January 19, 2023

Foul

Classifieds 6B

Country Living 5B-7B Directory 7B

Obituaries 3B

Opinions 1B-4B

Police 4A

Sports 7A-8A

Student News 5A-6A

Games 4B

Legal Notices 2B www.bridgton.com

Researchers paint costly algae scenario

By Colin Holme, Executive Director, Lakes Environmental Association

Lake experts and researchers from across the state of Maine and beyond met in Bridgton last Friday to discuss the latest news and findings regarding lakes and freshwater systems in

Towns promote heat aid program

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

CASCO — The town will do what it can to spread the word about heat assistance funds available through Cumberland County, according to Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward.

Cumberland County is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide heating assistance to towns within the county, he said on Tuesday.

In the news that evening, it was announced that Cumberland County would allow municipalities to split $1.35 million in federal money.

“Our staff and I looked at this. [There’s] no commitment other than administering the funds on the behalf of the town,” Ward said.

“Cumberland Country is doing a new project called, ‘Keeping Cumberland County Warm,’” Ward said.

He was addressing the Casco Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting.

This heating assistance program is designed to target people in the low to moderate income bracket who are making more than the income to qualify for general assistance or heating assistance.

“If you don’t qualify for

New England.

This gathering of about 50 specialists was put on by Lakes Environmental Association at the beautiful Dragonfly Barn at the top of Sanborn Grove.

While some of the talks were quite technical, the themes were basic, important, and relative to anyone living in this area or on a lake in Maine.

One of the presentations

I found most interesting was regarding Long Pond in Parsonsfield. This pond is 275 acres and a mere 48-minute drive south of our office in downtown Bridgton and just outside

Ride to school squeaky, bumpy, but memorable

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

You know that you’ve arrived when you ride a fire truck to school.

Second-grader Peter Screaton and third-grader Madison Schulte took a fire truck to Stevens Brook Elementary School on Tuesday morning.

Bridgton Fire Department’s Engine No. 1 picked up both children at their respective homes. They rode through town and were dropped off in front of the school.

When 8-year old Peter boarded the fire truck at his home, his family was watching.

“The ride was squeaky. The chair was squeaky. It

was bumpy,” he said.

“It was better than the school bus because it looks cooler,” Peter said.

The other student was less impressed.

“I’ve been on a fire truck before,” Madison informed everyone.

Yes, this was the first time taking a fire truck to school, she agreed.

“It was comfortable a little bit. It is not as loud” as the school bus, she said.

The special ride to school was the prize for winning a drawing contest after the students learned about fire safety.

“We made like an exit out of each room of our house. Like two ways out of each room of the house,”

Madison said.

“Mine had two escapes downstairs and two escapes upstairs,” Peter said.

On Tuesday morning, Bridgton Fire Chief Glen Garland took his own vehicle to the school parking lot, where he high-fived and congratulated the winners.

The fire department decided to make the fire safety program more memorable by adding the drawing contest that allowed the winners to ride a fire truck to school, according to Garland.

Before the holidays, on Nov. 30, several members of the Bridgton Fire Department, including Patti

LEA’s direct service area.

Long Pond has been monitored since 1983 by local volunteers and traditionally had good water quality. Although clarity was still good in 2013, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) noticed an alarming trend. The clarity on the

lake was decreasing. Four years later, whole-lake algae blooms started occurring and the clarity plummeted. Lakefront landowners and the community were taken by surprise and experts and contractors were brought in to assess the situation and develop a plan.

Casco sets goals for 2023

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

CASCO— Just that evening a resident commented on how nice it is to have the burned-out home in front of the Mill Pond gone.

Sam Brown said he was appreciative to the local selectmen for going through the legal process that led to the removal of the burned down building on Route 11.

“That really is a marked improvement. That means a lot to my neighbors and my family, and to the people who drive up and down Route 11 to be able to take in the view of the Mill Pond,” Brown said.

Demolishing and disposing of dangerous buildings neglected by landowners has been one of the goals of the selectmen.

The Casco Board of Selectmen visited its list of goals, noting that some were coming to fruition. In fact, the cleanup of abandoned and dangerous buildings was No. 11 on the board’s list. Smack dab in the middle on a list of 20 goals.

“We are still looking to try to clean up any abandoned properties we have. We did two last spring,” according to Casco Chair Robert “Bob” MacDonald.

The topic of goals — which is certainly suitable for the first meeting of the New Year — was on the Jan. 3 agenda under old business.

A couple years ago, when Don Gerrish was acting as interim town manager, he invited each selectman to write down his or her goals for the town. Many of those goals were improvements to make, concerns to address or needs to meet. Once the selectmen’s lists were made, Gerrish created a top 20 compiled of often repeated objectives. In the past two years, the board has made strides to tackle some goals while noting that other ones were pushed onto the back burner.

“We have 20 goals on this list. The first one is the comp plan,” MacDonald said, adding that the anticipated completion date is May 23.

The No. 1 goal, re-doing the town’s comprehensive plan, is one item that ended up as words on a list and was turned into action. Five months from now, citizens at June’s town meeting will vote on the proposed comp plan. During fiscal year 2021-22, money was set aside in order to put the comp plan project out to bid. Last spring, the first community workshop was held. This winter, a rough draft of the proposed comp plan is being produced. By this

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Adam Deveau feels there is nothing more precious than watching his young child’s face light up as he reads an original, heartwarming story about moose and otters.

Wanting to share Adam’s gift of storytelling with other children, his two childhood friends, Dan O’Connell and Reed Allen, pitched an interesting business idea.

Let’s start a subscription book club.

When January arrived, the trio launched the Mythic Moose Book Club. Subscribers can choose a printed book ($6.99) or e-book ($2.99). Or, subscribers can go with a yearly plan ($31.99) and save 10%. Every month, a new, unique book written by the Mythic Moose team is delivered to a subscriber’s mailbox or inbox.

The website is www. mythicmoosebookclub.com

The News reached out to Adam, Dan and Reed this

week and posed the following questions to the writer and business partners:

BN. How long have you three known each other, and how did you become close friends?

Adam: Dan and I have been friends since around age 6 (growing up in Bridgton). Reed grew up in Sebago so we didn’t meet him until middle school. The three of us spent a ton of time working on creative projects together as kids whether it was for school or our own amusement.

BN. How did you come together to launch Mythic Moose Book Club?

Adam: Reed reached out after 15 years to see how things were going. It felt like we hadn’t missed a day. I shared with them that I had written a kid’s book and that led to us kicking ideas around.

BN. How did you come up with the club name, and how did you decide to go in the direction of a book club?

A-D-R: We wanted the

name to be fun for kids while also speaking to our roots growing up in Maine. The state has so much beautiful wildlife and images of moose are always aweinspiring. Mythic made sense because we all still have a child-like appreciation for magic and mythology and felt it would be fitting for a young audience as well. It came after a long list of names that we didn’t feel really worked.

BN. What roles do Dan and Reed play?

Adam: There are responsibilities that fall on each of us individually, but the majority of tasks involve input from all of us. Working collaboratively is one of our favorite parts

of doing this project. In general, I write the books, coordinate illustrations, and do some of the social media posting. Dan is lead on marketing, copywriting, and editing. Reed is not only a reliable tie breaker for votes, he’s our website and brand designer, and also formats all of our books for

THEY HAVE ARRIVED — Peter Screaton (far left) and Madison Schulte (far right) pose next to Public Safety Chaplain and Bridgton firefighter Mike Zullo, who drove them to Stevens Brook Elementary School in a fire truck on Tuesday. (De Busk Photo)

AUTHOR Adam Deveau has joined childhood friends Dan O’Connell and Reed Allen to launch a new business venture, the children’s Mythic Moose Book Club.

Old friends partner up to launch Mythic Moose Book Club

printing.

BN. You mention that the book club is your chance to share a passion for teaching, storytelling and art. Where/when/how did you develop this “passion?”

Adam: After college, I had different jobs that were not really a good fit for me. I gave the world of education a try and finally found some career success (he is a seventh grade Special Ed teacher at Windham Middle School). Realizing that teaching was a strength of mine that could benefit other people really helped foster that passion.

BN. Adam, as a writer, what influenced you to go in this direction (any past teacher, etc. spark/inspire you to write)? What do you

enjoy about writing?

Adam: I’ve been inspired by no one more than my family. The first month’s story, “You Otter Know We Love You,” was written for my one and a half year old daughter and I

Mystery date with a book

NORWAY — The Norway Memorial Library announces Mystery Date with a Book beginning Feb. 1.

During February, visit the library and choose a book from the “Mystery Date” display across from the circulation desk. All books are completely covered so the reader cannot see the cover, title, or author. The only thing the reader sees are clues about the book. This is a fun way to discover new titles, authors, and genres.

All that is required is to read at least 50 pages, complete a comment card, and enter to win a delicious box of chocolates.

Entries are due by closing on Tuesday, Feb. 28, for the drawing on Wednesday, March 1. A winner will be notified by telephone. For more information, call 207-743-5309 ext. 1 or visit the library’s website at www.norwaymemoriallibrary.org.

enjoyed writing something that I thought she would like. She enjoys books that are rhythmic and rhyming so I wanted to create that for her. Creativity has been an important part of my life and I know the same is true for Dan and Reed.

BN. What led you to write children stories and why did you decide on the 0-5 age range?

Adam: I wrote the first story for my daughter. I love books in that age range because it feels like there’s room for creativity and expression. We hope to offer stories for additional age ranges in the future.

BN. What goes into coming up with the next story to tell?

Adam: Any time I feel inspired with story ideas, I jot down a basic outline. Then, I sit down and

see where my imagination takes me.

BN. Because you offer a new book each month, it must be quite an effort to turn out a new story while also teaching during the day? How do you do it?

Adam: We have definitely worked some late nights on this project! We all have different attributes that have contributed to keeping everything on track. I don’t think it would be possible to do it alone.

BN. Along with a good story, the art work is also quite important for a child to see. Who illustrates, and how did you go about selecting the individual(s) — what were you looking for?

A-D-R: We have worked with a variety of artists that we chose based on their style and their ability to convey the feelings of the book in a visual manner. We want images that are fun, colorful, and simple. Our goal is to focus on the Maine community and partner with as many local artists as possible in the near future. We are excited to have started that process already!

BN. Early response to the club and books? What do people seem to like the most? Requests?

A-D-R: People have given us great feedback on the stories and price. We

BOOK CLUB, Page 3A

Casco ’23 goals

summer, townspeople will be deciding whether or not to approve a new comp plan.

No. 3 on the list of goals was development of the Berry Property.

“I would like to see the [fire department] feasibility study and how that is applicable to the Berry Property,” Mary-Vienessa Fernandes said.

The property revaluation came in at No. 7. The cost of the revaluation was set aside over the course of two fiscal cycles.

“The revaluation is starting,” MacDonald said.

Putting in LED streetlights is goal No. 8. The town contacted Central Maine Power (CMP) about the LED upgrade program and was put on the future project list. The anticipated completion date is 2023.

To offset the rising cost of electricity, a goal of charging a fee for using the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations was put on the table. The town is in the process of hiring a company to manage EV charging station fees. That is goal No. 12.

The next goal is communication with the public, specifically regarding private road that are public easements.

Selectman Scott Avery commented.

“I would like that to be any communication with the public. We’ve talked about a digital sign on Route 302— any way to communicate with people,” Avery said.

Goal No. 15 is how to communicate about the budget process to the public. The anticipated start date for the finance committee to meet with selectmen is early March.

Two goals were communication oriented: webpage updates and increased cell phone coverage.

Goal No. 19 is trying to improve public safety by presenting a long-term plan for law enforcement services.

“We have a date of June of this year to complete that,” MacDonald said.

“Public safety — that is going to be a tough one. As much as people would like to have it, Wow! The costs are crazy,” Select-person Fernandes said.

MacDonald agreed that the upfront or first year costs are higher because it includes the town purchasing a vehicle.

Double feature: meeting, grants

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

CASCO — The wintertime town meeting has been scheduled as a double feature.

The Casco Special Town Meeting will be held this upcoming Tuesday, with voters deciding on two monetary issues and the passage of a moratorium for commercial solar energy projects.

Actually, there are four warrant articles, if one counts the process of selecting a moderator. The 2023 special town meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Casco Community Center.

Then, after the special town meeting, a second information session will be held for the Community Resiliency Grants program. Residents are invited to attend to get an understanding of how grants can be applied in their community. The Center for EcologyBased Economy (CEBE) in Norway will host the public

MEETING, Page 4A

Author Spencer to discuss book

NORWAY — Local author Robert W. Spencer will read from and discuss his latest book, Francena Hallett’s Heart: A Novel of Romances and Revenge, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. at the Norway Memorial Library.

Copies are available at The Tribune, Bridgton Books, and other independent bookstores, from Maine Authors Publishing, direct from the author, and on Amazon.com.

Please join Robert as he reads excerpts from his book, discusses how and why he wrote it, and allows participants to ask questions and share opinions of the book.

Set in Southern Maine in the first decade of the twentieth century, this book tells of dressmaker Francena Hallett. She proves her love

by becoming the caregiver to a best friend after she suffers a damaging miscarriage. Francena sacrifices her search for love, happiness, and professional success. This third volume of the Lizzie Millett Series concludes a tumultuous and vengeful relationship between imprisoned murderer Aphia Stevens, Lizzie Millett, and her family.

Robert, who lives in Waterford, draws inspiration for his writing from the beauty and history of the Oxford Hills. He has written three historical fiction novels and a series of non-fiction articles for local groups.

As a retired landscape architect, Robert draws upon his appreciation for both the natural and developed world to provide vivid views of the environment.

Before moving to Maine, he lived in Charlestown, Mass., for 43 years, where he ran a design-build garden design practice. Robert founded the first company in the United States to import and distribute Irish Blue Limestone, a unique multipurpose building material.

He received an MA in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and a Graduate Certificate in Landscape Design from Radcliffe Seminars (now Boston Architectural College).

Robert enjoys gardening, serving as a trustee of the Waterford Library, and heading a community effort to make a commemorative walking trail along Waterford’s City Brook.

Learn more about Robert and his work at http://www.

robertwbooks.blog/ or reach him at robertwbooks@ gmail.com

For more information on this program, please call 743-5309 ext. 1, stop by the information desk, or e-mail norcat@norwaymemoriallibrary.org.

LIKE OLD TIMES — Childhood and high school classmates Dan O’Connell (left) and Reed Allen posed an interesting business idea to longtime friend Adam Deveau, capitalizing on Adam’s abilities as a children’s author and putting comical, colorful stories into the hands of kids each month.

Robert Spencer of Waterford

Aroma Joe’s squeezes joy into service

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Maryna Shuliakouskaya had a gut feeling that the Lakes Plaza in Naples would be a successful spot for an Aroma Joe’s.

Shuliakouskaya, who has been an Aroma Joe’s franchisee since 2013, did not discover the location by herself. She was approached by another franchisee asking if she would be interested in opening in the space. After all, the Naples Planning Board had already approved the plans.

“I would be taking over the site. Nothing had been done. It was an empty

white shell inside. Honestly, before I even looked at the site, I drove back and forth through Naples. I believe that you have to feel the location. You come to the site. You feel it. As a customer, would you like to visit the site? Is it convenience to get to the drive-through? You watch the movement of the community, the movement of the traffic. You figure out how many people live in the town,” she said.

“I drove back and forth five times. Thank goodness it was in the middle of the summer. I stopped in the middle of town and looked at the water. It is beautiful. I stopped at the town

hall, multiple gas stations and I had some lunch. I said to myself, ‘Okay it feels right,’” she said. “First and foremost, I rely on my guts.”

Maryna (pronounced Marina) has a marketing background. This location, 12 Lakes Plaza, will be the seventh Aroma Joe’s store in which she has a franchisee partnership. Currently, Aroma Joe’s hours are from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Maryna sat down for an interview on Friday afternoon, the fifth day since the business had been opened. She believes her gut feeling will pay off. First, there was a Friends and Family Opening that panned out

well.

“Interestingly enough, I did put a post when we did our friends and family day. That’s our strategy of getting up to speed. We give free drinks. I posted it on the community Facebook page. We were still missing things like some lighting in the cafe, but we were ready,” she said.

“I was so welcome. It was overwhelming. I felt like a celebrity. It got 200 likes, 100 shares,” Shuliakouskaya said.

She gave kudos to the area supervisor and the team for pulling off this first week of being open to the public.

Towns promote heat aid program

(Continued from Page 1A)

GA or heating assistance, if you are under a certain parameter, you could qualify for this,” Ward said.

