Young Entrepreneur in the making

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Wyatt Woodbury, 13, of Fairfield, introducing his soaps to Incense & Peppermints, in Waterville. (contributed photo)

by Mark Huard

Wyatt Woodbury, 13, of Fairfield, started making soap in the summer between fifth and sixth grade. He started with just a cold process kit from Brambleberry. Woodbury first wanted to make soap after watching the YouTube channel Royalty Soaps, which follows Katie Carson and her soap business of the same name.

After making that kit with his mom, Wyatt was hooked, and making sudsy creations every day. After many failed batches, he learned how to do it successfully, every time. Now, Wyatt has started branching out into other mediums such as sugar scrubs. When he’s not making soap, Wyatt is either reading, writing his first novel, cooking, running cross country or watching TV and movies. Visit Woody Soap Co., on Facebook, or make the trip to Incense & Peppermints, on Main St., in Waterville.

Young Wyatt’s business is a Maine made, teenage owned business. He’s now been making soap for about a year and a half. Wyatt says, “It has had its challenges and its successes, but it’s been a good teaching point in total. I’m excited to really flourish in the area and get to interact with a lot of business opportunities.”

Contributed photo

Vassalboro select board honors scouting

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Front row, from left to right, Tiger Scout Greyson Malloy, Wolf Scout John Gray, and Webelos Scout Henry Gray. Back, Webelos Scout Anthony Malloy, Arrow of Light Scout William Vincent, Scoutmaster Christopher Santiago, and Selectmen Rick Denico. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

On the 114th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen read a proclamation by Town Manager Aaron Miller recognizing the anniversary of Scouting on February 8 and also recognizing the service to the community performed by Scouts in both Cub Scout Pack #410 and Scout Troop #410.

“Whereas, the Scouts of Vassalboro have given service to the community through their participation in such worthy programs as the annual Scouting for Food Drive, Spring and Fall “Scouting for Food” Food Drives for Vassalboro Food Pantry, marched in Memorial and Veterans Day parades, participated with Vassalboro American Legion Post #126 for Flag Day Retirement Ceremony, volunteered to staff Blacksmith Shop for Vassalboro Historical Society, participated in Vassalboro Days and Duck Race, participated in Honor Flight Maine Welcome Home Ceremony at the Portland Jetport, completed Eagle Scout Project consisting of a Story Book on Hiking Path, volunteered at the Vassalboro Community School PTO Pancake with Santa, volunteered at Vassalboro Tree Lighting at the Mill and participated in the Wreaths Across America at the State of Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, on Civic Center Drive,” read part of the proclamation.

“Based on Robert Baden-Powell’s international scouting movement, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was a remarkable institution that expanded rapidly following its introduction into America in 1910,” according to the Library of Congress. “Primary goals of the American movement were to help boys develop the skills, the knowledge, and the “character” required to better serve themselves and their country.” Since then, Scouting has expanded to include girls as members at both the Cub Pack and Scout Troop levels.

Selectman Rick Denico has a scouting background. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop #410, Kennebec Valley District chairman and member of the Pine Tree Council Executive Board. He encouraged the youth to get involved in their community and lend a hand as Scouting teaches.

CHINA: LS Power letter to China residents

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LS Power Grid Maine LLC, submitted this letter to the China select board on February 6, 2024:

Dear China Select Board:

On December 22, 2023, the Maine Public Utilities Commission terminated their procurement to develop a transmission line to connect renewable energy resources located in northern Maine (Aroostook County) to the ISO-New England electric grid (Docket No. 2021-00369), pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program (35-A M.R.S §3210-1). All of LS Power Grid Maine’s development efforts associated with the Aroostook Renewable Gateway Project have been suspended indefinitely.

You are receiving this letter because preliminary route options for the Aroostook Renewable Gateway crossed through your town and potentially impacted landowners residing in your town were notified about the project and were asked to provide feedback. The purpose of this letter is to notify town leaders that LS Power Grid Maine’s development of this project is not moving forward at this time and to request that town leaders help notify residents of this update. Pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program, the Commission has the authority to initiate a new procurement, which according to its termination order, it intends to do.

LS Power recognizes the importance of collaborating with communities to hear from landowners and concerned citizens on our plans and understand their concerns. We appreciate the feedback that we received and were committed to improving the potential routes based on the input from town, landowners, and other concerned citizens. If you have any questions, please call us at (207) 650-1398 or email us at info@lspgridmaine.com.

