Proposed WPA bylaws revisions to go before membership at Aug. 13 annual meeting (2022)

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Webber Pond.

The Board of Directors of the Webber Pond Association (WPA) is recommending that WPA members approve the Revised WPA Bylaws shown below at the August 13, 2022, Annual Meeting.

CONTENTS

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE Page 1
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER MEETINGS Page 1
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD MEETINGS Page 2
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS Page 3
ARTICLE V. INDEMNIFICATION Page 3
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT Page 4

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

A. NAME: The name of the Corporation is the Webber Pond Association, Incorporated (“WPA”).

B. PURPOSE: The purpose of the WPA shall be to protect and improve the water quality and water level management of Webber Pond to enhance recreational enjoyment. This shall be accomplished through education, conservation efforts, active management, and timely identification and correction of problems that arise.

C. REGISTERED AGENT and OFFICE: The Registered Agent and Registered Office of the WPA shall be as designated by the Board of Directors or President. The address of the Registered Office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors, President, or the Registered Agent.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER MEETINGS

A. MEMBERSHIP: Membership shall be open to any person who supports the purposes of the WPA. A member in good standing is defined as an individual who supports the purposes of the WPA and has paid annual membership dues.

B. DUES: Membership dues shall be as determined by the Board of Directors. Members are to be notified of the dues amount at least 14 days prior to the Annual Meeting by the Secretary, President, or designee. Dues cover the period from one Annual Meeting to the day before the next Annual Meeting.

C. MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES: Only members in good standing are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any Special Meeting, serve as a Director or Officer, or serve on a committee. Each member in good standing shall have the right to cast one vote. The approval of a majority of members is required to elect members of the Board of Directors and Officers of the WPA; amend the Bylaws of the WPA; approve the sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the WPA; and approve the dissolution of the WPA, or merger/consolidation into another legal entity.

D. VOTING QUORUM and MAJORITY RULE: Twenty members of the WPA must be present in person or by valid proxy at Annual or Special member meetings to vote on agenda items. A valid proxy shall serve as a presence for quorum purposes. A majority vote of members present, in person or by valid proxy, is required to pass a motion.

E. PROXY VOTING: Any member in good standing that cannot attend the Annual Meeting, or any Special Meeting, has the right to appoint another member in good standing to attend the meeting and vote in their place as a proxy. The member appointing the proxy must sign and date a WPA proxy form authorizing the proxy to attend a specific meeting and vote on their behalf. To be valid, the proxy form must be signed and dated by the member not more than 60 days prior to the meeting, be presented by the person representing the member to the Secretary or the person presiding at the meeting before or at the commencement of the meeting and shall be effective only for the meeting specified in the document. A member in good standing may only act as a proxy for up to two members in good standing. Members who have signed a proxy form have the right to revoke the proxy by providing written notice to the President or Secretary of the WPA at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

F. ANNUAL MEETING: The Annual Meeting of the membership of the WPA shall be held on a Saturday in August, or as determined by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to elect Officers and Directors for the following year, receive reports of the actions of the WPA and discuss issues of concern. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent by the Secretary, President, or designee at least 14 days prior to the meeting and include the agenda for the meeting, the dues amount, and the recommended slate of Officers and Board Members.

G. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special Meetings of the membership of the WPA may be called by the President, any five Directors and Officers, or any seven members of the WPA. Notice of a request for a Special Meeting shall be sent to the President and Secretary 28 days prior to the proposed meeting date and shall include the purpose of the meeting and a proposed agenda. The request including purpose and agenda shall be forwarded to members by the Secretary or President at least 14 days prior to the proposed meeting date.

H. POLL OF MEMBERSHIP: The Board of Directors my put questions to members by email if this is determined to be in the best interests of the WPA. The Board will include its position on questions posed.

ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. RESPONSIBILITIES: The management and administration of the WPA shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. The Board shall define, establish, and maintain policies and practices as necessary for the operation of the WPA.

B. NUMBER: There shall be a minimum of 5 and no more than 15 members of the Board of Directors, including those Directors serving as Officers.

C. QUALIFICATION: A person must be recognized as a member in good standing of the WPA to be a member of the Board of Directors.

D. TERM: Directors shall serve for a term of three years and remain on the Board until they resign or are replaced by vote of WPA members in good standing. Directors may be re-elected with no term limits. The Board may implement a system of staggered terms for Directors whereby approximately one-third of the Directors may be elected at each Annual Meeting, to provide continuity for the Board.

