Oakland Archives - The Town Line Newspaper

PHOTOS: SAD #18 students busy with school projects

February 26, 2025/0 Comments/in Central ME, China, Community, Fairfield, Oakland, School News/by Website Editor

China Primary School: 2024 Maine Stem Film Challenge Winners: Second grader, Syar, from Ms. Kimmie’s class and his brother, Shya, from Mrs. Dunn’s kindergarten class recently participated in the 2024 Maine Stem Film Challenge held by the University of Southern Maine. They submitted a film on the topic of ecology – focusing on amphibians and won first place in the K-3 division!

China Middle School: Gifted and Talented Students Delve into Space Studies: Gifted and Talented students at both China and Messalonskee Middle schools participated in a space mission with the Bangor Challenger Learning Center. Both schools created a live 3D space timeline posted in their buildings. Students then learned how to use Canva to “digitize” their timeline and create a video. Some students used AI tools in and out of Canva to do voice overs. Mrs. Paquette and Ms. Fish teamed up for this technology piece.

Williams Elementary School: Challenger Learning Center of Maine: In an exciting educational initiative, Mrs. Pullen’s and Mr. Polley’s fifth graders teamed up with the Challenger Learning Center of Maine to delve into the mysteries of Mars and its moons. Through interactive simulations and expert guidance, students explored the unique characteristics of Mars’ moons. During their discussions, students connected to the science standard about Earth’s revolution and recognized that there is a critical window of landing opportunities on Mars, which is influenced by its orbit around the Sun.

Messalonskee Middle School: Seventh Grade Social Studies Colonization Simulation: Ms. Michaud’s social studies classes on Team Boothbay have been role playing life in Colonial America. Students have been journaling and acting out as though they are traders, explorers, governors, teachers, healers, blacksmiths, and Native Americans in class to gain first-hand experiences at life in the New World during the 1600-1700s. Students have enjoyed this engaging unit and exceeded expectations in their roles as colony members!

Oakland woman named Maine Mother of the Year

January 29, 2025/0 Comments/in Community, Oakland/by Website Editor

Monica Wilcox Charette

Monica Wilcox Charette, of Oakland, has been named 2025 Maine Mother of the Year. Charette will be recognized and represent Maine at the 90th National Convention of American Mothers, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April, where one honoree will be named American Mother of the Year.

A native of Aroostook County, Charette is a graduate of Presque Isle High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Maine at Orono. She has lived in Oakland, Kennebec County, for the past three decades with her husband Randy, and their children, Cassidy and Colby.

She is a journalist, photographer, author, and podcast creator/host. Charette has a 35-year professional career working in the nonprofit sector, including serving as director of public relations for the former Mid-Maine Medical Center, fund development director at Mount Merici Academy, and she served the last 10 years as communications director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine.

Charette is the founder and executive director of ShineOnCass Foundation, a nonprofit created 10 years ago to carry forth the legacy of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette, a longtime community volunteer and advocate for children, who died in a Maine hayride accident in 2014. According to American Mothers, Inc., Charette has used this platform to champion youth mentoring, animal welfare, youth literacy, provide scholarships for athletics, music and art, and establish multiple community scholarships and awards for service-focused high school students in central Maine. She also helped inaugurate multiple youth mentoring programs in her community and created free lending libraries for children at Boys/Girls Clubs and YMCAs in Waterville and Augusta. She and her son Colby co-host Holding the Light Podcast to support bereaved families of child loss.

Charette also volunteers as a weekly coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters ShineOnCass youth mentoring program at Messalonskee, serves on the Oakfest, Maine Committee, and is a member of the Waterville Area Women’s Club.

“It is an honor to represent all Maine Moms, and especially my fellow bereaved mothers, at the national convention this spring,” Charette said. “I am humbled to be chosen to represent our beautiful state and many mothers for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration. I’ve never been more inspired, or prouder, to be a Mainer.

