Madison Legion Auxiliary collects school supplies

From left to right, Harriet Bryant, Robin Turek, Amy Washburn, Diane Pinkham, Sherry Medlin, Lisa Nichols, Tammy Giguere, Irma Fluet and Nancy Misiazek. (contributed photo)

Over the years, the Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39 has supported community programs such as Children and Youth. In recent years the organization has sponsored a school supplies collection box which included backpacks, pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, binders, crayons, colored pencils, water bottles etc. With the generosity of cash donations and school supplies from the community and members, the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, was able to donate over $900 worth of school supplies and backpacks to seven schools in the SAD #59 Madison and RSU#74 Anson area.

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, Auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with Dirigo State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism.

To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

(contributed photo)

Local sports figures inducted into Legends Hall

Mike Roy, left, and Bethany LaFountain.

by Mark Huard

Mike Roy, of Waterville, and Bethany LaFountain, of Winslow, are two of seven 2022 inductees into the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors. In addition, seven student athletes, including Brooke McKenney, of Madison Memorial High School, and Emily Rhodes, of Lawrence High School , in Fairfield, are this year’s selections. The Legends organization was founded in the 1990s honoring individuals who have contributed to athletics to provide additional support to Maine high school graduates who plan to continue their education and participation in athletics.

Mike is a graduate of Waterville High and Colby College who left for Georgia and returned four and a half months later via the Appalachian Trail. In 1978 he began a municipal career as the Community Development Director for the Town of Fairfield. He became town manager for the towns of Vassalboro, Oakland and Waterville, where he became the first city manager for over 16 years until he retired in 2021.

Married to Schari Roy with two adult children and two grandchildren, he has served in Rotary Club for 34 years, High Hope, Central Maine Youth hockey, United Way, Friends of Quarry Road and the Central Maine Growth Council. He served as president of the Maine Municipal Association. In 1964, Waterville sent a Pee Wee hockey team to the national tournament in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and a Little League team to the regionals in New Hampshire. There were only two players that were on both teams, Mike and the late Jim Rancourt.

In a letter of support for Mike’s candidacy, John Cullen wrote “I have known Mike for 60 years, first as an opponent in Pee Wee Hockey and then as a teammate and friend because of our playing days. He was a three-sport standout at Waterville High School, graduating in the class of 1970. He was one of only four freshmen to make the varsity team his freshman year. In baseball, again Mike was the leader of the team as the ace of the staff. He was a star player in every sport and every season he played. Mike Roy was a leader both on and off the field and his devotion to Waterville is second to none.”

Bethany is the first woman to coach varsity boy’s baseball at Winslow High School. She was a pitcher for the 2004 state champion Winslow softball team. Having played 16 years of softball year ’round, she’s crossed over to a different diamond. “There’s a lot of overlap between softball and baseball. I’m really going to focus with this group with starting back to the basics by breaking down fundamentals within the program. We’re starting from scratch by focusing on pitching and defense all the way,” she says. LaFountain is Winslow’s fourth coach in as many seasons to try to tackle a rebuilding effort. Russell Mercier, varsity baseball coach at Lawrence High School worked with Beth coaching the Central Maine Senior Legion baseball team. He says, “From the beginning of the season, it was clear to me that Beth stood out with her attention to detail, positive attitude, and desire to learn and compete at the highest level.” She conducted various clinics for youth in baseball and softball and even helped work on Winslow baseball and softball fields. Beth’s grandfather, Wally Lafountain, coached the Winslow High football team and coached and officiated high school wrestling. She has three sons, Ben, Tyler and David Fisher. The two Central Mainers will have their names added to a plaque at the Alfond Youth Center honoring all inductees beginning with the selection of Harold Alfond.

Other Hall of Honors inductees from Northern Maine are John Plourde, Monica Bearden and Ron Ericson and, from Eastern Maine, Tracie Martin and John “Jack” Cashman.

Emily is a resident of Clinton. She was captain of the varsity soccer team in both her sophomore and senior years, participated in Lawrence indoor soccer and was a member of the Central Maine Premiere Soccer Club. President of the National Honor Society, she ranked fifth in her senior class. Currently employed at Natanis Golf Course, in Vassalboro, where she serves in the snack bar and on the course, she is preparing for a career in healthcare and has been accepted at the University of New England in the Medical Biology pre-physician assistant program. Emily says she wants compassion for others to not only be the focus for herself, but also the focus for others around her. She is the daughter of Jody and Anthony Rhodes.

Brooke is a four-year varsity awards recipient in softball at Madison Memorial High School, Class C champions in 2019. She was captain of the team in her junior and senior years. She was also a varsity basketball player her sophomore, junior and senior years, captain of that team, as well as the golf team as a junior. She was also named Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year and was a first team conference All Star as a freshman and as a junior. Graduating second in her class, she was also a National Honor Society member and high honor roll student. The daughter of Daniel and Laurie McKenney, Brooke says she comes from a family of medical professionals. Christopher LeBlanc, Principal, AD and head softball coach says, “I look forward to her educational and athletic growth as she pursues her future endeavors.” Heath Cowan, Madison golf coach and head women’s basektball coach at the University of Maine at Augusta says, “Brooke puts the same amount of time in the classroom as she does on the field. She ranks second in her class with an amazing 98.8 GPA.”

EVENTS: Bingo in Madison

American Legion Bingo is an every Sunday event at the American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street, Madison. Doors open at noon; Games start at 2 p.m. Kitchen is open with refreshments FMI: Call Gina at 696-4946.

EVENTS: KVCOG to hold hazardous waste collection day

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) will be offering Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days for the following locations:

On Saturday, October 1, from 9 a.m. – noon, the towns of Skowhegan, Canaan and Madison will be collecting at the Skowhegan Transfer Station. All residents have to sign up by calling their individual town office.

On Saturday, October 1, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., the towns of Pittsfield and Palmyra will be collecting at the Pittsfield Transfer Station. All residents have to sign up by calling their individual town office.

On Saturday, October 15, from 8 a.m. – noon, the communities of Winslow, Waterville, Belgrade and Oakland and will be collecting at the Winslow Transfer Station. All residents have to sign up by calling their individual municipal office.

According to Jessie L. Cyr, Community and Economic Development Specialist with Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, “we are all municipalities and nonprofit but these events directly benefit the people within our county and we feel it is a necessity to find the funding to hold these collection events.”

He continued, saying that many chemicals commonly used around the home are hazardous – either alone or when combined with other chemicals, and need to be disposed of by professionals trained to handle hazardous materials. Improper disposal of these materials can disrupt the function of sewage treatment plants or private septic systems, contaminate ground water, and harm animals and residents. Difficult to recycle -or dispose of- items can also become harmful if left unmonitored, items like electronic waste, paint, old fuels, mercury thermostats, etc. We also have local law enforcement officials on hand that day that will be collecting and properly disposing of any pharmaceuticals that residents want to bring in.

Madison Legion Auxiliary seeks school supplies

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, is once again collecting school supplies for children and for the classrooms in our local schools (Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec #RSU 74). With all the uncertainties ahead this year, the need is still there. A list of suggested items: rulers, erasers, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens (blue, black & red), water bottles (no larger than 20 oz) crayons, glue sticks, backpacks, pencil pouches for binders, one-inch binders, one subject notebooks, college and standard ruled filler paper, box of tissues, wipes, and post it notes just to mention a few. Will be collecting until September. The collection box will also be at their booth in the grassy area beside Skowhegan Savings Bank, in Madison, during Madison/Anson Days, on August 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Items can be dropped off in the collection box at the Madison American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street, on Mondays through Saturdays, after 3 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. If you would like to send a monetary donation, make checks payable to Madison ALA, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950, with School Supplies in the Memo.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) helps to advance the mission of The American Legion. With more than 600,000 members, the ALA is one of the nation’s most prominent supporters of veterans, military, and their families. ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1.1 billion each year. From helping to draft the GI Bill in 1944 to advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill. The American Legion Family has been instrumental in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforveterans.org, our local website http://www.mainelegionpost39.org or contact Karen Lytle, President PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950.

Memorial Day Festivities 2022

Memorial Day Festivities

South China Memorial Day Ceremony

Mon., May 30, 11 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Park
American Legion Post 179
Ceremony only, NO PARADE

China Village

China Village Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Meet at the Causeway Rd. FMI: Contact Mary Lockhart at 968-2717.

Town of Fairfield Memorial Day parade canceled

The Fairfield Memorial Day parade has been canceled due to the lack of participants and bands. The graveside tributes and luncheon will take place as scheduled, hosted by Fairfield VFW Post #6924, 246 Main St., Fairfield, 207-453-2565.

Madison Memorial day

Please join the members of The Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Post #39 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, in honoring Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day, May 30, at the Memorial Day Ceremonies with guest speaker Brad Farrin, State Senator. Starting at 9 a.m., at Starks Town Office, 9:30 a.m., at the Veterans Monument, at Anson Town Office, followed by scattering of flowers off the bridge; 10 a.m. at the Veterans Monument, at the Madison Library; 10:30 a.m., at the US/Canadian Monument, at Forest Hills Cemetery, on Park Street ,and at 11 a.m., at the Joseph Quirion Veteran Monument, in the center of East Madison.

Legion auxiliary donates backpacks and essentials to children

From left to right, Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, of Madison members, Tammy Giguere, Karen Lytle, Tina Boudreau, Harriet Bryant, Merrilyn Vieira, Vicki Anderson, and Irma Fluet. (contributed photo)

In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison donated backpacks and many essential items such as clothes, Pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, jackets, socks, hygiene products for the older children and toys.

These items benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System. Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. These backpacks provide them with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them. This year with generous donations of items from the members of the local community and membership as well as the Auxiliary purchases, the Auxiliary donated over $1,300 worth of items!

To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate, visit www.ALAforveterans.org. To join the Madison American Legion Auxiliary Unit, contact Karen Lytle, President – American Legion Auxiliary, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950, or karen.lytle364@gmail.com, or (207) 696-4445.

Madison American Legion Post & Auxiliary holds Military Child’s Table Setting ceremony

From left to right, Amy Washburn, Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39 Chaplain, and Rich Robinson, Post #39 Chaplain. (contributed photo)

Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Post #39 and Auxiliary Unit #39, in Madison, held a Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony following the Installation of Officers. The ceremony was performed jointly by Post #39 Chaplin, Rich Robinson, and Unit #39 Chaplin, Amy Washburn.

April is designated as Month of the Military Child – a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children of military members serving at home and overseas.

The ceremony includes: The potted flowering plant symbolizing that a military child by flower and flourish where they are planted; the hand spade recognized that they may be transplanted to a new place in the world at a moment’s notice; the birthday hat and unlit candles, along with the baseball and glove, and ballet slippers represent special occasion that are missed; the family photo depicting a child with his/her uniformed parent/parents demonstrates our country’s strength; the final touch to the table setting is the American flag to remind us that families are united in their commitment to national service, at home or away.

Spaghetti supper and no talent show

photo by jeffreyw: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/

The Madison American Legion will be hosting a spaghetti dinner and “No Talent” Show, on Saturday, April 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m., at Madison American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street. A Fun Night of Laughter, “No Talent” Show, at 7 p.m., with special guest: Gary Crocker, a Maine humorist, Vietnam veteran, public speaker who feels laughter is the key to a well-balanced life. Also in the lineup are Kenny Rogers and Dolly Pardon, Sunny & Cher, Miss Piggy and more.

Following the “No talent” Show, Karaoke/Dance with Randy & Lisa Michaud will continue to entertain until 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person for members and $15 per person for non-members. Limited tickets will be sold. Tickets must be purchased by March 14 so get your tickets now! Tickets are available at the American Legion Hall, in Madison, ask a member or call Pauline 207-680-6362, Diane 314-5135, Val 634-3329, Harriet 635-2051. FMI: call Pauline 207-680-6362.

Madison American Legion Auxiliary busy helping in the community

From left to right, Madison American Legion Auxiliary members, Wanda Kranz, Betty Price and Pauline Bell, are pictured with the backpacks.
(contributed photo)

School supplies for students

The Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, of Madison, supports community programs such as Children and Youth. Each year the members of the auxiliary donate school backpacks filled with school supplies. Again this year because of the unknown at the beginning of the school year, the unit reached out to the community. With the generosity of cash donations and school supplies from auxiliary members and community members, the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, of Madison, was able to donate over $1,000 worth of school supplies, backpacks, bottles of hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, water bottles, boxes of tissues, and masks to 7 schools in the Madison and Anson area!

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289

From left to right, Geraldine Jenks and Nancy Misiazek. (contributed photo)

Turkey supper benefits food cupboards

Diane Pinkham (contributed photo)

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, Madison, traditionally holds a turkey supper every November which they serve anywhere from 150 to 175 people with the proceeds to benefit local food cupboards. Because of Covid-19 again this year, they decided to have a turkey pie sale in which Hannaford, of Madison, donated some of the turkeys, Reny’s, of Madison, donated 100 pie plates, Apple Tree Bakery donated some pie boxes as well as a discounted price for the remaining pie boxes needed, and members also donated and/or cooked turkeys and many of the items needed such as flour and Crisco and their time making pies. One hundred eighty-four (184) pies were made and were all sold, except for five, a week before the scheduled date of pick up on November 13. After expenses a total $2,080 was raised and donated among four local food cupboards. This is another way the American Legion Auxiliary supports the community.

Harriet Bryant

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, Auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism.

To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, P.O. Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

From left to right, Geraldine Jenks, Merrilyn Vieira and Karen Lytle. (contributed photo)