February 16, 2023

Building woes

Old Naples Town Hall needs roof repairs; gym closure forces groups to seek options Page 3A

Tourney time

Hoop teams head to Expo; Laker boys lose in prelim; Raider girls’ missed chance

Is there new Naples gym on horizon?

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES

— Local selectmen support a designbuild concept, which gives the town more flexibility in making changes to a future, free-standing gym.

On Monday night, the Naples Board of Selectmen held a workshop to discuss a replacement for the gym.

Where that proposed gym might be built has yet to be pinpointed. In other words, a location has not been decided. However, the dimensions

Past owner to be evicted

Tidbits from Tuesday’s Bridgton Select Board meeting:

No more chances. In the eyes of four Select Board members, the town gave Howard J. Tucker ample time to address issues at his Howard Trail property.

Since Tucker failed to complete a list of improvements, the Select Board voted 4-1 (Bob McHatton against) to direct legal counsel to pursue appropriate actions to remove “unauthorized occupants,” including Tucker and their personal property from the town-owned property.

The four board members also declined to accept Tucker’s check for $9,155.91 for back taxes and rejected approving a quit claim deed.

According to a Town of Bridgton memo dated Feb. 7, an inspection by Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Day was one at 112 Howard Trail and the requested items by the Select Board “were not met” by the Jan. 4 deadline. Those items were:

• Clean up some junk cars

• Clean up the trash in the yard • Repair electrical outlets

Board ‘sticks’ with $10

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Price increases can be felt everywhere, but the cost to buy a sticker to use the Bridgton Transfer Station will remain the same.

Each year at this time, the Select Board receives a list of town fees and possible rate hikes.

One proposal was to charge $20 for a dump sticker, which would be good for just one year. Stickers would need to be purchased by July 1 of each year.

“I have a problem with stickers going to $20,”

Selectman Bob McHatton said. Chair Carmen Lone agreed, pointing out that the sticker merely signifies the holder is a taxpayer, property owner or business owner, who “has a right to use the dump.”

Town Manager Robert

and some details are taking shape based on a conceptual floor plan produced by Harriman, the architectural firm that worked on the community center concept.

Currently, the proposed gym size is not high school regulation, but it will be bigger than the old gym. The dimensions would allow middle school basketball games. A pull-out divider would allow coaches to split the gym in two for young athletes. That size gym would fit three pickleball courts. Roll away bleachers

were another feature of the proposed gym.

During the discussion, Chairman Jim Grattelo asked the Community Activities Director Brian Crockett to come front and center. Grattelo asked Crockett if the most recent version of the gym-only design was suitable for the department’s needs.

“For all the programs we have talked about adding, future potential growth — that is exactly where we need to be. That’s the quick answer,” Crockett said.

The community rooms are as important as the gymnasium, to have them together in the same place so we can do multiple things.”

The new sketch has a gym, community meeting rooms, some storage, four showers and four bathrooms. There is a multipurpose room that measures 998 square feet. The gym is 5,244 square feet.

“The size of the gym allows us to do so much more . . . It would give us room to host events, and actually make some money,

as well as expand camp, offer multiple programs and stop fighting over time in the school gymnasiums and whatnot,” he said.

“It would allow us to run our existing programs better, not to mention the growth in offering more opportunities for our seniors to get exercise,” he said.

Later during the discussion, Crockett said his office would move to the new gym, leaving vacant one room at the current town hall. It is best to have staff physically present at

the facility, he said.

Crockett didn’t press for more storage. He answered Selectman Kevin Rogers question about the which sport has the most equipment to store.

“Our football equipment is by the ice rink. I think sheds are a nice place to store sports equipment. We have garage out back, a shed over there. We have sheds all over the place,” he said.

“My opinion is the location. If I had a preference,

GYM, Page 3A

STR: Let state figure it out

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Sometimes doing nothing is the best move. That’s especially true when the problem is already being addressed.

The Naples Board of Selectmen decided to do nothing about short-term rentals operating in town. That’s because the State of Maine is working on legislation to address short-term rentals.

In January, Naples Town Manager John Hawley stated that there were 28 short-term rentals in town. The current Business License Ordinance doesn’t define short-term rentals as a business, he said. Therefore, those owners aren’t required to get business licenses, he said.

Hawley asked the selectmen how would they would like to proceed.

On Monday, the board’s answer was official. The board voted, 5-0, to “for the time being” not include short-term rental as businesses.

When Hawley asked about whether or not to categorize short-term rental as a business by proposing an amendment to the Business License Ordinance, the selectmen favored the wait-and-see approach .

WINTER FUN SATURDAY — The Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 18, 2023 with events like, a kids’ ice fishing derby, chili and chowder contest, family movie, ice bar, rail jam and fireworks. Harvest Hills Animal Shelter will be putting on their Freezing for a Reason event. Winter Carnival buttons are available at the Chamber and multiple businesses throughout town for a cost of $5 each. The fun opens Friday night with the crowning of the Ice Queen at the Town Hall on North High Street. For times, check this week’s calendar on Page 7B.

“There’s something coming up in the state,” Selectman Kevin Rogers said.

“Let the state do it first,” Bill Adams said.

Chairman Jim Grattelo said that the State of Maine has been getting pressure from communities to address shortterm rentals, which have grown increasingly popular.

Town Manager John Hawley expressed concern that the town had the man power to take on short-term

Bridgton to hire ‘Plan’ consultant

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Tori Hill will be the first to tell you that Bridgton has many talented and hard-working people taking aim to update the Comprehensive Plan.

But, she also recognizes the update will be technical and will require a degree of expertise.

A road map to assist towns in addressing such upgrades is “Comprehensive Planning: A Manual for Maine Communities” written by Evan Richert and Syliva Most.

One piece of advice appears on Page 5 — “If the committee wants to carry out the plan by itself, it should understand the scope of the task and make sure it has committee members

with the skills, time and commitment to execute it. Leadership and coordination will be especially important; it must be provided by municipal officers or town staff and a highly committed chairperson or steering committee. A warning is in order: Many towns start out trying to do the work themselves, but then flounder and later backtrack to hire a consultant. If you plan to do the work yourselves, make sure that you’re being realistic.”

Tori Hill is a realist. While the town has until 2026 to present the state’s Planning Office with an updated Comp Plan, Hill feels hiring a consultant to actually write the new plan is the way to go. These professionals know what the

plan will require gain state acceptance.

A Task Force and the Community Development Office will be the “boots on the ground” in terms of public engagement, research and determining how residents want to see Bridgton develop.

A recent survey regarding open space resulted in 620 responses, which came as a total shocker, Hill said.

Hill proposed to the Select Board Tuesday night to carry forward $83,000 and reallocate the funds to hire a consultant.

Peabody, who noted that he has taken part in three Comp Plan updates during his managerial career, supports hiring a consultant due to their expertise in technical writing.

“It is always disheartening when they (the state) bounce it back, and you tweak here and there. The beauty of consultant is the technical writing expertise,” Peabody said.

Selectman Paul Tworog suggested that the town has in-house expertise to tackle the Comp Plan upgrade, and ultimately would save taxpayers significant money.

“I have confidence in our staff. When you hire specialized consultants, you’re guaranteed to get a longer document than what we would have otherwise, containing jargon and buzz words, which we may not need,” Tworog said.

He worries that a consultant may emphasize some of state government’s goals over the Bridgton’s goals.

STR, Page 3A HIRE, Page

“I am not convinced we’re going to spend this money and end up with a product just not as usable or user friendly. I don’t have any doubts about the staff we have here. I am more convinced than ever they can do it,” he added. “I am reluctant to spend $83,000 on a less than usable document.”

Hill’s perspective was quite the opposite.

“If we bring in professional services we actually make it a more usable document. People don’t want this to sit on a shelf... what I want is for it to be more usable, referred to it more often,” she said. “It would take a long time for our office to produce.”

Selectman Bob

Naples sets aside $ for Comp Plan

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES

— After a discussion in which two selectmen said they would rather not pay that amount right now and would prefer to hang on to the old one, the Naples Board of Selectmen decided start saving money for a new comp plan.

A while ago and more than once, Selectman Colin Brackett asked the town manager to price how much it would be to hire a firm to

help the community with the comprehensive plan process.

The cost estimate is $95,000; and that price quote comes from Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

The selectmen had been given copies of the current comprehensive plan prior to the meeting on Monday.

“I finished reading it. It ultimately outlines stuff that still should be in place. There

is some historical information that needs to be updated. The objective is still on target,” Selectman Kevin Rogers said.

Brackett explained why he favored doing a new comp plan. “I moved here in 2004. There are other people in town [who] want a voice as to how the town moves forward,” he said.

Rogers asked, “What do you think was in there that a current resident would do different? That should be dif-

ferent? What direction would you want it to go?”

Rogers said $95,000 was a lot of money to spend to alter a document that is still on target.

Chairman Jim Grattelo observed, “They predicted things that are going on in town . . . I think we should

Bridgton to hire Plan consultant

(Continued from Page 1A)

McHatton said consultants used to doing upgrades and know what roads to go down to put a plan together.

“The plan has to be in line with state laws and consultants would be up to date with that,” he said.

McHatton asked Hills to explain why $83,000 was left over.

Hill pointed out that a change in staff resulted in a salary difference, and there were funds from the CDBG grant.

Peabody noted that the Select Board had already voted to carry forward $38,000 for the Comp Plan.

“The board decided it was the highest and best use,” he said.

“I don’t mind consultants, good thing periodically, but I don’t want to lose community participation and local knowledge in writing of this Comp Plan,” Chair Carmen Lone said.

Casco has $70,000 earmarked to pay consultant GPCOG for its Comp Plan update.

“What I hear, we have great faith in our head chef and our head chef is telling we can’t do it, and should defer to the experts. Trust in our chef,” Peabody said. “You get to review the report and decide whether to send to the voters or not, you have the final say. Tori is standing in front of you asking to bring in a consultant based on what her office is up against. I’ve been through three of these, we hired these people and we should listen to her (Tori).”

“The more people on the committee, the more direction they need,” McHatton said. “A consultant make sure they are going down the right street and not waste time going down the wrong street. I’ve been through several of these; lots of meetings led people to drop out. It’s (hiring a consultant) the smart thing to do.”

McHatton suggested hiring a consultant at a cost not to exceed $80,000.

The board voted 4-1 to hire (Tworog against).

Hill noted that the original goal of having an updated document ready by November 2024 might be a “tad optimistic,” and a more realistic time frame might be June 2025. “It’s not something I want to rush,” Hill said.

Board notes

(Continued from Page 1A)

• Bring the chimney on the second floor up to code

• Clear path to other means of egress on the first floor.

“The board’s recommendation was to not return the property back to Mr. Tucker until he is in compliance,” Day wrote.

In an April 2022 handwritten letter, Tucker explained to the town that he is disabled, has “many different health issues” and living on a limited Social Security income.

The town acquired the property by virtue of a tax lien that foreclosed on Jan. 30, 2020.

“The town intends to dispose of the Howard Trail property in a manner authorized by the Select Board,” according to a Feb. 14, 2023 notice signed by Town Manager Robert Peabody. Tucker and other unauthorized individuals must vacate the property and remove their belongings by March 16.

“You have the right to contest this termination in court,” the letter concludes.

Tim Blanchard, who spoke to the Select Board Tuesday night as a representative of the Howard Trail Association, thanked board for “acting quickly” and noted that one of the concerns the group had was a “drastic change in the property since November; a trailer was brought in and (people are) living on the property.”

While Selectman Bob McHatton understands people’s feelings about the conditions at the Howard Trail property, he could not support booting the owner, especially since he had come up with the money to pay back taxes. He also questioned the existing policy, developed by a previous Select Board, to force property owners to bring conditions up to code. “The policy should be changed. I don’t believe the town at any point in time should take a house and land not up to code or the way the property looks,” McHatton said. “Others in town are not up to code, but because they are paying their taxes, we’re not chasing and giving them ultimatums. I don’t condone the condition it is in; we should take the check,

BRIDGTON HOSPITAL TEAM — The local hospital was chosen to earn a national award based on outcomes.

BH shines in performance index

Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital, both part of Central Maine Healthcare, have earned a 2022 Performance Leadership Award from the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX.

This index is considered “the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance in the United

States.”

The Performance Leadership Awards recognize the performance of the top 25% of rural hospitals in the country based on “Quality, Outcomes and Patient Perspective.”

Bridgton Hospital was chosen to receive this national award based on Outcomes. “I’m extremely proud of how our team mem-

bers have met this challenge and have kept our patients and the community at the center of everything we do,” said Jill Rollins, RN, director nursing and patient care services, Bridgton Hospital. Rumford Hospital received the award for Patient Perspective.

Stephany Jacques, RN, VP nursing and patient services, Rumford Hospital said,

“There is nothing more important to all of our team members here at Rumford Hospital than providing the highest quality of care to our patients.” According to Chartis, there is no better evidence of the value that rural hospitals provide to their communities than the recognition of being a top-performing facility.

