Lincoln County Dems to hold harvest dinner

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The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) will host its annual Harvest Dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., on Sunday, October 1, at Jefferson’s Le Barn event center, the restored gambrel-roofed barn, at 132 Waldoboro Rd. The event includes a menu of locally sourced stews and soups, and local elected officials will deliver updates on legislative initiatives.

Last year’s event sold out, and then some, so they urge folks to make their reservations as soon as possible.”

The simple bill of fare will include a selection of soups and stews—with vegan options—prepared by volunteer chefs, bread, butter, locally-pressed apple cider, and a selection of pies accompanied by coffee in an informal, all-you-care-to-eat, family-style format. There is a limited seating of 120. Reservations are currently available for $25 per person for the meal, with a $50 option to be listed as a host. Hosts offer additional support and are recognized at the event for their generosity.

The LCDC welcomes nonmembers, out-of-county visitors, or others who want to support the organization to attend. For event details, sponsorship information, and the link to make reservations before Sunday, September 24, visit https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/harvest. Contact Johnson at 207-549-3358 with questions.

Maine Pond Hockey Classic fundraiser actively seeking business sponsors and participating teams

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The popular Maine Pond Hockey Classic – a fun-filled throw-back experience that attracts thousands of fans and participants each year – will be held Saturday, February 9, through Monday, February 11, 2024, at the scenic Snow Pond Center for the Arts, in Sidney 8 Goldenrod Lane. The event is a fundraiser for the Alfond Youth & Community Center – a unique partnership of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Waterville,

The Waterville Area YMCA, and the Alfond Youth Center, serves more than 5,000 youth in Maine through its main facility, in Waterville. AYCC is actively seeking sponsors interested in having a positive, enduring impact on young people, as well as 120 teams of eight players each. Registration opened August 1, 2023, with information available at MPHC’s website, https://www.mainepondhockey.org, or by emailing MEPondHockeyClassic@Gmail.com.

“Folks absolutely love this authentic pond hockey experience,” said Patrick Guerette, the Tournament Director. “They love the charm and nostalgia of watching or playing hockey on frozen ponds, which evokes a sense of camaraderie, outdoor adventure, and a return to the sport’s roots.”

Guerrette noted that a just-secured grant from the Maine Office of Tourism spotlights a huge vote of confidence for the Maine Pond Hockey Classic and the positive community and economic effects it will have throughout central Maine.

The event planners say the Maine Pond Hockey Classic will be “a hockey tournament and much, much more” – a kind of winter carnival with additional activities and entertainment offered, including live music, food vendors, interactive games, and opportunities for families and friends to enjoy a truly memorable weekend together. In addition to the life-changing impact sponsorship can have on young people, sponsors will enjoy the benefits of highly positive exposure and visibility through their participation in the event. Sponsorship packages include branding opportunities, promotional materials, and acknowledgments that showcase sponsors’ commitment to supporting youth and community programs.

For more information or to register, please contact Patrick Guerette, Tournament Director, at 207-873-0684 or MEPondHockeyClassic@Gmail.com.

Good Will-Hinckley’s L.C. Bates Natural History Museum to offer free admission

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Good Will-Hinckley’s L.C. Bates Natural History Museum (photo credit: https://www.gwh.org/)

Good Will-Hinckley’s L.C. Bates Natural History Museum is pleased to announce free admission on Saturday, September 30, 2023, thanks to the generosity of Skowhegan Savings Bank.

The L.C. Bates Museum located at 14 Easler Road on the GWH Campus, in Hinckley, is an early 20th century museum full of unique cabinets of curiosities and Maine wildlife dioramas. Thanks to its eclectic collection of exhibits, it is often called a “Museum of a Museum”. Here you can discover the wonders of nature. Explore exhibits of art, Maine Native American baskets, minerals, and Maine history and archaeology.

Trip Advisor calls the museum, “An Unexpected Treasure Trove!” and Atlas Obscura says, “this eclectic natural history collection holds everything from a bit of the transatlantic cable to Hemingway’s marlin.”

Editors at Yankee Magazine, pose the question whether, “The L.C. Bates Museum | The most interesting museum in Maine?”

As part of Good Will-Hinckley’s Annual Fall Festival, on September 30, children and adults will be able to enjoy fun family activities from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (rain or shine) including free admission to the museum.

Other activities as part of Good-Will Hinckley’s Fall Festival include a climbing wall, lawn games, pumpkin painting, obstacle course, food trucks, craft and art fair, petting zoo, reptile tent, firetrucks, a passport adventure and more!

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Barbara Gourley at Good Will-Hinckley (207-238-4000) or visit our website at gwh.org for more information.

EVENTS: 5th Annual Nosh & Knock Off set

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The Waterville Public Library is planning to get away with criminal mischief again this October as it hosts Nosh & Knock Off: An Interactive Mystery Event – an evening of mystery and magic at the Waterville Public Library, on Saturday, October 28, 2023! This 5th annual fundraiser will be a live-acted, not-to-be-missed once-in-a-lifetime event! Nosh & Knock Off 2023 will feature an original script, Murder at the Epilogue Club, written and directed by a local playwright and beloved friend of the library, Emilienne Ouellette. The mystery will be live-acted and feature some of our region’s most illustrious and remarkable theatrical talent! Nosh & Knock Off is a sure bet for an evening full of delight and frivolity. All proceeds go to a fantastic cause: supporting Waterville Public Library programs and services. Be a part of the “welcome back, better than ever year!”

The cost to attend is $50 per person and includes a wide array of delightful libations and refreshments throughout the evening. Tickets are limited and go quickly! Buy tickets at https://wplnk23.eventbrite.com. For more information, call the Waterville Public Library at 207.872.5433 or email librarian@watervillelibrary.org. This is a 21+ event, and tickets will likely not be available at the door as they’ll be sold out. Yes, it’s that good!

Murder at the Epilogue Club:

The time, the roaring 1920s. The place, The Epilogue Club, an after-hours speakeasy at the Waterville Public Library teeming with flappers, gangsters, and ladies of the night. Nearly everyone becomes a suspect when scandalously sexy nightclub singer, Trixie Harridan, dies onstage mid-performance. Work with your teammates to discover whodunnit as the story unfolds around you at this interactive comedic murder mystery. Featuring local acting talent and an original script by Emilienne Ouellette.

Cast of Characters: Trixie Harridan – Bee Tyler; Thomas Gunn – Art Meneses; Scott – Paul Herard; Fitzgerald – Erik Hyatt ;Zelda Harridan – Sarah Johnson; Mort Pestle – Tim Croce; Jade Chatelaine – Lisa St. Hilaire; Lily LaFleur – Serena Sanborn; Norwood Helm – Nathan Sylvester; Taffeta Slick – Samantha Delorie; Clara Copper – Lauren Ouellette; Amethyst – Dawn Wiers; Diamond – Jennifer Day; Emerald – Phoebe Sanborn; Ruby – Dana Bushee; Sapphire – Hana Valle; The Johns – John Buys, Richard Meng, Matt Stanford, Stevie Webb, Greg Wiers.

Donor opportunities are still available! Email office@watervillelibrary.org for more information! This interactive mystery theater production, starring esteemed members of our community and cast members on loan from the Waterville Opera House, is the Waterville Public Library’s largest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds from the event going directly to support library programming.

EVENTS: Share the Road set for October 1

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Dr. Carol Eckert

The sixth annual Share the Road with Carol memorial bike ride will take place on Sunday, October 1. Share the Road with Carol is an all ages commemorative bike ride that takes place in Windsor and Whitefield, which has 12-mile and 27-mile options, starts and ends at the Windsor Town Office.

This annual ride honors the memory of Carol Eckert, M.D. Carol was tragically killed as a result of a bike accident that occurred in Windsor, on October 10, 2016. Everyone is invited.

The registration fee is $20 for adults, and $10 for any person under 15 years of age accompanied by a parent or guardian. Register online (https://www.BikeReg.com/share-the-road-with-carol) or at the event from 7:30-8:30am (pre-registration is encouraged).

There will be one rest stop on the 27-mile ride.

Please gather after the ride at the Windsor Town Hall for fellowship, remembrances and light snacks.

Whether you knew Carol or not, this ride is a wonderful opportunity to explore the lovely rolling hills along the border of the Kennebec and Lincoln Counties.

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarolsRide.

Vassalboro Days wraps up another successful year

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Sending the ducks on their way. (photo by Samantha Lessard)

by Laura Jones

That’s a wrap on Vassalboro Days 2023, sponsored by the Vassalboro Business Association and Maine Savings Federal Credit Union. There was lots of fun, family, food and prizes.

The Mill, in Vassalboro, and Olde Mill Place Gift Shop hosted activities all weekend beginning with The Root Notes playing live music Friday night. A Craft and Vendor Sale Saturday and Sunday. The Masons sold their much anticipated chicken baskets. And, of course, the Double Dam Duck Derby. Ducks hit the water at 1:30 p.m., and the winners were announced soon thereafter. Cash prizes went to first place Nate Gray, second place Tami Stearns, and third place Paul Breton.

One of the cars featured at the 8th Annual Freddie’s Cruise In at the Town Office. (photo by Lee Pullen)

An aerial view of the classic cars on display at Vassalboro Days. (photo by Lee Pullen)

Freddie’s Service Center hosted the 8th Annual Freddie’s Cruise In at the Town Office, which registered over 165 cars. Lee Pullen described it as a “true labor of love”. Lee captured the essence of it beautifully. “Our dad, Freddie Pullen, passed in 2015 and this event was the brainchild of my brother Bill and his wife Roxanne, who now own Freddie’s Service Center, as a way to give back to the community that has been so very good to our family and as a kind of tribute to our father. Dad would have loved the event. The cars, sure; Vassalboro Days and all it represents, yes; but the people, the family, the stories? He would truly have been in his glory.”

The Vassalboro Grange hosted a pancake breakfast Saturday morning to a sell out crowd. Prepared right there in the Grange kitchen and featuring ingredients from local farms. The Milkhouse, Misty Brook Farm, Two Loons Farm, Raider’s Sugarhouse, and Mbingo Mountain Coffee provided all the fresh and fabulous ingredients.

