Area news
Page A, The Bridgton News, October 27, 2011
Energy Expo on Election Day
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO – Residents of this town are being encouraged to bring their laptop computers to the polling place on Election Day. No, this is not a new-fangled way to vote. Instead, an Energy Expo and a Small Business Fair will be held in conjunction with Election Day at the Casco Community Center on Nov. 8. During the Energy Expo, which will take place in the small meeting room, residents can receive an energy audit from Efficiency Maine — if they bring a laptop computer. “I invite everyone to come down to the Casco Community Center on election day, bring your questions, your laptops, and your energy bills,” Casco Energy Committee member Lynn Potter said. Potter — along with committee member Peg Dilley — did a quick presentation on the upcoming Energy Expo. They spoke during a recent Casco Board of Selectmen meeting. Representatives from PACE Energy will be present at the exposition as well as people who are knowledgeable about solar energy and geo-thermal energy.
Committee members were especially excited about the natural plates and cups they had ordered for refreshments during Polling Day. Made from sugar cane, the plates and cups compost back into the earth in 30 to 45 days, Dilley said. The group had ordered decompostable garbage bags made from popcorn polymer, too. The committee researched vendors and different products, and will have that information available for the public at the Energy Expo, Potter said. “We thought it would be cool to do school projects to compare compostable products against other brands. In some cases, I don’t think the prices are exorbitant compared to the same sturdiness and size of noncompostable products,” she said. “They also have trays — like kids use in the school cafeteria — that can go in the compost pile,” Dilley added. Dilley said the products were ideal “for the home person who wants to use it for their own compost in the corner of the yard.” According to Selectman Mary-Vienessa Fernandes, who serves on the energy committee, last year’s successful Small Business Fair — with
over 35 local businesses represented — and the planned Energy Expo are examples of what can happen with communication and collaboration and on-task meetings. “It started with talking about it, with word of mouth. Everybody played a small part. (Town Manager) Dave (Morton) came up with idea to hold it on Election Day because of the highest volume of foot traffic. (Park and Recreation Director) Beth Latsey helped. It was everyone working together,” she said. Fernandes said the venue and timing — the polling place on Election Day — should boost the turnout for the Energy Expo. Based on last year’s business fair, she predicted the expo would be successful, but the successes might be for the residents who take advantage of it. Or, Polling Day could be a time for socializing at the town’s community center, she said. “It brings the community together. If you aren’t interested in the business fair, you might be interested in the Energy Expo,” Fernandes said. “I believe (the events taking place) will make people linger a bit.”
CASCO – A group called the Friends of the Casco Community Center beamed Tuesday night as it handed over an $80,300 check to the town. The fundraising effort spanned from December 2008 through June 2011. The Casco Board of Selectmen voted to accept the check; and the money – which totals $80,329.50 – will be placed in a special account for the Casco Community Center. According to Kevin Hancock who spoke on behalf of the group, the fundraising began with the intention of lessening the burden on the taxpayers for the cost of remodeling the community center. But, the group had agreed buying need equipment might be an appropriate use of the money, too. “Originally, we wanted to reduce net taxpayer cost for new community center,” he said. Now, that the fundraising is over – the decision of how the community center money is
used belongs to other groups, Hancock said. In fact, how the fund can be appropriated must go before residents at Town Meeting. The recent donation could be designated for use to be used to offset construction debts, or to make capital purchases for the community center, he said. Hancock spoke of the events that had spurred the fundraising effort, which came to a close on Tuesday when committee members handed the check to the town’s elected board. “You might remember that at the time, the community center had been closed for several years. It was a real possibility that the town would tear it down, and put nothing in its place,” he said. “We had pledged $50,000. It was a promise we made, and it wasn’t okayed by the selectmen,” Hancock said. “In either case, the Friends of the Casco Community Center are pleased to have reached
our fundraising goal ahead of schedules. Like many other in our community we are so happy to see how the community center has become such a vibrant place of activity for all ages,” he said. “The new center is everything we had hoped for and more when we made our original pledge of support,” Hancock said. “Having completed our mission we are disbanding.”