“We can use the money to fill an oil tank or buy a cord of wood,” he said. “One other good aspect is it’s not a one-time use. It could be two times or three times as long as we have the funding.”

The drawback is that the funding must be used by April 15, he said.

“At first, Cumberland County was being quiet about this to minimize the conflict between communities,” Ward said.

Now that the new but limited heating assistance program is a reality, the town plans to let the public know about it.

“Staff and I will market this through the senior meal program, the recreation department, through the schools,” he said.

Keeping Cumberland County Warm Grant Bridgton was awarded grant funding through Cumberland County to provide additional heating assistance support for persons or families that otherwise would not be eligible to receive funding via general assistance due to income guidelines.

The goal of the funds is to target families with incomes above the general assistance and LIHEAP income caps for Cumberland County.

Please visit the following website for additional information and application: keepingcumberlandcountywarm — Town of Bridgton, Maine (bridgtonmaine.org).

Researchers present costly scenario

(Continued from Page 1A)

After five years of pre-work, a permit was approved for a Chemical Discharge Management Plan by the Maine DEP in 2022, and a company was hired to spread two types of aluminum over the lake to sequester the nutrient

phosphorus and quell the algae bloom. This type of action, called an “Alum treatment,” is commonly used to remove phosphorus from the water column and stop the nutrient from being resuspended into the lake from bottom sediments for the next 10 to 20 years.

This treatment and associated planning and monitoring cost about $345,000 to date, which is about $1,250 per acre. If that cost does not seem intimidating, remember that Long Pond is fairly small. To treat a lake like Highland would cost about $6.5 million. For

Moose Pond, the same treatment would cost around $14 million. For Long Lake, it would be around $42 million. That is intimidating. And remember, alum treatments have a shelf life so in another 20 years, be ready for the next round.

The good news is that alum can be very effective if properly dosed and applied, but it was a sobering presentation.

Several talks touched on the identification of algae species using environmental DNA. This field is rapidly expanding and this methodology can also be used to identify whether invasive aquatic species are present in a waterbody by just grabbing a few water samples from around the lake.

Knowing the type of algae in our lakes is needed to determine appropriate treatment methods and whether there are toxicity concerns. Our organization is particularly interested in using eDNA (as it is affectionately called) to identify whether invasive species may be in a waterbody before these species become well established. This is a very useful tool in the prevention realm that could save thousands of dollars in surveying every year and hundreds of thousands of dollars if invasive species are caught early.

Another session that I found fascinating was about

using microplastics to date lake sediment cores. Unfortunately, plastics are pervasive in the environment and LEA has found them in all the lakes in our area, but eventually most sink to the bottom and get buried in the sediment.

Over the years, plastics have become more common, and different types of plastics have entered the world. These specific types of plastics can be used to date algae and other natural and man-made occurrences in the top several centimeters of a lake much like researchers use radioisotopes of gas taken from frozen ice core bubbles in the Antarctic.

Other talks focused on the assessment of the lakeshore and shallow water areas to determine lake health, mercury levels in our freshwater fish, and the surprising effects of the Clean Air Act on Maine’s mountain and alpine lakes.

During the retreat, numerous attendees brought up how helpful it is to have everyone come together in one place to give these research updates. It is a rapid overview of some of the best lake work being done in the area that both lake managers and researchers alike can learn from. I certainly felt that way too.

This event was made possible by all the presenters who donated their time and expertise, LEA’s staff, LEA members who financially support our work, and Lauren and Richard Packard who donated the venue.

Cumberland County established the “Keep Cumberland County Warm” project in December 2022. Funds are distributed to qualifying residents who need help with heating bills through town and city offices, and so the program is voluntary for municipalities to participate. Eleven communities in Cumberland County have signed up to participate in the program so far.

“High costs associated with home heating are forcing low- and middle-income households to face impossible choices,” said County Manager Jim Gailey.

“Hopefully these funds will help a lot of people in Cumberland County get through a tough winter.”

In Cumberland County, a household of four would qualify for aid if their household income is below $82,710.

“People at all income levels are feeling the pinch,” Gailey said. “These funds were designed for households who don’t normally qualify for heating aid, but are still having trouble making ends meet in this environment.”

Cumberland County has committed $50,000 to each participating community to distribute to residents who qualify. There is no standard award; towns and cities will each have the discretion to choose how they want to allocate funds, as long as they meet the overall program guidelines.

Book Club

(Continued from Page 2A)

wanted this to be something that everyone can afford to enjoy so we made that a priority and did everything we could to make that possible.

BN. Finish the following, “Mythic Moose Book Club will be a success if...” A-D-R: The people who choose to subscribe enjoy our books and the moments they spend reading them with their children.

BN. Why did you decide to donate % of book sales to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital?

A-D-R: We felt that giving to charity was extremely important and it was something we all agreed on immediately. We chose St. Jude’s because of their mission to help cure children that deal with things they shouldn’t have to even imagine.

from Page 1A)

Schulte, Larry Scholz, Mike Zullo, John Horne, Jordan Libby, and Ian Desjarlais, hosted a fire prevention and safety event at the local school. The program was hands-on. Teachers donned full bunker gear while students also participated in the presentation, which wrapped up with a tour of the ladder truck and other fire-fighting rigs parked behind the school.

Tuesday’s ride in the fire truck was the cumulation of a job well done, Garland said.

Plus, it was an opportunity to get some good attention by stepping out of a vehicle that is “much cooler than the bus,” according to Peter.

AROMA JOE’S team poses inside the newly opened store in Naples (from left) Area Supervisor Kaitlyn Burnell, 24, employees Meagan Hodson, 23, of Oxford, and Calvin Kestner, 16, of Casco, and franchisee/owner Maryna Shuliakouskaya. (De Busk Photo)

ADVANCES & CHALLENGES — Dr. Jim Haney from UNH discussing advances and challenges in monitoring cyano bacteria (blue green algae) at LEA’s Lake Research Retreat.

Two injured in Sebago crash

SEBAGO — Two people were injured Friday evening when the vehicle they were traveling in crashed at the intersection of Bridgton Road and Sebago Road in Sebago.

Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputies along with the Sebago Fire Department at 7:50 p.m. responded to a vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation indicated the following: A 2009 Dodge Caliber went off the roadway and struck a large tree. The vehicle had four occupants and two were seriously injured.

The driver was identified as Jake Henderson, 35, of Sanford. Henderson was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured during the crash. Henderson was found to have a suspended Maine driver’s license and was also subject to bail conditions from a previous incident. Henderson was charged with the following offenses and released from the scene: Violation of Conditions of Release, and Operating after License Suspension. Pursuant to Maine law, the operating after suspension charge is elevated to a Class C felony crime under circumstances when a driver knowingly operates a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, and causes serious bodily injury to another person.

Passenger Mark Wildes of Sanford was not wearing a seatbelt, and he sustained serious but non-life-threatening

CRASH, Page 5A

Bridgton Police Department blotter items

These items appeared on the Bridgton Police Department blotter (this is a partial listing):

Monday, January 9

8:06 a.m. Citizen assist on Hio Ridge Road.

9:05 a.m. Citizen assist on Cross Street.

12:02 p.m. Citizen dispute on North High Street.

4:22 p.m. Road rage incident on Willis Park Road; issue resolved, no charges.

Tuesday, January 10

9:47 a.m. Open door at a vacant business on Depot Street; building clear.

11:09 a.m. Bail conditions check on Smith Avenue; no violations found.

11:12 a.m. Dispute between family members on Wildwood Road.

11:53 a.m. Man arrested on Iredale Street on two active warrants.

12:19 p.m. Assist citizen on Arrowhead Road.

4:19 p.m. Served court paperwork at North High Street location.

5:39 p.m. Served court

paperwork at Sam Ingalls Road location.

6:45 p.m. Assist United Ambulance with medical emergency on Portland Road.

7:40 p.m. Suspicious situation on Misty Meadow Lane.

Wednesday, January 11

3:17 a.m. Citizen assist at Hospital Drive.

9:23 a.m. Issues between homeowner and contractor at Trailside Way.

11:20 a.m. Singlevehicle crash on Sweden Road. Minor damage. No injuries.

11:40 a.m. Citizen assist on Campbell Drive.

11:50 a.m. Family (ongoing) dispute on Wildwood Road.

2:01 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Knights Hill Road and South Bay Road.

2:02 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Bayberry Lane.

2:17 p.m. Citizen assist on South Bridgton Road.

11:11 p.m. A car and deer collided at the intersection

Child advocate training in March

Interested in advocating for the best interests of a child? The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is holding its spring training for volunteer advocates on March 21-24.

This free, four-day training is designed to prepare attendees for certification as volunteer guardians ad litem (GALs) in Maine child protection cases. Trainees may participate virtually or in person. For those who wish to participate in person, the training will be held in Augusta. Accommodations may be available.

The foundation of a CASA’s work is learning about the case and then advising the court what the CASA believes is in the child’s best interest. CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by CASA program staff. CASAs bring their own unique perspectives to their work as volunteers.

If you are willing to advocate for a child’s best interests, we encourage you to apply to become a CASA volunteer. Those interested in the training must complete an application and, if invited to participate, must also complete criminal and child protection services background checks. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact Maine CASA Legal Services Advisor Darren Defoe at 213-2864 or by e-mail at casa@courts. maine.gov.

of North High Street and Sam Ingalls Road. Minor damage. No injuries. Thursday, January 12

8:24 a.m. Suspicious situation at the intersection of Portland Road and Sandy Creek Road.

2:04 p.m. Assist to fire department for wires down on North High Street.

3:23 p.m. Welfare check at Sawyer Circle.

5:49 p.m. Following an alleged family fight at an Ingalls Road location, a female was arrested for domestic violence assault.

Friday, January 13

9:05 a.m. Vehicle off the road on South Bridgton Road, near Bear Trap.

9:19 a.m. Vehicle off the road on Burnham Road, near Hidden Hollow Lane.

1:34 p.m. Mental health crisis on Fowler Street.’

2:11 p.m. Ongoing dispute between Highland

Road neighbors.

4:22 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on North Road.

8:56 p.m. Male allegedly causing a disturbance at North Road property; subject left before police arrived. Police later located the individual and served him a protection from abuse order.

10:41 p.m. Dispute between employer and former employee on Pond Road.

Saturday, January 14 12:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle complaint on Casey Drive. The officer found footprints from the unoccupied vehicle leading into the woods. Property owner advised no one had permission to hunt in that area. The officer left his business card on the vehicle’s window, asking the individual to call BPD.

12:10 a.m. Dispute

between employer and former employee on Main Street.

7:20 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Sweden Road.

7:37 p.m. Fight in progress between three subjects on the Pleasant Mountain ski slopes. The three males were separated and removed from the resort.

Sunday, January 15

2:23 p.m. A generator was reportedly stolen from a Sweden Road location.

6:33 p.m. Verbal altercation on South Bridgton Road; subjects separated.

Monday, January 16 12:31 a.m. Mental health event on South High Street.

11:10 a.m. Welfare check on Knights Hill Road.

12:28 p.m. Suspicious situation on Portland Road. 1:27 p.m. Report of nonpayment on Portland Road.

7:02 p.m. Subject found a wallet full of cash and cards on Portland Road, and turned it over to Bridgton Police. The wallet’s owner was “grateful for the honesty of the subject who turned it in.”

7:29 p.m. A car and deer collided on Burnham Road.

10:10 p.m. Police alerted to a dog bite incident in Harrison; complainant advised to contact the Animal Control Officer.

Casco town meeting

(Continued from Page 2A)

meeting and will partner with the town in applying for grants. Childcare will be offered in the gymnasium.

Again, the Community Resiliency Grants informational meeting will take place after residents vote. Most likely, there will be a short break to transition.

The Special Town meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., has four warrant articles, including voting for moderator.

Warrant Article 2 asks people whether or not to adopt the Commercial Solar Energy Facility Moratorium Ordinance.

This will not impact any commercial solar projects already approved. However, it would postpone any applications going forward.

The goal of the Casco Planning Board will be to put together an ordinance for commercial solar power for Annual Town Meeting in June.

Warrant Article No. 3 asks voters to add $24,000 to this winter’s snow plowing contract with C Pond Plowing. If passed, the money for the increase would come from Unassigned Fund Balance.

MEETING, Page 5A

OFF THE ROAD IN SEBAGO — Two people were hurt when the car they were riding in went off the road in Sebago Friday night, and crashed into a large tree. (Photo courtesy of CCSO)

Students earn college honors

Leah Plummer of Casco, Class of 2026, has been named to the Assumption University (Worcester, Mass.) Dean’s List for the spring 2022 semester. Students named to the Dean’s List must achieve a grade point aver-

age of 3.5 for a five-class, 15-credit semester to be included on the prestigious list, which is announced at the completion of the fall and spring semesters.

Riley Silvia of Raymond has been named to the Lasell University (Newton,

Mass.) Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, Lasell students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Mar Canilao LRVC Law Enforcement Program

Masons’ Voc Student of Mos.

Class of: 2023

Town: Sebago

Parents: Madel and Joe Gemme

Siblings: Stephanie, Jerrylyn

Hobbies: I like boxing and working out

What program are you in at the Vocational Center? I am in the Law Enforcement II program

What do you like most about your program? In the Law Enforcement program, I have learned many skills that I will be able to use in the future. For example, physical health and well-being, CPR, self-defense, working with others as a team, and much more.

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I am planning to enlist in the Marine Corps.

What career goal(s) do you have? While I am in the military, I would like to train for a career in Engineering.

Who or what inspired you to pursue this path?

I was inspired by my Law Enforcement teacher, class speakers, by recruiters from the four military branches who shared what they do to protect the U.S. and I liked what the Marines do. My teacher also helped me prepare for the physical demands of basic training through weekly physical training workout assessments.

What advice would you like to give future students? Whatever your goal is in life, “don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done.” That’s what I do!

Sebago crash

(Continued from Page 4A)

injuries. Wildes was transported to a local hospital.

Passenger William Plante of Springvale was also not wearing a seatbelt. Plante sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital.

Passenger Kaitlyn Craft of Sanford was wearing her seatbelt and was not injured in the crash.

At the time of the crash, the road surface was slush covered due to the recent snow/rain storm and it appeared that Henderson was driving too fast for the road conditions, police say.

“This crash is yet anoth-

er example of the importance that all vehicle occupants wear seatbelts. The Sheriff’s Office wishes to remind our citizens that that all occupants of a vehicle are required by law to wear seatbelts,” the CCSO said.

“Not only due seatbelts save lives, but they can reduce or prevent injuries. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s the law.”

Meeting

(Continued from Page 4A)

Lastly, warrant article No. 4, is a request for $125,000 from the Casco Public Library to repair the floors, roof, cellar and walls. The library is asking for half of the estimated costs of the renovations. The library has fundraised or will fundraise 50 percent of the total expenses.

“To have a successful opening, especially when you have help, you break up responsibilities,” she said.

Shuliakouskaya was in charge of the construction and the interior, she said.

Meanwhile, prior to the store opening Kaitlyn Burnell, 24, took the role of area supervisor on the sizable task of hiring and training about a dozen employees.

This Aroma Joe’s hired 13 people for the opening,

(Continued from Page 3A) AROMA, Page 8A

Jay Mar Canilao has been selected as the Masons’ Vocational Student of the Month for January.

Jay

HOLIDAY PARTY HOSTS — Tuesday, December 20, Lake Region Alternative Education students on Tuesday, Dec. 20 hosted a holiday party for the Stevens Brook Elementary School first graders. This began decades ago as a collaboration between retired high school teachers Lynne Harrison and Brian Clark and Brian’s wife, the late Tammy Clark who worked with Stevens Brook first graders. Both Clarks are LRHS alumni and worked in the district over 25 years. The Alternative Ed students worked together ahead of time baking cookies to decorate and planned crafts to be ready for the almost 50 first graders! There was a North Pole with Santa! It was a wonderful yearly tradition enjoyed by all. Alternative Ed is staffed by Ann Bragdon and Tyler Battist, who are carrying on the tradition. H.S. student Emma Niemi is pictured with a SBES student. (Photos courtesy of Ann Bragdon)

Tanner Crockett of Sebago graduated from the University of New Hampshire in December 2022. Tanner earned a BA degree in Russian.

