Erskine’s Sarah Jarosz receives MPA principals award

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Sarah Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz, of Waterville, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, has been selected to receive the 2020 Principal’s Award, Headmaster Michael McQuarrie announced recently. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principal’s Assoc­ia­tion, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic excellence, outstanding school citizenship, and leadership.

Jarosz is a consistent high-honors student in a highly competitive academic program that includes all classes taken at the honors or accelerated level and numerous Advanced Placement courses and Concurrent Enrollment classes with nearby colleges. She has received recognition and accolades from within and outside the school for her standout accomplishments in the classroom, athletics, dance, and several hundred hours of voluntary community service.

“Sarah is universally respected and esteemed by the school community. She is an exemplary student, citizen, and fine representative of Erskine Academy and young people in general, and she personifies the school’s core values of scholarship, leadership, stewardship and relationships,” noted Headmaster McQuarrie when making the award.

Jarosz, McQuarrie, and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at 12:30 p.m.

The Honors Luncheon recognizes outstanding students, such as Jarosz, with the presentation of an individual plaque and the awarding of seven $1,000 scholarships in the names of former Maine principals and MPA executive directors.

Michael Oliveira earns fall 2019 dean’s list honors at Roger Williams University

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Michael Oliveira, of Waterville, has been named to the Fall 2019 dean’s list at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher are placed on the dean’s list that semester.

Local students on dean’s list at Dean College for Fall 2019

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Dean College, in Franklin, Massachusetts, has announced the local students that have earned a place on the dean’s list for the Fall 2019 semester. These students have demonstrated a serious commitment to their studies while at Dean College.

Zoe Derosby, of Waterville;
Cami Dubois, of Winslow;
Joshua Veilleux, of Winslow.

Founded in 1865, Dean College is a private, residential college located in Franklin Massachusetts, 45 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Dean College offers baccalaureate degrees, associate degree programs, as well as a robust schedule of part-time continuing and professional education credit and certificate programs throughout the calendar year.

2019-’20 Real Estate Tax Due Dates

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CHELSEA

(Second half)
April 8, 2020

CHINA

(pay all up front or semi-annually)
Friday, September 27
Friday, March 27, 2020

VASSALBORO

(pay all up front or quarterly)
Monday, September 23
Monday, November 25
Monday, February 24, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020

WATERVILLE

(pay all up front or quarterly)
October 11
December 13
March 13, 2020
June 12, 2020

WINDSOR

(pay all up front or)
September 30 or
Half on Sept. 30
and half March 31, 2020

Singing Valentines

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The Kennebec Valley Chordsmen

The Kennebec Valley Chordsmen, of Waterville, will be offering Singing Valentines on Friday, February 14, 2020. For $35, a quartet will sing two love songs, present a card and a rose. Contact Galen Larrabee at 465-6579 (C) or Juan Lavalle-Rivera at 437-9274 or by email to 19rambler60@gmail.com.

New Dimension FCU welcomes new vice president of lending

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Darla Frost

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, in Waterville, announces its new Vice President of Lending, Darla Frost, who comes to them with over 20 years of mortgage lending experience. Frost is also an active charter member and treasurer of the Waterville Lion Club as well as an affiliate member of the Kennebec Valley Board of Realtors.

Directors and staff are excited to have Frost join their team as her experience and wealth of knowledge will be valuable as she settles into her position. She will spearhead the future path of lending by navigating innovative lending programs, compliance, member satisfaction, and more. She states, “I am amazed and excited that New Dimensions is the type of financial institution that truly cares about their members and it shows by the customer service and special care they take with each member. They walk the talk and I look forward to becoming a part of this team. I am especially looking forward to helping the other lenders succeed by coaching and assisting each of them in a manner that works for their individual needs.” Frost enjoys camping and kayaking and spends most of her summer at a local campground in Winthrop. She resides in Augusta with her fiancé Peter

Ryan Poulin, CEO, states, “I am so pleased that Darla has joined our team here at New Dimensions. She will be an instrumental part of our management team because of her years of experience, knowledge and dedication to our communities. She will focus on member experience, ease of process, and saving members money. We welcome her and I look forward to working closely with her in the years to come.”

Mid-Maine Chamber to host “meet the reps”

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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and KV Connect will host “Meet the Reps,” an event that brings members of the business community and public together with elected officials at all levels of government, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 from 5:30-7 p.m., at Chace Community Forum, located at 150 Main Street, in Waterville (Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons).

The two organizations renewed their partnership for the upcoming legislative session in order to continue to encourage communication between business and community leaders, professionals and young professionals, and their government representatives.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is appreciated. Please contact Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce at 873-3315 or cindy@midmainechamber.com if you plan to attend. This event is possible thanks to the sponsorship of Central Maine Growth Council and Kennebec Savings Bank.

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for business prosperity and regional economic improvement. Their region includes the towns of Albion, Belgrade, Benton, Branch Mills, Burnham, China, Clinton, Fairfield, Hinckley, Oakland, Rome, Shawmut, Sidney, South China, Thorndike, Unity, Vassalboro, Waterville, Weeks Mills, and Winslow. Legislators and councilors from all of these towns and cities have been invited. For more information on the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, including how to become a member, call (207) 873-3315 or visit www.midmainechamber.com.

KV Connect, greater Waterville’s affiliate of the Realize Maine Network, fosters community among young professionals to create economic growth in the region. To learn more about KV Connect, visit www.kvconnect.org or e-mail kvconnectme@gmail.com.

TOCmedia to host three new social-media marketing business-breakfast events

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TOCmedia will host three new social media marketing business-breakfast events, “How to Recruit & Retain Top Talent on Social Media.” The series will kick-off on Friday, January 31, at Thomas College, on West River Road, in Waterville.

