art + gender exhibit to begin August 6, 2021

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photo credit: City of Waterville

The Harlow invites artists to submit artwork to art + gender, a juried exhibition that explores the relationship between gender and society. art + gender will be on view August 6 – September 11, 2021, at 100 Water Street, in Hallowell, with an opening reception on Friday, August 6, from 4 – 6 p.m., in conjunction with Hallowell Pride. art + gender is open to all New England based artists. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m., on July 1, 2021.

Original fine art in any media may be submitted. For complete details please visit: https://www.harlowgallery.org/art-gender-call-for-art.

Hospice Summer Bereavement Workshop series to start July 13

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Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area will offer, Is this Normal? What to Expect when Grieving, the first of a series of workshops for those grieving the death of a loved one. The workshop will be held Tuesday evening, July 13, from 6 – 8 p.m. Almost everyone asks themselves somewhere along the way, “Is this Normal?” This is a discussion workshop for anyone at any point in their grief journey, to talk about what has worked and hasn’t worked and what are some ideas for coping looking ahead. This is not a presentation; we will learn from each other.

This workshop will be led by Mark Jose, LCSW, who has had over 20 years of experience as a Hospice Social Worker, Bereavement Counselor and HVWA Volunteer.

All workshops will be held in the Hospice Community Center Healing Garden at 304 Main Street in Waterville and led by community professionals and trained hospice bereavement volunteers. Pre-registration is required. Please call or email Jillian Roy, Bereavement Coordinator, for more information or to register. Phone: 873-3615; E-mail: jroy@hvwa.org.

Palermo Days 2021 canceled

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Photo from Palermo Days 2019. (photo courtesy of Pat Clark)

Sadly, Palermo Days will not take place this August. However, plans have already begun for extra special events next year during the second weekend of August 2022.

Vassalboro planners to meet July 6

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, at the Vassalboro town office, with a single item on their agenda.

Peter Reny has applied to place a mobile home on the gravel pad that was the site of a former mobile home at 1100 Main Street in North Vassalboro, in the Outlet Stream shoreland zone. Reny received a permit for a new mobile home in August 2017 that has expired, Codes Officer Paul Mitnik said.

China planners to hold special workshop

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by Mary Grow

The China Planning Board will hold a special workshop meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 28, to continue editing the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. The meeting will be in person in the portable building behind the town office, with virtual participation also available.

China Four Seasons Club: Non-profit Spotlight

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Four Seasons clubhouse

Their Mission, Their Goals

by Steve Ball

Founded in 1970, the China Four Seasons Club is a growing nonprofit club organized to bring together enthusiasts of outdoor activities of all sorts. The club was organized after a merger between the China Lake Association and the China Regional Snowmobilers organizations. While most of their activities revolve around snowmobiling and ATV riding, the club, in fact, offers more to the community and its families.

In speaking with Tom Rumpf, club president, and Gail Tibbetts, past club president, it is obvious they see the club as a focal point for China and its surrounding towns’ people to get outside and enjoy the local area.

“This is really a four seasons club with events for everyone,” Rumpf said. There’s obviously snowmobiling and ATV riding, but in addition, the club has tried to broaden the offerings of the club. Recently the Four Seasons Club partnered with the China Village Volunteer Fire Department to sponsor and manage the China Lake Annual Ice Fishing Derby.

The club’s work during the year involves managing 34 miles of snowmobile trails and 21 miles of ATV trails in the China Lake region. All of the manpower for trail maintenance, grooming and upkeep is done by volunteers. According to Rumpf, the trails managed by the club are very popular, attracting riders and enthusiasts from throughout the state and New England. It’s busy work of which the club is rightly proud.

It is the work on the trails that keeps the attention of most members. Aside from the cost of building bridges, clearing storm and wind damage, and running the grooming vehicles, Rumpf and his team spend a lot of time talking with landowners to gain approval for trail access. Additionally, Rumpf is in contact with the Maine State Department of Conservation to assure that all the trails are in compliance and ask for guidance on major repair work. “These trails,” Rumpf said, “are more than just for snowmobilers and ATV riders. They get used by horseback riders, bikers, hikers, snowshoers and cross country skiers.”

The club, according to Rumpf, is really there to serve both the membership, numbering approximately 200, and the community. This is seen in the varied activities the club either sponsors or is involved in with other organizations. Over the Christmas holiday season the club donated money for families in need and then sponsored a raffle for four decorated Christmas trees stocked with presents underneath. Rumpf and his team are also partnering to assist with promoting the China School Forest.

