Above, from left to right, Fran Purnell, Waterville 11U coach Larry Brown, MLB Hall of Famer, and former Boston Red Sox pitcher, Ferguson Jenkins, and coaches Rick Gradie and Wayne Gendreau, during the 2017 Cal Ripken New England Tourney in Waterville.
At left, Jenkins signs an autograph for Waterville 11U catcher Gage Hubbard, prior to a tournament game.
Gwendolyn Hudson
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine announces Gwendolyn Hudson has been named executive director, leading the state’s second largest BBBS youth mentoring organization that serves seven counties and over 700 youth facing adversity in Midcoast, Kennebec Valley, eastern and central Maine.
Hudson has been with BBBS of Mid-Maine for over five years, serving first as community-based director and most recently as human resources director. Her leadership in these capacities brings to the new position important knowledge and experience in youth-based mentoring programming and agency management. Board Chairman Edward W. Gould, Esq., called Hudson “the perfect person to continue the agency’s longstanding, successful mission.”
Hudson is a graduate of the University of Maine where she received an undergraduate degree in Spanish, German and Anthropology and a master’s degree in education. She was a middle school teacher at Chinle Junior High School on the Navajo Reservation, in Arizona, before returning to Maine to teach at Gardiner Regional Middle School and later joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine in 2012. She is a 2016 graduate of Midcoast Leadership Academy.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with an outstanding staff and board of directors who, with the support of many community partners, are dedicated to changing kids’ lives for the better,” Hudson said.
Hudson lives in Rockport with her husband, Mark Breton, and daughters Bella and Julia Mae.
The Davidson family
The descendants of the Davidson Family have enjoyed a camp on China Lake for five generations. Their property was purchased in the early 1900s from the original settler, Rufus Jones. Like many properties on China Lake, theirs slopes toward the lake. On the lakeside of their property they maintain a thick lawn at least three inches or more tall that has other natural vegetation growing. They have chosen to only cut that lawn once or twice a year to help protect the lake.
Also, because they have a dog, they make sure to pick up all the pet waste so it will not affect the lake quality. At the lake’s edge, their effective buffer is full of tall trees, native shrubs, ground cover and leaves and pine needles. With the entire buffer, they still enjoy a nice view of the lake.
If you would like a free LakeSmart visit from a volunteer to see what you can do to protect the lake, please contact Marie Michaud at ChinaLakeSmart@gmail.com or 207-2020240.
Some of the paintings in the gallery.
Martha Comfort, David Kesel, and Laura Coffin, descendants of Howard Comfort II.
Comfort lived to the age of 89, and spent many summers with family and friends in South China. His father was a colleague of Rufus Jones while at Haverford College, and it is believed Jones was influential in what has become a five-generation legacy in the town. There were many paintings buildings in South China on view, including Spearon’s General Store and the South China Inn, two buildings that no longer exist.
The exhibit doubled as a fundraiser for the South China Library and its plans to move to Jones Road. Over $2,500 was raised from attendees, with help from a matching grant offered for the occasion.
“We were very pleased with the turnout, to meet new friends, and to see old acquaintances. I am particularly glad we could share this beautiful body of work with the community that could probably appreciate it the most,” said Geoff Hargadon, organizer of the event. “We have long admired Howard Comfort’s work and was excited to be able to see so much of it in one place. But this has also encouraged me to investigate other opportunities in the future that could connect us with South China’s history through the eyes of others.”
Residents visit the gallery.
These Huard’s Martial Arts students earned their green belts on August 1. Front row, from left to right, Nawkia Poirier, Dominic Joseph, Ethan Joseph and Garrison Godbout. Back, Adam Fitzgerald, Chris Chen, Carrina Chen, Shae Rodrigue and Kendra Godbout.
Well, dear readers, it’s time to retire from PUL (Picking Up Litter). I’ve reached the reported retirement age for PUL.ers, I suppose they think we old people will get run over, creating more litter. Nineteen years is enough, maybe someone else can step forward.
I guess I should be glad to know the Bud Light guy(s) are still littering Lakeview Drive by tossing out emptied cans and disposing of evidence along the way. As a kid I sometimes used to walk home from basketball practice at Erskine and still remember the ‘singing’ telephone lines on cold nights and really never thought of litter because it simply wasn’t there.
When I counted over 700 pieces of litter along just two miles yesterday, it seemed to confirm what my son-in-law told me somewhat sarcastically when I started…“good luck.” It seems some of our otherwise thoughtful citizens simply enjoy littering and since they are the only ones who can change things, I also say…good luck. I note even the town office has deleted “PLEASE DON’T LITTER” from its digital signboard, I guess the writing is on the wall. I thank others who PUL. And to the majority of our citizens, enjoy the scenery while you can.