Thomas Dean’s List Thomas College in

COLLEGE, Page 6A

SLS Pride Honors

Songo Locks Elementary School teachers and staff recognized the following students for being positive role models, reliable, trustworthy, respectful, conscientious, consistently helpful to staff and fellow students and selfless by presenting them with Laker Pride Awards:

Pre-K, Preston Arsenault, nominated by teacher Janice Labrecque and ed tech Betsy Maher — Preston is a “ray of sunshine.” He always has a positive outlook. He helps and goes out of his way to include his classmates. He is respectful and responsible with items in the classroom.

Kindergarten, Regan Lemieux, nominated by teacher Devin Merrill — Regan is always following school expectations and rules and is a role model for his peers! Regan is kind to his classmates and is always the first one to jump up and lend a helping hand!

Grade 1, Aphaea Ziminsky, nominated by teacher Kristen Saunders— Aphaea is a hard-working student. She takes pride in her work by taking her time and doing her best. She is kind and respectful to peers and teachers.

Grade 2, Hallie Shier nominated by teacher Kim Flanagin — Hallie is a positive role model, reliable and trustworthy, respectful and conscientious.

Staff Members, Diane Gieser and Betsy Maher

nominated by Principal Bridget DelPrete and PE/ Health teacher Roxanne Mayhew, for promoting, creating and enhancing a positive school community — Both Mrs. Geiser and Mrs. Maher are caring and dedicated teachers. Mrs. Geiser has stepped up to the teacher role while her colleague has been out. She is always well planned, looking to make a difference with our youngest learners in the Pre-K classes. Mrs. Maher has also been a wonderful addition to the Pre-K classes, yet also very willing, flexible, and knowledgeable in supporting some recent transitions with some of our students with special needs. Both of these ladies are team players, reliable, and nurturing!

CRES selects Pride honorees

Crooked River Elementary teachers and staff recognized the following students for being positive role models, reliable, trustworthy, respectful, conscientious, consistently helpful to staff and fellow students and selfless by presenting them with Laker Pride Awards:

Mylah Brooks , third grade student, nominated by her teacher — Mylah is an

excellent student who really works hard and applies herself. She is funny and kind to all around her, and she not only pushes herself to succeed but does the same for others. We are all so lucky to know Mylah and experience the joy that she brings!

Jacob Carruthers fourth grade student, nominated by his teacher — Jacob is an extremely

hard worker. He is cheerful and works well with others. He loves science and enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with the class.

Kylie Hernandez, fifth grade student, nominated by her teacher — Kylie is reliable, funny, and hard working. She makes every day fun and interesting.

Staff Person, Kimberly Nielsen, Grade 3 teacher, nominated by one of her

peers, for promoting, creating and enhancing a positive school community — Kimberly is an incredible hard worker who does whatever she can to ensure her students succeed. She is a great teammate and is willing to share anything someone might need! I appreciate her outlook on teaching and getting the job done. I am so fortunate to work with her.

Area students earn college honors

Waterville has announced the list of undergraduate students named to the fall 2022 Dean’s List: Kathryn McIntyre of Bridgton; Daniel Brewer, Jordan Magiera, Nicholas Magiera of Casco; Jarod Maher of Sebago; Cameron Meserve of Waterford.

SNHU Fall Dean’s List

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU in Manchester, N.H.) congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Local students honored were: Rebecca Lagoda of Bridgton; Jessica Collamati of Bridgton; and Justin Mushrow of Bridgton.

SNHU Fall President’s List

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU in Manchester, N.H.) congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2022 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Local students honored were: Lauren LaPlante-Tripp of Sweden, Garth Thompson of Naples, Andrew Gray of Raymond, and Tyler Homer of Raymond.

Springfield College Fall Dean’s List

Springfield College (Springfield, Mass.) recognizes Dean’s List students for the 2022 Fall Semester. The student must have a minimum semester grade average of 3.500 for the term. Local students include:

Kolbie Kaeser’s hard work ethic and being a “coachable player” has caught Ice Cats varsity hockey Coach Wayne Neiman’s eyes.

“Kolbie is always trying to be better and better his skills on the ice,” Coach Neiman said.

“Kolbie is an easy going kid and liked by his peers.

Kolbie strives to do well in the classroom and on the ice. He is a junior and also helps out with the community in our Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs.”

The Ice Cats are 3-2 and currently ranked #10 in Class A.

In recognition of his strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Kolbie is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

Player Spotlight Name: Kolbie Kaeser Year in School: Junior Hometown: Casco Parents: Luke Kaeser, Iara Kaeser (ee-yara) Sports you Play: Hockey School organizations: Varsity Club member School honors: Earth & Space science high honors, German 1 honors

Q. Why did you choose to play hockey?

I chose this sport because of how unique skating is and working together as a team.

Q. Complete the following, “I know I’ve had a good game if…” I know I’ve had a good game when my team and

I have fun, you play better when having fun. So, when I have fun, I know my teammates are also having a good game.

Q. What goes through your mind before a big game? Before a game, I think about what goals I want to achieve. One goal is always achievable, the second goal is not as easy, and the last is having to work hard every single time.

Q. If things are not going well, what do you do to rebound and clear your mind to be more positive? When things aren’t going so well, I take deep breaths and get ready for the next play.

Q. How has sports changed you as a person? Sports has changed me into someone who is better physically and mentally fit, also more sociable, and confident in myself.

Q. What is the biggest reward you get from competing in sports? The biggest rewards for competing in sports are the bonds you get with your teammates, coaches, and fans that you’ll remember for the rest of your life and how it changes you for the better.

Alpine racing times

Freeport 29, Yarmouth 46, Cape Elizabeth 49, Lake Region 54, Gray-NG 78.5, Fryeburg Academy 118, Greely 123, Wells 159

Run 2nd Run Total 1. Anya Monson, Cape E. 51.80 53.65 1:45.45 4. Ashley Pelletier, LR 53.71 1:01.36 1:55.07 10. Lauren Roy, LR 1:04.51 1:11.70 2:16.21 14. Reannah Dingley, LR 1:08.49 1:14.63 2:23.12 25. Grace Murley, FA 1:18.10 1:26.96 2:45.06 26. Lyla Levesque, LR 1:16.55 1:28.87 2:45.42 27. Clara Yager, FA 1:25.33 1:20.18 2:45.51 29. Laura Dutton, LR 1:19.65 1:32.47 2:52.12 32. Elsie Leonard, FA 1:19.78 1:35.35 2:55.13 34. Madison Murray, FA 1:25.01 1:31.84 2:56.85 37. Madison Frost, LR 1:25.49 1:36.32 3:01.81 40. Lilia Vishnyakov, FA 1:30.58 1:36.31 3:06.89 47. Malou Toftgaard, FA 1:38.60 1:42.42 3:21.02

Emily Rock, LR 1:34.19 1:47.21 3:21.40

Leire Oliver, FA 1:23.60 2:02.10 3:25.70

Caslida Hughas, FA 1:58.98 1:28.04 3:27.02

Haley Spofford, FA 1:55.68 1:55.36 3:51.04

Katherine O’Connor, LR 2:08.68 1:54.11 4:02.79

Blake, FA 1:15.61 1:18.17 2:33.78

Meade, FA 1:24.29 1:16.66 2:40.95

Harper, FA 1:29.76 1:31.87 3:01.63 40. Myles Coleman, FA 1:37.30 1:37.38 3:14.68 43. David Bellis-Bennett, FA 1:34.47 1:41.17 3:15.64 45. Adrian Wozich, LR 1:27.62 1:56.10 3:23.72 46. Connor Spofford, FA 1:53.62 1:56.54 3:50.16 — Russell Carbonaro, FA DNF 1:29.72

Ethan St. Pierre, FA 1:05.81 DNF

Joshua Wake, FA 4:45.27

Holden Edenbach, FA Did Not Finish

Zach Vogel, LR Did Not Finish

Madison McIntyre of Bridgton, a primary major of Health Science/Pre-Physician’s Assistant. Reese Merritt of Raymond, a Communication/Sport Journalism major.

Christina Scheid of Fryeburg, a History major.

Hancock Lumber’s PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Kolbie Kaeser (Photo courtesy Kevin Murphy)

LAKE PRIDE HONOREES at Songo Locks Elementary School included (left to right) staff member Diane Gieser, kindergarten student Regan Lemieux, Pre-K student Preston Arsenault and staff member Elizabeth Kane-Maher.

PROUDLY SHOWING OFF THEIR CERTIFICATES are SLS first grader Aphaea Ziminsky (left) and second grader Hallie Shier.

Mylah Brooks Grade 3 student

Jacob Carruthers Grade 4 student

Kylie Hernandez Grade 5 student

Kimberly Nielsen Grade 3 teacher

Regional Sports

Smith blocks FA path

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Every time Fryeburg Academy looked to get to the rim, sophomore Bella Smith blocked their path.

The Laker guard played more like a shot-blocking center Saturday, swatting away nine Raider shots, hauling down 10 rebounds and scoring 9 points in a 61-39 rout of the Raiders at Nutting Gym in Naples.

“Bella plays under control. She’s calm. She did an amazing job on weak side rebounding and she was incredible contesting shots without fouling,” Laker Coach Doug Banks said.

Early, the rematch between the two rivals was a “dogfight,” Coach Banks pointed out. “They’re tough.”

The Lakers jumped out to a 9-2 lead as center Ava Smith cashed in on

well-placed entry passes for three quick buckets. Smith then knocked down a 3-pointer.

But, the Raiders settled in as center Mina Milosevic (9 points, 10 rebounds) made her presence felt in the paint to close the gap to 11-9. FA took a 14-13 lead after one as Sydney Shaw (6 points) shifted into overdrive, zipping past two LR defenders for a lay-up.

Shaw’s night, however, was interrupted when she was forced to the bench with a cut to her scalp.

“We were out of sorts. We tried too hard to get the ball to Ava. There is nothing part of our offense that says Ava posts up and we get her the ball automatically,” Coach Banks noted.

“In the third, we moved the ball. Several people touched the ball. We got

better shot chances. The lane opened up. Margo made some really tough shots with people in her face, driving to the basket.”

The Lakers regained the lead on a hustle play from Abby Lavoie, who netted a pair of foul shots. Melissa Mayo, who struggled with her shot in the first meeting, blistered the twines with back-to-back 3-pointers as the Lakers surged to a 27-19 lead. Mayo had a 16-point night, and was a highly-effective maestro, running the Laker offense.

The Lakers led 28-21 at the break.

Whatever message Coach Banks delivers at intermission, it works big time. Like their win over Yarmouth, the Lakers dominated the third quarter. FA managed just a Jilyan Byrne inside hoop with 1:37 left in the quarter. Meanwhile, Smith and Smith owned the paint. It rubbed off on teammates as Mayo, Margo Tremblay and Lavoie followed suit, not settling for jumpers but instead show aggressiveness taking the ball to the rim. LR was rewarded with foul shots, and made 6-of-7.

“The last two games, we were able to lock it down in the third quarter. I’m feeling that if the game is close at the half, we’re going to come out and take care of business,” Coach Banks said.

Lake Region (8-2) kept rolling in the fourth, opening the frame with a 9-0 run. With the lead reaching 30, Coach Banks went to his bench. Senior Olivia England made the most of her court time, going 4-for4 from the foul line and knocking down a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to finish with 7 points.

“It was a good team win. (Coach) John (Mayo) and (Coach) Jordan (Turner) do a great job keeping the bench in the

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

By day, Dan Thomas is a math teacher. His ability to manage numbers came in handy Saturday night.

With game officials whistling 68 fouls — Fryeburg Academy had 36 and Lake Region 32 — Raider Coach Thomas and Laker Coach Ryan Martin faced the same dilemma — do I put him in or keep him out a little longer?

“Rhythm and flow to the game was tough. Guys get in, and then I have to sit them right back down because they picked up another foul — second, third or fourth. I made a few good calls and a few bad calls on taking some guys out and keeping some guys in,” Coach Thomas said. “I lost Gunnar in the fourth, probably should have waited a little longer, but hindsight is 20-20. Luckily, I am a math teacher, so I can keep track of these fouls pretty well in my head. People like to wait until the end of the game to bring players back, but I am a believer that if the game is close, it’s time to put our big guns out there and see if we could stay out of foul trouble.”

Thomas made the right call on putting athletic 6-foot-5 forward Joao Orlando back into the game to start the fourth,

despite four fouls.

“Joao Orlando was playing with four fouls and I told him to play vertical, chest out, show your hands. He played the whole fourth without picking up another foul,” Coach Thomas said.

Joao responded, big time. He swished two 3-pointers from the right corner, and was a major presence on the glass. Joao scored 12 points and blocked two shots to lead Fryeburg Academy (5-5) to a 53-47 victory in Naples.

“Our defense kept us in the game against them the first time we met, our defense again kept us in this one while our offense was a bit slow. Orlando gives us that stretch-5 look and is tough to guard. We needed his offense in the fourth. He made two big 3s. He’s a big-time player,” Coach Thomas said. “A lot of guys played tonight. We got some big

As

the

“ugly.”

Evan Duprey, who had a tough time shaking free for shots in the first meeting, got off to a good start, canning a 3-pointer as the Lakers jumped out 6-3.

Fryeburg went on a 6-0 run as Orlando completed a three-point play and Lorenzo Vallemani converted an off-balance driving shot along the baseline for a 9-8 Raider lead.

Laker shooters went to the charity stripe 14 times in the second quarter, converting 10 to build a 24-22 halftime advantage.

Camden Johnson rallied the Raiders from a deficit with a 3-pointer

and a soft shooting touch in the lane as he squeezed out space between two Laker defenders.

The teams played an even third quarter, LR enjoying an 11-10 margin as Brock Gibbons netted a pair of 3-pointers to close out the quarter for a 35-32 LR lead.

“Our game plan coming in was to play fullcourt man-to-man, and we did it for the first quarter. It was an ugly first quarter but we were holding them. We missed some shots in the second and turned the ball over, so we pulled our defense back. We let Lake Region get a little comfortable, and they started to make some shots and were able to get to the free throw line. So, I told the guys at the half, we needed to get up on them. I know it was hot out there, but if they got tired, I told them to tug their jersey and we’d get some -

minutes from Idan Orr. He played great, grabbing nine rebounds.”

expected,

gym was rocking as fans turned up the volume and players went at it full tilt. Foul calls and turnovers resulted in what Coach Thomas bluntly called the first 8 minutes as

STRONG TAKE TO THE RIM by Fryeburg Academy center Mina Milosevic.

DIVING SAVE ATTEMPT by the always-hustling Abby Lavoie in last week’s game against Yarmouth. The Lakers knocked off the fifth-seeded Clippers 69-48 and moved up in the Class B Heals. See story at www.bridgton.com

TRYING FOR A STEAL is Laker guard Margo Tremblay against Fryeburg Academy’s Jilyan Byrne. (Rivet Photos)

RIGHT ON THE BALL — Lake Region center Ava Smith cleanly blocks a Yarmouth player’s shot.

TIGHT DEFENSE played by Raider Austin Warren. (Rivet Photos)

REJECTED — Lake Region’s Jacoby Bardsley (#3) blocks a shot attempt by Fryeburg Academy’s Bryce Richardson.

HIGH FOR THE REBOUND — Fryeburg Academy’s Joao Orlando grabs a rebound while surrounded by LR’s Jacob Chadbourne (left) and Jackson Libby.

Bella Smith blocks Raiders’ path

game and work the matchups. The girls played well,” Coach Banks added.

Meanwhile, FA Coach Kristen Stacy felt too many tough breaks prevented her club from remaining competitive wire to wire, like the first meeting.

“It all came down to attitude with us. We’ve never played in a gym that rowdy. I think some of the girls were intimidated after watching the boys’ game to start;

our confidence level wasn’t where it should’ve been, especially once our captain and leader, Sydney Shaw, went down. The team had a really hard time re-focusing on the game after that.

Unfortunately, our mental toughness wasn’t there,” Coach Stacy said. “One of our starters, Alysa Grawe, had also spent the night at the hospital before the game with a temperature of 103. She tried to play, but was also not mentally or physi-

cally prepared.”

Coach Stacy likes the talent her squad has, but knows for the Raiders (2-8) to get over the hump, they need to work on their mental toughness.

“We need to get better not letting outside factors influence the way we play. It has been one of our hardest lessons,” Coach Stacy said.

Stat Lines

LR scoring — Margo Tremblay 4, Ava Smith 17, Bella Smith 9, Kasey

Johnson 2, Melissa Mayo 16, Abby Lavoie 4, Olivia England 10

LR rebounding leaders — Ava Smith 13, Bella Smith 10, Margo Tremblay 6.

FA scoring — Jilyan Byrne 10, Mina Milosevic 9, Celia Hernandez 8, Sydney Shaw 6, Alysa Grawe 2, Eden True 2, Gwen McDougall 2.

