EVENTS: Lincoln County Democrats announce return of harvest dinner

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The Lindseys have imbued the spacious interior of Le Barn with Maine rustic charm while adding contemporary amenities. (contributed photos)

The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) is pleased to announce the return of the Harvest Dinner to its annual calendar. The popular event will be hosted Sunday, October 2 from 4 – 6 p.m., at Le Barn, a huge, restored, gambrel-roofed event facility located in the rolling farmland of Jefferson.

“We’re thrilled that Jim and Marie Lindsey have loaned us the use of this remarkable building that they have so lovingly restored,” said Valarie Johnson, organizer of the event. “I’m looking forward to seeing all our friends and neighbors in this new, larger space where we can all spread out a little.”

A simple meal of hearty chowders, soups, and stews that will include vegan options is supplied by LCDC volunteers and accompanied by bread and apple cider. The meal is served by candidates and elected officials, and the event concludes with plenty of desserts – think apple and pumpkin pies. And with a price of $20 per person or $50 to be listed as a host, it’s a bargain!” He urged fellow Democrats to, “Come on out and show your support of your candidates!” in this final fundraising effort for the year.

Le Barn is located at 132 Waldoboro Rd. in Jefferson. The Harvest Dinner is hosted by the LCDC and is open to the public. Details about how to make reservations or be listed as a host can be accessed at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/harvest. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, September 28. For more information about this event, please contact Valarie Johnson at 207-549-3358.

Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association annual yard sale slated

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by Jeanne Marquis

The Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association will host their annual yard sale on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Baptist Church parking lot. The association voted again this year to donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the Town of China’s fuel assistance fund.

Sheri Wilkens remarked, “With skyrocketing prices of fuel, our members are worried about China citizens struggling to stay warm and we want to do our part to help.”

According to the US Energy Information Administration, prices are trending down from the April spike in crude oil. Yet for many factors, changes in retail prices lag behind commodity trends so we may still feel higher fuel costs this winter.

Wilkens reported the association’s donations for the town of China’s fuel assistance fund went to people who never expected to need help. Becky Hapgood, China town manager, wrote in her thank you note to the association, “We were able to help one senior who came in to see me after receiving the assistance to express his appreciation … and said no one had helped him in his life.” Last year, two local families were helped towards their fuel costs.

The Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association has a long held tradition of looking out for neighbors and giving back to the town in various ways. During the early days of Covid when there were nationwide anxieties about food supply issues, Tom and Marie Michaud along with other neighbors with vegetable gardens planted extra produce to donate to the China Food Pantry.

Jim Wilkens will accept donated, clean and lightly used, items between now and Friday, September 2, at 712 Neck Road. Or, you may bring your clean yard sale items directly to the China Baptist Church parking lot on Saturday morning between 7 – 8 a.m. Volunteer opportunities are also available to cover two-hour sales shifts or help with clean up. Contact Sheri Wilkens for more details, 968-3777.

EVENTS: Share the Road with Carol

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Dr. Carol Eckert, shown here at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, in Turner, was tragically killed in a bicycling accident in Windsor last October. (contributed photo)

The sixth annual Share the Road with Carol memorial bike ride will take place on Sunday, September 18. Share the Road with Carol is an all ages commemorative bike ride in Windsor and Whitefield. The ride, 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. Biking was Carol’s passion and we invite everyone who feels the same to join us in remembrance of a life well pedaled and to further the cause of bicycle safety in Maine.

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 – 8:30 a.m. (pre-registration is encouraged). Then current CDC guidelines relative to COVID-19 will be followed and participants are asked to wear face coverings inside the Windsor Town Office.

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

2022 Vassalboro Days schedule of events – Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10

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Vassalboro Days 2022

Friday September 9 & Saturday September 10

Friday, Sept 9, 7-10 PM

Concert by the Root Notes at the Mill in the North! BYO chairs!

Saturday, Sept. 10

FREE BUS RIDES to and from the Mill, the Town Office, United Methodist Church, the Historical Society, with turn around at the LIBRARY from 10-3.
Simply wait at one of the stops, wait may be up to 15 minutes and wave the driver down!

United Methodist Church Breakfast and Silent Auction 8-10 at the church.

United Methodist Church remote Car Event from 11-1 at the church.

Ducky Derby tickets available 10-1:00 at the VBA Booth or from Ray Breton, before that day 877-2005!

Freddie’s Cruise-In at the Town Office from 9-2 for the Vassalboro Scholarship Fund!
Rain date Sunday!

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Fried Chicken & Fries by the Masonic Lodge 10-3 (Bernie 314-3076 to order)

Many Vendors and Crafters Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the lawn and inside the Mill. (Samantha 314-4940)

Flea Market from 9-3 in die parking lot, across street from Maine Savings FCU (416-4346)

Maine Bike Coalition Rodeo 10-12 (kids bikes available, adults BYO) at Rec Fields (This event has been cancelled.)

