Godleski named to Genesee Community College Fall 2017 Provost’s List
Mikayla Godleski, of Sidney, was among 228 students from Genesee Community College, in Batavia, New York, who were named to the provost’s list for the fall 2017 semester.
Owen Concaugh named to dean’s list
Owen Concaugh, class of 2021, from Oakland, was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, during the fall semester of the 2017-18 academic year. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition.
Andrew Browne makes dean’s list
Andrew Browne, of Vassalboro, majoring in communication, was among 2,419 students at Coastal Carolina University, in Conway, South Carolina, who made the fall semester 2017 dean’s list.
To qualify for the dean’s list, freshmen must earn a 3.25 grade point average, and upperclassmen must earn a 3.5 grade point average. All students must be enrolled full time.
Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, near the resort area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
IF WALLS COULD TALK: Remembering step-grandmother as a caregiver
by Katie Ouilette
WALLS, there is so much for you to tell our faithful readers today! Where do you want to start? O.K., we’ll start with what happened to me this noon. First, I’ll say that my step-grandmother, Lucetta Russell, who lived on a farm in Sidney, had lost her first husband in a farm accident and, to earn funds for raising her own family, she offered to take care of state children. She was a wonderful caregiver, teacher, and the Waterville hospitals soon sent the babies to her as they waited to be adopted. Yes, and she and my grandfather, Lewis Whittier Russell, met and married. Along came a little boy named Johnny, who became the newlyweds’ pride. Well, time went on and Johnny became old enough for a haircut. Afterward, he said he had a “new head.”
Now, 75 years later, I had a haircut at Designs this noon and told Angie who cut my hair the story of Johnny and, thanks to her, I had a “new head.” Yes, it had been a long time since my going to Designs, but thank goodness for Angie who knew exactly what to do. She hadn’t forgotten what I liked. Well, that brings me to saying how wonderful Designs has been to me through the years.
Yes, the years since Mary Ellen Carpenter started and named the place where Mr. Merriam had lived. Who was Mr. Merriam? Well, he and his daughter and her son, Robert Hooper, who was in my class in school, lived there, as his name was really Rev. Merriam and that house was the Bethany Baptist Church Parsonage. And there is more, WALLS. Yup, my mom and dad were married by Rev. Merriam in front of the fireplace, which is in the same room that I got my “new head” thanks to Angie. My aunt and uncle, Pat and Birdena Mullen, where also married there. So, faithful readers, that is your history lesson for the day. Thank the owner of Designs for making the house one of fond memories for many reasons.
Oh, and Valentine’s Day is past, but hope yours was a very happy one!
SOLON & BEYOND: 4-H’ers provide fruit trays to elderly
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979
Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!
The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met on Saturday, February 10, with Cooper Dellarma presiding.
The members taking foods and nutrition are planning to meet with Mrs. Burbank during the February vacation.
Mrs. Pooler did a demonstration on how to make chocolate chip bars. This was to show the members how to do a demonstration.
Plans were made to do a food sale to benefit the Solon Food Cupboard and a dinner to benefit the club. on Saturday, March 3, which is town meeting day.
After the meeting the members put together 20 food and fruit trays for the elderly. This was one of their community services for the year.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, March 10, at 9:30 a.m., at the fire station. Last years members will be doing demonstrations.
The Solon Congregational Church will be having a bake bean and casserole supper from 5 – 6 p.m., on Saturday, February 17, at the Solon Masonic Hall.
Last week I wrote about the e-mail I had received from the Somerset Woods Trustees about them wanting pictures of ” the most creative, exotic, or elaborate ice shacks” that they will post them on their Facebook page! Another statement on that e-mail read, “Love your forests? Do you want to leave your land to your family but not sure how? There is a video provided by the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine.
The other item in this e-mail starts with, “Are you curious about owls? Owls are now calling to find mates so this is an excellent opportunity to learn their calls. Do you know the call of a barred owl? By mimicking their call, I can attract one or more to my deck!” The person who sent this e-mail, stressed that owls are magnificent birds (but keep your cats inside night AND day)
Speaking of birds Lief and I really enjoy all our little visitors at our bird feeders. This year, for the first time, we have some cardinals, there are three of them, a male, a female and we can’t figure out what the third one is, it has the colors of a female’s body, but it’s head is red. (Can anyone out there explain this?)
A few weeks back I wrote about the 10 commandments for good manners and didn’t have room for all of them and said I would write more when space allowed, so this week I’m printing another of them; Thou shalt speak with kindness: Before speaking to others, consider what effect your words will have. Pause and weigh your words carefully and say them with a quality of softness. A slip of the tongue can inflict needless hurt. Also, remember the language of the body (your posture and your mannerisms) is as important as the language of words. (I have a real hard time with that one, because I have been told by friends and family that my face gives me away every time!)
