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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 145, No. 1
24 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
January 2, 2014
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 6B
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Ham’s far-reaching bequest bettering lives The key stories that unfolded in The News By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer It’s time to look back at how 2013 unfolded in the pages of The Bridgton News: January 3 School safety: In the aftermath of the Newtown, Conn. shooting, local school districts take a close look at lockdown procedures and implement physical security measures at facilities. No bully zone: Lexi James was teased and bullied when she was in school because of her flowing red hair and a slight stutter. She was also made fun of when she talked about being a singer. James proved the doubters wrong as an up-and-coming performer. And, she is using her celebrity status to promote an important message, bullying is never okay nor is name-calling or physical intimidation “kids just being kids.” James performed a special anti-bullying program to Lake Region Middle School students and a benefit concert. Change at the Inn: After a 10-year run as innkeepers, Rick and Julie Whelchel sold the popular and award-winning Noble House to Cindi Hooper and Julie Astin of Houston, Texas. January 10 Change in leadership: Gary MacDonald announced his intention to retire as SAD 72’s superintendent of schools in June, ending a 30-year career in education as a teacher, principal and district leader. Keep tar out: Area towns consider resolutions to prohibit the flow of tar sands through an existing pipeline, which cuts through the Lake Region. What did I see? Chris Maglione of West Bridgton videotaped what he thought was a UFO. January 17 Change at the Chamber: 2013 became the year of musical chairs at the Greater Bridgton-Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. First, Jim Mains gave up the executive director’s seat to accept the general manager post at Bridgton Highlands Country Club. As the year came to an end, Chamber leaders will again be looking for a new director with the announcement that Barbara Clark will leave due to unforeseen personal reasons on January 10. January 24 Honor overdue: Better late than never as Steve Andrews found out when he finally received his Purple Heart medal 46
years after his military service. Recovering from a brain tumor and undergoing rehabilitation, Andrews was honored in a ceremony at the VFW Hall in Harrison, attended by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, along with military officials. January 31 Trickle down hurts: The state’s financial problems were felt locally as towns lost revenue sharing money (Bridgton saw a shortfall of $372,778) while the school district was informed it would need to cover the state’s portion of retirement money. February 7 Valiant fight: The community turned out in a big way to help find a bone marrow match for Fryeburg native and longtime Maine Game Warden Gregg Sanborn. The Friends of Gregg raised awareness regarding donors hip, as well as raised money to assist the family. Gregg lost his battle, but he will be remembered at every future FA basketball game. Last week, the Friends unveiled a new scorers’ table bearing Gregg’s name. Busy business front: Bridgton’s business landscape changed in 2013 with the arrival of the Standard Gastropub, Cupcake Love and Depot Street Taphouse. On the move were Stone Surface (to the old Bridgton AG/Chapter 11 building) and Beth’s Kitchen Café (to the former Cool Moose store). February 14 Piece of history lost: Fire destroyed the historic Stearns, Hall & Walker building in the heart of Lovell on an early Saturday morning. Sixty firefighters from five towns responded. By fall, a smaller multi-office complex was built on the site. Face time questioned: After some derogatory comments were made by readers of the Bridgton Police Department’s Facebook page regarding photos posted of arrestees, selectmen debated whether posting should continue. Photos and arrest information were removed, but a local resident created the “Bridgton Arrest” page on Facebook to continue to post both arrest information and photos. Sell or keep? With Salmon Point Campground requiring updating and Bridgton needing capital to address future infrastructure improvements, the idea of selling just the camping area (for residential construction and thus add to the tax base) was raised. Voters would reject the proposal in June by a 277–167 margin. 2013, Page A
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer She never lived long enough to see how much good has come from her vision. But visionaries seldom do. When Anna Ham’s husband Kendal died in 1988, she inherited his millions, including one of his two Pepsi-Cola bottling plants, in Lynn, Mass. Together they had decided his estate should go to one or several large, national charities focusing on human services. But after Kendal died, Anna began to reevaluate what she and her late husband held most dear. They had lived for many years in Conway, New Hampshire, and had a summer home on Moose Pond in Bridgton. These communities, and by proximity, Fryeburg, were welcoming and important places to the Hams — so why not achieve their philanthropic goals locally, through a community-based organization instead? In 1994, with the help of attorney Paul Brigham and his associate, Frank Connolly, Anna formed the Kendal C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation, providing grants to 5013(c) nonprofits in the Mt.
PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING PLANT magnate Kendal Ham, left, wanted to bequest his multi-million dollar estate to a national educational institution. But, after his death, his wife Anna, shown wearing her trademark furs, decided it was more fitting that the money be used to benefit community life in the region around their summer home on Moose Pond in Bridgton. As a result, in the 15 years since the Kendal C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation was formed, over $8.5 million in grants have been given to around 130 not-for-profit groups in Bridgton, Fryeburg and the Mt. Washington Valley of N.H. Washington Valley of N.H. one another. When Anna died two and the towns of Bridgton and Fryeburg in Maine. Her years after the foundation mission was simple: use the was formed, its assets were money to improve commu- valued at less than $1 milnity life. Her mission had lion, since the bulk of the little to do with any particu- estate was still tied up over lar field or area of interest, IRS rulings. As a result, but everything to do with the grants were initially for her belief that a healthy, small amounts, of between vibrant community depends $200 and $500. When the estate was of the ability of people to be responsible for them- finally settled, with the balselves and concerned for BEQUEST, Page 10A
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Businesses and homeowners along the Main Hill section of Bridgton’s Main Street are fed up over traffic problems they’ve had to live with for years. Eastbound cars and trucks routinely tend to speed down the hill, not slowing until they reach the bottom of the hill near Craftworks, they say. Not a few of these vehicles are quite noisy, too, they say, because they have defective or illegally-modified exhaust systems that bark loudly when brakes are applied, creating what they call “an acoustical nightmare.”
But alongside these concerns exists two more problems — the lack of on-street or public parking, and prohibition of wintertime overnight parking — that, in terms of the Hill’s economic growth potential, are seen as the most pressing of all. These traffic issues were described in detail in a Dec. 5 letter to the Bridgton Board of Selectmen written by Julie and Rick Whelchel. Last year, the Whelchel’s bought an historic building at 31 Main Street after selling the Noble House, and are focusing all their energies toward restoring the building to its former glory with a storefront at street level
Main Hill traffic issues prompt call for action
and residence on the second floor. “The speeding affects safety. The illegal exhaust creates high levels of noise pollution, which creates an acoustical nightmare, and the parking issues affect rehabilitation efforts and economic growth on Main Hill,” the letter states. Julie Whelchel said she met with most of Bridgton’s department heads to describe the concerns in detail, and to offer proposed solutions. At their December meeting, however, Bridgton Selectmen deferred action on their concerns until some time in the New Year. TRAFFIC, Page A
Rite Aid set for grand opening
Police: Driver lucky to be alive
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — At the Naples’ Rite Aid store, customers’ health and wellness has taken the center stage. Health and wellness products are being spotlighted. The newly-remodeled floors re-direct people to the pharmacy and shelves of vitamin supplements. But, don’t worry! Customers will still be able to buy gum and candy at Rite Aid. Those items will be available like always at the checkout stands; and the cashiers won’t remind people that sweets can cause tooth decay. However, if you want to ask which toothpaste is best for your toddler, or which products could ease dry wintertime skin, your questions will be answered. Wellness ambassador is the title of a new position at the store. That employee will already be trained as a pharmacy tech, and will have a
FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Police Department had West Fryeburg Road shut down for over an hour on Monday, Dec. 23 while fire and rescue personnel extricated the operator of a roll over crash. At approximately 9 p.m., 42-year-old Stanley Vladyka of Fryeburg was operating a 1996 GMC pickup truck on West Fryeburg Road when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crossed lanes, went into a ditch and rolled over into a Central Maine Power pole, which crushed the top of the vehicle, entrapping the operator. Vladyka was initially transported to Bridgton Hospital for what was believed to be
notebook computer to assist with customers’ questions, according to Store Manager John Balsamo. The wellness ambassador “will be able to look up overthe-counter medicines, to direct customers to the right product, and to answer questions about medications,” Balsamo said. “The company is shifting its strategy. The store will carry less of what a convenience store does. Now, the focus is on the customer’s health and wellness. Our recent remodel is a conversion to a health and wellness store,” he said. On Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a grand opening for the Naples Rite Aid store, which actually completed interior renovations a few months ago. According to Balsamo, Naples Town officials, Naples Board of Selectmen members, and people from the business community have been invited to the ribbonRITE AID, Page A
non-life-threatening injuries. Vladyka’s condition took a turn for the worse and he was transported by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland for what is considered now to be life-threatening injuries. “At this time, Mr. Vladyka is considered to be in critical condition at Maine Medical Center,” said Fryeburg Police Department Sergeant Joshua Potvin. A blood-alcohol sample was collected and results are pending. “Speed and alcohol are both factors in this crash,” Sgt. Potvin reported. “The operator in this crash is extremely lucky to be alive.”
The Bridgton News LOOK INSIDE THE STORE — Magnifying glasses are available to help customers trying to read the fine print on health and wellness products. The Naples Rite Aid store recently underwent a remodel to reveal a shift in the company’s focus on health and wellness. (De Busk Photo)
Established 1870
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com