Rotary Club of Waterville installs new officers

Lindsey Cameron, of Waterville, was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Waterville during the club’s meeting on July 15, 2024, at Best Western Plus, in Waterville. Also installed were President-elect Michele Prince, Sarah Wadick, Treasurer, and Secretary Buffy Higgins.

In addition, the following members will serve on the club’s board of directors:

Doug Carnrick, Sergeant-at-arms, John Dalton, Community Service Chairman, Tom Shupe, Foundation Committee Chairman, Jordyn Woodard, Public Relations Committee Chairman, Jim Chapman, Ways & Means Committee Chairman, Jennifer Casey, Membership Committee Chairman, Roger Crouse and Hannah Bard, Administrative Committee Co-Chairmen, Karen Normandin, Vocational Services Chairman, and Ken Vlodek, International Service Chairman.

The immediate past president is Dan Eccher. He will continue to serve on the club board for the next year.

Prior to this appointment Lindsey Cameron served as Interim Membership Chairman. She has actively participated in the club’s annual Radio Auction decorating committee chairman, helping organize and execute the Spring Auction and Social, as well as attended PETS and was on the Committee for District Governor (2023-2024) Tina Chapman’s District 7790 Conference this past June.

For the 2024/2025-year Rotary’s theme is “The Magic of Rotary” which is a call for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing.

The Rotary Club of Waterville supports community projects such as support of local food pantries, college scholarships, Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, Rhoda Reads Early Literacy Program, and trail maintenance of local hiking trails. The club raises money for projects by the two annual auctions, one online in the Fall with radio promotion and the other in the Spring with a Live and Silent Auction.

“People in our local communities and around the world need help overcoming problems and challenges,” said Lindsey. “Our club passionately engages in service above self by leveraging member talents and club resources to help people and communities thrive, prosper and grow”.

The Rotary Club of Waterville, on Facebook at Waterville Rotary Club and Instagram at @waterville_rotary, welcomes new members who, as people of action, seek to volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Information about becoming a member is available at watervillerotary.com/ or by attending the weekly meeting at noon on Mondays, at the Best Western Plus Hotel, in Downtown Waterville, 375 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce golf tournament fundraiser great success

First Place Gross Team Score, Mid-Maine Marine, from left to right, Rob Moody, Garret Prelgovisk, Scott McManaman, Drew Glasheen. (contributed photo)

Central Maine’s most prize-laden golf tournament fundraiser was held on Monday, June 17, at Waterville Country Club. Thirty-six teams took part in the shotgun start scramble.

Nearly 50 businesses provided sponsorships or in-kind donations for the tournament.

“We were thrilled with the participation in this year’s event once again,” said Kim Lindlof, president & CEO of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. “We were also happy that the weather cooperated, with a beautiful Chamber of Commerce day of nice breezes and an enjoyable day of golf for all involved.”

Prize winners were as follows:

50/50 Winner: Cameron Gartley and Martha Wentworth – Central Maine Power Co. Allen Insurance & Financial.
First Place Gross Team Score: Mid-Maine Marine – Rob Moody, Garret Prelgovisk, Scott McManaman, Drew Glasheen.
Second Place Gross Team Score: Milestone Funeral Partners – TJ Smart, Matt Parent, Bob Allen, Mark Parent.
Third Place Gross Team Score: Valley Beverage – Mike Crowell, Mark Bradford, Jake Gerow, Ken Stinchfield.
First Place Net Team Score: New York Life Insurance – Alan Cobb, Joe Gilliland, Cliff Hannon, Gary Levesque.
Second Place Net Team Score: Allen Insurance & Financial – Mike Rankin, James Sanborn, Cameron Gartley, Dave Sanborn.
Third Place Net Team Score: Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate – Mark Ford, Ted Helberg, Don Plourde, Jamie Plourde.
Longest Drive: Scott McManaman – Mid-Maine Marine.
Straightest Drive: John O’Neil – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Closest to the Pin: Hole #2: Chris Dow – Dow’s Quick Stop.
Closest to the Pin: Hole #6: Male: Gary Levesque – New York Life Insurance; Female: Deb Whalen – Nicholson, Michaud & Company.
Closest to the Pin – Hole #13: Male: Cliff Hannon – New York Life Insurance; Female: Jennifer Seekins – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Closest to the Pin — Hole #16: Lewis McEacharn – Paul White Company.
Highest Team Score: Boulet Group

  Chairman of the Chamber Golf Classic Committee, Gary Levesque added, “We would like to thank the staff at Waterville Country Club, and all the area businesses for their participation whether with posting a team, providing volunteers or in-kind donations, or being a sponsor. Your support makes this a successful fundraiser.”

