KVYSO senior spotlight on Breckon Davidson

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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!

CHINA: Community Resilience Partnership explained

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by Mary Grow

Olivia Kunesh from the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) explained the state-wide Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) program at an April 24 meeting in China.

The entire select board and another 10 or so residents attended the presentation, some in person at the town office and some participating virtually.

Kunesh said the state-funded program involves:

  • A municipality, like China, applying to its regional group, like KVCOG, to become a community resilience partner for a two-year term, renewable.
  • Town officials and residents, with KVCOG assistance, defining and prioritizing projects to increase resilience in town and applying for state grants to fund the projects.
  • Assuming project approval, the state awarding money both to the town for its project(s) and to KVCOG to cover its expenses helping the town.

The concept of resilience projects is aimed at reacting to climate change, but is broadly defined. Select board member Janet Preston, China’s representative to KVCOG, said projects could include transportation, building modernization, clean energy, protection for natural resources and the environment, public health, engaging businesses in these activities and clean-up after flooding.

Ideas Preston had already received included improving the boat landing at South China; providing transportation for senior citizens (or public transportation for all residents, a meeting participant suggested); replacing culverts to handle more water; building sidewalks in China Village; setting up electric vehicle charging stations; adding energy-saving measures for municipal buildings; and expanding Thurston Park.

Several audience members live near the South China boat landing and endorsed improving it. Phillip deMaynardier, for the Thurston Park Committee, recommended seeking a grant for maintenance and improvements in the park.

Christopher Hahn asked if broadband service expansion could be covered; Preston added it to her list. Thomas Rumpf suggested solar energy for the building in the China School Forest.

Select board members asked who would be responsible for maintaining grant-funded projects, like electric vehicle charging stations. Kunesh replied that the CRP program is too new for the question to have arisen.

Grants are awarded twice a year, so a municipality joining the program could apply for up to four grants during its two-year membership, Kunesh said. The maximum grant is currently $50,000 for one town; a multi-town partnership could request up to $125,000.

The April 24 public meeting was the first step in applying to join KVCOG’s CRP. The next step is for the select board to vote to apply; members seemed to be leaning in favor.

If China joins the program, the select board would involve residents in setting priorities. Board members briefly discussed ways to inform residents of the pros and cons of possible projects and to collect opinions.

CHINA: Killdeer Heights subdivision request postponed to May 9

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members’ review of Timothy O’Brien’s application to subdivide one lot in Killdeer Heights subdivision into four lots has been put off to their May 9 meeting.

The review was to continue April 25, but on April 21 codes officer Nicholas French said surveyor Adam Ellis was still waiting for information and had asked to be on the May 9 agenda instead.

The 4.3-acre lot is bounded on the east by Lakeview Drive (Route 202) and on the west by the private road named Mountain View Drive, which runs south off Killdeer Point Road.

Board members held a well-attended public hearing on the application at their April 11 meeting. Neighbors suggested concerns they think board members should address as they consider the subdivision.

On the assumption that each of the proposed four lots would become a house site, abutters and members of the Killdeer Point Road Association asked for more attention to and information about steep slopes and the effect of development on run-off; the impact of more traffic on Mountain View Drive and the safety of entrances onto Lakeview Drive; the applicability of China’s Phosphorus Control Ordinance; and effects on wildlife, natural resources and the quality of life in an uncrowded rural town.

Neighbors would like to see results of the test pits that were dug to make sure each planned lot has a place where the soil is suitable for a septic system. One asked whether potential new home-owners would need to blast ledge to make basements, and if so whether the blasting could damage nearby houses.

They cited requirements in China’s subdivision ordinance (Chapter 3 of the town’s Land Use Ordinance), which has a list of effects to be avoided on the environment and on municipal services.

At the April 11 meeting, planning board co-chairman James Wilkens said information would be made available to the public as promptly as possible.

French said materials will be posted on the China website, china.govoffice.org, under Agendas & Minutes 2023 on the Agendas & Minutes tab under the Planning Board, which is under the right-hand tab Officials, Board & Committees.

After the hearing, board members tabled, again, consideration of changes in the Planning Board Ordinance and review of China’s comprehensive plan.

The main agenda item for their Tuesday, April 25, meeting is an application for an addition to the town office building. The meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in the town office meeting room.

China transfer station water tested; it is potable, with issues

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by Mary Grow

Transfer station staffer Cheyenne “CJ” Houle reported on several projects she is working on. The one completed at the end of March was getting the water at the transfer station tested: it is potable, Houle reported.

However, it still has an unpleasant odor that she and Director of Public Services Shawn Reed called “undescribable.” They think it comes from the water heater.

Asked about the water, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said, “I will not be drinking it nor requiring them to drink it.”