FA rebounding leaders — Mina Milosevic 10, Jilyan Byrne 6.

Raiders overcome foul fest

one else in there,” Coach Thomas said. “We picked it up. I also told them that the way the game was being officiated, we had to drive to the basket. We didn’t shoot well from the foul line, but put pressure on them.”

The fourth kept fans on the edge of their seats or screaming to the outer limits of their voice capacity.

Fryeburg was able to pull away by controlling

the glass, while also being more aggressive going to the hoop despite foul trouble.

Lake Region (3-7) narrowed the gap to 49-46 on a Jacob Chadbourne drive with 40.8 ticks on the clock. Vallemani answered with a lay-up. FA could have iced the win, but went just 2-of-6 from the foul line to keep the Lakers’ hopes of a fantastic finish alive.

“Free throw shooting —

Aroma Joe’s

but during the summer, that number will jump to 20, Burnell said.

It’s a good combination of young adults and high school students, she said.

“A big thanks to Kaitlyn doing a great job not just hiring but also training the team,” she said. “When you open your business, the worst thing to do is have the staff not trained. Thanks to Kaitlyn our team was trained to serve the right drink with the right attitude.”

Being situated in Naples is advantageous but the slight setback from the main road might discourage some people or they might not see it as readily if the building was right off the main road, she said.

“Visibility is the key. We knew that it is going to take a little bit of time due to visibility,” Shuliakouskaya said. “There is a convenience issue. Can the customer figure out how the drive-through goes through the parking lot? When we go to rural communities, if someone takes a wrong turn in the drive-through, they will tell their friend how to go the right way.”

Still, the customers come in their vehicles.

“We are already seeing the increase. I’m looking closely at every day sales. Yesterday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., we were not as busy as today at that time. We had an additional eight (8) customers today at that hour,” she said.

Shuliakouskaya talked about the benefits the business will have on the community. She included the turning lane that was put in to support more traffic.

“In this case, it benefits us to have turning lane. It minimizes accidents and it brings additional visibility to the new tenant. Hopefully, all the businesses in our plaza will see the benefits. We go hand-in-hand with all the businesses,” she said. “There are multiple ways we benefit the community: hiring members, a positive economic impact, making the plaza complete — that is not an empty space in this building. That is adding value to the town.”

“The last piece is what we are going to do in the community. If someone asks for help donating for schools and charity events, I have never said no. Overall, we try to help and support the community. People can ask for free coffee for school meetings, for volunteers setting up charity events, for Teacher Appreciation Day,” she said, adding she is a big fan of the rotary club wherever she goes.

“To be transparent, I’ve been in Naples for the last six months and that is the most I know about Naples,” she said. “I get energized by learning about what people do and what the community is all about.”

maybe it was the heat, the big crowd? They’re high school kids and they’re emotional at times. I appreciated how loud it was in there. It was a good test for us. We know now what we need to work on. Maybe at our next practice, I’ll blast some metal music over the speakers and have them shoot free throws for 20 minutes, after running sprints, of course,” Coach Thomas said. “We lost to Cape by 3 and missed 10 free throws. It’s something we need to work on and get better at.”

Like a year ago, Coach Thomas thinks the two Lake Region wins could be the springboard his club needed as they make a playoff push.

“It really could be a springboard for us. Right about this time last year, we did about the same thing. We were 4-5, got back to .500, and never looked back. We are starting to come together. Some of our sets tonight got us some wide-open looks, and we knocked them down at critical times,” Coach Thomas said.

Up next, Fryeburg

Academy travels to Poland on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. game

Meanwhile, Laker Coach Ryan Martin said the foul fest was a good lesson for his squad.

“There were a lot of fouls called, but we also fouled a lot. We are continuing to find the balance of playing hard without fouling. This was a great test to our players being able to play in an atmosphere like that,” he said. “This is why basketball is such a team sport. It is important for players to understand that some games their number will get called more than others. This game, we had nine different players play 8-plus minutes. I think it is a very important skill learning how to play in foul trouble. Jackson was out because he was in foul trouble but also because I thought Jack Bueler was once again giving the team great minutes. He is an outstanding role player on this team. We always know what we are going to get from him.”

Coach Martin called the night a back and forth

game that could have gone either way.

“At the end of the game, we had a couple lapses on the defensive end that led to open shots for FA. They hit big shots in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 of their 53 in that quarter,” he noted. “I am pleased with the way the team competed and stayed together throughout the course of the game. We’re still growing in the department of being able to play under control and stay poised in those type of games. The way you learn is by playing in high intensity games like that. That game will only make both teams better!”

Up next, the Lakers traveled to Waynflete Wednesday, followed by

home tilts Friday against Greely at 7 p.m. and Tuesday against Cape Elizabeth at 7 p.m. Stat Lines

LR scoring — Jackson Libby 10, Brock Gibbons 11, Aiden Roberts 2, Jacob Chadbourne 9, Jacoby Bardsley 2, Ian Brogan 3, Evan Duprey 8, Jack Bueler 2.

LR leading rebounders — Jackson Libby 5, Jacob Chadbourne 5.

FA scoring — Jordan Dutton 1, Joao Orlando 12, Gunnar Saunders 8, Lorenzo Vallemani 9, Camden Johnson 15, Idan Orr 3, Geri Daiu 3, Jagger Helwig 2.

FA leading rebounders — Camden Johnson 11, Idan Orr 6, Joao Orlando 6.

Some Lakers punch State tickets

GORHAM — The Lake Region girls finished fourth and the boys sixth in the eight-team varsity indoor track meet held last Friday at the University of Southern Maine field house in Gorham.

Five Lakers met the automatic or provisional state meet mark in their event. Most impressive was Ezra Gronlund’s 800meter run. He chased York’s Sam Hunter the entire race and finished second. The automatic time for states is 2:12.50. Ezra’s time was 2:08.85 and a personal record (PR) by more than 8 seconds!

Grady Kemp finished third in the 800 race with a provisional state meet time (2:16.09). Earlier in the

meet, Grady PRed in the mile, finishing fourth in that event (4:56.83).

Alex Frietas knocked 0.08 off his PR in the 55-meter hurdles. His new PR of 9.33 seconds automatically qualifies for the state meet. He finished fourth in the event. Taylor Spearrin finished third in the high jump and his 5-4 result met the provisional state mark. Ezra Gronlund finished fifth (4-10).

Abigail Roberts won the 800 meters in 2:29.30. That is currently the top time in the state for Class B. She finished second in the 2-mile with an automatic state time of 12:29.31. That time ranks #2 for Class B.

Other Lakers placing in the meet were Kimberly Stiffler, sixth in the JR 55 meters (8.73); Marissa Harlow, sixth in the JR 55-meter hurdles

(11.56); Hailey Brewer, fifth in the SR 55 (8.50) and SR 200 (31.16); Kaitlin Lane and Madison Shepard were fourth and fifth in the JR shot put (22-05 and 21-2.25, respectively); and all three relay teams placed in the meet.

“I was especially impressed with the JR girls’ relay. Marissa strained her hip during the 55 meters, so we needed a replacement for the relay. This meant it would be the first time running the relay for 3 of the 4 runners. Marissa was great guiding them through warmups and practice. Then, Madison Shepard (38.0), Kaitlin Lane (40.4), and Madelyn Long (33.7) joined (1 meet veteran) Kimberly Stiffler (33.8) as the team placed fifth in the event (2:25.92), worth two points. We beat

NYA by only one point so that relay finish was needed,” Laker Coach Mark Snow said.

The following athletes had multiple PRs in the meet: Kimberly Stiffler (55, 200 & relay) and JayMar Canilao (55, 200 and relay) led all Lakers with three PRs each. Taylor Spearrin (high jump and relay), Ezra Gronlund (800 and relay), Hanna Siebert (200 and relay), Madelyn Long (55 and 200) and Kaitlin Lane (55 and shot put) all had two PRs.

Most significant along with Ezra’s stellar 800m PR were Kaitlin’s almost 4-foot PR in the shot and Madelyn and JayMar knocked off almost one full second in the 200 meters (29.70).

Up next, the Lakers head to USM this Friday, Jan. 20, meet starts at 4:30 p.m.

FOULED ON THE TAKE — Laker guard Abby Lavoie is fouled on a lay-up attempt by Fryeburg Academy’s Alysa Grawe. (Rivet Photo)

In Ye Olden Times

by Michael Davis BHS Assistant Director

That Lottery Winner

Howdy neighbor!

Well now, there’s a new millionaire walking around here in Maine, and it’s all thanks to the good old Lottery. Yes indeed, it appears some lucky countryman of ours here the Pine Tree State managed to do just about the impossible; picking every single winning number in the recent Mega Millions drawing, and being the only one in the nation to do so at that! That of course means one of the largest payouts in history, some $1.3 odd billion — less a good chunk of for Uncle Sam’s tax collectors of course — is coming this way. Here’s hoping the lucky winner will do some good by our State with it, to fund a library or museum in their hometown perhaps.

Now, I understand there are some who may decry such a use, or who may oppose the very scheme of the lottery itself, and of these I’ll allow there are many sound and rational arguments against it. But I always get a thrill out of the idea of a lottery nonetheless, even if I personally don’t play the numbers myself, and additionally I must recognize the great public good which the funds raised by a lottery, in the form of all those ticket sales to the unlucky majority, accomplishes when given back to the states which participate. As a method of raising money for State projects, I find it far less odious than common taxes. That’s the way it has always been folks; historically the lottery system has a long and well-established place in New England’s heart, and was once a far more

FOR MANY YEARS, just about every big prospect here in Maine and our sister states was funded, if not personally by its organizers, then by some kind of a lottery scheme.

prominent method of fundraising than it is today, for we must remember that in the old days, before the ratification of the 16th Amendment to our Constitution in 1913, there was no income tax at all and the government generally had far less discretionary income to put toward worthy causes. So, for many years, just about every big prospect here in Maine and our sister states was funded, if not personally by its organizers, then by some kind of a lottery scheme.

Nowadays, the FTC prohibits common folk like you and me from striking out and starting up a lottery of our own, due to concerns over regulation and the like, in a similar manner to how we can’t open up a casino just because we have a piece of land and a few decks of cards. But back in the 18th and 19th centuries, this was not so. Lotteries and subscription schemes were a common method of fundraising for large

LOTTERY, Page 3B

explained that he specializes in landowner relations.

Make A Resolution You can Keep –Volunteer!

To The Editor:

Your Bridgton Community Center is seeking volunteers in a variety of areas. Please consider giving back to your community in 2023. We need painters for our February painting projects. We need those who love to clean and volunteers to share a craft or skill. Our most urgent need this winter is warming room volunteers. You decide your role and how much time you can give. We provide training support and a great working atmosphere. Come join us!

For more information, come by the center Thursday, Feb. 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or please contact Heather Chandel at 207-647-3116 for an application and interview.

Heather Chandel Bridgton Community Center Volunteer Coordinator

Warden at BER potluck

To The Editor:

The Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club welcomed Corporal Kris MacCabe of the Maine Warden Service to its monthly potluck supper and business meeting on Jan. 13, 2023. Club President Blaine Chapman introduced him (see photo), and

Corporal MacCabe has a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine, has worked for the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources and the USDA Wildlife Services, and has also appeared on the very popular TV series “North Woods Law.”

Corporal MacCabe spoke about the tremendous influx of new landowners all around the state, who are frequently “from away,” and may not be familiar with the Maine Tort Law system that protects the landowner when anyone uses their property. 94% of Maine land is in private hands. The most frequent landowner complaints are about excess noise from snowmobiles, and off-trail riding. These are best handled by getting the sled’s registration number or taking a photograph of the offender.

Unlike most other states, Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning that if land is not posted, it is legal to use the land. Those laws protect the landowner unless he or she does something egregious to endanger others.

& Comment

Pileated Woodpeckers — Good Neighbors for Humans and Birds

This morning, we are sitting at our kitchen table, looking out the window at falling snow, enjoying a cup of coffee, and watching birds come to the feeders. There are four year-round Woodpeckers in our neighborhood, and so far this morning, three of them, the Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied, have shown up.

The Downy, less than seven inches long, is the smallest Woodpecker in North America, and the one perched on our seed feeder is a male, with red feathers on the back of his head.

The Hairy is larger, and like the Downy is black and white. Size can be difficult to judge, but we can tell them apart because the Downy’s bill is relatively short in relation to the length of the head, while the Hairy’s bill is as long as the length of the head.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is similar in size to the Hairy, but looks quite different, with black-and-white barring on the back and a pale unmarked breast and belly. Its name is misleading because the slight blush of pink on the lower belly is not easily seen. This is a more southern species that has been steadily moving north in recent years and is now a frequent visitor to our feeders.

Some folks have told me Pileated Woodpeckers (pronounced pill-iated or pie-liated, a reference to the bird’s

Bird Watch

by Jean Preis BN Columnist

crest) visit their feeders, but even though they are fairly common around here we have never seen one at our feeders. According to www.birdsoftheworld.org the nearly Crow-sized Pileated is the largest Woodpecker north of Mexico. They require mature forest with a good supply of large standing dead trees and fallen wood, both for nest cavities and for carpenter ants, their favorite food. When the Pileated Woodpecker lands on the side of a tree trunk it pulls its head back on its long neck, grasps the bark, and pulls with its strong feet to increase the impact, while its stiff tail feathers act as a prop to hold it in position for excavating. It then drives its large bill, shaped like a pickax with a chisel at the end, into soft wood. Extremely strong

PILEATED, Page 4B

Disgracing Dr. King’s Dream

The third Monday of January is celebrated as a national holiday to honor the memory of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose legacy is larger than life and whose work benefitted all of humanity.

Yes, he led the successful struggles that achieved landmark civil rights and voting rights legislation.

But his deeper legacy is to show humankind a more evolved way to manage conflict. He led a minority of oppressed, disenfranchised, impoverished Americans living in former slave states to freedom, not with the sword, but with militant love, an advanced form of conflict transformation that taught the world lessons even beyond the great Gandhi.

King’s life was cut short and there is great sadness that the racist forces he worked so hard to oppose live on. Most insidiously the normalization of dishonesty and the abundant gaslighting in Republican politics have allowed his work to be whitewashed with little resistance. He is now routinely quoted by the people promoting legislation and policy he would condemn.

The racism of 2023 is both the continuation of a long legacy of American white supremacy but also the denial that racism even exists. It is mind boggling to place remembrance and renewal of King’s vision into the political drama of our

Sometimes, new landowners will close down their newly-purchased property because they don’t know the law. This is where Corporal MacCabe comes in to help settle this kind of dispute. A landowner who allows a snowmobile trail on his or her property is also covered by an additional $500,000 from Maine Snowmobile Association.

Bridgton Easy Riders members had the opportunity to ask questions of the guest speaker. By the end of the evening, we had learned

some very useful information and had made an important connection with MacCabe, who asked to be called Kris.

The next meeting of Bridgton Easy Riders is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center, with the fabulous potluck supper followed by a business meeting at 6:45 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Bill Preis BER Club Correspondent bridgtoneasyriders.com

Thanks for successful sale

To The Editor:

The Bridgton/Fryeburg Knights of Columbus Council 11376 would like to thank the local community for their support. In December, we had a very successful Christmas wreath sale and raffle.

Thanks to Hayes Hardware for allowing us to sell at the store and to the Town of Bridgton for allow-

times.

Guest Columnist

by Wim Laven Political Science and Conflict Resolution Teacher

In the unprecedented 15 ballots required to elect Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of House, we saw the worst of what conservatives represent and the ahistorical denial of inequality and threat posed by prejudice.

McCarthy, a fierce advocate for sanitizing history and critic of teaching actual history, has said, “Critical race theory goes against everything Martin Luther King has ever told us, don’t judge us by the color of our skin.”

Critical race theory is the idea that race relations have been a profoundly oppressive part of U.S. history. This includes teaching that the Three Fifths Compromise, made in the 1787

DREAM, Page 2B

ing us to set up our table at the Depot Street parking lot.

Our lucky cash prizewinners were Jon Friend, Dwayne LaBelle, and Ken Harrold.

The Knights will continue our work of charity here in Maine with your support. Thanks.

Tom Leonard Financial Secretary Bridgton/Fryeburg

Knights of Columbus Council 11376

Train the brain

To The Editor:

I stopped by the Big Apple to get gas when a young woman asked me if I had done some writing for The Bridgton News. I said, ‘yes.’ I’m not tooting my own horn, but I asked what she liked about the letter. She said that my letters were positive. Got her name and thanked her for saying that. Then, I felt so elated, I went home to write another letter.

