EVENTS: Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual membership meeting Thurs., July 21, 7 p.m. Palermo Consolidated School (2022)

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Sheepscot Lake Association will be hosting its Annual General Membership meeting on Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Rte 3. Please attend that evening to renew your membership, meet your neighbors, and discuss the programs that help keep the lake healthy. The Courtesy Boast Inspection Program, LakeSmart, Water Quality Testing, and the annual loon count are all important programs that need membership involvement to continue functioning. If you are not able to attend the meeting and would like to renew your membership, join SLA, or get involved in one of these programs, please email at sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com, or visit the website www.sheepscotlakeassocation.org.

EVENTS: Palermo library 2022 annual meeting slated

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Captain David Sulin in Civil War attire. (photo by Mrs. Sulin)

Learn about Palermo Soldiers’ role in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Palermo Community Library’s Annual Meeting.

The Palermo Community Library will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the annual meeting on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. The Palermo Historical Society joins the library in co-hosting our featured speaker, Captain Sulin, a member of Maine 20th Volunteer Infantry Company B reenactors. Captain Sulin will tell us about soldiers from Palermo and their role in the Battle of Gettysburg. He will also bring lots of artifacts and personal items from the Civil War.

Although the meeting starts at 2 p.m., Captain Sulin encourages the public to come as early as 1 p.m. to look at his large display and ask any questions you may have. Captain Sulin’s talk will serve as a nice lead-in to the Maine 20th reenactor’s Palermo Days encampment next to the Worthing House August 12, 13, and 14.

This is a public meeting and all are invited. Light refreshments will be served. The library is located at 2789 Route 3. For more information call 993-6088 or email palermomelibrary@gmail.com or visit www.palermo.lib.me.us.

Erskine Renaissance awards 2022

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Seniors of the trimester, from left to right, Larissa Haskell, Madison Lully, Jesse Cowing, and David Martinez-Gosselin. (contributed photo)

On Friday, June 10, 2022, Erskine Academy students and staff attended the final Renaissance Assembly of the year to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.

Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Aydan Desjardins, Kenneth Fredette, Morgan Miller, Austin Nicholas, Lilly Fredette, Zuriah Smith, Emma Jefferson, Isavel Lux Soc, Gabriella Berto-Blagdon, Sarah Praul, and Malcolm Martinez.

In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to four members of the senior class: Larissa Haskell, daughter of Tanya Haskell, of China; David Martinez-Gosselin, son of Louise McMillan, of Whitefield; Madison Lully, daughter of Janet and Kevin Lully, of China; and Jesse Cowing, son of Kirsten and Anthony Cowing, of Palermo. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.

Faculty of the trimester, from left to right, Colt Pierce and Shara MacDonald. (contributed photo)

In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, Faculty of the Trimester awards were also presented to Colt Pierce, maintenance, and Shara MacDonald, health educator.

Red Cross asks for donations

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The American Red Cross sees a pretty big decline in blood and platelet donations during holiday weeks – around 21 percent. When blood donations drop, so does the availability of blood products for hospital patients. Donors can help ensure blood is ready when needed by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks.

As a thank you for helping, all who come to give June 30-July 10 will receive an exclusive Red Cross recycled cotton tote bag, while supplies last.

Erskine Academy’s Paige Reed named America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022

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Paige Reed, front, surrounded by cheerleading coaches, from left to right, Tarsha Donar, Julie Wing and Amy Rau. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Amy Rau

Varsity Brands, the national driving force behind cheerleading’s transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, has named Erskine Academy senior Paige Reed America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022. The award program celebrates schools, organizations, and individuals that go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement, and community spirit, and carries with it a $3,000 cash prize.

Reed’s classmates voted her as “most school spirited” earlier in the year, recognizing her love for Erskine Academy and its community of students, faculty, and staff.

Reed, of Vassalboro, was nominated for Varsity Brands’ award by her cheerleading coaches Amy Rau and Julie Wing, and her school advisor Shara MacDonald. The nominators penned the required 500-word essay, solicited letters of recommendation, and gathered “spirited photos” of Reed in action.

On June 1, Reed joined other finalists from across the country for a virtual awards presentation, viewed by Rau, Wing, and MacDonald, who were anxiously awaiting results. The three fought back the tears when hearing Reed named Varsity Brands’ Most Spirited Student in America, and accepting the award on her behalf, as she could not accept it while recovering from a stem cell transplant as part of her battle with a second bout of leukemia. Early in the school year and following a 12-year remission, the Reed family and Erskine community were shocked yet united by the resurgence of leukemia affecting Paige. Subsequently, Reed endured several months of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and stem cell transplant with cells donated by her hero brother, Seth.

Paige and her journey, entitled Paige Power, became well known by the outpouring of support and good will through fundraisers, benefits, and gatherings, particularly within the cheerleading and basketball communities, all worthy yet bittersweet. “It is a welcome change to be in the news at this time to celebrate the positive for Paige,” said cheerleading coach and nominator Rau.

Paige is currently home from Boston and recovering well. Coach Wing was able to Facetime her about the award, and with the news, she was back to her sassy, fierce teenage self. The entire EA community cannot wait until she is well enough for visitors and when she returns to her friends and teachers in her special and favorite place, Erskine Academy.

Nathaniel Lombardi captures grand championship title

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Nathaniel Lombardi

by Mark Huard

Nathaniel Lombardi is a long time student of Huards Martial Arts. He has achieved a third degree black belt in karate and jujitsu at the school. Lombardi is no stranger to the competition scene, as a veteran member of the Huard’s Sport Karate Team. He has travelled throughout Maine and New England competing in weapons forms, open hand forms and fighting.

On Saturday, June 18, Lombardi traveled down to Gorham to attend the Friendship Tournament. This is only the third tournament Lombardi has attended since the pandemic, which ended the tournament seasons for two years. Local tournaments depend upon volunteer black belts to judge and guide the under belts, and Lombardi did his part by sitting as a corner judge prior to his own competition.

The first event for Lombardi was the weapons division. He picked up his trusty nunchucks and worked his way to fourth out of eleven competitors ages 18-29. He went on to improve his performance in his kata division, finishing third amongst the other highly trained martial artists.

Lombardi’s third division of the day was kumite, or point fighting. The objective of this division is to score five points first by landing a kick or a punch on their opponent to specific areas (light contact to the face, side of the head, chest, stomach and sides). Lombardi says prior to the event, he visualized throwing and landing his techniques on his opponents. This is a technique that helps attain focus and grounds competitors. The division was filled with many men that focus solely on this style of fighting and are extremely fast and agile.

Lombardi knew that he needed to bring his “A” game and win this division so he would have the opportunity to compete in the Grands. He had several fights in the 18-29 division, and managed to capture first in a couple of back and forth battles. He went on to compete with older age divisions and was able to capture the overall Men’s Fighting Grand Championships. He fought many veteran fighters who have competed for years, and have many tricks of the trade that they utilized against the younger Lombardi. He displayed his stamina and athleticism throughout the rounds, and came out victorious. Lombardi works out consistently in the dojo and additionally in the gym to always stay competition ready.

Lombardi credits his instructors and training partners at Huard’s for his successes and was pleased to demonstrate his skill sets to be a role model for the next generation of Martial artists.

He is also a first responder as an emergency medical technician. He works long hours and stills finds the time to devote to his training. Those that know Lombardi credit his discipline, integrity and commitment to himself and his team.

Bikes for Books at Windsor school

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On June 13 and 15, Windsor Elementary School celebrated reading at its ninth annual Bikes for Books awards program. Bikes and helmets were awarded to a boy and girl in grades PreK through fifth on June 13, and sixth through eighth on June 15. Bikes for Books is a reading incentive program. Every time a student reads a book, his or her name was entered into a drawing to win a new bicycle and helmet. The more books or words a student read, the more chances he or she had to win. One boy and one girl were randomly chosen from each grade level.

The following students won bikes: pre-k, Colby Lyshon and Cora Daigneault; Kindergarten, Shelby Cook and Luke Bouchard; first, Emma Gilbert and Liam Rackliff; second, Jamison Yvon and Aubrey Dubord; third, Xander Knight and Bridget Feyler; fourth, Myles Cloutier and Maya Gutierrez; fifth, MacKenzie Cushman and Christopher Ontiveros; sixth,  Shelby Gidney and Bordy Kneeland; seventh, Layla Peaslee and Anthony Regalado; and eighth, Rhya Turner and Connor Alcott.

Bikes for Books is sponsored by Dirigo Lodge #104 A.F. & A.M with a matching grant from the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. This program was made possible with contributions from the following businesses: Hussey’s General Store, Netco Inc., Mark’s Saw Shop, Norm’s Small Engine, Rideout’s Market & Grill, J.C. Stone Inc., Ron’s Auto Electric, Windsor Veterinary Clinic, and Elmer’s Barn. Walmart, in Augusta, contributed by providing the bikes at a discounted price.

Boat inspectors standing by

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The Courtesy Boat Inspection Program is underway, checking boats for invasive aquatic plants at the four boat launches in the region. Left to right, Sage Hapgood-Belanger, Director, Courtesy Boat Inspection Program (CBI), Jack Blais, Director, Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). (photo by Scott Pierz)

For more information about the CRLA please go to https://www.crlamaine.org.

Scott and Priscilla Adams honored

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Scott, center, and Priscilla Adams, right, were honored at Sunday morning service during Scout Leader Appreciation Sunday, at China Baptist Church, for their more than three decades of service to the church’s troop. A certificate was presented by Pastor Ronald Morrell, Sr., left, at the China Baptist Church. (Photo courtesy of Ron Emery)

Make-A-Wish Maine grants Jordan’s dream

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Taken at Toy Story Land, at Hollywood Studios. Front row left to right, Jordan “JoJo,” Garay, 7, Layla Garay, 5 and Kobe Garay, 9. Back row , Lennie Langlais, Justina Tippin, Amanda Garay, Victor Garay and Cathy Langlais. (contributed photo)

by Mark Huard

Jordan Garay (contributed photo)

This past month, seven-year-old Jordan Garay (“Jojo”), of Winslow, traveled to Walt Disney World, in Florida, for his wish! Jojo was born with a heart defect that required him to have a pacemaker inserted at just nine days old. Jojo’s family was very familiar with Make-A-Wish, as his grandmother Cathy is a long-time wish granting volunteer, having worked with dozens of wish kids over the years.

Jojo knew all along that he wanted to go to Walt Disney World for his wish! He especially wanted to visit Legoland and dreamed of staying in Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit partner on 89-acres, in Kissimmee, Florida, which is where all wish kids stay on their local wish trips. This whimsical resort is a favorite for wish families who travel to Florida.

Jojo found out that his wish would be granted in a very special way. He and his family attended a Portland Sea Dogs game where he got to go on the field and learn the good news in front of the entire stadium.

“The atmosphere was amazing and hearing the crowd cheer for him was so special. He came running up to me after and was so excited that he was going to get his wish. The whole day was so special for our family,” says wish mom Amanda Garay.

After the special announcement, Jojo’s wish granting volunteers, including his grandmother Cathy, surprised Jojo and his family with his Wish Party. Complete with balloons, cake and travel bags packed with gifts, they learned more about what Jojo’s wish would be like.

“It was wonderful to grant Jojo’s wish to go to Walt Disney World and to see how meaningful the wish was for Jojo and his entire family,” says Mackenzie Perry, Wish Manager for Make-A-Wish Maine. “It was especially meaningful as his grandmother is a long-time Make-A-Wish Maine volunteer and we were grateful to be able to have her grandson experience the impact of a wish.”

Thanks to the Fast Pass Lanes, the Garay kids were able to make it through lines quicker and go on even more rides throughout the day. They rode some of their favorites multiple times throughout their visit. And, while the family had a lot of information about the mission of Make-A-Wish, experiencing it firsthand was a unique experience.

“Over the past 20 years I have heard my mom speak about how important Make-A-Wish is to her and I have seen her dedication to all her wish kids. I knew it was special and I knew she put her heart into it, but I never truly understood the impact of a wish until we experienced JoJo’s wish,” says wish mom Amanda. “Our family was able to make these amazing memories and not worry, not worry about hearts, not worry about cancer, not worry about anything.”

Make-A-Wish Maine extends thanks to Field of Greens Limo, Portland Sea Dogs, Give Kids the World Village, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Legoland for making Jojo’s wish come true.

(contributed photo)