/s/ Jason Niven
Director, Project Development

SMASH delivers exuberant performance in Monmouth

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From left to right, Peter Maxwell, as Orlando, Isla Granholm as Rosalind, and Mary Herman, as Celia. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the opening night performance of the Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers’ production of As You Like It at the Cumston Hall theater, in Monmouth.

The play is one of Shakespeare’s most accessible comedies and the plot rushes forward on the wings of witty dialogue, clever plot twists and engaging characters. Its story centers around young Orlando, played ably by Peter Maxwell, who exudes a youthful and relatable vulnerability appropriate to the character.

Peter Maxwell as Orlando and James Maxwell as Charles (contributed photo)

Orlando is the youngest son of recently deceased Sir Rowland de Boys. His older brother, Oliver, played by Jacob Sullivan, treats Orlando badly and withholds his inheritance and education. In an effort to escape from under his brother’s shadow and seek his own fortune, Orlando enters a wrestling match against an intimidating opponent, Charles. The play opens on this dramatic scene as Orlando faces off against Charles, played by James Maxwell, who embodies the brutish and haughty Charles with scary authenticity. Oliver prevails but attracts the attention of the villainous Duke Frederick, who has usurped the throne from his brother, Duke Senior. Fearing for his life, Orlando escapes to the nearby Forest of Ardenne.

Meanwhile, Rosalind, daughter of the exiled Duke Senior and niece of the evil Duke Frederick, attends the wrestling match and catches the eye of Orlando, who quickly falls for her, but Rosalind soon finds her own life in danger from her conniving uncle. She too flees to the forest, disguised as a man, along with her cousin, the lady Celia.

Rosalind is played by the talented Isla Granholm, and Celia by Mary Herman. The chemistry between the two is the highlight of the show, and they light up the theater whenever they are on stage together. The plot twists and turns from here, with Shakespeare’s dialogue and clever wordplay ensuring there is never a dull moment.

Left-to-right: Annie Herman, Mary Herman as Celia, Ethan Bean as Touchstone, and Isla Granholm as Rosalind (photo by Eric W. Austin)

The entire cast, under the capable direction of Sam Richards, captures the secret of delivering an entertaining small theater experience: they have fun with the material and that fun is infectious.

The costumes are bright and colorful, helping to make each character distinct and recognizable. The stage sets, though minimal, perfectly capture the scenes without getting in the way, and Director Richards smartly includes some extra narration to help the audience follow the action, although I found the actors’ excellent delivery meant this was rarely necessary.

The play itself contains some of the Bard’s most unforgettable lines, such as, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”, uttered by the character of Jaques, played by Orrin Frederick. My favorite was a line proclaimed with comedic brilliance by Isla Granholm, as Rosalind: “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.”

Ethan Bean as Touchstone and Micah Wolf as Audrey (contributed photo)

The play is filled with witty lines like these, delivered with infectious exuberance by the young cast. Other notable performances include Ethan Bean as the jester, Touchstone, who has some of the best lines. Micah Wolf plays his love interest, Audrey, who, although a minor character, nevertheless manages to delight every time she appears and deserves special mention. Rachel Maxwell also dazzles with ethereal beauty in her role as Hymen, the goddess of marriage.

Overall, this was an excellent adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, filled with witty banter, romantic hijinks, clever disguises and political intrigue. The historic Cumston Hall, in Monmouth, is the perfect venue for this type of small theater experience, with its majestic interior design, excellent acoustics and intimate feel.

Anyone who enjoys the poetic brilliance of Shakespeare and the intimacy of local theater will enjoy this performance. Luckily, the production has two more shows this weekend, on Friday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m., and a final afternoon show on Saturday, February 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and available for purchase at the door or online at smashmaine.jimdofree.com/tickets/.

Cumston Hall is located at 796 Main Street, in Monmouth.

(contributed photo)

China celebrates the 5th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby

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Participants of the China Lake Ice Fishing Derby set up tents and small encampments scattered throughout China Lake. Last year’s derby was held on February 19, 2023. (photo by Cindy Senkbeil, of China)

by Sandra Isaac

The China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department are co-hosting the 5th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be held on Sunday, February 18, during Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend.

