EVENTS: AYCC to host polar plunge

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AYCC Childcare leadership team, Chrissy Johnson, Bobbi Pelletier and DJ Adams, take the dip in 2020. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC), serving the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greater Waterville, has announced it will be hosting its 31st annual Polar Plunge, on Saturday, March 16, at the Oakland Boat Launch. They hope to have 100 participants to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club.

Funds are raised by each jumper and team, all contributing to the AYCC Kids Kitchen program. Through Kids Kitchen, every child in the Afterschool Program, both in Waterville and at the off sites, receives a warm meal and snack every day. In addition to the Afterschool Program, the Greenhouse to Your House weekend meal kits are funded through Kids Kitchen. By giving to your favorite jumper, you’re making a difference in the lives of children in our community.

Jumpers with the most money raised will receive the grand prize of a week’s stay at the West Wind II resort, in the Bahamas. Prizes will also be awarded for the best costume, best jump, and to the oldest and youngest jumper.

EVENTS: Lincoln County Historical Association lecture sheds light on Black sailors of the 18th and 19th centuries

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Korinne Tanzer

In an online lecture on Thursday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m., speaker Korinne Tanzer will discuss a few of the incredible Black sailors – free and enslaved – who worked the waters of the Kennebec River or spent time at sea, helping shape Lincoln County’s past. Spanning the 18th and 19th centuries, Tanzer’s talk will introduce early enslaved men who were forced to sea by their enslavers and free men like Zina Lewis, who, full of “good grit” as reported by one local newspaper, made a name for himself as a very successful Black captain on the Kennebec River. Tanzer tells of the determination and grit of men whose stories have been hidden but who left an important mark on Maine’s rich maritime tradition.

The lecture is open to the public and free, but pre-registration is required. Please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or click on https://tinyurl.com/yt9td72y. A suggested donation of $5 will help support LCHA’s ongoing history programming.

EVENTS: Battle of Maine set for March 23

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In photo, Asher Stone, 11, and Judah Stone, 12, both of Winslow, practicing for the upcoming Battle of Maine. (photo by Mark Huard)

The 42nd Annual Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships will be taking place, on Saturday, March 23, at Champions, in Waterville. The event will feature competitors from all over the state of Maine and other parts of the United States that will be competing in forms, weapons, fighting and other events. Special thank you to major event sponsors Central Maine Motors and Hammond Lumber Co. Spectator Tickets are $10 each and $1 of each ticket will go to help support The Maine Children’s Cancer Program. For more information, you can contact Mark Huard/ Huard’s Martial Arts at 649-3622.

Poor People’s Campaign set for March 2

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Maine Poor People’s Campaign organizers pictured are David Jolly, Murry Ngoima, and Chris McKinnon, handing out pamphlets promoting the upcoming rally. (photo by Jonathan Strieff)

by Jonathan Strieff

On Saturday, March 2, the Maine Poor People’s Campaign will lead a march and rally at the State House to kick off a 40-week effort to mobilize poor and low-wage voters ahead of the November elections. Simul­taneous direct actions are planned at 31 state capitals around the country and Washington, DC. The event will offer a platform for low-income Mainers to speak to the daily challenges they face and to articulate the legislative action needed to address them, including voting rights, livable wages, affordable housing, health care, women’s rights, gun safety, tribal sovereignty for the Wabanaki nations, and environmental justice. On Monday, March 4, organizers from the campaign intend to hand deliver their demands to Governor Janet Mills and every legislator in the State House.

In a press release, campaign organizers David Jolly and Linda Homer explained the goal of the months long effort is to harness the untapped power of poor and low-wage voters in the political process. Through door-to-door canvassing, voter registration drives, phone banking and other coordinated actions, the Poor People’s Campaign seeks to organize voters to around the issues most impacting Americans living in poverty.

According to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University, in Maine, poor and low-income people account for 32.5 percent of the population. More than 35 percent of working adults earn less than $15 per hour. Nearly 162,000 households depend on SNAP benefits (food stamps) to feed themselves, benefits that were cut by as much as $250 per month last year. Poverty is considered to be the fourth leading cause of death in America, more deadly than homicide, gun violence, diabetes, or obesity.

The original Poor Peoples Campaign was conceived by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as a large scale act of nonviolent civil disobedience. In 1968, two months after King’s assassination, organizers with the SCLC erected a Shantytown of more than 3,000 individuals on the National Mall in Washington D.C., called Resurrection City, in an effort to make visible the plight of poverty in America. After six weeks of turbulent occupation, the remaining demonstrators were cleared in a massive police sweep. The economic bill of rights and other demands of the campaign were never met.

