PHOTO: Meet the 2022 Major/60 Cal Ripken World Series Waterville team

Front, from left to right, Cody Connell, Milo Taylor, Isaac Gilman, Oliver LeVan, Oliver Hubbard and Charlie Ferris. Back, Harper Hubbard, Sorrel Vinci, Wyatt Jones, Maxwell Comforth, Jack Tartaglia, Mitchell Ouellette, Blake Kenyon, Chase Sack and Reid Morrison. Coaches, Coach Tim Hubbard, Coach Chad Gilman, Manager TJ Vinci and Coach David Comforth. Twelve teams from across the United States will play six pool games per day from August 6 – 10, with playoff games August 11 – 13. Teams will include four from Maine, Waterville, Andy Valley, Noble and Ararat, plus Shenandoah, Virginia, Green County, Kentucky, South Bend, Indiana, Central Vt., Vermont, West Hartford, Connecticut, and North Dakota. There will also be two additional teams from the Pacific Region being determined this weekend. All games will be played August 6 – 13, 2022, at Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland, and Purnell Wrigley, in Waterville. (contributed photo)

Waterville Opera House announces 2023 season

The Waterville Opera House (WOH) is delighted to announce its 2023 theatrical season. Two amazing musicals and two entertaining plays will reignite the stage of the historic 120-year-old theatre in downtown Waterville.

“We’re excited to bring this amazing selection of theatrical productions to life for our community,” says Michelle Sweet, executive director of the Waterville Opera House. “Our season dates have changed, but our quality and passion haven’t.”

Opening the 2023 season is “The Play That Goes Wrong” (March 31-April 9). Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a laugh riot, featuring accident-prone thespians who battle against all odds to finish their play as it progresses from bad to utterly disastrous with hilarious consequences.

The show of the summer is “Rock of Ages” (June 16-25). Featuring smash-hit songs from the 1980s, this musical sensation follows several dreamers and aspiring stars as they attempt to save their beloved Sunset Strip venue from encroaching strip mall development.

Mystery abounds in “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” (September 1-10). This whodunnit story follows famed detective Hercule Poirot as he tries to determine who murdered an American tycoon aboard a packed train before the killer strikes again.

Kicking off the holiday season is “Elf the Musical” (November 17-26). Based on the beloved holiday film from New Line Cinema, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and grows up in the North Pole before eventually embarking on a journey to discover his true identity.

“From laugh-a-minute comedy to suspense-filled mystery to full-on musical spectacle, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy!” says Sweet. “I hope to tempt our theatre patrons back to the Waterville Opera House in record numbers by offering a 2023 Season Pass to catch all four of these crowd-pleasing offerings at a discount.”

Tickets for all four shows will go on sale to Waterville Creates members on September 5 and to the general public on September 12. Season Passes, giving a 20 percent discount when purchasing tickets for all four shows, will also be available.

For more information, visit operahouse.org or call 207-873-7000.

LIFE ON THE PLAINS: School days in the ‘50s and ‘60s

St. Francis de Sales elementary school, left, and the nun’s convent on right. There were some classrooms in the convent. (photo courtesy of Hallee family album)

by Roland D. Hallee

Let’s now proceed with what life was like on The Plains in the 1950s and ‘60s.

The Lockwood-Dutchess Textile Mill (the cotton mill as it was known), which was housed in three large, brick buildings at the foot of Main St., was in full operation. Many of the people in the area worked at the mill, and walked to work every day. Also, Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Mill (H&W as it was known), was also in its hey-day, and many fathers worked there. They would walk to work, crossing the Two-Cent Bridge on foot, because not many had cars. My father and grandfather were two of the few in the neighborhood with wheels. My grandfather owned a pink and charcoal Packard Hornet, and my dad a blue and white, two-tone Buick.

Many of the mothers were stay-at-home moms that saw the children off to school every day. Nearly all of the kids in my neighborhood attended St. Francis de Sales parochial school, which was located on the corner of Elm and Winter streets. Every parish had a parochial and public school. There were three parishes in Waterville, Notre Dame, St. Francis and Sacred Heart. In the south end there was Notre Dame School, on Water St., and the public South Grammar School, on Gold St., in addition to St. Francis.

Back then, there were no buses unless you lived more than a mile from school. So most of us would gather in the morning and walk together. The same was true after school, which let out at 3 p.m. (Can you imagine that?)

