Putt 4 Cass slated for May 18

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Big Sister Paige Lilly and her “Little Brother” Hunter Stevens, came out to support the program that brought them together two years ago by participating in last year’s “Putt 4 Cass.” (Contributed photo)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) will celebrate the life of Cassidy Charette by raising money and awareness for local youth mentoring programs at a mini-golf fundraiser “Putt 4 Cass” on Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream & Mini Golf, in Waterville. (Rain date May 19.) Cassidy was a junior at Messalonskee High School when she was killed in a hayride accident Oct. 11, 2014. Since her passing, her school and its surrounding communities continue to honor and remember the teen whose passion was helping others.

The third annual mini golf event invites schools, businesses, athletic teams, clubs and organizations to form mini golf teams of four players, choose their preferred hour to golf, register online and raise funds for local BBBS mentoring programs, then join the community on May 18 to “Putt 4 Cass.” Last year’s event raised almost $20,000 for local programming.

“Putt 4 Cass” will include course challenges with hourly prizes, ShineOnCass T-shirts for team fundraising, and Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. Volunteers are welcome. Walk-ins will be accepted, as space allows, for a $20 donation.

Charette was a long-time volunteer for BBBSMM and advocated for a school-based mentoring program at her high school. In her memory, Big Brothers Big Sisters created two school-based programs pairing Messalonskee high school mentors (Bigs) with youth facing adversity (Littles) at Atwood Primary and Williams Elementary schools in Oakland. A third program at the Boys/Girls Club and YMCA at Alfond Youth Center in Waterville, matches kids in the after-school care program with high school “Bigs” from Messalonskee, Winslow, Waterville and Lawrence high schools. More than 100 youth are being served through ShineOnCass programs.

To register a team, sponsor, volunteer, or for more information, call Mae Slevinsky at 592-4616, email mae@bbbsmidmaine.org or visit www.bbbsmidmaine.org.

Thompson inducted in Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society

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Katherine Thompson, of Waterville, was inducted into the Emmanuel College chapter of Sigma Beta Delta, the international honor society in business, management and administration, on Tuesday, March 26th.

Sigma Beta Delta, founded in 1994, was established to honor students who have attained superior records in business programs in schools and colleges with regional accreditation.

Nine area students on University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list

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The following students have been named to the dean’s list at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, New Hampshire, for the fall 2018 semester.

Matthew Murray, of Augusta, with highest honors; Nicholas Carey, of Waterville, with high honors; Cody Short, of Fairfield, with high honors; Bradford Wilbur, of Fairfield, with honors; Carly LaRochelle, of Fairfield, with honors; Elijah Caret, of Oakland, with highest honors; Jessica Hosea, of Oakland, with highest honors; Hannah Duperry, of Oakland, with highest honors; and Adam Bovie, of Vassalboro, with highest honors.

SNHU announces fall 2018 president’s list

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Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire has named the following students to the fall 2018 president’s list.

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.

The students include, Nicholas Howes, of South China, Taylar Lamontagne, of Waterville, and Noah Michaud, of Winslow.

Davis, Nicholson named chairman, vice chairman of Northern Light Inland Hospital board of directors

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Tom Davis, chairman of the board of directors at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville.

Northern Light Inland Hospital is proud to announce two new officers for its board of trustees. Tom Davis of Winslow, begins a three-year term as chairman; and Jim Nicholson, of China Village, becomes vice chairman. Davis is owner of Are You Ready to Party?, in Waterville, and has been a member of Inland’s board for 10 years. He succeeds Mike Phillips as chairman. Nicholson is a semi-retired CPA with Nicholson, Michaud & Company in Water­ville, and has previously held roles as chairman for both the In­land board and the Northern Light Health system board.

Waterville grades 3 & 4 youth football team

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Members of the Waterville grades 3 & 4 football team pose for a photo before a game. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Central Maine Squares to hold open house

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Bob Brown, of Newport, president; Becky Potter, of Fairfield, treasurer; Jeff Howes, of Pittsfield, vice president and Karen Cunningham, of Pittsfield, secretary (Contributed photo)

On Tuesday, January 15, the Central Maine Square Dance Club of Watervillle will host an open house at their weekly workshop for the purpose of attracting new students for their beginner lessons of square dancing.

The club looks forward to doing this at this time of year because they know that the holidays are over and people are now looking for something to do. It’s an opportunity to get out of the house for a couple hours a week, do something fun and rewarding, meet new people, and get a little exercise at the same time.