I have lived through my mother’s and father’s example. I never heard a negative word from my dad’s lips

of 77 years. Having been placed as an orphan for three years, he never belly-ached about it.

All I can say about negativism is to not get too wrapped up in politics, and keep a healthy body so people won’t have to hear about your small aches and pains. Best to relish and value every day. There are so many positive things to keep your mind upbeat.

I think that having experienced life through good and tough times has made me a stronger person, one to have courage to write to The Bridgton News in a more positive way.

Remember, ‘train the brain’ — smile, look for the good around you, stay positive and bring those around you up.

Sue Parent Bridgton

Is it a fit for Maine?

To The Editor: I am the wife of a fourthgeneration fisherman whose livelihood is threatened by

TAKING A BREAK FROM THE SLOPES — Skis and snowboards placed in racks at Pleasant Mountain Ski Resort. Despite some unsettled weather, skiers enjoyed good rides. (Photo by Pam Ward)

GUEST SPEAKER Maine Warden Service Corporal Kris MacCabe, pictured with Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club President Blaine Chapman.

a recent decision to permit a large open-RAS industrialscale aquaculture company to operate in Chandler Bay.

The aquaculture industry poses risks to the future of lobstering in our community. I’m concerned with the encroachment of aquaculture in our waters and question how the industry will affect the future of coastal Maine communities.

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has determined that the aquaculture industry is good for “economic development and jobs.” Our municipality applied this reasoning as a condition while recently reviewing a permit for an industrial-scale aquaculture facility in our town. The application of the economic/ job criteria can be the cause

for lesser stringent standards for shoreland zoning and water quality to be applied, thus allowing discharge to be flushed into our Chandler Bay. The DECD’s reasoning could prove to be detrimental to communities in ways we cannot predict.

Lincoln Millstein, a 2022 Yankee Quill award recipient and a former Hearst executive at Acadia National Park, founded the Quiet Side Journal (QSJ) which can be accessed online at (https:// theqsjournal.substack.com). Mr. Millstein has published an eye-opening article about Maine and the aquaculture industry entitled, “State Peddling Coastal Towns to Fish Farms Without Local Officials Knowledge” online at: https://theqsjournal.substack.com/p/state-peddlingcoastal-towns-to-fish.

For more information about DECD and Maine & Co. Land-Based Aquaculture incentives refer to:www.maine.gov/decd/

Unity in the community…

…or, how I learned to get along with my enemies

Who am I supposed to hate, again?

For years, I taught a graduate class, Identity Conflict, and I would begin the term by noting that trying to list the composite identity elements of any one individual would show that, indeed, we are unique. No two humans share an exact measure of identities. Even twins billed as “identical” have identities that are separate, if only “born first,” and “born second.”

My tribal labels: white, boomer, male, Green/Democratic, professor, pacifist (except to mosquitos and rats), and much more. Your tribal labels extend into many permutations of your primary identity, carving out your unique identity now and forever on this Earth.

Nonetheless, we manage to stress one identity on many days, and allow that to create borders and even conflicts with those who do not share that one aspect of Who I Am. That frequently erupts into conflicts small and large, internal and between peoples. Those who hold multiple identities are often caught in the middle: One study looked at the effects on Muslim girls in British schools and the challenges faced by both the girls and the schools. Another examined the devoutly religious who are LGBTQ+ and subjected to exhortations to “pray the gay away.” These pressures can fracture communities and damage innocent people.

In my field of Conflict Transformation, we know that loss intensifies that aspect of identity and sets up a typology of identity: Us vs Them. My field is highly interdisciplinary; we borrowed this identity-intensification-as-a-legacy-ofloss from a cross discipline, Social Psychology. It’s basically the collective version of passive-aggressive behavior. The narrative is: We were defeated and now we hate them forever, we nurse the desire for revenge in our private circles, we gather our forces behind the scenes for as long as it takes (even generations if needs be), and then we strike.

Public Notice

TOWN OF DENMARK

Public Hearing Notice: Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Plan Amendments

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Denmark Municipal Building Meeting Room 2T2

PUBLIC NOTICE

OF

There will be a Public Hearing held on January 25, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at the Casco Community Center Meeting Room, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine on the following items:

• Application for Variance – Miljan Bajic of 77 Merganser Street, Westbrook, ME 04092. Is requesting a Dimensional Variance for a 5'x17' balcony on a new house at 31 Garland Road, Casco Maine Tax Map 22 - Lot 29.

• Application for Variance – Michael Polland, applicant is seeking a Road/ROW setback for a lakeside storage shed for property owners Bruce B. and Diane E. Craver of 87 Miller Road, Casco, Maine –Tax Map 47- Lot 8

• Administrative Appeal – is being sought by Hayden Stokes submitted on behalf of Key Haven Holdings, LLC, Located at 200 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, Maine 04015 Tax Map 2, - Lot 1-8 for the denial of the permit based on a misinterpretation of the Ordinance to allow an Adult Use Cannabis Store.

Respectfully Submitted, Mary Tremblay, Deputy CEO

Guest Columnist

by Tom H. Hastings PeaceVoice Senior Editor

Welcome to Hitler’s Germany, striking back after WWI and the retributive Treaty of Versailles. Say hello to Rwanda following the brutal colonization by Belgium and the favored treatment of the Tutsi population. We’re looking at you, Palestine, since your land was stolen, and you are second-class citizens at best. And of course, we have our frustrated men from former Confederate states, whose ancestors lost the U.S. Civil War. This list is virtually endless.

Everybody wants payback.

So, we will expect that forever, or until wars either escalate to thermonuclear Apocalypse or consume and spew out so much carbon we kill the climate and ourselves in the bargain (is anyone tracking the carbon boot-print of the war in Ukraine, for instance?). Destructive conflict, often fueled by identity, may be the ultimate undoing of our species.

I was a Conscientious Objector during the Vietnam War, born in 1950 and thus turned 18 during the most furious part of that war, the Tet Offensive. I am supposed to hate my brothers who served in combat in that illegal, immoral war.

I don’t — never have.

As soon as the first of my friends came home, all that tension evaporated and was instead redirected entirely toward the Johnsons and Nixons and Dow Chemical executives and all those who profited. Of course, my first friend who came home did so in a wheelchair for life, a good-looking, friendly big brother to one of my closest friends, a kid who was kind to all of us, someone whose smile remains in my minds-eye, my minds-heart.

Legals

businessdevelopment/landbasedaquaculture and www. maineco.org/aquaculture.

Hopefully, readers will find interest with this information and alert local officers to it within their communities.

Carrie Peabody Jonesport

Extremist politics

To The Editor: Speaker McCarthy’s new party line Rules of the House stack the deck for extremists and insurrectionists while turning federal workers into political targets on the House floor.

On Jan. 10, along party lines, Republicans passed a resolution to create a “Weaponization of Government” Jan. 6 styled subcommittee chaired by whack-job jacketless insurrectionist Jim Jordan (Q, OH) — essentially the foxes are now in charge of guarding the hen-house and dismantling the Department of Justice’s ongoing criminal investigations of tfg.

I quote Democratic Congressman Nadler whose synopsis of this party line House majority extremist action is spot on: “Jim Jordan and Kevin McCarthy claim to be investigating the

Hate? I just say no.

weaponization of the federal government when, in fact, this new select subcommittee is the weapon itself,” Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “It is specifically designed to inject extremist politics into our justice system and shield the MAGA movement from the legal consequences of their actions. In order to become Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy sold out our democracy by handing power-hungry Jim Jordan subpoena power and a green light to settle political scores under the phony pretext of rooting out conservative bias.”

It’s telling that the first order of business for the 118th Congress was to vote along party lines to dismantle recently passed legislation provided funding to the IRS to audit their oligarch donor tax cheats, as well as loopholes employed by billionaires, and only those taxpayers making more than $400K per year. The convoluted priorities of this MAGA crowd should already be apparent to anyone with a television and access to CSPAN this past week.

Jon St. Laurent Lovell

Fast forward to our current time, and the Patriot Prayer (local Proud Boys hereabouts) are supposed to hate me and I am bound to hate them. I mean, my sons are African American and they are white supremacists. I am for peace and they want violence. I am disarmed; they are armed.

But, we get along. They have literally reached out to me to shake my hand. I can place my hand on the shoulder of the biggest and baddest of them, and I have.

Why? Why stop hating the terrible conniving rotten Other who clearly wants you dead?

Because the hate only feeds more hate, more destruction, more violence, more useless continuation of wreckage. Unless some people simply stop, however unilaterally that might be, the hate will never vanish. It may go under some rock when social norms force it there, but it is like a peat bog fire just waiting under the surface, for years sometimes, before conditions allow it to erupt into a raging wildfire.

How? How to drop the hate?

For me, as a member of an unarmed public safety team, I know, as all of us in this practice know, that we will often be required to just do so unilaterally, to “take one for the team,” and to understand that when we are disrespected, insulted, or even assaulted, it is never in service to the community to respond with hate, nor to mirror disrespect, but to instead regard ourselves as in service to the well-being of the community, even if only for a limited time.

No one is afraid of us. No one holds a grudge against us. We do not dissemble; no one on our team nods in agreement when someone yells a sexist slur, a racist rant, or any other offensive act. But neither do we debate them.

Instead, we seek clarity, we ask, we listen. We affirm what we can.

One young woman told a highly offensive anti-Islam counter-protester, “Sounds like you really care about this country.” Her accurate observation did not affirm his point of view, but it de-escalated him and they had a discussion. She listened for several minutes, asking small clarifying questions, and then, shockingly, he asked her a couple and listened to her. Up until she approached him, he had been live-streaming his racist rants. Once they started talking, he turned off his camera. Not only did she take him out of play for about 45 minutes, she helped diminish the hurtful tone of the counter-protesters substantially, since he was the alpha male of the group.

This young woman is an Iraqi immigrant, a former refugee who fled the war with her mother. She is brown-skinned and was covered, fairly obviously a Muslim. The man was literally wearing a t-shirt that said, “Stop being Muslim.”

That young woman is our hope for an end to hate. We can do this. We need her emotional maturity, her willingness to absorb the hate and transform it into understanding, which then, in turn, becomes the weapon that diminishes and even UNITY, Page 8B

This week’s game solutions

FRESH SNOW on Little Mountain in West Bridgton photographed by John Schoenfeld.

That Lottery Winner

projects, and they typically needed only a thin veneer of government approval to operate successfully. For example, in 1791, when the good people of Fryeburg decided they wanted a Grammar School, they knew they would have to write the General Court of Massachusetts requesting incorporation as a Board of Trustees for an Academy. They also feared that given their remote location, if they didn’t already have a school up and running which Massachusetts could easily incorporate as an Academy, that it would simply deny their request rather than appropriate funds for its creation. So, it was that Parson Fessenden called a meeting of local men from Fryeburg, Brownfield, and Conway, N.H., and circulated a subscription among them with aims to raise the princely sum of one hundred pounds. This money was subscribed for, the school built, and we all know the rest. But this was of course a small sum of money; far greater and more complicated lottery systems were needed to manage greater projects such as the fundraising for the first Steamboats in the state of Maine, which were

Erlon S. Varney

1933-2022

SOUTH PORTLAND — Erlon S. Varney, 89, formally of Falmouth, passed away December 28, 2022. He was born March 14, 1933, in Brewer to Erma (Johnson) Varney and A. Stewart Varney. At an early age, he and his parents relocated from Bucksport to Bridgton.

As the son of an electrician and educator, he soaked up technical attributes and academic disciplines. Over the years, his interests grew to include stamp collecting, boat building, drumming and gifted carpentry skills that many benefitted from. In 1954, he and his father completed an 18-foot cabin cruiser, receiving recognition in nationally published Mechanics Illustrated magazine. Another passionate hobby was the restoration of his antique automobiles, the first being a 1927 Ford Model T, originally purchased in 1948 for $10.

While playing in the University of Maine Band, he met his future wife, Faith Wixson. Following graduation in 1955 with a BS in business and an August wedding, he answered his draft call to the U.S. Army, spending most of his two-year tour at Fort Sill, Okla. Upon his return to Maine, with his 35-foot mobile home in tow, he was hired by H.C. Wainwright, Inc., the beginning of a successful 53-year career as a stockbroker.

Erlon was a great listener and an optimist, seeing every day as a day of opportunity. Even in his later years, he tried to emit a positive attitude and remain grateful for all that was done for him, even while missing Faith who passed in July.

In addition to being a member of Falmouth Congregational Church, he was a past president of Portland Jaycees, and a longtime member of both Woodfords Club and Maine Charitable Mechanics Association.

Erlon was raised to a sublime degree of a Master Mason at Oriental Lodge #13 in Bridgton in 1955, advanced through the Scottish Rite in 1970, and joined the Kora Temple Shrine Band as a drummer. In 1984, he joined Royal Arch Chapter #13, later advancing through the York Rite at the Portland Commandery of Knights Templar and joining the Portland Commandery Band. He and his wife Faith were members of Deering Chapter #59 Order of Eastern Star. In later years, Erlon joined Deering Lodge #183 in Portland where his son Norm and other friends were members.

Throughout their 67-year marriage, Erlon and Faith shared many adventures, traveling throughout the country and abroad. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather and more recently, great-grandfather. He was very supportive of his wife’s musical career and shared in his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments, attending various events and musical concerts. He also enjoyed helping with the hosting of family Thanksgiving gatherings at their home and family reunions at their camp in Falmouth.

Erlon is survived by his sons, Norman (Gretel) of North Yarmouth and Edward (Karen) of Northport; Varney grandchildren, Jason (Nancy) of Waltham, Mass., Justin (Erin) of Northport, Russell (Jackie) of Dalton, Mass., and Sarah of Worcester, Mass.; Varney great-grandsons, Kayce of Northport and Paul of Dalton, Mass.; his brothers-in-law Eldwin “Windy” Wixson (Marilyn) of Plymouth, N.H. and Glenn Gruber of Pasadena, Calif.; best friend and fraternity brother Roy Cummings (Leora) of Winchester, Mass.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife and sister-in-law Sharon Clark of Pasadena, Calif.

Visiting hours will be January 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jones & Rich Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Amelia Edison, is set for 10 a.m., January 21, at the funeral home. A private committal service will be held on a date to be determined at the Village Cemetery in St. Albans, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Mechanics’ Hall/Maine Charitable Mechanic Association at 519 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or online at https:// mechanicshallmaine.org/give/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Varney family.

Obituary Policy

To run at no charge, The News will include: who the person was predeceased by (i.e. parents, siblings, spouse, children), or survived by (i.e. spouse or significant other, children, and parents). Names of spouses of surviving relatives will not be included.

Names of grandchildren will not be included, but the number of grandchildren or nephews and nieces will be used. If the deceased individual’s only connection to the area is a nephew, niece or grandchild, that person will be listed by name.

Obituaries to run “as written” are paid obituaries, a price quote and proof will be provided. The News reserves the right to edit all obituaries including length if necessary.

The Bridgton News P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 tel. 207-647-2851 | fax 207-647-5001 e-mail: bnews@roadrunner.com

created by way of something often remembered as “Seward’s Steam Lottery.”

In 1826, wishing to encourage Steam Navigation in Maine, the Legislature passed an act declaring, “That a Lottery be, and hereby is granted to Seward Porter, of Bath, in the county of Lincoln, to raise the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, for the purpose of enabling him to carry into more complete effect steam navigation, between the ports of this State, and of the States and territories adjacent.” Capt. Seward Porter, a wealthy merchant in the Portland and Bath shipping community, had first brought steam power to Maine in the development of steam grist mills in Bath, and in 1823, he patented a design for a steamship to be used on the Kennebec River. This ship he soon brought into existence by way of the lottery, raising well in excess of the necessary twenty-five thousand dollars through a complex system of numbers and ticket sales, with regular drawings stretched out over many years. Seward and a small board of trustees kept up their lottery system until 1832,

LOTTERY, Page 7B

Darrell W. Keaten

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. Darrell W. Keaten, 72, died on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bridgton, on February 3, 1950, the son of Wallace and Myrna (McAllister) Keaten. Darrell attended Fryeburg Academy graduating with the class of 1968. He worked as logger both for himself and with his brother Dennis, and as a machinist for Mold-Flair in Fryeburg. Darrell Married Nancy Gray on …………

Darrel enjoyed fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors. He was known as a mentor, willing to help anyone who needed it, and for always tinkering and puttering. He loved to spend time with family and friends and his garage crew.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Keaten, his children Donette Olive and her husband Marcus, Ericka Gearing and her husband Jeffrey, Ryan Keaten and his wife Tammy, Daniel Keaten and his wife Jennifer, and Derrick Keaten, his grandchildren Seth, Olive, and Emma and Conner Keaten, Brother Dennis Keaten, and sister Darilyn Davis. He was predeceased by his parents Wallace and Myrna Keaten and brother Dyle Keaten.

