Local author seeks funds to help heal grieving Lewiston community

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Jeanine Deas

Waterville-based author and poet Jeanine Deas is seeking donations to print copies of her not-for-profit grief book When Someone We Love Dies, which she then will donate free of charge to community members in Lewiston grieving the mass-shooting there. Any additional copies will be distributed free of charge to Maine’s families, schools, libraries, churches, hospitals, and hospices.

“Our desire is to have this not-for-profit book reach people who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and those who want to understand and support someone who is grieving,” said Jeanine Deas. She noted that When Someone We Love Dies is a collaboration with her friend, Charlie Hartman, whose son Alec, a brilliant young photographer, died in 2019. The text of When Someone We Love Dies is a moving and uplifting poem by Jeanine Deas.

To help defer the printing costs of When Someone We Love Dies, Jeanine is now seeking donations from the local community. Each $2.25 donated will allow Jeanine to print one copy of the grief book. To donate, please mail a check payable to “ALBISON’S PRINTING” to WSWLD / PO Box 2434 / Waterville, ME 04903.

For more information, please email Jeanine Deas at JeanineDeas@Gmail.com.

PHOTOS: First snowmen of the year

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Left photo, Asher, Gideon and Joseph Alix with their Thanksgiving snowman from the first snowfall of the year. Right, Emma, 2, and Parker, 9, Robbins, of Skowhegan, show off their snowman. (photos by Central Maine Photography)

Parade of Lights kicks off holiday season in Central Maine

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Isabella, of Fairfield, visits with Santa at Kringleville. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Everly Hanson, 6, of Clinton, enjoying her ride on the float during the Parade of Lights. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Winslow and Waterville partnered together for the annual Parade of Lights, opening of Kringleville, lighting of the Winslow Gazebo, and the lighting of the Castonguay Square.

Temperatures were in the mid-20s by Saturday evening, as the lighted floats, marchers, and Santa made their way from Winslow High School, down Benton Ave, across the bridge into Waterville. Once in Waterville the parade proceeded up Main Street.

In Castonguay Square, City of Waterville Parks and Recreation department found a huge tree for the annual display, while SkyBoy Holiday & Event Lighting, a major sponsor of Kringleville, was creative in setting up lights on Santa’s Cabin and wrapping trees and light poles. With a countdown from Santa, the magic of the season was brightly lit to kick off the annual Kringleville event, which runs Saturdays and Sunday afternoons in December.

The Parade Grand Marshal this year was Victor Esposito Jr., sponsored by Central Maine Motors Group. Victor is a longtime supporter of Jobs for Maine Graduates. He is a JMG Master Specialist, and 77 years old. He’s worked for JMG for the past 24 years, and spent 21 of those years at Vassalboro Community School working in grades six to eight. For the past two years he has been working out of the AYCC (still with JMG) doing Workforce Dev­elopment and Career Exploration, and helping to develop the Teen Program at the AYCC. He has been teaching for a total of 42 years.

Special thanks to Amanda McCaslin from Winslow Parks and Re­creation for coordinating the parade and the lineup, and the police departments from Waterville and Winslow for coordinating the road closures and keeping everyone safe.

Owner of Stage Presence for Dancers Heather Beaster says, “participating in the The Parade of Lights has been a tradition for our studio for over a decade. It kicks off the holiday season for us and the whole community! It’s so amazing to see the smiles on kids and adults faces as you go through the route. Everyone is so joyful, even in the cold! The spirit of the season is definitely in the air, you can feel it! Our SP4D Family wouldn’t miss it!

Second place winner in the float competition, Mushero’s Lawn Care. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Winslow Parks and Recreation Director Amanda McCaslin added, “The parade of lights was a remarkable success, marking a festive beginning for the central Maine community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated town employees and volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. The floats showcased an extraordinary display of creativity and holiday cheer, captivating everyone with their exquisite craftsmanship. It was truly a sight to behold!”

Judges, representing the Children’s Discovery Museum, have chosen this year’s Parade of Lights contest finalists, judging holiday theme and best looking floats.

First place Maine Homeschool Athletic Association, second place, Mushero’s Lawn Care; and third place, Winslow Parks and Rec.

The thousands of people in attendance at the parade of lights definitely lit the path to the holiday season. Whether you were there as a child or as a parent or guardian or grandparent, you were welcomed as part of a wonderful event by the community for the community. Make sure you keep that spirit going by enjoying Main Street and visiting Santa Claus in his cabin on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.

