China Village library to bring wintertime cheer with nostalgic programs

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Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village (photo courtesy of library Facebook page)

by Carla Gade
Albert Church Brown librarian

To help ward off the wintertime blues, the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village announces some programs to bring a little laughter and cheer to the community in January and February. The nostalgic themes include little known and unusual facts about Maine, reminiscing over yesterday’s sitcoms, Valentine’s Day cards for shut-ins, and an upcoming President’s Day trivia contest.

Now until February 11, the library encourages people of all ages to make or purchase Valentine’s Day Cards to help bring smiles to the hearts of elderly shut-ins in our community. To participate, please drop your card off at the library. You may bring it inside or place it in the book drop box. Donate as many as you wish and they will be distributed in time for Valentine’s Day. If you know someone who you would like to receive a card, please email the library with your request at chinalibraryacb.org.

Two lighthearted online events are coming your way from the convenience of your own device, via ZOOM. Log in on Sunday, January 30, at 2 p.m. to hear author Tim Caverly’s program, “So You Think You Know Maine!” Discover the birthplace of Bambi, ice caves, ghost railroads, pictographs, oceanic whirlpools, and tales which can only be described as classic Maine. On February 21, at 2 p.m., author Martin Gitlin brings you “A Funny Program About Funny Programs: The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time.” He will show funny snippets from beloved sitcoms, challenge patrons with sitcom trivia, and more. To attend these ZOOM events please visit chinalibrary.org for login information or email for details. Be sure to download ZOOM at https://zoom.us in advance of the program date.

The Presidents Day Trivia Contest will run from February 1 – 15. You may stop in at the library, email, or visit the website to participate. To learn more about our services and programs, please stop in, visit us at chinalibrary.org, email chinalibraracb@gmail.com, or call (207) 968-2926.

The library is open on Tuesday and Thursday, from 2 – 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

VBA ice fishing derby set for Feb. 7

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Vassalboro Business Association’s annual ice fishing derby and raffle will be held at the Olde Mill, at 934 Main St., on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in all Maine legal waters.

Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

The weigh-in will take place from 1 – 5 p.m. Tickets for fishing entries must be purchased before 1 p.m., on February 7.

First ($40), second ($20), and third place ($10) cash prizes will be awarded for salmon, togue, brown trout, brook trout, white perch, splake, pickerel, pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, smallmouth bass and the children’s category.

Children who participate will also earn special prizes (trophies/hats).

A $100 cash prize and trophy will be awarded for the largest fish (except pike). There are thousands of dollars in raffle prizes!

Drawing for prizes will begin at 5 p.m., on Derby Day, winners will be called ASAP! You do not have to be present to win the raffle. As a matter of fact, in this Covid-19 outbreak time, it is preferred you didn’t come!

One fish entry per ticket. Donation: $1.00/ticket (6 for $5)

All proceeds benefit VBA efforts!

Tickets may be purchased from Maine Savings FCU, Fieldstone Quikstop, Renarda’s Kitchen, 201 Tire & Battery, the Vassalboro Library, Freddies Service Center, the Olde Mill Store, and from Ray Breton, Jim Maloy, or Bernie Fortin. Call 207-631-3303 for more information.

Disc golf fundraising tourney set for Feb. 27 in Sidney

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Get your family and friends involved in some winter fun, that will help raise money for an important cause.

A disc golf fundraising tournament will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021, to benefit Chiari Malformation.

The tourney is planned to raise money and awareness for Chiari Malformation, a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, present at birth.

There are many symptoms associated with Chiari, but the most common is severe “squeezy” headaches. Chiari is often misdiagnosed as MS, migraine, fibromyalgia, or psychiatric disturbances. Getting an accurate diagnosis can take years.

The cost to register for the tournament is $15 with a $5 optional ace pot. They will also be offering four mulligans (2 per round) for $10. There will be CTP prizes on every hole, a 50/50 raffle, a throw-off in the field for prizes and much more.

For more information, contact DND Disc Golf, 214 Philbrick Rd., Sidney, 207-547-4612 or visit https://www.facebook.com/dnddiscgolf/.

Vassalboro: Light up the Season 2020

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Here is a map of local sites participating in Vassalboro’s Light up the Season 2020 event.