Club president Bob Brown, of Newport, says it’s all very casual and low key. An evening of learning to square dance with your spouse, partner, or best friend is just what the doctor ordered. Getting another couple or two to join you only adds to the fun.

This night along with the following Tuesday night will be free for beginners and after that the cost is $5 per person per lesson. Much less than the cost of going to the movies. Also, due to the season everything is weather permitting. So, for more info, call Bob @ 447-0094 or Cindy @ 631-8816.

Vassalboro, Winslow: Before/After program receives gold recognition

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From left to right, Laurie Lizotte, administrator and Samantha Bernatchez, director of operations, recently were recognized for their outstanding collaboration with the 5210, Let’s Go! Program for Out-of-School Programs. (Contributed photo)

5210 Let’s Go!, introduced in 2012, is committed to promoting policy and environmental changes at child care programs, schools, out-of-school programs, health care practices, and workplaces. The program’s multi-setting approach, daily 5-2-1-0 message (five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity and zero sugary drinks) and 10 evidence-based strategies are used to effect change across the state of Maine. Strong leadership from The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and collaboration across health systems and community health coalitions contribute to the program’s success.

5210 Let’s Go! awards bronze, silver and gold awards to programs who support and collaborate with them around healthy eating and increased physical activity. A Bronze award reflects a site’s implementing the program’s five evidence-based priority strategies. Silver acknowledges a site that has communicated these changes to parents and family members. Gold, the highest level of recognition, is reserved for sites that have written all five priority strategies into policy or have school staff participate on the district’s wellness committee.

Fight the Freeze campaign to help local children to stay warm

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Donations of new mittens and gloves requested by January 9 by Kennebec Federal Savings

Kennebec Federal Savings’ second annual “Fight the Freeze” campaign is underway. If you would like to help less-fortunate Waterville-area children stay warm this winter, you are encouraged to donate new, children’s-sized gloves or mittens from now until January 9, 2019.

Please drop off your donations at Kennebec Federal Savings branches, located at 70 Main Street, in Waterville, and 11 Washington Street, in Waterville. Items collected will be distributed to children from January 14 through 18, 2019, at the George J. Mitchell and Albert S. Hall schools, each of which has requested 100 pairs of mittens/gloves. Excess donations will be distributed to other Waterville-area children in need. For more information, please call 873-5151.

Submitted by Dave Carew, Freelance Book Editor / Publicist / Copywriter.

The curtain closes on a holiday tradition — but the memories will last forever following final performance after 17 years

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Children performing at the Warming Up for Christmas concert. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

December 1 marked the beginning of the 25 days ‘til Christmas, but it also marked the end of a 17-year career for Stephen Fotter. The Performing Arts Center rang with holiday cheer and fantastic music from the Fotter Family of musicians. It was a bitter sweet moment as the members were doing what they love, but this is the last time that they will do it all together on the stage.

Linda and Stephen Fotter. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Over his 17 years, Stephen Fotter and his wife Linda, have shown their tireless and selfless take on the world by gathering everyone together and donating all of the proceeds to charitable causes. You heard that right, the event is completely done for charitable causes so that more people can have shelter, safety and food that they normally wouldn’t have. This year alone, the Fotter’s raised $14,300 for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. They also raised $1,700 for the Shine On Cass Foundation. The Fotters and the community have helped raise over $150,000 over the years.

Warming Up with the Fotters always occurs during the Christmas season; but the Fotters are known for their kindness year round. They had 65 students in this year’s production, but they have been part of the lives of hundreds of children and adults through the years. Stephen Fotter lights up the stage with his infectious energy on the night of these performances, but we are told that this is a daily occurrence for him. He brings a passion of music and life to so many people, and provides a learning environment for those who want to enter his studio.

In true Fotter fashion, Stephen and his wife do not take any credit for the success of their events but rather extend the gratitude to all of the many students staff and band members that surround them. The following band members lit up the stage with their talents and stood faithfully beside Stephen Fotter for years: Douglas Moore, Gus Moen, Noah Caret, Uncle Dean Bureau, Gary Coons, Neil Amalfitano, Libby Phillips, Jordan Willette, and Shel Sherman and vocalists Tammy Baker and Mary Ann Quirion.

The Fotters have a strong faith and have been clear that their only goals are to help others. So when talking about the career of Stephen and Linda Fotter, a better word to describe it is their legacy. It’s a legacy of benevolence, grace and compassion. It’s a legacy filled with beautiful music that touches not only our ears but our hearts. And it’s a legacy that will continue to inspire others to live and love just a little bit harder.