LETTERS: Get involved with civic engagement

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To the editor:

After attending a screening of “Join or Die” last year, a documentary about the decline of civic engagement across the United States, I felt inspired to get involved in Skowhegan. That led me to join the Skowhegan Heritage Council, a town commission dedicated to preserving our history and strengthening collaboration among local organizations.

In many ways, the Heritage Council is about building bridges: between generations, between organizations, and between our past and our future. It’s a small but essential part of our civic infrastructure. Like all infrastructure, it depends on people to keep it strong. In a time when federal funding is shrinking and competition for grants is growing, Skowhegan needs structures like this. Not only to protect what we value, but to coordinate efforts effectively and make the most of our shared resources.

Right now, the Heritage Council is seeking new members to help sustain its work and safeguard Skowhegan’s heritage for the future. You don’t need to be an expert, just someone who cares about Skowhegan and wants to contribute. If you’re interested in joining, nomination applications can be submitted to the Town Manager’s Office at the Skowhegan Municipal Building.

And if you are located elsewhere, I encourage you to get involved where you are. Whether it’s a committee, a library, or a local volunteer group, showing up is how we shape and strengthen the places we call home.

Celeste Banda
Skowhegan

PHOTO: Cup-a-Joe, and lunch to go

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The Cup Café, located at 103 Dr. Mann Rd., Skowhegan, in the Methodist Church, provides free coffee, snacks and lunch-to-go on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – noon. All are welcome! Charleen Gordon, kitchen leader, serves a cup of coffee to guest, Bradley Chipman. (contributed photo)

Skowhegan man named to ABMA federal legislative committee

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The American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA) is proud to announce the appointment of Rod Wiles, Vice President of Human Resources at Hammond Lumber Company, as the chairman of the Federal Legislative Committee. With 38 years of experience at Hammond Lumber Company, Wiles brings exceptional industry expertise and a proven track record of leadership to this vital role.

Since stepping into the role, Wiles has swiftly led the adoption of a comprehensive legislative agenda for 2025 that focuses on critical issues impacting the lumber and building materials (LBM) industry. Under his leadership, ABMA has also set the dates for its annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., on April 7-8, 2025, ensuring timely and effective representation of the industry’s interests on Capitol Hill.

Wiles has held numerous leadership positions in the LBM industry, including serving on the Board of the Retail Lumber Dealers Association of Maine (RLDAM), chairing its Legislative and Safety Committees, and serving as its President. He has also contributed to the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA) as a member of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee as Chairperson, and various other committees.

ABMA 2025 Legislative Agenda

Under Wiles’ leadership, ABMA’s 2025 legislative priorities are focused on strengthening the LBM industry and addressing key challenges:

Legislative Priorities

Main Street Tax Package: Advocating for policies that support businesses in the LBM industry, including provisions such as bonus depreciation, immediate expensing, and estate tax reform.

Credit Card Fees: Addressing the impact of rising transaction costs on businesses.

Workforce Development: Expanding training opportunities to build a skilled workforce.

Regulatory Priorities

CDL Licensing: Supporting industry-specific training to address driver shortages.
Crane Certification: Advocating for certifications tailored to building materials operations.
Salaried Overtime: Promoting manageable overtime regulations for businesses in the LBM industry.

Monitoring Key Issues

OSHA Heat Illness and Injury Prevention: Tracking changes and their impact on operations.

Corporate Transparency Act: Monitoring compliance requirements for businesses in the LBM industry.

Tariffs: Observing developments that may impact material costs.

Said Rod Wiles, “ABMA is a powerful voice for the lumber and building materials industry. By adopting a comprehensive 2025 agenda and securing dates for Advocacy Day, we’re ensuring that our industry’s priorities remain front and center in the federal policy conversation.”

Leader of Main Street Skowhegan recognized at White House event

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Kristina Cannon

USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon Hampson joined U.S. Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden, in Washington, D.C. Together they recognized Kristina Cannon, President and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan, as a Rural Innovator. Cannon was one of 14 Rural Innovators honored at a special White House event commemorating the positive impact these leaders have in their communities. Public nominations for the awards began in May and were announced this fall.

Maine Rural Development State Director Hampson nominated Cannon for the award. Recently she wrote, “Kristina Cannon is a trailblazer who has revolutionized the way Skowhegan approaches revitalization—through asset-based, community-led initiatives—leveraging outdoor recreation, local agriculture, and entrepreneurship as powerful tools for economic development.” She went on, “Kristina has built trust locally, regionally, and nationally by partnering and collaborating with dozens of organizations, state and federal government agencies, and businesses. Rural Development is proud to be a partner in this work.”

