Maine Farm Days slated for August 21 & 22, 2019

/0 Comments/in , /by

The cows at the Misty Meadow Farm produce 10 gallons of milk each day! With about 700 “milkers,” that is a lot of milk! That could be used to produce over 3,000 pounds of cheese daily. See where the cheese for your pizza, and the ice cream, and the yogurt, and many other dairy products come from.

Maine Farm Days, to take place on August 21 – 22, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., is an Agricultural Trade Show held on a working farm. Open to the public. Admission is free. Farm Days, Inc. joins the host families, John and Belinda Stoughton and Tom and Kimberly Wright in addition to others in order to sponsor this agricultural exhibition. The Stoughton family opens their farm up to the public but they do not stop farming. You have a chance to see how it works. They just allow the public to come in and join the operation and see what is involved in the operation of a large dairy farm. If you joined them in previous years, come and see the changes.

There will be baking contests, a children’s tent, prize drawings, classes about pesticides and pests, vendors displaying equipment and products in addition to many people and groups in attendance set up to answer questions. There are two large tents for vendors and one devoted as a children’s tent. other tents for workshops.

It is approximately a thousand-acre operation that milks over 700 cows, producing approximately two million gallons of milk annually. Come and visit all aspects of a working dairy farm in central Maine. Take advantage of the Stoughton family’s willingness to open up their entire farming operation to the public.

Just follow the signs. Come and join us on the farm. Maine Farm Days.

The Misty Meadows Farm is located on Hill Road, in Clinton. Check out the website for details at www.MaineFarmDays.com or check us on FaceBook.

Waterville Opera House announces auditions

/0 Comments/in , /by

Disney’s “Newsies” 1992

The Waterville Opera House (WOH) is announcing the audition dates for its new fall musical – Disney’s Newsies the Musical – the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! Opening Friday, November 8, this production will run through Sunday, November 17, at the Waterville Opera House, in downtown Waterville. Tickets are available at www.operahouse.org or by calling 207-873-7000.

Auditions will take place on the Opera House Main Stage. Show Dates: November 8, 9, 15, at 7:30 p.m.; November 10, 16, 17 at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

1 p.m.: Adults Music Only
2 p.m.: Jack, Katherine, Delancey Brothers, Newsboys Music.
(Dance auditions for all to follow music auditions.)

MONDAY, AUGUST 26

6 p.m.: Jack, Katherine, Delancey Brothers, Newsboys Music.
Dance auditions for all to follow music auditions.
(Adults may sing at 6 p.m., if unable to attend Sunday’s audition.)

Character descriptions and audition materials are available on the Waterville Opera House website at https://www.operahouse.org/auditions. Upon arriving, candidates must fill out an audition form to be turned in to the production team. Candidates may also receive an audition number and be required to have their photo taken upon arrival. Please have your scheduling conflicts available. Candidates should review the audition materials and come prepared to perform as an individual and in group work. Auditions will likely involve singing, book work, and dancing. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Frolic in the Field Aug 10 at Pumpkin Vine Family Farm

/0 Comments/in , /by

photo credit: Pumpkin Vine Family Farm

Head to Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, in Somerville, on Saturday, August 10, for an unforgettable evening of art and community under the open sky. The hillside fields are beautiful in the golden glow of twilight; filled with the music of Toki Oshima & John Pranio on fiddle and guitar. They are magical. Find a partner, meet your neighbor – soon you’ll be part of a swirling, laughing community in a contra dance guided by Chrissy Fowler, the amazing caller who makes the dances easy and fun, no matter your experience.

Prefer a slower pace? You can browse the craft tents from our amazing local artisans, enjoy a picnic dinner prepared by the talented folks at Washington General, stroll the farm fields, or just sit and watch the setting sun; our lights twinkle on at dusk. Children are welcome to play in the farm fields and explore the barn under parental supervision. Come alone or with friends – you’ll be sure to leave with more than you started!

Parking opens at 5 p.m. in our lower field. Wagon rides up to the farm will run from 5 – 6:15 p.m.; if you arrive after that you can enjoy the five minute walk up the dirt road past our farm fields. Craft & food tents are open from 5 – 8 p.m.; music & dance run from 6-9 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Donations are greatly appreciated, as they go directly to the musicians and caller – you can help support the arts and and ensure that they can keep this annual event open to all! Call Kelly at (207) 549-3096 or email info@pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com with questions. To learn more about the farm visit www.pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com. This is a weather dependent event; please check our website or call the morning of the event if it’s looking questionable.