A celebration of life was held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday January 13, 2023, at the Lovell VFW, on Smarts Hill Road, in Lovell. To share online memories and condolences with the family please go to www.woodfuneralhome.org. Arrangements are under the care of Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg.

Roberta R. Douglass

SEBAGO — Roberta Ruth Jewell Douglass, 91, passed peacefully January 7, 2023, at her schoolhouse home in Sebago.

Roberta was born in Baldwin on December 20, 1931. She was the daughter of George and Elsie (Lombard) Jewell.

After she graduated from Casco High School as the Valedictorian in 1950, she continued her education at Gorham State Teachers College in the class of 1954. While attending college, Roberta married Clayton E. Douglass in May of 1951. After graduation, she taught math and science and retired in June of 1992. She enjoyed her association with the Retired Maine State Teacher’s Association.

Her family was the center of her life. She read books and scripture daily and she did every crossword puzzle she that she could find. Roberta was a friend to God and every human was a friend to Roberta. She enjoyed her time and her friends at Sebago Center Community Church, where she served in many positions and performed many duties.

Roberta was a very kind and generous person. She volunteered with hospice as a grief counselor, with the Sebago Food Pantry, as a member of Sebago’s School Board and as a member of the Maple Grove Grange. She owned a cottage on Handcock Pond and enjoyed knowing all her neighbors. She loved to cook for others and every lunch out was a special occasion. Roberta mailed many hand-written letters and cards daily to stay in constant communication.

Roberta was predeceased by her father George Jewell, mother Elsie Lombard Jewell Meserve, brother Alfred Jewell, sisters Harriet Estes and Shirley Hale, baby Elizabeth Douglass, and son Bryon Douglass.

Roberta is survived by daughter Eileen and David Hague, son Merle and Pat Douglass; grandchildren Eric, Amy, Mary Helen, Henry, and Rachel; and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Sebago Center Community Church Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow after the service.

Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Androscoggin Hospice; 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240, or the Sebago Center Community Church, 403 Bridgton Road, Sebago, ME 04029.

Michael T. Pendexter

Michael T. Pendexter, 26, passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2023, at the Maine Medical Center in Portland with his family by his side. He was born September 16, 1996, in Norway, a son of Regina (Pendexter) Fernald. Michael attended the local school system and was working as a metal fabricator.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother Regina Fernald and her husband Daryl. His grandmother Linda, his Aunt Lisa and Uncle Wayne and his sisters Annelise, Marissa, and Haley.

In keeping with Michael’s wishes all services will be at the convenience of the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make a donation in Michael’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave, Suite 1100 N, Bethesda, MD 20814. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services 45 Main St., South Paris. To make an online condolence please visit www.chandlerfunerals.com

George R. Kimball

The Lakes Region Area lost an icon. George R. Kimball, 84, of Bridgton, Maine passed away on Saturday January 14, 2023, from a brief struggle with liver cancer. Family stood by him in his home as he peacefully transitioned to his next adventure. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, his grandson Kyle Kipikas, and his many friends and family who passed before him undoubtedly greeted him with a “WELL DONE.”

George was born May 19, 1938 to Byron and Ella (Berry) Kimball in the original Bridgton Hospital on Main Hill. He graduated from Bridgton High School in 1956 and remained in Bridgton his entire life. Everyone knew “George.”

George became a salesman for Fuller Brush which ultimately led to his 34 year career as a very successful Prudential Insurance agent. That was back in the day when the insurance agent actually came to your house to collect the monthly premiums! He long ago worked for Lackey Funeral Home in Bridgton, but he was most well known as the owner/operator of Kimball Ambulance Service for 30 years. George (and family) provided endless hours of availability to serve the needs of the community. This would be why his beloved cabin cruiser which was seen cruising Long Lake was named KNOT ON CALL! His dry sense of humor was second to none!

George was active in the First Congregational Church, Bridgton UCC serving on the Hospitality Committee, as a deacon for two terms, and as a trustee for two terms. His faith and community were very important to him.

As a dedicated 59-year member of the Oriental Masonic Lodge #13 in Bridgton, George was Past Master 1969-1970 and served on the Financial Committee until the time of his passing. Masonic members called him “The Rock.” He also was a member of the Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston for 50 years.

George was dedicated to his wife of 64 years, Marilyn E. Kimball, and they led a very active life. They both enjoyed a lot of laughs and fun which included: skiing (alpine and cross country), snowmobiling, skating, DANCING every weekend, road trips across the country (New Orleans being his absolute favorite), and of course BOATING!

George is survived by his wife, Marilyn E. Kimball, daughter Kelly J. Kipikas, daughter Jody L. Kimball, grandson Kendrick Kipikas and his fiancé Natasha Estes (and stepson Wade), cousin Pamela King, cousin Susan King, cousin Peter Berry, and nephew Kevin Kyjack. Notably George’s greatest loss was his grandson Kyle Kipikas who passed away in 2021.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday January 29, 2023, at the First Congregational Church, 33 South High St., Bridgton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: First Congregational Church Bridgton UCC, 33 South High St., Bridgton, ME 04009. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road in Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.

Warren’s Florist

COMFORT ITEMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

— Carlee-Mae Cash, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (OHCHS) and president of the National Honor Society, stopped by the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine (CRCofWM) in Norway just before Christmas to present a box of assorted comfort items for cancer patients such as hats, scarfs, blankets, puzzle books, games, socks, and ear warmers — all collected by students during a holiday drive organized by the OHCHS National Honor Society, of which Carlee-Mae is the current president. In 2022, this same National Honor Society Chapter presented the CRCofWM with a check for $4,000, the total raised by students as a result of yearlong fundraising activities. The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine is a 501c3 non-profit organization embracing anyone affected by cancer in a community that offers hope and caring through support, education, and concepts in healthy living. They offer free programs, complementary therapies, weekly virtual classes, travel assistance, support groups and comfort items, because no one should face cancer alone. CRCofWM is located at 59 Winter Street in Norway. For more information, visit their website: www.crcofwm.org or call 890-0329.

Pileated Woodpeckers

neck muscles and thick head bones protect the bird’s head as it deals punishing blows to the wood, and because the bill is located near the bottom of the skull, the impact of the blow is not directed at the brain. It uses its very long, highly specialized tongue, with a barbed tip and a coating of sticky saliva, for probing deep into the cavity to draw out the dormant ants. By excavating holes in trees, Pileated Woodpeckers provide an important resource of nest sites and shelter for many species of birds, including Downy Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and other cavity nesting birds, who cannot excavate their own cavities.

Before 1900, when much of the forest in eastern North America had been cleared for agriculture, Pileated Woodpeckers were rare, but in the 1920s and 1930s, as farms were abandoned and the forest grew back, their population began to rebound. Now, these large handsome birds are fairly common around here. We hear their loud calls, and sometimes we hear a loud Thunk sound as they hammer into wood to make their distinctive large oblong holes.

When Pileated Woodpeckers tear apart old trees and logs they aid in the decomposition of dead wood in the forest, help to recycle the forest’s nutrients, and help control populations of carpenter ants. These large handsome Woodpeckers are good neighbors, who make a valuable contribution to our local forest ecosystems.

This week’s puzzle theme: The Grammy’s

Opinions

Mondays-Fridays

AA Bridgton New Day Group, 12 to 1 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm Street, 803-8707, www. lrrcbridgton.org

Tuesdays-Wednesdays

Free Clothing. The Table continues to offer free clothing from 1 to 5 p.m. as well as the last Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is a variety of clothing available for both genders and many sizes. The Table is located at 160 Main Street in Norway (across the road from the hospital).

Mondays

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Knitting & Crocheting Group meets at the Caswell Conservancy Center in Harrison from 1 to 3 p.m. All levels of knitting are welcome.

Stamping Up Class at the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, Norway, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Space limited, masks required, materials provided. Sign up at info@ crcofwm.org

Chair Yoga (presented by Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine) at Caswell Conservancy Center (42 Main Street) in Harrison with Susan Kane from 11 a.m. to noon. Open to public ($10), free to cancer patients and their caregivers. No registration required.

Jigsaw Puzzle Library, North Waterford Church (Route 35), the lending library is open every Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. All are welcome.

Tuesdays

Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to noon Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www.townofsebago.org/recreation Harrison Food Bank, 12 to 6 p.m., located at the Harrison Food Bank, Ronald G. St. John Community Center located at 176 Waterford Road in Harrison. Telephone: 207647-3384.

Bridgton Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., former Methodist Church building, Main Street.

Naples Food Pantry, 10 to 11:30 a.m., located at the Naples United Methodist Chuck; open to Naples residents, distribution is drivethru.

Tai Chi Maine at the Bridgton Town Hall (North High Street) at 10 a.m. For more information, go to the Tai Chi Maine website or e-mail Taichiinmaine@gmail. com

Jeannette’s Closet, 9 to 11 a.m., free clothing, First Congregational Church, South High Street, Bridgton.

Caregiver Support Group, 1 to 2:30 p.m., MWV Adult Day Center, 987 East Main Street, Center Conway, N.H. This support group offers edu-

cation, support and coping skills for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or Related Disorders. Pre-arranged car is available for the family member while the caregiver attends the meeting. For more information, call 603-356-4980 or online at mwvadultdaycenter. org.

Al-anon, 5 to 6 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, www.lrrcbridgton.org

Free Narcan Training every other month, third Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m. by Lake Region Recovery Center. Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/86337728738. Meeting ID: 86337728738 (You can use our computers to do this, or at home)

Wednesdays Storytime at the Denmark Public Library at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Librarian Robin Gosbee at 452-2200.

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Morning Coffee, 9 to 11 a.m., American Legion Post 67, 25 Depot Street, Bridgton. Stop by and have a coffee on us, and see what has been happening with the American Legion. All are welcome!

Chair Yoga (presented by Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine) at Caswell Conservancy Center (42 Main Street) in Harrison with Susan Kane from 11 a.m. to noon. Open to public ($10), free to cancer patients and their caregivers. No registration required.

Thrift Shop at the Lovell United Church of Christ (1174 Main Street), open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $2 bag sale on the last Wednesday and Saturday of each month.

Family Caregiver Support Group, second Wednesday of each month, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street), confidentiality respected, sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging; tel. 647-3116.

Sweden Food Pantry, open the first and third Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers must wear a mask. For a To-Go box, call 647-5735 the Monday before pantry. The pantry is in the basement of the Sweden Community Church, 137 Bridgton Road, near Sweden’s Four Corners (intersection of Route 93 and Waterford Road).

Alateen Meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., PVHI Outreach/ Legion Hall, 47 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. For more information, chris.whitaker@ pvhi.org or call 207-332-7735.

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Thrift Shop, Lovell United Church of Christ, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays

Fryeburg Historical Society Osgood House Museum, located at 83 Portland Street in

Fryeburg, is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information e-mail the Historical Society at info@ fryeburghistorical.org or visit the webpage at fryeburghistorical.org

Thursdays Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to noon Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www.townofsebago.org/recreation Tai Chi Maine at the Bridgton Town Hall on North High Street at 10 a.m. All participants are asked to wear masks. For more information, go to the Tai Chi Maine website or e-mail Taichiinmaine@ gmail.com

NA (Narcotics Anonymous), 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, 25 Hospital Drive, Suite E, located behind the old hospital using a private entrance, 803-8707, www.lrrcbridgton.org

Women for Sobriety, 3 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, 25 Hospital Drive, Bridgton (behind old Bridgton Hospital). Open meeting. In-person or Zoom (https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89816213447). Meeting ID: 89816213447.

Trail Runs. Every Thursday, May to September, 5:30 p.m., Greater Lovell Land Trust, Lovell Rec, and Upper Saco Valley Land Trust will co-host Roots & Rocks Ramblers Fun Trail Runs. Check gllt.org to register for e-mail announcements of weekly locations.

Harrison Maine Climate Action Group has changed its meetings to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 2 p.m., at the Harrison Village Library. Next meeting is Oct. 13. This is a non-partisan group. Masks are encouraged, as the space is small. Interested but can’t attend? You can participate without attending meetings: Join the Facebook group: Harrison Maine Climate Action or e-mail Andrea at: harrisonmaineclimateaction@ gmail.com.

Lovell Area Food Pantry open the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lovell Lions Club, 2081 Main Street, (North) Lovell. E-mail: Lovellareafoodpantry@gmail. com or call (207) 542-7239.

Fridays Coffee Call, 8 to 10 a.m., Caswell Conservancy Center (42 Main Street) in Harrison, pastries and donuts available, lots of hot coffee, stimulating conversations and time to share memories of time in the military and more.

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Coffee Café at the Waterford Library, 10 a.m. to noon, a weekly gathering with your friends and neighbors.

Denmark Library Coffee Café every Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., Denmark Public Library 121 E. Main St, Denmark,

(207) 452-2200.

Saturdays Free Breakfast. The Table is excited for the return of in-person breakfasts with the option of pick-up to go meals at 9 a.m. at the Norway Grange on Whitman Street in Norway. The Table is always interested in other teams who would like to take a Saturday and serve breakfast. The inperson breakfast has been a great way to combat food insecurity as well as fulfilling a social need for many in the area.

Sebago Yoga classes on Saturday mornings at the Sebago Town Hall gym. Sign up at www.sebagoyoga.com.

Thrift Shop at the Lovell United Church of Christ (1174 Main Street), open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $2 bag sale on the last Wednesday and Saturday of each month.

Painting classes for beginners and intermediates at 1 p.m. at the Caswell Conservancy Center, 42 Main Street, Harrison. Landscape techniques will be will taught and all materials will be provided. Cost is $20. Instructor: Sandra Kimball. Call (207) 693-5655 for subject matter for the coming weeks.

Art Classes at the Caswell Conservancy Center from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Open to all levels. Call for information 207-6935655.

All About Books, third Saturdays at the Waterford Library at 11a.m. All About Books offers Maine authors a platform to talk about their writing process, evolving journey, and their books. Recent challenges have made these conversations especially poignant. Program to be held at the library. All welcome. Free. Zoom attendance available upon request.

Cornerstone Gospel Church, the third Saturday of each month, 7:30 to 9, Tel. 693-6102 or e-mail pastorjimmarstaller@yahoo.com

Sundays Church Service at the North Waterford Church will now be held in person, at 10 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome!

Ping Pong at the Bridgton Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. All welcome. Equipment provided free! 4 tables! FMI 6472847.

South Bridgton Congregational Church service at 6 p.m. The church is located at 16 Fosterville Road, Bridgton. All are welcome.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Sunday Service, 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton, 10 a.m. All are welcome!

Grief Support meeting, 11:30 a.m., through September. Be with others who understand. For more information, call (207) 3100576.

Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www. townofsebago.org/recreation

Country Living

Lions to support Make-A-Wish

The annual visit of the Lions District Governor is often routine and frequently mundane. However, that was not the case last week when District 41 Governor Sally Iverson visited the Bridgton Lions’ Club.

Innovation Center Celebrates 1st Year

The Magic Lantern Innovation Center’s first year has been full and exciting with blockbuster movies, film festivals, special films, comedians, puppet shows, physics shows, summer camps, and so much more.

Most of all, the Magic Lantern IC is enjoying getting to know the community and working with area youth. The staff, led by Susan Jennings and Laurie Bragg, have been an incredible team.

“Over 2,500 youth have participated in active hands-on learning. We are growing, and our aspiration is to continue expanding our work,” says Laurie Bragg, the new executive director of the Maine 4-H Foundation.

COVID has and continues to present many challenges. Equally detrimental is theater companies offering home streaming of movies that would normally be blockbuster hits.

The Magic Lantern is an incredible donation to the Maine 4-H Foundation and to the people of western Maine and beyond. To remain viable as a theater and to successfully fund excellence in opportunity and learning for local youth, much more community participation is needed in the year ahead.

Help the Magic Lantern IC to remain the hometown theater you have always known by attending movies, live shows, special events (https://www.magiclanternmovies.com/innovation-center) and dining in Web’s Tavern.

Donations in support of youth programming can be made at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/donate/ are much appreciated!

Theaters across the nation are struggling from COVID closures and online streaming. Some companies have even filed for bankruptcy. Magic Lantern IC’s creative solution is to offer movies, music, theatrical events, special dinners, educational events and more to diversify the community programs and support the hometown Magic Lantern.

