Courtesy boat inspectors busy

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Pictured, left to right, are Wyatt McKenney, Alex Reitchel, and Brody Worth, all of Palermo. They will be incoming ninth graders at Erskine Academy, in South China, this year. (contributed photo)

The Sheepscot Lake Association Courtesy Boat Inspectors have been having a busy season at Palermo’s new boat launch! They have inspected over 100 boats for invasive species during their weekend shifts, and also educated boaters on the importance of self-inspections, both before entering and when leaving the lake. This is important since the inspectors are not always there to check your boat for you. It all plays a part in keeping Sheepscot the healthy lake that it is.

Celebrate Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 75th Anniversary on August 30

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The community is invited to Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 75th anniversary and annual banquet celebration on Tuesday, August 30, from 4:30 pm – 7:30 p.m. The banquet will be held at the beautifully-renovated Jewell Lodge, overlooking Damariscotta Lake, at Camp Wavus, in Jefferson.

They are celebrating 75 years of conservation activities in Knox and Lincoln counties with old friends, including past board members, past conservation award recipients, partner organizations and new friends. Attendees will be treated to a BBQ dinner and delicious pies while viewing a rolling display of photos spanning 75 years. Speakers will highlight the district conservation activities and future plans in Knox and Lincoln counties. Throughout the evening there will be raffle drawings, a chance to meet our supervisors and staff, and to peruse displays highlighting past and current District projects.

China Four Seasons helps at Bomazeen

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Front row, from left to right, Ian Martin (#603), Julie McKenney, Amber Chesley. Back, Thomas Gage (#485); Tyleek Baluvett (#546); Zachary McKenney; Remy Pettengill (#479); Michael Connolly (#428). (contributed photo)

This summer two large boxes of life jackets and PFDs were donated by the China Four Seasons Club to the Camp Bomazeen Old Timers. The Old Timers put the donation directly to work this August at the Scouts BSA program at Camp Bomazeen. This is the older Scout program. The donation immediately supported Scouts from Kennebec Valley District troops to earn swimming, life saving and canoeing merit badges.

South China Library: Every bit helps

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When they heard about the match, Griffin, Daxton and Mollie Carballo had a lemonade stand and donated their sales to the library.

Construction on the new South China Library is coming along nicely. Thanks to a generous donor, all donations received in August will be matched up to $10,000. There is one week left for this great fundraiser. Donate today to double your impact! Donate online , or mail a check made out to South China Library to P.O. Box 417, South China, ME 04358, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1281956, or go to their website, southchinalibrary.org.

Photos provided by Kim Tilton

From left to right, Griffin, Daxton, and Mollie Carballo deliver their donation to librarian Cheryl Baker.

Cubs learn about outdoors

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by Chuck Mahaleris

Warden Service Sgt. Josh Bubier shows Scouts the pelt of an animal that lives in Maine’s woods while parent Chris Vincent and Cub Scout Hunter Brown listen. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Cub Scouts in Vassalboro Pack #410 enjoyed meeting with members of the Maine Warden Service recently. Sgt. Josh Bubier and Warden Jake Voter took time the first week of August to discuss with the Cub Scouts the important role the Warden Service plays in protecting Maine’s unique natural outdoor heritage. According to Cub Master Christopher Santiago, the pair spent time talking about a day in the life of a game warden, what it takes to become a warden, introducing us to K-9 Koda, and showing the Cubs many different animals found here in Maine including: bobcat, red fox, raccoon, moose, black bear, otter, muskrat, possum, weasel, and fishers.

The Cubs enjoyed the entire presentation but were especially fond of meeting Game Warden K9 Koda – a four-legged hero. In May, Koda and Voter located a missing person, rescuing a 77-year-old woman who likely had spent two nights in the woods in Bremen just a few days after Koda and Voter found an 11-year old girl who had gone missing.

