Palermo Christian Church: there’s a new pastor in town

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Pastor Eric Dubois, back right, with wife of 12 years Kaitlin, and children Caleb, Anna, Luke, Noah and Lydia. Contributed photo

compiled by Eric Dubois, Phyllis Thorne and Sandy Keller

Following months of interviewing numerous candidates, the congregation of Palermo Christian Church is excited to introduce their new pastor, Eric Dubois.

Eric is relocating to Palermo with his wife of 12 years, Kaitlin and children Caleb, Anna, Luke, Noah and Lydia (pictured). When you see them in the community welcome them. They are looking forward to meeting you and becoming part of the community.

Because Eric has lived all but seven years of his life in New England (New Hampshire and Maine), he is familiar with the environment and context of ministry that is unique to this area. While specifically looking for a position in New England he found the posting for Palermo Christian Church on the Ministry List website of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA. After applying for the position in February of this year, undergoing telephone interviews, emails and finally a visit in June, the church membership voted unanimously in July to call him as their next pastor.

Having worked 12 years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Eric resigned and moved with his family to Louisville Kentucky where he completed his Master of Theology (having prior completed his Master of Divinity at Capital Bible Seminary). Over the years he has had significant experience serving in local congregations through preaching, leading youth groups and small groups, teaching Sunday School, and serving as deacon and elder. He has interned at two churches and recently participated in a pastor apprenticeship program at his last church. He is well prepared for his first position as Pastor.

When asked what his expectations are for small town ministry, Eric responded with: “First, to become part of the local community and make life-long friendships while establishing roots for our family. Second, to lead the local church community which comes from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, yet is unified by their common faith in the gospel, their common dependence on God’s resources, their common love for Jesus, and their common allegiance to Jesus as king.  Third, to deepen and strengthen the faith of God’s people by helping them lean on God as they go through the various seasons and joys and struggles of life.”

Palermo Christian Church has a 51 year history of teaching the love of God as revealed to us in the Bible. Godly leaders including Dale Flynn,(May 1968 – August 1968), Fred Williams (July 1969 – November 1981), David Jones, assistant pastor (April 1970 – January 1976), David Kibbe (September 1978 – June 1982), and Ed Hatch (June 1982 – Dec 2018) have led the congregation of Palermo Christian Church and the church is excited to add Eric Dubois to this list with great expectations for God to work through him as he leads the congregation forward.

Erskine Bus Schedule – Fall 2019

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Chelsea Run:​ ​Sheila Westcott Bus #2 (Chelsea/Whitefield/Windsor)

1. Leave Erskine – 6:10
2. At Legion Park Rd. – 6:20
3. Barton Rd./Jones Rd. – 6:28
4. Route 105/Route 32 – 6:30
5. Route 32/Route 17 (Rideout’s) -6:38
6. Chelsea School – 6:45
7. Hunts Meadow Rd. – 6:55
8. Hunts Meadow Rd./Cooper Rd. 7:00
9. Hunts Meadow Rd./Route 126 – 7:05
10. Route 126/Vigue Rd. – 7:10
11. Route 17/Route 32 (Rideout’s) – 7:20
12. Route 32 to Erskine – 7:30

Whitefield Run: ​ Mark Johnson Bus #6 (Whitefield/Windsor)

1. Leave Peaslee’s – 6:15
2. Route 17 Country Corners Store – 6:17
3. Route 17/Route 32 (Rideouts) – 6:22
4. Maxcy Mills Rd. – 6:26
5. Griffin Rd. – 6:28
6. Vigue Rd. – 6:35
7. Townhouse Rd. – 6:37
8. Heath Rd. – 6:46
9. Hilton Rd. – 6:52
10. Route 218 Sennott Rd. – 6:59
11. Route 218 Cookson Ln. – 7:01
12. Cooper Rd. -7:03
13. Wingood Rd. – 7:05
14. Cooper Rd. – 7:09
15. Windsor Rd. – 7:12
16. Route 105 – 7:20
17. Route 32 – 7:22
18. Route 32 Crosby Rd. – 7:23
19. Route 32 Elm Ln. – 7:24
20. Route 32 Choate Rd. – 7:25
21. Route 32 to Erskine – 7:30

Jefferson Run:​ Mike Lamontagne Bus #3 (Jefferson)

