EVENTS: Gibbs Library to host “Legends and Legacies”

Connie Bellet displays her pheasant piece.

Submitted by Connie Bellet

Local artist Connie Bellet will display her paintings, drawings, and scrimshaw at the Gibbs Library, in Washington, during January and February. The show opens on Sunday, January 8, from 2 to 4 p.m., and refreshments will be available. The library is just east of Rte. 220 at 40 Old Union Rd. The public is invited to attend, and all pieces will be for sale.

The show is a retrospective containing pieces that were produced as part of “Inspirada Americana,” a live concert multimedia touring production that ran for nearly 25 years. Bellet’s husband, singer/songwriter Phil White Hawk, composed the songs and presented the Native American legends and history that made up the performances. The couple toured all over the West, from the Mexican border to the subarctic, “usually at the wrong time of year,” quips White Hawk. They performed over 1,000 times for conventions, universities, schools, reservations, and service clubs.

Scrimshaw is a relatively rare and ancient art form, which Bellet has mastered over the years when she wasn’t touring. Images are carved, poked, or scratched into ivory, horn, or bone, and then pigments are rubbed into the scratches. The oldest piece known was done on a mammoth shoulder blade. However, Bellet’s pieces, which mostly involve wildlife art, are generally scratched in with an exacto knife and colored with inks and oil paints. One piece in the show, “I Am the Walrus,” won an international trophy. Bellet’s scrimshaw is collected internationally.

Special guests, members of the Great ThunderChicken Drum, will enliven the exhibit with hand drums and songs in the Children’s Area. Fifteen years ago, the Drum coalesced at the Gibbs Library to learn and perform the Ceremony of 8,000 Drums. This healing ceremony was brought to Maine by Jody King and Dabadi Thaayrohyadhi, the Wisdom Keeper of the Otomi/Toltec/Teotihuacan Peoples of central Mexico. This teaching was mandated by a prophecy that is over 500 years old in preparation for the arrival of the new Baktun in 2012. The Great ThunderChicken Drum will return to Gibbs in March to perform this ceremony, which is open to the public.

“This is probably my last art show,” says Bellet. “So come out of hibernation and join us for songs, legends, and some hot cider. Let’s have fun with this!” For more information, please go to info@gibbslibrarymaine.org or call (207) 845-2663.

EVENTS: 6-week Grief Support Group to start January 30

Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area is offering a six-week support group for people grieving the loss of a loved one. Meetings will be held Mondays from 4:30 – 6:00pm, beginning January 30th, at the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area Community Center, 304 Main Street in Waterville. The group will be facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers and is free-of-charge. For more information or to join the group, contact Kayla Coffin, Program Manager at 873-3615 x 19 or email kcoffin@hvwa.org.

Vassalboro 2022 Light up the Town contest winners

Congratulations to all who participated in the Vassalboro Business Association’s annual “Light Up the Town” contest!

The winners are:

Laura Jones, at 943 Bog Rd., #1 Best in Town – $200;
Teresa Jerolman/Dan Poulin, at 1321 Cross Hill Rd., #2 Best in Town – $150;
Stephen/Linnea Holmeister, at 18 Lang St., #3 Best in Town – $100.
Mike/Tracy McKenney, 120 Hannaford Hill Rd., #1 Most Creative – $200;
Kat/Kevin Eastman, at 731 Main St., #2 Most Creative – $150;
Rachel/Nick Jacobs, at 113 Priest Hill Rd., #3 Most Creative – $100.

EVENTS: Craft fair to benefit Shakespeare group

Emily and Josh Fournier, of Recycled Shakespeare Company, stroll the Riverwalk, in Waterville, on William Shakespeare’s 456th birthday on April 23, 2020. (photo by Lyn Rowden)

A Craft Fair with white elephant, Luck of the Draw, bake sale and hot lunch. will be held on Saturday, December 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Bridge St., in Augusta, to benefit Recycled Shakespeare Company and the South Parish Congregational Church. Accessible to all, free to shop.

EVENTS: Community Blue Christmas ceremony shines a light on winter solstice

by Monica Charette

The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its Second Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends, and those who support them, Wednesday, December 21, at 6 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Light the Night will feature music, speakers, along with a reading of submitted names of loved ones’ lost and the lighting of memorial blue candles.

Blue Christmas ceremonies are held around the world in acknowledgement that the holiday season can be difficult for many who are grieving.

“This time of year can be so challenging when celebrations of peace and joy contrast sharply with the sadness and loneliness that come with loss,” said Monica Charette, founder and executive director of the ShineOnCass Foundation. “Our hope is to bring people together, both those who are grieving, and people who support them, to offer a comforting space where everyone feels less alone.”

In addition to the blue light ceremony, the evening will also feature music by local musician Will Pherson and the return of award-winning country recording artist Joan Kennedy, who will perform “Candle in the Window.”

Charette said the idea to host a community Blue Christmas Ceremony came from a gathering organized by her friends after the passing of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette, eight years ago. Cass, for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor, was a Messalonskee High School student and longtime community volunteer, who died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

“It was comforting when people came together to support our family, acknowledge our grief, and stand beside us during a very dark and lonely time,” Charette said. “We want to continue to share that experience with others in our community.”

Anyone in the community can participate by sharing their loved ones’ names being remembered, and receiving a blue candle to light at the ceremony. People are also welcome to attend in silent remembrance and offer support to others. To complete the online form, visit Light the Night: Blue Christmas on the Foundation’s website www.shineoncass.org. Deadline to submit is Monday, December 19. In case of inclement weather, Blue Christmas will be held one day later, on December 22. For more information, email shineoncass@gmail.com or call 207-314-6996.

Give blood ahead of hectic holiday weeks

As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays. As a thank-you, all who come to give through Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card, thanks to Amazon. Those who come to give Dec. 16 – Jan. 2 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

In Kennebec County, Augusta, Monday, December 12, 12:30 – 6 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206; Monday, December 19, 12:30 – 6 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206.

Winslow, Thursday, December 15, 1 – 6 p.m., MacCrillis-Rousseau, VFW Post #8835, 175 Veterans Drive.

Gardiner, Saturday, December 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 109 Spring Street.

EVENTS: Art show at Gibbs Library

Gibbs Library in Washington, ME. (photo from: librarything.com)

There will be an art show at the Gibbs Library, in Washington, through December 31. Library hours for art viewing are Monday, 4 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon, and 4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, 3 – 6 p.m., Thursday, 3 – 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.

Family Tree explores themes of place and personality. These oil paintings, created over the last year, started with old family photos of Armenian Genocide survivors and new photos of Maine locations where the artist likes to hike. “I think of myself as an expressionistic painter and work in an intuitive way combining real and imagined imagery,” said artist McGuiri.

Parade of Lights returns after two-year hiatus

Fairfield Police Officer Casey Dugas makes his way across the Waterville/Winslow Bridge during the Parade of Lights, on Saturday, November 26. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

by Amarinda Keys
Children’s Discovery Museum

After two years, the beloved Parade of Lights was back! This annual event has drawn thousands of families for many years and serves as a fun and festive kickoff to the holiday season. The Children’s Discovery Museum was excited to collaborate with the town of Winslow and the city Waterville to host this wonderful event. The museum is working to create a brand-new play space for Central Maine. While they anxiously wait to open the doors of their new location, they are excited to coordinate such a wonderful event for the community.

The 2022 Parade of Lights was held on Saturday, November 26. Floats assembled at the Winslow High School, traveled down Benton Avenue, crossed the bridge, traveled up Main Street, in Waterville, and dispersed at the Elm Street/College Avenue/Main Street crossing. Santa made his entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Floats included dancers from SP4D, a collection of Jeeps from Central Maine Jeep Owners, and fire trucks and police cruisers from local towns. This year’s parade included a panel of judges. The winning float was Living Water Community Church and their float featured The Chronicles of Narnia scene with characters. Runner-up was Hamlin’s Marine, with the most festively-lit boat the judges had ever seen. This year’s Grand Marshal, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, was a longtime volunteer and local martial arts instructor and photographer, Mark Huard.

As always, the parade also kicked off the Kringleville season, a long-standing holiday tradition that is now organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum. Santa will be visiting children in his house at Head of Falls each weekend from 1 – 4 p.m., leading up to Christmas. Many weekends feature free hot chocolate, giveaways and special activities thanks to local businesses and organizations. Every child who visited with Santa will leave with a book donated by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Marden’s. Families will also be offered the opportunity to purchase a photo with Santa, courtesy of Central Maine Photography. For more information about Kringleville, including updates for the 2022 year, please visit kringleville.org.

Members of the Stage Presence Dance team, in Winslow, led Santa Claus in to Winslow/Waterville during the Parade of Lights, on November 26. From left to right, Malyn Beaster, Dinah Lemelin, Emmy Carlson, Lizzie Schmitt, Lexi Reynolds, Hayden Gates, Haley Martin, Addie Blackstone, Ailie Rancourt-Smith, Nevaeh Mason, Autumn Sawyer, Brooklynn Ferreira, Addie Benavente and Jayda-Ray Atkinson. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

EVENTS: Yummy, Ready-to-Be-Baked Turkey Pies Coming

It’s one of Winslow’s most beloved holiday traditions! On Saturday, December 3, from 12 to 3 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering over 400 incredibly yummy, ready-to-be-baked turkey pies for curbside/drive-through pick-up. Cost is just $12 per pie, with all proceeds going to empower the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Freshly-prepared for baking and featuring an all-new crust recipe and a mouth-watering blend of turkey, peas, celery, carrots, onions, broth, and a pinch of sage, each turkey pie will be perfect for supper or for freezing for later winter comfort-food enjoyment.

Also available for your sweet tooth will be various delectable dessert pies, also available for $12 each, prepared by the members of Benton Falls Congregational Church and which will raise money for that church.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 872-2544.

EVENTS: Waterville Rotary Club launches annual charity auction

The 59th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and unique items will once again be held on-line through BiddingOwl.com. If you would like more information about the online auction November 27 through December 3, 2022, 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 at 6 p.m. on November 27.

The Waterville Rotary Club hosts the 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 our 2022 Rotary Online Auction will again go to support community programs and initiatives. Early childhood development and education help to ensure a bright future for our community’s most vulnerable and valuable asset, our children.

The goal is to support the construction of the new Children’s Discovery Museum and the development of a second natural play area at Educare Central Maine. Together, we can make a difference for the children served by both amazing organizations located in Waterville.

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

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