“We are excited to be celebrating our fifth year in the partnership with the China Village Volunteer Fire Department”, said China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf. “These last few years have been amazing and a great way to see the community come out and celebrate Winter on China Lake. This is also Maine’s free fishing weekend which is a nice bonus. We will be following all State of Maine ice fishing laws and rules.”

Many other events will be happening around town leading up to Derby Day. On Friday there will be an “Owl Prowl” starting at 6:30 p.m., at Thurston Park, and a $15 lasagna dinner, at the China Masonic Lodge. Saturday events include an $8 pancake breakfast at the Dirigo Masonic Lodge and, starting at 10 a.m., will be a Cornhole Tournament at the China Primary School sponsored by Central Maine Power Sports, snowshoeing at the China Community Forest, and sledding at Thurston Park. Finishing off Saturday night will be an Ice-Skating Event at the China Town Rink, hosted by the China Lake Association.

(photo by Cindy Senkbeil, of China)

Rumpf continued, “Sunday is still dedicated to the ice fishing derby with fishing limited to China Lake. The ice fishing derby will finish with fireworks display after the derby’s award ceremony.” All the weekend’s activities will be open to the public, however reservations are requested for the lasagna dinner at the Mason’s Lodge, as well as for the Cornhole Tournament.

“We encourage people to check out our website and look at the Ice Derby’s Facebook page for up­dates. The other weekend events have either a dedicated page on Face­book or posts on the Fishing Derby Face­book page,” said Rumpf.

The first 100 children to stop in at the China Village Fire Station will receive special takeaway ice fishing bait buckets filled with some great items courtesy of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Jack Traps of Maine, Central Maine Powersports, New England Sled Talk, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and The Maine Audubon Society. The buckets will be available starting at 5 a.m. on the day of the derby. In addition, Central Church will be set up on the ice across from the fire station on Causeway Road to work with children who are new to fishing and Traps for Kids of Maine will be set up next to them, giving away free traps to children who need them, while supplies last.

Young anglers show off their catch during the China Lake Ice Fishing Derby 2023. This year’s derby will be held on February 18, 2024. (photo by Cindy Senkbeil, of China)

“We will also be giving away over 40 door prizes including an Orca cooler, gas grill and chair set from Lakeview Lumber, a StrikeMaster electric ice auger, courtesy of Jack Traps of Maine, and Brookfield Renewable Energy, 100 gallons of heating fuel from Augusta Fuel Company, an Roc Inflatable Stan-Up paddleboard and accessories from Hannaford Supermarket, $500 cash from Vacationland Rentals, plus many more prizes and gift certificates, all donated by great local businesses,” said Rumpf.

(photo by Cindy Senkbeil, of China)

Fishing derby weigh-in time will be at 4 p.m., on Sunday, and all entries must be in line at the fire station building [on Causeway Road] by 4 p.m., to qualify for a prize. Prizes will be awarded in the following fish categories: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, and pickerel. The children’s category will be perch and kids will be awarded prizes for the top five winners with the most perch caught. The lunker of the day – the largest fish overall – will be the derby’s top prize. This year the lunker prize will be its own category and not combined with another fish category prize.

Tickets for the derby are available for $5 a piece or 3 for $10 at many local stores including China Variety & Redemption, Harvest Time Bait, Tobey’s and Lakeview Lumber. You can also purchase tickets from members of the China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department.

The China Four Seasons Club maintains a dedicated Facebook page and a website to share information on door prizes, sponsors, and ticket information. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Ice-Fishing-Derby or www.chinalakeicefishingderby.com.

(photo by Cindy Senkbeil, of China)

New artists’ program at ACB is off to a flying start

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by Karel MacKay

The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village, welcomed its first artist of 2024, Maria King, on Saturday, February 3. Maria had more than 50 shadow boxes on display at the library through February 29. Incredibly, Maria began her artistic journey less than a year ago and has made over 70 shadow boxes so far.

Historically, shadow boxes were presented to members of the military upon retirement as a “medium to house honorable badge, pins, flags, and other rewards for their service to the country. Veterans would be given a shadow box to commemorate their final rank and sacrifice, a totem to be taken home with them to be showcased and protected.”