1. Route 32/Route 215 6:22
2. Route 32 North Mountain Rd. – 6:24
3. Jefferson Fire Station – 6:29
4. Route 32/Orffs Corner Rd. – 6:34
5. Goose Hill Rd./Hodgkins Hill Rd. – 6:38
6. Goose Hill Rd./Washington Rd. – 6:42
7. Valley Rd. – 6:43
8. Valley Rd./Route 17 – 6:48
9. Route 17/Route 32 – 6:54
10. Route 32/Route 215 N. Clary Rd. – 6:56
11. Route 215 N. Clary Rd./Route 126 – 7:00
12. Route 126/Route 218 Mills Rd. – 7:03
13. Route 218 Mills Rd./Route 17 – 7:07
14. Route 17/Route 32 Rideout’s – 7:12
15. Route 32 to Erskine – 7:21

Palermo Run:​ Wayne Lacey Bus #5 (Palermo/Somerville/Windsor)

1. Leave Tobey’s – 6:15
2. Route 3/Branch Mills Rd. – 6:17
3. Branch Mills Rd./North Palermo Rd. – 6:20
4. North Palermo Rd./Level Hill rd. – 6:26
5. Level Hill Rd./Boots & Saddle Rd. – 6:36
6. Route 3 – 6:37
7. Route 3/Turner Ridge Rd. – 6:40
8. Turner Ridge Rd./Route 105 – 6:49
9. Route 105/Turn Around Somerville School – 6:53
10. Route 105 Dodge Rd. – 6:58
11. Route 105/Route 32 – 7:03
12. Route 32/Choate Rd. – 7:07
13. Choate Rd./South Rd. & Windsor Neck Rd. – 7:10
14. South Rd./Weeks Mills Rd. – 7:15
15. Weeks Mills R./Kidder Rd. – 7:17
16. Kidder Rd./To Erskine – 7:20

Bike Maine Needs Volunteers Sept. 8

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Chef Ron Adams is looking for volunteers to help cook and serve lunch at the Palermo School, on Route 3, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 8. This is a benefit to improve biking and walking conditions in Maine, making it safer and more enjoyable for all. For more information, please contact chefradams@gmail.com.

The 2019 Bike Maine ride begins at the Two Cent Bridge, in Waterville, and proceeds for 53.3 miles through Palermo to Hope. To learn more about Bike Maine, please go to bikemaine.org and click on the ride details button.

“Humanity Insanity” unleashed at Community Center

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(Reality Entertainment 2019)

No, this isn’t about the election. This movie addresses the throwaway society.

Native Elders say, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” So, why is $50 billion worth of food thrown away each year as millions of people die of hunger?

The trend of growing food insecurity is slowly shifting from urban areas to rural ones, which doesn’t seem to make much sense, considering where most of the food is grown. However, there are other factors, such as the expectation that the food we get in grocery stores has to look perfect. Thankfully, there are many solutions to this problem, and each one of us can do just one thing to make a difference.

Come and see how on Friday, August 30, and join in on the potluck dinner at 6 p.m., at the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field.

The waste problem has finally reached the attention of retail America. Plastic bags are being phased out. This is a good start. Many plastic bags are used each week by food pantry recipients who cannot afford to buy the reusable bags with their meager resources. Some people are using empty birdseed bags to make their own reusable shopping bags. If you have any of these, or other pet food bags made of the tarp material, and would care to donate them for upcycling, please drop them off on the back porch of the Palermo Community Center so they can be put back in service. The birds thank you and we thank you! For more info and directions, please call Connie at 993-2294.

IMDB link for Humanity Insanity movie

Students earn degrees from the University of Vermont

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Area students recently earned degrees from the University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vermont, during commencement.

Peter Ackerman, of Augusta, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in film and television studies.

Devin Beckim, of Augusta, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in computer science.

Emily Higgins, of Waterville, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in athletic training education.

Natalie Palmer, of Augusta, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies.

Kaitlyn Sutter, of Palermo, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in professional nursing.

Maine Nightjar monitoring lecture

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Nightjar

Join the Palermo Community Library in welcoming Logan Parker of the Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) for a lecture about Maine nightjar monitoring on Thursday, August 22nd at 7 p.m. Nightjars are medium sized nocturnal or twilight-active bird characterized by long wings, short legs and very short bills. Logan, a Palermo resident, is an assistant ecologist and founder of the Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project. This statewide citizen science project is collecting observations of whip-poor-wills, nighthawks, and other nocturnal birds, some of which are facing widespread declines.

Attendees will learn about the natural history of Maine’s nightjars and the efforts involved in monitoring these fascinating birds throughout the state, from Eliot to Calais, Kennebunk to Baxter State Park. The project is currently recruiting volunteers to adopt monitoring routes or simply make observations of nightjars in your own backyard.

