China Days this weekend, August 4-6

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Pie eating starts at 11:30AM for 14 and under! Photos courtesy of China Days facebook

by Eric Austin
Over its 14-year history, China Community Days has grown from a small, local festival to something that pulls in residents and tourists from all over Central Maine. This year looks to up the ante with dozens of activities, vendors, and a new community-driven event dubbed “The Bazaar” – where any resident can bring their own table and display items for sale.

The festivities kick off on Friday, August 4, with a chicken barbecue at the South China American Legion at 4:30 p.m. Then bring your inner artist over to the China Primary school bus circle where there will be a parking lot art contest at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., take your kids to the Youth Wiffle Ball Game up between the elementary and middle schools at the China Recreation Ball Fields.

Nearly 20 Organizations and Vendors will have booths set up on Saturday

Saturday, activities ramp up bright and early at 10 a.m. Start your day off with a little exercise at 10:30 a.m. at the China School Forest table, where Elaine Philbrook, on behalf of the Town Forest at China Schools, will be giving walking tours.

Forget to feed the kids? They’ve got you covered! There’ll be a pie eating contest for ages 14 and under at 11:30 a.m., up at the China Recreation ballfields. The 15 to 18-year olds will get a chance at pie-eating at 1 p.m., while 18 and over adults will go last at 2 p.m. If you plan to participate, you should sign up at the China Community Days booth. Registration is $3 and there is space for up to 10 participants in each of the age groups. While you’re there, buy a raffle ticket to win a hand-carved bear by local artist Ron Carlson!

For those not planning to fill up on pie, food will be available from multiple vendors, including the China Four Seasons Club, MAJEK’s Seafood and Full Fork Farm. While you’re waiting for your food, you might want to browse the booths of nearly 20 community organizations and vendors who will be in attendance.

Kids should find no end of entertainment with nearly a dozen different activities, including an Obstacle Course, Joust competition, Dunk Tank and Bounce House. Make sure they have a little spending money for cotton candy and snow cones ($1 each)! A number of organizations, including our local Rescue & Volunteer Fire departments, will have vehicles there for children to explore. Has your child ever held a fire hose with water shooting out of it at 80 miles an hour? This is their chance!

This unique chainsaw bear carving by local artist, Ron Carlson, will be up for Raffle!

Saturday evening, activities shift to the Causeway at the north end of China Lake, with a street dance in the China Baptist Parking Lot starting at 6 p.m. The band The Resistance will be playing live, so come and boogie-woogie with other residents! That will certainly work up your appetite, so grab a burger at the China Baptist Hamburger booth.

Then at 9 p.m., is the show everybody’s waiting for – FIREWORKS! The team is planning a stellar display to make up for the stumbles encountered last year. Be sure to arrive early to ensure a good spot, or come by boat and enjoy the best seat in the house!

Sunday sees two of our favorite activities return from years past. From 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., is the Youth Fishing Derby for ages 15 and under. Fishing will occur along the Causeway at the north end of the lake.

Then at noon, there will be a competitive Scavenger Hunt. Teams can be made up of children and adults, and should meet in the parking lot of the China Baptist Church at noon sharp. You’ll be given a list of 100 items and a deadline of two hours. Winners will be the team that finds the most items and returns by 2 p.m.

The Economic and Community Development Committee of China has really outdone itself this year, and they hope everyone will come and enjoy the celebrations! Be sure to check out the full Program of Events here. For questions, to volunteer (they still need lots of help!), or to inquire about a vendor booth (it’s not too late!), contact Kelly at the China Town Office at 445-2014 or kelly@chinamaine.org.

Residents should take note that the Causeway at the north end of China Lake will be closed to vehicles Saturday, August 5, from 4 – 11 p.m., for the street dance, and on Sunday, August 6, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., for the Youth Fishing Derby.

The Bounce House, a festival favorite, is back this year!

Palermo School Middle Level honors Third trimester

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High honors: Cody Devaney, Jacob Devaney and Lily Vinci. General honors: Lily Bray, Nick Christiansen, Timmy Christiansen, Eric Cochran, Robbie Conlogue, Atilio Delgado, Isabella DeRose, Jessica Giguere, Grady Hotham, Rachel Huntoon, Bo Johnson, Moira MacDowell, Richard Mahoney, Holden McKenney, Sophia Pilotte, Kaden Porter, Karen Potter, Lily Potter, Riley Reitchel, Kiley Stevens, Paige Sutter, Aidan Tirrell, Jackson Tirrell and Sam York.

