Covers towns roughly within 50 miles of Augusta.

Easy home lawn care for Mainers: Tips and tricks for a beautiful lawn

/0 Comments/in , /by

Hey there fellow Mainers! Keeping a beautiful lawn in our great state can be a bit of a challenge, given our cold winters and unpredictable weather. But fear not, we’re here to help you make lawn care a breeze. In this article, we’ll discuss easy home lawn care tips, including how to repair damage from snow plows, fix bare patches, and revive grass killed by cold.

First things first, it’s essential to choose the right type of grass for our Maine climate. Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue, are better suited for our cold winters and can handle temperature fluctuations. These varieties will give you a lush, green lawn once the snow melts.

Snow plows can sometimes wreak havoc on your lawn, leaving deep ruts and torn-up grass in their wake. To fix this, start by removing any dead grass and debris, then fill in the ruts with a mixture of topsoil and compost. Level the soil with a rake, and reseed the area with a grass mix suited for Maine. Water the area regularly, and you should see new growth in a few weeks.

Bare patches can be an eyesore, but they’re relatively easy to fix. Begin by raking the area to remove any dead grass and loosen the soil. Mix some compost or peat moss into the soil to improve drainage, then spread grass seed over the area. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and water regularly until new growth appears.

Cold temperatures can cause grass to turn brown and appear dead, but don’t give up on it just yet! Rake away any dead grass, and give the area a good watering. As temperatures warm, the grass should start to green up again. If it doesn’t, reseed the area following the steps outlined above.

To keep your lawn looking its best, follow a regular maintenance schedule. Mow regularly, but avoid cutting the grass too short, as this can cause stress and encourage weeds. Aerate your lawn in the spring and fall to improve air circulation and nutrient uptake, and fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for cool-season grasses.

To minimize your environmental impact, consider using organic fertilizers and pest control methods. Collect and use rainwater for irrigation, and leave grass clippings on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients to the soil. Planting native plants and flowers around your lawn can also help support local wildlife and pollinators.

Taking care of your lawn in Maine doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these easy home lawn care tips, you’ll be on your way to having a beautiful, healthy lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood. So grab your gardening gloves, and let’s get to work!

Browntail Moth Update from the Maine Forest Service

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Browntail moth caterpillars can be identified by the two distinctive orange dots at the tail end and white tufts along the sides.

This week, we observed browntail caterpillar emergence at all of our monitoring sites. It should be noted that although emergence was seen at every site, not every web has had caterpillar emergence. This is likely because of the recent rainy weather we’ve been experiencing across the state. Rainy spring weather is a great start for an epizootic outbreak of the pathogens (fungal and viral) that attack browntail caterpillars. Although it is still a bit early for the fungus and virus to have a huge impact on the caterpillars, we welcome the coming rain. Rain is also very beneficial to the health of the host trees since the state has had relatively dry spring weather the past few years. These rain events will help invigorate host trees and allow them to tolerate some of the defoliation they will experience.

At most sites, we observed that many host plants (oaks, apple, cherry, crabapple, elm, birch, poplar, shadbush, and rugosa rose) had newly emerged leaves, which make nutritious meals for the young browntail caterpillars. Even though they are small, their hairs readily break off and can cause an irritating rash to areas of exposed skin. Please plan ahead to avoid exposure to hairs and treating symptoms related to exposure.

Maine Wolf Coalition captures video and photo documentation of another apparent Maine wolf

/1 Comment/in , /by

In the winter/spring 2023, trail cameras placed by The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc., captured photos and video of an apparent Maine wolf. (photo courtesy of John M. Glowa Sr.)

Submitted by John M. Glowa Sr.

A fourth apparent wolf has been documented in Maine. Prior to this current animal, wolves were killed in 1993 and 1996. In 2019, The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc. (MWC) documented a live Eastern/Algonquin wolf through collection of its scat. The 2019 animal was the first DNA documented live wolf in the state.

Since 2019, MWC has been conducting ongoing wolf research in Maine consisting of the placement of trail cameras and the collection of canid scat. To date, they have collected nearly 200 different scats. Most of those are awaiting analysis at Michigan Technological University.

Trail camera photos and video collected in Spring of this year show an apparent male wolf as it chases an animal, walks up towards the camera and displays a raised leg urination.

Here are links to MWC’s Youtube and Facebook pages which contain videos of the canid.

Maine Wolf Coalition Youtube page
The Maine Wolf Coalition Facebook page

Wolves are legally protected in Maine and the rest of the northeast by the federal Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, neither the state nor federal governments are attempting to document the status of wolves in the northeast. The canid mistakenly called a “coyote” has lived in the region for nearly a century. These animals are actually coyote/wolf hybrids or wolves and their killing by hunters and trappers is largely unregulated. This has led to the killing of multiple wolves in the northeast states, the most recent of which occurred in New York in 2021.

