Northern Light Inland Hospital to reopen Waterville COVID-19 drive-up testing facility

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Northern Light Inland Hospital vaccinated 1,024 people on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at its first mass vaccination clinic at Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) in Fairfield. (contributed photo)

With COVID-19 testing needs increasing, Northern Light Inland Hospital is planning to reopen its Drive-Up COVID-19 testing site in Waterville. The site is located behind Inland Hospital at 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive.

The facility opened on September 13, 2021, by appointment through their Testing website and phone line which will offer appointments starting September 13. The testing site will serve the community Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – noon. Symptomatic, asymptomatic (no symptoms), and pre-procedure medical tests (known as AGPs-aerosol generating procedures) will be available, as well as state testing for COVID-19 exposures. Testing for travel is not available through Northern Light Inland Hospital at this time.

Community testing has been occurring at the Northern Light Walk-In Care office, at 174 Kennedy Memorial Drive, but due to the current surge in demand, they are moving all testing to the Drive-Up facility as of September 13. The Walk-In Care office will continue to offer non-emergency care, including caring for those with COVID, flu, and cold symptoms.

The Drive-Up facility will offer a self-swab test and accompanying adults should be prepared to swab children under age 12 with guidance. Patients will remain in their vehicle.

To schedule a test, call 1.844.489.1822 (long-distance charges may apply) or visit Northernlighthealth.org/Testing. Appointments are now available.

If you have a pre-procedure (AGP) test order from your provider, you will need to register online or call 1.844.489.1822 and follow the prompts to register.

If you have an AGP test order from a provider outside of Northern Light Health, you will need to register online or call 1.844.489.1822. (It is recommended you bring the order with you.)

If you are booking your appointment through the website and completing the registration online, the test order will be generated by the website after completion of the online booking and registration.

Other Northern Light Drive-Up Testing facilities will be reopening shortly. For more information about testing at all Northern Light locations in Maine, please visit Northernlighthealth.org/Testing or call 1.844.489.1822.

Mid-Maine Chamber, Alfond Youth & Community Center to continue festival of trees

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Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce combine efforts to present Festival of Trees this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition begun by the Sukeforth family in 2015. When the family determined it would no longer host the event, AYCC and the Chamber stepped up to preserve this coveted event.

Join us in continuing a fabulous holiday tradition! At the same time, money raised supports families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and funds workforce development services and assistance through the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, meeting a need existing throughout our region.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful holiday tree? Imagine over 60 trees, each uniquely decked out in holiday cheer. This wonderful family tradition will be held at The Elm, 21 College Ave., Waterville, from November 19-21 and November 26-28. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 28 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Festival of Trees will provide a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy. Admission for ages 12 and over is just $2 per person; children 12 and under are admitted for free. Purchase and drop your individual tree tickets (just 50 cents each) into the bucket of your favorite tree and you could go home with a beautifully decorated tree complete with all the gift cards and merchandise displayed.

For more information about your business sponsoring a tree as part of the festival, visit https://www.clubaycc.org/festival-of-trees. Businesses entering a tree in the past will be given preference to submit for this year, as space is limited. A substantial number of volunteers will be needed for this event – if you are interested in registering as an individual or a group, visit Volunteer Signup. At this time, masking will be required for all attendees and volunteers.

Ticonic Gallery and Railroad Square Cinema participate in Freedom & Captivity Project

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by Mary Ellms

Ticonic Gallery and Railroad Square Cinema will participate in the Freedom & Captivity Project, a statewide, coalition-based public humanities project designed to consider a future without prisons and mass incarceration. The initiative runs from September through December 2021 and features over 50 participating organizations and institutions.

The project, which will include art exhibitions, workshops, webinars, a podcast series, and public education materials, is conceived with the participation of people in Maine directly impacted by incarceration. Freedom & Captivity re-examines the use of prisons and jails to manage social problems and asks how we might imagine approaching safety, security, and justice differently.

Ticonic Gallery will host the art exhibition “Art Inside” that will feature the work of Maine-based photographers Trent Bell, Séan Alonzo Harris, and Lesley MacVane. The photographs of “Art Inside” depict artwork within the walls of the Maine State Prison, Mountain View Correctional Facility, and Southern Maine Women’s Correctional Center facilities. The artwork, all created by incarcerated people, offers a humanizing portrait of their makers, and the works have served as a creative outlet for members of the prison population. The exhibit will be available to the public during Ticonic Gallery’s new hours: Monday through Friday, noon – 5 p.m.

In related programming, Waterville Creates will distribute art kits to support children with incarcerated parents. These kits will be available in visiting room areas and will incorporate themes, images, and words to describe the types of experiences they seek for their collective future.

“What we are seeing as participants in this project are the many ways in which image-making is a restorative, healthy means of expression that can help children and adults navigate the complexities of incarceration on the family dynamic. Art is powerful, it’s transformative, and it can make a difference,” says Patricia King, vice president of Waterville Creates.