Upcoming events and activities at the Bridgton Community Center (Depot Street):

Today, Thursday, January 19

6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness

9 to 11:30 a.m., Progress Center

5 to 6 p.m., Kettle Dinner presented by the Chickadee Quilters. Menu: Chop suey, salad, cake 7 to 9 p.m., Main Room, Chickadee Quilters

Friday, January 20 6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Main Room, Chickadee Quilters 9 to 10 a.m., Chair Yoga 1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg

4:30 to 6 p.m., Main Room, Rick Hagerstrom practice

Saturday, January 21 12 to 3 p.m., Birthday Party

Sunday, January 22

1 to 3 p.m., Great Room, Girl Scouts 1 to 3 p.m., Room 2, Bridgton Fiber Group 3:30 to 5 p.m., Main Room, Rick Hagerstrom practice 5 to 8:30 p.m., The Band

Monday, January 23 6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness 10 to 11 a.m., Chair Yoga 1 to 3 p.m., Home School Program 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Cribbage 3:30 to 5 p.m., Family Visit AR 5:30 to 8 p.m., Main Room, Lions’ Club

Tuesday, January 24

6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Room, Chickadee Quilters 12:30 to 4 p.m., Bridge

Wednesday, January 25 6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness 12 to 1 p.m., Senior Lunch 1 to 3 p.m., Mahjongg 4:30 to 6 p.m., Main Room, Rick Hagerstrom practice 5 to 7 p.m., Kayley Crafts

Following dinner, Iverson, who is a member of the Stratton/Eustis club, made an exceptionally articulate presentation of her goals and platform for her term, which is now at its half-way point. Her remarks likened Lions’ Clubs to the best of family gatherings. One of her objectives was to increase the feeling of closeness within the local Lions’ Clubs and across the district. The opening event, for example, on Friday evening of the Annual Convention will be styled as a “Family Reunion.”

One highlight of her presentation was the selection of her chosen charity for the 2022-23 term. Her choice is “Make a Wish,” which provides a boost to a terminally-ill child by granting his/ her wish; she has learned some wishes are fairly simple to provide, and illustrated a local one recently granted. But she also discovered that the Make a Wish Foundation estimates that each wish granted averages about $7,000. She reasonably set her sights on one wish for her term and shortly discovered that the generosity of Maine Lions’ Clubs would quickly meet that goal. Iverson decided to go for two. She informed the club that she was $460 short of making the second wish possible.

The governor had been requested by Bridgton Club President Bob Hatch to conduct and investiture service for two new local club members. Her ceremony was of her own creation and was done with a flare of both formality and ease. (This writer has witnessed a legion of induction services and this one was the best he has heard.)

She inducted Marianne Maliga and Rod Maliga, a sister and brother who recently relocated to Bridgton. They were sponsored by Ruth and Kent Shalline; and presented with suitable club regalia.

Following fielding a few questions, Iverson was given a sincere round of applause and thanked by Hatch for her visit and pre-

Colello to speak at Rotary Club

Gary Colello, Bridgton’s Director of Recreation, will speak to the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 a.m.

This will be an in-person meeting only at Stella’s on the Square, 6 High Street,

has run the ever-expanding recreation program for the Town of Bridgton since then. He has a master’s degree in Education with a specialization in programming in sports and fitness. He moved his family to the Lake Region nearly 10 years ago from Laconia, N.H., and has become a well-known and respected member of the broader community.

In 2020, he received the “Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional Award from the Maine Recreation & Parks Association, a note of respect from his professional peers.

Coffee Only. No charge. All are welcome.

For more information about the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, check out the website at https:// www.lakeregionrotary.com or its Facebook Page.

sentation. Worth mentioning is the fact that the current governor was accompanied by her husband Neil, who was District Governor during the 2018-19 term.

The business meeting followed.

When the agenda reached new business, Lion Jay Spenciner quickly proposed a motion that the membership donate $500 to complete the funding for the governor’s second “Make a Wish.” The motion was passed with instant, loud acclaim, applause and sup-

port; Iverson sat in awe and amazement as the process took place.

Business was concluded, announcements made, a couple of jokes told by the Tail Twister, appreciation expressed and adjournment followed.

Once again, the club extends a sincere invitation to individuals who may wish to become members of the Bridgton Lions Club. Call Bob Hatch at 671-6182 for additional information.

— Submitted by Carl Talbot

Lovell library guest speaker

Her new book, Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the millionaire’s wife, and the murder of the century is a deeply researched yet utterly page-turning account of Truman Capote and Ann Woodward’s darkly intertwined fates.

When Ann Eden married banking heir Billy Woodward in 1943, it seemed the smalltown showgirl had secured the elite status she had long dreamt of. But when she shot and killed Billy 12 years later, the popular socialite found herself embedded in scandal, and piquing the interest of writer Truman Capote, whose attentions would ultimately be the downfall of them both.

From their childhoods to their deaths, Montillo shares the intimate and surprising details of Ann and Truman’s lives and reveals how Billy Woodward’s murder sent them both into a downward spiral that would eventually wreck Truman’s career and drive Ann to suicide. “Deliberate Cruelty” is a slice of literary and society history that reveals just how dangerous gossip and scandal can be, even for the rich and famous.

Bridgton. He will talk about the Rec Department: past, present and future.

Hired in 2013, Gary

For further questions, contact Club President Aaron Hagan at LakeRegionRotary@gmail. com.

Roseanne Montillo is an accomplished research librarian, who earned her MFA from Emerson College and has taught creative writing at Emerson and the Tufts Extension School. In addition to “Deliberate Cruelty,” she has published four previous works of narrative nonfiction to critical acclaim — Fire on the Track, The Wilderness of Ruin, Atomic Women, and The Lady and Her Monsters. She resides in Massachusetts with her family.

NORWAY — Visitors to Norway Memorial Library may view a memorial art exhibit on the reference room walls. “Landscapes-Far and Near” features 18 watercolor, oil, and pastel paintings by Carolyn B. Reedy.

Carolyn, who passed away in 2021, was the mother of Cynthia Reedy, Norway Memorial Library

Trustees president.

Born in Boston on Dec. 11, 1931, and raised in Massachusetts, Maine, and New York, Carolyn graduated from Melrose High School in 1949. She earned an Associate in Applied Arts degree from Boston University. She grew up surrounded and influenced by many family artists. Her

great-uncle, Franklin Peleg Brownell, was a well-respected Canadian artist whose works are in the National Gallery in Ottawa.

Carolyn married Richard Reedy in 1952, and they raised their family in Melrose. After moving to Gloucester in 1977, she became immersed in the Cape Ann artist community, taking classes and workshops to improve her pastels, watercolors, and oil painting skills.

Carolyn was an artist member of the Rockport Art Association, Newburyport Art Association, North Shore Art Association, Hudson Valley Art Association, and Academic Artist Association. Awards include the Medal of Honor (Academic Artists),

MAKE A WISH DRIVE — Pictured left to right: Bridgton King Lion Bob Hatch looking on as Lions District Governor Sally Iverson and her husband Past District Governor Neal Iverson speak about her personal fundraising focus, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

GARY COLELLO , Bridgton’s Director of Recreation, to Speak at Rotary Club

LOVELL — The Charlotte Hobbs Library Speaker Series continues on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. with a Zoom-only talk by award-winning author Roseanne Montillo.

LOVELL SPEAKER SERIES introduces author Roseanne Montillo

Bridgton Farmers’ Market recipe Waffles on Sundays

By Nancy Tripp Bridgton Farmers’ Market

Breakfast on Sunday is the one day we sit down as a family and enjoy a special breakfast. All other days, it is every man to their own devices. So, on Sunday, the veggies come out to chop, chop, eggs for an omelet and fresh homemade bread, all from the Bridgton Farmers’ Market (BFM). Our other favorite recipe is Norwegian Pancakes with Maine maple syrup and blueberries or waffles. Yes … waffles!

Waffles are a very special treat. Especially since I have an old camp waffle iron that heats on the stove and if I get a beautifully golden brown, crispy waffle that hasn’t stuck to the pan, we all celebrate. Maybe next year, Santa will figure this out and I will get an electric waffle iron. Until that day, I have found an excellent solution.

3 Fold Bakery at the Bridgton Farmers Market bakes up a mean gluten free waffle. Sheila offers both gluten free and a keto recipe waffles that are exceptional. Take a package home and you simply have to pop them in the toaster to warm them up. Take a peek at the photo above. I suggest serving waffles with butter, maple syrup and strawberries (I had frozen these last summer). A dollop of

BN 3

ATTENTION

Classified line ads are now posted on our website at NO EXTRA CHARGE! www.bridgton.com

HELP WANTED

MSAD72 SCHOOL DISTRICT (EOE) in Fryeburg, Maine has immediate openings: custodians, van drivers, bus drivers, bus aides and substitutes. Visit www. msad72.org, call 207-935-2600 or pick up an application today at Door #10, 25 Molly Ockett Drive, Fryeburg, ME tf2

FUTURE LEADERS WANTED — Q-Team Tree Service in Naples. Visit Q-Team.com/benefits for info. tf51

CARPENTER/CARPENTERS

HELPERS — immediate fulltime positions. Must be reliable and sober. Top pay for the area. Chance for advancement. Call today 207415-4476 ask for Rick. 3t1

PART-TIME OFFICE HELP — Light office work and clerical duties. Thursdays and Fridays, 9-5. Experience with QuickBooks preferred, will train. $16/hr. Good work history and references required. Send resume to: Office Help, PO Box 7, Bridgton, ME 04009 or e-mail to tomchand@ gwi.net tf41

FOR SALE

$5 FOR TATTERED — U.S. Flag when purchasing new U.S. Flag 3’x5’ or larger. Maine Flag & Banner, Windham, 893-0339. tf46

whipped cream from High View Farm and ooh-la-la. It was a perfect treat for a Sunday morning and easy!

Since this is a recipe column, I asked Ainsley, the premier baker at Patch Farm, to give me her favorite recipe and this is it: Waffles

from Joy of Cooking & Ainsley of Patch Farm.

We give you three choices for preparing this recipe. Use 4 tablespoons of butter for a reduced fat waffle, 8 tablespoons (1 stick) for a classic, light, fluffy waffle,

or ½ pound (2 sticks) of butter for the crunchiest, most delicious waffle imaginable. If serving these with savory food, omit the sugar.

Preheat the waffle iron. Whisk together in a large bowl: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon salt 3 eggs ¼ cup to 1 cup butter, melted, Ainsley suggests 1 stick 1 ½ cups milk

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and

pour in the wet ingredients. Combine with a few strokes of a whisk. The batter should be pebbly, not smoothly beaten. Cover the griddle surface to about ⅔ covered and close the lid. Cook the waffle for about 4 minutes or until steam has stopped rising from the iron. If you meet resistance when opening the lid, the waffle needs to be cooked longer.

If desired, gently stir in additions you might like such as ¼ to ½ cup fruit, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, grated cheese or 1 cup ham.

Ainsley recommends: Buttermilk Waffles — Add ¼ teaspoon baking soda to the dry ingredients. Decrease the baking powder to 2 teaspoons. Substitute buttermilk for milk.

Yum!

The Bridgton Winter Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through April 22. BFM’s new winter location is the Masonic Hall, Oriental Lodge #13 at 166 Harrison Road (Route 117).

For a full list of vendors and information on ordering visit https://www.facebook.com/ BridgtonFarmersMarket/ or contact BFM at bridgtonfarmersmarket.me@gmail.com

Please no dogs. Sorry, we have a lease to honor.

BFM accepts credit cards and EBT. See you there.

Innovation Center

(Continued from Page 5B)

“The goal is to keep the theater and restaurant open for the community; we need your support to make this possible,” Jennings and Bragg said. “We are excited about the next year at the Magic Lantern Innovation Center. and encourage everyone to check out our website and calendar for upcoming events.”

Website: www.magiclanternmovies.com

Look for more news at a Magic Lantern Innovation Center community meeting in the near future.

Classified Advertising

FOR SALE

DRIED FIREWOOD — Dried twelve months. Selling seasoned hardwood year-round. One cord $350, cut, split, delivered. Call 207-595-5029; 207-583-4113. maineseasonedfirewood.com 52t31x

VEHICLES FOR SALE

JESUS IS LORD — new and used auto parts. National locator. Most parts 2 days. Good used cars. Ovide’s Used Cars, Inc., Rte. 302 Bridgton, 207-647-5477. tf30

BUSINESS SERVICES

DENMARK HOUSE PAINTING — Since 1980. Interior and exterior painting. Free estimates. Call John Mathews 452-2781. tf40x

LAKE REGION — Transportation Service. From shopping trips, pick-up and delivery to personal errands, airport, and special requests. Call or text your request to 207-2910193. 4t3x

WANTED

RETIRED PROFESSOR seeks temporary, preferably long-term housing beginning February in quiet Bridgton/Waterford/Harrison area. Non-smoker. Have older cat. Please contact Paul at 207-3930411. 1t3x

, a local manufacturer of pet products, seeks a full time Customer Service Associate. Regular Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Successful candidates must be reliable, attentive to detail, quick learners, willing to do a variety of tasks including interacting with customers via phone, e-mail & live chat. Other responsibilities include order processing & data entry, assisting with administrative duties, and other supportive roles as needed. Physical demands include sitting, walking and standing for extended periods of time. Benefits include health and dental insurance, disability and life insurance, paid vacation and personal time, 401k, paid holidays, tuition assistance, AAA and free products.

Lupine is a COVID safe work environment, applicants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be considered for an interview.

Please send resume to employment@lupinepet.com or e-mail for more information. No phone calls please. EOE

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The Town of Lovell is seeking qualified applications for a full-time position on the Public Works Department. The candidate must have a positive attitude and be a team player. A C.D.L. is required for this position, a Class A license is preferred. Should have experience in snowplowing and working with heavy equipment. Mechanical skills would be helpful.

Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and may require being on your feet for extended periods of time.

This is a full-time position.

Benefits include: Health Insurance, Retirement, vacation pay and sick pay.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume and references to: Town of Lovell Attention: Selectman 1069 Main Street Lovell, ME 04051 or via e-mail to: s.goldsmith@ lovellmaine.org

The Town of Lovell is an Equal Opportunity Employer 2T2CD

FOR RENT

One bedroom, one bathroom apartment newly refinished. All appliances and utilities included. Walking distance from Hannaford, located on 25 Maple Street, Bridgton. $925.00 a month, first and last month required and one-month security deposit. For more information, contact Victor Berge at 207-650-8071.

Maine 4-H Foundation Assistant

Located at: Magic Lantern Innovation Center

Bridgton

Salary Position: Salary negotiated

Director

Salaried position with occasional nights and weekends Materials must be submitted to the Maine 4-H Foundation via e-mail to: Angela Martin at angela.martin@maine.edu

Local Happenings

Texas Hold’em tournament

HARRISON — The Harrison Lions Club will hold their Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Lions’ Den, located in the back of the Block Building on Main Street in Harrison. There will be a $60 entry fee. Doors open at 12 p.m. with a start time of 1 p.m. Great food and refreshment available. Proceeds will be used to support the Harrison Food Bank and Harrison Rec activities.

Saturday Night Supper

CASCO — The Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ will host its annual January Saturday night supper on Jan. 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

This month’s dinner will be a “Traditional Maine” supper and will feature casseroles, roasted turkey, baked beans, salads, rolls, beverages, and homemade pies for dessert! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 8 and under. Please come join us at 941 Meadow Road in Casco for this “Let it Snow” event or contact CVC at 207-627-4282!

Children’s

Programs at HVL

HARRISON — Harrison Village Library will offer two programs for elementary-aged children at the library beginning Monday, Jan. 23.

The After-School Book Club returns Monday, Jan. 23 at 3:15 p.m. Participants will all read the same book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and in addition to discussing the book, will do fun activities relating to what they have read. Books and snacks will be provided; recommended for children in grades 4-6. This program will run every Monday from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., through March 6, with the exception of Feb. 20. Registration is required as space is limited.

The Adventures of Marvelous Monday Comic Club, a drop-in program, will be offered Jan. 23, Jan. 30, and Feb. 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. Children are invited to drop in any time to make their own comic book; all materials will be provided.

For more information or to register, please contact the library at 583-2970 or e-mail youthservices@harrisonvillagelibrary.org.

Art exhibit

(Continued from Page 5B)

the Guild of Boston Artists Award (North Shore Art Association), and the Claude Parsons Memorial Award at the American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition in New York City.