Dump

sticker

(Continued from Page 1A)

Peabody said dump stickers generate revenue that offset the costs of Transfer Station operations. He added that when people were debating the Pay-Per-Bag option, many supported increasing the dump sticker cost over paying for disposal bags. Peabody noted that the price for disposing trash is expected to rise $230,000.

Lone countered that one message she took from the PPB debate was “the general public doesn’t mind paying for the Transfer Station in their tax bill.”

give back property and go after (him using the) state junkyard law and make him clean up in that way or face fines.”

McHatton thought about the situation “long and hard about how I feel.”

“People have the right to keep their property; he sent a check (to bring his taxes up to date), but the town is refusing to take check because of selectmen’s policy, not a state or town policy. I appreciate the work the CEO has done on this; I don’t think the town should be taking property. I think we should override this policy.”

Select Board members Carmen Lone, Paul Tworog, Carrye Castleman-Ross and Ken Murphy disagreed, and supported rejecting acceptance of the check,

and removing unauthorized occupants from the property.

4 for 3. When the Bridgton Select Board looked at the resumes of four people interested in serving on the Bridgton Memorial School Ad Hoc Committee, they saw an “abundance of riches.”

Unfortunately, a tough decision had to be made since the committee has space for just three citizens.

The applicants were Bruce Hancock (retired, member of the Appeals Board), Christopher Walton (environmental engineer consultant), Loraine Janelle (retired business owner and photojournalist) and Anne Overman (furniture painting and restoration).

Town Manager Robert Peabody clarified that based on the committee’s

“charge,” there is no alternate position.

“You have to make the hard choice,” Peabody said.

With three board members each making a nomination, the three selected were Hancock, Walton and Overman.

Peabody noted that all meetings are open to the public, and public participation in the process of determining the “best use” for the Memorial School property will be encouraged.

Selectman McHatton asked that a letter be sent to Janelle thanking her for her interest in serving, and encouraging her to stay involved in the process.

McHatton also asked that

BOARD, Page 4A

Selectman Paul Tworog called the proposed hike “massive” and he was “totally opposed” to it. He called attention to other departments increasing services, thus increasing their budgets, which requires more tax dollars.

“I can see raising it some, but by a factor of 4 is a slap in the face,” he said.

Peabody noted that department heads are charged to look at their operations and make recommendations to the board, and “not looking to slap anyone in the face.”

“They are trying to give you their best judgments, if don’t agree that’s fine…they’re not trying to slap anyone in the face,” Peabody said.

McHatton pointed out more revenue could be gen-

STICKER, Page 4A

REFLECTIONS from the Pleasant Mountain Ski Resort lighting in cracks of the Moose Pond ice.

(Photo by Pam Ward)

New gym on Naples’ horizon?

(Continued from Page 1A)

I would want it here [Village Green]. We have summer camp. One of the great things is we can walk the kids across the street” to Kent’s Landing and the Naples Town Beach, Crockett said.

Selectman Ted Shane promoted the design-build approach, saying that is how New Gloucester approached it. Shane is the public works director in New Gloucester.

Shane spoke at the beginning of the workshop.

“My thoughts are that we go to design-build. We send it out to bid for design-build. The architects for each company would then submit their proposals to us. We would have choices, possibly with alterations,” Shane said. “Isn’t that what we’ve been talking about?”

Selectman Bill Adams agreed, saying, “I thought that was the plan.” Rogers spoke.

“With design build, we give them a general idea of what we want to achieve,” he said.

Essentially, the list of what the town gym should be was forming during the workshop as community members contributed ideas and suggestions as well as asking questions.

Also, resident Joanna Moore offered her grant-writing services to assist with the cost of the construction project.

“We make a list of all the things we want, such as the ability to have a second floor,” Chairman Grattelo said. “Here is our list. Here is our conceptual drawing. This is the size of gym we are looking for. A lot of these companies are going to come back and square that off, because that is the cheapest building.”

He was referring to a two-story-tall gym and a dog leg created by the one-story tall portion of the building.

“Those are the kinds of things that a design-build is going to do for you,” Grattelo said. “We leave room for an elevator shaft in case that is where this is going to go or whenever.”

Shane shared his experience.

“I was involved two years ago in design build process. We sent it off to many vendors. We gave them 14 days to respond, ‘Yes, I’m interested.’ Then, we sat them down in a room like this and gave them the information,”

New Gloucester solicited 22 contractors and 12 showed up at meeting, he said.

“Colin [Brackett] said earlier that we are two years away from building this. I don’t see why we cannot have a number we are voting on soon,” he said. “We need to figure out how we are going to get to this next step.”

It was decided that the town manager would sit down with Crockett and compile the list of parameters for the gym design. Meanwhile, Shane would provide a list of contractors as the town moves one step closer to putting it out to bid in order to get some cost estimates.

Comp Plan $

(Continued from Page 1A)

start using it. We should start referring to what our comprehensive plan says,” Grattelo said. “I agree with Kevin. I am not willing to spend $95,000.”

Audience member Ed Cash said it was not an option.

“The law says every 10 years,” he said. “This thing is 18 years old.”

Brackett said, “A lot of stuff has changed.”

Selectman Rogers spoke.

“It has no teeth. It is just a guideline. To me that is not worth spending the money at all,” he said.

Planning Board member Martina Witts, who was sitting in the audience Monday night, shared her thoughts, saying that the comp plan “is continually referenced.”

“Like a study, you cannot go into it thinking you know how it will turn out,” she said.

“If you decide not to spend the money on it right now, you almost have to promise everybody. Let us say that and let it have a value. Don’t tell us it is 20-year-old document,” she said.

Jenn Kenneally thought a comp plan would put the town in a planning position rather than in a reactionary mode.

“We are chasing down issues. We should be addressing and driving toward the goal instead of reacting. We need to have a plan,” she said.

Grattelo said the process relies on a pool of volunteers.

“The biggest problem is 15 or 18 years ago, you had a hell of a lot more people volunteering. The Bob Neault of the worlds — we don’t have that anymore. It requires a tremendous amount of staff work,” Grattelo said, citing another reason not to take on a comp plan.

Rogers was still

“Using it, reading it. It should be a prerequisite for being on the planning board,” he said.

“The Select Board too,” Witts said.

She questioned the board, “You are telling us right now, it is good enough.”

Rogers said if the town cannot budget it this fiscal season, maybe it can be revisited in 2024.

Chairman Jim Grattelo asked, “Do we want to at least start a reserve?”

Cash said there are too many things no around 20 years ago that should be addressed in a new comp plan.

“There is a whole bunch of stuff out there that needs to change and be put on the comp plan. Public works wasn’t on the plan. That should be on the plan. A full-time fire department should be on the plan. Whether we stay selectmen or go to town council needs to be on the plan. How we accept roads needs to be on the plan,” Cash said.

“It is what people are thinking 20 years from now should be like,” he said.

Toilets on the ‘C-way’

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES— Toilets on the

Causeway turned into the hot-button topic.

Kirstin Hewes, who owns Sun Sports+ on the Causeway, asked what the town’s plans were for Porta Potties this summer.

Gym’s closure forces groups to find new spots

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — The closure of the Naples Gymnasium a few months ago has displaced several groups.

The impact of closing the gym to the public was verbalized during a discussion about a gym replacement on Monday.

It seems like Naples citizens seeking exercise are getting more of a workout traveling to other towns where activities have been moved. For some, it has been a disappointment.

Selectman Colin Brackett asked Community Activities Director (CAD) Brian Crockett if he has had to postpone things that were on the calendar because of the gym closure.

“A number of birthday parties — that’s kind of a big thing,” Crockett said.

“We have moved pickle ball, which as you know for our senior activity, it is the number one thing beside the trips for our seniors. We moved the entire operation to Sebago. So, now

everyone in Naples drives over to Sebago to use that gym,” Crockett said.

“The senior fitness classes— we had to move those temporarily to the Grange Hall, to the Singer Center upstairs. When summer comes, that group grows. So, we’ve contacted the schools,” he said.

Crooked River Elementary School’s gym might be the most logical spot for the senior fitness class during the summertime, he said.

“One of the biggest things is summer camp. So, we have summer camp coming up. Registration opens up in a couple weeks. We are looking for ways to not drastically reduce the size of the summer camp. Because we can’t just use Grange hall, especially on rainy days or when it is super hot, we are looking at alternatives like renting space or using tents, purchasing tents for outdoors space,” Crockett said.

Finding space for children who enroll in summer

camp will be a big priority, he said.

“It’s been painful. There are some people who booked way ahead for their crafts sales or whatever,” he said.

“The food pantry has struggled. They have to move their stuff back and forth,” he said.

The CrossWalk Community Outreach food pantry moved from the town gym to the Singer Center, which is still in the Village Green but farther away from the food storage areas.

Brackett commented that it could be another two years before a new gym is constructed.

Crockett agreed it is not ideal for Naples residents who have to drive to other towns for activities that used to be offered closer to them.

“We are fortunate. We have had use of the schools. The school department has been phenomenal in letting us utilize their spaces,” Crockett said.

“We need to discuss the bathrooms on the Causeway. It was a nightmare this summer. I kind of feel bad for Long Lake Marina because they had the only three or four in town; and that is where everyone went,” she said.

Last year, it was Memorial Day weekend when the town reached out to businesses, asking if they could make room on their property for Porta Potties for which the town would pay. She said it was frustrating to welcome customers to town and into her shop and tell them there are no public bathrooms.

Hewes had been trying to get the topic on the agenda so the discussion could take place sooner this year.

“I’m willing to get involved in it, but we have to get it going before Memorial Day weekend,” she said.

Hewes brought up the subject of Porta-potties during public participation at the Naples Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday. It turned into a 30 to 40-minute conversation.

Part of the problem had to do with the climate in porta potties rentals. Since 2020, there was an issue with finding employees to maintain the units regularly. Apparently, Blow Brothers also bought out the competing companies.

Selectman Kevin Rogers asked how the porta potty situation ended last year.

For decades, the townrented plastic Johns were located behind Rick’s Cafe. Last year, the owner of Rick’s Cafe wanted to charge the town to use the lot space, according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

“We looked at other, alternative locations and we weren’t successful. Long Lake Marina had two. We agreed to help them pay for one of theirs, and we put another one there. We had three at Kent’s Landing. That is just the only places we had” to put the Porta Potties, Hawley said.

Old town hall roof needs improvements

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES—

Just in time for budget season, it was discovered that the roof on the Old Town Hall building needs to be repaired.

“The estimate supplied to us to seal leaks and recoat the existing metal roof was $36,8000,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

When the Naples Budget Committee heard the request last week, members asked if it could be sent to the selectmen. The monetary ask came from the Marine Safety Department, which uses the old town hall.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen talked about the capital improve-

ment project of fixing the roof. That conversation took place shortly after the board had been talking about the approach to the budget.

Naples Harbor master Shawn Hebert was asked to step to the microphone.

Chairman Jim Grattelo, who also serves on the budget commitee, spoke.

“He is proposing a fulltime position for the head of marine safety. That is when the budget committee said, ‘Wait a minute.’ They wanted clarification from the select-board on what direction we are moving with marine safety,” he said. “On top of that, we need a new roof.”

Selectman Kevin Rogers took the floor.

“The building needs to be preserved. That is a municipal building. We have to. That is not even a question,” he said.

Selectman Colin Brackett spoke.

“What is the long-term goals of marine safety so they won’t be in that building? We’ve got to preserve the building,” Brackett said.

“I don’t think the longterm goal of marine safety has anything to do with the building,” Vice-Chair Ted Shane said.

“I would raise an eyebrow if I heard $79,000, too,” he said, referring to the roof repair plus the additional employee.

Naples Town Manager

ROOF, Page 5A

Rogers said he had a lengthy conversation with the owner of Rick’s Cafe and the surrounding buildings. The person would be willing to put the town’s Porta Potties on his property if someone kept them clean.

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(Continued from Page 1A)

rentals right away. Adding short-term rentals to the list of businesses would require the town to make sure those spaces are up to code. For public safety reasons, inspections would be required.

“Once the state decides, there will be other requirements. Right now . . . I don’t have the staff to follow through with short-term rentals. I am not saying it doesn’t need to be done,” Hawley said. “Once we decide to do this, we will be ‘all in’ and take on those responsibilities. We can wait until the state comes down with its plan.”

Selectman Adams agreed that requiring short-term rentals to be businesses would make extra work for the code enforcement office.

“Let’s wait to see what coming down the pike,” Adams said.

STORAGE SPACE is located in the buildings outside of the Naples Gymnasium. CrossWalks Community Outreach has storage containers for food, too. (De Busk Photo)

THE BRICK BUILDING, known as the old town hall, needs repair work done to the roof. The Marine Safety Department used the building. (De Busk Photo)

Teen crashes into 2 cruisers

An attempt to locate a missing teen last Wednesday night triggered a collision with a Bridgton Police cruiser, a high-speed chase to Windham, and another crash.

Just after 9 p.m., Bridgton Police were looking for a missing 16-year-old male from Massachusetts. Two BPD officers located the juvenile in a vehicle at Lumberyard Drive (McDonalds). When approached, the teen’s vehicle reportedly backed into and struck a Bridgton Police cruiser, causing minor damage to the bumper area according to BPD Chief Phil Jones. The teen then fled the scene.

