EVENTS: Smithfield celebrates leap year with winter events

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If you are looking for something fun and engaging to do with your children this winter, plan on attending any number of free events planned by the Smithfield Leap Year Committee. Generous business sponsors helped make most everything free. Events are both indoors and outdoors so dress accordingly.

Kicking things off there is a child friendly movie on Thursday, February 29, at 6 p.m., at the Municipal Complex where free popcorn will be served. Bring a blanket and get comfy with the kids. Friday night is 21+ Chad the Hypnotist show. Adults will not want to miss this hilarious evening; $15 a ticket with free refreshments at the Fairview Grange #342. Seats are limited so get your tickets today!

Saturday, March 2, is a full day of happenings. Horse drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, tobogganing/sledding, Mr. Drew and His Animals, Too, hot chocolate bar and lunch courtesy of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, a workshop for children to build bird feeders to take home and rock painting, Northern Stars Planetarium dome will present The Wonderful Sky and after all of that fun, enjoy a potluck supper at the Smithfield Baptist Church, at 5:30 p.m.

Find all of the details on Face­book at: Smith­field Maine’s Leap Year Celebra­tion-Winter or www.smithfieldmaine.us website. Take a photo of the QR code.

Sunday, March 3, the North Pond Asso­ciation has part­nered with the town of Smithfield to host a Northern Pike Fishing Derby from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cash prizes for adults, $500 for top weigh-in and an incredible prize of a lifetime fishing license for the youth, 15U, who reels in the biggest pike! Get your derby tickets online.

There will be an ice rink sponsored by the Moonshiners Snowmobile club on the ice at the Grange Hall, free breakfast bagels from North by East, a hearty lunch for just $5 and various local nonprofit merchandise on sale, all at the Fairview Grange #342, along with Just a Kid From Smithfield hoodies, made by Catalyst for Change Wear and Smithfield winter hats. You can purchase them now at the Smithfield Municipal Complex in the town office. Derby awards and Leap Year cake will be served at the grange at this time. Find lots more detailed information on Facebook: North Pond – Leap Year Pike Derby. Call 207-362-4772 with any questions you may have.

EVENTS: Knox-Lincoln SWCD launches annual plant sale

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Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 2024 Spring Plant Sale Catalog is now available in print and online! Plants are available for pre-order, either online or by mail through Tuesday, April 16, 2024. They are offering curbside pick-up of your orders on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, and “Cash and Carry” on Saturday, May 11, at Union Fairgrounds. Quantities are limited so order early for the best selection!

This annual spring fundraiser provides more than 180 varieties to choose from: bareroot fruit trees and berries for the home orchard and garden; native conifers, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines for conservation, wildlife, and landscape enhancement; and native, organic, Maine-grown perennials and herbs in one-gallon pots for pollinators. The plant list includes new varieties in all categories and returning favorites. As always, the print catalog offers descriptions of the plants and cultural requirements to aid in choosing the right plant for the right place. Plant care fact sheets are available on our website.

The proceeds of this fundraiser support the youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.

They are dependent on volunteers to help pack orders and distribute to customers. Volunteers receive some perks as a thank you for helping. If interested, please contact louisa@knox-lincoln.org.

Don’t wait to place your order, visit https://www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale to download a catalog or to shop online; call 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org to receive a catalog by USPS – and, think spring!

Kennebec Performing Arts Company is looking for conductors

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With the recent retirement of its longtime leader, Charles T. Milazzo, the Kennebec Performing Arts Company (KPAC) board of directors is accepting applications for conductors of its three groups. KPAC is a regional, nonprofit music performance organization that includes a jazz band, a chorus, and a wind ensemble comprised of local musicians of all ages and backgrounds with the common goal of community fun and high-level music performance.

The schedule for each of the fall and spring seasons consists of a weekly rehearsal for 12 weeks, with two or three performances at the end of each period.

In addition to conductors, KPAC also encourages new members to join its groups. Singers and instrumentalists are always welcome.

Interested candidates can reach out via the KPAC website kennebecperformingartscompany.org to complete and submit an application through Google Forms.

Candidates may also request an application by email – kpacapp.board264@gmail.com. Candidates will be contacted for interviews and auditions.

Towns seek Spirit of America nominations (2024)

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by Mary Grow

Several area towns, including China and Vassalboro, are seeking nominations for 2024 Spirit of America awards.

According to its website, the nonprofit Spirit of American Foundation was established in Augusta in 1990 to honor volunteerism. Initially, municipalities presented awards “to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable community service.”

Since 2022, the program has included a Spirit of America Foundation School Award.

In a Dec. 11 email to municipal officials, Bruce Flaherty, President of Maine Spirit of America, invited them to seek nominations.

At the Jan. 2 and 16 China select board meetings, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood encouraged China residents to recommend outstanding volunteers. The town has an on-line nomination form, found twice on the website, china.govoffice.com, under Town Clerk and Town Manager. These pages are under Administration, which is under Town Departments on the main page.

Deadline for nominations to be submitted to the China town office is Friday, March 1.

Vassalboro Town Manager Aaron Miller is also soliciting nominations from his town’s residents. Vassalboro has no form, he said; people wanting to nominate someone should call the town office at 872-2826 or email amiller@vassalboro.net.

Both China and Vassalboro have in the past presented annual Spirit of America awards at their June town meetings.

Flaherty explained that municipalities submit their awardees’ names to the state organization by June 1, and the names are forwarded to county officials for county-wide ceremonies in the fall.

EVENTS: UMaine Extension offers maple sugaring workshops

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UMaine Extension 4-H offers maple sugaring workshops in Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, Aroostook, Waldo counties starting Feb. 7.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting a six-week maple sugaring workshop for youth ages 9 and up who are interested in learning about every step of the maple sugaring journey.

Participants in the “Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales” will learn about tree identification, tapping trees, sap collection, using an evaporator, grading and canning syrup, and operating a maple sugaring business. Led by Extension and University of Maine experts, the program will include a combination of online meetings and in-person workshops.

The online meetings will take place on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m., on February 7, February 14, and February 28. During these sessions, attendees will learn about the maple sugaring process and connect with other 4-H members. The on-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses on Saturdays, with dates varying by county.

Enrollment in 4-H is required for participation, but there is no cost to enroll. Interested youth can register online by visiting the program webpage. The enrollment period ends on February 5.

4-H is a community for all kids with programs that suit a variety of backgrounds, interests, budgets and schedules. Programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing. Participants complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu; 207.581.8204.

Another successful year at Kringleville

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Throughout December, Downtown Waterville welcomed over 2000 families who gathered to meet Santa in his Kringleville cabin. Over 700 cups of hot chocolate with cookies and other baked goods were served, and 1200 candy canes and over 1000 books were given to children. Kids also had the chance to see snowmobiles, tow trucks, Jeeps, Elves, and Elsa; They could decorate ornament crafts, listen to a DJ, learn from the Children’s Discovery Museum mobile exhibits, engage in coloring activities, or choose a bookmark for their new book. Santa’s sleigh even made an appearance to transport Santa to and from the North Pole. They also served as a collection site for the Maine Children’s Home’s Holiday Program and filled an SUV with donations.

This amazing free event could not happen without Santa’s right-hand elf Jake. Jake the elf spends the rest of the year as Rick Bryant, a dedicated board member of the museum and Christmas-spirit keeper. He organizes all of the big man’s meetings, maintains the cozy cabin, secures financing and donations, and much much more. A huge thank you to him and all that he does for Kringleville!

EVENTS: Mary Matteson to lead sing-a-long

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Mary Matteson

On Tuesday, December 5, the South China Community Church will offer a hymn sing-a-long at 1 p.m. Please come and join in singing many of your favorite hymns. Christmas hymns and festive holiday songs will also be sung. To add to the special gathering, they will have bells to ring and refreshments to enjoy after the sing.

New music director Mary Matteson is excited to share this special day with you. She is a retired music teacher who enjoys singing and making music with everyone.

EVENTS: Children’s Discovery Museum announces 2023 holiday programs line-up

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Santa waving from his home away from home at Kringleville, in Waterville, last season. (photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

The Children’s Discovery Museum is excited to announce its line-up of holiday programs for the 2023 season, which will include the Parade of Lights, Kringleville, Light Up The Town, Letters to Santa, and new holiday lighting in Castonguay Square.

Kicking off the celebration will be the annual Parade of Lights, coordinated by the Winslow Parks and Recreation department in conjunction with Winslow and Waterville Police Departments and Children’s Discovery Museum volunteers. The parade will take place on Saturday, November 25, at 6 p.m., and will flow down Benton Avenue, in Winslow, across the Ticonic Bridge, then proceed up Main Street, in Waterville.

Along the parade route is Castonguay Square, which will be ablaze with new lights and decorations this year courtesy of SkyBox Holiday and Event Lighting. Several thousand feet of string lights, in addition to multiple kinds of novelty lights, will adorn the trees in the square as well as the iconic Kringleville Cabin.

Santa will meet children at the Cabin at the Square this year, every Saturday and Sunday from 1 – 4 p.m., between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to free meetings with Santa, local organizations will be on location to host activities and giveaways for children as they wait in line. Families can expect DJs, hot cocoa, winter princess visits, and more as part of the holiday celebration.

Kringleville is made possible with support from the city of Waterville, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Selah Tea, and GoNetSpeed. Additional support comes from United Ag & Turf, State Farm and Chase Toys.

Along with Kringleville, the museum is working with Chris Bernier, of CTB Electronics, to host a city-wide light celebration. This year’s holiday season fills the entire town, as businesses and individuals decorate their properties with as many lights as possible. The registered parties will be part of a city-wide map for members of the community to drive or walk by each location to admire the decorations. Registration is currently open, available at Kringleville.org and the Kringleville Facebook Page.

Like last year, children are encouraged to write letters to Santa to leave in his mailbox outside his cabin or send through the Waterville Post Office. Santa will be responding to all letters, as long as the child’s
address is included in the letter. Information will be kept confidential by the Children’s Discovery Museum.

For more information and registration, visit www.kringleville.org or facebook.com/kringleville.

EVENTS: Rotary Club launches charity auction

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The 60th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and unique items will once again be held online through BiddingOwl.com.

If you would like more information about the online auction Saturday, November 25, through Friday, December 1, 2023, please see our webpage for details: https://watervillerotary.com/. You may also actively bid and participate in the auction simply by visiting: www.biddingowl.com/auctions.cfmon. Bidding opens on November 25.

The Waterville Rotary Club hosts an auction each year in late November to benefit what Rotarians determine to be among the worthiest causes of the region. Every year, for more than half a century, this important community event has supported Rotary’s efforts to make a difference in our community.

Proceeds from the 2023 Online Auction will again go to benefit many important community programs.

This year, Waterville Rotary’s initiative focuses on the community’s greatest asset-children and youth. Among the many service projects that the club assists with, Waterville Rotary will support Kennebec Valley Community Action Program’s South End Teen Center.

One of the area’s critically important needs is providing safe and secure community spaces for youth and providing programming to develop skills, create healthy aspirations, and combat the current mental health and substance abuse crisis. The South End Teen Center offers these types of activities and helps young people develop leadership, self-esteem, and decision-making skills.

Rotary Club of Waterville thanks the business community for its support and contribution to the local community.

For more information about cash and/or item donations please call 649-2745.

For more information about the Rotary, visit the website at watervillerotary.com.

EVENTS: Recycled Shakespeare announces auditions

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Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) will hold auditions for their upcoming play Richard III on Sunday, November 26, 5 to 7 p.m., at South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta, and Monday, November 27, 5 to 7 p.m., at Fairfield House of Pizza, in Fairfield.

Auditions will consist of individual and group cold readings, but you may come with a memorized piece if you wish. If anyone would like to audition but cannot do so at these times, please call 314-4730 in advance to discuss alternatives. All parts will be offered by Friday, December 1. RSC also seeks people to do tech and stage work, costuming, props, and concessions. Please come to audition or call to join the crew. People of all skill levels and abilities are invited to participate with this grassroots community theater company.

The play will be performed in Fairfield, Waterville, and Augusta, February 23 through 25. Table Read will be 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 21, at Fairfield House of Pizza. All actors are responsible for learning their lines before Blocking rehearsals begin on Saturday, January 6. Rehearsal schedule is basically Saturdays 1 to 5 p.m., in Augusta, and Wednesday 5:30 to 8 p.m., in Fairfield.

Richard III is the tragic story of a tyrant who rises to power through his cunning charm which does not stop at murder. “Plots are laid” as characters build alliances, break the bonds of friends and family, and strive to maintain the kingdom as England nears the end of the brutal War of the Roses. One of Shakespeare’s often performed plays, this production by RSC is reduced to 90 minutes with script editing by Becca Bradstreet and a directorial team of Lyn Rowden, Shana Page, and Murray Herard.

For more information contact 207-314-4730 or see, like and follow Recycled Shakespeare Company on Facebook.