The clubhouse is located on seven acres along Lakeview Drive, across from the China Town Office, with a beach and lake access. There’s a kitchen and main hall that serves the social needs of the club and is available to anyone to rent for private functions. The beach is remarkable in its somewhat secluded and protected setting. In the summer, docks are laid out to provide for swimming, fishing and boating, and the area is set-up for picnicking. In fact, according to Gail Tibbetts, the beach is increasingly becoming a prime attraction for families.

It is apparent the club is striving for ways to better serve the community. “I would like to organize a winter carnival around the ice fishing derby, with different activities for children and non-fishermen,” said Rumpf. This might include sledding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

The club would be a remarkable organization just because of its location and available space, but it’s the leaders and membership that are visibly shaping this nonprofit into a valuable community asset. It is apparent the China Lake community would be a much different place if not for the impact of the China Four Seasons Club.

The Town Line will continue with a series of articles on local nonprofit groups and their work in their respective communities. To include your group, contact The Town Line at townline@townline.org.

ShineOnCass event includes education and PJ party with baby animals

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Mac Vandeventer gets to know the goats. (photo courtesy of Monica Charette)

by Monica Charette

Claire Slevinsky pets a two-week-old baby lamb and learns how to card sheep wool at Hart-to-Hart Farm in Albion. (photo courtesy
of Monica Charette)

It was a pajama party like no other at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center in Albion on May 16, when 100 children, dressed in their pajamas, welcomed baby lambs, goats, calves, and other newborn animals – also wearing pajamas – as part of the annual ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower.

This year’s event featured hands-on educational sessions, including teaching kids how to milk a cow, fetch eggs from a real chicken coop, spin lamb’s wool, and stretch out at goat yoga! Children were able to hold the newborn babies, learn about caring for them, and experience a working, organic farm.

Linda Hartkopf, owner of Hart-to-Hart Farm, with her husband, Doug, said she enjoys the opportunity to share her love for animals with the community.

“Many of the children who came have never been on a working farm,” said Hartkopf. “We take great pride in educating them about caring for animals, and sharing our love and pride in raising them. There’s nothing like introducing a child to a newborn animal.”

Paige Smith comes out to volunteer in honor and in memory of her former soccer teammate and friend, Cassidy Charette, at the annual ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party at Hart-to-Hart Farm in Albion. (photo courtesy
of Monica Charette)

Hart-to-Hart Farm is a family-owned and operated organic dairy farm that offers a variety of summer educational programs for children, adults and families. The event is held each year in memory of Cassidy Charette, an Oakland teen who died in a hayride accident in 2014. Cassidy, known for her kindness as an active community volunteer, was also passionate about caring for animals as a long-time summer camper at Hart-to-Hart Farm.

“Every year we get further away from losing Cass, holds a special place for us all,” said Cassidy’s friend Shawna Lachance, who now serves on the foundation’s board of directors. “We knowing we are continuing the work she would have lived her life doing.”

Families attending the event made monetary gifts and donated a truckload of food and pet items, which was donated to Humane Society Waterville Area in honor and memory of Cassidy, who was also a shelter volunteer.

For information about Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, visit hart2hartfarm.org. For more event images, visit the ShineOnCass Facebook page. To learn more about the ShineOnCass Foundation, please visit shineoncass.org.

 

 

 

Maine Fiber FUSION set for June 5-6, 2021

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Rabbits from the Daylily B True Rabbitry, in Windsor.

A baker’s dozen of Maine fiber farmers and artists will be selling their products on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 – 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Fusion of Windsor, 243 Ridge Road (Rte. 32), Windsor, just a half mile north of the Windsor Fairgrounds.

Hawthorne & Thistle Farmstead, in Washington, will have fleeces and yarns from her Jacob sheep and angora goats, and other farm products.

Maine Fiber Fusion will be held outdoors, rain or shine, free to visitors, with Maine CDC pandemic guidelines observed. A wide range of products from sheep, angora rabbits, alpacas, and angora goats will be available.

Several 4-H fiber farmers will be on hand to assist and to accept donations for their programs. There will be a door prize drawing on Sunday at 2 p.m.

This event is a small, one-time, substitute for Maine Fiber Frolic, which has been held at the Windsor Fairgrounds annually.

As the Frolic was canceled again this year due to the pandemic, three fiber friends approached The Fusion of Windsor owner, Antoinette Turner, with the idea of holding a smaller event at her site. With Toni’s enthusiastic support, the Fiber Fusion team – Sandra Grecenko, of Windsor, Steph Grant, of Washington, and Jude Hsiang, of South China—began contacting other Maine fiber farmers and craft folks.

Anyone interested in fine yarns, spinning fibers, and knitted, crocheted, and felted items will find quality, locally-grown and created products. Fiber tools will be available for sale as well.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their spinning wheel, knitting or crocheting and join the fun.