Houle is working on ways to make the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system more useful. If she cannot increase its value to town staff, she will consider alternatives.

She is also pursuing a possible grant, through the Maine Municipal Association, that would provide a solar lighting system for the free for the taking building. Again, if grant money is not available, she has an alternative in mind.

When Palermo representative Robert Kurek suggested a different grant program that might help develop a small waste-to-energy generation system at the China transfer station, Houle offered to investigate it.

Committee members praised Houle for her many activities.

Lucas and Reed discussed the possible reopening of the waste-to-energy plant in Hampden, financed by China and 114 other Maine municipalities and inactive for almost three years. The Municipal Review Committee (MRC), the group representing member towns, had scheduled an April 13 virtual meeting to discuss a new partnership, Lucas said.

Hapgood said she and Kurek had adjusted the cost of the trash bags Palermo residents need to dispose of household trash at China’s transfer station. The new prices are $2.80 for large bags (or $14 for a “sleeve” of five bags) and $1.60 for small bags.

The fee for trash Palermo residents bring in non-official bags will rise from $3 to $4.

The committee adjourned without setting its next meeting date.

China select board schedules May public hearings

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by Mary Grow

By the end of their April 24 meeting, China select board members had a public hearing scheduled for each of their May meetings.

The Monday, May 8, meeting will be preceded by a 6 p.m. public hearing on warrant articles for the June 13 annual town business meeting. The June 13 voting will be entirely by written ballot, with no chance to ask questions before voting.

China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood invited select board members’ comments on a six-page draft document to inform China voters about the upcoming May 8 hearing and June 13 voting.

On Monday, May 22, select board members plan a public hearing on the Four Seasons Club request to open about two miles of town road for ATV use. Club President Thomas Rumpf made the request at the April 24 meeting.

Rumpf explained that part of the Bog Trail needs rebuilding before ATVers can use it. Therefore, he would like town officials’ approval to let them ride on a section of town roads east of China Lake.

The proposed route, shown on a map Rumpf prepared for the select board meeting, runs along Pleasant View Ridge Road and Bog Road between Jeff LaVerdiere’s gravel pit (with LaVerdiere’s permission) and Cole’s Corner at the north end of Hanson Road.

Select board members had many questions; Rumpf answered some and promised to find answers he was unsure of. In addition to how ATVs and motor vehicles would share the roads, board members are concerned about roadside homeowners’ reactions.

When they voted unanimously to schedule the public hearing that Rumpf said is a requirement if the proposal is to be allowed, they specified that residents along the affected roads are to be invited. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said she will see to it.

The ATV season begins June 1 and runs until Columbus Day (the second Monday in October), Rumpf said. He said 110 ATVers use China’s trails on an average weekend.

If select board members approve Rumpf’s request, they are considering leaving an opening to rescind their action if there are many complaints after ATVs start sharing the road.

In other business, board members agreed unanimously to start immediately enforcing the prohibition on out-of-towners bringing trash or recyclables to China’s transfer station. The only exception is for Palermo residents, who use the China facility under an agreement between the two towns.

Jeanette Smith, chairman of the Thurston Park Committee, announced a Community Clean-up Day at the park on Saturday, May 20 (rain date Sunday, May 21). Work begins about 9 a.m. Potential volunteers can get more information by emailing thurstonpark@outlook.com.

The May 8 China select board meeting will begin after the 6 p.m. public hearing concludes.

PHOTO: China sunset

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John Gardner recently captured this sunset over China Lake.

Ice Out Winner 2023

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The Town Line’s official ice out judge has ruled that ice went out of China Lake on April 12, 2023.

Although no one guessed the exact date, the closest was Carrie McGrath, of South China, who missed it by two days, with a guess of April 10. Congratulations!

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust recognized as one of “World’s Best Banks”

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, is pleased to announce the bank has been recognized by Forbes as one of the “World’s Best Banks” based largely on service and trust metrics. Of the 75 US based banks to make the list, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is one of only three banks headquartered in Northern New England.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the best banks in the world, especially as this recognition is a reflection of our customers’ experience with us and their trust in Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Our dedicated team of 500 banking professionals work hard each and every day to ensure that every customer interaction is exceptional and that we are delivering the right technology, resources, and financial guidance to help our customers meet their financial goals. The global recognition from Forbes is another validation that we are doing banking right.”

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving the financial needs of Northern New England residents and businesses since it was founded in 1887. The Bank expertly balances the delivery of innovative products and services that customers require, such as mobile banking and mobile deposit, with a personal approach to banking that customers desire including a full-service branch network of more than 50 branches across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In the past 18 months, the Bank has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Banks” by Newsweek; one of America’s “Best-In-State Banks” by Forbes; and a recipient of the Doing Well by Doing Good Award from Mastercard®.

