Fairfield Cops Care For Kids Program experiences another great year

Fairfield Police Department personnel, front row, from left to right, Capt. Paul St.Amand, Officer Casey Dugas, Officer Shanna Blodgett, Dispatcher Jeanne Kempers, Officer Jordan Brooks and Officer Joseph Pelletier. Back, Officer Patrick Mank, Sgt. Matthew Bard, Officer Nemiah Nattress, Chief Thomas Gould, Officer Blake Wilder, Officer Timothy MacArthur and Sgt. Matthew Wilcox. Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff

by Mark Huard

Once again Fairfield Police Officers carry out their annual Cops Care For Kids, where they bring wrapped presents in their cruisers wearing Santa hats. This is a tradition started by Kingston Paul in 2006. At its inception, Kingston purchased all of the gifts and wrapped them himself to ensure that more of the children in the community were able to have enjoyable Christmas memories with their families without worrying about financial stress. The program has grown over the years. This is a heartfelt occasion for all those involved and something that all of the law enforcement employees take pride. This year was another success, as the officers delivered presents to 226 kids in 108 Fairfield households on December 20. Officers had met earlier in the month and spent a long evening in the town office basement wrapping presents for the event.

The program has developed into an application process that is sent out through the school systems. It is no longer limited to struggling households and has been expanded to reach any Fairfield child. The officers focus on giving back to the community they love and spend so many hours protecting. It is now more about giving back to the community that they love and spend so much time protecting.

Community Outreach is something that the officers recognize as a critical part of their job. They want children and adults to be able to join together, and there is nothing like magic of the holiday season to inspire good will among everyone. It’s carrying on the heartfelt sentiment of their fellow officer, Kingston Paul, who has since passed away. Officer Paul donated $20,000 to the program, which has assisted in creating a stable program with longevity. Despite the large donation, officers still donate weekly to the cause out of their own pockets.

The Fairfield Police Department has a vision of eventually expanding the program in hopes of focusing on community togetherness. They hope to hold an event at the community center which will allow officers and families to have more direct interactions with each other for a longer period of time. These positive experiences are life changing for children in regards to having positive memories and positive interactions with law enforcement. The vision is one of holiday treats, officer elves, a holiday movie and whatever else will bring a smile to the face of children. The officers will not retire their sleighs though, as they will still do home deliveries to those not willing or able to attend the event.

Lawrence basketball teams gearing up for season

The Lawrence High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams are getting ready for the start of the 2018-19 season. (Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography staff)

PAL football senior division champs

Front row, from left to right, Jackson Collman, Cameron Stewart, Colty Carter, Roman Parish, Troy Hamlin, Gavin Wilson, Michael Dearborn and Chairity Thebarge Middle row, Cameron Dostie, Justin Day, Maddox Santone, Zack Wentworth, Dane Zawistowski, Jayden Burnham, Henry Wadsworth, Derrick Crowell, Cameron Blodgett and Devon Young. Back, coaches Ben Dostie, Roy Lawrence, John Stewart, Jeremy Collman, Toby Blodgett and Todd Carter. (Photo courtesy of Casey Dugas)

Members of the Clinton Lions, Fairfield PAL senior division, went undefeated with a 10-0 record to claim the division title.

Getting ready for Super Sunday

Brett Lawler, standing, and Colby Kramer, pose during Super Sunday at the PAL Field, in Fairfield. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Central Maine Photography-sponsored Fairfield PAL soccer team

The Central Maine Photography-sponsored Fairfield PAL youth soccer team members include, front, from left to right, Samantha Hamilton, Dawson Chapman, Dylan Frugal, Dylan Dennison, Dylan Languet and Hailey Knowles. Back, Domanic Golder, Landon Letourneau, Zoe Hutchins, Drake Johnson, Seth Gallant and Ryan Lea, coach. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

2018 Senior Bulldogs girls soccer players

The 2018 Lawrence High School senior girls soccer players are, front, Emma Robilliard and Emily Curtis. Back, Captain Ashley Rhoades, Eran Dowd, Captain Riley Hanson, Kiana Joler, and Captain Brianna Meader. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Area Students Enroll at Colby College 2018

The following area students have enrolled at Colby College, in Waterville, for the 2018-19 school year.

Benjamin J. Amalfitano, of Oakland, is a graduate of Messalonskee High School. He is the son of Neil and Kimberly Amalfitano, of Oakland.

Benjamin K. Bernier, of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School. He is the son of Daniel and Jennifer Bernier, of Waterville.

Jacob T. Burton, of Oakland, is a graduate of (high school unknown). He is the son of Thomas and Lisa Burton, of Oakland.

Jarret T. Mayo, of Fairfield, is a graduate of Lawrence High School. He is the son of Thomas and Tammy Mayo, of Fairfield.

Luca R. Thamattoor of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School. He is the son of Dasan and Davida Thamattoor, of Waterville.

Lawrence soccer seniors 2018

The 2018 Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, boys soccer seniors and coaches are, from left to right, Coach Bob Towne, Drake Zimba, Alex Owens, Christian Adams, Nick Ellis, Jackson Dudley, Sebastian Nebauer and Coach Ryan Mountain.(Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Square dancers in New Hampshire

Pictured, front row, from left to right, Ellie Saunders, Ellie Mulcahy, Nanci Temple, Margaret Carter, Cindy Fairfield. Second row: Steve Saunders, Milton and Charlotte Sinclair, Dave Mulcahy, Fred Temple, Wes and Sue Burgess, Bruce Carter, Bob Brown. Back, Betty and Steve Harris, Larry and Kathleen Hillman. (Contributed photo)

East Hill Farms, in Troy, New Hampshire, was the venue for a weekend of advanced level square dancing for dancers from several New England states and three Canadian provinces. Friday, April 6, through Sunday, April 8, saw 10 squares of dancers enjoy the calling of Don Moger, of Montreal, Canada, and Ted Lizotte, of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Dancers from our area who were present were Bob Brown and Cindy Fairfield, of Newport, Larry and Kathleen Hillman, of Fairfield, Fred and Nanci Temple, of Richmond, and Bruce and Margaret Carter, of Ellsworth. It was a great weekend of high level dancing and camaraderie of friends we don’t get to see that often.

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, in Stowe, Vermont, was the setting of this year’s 60th New England Square Dance Convention. It all happened on the weekend of April 26 – 28. If you are a square dancer in the New England area, it’s the absolute place to be on the fourth weekend in April. The weather to and from and while we were there was beautiful, the resort was perfect, all the dancing was under one roof and the meals were super. The convention brought dancers from 10 states and 4 provinces of Canada totaling just over 600 for the three days.

Anyone interested in learning to square dance, call or contact Bob Brown at 447-0094 or Cindy Fairfield at 631-8816.

Bridger named to dean’s list

Gabrielle Bridger, an Ithaca College student, in Ithaca, New York, from Fairfield, was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2018 semester.