Dockside
Big night
For the first time, the Songo River Queen II is wintering in the water
Inside News Calendar . . . . . . . . . 10A
Records fall as Lake Region, Fryeburg Academy enjoy a big indoor track showing
Page 2A
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 8B Country Living . . 6A-11A Directory . . . . . . . . . . 9B
Page 1B
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 8A Opinions . . . . . . 5B-10B Police/Court . . . . . . . . 5A Sports . . . . . . . . . 1B-4B Student News . . . . . . . . Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 7B Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 8B
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 145, No. 4
22 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
January 23, 2014
(USPS 065-020)
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Ice takes toll on supplies By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — As soon as the ice actually formed on decks and driveways, there was a run on ice-melt at Aubuchon Hardware in Naples. In fact, before the New Year rolled around, the product was no longer on the shelves. On Tuesday, the arrival of a delivery truck solved that problem. “We just got a delivery today. So, we have all kinds of ice-melt: pet-friendly ice-melt, calcium chloride which melts at the lowest temperatures, and tube sand,” Store Manager Dwayne Ball said. The company’s distribution center is located in Westminster, Mass., which contributed somewhat to the delay of the much-needed delivery. Adverse weather in other parts of New England also played a role in the ice-melt shortage. Perhaps, some people had stockpiled the wintertime commodity. Before a predicted storm becomes a reality, are the majority of Mainers prepared?
We put out as much sand during one ice storm as we do during three snow events, — Dave Morton Casco Town Manager Ball has had an opportunity to gauge those buying habits, and he said most people try to avoid parting with their money until the weather prediction proves to be true. “What I have noticed is that most people wait to see what happens. There are a few who are proactive; and the others are waiting until it hits and they need to buy it,” he said. Besides items like sand and salt, employees found other products to be popular purchases. “Infrared heaters were a big seller, but that slowed down,” Ball said. The electric heaters were used to
take the edge off when the temperatures plummeted; however, those appliances are useless during a power outage. “When it was really cold, gas cans were really big” sellers, Ball said. “Delivery places were so backed up; and people weren’t able to get home heating fuel. So, they were buying gas cans and going to the gas stations to buy home heating fuel from the pump,” he said. “We were selling a lot of gas cans. But, not so much, as of late,” he said. While people do pay money for sand and salt to battle the ice, most towns offer free sand to the public. According to Casco Town Manager Dave Morton, there was a period of time that it was struggle to maintain the sand pile. “We have had a challenge to keep the sand filled in the small kiosk for the public. We have had trouble keeping it full. At one time, the contractor that supplies sand had three other towns calling for sand,” Morton said. During the recent Casco Board of Selectmen meeting, he reminded resiICE, Page 12A
Condom policy passes first vote
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Trying to strike a “balance” between respecting parental rights and keeping teenagers “safe” if they are sexually active, the SAD 61 School Board gave first reading approval to a free condom distribution program at Lake Region High School. A second reading approval is required before the policy is enacted. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Great Room at Lake Region Vocational Center. Before the Jan. 13 board meeting, Robert Howe of Bridgton made a statement during the “Public Comment” on agenda items. He felt
“sympathy” for the school board and teachers because they have to address societal issues and problems, which in his era, were dealt with in the home. “You are dealing with a lot of stuff you shouldn’t have to. It’s a different time and place than when I was growing up,” Howe said. “I know you want to help the kids, but are you enabling parents to walk away from their responsibility?” Howe added that unless people are pushed to take responsibility for themselves and their families, within two generations if no change occurs, “America we have been won’t be no longer.” Casco Director Phil Shane
initially tried to table the matter for the second time since the issue was raised late last year, but his motion failed to gain a second. Naples Director Erica Pond-Green, who chairs the Curriculum Committee, said the group took into serious consideration comments made by the public at previous meetings. “We tried to come up with a respectful policy that took into account both sides,” she said. “We feel we’ve struck a good balance to allow access to kids to be safe, and at the same time being respectful to parents, who may want to discuss things in their own homes.” The “balance” is to offer
Gas tanks pose a hazard By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — When the AG Store went out of business two years ago, residents in Casco Village as well as the outlying areas lost a convenient grocery store. That is something that is missing from that section of Route 121. However, something exists that is much more detrimental to Village residents than not being able to pick up a gallon of milk in less than 10 minutes. Empty gasoline storage tanks have been left behind by the former owners of the AG Store. Fuel tanks that are empty might not sound menacing; however, according to Casco Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Don Murphy, there is a potential that those holding tanks could combust. “It is volatile. It is worse when they are empty,” he said. “The aboveground storage tanks are not in compliance. They have been in violation for two years as far as the DEP is concerned,” he added. In a letter dated Jan. 3, and sent to the former storeowners, Wayne and Kelly Lewis, CEO Murphy illustrated the direness of the situation. “Any possible perception on your part that the three GAS TANKS, Page 12A
parents/legal guardians with the opportunity to opt out of the condom distribution program by simply signing a form that will be included in the new school year packet — the same packet parents pick up before school starts in the fall, which includes the student’s schedule, laptop agreement and other consent forms. A list of “opt out” students will be compiled and kept in the nurse’s office. If a parent does not sign the “opt out” form, then their child will have access to free condoms. Before the school nurse gives a condom to a student, the nurse will offer information about abstinence and safe POLICY, Page 12A
PLAYING WITH GIRLY CLOTHES — is just one of the fringe benefits for Christine Bradstreet, left, founder of The Maine Event Prom Project, showing off a sampling of donated prom gowns with her friend and volunteer, Martha Cummings.
