EVENTS: Make an immediate difference by giving blood or platelets now

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The American Red Cross urges all donors to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply strong this summer. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves – especially in the face of summer challenges that can quickly cause blood and platelet reserves to drop.

All blood types are needed, and donors who don’t know their blood type can learn it after donation. Book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 14, 2025, will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker that’s included! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

For those who come to give July 15-31, 2025, the Red Cross will say thanks with a Fandango Movie Reward by email. Use it to catch a summer blockbuster on the Red Cross! See RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Kennebec County:

Augusta

July 28: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206

Waterville

July 18: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., O’Brien’s Event Center, 375 Main St.

Winslow

July 30: noon. – 5 p.m., MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW #8835, 175 Veterans Drive.

Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

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Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow, with Olympic Bronze Medalist Cody Miller during the recent clinic held at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

2016 Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Cody Miller signed Dolphin Swim team member Sophia Rowe’s kick board. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025.

This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes.

Miller, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, is widely recognized not only for his achievements in the pool but for his engaging personality and dedication to motivating young athletes. Participants will receive personal instruction on technique, race preparation, mental training, and more.

“Bringing Cody Miller to the AYCC is about more than just fast swimming – it’s about showing kids what’s possible. In a community like ours, opportunities like this can spark a lifelong love of the sport and help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and connection through swimming.” Says Mid-Maine Dolphins Head Coach, Matt Reed.

Mid-Maine Dolphins team member Sophia Rowe, 9, of Winslow said, “In meeting Cody Miller, I was nervous and I also thought he would have short hair and he did not. I got to take a picture with him and wear his gold medal. It was kind of heavy. I got to race him and I knew he would win, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. My favorite part was him signing my kick board. I learned a lot of things about my worst stroke which is the breastroke. The facts that I learned will help me go faster.”

Miller said, “I’m the lead clinician for the USA Swim Clinics, so I travel around the country and spread the joy and love of swimming that I had as a little kid to young athletes everywhere. I have a YouTube channel where I teach people how to swim better and be better. One of my viewers sent me an email and said, ‘we’d love to bring you out to Maine.’ I was like, ‘yeah, sounds like fun,’ so here I am. I just try to make it as fun as possible. Swimming, and all sports, should be fun. If they’re not having fun, they’re not going to enjoy it, and then they’re not going to remember the things that you say. When I give them a drill or something, I try to make it fun and challenging in a way that stimulates the kids. Keep it exciting, keep it fun because swimming can be monotonous (lap and lap and lap). That’s not how I do things. It should be fun,” said Miller.

Clinic Highlights:

Hands-on instruction with Olympic medalist Cody Miller

Specialized technique and performance sessions

Exclusive meet and greet, photos, and autograph session

Official AYCC Swim Meet participation

Access to a dynamic community of student-athletes from across the U.S. and abroad

This event was hosted by the AYCC’s Mid-Maine Dolphins Swim Team and took place at the AYCC’s indoor pool.

EVENTS: Kick for Cass soccer event July 12, 2025

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Alumni soccer players from Messalonskee High School and Central Maine United Soccer huddle to chant “ShineOnCass” after the memorial game at Kick for Cass. This year’s soccer play day in memory of Cassidy Charette welcomes 22 Maine high school boys and girls soccer teams and Cassidy’s former teammates on July 12 at Thomas College.(contributed photo)

Cassidy Charette

Over 450 high school soccer players from around the state are registered to play in the 10th Annual Kick For Cass, a continuous soccer game to honor Cassidy Charette, on Saturday, July 12, at Thomas College, in Waterville. Charette, a former midfielder for Messalonskee High School girls soccer and Central Maine United Premier Soccer Club, died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014. Proceeds from the event support ShineOnCass scholarships for local youth soccer.

Kick For Cass will welcome 22 high school soccer teams, the most ever in the event’s history. The girls teams will play 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the boys teams from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., there will be a memorial ceremony in honor of Cassidy, followed by a friendly game between Cassidy’s former soccer teammates from Messalonskee High School vs. her Central Maine United Premiere Soccer team. Spectators are welcome all day. Rita’s Food Truck and the Ding Ding Ice Cream truck will be on site, as well as concessions and snow cones provided by Messalonskee Robotics Club.

Kick for Cass 2025 is presented by All Things Cass Sponsors: Golden Pond Wealth Management, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Kennebec Savings Bank and Hammond Lumber, with support from event sponsor Camden National Bank, and field sponsors Dana and Darci Michaud. For more information, visit shineoncass.org, or email shineoncass@gmail.com.

Make the world brighter for patients by giving blood

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Type O blood donors especially urged to give

As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.

Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions – in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – add a blood or platelet donation appointment to your summer calendar today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/ goodr.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 24-July 14

Kennebec County:

Augusta

Friday, July 11: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., MaineGeneral Health, 35 Medical Center Parkway.
Friday, July 11: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., MaineGeneral Health, 35 Medical Center Parkwa.y
Monday, July 14: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Augusta Elks, 397 Civic Center Drive, P.O. Box 2206.

Waterville

Friday, July 11: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., O’Brien’s Event Center, 375 Main St.,

Winslow

Wednesday, July 9: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Winslow VFW, 175 Veterans Drive.

Local students named to University of Rhode Island dean’s list

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KINGSTON, RI (06/05/2025)– The University of Rhode Island, in Kingston, Rhode Island, announces that several area students have been named to its Spring 2025 dean’s list. Among them are:
Gavin Murphy, of Winslow, Tucker Pieh, of Rome, Danica Serdjenian, and Maddie Yakimchick, both of Waterville.

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic (2025)

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First place gross team score, Quirion, Inc.: Jared Rossignol, Steve Hunt, Adam Haskell, and Brad Strout. (contributed photo)

First Place Gross Team Score (Quirion Inc.): Jared Rossignol, Steve Hunt, Adam Haskell, and Brad Stout.

First Place Net Team Score (Maine State Credit Union): Brandon Clark, Bruce Harrington, and Ryan Masse.

Second Place Gross Team Score (Skowhegan Savings): Mike Pietroski, Brian Fitzpatrick, Eric James, and Matt Nadeau.

Third Place Gross Team Score (Central Maine Motors): Lance Libby, Matt Loubier, Jason Lyford, and Shad West.

Second Place Net Team Score (Choice Wealth Advisors): Chris Markos, Eric Morin, Kris Reynolds, and Josh Karsten.

3rd Place Net Team Score (Zimba Co.): Ryan Loubier, Ethan Loubier, Ron Loubier, and Brad Fitzpatrick.

Longest Drive: Josh Kervin, Sheridan Construction.

Straightest Drive: Donna Nickerson, Bangor Savings Bank.

Closest to the Pin Hole #4: Josh Karstens, Choice Wealth Advisors.

Closest to the Pin Hole #7: Mike Pietroski, Skowhegan Savings Bank

Closest to the Pin Hole #10: Male: Brad Fitzpatrick, Zimba Co.; Female: Heather Browne, One River CPAs

Closest to the Pin Hole #13: Brian Robbins, Central Maine Power Co.

Highest Team Score: One River CPAs.

50/50 Winner: Nick Grant, Dow’s Quick Stop.

Summer Sizzler Romance Package Winner: Lindsey Cameron, Dirigo Wealth Management.

Natanis Golf Course Foursome Winner: Diana Lalime, Boulet Freight Management.

Please see the complete listing of the 36 teams and hole sponsors in our Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic wrap-up in the July 1 edition of our InTouch Newsletter.

First place net team scored, Maine State Credit Union: Brandon Clark, Bruce Harrington, Ryan Masse. Abxent from photo, Josh LaVerdiere. (contributed photo)

EVENTS: Maine’s most alluring movie makes its Waterville premiere

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photo credit: A Peace of Forest website

A Peace of Forest, the first feature length wildlife movie filmed in Maine, has been screening to sell out audiences, and will make its Waterville premiere at The Playhouse at Waterville Station, from July 11 thru July 20, 2025.