The Vassal­boro Historical Society had an open house at both the Museum and the Taylor’s Blacksmith Shop Saturday and Sunday. Many came through to enjoy the displays and also to do some family research in the library of record. Saturday also kicked off a months long raffle with over $2,000 worth of prizes to win from over 20 local businesses. The historical society will be selling tickets anytime they are open, Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.. Until the drawing on October 8.

Other actives around town included the Vassalboro Public Library’s Book and Bake Sale. Lemieux’s Orchard had their annual apple picking, corn maze, hay rides, baked goods and donuts.

Grange pancake breakfast crew. (photo by Laura Jones)

Many crafters participated. (photo by Laura Jones)

Prizes from Vassalboro Historical Society’s months-long raffle. (photo by Laura Jones)

Antique equipment on display at Taylor Blacksmith. (photo by Laura Jones)

CORRECTION: The print version of this article referred to Lee Pullen as Lee Mullen. This has been corrected.

VASSALBORO: School supplies drive has another successful event

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From left to right, Ira Michaud (VCS principal), Don Breton, Tabitha Brewer (VCS assistant principal), Lisa and Jessica Breton. (contributed photo)

The school supplies gathering by a Vassalboro group for students at Vassalboro Community School, had another successful drive on August 19.

With Don Breton holding large pencil and Lisa Breton holding large crayon. Thank you goes out to Walmart, Huhtamaki, Caswell’s Liquidation, Staples, Marden’s, for their donations, and all the folks who stopped by to make a donation towards the school supplies drive. (contributed photo)

Event schedule for VASSALBORO DAYS: September 8 – 10, 2023

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VASSALBORO DAYS
September 8 – 10, 2023

Friday, September 8

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Lemieux’s Orchard – Apple picking, corn maze, baked goods & donuts, 210 Priest Hill Road
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Book and Bake Sale, Vassalboro Public Library
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Olde Mill Place Gift Store
7 – 10 p.m. The Root Notes, The Mill

Saturday, September 9

8 a.m. 6 p.m. Lemieux’s Orchard – Apple picking, corn maze, sunflower field, baked goods & donuts, Hay Rides (1 – 5 p.m.) 210 Priest Hill Road
8:30 – 11 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, The Grange
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open House at Museum, Blacksmith shop, Harness shop, Vassalboro Historical Society
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Mill Craft and Vendor Fair, games and activities, The Mill
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Indoor yard sale, The Mill
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Freddie’s 8th Annual Cruise-In, Prizes, Music and Food. Proceeds to benefit VBA Scholarship fund. Town office (rain date Sept. 10)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Masonic Lodge Fried Chicken Baskets, Burgers. You may order your baskets by calling 207-441-0378 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. that day! Proceeds benefit Bikes for Books. The Mill
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Book and Bake Sale, Vassalboro Public Library
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Olde Mill Place Gift Store
1:30 p.m. Double Dam Duck Derby, Tickets are $3 each or 5 for $10. Purchase at the Mill on Wed. ( 4 – 7 p.m.), Sundays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. or Ray Breton (207-877-2005) or Samantha Lessard (207-314-4940). Ticket sales close 30 minutes before race. The Mill

Sunday, September 10

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Lemieux’s Orchard, Apple picking, corn maze, sunflower field, baked goods and donuts. Hay rides (1 – 5 p.m.). 210 Priest Hill Rd.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open House at Museum, Blacksmith shop, Harness shop. Vassalboro Historical Society
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Mill Craft and Vendor Fair, games and activities. The Mill
9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indoor yard sale. The Mill
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Olde Mill Place Gift Store
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Winslow Community Cupboard. The Mill

Waldo County GOP to gather

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The Waldo County Republican Committee will be gathering at Mossman Park, in Searsport, on Friday, August 25, beginning at 6 p.m., to have time to connect with each other and have a short meeting at 6:30 p.m., to adopt changes to the county bylaws. Please bring your main course and a side dish or dessert to share.

The only agenda item will be the bylaws and the rest of the time will be reserved for fun and conversations with each other with no one trying to keep us on topic or on a timeline. So far, the amendments to the bylaws are very simple grammatical changes so that part should be quick. In order to make the changes they will need members’ vote on Friday. They will have copies of the proposed changes at the gathering.

EVENTS: China Historical to offer Jones house tours

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Old Rufus Jones homestead in South China.

China Historical Society member Jen Jones will be offering a brief tour of her newly-acquired Rufus Jones homestead on Saturday afternoon, August 26. The get-together at the historic location on the Jones Road will begin at around 4:30 p.m. Jen will provide some family history and reflection on her ideas for the property. The inside look will likely be limited to a few rooms but will certainly foster a sense of the age and heritage of the house. Quaker historian Joann Austin and South China Library head Jean Dempster will also be available to provide some more history and information regarding the site’s transition. While weather issues may impact this event, they hope to see any China residents, and neighbors, who are interested in this dynamic piece of our local heritage.