Following the White House gathering, Cannon reflected on her experience in Washington and her work in Maine. “It’s humbling to be honored alongside highly accomplished colleagues from across the nation,” she said. “In rural communities, it’s never just one person doing the work; this recognition belongs to our steadfast partners, supporters, volunteers, and my amazing team who are working tirelessly every day to ensure Skowhegan and Central Maine realize their ultimate potential as a thriving and resilient rural region.”

Under Secretary Gooden helped celebrate the honorees at the event. Recently he traveled to Maine, attending the GrowSmart Maine Annual Summit, in Waterville, on October 21, 2024. In delivering a keynote speech at the summit, he recognized the power of innovative collaborations between federal, state, and local partners in rural communities. “Don’t ever underestimate the power you have when you collaborate,” he urged the audience.

The community leaders recognized as Rural Innovators this week collaborate at all levels. Many have leveraged federal resources to create good-paying jobs, spur economic growth, and improve rural quality of life. At Main Street Skowhegan, for example, Cannon has led an effort to raise more than $10 million for revitalization initiatives. Under her leadership, the organization has become a major player in regional economic development, spearheading a comprehensive approach to community transformation through outdoor recreation. The organization also provides business planning support and programming as part of a regional hub-and-spoke entrepreneurial ecosystem partnership.

Supporting rural-led economic development, investing in rural American infrastructure, and strengthening local and regional food systems were a few of the priorities of the Rural Innovators Initiative. The work of the nonprofit Skowhegan Main Street and partnering organizations exemplify these goals.

Pursuing federal funding can be a labor-intensive but impactful way to advance community projects, and the collaborating groups in Skowhegan have been successful in this regard. For example, this week USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced an award for Maine Grains in Skowhegan to increase grain processing capacity. Previous USDA awards to area nonprofits include a Rural Business Development Grant (Main Street Skowhegan) and a Healthy Food Financing Initiative grant (Land and Furrow).

Somerset K of C completes two-year project

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Before

The Knights of Columbus Guardian Angel Council of Somerset, Council #2089, of Madison and Skowhegan, have recently completed a two-year project at the St. Sebastian Cemetery, in Madison. The old iron fencing at the front of the cemetery was removed and replaced with newly-painted posts and chain link fencing. (Contributed photos)

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AARP Awards Grants to two central Maine towns

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AARP has announced 14 organizations throughout Maine will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

Included in the recipients are the towns of Vassalboro and Skowhegan.

Town of Vassalboro – Raised garden beds with benches will be added outside Vassalboro’s municipal office. The new community garden will serve as an outdoor classroom and gathering space and will allow residents to grow healthy food.

Town of Skowhegan – This project will install directional signage and replace a deteriorated chain-link fence flanking an access trail, keeping walkers safely away from a steep river embankment. The town will also clear overgrown brush, plant flowers and install benches to create a pocket park.

This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older.

Since 2017, AARP Maine has awarded 71 grants and $472,438 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.

Skowhegan volunteer receives Commitment to Excellence pin from Girl Scouts of Maine

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Victoria Noyes

Victoria Noyes, a dedicated volunteer from Skowhegan for the Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) within the Somerset Service Unit, recently received the Commitment to Excellence Pin for her above-and-beyond service and support of the organization this year. The Commit­ment to Excellence Pin is awarded to a volunteer who has received a board-level award and continues to serve above and beyond expectation at that scope of service.

As a recipient of the Appreciation Pin during 2023, Noyes continues to serve Maine Girl Scouts by providing above-and-beyond support to members of more than one troop. For the past several years, she has taken on the role of Somerset Service Unit Manager.
Noyes’ sense of volunteerism for Girl Scouts is echoed through vast outstanding achievements. In addition to her service unit position, Noyes has also been an active leader for several troops to help them get started or fill in as a co-pilot.

Noyes lives by the Girl Scout Promise and Law, always leading by example and digging in to take on new responsibilities when necessary.

“There are no people more generous with their time, talent, and investment in growth than Girl Scout adults who go just that bit further, share just that bit more, to make the world a better place,” says GSME Director of Adult Learning, Dawn Walker-Elders.

Noyes’ Commitment to Excellence Award was honored alongside other adult recognitions at this year’s annual celebration held on May 11, in Fairfield.