The practice actually goes back to the early years when sailors manned wooden ships. At that time people believed that when a sailor departed his ship for the last time, it was bad luck for their shadow to hit land before they did. To ward off this superstitious belief, sailors placed keepsakes that they had earned and collected in a shadow box of fine wood, which represented the “shadows” of the sailors. The boxes were kept on the ship until the sailors were safely ashore. They were then given to the sailors in a ceremony.

Maria’s shadow boxes are a trip through time. Many of them have a religious theme, while some depicted her life experiences. Others pay homage to literary and artistic works. The intricate work in her designs are fascinating, but even more enjoyable than looking at her creations was listening to her describe the story of each shadow box. It was a trip through history, told with incredible art and literary knowledge – not to mention her rapier-sharp wit.

Maria is originally from Poland and currently lives in Liberty. Before she came to the United States, she was a freelance translator and proofreader who worked with various artists and film directors. She writes screenplays and even now works on translating novels – from Illuminations by Mary Sharatt – to several novels by John Banville, all of this with elaborate annotations, which are the most fun for Maria because they require a lot of research and connecting dots. She says that her background has contributed greatly to her passion for creating shadow boxes.

The Library will host local artists throughout the year. Ann Rhinehardt, of Vassalboro, is the next featured artist for the month of March. If you are interested in showing your work at the library, please email chinalibraryacb@gmail.com.

Some of the many shadow boxes displayed by artist Maria King, at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village. (contributed photo)

Hope Brokers supports struggling individuals

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Marshall Mercer, founder and director of Hope Brokers.

by Jonathan Strieff

Marshall Mercer never intended to become the director of a nonprofit organization. He never considered himself an advocate or an activist before being identified as such by local media. From his perspective, his experience outside of the formal social services system is part of what makes him so effective at the work he does.

For the last three years, Mercer has run Hope Brokers, in Augusta, first as an LLC now a registered 501(c)(3). The stated mission of Hope Brokers is to, “build a more diverse and prosperous community for all.” The organization works to support marginalized and struggling individuals, primarily the unhoused and people with substance use disorder, but the broad scope of the work they do defies easy summary.

Hope Brokers offers direct outreach to at-risk groups: providing clients with transportation to various appointments, distributing free doses of Narcan (the opioid overdose reversal drug) and safe injection supplies, washing sleeping bags for unhoused people, and going so far as to hosting the overflow from Augusta’s homeless shelters in Mercer’s apartment. Mercer has also hosted multiple round table listening sessions, bringing together local politicians and business leaders with members of the unhoused community to find common ground addressing the problems facing the city. Mercer considers the most important work of Hope Brokers to be what he calls, “relational organizing,” simple talking and listening to marginalized people one on one.

“We don’t go out asking if they want to get help, we just ask if they want to talk…Just to be seen,” said Mercer “Other people will walk right by them, not even look at them. Imagine if the whole world’s not even looking at you. You start to feel like you don’t exist.”

Mercer himself is a living example of the transformative power of relational organizing. Having survived an abusive childhood, failures of the health care and judicial systems, years of drug addiction, crime, and finally incarceration, Mercer found belonging and purpose in his life by working for a year with the Rock Ministries missionary group, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Returning to Maine, Mercer found peer support working with the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project and the Augusta Reentry Center. Through these groups, he developed new skills for aiding the marginalized communities in the capital area, but also encountered the limitations of working within a bureaucratic model. Hope Brokers is meant to compliment existing aid services by doing things that government funded organizations aren’t able or aren’t allowed to do.

“I don’t do silos. What I’ve seen in a lot of community organizations is that everybody’s doing the same frigging thing and trying to help the same people but they’re all doing it separately. None of them are even talking.”

The group is almost exclusively donation funded currently. Hope Brokers is pursuing grant funding to be able to hire as staff members some of the volunteers running their programs, but have been previously passed over many times. Despite the shoestring budget, Mercer’s dedication and that of his volunteers has brought lasting change to the lives of many of Augusta’s most vulnerable individuals.

“If I can fix their problem for free, while others are getting paid millions of dollars to do it, they’re going to have some explaining to do.”

Mercer is also in negotiations to lease a six-bedroom house to provide additional transitional housing in Augusta.

The open ended nature of relational organizing means that the programs Hope Brokers offers will continually be changing and evolving as community members identify new needs to be met. Readers interested in learning more, volunteering, or making a donation can contact Mercer directly through his website, hopebrokers.me.