I would like to thank the Solon Pine Tree 4-H members and their leader, Eleanor Pooler, for the wonderful plate of cookies etc., that was delivered to our door by one of the members recently. Lief and I greatly appreciate being given this gift of love.
And so for Percy’s memoir entitled, The Meaning of True Love: “It is sharing and caring, Giving and forgiving, Loving and being loved, Walking hand in hand, Talking heart to heart, Seeing through each other’s eyes, Laughing together, Weeping together, Praying together, And always trusting And believing and thanking God For each other… For love that is shared is a beautiful thing — It enriches the soul and makes the heart sing!” (Words by Helen Steiner Rice.)
Hope all of you had a wonderful Valentines Day!
INside the OUTside: Ski dumping grounds at area ski resorts
Skis and poles spread out all over the snow while the owners take a hot chocolate break. Photo by Dan Cassidy
by Dan Cassidy
This has been an up and down year for skiers and riders so far. It began with great snow and weather conditions, then rain and freezing temps made conditions challenging for snowmakers and groomers.
All in all, Maine ski resorts have found ways to make the best snow and the grooming has been about as good as it gets.
I’ve noticed in my travels this season how many skiers and riders seem to just plop their skis, poles and snowboards down on the snow as they head into a lodge for a hot chocolate or a bite to eat.
Skis and snowboards don’t come cheap these days and I’m amazed at just how people seem oblivious as they just walk over and around equipment just abandoned on the snow.
I especially wonder how people who rent skis and poles find them if they’re mixed in with other skier’s and rider’s equipment.
Skiing recently with two colleagues from New York State, they were amazed at seeing the yard-sale appearance of all the equipment just lying around. They told me that equipment is not left around at their ski areas.
I noticed that some skier’s and riders coming in for a break have skied right over skis and poles left on the snow. That not only damages the abandoned skis, but the ones that are skiing over them.
As for the ski racks that are placed nearby, in most cases were more than half empty.
Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don’t forget to wear a helmet.
Scrapbooking workshop at Erskine Academy
The Erskine Academy Class of 2018 will host a scrapbooking workshop to benefit Project Graduation on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., in the Erskine cafeteria. Creative Memories consultant Mary Haskell will be there with how-to workshops, ideas, and materials to purchase. In addition, Kiwi Lane consultant Gail Pottle, Stampin’ Up consultant Jeannine Tarrio, Positively Wonderful Creations consultant Sheila Bacon, A Handmade Occasion consultant Jenny Hansen, and Thirty One consultant Cara Hanson will also be available to demonstrate various techniques and products. The cost of the event is $30 and includes lunch, snacks, and drinks. All participants will also receive a thank you gift for attending.
To register, please send your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and seating preference (i.e. names of other participants you’d prefer to sit with) along with the non-refundable fee of $30 to: Betsy Benner, c/o Erskine Academy, 309 Windsor Road, South China, ME, 04358. Checks should be made payable to Erskine Academy and registration information should be returned by February 26 to ensure a spot. For more information, please e-mail Betsy Benner at bbenner@erskine247.com.
Huard’s Karate team member tops in New England
Huard’s Sport Karate team member Landon Nunn, 12, of Skowhegan, captured first place in New England for point fighting for the 2017 season.
Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography
Winslow Girls KVAC champions
Winslow Girls Basketball. Front row, Haley Ward, Paige Trask, Lauren Roy, Bodhi Littlefield and Jennifer Ferry. Back, Weslee Littlefield, Hailey Grenier, Justice Picard, Silver Clukey, Alexa Petrovic, Maeghan Bernard, Emily Glidden, Olivia McCaslin, Jenna Veilleux, Madison Roy, Broghan Gagnon and Sarah Guimond. Photo courtesy of Central Maine Photography staff
The Winslow High School girls basketball team defeated Maine Central Institute, of Pittsfield, 57-31, on February 2 to make it into the KVAC championship game. Winslow prevailed again, 62-40, during the rematch for the title.
ERIC’S TECH TALK – Fake news: coming to a town near you
Honest, open, accountable journalism needs help to continue
by Eric W. Austin
Technical Advisor
In Lewiston, fake news is taking over the town.
Five candidates faced off in the town’s mayoral race back in November. According to local election rules, if no candidate cracks the majority with at least 50 percent, there is a second, run-off race between the top two candidates the following month. Ben Chin, a Democrat, was the clear favorite with 40 percent of the vote coming out of the November contest. His opponent, in second place with 29 percent, was Republican Shane Bouchard. The remaining 31 percent of the vote was split between the other three candidates. With no one achieving the required 50 percent majority, a run-off election was planned for early December.
