FISHY PHOTO: Netting a good one
Leighann Mazoki took this photo of her dad, Gary Mazoki, netting a bass on Sheepscot Lake, in Palermo. Leighann’s son, Manny, stayed with his grandparents for two weeks last summer. (photo courtesy of Leighann Mazoki)
EVENTS: Gibbs Library to host “Legends and Legacies”
Connie Bellet displays her pheasant piece.
Submitted by Connie Bellet
Local artist Connie Bellet will display her paintings, drawings, and scrimshaw at the Gibbs Library, in Washington, during January and February. The show opens on Sunday, January 8, from 2 to 4 p.m., and refreshments will be available. The library is just east of Rte. 220 at 40 Old Union Rd. The public is invited to attend, and all pieces will be for sale.
The show is a retrospective containing pieces that were produced as part of “Inspirada Americana,” a live concert multimedia touring production that ran for nearly 25 years. Bellet’s husband, singer/songwriter Phil White Hawk, composed the songs and presented the Native American legends and history that made up the performances. The couple toured all over the West, from the Mexican border to the subarctic, “usually at the wrong time of year,” quips White Hawk. They performed over 1,000 times for conventions, universities, schools, reservations, and service clubs.
Scrimshaw is a relatively rare and ancient art form, which Bellet has mastered over the years when she wasn’t touring. Images are carved, poked, or scratched into ivory, horn, or bone, and then pigments are rubbed into the scratches. The oldest piece known was done on a mammoth shoulder blade. However, Bellet’s pieces, which mostly involve wildlife art, are generally scratched in with an exacto knife and colored with inks and oil paints. One piece in the show, “I Am the Walrus,” won an international trophy. Bellet’s scrimshaw is collected internationally.
Special guests, members of the Great ThunderChicken Drum, will enliven the exhibit with hand drums and songs in the Children’s Area. Fifteen years ago, the Drum coalesced at the Gibbs Library to learn and perform the Ceremony of 8,000 Drums. This healing ceremony was brought to Maine by Jody King and Dabadi Thaayrohyadhi, the Wisdom Keeper of the Otomi/Toltec/Teotihuacan Peoples of central Mexico. This teaching was mandated by a prophecy that is over 500 years old in preparation for the arrival of the new Baktun in 2012. The Great ThunderChicken Drum will return to Gibbs in March to perform this ceremony, which is open to the public.
“This is probably my last art show,” says Bellet. “So come out of hibernation and join us for songs, legends, and some hot cider. Let’s have fun with this!” For more information, please go to info@gibbslibrarymaine.org or call (207) 845-2663.
LETTERS: A lesson in good will
To the editor:
On Friday, December 9, I stopped at the Hannaford grocery store, in South China, at about 12:30 p.m. to pick up a few groceries. When I came out of the store, to put my groceries in my car, I was met by a gentleman and his son. The son came up to me and gave me what I naturally thought was a Christmas card. I thanked him, and his dad graciously put my groceries in the trunk of my vehicle.
When I got home and put my groceries away, I thought, ‘I’ll go sit down and read my card.’ Low and behold, when I opened the envelope, there as no card. There was a gift certificate to Hannaford! I could not believe my eyes – a perfect stranger giving me a gift card. I would like very much to thank both the dad and this young man! What a lesson in good will.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to both of you! It was appreciated more than you know.
God bless and a very Happy New Year to both!
Your mystery Hannaford lady
CENTRAL ME: Report shows 37% of Maine homes with high Radon levels
During Radon Action Month in January, the American Lung Association urges everyone to test their home for radon.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that it is detected at high levels in about 37% of homes in Maine. During January for Radon Action Month, the American Lung Association in Maine is urging everyone to test their home for radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
Here in Maine, about 37% of radon test results equal or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4 pCi/L, according to the Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report.
“Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, the only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. This is why it is critical for everyone to test their home,” said Lance Boucher, Director of Advocacy for the Lung Association. “Radon Action Month is the perfect time to learn more about this dangerous gas and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Do-it-yourself radon test kits are simple to use and inexpensive. EPA urges anyone with radon levels at or above 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) to take action to install a mitigation system in their homes. Both the EPA and the American Lung Association recommend that mitigation be considered if levels are greater than 2 pCi/L. After high levels are detected, a radon mitigation system should be installed by a radon professional.
A typical radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan, and properly sealing cracks and other openings. This system collects radon gas from underneath the foundation and vents it to the outside of your home. If you need to have a radon mitigation system installed, contact your state radon program for a list of certified radon mitigation professionals.