Winslow resident graduates from Tufts University

/0 Comments/in , /by

Cody Lambert, of Winslow, graduated from Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts, on May 19, 2019, with a degree in quantitative economics (BS), magna cum laude during a university-wide commencement ceremony that featured an address by award-winning actress and activist Alfre Woodard.

9th annual Battle for Breast Cancer raises $42,000

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Messalonskee field hockey team. Front row, left to right, Riley Waraskevich, Ann Corbett, Journey Charles, Chloe Tilley, Abby Breznyak, Nealey Dillon, Jenna Cassani and Jenna Reardon. Back, Coach McLaughlin, Morgan Wills, Logan Alexander, Sidney Hatch, Alyson Violette, Shea Cassani, Malaika Thurston, Frankie Caccamo, Sarah Hellen and Coach Feldpausch. (photo submitted by Kim Kennedy)

by Mark Huard

The 9th Annual Battle For Breast Cancer took place at Thomas College, in Waterville, on Saturday, July 13, and was a truly great success.

The July 13 benefit tournament featured 11 Central Maine high school field hockey teams: Skowhegan, Messalonskee, Mt. Blue, Lawrence, Dirigo, Dexter, Nokomis, MCI, Winslow, Erskine Academy and Winthrop.

Now in its 9th year, more than $240,000 has been raised since 2011 for the beneficiary, the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital, in Farmington. Diagnostic breast imaging, biopsies, lab services, surgical consultations, and post-surgical garments are just some of the examples of how the money has been used.”

“Money raised is used to support those with breast cancer living in Central Maine with health care costs as well as practical resources for patients such as gas cards and help with child care which may impact patient care,” said organizer Paula Doughty. “Last year we started a program with platinum thru bronze sponsorship opportunities for businesses or individuals, which provides sponsors with special recognition in the event’s program and during the opening ceremony.” This sponsorship has helped us tremendously.

“For over 40 years I drove 45 minutes a day to work and 45 minutes back from work,” said organizer Paula Doughty. “During this time I did my best thinking. Over the years I had experienced in my family and other people who had jobs but no insurance or high deductibles suffer. Often they got no care at all or couldn’t follow up with medical recommendations because of their financial situations. The hospitals would hound them for the payments they couldn’t make, and they were denied government help, yet didn’t have the money to pay on their own. Often many just gave up and ultimately died. That’s when I thought it would be great to try to help some of these local people with their needs. I met with some of my Skowhegan Field Hockey Boosters and the Battle for Breast Cancer came about.”

The Lawrence field hockey team. Front row, left to right, Abigail Townsend, Taylor Jordan, Sophia Luckern, Ashtynn Stewart, Taylor Leclerc, Emma Poulin, Alexis Trask, Lexi Gordon, Emily Hersey, Haylei Niles and Holly Bolduc. Back, Coach Shawna Robinson, Abbie Vigue Brooke Butler, Capt. Miranda Lambert, Capt. Lexi Lewis, Victoria Dunphy, Capt. Elsie Suttie, Tori Richards, Cassie Richards and Maddie Niles. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

They chose the Martha B. Webber Center because it was local and rural. Often people don’t have the will or the resources to drive to the cities of Maine and they thought it was a good fit. Back in 2011, a total of four teams got together and had the first Battle for Breast Cancer at Colby College which included Skowhegan, Mt. Blue, Winslow and Nokomis. Their goal was to raise $1,000 and they ended up raising $16,655.

Since that time with over 11 teams they have now raised $242,000 dollars which has helped over 550 local people in Central Maine with everything from a gas card to get to treatments to many medical procedures. The entire central Maine field hockey community has stepped up and wanted to participate. Over the last two years they also have been collecting sponsors which has really helped boost the final amounts. The majority of the money is raised by field hockey players raising one dollar at a time with bottle drives, car washes, toll booths, and personal collections.

Next year will be the tenth year and Doughty said we plan on going all out to make it the best ever. “We know after reading and listening to testimonials of patients we help how worthwhile this event is. Hopefully more and more people in the Central Maine Area will donate for our cause,” Doughty concluded.

Local athletes compete in track and field

/0 Comments/in , /by

Robert Spears, of Sidney, competing in the 13-14 year old pole vault during the Winslow Summer Track and Field event in July. (Photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Davanee Kimball, of Winslow, competes in the 400m at a recent Winslow Summer Youth Track meet. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Litter pick up groups out Friday, August 10 in China

/0 Comments/in , /by

Members of the Central Church in China participate in the Second Saturdays litter cleanup initiative. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

Litter-free China!, a group organized by Richard Dillenbeck and the China for a Lifetime Committee, will be out on the roads of China on Saturday, August 10, during morning hours. As you drive these roads, please be careful and courteous to this group of volunteers.

