BHB&T donates to numerous nonprofit organizations

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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $19,000 in donations collected through the bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to nine nonprofit organizations serving Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont residents. The recipients of the donations are: Eastern Maine Community College Foundation, Kennebec Valley Community College Foundation, Lubec Community Outreach Center, Machias Area Food Pantry, and Schoodic Food Pantry in Maine; Dismas Home of New Hampshire and The River Center in New Hampshire; and BarnArts Center for the Arts and Village for Paws Rescue in Vermont.

Employees participating in Casual for a Cause dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on which nonprofits will receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $220,000 since the program begin in 2018.

“We often say that our employees are passionate about the communities where we live and work, and Casual for a Cause is a testament to that,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “The employees participating in the program give from their own pockets to support our neighbors and create better communities, and we are always amazed by their generosity.”

Local recipients of Q1 2023 donations include:

Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) Foundation invests in students, faculty, and programs to empower individuals and to build stronger communities. The nonprofit organization raises funds to promote and support all educational programs; provides state-of-the-art equipment and facilities; and ensures access through scholarship funds for students. Learn more about KVCC Foundation at www.kvcc.me.edu.

New Dimensions FCU receives award

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Carrielynn Reynolds

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) has received CUNA’s 2023 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award! Ryan Poulin, CEO accepted the award at the Maine Credit Union League’s Annual Convention awards dinner on behalf of the entire team and financial education department for their outstanding work around financial education. CUNA created the Desjardins program to recognize leadership within the credit union movement regarding financial literacy for all ages. Naming these awards after Desjardin emphasizes the movement’s long-time commitment to financial literacy.

New Dimensions is proud of its financial education department’s work headed by Carrielyn Reynolds, Financial Coach, who has led by instructing and crafting age-appropriate lessons to share with students from kindergarten through college levels. Reynold’s passion for financial education shows with every trip to a local school or business. Under her tenure, she has reached more students and school districts than ever before, and the feedback from educators has been overwhelmingly positive.

NDFCU commends all its staff for the teachable moments that educated a member on a product or service, provided credit counseling, helped members pay off debt, saved money on loan interest, lowered loan payments, or saved for their financial goals. Ryan Poulin states, “We are in the dream fulfillment business and help our members achieve their dreams. Every day we have multiple opportunities to provide a member, even our youngest members, with the sound advice, products, and tools they need to achieve their financial goals.

Legion Aux. collects items during youth month

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Madison American Legion Post #39 Auxiliary members at the Military Child’s table, from left to right, Harriet Bryant, Nancy Misiaszek, Jackie Pollis, Pauline Bell, Ann Cody, Robin Turek, Amy Washburn, Irma Fluet, Betty Price, Diane Pinkham and Tammy Giguere. (contributed photo)

The month of April is recognized as Children and Youth Month as well as the Month of the Military Child. In observance of both, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, collected many essential items such as clothes, Pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, jackets, socks, hygiene products for the older children, coloring books, crayons, and toys.

These items benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System. Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. With these items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them. This year with generous donations of items from the members of the local community, Girl Scout Troop #351, and American Legion family membership as well as the Auxiliary purchases, the Auxiliary delivered 464 items valued over $1,400.

Purple is the color for the Military Child, members wore purple for the April meeting. Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported. Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue, all are thought to combine as a single color – purple. At the meeting, members set up the Military Child’s Table to be seen by all at the hall for the month of April.

The following are the items and their representations: The potted flowering plant symbolizing that a military child may flower and flourish where they are planted; the hand spade recognizes they may be transplanted to a new place in the world at a moment’s notice; the birthday hat and unlit candles, along with the baseball and glove, and ballet slippers represents special occasions that are missed; the family photo depicting a child with his/her uniformed parent demonstrates our country’s strength; the final touch to the table setting is the American flag to remind us that families are united in their commitment to national service, at home or away.

Contact Robin Turek, President at robinturek@gmail.com or at 696-8289.

EVENTS: Shakespeare group to hold auditions

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Front row, from left to right, Katie Howes, Tammy Werber, and Vanessa Glazier. Back, Becca Bradstreet, Shana Page, Josh Fournier, and Helena Page. (photo courtesy of Shana Page)

Recycled Shakespeare Company will be holding auditions for their theatrical production, The Poe Experience.

Auditions are on Monday, July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Fairfield House of Pizza, in Fairfield, and Wednesday July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta.

This one night only show will take place on Sunday, October 8, at 7 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta. It will consist of a reader theater approach with and pantomime. Please be prepared to do a cold read. There are roles for readers, silent performers, and help with staging, costuming, tech, and more. Everyone who wants a part gets a part and actors are encouraged to help with various aspects of the production.

If you cannot audition during these times, please contact Shana Page at 207-286-5713 or shanalynnpage@gmail.com.

Vassalboro scouts hold Blue & Gold banquet

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Tiger Cubs Declan McLaughlin, Lux Reynolds, Samuel Madison, and John Gray are awarded completed adventures and their Tiger Rank by their Den Leader Christopher Reynolds (yellow shirt) and Cubmaster Christopher Santiago. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

On Sunday, June 11, Vassalboro Pack #410 held its Annual Blue & Gold Banquet along with their Charter Organization, American Legion Post #126, at St. Bridget’s Center. The camping themed banquet saw the recognition of the 17 scouts within the unit as they advance in rank. It was a family celebration that discussed many of the highlights from the year and featured an Arrow of Light Ceremony, a Crossover Ceremony, and a Flag Day Ceremony.

Bear Cubs Maxsim LaCroix, Eli Richmond, Tucker Lizzotte, and Henry Gray are awarded their completed adventures and their Bear Rank by their Den Leader Lindsay Lizzotte. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Webelos Scouts Christopher Santiago, Hunter Brown, and William Vincent are recognized for having completed their Webelos rank and the beginning of their journey towards the Arrow of Light along with Cubmaster Christopher Santiago. Photos courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Val Bard is Legionnaire of the Year

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Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, in Waterville, selected Val Bard as Legionnaire of the Year for 2022 in recognition of outstanding leadership and service.

Commander Craig Bailey, left, presents Legionnaire Award to Val Bard on June 12, 2023. (contributed photo)

Waterville American Legion installs new officers

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On June 12, 2023, American Legion Post #5, in Waterville held its installation of officers. The past National Commander Tony Jordan installed the elected and appointed officers for 2023-2024. His installing chaplain was Bob Jordan.

Newly-installed officers at Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, in Waterville, from left to right, Commander Craig Bailey, First Vice Commander Mike Coyne, Second Vice Commander Val Bard, Finance Officer Butch Berard, Chaplain Pearley Lachance, Judge Advocate Donald Marden, and Adjutant Ernie Paradis. Absent from photo, Service Officer James Weare and Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Hanley. (contributed photo)

EVENTS: Summer scouting programs available

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Summer programs will be active and enriching for youth attending area scout camps and scout activities according to two leaders of these programs. Brittany St. Amand, of Pittston, and Shelley Connolly, of Pittsfield, have spent months organizing and getting things ready for outstanding summer programs.

Brittany St. Amand will be the Cub Scout Day Camp Director at Camp Gustin, in Sabattus, and Camp Hinds, in Raymond, this summer. She is also the Webelo Leader in Gardiner Cub Pack #672.

Cub Scout Day Camps, with the “Off to the Races” theme, will be run July 17-21, at Camp Gustin, July 24-28, at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, led by Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, and August 7-11, at Camp Hinds.

At Cub Scout Day Camp, leaders provide adventures and an opportunity for your Cub Scout (or Cub Scout-aged youth) to enjoy Cub Scout activities in a day camp style setting. Cub Scouts earn requirements for rank advancement, special awards and gain recognition. Cub Day Camp is for youth in first through fifth grade. Youth entering first grade in the fall are welcome at camp, however an adult/parent needs to accompany them. And, Cub Scout Packs can register and attend Cub Scout Day Camp as a group. Day Camp, which runs Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is often a youth’s first major experience in scouting with their peers, under the guidance of trained and caring adult volunteer leaders. If you can attend with your child as a leader (a member of our racing pit crew), you will receive $100 off the cost of camp for their child. For more information on volunteering at camp, email Leah Barry at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org.

Preparing for camp takes months of organization and they must follow all State of Maine and Scouting requirements to operate.

In addition to these programs, Pine Tree Council also offers Family FunPack Weekend on July 29-30 at Camp Bomazeen; Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Hinds July 30 – August 2; and Scout camp at Camp Hinds runs through the month of July including hiking, swimming, boating, rock climbing, Scoutcraft and STEM and older scouts can challenge themselves with Project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience).

Those who have questions about these programs can contact Brittany at B.STAMANDSCOUTS@GMAIL.COM; Shelley at bsatroop428 maine@ gmail.com or if you have questions about any of the summer activities, contact Leah at Pine Tree Council If you have questions or need help, contact Leah at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org (207) 517-6196.

Albion couple visits coastal Maine botanical gardens

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Ron Pohlman, little guy on the left, stands next to one of the giant trolls. (contributed photo)

by Donnajean Pohlman

On a cool but sunny spring day in mid-May, my husband Ron and I took advantage of the “Admission to the Gardens Library Program”.

We have visited the Gardens a number of times over the years enjoying the unique eco-systems of the Maine coast area. The Gardens are truly a “living museum”, a wonderful way to learn about and enjoy the diverse flora of the area. We experienced all it had to offer – the gardens coming into bloom, the quiet walks on the woods trails, and discovering the “Giant Ad­ven­ture” – five humongous wood­en Trolls “hidden” throughout the woods. Their story is not be missed.

So back to the “Admission to the Gardens Library Pro­gram”. The program is one in which local libraries can participate allowing their town residents to reserve free admission passes during the May – October season. What a wonderful way to experience a part of Maine and enjoy a summer day out in nature. The Albion library made this opportunity available to Albion residents.

New public park being constructed in Vassalboro

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Eagle Park as it looks today. (photo by Laura Jones)

by Laura Jones

The Town of Vassalboro is excited to announce a new park, tentatively name Eagle Park, is being developed on Rt 32 in East Vassalboro, just north of the village area. The park will include beautiful frontage on the China Lake outlet stream where Eagles and other wildlife can be viewed regularly. Once complete, there will be a parking lot, lawn area for playing and picnicking, as well as native trees and shrubs. To kickstart the parks installation, the Conservation Commission applied for, and was awarded a grant of $3,200.00 through the Project Canopy program for the “Restoration of this newly acquired park from invasive plants and replanting with native shade trees.” The Project Canopy Program is managed by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture.

Public works crew creating a parking lot. (photo by Laura Jones)

Eight Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum) were purchased with the grant funds. The Vassalboro Conservation Committee is coordinating on the project with Vassalboro Public Works department, Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) and Youth Conservation Corp (YCC). The Vassalboro Public Works department has completed the necessary grading and fill work to establish the parking lot. Future work to complete the park will be accomplished over the coming months.

Volunteers planting more trees. (photo by Laura Jones)