TOCmedia, the Waterville-based digital marketing firm, has announced the next three upcoming presentations in its popular “Social Media Breakfast Central Maine” (SMBCME) series of business-breakfast presentations. Hosted by Tracy O’Clair, President/CEO of TOCmedia, the social-media marketing business-breakfast series is designed to empower local business, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial marketers. The series is sponsored by The Harold Alfond® Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College.

Each “Social Media Breakfast Central Maine” presentation will spotlight 2020’s best practices in social-media marketing, as revealed by a speaker from one of Maine’s most marketing-savvy business organizations or nonprofits.

The first presentation, on Friday, January 31, will feature Rob Gould and Katie Denoia, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications Specialist, respectively, at WEX Inc., who will speak on the topic “How to Recruit & Retain Top Talent on Social Media.” Rob and Katie will reveal today’s most savvy social-media tactics for highlighting your organization’s culture, increasing engagement with great future employees, and showcasing why you offer a great place to work.

Subsequent Winter 2020 SMBCME speakers will be Anthony Ronzio, Director of Digital Strategy at Colby College, who will present “Going Digital in a Physical World” on Friday, February 28; and Luke Labree, Chief Marketing Officer at Dennis Paper & Food Service, speaking on the topic “The Secret to a Successful Social Media Strategy” on Friday, March 27. Each of the SMBCME speakers was carefully selected for his/ her distinctive talent, social media expertise, and ability to illuminate and share empowering advice and insights to marketers in today’s rapid-paced, constantly changing digital-marketing landscape.

Each SMBCME event will be held in the Spann Student Commons, at Thomas College, 180 West River Road, in Waterville. Advance registration and payment of $15 is recommended for your convenience at http://Social-Media-Breakfast-Central-Maine.eventbrite.com. The admission fee includes breakfast and coffee, plus a 30-minute business-networking opportunity from 7:30 to 8 a.m. For more information, please visit www.Thomas.edu/haibi or call Tracy O’Clair at (207) 512-0532.

Tracy O’Clair, President/CEO of TOCmedia and a certified Constant Contact solutions provider, founded her digital marketing firm in 2009 and launched the “Social Media Breakfast Central Maine” series of educational presentations in 2014. TOCmedia serves businesses and other organizations who want to successfully spotlight their brand, enhance their growth, and heighten their visibility through social-media marketing management, email marketing, digital advertising, and blogging solutions. For more information, please visit https://toc-media.com/ .

Named for Maine’s premiere entrepreneur and innovator, The Harold Alfond® Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College has been established to spur economic vitality in Central Maine by nurturing the very talent that will assist in the creation of both jobs and wealth for the area. The institute provides the platforms from which instruction, training, events, mentoring, and access to talent are all made available within the context of entrepreneurship and innovation. For more information, please visit www.thomas.edu/institute.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Times have changed

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To the editor:

Former Maine Governor Paul LePage gave a speech at Colby College last month. Their Diamond Auditorium was filled from the entrance to the speakers platform with students lined up holding signs expressing opinions on how to improve human conditions. Perhaps I was the only senior citizen there.

Mr. LePage traced his French-Canadian origins in Maine. He came from a large family and was on his own at age 11 when a business family, in Lewiston, took him in. He later took courses at Husson College, in Bangor. Upon graduation he was excused the balance of his tuition for the many ways he benefited the school through clubs and extracurricular activities.

During my lifetime, there have been many changes. Millionaires have become billionaires. An Indian chief once said, “White man is good at making things, but poor at distributing them.”

In the workforce women holding jobs now outnumber men. Competition has replaced cooperation, and children suffer most from the discord and neglect.

Regarding sexual orientation, men differ from women. Diversity advances a species. Darwin called this natural selection. Same sex stems from the dysfunctional family with delinquent fathers, single mothers, and both parents at jobs. Just consider the vices that can infiltrate a home at electronic speeds.

Drugs are more readily available, both legal and illegal. The network of interstate highways has made criminal activity profitable. Also, there is the violence due to the availability of hand guns and assault rifles. A lack of human values is a factor.

A house divided and vacant will not endure. As there are rules for driving, so there are rules of a higher order. These make for a successful lifestyle regardless of rank.

Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty. He learned to read and write from a Bible with help from his stepmother. As a young man, he studied law from borrowed law books to pass the bar exam in Illinois. He served twice in the legislature there. Twice he was elected president of the United States. From reporters, much of his home spun humor and wit has been recorded. “No one is poor who had a godly mother.” He stood six foot four inches tall. When asked he was known to say, “A man stands tallest on his knees.”

Russell Vesecky
Waterville

Alison Linscott participates in mock business negotiations for 2032 Olympic location

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Alison Linscott, a management major, from Waterville, was one of 25 students to participate in a mock business negotiation for the 2032 Olympics as part of the Lasell College Fall Connected Learning Symposium on December 4, 2019, in Newton, Massachusetts.

Linscott played the role of Judoka Sergiu Toma, an athlete, to represent Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in a mock negotiation for the location of the 2032 Olympics. The negotiation took place over the course of three days, with the second day coinciding with the Connected Learning Symposium. Each student’s team presented their city’s issues, interests, and concerns regarding the negotiation process, according to Assistant Professor Janet Huetteman, who teaches the course on business negotiation at the College’s School of Business.

Throughout the exercise, groups asked questions of the exercise’s mock International Olympic Committee (IOC) and made direct pitches. Huetteman facilitated the three-day process, at the end of which a winner was selected by the mock IOC.