EVENTS: Festival of Wreaths to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard Food Pantry

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by Dave Carew

The Festival of Wreaths – a raffle-benefit for Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry – will be held on Friday, November 24, from noon to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the event will be a $1 donation; raffle tickets will be 50 cents each. Food and beverages will be available for sale and there will be a very special appearance by Santa Claus!

Featuring more than 50 wonderful Christmas and holiday wreaths, the raffle-benefit will seek to raise urgently-needed funds for the food pantry, which has served more than 20,087 food-insecure households in Winslow, Waterville, and surrounding towns so far in 2023.

According to Operations Manager Bruce Bottiglierie, Winslow Community Cupboard – which also operates a Mobile Food Pantry that directly serves locations in Waterville, Skowhegan, Fairfield, and more than a dozen other local towns – has experienced a 39 percent increase in the number of households needing food-pantry service this year. The Festival of Wreaths is sponsored by Healthy Northern Kennebec.

For more information, please contact Bruce Bottiglierie, Winslow Community Cupboard, at 207-616-0076 or WinslowCupboard@Gmail.com.

Family Festival of Trees scheduled for Elks Lodge

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Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce combine efforts to present Festival of Trees this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition reinvigorated last season, with a change of venue to the Waterville Elks Lodge.

Participation in this year’s event continues a fabulous holiday tradition. At the same time, money raised supports families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and funds workforce development services and assistance through the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, meeting a need existing throughout our region.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful holiday tree? Imagine nearly 60 trees, each uniquely decked out in holiday cheer. This wonderful family tradition will be held at Waterville Elks Lodge 905, 76 Industrial Rd., Waterville from November 17-19 and November 24-26. Hours on both Fridays and Saturdays will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 26 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Festival of Trees will provide a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy. Admission for ages 12 and over is just $2 per person; children 12 and under are admitted for free. Purchase and drop your individual tree tickets (just .50 each) into the bucket of your favorite tree and you could go home with a beautifully decorated tree complete with all the gift cards and merchandise displayed. Tree winners will be drawn at 5 p.m., Sunday, November 26, and notified that evening. Trees will be available for pickup the following Monday and Tuesday.

This year’s 50/50 experience has also been enhanced by increased prize amounts, with a maximum payout of $10,000 daily. Winners will be drawn each day and you do not need to be present to win.

Please join us for this wonderful holiday experience. Whether you visit to view the trees on display or are willing to volunteer some time to help staff the event, it will be time well-spent – and you will be helping support your community through your participation.

It takes a substantial number of volunteers for an event of this magnitude. Slots remain open, particularly for the weekend of November 24-26. For more information about volunteering for a shift, or shifts, please visit www.festivaloftreesmaine.net. If you are interested in registering as a group, please contact Maddie Rock, volunteer coordinator at mrock@clubaycc.org.

EVENTS: Lincoln County Dems to discuss dark money in politics at Nov. 16 meeting

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 The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) will hold its next hybrid meeting on Thursday, November 16, at 7 p.m., at the American Legion Post #42, 527 Main Street, in Damariscotta, and online via Zoom.
The main program will feature a discussion on dark-money funded extremist groups that are active in Maine politics. The guest speaker will be Maurice T. Cunningham, Ph.D., J.D., author of Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization and a former associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Since retiring from that post in 2021, Cunningham has continued his research into dark money in politics, authoring two reports on the dark money threat to public education for the Network for Public Education, Merchants of Deception: Parent Props and their Funders and “A Citizen’s Guide to the School Privatization Movement” (forthcoming).
Cunningham will talk about the involvement in local elections by dark-money funded extremist groups such as Moms for Liberty (M4L), a national organization that has helped organize book challenges in schools around the country over the past year, efforts largely centered around books written by and about LGBTQ+ people and people of color. The civil rights and racial justice advocacy organization Southern Poverty Law Center recently classified M4L as an “extremist” anti-student inclusion group. M4L recently formed its first chapter in Maine, based in Kennebec County.
All Lincoln County Democrats and other progressively-minded voters or seasonal visitors are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is not required to attend the meeting in person but is required for non-voting members who wish to receive the Zoom link, phone-in details and reminder emails. Register at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet before Noon the day of the meeting to ensure access. They will also do their best to accommodate last-minute registrations.
LCDC voting members will automatically receive the Zoom log on information and reminders by email. Those interested in becoming a voting member must be a registered Democrat in Lincoln County and may make their interest known by indicating such at the in-person meeting, on the meeting registration form https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet, or by emailing info@lincolncountydemocrats.com.
Information about the committee, its meetings and other activities may be found at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com.

EVENTS: Bella Ann fundraiser

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Children’s Discovery Museum in Waterville

A beautiful afternoon of live music awaits you! Bella Ann will be performing her original music along with some select covers. Guest artists will play a few songs before Bella hits the stage for her first headlining show, on Sunday, November 12, at the Children’s Discovery Museum, 7 Eustis Parkway, Waterville, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.

There will be a silent auction with artisan goods. Popcorn and baked treats will be available for sale. All money raised will go toward the production costs of Bella’s debut EP. Every little bit helps to make a dream come true!

Please consider making a donation if you are unable to attend the event by copy and pasting the URL below into your browser. https://cusol.ficrowd.net/campaign/bellaannmusicfundraiser.

EVENTS: Thank you for your service!

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Boynton-Webber  American Legion Post #179, in South China, will be hosting a turkey dinner for veterans, and one guest, on Wed­nesday, Nov­ember 8, starting at noon, at the South China Legion Hall, at 79 Legion Memorial Drive, South China.

EVENTS: Lincoln County Dems to discuss positive aging

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The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) will hold its next hybrid meeting on Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m., at the Newcastle Fire Station, 86 River Rd., in Newcastle, and online via Zoom.

The Maine Council on Aging has launched a new anti-ageism movement in Maine called the Power in Aging Project. The goal of the project is to build a more age-positive culture in Maine through conversation and action. Don Harden of Portland, a founding board member of the Maine Council on Aging and coordinator of the Power in Aging Project, will lead a discussion on positive aging during the LCDC October meeting.

“When you look at yourself as an older person, what do you see?” asked Harden when explaining the topic to LCDC Executive Committee Member Barbara Cray of Westport.

“It turns out that what we think, feel, and believe about getting older matters. If we live with positive beliefs about our own aging, research has found that we’re likely to live 7.5 years longer than those who believe aging is about disease and decline. So, why are so many of us worried about aging and being old? We’ve been brainwashed by ageism,” Harden explained.

All Lincoln County Democrats and other progressively-minded voters or seasonal visitors are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is not required to attend the meeting in person but is required for non-voting members who wish to receive the Zoom link, phone-in details and reminder emails. Register at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet before Noon the day of the meeting to ensure access.

They will also do their best to accommodate last-minute registrations.

LCDC voting members will automatically receive the Zoom log on information and reminders by email. Those interested in becoming a voting member must be a registered Democrat in Lincoln County and may make their interest known by indicating such at the in-person meeting, on the meeting registration form https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet, or by emailing info@lincolncountydemocrats.com.

Information about the committee, its meetings and other activities may be found at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com.

China public hearing on solar garden canceled

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by Mary Grow

The China planning board’s public hearing on Novel Energy Systems’ proposed community solar garden on Parmenter Hill Road, scheduled for Oct. 10, was canceled due to lack of a board quorum. A new hearing date will be set and announced.

EVENTS: One night only! The Poe experience

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Preparing for The Poe Experience, is Recycled Shakespeare Company directorial team. Front row, from left to right, Joshua Bickford, Shana Page, Lena Page. Back row, Tammy Werber, and Murray Herard. (photo by Becca Bradstreet)

by Lyn Rowden

Begin your Halloween season with a free night out when Recycled Shakespeare Company presents The Poe Experience.

One night of chilling tales and Gothic poetry by Edgar Allan Poe will be brought to life in the darkness, surrounding the audience with sights and sounds in this unique Reader’s Theater.

Arranged and directed by Shana Page with original music by Joshua Bickford, this unique performance has a local cast and crew of 30 with scene directors Tammy Werber and Murray Herard, and Lena Page as art director.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a well-known American writer in the Romanticism and Gothic style, the inventor of detective fiction and early pioneer of the science fiction genre. He is especially appreciated today for the eerie qualities of his psychological thrillers. Poems in this presentation include Annabelle Lee and For Annie, with the short stories Cask of Amontillado, The Tell-Tale Heart, and, of course, the perennial favorite, The Raven. Parental guidance is suggested as this show will include special effects and visual components which may not be suitable for young children.

Don’t miss your one chance to go through The Poe Experience. See it if you dare at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church Street, in Augusta, on Sunday, October 8. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for the 7. p.m. show. All seats are free and accessible to everyone.

RSC is a non-profit grassroots green community theater company, using recycled repurposed materials to present free theater open and accessible to all. Their belief is everyone who wants a part gets a part as they produce quality Shakespeare, original and other royalty free shows. For more information, please contact Recycled Shakespeare Company at 201-314-4730 or recycledshakespeare@gmail.com.

EVENTS: Free offerings at Muskie Community Center in Waterville

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Free offerings at Muskie Community Center in Waterville

Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center
38 Gold Street, Waterville, ME 04901

Addressing the Stigma: A Look at Mental Health and Aging

Monday, October 16
10 – 11 a.m.

Join us at Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center as we welcome Leslie Lennig, Clinical Director from Community Health and Counseling Services for a free workshop.

This workshop will take a deeper look at general mental health trends, symptomology of the most common diagnoses seen in older Americans, identify how the traditionalist and baby boomer generational values play a role in mental health, as well as look at some ways someone can seek support from symptoms one may be experiencing.

Pre-registration is required by calling (207) 873-4745 or stop by the Muskie Community Center reception desk.

Free Hearing Tests

Thursday, October 26
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us as we welcome Always Listening Hearing Aid Center at Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center.

Felicia Curtis, Hearing Care Practitioner, will be performing free hearing tests, ear wax checks, and basic cleaning of your hearing aids.

Registration is required for your private appointment. To register, visit the front desk receptionist or call the Muskie Community Center at (207) 873-4745.

A Service for Veterans

First Thursday, Monthly (By Appointment)

A Veteran Service Officer from the Bureau of Veterans’ Services will be available to meet with you from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Muskie Community Center.

Veteran Service Officers are experts on federal, state, and local veteran resources and are dedicated to providing assistance to veterans in navigating the complex web of services and benefits available to them and their families.

Appointments are 30 minutes. To reserve your private appointment, call (207) 873-4745.

Family Caregiver Education and Support Group

Third Wednesday, Monthly
1 – 2:30 p.m.

We understand that the transition into the role of caregiver for a loved one can be a stressful, emotional, and difficult endeavor. Our support groups are specifically designed to be educational and supportive for you. We are here for you as a trusted resource and to connect you with solutions to help ease ever day life as a caregiver.

To learn more, visit the front desk receptionist at the Muskie Center or call (207) 873-4745.

EVENTS: UVD event rescheduled

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photo credit: United Valley Democrats Facebook page

The United Valley Democratic (UVD) Committee ‘End-of Summer’ Event will instead celebrate Autumn on Saturday, October 7, at 327 Stevens Shore Road, in Palermo. It was originally scheduled the day the hurricane passed close to Maine’s coast, when many residents lost their power.

United Valley Democratic Committee (formerly the China Democratic Committee) was recently organized by combining Democratic committees from the adjacent towns in the Sheepscot River Valley including China, Vassalboro, Palermo and Windsor. While continuing to grow with other towns, the UVD committee meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., and welcomes new members. Their facebook page has the most current event details.

Mark Brunton, chairman of the UVD Committee, explained the need for the reorganization, “UVD brings people together to make our communities stronger, healthier and improve the lives of all our neighbors. It made sense to combine our committees to raise our visibility and let people know they are welcomed to join us.”

To show your support, join the United Valley Democratic Committee’s Fall Celebration on October 7, from 2 – 8 p.m.

For more information, contact the UVD Committee at unitedvalleydems@gmail.com.