Benefit spaghetti supper in Palermo

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photo by jeffreyw: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/

A fundraising event is being held by community organizations, on Saturday, August 5, at 5 p.m., for the family of Michael and Sheila McCarty to help with the final expenses incurred by the sudden passing of their daughter, Alia. It will be held at the American Legion, 33 Veterans Way, in Palermo. The cost will be $10 per plate, $5 for children under 10.

Following the dinner, there will be a pie auction and 50/50 drawing. Please feel free to donate a pie or other baked goods to help with the event. Contact Commander Paul Hunter, 207-993-5049; Auxiliary Mary Haskell, 207-485-6605; or Kathy Neenan at the Palermo Town Office, 207-640-8100, ext. 103.

Annual 11-hour continuous soccer returns

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Photo credit: Shine on Cass/Kick for Cass

Over 500 players, including 17 high school soccer teams from around the state, will join the 11-hour, continuous soccer game “Kick For Cass” on Saturday, July 15, at Thomas College, in Waterville. The annual event is held in memory of Cassidy Charette, a former midfielder for Messalonskee High School girls soccer, who wore the #11 jersey, before her passing in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

Kick For Cass will welcome back high school soccer teams, playing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in a round-robin play day. From 3 to 7 p.m., community teams of club soccer, adult leagues, local organizations, Cassidy’s friends and neighbors, and her former soccer teammates will round out the final hours.

The final hour of Kick for Cass will have a walk-in ceremony and a friendly competition between Cassidy’s former soccer teammates from Messalonskee High School vs. her Central Maine United Premiere Soccer team, from 6 to 7 p.m. Spectators are welcome all day. Messalonskee All Sports Boosters Club will provide concessions throughout the event. Inclement weather date is Sunday, July 16. For more information, email shineoncass@gmail.com or visit shineoncass.org.

How will new mooring ordinance impact recreation on Palermo waters?

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Margaret and Gary Mazoki, of Palermo, enjoy their pontoon boat during the annual July 4 boat parade on Sheepscot Lake. (contributed photo by Janet West)

Submitted by Pam McKenney,
Sheepscot Lake Association Board

In March 2023, Palermo residents voted to approve a mooring ordinance for lakes and ponds in Palermo. The ordinance and its impact on Palermo waters, including Sheepscot Lake, will be the focus of the Sheepscot Lake Association’s upcoming Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m,. at the Fish and Game Clubhouse, on Rte 3.

The guest speaker this year will be Shawn R. Hebert, Harbor Master/ Chief of the Marine Safety Division, Naples. For a combined 32 years of service, he has been involved in Public Safety and Emergency as well as the training and certifying Harbor Masters statewide. At our annual meeting, Shawn will help us to further understand the role of a Harbor Master on Maine lakes and ponds and to examine the impact of the new mooring ordinance approved by Palermo residents in March.

The new ordinance will manage the placement of moorings and houseboats on waters within the town. The purpose is to provide for safe navigation, to protect the rights of shorefront property owners, and to preserve the health of inland water ecosystems. This was necessary since the State of Maine does not regulate the placement of moorings nor the anchoring of houseboats on Maine lakes, great ponds, and streams within the Water Safety Zone. This zone is defined as the first 200 feet from the high-water mark of any shore or ⅓ distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.

Before Palermo voters accepted the ordinance, the placement of moorings and anchoring of houseboats inside the Water Safety Zone was left up to the discretion of individuals. Municipalities have little to gain and much to lose if moorings and houseboats are abandoned or seep sewage or sink. Therefore, a committee of stakeholders, including SLA board members, examined ordinances from other Maine towns and developed standards for mooring and anchoring suited to Palermo. These standards ensure that mooring installation, use, and maintenance as well as overnight anchoring does not:

  • impair the public’s health, safety and welfare;
  • result in degraded water quality, loss of aquatic habitat, or interference with navigation;
  • infringe on the rights of shore land property owners.

Beyond human use and enjoyment, Maine waters sustain ecosystems vital to the health and identity of our state. Find out more at the Sheepscot Lake annual meeting and see the Town of Palermo website for a copy of the adopted ordinance which takes effect in 2024. Also, please consider supporting the Sheepscot Lake Association with your membership and attendance at the annual meeting. The meeting starts with a dessert potluck at 6 p.m.

EVENTS: Shakespeare group to hold auditions

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Front row, from left to right, Katie Howes, Tammy Werber, and Vanessa Glazier. Back, Becca Bradstreet, Shana Page, Josh Fournier, and Helena Page. (photo courtesy of Shana Page)

Recycled Shakespeare Company will be holding auditions for their theatrical production, The Poe Experience.

Auditions are on Monday, July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Fairfield House of Pizza, in Fairfield, and Wednesday July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta.

This one night only show will take place on Sunday, October 8, at 7 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, in Augusta. It will consist of a reader theater approach with and pantomime. Please be prepared to do a cold read. There are roles for readers, silent performers, and help with staging, costuming, tech, and more. Everyone who wants a part gets a part and actors are encouraged to help with various aspects of the production.

If you cannot audition during these times, please contact Shana Page at 207-286-5713 or shanalynnpage@gmail.com.

EVENTS: Summer scouting programs available

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Summer programs will be active and enriching for youth attending area scout camps and scout activities according to two leaders of these programs. Brittany St. Amand, of Pittston, and Shelley Connolly, of Pittsfield, have spent months organizing and getting things ready for outstanding summer programs.

Brittany St. Amand will be the Cub Scout Day Camp Director at Camp Gustin, in Sabattus, and Camp Hinds, in Raymond, this summer. She is also the Webelo Leader in Gardiner Cub Pack #672.

