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.

EVENTS: Unity Parkinson’s support group meets monthly

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Photo by Radio Alfa (flickr.com/photos/radioalfa)

Unity Area Parkinson’s Support Group for Parkinson’s Patients and Caregivers, meets second Thursday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m., at Unity Community Center, 32 School Street, Unity. Come for information, support, encouragement, and helpful tips on living with Parkinson’s disease. Free and informal. COVID compliant. Mask required. For more information, call Eleanor at 948-1474 or email: dogisland52@gmail.com.

2021 Listing of Memorial Day Services

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Memorial Day Services

ALBION

No parade. Memorial service, 9 a.m., in front of Albion Christian Church at the monument.

CHINA VILLAGE

Memorial service, 10 a.m., on the top of the hill in the cemetery. Return to China Baptist Church for another memorial service, following the cemetery service.

MADISON

No Memorial Day parade. Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Post #39 observances as follows:

9 a.m., at Starks Town Office.

9:30 a.m., Anson Town Office, followed by scattering of flowers off the bridge.

10 a.m., Madison Library.

10:30 a.m., at the U.S./Canada Monument at Forest Hills Cemetery.

11 a.m., East Madison, Joseph Quirion Monument.

SOUTH CHINA

The South China American Legion Boynton-Webber Post #179 will conduct a short flower-placing ceremony at the Windsor Veterans Memorial on Rte. 32 in front of the Windsor Christian Fellowship Church at 9 a.m.

A second ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. in South China at the Veterans Memorial Park at the intersection of Old Windsor Road and Village Street.

There will be no parade this year.

WINDSOR

Memorial ceremony, 9 a.m.

Inland vaccinations schedule change

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Light Inland Hospital has adapted care and service to meet the needs of our communities. As COVID-19 vaccines became available, they moved quickly to offer vaccinations at a central location, designed to deliver vaccine to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. With over half of Maine’s eligible population vaccinated, it is time to shift our approach to ensure that those who have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated can now do so.

While they have offered pop-up clinics in underserved communities and have been providing personal vaccinations to homebound community members, they are looking to expand vaccination opportunities for those who were unable to travel to the larger vaccination sites.

On Monday, May 17, Northern Light Walk-In Care, located at 174 Kennedy Memorial Drive, in Waterville, began offering walk-in Moderna COVID-19 vaccination between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week, for anyone 18 years and older. You do not need to be a current patient, and no appointment is necessary.

The large-scale vaccination clinic, located at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, will begin tapering hours and days in the coming weeks, with a tentative final day of operation on Friday, June 4, based on demand.

The administration and staff at Northern Light Inland Hospital thank Kennebec Valley Community College, all the volunteers, and the community for making COVID-19 vaccinations a success. This has been a team effort for the health of our communities.

Waterville Farmers Market open

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The Waterville Farmers Market is open at the Head of Falls, off Front St., every Thursday, from 2 – 6 p.m.

EVENTS: Amber Lambke to address Leadership Luncheon

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Amber Lambke

Amber Lambke, founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc., will speak at the June Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Amici’s Cucina, 137 Main Street, Waterville.

Enjoy a fabulous lunch and meet Amber Lambke, founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc.

She will share her vision for the future of growth in the organic grains community, her notable entrepreneurial path and lifelong experiences that propelled her to her current position.

Maine Grains are carried by specialty food stores and used by bakeries, breweries, and chefs throughout the Northeast.

Amber is also the founding director of the nonprofit Maine Grain Alliance whose flagship event, the Kneading Conference, draws hundreds of attendees from around the world each year and has spawned countless similar conferences.

A driving force behind Maine’s sustainable foods movement, Amber has worked with local business leaders and community members to successfully bring the cultivation and processing of grains back to the northeast. Her efforts have generated a broader understanding and appreciation of the flavor, nutrition, economic and environmental value of freshly milled, organic grains.

To register for this event please email Cindy@midmainechamber.com, check the website at www.midmainechamber.com or call 873.3315. Cost for the Leadership Luncheon is $20 per person for members; $25 at the door and for non-members. Lunch is included with the reservation.

Leadership Luncheon sponsors are Kennebec Savings Bank and Central Maine Growth Council.

EVENTS: Skowhegan class of 1963 to meet

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The Skowhegan High School class of 1963 will be gathering for a breakfast buffet on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., at 234 Hilton Hill, MountainsView, Cornville. FMI call 858-0946.