Katherine Thompson on Emmanuel College dean’s list

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BOSTON, MA (06/08/2017) — Katherine Thompson of Waterville was named to the Emmanuel College Dean’s List for the Spring 2017 semester. To earn a spot on the Dean’s List, students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for a 16-credit semester.

Area students on Roger Williams University dean’s list

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Select students have been named to the Spring 2017 dean’s list at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.

Area students include Jordan King, of Liberty, and Michael Oliveira, of Waterville.

 

Peach order deadline approaches

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The order deadline for the August 4 shipment of tree-ripened New Jersey peaches is fast approaching. Last call for that shipment will be Wednesday, July 26. There will be two more shipments, however, on August 11 and August 25, but quantities are limited. Some nectarines will also be available. Please call Connie Bellet at 993-2294 or e-mail pwhitehawk@fairpoint.net.

Proceeds from this sale will go toward a well for the Palermo Community Center and Food Pantry. Your support is highly appreciated!

WATERVILLE: New Dimensions car show raises $12,000 for cancer program

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From left to right, Ryan Poulin, president/CEO, New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, in Waterville, Lincoln Nye, winner of both the People’s Choice and Best of Show awards, and Sylvio Normandeau. Contributed photo

New Dimensions FCU hosts its 4th Annual Cruisin’ For A Cure Car Show to benefit The Maine Children’s Cancer Program

Saturday, June 3, started out a bit cold and rainy and certainly wasn’t looking like a great day to host a car show. You can imagine our surprise and excitement as the flow of participants began showing up one-by-one for the 4th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show at the Faith Evangelical Free Church parking lot in Waterville. There were nearly 100 participants who had the option to enter into one of 22 classes, which included various makes and models ranging from antiques to Mustangs; special interest to street rods – just to name a few. Once the sun came out, the parking lot quickly filled with spectators who came to see the spectacular automobiles and to enjoy lunch with friends and family.

The annual fundraiser benefits the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, which is based in Scarborough. The program provides state-of-the-art medical care to children with cancer and blood disorders. Similarly, they provide support for the patient and family members who are experiencing the impact of childhood cancer. With the help of the participants, local sponsors, residents and spectators, as well as the many donations that were received, a total of $8,071.64 was raised.

Additionally, the Co-Op Financial Services donated an additional $3,960.67 to benefit the MCCP, bringing the total amount raised to $12,032.31. The $1 million annual Miracle Match program matches contributions raised by credit unions for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Although, 66 trophies would be awarded to different classes, everyone was vying to take home the title of Best of Show or The People’s Choice. Once all votes were cast and tallied, Best of Show as well as The People’s Choice trophies were awarded to Lincoln Nye, of Rome, for his 1960 Chevy Impala Convertible.

Next year’s 5th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the same location.

Winslow fire/rescue dispatcher marks 50 years

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Edson ‘Skip’ Small observed 50 years with the Winslow Fire/Rescue Department in June. Ed monitors calls as a dispatcher for the Winslow Fire Department. Photo by Dan Cassidy

Dan Cassidyby Dan Cassidy
Edson ‘Skip’ Small observed 50 years with the Winslow Fire/Rescue Department in June, joining the fire department in the spring of 1967. Bill Horne was chief of the volunteer department. He has worked with four fire chiefs over the years, including Bill Horne, Ansel Grindall, Bill Page and Dave LaFountain.

“Fire equipment, gear and vehicles have changed dramatically over the years,” Small said. “We had rubber coats and plastic helmets that would melt down over your ears if you got too close to the fire.”

Laws have also changed over the years and the firefighters of today have state of the art gear that will protect them from heat, cold, chemicals and a lot of other things, according to Small.

“The fire trucks and equipment are also more technical than we had back then,” Small said. “I think my favorite truck to drive was the Buffalo. It was a combination pumper and hand ladder truck.”

During the early years as a fire fighter, Small helped form the first Rescue department in Winslow. Norman Woodbury, of Woodbury Motors, in Winslow, donated a second hand Plymouth station wagon.

