Order fresh, sweet citrus, now!

Healthy, sparkling citrus fruit will be delivered to your door as early as Thanksgiving, if you order right now. To get it by Christmas, the deadline is December 15, and you can send it anywhere in the continental U.S.A. Great fruit is guaranteed, and is picked, packed, and shipped within 24 hours. No matter what size box you order, shipping is only $6.95 a box, and contact-free. You can also ask your social media friends and families to order, and proceeds of the sale will still help the Living Communities foundation support the Palermo Food Pantry and the Community Center.

To order, go to: https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1018996. You will see the beautiful fruit all safely packed in foam to protect them from cold and bruises. Just fill out the order form and enter your card number or e-check, and boom, you can take care of your whole Christmas list! You may also go to FruitSale.com and enter the group I.D. 1018996. If you are not online, the gracious folks in Florida will help you choose your fruit and take your order with an e-check. Just give them a call at 1-800-468-3168. If you have any other questions, please call Connie at 993-2294 or Melody at (207) 701-1821.

PHOTO: Cub Scouts carve their great pumpkins

Cub Scouts from Skowhegan Cub Pack #485 show off the great pumpkins they carved in time for Halloween. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Scouts learn about trucks

Two Scouts, Gage Brunelle, left, and Gage McFarland, both of Windsor, happily climbed into McGee Construction trucks. (contributed photo)

Augusta Cub Scout Pack #684 held a “Touch A Truck” event on Saturday, October 23, at Mill Park. Youth from around the area climbed on, and in, large rigs and small earthmovers learning from the owners how each worked. The event also had information about Cub Scouting for those who struggle and wanted more than one day of fun. Cubmaster Shawn McFarland said, “This was our first time doing this event and it got postponed once due to weather earlier in autumn. It was great to see kids having fun and learning and exploring. We will have this again next year.” He thanked NRF, Maine X Construction, Steven A McGee Construction, New Gen Powerline, Bisson transport, and the city of Augusta for their support.

Katie Brann named emerging leader of the year by CM Growth Council

Katie Brann

Central Maine Growth Council and KV Connect are pleased to present their 2021 Emerging Leader of the Year Award to Katie Brann, chairman of KV Connect, the young professionals’ group of mid-Maine, and Financial Advisor at Golden Pond Wealth Management, in Waterville. The award was presented at Central Maine Growth Council’s Annual Meeting celebration, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, Kennebec Savings Bank, MaineGeneral Health, New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, and Huhtamaki.

Katie has been involved with KV Connect since February of 2020, previously serving as the organization’s treasurer and marketing committee chairman, currently serving as chairman of the organization. A 2016 graduate of Boston University, Katie returned to her home state of Maine to pursue a career in financial services where she supports clients in comprehensive financial planning and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing. Katie received her Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation in March of 2021. In addition to her leadership of KV Connect, Katie also serves on the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing and Membership committee and serves as the varsity field hockey coach at Messalonskee High School in Oakland.

“Katie embodies outstanding leadership, impact, and performance within the region’s emerging youth workforce and is continually working to create an environment to facilitate responsible investing, creativity, and innovation of young people to excel, develop, and grow. Working closely with Katie through KV Connect, her passion for the Kennebec Valley region shines through her organization of several community initiatives, including our Yoga in the Park and Pints with a Purpose series”, states Sabrina Jandreau, vice-chairman of KV Connect and development coordinator at Central Maine Growth Council. “Her drive and commitment to celebrating the region’s young professionals are a testament to her dedication for making mid-Maine an attractive location to live and work in.”

During a time of robust growth and development in central Maine, Katie’s stewardship has spotlighted KV Connect as an organization that champion’s connectivity through relationship building, community service, social media marketing, and placemaking initiatives, encouraging the continued retention and recruitment of young professionals to the region. At the forefront of KV Connect’s continued growth, Katie’s passion for cultivating opportunities for networking and development will sustain further expansion of the organization’s membership and encourage greater participation by young professionals throughout mid-Maine.