Face Painting 11:30-1:30 at the Mill.

Giant Bubbles, Sensory Pools for Little People, and various duck fun from 10-3 at die Mill.

Vassalboro Library will have a book sale and food sale at the Library at 930 Bog Road on September 9 from 11-6 and Saturday from 10-4. The library will also have a table in the North on Saturday during Vassalboro Days. Books arc by donation and you may also buy baked goods made with love by patrons.

Vassalboro Historical Society 9-3 at the Blacksmith Shop, the Harness Shop, and the Musewn. 327 & 360 Main St both Sat. and Sunday.

Maine Apple Days Sat. and Sunday at Lemieux’s Orchard 8-6 daily.

Vassalboro Recreation Department will have a table at die Mill so that you can meet director Karen Hatch

Vassalboro Ministry Association will have a table as well for the fuel fund!

DOUBLE DAM DUCKY DERBY AT 1:30.

DUCK DUMP ATTHE DAM NEAR THE SWIMMING HOLE. THE END OF THE RACE AT THE MILL-STREAM SIDE!

ALL ARE “WELCOME TO HELP RETRIEVE DUCKS, CHILDREN WILL REQUIRE YOUR SUPERVISION! A quick training will occur at 1:15 at the VBA Tent!

Color Me Too Fun run has been cancelled. Sorry!

Vassalboro Public Library summer reading program a huge success

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Throughout the summer 67 students, all members of the Vassalboro library, participated in the Summer Reading Program “Bikes for Books,” sponsored by Vassalboro Masonic Lodge #54. Mid-June the children signed up for the program and received a welcome packet which included a free book, start-up prizes and reading logs. They also received one raffle ticket for signing up which went into the bike raffle. For every two hours read after signup, and recorded in reading logs, students received another ticket to add to the raffle. There were 12 bikes total to win – all sponsored by the Vassalboro Masonic Lodge- sized 16″, 20″ 24″ and 28″, to accommodate the different ages of the participants.

The incentive for students was immediately apparent to library staff. Many of the participating children were eager to win a bike. About 15 students were reading 15-40 hours a week, and up to 40 came often to the library to turn in reading logs for more raffle tickets. By August 28, once the final tally came in, the 67 participating students had read a total of 1,622 hours!

On August 28 the library director, Brian Stanley, assistant librarian, and two trustees gathered with members of the Masonic lodge to raffle off the bikes. Participating families were welcome to get free ice cream, to have their faces painted by a pro – Face paint Amy – and to get a free library T-shirt. Many of the winning students were present to receive the bikes and others were called who were not present. All in all 12 eager and happy students received bikes and the 1,622 hours read became a great incentive for the Library and Masonic Lodge to hold similar events in the coming years.

During the summer the Vassalboro Library also sponsored many programs for the area youth including Northern Stars Planetarium, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, Chewonki – Tidepools and Fins and Flippers – the LC Bates Museum and weekly storytimes. Check the library’s website and Facebook for future events.

EVENTS: Bryan Bielanski to perform in Warren Aug. 30

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Bryan Bielanski

Imagine Nirvana and the Beatles had a kid together who became an acoustic rock singer-songwriter: that’s Bryan Bielanski! Although he is inspired by some of the rock greats like Tom Petty and REM, he has a distinct musical style and lyrics that make you think deep thoughts and feel like you’re really alive! This critically acclaimed globetrotting singer-songwriter has been touring the U.S. and the world for the last 10 years.

During that time, Bryan Bielanski has performed in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Austria, Belgium, California, Canada, China, Colorado, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Italy, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Luxembourg, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Netherlands, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Russia, South Carolina, South Dakota, Switzerland, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, United Kingdom, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Bryan Bielanski is full of fun energy and catchy songs and he is ready to entertain you!

Bryan will be performing Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Saint George River Café, in Warren.

 

 

EVENTS: Recycled Shakespeare Company to perform Much Ado About Nothing

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Sarah Mayven Crocker, back left, and Justine Wiesinger, back right, play the sparring Benedict and Beatrice with the slandered lovers Claudio, played by Emily Carlton, front left, and Hero played, by Helena Page, front right, in Recycled Shakespeare Company’s presentation of Much Ado About Nothing. (photo by Vanessa Glazier)

Submitted by Lyn Rowden

Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) is bringing fun and romance to the end of summer with their free performances of William Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Come hear some of the best witty repartee by Shakespeare when a strong independent woman tries to maintain her liberty in a battle of words with a jocular aristocratic soldier. Contrasting them are another couple caught up in scandalous gossip which comes dangerously close to ruining them. Meanwhile the officers of the law try to discover the truth despite their bumbling antics.