Ben Chin
Chin, a progressive activist backed by the most popular politician in the country, Bernie Sanders, held a comfortable lead in initial polling. But in early December, something changed. News stories started popping up on social media that painted the Democrat in an unflattering light. One claimed Chin had allegedly called Lewiston voters a “bunch of racists” based on a series of leaked emails. Another reported his car had been towed because of “years of unpaid parking tickets.” All of the stories originated from a hitherto unknown Maine news website called the Maine Examiner.
It didn’t matter that the stories were misleading and inaccurate. As soon as a new article was uploaded to the website, links got posted to Facebook by various members of the Maine Republican Party. From there, the stories swiftly propagated through social media, as anything negative and partisan inevitably does.
In the end, Chin lost to Bouchard by 145 votes. It was all very dramatic, and inevitably led to questions about this new website that was suddenly breaking such startling scoops in the middle of a Lewiston mayoral election.
Shane Bouchard
Just who was the Maine Examiner? The Lewiston Sun Journal, the Boston Globe and others, in a bit of old-fashioned investigative journalism, decided to find out. The Journal has run a series of stories in the months since, from which much of this article is based, and they have found some very interesting information.
First was the problem that nobody seemed to know who ran the website or wrote the articles. The site uses a registration-masking service which hides the true identity of the owners — a reasonable privacy precaution for an individual, but curious practice for a business or news agency. Then there was the fact that none of the articles contain any bylines. They are simply credited to the generic moniker “Administrator.” The site’s “About Us” page lists no editor, no writers and no owners. It’s all very mysterious.
Recently, a big clue popped up from an unlikely source. A web developer in California, Tony Perry, heard about the controversy and decided to investigate. Perry did something very simple yet ingenious. He downloaded a bunch of the photos posted with the stories in question. Then he took a look at the pictures’ meta-data. This is invisible information that is stored with every computer file, and often contains things like owner name and the date of a file’s creation. Perry found that a number of the photos were created by someone named Jason Savage. Further, he found that one of these pictures had been uploaded to the Maine Examiner website just 14 minutes after it had been created by ‘Jason Savage.’ This suggested a close collusion between whoever Jason Savage was and the Maine Examiner website.
Then in late January, The Maine Beacon, a publication of the Maine People’s Alliance, published their own investigation into the mystery. Looking at publicly-accessible error logs for the Maine Examiner website revealed internal server addresses containing the username ‘jasonsavage207.’
Additionally, the website template used for the Maine Examiner was downloaded from a website on which was found a public profile for someone listed as ‘jasonsavage207,’ and this profile indicated the user’s account was last active on the same day that such a template was installed on the Maine Examiner’s website.
The evidence was in, and it was pretty damning. It was clear Jason Savage was intimately connected to the Maine Examiner website, but who exactly was Jason Savage?
A quick Google search points to one particular Maine resident who also happens to be the executive director of the Maine Republican Party. This conclusion is inescapable once you learn that his Instagram handle is ‘jasonsavage207’ and his Twitter name is ‘jsavage207.’
The latest wrinkle to this developing story came a few weeks ago when the Maine Democratic Party formally filed an ethics complaint against the Maine Republican Party.
But this debacle cannot be blamed entirely on unethical political partisans. It is a symptom of a larger problem affecting America and the world. Newspapers are closing their doors everywhere. The advertising dollars that used to fund them are moving instead to internet platforms like Google, Facebook and Twitter. But these platforms don’t do journalism. They are simply information warehouses.
That means America’s free press is shrinking. And with smaller newspapers across the country going out of business as their revenue dries up, something must fill the void they leave behind. More and more, what has come to fill that void are pseudo-news websites like the Maine Examiner. Such sites masquerade as news sources but are nothing but partisan propaganda.
Good journalism is not anonymous; it’s accountable. Good journalism does not celebrate partisan politics; it strives for balance and accuracy.
For the past two years, I’ve been honored to serve on the board of directors for The Town Line, and I’ve been impressed by the staff’s deep commitment to the traditional journalistic values of honesty, openness and accountability. It’s the type of attitude we should be celebrating in this world of viral, mile-a-minute news. Unfortunately, a small, free community newspaper is just the kind of institution that is suffering the most in this post-internet world.
Our Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, once wrote, “A properly functioning democracy depends on an informed electorate.” But an informed electorate is dependent on the work of dedicated journalists committed to providing accurate information to the American public.
And the moral to this story? Support your local paper lest your town too becomes a victim of fake news.