Fifty years later, Revs. William Barber II and Liz Theoharis revived the Poor Peoples Campaign to confront what they identified as the five systemic evils afflicting American society; Racism, Poverty, Militarism, Ecological Devastation, and the Distorted Moral Narrative of Religious Nationalism. In Maine, this took the form of rallies, worship services, and small group meetings and teach-ins. The work of the group emphasizes building power within local communities, changing the moral narrative, and eventually impacting policy for the benefit of the most marginalized people.

Saturday’s rally will gather at 10 a.m., in Capital Park, in Augusta. At 11 a.m., the assembly will march to the State House to rally. Anyone seeking additional information can contact mail@mainepoorpeoplescampaign.org.

EVENTS: Apple tree pruning workshop

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Late winter is the time for pruning apple trees, and Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District [Kennebec SWCD] announces an outdoors, skill-building workshop at a volunteer property in Vassalboro.

An apple tree pruning workshop will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. – noon, at 167 Taber Hill Rd Road, in Vassalboro.

The workshop, led by apple tree enthusiast Joe Dembeck, will cover methods and tools used to prune fruit trees in order to increase their viability and production. After a brief overview, participants will get to test their skills pruning apple trees.

Dress in warm layers as this is an outdoor event. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruning equipment as well as work gloves. Heavy shoes or boots are also recommended. Pole saws, hand saws, and loppers will be available for participants to try as well. This is a fairly primitive site with limited restroom facilities. Please be prepared to use outhouse facilities if needed.

Registration by Monday, March 5 is required. The cost is $10 per person, payable by cash or check on the day of the event. Please note, enrollment will be limited to 24 individuals to ensure a safe and productive event for all participants.

To register or for more information, contact the Kennebec District office at 207-622-7847 x3 ask for Dale Finseth at Dale@kcswcd.org.

CORRECTION: The address has been updated.

EVENTS: Northern Light Acadia Hospital observes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

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28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

February 26 through March 3 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and Northern Light Acadia Hospital is taking the opportunity to raise awareness and share important information about eating disorders with our communities. Did you know…

  • Nine percent of the US population – or 28.8 million Americans – will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
  • Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with the risk of death being highest in anorexia nervosa.
  • Eating disorders are complex medical and mental illnesses. Genetic, biological, environmental, and social factors all can play a role.

A commonly held misconception about eating disorders is that they are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are actually serious and often fatal illnesses and can affect anyone, regardless of age, size, gender, race, sexuality, ability, and more. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

The good news is early intervention can make all the difference. Getting treatment early in the course of an eating disorder greatly improves the chances of recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, don’t wait to get help.

In honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Acadia Hospital is lighting up in green for the week, turning our rooftop lights to green to bring attention to this important cause.

Through its Eating Disorders Treatment Program, Acadia Hospital offers a number of important resources for anyone struggling with an eating disorder. With individual, family, and group therapy options, nutrition counseling, medication management, and more, Acadia’s trained and dedicated team of experts can help. To learn more, visit our website at northernlighthealth.org/Acadia_EDTP.

EVENTS: Ecology Learning Center moves to new location, Begin fundraising campaign

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The Ecology Learning Center is now the proud owner of the Clifford Arts & Student Center (formerly known as the Unity Center for Performing Arts), thanks to the generosity of Unity Environmental University in collaboration with Unity Foundation. In order to maintain and fully realize the capacity of this beautiful 8,000 square foot facility, they must raise $150,000 by June 30, 2024. Please support the public charter high school by donating to their capital campaign and attending events at the student-run theater!

The mission of the Ecology Learning Center is to deeply root students in Maine’s ecological and cultural landscapes, foster authentic real-world learning through mentorship and craft, and cultivate compassionate and resilient leaders prepared to engage in the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The center is located at 230 Main St., in Unity.

Friday, March 1:

Monte Selby: A Story To Be Told

The first event at the Bert & Coral Clifford Arts and Student Center will be Dr. Monte Selby performing original songs with the school’s students – A Story To Be Told.

5th annual China Lake ice fishing derby huge success

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Anglers from the area came out for a fun day of fishing and camaraderie during the ice fishing derby. (photo by Cindy Senkbeil)

by Sandra Isaac

Left to right, China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf, sponsor Deisel Dan and Trevor Yorke, winner of the Lunker of the Day prize. (photo by Cindy Senkbeil)

The China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department co-hosted the 5th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby, on Sunday, February 18, during Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend.