SCOUTING NEWS: Area Scouts make a difference with clean-up activities

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Vassalboro Cubs, front, from left to right, Kasen Maroon (Tiger), Lux Reynolds (Wolf), Finn Arsenault (Wolf), and Declan McLaughlin (Wolf). Second row, John Gray (Wolf), Boone McLaughlin (Lion), Beckett Metcalf (Wolf), Alex Madison (Lion), Samuel Madison (Wolf), Walter (Pack #410 Recruit), Henry Gray (Webelos I). Back Tiger Den Leader Shane Maroon, Cubmaster Chris Reynolds, and Asst. Cubmaster Ben Metcalf. All are from Vassalboro. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Winslow Cubs, from left to right, Wolf Ryder Johnston, Arrow of Light Ashish Dabas, Wolf Easton Vigue, Bear Freddie Pullen (behind Easton), on the right side Lion Lorelei Pullen, Webelos Colton Vigue, Wolf CJ Mihalovits, Arrow of Light Alex Parsons, Wolf Simon Giroux. Not pictured are Wolf Abel Byroade, Lion Stevie Hodgdon, and Bear Peter Small who also took part in the clean-up. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Earth Day has a special place in Scouting’s culture. Cubs and Scouts know that responsible stewardship of the planet is key to being a good Scout. Since Boy Scouts of America’s early beginnings, Scouts have been caring for the planet. The organization’s “Leave No Trace” principles demonstrate how Scouts show respect for the great outdoors.

BSA makes a point to recognize other friends of the planet with the Hornaday Awards, which honor not only Scouting units, Scouts, Venturers, adult Scouting volunteers, but also other individuals, corporations, and institutions that contribute to natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

Caring for the environment is considered one of the core values of Scouting, which is why BSA and its members are constantly taking action to champion sustainability and conservation. Area Scouts were busy putting into practice what they had been learning in Scouting this Earth Day.

On April 21, Skowehgan Pack #485 Cubmaster Shanna Brown said their Cubs Scouts and leaders picked up litter, raked and removed debris around the Federated Church near the Kennebec River filling three contractor bags with trash and a pencil box filled with needles that was given to the Skowhegan Police Department. Scouts had received instructions prior to the start of the clean up to leave any items that looked like medical equipment alone and alert an adult. Scouts and leaders from Troop #485 also assisted in the clean up effort. Shanna said, “Doing our best to clean up the earth one location at a time.”

Cub Scouts in Gardiner Pack #672 gave up some of their Saturday on April 13 cleaning along the rail trail near the Kennebec River. Cubmaster Scott St. Amand said, “They collected ten bags of trash as well as some miscellaneous car parts. It was a beautiful day for a clean-up and the folks on the rail trail weren’t shy about expressing gratitude for the Scouts getting out there and tidying up.”

In Vassalboro, members of Pack and Troop #410 took part in a clean up of the storytime trail at the Vassalboro Community School. “It was a wonderful day to bring both Troop #410 and Pack #410 together to work on a service project in honor of Earth Day, but to also say thank you to Vassalboro Community School for their partnership. It was a perfect collaboration cleaning up storm damage on the story walk created by Eagle Scout Nathan Polley,” said Scoutmaster Christopher Santiago.

Sabrina Garfield, Cubmaster in Winslow said, “Cub Scout Pack #445 spent the day (April 21) walking around Winslow cleaning up litter making the town cleaner and greener. They went to Norton Park, Halifax Park, Winslow Elementary, High School, Jr High, Town Office and Halifax hill cemetery just to name a few of the places. One of our Lion Cubs did 3.2 miles of walking and cleaning up litter. The bottle drive was also a huge success. And a big thank you to Winslow Town Councilman Adam Lint and his wife for their support with their bottle donations and coming out to say hi and thanking the cubs for their work.” Garfield said that many people stopped by, dropped off bottles, beeped, waved and shared encouragement for what the Scouts were doing. Cheryl’s Pizza provided pizza after the work was done. “It’s not too late to help out! Grab a bag, some gloves and an adult and clean up your street. The Earth will thank you.”

Skowhegan Cubs, from left to right, Bear Cub Jaxson Lewis, of Norridgewock, Bear Cub Ian Dickey, of Anson, Tiger Cub Dylan Dickey, of Anson, Tiger Cub Philo Augustus, of Smithfield, and Tiger Cub Casey Barden, of Norridgewock, took part in an Earth Day Clean Up near the Skowhegan Federated Church and the Kennebec River. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Maine Community College students named to All-Maine Academic team

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Nineteen Maine community college students have been named to the All-Maine Academic Team in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Area students receiving the award and a $500 scholarship from the MCCS Board of Trustees, are:

Chelsey Chapman, Pittston, Central Maine Community College, in Auburn.
Kiera Clark, Skowhegan, Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield/Hinckley.
Luz Maria Seda Libby, Palermo, Kennebec Valley Community College.

PHOTO: LaCroix captures first places in New England

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Huard’s Martial Arts Student Lucia LaCroix, 13, left, of Skowhegan, captured first place in both traditional and creative weapons at the 42nd Ocean State Grand Nationals, in Warwick, Rhode Island, on April 5-7. LaCroix also won the Grand Championship Title, at the New England Karate Classic, in Gardner, Massachusetts, on April 6. Pictured with LaCroix is one of her instructors Sensei Mark Huard. (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)