PHOTO: Messalonskee varsity at homecoming
Members of the Messalonskee varsity football team riding in the parade. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
TEAM PHOTO: Messalonskee 5/6 youth blue team
Front row, from left to right, Walker Bucknam, Teagan Cox, Austin Pearl, Blake Masse, Kael Segars, Jake Cyr, and Dax Allen. Middle row, Bennett Pottle, Aiden Desrosiers, Jamaica Jackson, Dom Veilleux, Everett Wadleigh, and Easton Gradie. Back row, assistant coach Pete Bucknam, head coach Dan Cyr, assistant coach Josh Desrosiers, and assistant coach Kris Segars. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville 5/6 youth football team
Front row, left to right, Dylan Devlin, Evan Karter, Pheonix McLoy, Gabe Sawtelle, Brady Dumont, and Caydyn Bean. Second row, Tatum Vaughan, Conner Jones, Judah Young, Peyton Ross, Malahki Kliber, Salvatore Isgro, and Jayce Damro. Third Row, Chris Barnaby, Alex Sheehan, Donovan Reynolds, Leo Morris-Rossignol, Jace Spaulding, Mikeeridan Sheets, and Ryder Nuzzo. Back row, coaches John Sheehan, Matt Vaughan, Dean Carpenter, and Devin Rossignol. Absent from photo, Carson Tardy. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville 3/4 youth football team
Front row, from left to right, Maeson Colon, Mason Sheets, Kayson Glidden, Quincy Abrams Jr., Vito Isgro, and Hudson Farrand. Middle row, Jermaine Clark, Quincy Brittingham, Ben Veilleux, Ender Coleman, JJ Legendre, Isaac Chase, Jaxon Troxell, and Jayden Bradley. Back row, Coach Jamil Brittingham, Coach Matt Veilleux, Head Coach Dennis Troxell, and Coach Spencer Minihan. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
PHOTO: Spirit Squad in Waterville
Front row, from left to right, Jaelynn McInnis, Sophia Barnaby, Amy Burton-Wing, Addilyn Jones, and Ava Frost. Middle row, Joella Smith, Olivia Bradstreet, Maggie Barcarcel, Janaya George, Addysin Petell, and Makenzie Burton-Wing. Back row, Assistant Coach Haley Twitchell, and Coach Crystal Cullen. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
PHOTO: Football season in full swing
Waterville Junior High School running back, Alex Roth, #17 (eighth grader), during a recent game vs. Brunswick, held in Waterville. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
Maine Pond Hockey Classic fundraiser actively seeking business sponsors and participating teams
The popular Maine Pond Hockey Classic – a fun-filled throw-back experience that attracts thousands of fans and participants each year – will be held Saturday, February 9, through Monday, February 11, 2024, at the scenic Snow Pond Center for the Arts, in Sidney 8 Goldenrod Lane. The event is a fundraiser for the Alfond Youth & Community Center – a unique partnership of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Waterville,
The Waterville Area YMCA, and the Alfond Youth Center, serves more than 5,000 youth in Maine through its main facility, in Waterville. AYCC is actively seeking sponsors interested in having a positive, enduring impact on young people, as well as 120 teams of eight players each. Registration opened August 1, 2023, with information available at MPHC’s website, https://www.mainepondhockey.org, or by emailing MEPondHockeyClassic@Gmail.com.
“Folks absolutely love this authentic pond hockey experience,” said Patrick Guerette, the Tournament Director. “They love the charm and nostalgia of watching or playing hockey on frozen ponds, which evokes a sense of camaraderie, outdoor adventure, and a return to the sport’s roots.”
Guerrette noted that a just-secured grant from the Maine Office of Tourism spotlights a huge vote of confidence for the Maine Pond Hockey Classic and the positive community and economic effects it will have throughout central Maine.
The event planners say the Maine Pond Hockey Classic will be “a hockey tournament and much, much more” – a kind of winter carnival with additional activities and entertainment offered, including live music, food vendors, interactive games, and opportunities for families and friends to enjoy a truly memorable weekend together. In addition to the life-changing impact sponsorship can have on young people, sponsors will enjoy the benefits of highly positive exposure and visibility through their participation in the event. Sponsorship packages include branding opportunities, promotional materials, and acknowledgments that showcase sponsors’ commitment to supporting youth and community programs.
For more information or to register, please contact Patrick Guerette, Tournament Director, at 207-873-0684 or MEPondHockeyClassic@Gmail.com.
PHOTO: Getting ready for some football
Waterville Youth Football team members Jackson Troxell and Tatum Vaughn, practicing at a recent clinic. (photo by Missy Brown/ Central Maine Photography staff)
PHOTO: Multiple winner
Club Naha student Matthew Christen, 12, of Benton, captured two first place wins and second place in the grand championship at the Amerikick International Martial Arts Championships, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
Alfond Center knocks it out of the park pairing MLB legends with local law enforcement
Alfond Center Baseball clinic 2023 (photo by Central Maine Photography)
by Mark Huard
The Badges for Baseball Clinic took place on Thursday, July 27, at Maine’s Fenway Park, in Oakland. The clinic paired Major League Baseball (MLB) player alumni with officers from the Waterville Police Department to teach youth enrolled in the AYCC’s Maine’s Fenway Premier Baseball Camp about baseball and life lessons. Badges for Baseball is a program of the Cal Ripken, Jr. Foundation that uses team sports to connect youth with local law enforcement mentors. The following MLB alumni players participated in the clinic:
- Kevin Buckley, formerly of the Texas Rangers. The University of Maine alum posted a lifetime .286 batting average in the Big Leagues.
- Tom Burgmeier, who played primarily for the Boston Red Sox. A reliable bullpen ace, he finished his career with 102 saves. An All-Star in 1980, he posted a career high in saves for Boston while winning 5 games and carrying a 2.00 ERA.
- Steve Crawford, who played with the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. A 6’5”, 225-pound reliever with a hard fastball, he won Game Five of the 1986 ALCS and won Game Two of the 1986 World Series in relief of Roger Clemens.
- Matt Kinney, who played primarily for the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers. Born in Bangor, he posted 10 wins for Minnesota in 2003, while striking out 152 batters.
- Pete Ladd, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 25th round of the 1977 amateur draft. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros from 1979-1986. He won an American League Pennant with the Brewers in 1982.
- Jerry Martin, who played more than 1,000 games, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies and had a career .251 batting average with 85 home runs. He spent 20 years coaching in the minor leagues with the Phillies and the Detroit Tigers after his time on the field.
- Ryan Reid, who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates. A Portland native, he finished his Big League career with a 1.64 ERA.
- Mike Torrez, who played primarily with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He won more than 15 games during six consecutive seasons. He helped the 1977 Yankees win the pennant with his seven straight wins in July and August. He pitched two complete game victories in the 1977 World Series.
During the clinic, each group of the youth ball players was paired with an MLB legend and an officer from the Waterville Police Department to learn the finer points of baseball.
AYCC chief executive officer Ken Walsh, worked with the MLB alumni and Chief Bonney, to make the day happen.