Maine Film Center’s “Cinema in Conversation” series resumes in-person this fall at Railroad Square Cinema with a lineup of free screenings and discussions with filmmakers, film experts, and advocates on the themes of freedom, captivity, and human rights. Showtimes and event details are available at MaineFilmCenter.org. The Railroad Square Cinema lobby will also host the multidisciplinary exhibition “Stories of Incarceration: Portraits from the Penobscot County Jail Storytelling Project” from September 13 to October 18.

A full calendar of Freedom & Captivity events is available on the Freedom & Captivity website at freedomandcaptivity.org.

More information on participation by Waterville Creates can be found at watervillecreates.org/shows/art-inside/.

EVENT: Recover Out Loud in Maine’s Capital September 30

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Join the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project as we Recover Out Loud in Maine’s Capital! and celebrate International Recovery Day and National Recovery Month on September 30th, 2021 from 5 to 10 pm in Mill Park!

The night will start out with live performances by North Wood Outlaws, The Young Swagg, and TreeLock. Followed by a live-streamed concert, featuring Macklemore, as part of a nationwide recovery initiative—supported by iHeart Media and Variety—and produced by Mobilize Recovery.

Guest speakers will include Mayor Dave Rollins, Carolyn Delany (founder of Journey Magazine), Representative Charlotte Warren, Councilor Courtney Allen, and many of Maine’s recovery community leaders.

Food will be on-site to purchase from the popular Two Maine Guys food truck.

Organizers will be accepting donations to support the launch of the Augusta Recovery Reentry Center (ARRC), an initiative of the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, Maine Prisoner Reentry Network, Young People in Recovery – Augusta, and Fresh Out Sober Living. Donate today! (Please dedicate all donations to the “Maine Fund”!)

This Event is Supported By:
(Host Committees In Formation)

Recovery Champions
Journey Magazine, Honorable Sara Gideon, Bernstein Shur

Recovery Allies
R.A.M Window Cleaning and Property Maintenance LLC, Dr. Winifred Tate, AngleZ Behavioral Health Services, Crisis & Counseling Centers,

Friends of Recovery
Honorable Eddie Dugay, Sari Greene, Betsy Sweet, Representative Charlotte Warren

Partners Tabling at the Event

Savida Health, Maine Prisoner Reentry Network, Fresh Out Sober Living, Young People in Recovery – Augusta, Maine Women’s Lobby, Recover2gether, MHHS Club at the University of Maine at Augusta, PRCC “Maine’s Recovery Hub”, The Augusta Teen Center, Dignity, Church of Safe Injection, Groups Recover Together, LINC, Crisis & Counseling (OPTIONS, Parents Case Management, SUD Services, and 5K Race)

Learn more about levels of sponsorship here. Please reach out to courtney@recoveryvoices.com if you would like to sponsor or table at the event.

A special thank you to The City Of Augusta for helping to make this event possible with the support of the stage and venue, and for their commitment to the recovery community in Augusta.

Chamber hosts re-vamped Super Raffle dinner

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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Super Raffle Dinner, is back, with a new venue, and re-energized format. The annual dinner will be hosted on Thursday, September 30, at The Elm, College Avenue, Waterville. This year’s event, titled A Night at the Lodge, is sponsored by Maine State Credit Union, and will begin with a social hour at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and drawings at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided by the team of The Parsonage House and the Heritage House, with a cash bar provided by Proper Pig.

The ticket price of $125 includes dinner for two, one prize and a gift from Maine State Credit Union. Everyone wins a prize. Drawings begin with prizes valued at a minimum of $25 and grow as the drawings proceed. Top cash prizes are $750, $1,500, and $3,000. There is also a 2nd Chance Cash drawing of $500 and Plinko wheel prizes.

Chamber member businesses are encouraged to donate a raffle prize. To donate, or to purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber at 873.3315 or Cindy@midmainechamber.com.

2021 additional event sponsors are: Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Choice Wealth Advisors and New Dimensions Federal Credit Union.

Share the Road with Carol bicycle ride set for September 19, 2021

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The fifth annual Share the Road with Carol memorial bike ride will take place on Sunday, September 19. Share the Road with Carol is an all ages commemorative bike ride planned for Sunday, September 19, 2021, 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 everyone is invited who feels the same to join 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 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). Ride organizers will be following any Covid-19 safety precautions that are still required or recommended by the Maine CDC at that point 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

Skowhegan legion to hold September events

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Photo source: Skowhegan American Legion Facebook page.

Skowhegan American Legion Post #16, will hold two events during the month of September.

September 11, 2021
Luck of Draw Auction
Located at American Legion Post #16
on Route 201, in Skowhegan

Doors open at 9 a.m., drawings starts at noon.

Money raised will be used for charities the Auxiliary donates to all year long. Some of these include, but are not limited to: Togus VA Center, Annual High School Scholarship, Songs of Love Foundation, Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, Local Food Cupboards, and direct assistance to veterans and citizens in our community.

September 18 and 19
Stuff the Cruiser

Located at American Legion Post #16 hall, on Route 201, in Skowhegan

From 10 a.m. ‘til 3 p.m. both days. Auxiliary members will be collecting personal care, and activity items that will be distributed for free to Veterans receiving care at the Veterans Hospital, or one of the Veteran Homes.

