HealthReach welcomes podiatrist, Dr. Daniel J. Keane

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This September, HealthReach staff in Albion, Belgrade, Coopers Mills, and Richmond welcome Dr. Daniel J. Keane, Podiatrist, to their team.

Dr. Keane earned his doctorate degree in Podiatric Medicine from the William Scholl College of Podiatric Surgery, in North Chicago, Illinois. He has a wealth of experience in the field of podiatry, including experience in rearfoot, forefoot, and ankle surgery; podiatric medicine; and wound treatment.

Dr. Keane shares, “In my many years of practice, I have always strived to treat patients as if they were family: providing the highest level of care with both respect and dignity. As a member of the HealthReach Community Health Centers family, I will continue to provide the best care possible. Patient relationships have always been a cornerstone of my practice, and I provide individualized patient care based on each patient’s needs. It is a rewarding and meaningful experience to join the team at HealthReach and to contribute to this community-based system of affordable and high-quality healthcare.”

Dr. Keane joins the existing mission-driven, values-focused care teams at the Belgrade Regional Health Center, Lovejoy Health Center (of Albion), Sheepscot Valley Health Center (of Coopers Mills/Whitefield), and Richmond Area Health Center. Clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages and from all walks of life.

PHOTO: Vassalboro Business Association announces scholarship winner

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Vassalboro Business Association announced the 2023 scholarship winner as Morgan Fortin, of Vassalboro. Morgan is a graduate of Winslow High School in 2023, and will be pursuing higher education in contemporary and popular music with a concentration in audio engineering.

Local author publishes book of spiritual poems

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Jim Morris, of South China, displaying his book, Inside Out.

by Roberta Barnes

Inspiring words that flow in a rhythm urge you to look deep within you.

Jim Morris, of South China, has lived in Maine since 1980. This year he was prompted to put his collection of poems into a book by his grandson saying he should write a book.

Inside Out, by Jim Morris, is a collection of his 158 spiritual poems that gently urge readers to look within themselves. Morris hopes his words will lift the reader’s spirits. One of Carl Jung’s quotes reflects looking within; “when you look outside you dream, when you look within you awaken”.

On the first few pages of Inside Out, Morris introduces the depth of what will follow. Morris wrote, “If by chance as you are reading this and you start to wonder, Wait a minute, is this . . . Did he? I can tell you now, It’s true. I wrote this. . . for you.”

While studying engineering in college Morris learned how mechanical parts fit together to make a machine work. When he left college, he began thinking about how people work together to make our world work. As I interviewed Morris outside, he talked about our world as a whole. Surrounded by plants, a chipmunk and birds that stopped by, and the original internet of the roots of plants under our feet, it represented the oneness reflected in Morris’ poems.

Our world as a whole, is reflected in many of the poems in Inside Out. In the poem Beauty, Morris wrote, “Its magic is when we can come together and see it as Whole”. © Jim Morris 2023.

Some of Morris’ poems were created by the energy of his own life’s journey and some were created by the life’s journey of others. As you read through the pages you can see how he looks at even simple things from all sides.

Morris sees his book Inside Out as being an advocate for hope by helping people to focus on the moment and appreciate what they see/hear/feel in that moment. When appreciating the moment, you can go within and appreciate what you find within. Morris wrote at the end of one poem, “you’re the reason the sun shined”, and at the end of another “Go ahead and have fun”. © Jim Morris 2023.

On the back cover of Inside Out you will see, “A journey deep inside the self to look for God and a truth discovered on the way out. Inspired by everyone and everything around me. I wrote a book. The universe is filled with love. May you find some comfort here”. © Jim Morris 2023.

Local scouts attend national event

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Thumbs Up from Anthony and Connor: Anthony Fortin, of Troop #603, and Connor Poirier, of Troop #631, both of Augusta, gave the thumbs up as they began cooking breakfast for the contingent at the sub-camp campsite at the Summit Reserve. (contributed photo)

submitted by Chuck Mahaleris

The Boy Scouts of America Jamboree attracted over 13,000 scouts from around the world and over 5,000 visitors to the 10-day event in July including Scouts from Maine.

Over the course of the Jamboree, which takes place every four years, the BSA gathers together. Scouts and Scouters explored all kinds of adventures – stadium shows, pioneer village, Mount Jack hikes, adventure sports and more – in the heart of one of nature’s greatest playgrounds. With 10,000 acres at the Bechtel Summit Reserve, in West Virginia, to explore, and directly across from the New River Gorge National Park, there was no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

The 45 scouts and leaders from Pine Tree Council (which covers southern and western parts of Maine) took a bus to the event which was held at the Summit, making stops in Washington, D.C. Contingent Leader, Joan Dollarhite, wrote on July 17, at Camp Snyder outside Washington, D.C., “Tents are pitched, pizza ordered and eaten. We had a great ride and are looking forward to sightseeing tomorrow.” The scouts earned the money for the trip through many fundraisers.

