PHOTOS: Area food pantries walk to feed ME
Meanwhile, volunteers back at the China Food Pantry hold down the fort and prepare to serve clients.
Meanwhile, volunteers back at the China Food Pantry hold down the fort and prepare to serve clients.
Spring is here and with it the Albert Church Brown Library, in China Village, is jumpstarting its programs and events with a line-up of agricultural themed activities. The upcoming schedule will provide an opportunity for the community gather indoors and out while easing back into a regular schedule. Attendees are encouraged to use their own discretion regarding masking and social distancing. All events are free.
As the library launches its new Seed Sharing Library, Heron Breen of FEDCO will be sharing his expertise on Seed Saving on Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m.
All are invited to come to Local Farm Days to view presentations of are farmers and producers. this family friendly event on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be a Story and Craft Time at 11 a.m. for the children, along with activities throughout the day. Perhaps you’ll win one of the door prizes that are donated by the vendors. Local farmers and producers are invited to participate in Local Farm Days to display and sell their goods and introduce their farms and businesses to the community. Please contact the library for an application at chinalibraryacb@gmail.com.
Some other programs: The Knitting Group has resumed meeting at the library on Tuesday afternoons from 3 – 5 p.m. Come and stitch a while.
A Themed Book Club will meet the fourth Thursday of the month at 1 p.m.. Books in any genre, according to the chosen theme will be discussed. Please contact the library website for updates.
Children’s Story & Craft Time will be held on the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. We will also meet up at the China School Forest for a Spring Story & Craft on Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m., to go with the library sponsored StoryWalk® throughout the month of May.
For more information about these and/or other events and programs, please visit chinalibrary.org, follow on Facebook @chinalibrary, or stop by the library at 37 Main St., China Village on Tues. & Thurs. 2 – 6 p.m., and Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Roger Files, a 12th-grader from Palermo, was recently inducted into the National Honor Society at Maine Connections Academy. He is among a total group of 12 students who received National Honor Society membership at the school, the state’s first online charter school. He plans to enter the workforce following graduation.
Bethanie Farr, of Winslow, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Health Professions, in Jersey City, New Jersey. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their course work.
The following local residents have earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University, in Jersey City, New Jersey. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.
Marsha Polley, of Chelsea, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Business.
Kit Potelle, of Winslow, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University Teachers College.
CHINA, ME — Senior Day is held every Wednesday, from 10 a.m. – noon, in the portable building at the China Town Office. Residents of other area towns are welcome to join in the fun and camaraderie.
The Waterville Rotary Club recently donated $500 to four local high schools to provide support to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other challenges that impact their learning and/or engagement in school. Members of the Club’s Community Services Committee delivered checks in person to each of the schools. These donations dovetail with the club’s focus the past two years on providing resources in the community to address food insecurity and/or lack of access to basic necessities, issues which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
MSAD #49, in Fairfield, plans to use the funds specifically for food, clothing, or transportation. They may also use some of the funds to purchase sports equipment or materials for students that do not have means to purchase these items to participate in a sport or other activity.
Winslow High School will use the funds to support their Raiders Closet. Non-perishable food and clothes will be purchased, as needed. In some cases, food-specific gift cards will be provided to families to purchase perishable items.
Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, has an initiative that provides food for families for the weekend and snacks during the school day. They actively seek additional funds to provide for necessities that many of us take for granted in our daily lives, such as personal hygiene items, clothing, school supplies and food that can be prepared with minimal resources for those in temporary housing.
Waterville High School will use the funds to support their school’s Food Pantry. They may also use some funds to purchase other necessary items for students, such as seasonal clothing.
All the representatives from the various schools expressed a deep appreciation for this donation and the show of support for their most vulnerable students. The committee members truly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the schools, meet with staff and students, and hear about the ways that our local schools are looking out for their students.
For more information about the Rotary, visit the website at watervillerotary.com.
Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting Maine Audubon to present Stream Smart Training – Phase One on Thursday, May 26, at the Camden Opera House and online. The hybrid training will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes refreshments and resource materials.
This half-day introductory workshop provides training for professionals to expand the local knowledge base on how to include aquatic organism passage and higher storm volume capacity when designing stream/road crossings.
Applying the Stream Smart principles to road crossings can help connect and maintain fish and wildlife habitat while protecting roads and public safety. Stream Smart crossings can also help towns prepare for the large and frequent storm events that have been washing out roads around the state and the northeast. Participants will learn about learn about: the value of free-flowing streams; the regulations that are applicable when working on road/stream crossings; the principles of building Stream Smart crossings; the costs and benefits of Stream Smart crossings; and where to look for funding.
These workshops are designed for professionals responsible for road-stream crossings, including municipal leaders, managers, and public works employees. They cover road-stream crossing projects from site assessment to permitting and installation, and emphasize maintaining and restoring aquatic habitat and economic values of the stream. Workshop presenters include professionals from state and federal agencies and statewide non-profits, participants can receive recertification credit for Maine DEP’s Voluntary Contractor Certification Program, and information on potential funding sources.
Pre-registration with payment of $25 (mail-in registration) / $26 (online registration) is required by Friday, May 20. Attendees may register and pay online or download a registration form from the Knox-Lincoln SWCD website at www.knox-lincoln.org/events-workshops/stream-smart or for more information, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 596-2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org.
Knox-Lincoln SWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
AUGUSTA, ME — When Natania, a first grader at St. Michael School, in Augusta, was informed she would get to serve as “Principal for a Day” on Tuesday, April 5. Her first thought was to use her newfound “power” to effect positive change.
“She decided to give everyone a dress down day for a donation of $2 or more per person,” said Principal Kevin Cullen. “All of the proceeds would go to the people of Ukraine. Amazing.”
On Tuesday, Natania was welcomed into each classroom with a “Good Morning, Principal Natania” as she made her way around the school collecting donations.
“In total, we raised close to $800 for the people of Ukraine,” said Cullen.
Marianne Pelletier, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools, even called Natania to thank her for her efforts.
VASSALBORO, ME — Lois Bulger, Vassalboro’s oldest citizen, was feted recently by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
She was born in Oakland on April 24, 1922. She has lived most of her adult life in Vassalboro where she and her husband raised their family, raised horses and later owned and operated a small antique shop.