It is virtually impossible to differentiate wolves from “coyotes” when hunting, especially at night. They plan to return to the area later in the Spring to try to collect scat samples and have DNA analyses conducted which may help to determine if the animal is part of a breeding wolf population.

Wild canids in the northeast desperately need some measure of protection to protect wolves that are attempting to recolonize the region from Canada and the Great Lakes states. The state and federal governments must stop ignoring the law and start administering it.

The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 corporation. Our mission is wolf recovery in Maine through research, education and protection.

KVYSO senior spotlight on Breckon Davidson

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by

Breckon Davidson, left, with his grandfather, John Shields. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Jen Tuminaro

The Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra (KVYSO), is proud to feature Breckon Davidson, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, in our Senior Spotlight article. He is a talented, diligent musician whose participation in KVYSO has added to the quality and level of ensemble community.

Breckon began his musical journey with piano lessons, from age six until he was nine. At that point, he picked up the cello after seeing Pineland Suzuki School (an organization of strings teachers in central Maine) perform at Granite Hill Estates.

“Working with Pineland in the beginning of my cello playing was amazing, and they had such a refined program for beginners. They had so many group classes, activities, and just made learning cello something that I had a ton of fun to do,” explained Breckon, eventually joining the Allegra Orchestra (Pineland’s beginner ensemble). “My favorite piece that we played with them was the theme to Jurassic Park.”

After auditioning for Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestra (KVYSO’s intermediate orchestra), he was not able to play with them that year in person due to Covid restrictions, but it “only fueled my excitement further. In the fall of 2020, we were able to play in person for the first time in what felt like forever, and it felt exhilarating to be part of an orchestra again.” After a year with KVYO, Breckon began playing with Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony (KVYSO’s advanced orchestra). “That was a huge deal, because that would be the first time in my life that I would be playing a full, unaltered symphony in concert. This was the real deal, and I took it very seriously.”

Around this time, Breckon joined Capital Strings (Pineland’s advanced ensemble) and started taking lessons with Jon Moody. “In Capital Strings, we got to play incredible arrangements of so many kinds of music, whether they be film scores, contemporary classical, folk music, what have you, and it was a joy. Eventually, I started doing the Bach cello suites, and have loved working on them ever since.”

In addition to being a member of KVYSO and Pineland, Breckon is also a part of the Jazz Band at Erskine, where he recently picked up bass. “At first it was like a whole new language, playing bass, but eventually I got the hang of it, and recently played in a concert at Erskine where I played bass in the Jazz Band and a jazz quartet, and played cello for a solo and for my composition class group.”

Music has been part of Breckon’s life for a long time. “I absolutely adore music, and it is an ever-present part of my life. There’s rarely a time that I’m not listening to music, the majority of it being classical. I’ve loved classical music for so long, and I find its rich textures and harmonies to be unlike any other type of music that I know of.”

As for future plans, Breckon plans on going to college as a biology major to become a psychiatrist. “As much as I love music, I also have a great passion for science, and find psychology to be the most fascinating one to me, so I’ll make it my career.” We wish Breckon well as he pursues his goals after his time with us at KVYO is done.

We invite you to support Breckon and the Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestras for the Spring Concert on Friday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m., at the South Parish Congregation Church, in Augusta. Daniel Keller will be conducting our KVYO, with Jinwook Park conducting our KVYSO. The concert will feature the music of Mendelssohn, Debussy, Vivaldi, and more! In addition to joining them on May 5, please consider following them on Facebook and Instagram (Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras). If you would like to donate to our program, please visit their website at https://www.kvyso.org/. They truly appreciate your support of our program!

Local artists score big at national country music competition

/0 Comments/in , /by

Fred Couverette captured three awards at the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (contributed photo)

Becky Daughty garnered two awards at the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (contributed photo)

Fred Couverette and Becky Daughty, central Maine country music artists, recently attended the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 15-19.

A country music show was held at American Legion Post #205, in Augusta, in October 2022 as a fundraiser. The show was held with the help of the Maine Academy of Country Music and the Down East Country Music Association. All the musicians donated their time and talent, along with many other donations of time and money.

Couverette and Doughty thank all who helped raised the money needed for them to go to Tennessee.

At the competiton, Becky took third place in both the female vocalist ages 21 and up, and the female entertainer, ages 21 and up.
Couverette took second place in each category of country gospel song writer, male traditional country vocalist, and the male traditional country entertainer, and third place in the country song writer category.

The two performers especially want to thank Venture Ltd., Asset Management, and Gosline Insurance.

 

 

 

EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios. Eagerly anticipated by all who enjoy handmade pottery, as well as anyone looking for a special and unique Mother’s Day gift.