The Mid-Maine Chamber Golf Classic is made possible by major sponsors Central Maine Power and Maine State Credit Union and multiple additional sponsors.

First Place Net Team Score, New York Life Insurance, from left to right, Alan Cobb, Joe Gilliland, Cliff Hannon, Gary Levesque. (contributed photo)

Local residents named to dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College

The following local students were named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2024 semester, in Colchester, Vermont.
Cambelle A. Nutting, of Vassalboro, and Evelyn G. Mercier, of Waterville.
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TEAM PHOTO: Waterville Purple Majors

Waterville Purple Majors won over Messo Red Majors, 5-3, at Mini Fenway, in Oakland, on June 17. Front row, left to right, Evan Karter, Cooper McKenna, Landon Hart, Connor Jones, Kyle O’Brien, Avery McKenna, and Harrison Timmons. Second row, Mikeeridan Sheets, Stephen Dyer, Max Poulin, Nic Karagiannes, Maxwell Cornforth, William Owens, Joseph Alix, and Alex Pelotte. Back, Coach Jeremy Jones, Coach CJ McKenna, Coach Chris Hart. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Thomas College announces honors list (2024)

Thomas College, in Waterville, has announced undergraduate students named to the Spring 2024 honors list.

Local students named to the list are Emily Lowther, of China; Lydia Bussell, Brittney Cayford, Lindsay Given, and Eleanor King,

KICK FOR CASS (2024): Annual 11-Hour continuous soccer game planned for July 13

Cassidy Charette, right, with then-teammate Katie Mercier. (contributed photo)

Over 500 players, including 17 high school soccer teams from around the state, will join the 11-hour, continuous soccer game “Kick For Cass” on Saturday, July 13, at Thomas College, in Waterville. The annual event is held in memory of Cassidy Charette, former midfielder for Messalonskee High School Girls Soccer who wore the #11 jersey before her passing in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

Cassidy Charette

Kick For Cass will welcome back high school soccer teams, playing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in a round-robin play day. From 3 to 7 p.m., community teams of club soccer, adult leagues, local organizations, Cassidy’s friends and neighbors, and her former soccer teammates will round out the final hours.

Kick for Cass is presented by Golden Pond Wealth Management, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Kennebec Savings Bank, Hammond Lumber, Surette Real Estate, Central Maine United Soccer, and host, Thomas College. The event is also supported by Field Sponsors Camden National Bank and Darci and Dana Michaud. Proceeds from the event will support the CMU ShineOnCass Soccer Scholarship.

The final hour of Kick for Cass will have a walk-out ceremony and a friendly competition between Cassidy’s former soccer teammates from Messalonskee High School vs. her Central Maine United Premiere Soccer team, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Spectators are welcome all day. Hero’s On Wheels Food Truck will sell food from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Messalonskee Robotics Club will provide concessions throughout the event. Inclement weather date is Sunday, July 14. For more information visit shineoncass.org, or email shineoncass@gmail.com.

Lily Ker named to WPI dean’s list

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Worcester, Massachusetts, has announced that Lily Ker, of Waterville, a member of the class of 2027, majoring in interactive media and game development, was named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2024 semester.

Bridge construction update

Please find below the anticipated traffic impacts and bridge closures for the week of June 24.

Note: the info published has been provided to the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. It is subject to sudden change based on staffing, weather, supply chain, etc.

Cianbro, of Pittsfield, the contractor, anticipates continuing eastbound left lane closures on the Ticonic Bridge project on various Monday-Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. depending on conditions.

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 also reminds the traveling public of the following:

– ALL sidewalks on the Ticonic Bridge are closed for the safety of the public.
– Pedestrians should continue to use the pedestrian detour across the Two Cent Bridge. Pedestrians should not be walking around barricades, down the active lanes, in lane closures, or inside the work zone.
– Portable message boards and construction signing will continue to be used to provide advance warning and directions for the westbound detour route.

URGENT SAFETY REMINDER:

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.

