SLRT schedules talk on Avian Haven Rehab Center

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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

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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.

China residents doing good job with recyclables, reuseables

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Irene Belanger

Boy things are getting busy: A gentle reminder: We’re all doing spring cleaning and yard cleanup, etc. There are times of day that are especially busy, such as Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please plan your day so that we don’t get a bottle neck to the hopper. We all have very busy lives and want things done ASAP, but some folks take more time to drop bags in. We will soon have the new Free for Taking building with it’s own parking area for you to go get the “good” stuff and we encourage you to take a look and to take what you want as you drop off your reusables. Also there are boxes near the recycling area (express lane) where you can drop in two or three trash bags and not even need to go to the hopper.

Thank you all for the great work to bring in the recyclables; it saves your tax dollars. Also be generous in bringing reusables for others to use. Please no moldy, dirty clothes. We are hoping for a use for textiles so watch The Town Line for the big announcement.

There is going to be a public tour of China’s Thurston Park on Saturday, June 17, all are welcome. Lots of history from days of yore and good walking trails. We will have maps of the park available. There is still a lot of new work and maintainance ongoing so if anyone has some energy and time to volunteer please call 445-2349 or 445-2014 and leave your name and phone number and the organizer will be intouch. Thank you.

Remember to keep your truck loads of trash from blowing off as you drive from home to the transfer station.There is a state law that says you must have a secure load.

Thank you to Boy Scout Troop #479 for taking care of road side clean up after Earth Days. Please be thinking of volunteering on your road for April 2018.

Kahl of Waterville inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa

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Sydney A. Kahl, of Waterville, was inducted into the St. Lawrence University chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society.

Kahl is a member of the Class of 2018 at St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, and is majoring in environmental studies. Kahl attended Plymouth Regional High School.

University of New Hampshire announces local May 2017 graduates

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The following students participated in the University of New Hampshire Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 20, in Durham, New Hampshire.

Kelly McCormac, of South China, graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree in social work.

Myrilla Hartkopf, of Albion, graduated with a BS degree in environmental conservation and sustainability.

Kevie Rodrigue, of Augusta, graduated with a BS degree in nutrition and wellness.

Erskine’s Hannah Burns wins national scholarship

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Hannah Burns

Hannah Burns, a senior and member of the National Honor Society (NHS) at Erskine Academy, has been named one of 400 national semifinalists in the National Honor Society Scholar­ship program. Burns was chosen from more than 9,000 applicants and will receive a $2,325 scholarship.

High school seniors who are members in good standing of an active National Honor Society chapter are able to apply for an NHS Scholarship. Finalists are selected on the basis of their leadership skills; participation in service organizations, clubs, and other student groups at school and in the community; and their academic record.

Erskine students presented with scholarships

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Erskine Academy students/scholarship winners, from left to right, Abigail Haskell, Audrey Jordan, Keeley Gomes, Allie Bonsant and Hannah Burns. Contributed photo

On May 25, the Whitefield Lions Club awarded five scholarships to local students.

This year, the Lions are proud to have increased the number of $1000 scholarships from three to five.

All five recipients are Erskine Academy students.

Winners are Abigail Haskell, Audrey Jordan, Keeley Gomes, Allie Bonsant and Hannah Burns.

Their families were in attendance

Earlier in the evening, the newly-formed Leo Club, of Erskine Academy, was awarded a check for $250.

This money, donated by the Whitefield Lions, is to be spent on community service projects For the Leo club to choose and use at their discretion

The Leo Club, was formed this year in conjunction with the Whitefield Lions Club.

Leo clubs provide young people with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of their local, national, and international communities.

Submitted by Britt Morris.

Area observances of Memorial Day

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All gave some…some gave all: Flags line all the graves at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta.
Photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine

by Central Maine Photography Reporter/Writer Jessica Laliberte

Local service organization leaders pose at the veterans memorial in South China. From left to right, Rick Fischer, Jeff Zimmerman and Neil Farrington.
Contritured photo

A sea of red, white and blue fills the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, as thousands of flags adorn the graves of soldiers buried in the cemetery. This is the 11th year of the event. The ceremony featured music from the Public Safety Pipes and Drum Corp, the singing of the National Anthem, prayer by a local deacon, and brief remarks from Maine Governor Paul LePage.

Hundreds of volunteers including Scouts, veterans, civilians and other civic groups joined forces to place a flag on the grave of every soldier buried in the cemetery, about 15,000 in total, on Saturday, May 27.

As the volunteers dispersed to the graves with flags in hand, the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace echoed in the chilly morning air.

The flags were purchased through donations. According to Donald Simoneau, a past state commander and organizer of the event, about 750 veterans die each year and are buried at the Maine Veterans Cemetery.

If you would like to donate you can make checks payable to the American Legion “Grave Flag Program,” P.O. Box 900, Waterville, ME 04901.

In honor of their service: Derek Fennell, a Marine veteran from China, with his two sons, Kamren and Evan, places flags at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, on May 27.
Photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff.

Stage Bluebirds

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Stage Presence for Dancers advanced ballet class in a piece entitled “Bluebird,” choreographed by instructor Meghan Loubier.
Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography

Julia Pershken claims women’s rowing postseason honors

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Julia Pershken, of Albion, claimed women’s rowing postseason honors from the NERC or NIRC, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts.