Spectrum ice fishing derby returns

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Gene Letourneau

The Annual Gene & Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 19, at the Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, in Waterville. This mid-winter tradition for ice fishing enthusiasts and families is celebrating its 25th anniversary year! Established by Maine’s great outdoorsman and his wife, Gene and Lucille Letourneau, the ice fishing derby attracts people throughout the state to fish and compete for cash prizes.

Join in by fishing on any legal Maine pond or lake of your choice, then gather at the Muskie Community Center during the official weigh-in between 2 and 5 p.m. This multigenerational family event encourages ages 15 and under to compete in their own category. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place for youth in ten fish categories and first and second place for adults in eight fish categories.

All are welcomed to attend and enjoy the fire pit, S’mores, hot cocoa, popcorn, cornhole, pool table, silent auction (from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and to purchase tasty food from Sheba’s Wicked Kitchen, of Oakland, at this outdoor/indoor event. Bring your young children to visit with Maine children’s author, Deborah Walder, and take home an autographed book (available for purchase; there will also be a couple of her signed books in the silent auction). Children’s arts and crafts and other activities will also be offered. At 3 p.m. join a chainsaw carving demonstration and visit with special guests Ryan, Ashley, Jedi and Dixie, from the Maine Cabin Masters, and Tom Welch, from Mainely Handrails. Two 25th anniversary specific items will also be available including a Fireside Camp Mug for purchase and a free anniversary cupcake provided by Cakes and Catering by Karen.

Ice Fishing Derby tickets can be purchased online and at several locations in Waterville and its surrounding areas including at the Muskie Community Center. Each ticket allows a fish entry and an entry into the door prize drawing for a Yeti Tundra Cooler and drink tumblers sponsored by Nale Law Offices. Tickets to enter a fish are sold only until noon the day of the event.

The Ice Fishing Derby is a fundraiser supporting the programs and services of Spectrum Generations including Meals on Wheels and other related services for older adults and adults with disabilities. To purchase tickets and review tournament rules please visit: https://www.spectrumgenerations.org/events/ice-fishing-derby. For more information contact Sandra MacDonald, Regional Center Director smacdonald@spectrumgenerations.org or call 207-873-4745.

EVENTS: Val­entine Vaude­ville — Back by popular demand

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Front row, from left to right, Katie Howes, Tammy Werber, and Vanessa Glazier. Back, Becca Bradstreet, Shana Page, Josh Fournier, and Helena Page. (photo courtesy of Shana Page)

Enter the world of a supper club: a great variety show and drinks and dinner complete with hat check and candy cigarette girls – Val­entine Vaude­ville. Back by popular demand this un­ique way to spend a Feb­ruary evening is being hosted by Re­cycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) as this season’s grand fundraiser.

The public is invited to join the fun on Saturday, February 18, at T & B Celebration Center, in Skowhegan, starting at 6:30 p.m., for a two-hour show of live music, dance, and comedy; accompanied by a full buffet dinner with a cash bar. The cost is $40 per person or save five percent if you book a table of six. Reser­vations are required and must be made by February 11. To re­serve please contact Cathe Ayers at 207-612-6688. Payments may be made by cash, check or Venmo @Catherine-Ayers-7.

Your attendance helps support RSC, a nonprofit grassroots community theater company based in Fairfield, now in their tenth season of offering Shakespeare and period works free of charge and accessible to all. For more information on this and other events find and like Recycled Shakespeare Company on Facebook or contact Lyn Rowden at 207-314-4730.

VBA ice fishing derby on tap

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Vassalboro Business Association will be holding its Ice Fishing Derby & Raffle on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Olde Mill, at 934 Main St., Vassalboro. Fish may be entered from all legal Maine waters.

Weigh In will be from 1 – 5 p.m. Tickets for fishing entries must be purchased before 1 p.m., on February 12. $1 per ticket or 6 for $5. One fish entry per ticket.

First Prize $40; second prize $20; third prize $10 for each category. Largest fish prize $125 & trophy! (Except Pike)

Categories:

Salmon, Togue, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, White Perch, Pickerel, Pike, Large Mouth Bass, Black Crappie, Small Mouth Bass, Yellow Perch, & fish caught by children 12 and under. There are hundreds of dollars in raffle prizes. You do not have to be present to win the raffle, which will be drawn at 5 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from 201 Tire & Battery; Ray Breton (207-877-2005); Samantha Lessard at the Olde Mill (207-314-4940); The Vassalboro Town Office, Maine Savings FCU, and the Library.

2023 Vassalboro Ice Fishing Derby Prizes

Raffle tickets to be drawn at 5 PM, after the fishing derby, at the Mill at 934 Main St. in North Vassalboro. They be purchased from Ray Breton (877-2005)

*$300 North Country Rivers (800-348-8871) White Water Rafting trip for2
*$260 Natanis Golf Course (622-3561)Tomahawk Course & Cart (for 4)
*$220 Natanis Golf Course (622-3561) Arrow Course & Cart (for 4)
*$150 donated by Reliance Equipment (626-0075)
*$100 donated by Future Forests (873-1292)
*Two $50 prizes donated by Maine Savings Federal Credit Union(800-348-8871)
*Miracle II Product ($38) from Sandy’s Magic Scissors (873-2469)
*$50 from Maine Adirondack Chairs (620-2592)
*$30 from Curly’s Carpentry (649-6849)
*$50 from Pleau’s Market (873-4612)
*2 – $25 cards from Hussey’s General Store (207-445-2511)
*2 – $50 cards from Central Maine Motors

Derby sponsors:

201 Tire, Battery & Service (623-2400); AMP Electrical LLC (441-3530); Antique Classics & Fords (314-8087); Attention to Detail (649-3626); Curly’s Carpentry (649-6849); Dead Wood Designs (877-2005); Freddie’s Service Center (923-9419); Fieldstone Gardens (923-3836); The Foster Agency (622-4646) Lemieux’s Orchards (873-4354); Maine Savings Federal Credit Union (800-348-8871); Vassalboro Car Care (623-0800); & Yankee Pack Rats (416-4346)

$125 biggest Fish sponsor – Vassalboro Recreation (592-3095)

*Chidren’s hat prizes donated by Maine Savings Federal Credit Union

*Tickets costs offset by donations from Hemphill’s Horses, Feed & Saddlery (872-7964); Freddie’s Service Center; Lemieux’s Orchard; Natanis Golf Course; Peter Bragdon; 201 Tire Battery & Service; & Maine Adirondack Chairs.

4th annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be held on Maine’s free fishing weekend

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Families were scattered about China Lake last year during the Four Seasons Club fishing derby. (photo by Cindy Senbell)

by Sandra Isaac

The China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department are co-hosting the 4th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be held on Sunday, February 19, during Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend.

Similar to last year, there will be town-wide “China Ice Days” activities starting on Friday night with a dinner at the China Mason’s Lodge and a guided snowmobile run directly after. More events including sledding, ice skating and a Cornhole tournament will be occurring throughout the day on Saturday. Sunday is still dedicated to the ice fishing derby with fishing limited to China Lake. The ice fishing derby will finish with a fireworks display after the derby’s award ceremony. All the weekend’s activities will be open to the public.

Two hardy young anglers show off their haul during the weigh-in at last year’s event. (photo by Cindy Senbell)

“We were a little nervous about the lack of ice early in the season, but Mother Nature seems to be doing her part and we fully expect there to be a good, solid layer of ice for fishing,” said China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf. “We still need to keep our fingers crossed for snow and more ice. The lack of snow, for example, caused The China Lake Camp & Conference Center to cancel sledding last year. We encourage people to check out our website and look at the Ice Derby’s Facebook page for updates.”

Reservations are requested for the lasagna dinner at the Mason’s Lodge, as well as for the Cornhole tournament. Both activities have fees involved. Sledding and the cardboard sled race at the China Lake Camp & Conference Center and the ice skating at the town rink are free and open to all.

Rumpf continued, “The China Ice Days and the Annual Fishing Derby are a great way for individuals and families to come out and enjoy the outdoors and be part of a China area tradition. Last year was amazing and so much fun! This is also Maine’s free fishing weekend which is a nice bonus. We will be following all State of Maine ice fishing laws and rules.”

Fishing derby weigh-in time will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday and all entries must be in line at the Fire Station Building [on Causeway Road] by 4 p.m. to qualify for a prize. Prizes will be awarded in the following fish categories: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, and pickerel. The children’s category will be perch and kids will be awarded prizes for the top five winners with the most perch caught. The lunker of the day – the largest fish overall – will be the derby’s top prize.

The first 100 kids to stop in at the China Village Fire station will receive special takeaway ice fishing bait buckets filled with some great items courtesy of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Jack Traps of Maine, and The Maine Audubon Society. The buckets will be available starting at 5 a.m. on the day of the derby. In addition, Central Church will be set up on the ice across from the fire station on Causeway Road to work with kids who are new to fishing and Traps for Kids of Maine will be set up next to them, giving away free traps to kids who need them, while supplies last.

A young angler tries to pull up her catch during last year’s derby. (photo by Cindy Senbell)

“We will also be giving away over 30 door prizes including an StrikeMaster Electric Ice Auger courtesy of Jack Traps of Maine and Brookfield Renewable Energy, 100 gallons of heating fuel from Augusta Fuel Company, Pumping Services from B&B Septic, a kayak from Hannaford Supermarket, tons of amazing items from our friends at Whitt’s Garment Works, plus many more prizes and gift certificates, all from great local businesses,” said Rumpf.