Santiago said, “What a great night for our Pack! A huge thank you to Sgt. Bubier and Warden Voter. Thanks to all our den leaders and parents who got the majority of our boys out to this event. We have a recruiting event at the Vassalboro family movie night which is on Saturday, August 20. I will be there around 7 p.m., and we have a recruitment event at the Vassalboro Community School open house on Tuesday, August 30 at 6 p.m.”

Vassalboro Pack welcomes parents and families of boys grades K-5.

Interested in Joining Scout Pack #410? Please contact via email: VassalboroCubScoutPack410@gmail.com.

All photos courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris.

Koda

90-year-old veteran creates a hand-carved legacy for future generations

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On Saturday, August 6, Alan Johnston, U.S. Army veteran and commander for the Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, led the dedication of a hand-carved wood eagle to Wreaths Across America’s founder Morrill Worcester, as part of the organization’s annual Stem to Stone event in Downeast Maine.

The eagle was carved by 90-year-old Navy veteran George Gunning and painted by his wife of 70 years, Donna, both of Windsor, as a gift of thanks to Worcester and all those who carry out the Wreaths Across America mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Over the last 15-plus years, the Gunnings have made more than 4,000 hand-carved and painted wooden, eagle-headed canes to donate to Maine veterans as an extension of the Eagle Cane Project started in Oklahoma. They do it as a labor of love for all those who served our country. The Gunnings were moved to create this larger eagle sculpture after learning more about the Wreaths Across America program and the impact it has had on veterans and their families across the country.

As part of the dedication, Johnston presented George and Donna a $1,000 check from the Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. A $1,000 donation was also presented by Johnston to Wreaths Across America Volunteer Location Coordinator for Togus National Cemetery, Deborah Couture, to sponsor veterans wreaths to be placed there this December as part of National Wreaths Across America Day – scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.

Wreaths Across America is the nonprofit organization best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at over 3,100 participating locations nationwide. Throughout the calendar year you can tune in to Wreaths Across America Internet Radio, 24/7, to learn more about the mission and those who support it across the country, as well as the hundreds of local charitable efforts nationwide that are funded through wreath sponsorships.

You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest, at noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021, as part of National Wreaths across America Day.

14-year-old teen entrepreneur opens electronic repair store

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14-year-old Parker Redlevske, speaking at the open house. (photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

Have you heard about the teenage boy in Maine that started his own electronics repair store? A year ago, Parker Redlevske, of Oakland, was your typical 13-year-old boy playing with friends, going to school, cracking jokes and pulling pranks. His parents say at a young age he has always been very smart, independent and curious of how things worked. He started watching videos on repairing electronics after breaking a few himself and really tested his parent’s patience as he took apart the electronics in their home. His interest in repairing went on to become a business after he spoke to it into existence at a business conference that he went to with his stepfather Jonathan Irwin.

Jonathan is the owner of Wireless Technology Solutions, a partner with Verizon, a company that he and his wife Amy Irwin use to work for. In fact, Parker’s store is in the location where the two of them worked and met. Growing up Parker would get dropped of at their stores while waiting for them to finish work. That is where Amy thinks a lot of Parker’s curiosities came for electronics as well as working with customers. “Parker is amazing with customers, giving them a warm greeting when they walk in, recommending devices and accessories to them, as well as repairing their devices and ringing them out. He is a natural and I really think it is because he grew up around this environment,” said Amy.

In 2020 Jonathan was looking to take his company to the next level and that is when he started being mentored by business mogul Grant Cardone. After spending time weekly with him on webinars, daily calls and at their headquarters, Jonathan decided it was time to share this knowledge. In July he brought his wife to a 10X Business Bootcamp and then she started her own business called No Negatives Photography.

The next event in September, he was looking to bring his staff, and when one member couldn’t attend, that is when Parker asked to go. He went and networked with business owners, got to meet Cardone and on day three, went up on stage and he asked Cardone, “What advice he had to give to someone young like him and what he could start doing now?”