WINDSOR: Paving bids go before board of selectmen

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Sandy Isaac

Paving bids and a proposed solar project for local schools were discussed at the Windsor Selectmen’s meeting on July 23.

The meeting began with the public review of paving bids which were submitted earlier that evening to Town Manager Theresa Haskell. Bids were for projects on Piper Road, Coopers Mills Road and Griffin Road. These projects were factored into the current budget recently approved by voters.

Prior to the meeting, Haskell compiled the bid information into a comparison chart for the selectmen to review while asking questions and making their determination. Representatives from seven paving companies were on hand to listen and answer questions. Many of the paving crew members in the room knew and worked with or for each other in the past.

Most of the town roads are on a six- to seven-year maintenance schedule. Road maintenance may consist of crack sealing, shim work (a thin layer of asphalt thicker than a micro-surface, applied to the existing surface of a street), overlay (a layer of asphalt thicker than a shim applied to the existing surface) and complete resurfacing. According to Haskell’s research, road paving work averages $100,000 per mile.

The bids ranged from $235,560 to $361,510, with the average price of material coming in at $34.04 per ton. Over and above work (work discovered during the paving process) may include shoulder work, grading work and gravel.

The paving bid contract was approved and awarded to Maine-ly Paving Services, LLC. They are expected to start the paving project late summer to early fall.

Public work supervisor Keith Hall’s report continued to talk about road maintenance. The public works crew is completing ditching work to the rock wall along Reed Road. They are working on approximately 40 feet, but have hit ledge and will need to hire a “hammer.” Hall will be researching equipment rental. The rock wall will be built up once they have freed it up from the old fencing and deep tree roots.

Transfer station supervisor Tim Coston confirmed that the station revenue from incoming fees was down $2,000 from last year, with no explanation. Haskell reviewed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspection report regarding the transfer station. The last time the DEP inspected the transfer station was in 2011. Not much has changed since then. Grass was well maintained and there was no sign of animals burrowing. Although saplings were observed around the “cap” at the station, the DEP inspector recommended only more mowing.

It was also noted that due to the Windsor Fair, the transfer station will be opened only from 9 a.m. until noon on August 31.

During the public comment period, Regional School Unit (RSU) #12 School Board member Richard DeVries discussed the RSU #12 solar project and asked the selectmen if they wanted to be part of the planned feasibility study.

RSU#12 is investigating purchasing a property to be utilized as a solar farm. The solar farm location (which has yet to be determined) must be able to accommodate a large number of solar panels and have power lines in place, adequate to handle the power generated. The proposed solar farm will need to generate power for multiple locations including the local schools. Board members are looking into a bond to pay for the project and a 20-year agreement for installation and maintenance. In addition, DeVries is reaching out to partners who might want to invest in the project and use some of the power.

The feasibility study is the first step in the process and is estimated to be completed by September 4. The selectmen agreed to be part of the feasibility study at no cost to the town. Many questions were brought up as to locations, wattage to be generated and power line capabilities. The feasibility study should help clarify some of those concerns.

In other business, Haskell reviewed the finalized numbers from last year’s budget. Overall, the town spent only 89.72% of the total approved 2018-19 budget, despite the fact that utilities, (which includes public safety) public works and Maine Municipal Management Services all went over their projected budgets.

The selectmen will hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 6.

Local students named to Stonehill College dean’s list

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The following local students have been named to the dean’s list at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts.

Justin Davis, a member of the class of 2019, from Palermo, and Makenzie Charest, a member of the class of 2022, from Sidney.

Last call for peaches!

/0 Comments/in , /by

The last delivery of freshly-picked peaches from northern New Jersey will be on Friday, August 23, at the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field. The cutoff date for orders will be August 13, at 4 p.m. These sweet, luscious peaches will arrive in 38-pound boxes, but half-boxes are also available. A full box costs $37, and the half box costs $23. These are large, freestone peaches, perfect for canning, freezing, jam, and, of course, fresh eating. They will arrive slightly firm for shipping.

To order, please call Connie at 993-2294, and if you leave a message, please include your phone number! They will call to confirm and to let you know when you can pick up your peaches. They will be available Friday into the evening hours, and all day on Saturday. You may send a check, made out to LCF, to P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. Orders of four or more boxes will receive a discounted price, so call up your friends and family to share this fresh fruit feast!

Proceeds from sales benefit the Palermo Community Center’s ongoing operations expenses and programs, including materials for the Food Pantry, building repairs, and community services. Your support is greatly appreciated! All board members and administrators of the Community Center are unpaid volunteers, so your support is important to us.