From soaring high above the ground on a zip line to conquering high ropes courses and scaling rock walls, there was no shortage of adventures at the Jamboree. Local Scouts took on the challenge of the climbing wall, navigated their way through orienteering courses, tried new things like branding or welding, and braved the rapids during an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip.

There were also demonstrations from the U.S. Coast Guard and motivational speeches given by Scott Pelley, correspondent for 60 Minutes and former news anchor and managing editor of CBS News who talked about bravery; and Lt. General and Eagle Scout, John Evans, who spoke to scouts about the importance of leadership.

Maine’s scouts not only found their adrenaline rush but also took part in programs designed to foster personal growth and build self-confidence. They also found opportunities to overcome mental and emotional obstacles as well and engage in team-building exercises that required communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. These experiences not only enhance outdoor skills but also cultivate character and resilience. The Jamboree helped to develop leadership skills.

They also took part in a massive good deed. Scouts at the National Jamboree assembled 5,000 “Flood Bucket” cleaning kits consisting of 15 items ranging from rubber gloves and scrub brushes to scouring pads and towels packed tightly into a 5-gallon bucket. These kits serve as essential “first aid” resources that provide flood victims with the practical and emotional support necessary to begin restoration of their homes and personal belongings. The completed kits, valued at $375,000, are being packed tightly into a five-gallon bucket and will be wrapped and transported to a warehouse and then distributed as needed to flooded areas throughout West Virginia as “first aid” resources for flood victims.

Anthony Fortin, of Augusta, attends Cony High School, and is a member of Troop #603. “I earned Radio, Sustainability, and Family Life Merit Badges; did some patch trading; soared across a zip line; had fun at the Camp bashes (parties); attended Catholic Mass with a thousand other Scouts; played the kazoo and the bugle; and met many new people from all over the country,” Anthony said.

Michael Fortin, committee chairman for Troop #603, in Augusta, also attended. “It was fulfilling to see all of the scouts have this amazing experience,” Fortin said. “Many of the scouts on this adventure did not know the leaders and conversely, we did not know most of them. Spending time together provided the leaders with the opportunity to get to know them and witness these young people on their scouting journey. The heat, humidity, and hilly terrain were challenging for us older adults to navigate, but we endured it all to ensure our scouts were safe and had an absolutely awesome time. We saw many examples of scouts who unselfishly embraced the Oath and Law and demonstrated what it truly means to be a Scout.”

Sayings and their meaning: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE

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by Peg Pellerin
BARK UP THE WRONG TREE means to be totally off the mark, to waste energy following the wrong course of action, or to have one’s attention diverted off the subject at hand.
This phrase dates back to the 1800s dealing with racoon hunting. The hounds of the hunting pack are trained to mark the tree where the raccoon they are pursuing takes shelter. The dog would go to the base of the tree howling until the hunter arrived to shoot down the animal. Some raccoons were smart enough to evade the dog but the dog didn’t know it left the tree, thus barking up the wrong tree.
The expression first became popular in the early nineteenth century, appearing in the works of James Hall, Davy Crocket – himself a great raccoon hunter and Albert Pike.

HealthReach announces completion of Madison Health Center renovations

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Madison Health Center

Madison – HealthReach is excited to announce that recent renovations to its Madison Area Health Center are complete.

The renovations have increased comfort and patient capacity, while also modernizing the space so that busy clinicians and staff are able to achieve the best outcomes for their patients. Among many other upgrades, these renovations included expansions to the waiting room, exam rooms, administrative areas, and medical records areas.

With an updated nurses’ station, a new lab, and additional exam rooms, staff and patients will all benefit. New offices have been built for both the site’s Connector and Care Manager, improving patient comfort in their meeting spaces where they provide patient assistance. Additionally, new offices were added for both the site’s Behavioral Health Counselor and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These changes have already improved operations, and are allowing staff to serve more community members than ever before with an emphasis on personalized, whole-patient care.

Since its foundation in 1977, Madison Area Health Center had previously expanded its spatial capacity twice. The first expansion occurred in 1980, and the second expansion was in 1989. Today, we are excited to see this newest set of renovations allow the building to move forward as the practice grows and continues to serve the grateful people of Madison, Anson, and nearby towns.