The exhibit may be seen whenever the library is open from Jan. 13 to March 13.

Norway Memorial Library is located at 258 Main Street in Norway. For more information, visit www.norwaymemoriallibrary.org or call 207743-5309.

Library speaker

(Continued from Page 5B)

This is a Zoom-only talk. The link can be found by going to www.hobbslibrary.org. For queries, contact the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library at 207-925-3177. The Hobbs Library Speaker Series is supported in part by a generous contribution from Norway Savings Bank.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, January 19

Waterford Community Potluck Suppah, 6 p.m., Wilkins House. To participate, bring a main dish, salad or dessert. If Oxford Hills schools are canceled due to weather, the supper is canceled. Future suppers will be held the third Thursday of the month (Feb. 16, March 16, April 20 and May 18).

Open Mic Night at Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell, 6 p.m. Perform or come to listen. Read a poem or story of your own or recite one you love, sing a song, tell a joke, a story, an anecdote — the floor is yours.

Saturday, January 21

All About Books at the Waterford Public Library with author Robert W. Spencer of South Waterford at 11 a.m. Free. All welcome.

Texas Hold’em sponsored by the Harrison Lions Club, at the Lions’ Den, located in the back of the Block Building on Main Street in Harrison. There will be a $60 entry fee. Doors open at 12 p.m. with a start time of 1 p.m.

Wildlife Tracking Walk, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director Debra Marnich for Wildlife Tracking Walk for All Ages in Chocorua, N.H. This program is free. More information and please register in advance at bit.ly/ CLC012123 or visit www. chocorualake.org.

Monday, January 23

Lake Region Community Chorus spring session begins, registration from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m., rehearsals 6:20 to 8:30 p.m. at the Twitchell Chapel at

Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. A second registration is scheduled for Jan. 30. There is a twoweek trial period if needed and scholarships are available. Please contact Jan Jukkola for more information at musicsix@cox.net or 647-2584.

Tuesday, January 24

The Beauty of Our Wildflowers , remote Greater Lovell Land Trust program, 7 to 8 p.m. Through her delightful photography, GLLT docent and board member Moira Yip will share many of the native flora of the Greater Lovell area, focusing on flowers rather than shrubs and trees. If you see only the summer flowers, this will be a chance to view those and all the ones you miss during the rest of the year. Register at gllt.org (under Events & Programs).

Wednesday, January 25 Cybersecurity at 6 p.m. at Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell, offered both in-person and via Zoom. Laptops, tablets and mobile hotspots available for class use and for checkout.

Thursday, January 26

Gary Colello, Bridgton’s Director of Recreation, will speak to the BridgtonLake Region Rotary Club at 7:30 a.m. This will be an in-person meeting only at Stella’s on the Square, 6 High Street, Bridgton. He will talk about the Rec Department: past, present and future.

Speaker Series at Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library presents Roseanne Montillo at 7 p.m. Join the Zoom discussion of Montillo’s

book, “Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire’s Wife, and the Murder of the Century.” Zoom link available at library’s website (www. hobbslibrary.org)

Ribbon cutting and open house at Tucker’s House, Women’s Recovery Residence, 120 North Bridgton Road, Bridgton, 4 to 8 p.m. Tours of the facility, dedications, fellowship and snacks.

Saturday, January 28 Church supper, Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This month’s dinner will be a “Traditional Maine” supper and will feature casseroles, roasted turkey, baked beans, salads, rolls, beverages, and homemade pies for dessert! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 8 and under. Please come join us at 941 Meadow Road in Casco.

Sunday, January 29 Crafting with Sarah Curran at the Wilkins House (19 Plummer Road) in Waterford from 2 to 4 p.m. Sarah will be sharing her love of up cycling fabrics and doilies into beautiful wall art. She will supply all materials needed. Please sign up ahead of time to ensure we have plenty of supplies. E-mail by Friday, Jan. 27 to attend: waterfordcommunitycoordinator@gmail.com

Thursday, February 2 Bradley Backstage at 7 p.m. at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, located on the Fryeburg Academy campus, Bradley Street. South African musician McCoy Mrubata will be joined by his musical collabora-

That Lottery Winner

when at last the State shuttered the system shortly before he’d planned to put a boat in service upon Sebago and Long Lakes. This of course put in motion the efforts of local citizens at North Bridgton which culminated in the launching of the Steamer Fawn in 1846, but by then they were raising money through a stock certificate system instead of a lottery.

But for another local lottery largely invested into by Bridgtonians, and even managed by one, we need look no fur-

tor, guitarist Gary Wittner. Tickets: $20 for adults, $5 for students. Website: www.fryeburgacademy. org/pac. Telephone: 207544-9066

Saturday, February 4 Community Snow Day with Lovell Rec and The Lodge at Pleasant Point, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a wide variety of outdoor activities at various locations. More details to come. No registration necessary. Wednesday, February 8 Virtual Lecture , 7 to 8 p.m., Earl Smith, a Waterville native and retired Colby College professor, will talk about writing his book Downeast Genius speculating on Maine’s prominent inventors, especially during the Industrial Revolution, while sharing some curious discoveries and near misses discovered along the way. This is a free (suggested donation $10), virtual event presented by the Rufus Porter Museum; www.rufusportermuseum. org/events

Local author Robert W. Spencer will read from and discuss his latest book, Francena Hallett’s Heart: A Novel of Romances and Revenge , from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. at the Norway Memorial Library.

Friday, February 10

Bridgton Easy Riders meeting is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center, with the fabulous pot-luck supper followed by a business meeting at 6:45 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Tuesday, February 14 Ribbon cutting at The HeartGlow Center, 328 Main Street, Bridgton, 10 a.m.

(Continued from Page 3B) LOTTERY, Page 8B

ther than the dear old Cumberland and Oxford Canal, which opened in 1830 and for over 40 years allowed the agricultural and industrial produce of our region easy shipment to the markets of Portland, by way of a series of canals and locks cut along the Presumpscot River in southern Maine. The first plan for this canal had been made in 1821 by a committee of 11 men from northern Cumberland and Oxford counties, including Samuel Andrews, Nathaniel Howe, and Enoch Perley of

SW Ridge Look-See Hike Senior Rambles

Twice a year, the Denmark Mountain Hikers don our work gloves and pick up our trail tools — once in the fall and once in the spring — to help maintain the South West Ridge Trail on Pleasant Mountain. The Denmark Mountain Hikers have “adopted” this trail for the Loon Echo Land Trust and have been doing light maintenance on this trail since May 2013, more than nine years! The two strong storms that hit Pleasant Mountain over the Christmas period caused a lot of trees blown down and most of us lost power twice as a result, and there were trees down on the Pleasant Mountain hiking trails.

I received this e-mail from Jon Evans at the LELT asking for some eyes on the trail to see what sort of damage and trees across the trail might have resulted from the two storms:

“The purpose of my note is to ask if any of you or your partners in trail maintenance, might have time to do some cruising, cleaning on Pleasant Mountain trails after the great blow that looms on our doorstep…

What will be needed: An assessment at a minimum. Typically, small brush ends up on the trails that is not my concern, it’s more big trees requiring a saw, or major washouts which might occur under these circumstances. Pleasant Mountain received nearly 20 inches of snow at the summits, most of which could be gone by Saturday.

It’s a busy season, if you can spare any time, it would be very helpful and appreciated. If you have time, visit the Needles Eye, a short way up Bald Peak Trail. The waterfall should be raging!

MICROSPIKES WILL BE ESSENTIAL! Be safe, please let me know what you find if you go. Warm regards, Jon”

The Denmark Mountain Hikers scheduled our first hike of the new year to check out the SW Ridge trail. Friday, Jan. 6, dawned with a light snow coming down and about an inch of new snow that had fallen during the night. Eight DMH turned out, and temperatures with just above freezing as we left the trailhead at 8:25 a.m.

Three of the crew headed out first to check out the section of the trail between the SW Summit and the Teepee and the junction with the Ledges Trail. Denmark Mountain Hiker Greg Dean reported from the upper crew for the upper Southwest Ridge trail, between the teepee and the Ledges Trail:

“We found two trees which could use some additional attention, but were not seriously blocking the trail. The first is at 0.2 mile beyond the Southwest Summit, just before the rerouted trail diverges from the old trail to the radio towers. It is an old tree that is leaning high up against another tree. The second is at 0.6 mile beyond the Southwest Summit, just before the pond. It is a recently downed pine top lying beside the trail. We cut and removed the branches which were in the trail.

Apart from these, we removed several smaller branches which had come down into the trail, and cut numerous overhead branches which were laden with snow and drooping into the trail (and got showered with snow in the process.”

The other five Denmark Mountain Hikers climbed to the SW Summit and the Teepee, clearing branches and removing three smaller (handsaw size) trees across the trail on the lower half mile. Other than that, only small branches and nothing blocking the trail to the Teepee. No washouts to report. Snow continued to fall, and snow atop a coating of ice covered all the trees and bushes on the trail. No view, but pretty none the less. We had problems with snow balling up under the microspikes making it necessary to knock the buildup of snow and ice off them frequently.

We will come back in the spring to see how the SW Ridge

trail survived the ravages of winter and do what is necessary to clean things up. There are three trail cairns that will need rebuilding and one or two of the old log waterbars that will need to be replaced. Our goal is to support the Loon Echo Land Trust and help to make the SW Ridge Trail an enjoyable hike for the many who enjoy Pleasant Mountain.

Pleasant Mountain in Oxford County, Denmark and Bridgton, ME

Difficulty – Moderate

Trail distances – Southwest Ridge trail 5.4 miles RT

Hiking times – SW Ridge trail 4 hours RT

Elevation – 1,900 feet SW Summit

Vertical gains –1,800 feet SW Ridge trail Coordinates – 44° 1’ 59” N 70° 49’ 00” W (main summit)

Hiking Trips & Tips

by Allen Crabtree

Topographic Map – Mount Pleasant 7.5-minute quad / 44.10567; -71.094

Directions to the trailhead: Take Route 302 east from Fryeburg toward Bridgton and turn south (right) onto WiltonWarren Road. The road will turn to dirt. Keep heading south on Wilton-Warren Road another 1.5 miles to Denmark Road, turn left (south) on Denmark Road and go another about 1 mile to the unmarked parking lot and trailhead for the SW Ridge Trail, opposite Fire Lane 78, Spiked Ridge Drive across the road.

That Lottery Winner

(Continued from Page 7B)

Bridgton, who mapped out the route and determined that the cost of building the canal would require just over $137,000, or approximately 3.8 million dollars in today’s money. So large a sum necessitated a lottery, and in 1823, this lottery was granted to the committee and authorized to run for 10 years. For managers, there were selected Phineas Varnum of Portland, and John Perley and Nathaniel Howe of Bridgton, and the particulars of the lottery were left to their discretion, being directed by the Governor “to publish such schemes as they deemed most conducive to promote the purposes of the lottery, [and to] draw the same and transact all necessary business in relation to it.”

Prizes were to be paid within 60 days after the drawing, and all money raised by the lottery which was not paid out in prizes was to be given to the State Treasurer for accounting, after which it would immediately be redeposited into the account of the canal, minus compensation paid directly to the managers of the canal for their troubles.

Oh, how different it all sounds when compared to today! The scheme worked out like this; the canal operators would sell numbered tickets typically at $1 each, although I hear you could also purchase ‘shares’ of a ticket, eg. ¼ or ½ of a ticket, with the understanding you would only win that percentage of the prize if its number was drawn. These numbers which would then be drawn out in a series of Classes, each Class having a grand prize winner of $5,000, two second prize winners of $1,000, and various other lesser winners all the way down to 1,500 $6 winners. Included with this column is a lottery ticket from the 1st class in 1823, which I understand was the most profitable of all of them, but we hear this lottery

Disgracing Dr. King’s Dream

Constitutional Convention, which said that three out of every five slaves would be counted in the population so that more representation and federal funding would go to slave states — despite slaves have zero rights, despite their status as mere property. Without this ungodly compromise, it is certain the Constitution would not have been ratified.

John James, African American newly-elected Republican Congressman from Michigan, said during the Speaker nomination debacle, “Our nation has made a lot of progress. That includes families like mine. My family has gone from slave to right here since 1856.” With staggering hypocrisy, James nominates a person who does not believe the history of slavery or Jim Crow segregation should be taught in schools.

Black Americans, in general, are quite aware that Republicans will suppress their votes, will oppose funding social uplift programs in black communities, and will look the other way when polluters make their children sick.

Republicans woo some with enticing promises to include some of them in an American material success elite, but black Americans, in very high percentages, continue to vote for what they know to be a better bet.

Martin Luther King Jr. met with John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, two Democrats who got the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act promoted and passed.

Republicans since Richard Nixon have increasingly become the party of rolling back those rights.

Martin Luther King Jr. knew of threats against his life and nonetheless traveled to Memphis to support sanitation workers in their quest for workers’ rights. In his last speech, he said, “I may not get there with you.” But it is important to remember what nonviolent direct action he promoted, strategic economic withdrawal: “We are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk […] up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain. We are choosing these companies because they haven’t been fair in their

hiring policies; and we are choosing them because they can begin the process of saying, they are going to support the needs and the rights of these men who are on strike.”

King’s words were specifically tactical mixed with soaring inspiration. King critiqued capitalism, war, and poverty in the midst of wealth; he called for the redistribution of financial excess, a guaranteed income, and came out against the Vietnam War.

Republicans love to cherry-pick from King’s 1963 speech: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

But these Republicans keep insisting that we cannot teach the rest of the speech; King knew struggle “we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition” … “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice” and “We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one.”

It would be nice if the misleading lip service could be replaced with work toward the visions. Legislation for affordable housing, living wages, access to entitlements, and real economic integration could be the work of Speaker Kevin McCarthy; King’s Dream could be honored, but instead we move closer to banning his real message and reversing the justice he and his movement achieved.

Wim Laven, Ph.D., syndicated by PeaceVoice, teaches courses in political science and conflict resolution.

was up to its 14th class in 1827, and it continued until its 23rd class in 1829 when at last the necessary sum was raised. In total, over $100,000 was subscribed for by this lottery, with the remaining funds achieved by supplementary Maine State lotteries until 1831, and afterwards by sale of stock in the Canal Company during its operation, which eventually led to the creation of the famous Canal Bank of Portland, originally formed to manage the company’s funds.

Of this lottery, perhaps the best surviving story concerns one of its grand prize winners, which given the recent events I feel is worth sharing as comfort for all of us who didn’t win. We are told in Phillip Milliken’s history of the C&O Canal, that “the tickets had an extensive sale, both within and outside the State. It is related that the capital prize in one of the drawings fell to Cyrus Shaw, a deacon of the Baptist Church, who lived at what is now Oxford. He was a cousin of Elias Shaw, the agent to sell tickets, and had received from the latter a small bunch of tickets to sell. Those he did not dispose of, he bought himself, and the lucky number proved to be among them on which he won the prize of five thousand dollars. The lucky deacon used part of this prize money in the building of a new Baptist Church at Oxford. In these days, they would call such winnings ‘tainted money,’ but then such affairs were all right. This shows how opinions change.”

I find the prize ticket was No. 5506 in the Sixth class, drawn Jan. 25, 1825, and the Annals of Oxford adds, rather poetically, that this meeting house “was said to have been built by Shaw as a thank offering, in acknowledgement of the divine favor in giving him the capital prize.” The dedicatory sermon, given on Sept. 19, 1826 by Elder Hooper of Paris, opened with a quotation from Psalms 36:8: “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house.”

Various receipts for canal lottery tickets are still to be found today in the Perley Papers held at the Bridgton Historical Society, together with receipts from other lotteries for canals and steamships in this era, and anyone interested in learning more about the old-time lotteries of western Maine is encouraged to stop by the museum for a tour. If this column leads any of our readers to go out and invest in the next big lottery to come down the pike, and it so happens that their lucky number comes up, I only ask that our readers remember the good lesson of Cyrus Shaw, in seeing that some good is done by our community with it.

Till next time!

Unity in the community…

(Continued from Page 2B)

banishes and vanishes hate.

There is hope. Humans have it in us. May 2023 show so much more of this healing.

Dr. Tom H. Hastings is Coördinator of Conflict Resolution BA/BS degree programs and certificates at Portland State University, PeaceVoice Senior Editor, and on occasion an expert witness for the defense of civil resisters in court.

DENMARK MOUNTAIN HIKER Jeff Sturgis removing a downed tree across the SW Ridge Trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)

DENMARK MOUNTAIN HIKERS on the snowy SW Ridge Trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)