Michael Womersley to speak at SRLT meeting

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What will happen to Maine’s land and ocean resources as climate changes in the 21st century? What likely climate scenarios are there for Maine? What will most likely happen to our weather and to sea level? How should we best respond? What mitigation and adaptation strategies are most likely to work? In fisheries?In forestry and agriculture?Which ones are likely to lead to yet more problems down the road?

Dr. Michael Womersley, Professor of Human Ecology/School of Environmental Citizenship at Unity College, will address these concerns. Womersley has a PhD in Environmental Policy Analysis from the University of Maryland Policy School, with a focus on U.S. cultural acceptance of cli-mate policy. His current research is in political economy and geopolitics of climate change.

Womersley’s presentation is part of the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust’s monthly speaker series, “Restoring Connections to Place,” featuring a wide variety of conservation topics. The programs are held on the second Wednesday of every month at the café, 93 Main Coffee Shop, located at 93 Main St., Unity. These monthly events are open to the public and a five dollar donation is suggested. For more information, please email info@sebasticookrlt.org or call 948-3766.

Sebasticook Regional Land Trust has a mission to recognize and conserve the rich wild and working landscape of Central Maine’s Sebasticook River watershed.

FAVOR meeting rescheduled

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The Vassalboro FAVOR (Friends Advocating for Vassalboro Older Residents) meeting scheduled for Oct. 2 was canceled. The representative of Window Dressers who was to talk to the group about low-cost window inserts to save heat was unable to attend.

The meeting will be rescheduled, tentatively for Wednesday morning, Oct. 11. Residents interested in helping with the project, which involves measuring applicants’ windows and building the inserts, and those interested in learning about the program should check with the town office for a firm date and time.

Maine students improve on state assessments

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The Maine Department of Education is pleased to release the 2016-17 Maine Education Assessment (MEA) results in the content areas of mathematics, English language arts (ELA)/literacy, and science. In all content areas, performance has improved or remained stable.

“I am encouraged with how well our students are performing. In 2016-17, students were assessed for the second time on the rigorous standards Maine adopted in 2011 and while participation rates remained high, students showed consistent improvement,” said Robert G. Hasson, Jr., Maine Department of Education Commissioner. “This is a true testament to the hard work and determination of our students and their teachers.”

With two years of data from the same assessments, this is the first opportunity since 2013 that the state has been able to compare results over two years in mathematics and ELA/literacy. Results are very encouraging.

Highlights include:

  • In ELA/Literacy 52.58 percent of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a notable improvement over 50.58 percent in 2015-16.
  • In Mathematics 38.54 percent of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a slight improvement over 38.31 percent in 2015-16.
  • In Science 61.07 percent of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a slight improvement over 60.97 percent in 2015-16.

The number of students exempted from the state assessment due to special considerations (e.g., serious medical condition) was reduced by about half from 2015-16 to 2016-17.

Participation rates in all subjects were greater than 95 percent.

The public results can be viewed by school or district and by subgroups, including grade level groups, in the MAARS Public Reports system.

Related Stories: MEA scores up from last year in area schools

Local boys take top prize at karate tournament

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Mark Huard, center, is flanked by Huard’s Sports Karate team members Xander Giguere, 12, left, of Winslow, and Landon Nunn, 12, of Skowhegan, after they captured first place in fighting at the Pine Tree State Karate Championships, held at Freeport High School on September 9.
Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff

Colby-Sawyer welcomes new students

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Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, New Hampshire, welcomed two local students as the newest Chargers to campus, including first-year students and transfer students.

Included were Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, and Alex Hayes, of Waterville.

Erskine homecoming schedule 2017

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Erskine Academy, in South China has released the schedule of events for this year’s homecoming:

  • Wednesday, September 27, Cross Country – Girls 4 p.m., Boys 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, September 29, Pep rally 1 p.m.; Girls JV Soccer vs. Lincoln Academy 3:30 p.m.; Boys JV Soccer vs. Lincoln Academy, 5 p.m.; Parade (meet at South China Detailing shop) 6:30 – 6:45 p.m.; Tailgating event—bring a donation for HOPE (music, games, food, etc.) 6:45 – 8 p.m.; FBLA Movie Night (*for students only*) 8 – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 30, Varsity Field Hockey vs. Lincoln Academy, 9 a.m.; Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Lincoln Academy, 10 a.m.; Leo Club Car Wash 10 a.m. – noon; Girls JV Field Hockey vs. Lincoln Academy, 10:15 a.m.; Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Lincoln Academy, 11:30 a.m.

EA Boosters will be selling concessions and Erskine apparel throughout the day.

Join them on the EA Campus to support our students, enjoy the activities, and share memories of your experiences at Erskine Academy!

As a follow up to their successful efforts to raise food and funds for the community through the participation in WGME’s School Spirit Challenge last fall, the goal is to help those within their own school community this year. The Helping Others Persevere at Erskine (HOPE) Club at EA assists students with food and other basic needs through their backpack program. Donations for HOPE will be accepted during lunches on Thursday, September 28, and Friday, September 29, as well as allow entrance to the tailgating party on Friday night.

Most items currently needed are canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables or fruit, macaroni, spaghetti sauce, shampoo, soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes.

First Jeep owners show raises $3,600 for Elks

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Employees at Central Maine Motors Auto Group, in Waterville, display a check for $3,600 that benefited Waterville Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #905 veterans committee. The funds were raised during the first Central Maine Jeep Owners Show. From left to right, Curran Quinlan, Scott Pinnette, Linanne Gaunce, Shaylie Morrison, Allen Perkins, Rohen Gay, Julie Morrison, Shane Morrison, John Jones, Jean Jones, Don Young, Jamie Oullette and Dan Berard. Contributed photo

Vassalboro bus driver honored for years of service

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Vassalboro Community School bus driver Bev Smith, right, was recognized recently for her 40 years of service. Presenting her with a pin is Vassalboro Community School Principal Dianna Gram. Contributed photo

Local women to compete in strongman competition

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Clockwise from top left: Alysia Farrington, Helainia Lake, Lori Rioux, Grace Parker, Caitlin McGouldrick, Nancy Danforth.

On Sunday, October 1, six area woman from GeVolution Fitness, of Augusta, will be traveling to Norwalk, Connecticut, to compete in the annual Battle of the Belles #8, at Punch Gym, to honor breast cancer awareness month. This is a all woman Strongman competition with partial proceeds going to the Bennett Cancer Center in, Stanford, Connecticut.

Alysia Farrington, of China, Lori Rioux, of Winthrop, and Grace Parker, will be competing in the masters division; Helainia Lake, of Augusta, will be competing in the light weight open; Nancy Danforth, of Gardiner, and Caitlin McGouldrick, of Augusta, will both be competing in the heavyweight novice division.

Implements competing with will be axel clean and press for reps, axel deadlift for reps, farmers carry for 100 feet, yolk walk with keg carry, and Atlas stone to shoulder.

Erskine Academy parent/teacher conferences Fall 2017

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All parents of Erskine Academy students are invited to attend fall Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 4 and 5, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Progress reports will be emailed to parents by October 3.

For those parents who have not yet submitted a primary email address, please stop by the Guidance Office for a printed copy of your student’s progress report. No appointments are necessary as teachers will be available to speak with parents in their respective classrooms. However, to avoid long waiting lines, two separate evenings have been scheduled:

  • Wednesday, October 4, for students whose last names begin with A through I; and
  • Thursday, October 5, for students whose last names begin with J through Z.

The sports boosters will also have items available to purchase on both evenings.

Contact the Guidance Office at 445-2964 with any questions or concerns.