Team members are, from left to right, John Reisert, Eric Booth, Carter Jones and Jake Witham. Contributed photo
The combined Waterville/Winslow swim team placed second at the KVAC championships and fourth place at the state championships.
Hunter Moser, of Winslow, performing her kata during the 2017 Battle of Maine. Photo by Central Maine Photography staff
On Saturday March 24, the 38th annual Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships returns to Thomas College, in Waterville. The event once again will help support the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Central and Northern Maine. To date, the Battle of Maine has helped raise over $75,000 for treatment of children in need of medical services. The day’s program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Recycled Shakespeare Company invites you to participate in a Shakespeare Slam Competition on Thursday, March 15, from 5 – 7 p.m., at the Waterville Public Library. This free and friendly competition is based on slam poetry and spoken word events, participants are challenged to memorize a piece of Shakespearean text of their choosing, could be a scene, monologue, sonnet, or narrative poem, and present it to a panel of judges.
Participants can enter as either an individual or get your friends involved and enter as a group. Minors and adults will be judged separately and each person can enter up to two pieces in each category, for a maximum of four opportunities to win. Each individual and group will be judged on their memorization of the text, their voice and performance, and their knowledge of the text through their presentation. Winners from each entry category will receive a prize.
School groups, book clubs, theater troupes, and enthusiasts are encouraged to participate.
This event is free and open to the public to attend. If you would like to compete, please fill out the online registration form at www.signupforms.com/registrations/13009 or contact Recycled Shakespeare Company producer, Emily Rowden Fournier, at 207-314-8607 or recycledshakespeare@gmail.com.
Taylar Lamontagne, of Waterville, has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2017 president’s list, in Manchsester, New Hampshire. Eligibility for the President’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the semester.
Rep. Thomas Longstaff, D-Waterville, congratulates William Jackson, of Boy Scout Troop #417, on his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout. Jackson was recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on February 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Waterville. At 14, he is several years younger than the average Scout who attains the highest achievement in Boy Scouting.
Cheryl Flewelling
David V. Smith, Branch Manager of Raymond James, welcomes Cheryl W. Flewelling as Financial Advisor. Flewelling joins the firm with 25 years of industry experience. Cheryl focuses on developing personal relationships with clients to help them define and achieve their goals, while minimizing the risks that they take.
Prior to joining Raymond James, Cheryl worked with LPL Financial, but likes to say that she ‘grew up’ at A.G. Edwards. Her time there engrained in her the client-first mentality, and she believes that by providing trusted advice and exceptional service, her clients will be successful.
“The addition of Flewelling to our Waterville office is incredibly exciting, and reunites us from our days at A.G. Edwards. She brings not only talent and expertise, but a commitment to ‘ethics and doing the right thing,’” says Dave Smith. “I know our clients are going to love her.”
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 7,300 financial advisors in 3,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $681 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.
Photo by Mark Huard/ Central Maine Photography
Huard’s Sport Karate team member Isabella Citro, of Waterville, captured first place in fighting and second place in forms for the 2017 season. She competed at various tournaments throughout New England to earn this title.
Waterville’s High Hopes Clubhouse’s College Avenue location. Contributed photo
Kennebec Behavioral Health’s High Hopes Clubhouse recently was recognized by Clubhouse International as a clubhouse of distinction among all clubhouses worldwide.
High Hopes, which provides employment, education and social opportunities for people with severe and persistent mental illness, has been recognized among all clubhouse as having the highest percent of its members – 79 percent who are working in supported or independent employment. Currently, there are over 320 clubhouses in 34 countries across the globe, each of which strives to meet or exceed an international standard that at least 20 percent of the clubhouse’s average daily membership is actively working. High Hopes, in Waterville, and its sister clubhouses, Looking Ahead, in Lewiston, and Capitol Clubhouse, in Augusta, are known to be among the most effective clubhouses in the world. Collectively, the three clubhouses serve over 600 people members each year.
According to Clubhouse International’s most recent accreditation report, “High Hopes is an exceptional clubhouse community, which excels in its compliance to all of the Clubhouse International standards. The clubhouse is dedicated to providing a community where members are treated with dignity and respect, and given everyone opportunity to be valuable members of their community.”
Statewide organizations recognize the value of clubhouse as well. Recently, at its annual meeting NAMI Maine presented the KBH Clubhouses with their Outstanding Partner Award. According to Jenna Mehnert, executive director of NAMI Maine, “we are very honored to work with the staff of your clubhouses. Not only do we respect the work clubhouses accomplish in partnership with peers, we appreciate how willing they are to engage with NAMI Maine staff on various projects.”