Center gets money boost
82 Main Street, Suite 4, Bridgton, ME 04009 (207) 803-2292 • debripleywomeninbalance@gmail.com
Deborah J. Ripley MSHS
Bridgton Hospital will offer a series of free public educational programs entitled, “Pump It Up,” a series focusing on heart failure, starting Thursday, Nov. 3, and continuing Nov. 10 and Nov. 17. The free series of classes will run from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Bridgton Hospital Physician Group Conference Room, conveniently located in the former hospital building on Hospital Drive. June Inman, RN and Nancy Murphy, RN, both nursing members of the Bridgton Hospital (ICU) Intensive Care Unit will host the program. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Symptoms of heart failure often begin slowly. At first, they may only occur when you are very active. Over time, PUMP UP, Page A
440 years of service to BH On Oct. 18 at the Olde Mill in Harrison, Bridgton Hospital honored employees for a combined total of 440 years of dedicated service to the hospital and physician practices. David Frum, hospital president, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening reception and dinner event, welcoming the staff and their guest and praising their exemplary professional commitment to the hospital. Philip Libby, president of the Board of Directors, lauded the employees for their outstanding patient care and customer service skills. Attending honorees were presented special gifts by their department manager based on their 5-plus years of service. Sally Dunning, RN, Medical/
Heidi Mercer, RN, Operating Room; Pamela Smith, Director of Development/Community Relations; Katy Sperl, Manager Human Resources. 15Year Recipients: Jill Hobbs, RN, Clinic Administration; Maggie Parmelee, Medical Staff Coordinator Medical Affairs; Erika Roy, RN, Clinical Coordinator Emergency Department. 10 Year Recipients: Susan Barrett, Food Service Aide, Food Services; Dr. Hans Boedeker, Oncology/ Hemotology Specialty Clinic; Donna Durgin, LPN, Clinical Coordinator, OB/GYN; John Ludwig, RN, Vice President Administration; Paula Morse, Lead Mammography Tech, Diagnostic X-Ray; Sherilee Stone, Certified Surgical Tech, Operating Room; Emily Ward, RN, Clinical Coordinator, Fryeburg Family Medicine. 5 Year Recipients: Kayla Baker, RN, Emergency Department; Chris Balchunas, RN, Quality Data Analyst, Quality Services; Angie Barker, Med Lab Technician, Pathology; Wendi Bassett, RN, Medical/Surgical Unit; Linda Blake, RN, Oncology/ Hemotology Specialty Clinic; Nikki Bois, Environmental Service Aide, Environmental Services; Kaytee Chadbourne, Environmental Service Aide, Environmental Services; Lisa Charette, RN, Same Day Surgery; Debra Chicoine, Speciality Coder, Coding; Gayle Elliot, Lead Lab Tech, Pathology; Bob Erskine, CNA, Medical/Surgical Unit; Heather Fox, Resp Care Practitioner THIRTY YEARS AT BRIDGTON HOSPITAL — Kathy Respiratory Therapy; Dr. Eric Wohlenberg (left) and Sally Dunning were honored for their Gerchman, Fryeburg Family service at the hospital’s annual employee recognition dinner. SERVICE, Page A Surgical unit, and Kathleen Wohlenberg, Social Services and Guest Relations, were the most senior honorees for the evening, having served Bridgton Hospital for 30 years. Congratulations to the following Bridgton Hospital and Bridgton Hospital Physician Group employees honored for their combined 440 years of service: 30 Year Recipients: Sally Dunning, RN, Medical/Surgical Unit; Kathy Wohlenberg, Director, Social Services, Guest Relations. 25 Year Recipients: Diane Baker, RN, Maternity; Lisa Chase, RN, Emergency Department; Shirley Field, Medical Record Clerk HIM. 20 Year Recipients: Martha Denison,RN, Operating Room;
Long Lake Skating School
Paintings are excluded from sale.
Offering Figure Skating Lessons
at the Bridgton Academy Ice Rink Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Open Registration: Sun., Oct. 23rd, 12 to 2 P.M.
Getting Ready For Our
ANNUAL EARLY BIRD SALE 1t43
Open Fri., Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Mid-November PYO has ended for this year. Thanks to all who enjoyed our apples, hayride and scenery. The farmstand and kitchen will be open Fri., Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We have cider, squash, gourds, cheese, baked goods, Jesse’s bread, bagged apples and homemade jelly. Bagged apples, squash and gourds are available on the porch during the week.
1T43
207-647-9419
Pietree Orchard 803 Waterford Road, Sweden, ME 04040
www.pietreeorchard.com
Head Coach: Laurie Green For more info. call 655-2774 or visit us on facebook.com
APPLES
Stephen R. Barter, M.D. Naples Professional Center, Route 302, Naples
207-693-3912
FLU VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE!!
Route 107, South Bridgton • Open Daily 9 to Dusk
"BIG" MACS &
CORTLANDS SALE THIS WEEKEND!
For all ages – infant to adult Walk-ins Welcome Monday-Thursday 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. other times by appt.
Great Apples For Cooking! 6 Other Varieties Available
CIDER, PIES, SQUASH & PUMPKINS Call 207-647-2425 for more information.
4T41
FARMSTAND
U.S. Rte. 302 across from L.R.H.S., Naples, ME 04055 207-693-6261
1T43
The PIETREE Orchard
FIRST SESSION: 10/29/11 – 12/17/11 SECOND SESSION: 1/7/12 TO 2/25/12
CALL 693-3912 FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Providing wellness consulting and program planning for individuals, businesses and communities.
Pump up your heart
NEW GUILD OFFICERS — The Bridgton Hospital Guild officers elected include: (standing, left to right) Marge Blaney, third vice president; Diana Fallon, treasurer; Sandy Weygandt, president; Fern Twitchell, first vice president; (seated, left to right) Terry Curns, second vice president and Phyllis Ginzler, secretary. See story about the Guild’s annual donation to Bridgton Hospital on Page 2B.