EVENTS: Rock around the jailhouse block

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LCHA volunteer Dan Watts assists a youngster with a Jenga tower at last year’s Jailhouse Rock! event. (contributed photo)

It’s party time at the Old Lincoln County Jail on Federal Street in Wiscasset! Gather your friends and family for a rousing good time at Jailhouse Rock on Saturday, August 9 from 5-8 pm. Jailhouse Rock is an event for all ages with dancing, food, lawn games, and tours of the jail cells.

The stewardship committee of Lincoln County Historical Association’s (LCHA) Old Jail invites young and old for an evening of music by the jazz-rock-blues band, Leopard Girls, and their set of foot-tapping music.

Bring your own picnic or purchase food at the jail. Event organizers have partnered with Wiscasset Partners in Education to sell picnic fare at reasonable prices to benefit school programs. In addition, kids and kids-at-heart will participate in games and races, and those interested in glimpsing the austere cells in the 214 year-old granite jailhouse will be treated to brief tours.

Tickets for adults are just $5; kids are free. Jailhouse Rock will be held rain or shine. Visit the LCHA website at lincolncountyhistory.org to purchase tickets online.

The Lincoln County Old Jail is located at 133 Federal Street, in Wiscasset.

Lincoln County Historical Association is a nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset. For more information, please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine).

EVENTS: Nelson reunion

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Palermo Christian Church (photo from the church’s Facebook page)

Submitted by Jo Jo Nelson

Do you know a Nelson?

The 100th Nelson Reunion of Erastus and Eliza Nelson descendents will be held on August 9th at the Palermo Christian Church.

The first Nelson Family Reunion was hosted by Erastus and Eliza’s 6th child Frank Miles Nelson in 1925. Frank and his wife, Ellen (right from Ireland) owned a farm on the Western Ridge Road in Palermo, Maine. Frank had built a new garage. When he proudly showed his mother, Ella said, “Frank, before you get this sweet smelling place in use, let us get the family together here to eat a meal.” This was the start of a 100 year tradition. For years the reunion had a hot meal until it got to be a lot of work, then it was changed to a pot luck.

Frank’s brother (the 7th child) Rodney and his wife, Julia, also settled in Palermo. In 1914 Rodney passed away due to a hay accident leaving his wife with six children. The two boys, Oscar (16 years old and Jaspar (13 years old) continued working the farm on North Palermo Road, Palermo, Maine. Seven years later Oscar would leave to start his own farm in Albion.

Over the years Oscar gradually acquired more and more acreage until he was operating three adjacent farms with the help of his son Paul. Oscar had about 60 head of stock and was selling milk when Paul enlisted in the Army. Oscar sold off some of the land and stock to what he could manage alone. Paul spent five years in the Army during World War II. In 1947 Paul married Erika Shanid in Germany.

Paul and Erika settled in Albion and raised there three children, Gerald, Christa, and Stephen. Christa married Arvid Bumps, son of Bernard and Hattie Bumps, of China. They have two children Heidi and Trever. Do you know them?

Christa’s brother Stephen and his wife Sonia (the daughter of Arthur and Madeleine Beldon, of Palermo) continue to farm the land where his father once farmed. Paul would help out on the farm until his death. Steve and Sonia are parents to Ricky, Rusty and Darren Nelson. Do you know them?

Look for the Nelson’s float in the Palermo Day’s Parade (jump on and join us). After the parade the Nelsons will host the 100th Nelson Family Reunion, at the Palermo Christian Church, with a catered luncheon at noon, and business meeting at 1p.m. All Nelsons are welcome to join!

Story from the Nelson Family Reunion book by Eva Chamberlain and updated by Cheryl Beldon.

EVENTS: Winslow’s Blueberry Festival on tap for August 8 – 9, 2025

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One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events – Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival – is coming this year on Friday, August 8, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 9, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. The Friday evening event will feature a delicious chicken BBQ fundraiser ($15 donation per supper) to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry, plus live music. Admission to the festival grounds is FREE both days.

Nearly 700 mouth-watering blueberry pies and “all things blueberry” baked goods will be available for purchase both days of the festival. Blueberry pies ($15 each; 2 for $25) may be picked up at the church anytime from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, or on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until they are sold out.

Live Music, Blueberry Pies, & Fun-Filled Activities

Both days of this year’s festival will spotlight more live music than ever before, with Friday’s line-up including Richie Bartolo (Pop, Rock, Jazz – 3 p.m.), Dave Deas, Bill Dolan, Brian Richmond, Maureen Vachon, Darren Beaudet, and Dennis Rock (Pop, Rock, Blues – 4 p.m.), and The Cellar Dwellers (Beatles and Other Classic Pop/Rock – 6 p.m.).

Saturday’s musical line-up will feature Will McPherson (Acoustic Pop/Rock – 8 a.m.) Uke ‘N Be Happy (Good-Time Ukulele – 9 a.m.), Josh Bickford (Classical Organ/Keyboard – 10 a.m.), Will McPherson (Pop/Rock – 11 a.m.), and an Open Jam featuring Wayne Berman, Dave Deas, Dave Carew, Bob Steinberg and Friends (noon). (Live music schedule subject to change.)

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast

Kicking off the 54th 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 ages 12 and under, payable at the door.

Other Great “Festival Festivities”

Other fun-filled activities will include a huge yard sale … arts & crafts vendors … a police car, ambulance, & firetruck for the kids … BBQ … a café, and more!

More about the 54th 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 197th 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!

For more information about the 54th annual Blueberry Festival, please call (207) 872-2544 or email news.winslowucc@gmail.com.

EVENTS: Sidney Masons to honor Wayne Ireland

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The Mason’s of Rural Logde #53, Sidney, will be holding their annual pig roast in honor of Wayne Ireland who recently passed away. He was a great and honorable brother and is sorely missed. The proceeds from type roast, as always, goes to benefit those of lesser means. The roast will be held at the Oakland Masonic Temple, at 21 Oak St., Oakland, from 1 – 4 p.m. Eat in or take out is offered. This fare’s donation is $15 for adults and $7 for children under 13. Thank you to all donors specially Fanado Pelotte Construction, Middle Road General Store, K.M.D. Driving School, Hannaford Cony. We look forward to old friends as well as making new ones. God bless and stay safe. Contact Gary at 207-458-2832.

EVENTS: Oakland’s Oakfest set for July 25-26, 2025

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Come experience a weekend of family fun Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, and see why Oakfest is rated among the 10 Best Outdoor Festivals in Maine this summer!

This year’s Oakfest theme is Margaritaville: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet, with two days of family entertainment. Bring your children ages 8-12 downtown to participate in the Oakland Lions Club “Lions Safari” (call Kathy at 465-7357 to pre-register) and take a tour of Memorial Hall and the Oakland Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. Oakfest 2025 officially kicks off Friday night at 6 p.m., with a parade down Main Street, led by this year’s grand marshal Monica Charette, Maine’s Mother of the Year, and the ShineOnCass Foundation. Following the parade there will be food trucks, music by “RJ the DJ” Richard Jandreau from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and a street dance with live music by “I Want My MTV Band” sponsored by Decker Simmons American Legion, from 8 to 11 p.m. Stop by the American Legion Beer Tent for patrons 21+ and enjoy food and music all evening.

Saturday’s ShineOn Oakland Day festivities start at 9 a.m., behind Williams Elementary School, at 55 Pleasant Street, in Oakland, with an expansive, 75-booth ShineOn Oakland Open Air Market. The day-long event features Maine-made artisans and crafters, an extensive variety of food vendors, dozens of fun children’s activities sponsored by Kingdom Life Church, including bounce houses, a water slide, climbing wall, and carnival games. Have your children choose a free book to take home as part of the ShineOnCass Literacy Project. Plus there will be a Cruise-In Classic Car Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy live music until 3 p.m., at the ShineOn Oakland Stage, plus much more!

Come to the ATV Barbeque from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and stay until dusk for Oakfest’s grand finale of Messalonskee Trail Riders’ “Glow Ride” to light up downtown Oakland.

Oakfest is proudly sponsored by the Town of Oakland, Oakland Ameri­can Legion, Oakland Furniture (In memory of Alan Breton), Somerset Stone & Stove, Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union, Granite Corp., Kingdom Life Church, Bri Designs, United Rentals, Oakland Lions Club, RSU #18, Valley Beverage, and the ShineOnCass Foundation

Oakfest is pleased to partner with the ShineOnCass Foundation to provide an annual community support project for the summer festival. This year’s “Shine a Light on Literacy” will provide free books to children who attend ShineOn Oakland Day, on Saturday. For more information about the project, visit shineoncass.org.

“We are excited to welcome back hundreds of attendees to Oakfest 2025, offering food, music and family-friendly activities for all ages. Oakfest is the place to be this summer in Maine,” says Oakfest Committee Co-chairman Kathy Paradis, who along with Co-chairman Abby Marshall and a committee of volunteers, coordinates the annual community festival.

For more information about Oakfest 2025, call Kathy Paradis at 207-465-7357, visit the Town of Oakland Facebook Page or their website: oaklandmaine.us/oakfest/.

EVENTS: In-water workshop to teach how to spot invasive plants

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Illustrations for 11 of the Maine’s most unwanted invasive aquatic plants.

CHINA – Want to learn how to spot suspicious aquatic plants on Maine lakes?

Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) will host a “Plant Paddle” workshop, at China Lake, on Friday, August 1, to help participants know which plants are invasive, and how to detect them.

The free outdoor, on-the-water class will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The program will cover basic botany, plant structure, and life cycles for a variety of common plants. Guests will learn how to use LSM’s Quick Key to determine whether plants are suspicious of being invasive, discover which aquatic invasive plants are infesting Maine lakes, learn how to monitor lakes, and how to report findings by becoming an invasive plant patrol (IPP) volunteer.

This class is required for those seeking Tier 1 IPP Certification through LSM.

Guests may bring their own small, shallow draft craft (canoe, kayak, row boat). Should guests wish to attend but do not have their own watercraft, appropriate arrangements can be made. Pre-registration is required for all guests at https://tinyurl.com/ycy938y2.

This program is co-sponsored by Lake Stewards of Maine with China Lake Association, Worromontogus Lake Association, and Sheepscot Lake Association.

Lake Stewards of Maine is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which works to protect Maine lakes and to promote lake stewardship through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health. For more information, please contact (207) 783-7733, email stewards@lakestewardsme.org, or visit www.lakestewardsofmaine.org.

EVENTS: “People of China, Maine” – China Historical Society annual meeting

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Boats on China Lake, Maine

Join us for an evening celebrating the rich history of China, Maine! The China Historical Society’s 2025 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 6:00 PM in the historic Old Town Hall (next to the China town office).

This year’s program, “People of China, Maine,” will feature local speakers sharing fascinating stories about the town’s early settlers and the communities they built. Presenters include Rev. Ron Morrell on the Baptists, Joanne Clark Austin on the Quakers, Tim Hatch on Thurston Park, and Scott McCormac on the people of South China Inn.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to town, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors, learn more about China’s history, and support the work of preserving our shared heritage.

We’d love to see you there—bring a friend and help us keep our local history alive!

EVENTS: Make an immediate difference by giving blood or platelets now

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The American Red Cross urges all donors to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply strong this summer. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves – especially in the face of summer challenges that can quickly cause blood and platelet reserves to drop.

All blood types are needed, and donors who don’t know their blood type can learn it after donation. Book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 14, 2025, will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker that’s included! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

For those who come to give July 15-31, 2025, the Red Cross will say thanks with a Fandango Movie Reward by email. Use it to catch a summer blockbuster on the Red Cross! See RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Kennebec County:

Augusta

July 28: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206

Waterville

July 18: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., O’Brien’s Event Center, 375 Main St.

Winslow

July 30: noon. – 5 p.m., MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW #8835, 175 Veterans Drive.

EVENTS: Historical groups offer insights to local shipbuilding

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A painting of Josephus, built by Ebenezer Haggett, of Newcastle, in 1876. This painting is on display in the parlor of the Chapman-Hall House. (contributed photo)

On Saturday, July 19, the Damariscotta Historical Society, the Chapman-Hall House, and the Newcastle Historical Society will share with visitors a look at the tremendous work of local shipbuilders at three different locations. Visitors are welcome at the Damariscotta Historical Society and the Chapman-Hall House between noon and 4 p.m.; at the Newcastle Historical Society, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A Walking Tour pamphlet of Downtown Damariscotta, including the Newcastle Historical Society site, will be available at all three sites.

Between the 1760s and the 1920s, as many as 30 shipyards were called the Damariscotta River and Great Salt Bay home. The Damariscotta Historical Society has newly arranged its collections and now has on display a selection of photos of locally built vessels. The displays will also include a number of ship-building tools recently donated by Calvin Dodge. Mr. Dodge will be available on July 19th to answer questions about the shipbuilding that took place in this area. The Society is located at 3 Chapman Street, in Damariscotta.

The Chapman-Hall House will feature an exhibit of navigational instruments. Two owners of the Nathaniel Chapman Homestead, after it was sold out of the family, John Dickey and William Williams were both mariners; both would have been familiar with the tools necessary to determine if a vessel was on course. Jeff Miller, who reproduced the instruments that will be featured, will discuss the methods of using these tools during the afternoon. The Chapman-Hall House is located at 270 Main Street, in Damariscotta.

At the Newcastle Historical Society, the story starts in 1765 when shipwrights George Barstow and Nathaniel Bryant began building wooden sailing vessels and ends in 1920 when the last large schooner was built not far from where Lincoln Home is today. A display of photographs and narratives showcasing the development of marine vessels from the single-masted sloop to five-masted schooners can be seen at the Newcastle History Society Museum, located at the corner of Main and Pump Streets. Tim Dinsmore, historical archaeologist and president of NHS, alongside other NHS Board Members, will be present to answer questions and provide information on prominent Newcastle shipbuilders.

EVENTS: Spectacular laser show and concert to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard

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Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry – which serves food-insecure children, seniors, and other adults from Winslow, Water­ville, Skow­hegan, Fairfield, and 20 other surrounding towns – will benefit from a spectacular Drive-in Laser Show and Concert coming to the Clinton Fairgrounds (1450 Bangor Road) from Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, August 2, with gates opening at 5 p.m. each night. Cost is $29 per carload per show. To assure admission, ordering tickets in advance at the link below is strongly suggested.

This year there will be two Laser Shows on Thursday night, July 31, with the Pop Hits Laser Show starting at 7 p.m., followed by the Classic Rock Laser Show at 9 p.m.

Friday night and Saturday night will each feature three Laser Shows, with the Pop Hits Laser Show starting at 7 p.m.; the Classic Rock Laser Show starting at 9 p.m.; and the Monsters of Rock (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Metallica, etc.) Laser Show starting at 10 p.m. (Please Note: Each show is ticketed separately, and all starting times are approximate.)

Arts & Crafts vendors will be on the fairgrounds on Friday, August 1, from 4 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., along with food trucks and other food vendors. There will also be an exclusive infield seating area. (Please bring your own chairs and blankets.)

ADMISSION FEE:

Just $29 per entire carload when you purchase tickets in advance or at the gate. PLEASE NOTE: We strongly advise purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee admission.

Order Tickets at: https://www.freshtix.com/events/clintonlasers3 or call (608) 701-6114.

CAN’T ATTEND?

Those who may not be able to attend a Drive-In Laser Show & Concert, but who would still like to assist food-insecure children, seniors, and adults in our local area, may donate to Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry by sending a check payable to “Winslow Community Cupboard”, to 26 Lithgow St., Winslow, ME 04901, or by visiting WCCPantry.com and clicking on the white “Donate” button.