The vehicle was modified and equipped with rescue gear to assist in emergency calls. Small said that he was asked to take over the dispatch position in 1991, the job that he has held since.

Firefighting lighter moments

As with any department that has volunteers, there have been some light moments that have been remembered, according to Small. “It was a beautiful mid-fall evening when the fire bell rang and a truck was ready to be dispatched. Ed Langevin and Pete Lizotte happened to be at the station playing a game of cards when the call came in. “Fire No. 3, a fire on the Albion Road.”

Langevin and Lizotte quickly jumped into the truck and with siren blaring and the red lights on, they raced in the direction of the fire. They could see a huge orange/reddish glow in the night sky. As they proceeded, the glow got brighter and brighter. Their hearts were pumping, when all of a sudden, they came into contact with a large harvest moon cresting over the horizon! They called back on the radio simply stating it was a false alarm.

Small said that when they were fighting woods fires or grass fires they had hip boots folded down. While walking next to another fire fighter with a pump can on their backs, one would lower the hand pump and fill the boot cuff with water. When he pulled the cuff of his boots up, the water would fill his boots! You can’t make these stories up!

Since these early days, the Firefighters Association was formed in 1991, according to Small. “We have raised a lot of money to help buy equipment, help people who have been burned out of their homes, help school organizations and needy families at Christmas time.”

Small was a state licensed EMT and Paramedic until 1985 and firefighter until 1991, when he became dispather. He resides in Winslow and has been married to his wife, Joan, for 51 years. They have two children, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. “This would not have been possible without my wife by my side,” he said.

His and hers bass

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The Town Line’s Scores & Outdoors author Roland Hallee, and his wife Joan, of Waterville, recently caught almost identical bass. Joan, on left, caught this 18-inch, 3.91-pound bass on July 14, while Roland caught this 20-inch, 3.8-pound bass on July 15. Both in practically the same spot on Webber Pond, using 7-inch plastic red shad bait.

Mark Serbent inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

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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.

Mid-Maine Chamber presents perfect attendance awards to Albert S. Hall students

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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce presented students with awards who held perfect attendance at Albert S. Hall School through the 2016-2017 school year. This year there were 26 students in the fourth and fifth grades with perfect attendance. The assembly was held in the afternoon of June 16, 2017

To have perfect attendance each student must not be tardy, have no unexcused or excused absences, and not have early release. Of the 24 students 10 were in the fourth grade including Corbin Anderson, Briana Burton, Kaileigh Clowry, Jada Inman, Benjamin Kitchin, CJ Moss, Jennie Parkhill, Meadow Poulin, Allexandriea Small and Zoie Small.

The 14 in the fifth grade are Jacob Burton, Alyssa Curry, Ethan Dudley, Gabriela Garcia-Pollis, Dawson Harrison, Ezra Haviland, Samantha Hebert, Ilana Lizzotte, Kirk Mullen, Tristan Parkhill, Gillian Poulin, Evelyn Quaranto, Grace Wylie and Madison Yakimchick. All were given gifts donated by local businesses listed below plus a Kindle.

Alyssa Curry, Gabriela Garcia-Pollis, Kirk Mullen, Tristan Parkhill, Gillian Poulin, and Madison Yakimchick completed their second consecutive year with perfect attendance. Each of these 6 students were given a week at summer camp at the Alfond Youth Center.

A special most improved award was given to Alan Libby for only missing 2 days of school this year compared to 40 days from last year. The 2 students that got near perfect attendance for either going in a few minutes late or leaving a few minutes early are Garrett Gendreau and Joslyn Retamozzo.

Additional substantial financial contributions to support this program were provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Waterville Rotary Club. Items that were given to the kids were donated by A to Z Computing, Alfond Youth Center, Are You Ready to Party??, Benton Family Fun Park, Best Western Plus in Waterville, Cancun Mexican Restaurant, Caswell’s Liquidation Center, Children’s Book Cellar, Children’s Discovery Museum, Eric’s Restaurant, Inland Hospital, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Kennebec Savings Bank, Kennebec Valley Community College, Key Bank, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Subway, Sweet Frog, Thomas College, Waterville Opera House, Waterville Parks & Recreation, and Waterville Public Library.