Learn about new trails in Unity

UNITY —  The 47-mile Hills-to-Sea Trail is complete with an expected opening this spring. Join Buck O’Herin and Tom Mullin of the Waldo County Trails Coalition on Wednesday, April 12 to learn about this new footpath from Unity to Belfast.  Find out about the history and building of this inspiring project and how you can get involved to support this community resource.

The talk is part of the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust’s monthly speaker series, “Restoring Connections to Place,” featuring a wide variety of conservation topics of interest to Maine. The programs are free and open to the public at 6:30 p.m., the second Wednesday of every month at the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust office, 93 Main St., Unity.

Other speakers in the monthly “Restoring Connections to Place” speaker series:

Wednesday, May 10. Ecologist Aleta McKeage, of Belfast, will present on invasive plants, one of the primary threats to environmental health that we face today. Invasive plants take over natural areas, crowding out native species and changing wildlife habitats.

On Wednesday, June 14, Lessons from Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center: A Citizen’s Guide to Helping the Birds of Maine. Laura Suomi-Lecker, education and outreach coordinator, will discuss common reasons why birds are admitted to Avian Haven Wild Bird REhabilitation Center, in Freedom, and what citizens can do to help our local birds.

FMI: 948-3766.

4th Annual T-Pot Memorial Ice Fishing Derby

Are you feeling the winter blues? Feeling a little cabin fever? Please join the Unity Fire Department on Saturday, March 4, from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m., for the 4th Annual T-Pot Memorial Ice Fishing Derby.

Entry tickets are $10 each. There will be a food and drink concession stand on site at the weigh-in station on Unity public boat landing at Kanockalas Beach where you can get breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, as well as a mobile food cart on the ice from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. There will also be a campfire on the beach at the weigh station to get warm if needed.

They will have several door prizes, adult derby prizes, and also a separate kids derby for anyone under 16 years of age. There are over $4,000 in prizes. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Keep in mind that this is a family-oriented event so please be respectful of others.

This family event was created as annual fundraiser for the Unity Fire Department in memory of the late longtime firefighter Blaine “T-Pot” Parsons, who passed away in 2010 from complications from diabetes. “T-Pot” served his community for over 35 years and truly enjoyed the outdoors. You could find him most winter weekends ice fishing on Unity Pond. The Unity Fire Department hosts this annual event in his honor, with proceeds going directly to purchase and equip an all-terrain vehicle that provides wild land fire suppression, rescue in remote places such as snowmobile and ATV accidents, and lost or hurt hunters.

For additional information, contact Captain Blaine Parsons II at fireman04988@yahoo.com or by phone at 207-660-3526.

 

Unity scout earns Eagle Scout in China troop

Submitted by Ron Emery

The celebration of this event was held at the Quaker Hill Christian Church, in Unity, for Eagle Scout Christian Hunter of Troop #479 on September 17, 2016.

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter

Friends, family members, elected officials and other scouts gathered together to honor Christian for earning his wings — the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.  The Eagle is the highest rank that Scouting bestows in the advancement program.  Eagle Scout Christian Hunter, his family, his Scout leaders, and other members of the community had labored long and faithfully, and their efforts were recognized in this special presentation.  Christian chose the Eagle Scout Ceremony and invited other members of Troop 479 to take part in this celebration.

Scout Misha Littlefield opened the Ceremony and introduced Pastor Michael Senacal, from the Quaker Hill Christian Church, to offer the invocation for the ceremony. Misha then introduced Advancement Chairman Ron Emery to serve as moderator.

The Scout Oath was read by Eagle Scout Sean Stewart.  In the scout oath the young Scout promises upon his honor to do his best to do his duty, first to God and his country; second, to other people, by helping them at all times; and third, to himself by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scoutmaster Scott Adams was then introduced to present the Eagle Scout Awards.  Scout Hunter Praul escorted Christian and his parents to the front.  The Eagle badge was presented to Christian’s mother to pin on Christian’s uniform.  A miniature Eagle badge was given to Christian to pin on his mother.  An Eagle neckerchief was given to his father to place around the neck of his son.

Christian credited the Scout leaders for having faith in him and giving him a push whenever he needed a little help with merit badges and for finishing his Eagle project.

Assistant Scoutmaster Darryl Praul was introduced to read the Honor Roll for Troop #479 and have Eagle Scout Christian Hunter advance his name. Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Leonard presented gifts from the Troop Committee.

Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Emery introduced the special guests.  Mark Kantio from U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s office, in Bangor, presented a letter of congratulations and a United States flag, that was flown over the capital in Washington, to Christian.  State Senator Michael Thibodeau presented legislative sentiments and also a flag flown over the capital, in Augusta.  Sentiments from U.S. Senator Susan Collins were presented by Chuck Mahaleris, Kennebec Valley Advancement Chairperson.  Letters of sentiment were received from President George W. Bush and his father, Representative Chellie Pingree  and Governor Paul LePage.

Christian’s parents prepared a slide show for their son titled “Christian’s Journey to Eagle.”

Requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout require mastery of basic skills including hiking, cooking, camping, first-aid, swimming, survival skills and map and compass.  The successful Eagle Scout must also earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, of which 11 are required and include various aspects of citizenship, family and community life, physical fitness, nature and more advanced scout skills.

The candidate must also serve in a position of leadership in the troop for at least six months after attaining the rank of Life Scout.  Christian is also a member of the Order of the Arrow.

An integral component of the requirements is a service project.  The candidate must develop the project, organize the materials and manpower, and supervise its completion.  Christian Hunter’s project was to rebuild the fence surrounding the cemetery in back of the Quaker Hill Christian Church as well as, straighten stones, build benches and plant some shrubs. Scout Christian Hunter led family, friends and other Scouts from Troop #479 in the project.

He is the son of Keith and Chrissy Hunter, of Unity, and is planning to attend Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield.

Quaker Hill Christian Church

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter’s project was to rebuild the fence behind the Quaker Hill Christian Church, in Unity. Contributed photo

Husson University announces spring honors

The following students have been named to the Spring 2016 honors list at Husson.

Sebastian Atkins-Taylor, of Augusta,  is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in mass communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Lelia Belanger, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in biology program.

Michayla Dostie, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Mary-Anne MacArthur, of Canaan, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s associate of science in paralegal studies and a bachelor of science in psychology program.

Owen Freeman, of Freedom, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Nicholas Maney, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Christine Boucher, of Oakland, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in kinesiology-human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.

Mikhaila Necevski, of Oakland, is a freshman who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Megan Mahoney, of Palermo, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in elementary education program.

Alyssa Doucette, of Skowhegan, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in criminal justice and bachelor of science in psychology with a mental health rehabilitation technician/community (MHRT/C) certification program.

Anne-Marie Provencal, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.

Anthony Toneatti, of Solon, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in live sound technology program.

Samuel Stevens, of South China, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in business administration program.

Samantha McLaughlin, of Starks, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Briana Oliver, of Starks, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in forensic science program.

Alyssa Willette, of Unity, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Caleb Cummings, of Windsor, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Christine Parrilli, of Winslow, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Unity College students trek to newest U.S. national monument

Several dozen Unity College students and staff visited Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument on September 10, in advance of a Unity College talk later this week by Lucas St. Clair, the successful advocate for creation of the national monument.

The goal of Saturday’s outing was to get to know Maine’s newest destination and to scout recreational, curricular, and other opportunities afforded by the new designation. Members of Unity College Student Activities led 33 Unity College students – clad in hunters orange Katahdin Woods and Waters T-shirts – and other members of the Unity College community on hikes, a visit to the ranger station in Millinocket, and other local attractions as part of the trip.

Students and staff who trekked to Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument.                                                                 Contributed photo

Students and staff who trekked to Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument.
Contributed photo

“We had been following developments on the formation of the national monument quite closely,” Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury said. “When we heard this exciting news, we wanted to be among the first to bring our students there to check out the possibilities.”

Khoury called the monument designation “a powerful act of philanthropy, of private and public entities working together to share the awesome responsibility of stewarding our natural resources for future generations.”

On August 24, President Barack Obama signed an executive order under the Antiquities Act creating the 87,500-acre Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The move capped a multi-year campaign that balanced values of conservation and industry in an area riven by the collapse of numerous paper mills.

Obama’s order praised the land as rich in culture, natural beauty, and “significant biodiversity,” designated the area a national monument, and directed the National Park Service to manage it for a diverse range of public use.

The monument encompasses the Katahdin region, already a popular destination for outdoor recreation and home to a wide diversity of wildlife, spectacular mountains (including Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak), important historical resources, and areas of great cultural significance. The monument contains opportunities for hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling; those uses are fully protected and enhanced under the president’s order.

“Not every place in the country has an environment where a new national monument is formed. Our students have a bird’s-eye view of it,” Unity College Associate Professor of Parks and Forest Resources Tom Mullin said. “This is really a perfect live example of conservation in action – a chance to see how preservation works, both at a policy level and on the ground, only two hours from campus.”

The field trip came in advance of a talk on the Unity campus this week by the person who spearheaded the drive to create the national monument.

Elliottsville Plantation Inc. President Lucas St. Clair, who led the successful campaign to have his family’s land declared a national monument, will speak at the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot St., Unity, as part of the annual Maine Woods Forever roundtable, 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 16. The event – a partnership between Unity College and Maine Woods Forever – is free and open to the public and the media.

“America’s Environmental College continues to help convene conversations that matter deeply to the people of Maine,” Khoury said of St. Clair’s talk. “With academic programs ranging from Wildlife Biology to Adventure Therapy and Parks and Forest Resources, Unity students and faculty are in the perfect position to help evaluate and experience the economic, environmental, and social impact of a major initiative like the new national monument.”

“Because Maine is our classroom, I’m looking forward to talking with Mr. St. Clair about the educational opportunities that could accompany formation of the national monument,” Khoury said. “This is truly a significant development for anyone who loves Maine, appreciates our natural resources, and understands their importance to Maine’s economic and social health.”

“As an educator, I’m excited to hear more about the process that led to this historic decision,” Mullin said. “Our students will benefit greatly hearing from Lucas how a major national monument came to be, and how it will be implemented going forward.”