PHOTO: Winslow Cub Scouts visit fire house

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From left to right, firefighter Lieutenant Adam Burgess, Cub Scout Freddie Pullen, Cub Scout Jack Teague, Lorelei Pullen, Cub Scout Jonah Burke, Cub Scout Peter Small, Hannah Small, Aubrey Small, Cub Scout Ryder Johnston, firefighter Shawn Stetson. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

On November 5, 2022, the Winslow Cub Scout Pack #445 had the opportunity to explore the Winslow Fire Station and learn about firefighters with firefighter Lieutenant Adam Burgess and firefighter Shawn Stetson. The Cubscouts are working on their Council Of Fire unit learning about their community and the important rolls in it.

PHOTO: New rankings at Huard’s Martial Arts

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Congratulations to the following students who earned new rankings at Huard’s Martial Arts, in Winslow, on Saturday, November 12. From left to right, Mikayla Achorn (3rd degree brown belt), Mayleigh Crews (green belt), Jackson Hanson (green belt), Trenton Clark (green belt), Elsie Dumont (green belt), Ethan Frost (green belt), Manny Hurtado (green belt), Ayden Willey (green belt), Walker Johnson (green belt), Kaitlynn Shores (green belt), and Maddie Field (3rd degree brown belt). (photo by Mark Huard)

Local author’s novel gets “stellar” review

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by Roy E. Perry

Set in Waterville, Maine, Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, by David M. Carew, is an intriguing and stellar whodunit—a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Miss Lucy Bouchier is the owner and proprietor of Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, a popular corner market, in Waterville. The corner market is near the Two-Cent Bridge, and there Lucy specializes in serving up tasty Italian sandwiches, pizza, and whoopie pies. At age 64, Lucy is the star of the show. Specializing in her own zany brand of humor and with a loving heart as big as the State of Maine, she passes the downtime in her store by sharing stories from her past with her best friend and coworker, Jasmine. One day Lucy launches into the true story of a horrendous crime from 1972.

The story centers around the assault of a pretty teenager, 17-year-old Katherine Ambers, and her death two weeks after the assault. Investigating the case is Detective Ed O’Shaughnessy. Before her death, the only clue that Katherine is able to give O’Shaughnessy is that the assailant kept saying “animal” and “cracker” or “animal cracker.”

O’Shaughnessy has two “quasi”-suspects or “persons of interest” who may have committed the crime: a white racist named O’Casey (a supporter of George Wallace for President) and an alcoholic Black man named Curtis Jackson, the father of Mo (“Slo-Mo”) Jackson, a great friend of William Brady, a fellow teenager and Lucy’s boyfriend. The most obvious suspect is O’Casey, but why is Curtis Jackson so eager to “get the heck out of Dodge”—that is, leave Waterville—before Mo’s school term is over?

Detective O’Shaughnessy is indefatigable in his pursuit of the murderer, but time passes and the case becomes cold. But then Mr. Carew adroitly employs a literary device known as deus ex machina, which provides the identity of the criminal. But still: Will there ever be justice for Katherine Ambers?

Lucy’s in the Neighborhood is a tantalizing work of art and a fascinating study of the interaction of colorful characters. Featuring superb dialogue, it is an engaging, entertaining, intelligent look at the human condition. Lucy’s in the Neighborhood may be ordered online at Maine Authors Publishing or Amazon.

Roy E. Perry wrote book reviews for The Tennessean and Nashville Banner for more than 30 years.

Scouting for Food in Kennebec Valley

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Scouts in Kennebec Valley District, which includes Somerset, Kennebec, Franklin, Lincoln and Knox Counties, are taking time during the holiday season to help other people through the annual Scouting for Food Drive. “It’s great to see our Scouts giving back to their communities,” said Kennebec Valley District Vice Chairman Chuck Mahaleris. “A Scout is taught to be ‘Helpful’ and to ‘Help Other People at All Times.’ It is heartening to see our Cub Packs and Scout Troops taking time to put those words into practice.”

Troop #401, in Sidney, had their Scouting for Food drive early in November. “The troop collected a pickup truck full of non-perishable food, plus Scouts handed a check for $150 to the food cupboard from the bottle drive they worked on. The Scouts then separated the food by date and helped take care of the product,” said Troop #401 Scoutmaster Eric Handley.

In Pittsfield, Scoutmaster Shelley Connolly reported, “Amazing Job Cub Scout Pack #428 and Boy Scout Troop #428. We collected a lot of food and had $401.52 in cash donation.” Scouts in that Pack and Troop have an annual “Fill the Tent” program where they ask shoppers at Danforth’s Supermarket to help those in need. They had their collection effort on November 5. Food was given to the Somerset Elementary Pantry and another donation will be delivered to the Pittsfield Food Pantry after Christmas.

Similar efforts have also been held by Cub Scouts in Augusta and Camden with more being organized for December in other parts of the district. “As long as there is a need, Scouts will be there to help,” Mahaleris said.

Scout leaders complete training in Belgrade

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Training staff and course participants outside McCurdy Lodge at Camp Bomazeen. Front row, from left to right, Ginger Fails, of New Sharon, Brett LeBlanc, of Winthrop, Marcy Richardson, of Phippsburg, Tyler Pease, of Sidney. Back row, Allen Blake, of Raymond, Walter Fails, of New Sharon, Jason Crocker, of Jay, Dan Bernier, of Waterville, Shalee Hills, of Kittery, Geoffrey O’Brien, of Scarborough, Chris Fox, of Mechanic Falls, Joe Poulin, of Oakland. The four trainers are the first two (Blake and Fails) and last two in the back row (Fox and Poulin). (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Scout leaders completed training courses during the weekend of October 22 at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade. Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) Training and the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) were the two courses offered. BALOO provides basic instruction for any Cub Scout adult leader or parent who will go on Cub Scout Den or Pack outdoor events, including pack camping overnighters and Webelos Den overnight camping. The IOLS training is for new Scouts BSA Scoutmasters (highest-ranking adult volunteer leader working with youth in a Scouts BSA Troop) and Assistant Scoutmasters in order to safely offer Scouting’s outdoor program to their youth.