“It was an amazing day of fun, families, and fishing,” said China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf. “We were a little concerned about ice conditions, but everyone used caution and the Fishing Derby went off without the fire department doing a cold-water rescue.”

Rumpf continued. “We also had the children’s fishing division catch our greatest number of perch to date with over 140 brought to the fire house for counting.” The first-place award went to Blake Owens with 56 total perch. Perch, which have inundated hundreds of water systems where they don’t belong, tend to proliferate, stunt, and overwhelm ecosystems. Each year the derby committee checks in with the local biologists to make sure they are still able to hold the children’s category as described, with awards going to the most perch caught by count.

“One of the derby committee’s goals is to emphasize the importance of youth and family getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. This year we added a special prize, that any youth under 15 years of age who brought a fish to the firehouse caught during derby day was entered in drawing for a lifetime Maine residential fishing license to promote future sportsman. We are proud to say we gave our first lifetime license away this year to Daxton Carbollo,” said Rumpf.

Blake Owens (photo by Cindy Senkbeil)

The derby also saw a new record for the lunker of the day, the largest fish caught overall. Trevor Yorke managed to catch a 7.22 pound largemouth bass, beating the former record held by Jeremy Ross and his 6.375 pound catch.

“We also gave away over 56 door prizes all donated by great local businesses,” said Rumpf. “In fact, there were $10,000 worth of donated prizes and fishing awards. The local support is rather overwhelming, and we are very grateful.”

“There was also a great turnout for the Cornhole Tournament as well as the China Ice Day’s activities around town over the weekend. Even if fishing was not your thing, there was something for everyone. We really look forward to this every year and encourage all area groups to be involved”, said Rumpf. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, which also helps coordinate the China Ice Day’s weekend events, please check the China Four Seasons Club website for meeting dates and times.

The China Four Seasons Club maintains a dedicated Facebook page and a website to share information including a list of who won fishing prizes, door prizes, and sponsors.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Ice-Fishing-Derby or www.chinalakeicefishingderby.com.

Fishing Prize Winners!

Lunker of the Day – Trevor Yorke with a 7.22 lbs. Large Mouth Bass.

Brook Trout

First Place – Tim Farris 1.48 lbs.
Second Place – Ryan Hamel 1.25 lbs.
Third Place – Mathew Mann 1.06 lbs.

Brown Trout

First Place – Scott White 3.6 lbs.
Secnd Place – Bill Vanwicker 3.26 lbs.
Third Place – Lindsey Witwiki 3.14 lbs.

Large Mouth Bass

First Place – Jeffery Winslow – 5.92 lbs.
Secnd Place- Stephen Vose – 5.6 lbs.
Third Place – Shawn Grant – 5.52 lbs.

Small Mouth Bass

First Place – Brendan Surette – 2.74 lbs.
Secnd Place – Damon Theriault – 2.64 lbs.
Third Place – Abby Violette – 2.6 lbs.

Pickerel

First Place – Courtney Belanger – 4.58 lbs.
Second Place – James Grover Jr. – 4.1 lbs.
Third Place – Val Baker – 3.96 lbs.

Children 15 & under Category – Most Perch (White or Yellow)

First Place– $50 – Blake Owens with 56!
Second Place – $40 Taylor Arsenault with 26
Third Place – $30 Alexis Wentworth with 20
Fourth Place – $20 – Ellie Soule with 18
Fifth Place – $10 – Myles Bradley with 17

(photo by Cindy Senkbeil)

(photo by Cindy Senkbeil)

EVENTS: Spectrum Generations ice fishing derby this weekend

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The 26th annual Gene and. Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 18, at the Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, in Waterville. This mid-winter tradition for ice fishing enthusiasts and families was established by Maine’s great outdoorsman and his wife, Gene and Lucille Letourneaus.

Fish on any safe, 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 will be awarded for first and second places in eight fish categories for adults and for first, second, and third places in ten fish categories for youth.

All are welcome to attend and enjoy the firepit, s’mores, hot cocoa, popcorn, cornhole, pool table, silent auction. Bring your children to experience the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Mobile Museum activities between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., as well as crafts, coloring, and other free, fun activities (available through 5 p.m.).