John Huard, center in floral shirt, was honored at Purnell Wrigley Field with a monument donated by his teammates, pictured with him, of the University of Maine 1965 football team, which competed in the 1965 Tangerine Bowl against East Carolina University. Photo by Tawni Lively/ Central Maine Photography staff
On July 28, Maine State Cal Ripken Baseball Commissioner Reggie Hatfield was on hand to announce the selection of Waterville being host of the New England Cal Ripken Baseball Championships. The tournament included all of the New England State winners and took place from July 28 to August 3, at Wrigley Field, in Waterville.
As part of the opening ceremony Waterville native and NFL pro football player John Roland Huard was surprised by his former 1965 University of Maine Tangerine Bowl teammates. They arrived via bus and helped dedicate the John Huard monument at Purnell Wrigley Field. Hundreds of friends and fans showed up for this special surprise.
John, a former Waterville Boys & Girls Club member, played pro football for the Denver Broncos (defensive captain), of the American Football League, and New Orleans Saints, of the National Football League, Montreal Alouettes, and the Toronto Argonauts, of the Canadian Football League. He also coached at the pro and college levels. In 2003 he was inducted into the University of Maine’s “Ring of Honor.” He was elected to College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. His monument will be in-between Coach John Winkin College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Clyde Sukeforth, the Maine native baseball scout who signed Jackie Robinson to a professional contract, making him the first African-American to play in baseball’s major leagues.
Purnell Wrigley Field joins the Harold Alfond® Fenway Park, in Oakland, as the only two licensed replica turfed fields in the country – located right here in Central Maine. CEO, Ken Walsh of the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA at the Alfond Youth Center said, “These fields give kids the opportunity to feel like real Major League players! The turf not only gives everyone the chance to play but extends the baseball season here in Maine, giving kids more time to develop their skills and learn sportsmanship while playing the game they love. The Purnell Wrigley Field is truly a grass roots community project built on the support of many and varied contributors of monetary and in-kind gifts. It’s a wonderful project honoring the legacy of some terrific ‘home town’ heroes. John Huard is certainly one of our hometown heroes. His strong character, spirit and love of the game started here in Waterville. His legacy will remain strong within our community forever.”
F.M.I. Contact Ken Walsh, CEO Alfond Youth Center 207-649-1824 or kwalsh@alfondyouthcenter.org.
Sophia Poulin, 2, of Winslow, checks out the firetruck with firefighter Scott Holst during the South End Festival.
In 2001 a group of concerned residents and supporters became the group now known as the South End Neighborhood Association (SENA), a group driven to revitalize the neighborhood. Along the way community champions and partners rose up to support the work of SENA, to promote a brighter future and invigorate pride and community spirit through programs, activities, and advocacy. These endeavors would not be possible without investment from neighbors, local businesses, and community groups.
Their contributions to the festival enable SENA to continue making a difference such as:
A bigger and better bike repair and swap where close to 100 children received bikes, learned rider safety, and connected with adults in meaningful ways that foster better self-esteem;
Expanding the readership of the community newsletter, on and offline, through 11 different locations throughout the city and the neighborhood;
Bradley Dickey, 12, of Waterville, enjoying the rock wall climbing at the South End Festival, on August 1. Photos by Mark Huard, owner
of Central Maine Photography
Community events such as WinterFest, Halloween Block Party, South End Officer Meet and Greet, and the Annual Clean Up, engaged residents of all ages inside and outside of the neighborhood.
Crime watch signs were replaced, a walking trail was established on Leeman Island, and playground equipment was improved at Green Street Park.
When we look back on all of our accomplishments we can not help but see the reason why we all love this neighborhood and this city. It’s because we work together to lift each other up. The South End Neighborhood’s family friendly events reached over 600 people this past year and that number continues to grow. The South End Festival is the largest event held in collaboration with KVCAP and the city of Waterville. Close to 500 people attend this festival!
We continue to work with the Waterville Police Department and the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program and dozens of community partners to provide this event each year, free of charge so that all of our neighbors and their children can participate. Over 70 percent of the families and elderly residents in the South End live at or below the poverty line. Business contributions help to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event, including games, activities, and BBQ, sponsored by our local police and fire departments and health and civic groups.
Mark Serbent, of Waterville, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Serbent was initiated at United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland.
On July 28, members of the Waterville Police Department, family members, Chief Joe Massey, Deputy Chief William Bonney, and members of the High Hopes Clubhouse got together for a whiffle ball game. They even received a celebrity visit from Waterville City Manager Mike Roy. High Hopes Clubhouse exists to improve the quality of life for those adults who experience mental illness by providing social, educational and employment opportunities. Contributed photo