“Waterville is an incredible community and provides a compelling site profile for those who wish to enjoy the area’s eateries, diverse recreational opportunities, or start a business”, said Katie. “Having the opportunity to bridge the gap between young professionals and networking has provided KV Connect with the tools to showcase and celebrate all the region has to offer with those who are new to the area or are just starting out in their careers.”

PHOTOS: Fairfield police support local Halloween event

Photo by Mark Huard

On October 31, the Fairfield Police Department hosted their Second Annual Halloween Trunk or Treat Drive Thru, and it was a huge success. What started as a solution for trick or treating the first Halloween during COVID, has now turned into an annual event. The Fairfield Police Department plans on continuing the tradition for years to come. None of this would be possible without the amazing contributions and participation from members of the community. They look forward to Halloween of 2022!

Photo by Mark Huard

Photos and text by Mark Huard

PHOTO: Winslow boys soccer crowned Class B northern Maine champions

Front row, from left to right, Levi Olin, BenTilton, Sam Schmitt, Landen Gillis, Andrew Poulin, CJ Larsen, Zack St. Pierre, Ryan Martin, Tyler Nadeau and Brady Willette. Back row, Coach Carnick, Joey Richards, Braden Rodrigue, Ethan Loubier, Brady Goodwin, Thorn Dubois, David Doughty, Jason Reynolds, Kris Loubier, Braden Laramee, Lucas Boucher, Lukas Stabins and Coach Wolfe. (contributed photo)

The Winslow boys soccer team recently captured the Class B Northern Maine championship.

Lions Club holds successful food drive

Waterville Lions Club member Michelle Shores, right, with a volunteer worker display the many items donated to their annual food drive. (contributed photo)

The Waterville Lions Club held their 2nd Annual Drive Thru food drive on October 23. The response from the community was overwhelming, again. In addition to individual donations the following local businesses offered their support by gathering donations: GHM Insurance, the Maine Tourism Association and One River CPAs.

Because of everyone’s generous support the Lions were able to distribute supplies and cash donations to the Waterville Food Bank, St. John Church Food Pantry, in Winslow, and the Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry. The Waterville Lions Club is a member of Lions Club International and is dedicated to serving the needs of the local community through service and fundraising efforts.

Those interested in becoming a member of the Waterville Lions Club should contact Membership Coordinator Jill Huard at 314-1039 or jhuard@surette-realestate.com. “Where there is a need, there is a Lion!”

Red Cross to offer free smoke detectors

Every second counts when there’s a home fire. In fact, home fires so dangerous that they claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.

Finally, the Red Cross of Northern New England has resumed its free smoke alarm installation program and home safety checks. Those interested in this free service can schedule an installation by visiting redcross.org/endhomefiresNNE or calling 1-800-464-6692.

Vassalboro Civil War memorial statue repaired

Sculptor Andreas von Huene, pictured above, has been doing the work to repair the Vassalboro Civil War Monument near the East Vassalboro boat landing. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

Repairs were made to two places on the cape, and to the nose of the statue. The rifle has been missing for years, and pieces were most recently discovered at the Outlet Dam, in North Vassalboro. The missing rifle section will not be repaired at this time, as costs were prohibitive.

Sculptor Andreas von Huene. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

Erskine’s Samantha Golden presented with Heisman High School Scholarship

Samantha Golden

On Monday, November 1, 2021, the Heisman Trophy Trust and Acceptance Insurance announced the 2021 school winners for the Heisman High School Scho­larship presented by Acceptance Insurance. Ers­kine Academy senior Samantha Golden, daughter of Jane and Richard Golden, of China, was selected as a school winner in the competition.

From an applicant pool of thousands of high school scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2022, more than 5,700 have been named school winners in the Heisman High School Scholarship competition awarded by The Heisman Trophy Trust and Acceptance Insurance.

The Heisman High School Scholarship presented by Acceptance Insurance extends the Heisman prestige to the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by celebrating and rewarding outstanding male and female scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories happen not only on the field, but also in their schools and communities. The Heisman Trophy Trust was proud to partner with Acceptance Insurance in 2020 to present these prestigious scholarships.

To apply, students must be graduating with the class of 2022, have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of a B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games and/or the National Federation of State High School Association and be a leader in his/her school and community.