Keeping proms special for all
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer “Every girl deserves to feel beautiful at her prom, no matter what financial challenges she is facing.” So begins the unlikely vision statement of a Bridgton mother of two boys. When Christine Bradstreet found herself a few months back with extra time on her hands to give to her community, she decided it would be rewarding and fun to provide prom gowns for girls whose families are financially stressed. She learned that girls in central and southern Maine must travel at least an hour, to Maine coastal towns, or even to Massachusetts, to find a similar place where nearly-new prom gowns can be found at little or no cost in time for prom season in early May. With that simple idea, The Maine Event Prom Project was born. “This is my way to get to play with the girly clothes,” Bradstreet laughs, as she shows off the racks of over 200 gowns, formal and semi-formal dresses and accessories that have already been donated to the effort. She and the friends who are helping her aim to have 500 gowns available, with some tuxedos for the boys, by the time of the project’s planned distribution date of Saturday, March 29, at the Bridgton United Methodist Church on Main Street. It will be a giveaway event, though she’s asking for a $10 donation from those families that can afford it. “If they’d like to return (the gown), we will use it to supply another girl next year, but they’re not obligated to return it,” said Bradstreet. “They can give it to a cousin or friend or a neighbor. It’s a gift.” Bradstreet’s grassroots energy and enthusiasm for the project is also a gift. She’s accomplished a great deal in the few short months since the idea for The Maine Event Prom Project entered her head. Drop-off points for gown donations have been set up at libraries in Bridgton, Fryeburg, Raymond, South Paris and Norway, and also at the Raymond Village Florist. A website, www.maineeventpromproject.org, has been created, featuring photos of all of the gowns and a page where donations can be made. PROM GOWN, Page A
Casco Cares starts fund drive
TIME TO MUSH! — The annual Musher’s Bowl will be held this weekend at Five Field Farms in South Bridgton. One competitor, Jeffrey McRobbie, says the South Bridgton race is one of his favorite races because of its technical challenges of turns and hills. “You’ve got to be a good driver to race there,” he said. (File Photo)
Dogs, drivers psyched!
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer It’s a tos-sup as to who is more excited — dogs or humans — to be racing this weekend at the Maine Lakes Musher’s Bowl at South Bridgton’s Five Fields Farm. Ask driver Jeffrey McRobbie, and he’d call it a toss-up. “It drives ‘em crazy” not to be running, McRobbie said of his four-dog team. This winter’s cancellation of several sled dog races — around four on the East Coast — because the snow pack wasn’t right has been
frustrating, to say the least. “They love to run more than anything else in the world. The only one who loves it more, maybe, is me,” said McRobbie, of Wayne, who serves on the board of the race’s sponsor, the Downeast Sled Dog Club. He lives a mile and a half in the woods on a road inaccessible in winter, and when he’s not walking or snowmobiling in, he’ll hitch up his dogs to haul him. McRobbie started running his dogs around 12 to 14 years ago behind a sled and homemade skis, and was
quickly hooked. “I love my dogs, and I love doing it.” Standing upright, gliding behind his dogs, he doesn’t have to worry about gas fumes. He sees more of his surroundings, feels the peace and quiet, and also feels the fellowship of working as a team with his dogs. “It’s addictive,” he said. “I don’t know how to describe it.” McRobbie has been racing for six years professionally, and racing is a whole different animal than a leisurely run on his road back home. This Saturday and Sunday, Jan. MUSHER’S, Page A
CASCO — Casco Cares is asking for the community’s help to provide emergency fuel assistance to Casco residents. The goal of the local group’s 2014 Fund Drive is to raise money through donations to cover costs of its fuel assistance program in this present heating season and to provide a buffer for next year. Casco Cares is a nonprofit charitable organization formed in September 2010 and recognized by the state of Maine. Its purpose is to provide one-time fuel assistance in each year to Casco residents who do not qualify for town, state, PROP and/or other sources of aid and find themselves in an emergency situation. Since its first year of service, the number of times where Casco Cares was able to provide emergency heat help has continued to rise. Now into its fourth year, a much colder winter than the three previous, the group anticipates a higher number of requests than ever before. Fundraising jars are in various public locations throughout the town of Casco. Checks may also be made out to Casco Cares and mailed to Casco Cares, P.O. Box 22, Casco ME 04015. For more information about the program, please write to this address. Pennies, dimes, dollars, checks. Every bit will be used to help our neighbors. Please show you care by donating to the heating fund. The recipients of fuel assistance and the directors of Casco Cares thank you for your support.
The Bridgton News Established 1870
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com