Bridgton Police pursued the teen, and eventually Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deputies also engaged in the chase down Route 302 into Windham.

Windham police officers set up roadblocks and spike mats. The suspect vehicle ran over the spike mats, however, it did not stop. The vehicle continued to the area of Route 302 and Anglers Road. Sgt. Ernest MacVane was in his marked police car stopped with his emergency blue light activated. The suspect car struck Sgt. MacVane’s police cruiser, as well as two citizen cars.

As a result of the crash, Sgt. MacVane was transported to Maine Medical Center for complaints of pain and non-life-threatening injuries.

The juvenile was also transported for non-life-threatening injuries. Occupants of the other cars were not injured. The case remains under investigation by the Windham and Bridgton Police Departments for potential criminal charges, according to Windham PD Chief Kevin Schofield.

Fryeburg Police

These items appeared on the Fryeburg Police Department log (this is a partial listing):

Monday, February 6 6:15 a.m. Animal complaint at the intersection of Bridgton Road and Jockey Cap Lane.

6:06 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Bridgton Road (Four Seasons Horticulture Supply).

Tuesday, February 7

3:53 p.m. Assist agency at Molly Ockett School.

Wednesday, February 8 9:44 a.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Dearborn Drive, unfounded.

2:03 p.m. Traffic complaint on Ice House Road. 4:55 p.m. Burglary complaint on Main Street. 4:55 p.m. Burglar alarm on Chautauqua Road investigated.

Thursday, February 9

5:35 p.m. Traffic complaint on Main Street.

6:26 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Portland Street and Ruths Way.

Friday, February 10

4:30 p.m. Complaint of a limb on a wire at the intersection of Oxford Street and Warren Street.

5:09 p.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Oxen Pull Road, unfounded. 9:45 p.m. Complaint on West Fryeburg Road, unfounded. 9:53 p.m. Disturbance on West Fryeburg Road, report taken. 10:30 p.m. Disturbance at Main Street business.

Saturday, February 11 8:53 a.m. Complaint on West Fryeburg Road, report taken. 4:35 p.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Christopher Street. 7:20 p.m. Animal complaint at the intersection of Main Street and Bog Pond Road.

Sunday, February 12 12:30 a.m. Structure fire at the Lil’Mart (Irving) on Main Street.

Bridgton Police Department

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

Monday, February 6

8:40 p.m. Juvenile problem at Summit Hill Road in Harrison.

Tuesday, February 7

12:05 a.m. Citizen assist on Iredale Street.

12:44 a.m. Mental health event on Iredale Street.

9:31 a.m. Assist agency on Hospital Drive.

10:26 a.m. Disturbance on East Pinnacle Road.

11:10 a.m. Citizen assist on North High Street.

11:46 a.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Main Street and Depot Street; minor damage to both vehicles, no injuries reported.

4:07 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Portland Road (Lampron’s).

6:06 p.m. Agency assist at Bridgton Hospital.

9:58 p.m. Suspicious noises on Wayside Avenue.

10:56 p.m. Deer struck by vehicle at the intersection of North High Street and Hio Ridge Road.

Wednesday, February 8

9:01 a.m. Disturbance on Portland Road.

1 p.m. Citizen assist on Portland Road.

4:03 p.m. Suspicious situation on South Bridgton Road.

8:55 p.m. Police responded to a missing person call on North High Street, which turned into a chase. Police caught the suspect, and placed that person under arrest.

9:10 p.m. Officers received a call that an ambulance had struck a deer at the intersection of South High Street and Willett Road; no damage to the ambulance, and the deer left the scene.

Thursday, February 9

6:57 a.m. Theft complaint on Portland Road.

9:23 a.m. Unattended death on South High Street.

2:24 p.m. Agency assist

on South High Street.

7:58 p.m. Criminal mischief at Brewster Circle.

9:39 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on South Bridgton Road.

10:46 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of South Bridgton Road and Fosterville Road.

Friday, February 10

2:06 p.m. Mental health event on Kimball Road.

3:57 p.m. Police assisted United Ambulance personnel with a medical emergency on Campbell Drive.

5:26 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Portland Road.

Saturday, February 11

11:46 a.m. Theft of items totaling $595.66 by a male suspect at Walgreens. Police released a photo of the suspect on its Facebook page, and ask the public to contact BPD with any information (contact Officer George at 207-8932810 or by email bgeorge@ bridgtonmaine.org).

2:23 p.m. Police assist-

ed United Ambulance personnel with a medical emergency on E Street.

4:17 p.m. A female was arrested on Main Street and charged with domestic violence assault.

11:54 p.m. Domestic altercation on South High Street; parties separated and both warned for disorderly conduct.

Sunday, February 12

1:25 a.m. Police checked suspicious vehicle parked on Lumberyard Drive.

2:14 a.m. Domestic dispute on Main Street; possible protection from abuse violation alleged, police determined unfounded.

10:50 a.m. Theft of alcohol complaint at Main Street business.

4:05 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Mountain Road.

5:15 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on South High Street.

Monday, February 13

8:02 a.m. Animal problem at the intersection of North High Street and Sweden Road.

Town files claim for home fire

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer CASCO — A mobile home fire in late January uncovered something about which the current town manager was unaware. The fire occurred at 15 Varney Rd. on Friday, Jan. 27. No one was injured but the home was a total loss.

Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward relayed the situation to the

Casco Board of Selectmen on Tuesday. “We foreclosed on it. We let the people reside in it. And we kept issuing the tax bill to them,” Ward said A former town manager entered into an agreement that although the property was owned by the town, the citizens could continue living in the home, Ward said. “I filed a claim with risk management. The mobile

home was a total loss,” he said, asking the board, “Once the adjuster gets back to me, should I recover costs for the burned-down mobile home or for the cleanup of it?”

Selectman Grant

Plummer had a question before he had an answer. He asked for the town attorney’s take on the matter.

“Does the tenant have the right to any of that value?”

Plummer asked.

Ward responded, “You are having some similar questions to what I have.”

“It was an accidental fire,” he said. “I though that we would at least have a dialogue about it. This could be a very complex issue that needs discussion.”

Chair Robert MacDonald asked Ward to find out if there are any other foreclosed properties in town with a similar arrangement.

Bridgton Select Board notes

(Continued from Page 2A)

new committee members be informed that their role is “advisory” in nature. The Ad Hoc Committee will develop recommendations and report back to the Select Board, which will ultimately decide what direction to take.

“There will be a wide discussion of options,” McHatton noted.

“We do encourage people in the community that their participation is important,” Board Chair Carmen Lone

said. “Recommendations will not be binding, but will be taken seriously.”

Concern for a tree.

Bruce Hancock spends time daily walking his dog, and he notices a lot during those strolls.

He voiced concerns to town officials regarding the state of an “antique” apple trees in Shorey Park.

“It needs professional pruning. It’s beautiful, and antique, and worth saving. I request the town to consider

Dump sticker

(Continued from Page 2A)

erated at the current $10 price if everyone using the Transfer Station paid.

“People go to landfill and don’t pay for a sticker,” he said.

Public Services Director

David Madsen requested that officials support an annual sticker, all due on the same date, and a different color would be used every year “to make it easier for the guys working there.” Extra personnel will be on site during expected busy times to sell stickers and check users whether

they have a sticker or not — one sticker per household. The Select Board backed those requests, and will keep stickers at $10. The new fee schedule for stickers goes into effect March 1, 2023. Anyone renewing between March 1 and June 30 will be issued a temporary sticker until June 30, at which time they will be required to purchase a new sticker to access the Transfer Station.

A full list of town fees is available on the town website.

taking care of it,” Hancock said. Is a safe zone needed?

When long-time Bridgton resident Destin Pinkham looked to start a dual business at a building located at the base of Packard’s Hill, he thought it would be an easy project to sell.

The building sits alone along Route 302, and had previously housed a canvas repair operation.

While half of the building is slated for detail work, Pinkham wants to use the other part for marijuana sales.

He discovered that the property abuts Willis Park, which the town has desig-

nated as a “safe zone,” thus the sale of marijuana is prohibited.

Pinkham tried to get a variance from the Appeals Board, but was unable to meet the hardship standard.

So, he is bringing his case to the Select Board, and likely, Bridgton voters.

Feeling the Willis Park road property is not “a park,” where kids play, Pinkham wants to bring a request to town meeting to rescind the safe zone designation for that lot.

Selectman Bob McHatton suggested that the item be placed on a future agenda to allow officials time to review

BOARD, Page 5A

THE BRIDGTON NEWS

(BRIDGTON NEWS CORPORATION)

Established 1870 P.O. BOX 244 • BRIDGTON, ME 04009 207-647-2851 • 207-647-8166 • Fax: 207-647-5001

General e-mail: bnews@roadrunner.com

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Display Advertising e-mail: bnewsads@roadrunner.com website: bridgton.com

Publisher & Editor Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer Dawn De Busk

Circulation & Classifieds

Business Manager Fran Dumont

Advertising Sales Manager Samantha Berke

Production Manager Lorena Plourd

The Bridgton News (USPS 065-020) is published Thursdays at 118 Main Street, Bridgton, Maine. Periodicals class postage at Bridgton, Maine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bridgton News, P.O. Box 244, Bridgton, ME 04009

SUBSCRIPTIONS

PRINT EDITION

6 MOS. $25.32 (incl. tax) in state $26 out of state

1 YEAR $50.64

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Bridgton Police are seeking the identity of this man in connection with an alleged robbery at Walgreens. See blotter for info.

Bridgton board notes

the ordinance and Pinkham’s plight.

Select Board concerns.

Selectman McHatton asked to see a list of all townowned properties, and suggested a discussion be had whether some should be put out for public sale.

He sees the potential of using funds from those sales to help with upcoming capital improvement projects, while also returning those properties to the tax rolls.

“There are some we would have no use for,” McHatton said.

Connecting with other towns. With so many projects taking front and center, one topic that seems to have taken a back seat is improving local Broadband.

It is still on Community Development Director’s Tori Hill’s to-do list. Hill noted that Consolidated Communications will not be building out to cover Bridgton in its entirety, but will expand coverage along Route 302 to the Knights Hill area.

“Maps have not been released to the public at this point,” Hill noted. Meanwhile, Hill sees more talks with other towns in an attempt to land grants to assist with access improvements.

Recently, Harrison learned that it had failed to land a grant through Maine Connectivity, and will now look at other ways to improve grant chances along with Broadband access.

Hill and Devlin plan to look at ways to bring other towns together to build a new coalition with the idea there might be greater strength in numbers — and ultimately more under-served areas to claim as part of a grant proposal.

• Expect to see more local roads posted this spring.

Public Services Director David Madsen said the move is to protect newly-paved roadways.

• Several residents have voiced concerns regarding the dangers of walking along Willett Road. While constructing a sidewalk down this road might be too expen-

sive, town officials are looking into adding more light.

Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck recently had conversations with Central Maine Power about adding street lights along Willett Road. Four poles were identified for light fixture placement.

Fleck said the four were selected because the lighting will not shine onto homes or dooryards. Paperwork is being drafted by CMP and will be passed along to town officials for review.

CMP will also maneuver lighting on Highland Road to shine more light onto the beach parking area.

• Wastewater update.

Construction on the wastewater plant continues along with installing a pump station near Hannaford.

“It’s almost done, and then, they’re moving to (behind) Walgreens,” Peabody said.

That pump station will be on SAD 61 property. Four new pump stations are being constructed, while five existing stations will be revamped.

Toilets on Causeway?

(Continued from Page 3A)

“It was just a disaster. The company that pumped them left, they couldn’t keep up with the cleaning so was a mess. It was just a disaster behind his place there,” Rogers said.

“The fact of the matter is if those are there for the town, the town should be responsible for them being kept up. I know everyone is going to say, ‘I don’t want that job.’ And, we are going to have a hard time find-

Roof

(Continued from Page 3A)

John Hawley reported on the roof’s status.

“It is leaking through the five layers of asphalt shingles,” he said.

Hebert continued.

“We were hoping they could come in and seal it and paint it. When they did the investigation to look at the roof, they said it was out of code, the asphalt shingles,” he said. “They quoted $36,800 for repair. It would be double that to pull everything from the truss and repair it. Obviously, we don’t have that in our budget.” The roof repair could come out of Capital Improvement Project reserves, rather than from the Marine Safety budget. No financial decisions were made regarding the roof that evening.

ing anyone to do that job,” he said. “If we are going to propose anything to him again, we need to be able to say we have our own staff. I don’t know how ridiculous it will cost to find that service. He also mentioned trash barrels. Those weren’t there. He was willing to listen to that again if we had some ideas on our part.”

Hewes said she would be willing to take two units if other businesses did the same and if the units were kept clean.

“I don’t want my customers to step over baby diapers on their way into the store,” she said.

Over the years, the selectmen have tossed around the idea of building a public restroom facility or renting a bathroom trailer. Still, the problem is two-fold: where to put such a facility and who will keep it clean during the busy tourist season.

