Lawrence high school and junior high school soccer teams. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)
Members of the Messalonskee grades 1 and 2 red football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)
Members of the Messalonskee grades 5-6 football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)
Members of the Clinton Variety PAL football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)
Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts, recently announced the dean’s list for the Spring 2024 semester.
They are Cole Bazakas, Class of 2027, of Waterville, and Bella Wallingford, Class of 2026, of Oakland.
The late Selma Pulcifur
The R.B. Hall Memorial Band will present an outdoor concert at Waterfront Park, in Oakland, on Tuesday, August 13, at 6 p.m., to honor Selma Pulcifur, who passed away in December.
Selma was an institution, both in her community and among the countless musicians who were privileged to have known her over the years. She was the last surviving charter member of the R. B. Hall Memorial Band, where she played trombone for 55 years and served in various offices, including president.
In 2019, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the band, Selma recounted in an interview that she began playing in 1944 when a friend told her the school band director needed a trombone. Selma laughed, “And I said, “What’s a trombone?” Selma fondly recalled, “I tried this old trombone, and, oh, it had the most beautiful tone, and I just fell in love with it.”
Selma played trombone for over 75 years, last performing with the R.B. Hall Band in the summer of 2022 at the Clinton Fair, a long-standing tradition and her favorite.
“I have to admit I’m getting older, but get me in a chair and I can play. I still have lots of wind. It’s natural.”
Sadly, the hot weather prevented her from performing at the fair in 2023, as she had hoped to do.
Selma’s final words in the interview were “I just hope I never have to give up the band. It’s been a very important part of my life.”
In gratitude for her contribution to keeping the community band tradition alive in Maine, the annual R.B. Hall Day festival, held in Bridgton this year, was dedicated to Selma.
The August 13 concert is free of charge. Audience members are asked to bring a lawn chair.
(The 2019 interview by Central Maine Newspapers is available on YouTube: “Selma Pulsifer plays on…”)
Gerry Butler rides a chicken during the 2023 Oakfest parade. (contributed photo)
Come experience a weekend of family fun Friday through Sunday, July 26 – July 28, and see why Oakfest is rated among the “10 Best Outdoor Festivals in Maine” this summer!
This year’s Oakfest theme is “Christmas in July” with three days of family entertainment beginning Friday evening with food, music, and a parade on Main Street, in Oakland. The day starts at 4 p.m., with a children’s Lions Club Safari “Bowling with Coconuts “at the Camden National Bank parking lot and tours at Memorial Hall, on Church Street. Food trucks are available from 5 – 11 p.m., and the American Legion Beer Tent will be open for over 21 years old until 11 p.m. The evening events kick off with a performance by the Highland Bag Pipes at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Christmas in July Parade at 6 p.m. Enjoy music by “RJ the DJ” Richard Jandreau, and come out for a street dance to live music by the Roy Hudson Band from 8 to 11 p.m., sponsored by the American Legion.
Saturday’s ShineOn Oakland festivities start at 9 a.m. behind Williams Elementary School, at 55 Pleasant Street, in Oakland, with an expansive, 75-booth ShineOn Oakland Open Air Market. The day-long event features Maine-made artisans and crafters, an extensive variety of food vendors, dozens of fun children’s activities, including bounce houses, water activities, a climbing wall, and carnival games, sponsored by Kingdom Life Church. Have your children choose a free book, as part of the ShineOnCass Literacy Project. Plus there will be a Cruise-In Classic Car Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy live music until 3 p.m., at the ShineOn Oakland Stage, plus much more.
Claire Slevinsky shows the free book she received at the 2023 Oakfest. (contributed photo)
At dusk, bring the kids to an Outdoor Movie Night presentation of Migration presented by Kingdom Life Church. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch the movie. In case of inclement weather, Movie Night will be held at Kingdom Life Church, 191 High Street, in Oakland.
Rise and Shine on Sunday at 10 a.m., at the Oakland Gazebo, 22 Old Belgrade Road, in Oakland, to watch the Oakfest Christmas in July Boat Parade, led by Eric Seekins. Then enjoy live music from 1 to 3 p.m., by Ryan Michaud, grab lunch at Hero’s On Wheels Food Truck from 2:30 to 5 p.m., and stay for a free Elvis In Concert with Don Boudreau from 3 to 5 p.m., all overlooking beautiful Messalonskee Lake.
Oakfest is proudly sponsored by the Town of Oakland, Oakland American Legion, Oakland Lions Club, Kingdom Life Church, First Park, Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union, Hometown Auto, Bri By Designs, Valley Beverage, Oakland Waterfront Park Summer Concert Series and the ShineOnCass Foundation.