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

In central Maine, visit the following potteries:

A Lakeside Studio Pottery, Wayne; AP Curiosities, Bowdoinhaml; d harwood Pottery aka Mudgirl, Winthrop; Delilah Pottery and Dominique Ostuni Ceramics; Bowdoinham; Fine Mess Pottery, Augusta; Jeffrey Lipton Pottery, Litchfield; Julie Mondro Pottery, Greene; Kennebec Clay Works, Augusta; Kennebec Pottery, Belgrade; Maple Lane Pottery, Windsor; Margaret Melanson, Gardiner; Muddy Toes Pottery, New Gloucester; Pots in Bowdoin, Bowdoin; Marie Palluotto, Augusta; Fischer Pottery, Lisbon; The Art Walk Shop & Sutio, Winthrop; The Potter’s Shed, West Gardiner; Upper Room, Farmington; Whitefield Pottery, Whitefield; Work in Progress, Lisbon; Prescott Hill Pottery, Liberty; and Unity Pond Pottery, Unity.

41st Battle of Maine another success

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Matthew Christen performing his winning forms routine. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Matthew Christen of Club Naha is Junior Grand Champion in forms and weapons

Huard’s Martial Arts student Jedidiah Keen, 12, of North Anson, captured first place in point fighting and fourth in chanbara at the Battle of Maine. (photo by Mark Huard)

The 41st Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships took place on Saturday, March 25 at Champions Fitness Club in Waterville. $1 of each spectator ticket went to help support the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. There were competitions is forms, fighting and weapons throughout the day.

Club Naha student Matthew Christen, 12, of Benton, captured first place in forms, weapons, and point fighting. He also took the Junior Grand Championship Titles for forms and weapons.

Referee Kyoshi Andy Campbell holding up Matthew Christen after he won first place in point fighting. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Hosts needed for international high school students throughout Maine area

/0 Comments/in , /by

In an age when international relations are often tenuous, AFS-USA, a leader in international high school student exchange for 75 years, is focused on providing opportunities for intercultural exchange that can help lead to a more just and peaceful world.

AFS-USA invites families and individuals from the Maine area and surrounding communities to become hosts for international students for 12 weeks, a semester, or an academic year.

Hosting provides individuals, families, high schools, and communities with opportunities to learn about the unfamiliar by exploring a diversity of cultures, all while sharing their own culture with a young person from a different country. Exchange students represent nearly 80 countries and cultures, including Kenya, Ukraine, Egypt, Türkiye, Italy, Germany, Chile, Thailand and more.

Once students and host families are matched, they receive ongoing support from trained staff and are welcomed into their local chapter of dedicated volunteers, alumni, and fellow host families. Hosts are expected to provide their student(s) with a bed, meals, and support and encouragement throughout their program. Students arrive with their own spending money and medical coverage.

“These students attend local high schools, participate in local community life, and are encouraged to share aspects of their culture,” AFS-USA President and CEO Tara Hofmann said. “They also discover first-hand what it’s like to live in America and form lasting friendships that create enduring links between the U.S. and other countries. In many cases, the bonds that form between AFS students and their host families last a lifetime.”

AFS-USA is the largest organization within the international AFS network that includes 54 partners around the globe.

EVENTS: Free public COVID-19 booster clinics at HealthReach locations

/0 Comments/in , , /by

HealthReach is pleased to announce free public COVID-19 booster shots available at locations across Central and Western Maine. The Belgrade Regional Health Center clinic will open to everyone – patients and the public – from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 15, April 29, and May 6, 2023. No appointment is necessary during these time periods! Belgrade Regional Health Center is located at 4 Clement Way in Belgrade, Maine.

They are offering Bivalent Moderna boosters through these clinics. These boosters are available to any fully-vaccinated individuals ages 6 and up, regardless of their primary vaccination series – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and other brands. These shots will be offered completely free of charge, and are offered on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis for anyone eligible to receive their updated shot.

Booster clinics will be held across 10 HealthReach locations in Maine. In addition to the Belgrade location, sites to hold a COVID-19 Booster Clinic include: Bingham Area Health Center, Lovejoy Health Center (in Albion), Madison Area Health Center, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center (in Kingfield), Rangeley Family Medicine, Richmond Area Health Center, Sheepscot Valley Health Center (in Coopers Mills / Whitefield), Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center (in Livermore Falls). Addresses for each location can be found on their website, at http://www.HealthReach.org/Contact.aspx.

PHOTO: RSU #18 chess champ

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Second Grade Chess Champ: Second grader, Gavin Henderson, left, won first place in a chess tournament, in Bangor, over February vacation. It was Gavin’s first tournament and he placed first in the K-4th grade unrated division. He plans to enter two more tournaments this year. Look for his name in the future. Gavin loves chess and practices whenever he can. He is pictured with RSU #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley who plans to challenge Gavin to a match in the near future. RSU #18 comprises the towns of Oakland, Belgrade, Rome, Sidney and China. (contributed photo)