Created in Whitefield, Maine, a Peace of Forest has been described by audience members as, “The most beautiful film I have ever seen, exhibiting our natural world,” and “This film is a gift; it is so rich.”

Touted as a quiet film, A Peace of Forest is a one-of-a-kind cinematic adventure, allowing viewers to experience a wild, peaceful and mysterious world that is filled with complex relationships and ways of wonder. The 87-minute film celebrates the beauty and intimacy of wildlife in Maine with surprising, tender and exquisite interactions of wildlife during undisturbed moments in Maine’s natural world.

The film makers and producers, Lee Ann Szelog and Thomas Mark Szelog, will host a post-screening discussion and audience Q&A after the July 12, 2025, 7 p.m., screening.

Purchase your tickets sooner than later….. over 1,060 tickets have been sold for the last four screenings!
Dates, times and tickets are available at theplayhouse.me.

For more information about the film, please visit apeaceofforest.com.

Mid-Maine Chamber announces Bill and Joan Alfond Family scholarship winner

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Waterville High School graduate Sadie Williams named 2025 recipient

Sadie Williams

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce announces the 2025 Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship Award winner.

Sadie Williams of Waterville was selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants.

Williams graduated this spring from Waterville Senior High School Class of 2025.

Williams carried an unweighted GPA of 97.4, served as the vice president of Key Club, was inducted into National Honor Society, a varsity soccer captain, varsity track, junior classical league, and a class officer. Sadie has earned numerous honors, including the Margaret Chase Smith Library Maine Exhibition Award, the National History Day in Maine Labor History Award, the Princeton Alumni Book Award, the RIT Women in STEM Award, and a Renais­sance Award. Outside school, Sadie works as a WYSA youth soccer referee and holds two jobs locally.
Williams plans to continue her post-secondary education at Brandeis University majoring in STEM for pre-med/pre-physical therapy.

The scholarship selection committee convenes annually to award the prize to a local graduating senior with an exemplary record of citizenship and community service. Applicants are required to submit an essay on their community involvement, and finalists are interviewed by the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship Award Committee.

“ We are very pleased to award the 2025 Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship Award to Sadie Williams,” said Kimberly N. Lindlof, executive director of the Central Maine Community Betterment Collaborative and coordinator of the scholarship selection committee. “It chose Sadie from an impressive group of accomplished applicants, because her dedication to service and leadership truly reflect Bill and Joan’s interest in citizenship, community service, and exemplify their spirit and vitality.”

The scholarship is awarded by Central Maine Community Betterment Collaborative on behalf of the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation. Recipients must be graduating from Messalonskee, Good Will-Hinckley, Waterville, Winslow or Lawrence high schools and attending post-secondary school in New England. Awardees receive a $750 scholarship after successfully completing one semester with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. This amount will be awarded for up to four years, for a total of $3,000.

WPI announces spring dean’s list

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The following locaql students were named to the dean’s list at Worcester Polytechnical Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Kaitlyn Henry, from Augusta, class of 2027, majoring in Computer Science.

Lily Ker, from Waterville, class of 2027, majoring in Interactive Media and Game Development.

Emiko Peck, from Waterville, class of 2028, majoring in Mathematical Sciences.

WPI students complete intensive research projects

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A total 707 of undergraduate students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Worcester, Massachusetts, completed research-driven, professional-level projects that apply science and technology to address an important societal need or issue.

The following students were part of a team that completed an intensive project: Alaina Lambert, from Winslow, class of 2026, majoring in Biology and Biotechnology, completed a project titled “Implementing Community-Based Tourism in the Amphawa Region”. Lily Ker, from Waterville, class of 2027, majoring in Interactive Media and Game Development, completed a project titled “Digital Sustainability in the Workplace”.