The Palermo Community Library is located at 2789 Route 3 in Palermo, Maine and the lecture is free to the public. For questions or more information contact the library at (207) 993-6088​ or palermo@palermo.lib.me.us​.

Grange presents annual awards at Palermo Days

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Ann Bako, right, grand master of the Branch Mills Grange, presents the Spirit of America award to Summer Hotham. (photo by Mary Haskell)

As a part of Palermo Days festivities, the Branch Mills Grange #336 hosted its annual public supper/awards dinner. Every year, the Grange recognizes two deserving individuals. This year, Summer Hotham was the recipient of the Spirit of America Award. The Spirit of America Foundation was created in 1990 to honor volunteerism. Through Erskine Academy’s Community Service Program, Summer has accrued over 248 volunteer hours.

Marylou Sydney McNeil was this year’s recipient of the Grange Award. The purpose of this award is to formally recognize an individual who, although not a Grange member, has volunteered their time and talents for the betterment of The Order. Marylou has used her decorating flair to decorate the tables for public suppers and has helped sort and stage items for the Grange’s flea markets.

Ann Bako presents Marylou Sydney McNeil with the Grange Award. (photo by Mary Haskell)

Local students named to Stonehill College dean’s list

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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!

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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.

Sheepscot Lake Association holds 2019 annual meeting

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Board member Joe Burke, standing, addresses the Sebasticook Lake Association members at their annual meeting. (contributed photo)

On Wednesday, July 24, the Sheepscot Lake Association (SLA) held its annual meeting at the Fish and Game Club on the lake. The meeting was preceded by a potluck supper and a great meal was enjoyed. During the meeting, the following topics were discussed:

  • Courtesy boat inspection: Again this year, SLA has hired two boat inspectors to work on Saturdays and Sundays throughout July and August. These inspectors check all boats at the launch to protect the lake against milfoil and other invasive plants. However, it is incumbent on all boat owners to check their boats prior to every launch and pull, especially if they have been boating in other lakes. Invasive plants can cause serious damage to the ecosystem of the lake if not found and removed. Remedial action can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to attempt control of the infestation.
  • Water quality: The SLA board continues to test the water quality of the lake on a regular basis using a Secchi Disk and scope. Sheepscot Lake consistently yields a transparency of 16.1 feet which is outstanding. In addition to testing with the Secchi Disk, surface grabs are done three to four times a year to measure the total phosphorus which averages seven ppb, another great reading. Dissolved oxygen meter readings have also remained in the target area. Fortunately, there also has never been any algal blooms in the lake!
  • Loon Count: Each year they participate in conjunction with the Maine Audubon Society in an organized loon count. This year the count of loons was six, including one chick. As always, lake users are urged to exercise caution when they see loons on the lake, and never approach a nesting loon. They are the treasures of the lake and of Maine’s while serving us as an early warning of lake quality problems.
  • LakeSmart: SLA continues to participate with the Maine State Department of Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Lakesmart program. Created in 2003 to minimize human impact on lake quality, the LakeSmart team will inspect lakefront properties at no cost to the homeowner to evaluate your property’s impact on lake health and provide recommendations on steps you can take to ensure your home is Lake smart! If you are interested in participating in an evaluation please contact Maria O’Rourke, SLA board member at Sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com .
  • Status of legislative activity: As you know, LD922, the legislation aimed at reintroducing alewives and sea lamprey to Sheepscot Lake fortunately was pulled in 2018. There is no further legislation at this time. Should there be any future efforts to do so, at the expense of the health of our lake and existing fish population, SLA as well as our supportive town members will continue to fight any efforts and keep you informed.
  • Palermo Days: SLA will be attending the Palermo Days parade as well as displaying a gorgeous basket of Maine treats for raffle on August 10. Please stop by to say hi and buy a raffle ticket if you’re there!

Contributed photo

Finally, following the annual meeting, the board met to elect officers for the next year. Gary Miller, founding member of the Sheepscot Lake Association, who has served as president for the last eight years, and will remain on the board for one remaining year. The members thank Gary for his amazing efforts as president and all the hard work he has done over many years. Transitioning to president is Slater Claudel. In total, there are nine active members on the board, serving in various roles to keep all the programs active and healthy. They are currently search for a secretary for the association. This does not require being a member of the board. If you are interested, please contact Carolyn Viens at Sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com

If you have not yet joined the Sheepscot Lake Association and are interested, or if you have not yet paid your 2019-2020 dues, they would love to hear from you! By Mail: Sheepscot Lake Association, PO Box 300, Palermo, Maine 04354. By email: Sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com.