“If we want to build them, we need to maintain it. We need a crew to maintain it. If we rent Porta Potties and put them behind someone’s business, ultimately we have to keep it clean,” Rogers said.

Audience member Ken Norton, who has a background in engineering, spoke.

“There is no place to put a vault toilet. I don’t see that space on the Causeway. You’d have to get a variance for the tank setbacks,” Norton said.

Selectman Colin

Brackett asked why there is such a demand for bathrooms by the water.

Hewes answered, “It is boat traffic. It is the Songo River Queen customers. It is the Fourth Of July.”

Bob Caron II said signage was the answer to helping people locate public restrooms. He said other waterfront tourist towns have signs for boaters.

“One thing the town has been lax about is when you get off the boat, there should be signage. Signs for parking, restroom facilities. They blend in with the landscape and tell you where to go,” he said.

“We don’t have signage. Everyone knows there is restroom facilities behind Rick’s because they have been there 30 years,” Caron said.

This began the argument that nobody wants to walk to Kent’s Landing from the Causeway. Caron said he disagreed. People would walk the distance if a sign indicated where and how far away restrooms were.

The discussion swung back to cleaning bathrooms.

“The real issue is how can we get them cleaned. I talked to the owner of that property today less than 12 hours ago. He said he will revisit this if we promise [the port potties] will be cleaned and trash cans there to collect refuse,” Rogers said. “The issue isn’t that we don’t have Porta Potties, it is how do we guarantee they are cleaned.”

MEMIC scholarships available

Children or spouses of workers injured on the job may benefit from an annual MEMIC scholarship program now entering its 22nd year. The MEMIC Group is accepting applications for its Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship Program, founded in 2001 to offer tuition assistance to children and spouses of workers who were seriously injured at work. MEMIC has awarded more than $242,000 in Horizon Scholarships to 49 students since the pro-

gram’s inception.

Last year, the program benefited two brothers from Florida, a University of Maine student, and a woman who was completing her undergraduate degree when her father was injured at work and, as she said, “my life took a 180-degree turn.”

Applicants must complete the application by April 28, 2023, to be considered for a scholarship of up to $10,000. To be eligible, the related injured worker must have been working for a MEMIC policyhold-

er at the time of injury. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee for financial need, academic performance, community involvement, other life experiences, and future promise. Students must be attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university. For more information and to request a copy of the application, call 1-800660-1306 and say “Horizon Scholarship” at the prompt, or visit memic.com/horizon.

Good Citizen: Ryan Philbrook

(Continued from Page 6A)

towns and spaces clean. Volunteering at a space that helps people in need also helps create a community where people help each other. And lastly, just being a good person goes a long way. Just even little things like holding the door for people can go a long way.

Q. What piece of advice that you have received that has made a difference in your life? One of the greatest pieces of advice that I ever got in my life was by a complete stranger to me. He said there’s a reason your windshield is a lot

bigger than your rearview mirror. It made me realize that even if someone did something bad to me in the past, I should put it aside and help them if they are in need of it.

Q. Who is your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher is Ms. (Christina) Gaumont. She teaches Social Studies and she’s a great teacher that goes above and beyond to have the students produce their best work while still being able to build relationships with some students. She is a fun teacher and she is always there to help when it’s needed.

Q. How have you tried to make your school/community a better place? In my classes, I offer to help my peers if they don’t understand what’s going on. I try to be friendly to everyone I’m around and treat every person with respect.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why? One of my biggest accomplishments I have was when I was at work and I volunteered to help the children that couldn’t afford Christmas. There was a food pantry that was doing a gift drive and I helped over 200 kids have a Christmas.

BUSY DAY ON THE MAT — Fryeburg Academy hosted the Class B South regional wrestling championships last Saturday, and had senior Haden Fox (below) capturing second place at 170 pounds, and junior Joey Fusco (bottom right) placing third at 138. Above, Gabe McKenney looks for a pin; bottom left Eliya Deri squares off against an opponent. (Photos by Lakyn Ela/FA)

Lions’ Student of the Month

Adison

Keefe of Naples has been selected as the Naples Lions Club’s “Student of the Month” for February.

Each month, area Lions Clubs recognize a Lake Region High School senior based on academics and volunteerism in school and community services. The recipient is honored at a Lions’ dinner meeting and is presented a monetary award.

Parents: Deana and Alan Keefe

Sports: LRHS Varsity Soccer and Maine

Lightning Soccer Club

Clubs: ASTRA Club, Student Council, Project Planet, and LRHS Varsity Club Volunteer: Rec Soccer Program, local roadside clean-ups, fundraisers, and Prom Committee. In August 2023 will be traveling to Costa Rica to assist in turtle hatching project.

Community Service: Maintains the school garden for Yellow Tulip Project, organized clothing drive, and ABC Book Project — reading books to local kindergarten students.

Work: Sandwich Artist at Subway, Ski instructor at Pleasant Mountain.

Other: Class of 2023 Vice President and Manager of the LRHS

Yearbook

Hobbies: Soccer, skiing, working out and

Lakers headed to State Meet

Adison Keefe

spending time with friends and family.

Future plans: I am going to be attending Thomas College as a student of the class of 2027. I am in a 3 plus 1 program at the school, where I plan to get my bachelor’s degree in 3 years and my master’s degree in my fourth year. I plan to major in Psychology and Mental Health in hopes to become a substance abuse counselor. I will be playing soccer for these four years, as well. Soccer has impacted my life in a huge way and I can continue to play at Thomas!

Q. What do you believe are three keys to being a good student? I believe the three keys to being a good student are respect, perseverance, and curiosity. All these major things have helped me tremendously in being the student I want to be and who people see me as.

ADISON, Page 8A

Rotary Club’s Good Citizen

Ryan Philbrook of Bridgton has been selected as the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club’s “Citizen of the Month” for November.

Each month, the Rotary Club recognizes a Lake Region High School student who displays good citizenship and contributes to the school community. The recipient is honored at a Rotary breakfast meeting and is presented a monetary gift.

Parents: Tracy and Jason Philbrook

Activities: Working out, work

Hobbies: Collecting vintage vinyl records, video games

Future plans: I am going to college to get a degree in Business and hopefully find a way to

Ryan Philbrook

get that back into cars.

Q. What do you believe are three keys to being a good citizen? People can be a good citizen by doing more than helping a neighbor, although, it is a good way to help people that need some assistance. Sometimes being a good citizen can be just picking up your trash to keep

RYAN, Page 5A

Six Lakers will be headed to the Class B state Indoor Track & Field championships on Monday, Feb. 20 at Bates College in Lewiston.

The LR line-up is:

Campbell Johnson in the long jump, high jump, triple jump

Abigail Roberts in the 800 meters and 2-mile run

Alec Freitas in the 55-meter hurdles and 200 meters

Grady Kemp in the 800 meters and 2-mile run

Ezra Gronlund in the 800 meters

Taylor Spearrin in the high jump

The Lakers placed in 13 events and set several personal records (PRs) at Friday Western Maine Conference league championships held at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. The LR girls finished sixth in the meet and the boys finished eighth, both a bit better than their regular season standings.

Campbell Johnson started off the night for the Lakers winning the long jump with a big PR of 15 feet, 8.5 inches. She led after prelims with a PR 15-2.25 jump, then bettered that on her last jump of the competition. She was seeded second.

Campbell and the other high jumpers did very well.

Taylor Spearrin was seeded fifth, was clear through 5-6,

then made 5-8 and placed second in the SR event.

The 5-8 jump automatically qualified Taylor for States.

Marissa Harlow followed by placing third in the JR girls’ high jump with a PR of 4-2. She was seeded fourth.

Campbell finished the jumping for the Lakers by placing second in the SR event with her 5-0 jump. Campbell has been very consistent in the jumps this year. She’ll compete and can place in all three jumps at States.

Kaitlin Lane led the JR throwers with her throw of 21 feet, 5.5 inches, good for sixth place.

“We were excited she made the finals and she finished sixth,” Coach Mark Snow reported. The rest of the Laker events were on the track.

Abigail Roberts was the other event winner for the Lakers, leading the 800 meters from the start and finishing in a seasonal best time of 2:28.27. She is ahead of last year’s results and still improving.

“We are optimistic about her upcoming performances at the State Meet,” Coach Snow said.

On Friday, she also placed second in the 2-mile with a time of 12:22.12 (Cary Drake of York turned in the winning time of 11:54.91).

Alec Freitas had another great day. He PRed in

the trials and then again in the finals of the 55-meter hurdles. Alec placed third in the meet in 8.66 (Nolan Garey of Poland was first in 7.87 and Charlie Newton of York second in 8.52) and is a threat to place at States. He will also run the 200 meters at States. On Friday, he finished fourth in that event with a PR of 24.77 seconds (Nick Garey of Poland won the event in 23.76).

Grady Kemp pushed hard over the last six laps of the 2-mile run to move from fifth to second with a time of 10:42.12 (Sam Laverdiere of St. Dom’s won the event in 10:34.60).

“I loved the way he turned it on and went after the leaders,” Coach Snow said.

He used the opposite tactic in the 800 meters by going out strong early (under 60 seconds at 400

meters). He held on to finish fourth in 2:09.02 (Henry Horne of Freeport was the winner in 2:00.36) just ahead of teammate Ezra Gronlund (2:09.39). Both will run the 800 meters at states. Grady will also run the 2-mile. Other PRs in the meet were Taylor Spearrin (200 meters in 28.45), Tristan Cormier (mile in 5:33.14), Kimberly Stiffler (55 meters in 8.59 and 200 meters in 32.66), Madelyn Long (200 meters in 32.30 and 4x2 relay split), Hanna Siebert (200 meters in 35.50 and 4x2 relay split), Delaina Grover (4x2 relay split), and Campbell Johnson (4x2 relay split).

“The relays ran spectacularly, each winning their section and placing with seasonal best times. It was a great end to the meet for us,” Coach Snow added.

TRACK, Page 8A

FA relay makes wait worth it

With 13 schools competing at the Western Maine Conference Indoor Track & Field championships Friday, it was a very long day-night for Raider athletes.

“The meet was very long and there were long gaps where our athletes were just waiting for their events. Thus, games of UNO were played and video interviews pursued,” Fryeburg Academy Coach Trevor Hope said. “Many of us probably didn’t get home until midnight. As much as I wish we could have gone home sooner, it was worth it to stick around for our boys 4x200

which got fourth place with by far our fastest time of season.”

The Raider foursome of Jacob Adams, Zack Emery, Jacob Eveleth and Arkie Baptista combined for a time of 1:43.85. Poland won the relay in 1:37.20.

Here’s how Raider athletes fared:

Enna Carbone was fourth in the JR 200 meters in 29.30 (Lucy Riggs of Freeport was the winner in 28.00).

Emily Chaine ran a 30.09 to take seventh in the SR 200 meters (Abigail

Jacobson of Greely won the race in 27.60). Emily posted a 8.29 time in the SR 55 dash for ninth in the prelim run.

Jacob Eveleth earned fifth in the JR 200 meters in 26.63 (Cohen Demuth of Poland won in 25.55) and sprinted to a 7.55 in the 55-meters to place 11th in the prelim. Jacob was eighth in the long jump at 15-11.75.

Jacob Adams was sixth in the SR 55-meters in 7.01. He ran a 7.00 in the prelims for seventh. Harry Dougherty of Yarmouth

won the event in 6.70. Zack Emery was clocked at 9.32 to place sixth in the SR 55-meter hurdles. He ran a 9.28 in the prelims for fifth. Arkie Baptista notched a third-place finish in the Open long jump with a 19-5.75 (Cadyn Langlois of Poland won at 20-0.75). Arkie jumped 5-feet-4 in the SR high jump, good for fifth (Jordan Knighton of Freeport had the top jump of 5-10). The FA boys were 10th overall, and the FA girls were 13th.

Alec Freitas

Ezra Gronlund Grady Kemp Taylor Spearrin

Abigail Roberts Campbell Johnson

Regional Sports

Raiders unable to punch tix

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer FRYEBURG

— While the game was the last one on the regular season schedule, the Raider girls knew it had far bigger consequences.

A win and Fryeburg Academy had a chance to crack the Class A South playoff picture. A loss, and the season was over.

The Raiders “gave it all they had,” Coach Kristen Stacy, but unfortunately, they ran into a hot shooter and ran out of gas as Freeport knocked them out of playoff contention with a 65-57 victory last Wednesday night.

Falcon senior guard Angelina Pillsbury drained three 3-pointers and scored 13 of her game-high 26 points midway through the third quarter to erase a 35-33 FA lead to put Freeport ahead to stay.

Sophomore forward Madilyn Cormier tossed in 16 points and hauled down

8 rebounds as the Falcons pulled away by hammering the paint.

“Freeport has just one outsider shooter, and the rest of the team just drives, drives, drives to the rim. We are so aggressive that we didn’t give them some space and we were getting beat to the basket. The way that they played was our kryptonite,” Fryeburg Academy Coach Kristen Stacy said.

“We had some foul trouble, so in our heads, we had to play a little more careful.”