EVENTS: Smithfield celebrates leap year with winter events

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If you are looking for something fun and engaging to do with your children this winter, plan on attending any number of free events planned by the Smithfield Leap Year Committee. Generous business sponsors helped make most everything free. Events are both indoors and outdoors so dress accordingly.

Kicking things off there is a child friendly movie on Thursday, February 29, at 6 p.m., at the Municipal Complex where free popcorn will be served. Bring a blanket and get comfy with the kids. Friday night is 21+ Chad the Hypnotist show. Adults will not want to miss this hilarious evening; $15 a ticket with free refreshments at the Fairview Grange #342. Seats are limited so get your tickets today!

Saturday, March 2, is a full day of happenings. Horse drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, tobogganing/sledding, Mr. Drew and His Animals, Too, hot chocolate bar and lunch courtesy of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, a workshop for children to build bird feeders to take home and rock painting, Northern Stars Planetarium dome will present The Wonderful Sky and after all of that fun, enjoy a potluck supper at the Smithfield Baptist Church, at 5:30 p.m.

Find all of the details on Face­book at: Smith­field Maine’s Leap Year Celebra­tion-Winter or www.smithfieldmaine.us website. Take a photo of the QR code.

Sunday, March 3, the North Pond Asso­ciation has part­nered with the town of Smithfield to host a Northern Pike Fishing Derby from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cash prizes for adults, $500 for top weigh-in and an incredible prize of a lifetime fishing license for the youth, 15U, who reels in the biggest pike! Get your derby tickets online.

There will be an ice rink sponsored by the Moonshiners Snowmobile club on the ice at the Grange Hall, free breakfast bagels from North by East, a hearty lunch for just $5 and various local nonprofit merchandise on sale, all at the Fairview Grange #342, along with Just a Kid From Smithfield hoodies, made by Catalyst for Change Wear and Smithfield winter hats. You can purchase them now at the Smithfield Municipal Complex in the town office. Derby awards and Leap Year cake will be served at the grange at this time. Find lots more detailed information on Facebook: North Pond – Leap Year Pike Derby. Call 207-362-4772 with any questions you may have.

EVENTS: Knox-Lincoln SWCD launches annual plant sale

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Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 2024 Spring Plant Sale Catalog is now available in print and online! Plants are available for pre-order, either online or by mail through Tuesday, April 16, 2024. They are offering curbside pick-up of your orders on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, and “Cash and Carry” on Saturday, May 11, at Union Fairgrounds. Quantities are limited so order early for the best selection!

This annual spring fundraiser provides more than 180 varieties to choose from: bareroot fruit trees and berries for the home orchard and garden; native conifers, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines for conservation, wildlife, and landscape enhancement; and native, organic, Maine-grown perennials and herbs in one-gallon pots for pollinators. The plant list includes new varieties in all categories and returning favorites. As always, the print catalog offers descriptions of the plants and cultural requirements to aid in choosing the right plant for the right place. Plant care fact sheets are available on our website.

The proceeds of this fundraiser support the youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.

They are dependent on volunteers to help pack orders and distribute to customers. Volunteers receive some perks as a thank you for helping. If interested, please contact louisa@knox-lincoln.org.

Don’t wait to place your order, visit https://www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale to download a catalog or to shop online; call 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org to receive a catalog by USPS – and, think spring!

Kennebec Performing Arts Company is looking for conductors

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With the recent retirement of its longtime leader, Charles T. Milazzo, the Kennebec Performing Arts Company (KPAC) board of directors is accepting applications for conductors of its three groups. KPAC is a regional, nonprofit music performance organization that includes a jazz band, a chorus, and a wind ensemble comprised of local musicians of all ages and backgrounds with the common goal of community fun and high-level music performance.

The schedule for each of the fall and spring seasons consists of a weekly rehearsal for 12 weeks, with two or three performances at the end of each period.

In addition to conductors, KPAC also encourages new members to join its groups. Singers and instrumentalists are always welcome.

Interested candidates can reach out via the KPAC website kennebecperformingartscompany.org to complete and submit an application through Google Forms.

Candidates may also request an application by email – kpacapp.board264@gmail.com. Candidates will be contacted for interviews and auditions.