For Forbes‘ fifth annual list of the World’s Best Banks, which is published in partnership with market research firm Statistic, more than 48,000 customers around the world were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships. Banks were rated on overall recommendation and satisfaction as well as five key attributes: trust; terms and conditions; digital services; customer services; and financial advice.

Erskine Academy second trimester honor roll (2023)

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Grade 12

High honors: Carson Appel, Kassidy Barrett, Abigail Beyor, Eve Boatright, Courtney Cowing, Breckon Davidson, Nicole DeMerchant, Lillian Dorval, Hailey Farrar, Loralei Frandsen, Lilly Fredette, Brianna Gardner, Alivia Gower, Cooper Grondin, Nabila Harrington, Grady Hotham, Grace Hutchins, Olivia Hutchinson, Hallie Jackson, Kaiden Kelley, Matthew Knowles, Meadow Laflamme, Dale Lapointe, Kendal Longtin, Malachi Lowery, Lily Matthews, Timber Parlin, Kayla Peaslee, Jonathan Peil, Gabriel Pelletier, Jenna Perkins, Sophia Pilotte, Kaden Porter, Alexis Rancourt, Cadence Rau, Samantha Reynolds, Ally Rodrigue, Conner Rowe, Noah Rushing, Jarell Sandoval, Gabriela Sasse, Zuriah Smith, Emma Stred, Paige Sutter, Mackenzie Toner, Emma Tyler, Katherine Williams, Damon Wilson and Joseph Wing.

Honors: Katherine Bourdon, Samuel Boynton, Caleb Buswell, Marianna Charlebois, Tianna Cunningham, Grace Ellis, Erin Fontaine, Ciara Glidden, Reiana Gonzalez, Carson Grass, Mallary Hanke, Kassidy Hopper, Beck Jorgensen, Acadia Kelley, Jakob Kennedy, Brady Kirkpatrick, Casey Kirkpatrick, Siena Klasson, Emmet Lani-Caputo, Dinah Lemelin, Gwen Lockhart, Brady Mayberry, River Meader, Gage Moody, Angelina Ochoa, Maddison Paquet, Hannah Patterson, Karen Potter, Paige Reed, Emmalee Sanborn, Sammantha Stafford, Sophie Steeves, Kiley Stevens, Daniel Stillman, Matthew Terry and Aidan Witham.

Grade 11

High Honors: Jana Alfoudari, Isabella Boudreau, Robin Boynton, Elizabeth Brown, Nolan Burgess, Carol Caouette-Labbe, Makayla Chabot, Elise Choate, Simon Clark, Alexia Cole, Brielle Crommett, Noah Crummett, Gavin Cunningham, Ciara Fickett, Hunter Foard, Aaralyn Gagnon, Caleb Gay, Hannah Kugelmeyer, Aidan Maguire, Johanna Malitz, Liberty Massie, David McCaig, Mala Meyer, Akela Mitchell, Austin Nicholas, Jeremy Parker, Nathan Polley, Jessica Pumphrey, Keith Radonis, Giacomo Smith, Adam St. Onge, Kinsey Stevens, Reese Sullivan and Baruch Wilson.

Honors: Tristan Anderson, Lacey Arp, Duncan Bailey, Heather Bourgoin, Wyatt Bray, Kaleb Brown, Hayden Chase, Connor Coull, Thomas Crawford, Caleigh Crocker, Keira Deschamps, Hailey Estes, Kaylee Fyfe, Jackson Gamblin, Brayden Garland, Leah Grant, Tucker Greenwald, Nathan Hall, Tara Hanley, Natalie Henderson, Jessica Hendsbee, Trinity Hyson, Kameron Kronillis, Stephanie Kumnick, Mackenzie Kutniewski, Sophie Leclerc, Jack Lyons, Richard Mahoney III, Holden McKenney, Gavin Mills, Lucas Mitchell, Cami Monroe, Alejandro Ochoa, Romin Riedmann, Evelyn Rousseau, Hayden Turgeon, Jack Uleau, Haley Webb and Elijah York.

Grade 10

High Honors: Haileigh Allen, Emmett Appel, Noah Bechard, Geneva Beckim, Octavia Berto, Lauryn Black, Brooke Blais, Olivia Brann, Keenan Clark, Madison Cochran, Hannah Cohen-Mackin, Andra Cowing, Gabrielle Daggett, Aidan Durgin, Ryan Farnsworth, Chloe French, Keeley Gagnon, Hailey Garate, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Jonathan Gutierrez, Serena Hotham, Kailynn Houle, Walker Jean, Ava Kelso, Rion Kesel, Sophia Knapp, Jack Lucier, Owen Lucier, Eleanor Maranda, Jade McCollett, Madison McNeff, Colin Oliphant, Gavyn Paradis, Wallace Pooler IV, Elsa Redmond, Lillian Rispoli, Nathan Robinson, Laney Robitaille, Aislynn Savage, Kyle Scott and Clara Waldrop.

Honors: Ava Anderson, Bryana Barrett, Jayda Bickford, Kaleb Bishop, Carter Brockway, Coleman Chase, Dylan Cooley, Lauren Cowing, Lillian Crommett, Trinity DeGreenia, Aydan Desjardins, Brady Desmond, John Edwards, Lucas Farrington, Clara French, Kaylene Glidden, Tristan Goodwin, Blake Grady, Abbi Guptill, Echo Hawk, Emma Henderson, Alivia Jackson, Rachel Johnson, Kaiden Kronillis, Cassie LaCroix, Bodi Laflamme, Chase Larrabee, Shelby Lincoln, Julian Martin, Abigail McDonough, Shannon McDonough, Elijah Moore, Makayla Oxley, Noah Pelletier, Sadie Pierce, Bronwyn Potter, Victoria Rancourt, Carter Rau, Justin Reed, Carlee Sanborn, Joslyn Sandoval Jordyn Smith, Zoey Smith, Emily Sprague, Parker Studholme, Katherine Swift, Kaylee Tims and Grace Vashon.

Grade 9

High Honors: Connor Alcott, Emily Almeida, Savannah Baker, Kylie Bellows, Landon Boynton, Addyson Briggs, London Castle, Nathan Choate, William Choate, Lillian Clark, Madeli Clement-Cargill, Sylvia Davis, Joshua Denis, Audryanna DeRaps, Lauren Dufour, William Ellsey Jr., Madison Griffiths, Willow Haschalk, Mia Hersom, Halle Jones, Savannah Knight, Kayle Lappin, Ava Lemelin, Paige McNeff, Parker Minzy, Jack Murray, Elijah Nelson, Bayley Nickles, Jordyn Parise, Ruby Pearson, Abigail Peil, Elijah Pelkey, Jackson Pelotte, Emily Piecewicz, Taisen Pilotte, Hannah Polley, Desirae Proctor, Michael Richardson, Owen Robichaud, Leahna Rocque, Jackie Sasse, Edward Schmidt, Felicity Seagrave, Kathryn Shaw, Madelynn Spencer, Evelyn Stevenson, Kayla Stred, Gentry Stuart, Abigail Studholme, Phoebe Taylor, Donovan Thompson, Kammie Thompson, Addison Turner and Addison Witham.

Honors: Anders Bassett, Brock Bowden, Benjamin Carle, Kolby Caswell, Claire Davis, Charles DeSchamp, Jacob Faucher, Stephen Gould, Aiden Hamlin, Aidan Huff, Kasen Kelley, Timothy Kiralis, Jacob Lavallee, Laylah Leach, Hayden Little, Aurora Littrell, Kloie Magoon, Kaiden Morin, Tucker Nessmith, Phoebe Padgett, Jacoby Peaslee, Lilian Piecewicz, Kameron Quinn, Hannah Ratcliff, Eli Redmond, Alexander Reitchel, Kameron Rossignol, Autumn Sawyer, Jaelyn Seamon, Eva Simmons, Nichala Small, Blake Smith, Trenton Smith, Benjamin Sullivan, Clara Theberge, Kamryn Turner, Charles Uleau, Isaac Vallieres, Alexander Walker, Oryanna Winchenbach, Brody Worth and Maddilyn York.

China select board to hold hearing on CRP application

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The China Select Board will host a community workshop on Monday, April 24, at 5 p.m., at the town office to gather ideas for projects that would benefit the Town of China and its residents. The hearing is part of the application process for becoming a Community Resilience Partner (CRP) through Maine’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.

The partnership costs China nothing and would allow China to become eligible to receive Community Action Grants and other support for projects that reduce carbon emissions, help us to move toward clean energy, and steer us to becoming more environmentally, socially, and financially resilient. The effects of climate change can have negative consequences on public health, roads and bridges, natural resources, and our overall long-term resilience as a community.

Enrolled partners are paired up with a regional coordinator who then helps develop future project ideas and apply for both state and federal grants to fund those projects. Some ideas batted around include: fixing the South China boat landing, sidewalks in China Village, rides for senior citizens, and digitizing town office records. What do you think?

Robyn Stanicki, of Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) is assisting China with the Community Resilience Partnership application process and will be at the workshop to answer questions, help us brainstorm, and prioritize. Please come share your ideas. If you cannot attend but would like to submit your ideas, please contact select board member Janet Preston at Janet.Preston@ChinaMaine.org.

For more information on Maine’s Community Resilience Partner program, please visit this link: https://www.maine.gov/future/climate/community-resilience-partnership.