Fryeburg fell behind early as Freeport scored five times in the lane before Pillsbury dropped the first of six long-range bombs.

The Raiders responded with quick drives to the rim as Carla Pintor Gali (4 points, 4 rebounds) knocked down a short jumper while Jilyan Byrne and Sydney Shaw drove past their defenders for in-close buckets. FA trailed 18-14 after one.

Freeport sent two and sometimes three defenders to encircle FA center Mina Milosevic, making it difficult for her to get clean looks at rim. After going scoreless in the first quarter, Milosevic stayed determined and earned trips to the foul line. She went 4-for-4 to start the quarter, and later drained a 3-pointer to put the Raiders ahead, 23-22.

A sweeping drive by Sydney Gelhar (11 points) put Freeport back on top. The teams traded hoops in the final seconds as the Falcons took a 28-26 lead into the break.

FA all-everything guard Sydney Shaw (15 points) was whistled for her third foul with 24 ticks left on the clock. Freeport missed a pair of foul shots.

Milosevic showed toughness on the boards, hauling down five straight rebounds to start the third quarter. She finished the night with 18. Mina also was clutch under

Let the Madness begin

Girls’ Class B South Banks Exposition Building

Saturday, Feb. 18, noon

#4 Medomak Valley (12-6) vs. #5 Lake Region (13-5)

The Panthers of Medomak Valley (Waldoboro) went 4-1 in its last five contests, the only loss a 59-24 thumping by tourney top seed Oceanside. MV has won three straight.

The lone common opponent was Maranacook. Medomak played Maranacook twice, winning both match-ups, 54-46 and 56-35 (at home). The Lakers lost to the Black Bears in the second game of the season, on the road, 65-45.

The Lakers enter the tournament with a 3-2 record over their last five games, winners of two straight.

First-year Coach Doug Banks was asked by The News:

Q. What will be the keys to success?

DB. Run our offense through more than once and make the defense work.

Q. What challenges do you face playing a team you didn’t face in the regular season and how are you preparing for them?

DB. When you play a team that you don’t see, you watch as much film that you can get and be willing to make changes on the fly. We need to play our game defensively. We work on this every day. We have kids that have over 40 blocks and we need to continue to rebounding on the defensive end and not give up second and third

LAKER PREVIEW, Page 8A

Boys’ Class A South Banks Exposition Building

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m.

#3 Marshwood (13-5) vs. #6 Fryeburg Academy (9-9)

The Hawks of Marshwood closed out the regular season with a 4-1 mark, winners of three straight. The common opponents were York, Wells and Westbrook. Marshwood went 2-0 against York, winning 51-35 and 53-37. They beat Wells twice, 52-37 and 46-36, while splitting with Westbrook losing 49-42 and winning 43-41.

The Raiders, who went 1-4 over their last five games and entering the tournament with a four-game losing skid, lost to Westbrook 71-42, lost to Wells 54-51 and beat York 61-59.

Second-year FA Coach Dan Thomas was asked by The News:

Q. What will be the keys to success?

DT. Our two biggest keys to success will be valuing the basketball and protecting the 3-point line. Marshwood has some guys who can really light it up from ‘3’ and a really talented player in Andrew Perry. We need to try and contain him the best we can knowing that he is going to make tough shots. In some of our latest games, we have struggled with turnovers. In a game like this, we have to value every possession and make sure we are making smart, safe passes.

RAIDER PREVIEW, Page 8A

fire, sinking a short jumper in the lane and later adding a pair of foul shots to tie the game, 30-30.

After a Pillsbury 3-pointer, Shaw threaded a pass through the Falcon defense to Celia Hernandez (7 points) for a lay-up. Hernandez then knocked down an open 3-pointer to put the Raiders up 35-33.

After Pillsbury erupted for seven straight points, Shaw responded with a 3-pointer and made a nifty move to split two defenders in the lane for a bucket, cutting the Freeport lead to 43-40.

The Falcons countered with a 7-2 run over the final minutes, and Shaw landed her fourth foul with 20.3 seconds left.

Down 50-42, the hole for the Raiders got deeper as Freeport scored the first 7 points of the final frame, including what seemed like a 3-point dagger by Pillsbury.

Fatigued physically, the Raiders dug deep mentally for a final push to save their season. FA earned 10 chances at the foul line, converting seven with Milosevic netting 4-of-6 (she was 11-of-12 for the game, finishing with 22 points). With 4:08, the Raiders trailed 57-53.

Fryeburg had a chance to inch closer, but turned the ball over. It proved costly as Pillsbury swished a 3-pointer from the left wing.

Hernandez answered with a jumper, and later zipped a pass to Byrne (9 points, 4 rebounds) for a lay-up with 1:21 remaining, cutting the Falcon lead to just four. Again, the Raiders had a shot to get closer, but a pass to Milosevic in the lane was tipped away, and Freeport made a hard push up the floor with Pillsbury pulling up for a foul line

DRAWING

jumper — s...w...i...s...h!

The shot iced the Freeport win.

“Our girls wanted it so bad. They knew this was our playoff game. After coming

back from a bad start to the season and finally finding our groove, we weren’t prepared for our season to be over. They fought. They

TICKET, Page 8A

Lakers fall in prelim

CAPE — To win twice on Cape Elizabeth’s court within a week is a very tall task.

Yet, Lake Region had a chance to make it backto-back victories Tuesday night and advance in the Class B South playoffs by building an 11-point lead.

Unfortunately, Coach Ryan Martin’s squad was unable to duplicate last Wednesday’s clutch road win as eighth-seed Cape Elizabeth (11-8) rallied for a 61-42 victory.

The Lakers earned a second shot at the Capers when they scored 22 points in the final quarter to take a 66-62 victory, jumping then past Mountain Valley

and Leavitt into the prelim round.

Jackson Libby scored a game-high 18 points, while Jacob Chadbourne was a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line to finish with 15 points.

LR trailed 15-11 after one, but stormed back with a 22-14 run in the second quarter to take a 33-29 halftime lead.

Cape took a 45-44 lead into the fourth, but the Lakers pulled out the win behind 3-pointers from Evan Duprey (10 points, 5-of-8 from the foul line) and Brock Gibbons (8 points).

Other LR scorers were:

Jacoby Bardsley 6, Aiden Roberts 5, Ian Brogan 2 and

Matt Plummer 2. LR was 23-of-33 from the foul line, while Cape was 11-of-28.

Cape returned the favor Tuesday by controlling the middle quarters, scoring 20 and 21 points. Owen Tighe, who scored 10 points in the first meeting, led all scorers with 17 points, while Sam Lombardo connected for 7 points at the foul stripe to finish with 12 points. Jacob Chadbourne and Jackson Libby each scored 10 points while Jacoby Bardsley chipped in 8 points, Brock Gibbons 5, Jack Bueler 5, Aiden Roberts 2 and Ian Brogan 2. The Lakers finished 8-11.

PLENTY OF ATTENTION in the lane was Raider center Mina Milosevic, who is defended by Freeport’s Emily Groves and Isabelle Orlando.

IN HONOR of late Fryeburg Academy student and Raider Unified Basketball team member Samantha Maxim, FA junior Sydney Shaw presented jerseys to the Maxim family during halftime of the regular season finale. (Rivet Photos)

BILL SHANE AWARD was presented by Lake Region varsity boys’ basketball coach Ryan Martin (left) to Penn Worcester for his contributions to the hoop program. Penn has provided play-by-play coverage of LR games.

February 16, 2023 The Bridgton News, Page 7A

Adison

(Continued from Page 6A)

Q. What is your favorite class and why? My favorite class is Yearbook. I have been in Yearbook for three years now. This class has shown me how to communicate and work with students and staff all around the school. It’s given me new social skills that I can use in and out of school. I send e-mails out to students on a daily basis, and meet people face-to-face to do interviews. I have created a lot of bonds in this class with lots of new people every year.

Q. Who is your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher is Ms. Gaumont. I’ve known Ms. Gaumont for all of my four years attending high school. She has been my Yearbook teacher for three years and my Humanities teacher for two years. She’s always very positive and seeing the good in things, which is one thing I love about her. She’s helped me through the years with school and has supported and shown interest in what my future holds. I couldn’t thank her enough.

Q. If you could change one thing about your educational experience, what would it be and why? If I could change one thing about my past educational experience it would be to be more open minded when it comes to my classes. I tend to choose classes that were in my comfort zone or about something that I already am familiar with. In college, I am going to try new things that are different and that I’m unfamiliar with so I can find new interests.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of, and why? The accomplishment I am the most proud of is where I have gotten today and the person I have become. I feel like this is a huge accomplishment because it’s important to be happy with yourself and who you are before you move forward in your future. One major thing I can think of is soccer. It’s a sport I fell in love with. I never thought I would be continuing to play in college. Soccer has been a huge part of who I have become and what my future may hold.

Indoor Track

(Continued from Page 6A)

The junior 4x200 relay — Kimberly Stiffler 33.5, Marissa Harlow 31.5, Delaina Grover 34.8 and Madelyn Long 32.3 —

placed fourth in 2:12.05 while the open 4x200 — Hailey Brewer 31.0, Abigail Roberts 31.4, Hanna Siebert 35.1 and Campbell Johnson 27.8 — was sixth in 2:05.26

Laker preview

(Continued from Page 7A)

chances.

Q. What is the team’s approach/mindset heading into this game?

DB. We have not played since last Tuesday so the coaches and I have tried to have some fun. We had a great season (13-5). This

week, we are getting back to normal practice. The kids are excited to be still playing. Our goal, to win this quarter, which we say it at every game. I’m very proud of these kids. They have given me everything they have. I ‘m sure it has not been easy, this being my

first year.

The Winner advances to play the winner of the Oceanside vs. Yarmouth/ Oak Hill match-up. Other Saturday Games

#3 Wells (16-2) vs. #6 Maranacook (10-8), 9 a.m.

Alpine racing times

WESTERN MAINE CONFERENCE

#2 Spruce Mountain (171) vs. #7/#8 Leavitt (6-11) or York (7-11), 10:30 a.m. #1 Oceanside (18-0) vs. #8/#9 Yarmouth (7-11) or Oak Hill (8-10), 1:30 p.m. Ticket Info — $10 for adults, $5 for students

Raider preview

(Continued from Page 7A)

Q. What challenges do you face playing a team you didn’t face in the regular season and how are you preparing for them?

DT. It’s no simple task playing a team for the first time in a win or go home fashion, but both teams have to do it. Our staff is watching film and trying to learn as much as we can about Marshwood. What’s helpful is that we have a full week of practice to work on what we need to work on. Hopefully, when the ball is thrown up, our guys have a good idea of what they’re going up against.

Q. What is the team’s approach/mindset heading into this game? We struggled down the stretch and lost 3 one possession games. We know we’re better than how we’ve been playing so this week of practice is really just what the doctor ordered. We need to correct some simple things that we can fix and get our mojo back to how we were playing a couple weeks ago. But, we have a team full of competitors who go into any game thinking we can come out on top. We know we’re the lower seed, but that takes the pressure off. No one outside of Fryeburg is probably picking us to win this game, but that gets us fired up. If we play the way we are capable of playing, we can hang with anybody.

The Winner advances against the victor of #2 GrayNew Gloucester vs. #7 Kennebunk.

Other Saturday Games #2 Gray-NG (15-3) vs. #7 Kennebunk (9-9), 5:30 p.m. #4 Westbrook (13-5) vs. #5 Greely (10-8), 7:30 p.m. #1 Falmouth (14-4) vs. #8 Mt. Ararat (9-9) 9 p.m. Ticket Info — $10 for adults, $5 for students

SAVE ON THE END LINE, by Raider Carla Pintor Gali during last Wednesday’s regular season finale against Freeport. (Rivet Photo)

No ticket for FA

(Continued from Page 7A)

gave it all that they had,”

Coach Stacy said. “From how we started, the girls should be proud of themselves for how far they came, for clawing back and putting themselves in position to make the playoffs. I don’t think right now they fully understand how much they accomplished.”

The Raiders finished 7-11. Freeport landed the sixth seed at 10-8.

“They have such a big heart. We have fought so hard together. I am incredibly proud,” Coach Stacy added.

Touching moment. At halftime, FA junior guard Sydney Shaw spoke briefly about the passing this fall of Samantha Maxim, 17, of Fryeburg. Samantha was a member of the Raider Unified basketball team and school chorus.

To honor Samantha, Shaw presented her family with two #31 jerseys.

Ashley Pelletier of Lake Region

Holden Edenbach of Fryeburg Academy

Zach Vogel of Lake Region

Opinion & Comment

In Ye Olden Times

by Michael Davis BHS Assistant Director

The Ice Queen

Howdy neighbor!

Have you heard the news? This year, thanks to the efforts of the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce working alongside the BreakRoom, Bridgton’s Winter Carnival will be bringing back a long-standing local custom which has lately fallen out of celebration, and which I for one am very glad to welcome back. For the first time in many years, Bridgton will be crowning a ceremonial Ice Queen to open the festivities of Winter Carnival.