E. NOMINATION: 1. A Nominating Committee of 3 to 5 Board Members appointed by the Board of Directors shall ask WPA members for any expressions of interest in becoming a WPA Officer or Director or their recommendations for WPA Officers and Directors by the end of May. The Nomination Committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for the Board of Directors and Officers for review and vote at least 14 days prior to the June Board Meeting. The slate of Officer and Directors recommended by the current Board members will be included in the Notice of the Annual Meeting to be sent to members 14 days before the Annual Meeting.

F. MEETINGS: Board of Directors meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Board members.

G. VOTING QUORUM: The attendance of half or more of the current Board members in person or electronically shall constitute a quorum to approve motions.

H. VOTING: For all matters coming before the Board of Directors, a majority vote of those at a meeting in person or electronically at which a quorum is present shall prevail.

I. USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS: To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors and committees may conduct business by electronic means, including, but not limited to, electronic attendance and email notices to Directors and committee members.

J. WATER QUALITY AND WATER LEVEL COMMITTEE: A standing committee of no less than 5 and no more than 11 members appointed by the Board of Directors, with a majority being Board Members and the balance being WPA members in good standing who have indicated an interest in participating. The committee shall develop, maintain, administer, and communicate water quality and water level monitoring and management procedures for the WPA. These shall be based upon Webber data, best practices, and recommendations from the Town of Vassalboro and relevant State of Maine and federal agencies. The committee shall also promote education and outreach programs that encourage best practices for lake users, such as the LakeSmart program that helps lakefront property owners manage their land to protect water quality.

K. VACANCIES: Vacancies in the Board may be filled by the Board of Directors. The person so selected will serve until the next Annual Meeting.

L. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: If any matter comes before the Board in such a way as to give rise to a conflict of interest, the affected Director shall make known the potential conflict, answer any questions that may be asked of them and withdraw from the meeting until the matter has been brought to a vote. The affected Director shall not participate in discussions or vote on the matter and shall not be included in the calculation of a quorum for the vote on the matter.

M. DISQUALIFICATION AND TERMINATION: Three absences from meetings of the Board of Directors shall constitute grounds for disqualification. Two-thirds of the Board of Directors shall have the authority to terminate a person’s position on the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

A. OFFICERS: The Officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Secretary and Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

B. QUALIFICATIONS: A person must be recognized as a member in good standing of the WPA to be a WPA Officer.

C. TERM: Officers shall serve for a term of two years and remain in office until they resign or are replaced by vote of WPA members in good standing. Officers may be re-elected with no term limits.

D. PRESIDENT: The President shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the WPA, leading the affairs of the WPA in a manner consistent with the Purpose of the WPA and in cooperation with the Board of Directors. The President will preside at all Board, Annual and Special meetings and perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

E. VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall perform duties as assigned by the President and the Board of Directors. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.

F. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all monies received and paid out and shall have custody of all property, including bank accounts. All funds shall be paid out as directed by the Board of Directors or President. The Treasurer shall make a report of the financial condition of the WPA at Board and Annual member meetings.

G. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall count votes at meetings, keep a faithful record of all meetings, and perform other secretarial duties as required. Draft minutes of Board Meetings are to be sent to the Board within 2 weeks of the date of any Board Meeting. Draft minutes of Annual and Special Meetings are to be sent to the Board for review within 14 days and shall be reviewed by the Board promptly, so that they can be forwarded and to the members of the WPA within 28 days of the date of the Annual or Special Meeting.

H. VACANCIES: Vacancies in any Officer position may be filled by the Board of Directors. The person so selected will serve until the next Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE V. INDEMNIFICATION

A. INDEMNIFICATION: The Directors, Officers, volunteers, employees, and agents of the WPA shall not be individually or personally liable for the debts or obligations of the WPA and shall be indemnified by the WPA against all financial loss, damage, cost, and expense (including attorney’s fees) reasonably incurred by or imposed upon them in connection with or resulting from any civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding, claim, or investigation in which they may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken by them in good faith as a Director, Officer, volunteer, employee, or agent of the WPA.

B. PRUDENT CARE: Indemnification is subject to the condition that a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors comprised of those Directors who are not parties to such action, suit, proceeding, claim, or investigation, or if there be no such quorum, independent counsel selected by a quorum of the entire Board of Directors, shall be of the opinion that the person requesting indemnification acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief, under the circumstances, that their actions were in the best interests of the WPA, or that such person took or omitted to take such action in reliance upon advice of counsel for the WPA or acted on information furnished by a Director, Officer, employee, or agent of the WPA and accepted in good faith by the person seeking indemnification.

C. BENEFIT: The indemnification provided herein shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, or administrators of any Director, Officer, volunteers, employee, or agent and shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which such party may be entitled by law or under any resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.