Oakfest is pleased to partner with the ShineOnCass Foundation to provide an annual community support project to the summer festival. This year Oakfest will “Shine a Light on Literacy” by providing free books to children who attend ShineOn Oakland Day on Saturday. For more information about the project, visit shineoncass.org.
“We are excited to welcome back hundreds of attendees to Oakfest 2024, offering food, music and family-friendly activities for all ages. Oakfest is the place to be this summer in Maine,” says Oakfest Committee Chairman Kathy Paradis, who along with a committee of volunteers, coordinates the annual community festival.
For more information about Oakfest 2024, call Kathy Paradis at 207-465-7357, visit the Town of Oakland Facebook Page or oaklandmaine.us.
Griffin Brown, of Oakland, was named to the College of Charleston Spring 2024 president’s list, in Charleston, South Carolina. Brown is majoring in physics.
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Local students have been named to the Plymouth State University president’s list for the spring 2024 semester, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Named were:
Dylan Flewelling, of Oakland. Flewelling is a exercise and sport physiology major.
Joscelyn Gagnon, of Benton. Gagnon is a music education (K-12) major.
Kaiden Kelley, of South China. Kelley is an art and design major.
Abigail Sewall, of Jefferson. Sewall is a nursing major.
Oakland American Legion Post #51 paying tribute to the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, at Memorial Hall, during the Memorial Day parade on May 27. From left to right, Patrick Linehan, Colin Clifford, Brian King, Jeff Stevens, John Palmer and Sgt. at Arms Dave Germain.
(photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
On May 14, members of American Legion Decker-Simmons Post #51 gathered with Legion Riders to dedicate a new flag and pole at veteran Brian Danforth’s home, on Fairfield St., in Oakland. The veterans who live there had lost their flag and pole during a windstorm this past winter. Legion Riders were notified, took action and replaced both the pole and flag. (photo by Wally McKenney)
The rain stopped just in time for the American Legion Decker-Simmons Post #51 parade to get underway. With a ceremony to honor all who gave their lives at Lakeview Cemetery, Commander Jeffrey Flye gave a speech that was followed by the honor guard performing a rifle salute to the fallen. Left to right, Mark Spencer, Winslow VFW Commander Mike Dumont, Tina Zelberek, John Palmer, Jeff Stevens, Brian King, Colin Clifford, Jeffrey Flye, Patric Linehan, Winslow VFW Quartermaster Chris Soucy and Tom Dechaine. (photo by Wally McKenney)
American Legion Riders of Post #51, in Oakland, recently held a fundraiser, hosting a Pebble Art class. There were 25 students who managed to raise $385 for veterans through donations and a 50/50 raffle. The members of Legion Riders were very pleased with the turnout. Overall, it was well-received, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Numerous attendees inquired about the next class, so they are looking into organizing another one soon. (photo by Wally McKenney)
Photo by Wally McKenney
American Legion Decker-Simmons Post #51 Oakland, with Grover-Hinckley Post #14, held a ceremony retiring many U.S. flags. A moment of silence was observed for the 80th anniversary of the 153,000 men who lost their lives on D-Day. Above, Post #51 Commander Jeffrey Flye begins disposal process.
Photo by Wally McKenney
If anyone has a flag that is faded, tattered, or torn you can bring the flag to any American Legion Post to have it properly disposed.
Ohio University Patton College of Education, in Athens, Ohio, student Bodhi Littlefield, of Oakland, has been named to Ohio’s Fall 2023 dean’s list.
The weather did not hamper crowd enthusiasm. (photo by Wally McKenney)
For the past three years since the pandemic, the Oakland American Legion Post #51 has directed the Annual Memorial Day parade which is one of the largest in Central Maine. Veterans lined the front of the parade to local school bands, classic cars, military vehicles, Police and Fire departments, Shriners and among many others. Each year they are looking for more to participate. Any groups are encouraged to contact the post for next year’s attendance.
The Kora Drifters are a parade unit of the Kora Shrine, in Lewiston. The Drifters were started by Bernie Fortin, of Vassalboro, in 2018, and have since expanded to 14 members. They raise funds for the Shriners hospitals, in Massachusetts, and all money raised goes to those charities. Any other expenses they pay out-of-pocket. They are known for their distinctive bright green colors and love to entertain. The Shriners are currently scheduled to parade in 27 different events this year, to include Maine’s largest festivals such as the Clam Festival, the Moxie Festival, and the Lobster Festival. Really what you have is 14 guys dedicated to supporting child patients at the hospitals. With the added bonus of making people happy at the same time. On Memorial Day they participated in parades in Oakland, Skowhegan, and Old Orchard Beach.
Tracey Frost riding in the Memorial Day Parade. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, announces the following students being named to the Winter 2024 President’s List.