Quirion graduates from Marist College
Monique Quirion, of Waterville, received a bachelor of science degree in fashion merchandising from Marist College, in Poughkeepsie, New York, the weekend of May 19.
Area students named to Mount Ida College dean’s list
Mount Ida College has announced the dean’s list for the Spring 2017 semester, in Newton, Massachusetts.
Eden Beane, a fashion merchandising and marketing major from Vassalboro, and Sarah Zahoransky, a veterinary technology major, from Clinton.
Sisters are top two seniors at Carrabec H.S.
Timothy Richards, principal, has announced honor parts for the class of 2017 at Carrabec High School, in North Anson.
Valedictorian:
Samantha Taylor, Carrabec’s Valedictorian, is a student who is a quiet unassuming leader in our school. With a grade point average of 101.58, she has completed seven Advanced Placement classes and all the honors classes that would fit within her schedule. Samantha is a student who will be successful in any endeavor she chooses to pursue. Samantha will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington and majoring in art education/animation. Samantha is the daughter of Alan and Heather Taylor, of Anson.
Salutatorian:
Sara Taylor, Carrabec’s Salutatorian, is a very bright and successful student. Not only does she have a grade point average of 100.78, completing four Advanced Placement classes this year, but also is accomplished in the field of performing arts. Sara will be attending the University of Maine at Orono and is enrolled in the computer science program. She is the daughter of Alan and Heather Taylor, of Anson.
Carrabec High School graduation is Friday, June 9, at 7p.m., in the Carrabec High School Gymnasium.
Avianna Boucher is the daughter of Heidi and Steven Boucher, of New Portland. Avianna will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington and is enrolled in the early childhood education program.
Dustin Crawford is the son of Marlene Crawford, of Anson, and William Crawford, of Hartland. Dustin will be attending Husson University, majoring in the health science program.
Taylor Cyrway is the daughter of Shawn and Jess Cyrway, of Embden. Taylor has been accepted to the University of Maine at Farmington and will be majoring in early childhood education.
Allyn Foss is the son of Allyn and Lisa Foss, of Solon. Allyn will be attending the University of Maine at Orono.
Evan Gorr is the son of Stephen and Suzanne Gorr, of North New Portland. Evan has been accepted to the University of Maine at Farmington and is interested in the outdoor recreation and business administration programs.
McKayla Gray is the daughter of Lisa Boyce, of Anson, and Timothy Boyce, of Anson. McKayla will be attending KVCC majoring in the early childhood education program.
Paul Kaplan is the son of Jack and Janet Kaplan, of Embden. Paul will be attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle and majoring in physical education.
Emily Witham is the daughter of Michael Witham, of Embden, and Wendy Witham, of Embden. Emily will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington and is enrolled in the community health program.
Recycled Shakespeare group presents comedy
Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC), central Maine’s premiere Shakespearean theater company, now in its fourth season, is pleased to present As You Like It by William Shakespeare. This year’s play will be performed in three different locations.
The first performance will be held at the hall of Waterville United Church of Christ, (Congregational) Eustis Parkway, Waterville on Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets, as always, are free, however an advance donation of $10 will give you optimal viewing in a first or second row seat. To reserve your ticket please call 207-314-8607 or 207-314-4730, as soon as possible.
The second performance will provide audiences an opportunity to enjoy Shakespeare the traditional way, by daylight, at noon on Saturday, June 17, at Coburn Park in Skowhegan. Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair to the amphitheater.
On Friday, July 7, at 7 p.m. the company will perform at a nearby location to be announced. For details, please call 207-314-8607 or follow RSC on Facebook.
Katie Howes, of China, stars as Rosalind while Natasha Jencks-Ayres, of Madison, plays her cousin, Celia. Murray Herard, of Winslow, returns to the RSC cast as Touchstone, the fool, while Joshua Fournier, of Fairfield, plays Jaques, Shakespeare’s most famous melancholy man. Kaitlin Corson, of Albion, and Alejandro Fernandez, of Strong, make their RSC debuts as Orlando and Silvius.
New cast members also include Cathe Ayres, of Madison; Angela and Grace Dunton, of Hartland; Isabella Fernandez, of Strong; Alli Macdonald, of Belfast; and Shana and Joey Page, of Albion; with a special appearance by Carlos Bandieras, of Fairfield. Veteran cast members and crew include Debbie Achorn, Rita Fortin, Lyn and Joe Rowden, Emily Rowden Fournier, Liana LaPlante, Teya Bard, Helena Page.
As always, these productions by RSC are fun, free, and family friendly. Refreshments will be available for purchase at each show with proceeds helping to bring free local theater to Central Maine audiences.
RSC is a community troupe that specializes in Shakespearean theater.
For more information please contact Emily at 314-8607 or correspond with us through email at RecycledShakespeare@gmail.com.
Let’s talk local Skowhegan history
Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center is hosting a new program series at the History House, “Let’s Talk Local History.” Local residents are invited to share interesting stories, experiences, and artifacts with museum staff in small, informal discussions! The roundtable discussions are designed to be both educational and entertaining. The purpose of the discussions is to enrich our understanding of this area’s history as we talk about life in earlier times and to engage older citizens. Please join us from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center on Thursdays: June 8, July 6, August 24, and September 21. This program is free.
Class of 2017 graduates from Colby College
Area residents were part of the 478 seniors who graduated from Colby College, in Waterville, on May 21, receiving a bachelor of arts degree at the college’s 196th Commencement. Former Vice President Joe Biden was the guest speaker.
Celie M. Deagle, who majored in history and classical civilization, attended Skowhegan Area High School and is the daughter of Paul and Sharon Deagle, of Canaan.