Now, I’ve heard considerable buzz about this on the streets of town these last several weeks, from more than a few eager contestants, and I’ve also had others stop by the museum to ask me more about the history behind this tradition, so for today I want to look back on the 83-year history of the Winter Carnival Queen, as well as enlist the help of our readers in completing the standing list of past Carnival Queens on file at the Historical Society.

The first Winter Carnival Queen, so far as we can tell, was that crowned at the Winter Carnival of March 1, 1940, when Miss Betty Mabry of Bridgton was declared “Miss Bridgton” for the duration of the carnival. Miss Mabry presided over the three days of festivities from a grand Ice Throne which had been created on the shores of Highland Lake by the Kramer Ice Company, which sent down hundreds of blocks of lake ice to construct the glistening pile, which was backlit by colored lights.

The True Nature of Winter Joy

By Cynthia Stancioff Guest Columnist

Humans evolved in the tropics.

We aren’t actually designed, biologically, for winter. Indeed, a lot of people, given the chance in later years, opt to go someplace warm and sunny every fall after a lifetime of “putting up with” winter. No more suffering for them!

Well, I for one am not done suffering. I guess I’m a New Englander — one of those Puritan types who believe suffering is good for the soul. We tend to look askance at those carefree Californians and Floridians sauntering around in light flowing garb, smiling all the time. What entitles them to the luxury of not having to think about hypothermia for most of the year? Do they not realize they’re missing the spiritual workout that’s essential for a successful Eternity?

I admit I am a winter sports enthusiast, and I do love snow. When it’s supposed to be winter — which around here it IS supposed to be, between December and April — I expect it to really BE winter, and that involves lots of snow, thick ice on all inland bodies of water, a down jacket, long underwear, and lots of firewood. I’m sorry but that’s the way it was meant to be, and if you get that, you can have a lot of fun with winter.

Earth Notes

“Earth Notes” is an outgrowth of a deep ecology discussion group. Writers reflect a delight in, and concern for, the earth and are individually responsible for opinions and information.

Community members are invited to submit articles.

ruthless icy winds and mutter about slushy road conditions. I really don’t like short days and grayscale scenery. I get more depressed and anxious in the winter, particularly when it isn’t acting ENOUGH like winter, if you know what I mean…

But maybe, one of the most spectacular things about winter is the good old “end of suffering” effect. Have you ever been in a place of acute and intense discomfort, inconvenience, pain and hassle that went on for long enough that it really pushed you almost to the end of your rope? And when that suffering ended you felt absolute euphoria, just because it stopped?

While there had been earlier Winter Carnivals than the 1940 affair, these had not been regular occurrences — horse races on the lake in the 1890s, a Winter Carnival in 1902 sponsored by the Bridgton House, and one in 1914 put on by area businesses — but the Carnival of 1940 can best be described as the originator of the tradition we still carry on today, with all its pageantry and parades and food vendors, and it was also the first to have a Queen. In 1941, the Ice Queen returned to crown her successor, Miss Marion Knight, who was selected most beautiful out of a pool of five candidates; with her other four competitors being declared “Ladies in Waiting” to the queen, and among other things, made to pull her around in a sleigh from the Town Hall to her crowning ceremony on the Ice Throne. This Carnival was the

QUEEN, Page 4B

Time to be heard

To The Editor: Do you ever get the feeling that no one’s really listening to you? Well, that’s about to change.

As we move into this new year of 2023, AARP Maine wants to hear what you have to say about things like housing, heating and health. These, and a host of other issues and ideas, which are of import to all Mainers age 50-plus, are the things that are important to us.

With that in mind, beginning the evening of Monday, Feb. 20, and continuing for the next six weeks, AARP Maine volunteers and staff will be hosting a Virtual Listening Tour. Conducted over Zoom, our virtual session “stops” range from Maine’s Southern Coast to its Northern Tip. We invite you to visit our website (www. aarp.org/me) to find when we will be visiting your area, and to register to participate.

As we collectively engage in clarifying the questions and concerns we face, and crafting creative solutions on behalf of ourselves and those we care about, we want to add your voice; and to do that we must first hear and listen to what you have to say.

Come join us — let’s talk, let’s listen.

Carl M. Toney, P.A. Executive Council Volunteer AARP Maine

COVID, Florida, Maine

To The Editor: From the Floridian shores to the inland straights, it is obvious that Florida is a well-governed state. Maine, on the other hand, not so good. In the beginning, the CDC told us that if we locked down for two weeks, we would break the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t work out, so they said lock down for a month. That didn’t work either. Then, the CDC said that we should lock down until we beat it. Florida didn’t lock down, Maine did.

In Florida, businesses boomed, people kept working; schools stayed opened and children were educated; and churches remained open and filled. Maine, on the other hand, followed every command from CDC: businesses were closed, people stopped working; schools were closed, and children’s education suffered; and churches were closed and empty, people suffered.

Florida was wide open, made vaccines and other palliatives (hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin-human dosage) available to the citizenry. Availability made first to the most vulnerable, senior citizens, and then to the less vulnerable. Florida did not mandate vaccines, but recommended to seniors and others with suppressed immune systems to take the vaccines. Masks

Understand, though, that expecting and loving certain features of a Maine winter does not mean that I don’t suffer, don’t curse the cold drafts, don’t shrink from the

That’s what I’m saying. Winter can involve a lot of deprivation — color deprivation, comfort deprivation, light deprivation. And, there are the excesses — too many

Birding in the Great North Woods

Some folks might not think that snowmobiling in the north woods would include birdwatching, but to a birdwatcher just about every activity offers the chance to look for birds.

Bird Watch

Last week, we trailered north with our local snowmobile club to ride in the region around Mt. Katahdin, outside Baxter Park, and then each day we broke up into small groups for riding. Trails were smooth and well-groomed, and the scenery was so magnificent our group stopped often to admire breathtaking views of the mountains. We crossed ice choked streams on narrow bridges, passed frozen ponds, and rode for several miles beside a river that glistened in bright sunlight as it poured over rocks and around bends. In some places, we stopped and turned off our sleds to enjoy the silence of the place.

were optional in businesses and schools. Schools stayed open with mask-wearing parents’ choice.

Maine blindly following CDC COVID-19 directives, mandated workers take the jab or lose their job; kept businesses closed (more than 150 businesses permanently closed in 2020) and outlawed palliatives (hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin). Mask wearing was mandatory in the few open businesses. \ Few schools that were open; mask wearing was school board choice not parents.

Economically, Florida has a genuine surplus because of good management. Maine has a surplus because the Biden administration bailed Maine out using Maine taxpayer money.

On a personal note, my true love and I spent February through April 2020 in a central Florida campground, vaccine free. We traveled to the East and West coasts during our stay. All but one couple that we

knew were vaccine free and not one case of COVID-19 was contracted.

Jock MacGregor Sebago

Save America Now

To The Editor:

I believe if a poll were taken of the American people, an overwhelming majority would agree that our political system reeks of corruption and has for decades.

Money in massive amounts is the true mother’s milk of politics, and it is growing exponentially worse with the passage of time.

Politicians are beholden to fat cat donors in special interest groups, who stuff their pockets with rivers of cash.

Joe Biden is well known for getting things done for those who cough up the big

by Jean Preis BN Columnist

I was not the only birdwatcher in our small group, so whenever possible we kept our eyes on the sky for birds flying overhead, although from a moving snowmobile it was not usually possible to identify them. One day, after we had a brief look at a Hawk flying over the trail, we wondered what it was, and speculated on which raptors might be that far north in February. Another day, at a wide intersection of two trails, our small group of riders came upon several men who had turned off their engines and were standing in the trail. One man had his hand outstretched, and a bird was fluttering over

bucks. The correct terminology is called pay-to-play.

Democrats, in particular, have sold out to the unions, especially the Teachers and Public Employee Unions, who were richly rewarded by Dems during the mayhem surrounding the COVID fiasco. This inflicted such catastrophic financial and physical pain on Americans and billions of innocent and helpless people worldwide.

I pray that the truth will eventually come out about the overwhelming greed that so consumes the Biden family and countless other politicians, who are willing to turn their backs on America and arrange special deals with China as well as Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs, who are more than happy to stuff the Americans’ pockets with cash in return for special favors in the future.

Investigative journalists have amassed countless hours combing through public records and have discovered that numerous politicians have a nasty habit of

buying and selling stocks and property after hearing privileged information behind closed doors that is not available to the general public.

Nothing is going to change in Washington until the American people say enough is enough and we are not going to stand for it anymore. Only We The People can save America now. Time is running out.

Robert M. Howe Jr. Bridgton

False dreams of equality

To The Editor: This week’s issue of The Bridgton News is surely going to feature an irate letter to the editor by one of the local klan pharisees pillorying Jon Chappell of Bridgton for his insightful truism published last week in which he invoked the

ICY WATERS as seen from the Narrow Gauge railroad path in Bridgton. (Photo by Pam Ward)

WINTER, Page 4B

Canada Jay. (Photo by Kate Ellison)

BIRDING, Page 2B

WINTER CARNIVAL court held on a throne built from ice blocks donated from Kramer’s Landing Ice House.

Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE AUCTION NOTICE

Lake Region Safe Storage

Online Auction

Lake Region Safe Storage will be having an online auction for Unit 402, Carland, Fryeburg, Maine, starting on February 24, 2023, to satisfy all liens due to default of payment.

Contact Lake Region Safe Storage at 207-8038497 for more information.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TOWN OF CASCO SITE WALK 4:00 PM

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

A Site Walk will be performed by the Casco Planning Board on February 27, 2023, 4 p.m. at 385 Roosevelt Trail, Tax Map 2, Lot 18, in the Town of Casco, Maine, for a car wash, submitted by DM Roma LLC on behalf of R.J.R., LLC. Information is available for viewing at the Casco Code

Enforcement Office

Opinions

Letters

(Continued from Page 1B)

verboten…America’s racial reckoning (inferred? — my take) and the intransitive, irregular inflective use of the past tense of the verb “woken,” anathema to the

latter crowd and fascists in Florida especially. Perhaps he crafted the use of the particle “up” — using those words in succession — with the intent that perhaps he might avoid the inevitable slurs “lefty,” “liberal,” and Don Vose of Naples favorite, “Wokey.” Nah…undoubtedly to no avail, although the phari-

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

LIQUOR LICENSE EXTENSION

The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, to accept oral and written comments on a request from Noble House Inn located at 81 Highland Road for extension of liquor license privileges and amendment to their special amusement permit. 1T7

PUBLIC NOTICE

Respectfully Submitted by, Mary Tremblay 2T7

TOWN OF CASCO AND TOWN OF NAPLES

sees might give you a miss this week Jon, for their vitriol and aggrievement being directed instead at the Rev. Plaisted after his last column. Welcome to the town pillory Jon; at least I have some company now, and keep’em comin’! Jon St. Laurent Lovell

Left vs Right

To The Editor:

Mr. A, you’ve crossed the line. How dare you refer to some Republicans in the same breath as Nazis? Anyone with half a brain, and a scintilla of decency, knows that’s outrageous, inaccurate, and totally unacceptable.

The Nazis were many things all evil, and amongst

their characteristics they were thugs. Do you know what a thug is? That would be someone who viciously derogates another because they had the temerity to be different or disagree with the self-confident thug who thinks he has all the answers.

The people you so callously and hatefully refer to want only to see the return to recognition of the principles of freedom, opportunity, and the necessity of limited government to become again one nation, united, with liberty and justice for all.

That is a dramatically different vision than the dichotomous, fractured, identity culture, hate, envyladen, disrespectful, standard-less dystopia the left would give us.

Don Vose Naples

TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING BRIDGTON PLANNING BOARD

Public Notice

Bridgton Republican Town Committee Meeting

Election of Officers

Tue., February 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Bridgton Community Center 15 Depot St, Bridgton, ME

A special meeting for the election of officers to the Bridgton Republican Town Committee. All registered Republicans in Bridgton are eligible to vote and are encouraged to attend. Nominations for the following positions will be received from the floor. Voter ID required.

Positions to be elected

Chair – Secretary – Treasurer

For more information contact

Vice Chair Kenn Quinn at kennethquinn@roadrunner.com

Paid for and authorized by the Bridgton Republican Town Committee

Public Notice

TOWN OF NAPLES

Planning Board Meeting

The Naples Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The meeting will be in person at the Naples Town Hall Board Room located at 15 Village Green Lane starting at 6 p.m. On the Agenda:

1. New Business

An application for a proposed solar farm located at 245 River Rd (Tax Map R11, Lot 75) Plans may be viewed online at www.townofnaples.org

The public is welcome to attend the meeting. Any questions or concerns please contact codeoffice@townofnaples.org

1069 Main Street, Lovell, ME 04051

Phone: 207-925-6272 Fax 207-925-1710

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOVELL PLANNING BOARD Public Hearing

Transfer Station and Bulky Waste Facility Days of Operation Changing

The Casco-Naples Transfer Station and Bulky Waste Facility will be changing their days of operation effective the week of February 26, 2023. The new schedule will be:

Wednesdays

Thursdays Saturdays Sundays

The Town of Bridgton Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2023, on establishing amendments to the Fire Protection and Life Safety Ordinance. The ordinance will be posted at the Town Office. The meeting will be held in person, and please visit the Planning Board webpage for remote access options. Please direct any questions to Victoria Hill, Community Development Director at vhill@bridgtonmaine.org or 207-803-9956.