Kelly McKenzie, of Cedar Valley Fibers, in Albion, will bring her handspun and hand dyed yarns, fibers and knitwear. Sandra Grecenko, of Daylilly B True Rabbitry, in Windsor, raises several varieties of angora rabbits and sheep and offers yarns crocheted items. Steph Grant, of Hawthorne &Thistle Farmstead, in Washington, will have fleeces and yarns from her Jacob sheep and angora goats, and other farm products.

Jude Hsiang, of Versicolor, in South China, dyes yarns using traditional plant materials, and knits, sews, and weaves when not giving dyeing workshops. Linda Russo, of Maine Fiber Barn, and Theresa Morin, two alpaca farmers in Whitefield, will have fleeces, yarns and knitted hats scarves, mittens, and toys for sale.

Alice Seeger, owner of Belfast Fiberarts, will bring spinning wheels, looms, other fiber tools, and some luxury fibers. Alice teaches weaving and other classes at the shop, which also has a membership option for studio time.

Beth Acker, of Acker’s Acres Angoras, in New Gloucester, will be selling angora yarns and fibers, and other products. Anna Barber, of The Barber’s Bunnies, in Bremen, also raises angora rabbits in addition to offering yarns, knitwear, nuno felted and needle felted items.

Janet Beardsley, of Catawampus Farm & Fibers, in Minot, raises Colored Angora goats and Jacob Sheep, and will be selling wool, mohair, and hand-painted yarns. Amanda St. Peter, of Gray, is yet another Jacob sheep shepherd.

Lee and Alan Fernald, of Broken Road Farm, in Hartford, will bring raw wool and roving for spinners as well as other sheep, goat, and rabbit products. Susan Kendrick, a shearer, in New Gloucester, will have raw wool from seven different breeds of sheep.

These fiber farmers are just a few of the many Maine folks who have participated in Maine Fiber Frolic in the past—selling their products, giving demonstrations, and leading classes. All are hoping for the return of Maine Fiber Frolic in 2022.

Vassalboro neighborhood yard sale June 4 – 6, 2021

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by Jeanne Marquis

Click for full size list of locations.

Three years ago, Samantha Lessard and others organized The Mill Market, a weekly Craft & Vendor Fair, with the philosophy that when you help out community members the entire community benefits. It’s a full circle relationship.

On June 4, 5 and 6, this community spirit will be extended with the addition of an expansive network of neighbor yard sales throughout Vassalboro. Participation has become so popular that it will help to have a map to take full advantage of the offerings available at each address. The items that are not sold during the yard sale will be donated to The Mill for their used items area.

The used clothing and household items from The Mill have helped out Vassalboro residents over the last few years who have had fires, been displaced from their homes or have found themselves otherwise in need of clothing. These types of special requests for used items are filled by appointments only.

The Craft & Vendor Fair at The Mill is every Sunday through the summer, with an extra Saturday on June 5. Crafters and Vendors will be inside The Mill and outside on the green under tents. Handcrafted items include spices, jewelry, baked goods, plants, vegetables, gnomes, tie dye items, jams, glass crafts, macrame, candles, woodworking, knitted items, build a bear, sewed items, magnets, essential oils, Vendors include Tupperware, Scentsy, ColorStreet, Avon, 31, Tastefully Simple, Epicure, Paparazzi.

The proceeds from The Mill Market and yard sales, besides benefitting area crafters and local families who participate, will go to the ongoing restoration of The Mill – a gathering place for the community. That’s what Samantha means by full circle.

EVENTS: Plant Giveaway & Permaculture Bed-Building

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Ecology Learning Center (photo: Unity College)

The Unity Barn Raisers will hold Permaculture in the Park, hosted by the Ecology Learning Center, Unity Barn Raisers, and Triplet Park, on Saturday, May 29, at 11 a.m., at Triplet Park, 32 School St., in downtown Unity. Learn how to build beds and take home some plants to put in them!

Gather in this community park for a monthly talk and learning experience grounded in the principles of permaculture. Beginning with a talk by the experienced permaculture designer, Teddy Mattson, of Seed of Life Permaculture and Design, participants will learn about swale and hugelkultur creation, sheet-mulching to capture water, best uses of landscape organic matter debris, as well as how to suppress weeds and build soil. Once we’ve heard about these topics, we will join together in a community work session to apply them in the park. Stay as long as you like to help out and learn more!

Participants will take home their own raspberry cane and comfrey plant! With a donation of any kind, participants may take more than one of each.

RSVP requested at https://www.ecologylearningcenter.org/workshops. $15 suggested donation upon arrival.