Cardone praised him for going to the conference and gave him advice on leveraging his age and setting a target. Cardone gave Parker a $10,000 goal and asked how he was going to raise that money. That is when Parker told Cardone he had been learning to fix phones online. Cardone had Parker ask the audience to repair their phones and give him $100 for future payment. Parker then crowd-funded $1,800 from the audience and was given a new challenge. Cardone guaranteed to double Parker’s money if he could show it to him by the end of the year. Parker thought how he could protect that money and, on stage, told Cardone he could invest it to keep it safe. He then told Cardone, a real estate investor with a $5 billlion real estate portfolio, that he could invest it with him. The video from that day then went viral on the internet.

Co-owner and founder of Techy, Tim Phelps, saw the video and said he wanted to help Parker launch his business. Tim and the family did a webinar where he discussed wanting Parker to have skin in the game by raising the money for the franchise fee and Techy would help with the build out, additional training and support. Parker’s next task was to raise the capital for the franchise fee which he did in the matter of four months, and exceeded Cardone’s goal for him. In total, between what Parker had raised and Techy had invested had totaled to over $100,000 which exceeded the goal by ten times, that 10X founder/author Grant Cardone had set for him.

Parker asked his parents to homeschool him, and he went down to Techy HQ for training and then opened his store in May which quickly became a hit with the community. Parker then realized he needed more help, and that is when they reached out to Nick Rancourt, who comes with 30 years of IT/repair experience and was the missing piece they needed for Techy Waterville. Rancourt says he enjoys being able to help support and teach Parker with his years of experience but is amazed at how much Parker teaches him as well with his youthful knowledge and perspective.

Parker is carving a path for other youth and hopes to help kids realize age doesn’t matter if there is something they want to do in life, they just need to create a plan, how to get there, and take action. For more information, go to https://techycompany.com/waterville-me.

New Dimensions FCU announces results of Cruisin’ for Care

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From left to right, Tammy Poissonnier, Dianne Bourgoin, Randy Schmitz, Sharon Storti, Ryan Poulin, Hannah Fitzgerald, Grace Jandro (from MCCP). (contributed photo)

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union recently hosted its 8th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show at the Lafleur Airport. On the morning of June 4, staff and volunteers arrived early to begin setting up for the biggest event they do all year. They sent the invitations, carefully planned, and were over the top that they had finally reached the day of the show. One by one, the cars began showing up to participate in a much-loved car show event for a great cause. With 160 registrations, it’s no wonder they watched in amazement when the new section of the airport filled up so quickly. The day was a complete success, and they are excited to share the results.

They collected and tallied the event funds and are thrilled to report that they raised a record-high amount of $20,240.66, and with the addition of the CO-OP Miracle Match of $10,000, the total is $30,240.66 for 2022. What an impact that will make in the lives of children, and their families, who desperately need the help.

New Dimensions FCU hosts the “Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show” each year to raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) – an affiliate of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, located in Scarborough, Maine. This year, fundraising activities included a 50/50 raffle and a Super Raffle that included a Yeti Package. Additionally, they raised even more money by grilling hot dogs, sausage & onions, deep-frying fries, selling pizza by the slice, and making sure breakfast pizza was available. Other efforts to raise money were the proceeds from tee-shirt sales and, of course, each car show participant paid a nominal registration fee of $10 per vehicle. They also suggested a $3 donation from the patrons who came to see the car show, and they stated that “as always, our community showed up generous as ever.”

They thank the area businesses that sponsor this important event each year and attribute a large part of their success to them who make it possible to donate all the proceeds to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Their sponsorships include gold, silver, bronze, and general and trophy sponsorships. Also included are the businesses that volunteer to donate signs, posters, pizza, super raffle prizes, and more.

China icon, Jack Sylvester, passes away at age 83

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Jack Sylvester

Jack Sylvester, 83, was loved by many and affectionately known as “the Mayor of China.” Every person he met was a friend to be made. He passed away Saturday, July 30, at his China Village home, surrounded by family and certain as ever in his annual conviction that “the Red Sox won’t amount to anything this year.”

John “Jack” Adelbert Sylvester was born on October 13, 1938, in Farmington, Maine, to Hugh Shorey Sylvester and Louise Stratton Sylvester, of Eustis. In 1944, the family moved from Eustis to Albion, where Jack graduated from Besse High School in 1957.