1T7

The Lovell Planning Board, has scheduled a Public Hearing for March 1, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Lovell Town Hall, 1133 Main Street, Lovell, Maine. The meeting agenda will include the review of a Conditional Use application submitted by Bridgton Investment Fund, LLC, for the construction of an 8,000 square foot warehouse/distribution facility at 699 Main St. in Lovell.

Heinrich Wurm

Chairperson 2T7

Public Notice

TOWN OF NAPLES NOMINATION PAPERS

The Naples Town Election will take place Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Nomination Papers are now available at the Naples Town Office for the following positions:

• Select Board:

Three-year term (2 openings)

• Planning Board:

° Three-year term (1 opening)

° Three-year term - Alternate (2 openings)

• Budget Committee:

° Three-year term (3 openings)

Two-year term (1 opening)

• SAD 61: Three-year term (1 opening)

• Transfer Station Council:

Two-year term (2 openings)

Completed papers must be returned to the Naples Town Office no later than the close of business Friday, March 24, 2023. Please contact the clerks at 207-693-6364 during normal business hours for more information. 2T7

TOWN OF DENMARK

Public Notice

Public Notice

PLANNING BOARD

Notice of Public Hearing

Conditional Use Permit for construction of a Wireless Communications Facility / Telecommunications Tower for Vertex Tower Assets, LLC and John H Khiel, III RE: Map 009 Lot 002 65 Bull Ring Road Denmark, Maine 04022

(Hours remain the same - 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) 3T6 Public Notice

TOWN OF NAPLES

Tax-Aquired Property Bids

The Town of Naples is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of the following tax-acquired property: Tax Map R05, Lot 5A located at the corner of Lake House Road and Mayberry Lane.

A bid packet is available for download at townofnaples. org/bids or at the Town Office.

Sealed bids are due by noon on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at which time they will be opened publicly and read.

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023 Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Denmark Municipal Building Meeting Room, Denmark, Maine 1T7

Public Notice

TOWN OF SEBAGO

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Town of Sebago Board of Selectmen Board will hold the following Public Hearings on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Sebago Town Hall Building.

5:30 p.m. – Proposed Zoning Amendments Proposed Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance of the Town of Sebago to Prohibit Quarrying in the Village and Rural Residential Districts. These Amendments also redefine Mineral Extraction. These Amendments are proposed by the Ordinance Review Committee. Copies of the Amendments are Available at the Town Office.

6:00 p.m. – ARPA Funds Expenditures Special Town Meeting Warrant Items 1T7

PUBLIC NOTICE:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE

MAINE WASTE DISCHARGE LICENSE / MAINE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT APPLICATION

Please take note that, pursuant to 38 MRSA, Sections 413 and 4l4A, Camp wildwood of Bridgton, Maine, intends to file a wastewater discharge permit application with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The application is for the discharge of 8,500 gallons per day of treated sanitary wastewater to the disposal site in Bridgton, Maine.

The application will filed on or about 2/22/2023 and will be available for public inspection at DEP’s Augusta office during normal business hours. A copy may also be seen at the municipal offices in Bridgton, Maine

A request for a public hearing or request that the Board of Environmental Protection assume jurisdiction over this application must be received by the DEP, in writing, no later than 20 days after the application is found acceptable for processing, or 30 days from the date of this notice, whichever is longer. Requests shall state the nature of the issue(s) to be raised. Unless otherwise provided by law, a hearing is discretionary and may be held if the Commissioner or the Board finds significant public interest or there is conflicting technical information.

During the time specified above, persons wishing to receive copies of draft permits and supporting documents, when available, may request them from DEP. Persons receiving a draft permit shall have 30 days in which to submit comments or to request a public hearing on the draft.

Public comment will be accepted until a final administrative action is taken to approve, approve with conditions or deny this application.

Written public comments or requests for information may be made to

TOWN

OF DENMARK

for 3-Year Term each

One vacancy for a 2-Year term

The date to have Nomination Papers back to the Town Clerk’s Office will be March 31, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Town Elections will be on June 2, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Town Meeting will be on June 3, 2023 beginning at 9 a.m.

S/ Micki Warner Town Clerk 2T6

Obituaries

Peter M. Leslie

WATERFORD — Peter

McAfee Leslie, 86, died peacefully on February 2, 2023, at home with his wife and children.

The son of John Leslie and Jean Savage Leslie, originally of Lake Minnetonka, Minn., he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen Scribner Leslie; a sister, Susan Abuhaidar of Millbrook, N.Y.; two children: Martha Jean Leslie Long of Wayzata, Minn., and Patrick Scribner Leslie of North Bend, Wash. Peter is the beloved grandfather of Kathleen Long (21), James Long (21), Reese Leslie (7), and Johnna Leslie (5). He was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Lange, and brother, John Leslie. He cherished all his family and friends.

Peter resided in Maine following his retirement from international investment banking in 1986. He then devoted his time to public service. He was appointed to national commissions to improve the financing of postsecondary education and to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations. Locally, he served on the Cape Elizabeth school board, the Maine Audubon Society, the Maine Health Care Finance Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Peter donated his time, talent, and treasure to support local arts, cultural endeavors, and community organizations. His proudest achievement was 30 years of service as trustee and chair of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.

Prior to retirement, Peter enjoyed an exciting, challenging, and successful business career. Having graduated from Philips Exeter Academy and from Princeton University with honors in European Languages, he worked for Citibank for seven years in Brazil. He then joined a New York investment bank where he traveled in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. In 1972, with his friend and colleague Richard Weinert, he co-founded Leslie, Weinert & Co. Inc., a firm which specialized in Latin American investment banking with clients that included governments, corporations, financial institutions, and the United Nations.

Together, Peter and Kay enjoyed a fun and adventurous life in Brazil, the Bahamas, Manhattan, and Maine. Over his lifetime, Peter’s curiosity and love of life led him to work on Canton Island, snorkel the reefs, ski in the Alps and the Andes, sail on the lakes and seas, play the banjo and sing in folk groups, and row on the Charles River. To those who knew him well, rarely was Peter at a loss for something interesting to do — or at a loss for words. He shared his love of life, language, and laughter generously with his family and friends.

Peter was a proud Scotch-Irishman whose handshake was his word, whose belief in the goodness within all of us was steadfast, and whose love of nature was never-ending. He believed in honorable hard work, thoughtful consideration, and the element of chance in life. He was a true teacher, often sending his family to the computer to look up a famous quote or to translate a Portuguese or French poem. He is sorely missed and proudly remembered.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Waterford Congregational Church, 15 Plummer Hill Road, with a lunch reception to follow next door in the Wilkins House where stories and memories will be shared. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stephens Memorial Hospital, Stoneham Rescue Service, Lakes Environmental Association, Waterford Congregational Church, and the American Stroke Association. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.jonesrichandbarnes.com

Searching for ways to do better Recycling Matters

As members of the Bridgton Recycling Committee, we have been diligently meeting and working on ideas to promote ongoing recycling and sustainability in our community. Pay-Per-Bag was one option to encourage recycling, which was turned down by the voters. We listened and we heard, but we are still brainstorming for ways to do better: for cost concerns, for our environment and for our grandchildren’s Bridgton.

It is a large task. The first goal is to save taxpayer dollars and do right at the same time. We pay $39 per ton of recyclables and $89 per ton for anything that gets thrown into the hopper (municipal solid waste). This cost is expected to increase annually. There are no costs associated with composting, either home or municipal.

We are exploring options for decreasing what goes into the municipal solid waste and have made early inquiries to a company that recycles textiles and fabrics for no cost. We are also looking into options for a company to take our household compost from the transfer station for processing for a small fee. Of course, home composting is free, and you get great soil additives! Stay tuned for more information, or reach out to the committee.

Sally Chappell had an insightful column in Jan. 26, 2023 Bridgton News regarding aluminum recycling. Aluminum is easy to recycle but difficult to mine for raw materials (Bauxite). She presents compelling arguments for not wasting this precious resource.

ecomaine is the company that we contract with in Bridgton for managing both our recycling and our general trash (municipal solid waste). ecomaine has an extensive list of what can be recycled at ecomaine recyclopedia (www.ecomaine.org). But simply: paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and rigid plastic containers #1-7 can go into the recycling bins. It is okay to leave the caps on containers.

Thomas H. Hill

Thomas H. Hill, 67, of Bridgton passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at his home. He was born in Lewiston on January 19, 1956, the son of Howard M. and Dorothea Foss Hill. He attended Hope Training School and had worked as a landscaper for Landmark in Bridgton for 10 years. He always had a smile on his face and never forgot anyone he meet.

He is survived by his sisters Betty Jones, Sandra Poland and her husband Ken, and Charlot Wormell and her husband Robbie; Arthur Hatch, as well as several nieces and nephews, Matthew Jones, Kimberly Poland, Shane Poland, and Justin Wormell. He was predeceased by his parents, and an infant brother Charles Hill. Many Thanks to Arlene Learned for the many years she took care of Thomas.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 6, 2023, at Wayside Cemetery in West Paris. To share memories and condolences with the family, please go to www.chandlerfunerals. com. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris.

Claire T. Wessenberg

CASCO — Claire T. Wessenberg, 76, of Casco, formerly of Meriden, Conn., passed away at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after a long illness. She was born on Dec. 8, 1946, in Waterbury, Conn., a daughter of Dr. Louis and Lucille (Phaneuf) Thibault. She resided in Cheshire, Conn., graduating from Cheshire High School with honors in 1964. She attended the University of Connecticut and was a graduate of Middlesex Community College.

After her marriage to Howard “Bill” Wessenberg, she moved to Meriden, Conn., and began a career at Midstate Medical Center as a nurse and eventually became the director of the cardiac rehab clinic.

Claire took great pleasure in seeing her children Mike and Suzanne grow and progress in their careers and she cherished the times watching them become parents.

She retired in 2004 and moved along with her husband to Maine. She loved boating on Long Lake and golfing at the Naples Country Club and Point Sebago. She was a member of the Naples Book Club and became an accomplished artist. She was also a member of the Little Dresses group at St. Gregory Church in Gray where she was a communicant.

Claire is loved by her husband, Bill of Casco; daughter Suzanne Corcoran and her husband, Peter of Duxbury, Mass.; a son, Mike Wessenberg and his wife, Felicia of Dedham, Mass.; cherished grandchildren, Matt and his new wife Andrea, Megan, Kevin, Allie and Ryan. She also leaves behind her three sisters and a brother and several beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents.

A private family Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory Church in Gray. A celebration of life will be planned in Connecticut later this year. Gifts may be given in Claire’s memory to the Naples Public Library, PO Box 1717, Naples, ME 04055. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco, ME 04015. www.hallfuneralhome.net

Always Improving

By Maureen Harpell Bridgton Recycling Committee

No styrofoam, plastic bags or plastic films please.

But, we need your help. The work is important for our town. Let’s keep the costs down so our taxes do not go up, and keep Bridgton beautiful and sustainable.

Our town got a great clean up last spring with Earth Day trash roadside trash pickup sponsored by A/M Enterprises. Amazingly, our roadsides get littered again within weeks. Let’s do this several times a year. Ideas for this abound. How about “Don’t trash Bridgton”? “Roadside warriors” is a name for a group who cleans up roads in southern Maine. We could do the same.

Are you interested in what the Recycling Committee is working on? Would you like to offer your support? If so, we hold our meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. Our agendas are posted on the Town of Bridgton website prior to the meetings, and indicate the meeting location, as well as a “Go To Meeting” link so that you can attend remotely. We invite all community members to join us. We encourage you to bring any questions, concerns, or comments to the meetings. We always welcome new members. If you love the environment as much as we do, please join us.

Maureen Harpell is a member of the Bridgton Recycling Committee.

Gary S. Dean

STONEHAM — Gary S. Dean, 64, of Stoneham, passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, after a long illness following a lifetime of working in heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Born Aug. 18, 1958 in Seekonk, Mass. to P. Peter and Claire (Fortin) Dean, Gary graduated from Seekonk H.S. in 1977 and held many professional certifications.

He married Lesley G. Gouin on Oct. 4, 1980, and settled in Stoneham in 1982.

Working in a variety of machine shops over his career gave him a wide and unique knowledge of the trade, which led him to serve a year on the OHTS advisory board. The highly technical nature of his work was a perfect match for Gary. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire in 2011 after being electrocuted.

In addition to working as a Tool & Die Maker and Class A Machinist, he was a gifted craftsman; designing and building the addition to his home from frame to finish work. There was not a trade Gary couldn’t “turn his hand to.”

From sports to Scouts to DUV, Gary was a staunch supporter of his boys and his wife. He was especially proud of the men his boys have become and the family that continues to cheer for one another. Trips to Nauset Beach and the trip to Gettysburg were his fondest memories. He was very proud of the fact he and the boys drove his truck up Little Round Top (past the barriers) to deliver the Left Flank Marker of the 20th Maine.