D. INSURANCE: The WPA shall procure insurance covering the Directors, Officers, and volunteers of the WPA against any liability incurred in such capacity or arising out of their status as such.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT

A. AMENDMENT: These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual or Special Meeting of members by a majority vote of members in good standing present in person or by proxy where a quorum exists. Suggestions for changes to the Bylaws to be made at an Annual Meeting must be submitted to the President and Secretary by any member in good standing no later than July 1 so that they can be considered by the Board of Directors and sent to WPA members with the Board’s input for consideration at least 14 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Suggestions for changes to the Bylaws to be made at a Special Meeting must be submitted to the President and Secretary by any member in good standing at least 28 days prior to the proposed Special Meeting so that they can be considered by the Board of Directors and sent to WPA members with the Board’s input for consideration at least 14 days prior to the proposed Special Meeting.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s boyhood home launches phase 2 of fundraising campaign

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Hawthorne House

After a successful completion of Phase 1 of its fundraising campaign—which allowed urgent repairs to the foundation, floors, and interior of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond—the Hawthorne Community Association has launched Phase 2 of its fundraising campaign, to fully repair, upgrade, and sustain the beloved boyhood home of the author of The Scarlet Letter.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $75,000. This money will allow the Hawthorne Community Association to repair structural deficiencies in the roof; re-shingle it; re-paint or re-side walls; repair or replace the front steps; repair cracks to the interior walls; and complete landscaping and add fencing where necessary.

“The Hawthorne House is a landmark and source of great pride to everyone who appreciates the culture and literary heritage of New England,” said Abel Bates of the Hawthorne Community Association, which has cared for the historic house since 1921. “By raising this $75,000, we will ensure that one of Maine’s most historic homes will endure and thrive as a community events center.”

Event rentals at the Hawthorne House will help fund Phase 2 of the fundraising campaign. Rates are $25 per hour for nonprofits and Hawthorne Community Association members, and $50 per hour for nonmembers (minimum of two hours).

To donate to Phase 2 of the effort to fully repair Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home, please consider a much-appreciated check payable to “Hawthorne Community Association” / PO Box 185 / South Casco, ME 04077. PayPal donations may be made online at: https://www.hawthorneassoc.com.

For more information, please contact Abel Bates at (207) 318-7131 or jbates4@maine.rr.com.

MaineGeneral Medical Center issues call for artists

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MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Art Committee invites Maine artists to submit proposals to display and sell their work at a MaineGeneral facility. Those selected will have an opportunity to hang their art in the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta or the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville for a period of eight weeks.

Exhibition spaces can accommodate 15 to 20 pieces of art. All two-dimensional media are welcome, from solo artists or groups. Framed size of the artwork should range from 11×14 to 24×36 inches. MaineGeneral’s Art Committee retains a low 20 percent commission on any sales to purchase art for the benefit of the hospital’s patients and staff.

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed monthly. Spaces are available in the fall and winter of 2022 and into 2023. Complete application information can be found on the hospital website: https://www.mainegeneral.org/about-us/mgmc-art-committee/.

To learn more or ask questions, please contact Jo Horn of Volunteer Services by email at mgmcart.committee@mainegeneral.org or by phone at (207) 626-1244.

Kennebec Valley Tourism Council announces election of officers

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From left-to-right: Mike Guarino, Kim Lindlof, Kristina Cannon

Kennebec Valley Tourism Council (KVTC) has elected the following officers to its board of directors for a one-year term from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023: Mike Guarino, owner of Maine Wilderness Tours, as chairman; Cheryl Nadeau, town manager of Jackman, as vice chairman; Kimberly N. Lindlof, president and CEO of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and executive director of Central Maine Growth Council, as treasurer. Kristina Cannon, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan, will remain as chairman of its marketing committee.

Maine’s Kennebec Valley is one of the eight Maine tourism regions. Named for the Kennebec River which runs down the center of the region, The Kennebec Valley includes the cities and towns contained in both Kennebec and Somerset counties. The region contains Maine’s capital city of Augusta as well as Gardiner, Hallowell, Waterville, Skowhegan and Jackman and the recreational resort communities near Monmouth, Belgrade, and The Forks. It also contains a few outlying towns including Rockwood-on-Moosehead, China, and Pittsfield.

Red Cross needs more blood donors to avoid shortage

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In recent weeks, a decline in donations has caused the American Red Cross blood supply to shrink nearly 20 percent. This drop in donations could lead to a seasonal blood shortage, which can negatively impact patient care at hospitals across the country.

The Red Cross needs donors to make an appointment now to give in August. As a thank-you for helping, all who come to give Aug. 1-31 will be entered to win gas for a year and will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Details are available at rcblood.org/fuel.

Just as most cars need to be refueled constantly, so does the nation’s blood supply. The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage.

The decline in donations has caused the Red Cross blood supply to shrink nearly 20 percent in recent weeks. The availability of blood products will continue to decline if donations do not increase. People should not wait until they hear there is a blood shortage to give. Type O negative blood donors and platelet donors are especially needed now.

“This is a concerning trend that may soon make it tougher to keep blood products stocked on hospital shelves,” said Paul Sullivan, Red Cross senior vice president of donor services. “By choosing a time to give now, donors can help pump up the blood supply for those in immediate need of lifesaving care and those who rely on transfusions for treatment.”

Donors can schedule an appointment to donate using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As blood and platelet donations drop, gas prices have reached all-time highs in the U.S. As a thank-you, all who come to give Aug. 1-31 will be automatically entered for a chance to win gas for a year, a $6,000 value. There will be three lucky winners. Everyone who comes to give blood or platelets in August will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.*

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

EVENTS: Delightful “All Things Blueberry” festival promises loads of family fun

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WINSLOW, ME — One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the festival grounds is free.

Nearly 750 mouth-watering blueberry pies and “all things blueberry” baked goods will be available for sale. Blueberry pies ($12 each) may be picked up at the church anytime from 3 to 7 p.m., the previous evening (Friday, August 12) or the day of the festival (Saturday the 13) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kicking off the 51st Annual Blueberry Festival on Saturday will be a delicious Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost of the breakfast will be $7 per person and $5 for children age 12 and under, payable at the door.

Other Great “Festival Festivities”

In addition to the “all things blueberry” pies and other culinary delights, festival patrons will enjoy a Lobster Shore-Dinner Raffle; live classical, pop, folk, and blues music; local crafts vendors; a yard sale; a popcorn vendor; a silent auction; basket raffles; an agricultural exhibit featuring goats; and a firetruck and police car.

Night-Before (Friday Evening) Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper To-Go

The night before the Blueberry Festival, there will be a Friday-evening (August 12) Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper To-Go (with “all the fixins’”) at Winslow Congregational Church. The Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Blueberry pies, blueberry baked goods, and a yard sale also will be available during the Friday-evening supper, plus you’ll enjoy live music. Cost of the Chicken Bar-B-Q supper is $12 per person, payable at the event. The supper will be served by Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry volunteers and all proceeds will benefit the food pantry.

More about the 51st Annual Blueberry Festival

A beloved community favorite since 1972, the Blueberry Festival raises funds to empower the local humanitarian/Christian-service work of Winslow Congregational Church. Celebrating its 193rd birthday this year, the historic church is housed in a building dating from 1796, which has been home to a worshipping congregation since 1828.

Everyone seeking a wonderful opportunity to gather and enjoy a treasure trove of “all things blueberry” is cordially invited to attend this year’s Blueberry Festival. Mark your calendar now!

For more information about the 51st annual Blueberry Festival, please visit: https://winslowucc.org/blueberry-festival/.

Waterville Opera House announces 2023 season

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The Waterville Opera House (WOH) is delighted to announce its 2023 theatrical season. Two amazing musicals and two entertaining plays will reignite the stage of the historic 120-year-old theatre in downtown Waterville.

“We’re excited to bring this amazing selection of theatrical productions to life for our community,” says Michelle Sweet, executive director of the Waterville Opera House. “Our season dates have changed, but our quality and passion haven’t.”

Opening the 2023 season is “The Play That Goes Wrong” (March 31-April 9). Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a laugh riot, featuring accident-prone thespians who battle against all odds to finish their play as it progresses from bad to utterly disastrous with hilarious consequences.

The show of the summer is “Rock of Ages” (June 16-25). Featuring smash-hit songs from the 1980s, this musical sensation follows several dreamers and aspiring stars as they attempt to save their beloved Sunset Strip venue from encroaching strip mall development.

Mystery abounds in “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” (September 1-10). This whodunnit story follows famed detective Hercule Poirot as he tries to determine who murdered an American tycoon aboard a packed train before the killer strikes again.

Kicking off the holiday season is “Elf the Musical” (November 17-26). Based on the beloved holiday film from New Line Cinema, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole before eventually embarking on a journey to discover his true identity.

“From laugh-a-minute comedy to suspense-filled mystery to full-on musical spectacle, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy!” says Sweet. “I hope to tempt our theatre patrons back to the Waterville Opera House in record numbers by offering a 2023 Season Pass to catch all four of these crowd-pleasing offerings at a discount.”