Erin E. Whitney, who majored in government, attended Cony High School, in Augusta, and is the daughter of Brian and Stephanie Whitney, of Augusta.
China schools hold Forest Day celebration
by Mandi Favreau
Last Friday morning’s torrential downpour didn’t dampen spirits at the China Schools as they hosted their 9th Forest Day Celebration. “Who can find a white ash?” Cindy Lyford called out as students enthusiastically pawed through leaves set out on the tables, trying to find the right match to add to their leaf rubbings. Down the hall, an Inland Hospital volunteer led kindergarten students through some basic yoga, while students in the cafeteria listened to a Maine forester’s presentation while eagerly awaiting the arrival of Smokey the Bear.
The China Schools Forest Day Celebration started in 2000 and has typically run every other year, with one three-year gap. “In all the years we’ve done this, this is the first time we’ve had to start the day inside,” said semi-retired China Primary teacher Elaine Philbrook who heads up the event with former China Schools teacher and Maine Master Naturalist Anita Smith. “It still provides a good change of pace and gets the students up and moving around.”
The event is typically set up at stations scattered through the China Schools’ Forest and community field and is designed to help students develop an appreciation for nature. This year’s presenters spread out across classrooms and hallways with activities focused on either the natural world or physical activity. Nearly every station had a hands-on component that allowed students to interact with the material in a different way. CPS Pre-K through fourth graders rotated through stations on topics like recycling and composting principals, tree, plant, and animal identification, and monarch migration.
The China Middle School presentations were geared toward more advanced skills and concepts such as map and compass, forestry management, soil testing, and nature writing. Students got to meet a ball python, learned how to budget natural resources for survival, and one intrepid group even ventured out into the wet forest to learn the very important skill of identifying poison ivy.
Even with nearly all the activities based inside, the focus was still very much on the natural world and all that nature provides us. “It’s so important to foster a connection with nature,” said Anita Smith. This is perhaps even more crucial for middle school students who tend to spend more time inside and on devices. “The mapping presentation even uses tablets to show them that nature and technology aren’t mutually exclusive,” Ms.Smith added.
While many of the 35 volunteer presenters were Maine naturalists, forestry professionals or presenters from Project Learning Tree and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, many were also parents, grandparents or community members with a passion for nature and a desire to share their knowledge with the school community. “Everyone is eager to get involved,” said Ms. Philbrook. Local businesses also contribute; this year MJEK Seafood donated food to the luncheon.
“As soon as we wrap up one event, we start thinking ahead and planning the next one,” Ms. Philbrook said. “Many of our presenters never miss a year, but we’re always looking for new presentations and people who want to be a part of this day.”
For more information on the China Schools’ Forest and pictures of Forest Day please go to https://www.facebook.com/chinaschoolsforest/.
Fishy Photo
Nice early season bass: Russell Poulin, of South China, displays a largemouth bass he caught while fishing off his dock on China Lake on May 22. The bass weighed 3.15 pounds. Russell released the fish back into the lake.
SLRT schedules talk on Avian Haven Rehab Center
On Wednesday, June 14, Laura Suomi-Lecker, education and outreach coordinator, will discuss common reasons why birds are admitted to Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, in Freedom, and what citizens can do to help local birds. They’ll discuss the facilities and recent cases at Avian Haven. Admissions since 2016 have included orphaned and injured eagles, owls, hawks, water birds, including gannets, loons, guillemots, petrels, and ducks, and many species of songbirds.
Laura Suomi-Lecker is the education and outreach coordinator and long-time volunteer with Avian Haven and also the technical director at Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation District, where she does a variety of bird-related education and outreach.
The talk is part of the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust’s monthly speaker series, “Restoring Connections to Place,” featuring a wide variety of conservation topics of interest to Maine. The programs are held at 6:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of every month at 93 Main, a coffee shop located at 93 Main St., in Unity. A $5 donation is suggested. For more information, please email info@sebasticookrlt.org or call 948-3766.
About Sebasticook Regional Land Trust
Sebasticook Regional Land Trust has a mission to recognize and conserve the rich wild and working landscape of Central Maine’s Sebasticook River watershed. They work with willing landowners to conserve the lands they love and the resources our community relies upon—clean water, family farms that provide local food and jobs, well-managed working forests, places to hunt, fish and play with children.
Vassalboro library to hold summer reading festival
The Vassalboro Community School, the Vassalboro Public Library and the East Vassalboro Grange are hosting a Summer Reading Festival on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will be at the East Vassalboro Grange and the Vassalboro Public Library.
The schedule is as follows:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Scholastic Buy One-Get One Free book sale (Grange)
10 a.m.: Sheriff’s Dept. fingerprinting talk & demonstration. (Library)
11 a.m.: Craft featuring Home Depot Kid Kits (Grange) & Story Time with Guest Reader, Sarah Sugden, Director Waterville Public Library (Library)
11:30 a.m.: VCS Chamber Band (Grange)
Noon: Lunch: Hot dogs, chips, milk & ice cream (Grange)
1 p.m.: African Drums (Grange)
2 p.m.: Laurie Graves, author presentation on her book, “Maya & the Book of Everything” Book Signing & 3 free give-aways of her book. Book also available to purchase. (Library)
3 p.m.: Craft: Duct tape wallets and bookmarks with Donna Martin of Maine Savings. (Library)
There are also free books for children at the library. All activities are free, including lunch. We hope you can join us! FMI contact the Vassalboro Community School Library at 923-4348 or the Vassalboro Public Library at 923-3233.