The school was taught by nuns of the Ursuline order, and they were rather strict, especially on the boys. I have my theory as to why, but I will keep that to myself.

The girls would go to the school through the eighth grade, while the boys were sent to another school after the fifth grade. That would be St. Joseph’s School, where Notre Dame Church is now, as has been mentioned in past articles.

Of course, back then, I guess only in parochial schools, it was not called kindergarten, but the “baby grade”. You had to be five years old by October 15 to begin to attend. I turned five years old on October 22, so I had to wait a whole year to begin school. My parents pleaded with the nuns, saying I was ready for school, but they would have no part of “violating” the rule. It was set in stone.

Being almost six years old when I started school, I was a little older, and somewhat further ahead than the others. I just didn’t know it.

The “Brothers” School, near St. Francis elementary, where boys would go from sixth to eighth grades, until it was razed in late ‘50s. (photo courtesy of Hallee family album)

Actually, before the boys were confined to only the fifth grade, and shipped off to St. Joseph’s, there was another school across the parking lot from the parochial school, that was taught by the “brothers”. However, by the time I reached sixth grade, that school was shuttered, and eventually torn down. I don’t recall the name of the school, I guess because I was too young.

Since we all walked to and from school, some of the older boys – fifth graders – were assigned to be “patrol boys”. That is we wore white sashes, with a badge attached, designating us as crossing guards. We could not stop traffic, but we would escort the students across the street from the school. I was assigned the blue badge, meanning the captain of the corps. It didn’t really mean much.

Getting back to the neighborhood, we were a close knit group, and I can’t really tell you how many of us there were. We were a lot. Most families consisted of three to four, or more children, all blue collar families, where discipline was in order. Not that some of us didn’t get into some kind of trouble now and then. Nothing serious, mind you.

Next time, we’ll take a look at what we did back then for entertainment, minus television, and electronic devices. We made our own fun.

Central Maine to host U12 Major World Series for first time

Games to be played at Purnell Wrigley, Waterville and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland
Former major leaguers to attend

For the first time ever, Maine hosts the Cal Ripken U12 Major 60 World Series right here in Waterville and Oakland. Twelve teams from across the United States play six pool play games per day from August 6 – 10, with playoff games, August 11 – 13. Games will be played at Purnell Wrigley, in Waterville, and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland.

Bill Green

Bill Green, Banquet Emcee

For 20 years, Green was host and executive producer of “Bill Green’s Maine.” Having retired from his 47-year television career in November 2019, Bill is an inductee to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame, and the Silver Circle of the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Ferguson Jenkins

Ferguson Jenkins
Guest Speaker, Opening Game Commentary Aug. 6

“Fergie” is an All Star Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox from 1965 to 1983. He was the first Canadian and Cubs pitcher to win a Cy Young Award.

 

Lou Pinella

Lou Pinella
World Series Game Commentary, Aug. 13

MLB Alumnus “Sweet Lou” played 16 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1969 and captured two World Series championships with the Yankees in ‘77 and ’78.

PHOTO: Waterville Yellow Minors (2022)

The 2022 Waterville Yellow Minors baseball team: front row, from left to right, Alex Pellotte, Micah Wisewell, Kyle Draling, Landen Beck, Kobe Garay and Harrison Timmins. Middle row, Bryce Blackstone, Mikeeridan Sheets, Joseph Alix, Max Poulin and Dean Quirion. Back row, coaches Victor Garay, Nate Quirion, Josh Blackstone and Jen Beck. (photo by Mark Huard/ Central Maine Photography)

PHOTO: The 2022 Waterville Dodgers Minors baseball team

Waterville Dodgers Minors: The 2022 Waterville Dodgers Minors baseball team, front to back, from left to right. Evan Ouellette, Porter Siegers, Jayden Bradley, Chase Reynolds, Judah Young, Alex Sheehan, Tatum Vaughan, Jayce Damron, Xander Wild, Jaxon Troxell. Back, coaches: Jason Sheehan, Matt Vaughan, and Dan Siegers. Absent from the photo is Jackson Ferrand, Hudson Ferrand and coaches Dennis Troxell and Alexander Wild. (photo by Mark Huard/ Central Maine Photography)