Tickets for all four shows will go on sale to Waterville Creates members on September 5 and to the general public on September 12. Season Passes, giving a 20 percent discount when purchasing tickets for all four shows, will also be available.

For more information, visit operahouse.org or call 207-873-7000.

Maine Farmland Trust awards grants to local farms

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Ironwood Farm, in Albion, owners Nell Finnigan, left, and Justin Morace. (internet photo)

Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) announced the award of six matching grants totaling $300,000 to Ironwood Farm, in Albion, and five other farms across the state upon their completion of MFT’s Farming for Wholesale program, a two-year program that offers up to 100 hours of individualized business planning and technical assistance to farmers who are seeking to grow their operations. The six farms will implement business plans focused on scaling up for wholesale by investing in equipment and infrastructure to streamline their production, improve their ability to sell to wholesale markets, and make their businesses more profitable.

The 2022 grantees are Apple Creek Farm in Bowdoinham; Bahner Farm in Belmont; Bumbleroot Organic Farm in Windham; Farmer Kev’s Organics in West Gardiner; Ironwood Farm in Albion; and Pumpkin Vine Family Farm in Somerville.

Each farm was awarded $50,000, and will match the grants with $50,000 of their own investments, introducing a total of $100,000 of new funding to grow their businesses. All six farms participated in MFT’s Farming for Wholesale program and worked with business advisors to research and define robust business plans that focused on scaling up for wholesale markets. These grants are competitive and applications undergo an extensive review process by a committee of MFT staff and industry consultants.

In their business plan, Nell Finnigan and Justin Morace of Ironwood Farm, an organic diversified vegetable farm in Albion, planned to scale up their best crops to help them grow sales to a level where they can support full-time, year round employees who are paid equitably, as well support a living wage for the farm owners. Finnigan and Morace plan to do this by using grant funds to construct new vegetable-handling facilities and cold storage.

Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, in Somerville. Anil Roopchand, center, with children Kieran, left, and Sarita. (The Town Line file photo)

Another award recipient was Anil Roopchand and Kelly Payson-Roopchand’s Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, a goat dairy and farmstead creamery, in Somerville. Their business plan identified a need to increase the size of their goat herd, as well as the capacity of their on-farm infrastructure, so their farm can sell products to diverse markets, including expanding their ability to provide wholesale goat milk to other local creameries. As a result, Roopchand and Payson-Roopchand plan to use grant funds to buy new equipment, as well as investing in an expansion of their barn and a manure pit.

Learn more about MFT’s Farming for Wholesale program here: https://www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/farm-viability/workshops/.

Winslow Garden Club holds annual meeting

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Winslow Garden Club’s July meeting at Fort Halifax Park, in Winslow, had a special guest, Town Manager Erica Lacroix, left. (Photo by Howard Mette)

The July meeting also had in attendance an active Winslow Garden Club member from the other side of the river, in Waterville, Scott McAdoo, the board president of the Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. The meeting had two new volunteers who recently moved to China from Florida, Mary and Don Kealey, who met garden club’s 80-year-old volunteer Dick Williams and club co-chairmen Sue and Rick Dutil, in Hawaii, in 2014. This photo includes Dan Spafford, the first Winslow resident to join the club, and Mira Mette, whose husband, Howard, is taking the photo. Winslow High School biology teacher Joan Pierce was in attendance, but not in photo.

Winslow Garden Club Co-Chairman Sue Dutil. (Photo by Rick Dutil)

Winslow Garden Club Co-Chairman Sue Dutil is celebrating Christmas in July. This is a photo of Winslow’s 2021 Christmas kissing balls. The Winslow Garden Club is accepting donations for the 2022 Christmas winter kissing balls. If you’re interested in donating a kissing ball to the town of Winslow please email Sue at susandutil@yahoo.com or call Sunset Flowerland and Greenhouse (207) 453-2357 to apply a credit toward a kissing ball as your Christmas gift to the town of Winslow.

Wynn Pooler earns All-American honors

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Wynn Pooler

Wynn Pooler, recently completed his freshman year at Erskine Academy, in South China. He has been named an Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) for his accomplishments this past year. He was the only freshman and the only wrestler from Maine to earn Academic All-American honors. He is also one of only 15 freshmen nationally, across all sports, to earn either first or second team honors.

He maintained a 4.0 GPA while competing in three sports and was the first freshman in Erskine Academy history to win a state title in wrestling. He went on to wrestle at the Interscholastic New England Championships, where he made it to the quarterfinals. He then competed at the NHSCA High School National Championships, where he finished with a 2-2 record. Finally, he wrestled as a free-agent for a Pennsylvania-based club at the NHSCA National Duals, where he finished with a 4-2 record.