Lisa Soucie, director of High Hopes, says it takes a whole community to make clubhouse successful. “We really want to celebrate the whole community’s response, including local employers who hire clubhouse members, our parent company, KBH, local churches, state government, local law enforcement and more.” And that celebration just happens to coincide with High Hopes’ 20th anniversary of providing service in the greater Waterville area.
For details about High Hopes Clubhouse, in Waterville, Looking Ahead Clubhouse, in Lewiston, and Capitol Clubhouse, in Augusta, or any of Kennebec Behavioral Health’s services and supports, go online to www.kbhmaine.org or call 207-873-2136, ext. 1905.
Kennebec Behavioral Health was founded in 1960 and operates clinics in Waterville, Skowhegan, Winthrop and Augusta. For more information or to schedule an appointment for any KBH service, call 1-888-322-2136. Information can also be found at www.kbhmaine.org.
Brooklyn, 14, second from left, and Nolan, 12, with dad Brian, right, all of Winslow, visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Kringleville during the Christmas season. Photos by Central Maine Photography staff
Another magical season at Kringleville in the friendly city of Waterville has come to an end. The visitors seemed to be full of visions of Legos and hatchimals dancing in children’s heads, rather than sugar plums of old. The elves were certainly hard at work in the North Pole making toys for all the good little boys and girls. Elves, Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick were busy at Kringleville in the cabin taking photos of folks who stopped to tell Santa what their Christmas wishes were. Though toys were quite popular, many children and adults visited to ask Santa for gifts for the less fortunate and for loved ones to be healthy. Many only asked that Santa would help make sure that their family had a good Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is truly alive in the hearts of many in the city of Waterville.
“Santa thanks the Children’s Discovery Museum for organizing the event this year, and to all of the volunteers, the elves, and Kringleville neighbors who made this season special.”
The polar bear, the gingerbread house and the train were a big hit. Santa also thanks the local businesses that sponsored Kringleville and who offered hot chocolate and warm mittens to those waiting in line. Your support made a tremendous difference to many. Santa appreciates Mrs. Claus traveling back and forth between the North Pole and Kringleville, so that she could be in Waterville every Sunday to talk with each person waiting to see Santa. While at the North Pole, Mrs. Claus has much cookie making to do for Santa and she oversees the toy making while Santa is at Kringleville. The deer also receive special attention from Mrs. Claus when Santa’s away.
Santa enjoyed spending time with all who visited him at Kringleville this season. Santa loves to share the stories of your visits with Mrs. Claus, and she enjoys sharing with Santa what you tell her while you wait to see him. Santa wants to share with you all, Santa had 1,150 good girls and boys visit him along with family and Kringleville raised $400 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Santa’s very own hand-painted ornaments will be on the Kringelville tree again next year to donate money to children who are not feeling well.
Santa wants everyone to keep in mind that Christmas isn’t something you should celebrate once a year. The spirit of Christmas should live in our hearts year round. So, take Santa’s advice and be good to your brothers and sisters, your friends and neighbors, and all whom you are with until Santa sees you again…That means mom and dad too! Remember, he knows if you’ve been bad or good, which makes a difference for his naughty or nice list. Santa and Mrs. Claus look forward to seeing you all next season when they arrive for the 2018 Parade of Lights. Keep Christmas in your heart!
Care & Comfort, a leading provider of Home Health and Behavioral Healthcare, was recently recognized as one of Maine’s best employers for workers over the age of 50 for 2017 by the Maine State Workforce Investment Board’s Older Workers Committee.
The Silver Collar Employers Award honors Maine employers whose policies and practices match the needs of mature employees, valuing their skills and experience, strong work ethic, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
The agency which is locally owned and operated was founded in 1991 and employees over 400 people – a significant percentage of whom are over 50. Services for individuals and families are provided in 13 counties thus providing employment opportunities close to home for most workers.
“Care & Comfort is pleased to have employees spanning several generations choosing to work with us, and we are truly honored to be recognized for our commitment to employing those over 50,” said Mike Stair, COO. “Age is never a factor from the time we begin our hiring process, but experience, confidence, vitality, and reliability are.”
According to the Maine Department of Labor, Maine is the oldest state in the nation, with a median age of 44.5 years. “Nearly one-quarter of the state’s labor force is age 55 and over,” remarked Susan D. Giguere C & C’s CEO, and Founder. “As one of those, I know first-hand that most of us enjoy working and we are good at what we do!”