Jack and his wife, Ann, owned and operated China General Store, in China Village, for many years. The store, best known simply as Jack’s, was a gathering place and fixture of the community. Jack loved his career and had countless happy memories of his neighbors stopping by the store for a cup of coffee or a game of cribbage. One of his favorite days of the year was Halloween, when Jack would dress up and hand out chocolate milk and potato chips to all the kids who came to the store.

Jack served his community as a longtime volunteer firefighter, including as chief of the China Village Volunteer Fire Department. He was a longtime member and past master of Central Lodge #45 in China.

Jack made those around him feel like family. He was also a devoted family man. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren beyond measure and never missed a chance to spend time together. He taught them how to hunt, fish, garden, golf, work hard, have fun, be silly, treat everyone with respect, yodel and, most of all, to love and care for each other. He was looking forward to becoming a “wicked great-grandfather” this fall.

Jack is predeceased by his parents. He leaves behind his beloved wife of over 57 years, Ann; son, Christopher, and his wife, Jody; daughter, Lori, and her husband, Bob; granddaughter, Amy, and her husband, Alexander; grandson, Nathan, and his wife, Madelyn; and loyal guard dog, Roscoe. He is also survived by his three siblings, Alene Smiley, Betty Shuckrow and Robert Sylvester, as well as many other loved ones and, of course, too many friends to count.

The family so grateful for all the kind words, visits, notes and reminiscences the community has shared with Jack over the past several years. In 2020, after a stint in rehabilitation without visitors due to the pandemic, he was welcomed home with a parade down Main Street, in China Village. He was so touched, and we will never forget that.

All are welcome to join the family for a graveside service to be held Monday, August 15, at 10 a.m., at the China Village Cemetery Extension on the Neck Road. Please come as you are.

In memory of Jack, be kind to each other, sing a song, tell a joke, share a laugh and a hug. His favorite thing was to see others smiling.

In lieu of flowers, please let the family know your favorite memory of Jack or send them a funny joke, maybe one that Jack told you. Please email reminiscences to remembering.jack.sylvester@gmail.com.

For anyone who would like to make a donation in Jack’s memory, please consider donating to China Village Volunteer Fire Department, China Baptist Church or Northern Light Home Care & Hospice.

All are welcome to join the family for a graveside service to be held Monday, August 15, at 10 a.m., at the China Village Cemetery Extension, on the Neck Road. Additional parking will be available at the China Conference Center ballfield. That evening, a gathering will take place at the old store on Main St., in China, from 5 – 7 p.m., with a video presentation. More information is available on the Friends of China Facebook page.

See also: Jack’s: Where everybody knows your name

Jack Sylvester turns 80 years old

Local novelist launches “Read a story, feed a child” effort

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David M. Carew, author of the new murder mystery/love story Lucy’s in the Neighborhood — set in contemporary Waterville — has launched the “Read a Story, Feed a Child” effort to benefit Winslow Comm­unity Cupboard food pantry.

Dave Carew

“For every copy of Lucy’s in the Neigh­borhood purchased online throughout August, I will make a donation to Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry,” said Carew. “And for every order specifically placed from Monday, August 22, through Wednesday, August 24, I will donate 100 percent of my author royalties to the food pantry.” He noted that the food pantry now serves more than 200 families from Winslow, Waterville (30 percent of clientele), Clinton, and Benton.

Hailed as “a stellar story … engaging, entertaining, and intelligent”, by Roy E. Perry, Book Reviewer (retired) for The Tennessean, Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, set in Waterville, is available online from Maine Authors Publishing.

David M. Carew, of Waterville, is the author of the novels Voice from the Gutter and Everything Means Nothing to Me: A Novel of Underground Nashville, which The Tennessean hailed as “haunting, beautiful, powerful.” He worked for more than 20 years as a publicist in Nashville before returning to Maine in 2016.

For more information, please visit Maine Authors Publishing online or call (207) 594-0091.