Learn more about radon testing and mitigation at www.Lung.org/Radon.
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit:? Lung.org.
EVENTS: 6-week Grief Support Group to start January 30
Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area is offering a six-week support group for people grieving the loss of a loved one. Meetings will be held Mondays from 4:30 – 6:00pm, beginning January 30th, at the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area Community Center, 304 Main Street in Waterville. The group will be facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers and is free-of-charge. For more information or to join the group, contact Kayla Coffin, Program Manager at 873-3615 x 19 or email kcoffin@hvwa.org.
China transfer station committee reviews five-year plan
by Mary Grow
China Transfer Station Committee members went over the five-year plan for the facility at their Dec. 20 meeting, planning to collect price estimates and present the select board with a prioritized list during 2023-24 budget discussions in January and February.
Items on the current list include:
- A new metal waste container, so that mattresses can be stored in what transfer station supervisor Thomas Maraggio described as a “shaky” old one and the new one used for heavier items. The goal is to keep mattresses from getting soaked in rain and snow before they’re shipped off for disposal – a high priority for committee chair Paul Lucas, because, he said, adding water triples the shipping cost. Maraggio said he has one bid and is waiting for more.
- A cover for the new pre-crusher – Maraggio is seeking prices.
- A water filter, so that transfer station employees will not have to put up with water that Director of Public Services Shawn Reed called “unfriendly:” not dangerous, according to test results, but with a bad smell from contaminants from the closed landfill close by.
- Power and lights for the free for the taking building, a proposal building manager Karen Hatch enthusiastically supported. Palermo committee member Chris Diesch suggested solar power; Maraggio said he will check into possible grants.
- Trading in the golf cart, which Maraggio said is unusable in winter, for a Gator utility vehicle.
- Removal of the wind-damaged canopy at the recycling center.
- A cement pad for compost, a spring project, also possibly grant-eligible.
- Paving the road behind the recycling building so trucks can load more easily – perhaps to be done in conjunction with 2023 road paving.
- Repainting crosswalks, another project that could be correlated with the town’s summer work.
- Some kind of space for propane tank storage; another spring project, perhaps merely a fence, Maraggio suggested.
Farther in the future, Reed said, are a decision on whether to buy a new skid-steer or keep the old one running; and replacement of the main mixed waste hopper.
In addition to local needs, the other major topic Dec. 20 was the new state law that requires manufacturers to pay for disposal costs for some packaging, called the Extended Producer Responsibility law. Several of the group had attended an explanatory Department of Environmental Protection meeting.
Palermo committee member Robert Kurek said the idea of the law is to reimburse towns that opt into the program for recycling. However, he said, state officials haven’t yet decided what packaging materials are covered.
Lucas added that the initial state reporting forms will have to be reduced, because staff don’t have time to keep the records they would require.
There’s no big rush, he said; currently, reporting is scheduled for 2026 with the first
reimbursements in January 2027.
“We’ll keep our eye on it, and we’ll figure it out when the time comes,” he concluded.
In other business, Diesch had analyzed data from the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that reads transfer station users’ tags and presented summaries showing busiest and least busy days and hours and other useful information.
A short discussion of abandoning the RFID tags and going back to stickers on vehicles led to postponing a decision.
Review of China’s solid waste ordinances was also postponed. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said any recommended ordinance changes need to go to the select board in March 2023 to get on the warrant for the June town business meeting.
Committee members scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the town office meeting room.
Annual Spring plant sale Fundraiser for Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District has launched
Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 2023 Spring Plant Sale Catalog is now available in print and online! Plants are available for pre-order, either online or by mail through Tuesday, April 18, 2023. This year we are offering curbside pick-up of plant orders on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 and “Cash and Carry” on Saturday, May 13. Quantities are limited so order early – and often – for the best selection!
This annual spring fundraiser provides more than 180 varieties to choose from: bareroot fruit trees and berries for the home orchard and garden; native conifers, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines for conservation, wildlife, and landscape enhancement; and native, organic, Maine-grown perennials and herbs in one-gallon pots for pollinators. The plant list includes new varieties in all categories as well as tried and true favorites. As always, the print catalog offers descriptions of the plants and cultural requirements to aid in choosing the right plant for the right place. Plant care fact sheets and additional information, including plant images, may be found on our newly-updated online store and website.
The proceeds of this fundraiser support our youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.
They are dependent on volunteers to help pack orders and distribute to customers. Volunteers receive some perks as a thank you for helping with their largest annual fundraiser. If interested, please contact louisa@knox-lincoln.org.
Don’t wait to place your order- visit https://www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale download a catalog or to shop online; call 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org to receive a catalog by USPS – and, think spring!
St. Cecilia Chamber Choir begins auditions
St. Cecilia Chamber Choir is holding auditions for all voice parts as they begin preparing for their May and June concerts. On May 6 and 7, St. Cecilia will present Bach to the Future. The featured work on the program will be the Bach motet Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden. Selections from Fauré’s Messe basse for three-part women’s chorus will also be performed.
On June 10 and 11, St. Cecilia will join with Tapestry Singers to perform John Rutter’s Gloria and Requiem, two of his more popular works.
St. Cecilia Chamber Choir is a fully-auditioned community group of singers, from talented youth to seasoned performers. They perform the very finest challenging choral repertoire spanning the centuries from medieval to modern, under the direction of husband-and-wife team Linda Blanchard and Sean Fleming, of Damariscotta. In the English choral tradition, they sing with a straight tone, enabling attention to fine-tuning rich harmonies. Much of the repertoire is a cappella, and they frequently are accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra. They present two to three concerts per year, typically in December and May, with the additional concert this year in June.
They are a dedicated and friendly bunch, eager to welcome new members, and especially encourage gifted students to audition. Rehearsals are high-energy and challenging. “We work hard,” says Blanchard, “but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!”
Singers wishing to audition should have good vocal control, and sopranos and altos should be able to sing without vibrato. The ability to read music is preferred, but those who cannot read may participate by spending extra time learning the music at home with the aid of provided practice materials.
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m., starting on Wednesday, January 18, at St. Andrew’s Church, on Glidden St., in Newcastle. Choristers are vaccinated.
To schedule an audition, call Linda Blanchard at (207) 380-2768 or email audition@ceciliachoir.org. For more information about the Choir, please visit our website at ceciliachoir.org.
HealthReach celebrates 2022 as a Year of Excellence
Dr. Amy Madden (left), Rep. John Ducharme III (right)
As we look forward to the New Year, it is always good to reflect on the past – to learn what lessons we can, and to recognize success so it can be expanded upon. The staff of HealthReach Community Health Centers are pleased to celebrate many successes from 2022. Here are a few recognitions we are proud to share with our communities:
- HealthReach as an organization was once again recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), as a Health Center Quality Leader, and for Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality.
- Dr. Amy Madden, HealthReach Medical Director, was recognized by Home Hope & Healing as their Physician of the Month for the month of May 2022. We are pleased to see Dr. Madden’s dedication to her patients and quality of care recognized by external partners.
- Rep. John “Jack” Ducharme III, HealthReach Board member, was recognized by the Maine Primary Care Association and received the MPCA 2022 President’s Award for his efforts to support community health centers across Maine. Jack rallied members of the Maine House of Representatives to improve the financial sustainability of rural healthcare.
Special thanks go to Amy, Jack, and the rest of the HealthReach team for their extraordinary accomplishments in 2022.
Residents of Central and Western Maine have enjoyed quality care at HealthReach practices for nearly five decades. If you are seeking a new healthcare provider and health home, consider your local HealthReach health center in Albion, Belgrade, Bethel, Bingham, Coopers Mills (Whitefield), Kingfield, Livermore Falls, Madison, Rangeley, Richmond, or Strong. HealthReach Community Health Centers is a group of 12 federally-qualified health centers located across Central and Western Maine.
Dedicated clinicians deliver high-quality healthcare – inclusive of behavioral health and dental services – to citizens from 9 of Maine’s 16 counties. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of your healthcare and medications, including Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace.
A private, nonprofit with a 48-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $4,815,606 with 82.2 percent financed by non-governmental sources. The contents above are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official views of or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, January 5, 2023
To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!
WHERE TO START: Jessica Murray photographed this Monarch butterfly enjoying the flowers.
JUST CHILLIN’: Joan Chaffee, of Clinton, snapped this female cardinal sitting on a branch.
POSE FOR THE CAMERA: Lindy Sklover, of Vassalboro, snapped this Io butterfly while holding it in her hand.
SHARING A SHELTER: Pat Clark, of Palermo, photographed a male cardinal and two blue jays sharing the cover of this bird feeder.
YUMMY: Emily Poulin, of South China, caught this black swallowtail butterfly on a flower.
FALL SCENE: Susan Thiem, of Texas, a summer resident on China Lake, took this photo prior to her departure this past fall.