Downtown Waterville aglow in lights, and bustling with activity during the Parade of Lights. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

PALERMO: Help grow a seed money grant

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The Palermo Community Garden gave almost 350 pounds of fresh greens, veggies, and herbs to the Palermo Food Pantry this growing season, and it was all done with volunteer labor and a grant from SeedMoney.org, a Maine nonprofit. This is a crowd funding challenge grant that the Living Communities Foundation applies for every fall. The challenge period is from November 15 to December 15, and your support would be highly appreciated. They are attempting to win a grant of $900 this year.

But you can help, and your support will help provide food security for many of our neighbors. In addition to using 100 percent of the funds raised from businesses and individuals like you, they have a chance to win a challenge grant of up to $1,000 from SeedMoney.org based on how much is raised over the course of the 30-day challenge period. Please support the campaign here:

https://donate.seedmoney.org/8834/palermo-community-garden

You are welcome to stop by during the growing season to enjoy the beautiful plants and their community of pollinators.

Here is a picture of the Community Garden in full bloom. Thank you for your support!

The Palermo Community Garden in full bloom

EVENTS: Rotary Club launches charity auction

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The 60th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and unique items will once again be held online through BiddingOwl.com.

If you would like more information about the online auction Saturday, November 25, through Friday, December 1, 2023, please see our webpage for details: https://watervillerotary.com/. You may also actively bid and participate in the auction simply by visiting: www.biddingowl.com/auctions.cfmon. Bidding opens on November 25.

The Waterville Rotary Club hosts an auction each year in late November to benefit what Rotarians determine to be among the worthiest causes of the region. Every year, for more than half a century, this important community event has supported Rotary’s efforts to make a difference in our community.

Proceeds from the 2023 Online Auction will again go to benefit many important community programs.

This year, Waterville Rotary’s initiative focuses on the community’s greatest asset-children and youth. Among the many service projects that the club assists with, Waterville Rotary will support Kennebec Valley Community Action Program’s South End Teen Center.

One of the area’s critically important needs is providing safe and secure community spaces for youth and providing programming to develop skills, create healthy aspirations, and combat the current mental health and substance abuse crisis. The South End Teen Center offers these types of activities and helps young people develop leadership, self-esteem, and decision-making skills.

Rotary Club of Waterville thanks the business community for its support and contribution to the local community.

For more information about cash and/or item donations please call 649-2745.

For more information about the Rotary, visit the website at watervillerotary.com.

Local scouts honor veterans at parade

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Vassalboro Scouts at the Waterville Veterans Day Parade. Front row, from left to right, Tiger Scout Kasen Maroon, Wolf Scout Beckett Metcalf, Tiger Scout Greyson Malloy, Wolf Scout John Gray, and Wolf Scout Lux Reynolds. Second row, Tiger Den Leader Shane Maroon, Dragon Scout Lila Reynolds, Asst. Cubmaster/Wolf Den Leader Chris Reynolds, Webelos Scout Anthony Malloy, Arrow of Light Scout Christopher Santiago, Arrow of Light Scout William Vincent, Webelos Scout Henry Gray, Asst. Scoutmaster/Cubmaster Christopher Santiago. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Anthony Fortin of Augusta

In Waterville, Scouts from Vassalboro, Winslow, Windsor and Augusta marched in the Veterans Day Parade with some of the Cub Scouts from Windsor leading the pledge of allegiance at City Hall. Windsor Pack #609 Cubmaster Shawn McFarland said, “This was our first parade and first community event. I am so proud of these Littles! Thank you everyone.” The pack, which became official this month after several years of non-operation, is also going to be marching in the Gardiner Parade of Lights. Christopher Santiago is a leader for both Scout Troop and Cub Pack #410, in Vassalboro, and said, “Vassalboro Scouting came out to thank our veterans and marched in the Waterville Veterans Day Parade alongside its Charter Organization, American Legion Post #126. A great job by our scouts and their families who braved the cold on this important day. Thank you Veterans!”

In Augusta, members of Scout Troop #431 served lunch to veterans at American Legion Post #2 and in Litchfield, Scout Troop #672 took part in a flag retirement ceremony with members of American Legion William R Bold Post #181, Litchfield.

Augusta Troop 631

Pack 609 Tiger Cub Brody Dyer holding a handmade sign

Vassalboro Historical Society on-line collection now available

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Vassalboro Historical Society

by Mary Grow

The Vassalboro Historical Society’s online collection, showing pictures of items from the society’s collection, is now available for viewing by computer at vassalborohistoricalsociety.org.

People can see on line photos of items in the society’s collection, showing people, a great variety of documents, clothing, household objects and furniture, tools and other historic items.

The front page of the website invites viewers to visit the online collection, where they find instructions for using it to search, for example, for a key word or for photos of objects, and for refining searches to more specific topics.

