Waterville construction update: Webb Rd. bridge now open Ticonic Bridge update
Webb Road: Construction on the Webb Road Bridge, in Waterville, is complete and open to traffic. The Webb Road intersects with the West River Road, and travels west towards Pond Road, in Oakland.
Ticonic Bridge, Waterville/Winslow: Starting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the project will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for construction activities requiring access to the entire bridge.
Drivers are encouraged to drive cautiously, observe signage in the work zone, and reduce speed inside the work zone. Westbound travelers should continue to utilize the posted westbound detour.
Cianbro Corp. reminds the traveling public all sidewalks on the Ticonic Bridge are closed for the public’s safety. Pedestrians should continue to use the pedestrian detour across the Two Cent Bridge. Pedestrians should not walk around barricades, down the active lanes, in lane closures, or inside the work zone.
Also, it is unlawful and unsafe to traverse the river via the rail bridge. Pedestrians have been observed doing so and are reminded of the dangers of such activity. Pedestrians must utilize the Two Cent Bridge for foot traffic.
PHOTOS: Meeting a champion
Angela Hallee, of Waterville
On October 6, Angela Hallee, of Waterville, and her son Travis Brunette, of Pittsfield, attended the New England Patriots game with the Miami Dolphins. At the game, they had the fortune to meet retired Patriots fullback James Develin. Develin played for the Patriots from 2013 – 2020, and was a member of a Super Bowl winning team.
Travis Brunette, of Pittsfield
EVENTS: Veterans urged to take part in Veterans Day parade
All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m. It will be followed by lunch at MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8835, on Veterans Drive, in Winslow.
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football grades 3 – 4
Front row, Brayden Reed, Landon Nalley, Jaxson George, Jackson-Davenport Coulombe, Kartyr Stevens, Dominic Odonnell, Paxton O’Clair, and Kayson Glidden. Second row, Wyatt Dickey, Jayden Bradley, Rylee Emery, Nyeim Warren, Owen Stevens, Cameron Ray, Owen Champagne, Jayceon Turbide and Grayson Lima. Back row, Coaches Chad Glidden, Jonathan Turbide, Ace Velazquez and Nick Champagne. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football 5th and 6th grade team
Front row, from left to right, Jaxon Troxell, Phoenix McLoy, Peyton Ross, Judah Young, Tristan Ware, Cole Bean, Carson Pinkham and Zekhi Alvarez. Middle row, Benjamin Veilleux, Jase Spaulding, Dylan Devlin, Evan Karter, Malakhi Klaiber, Isaac Chase, and Brody Ware. Back row, Gage Eldredge, Donovan Reynolds, Ender Coleman, Alexander Sheehan, Jayce Damron, and Connor Jones. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
WATERVILLE: National Night Out Festival draws large turnout to South End
Scott McAadoo helping as cook/food tent crew. (Photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
On August 6, 2024, The South End Neighborhood Association (SENA) held its 18th Annual South End National Night Out Festival. This event is held to celebrate community and partnerships within Waterville’s South End neighborhood. This year included a free barbecue, live music, a magician, youth activities, giveaways, and so much fun. Throughout the year, SENA collaborates with local businesses and community partners on projects and programs to enhance Waterville’s South End Neighborhood.
Aerial view looking over the park.(Photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
Window Dressers create affordable window inserts
Volunteers hard at work assembling insulated window inserts. (photo by Roberta Barnes)
by Roberta Barnes
Our nights becoming chilly is a reminder to begin preparing for winter.
One of the first places to focus on is your windows.
While replacement energy efficient windows might not fit into your budget, insulating window inserts are affordable and assembling them with others can be enjoyable.
Last November I was one of the people who, after having windows measured by volunteers from WindowDressers, joined others like me, and volunteers, from China, Vassalboro, Windsor and Albion at the Vassalboro Mill to assemble insulating window inserts.
Together we securely assembled wooden frames, covered each side of the frame with strong clear plastic, and added foam edges.
The strong plastic securely sealed on all sides of the frame forms the pocket of insulating air that can help to keep your home warm.
While completing each insulating window insert requires the correct equipment, materials, instruction, and time, the atmosphere was so enjoyable that people volunteered for extra shifts.
This year the location in Vassalboro has changed and there is also a location in Waterville which can be seen on the WindowDressers website.
Today you can either request window inserts by filling out the form online on the website https://windowdressers.org/ or sign up to volunteer.
In Maine you can also call (207) 596-3073. The deadline for signing up for inserts is September 15, 2024.