Veterans honored at Northern Light

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In the photo, Tim Dentry, right, president and CEO of Northern Light Health, thanks Charlotte Bolduc (veteran), left, with Michelle Rossignol, back, manager of Life Enrichment at Lakewood.

On Veterans day, November 11, 2022, resident veterans were honored at Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood, in a special ceremony. Ron Cunningham, chaplain of Northern Light Home Care & Hospice led the event. Tim Dentry, president and CEO of Northern Light Health, delivered a heartfelt message to the veterans. Downeast Brass Quintet opened up the ceremony with their beautiful United States Armed Forces medley. Susan Roy, LSW, MHA, supervisor of Clinical Hospice Services of Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, shared a reading reflecting on our service men and women.

Cub Scouts present donation to Vassalboro legion

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Pictured are front, Hunter Brown. Back, from left to right, Jim Kilbride, adjutant, Christopher Santiago, William Vincent, and Elliot Rafuse. (photo submitted by Chuck Mahaleris)

On November 21, the Webelos of Vassalboro Cub Scout Pack #410, on behalf of the entire pack, met with Jim Kilbride who is the Adjutant of American Legion Post #126, in Vassalboro. The Cubs delivered a donation of “Forever Grateful” notebooks and pens to be placed into the stockings provided to veterans at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital at Togus by the Legion Post.

Parade of Lights returns after two-year hiatus

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Fairfield Police Officer Casey Dugas makes his way across the Waterville/Winslow Bridge during the Parade of Lights, on Saturday, November 26. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

by Amarinda Keys
Children’s Discovery Museum

After two years, the beloved Parade of Lights was back! This annual event has drawn thousands of families for many years and serves as a fun and festive kickoff to the holiday season. The Children’s Discovery Museum was excited to collaborate with the town of Winslow and the city Waterville to host this wonderful event. The museum is working to create a brand-new play space for Central Maine. While they anxiously wait to open the doors of their new location, they are excited to coordinate such a wonderful event for the community.

The 2022 Parade of Lights was held on Saturday, November 26. Floats assembled at the Winslow High School, traveled down Benton Avenue, crossed the bridge, traveled up Main Street, in Waterville, and dispersed at the Elm Street/College Avenue/Main Street crossing. Santa made his entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Floats included dancers from SP4D, a collection of Jeeps from Central Maine Jeep Owners, and fire trucks and police cruisers from local towns. This year’s parade included a panel of judges. The winning float was Living Water Community Church and their float featured The Chronicles of Narnia scene with characters. Runner-up was Hamlin’s Marine, with the most festively-lit boat the judges had ever seen. This year’s Grand Marshal, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, was a longtime volunteer and local martial arts instructor and photographer, Mark Huard.

As always, the parade also kicked off the Kringleville season, a long-standing holiday tradition that is now organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum. Santa will be visiting children in his house at Head of Falls each weekend from 1 – 4 p.m., leading up to Christmas. Many weekends feature free hot chocolate, giveaways and special activities thanks to local businesses and organizations. Every child who visited with Santa will leave with a book donated by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Marden’s. Families will also be offered the opportunity to purchase a photo with Santa, courtesy of Central Maine Photography. For more information about Kringleville, including updates for the 2022 year, please visit kringleville.org.

Members of the Stage Presence Dance team, in Winslow, led Santa Claus in to Winslow/Waterville during the Parade of Lights, on November 26. From left to right, Malyn Beaster, Dinah Lemelin, Emmy Carlson, Lizzie Schmitt, Lexi Reynolds, Hayden Gates, Haley Martin, Addie Blackstone, Ailie Rancourt-Smith, Nevaeh Mason, Autumn Sawyer, Brooklynn Ferreira, Addie Benavente and Jayda-Ray Atkinson. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

14-year-old Albion girl achieves hunting grand slam

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At the age of 8, Emily Peirce, of Albion, took an interest in hunting. Since then, she has harvested six deer prior to this year. She has applied for a moose permit in years passed and was lucky enough to be drawn this year. Since being drawn for her moose permit Emily decided to try for the hunting Grand Slam.

To start the season, Emily shot her bear in Upper Enchanted Township on September 16, weighing 87 pounds. September 21 she harvested two turkeys on family land in Albion. On October 15, the last day of her permit, she was able to shoot her moose in Zone 4 weighing 769 pounds with a 50 ¼-inch spread. With determination and support, she shot a 4-point buck weighing 156 pounds on November 10, to complete her Grand Slam and her personal goal for the 2022 season.

Her friends and family are incredibly proud, and Emily is overjoyed with her success.

EVENTS: Yummy, Ready-to-Be-Baked Turkey Pies Coming

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It’s one of Winslow’s most beloved holiday traditions! On Saturday, December 3, from 12 to 3 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering over 400 incredibly yummy, ready-to-be-baked turkey pies for curbside/drive-through pick-up. Cost is just $12 per pie, with all proceeds going to empower the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Freshly-prepared for baking and featuring an all-new crust recipe and a mouth-watering blend of turkey, peas, celery, carrots, onions, broth, and a pinch of sage, each turkey pie will be perfect for supper or for freezing for later winter comfort-food enjoyment.

Also available for your sweet tooth will be various delectable dessert pies, also available for $12 each, prepared by the members of Benton Falls Congregational Church and which will raise money for that church.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 872-2544.