Information provided by Mike Rocque – Consolidated Communications.

Unofficial results of contested races in China, Vassalboro, Fairfield & Waterville (June 2024)

by Mary Grow

CHINA

At the polls on June 11, China voters approved all articles on the warrant for the annual town business meeting. A few more than 500 votes were cast; the majority of the articles received more than 350 affirmative votes.

The three least popular articles were the request for $1,184,525 for town administration, which was approved by a vote of 349 to 162; the revised sections of the Land Development Code incorporating new state laws, approved 346 to 145; and the much-discussed new Solar Energy Systems Ordinance, approved 331 to 163.

The revised Planning Board Ordinance got 396 favorable votes, with 106 voters opposed.

On a separate ballot, the RSU #18 school budget validation referendum, supporting the 2024-25 budget that RSU voters approved in May, received 328 votes, to 181 opposed (with seven blank ballots).

China’s local elections will be held Nov. 5.

VASSALBORO

Vassalboro voters voted on June 11 in local elections; on two proposed ordinance amendments; and to validate the 2024-25 school budget they had approved at their open town meeting on June 3. Town Clerk Cathy Coyne reported results as follows.

In uncontested local elections, Christopher French was re-elected to the select board with 289 votes, and Jolene Gamage was re-elected to the school board with 257 votes.

The revised solid waste ordinance was approved by a vote of 202 in favor to 88 opposed.

The revised Marijuana Business Ordinance was approved by a vote of 193 in favor to 100 opposed.

The school budget was re-approved by a vote of 217 yes to 79 no.

In the only contest on the three state primary ballots, between First District Republicans Andrew Piantidosi and Ronald Russell, Piantidosi got 104 votes and Russell 167 votes.

Coyne said 296 of Vassalboro’s more than 3,100 registered voters participated in the June 11 voting.

FAIRFIELD

by Roland D. Hallee

U.S. House of Representatives – Republican

Austin Theriualt, 189
Michael Soboleski, 96

Maine Senate District #16 – Republican

Scott Cyrway, 188
Michael D. Perkins, 115

M.S.A.D. #49 School Budget

Yes – 291
No – 199

M.S.A.D #49 School Board (2)

Maxwell N. Kenney, 370
Ryan T. Warren, 327

WATERVILLE

by Roland D. Hallee

Representative to Legislature District #64 – Democrat

Flavia M. DeBrito, 185
Andrew S. Dent, 92

Representative to Legislature District #65 – Democrat

Cassie L. Julia, 490
Bruce A.White, 280

State Senate District #16 – Republican

Scott W. Cyrway, 178
Michael D. Perkins, 136

Representative to Congress, Distcit #1 – Republican

Ronald C. Russell, 166
Andrew Piantidosi, 101

EVENTS: Rotary District Conference coming to Waterville June 21–23, 2024

This year Rotary District #7790 will host the three-day district conference in Waterville. The conference will bring many first-time visitors to the city, all to support District Governor Tina Chapman. Waterville supports two Rotary clubs, the Waterville Sunrise Club and the Waterville Noon Club, which is Tina’s home club.

The conference will highlight many of the community projects that local Rotary clubs and Rotary International support while highlighting all Waterville and the surrounding area has to offer. The clubs that are a part of District #7790 range from Augusta to Presque Isle, and even reaches up into Québec. The district is one of the few in the country to be bi-lingual and covers area in more than one country.

Two cultures, two languages, two countries, one Rotary District. Highlights of the conference include interactive activities that highlight our local region, tastings of a few favorite restaurants, and speakers on multiple subjects focusing mostly on mental health. Other activities include a Summer Garden party, at Colby College, a House of Friendship to meet members of other clubs, and a featured film at the Maine Film Center. This year’s theme is Hope in Action.

The keynote speaker is filmmaker and motivational speaker, Kevin Hines. Hines is a bestselling author, global public speaker, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In the year 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness and the ability to survive pain with true resilience.

Kevin’s documentary Suicide: The Ripple Effect will be shown at the Maine Film Center, 93 Main Street, in Waterville, and is open to the public as well as his Keynote Presentation. Tickets for the film and presentation are available now on the district’s website at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50110/clubdirectory.

For more information on the Waterville Rotary clubs, the conference, or the keynote presentation visit watervillerotary.com.