An avid hunter and fisherman as well as a keen knowledge of the intricacies of firearms, he looked forward to each November with great anticipation, and talking about it the rest of the year.

Gary was a former member of the Stoneham and Lovell Fire Departments and served for a time as treasurer for the Lovell Department.

His greatest joys were those who called him “Grumpy”: Brynn Livy, Bradyn Levi, Rayna Abbott, and Ameliya Louise were always his top priority and very best hugs.

He is also survived by his wife Lesley; children Andrew of Wiscasset and Ryan Dean of Norway; his father P. Peter; sister Debi Vincelette; brothers Peter Dean and Randy Dean; a host of wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother Claire, and brother Jimmy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway. Following the service, all are invited to Gary and Lesley’s home in Stoneham where they will continue to celebrate Gary’s life.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in Gary’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnels to Towers or a veterans’ organization close to you.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road in Casco where tributes may be shared with Gary’s family at www.hallfuneralhome.net.

Eric Nelson, Owner and Funeral Director 165 QUAKER RIDGE RD., CASCO, ME 04015 207-627-4538 • HALLFUNERALHOME.NET

SNOW BIRD nest is left behind on this tree branch in Bridgton after a snowstorm in

Opinions

Carvinals Past: The Ice Queen

(Continued from Page 1B)

subject of our column last year in which we urged a return of the Ice Queen tradition — a public appeal which we did not expect to be seized upon nearly so soon!

The Winter Carnival suffered through the 1940s from a combination of the struggling local economy and the onset of World War II, so that we did not always have a Winter Carnival each year, but we did in 1943 when Ice Queen Phyllis Leipold was chosen at a Ball held at the old Town Hall, and again in 1949 when Miss Patricia Russell became the first Ice Queen since 1941 to reign from an Ice Throne. It is in this era that, to pick up the slack in those years the Town of Bridgton declined to fund Winter Carnival, that the annual festivities and the Ice Queen ceremony were rolled into the Winter Carnival put on in North Bridgton by Bridgton Academy, and so for the next several decades the yearly Winter Carnival becomes the exclusive preview of area schools; being put on first by Bridgton Academy, afterwards by Bridgton High School, and eventually by Lake Region High School, for a period which would carry on until 1974.

No longer public beauty competitions, under the management of the schools the Ice Queen ceremony became instead something of a popularity contest, with its candidates drawn from the school’s student body, voted on exclusively by their peers. We hear also that while entrants could come from any grade, typically the candidate from the Senior Class would win. It is in this era that we see some truly impressive reigns, such as that of Ice Queen Peggy Noyes, who was chosen Queen in both 1969 and 1970 — the only two-term Ice Queen on record — as well as the remarkable run of the three Merrill sisters, Arlene, Jackie, and Ava, who were each chosen Ice Queen in 1946, 1947, and 1953 respectively. What a family!

In 1974, the Town of Bridgton took back the Winter Carnival, hosting a grand celebration at Highland Lake complete with an Ice Throne — the first throne since 1949 — and Miss Nancy Knight was crowned Ice Queen in a public poll in which all citizens of town could vote! This sort of pageantry would continue until 1980, when a poor winter transformed the carnival into a dance at the town hall, over which no Ice Queen presided, and by 1983 the Carnival was again scrapped due to budgetary concerns. Thereafter, it returned to the purview of Lake Region High School, who now elected

every year in addition to a Homecoming King and Queen, a Winter Carnival Queen and Consort to the Queen, maintaining the tradition of the Queen taking pre-eminence over the ceremony.

In later years, the story becomes more complicated, with some years having Carnivals and Queens, some years not, and then new wrinkles are added in the form of the Mushers Bowl, until eventually the Chamber of Commerce takes over the ceremony at the turn of the last century. The Ice Queens of the early 2000s were, I am told, chosen from the youthful volunteers of the Chamber who had sold the most amount of admittance buttons. Here I must recall the 2003 victory of Ms. Missy Rivet, daughter of The News’ own Wayne Rivet.

As far as recent history goes, here I want to seek the help of our readers in answering a question that arose while writing this column. The last Ice Queen which we have records of at the museum was Miss Kara Pasquale, who won the Crown in 2004. While I am sure she was the not last, I am curious to know when the Ice Queen competition fell out of local practice, for I do not remember it in my childhood. Generally, as a rule, the records of the last 20 years of area history are never very well documented at historical societies since people don’t tend to bring in things which aren’t old, but I was able to find in the archives of The News advertisements which mention an Ice Queen competition being planned for the Winter Carnivals of 2011 and 2013. Were these the last Queens? Who were they? If anyone has relevant data on the recent history of the Winter Carnival and could answer this question, please stop by the museum or write in to The News with it, so we can bring our list of Ice Queens up to date.

In the meantime, I’ll see all of you at the ceremonies, the Ice Queen Pageant being held this Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. in the old Town Hall, with the Winter Carnival to follow all day on Saturday. I cannot wait to see the results, and I would thank all the lovely applicants who have put their names forward for consideration. I’ll be sure to take down notes on everything that happens this year, as we move forward to write the next chapter in our town’s Winter Carnival history together. And to the lucky winner: Long May you Reign… until next year!

Till next time!

Birding in the Great North Woods

(Continued from Page 1B)

it. Another bird flew in, chased the first one away, and landed on the palm of the man’s hand. These were Canada Jays, bold residents of the northern forest who are well known for accepting shelled peanuts or raisins from humans.

Formerly known as Gray Jays, the name was officially changed in 2018 at the request of Canada, in recognition of the fact that these birds are found primarily across the boreal and subalpine forests of that country. They are related to Blue Jays, as well as to other members of a large family that includes Crows and Ravens, and are closely related to the Siberian Jays found in far northern regions across the rest of the globe. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology (www.allaboutbirds.org), the Canada Jay is a hardy creature, surviving on insects, arthropods, berries, carrion, nestlings of other birds, fungi, and a wide variety of other foods. They have even been recorded attacking small injured prey. Unlike Blue Jays, that hammer at food with their long bill, Canada Jays use their strong, shorter bill to wrench off pieces of food, such as meat from animal carcasses killed by predators or by human hunters. They can even fly carrying large or heavy food items in their feet, something other perching birds do not do. As temperatures begin to cool in autumn, they collect food, enclose it in a blob of sticky saliva, and stash it in crevices in trees, above where the snow line would be in winter. They do not migrate, so it is likely the cold helps preserve their food supply, enabling them to survive long winters.

This week’s puzzle theme: On YOur Feet

Another adaptation for a cold climate is very thick plumage that they can puff up to cover legs, feet, and even nostrils. Canada Jays mate for life and pairs are almost always seen together. They breed in late winter, usually in February and March, and lay their eggs in a deep, well-insulated nest. By June, when the youngsters have fledged, the dominant one evicts its siblings from the parent’s territory and remains there until it can find a territory of its own. The siblings look for another pair of Canada Jays, unrelated to them, who have not succeeded in producing a brood of their own, and they try to stay in that territory until they can find and establish one of their own.

Some snowmobilers have told me they enjoy feeding and watching birds at home. Perhaps the next time they are out on the trail if they take time to stop, turn off their engines, and look around, they may discover some interesting birds.

PWD 2023 Budget Approved

Portland Water District’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a combined $55.5 million water and wastewater operating budget and a $23.1 million capital budget for 2023.

The capital budget allocates $8.6 million to water projects, $7 million of that is specifically to replace aging water mains. An additional $11.9 million is targeted at wastewater projects, $8.0 million of that for a new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility and $2.1 for upgrades at the East End Wastewater Treatment Facility in Portland.

The budget incorporates a 5.6% water rate adjustment, which is estimated to add an additional $1.28 to a typical monthly water bill for a single-family residence. The adjustment takes effect in January 2023. A public hearing on the rate adjustment occurred earlier in November and a notice was mailed to customers recently.

The water and wastewater-operating budget represents roughly a 10.9% increase over the 2022 budget, while capital expenditures decreased slightly from 2022. Much of the operating increase is attributed to higher biosolids disposal costs, related to new requirements from the State of Maine for PFAS management. Labor, chemical costs, and debt service are also significant factors.

The 2023 Comprehensive Budget can be found on PWD’s web site at https://www.pwd.org/sites/default/ files/2023_pwd_budget.pdf.

The True Nature of Winter Joy

(Continued from Page 1B)

heating bills, too many clothes. So, when the snow begins to retreat, the light to strengthen, the days to lengthen, the trees to burst into spring pastels, and the grass to green up like emeralds, you feel as if Easter isn’t just a metaphor — you really are being reborn.

And, you can’t be reborn unless you’ve died, right? Or at least almost died — felt like you were dying, maybe wished you were dead — being so cold and tired of shoveling, hauling wood, burning candles and melting snow during the power outages…

Hah! All those warm-climate wusses, what do they know of joy? They can’t possibly be as happy as we are, knowing what we know about misery. So, bring on the rest of winter, I say, and make it truly grueling!

Cynthia Stancioff lives, wanders, writes, and re-writes in Chesterville, Maine.

LJG PAYROLL

1. Yarn defect

2. 100 centavos in Mexico

3.

Hobbs Memorial Library undergoes improvements

LOVELL — Thanks to generous grants from Maine foundations and community support, the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell has completed a number of recent improvements.

And, there are more coming soon.

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, these projects will help the library better Lovell and surrounding towns.

Last summer, Crowell Construction of Harrison coordinated stabilization and restoration of the library’s front porch, along with repainting the entire building. The porch’s 1908 loose stone foundation had begun to settle, causing the porch’s stonework to crumble and destabilizing the porch itself.

Aron Libby Masonry of Fryeburg built a new foundation to support the porch masonry,

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Heather

CONWAY, N.H. —

Mardi Gras at the Majestic with the Heather Pierson Band on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kendal C. and Anna Ham Majestic Theatre in Conway, N.H.

Heather Pierson Band’s

Mardi Gras concert will feature Heather Pierson (vocals

and piano), Davy Sturtevant (cornet and guitar), Mike Sakash (clarinet and sax), George Wiese (trombone), Shawn Nadeau (bass), and Jared Steer (drums) on the historic stage of the 290-seat theatre at 36 Main Street as part of the 2023 Majestic Main Stage series.

This week at the Bridgton Community Center (located on Depot Street):

Today, Thursday, February 16 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Bits and Pieces, free 5 to 6:30 p.m., Volunteer celebration 7 to 9 p.m., Chickadee Quilters

Friday, February 17

to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness

a.m. to 4 p.m., Chickadee Quilters 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., AARP 9 to 10 a.m., Chair Yoga

1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg 4:30 to 6 p.m., Rick Hagerstrom practice

6 to 8 p.m., Easy Riders Snowmobile Club rally set-up

Saturday, February 18 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Easy Riders Snowmobile Club Poker Rally

Sunday, February 19

1 to 3 p.m., Girl Scouts (Great Room)

3:30 to 5 p.m., Rick Hagerstrom practice

5 to 8:30 p.m., The Band

Monday, February 20

Closed all day

Tuesday, February 21

6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness

10 a.m. to Noon, Chickadee Quilters

12:30 to 4 p.m., Bridge, $3

5:30 to 7:30 p.m., BCC Board meeting (Room 2)

Wednesday, February 22

6 to 8 a.m., Dan Fitness

12 to 1 p.m., Senior Lunch

1 to 3 p.m., Mahjongg

2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Cooking Matters

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

5 to 7 p.m., Kayley, crafts

Heather is known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone vocals; her music embodies honesty, playfulness, and a desire to share from the heart. Heather and the all-star band will recre-

wear their carnival masks and beads, or pick some up from the Friends of the Majestic at the door to get into the Fat Tuesday spirit.

In-person tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the

which he re-constructed using the original stone.

While the main library entry is now through the 2010 addition, the restored front porch faces Main Street and contributes to the historic look of Lovell Village.

In addition, Dennis Barker of Lovell and Crowell Construction repainted the entire building and made incidental repairs to the exterior wood siding and trim. Grants from the Davis Family Foundation and the Stephen and Tabatha King Foundation provided funding for 90% of the total project cost.

Also, last summer, funds from the Helen R. Coe Trust helped the library add lighting to the Gazebo behind the library building. The Gazebo already had WiFi and power

HOBBS LIBRARY, Page 6B

Local Happenings

Texas Hold’em tournament

HARRISON — The Harrison Lions Club will be holding their Texas Hold’em Tournament this Saturday, Feb. 18 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 will 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.

Church Supper ‘Florida Fiesta’

CASCO — The Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ is hosting its February “Florida Fiesta” supper on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

This dinner will feature baked ham with pineapple, casseroles, beans, fruit, summer salads, and homemade desserts! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 10 and under.

The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco. Wear your wildest Hawaiian shirt! For more information, call 207-627-4282.

Winter Things To Do

Go snowshoeing

Thinking about taking a hike, but do not have the gear to make it happen? The Bridgton Public Library and Loon Echo Land Trust lend out snowshoes at no cost. