Benjamin Reed achieves rank of Eagle Scout

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Eagle Scout Benjamin Reed. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Delayed for two years due to Covid mandates, Vassalboro’s Benjamin Reed received his Eagle Scout rank during a ceremony on April 16, 2023, at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church.

Friends and family joined Scouts and leaders of Troop #410 to witness the presentation of scouting’s highest honor to Benjamin Delbert Reed.

Reed, who graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, and now attends the University of Southern Maine, completed all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank in 2020 but was unable to be presented with the award due to Covid mandates. He was home from college on break for this ceremony,

Troop #410 Assistant Scoutmaster Christopher Santiago explained how challenging it is to receive the award. “Of any 100 youth who become scouts…will learn something from scouting. Almost all will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life,” Santiago said. “Many will serve in the military and in varying degrees profit from their scouting training. At least one will use the skill he or she has learned to save another person’s life, and many will credit it with saving their own.”

Santiago added, “Four of the 100 will reach the rank of Eagle and at least one will later say they value their Eagle Scout badge above their college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and scouting contacts. Seventeen of the 100 youth will later become scout leaders and give leadership to thousands of other kids. Only one in four youth in America will become a Scout but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion, and politics, three out of four were Scouts.”

Scoutmaster Stephen Polley recognizing Cole Fortin and Nathan Polley. Cole attained the rank of Star Scout and Nathan reached Life Scout, the last step before Eagle. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Scoutmaster Stephen Polley said, “When a youth joins scouting, there is within them something that we call Scout Spirit. The youth may not know that it exists, or know its meaning, but by following the trail to Eagle, the scout is enlightened. The spirit of scouting embodies the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. It becomes a shining beacon of inspiration. Alone, this light may seem feeble, but when multiplied by the more than 57 million youth and adult volunteers in Scouting around the world, it is powerful indeed.”

The award was pinned to his uniform by his mother, Jennifer Reed, and his father, Kevin Reed, presented him with his Eagle Scout certificate. “Becoming an Eagle Scout is not the end of the journey,” Kevin said. “It is the beginning. As an Eagle, you have far greater responsibilities than you had before.”

“Scouting has had a huge impact on my life, and through it I have learned more about myself than I would have had I never been in the program,” Eagle Scout Ben Reed said. “I’ve learned a lot about leadership skills and how to be an effective leader.”

Reed had served as patrol leader for the Ghost Recon Patrol and as the Troop’s Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Chaplain’s Aide. “I learned very quickly that being a leader is not simply ordering others around, but instead it is being generous with your time, and delegating tasks and responsibilities to your peers.” He said, “I remember coming into this program being brought by my parents. I didn’t really know what I was doing at first but as the years went on I started thinking about what I was doing in scouting and who I am as a person.” He credited those he worked with in scouting with helping develop his confidence in life.

Troop #410 also presented the Star Rank to Cole Fortin and the Life Rank to Nathan Polley.

Local artists score big at national country music competition

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Fred Couverette captured three awards at the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (contributed photo)

Becky Daughty garnered two awards at the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (contributed photo)

Fred Couverette and Becky Daughty, central Maine country music artists, recently attended the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 15-19.

A country music show was held at American Legion Post #205, in Augusta, in October 2022 as a fundraiser. The show was held with the help of the Maine Academy of Country Music and the Down East Country Music Association. All the musicians donated their time and talent, along with many other donations of time and money.

Couverette and Doughty thank all who helped raised the money needed for them to go to Tennessee.

At the competiton, Becky took third place in both the female vocalist ages 21 and up, and the female entertainer, ages 21 and up.
Couverette took second place in each category of country gospel song writer, male traditional country vocalist, and the male traditional country entertainer, and third place in the country song writer category.

The two performers especially want to thank Venture Ltd., Asset Management, and Gosline Insurance.

 

 

 

PHOTO: China sunset

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John Gardner recently captured this sunset over China Lake.

A true friendship story between two centenarians

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Theresa Gagne, 104, left, and Lucille Caouette, 102, have been friends since school, in Brunswick. Both now reside in the Waterville area. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Pauline Rancourt

This is the story of Theresa and Lucille who grew up in Brunswick, Maine. As lifelong friends they went to the same schools, married and later both moved to Waterville.

THERESA’S STORY

Theresa Wilson first lived on Golf Links Road, in Brunswick, and was part of a family of seven girls and three boys.

They would walk to school every day and meet up with other children at the cemetery, on River Road. From there they would walk to St. John’s school. Theresa did this every day, including Sundays for church. It was a good three miles for them. She and her sister Yvette became friends with Lucille during these walks. Theresa attended school up to eighth grade. Remember that in those days girls were only allowed an eighth grade education.

Once her formal education was completed she needed to find work. She was only 15 at that time. Some strings had to be pulled in order for her to get a job at the Freeport shoe shop. One night her ride was unavailable and she had to walk home from Freeport to Brunswick. It was dark when she got home. Her father was very upset that his daughter had to walk home that distance. Theresa needed to find a new job. Just say that was her last day working there. Strings were pulled once again as she was only 16 years old. She found a job at the Brunswick mill. She worked the dayshift and was responsible for the operation of 40 weaving machines.

During this time there was a guy named Emile who would travel from Waterville to visit his friend in Brunswick. During these visits he met Theresa and they dated for a good year. They married and she became Theresa Gagne, and were soon awaiting the birth of a child. It was a girl! Unfortunately, Emile was called into the service of our nation and had to leave the day of the birth of their child. When he returned from the service they continued to live in Brunswick and had three daughters. Emile had trouble speaking English and could not find work due to this issue. They ended up moving to Waterville, where they lived above Emile’s parent’s home. Their family grew with the birth of a son. After the passing of Emile’s parents, the family moved downstairs where Theresa lives to this day.

Theresa worked at the Bates Mill, in Augusta, and Emile worked at the Waterville post office.

Sadly, Emile passed away in 2010.

LUCILLE’S STORY

Lucille Menard also lived in Brunswick on a farm located on the River Road and was part of a family of six girls and three boys. Lucille would meet a group of friends, one of them being Theresa, at the cemetery, and they would all walk to St. John’s school. Lucille only made it to the seventh grade. She had health issues which kept her from completing the eighth grade. When Lucille turned 18, she worked at the Brunswick mill. She worked the night shift on the same set of weaving machines as Theresa. Lucille started by loading bobbins on the weaving machines. Her cousin noticed how well she was keeping up with the demands of this job. He moved her onto the weaving machines, and she was responsible for the operation of the same 40 machines as Theresa.

Then Ray came into the picture. He also worked at the mill, but in the cloth room. He wanted to meet Lucille so he noticed that she would go to the park and listen to the music and asked his friend to go talk with Lucille to see if she wanted to meet Ray. But her response was, “if he wants to meet me, let him ask me himself.” Lucille held off for a few months before she said yes. They dated for a year and then were married. She is now Lucille Caouette, and they lived in Brunswick. After the birth of the first three babies, in Brunswick, they moved to Waterville. Ray worked at Augusta Distributors, a division of Eastern Inc. After their eighth child was born, they moved to Winslow where they added two more.

Lucille was a stay at home mom until the last child started school and then she got a job working at St. John the Baptist church rectory, in Winslow.

Ray passed in 2002.

THEIR STORY

While living in Waterville and Winslow, they would see each other once in a while. It was when Theresa’s sisters, Yvette, Pauline and Doris came to see Theresa that they really started to see each other more often. Theresa and Lucille would often meet and go to lunch together.

  • Both are from Brunswick.
  • Both went to the same schools.
  • Both worked at the Brunswick mill.
  • Both married and moved to Waterville.
  • Both got their driver’s license in there 50s.
  • Both are now the only living family member.
  • Both have their birthdays in April.
  • Both celebrated their 100th birthday.

Now they both celebrated another birthday. Theresa turned 104 years old on April 18; Lucille celebrated her 102nd birthday on April 25.

A friendship that has lasted a very long time. How sweet is that?

Ice Out Winner 2023

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The Town Line’s official ice out judge has ruled that ice went out of China Lake on April 12, 2023.

Although no one guessed the exact date, the closest was Carrie McGrath, of South China, who missed it by two days, with a guess of April 10. Congratulations!

PHOTO: LaCroix captures first place at national competition

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Huard’s Sport Karate team member Lucia LaCroix, 12, of Skowhegan, captured first place in forms at the Ocean State Grand Nationals Martial Arts Tournament, in Warwick, Rhode Island, on Sunday, April 2. She also captured third place in weapons competition. (photo by Mark Huard)

EVENT: Scouts to honor legionnaires

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The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting will honor the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion during a special breakfast to be held on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m., at American Legion Fitzgerald-Cummings Post #2, in Augusta, located at 7 Legion Drive.

“Each year, scouting honors a person or group for their amazing contributions to our lives,” said Kennebec Valley District Commissioner Eric Handley, of Sidney. “Last year, we recognized the important work done by the medical professionals and support staff at MaineGeneral Hospital. This year, we are recognizing the veterans of the American Legion and the entire Legion family for providing outstanding service to our communities since 1919. They answered when our nation asked for their help and when they returned home, they continued to serve as members of the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons of the Legion.”

Join them for this breakfast to help say thank you to the American Legion family of groups for more than 100 years of patriotic service to our nation and state.

Space is limited to the first 100 attendees. Contact Chuck Mahaleris at cmahaleris@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time

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Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios. Eagerly anticipated by all who enjoy handmade pottery, as well as anyone looking for a special and unique Mother’s Day gift.

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

In central Maine, visit the following potteries:

A Lakeside Studio Pottery, Wayne; AP Curiosities, Bowdoinhaml; d harwood Pottery aka Mudgirl, Winthrop; Delilah Pottery and Dominique Ostuni Ceramics; Bowdoinham; Fine Mess Pottery, Augusta; Jeffrey Lipton Pottery, Litchfield; Julie Mondro Pottery, Greene; Kennebec Clay Works, Augusta; Kennebec Pottery, Belgrade; Maple Lane Pottery, Windsor; Margaret Melanson, Gardiner; Muddy Toes Pottery, New Gloucester; Pots in Bowdoin, Bowdoin; Marie Palluotto, Augusta; Fischer Pottery, Lisbon; The Art Walk Shop & Sutio, Winthrop; The Potter’s Shed, West Gardiner; Upper Room, Farmington; Whitefield Pottery, Whitefield; Work in Progress, Lisbon; Prescott Hill Pottery, Liberty; and Unity Pond Pottery, Unity.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust recognized as one of “World’s Best Banks”

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, is pleased to announce the bank has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks” based largely on service and trust metrics. Of the 75 US based banks to make the list, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is one of only three banks headquartered in Northern New England.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the best banks in the world, especially as this recognition is a reflection of our customers’ experience with us and their trust in Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Our dedicated team of 500 banking professionals work hard each and every day to ensure that every customer interaction is exceptional and that we are delivering the right technology, resources, and financial guidance to help our customers meet their financial goals. The global recognition from Forbes is another validation that we are doing banking right.”

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving the financial needs of Northern New England residents and businesses since it was founded in 1887. The Bank expertly balances the delivery of innovative products and services that customers require, such as mobile banking and mobile deposit, with a personal approach to banking that customers desire including a full-service branch network of more than 50 branches across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In the past 18 months, the Bank has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Banks” by Newsweek; one of America’s “Best-In-State Banks” by Forbes; and a recipient of the Doing Well by Doing Good Award from Mastercard®.

For Forbes‘ fifth annual list of the World’s Best Banks, which is published in partnership with market research firm Statistic, more than 48,000 customers around the world were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships. Banks were rated on overall recommendation and satisfaction as well as five key attributes: trust; terms and conditions; digital services; customer services; and financial advice.

Aubrey Slater named 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar

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Aubrey Slater (photo by
Trenetta Saba)

Aubrey Slater, a student at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, has been named a 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

This is a prestigious award, and Aubrey was one of the 50 winners out of 2,400 nominated students. Aubrey and the other scholars will be recognized in the fall of 2023.