Ice Fishing Derby tickets can be purchased online and at several locations: the Muskie Community Center (both in Waterville), Christy’s Country Store (Belgrade), D&L Country Store (Oakland), Harvest Time Baits (Winslow), Middle Road General Store (Sidney), Tri-Pond Variety (Smithfield), Twins Country Store (Augusta), the Cohen Community Center (Hallowell) and at the Spectrum Generations office, in Augusta. Each ticket allows a fish entry and an entry into the door prize drawing for a Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler and drink tumblers (you do not need to enter a fish to be included in the door prize drawing.) Tickets to enter a fish are sold only until noon the day of the event.

For more information, please contact Sandra MacDonald, Regional Center Director smacdonald@spectrumgenerations.org or call 207-873-4745.

SMASH delivers exuberant performance in Monmouth

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From left to right, Peter Maxwell, as Orlando, Isla Granholm as Rosalind, and Mary Herman, as Celia. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the opening night performance of the Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers’ production of As You Like It at the Cumston Hall theater, in Monmouth.

The play is one of Shakespeare’s most accessible comedies and the plot rushes forward on the wings of witty dialogue, clever plot twists and engaging characters. Its story centers around young Orlando, played ably by Peter Maxwell, who exudes a youthful and relatable vulnerability appropriate to the character.

Peter Maxwell as Orlando and James Maxwell as Charles (contributed photo)

Orlando is the youngest son of recently deceased Sir Rowland de Boys. His older brother, Oliver, played by Jacob Sullivan, treats Orlando badly and withholds his inheritance and education. In an effort to escape from under his brother’s shadow and seek his own fortune, Orlando enters a wrestling match against an intimidating opponent, Charles. The play opens on this dramatic scene as Orlando faces off against Charles, played by James Maxwell, who embodies the brutish and haughty Charles with scary authenticity. Oliver prevails but attracts the attention of the villainous Duke Frederick, who has usurped the throne from his brother, Duke Senior. Fearing for his life, Orlando escapes to the nearby Forest of Ardenne.

Meanwhile, Rosalind, daughter of the exiled Duke Senior and niece of the evil Duke Frederick, attends the wrestling match and catches the eye of Orlando, who quickly falls for her, but Rosalind soon finds her own life in danger from her conniving uncle. She too flees to the forest, disguised as a man, along with her cousin, the lady Celia.

Rosalind is played by the talented Isla Granholm, and Celia by Mary Herman. The chemistry between the two is the highlight of the show, and they light up the theater whenever they are on stage together. The plot twists and turns from here, with Shakespeare’s dialogue and clever wordplay ensuring there is never a dull moment.

Left-to-right: Annie Herman, Mary Herman as Celia, Ethan Bean as Touchstone, and Isla Granholm as Rosalind (photo by Eric W. Austin)

The entire cast, under the capable direction of Sam Richards, captures the secret of delivering an entertaining small theater experience: they have fun with the material and that fun is infectious.

The costumes are bright and colorful, helping to make each character distinct and recognizable. The stage sets, though minimal, perfectly capture the scenes without getting in the way, and Director Richards smartly includes some extra narration to help the audience follow the action, although I found the actors’ excellent delivery meant this was rarely necessary.

The play itself contains some of the Bard’s most unforgettable lines, such as, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”, uttered by the character of Jaques, played by Orrin Frederick. My favorite was a line proclaimed with comedic brilliance by Isla Granholm, as Rosalind: “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.”

Ethan Bean as Touchstone and Micah Wolf as Audrey (contributed photo)

The play is filled with witty lines like these, delivered with infectious exuberance by the young cast. Other notable performances include Ethan Bean as the jester, Touchstone, who has some of the best lines. Micah Wolf plays his love interest, Audrey, who, although a minor character, nevertheless manages to delight every time she appears and deserves special mention. Rachel Maxwell also dazzles with ethereal beauty in her role as Hymen, the goddess of marriage.

Overall, this was an excellent adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, filled with witty banter, romantic hijinks, clever disguises and political intrigue. The historic Cumston Hall, in Monmouth, is the perfect venue for this type of small theater experience, with its majestic interior design, excellent acoustics and intimate feel.

Anyone who enjoys the poetic brilliance of Shakespeare and the intimacy of local theater will enjoy this performance. Luckily, the production has two more shows this weekend, on Friday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m., and a final afternoon show on Saturday, February 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and available for purchase at the door or online at smashmaine.jimdofree.com/tickets/.

Cumston Hall is located at 796 Main Street, in Monmouth.

(contributed photo)