturday, November 11 (Veterans Day) Penny will be offering free haircuts to any veteran. All proceeds from other haircuts completed on Veterans Day will be added to the amount donated to support this initiative.
The final proceeds for Penny’s fund raising efforts will be tallied and given to K9s On The Front Line on the Monday after Veterans day. The veteran selected to receive the service dog will be selected at that time. Please help however you can in this effort. If you are a veteran – thank you! If not, please be sure to reach out to thank one for their service to our country on Veterans Day.
Members of the Dixon’s Market PAL football team ride on a float during the Lawrence High School homecoming parade.
Photo by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography
It was a successful trip to the Battle of the Belles, Strongman Competition, in Norwalk Connecticut, for five members of Gevolution Fitness of Augusta. Lori Rioux, Alysia Farrington, Helania Lake, Nancy Danforth and Caitlin McGouldrick all were successful in competing and hitting personal highs during the day. Official results have not been announced yet. In photo at right, from left to right, Casey d’Alfonso, Gina LoMonaco, Lori Rioux, Nancy Danforth, Helania Lake, Alysia Farrington and Caitlin McGouldrick. Contributed photo