Every year, mothers from around the country are selected by a national committee from American Mothers, Inc. to represent their respective state as Mother of the Year. The mission is to recognize mothers and their positive impact in their families and communities. To support this year’s Mother of the Year through the Maine Chapter of American Mothers, contact Lisa Newall at Lisa.Newell@va.gov. For information about American Mothers, Inc., visit americanmothers.org.

Eric Handley elected district scouting chairman

January 15, 2025/0 Comments/in Community, Kennebec County, Oakland, Vassalboro/by Chuck Mahaleris

Eric Handley with his Eagle Scout sons Devon, left, and Jared. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting has elected Eric Handley, of Sidney, to serve as District Scouting Chairman and Christopher Santiago, of Vassalboro, was tapped to serve as District Scouting Commissioner. This took place during the annual meeting of the district on Wednesday, January 8, at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, in Waterville.

The Kennebec Valley District delivers the programs of Scouting to communities and youth in Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Somerset and Franklin counties. The district is one of four in Pine Tree Council which covers the southern and western half of Maine. At the end of 2024, Kennebec Valley District had 22 Scout Troops and 12 Cub Scout Packs made up of 194 Scouts and 232 Cub Scouts. Twelve youth in Kennebec Valley earned Scouting’s highest rank, the Eagle Scout award, in 2024 and 564 Merit Badges were earned by the Scouts.

“I’m happy to serve Kennebec Valley Scouting,” Handley said. “My approach will always be to place the Scouts first.” Handley, in his role as District chairman, will preside at district committee meetings and represent the district on the council executive board. He will oversee all subcommittees that help deliver and grow Scouting including membership, program (events/ training/ advancement/ camping), and fund development functions (including popcorn sales and Friends of Scouting). Handley, who is the Point of Sale IT manager for Aubuchon Company, had been serving as the District Commissioner prior to the annual meeting.

He began his Scouting career in 1972 when he joined Cub Scouts, in Gorham, New Hampshire, and followed that as a Scout, in Windsor, Vermont Troop #218. “My son Jared asked to join Cub Scouts as a Tiger the Spring of 2006. I became the Cub Master of Pack #401 in Spring of 2007, in Sidney, and stayed with the Pack until May 2018 when I became Scoutmaster of Troop #401,” Handley said. Handley has also served as a Unit Commissioner, on the Advancement Committee, Roundtable Commissioner, Camp Bomazeen Staff, and on the Kennebec Valley District Band. Handley said that his goals are to increase the visibility of Scouting in the local community and to increase membership by providing excellent programs to the youth in the district.

Santiago, who is the Director of Safety and Security, at Thomas College, in Waterville, said, ” I am truly honored and blessed to be nominated by my peers to this position of leadership within Scouting America. I will continue to develop scouts and their leadership skills, with a focus on living the Scout Oath and Scout Law; and I will work diligently to provide leadership and mentorship to my peers so that they may do the same.” He has been involved in Scouting since his son joined Cub Scouts, in Vassalboro Pack #410, serving as Den Leader and then Cubmaster. This was followed by Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop #410 when his son crossed over to the Scouts. He is still serving as Scoutmaster of Troop #410. At the same time, he has also served on and is still currently serving Scouting on the District Committee, as the District Duty to God Coordinator, as a Unit Commissioner and as the District Training co-chairman. The district commissioner leads the commissioner staff of the district, guiding and measuring the district’s unit service program. The Roundtable Commissioner also is part of the District Commissioner’s team. Santiago said his goals as District Commissioner are to provide quality support to Scouters, while ensuring that all units (Packs and Troops) within the district are delivering an excellent scouting program and experience.

The District Committee also selected Jamie Santiago, of Vassalboro, to serve as District Vice Chairman of Finance and Joseph Poulin, of Oakland, to serve as District vice chairman of Program. The position of District Vice Chair for Membership is currently vacant.

These elections took effect immediately following the close of the annual meeting.

From left to right, Jamie Santiago, Life Scout Arianna Allen, Tenderfoot Scout Christopher Santiago, Eagle Scout Eric Allen, and Christopher Santiago. The Allens are niece and nephew of Jamie and Christopher Santiago. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Local Modern Woodmen members honor Jeff Meader

November 26, 2024/0 Comments/in Community, Oakland/by Website Editor

Jeff Meader, left, of Oakland, received the Modern Woodmen’s Hometown Hero award from Patrick Linehan, Modern Woodmen volunteer leader. (contributed photo)

Local volunteer Jeff Meader, of Oakland, Maine, was recently recognized for countless hours of service to the community during a Modern Woodmen of America member event on November 18, 2024. Meader was honored through Modern Woodmen’s Hometown Hero program for his dedication to the Sons of American Legion and American Legion Post #51, where he serves as Assistant Finance Officer.

Jeff ís attention to detail, willingness to accept any challenge, stick-to-it-iveness and willingness to volunteer are a major key to the success of Decker Simmons Post #51. As part of the Hometown Hero program, members of the The Capitol District Modern Woodmen Chapter presented Meader with a certificate and an award grant to be donated to the charitable organization of the honoree’s choice. Meader selected The American Legion Post #51 Entertainment Committee to receive the donation. “Volunteers form the foundation of a strong community,” says Patrick Linehan, local Modern Woodmen volunteer leader. “Modern Woodmen’s Hometown Hero program gives us the chance to thank those who selflessly give their time to make the world a better place.”

Coordinated by local Modern Woodmen members, the fraternal financial services organizationís chapters and youth service clubs provide opportunities for members to take part in social and educational activities and volunteer projects to meet local needs. For more information or to get involved, contact Linehan at 207-465-4800 / Patrick.r.linehan@mwarep.org.

Modern Woodmen was founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society. The organization supports members, families and communities with a unique blend of financial services, fraternal programs and local-impact opportunities. Learn more at www.modernwoodmen.org.

* Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America.

CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 4)

October 30, 2024/0 Comments/in Augusta, Benton, Central ME, China, Clinton, Cornville, Elections, Fairfield, Manchester, Oakland, Palermo, Politics, Sidney, Somerville, Vassalboro, Voting Guide, Waterville, Weeks Mills, Whitefield, Windsor, Winslow, Winthrop/by Website Editor

CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 3)

October 23, 2024/0 Comments/in Benton, Central ME, China, Fairfield, Gardiner, Hallowell, Kennebec County, Madison, Oakland, Palermo, Politics, Sidney, Somerset County, Somerville, Vassalboro, Voting Guide, Waterville, Whitefield, Winslow/by Website Editor

PHOTO: Messalonskee youth football grades 3 and 4

October 23, 2024/0 Comments/in Messalonskee, Oakland, Photo, School News, Sports/by Website Editor

Front row, from left to right, Ryder Bolduc, Blake Lawler, and Marshall Veilleux. Second row, Andrew Proctor, Tucker Reynolds, Reed Fowler, Braydyn Grard, Sam Wolman, Brady Fish, Baine Bennett, and Colton Curtis. Third row, Pierce Holman, Colton Sense, Nolan Brown, Bryson McCullough, Liam Luther, Bernard Pelletier, Sawyer Pierson, and Trent Bickford. Fourth row, Kellum Corbett, Easton Dyer, Colin Porter, Able Smart, and Kolby Lajoie. Fifth row, Karson Simmons, Parker Taylor, Jackson McLaughlin, Noah Dale. Back, coaches Scott Proctor, Matt Holman, Justin Lawler, Landan McCullough. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

PHOTOS: Youth football action in Oakland

October 16, 2024/0 Comments/in Messalonskee, Oakland, Photo, School News, Sports, Winslow/by Website Editor

Messalonskee youth team member Andrew Proctor running with the football while Winslow’s Tristan Blaney (32), Nathan Merrill (41) and Freddie Pullen (75) move in for the tackle. The game took place on October 7. (Photos by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Waterville team member Malahki Klaiber (12) looks for open field while, Alex Sheehan (80), Connor Jones (27) and Quincy Brittingham (4) form a wall on Messalonskee defender Zoeey Emmons. The game ended in a 12-12 tie. (Photos by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)