Society members plan to continue to expand on-line offerings.

Sign up for The Remembrance Tree 2023

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Help us decorate the tree and at the same time remember loved ones. For only $10 a ball, you can commemorate loved ones who have passed. Mail your donations and the names of your remembered love ones to:

The Town Line
PO Box 89
South China, ME 04358

(Or use our online donate option and then send us an email (townline@townline.org) with the names of your loved ones.)

Deadline is Friday, December 16, 2023. The completed tree will be published in the December 21 issue.

EVENTS: Festival of Wreaths to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard Food Pantry

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by Dave Carew

The Festival of Wreaths – a raffle-benefit for Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry – will be held on Friday, November 24, from noon to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the event will be a $1 donation; raffle tickets will be 50 cents each. Food and beverages will be available for sale and there will be a very special appearance by Santa Claus!

Featuring more than 50 wonderful Christmas and holiday wreaths, the raffle-benefit will seek to raise urgently-needed funds for the food pantry, which has served more than 20,087 food-insecure households in Winslow, Waterville, and surrounding towns so far in 2023.

According to Operations Manager Bruce Bottiglierie, Winslow Community Cupboard – which also operates a Mobile Food Pantry that directly serves locations in Waterville, Skowhegan, Fairfield, and more than a dozen other local towns – has experienced a 39 percent increase in the number of households needing food-pantry service this year. The Festival of Wreaths is sponsored by Healthy Northern Kennebec.

For more information, please contact Bruce Bottiglierie, Winslow Community Cupboard, at 207-616-0076 or WinslowCupboard@Gmail.com.

Love is Louder rally held at Mill Park in Augusta

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photo by Jonathan Strieff

by Jonathan Strieff

Well over 200 demonstrators gathered at Mill Park, in Augusta, on Sunday, November 12, to take part in the Love is Louder rally organized by State Representative Regan La Rochelle and the Greater Augusta Unity Committee. The event came in response to recent incidents of vandalism and hate speech in Augusta and Hallowell and a rise in neo-Nazi organizing taking place statewide. The rally featured eight speakers including elected officials, the Augusta chief of police, various faith leaders, and the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, as well as live music, sign and banner painting, and crafts and activities for families.

On August 12, two dozen masked men assembled at the State House behind a banner reading “Keep New England White,” to chant racist and anti-immigrant slogans at passersby. Similar demonstrations occurred in Portland and Lewiston in 2022. Following the August event, swastika graffiti appeared at Mill Park and Cony High School and at least one city council meeting in Hallowell was disrupted by anonymous “zoom bombers,” calling in remotely to shout racist, antisemitic, and homophobic comments at the council members.

Addressing the crowd on Sunday, LaRochelle explained that the Unity Committee organized the event following an outcry from residents looking to “do something” to counter the recent series of hateful displays. “(Residents) were looking for an outlet,” said LaRochelle, “to show what our community and the beautiful state of Maine is truly about.”

The rally began with an up-tempo performance by Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations. Following a moment of silence and a reading of the names of the shooting victims in Lewiston, LaRochelle first introduced Augusta Police chief, Jared Mills. Mills spoke briefly to commend the organizers and liken the days event to other random acts of kindness that he and his department encounter daily.

Hallowell mayor George LaPointe (photo by Jonathan Strieff)

Next, Hallowell mayor, George LaPointe, described the values of love, tolerance, inclusiveness, and community as fundamental to the character of his city, despite occasional reminders that not everyone feels the same way. “Our work to become a better place is everyones and is ongoing.” LaPointe closed by paraphrasing Edmund Burke, saying, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of hate is for good people to do nothing.”

Rabbi Erica Asch from Temple Beth El, in Augusta, spoke next, connecting recent events in the capital area to a larger national trend. “What has been happening here in Augusta is part of a larger pattern of antisemitism in our country. Since my family and I moved here to Maine 10 year ago the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States has quintupled… Most synagogs, including ours here in Augusta, regularly have police officers patrolling during our holidays and our Hebrew schools.” Rabbi Asch spoke to the many ways the Jewish community feels targeted today and of the importance of events like Love is Louder to grow solidarity.

Augusta mayor, Mark O’Brien, celebrated the Augusta City Councils unanimous decision to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee as sending a decisive message that the city welcomes, recognizes, and values all people.“We don’t always have the power to change the hatred that exists, but we do have control over how we react. We will not be accepting. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silent…No matter what our backgrounds or upbringings, we are united in striving for the protection of individual rights, free and civil debate, and the rejection of intolerance.”

Jonathan Strieff is a freelance contributor to The Town Line newspaper

photo by Jonathan Strieff