EVENTS: KLS&WCD to present award

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The community is invited to Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s Conservation Awards Celebration on Wednesday, August 23, from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The banquet will be held at Beaver Lodge, in Hope.

This year’s Conservation Award Recipients are:

  • Brodis Blueberries, in Hope, will be awarded the Conservation Farm of the Year for 2023. Brodis Blueberries has been recognized recently from many achievements. Gwen Brodis and her husband Dick, purchased the farm from their parents in 1967. Ron and Sonja Howard are helping to manage the farm after Dick Brodis passed in 2016. Knox-Lincoln SWCD recognizes their achievements in conservation efforts ensuring soil health, water quality, moisture retention and a healthy habitat for wildlife. • Sharon G. Chadwick’s work with KLSWCD will be acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 1996, Sharon G. Chadwick served on the Knox-Lincoln SWCD Board of Supervisors at first as an associate and then as a supervisor. Sharon lives with her husband, Gerald, at BenEva Farm, in Warren, and still operate as a conservation farm, raising commercial Black Angus beef. For several decades, Sharon helped with judging the Annual Poster Contest and at our Conservation Fair and Plant Sale. (See attached photo)

  • Shelby Chadwick

    Shelby Chadwick will be recognized with the 2023 Excellence in Conservation Education Award. Shelby, a second grade teacher at Camden-Rockport Elementary School (CRES), worked alongside the District to develop and offer our Pollinator Party program, which engages students through hands-on, place-based outdoor activities with pollinators and pollination.

 

 

EVENTS: Dawe’s artwork on display at Joe’s Flat Iron Café

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photo source: mainstreetmaine.org

After what feels like a long time waiting, MacKenzie Dawe’s art will be on display at Joe’s Flat Iron Café, at 65 Water Street, in downtown Skowhegan, until October 14. Out of seven nominees this past April, she was chosen as the winner of the 2nd Annual $500 Wesserunset Arts Council Youth Scholarship. When Joe Almand took over the former Paper Klip/Warren’s Office Supplies space where WesArts has had Youth Art Displays since 2019, he assured the Council that he would continue to welcome youth art in his café once it was ready to open.

McKenzie Dawe is a very talented student who will be entering her junior year in the fall at Skowhegan Area High School.

In 2021, she was part of the National Youth Art Month Digital Art Show at the Portland Museum of Art and also won seven first-place ribbons and one second-place ribbon for her art submissions from the Skowhegan State Fair, and the Clinton Lions Fair. She is a fantastic fan artist who has painted beautiful portraits of rocker Ozzy Osborne and the character Glenn Rhee from The Walking Dead TV series.

Dawe wants to continue her current skills but move on from using traditional mediums such as colored pencils, watercolors, oil paints, acrylic paints, and oil pastels to using animation, sculpting, pottery, and three-dimensional design tools. Therefore, MacKenzie used the scholarship money to order mediums that will develop and expand her skills, such as sculpting compounds and tools, a drawing tablet, jewelry beading supplies, needle feltng supplies, fine-detail miniature paint brushes, and miniature drawing art pens. She said, “My intentions are to further develop my range of mediums I can work with and my desire is to create a career from my art, like being a content creator and/or designer.”

EVENTS: Madison Legion Aux. to collect school supplies

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American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, is once again collecting school supplies for children in our local schools (Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec RSU #74). Here is a list of the items needed: backpacks, rulers, erasers, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens (blue, black & red), crayons, markers, glue sticks, water bottles (no larger than 20 oz), pouches for binders, 1″ binders, 1 subject notebooks, college and standard ruled filler paper.

Items can be dropped off in the collection box at the Madison American Legion Hall, on 20 S. Maple Street, on Mondays through Saturdays after 3 p.m. and on Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Don’t have time to shop, you can send a monetary donation and we will do the shopping for you. Make checks payable to Madison ALA with School Supplies in the Memo. Mail to: Madison ALA, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950.

You can also drop off items on Saturday, August 26, at the auxiliary’s booth at the Craft & Vendors Fair located in the green space, at Skowhegan Savings Bank, in Madison, during Madison/Anson Days.

EVENTS: VCS annual school supplies drive

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Help the students at Vassalboro Community School by donating to the 5th annual school supplies drive by drop off, on Saturday, August 19, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the North Vassalboro Fire Station, on Rte. 32. Supplies may be dropped off at the Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, on Main Street, in Vassalboro, or the Vassalboro Town Office, on Main Street, if people want to donate and drop off prior to the actual event on August 19. FMI, contact Don Breton at 313-3505, or dlbreton@roadrunner.com.