Solstice project reaches out to Waterville students & families

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Kacie Gerow, left, with daughter Roslyn Gerow. (contributed photo by Tony Gerow)

The Winter Solstice Luminary Project will expand and amplify the Art Kits for All program across Waterville – literally lighting up the city by providing luminary kits to approximately 1,600 students enrolled in the Waterville public schools. Waterville Creates, in collaboration with community partners, including the Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Montessori School, Waterville School District, Family Violence Project, Waterville Parent Teacher Association, Northern Stars Planetarium, and the Children’s Discovery Museum will distribute kits to area schools on Thursday, December 17. The free kits will include materials for two luminaries per kit along with battery operated candles. Students and their families are encouraged to place the crafted luminaries at their homes and businesses throughout the city on December 21 between 4 and 6:30 p.m. to collectively celebrate the winter solstice.

“This project is designed to create a shared joyful experience while we practice social distancing and continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. It’s also a creative and collaborative way to illuminate our city during the solstice,” says Serena Sanborn, Education + Outreach Coordinator for Waterville Creates.

Naomi Shirley makes a luminary. (contributed photo by Shannon Haines)

The Winter Solstice Luminary Project is part of the very successful Art Kits for All program which was launched in May 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This program is an innovative, collaborative program designed to keep families engaged and connected to the arts. By providing free art supplies and instructions, this program offers high-quality, accessible art experiences in a completely reimagined way. To date, over 1,600 art kits have been distributed to hundreds of area families since mid-April. This is the largest single distribution the Art Kit team has undertaken.

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year and occurs each December in the Northern Hemisphere. The solstice event occurs as a direct result of the Earth’s tilt and relative position to the sun. In many cultures throughout the world, people have holidays and festivities that involve lights to celebrate the Solstice. Creating luminaries around the solstice is a tradition that dates back thousands of years.

Join Waterville Creates and its partners as they bring light to the longest night of the year! For more instructions on creating your luminary, please visit the Waterville Creates YouTube channel on or after December 4.

Critical support for this program has been provided by Kennebec Savings Bank, MaineGeneral Health, Colby Center for the Arts + Humanities, United Way of Mid-Maine with additional support from Bangor Savings Bank and dozens of individual donors.

$2 a bag book sale in Vassalboro

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photo: vassalboro.net

The Vassalboro Public Library will hold a $2 Holiday Book Sale for the entire month of December.

There will be a great selection of books, media, and puzzles: fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.

Social distancing, hand sanitizer, and facial coverings are required. Space is limited to one family or individual at a time in the book sale room. the library is located at 930 Bog Road, East Vassalboro, 04989.

Fill a bag for $2!

Bookgiving drive held at China library

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Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village.

The Albert Church Brown Library, in China Village, is asking residents to participate in Bookgiving! They are collecting new books to be given at Christmas to needy families in town, through the China Food Pantry in cooperation with Toys for Tots. Or, you can make a monetary book-sized donation ($5 – $15) and the library staff will select the books.

Books may be dropped off at the library until December 5. You may bring them inside or place them in the book drop (inside a plastic grocery bag with a note specifying Booksgiving).

Legion collects for animal shelter

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Members of the American Legion of Tardiff-Belanger Post #39, Madison, are collecting for the Furry Friends at the Somerset Humane Society Animal Shelter, in Skowhegan, during this holiday season. Items can be dropped off at the hall, on 20 S. Maple Street, Madison after 3 p.m., on Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Here are a few items that are in need: cat litter, cat and dog toys, cat food containing no dye, dog food, cleaning supplies, used bedding such as comforters, blankets, sheets, etc., just to mention a few. For a complete list go the legion’s website at http://www.mainelegionpost39.org.

If you can’t drop off items, but you still would like to help, monetary donations are accepted. Mail to American Legion Post #39, PO Box 144, Madison, ME 04950, please earmark it Skowhegan Animal Shelter. The donations will be delivered to the Animal Shelter prior to Christmas. Thank you in advance for your help. FMI: call 431-5533.

Vassalboro JMG selling wreaths

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The Vassalboro Community School Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program will be doing their annual Christmas wreath sale, starting right now until the week after Thanksgiving. They will still be taking orders when they get back from Thanksgiving break.

These are locally-grown and assembled wreaths out of Skowhegan, and a company they have worked with for the past six years. They are fresh and very reasonable. The money goes to the JMG program which in turn the students decide on different nonprofits that could use help during the year.

Students research and vote on where they will spend the money

The prices are as follows: Classic- $25; Blue Royal- $28; and Plaid Bow- $28.

Story time at South China library

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photo courtesy of South China Library

Come join Courtney Roy for South China Public Library story time (online) for some reading fun, songs and finger plays on Wednesday, December 9, at 6 p.m., right on the library Facebook page. This is geared towards ages 0-5.

The library is located on Main St., in South China Village.

For more information please visit the library’s website at southchinalibrary.org, or email them at southchinalibrary@gmail.com.