Waterville American Legion Post #5 installs new officers

American Legion Post #5 recently installed officers: from left to right, Dave Butler, Executive Committee, Charlie Shoudy, First Vice Commander, Val Bard, Second Vice Commander, Craig Bailey, Commander, Ernie Paradis, Adjutant, Butch Berard, Finance Officer, Pearley Lachance, Chaplain, Mike Hanley, Sgt.-at- Arms. Officers not in photo, Don Marden, Judge Advocate, and James Ware, Service Officer. (contributed photo)

American Legion Post #5, in Waterville, installed its officers for the coming year on June 8, 2022. Post #5 is still active fulfilling its mission of honoring men and women who served their country by wearing their uniform proudly. Many of the requirements for American Legion membership have been modified and all veterans are welcome.

For more information call 207 859-3055. Post #5 meetings are held the first and third Saturday, at 9 a.m., at the new location, at 120 Drummond Avenue, Waterville.

25th annual Maine International Film Festival to honor actor Debra Winger

Debra Winger

Star of An Officer and a Gentleman will appear at Waterville festival in July

The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) will present its annual Mid-Life Achievement Award to actor Debra Winger at a special ceremony held at the Waterville Opera House, on Friday, July 15, following a special 35mm screening of A Dangerous Woman, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Best known as an Academy Award nominee for her work in An Officer and a Gentleman, Terms of Endearment, and Shadowlands, Winger has had a stellar acting career, working in a wide variety of genres with directors including Bernardo Bertolucci, Jonathan Demme, James L. Brooks, Bob Rafelson, and James Bridges.

“We’re tremendously excited to have Debra join us at the festival this year, and to have the chance to showcase the wide diversity of films that she’s given great performances in,” said MIFF programming director Ken Eisen.

Winger played Diana Prince’s younger sister in the television series Wonder Woman before appearing opposite John Travolta in her first major film, Urban Cowboy, for which she earned BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. Winger continued to rise to stardom throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, winning a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for Terms of Endearment and a second BAFTA nomination for Shadowlands. Other accolades followed, including National Society of Film Critics Award nominations for Everybody Wins and The Sheltering Sky and a Golden Globe nomination for A Dangerous Woman, co-starring 2016 MIFF Mid-Life Achievement Award honoree Gabriel Byrne. After an acting hiatus in the late 1990s, Winger returned to acting, giving acclaimed performances in Dawn Anna, Rachel Getting Married, Law & Order, and The Ranch.

The Mid-Life Achievement Award presentation will be followed by a party in Winger’s honor at Front & Main, 9 Main Street, Waterville. Admission to the party will be limited to ticket purchasers of the screening and festival pass holders. Winger will be in Waterville for several days of the Festival for screenings of Mike’s Murder, The Lovers, and The Sheltering Sky.

“As we celebrate an incredible MIFF milestone this year – our 25th anniversary – we could not have asked for a more influential and adored special guest than Debra, whose groundbreaking career has made such an impact on American cinema,” said Maine Film Center Executive Director Mike Perreault.

Festival passes are now on sale at MIFF.org. The complete MIFF program was announced on June 10, when tickets were made available for purchase online.

Local residents named to Simmons University dean’s list

The following local students were named to the 2021 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts. To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

Allyson Cunningham, of Augusta; Kaili Shorey, of Vassalboro, Abigail Bloom, of Waterville, and Maddie Beckwith, of Winslow.

Mikala Ferland named Ezhaya scholarship winner

Mikala Ferland

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2022 Joseph B. Ezhaya scholarship winner.

Mikala Ferland was selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants.

Mikala is one of the top students in her class at Lawrence High School, in Fairfield. She also completed a Health Science Certificate at KVCC while still a senior student. She values citizenship and responsibility, along with having a passion for music and martial arts. Her stated mission is to make a significant difference in the lives of others as she moves forward.

Mikala was a member of the National Honors Society and served as secretary and representative of her class during her high school tenure. She assisted in teaching and has participated in martial arts for over seven years. She has a long list of musical accomplishments in her background. Mikala serves as a lifeguard at the Alfond Youth and Community Center (AYCC), in Waterville, since 2020 and has dedicated over 320 volunteer hours at Camp Tracy.

Mikala will attend Kennebec Valley Community College’s nursing program, in Fairfield, in the fall.

The Joseph B. Ezhaya scholarship was established in memory of Joe Ezhaya, a community leader who was known for his generosity and dedication to civic engagement.