Bring a chair or blanket to see Much Ado About Nothing in an outdoor performance on Friday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m., in Mill Island Park, Fairfield. The theater in Central Hall Commons in Dover-Foxcroft will be the venue on Saturday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m. South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta, welcomes all to their stage for a 2 p.m., matinee on Sunday, August 21. Concessions will be sold and donations most gratefully received at each show. Reservations for front row/best view tickets in Dover-Foxcroft and Augusta may be guaranteed with a $10 donation by calling 207-314-4730. As with all plays by RSC this show is free of charge and accessible to all. Much Ado About Nothing is a family friendly production.

The following weekend RSC travels to Aroostook County to perform outdoors at the Limestone Renaissance Faire, at Albert Michaud Memorial Park, at 1 p.m, on Saturday, August 27, and at noon on Sunday, August 28. Also on August 27, see the show at 7 p.m., at the historical Musee Culturel Du Mont Carmel, in Grand Isle.

RSC is Maine’s premier environmentally conscious, grassroots community theater. Dedicated to their motto that “all who want a part get a part,” this troupe is comprised of people of all ages and abilities from seasoned actors to first timers who come together to build Shakespearean plays from the ground up using royalty-free and primarily recycled­/repurposed materials. RSC is proudly a founding member of the international EarthShakes Alliance to promote and practice the art of green theater.

For more information on becoming part of RSC or attending an event visit Recyledshakespeare.org, like and follow them on Facebook, email recycledshakespeare@gmail.com or call 207-314-4730.

Local novelist launches “Read a story, feed a child” effort

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David M. Carew, author of the new murder mystery/love story Lucy’s in the Neighborhood — set in contemporary Waterville — has launched the “Read a Story, Feed a Child” effort to benefit Winslow Comm­unity Cupboard food pantry.

Dave Carew

“For every copy of Lucy’s in the Neigh­borhood purchased online throughout August, I will make a donation to Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry,” said Carew. “And for every order specifically placed from Monday, August 22, through Wednesday, August 24, I will donate 100 percent of my author royalties to the food pantry.” He noted that the food pantry now serves more than 200 families from Winslow, Waterville (30 percent of clientele), Clinton, and Benton.

Hailed as “a stellar story … engaging, entertaining, and intelligent”, by Roy E. Perry, Book Reviewer (retired) for The Tennessean, Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, set in Waterville, is available online from Maine Authors Publishing.

David M. Carew, of Waterville, is the author of the novels Voice from the Gutter and Everything Means Nothing to Me: A Novel of Underground Nashville, which The Tennessean hailed as “haunting, beautiful, powerful.” He worked for more than 20 years as a publicist in Nashville before returning to Maine in 2016.

For more information, please visit Maine Authors Publishing online or call (207) 594-0091.

EVENTS: China Community Days schedule of events Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 7

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[See also: Planning well underway for China Community Days festivities]

EVENTS: Delightful “All Things Blueberry” festival promises loads of family fun

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WINSLOW, ME — One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the festival grounds is free.

Nearly 750 mouth-watering blueberry pies and “all things blueberry” baked goods will be available for sale. Blueberry pies ($12 each) may be picked up at the church anytime from 3 to 7 p.m., the previous evening (Friday, August 12) or the day of the festival (Saturday the 13) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kicking off the 51st Annual Blueberry Festival on Saturday will be a delicious Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost of the breakfast will be $7 per person and $5 for children age 12 and under, payable at the door.

Other Great “Festival Festivities”

In addition to the “all things blueberry” pies and other culinary delights, festival patrons will enjoy a Lobster Shore-Dinner Raffle; live classical, pop, folk, and blues music; local crafts vendors; a yard sale; a popcorn vendor; a silent auction; basket raffles; an agricultural exhibit featuring goats; and a firetruck and police car.

Night-Before (Friday Evening) Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper To-Go

The night before the Blueberry Festival, there will be a Friday-evening (August 12) Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper To-Go (with “all the fixins’”) at Winslow Congregational Church. The Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper will run from 3 to 7 p.m. Blueberry pies, blueberry baked goods, and a yard sale also will be available during the Friday-evening supper, plus you’ll enjoy live music. Cost of the Chicken Bar-B-Q supper is $12 per person, payable at the event. The supper will be served by Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry volunteers and all proceeds will benefit the food pantry.

More about the 51st Annual Blueberry Festival

A beloved community favorite since 1972, the Blueberry Festival raises funds to empower the local humanitarian/Christian-service work of Winslow Congregational Church. Celebrating its 193rd birthday this year, the historic church is housed in a building dating from 1796, which has been home to a worshipping congregation since 1828.

Everyone seeking a wonderful opportunity to gather and enjoy a treasure trove of “all things blueberry” is cordially invited to attend this year’s Blueberry Festival. Mark your calendar now!

For more information about the 51st annual Blueberry Festival, please visit: https://winslowucc.org/blueberry-festival/.