The cost for these insulting window inserts is kept affordable by the donations and volunteers helping to assemble the inserts.
You can estimate the cost of the inserts on the windowdressers.org website. There is also a low or no-pay Special Rate Program where you pay what you can afford.
You can discuss paying for your inserts with the person or people from WindowDressers when they come out to measure the windows.
There may be a limit of 10 inserts for this Special Rate Program.
The deadline for signing up to receive the window inserts for this winter 2024/2025 is September 15, 2024.
It is best if you go online today at https://windowdressers.org/, or call (207) 596-3073. Doing this can help you keep the chilly air outside your windows and enjoy being one of the people assembling the inserts in a friendly upbeat atmosphere.
(photo by Roberta Barnes)
Central Maine ATV Glow Ride illuminates the night with community spirit
ATVs parade down Main St., in Waterville. (photo by Mike Guarino)
by Mike Guarino
The Central Maine ATV Club hosted its highly anticipated ATV Glow Ride, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with approximately 300 machines and over 1,000 participants for a night of community, fun, and charity.
Melanie Dickinson, and her dog, are ready to roll. (photo by Mike Guarino)
The event kicked off at the Best Western. The parade of brightly lit ATVs made its way through Waterville’s Main Street, continued up Front Street, College Ave, and eventually over to North Street. From there, riders continued their journey through the Fairfield trail system towards Norridgewock before looping back onto the scenic Kennebec Valley Rail trail, in Fairfield, and parts of Oakland. The ride culminated back in Waterville, completing an unforgettable night of camaraderie and celebration.
The event was a true testament to the power of community partnerships. The Central Maine ATV Club joined forces with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce to help organize and promote the Glow Ride. In addition, a marketing grant was secured from the Kennebec Valley Tourism Council, playing a vital role in attracting riders from throughout Maine and a variety of New England states.
In addition to providing an evening of entertainment and community spirit, the Glow Ride also served a charitable purpose. Proceeds from the event were split between the Club and the Fairfield Food Pantry, supporting their mission to provide essential services to local families in need. “The Glow Ride is more than just a parade of ATVs; it’s a celebration of our community coming together for a great cause,” said Kevin Kitchin, President of the Central Maine ATV Club.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the incredible energy that everyone brought to the Glow Ride this year,” Kitchin added. “This event showcases the family fun and excitement of ATV riding and highlights the strong sense of community we have here in Central Maine. We are grateful to our partners, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, and the Kennebec Valley Tourism Council, for their support in making this event a reality.”
The Central Maine ATV Club is dedicated to promoting safe and responsible ATV riding while fostering a strong sense of community among riders in Central Maine. The club organizes events and rides throughout the year, with a focus on community engagement, trail stewardship, and charitable giving.
Waterville troop scout earns Eagle rank
Sarah Harriet Benn, Isaac’s mom, affixes the Eagle Scout medal on her son’s uniform. This medal was first presented to Isaac’s father when he made Eagle in 1987 in Troop #436. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)
by Chuck Mahaleris
Isaac Benn, of Westbrook, son of Shawn and Sarah Benn, reached the highest peak in Scouting – the Eagle Scout rank – during a Troop #436 court of honor held Sunday, June 2, at the Waterville Lodge #33 A.F. & A.M. The ceremony was led by Colby College Professor Bruce Rueger who was Scoutmaster of the same Troop in 1987 when Isaac’s father received his Eagle Scout award.
“I am super proud of Isaac,” Shawn Benn said after administering the Eagle Scout Charge and watching as his wife pinned Isaac with the same Eagle Scout medal Shawn received in 1987.
Rueger explained that the distance between Waterville and Westbrook was a challenge but much of his time in the troop took place during Covid-19 and the troop held virtual meetings anyway. “During camping trips we would all meet at the place we were going so it all worked out,” he said. Shawn Benn said, “I am so very glad we came back to Troop #436 during Covid so my boys can see what Scouting was like for me.”
According to Rueger, each Eagle Scout must complete a significant project to better their community. “Isaac’s project was the restoration of the Johnson Cemetery on County Road in Westbrook. He led a team that made a new sign, raked and pruned and cleaned up the grounds, and washed headstones so the names of those buried could be more easily read.” His mother, Sarah, pointed out they even found a forgotten child’s headstone under a pile of decaying leaves. This effort has received praise from the Westbrook Historical Society.
Isaac has turned 18 but completed all requirements prior to his 18th birthday. He is registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop #436 and will be going into his sophmore year at the University of Southern Maine, in September.