LakeSmart presentation by Mary Wicklund, Maine’s LakeSmart Program Manager
/0 Comments/in China, Community/by Website Editor![](https://townline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LakeSmart-Pierz-1030x649.jpg)
Mary Wicklund, Maine’s LakeSmart Program Manager, right, presented information on the state’s LakeSmart Program to about two dozen people in the region via a “hybrid” in-person & Zoom meeting held October 20. With her, displaying a LakeSmart Award Sign, is the China Region Lakes Alliance Executive Director, Scott Pierz, who sponsored the event. (photo by Susan Gallo, Executive Director of Maine Lakes)
Various broadband initiatives across Maine to provide improved access
/0 Comments/in Central ME, China, Community, News, Palermo/by Jeanne Marquis![](https://townline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/fiber-broadband-by-Barta-IV-1030x773.jpg)
Photo credit: Barta IV, https://www.flickr.com/photos/98640399@N08/9287370881
by Jeanne Marquis
Communities through the Central Maine and Coastal regions are creating initiatives to improve their internet services to existing users and provide connection to underserved areas. Each community or coalition of communities is in a different stage of their progress, yet all have similar goals of future proofing their internet connections, providing reliable service to underserved residents and more affordable service to those who are currently served.
The Southwestern Waldo Broadband Coalition (SWBC) is one of these initiatives. Their goal is to connect Freedom, Liberty, Montville, Palermo, and Searsmont with affordable, accessible broadband coverage. In a survey conducted from April to September of 2021, fifty-five percent of respondents stated that no company was able to provide internet service to their homes. The survey results are further supported by a Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping of the area showing most of Southwestern Waldo is in an internet desert devoid of connection.
Bob Kurek, Palermo selectman, explains why he works actively to advocate for SWBC,
“This is my second term as a selectman. I would like to leave the town doing something good for the town and I think this is probably the one thing that will benefit most of our residents.
“My next reason is funding. I would call myself a pragmatic conservative. I wouldn’t normally have gone after the government put in a lot of money. But as long as the government has decided they’ve got money that’s available [for broadband coverage], I want to be ready, willing and able to accept it and put it to use to solve a problem for our residents.”
The SWBC is fueled by volunteers from the five towns that comprise the coalition. Kurek explains, “If you realize the resources that it takes to pull together the information that you need to work on these grants? Small towns, like the R5 towns, don’t have enough resources to do it but when we combine we have the resources – I’m just thrilled by the people who work with us. We’ve got engineers, we’ve got educators, we’ve got accountants, we’ve got a good group of people who understand what it is that we’re wanting to do. They’re all working to solve the problem. They realize that our area is so unserved and underserved by broadband service. We could enhance our economic development, we can enhance education, and we can make it easier for people who need to communicate with doctors.”
The SWBC completed an extensive survey to ascertain the level of interest and need in their five town area. Key members of the coalition presented the results this September in informational sessions at town meetings. The SWBC earned the approval of all five select boards to use funds from the first distribution of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for a feasibility study. The SWBC is now soliciting bids from eight consulting firms.
Another broadband initiative in the Central Maine region is the Western Kennebec Lakes Community Broadband Association, which combines the towns of Fayette, Leeds, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Vienna and Wayne. A statement on the association’s website expresses that their towns need improved access to the internet to help their students get an education, promote remote work opportunities, access information and reduce isolation by connecting family and friends. The association also views internet access as vital to the future financial wellbeing of their communities by encouraging new residents to settle and their current families’ youth to stay or return.
The WKLCBA is currently gathering survey information from residents from their six communities. Video testimonials are posted on their website expressing the need for improved internet service from a variety of sectors: health, education and business.
Ellsworth is an example of a community with a newly-installed fiber network serving three miles of their downtown area. The city is currently offering leases to connect to the network to both residential and business customers. The goal of the fiber network project is to position Ellsworth as a technology-friendly city to attract remote workers and companies for whom broadband is a vital component of their business.
The Ellsworth city website says the city may expand the network overtime as the interest grows and update the technology at either end of the cable as needed.
The Town of China appointed a broadband committee to research options for better internet service and this committee has been meeting since early 2017. The China Broadband Committee (CBC) found that the major internet provider services only 70 percent of the town, the rest are serviced by a lower quality DSL or have no service. The committee’s solution to provide more reliable, more affordable internet service to every resident and business in China is similar to the fiber network plans of the broadband initiatives in progress across our state. The CBC plan is highly detailed and analyzed in an October 14, 2021, article by The Town Line technical advisor Eric Austin found at https://townline.org/category/sections/columns/tech-talk/ and on the CBC website at https://chinabroadband.net/.
A musical legacy passes to the next generation at So. China Community Church
/0 Comments/in China, Community/by Eric W. Austinby Eric W. Austin
The South China Community Church has chosen Ian Maxwell, a local South China resident and recent graduate of Eastern University, to be their new director of music. Maxwell will be replacing Chris Faris, who previously held the position for the last 29 years.
“The choir is very excited to be working with Ian, who is challenging them with some difficult pieces that require more than just one rehearsal to learn,” said Janet Preston, an elder in charge of worship music at the church and part of the team that selected Maxwell for the position. “Ian was the obvious choice to succeed our previous ‘Minister of Music,’ Chris Faris. He and his family have been active members of South China Community Church since Ian was very young. Ian started playing piano as a child and quickly impressed his teacher (Muriel Desrosier of Winslow) with his talent and potential.”
Among the responsibilities of the church music director is to choose, along with the worship chair and pastor, the hymns used during church services and by the choir, and to accompany them on piano, as well as directing rehearsals for the choir during the week.
“South China Community Church is the church I grew up in,” said Ian Maxwell, “so it’s an honor to be able to take a leadership position there. I intend to use the talents I was given to assist the church in worship, and to tackle fulfilling and beautiful music with our choir. I’m very excited about what the future will bring.”
Maxwell graduated from Eastern University, in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 2021 with a degree in General Music and a concentration in Piano, his primary instrument.
The previous director, Chris Faris, was a prolific composer and has written more than 100 songs to be used during church services. Preston was worried those songs would be lost with the appointment of a new music director. “Not so,” she said. “One of Ian’s first choices was one of Chris’ pieces. The choir was thrilled and even sent a recording of themselves singing it to Chris, who was delighted as well.”
Faris often wrote pieces about themes that were important to individual members of the congregation. “He wrote a beautiful song about fairness for my daughter, Beth,” Preston said. She hopes to help publish a book of Faris’ compositions in the near future.
Besides serving as music director for the church and writing original songs, Faris was also a chef and created elaborate soup suppers for the congregation that were held before church events. “He was much more than simply our pianist, earning the title of ‘Minister of Music,’” said Preston. “We so appreciate his many years of service to South China Community Church.”
Not long after returning to China after graduation, Maxwell approached Faris and Preston about creating a second choir. “Chris saw this as an opportunity to retire and leave the choir in good hands,” said Preston. “Things fell into place very quickly. It was a win-win situation. We were very fortunate that Ian was eager and willing!”
Preston hopes that Maxwell’s youth and energy will attract new people to join the church choir. “He is a young, dynamic, and creative director with a great sense of humor and a hugely positive attitude,” she said. “It is so much fun to sing with/for him! All are welcome to stop in Wednesday evenings at 7:30 (for choir rehearsal) at South China Community Church on Village Street (across from the South China Library).”
The South China Community Church holds rehearsals for the choir at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesdays, and worship services at 10 a.m., on Sundays.
Protect Maine’s forest: don’t purchase or use bittersweet or multiflora rose in decorations
/1 Comment/in Community/by Website Editor![](https://townline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1024px-Rosa_multiflora_rose.jpg)
Multiflora rose Sesamehoneytart, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Maine Department of Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) urges Mainers to beware of invasive plants that may be used in wreaths, garlands, and other fall decorations.
Under Maine law, it is illegal to import or sell invasive plants in any form (plants, seeds, or cuttings) in the state, including vines and fruit used to create decorative wreaths.
For complete information on the 33 species banned for importation and sale in Maine, visit the DACF website.
The two most common invasive plants used in wreaths and garlands are Asiatic bittersweet, and multiflora rose. Both plants cause severe environmental damage by invading open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows, and backyards and crowding out native plants.
Asiatic bittersweet kills mature trees through strangling.
Multiflora rose can form impenetrable thickets that keep native plant species.
Both species are difficult to control and easily re-sprout after cutting. The placement of wreaths and garlands outdoors or disposing of them in compost piles can lead to new infestations. Birds and other animals also eat the fruit and spread viable seeds into vulnerable forest areas.
“Many invasive plants may seem beautiful but are a serious threat to our natural areas and the wildlife that depends on native plants to sustain them,” said Maine State Horticulturist Gary Fish. “It is not legal to sell wreaths that contain these banned species and consumers should look for decorations with native species in them like winterberry holly, red twig dogwood, or American mountain ash.”
The public can report locations where banned plants are being sold to the Maine Horticulture Program at horticulture@maine.gov or by calling 207-287-3891.
Sew for a Cause at St. Bridget’s Center
/0 Comments/in Community, Events, Vassalboro/by Website Editor![](https://townline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sew-for-a-cause-veterans-1030x632.jpg)
Some of the items created and collected by Sew for a Cause and American Legion Post #126 for veterans this Christmas.
The Sew for a Cause group is working with American Legion Post #126, in Vassalboro, on a project. The ladies have made a couple hundred patriotic themed Christmas stockings.
Members of American Legion Post #126 are also collecting personal care items such as shampoo, shaving cream, socks, soap, etc., and snack treats to fill the stockings. The stockings will be donated to veterans at Togus VA, in Augusta. Anyone interested in donating items can contact St. Bridget Center, at 207 616-3148.
Winslow town manager to hold coffee and conversation
/0 Comments/in Community, Events, Winslow/by Website EditorTown of Winslow Manager Erica LaCroix is hosting a series of events entitled “Coffee with the Manager” to discuss issues and ideas that are important to residents and community members during an exciting time of new business growth, development opportunities, and regional entrepreneurship activities. Providing a forum for feedback and supporting future area planning initiatives, with the backdrop of current and forthcoming historical federal funding opportunities, Winslow is poised to continue its trend of resilience and growth.
Within a casual yet collegial setting, the overarching goal of the series is to evaluate how the Town of Winslow can more effectively support local businesses and community members to enact meaningful municipal change and prepare for current and forthcoming federal funding opportunities. Discussion topics will include but are not limited to: education, workforce development, business development, waterfront planning, infrastructure, and general municipal efforts.
“Hearing their stories and building relationships with the community will provide the Town of Winslow with the opportunity to continue to get to know its residents, learn what the community is passionate about, and breathe life into new and existing strategic projects,” LaCroix explains. “I look forward to having the opportunity to engage thoughtfully with residents to create tangible and positive change.”
LaCroix looks to promote intentional engagement with the community and local businesses, producing short- and long-term goals aligned with the needs of the municipality. Giving residents the opportunity to talk about placemaking initiatives and growing the urban core along the waterfront, “Coffee with the Manager” will provide a forum for open discussion and ideation, empowering community members to impart feedback on the issues that matter most.
“Public participation and input lay the groundwork for impactful municipal projects and sustainable economic development initiatives,” states Sabrina Jandreau, development coordinator at Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC). “Winslow’s businesses and residents understand the importance of stimulating local economic growth and cultivating the conditions for positive change, and “Coffee with the Manager” invites residents and interested parties to invest in the future of the town.”
“Coffee with the Manager” kicked off its first gathering on Wednesday, October 20, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Winslow Parks and Recreation Office, located at 114 Benton Avenue in Winslow.
Waterville StoryWalk to launch on North Street Community Connector Trail: Daniel Finds a Poem
/0 Comments/in Community, Events, Waterville/by Website EditorThe Waterville Public Library and partners are delighted to announce the launch of a StoryWalk® at the North Street Community Connector Trail, in Waterville. Beginning Saturday, October 23, 2021, please visit and enjoy reading the book Daniel Finds a Poem, by Micha Archer, as you walk along the trail behind the North Street playground and alongside the Messalonskee Stream. Daniel Finds a Poem celebrates the poetry that is in and for everyone and everything. What is poetry? If you look and listen, it is all around you!
StoryWalk® promotes reading, movement, relationships, outside time, and exploration. “A StoryWalk® is a lovely way for children and adults to wander in discovery and delight with great children’s books immersed in nature,” said Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian. A StoryWalk® offers laminated pages of children’s books along a walking trail. As you stroll down the trail, discover the unfolding of a story with engaging prompts. The North Street Community Connector Trail StoryWalk® starts at the trailhead across the street from Quarry Road, in Waterville. New stories will keep coming along. While supplies last, copies of current StoryWalk® books will be available for pick-up for free at the Waterville Public Library, located at 73 Elm St.
“The Waterville StoryWalk® launch is a marvelous demonstration of positive outcomes made possible through partners coming together to empower people and strengthen community,” said Tammy Rabideau, Library Director. Waterville StoryWalk® organizers invite you to participate in the upcoming FREE fall programs for all at the North Street Community Connector StoryWalk®.
- Grand Opening Event for the North Street Community Connector StoryWalk®
Saturday, October 23 @ 1p-2p. (Rain date: 10/24). Guided tours led by staff of the Children’s Discovery Museum, Waterville Creates, and Waterville Public Library! Cider, donuts, and apples! Free copies of “Daniel Finds a Poem” available while supplies last. Free for all ages – adults welcome! - Outdoor Adventure, Tuesday, October 26 @ 10 – 11 a.m. (Weather permitting). The Children’s Discovery Museum’s weekly Outdoor Adventure program will take place on the StoryWalk® trail this week. Collect leaves during the walk to use to create leaf rubbings. Free for youth and their caregivers!
- Art and Nature Walk, Saturday, November 6 @ 1 -2 p.m. (Weather permitting). They will walk and create a mini art journal using collage methods as seen in the book, Daniel Finds a Poem. Led by Serena Sanborn, Waterville Creates. Free for all ages – adults welcome!
- Homeschool Hub, Thursday, November 18, from 1 – 2 p.m. (Weather permitting). Meet Mrs. Liz to walk the StoryWalk® trail followed by writing gratitude poems. Feel free to bring a snack to enjoy with each other after the program. Free for youth and their caregivers!
Questions? Please email storywalk@watervillelibrary.org or call the library at 207.872.5433.
PHOTOS: Scouts at Camp Bomazeen
/0 Comments/in Belgrade, Community, Photo/by Website EditorCross Country Journey – Conclusion: The final leg to Edmonds, Washington
/0 Comments/in Community, Windsor/by Steve Ballby Steve Ball
[Read part 1 here, and part 2 here.]
There was something about riding into Montana that gave me a sense that we were really making progress. Montana was our 13th state and I had completed over 2,500 miles on the bike. My bike was holding up well and I was feeling good – strong with no aches. The idea of finally getting into Montana, “Big Sky Country,” as it’s affectionately referred to, just sounded uplifting.
Allane and I left Medora, North Dakota, on a clear, hot day with a sense of accomplishment. The heat was increasing and I was now in the habit of getting up at around 4 a.m. and heading out on my ride. I had to get in a day’s ride before the afternoon heat set in. There weren’t many roads between Medora and Glendive, Montana. I rode the flat prairie with views of the Black Hills along either side of the road. Towns and settlements were fewer and farther between. I headed into Beach, North Dakota, a heck of a name for a town in the middle of the prairie. After a nice lunch with Allane in Beach I was about to embark on a new adventure, riding the Interstate.
The only road running East-West was I-90 and I was going to try my luck riding along side streams of cars, RV’s, and semi trucks with tandem trailers all going 80 mph! Thank goodness the shoulder was clean and wide. After roughly 40 miles I was able to get off the highway in Glendive. I came to learn that in the West it is not at all uncommon for cyclist to ride on the interstate. It was new for me, and I was more than a little cautious. I hugged the far right side of the shoulder, put my head down and made some of the best speeds I would attain over the whole trip.
I carried on with the early mornings just to avoid problems with heat and it worked for me. There generally aren’t a lot of vehicles on the road at 4 a.m. and the views of sunrise and animals out for an early forage were stunning. From a distance the prairie can seem dull, empty and lifeless. I never appreciated the beauty of this type of terrain until I was able to spend hour after hour riding at 12 mph through it. I came to find the Montana prairie full of life, color and activity once I experienced it up close.
I rode through very small towns in Eastern Montana. I rode through the towns of Circle, Jordan, Winnett, and Stanford making our way Westward. We were met with cautionary news of grizzly bear sitings almost as soon as we entered Montana, but when we got to Stanford a nice gentleman in a diner showed us an article in the local newspaper about a cyclist who had been dragged from her tent and killed by a grizzly. This happened not far from where we were planning to ride. The warnings were all of sudden much more real. That evening, in our motel, Allane let me know that our days of tenting had come to a halt.
Probably the toughest day of riding on the trip came between Jordan and Winnett. The night before the ride I noticed that on the map it stated “No services for 74 miles.” I assumed it meant there were no gas stations, hotels or restaurants. But, in fact, it meant there was no sign of human life in this stretch between Jordan and Winnett. I left at approximately 4:30 a.m. and started out with a stiff headwind. If there’s anything that will demoralize a cyclist it’s riding into a headwind. Climbing hills or riding in the rain can be challenging, but fighting a headwind seems like you’re working constantly, making little progress and there’s no end in sight. On this day, Day 57 on the trip, I fought against a 20-27 mph headwind for 76 miles over eight hours. I averaged a whopping 9.5 mph and, when I finally made it to our stop, I was exhausted.
Thank God Allane was at the end. She had our accommodations and an iced coffee for me to recover and relax with.
I left Winnett without much regret. It was a desolate town with empty, dilapidated buildings and many abandoned houses. It really was a sad place. However, within 20 miles we came upon another tiny town called Grass Range. It was the polar opposite of Winnett, with nice houses, flower pots and green lawns. What a contrast! Our pancake at breakfast got our vote for the best on the trip.
The wind was now much more a factor than it had been on the trip thus far. The prevailing wind direction for the United States is from west to east. I knew this was the case before I left on my ride, but had not really appreciated just how much wind can impact a cyclist’s journey. I thought my biggest challenge would be the hills and mountains I would have to scale. I was mistaken.
I rode through the prairies of Montana for over a week getting to know this unique and, I would argue, mostly misunderstood, part of our country. We enjoyed the hospitality of very warm and generous people. In Great Falls, Montana, we met Brianne, a young woman who was so taken with the idea that someone would ride their bike across the country that she gave us a tour of “her” city and called her previous boss to get us a personal tour of the CM Russell Museum. CM Russell, a renowned artist whose works depicting ranch and cowboy life in Montana, sit in the Oval Office, the National Museum of Art and many other places. Great Falls was a memorable stop made all the more special because of the people.
We were both getting excited because we were getting close to Glacier National Park and the famed Rocky Mountains of Montana. The anticipation of the scenery and the postcard worthy views was real. I rode from Cut Bank, a small prairie town bordering the foothills of the Rockies. I saw the Rocky Mountain range from almost 50 miles away and it was amazing. Big, tall and vast, the range ran from north to south covering the span of my view. It would be my guiding feature for the next day.
We entered the Rockies at East Glacier Village, on the southern border of the national park. I anticipated hard riding, but after fighting the wind on the prairie, the mountains seemed pretty easy. I saw wildlife and enjoyed breathtaking views. I was frustrated that I couldn’t capture it all in photos. Every time I stopped to pull out my camera to take a photo, the scene changed or the animals ran away.
We loved the new taste of huckleberry in everything from ice cream, to tea, to syrup. There were more people and we really appreciated the new sense of community that seemed to exist amongst travelers, hikers, and cyclists.
I scaled Mariah’s Pass outside of Summit, Montana, with an elevation of 5,216 feet, crossed the Continental Divide, and glided down into Kalispell, a lovely city nestled in the mountains and atop Flathead Lake. It seemed everywhere we looked we would catch our breath and say, “Wow!” The Rocky Mountain Range is a uniquely special place.
I finally had come through Montana just beyond the town of Libby after over 700 miles of cycling! I thought New York was long. Montana is nearly 1.5 times as long as New York!
From the Rockies I rode on through that part of Idaho that sticks up between Montana and Washington. It was mountainous and wild and very much worth the ride. We spent one day in Idaho, stopping in Sandpoint, a lakeside city near the border between Idaho and Washington. Idaho was our 14th state!
I entered Washington State on our 70th day on the road. Our goal of crossing the United States was getting closer and we knew it. We had some spectacular cycling ahead of us in the Northern Cascades, so we weren’t necessarily looking to hurry it up.
Our first real taste of the Northern Cascade Mountains was to scale Sherman Pass, the highest paved mountain pass in Washington at 5,575 feet. On this climb of Sherman Pass I rode 23 miles up to the peak and then glided down while enjoying breathtaking views.
We were looking forward to visiting with an old Army buddy, Hank Cramer, from Winthrop, and had his lovely town that sits nestled in the Cascade range in our sights. But forest fires were beginning to rage and people who lived in these parts were either fighting the fires, protecting their homes or getting ready to evacuate. I had never seen a forest fire up close and wasn’t eager to do so, but we saw several on this ride. It’s both overwhelming and scary. I was not close to worrying about my safety, but could see the forest engulfed in smoke. It was quite a sight.
Our visit with Hank in Winthrop was not to be. Instead, we met in Omak, Washington, about 40 miles southwest from Winthrop and off of my original route. We met for a nice dinner, but we were a safe distance from the fires that had closed the only road heading west out of Winthrop. My plan of riding the Northern Cascade Range from Idaho to the coast would have to be abandoned.
I re-worked my route traveling south along the Columbia River to the Southern Range of the Cascade Mountains. Although not my original route, it turned out to be an equally spectacular ride through mountain passes and scenic river valleys.
At this point, we needed to select our final route to the coast. Looking over the map for a reasonably safe and appropriate coastline to end this adventure, Allane came across a small beach in Edmonds, Washington. Brackett’s Landing sat on the northern side of the Edmonds Ferry that connected Bainbridge Island to the mainland. It seemed that fate determined Brackett’s Landing to be our destination. Allane’s maiden name is Brackett and what better place to end this epic journey than at a place with this name?
As it turned out, Edmonds was founded by George Brackett and, after some serious research, Allane determined that she is distantly related to George, whose father was born in Yarmouth, Maine.
People have asked what I liked best, or what was the hardest part, or what was most memorable about this journey. I have a hard time narrowing my experiences down to single days, or places. In fact, what I liked best about this epic journey was that I saw more, felt more and appreciated more about this country than I have ever before. I know now that true appreciation of anything can best be accomplished at a slow and deliberate pace. And finally, reaching a destination is rarely the most gratifying part of any endeavor, it’s the process of getting there that is most satisfying and most lasting.
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