Ideas for donations at the event:

Personal Care: Deodorant, Soap, Razors, Shampoo, Lotion, Chapstick, Tooth Brushes, Tooth Paste, Chapstick, Hair brushes/combs, lap blankets, T-shirts of all sizes, and socks.

Activity items: Word Search, Sudoku, crossword, or adult coloring books. Also colored pencils, stationary to write to family, and card games.

For more information call Ann Spaulding at 399-5602.

EVENTS: Windsor Veterans Memorial to be dedicated on Saturday, September 11, 2021

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In 2017, the Windsor Board of Selectmen approved to start raising funds for a new Veterans Memorial Monument for the town of Windsor’s residents who have enlisted to join the Armed Forces. The Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Theresa Haskell, Cemetery Sexton Joyce Perry, and Cemetery Committee members established a Veteran’s Memorial Committee and a Veterans Memorial Fund Raising Committee to begin this project. With an estimated cost of $42,000 for the monument itself, over the years the various boards, volunteers, and many personal and town donations along with anonymous donations $54,000 has been raised towards this project. They have had many fundraisers over the years from pie sales at Hussey’s General Store, silent auctions, flea market/lawn sale, selling of pavers and concerts from Downeast Brass Quintet. The Windsor Ladies Aid served refreshments during the concerts. They will be continuing to raise money for these additional projects, (a three-foot wall behind the monument, new lighting, and landscaping).

The committee thanks the Town of Windsor residents, the dedicated committee members and everyone that has helped make this happen for their hard work and dedication. Also, a special thank you to Downeast Brass Quintet, J.C. Stone for donating the two granite benches, Windsor Ladies Aid, and the several donations throughout the years. Pavers will still be available to purchase at the Town Office 207-445-2998, and during this dedication. (These pavers can be purchased for whatever purpose you choose – a veteran, a loved one, a business, or remembrance of someone special to you.

This memorial has been erected this past November but due to COVID-19, they were unable to have a dedication that this monument so deserved. Everyone is invited to attend the Windsor Veterans Memorial Dedication on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 2 p.m., on the corner of Route 32 and Reed Road, to honor our veterans from Windsor and loved ones. This dedication is rain or shine and bring a chair if you would like.

Mosaic workshop to be held on Sept. 13 for grieving children

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Hope’s Place for grieving children, a program of Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, will be offering the art workshop: Create a Mosaic, geared towards children ages 6 to 18. This activity will give children the opportunity to express their feelings of grief and remember their loved one while creating a beautiful piece of art. The workshop will be held on Monday, September 13, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., in the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area Healing Garden, 304 Main Street, in Waterville. Create a Mosaic will be facilitated by professional glass artist, Lucie Boucher (stoneridgeglass.com). To register, contact Jillian Roy, Phone 873-3615 x 19 or email jroy@hvwa.org. Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area will follow the current CDC COVID 19 guidelines and recommendations for in person meetings.

Scouting lets you escape the inside

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Gabriel Daniel Lawyerson, of Troop #216. (contributed photo)

by Chuck Mahaleris

This Fall, as students go indoors back to school, the local Scouts will be inviting those students to join them as they “Escape the Inside.” The Membership Recruitment theme “Escape the Inside” will be used on promotional material such as fliers, posters, and lawn signs as a way of informing youth and their parents that Scouting plans to deliver fun programs in outdoor settings.

“A boy is not a sitting-down animal,” – Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of Scouting.

“Scouting works best when we bring the Scouts into the outdoors,” said Kennebec Valley District of Scouting Vice Chairman Chuck Mahaleris, of Augusta. “Our Cub Packs, Scout Troops and Venture Crews have been busy all summer long having adventures. Scouts in this area spent their summer camping, hiking, shooting at the archery range, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and challenging themselves.

They didn’t get a lot of time to sit down. They learned about cooking over an open fire and how to save someone’s life in the woods. Some of our Scouts went white water rafting and many spent part of their summer helping their community. In September, our Cub Packs, Scout Troops and Venture Crews will be opening their doors to new members- youth who are tired of sitting around and want to get outside and have fun and do things.”

The three largest parts of Scouting are:

Cub Scouting which is fun for the whole family of boys and girls in grades K-5. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.

The next level is Scouts BSA which is for boys and girls ages 11-17 and is the traditional Scouting experience for youth in the fifth grade through high school. Service, community engagement and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.

Venturing is for teens age 14-20 and perfect for those kids looking for the next mountain to climb.

There will be Scouting sign up opportunities in every town and fliers will be distributed to students where allowed, and here are the contacts for the Scouting program in your area.

The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting, which covers Somerset, Lincoln, Knox, Kennebec and Franklin Counties, will also be adding Sea Scouting and Exploring programs later this year.

“Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting worldwide, said ‘the open air is the real objective of Scouting and the key to its success.’ Our Scouting leaders are eager to get the youth in their programs out into the great outdoors of our state and let the Scouting shine,” Mahaleris said.