Cub Scout Day Camps, with the “Off to the Races” theme, will be run July 17-21, at Camp Gustin, July 24-28, at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, led by Julie McKenney, of Belgrade, and August 7-11, at Camp Hinds.

At Cub Scout Day Camp, leaders provide adventures and an opportunity for your Cub Scout (or Cub Scout-aged youth) to enjoy Cub Scout activities in a day camp style setting. Cub Scouts earn requirements for rank advancement, special awards and gain recognition. Cub Day Camp is for youth in first through fifth grade. Youth entering first grade in the fall are welcome at camp, however an adult/parent needs to accompany them. And, Cub Scout Packs can register and attend Cub Scout Day Camp as a group. Day Camp, which runs Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is often a youth’s first major experience in scouting with their peers, under the guidance of trained and caring adult volunteer leaders. If you can attend with your child as a leader (a member of our racing pit crew), you will receive $100 off the cost of camp for their child. For more information on volunteering at camp, email Leah Barry at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org.

Preparing for camp takes months of organization and they must follow all State of Maine and Scouting requirements to operate.

In addition to these programs, Pine Tree Council also offers Family FunPack Weekend on July 29-30 at Camp Bomazeen; Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Hinds July 30 – August 2; and Scout camp at Camp Hinds runs through the month of July including hiking, swimming, boating, rock climbing, Scoutcraft and STEM and older scouts can challenge themselves with Project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience).

Those who have questions about these programs can contact Brittany at B.STAMANDSCOUTS@GMAIL.COM; Shelley at bsatroop428 maine@ gmail.com or if you have questions about any of the summer activities, contact Leah at Pine Tree Council If you have questions or need help, contact Leah at leahbarry@ptcbsa.org (207) 517-6196.

Litter Free China program to continue

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Members of the Central Church in China participate in the Second Saturdays litter cleanup initiative. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

In past summers, you may have noticed volunteers picking up litter along Lakeview Drive, in China and South China villages, a portion of Rte. 3, Rte. 32, and part of the Neck Road. Let’s resume our efforts on Saturday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a backup rain day on July 15, same time. We realize litterers will continue to litter, but maybe seeing volunteers picking up will encourage some to think twice. Please respond by email at rvdillenbeck@knology.net and advise what section of our roads you are willing to work.

It would be great to include Rte. 32 down to Erskine Academy and towards Vassalboro, the full Neck Road, Cross Rd,. and any other roads where you live. I’ll be away June 14 through June 30 and will read your emails upon return. Solo volunteers and group participation is welcome, pick a stretch you care about. Be aware of traffic, wear bright clothing, bring bags and gloves, and please take full bags to the transfer station. Let’s strive for a Litter-Free China!

Thanks, Richard Dillenbeck.

Lake Association Annual Meetings 2023

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Image Credit: chinalakeassociation.org

2023 Lake Association Annual Meetings

*   *   *

SHEEPSCOT LAKE
THURSDAY, JULY 20
6 p.m.
Fish and Game Club on Route 3

CHINA LAKE
Saturday, July 29
China Primary School
8-10:30 a.m.
Office notice and agenda will be published in The Town Line later in June and July.

WEBBER POND
SATURDAY, June 24
9 a.m.
Vassalboro Community School
*   *   *

To be included in this list, contact The Town Line at townline@townline.org.

EVENTS: Senior Seminar to be held in Vassalboro

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Building Two of the Olde Mill on Main Street in Vassalboro. (photo by Sandy Isaac)

A Senior Seminar, hosted by Gateway Retirement Solutions, will be held at The Mill, 934 Main St., in North Vassalboro, on Wednesday, June 21, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The seminar will cover Medicare parts A, B, C, and D, prescription coverage and how to compare different plans. What to do with a 401k upon retirement, and what are better options.

Speakers will be Jessica Cole, Medicare broker, life insurance broker and CoverMe broker; David Godfrey, financial advisor, and Brian Arsenault, property and casualty broker.

Outdoor Eucharistic processions planned for Sunday

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church

In honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi (also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) on Sunday, June 11, parishes around Maine are planning outdoor Eucharistic processions and other special events to celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, recalling the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. The feast is often marked by Eucharistic processions, during which the Blessed Sacrament is carried in a monstrance through the church and into the streets. Many also spend time in Eucharistic adoration on the solemnity.

An outdoor Mass will be held at the Grotto, at St. John the Baptist Church, at 26 Monument Street, on Sunday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome but you are asked to bring your own chair. In case of rain, the Mass will be celebrated inside the church. All are also invited to join Corpus Christi Parish in praying a novena on June 2-10. You can either pray on your own or join the Fraternity of Secular Franciscans via Zoom each night at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the Feast of Corpus Christi section on the diocesan website at www.portlanddiocese.org/feast-corpus-christi.

Annual law enforcement service honored 88 fallen Maine officers

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Law enforcement officials from around the state marched to the memorial on State St., in Augusta. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason salutes the fallen officers. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service took place on State Street, in Augusta, just outside of the states capitol building.

The street in front of the memorial was shut down for the ceremony as columns of officers from various agencies around the state marched from Capitol Park, then stood in formation facing the memorial.

Several speakers acknowledged the fact that this year, no new names were added to the memorial which currently holds the names of 88 members of law enforcement that have lost their lives protecting others. The names of all 88 Maine’s fallen officers were read. A wreath was placed on the memorial as bagpipes played Amazing Grace, and the bugle played Taps.

“Young and old, veteran and rookie. These men sacrificed their own lives to protect life and property in the state of Maine,” said Gov. Janet Mills, during the annual Maine Law enforcement Officers Memorial.

The crowd which attended the ceremony. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Oakland Police Chief Michael Tracy salutes the fallen officers. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

(photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)