Tickets for the derby are available for $5 a piece or 3 for $10 at many local stores including China Variety & Redemption, Greg’s Restaurant, Harvest Time Bait, Lakeview Lumber, Maritime Farms and Tobey’s. You can also purchase tickets from members of the China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department.

The China Four Seasons Club maintains a dedicated Facebook page and a website to share information on door prizes, sponsors, and ticket information. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Ice-Fishing-Derby or www.chinalakeicefishingderby.com.

EVENTS: SMASH proudly presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

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Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers (SMASH) proudly presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, February 2 & 3 at 6:30pm and February 4 at 2pm. It will be performed at Cumston Hall in Monmouth, Maine.  Tickets are available at the door or online here. For more information, email smashmaine@jimdofree.com.
Adults – $8, Seniors – $6, Family – $28.
We would love to see you there!
About SMASH: Since it began in 1993, the mission for SMASH has been to show God’s love and grace through the performance of plays by William Shakespeare. Pastor Sam has often said that he would stop doing SMASH if the purpose of sharing the Gospel through SMASH proved ineffective. Involvement in SMASH has helped many homeschooled students grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually while learning about Shakespeare from a Christian perspective. Some have taken an English literature course credit for full participation.

EVENTS: Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Fest coming to Vassalboro

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Emmanual Hurtado, 12, of Winslow, with Batman, at last year’s festival. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

A fun family event is coming up Sunday, February 5, 2023, in Vassalboro. The Olde Mill is the perfect place for what many call the “Nerd Super Bowl.”

When heading to the big mill the Fest offers a variety of activities, games, shopping and cosplay. Please dress up if you dare, many do! You’ll see sword fights, D&D, woodworks, art, wands, pottery, comics, tarot cards and readings, gaming stations such as Pokémon and magic the gathering. There will be fantasy books, Star Wars, Marvel heroes, crafts, toys, gemstones, Viking mugs, homemade treats, weapons for sale, yoga, trivia contests, unique clothing, costume contests, and so many other things. The vendors (all 50) this year, are really preparing to offer all the ultimate shopping experience too.

The event opens up Sunday, February 5, at 10:00am and continues until 5 p.m. Tickets are only $5. There will be a full food concession stand at the fest as well.

EVENTS: Gaslight Theater presents 2023 Season of Laughter

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Gaslight Theater proudly presents its “2023 Season of Laughter” starting with Love is Murder in February. Love is Murder, a comedy by Tim Kelly, will be directed by Gaslight Theater’s Matthew McLaughlin, at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop Street, in Hallowell. The show will be produced over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, February 10, 11,12,17, 18, 19. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and Seniors, cash, check and credit card accepted at the door. For more information visit Gaslight Theater online at www.gaslighttheater.org.

We all say we don’t read them, but we do. Every now and then, we sneak one, just to be able to say how terrible they are. They’re Romance Novels, and they’re everywhere! This spoof of the satin-and-lace literature industry will keep audiences in hysterics. Valentina Velour, the Queen of Romance Fiction, opens Honeymoon House to a television program. Unfortunately, someone has left a dead man in the closet and a wacko called The Rose Killer is bumping off the love scribblers. Confusion and madness abound as vitamin fanatics, cops, literary agents and writers collide. The whole madcap mess concludes with the exposure of Valencia’s arch-enemy and an affirmation of her philosophy, “Romance will be here when men and women no longer walk the earth!” Love Is Murder is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

In Gaslight Theater’s production of Love Is Murder, Valentina Hart is played by Kathleen Brainerd, of West Gardiner, a seasoned actor with Gaslight Theater. The ditzy housemaid Effie is played by Alícia Belmore, of Gardiner. Tom Burns the ‘fish out of water’ butler is played by Matthew Ferrin, of Augusta. The weaselly publishing agent Lydecker is played by Mike Clements, of West Gardiner. TV producer Leon Ketchem is played by Henry Quintal, of Augusta. Gothic novelist Jane Err is played by Tamara Lilly, of Woolwich. Western novelist Calamity Lovett is played by Marcia Gallagher, of Hallowell. Oriental novelist Pearl Sweet is played by Wendi Richards, of Fairfield, another seasoned Gaslight Theater actor. Dr. Wintergreen is played by Randolph Jones, of Augusta. Ed Fish the detective is played by Melvin Morrison, of Hallowell. Director Matthew McLaughlin lives, in Augusta.

EVENTS: Gibbs Library to host “Legends and Legacies”

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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

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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

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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.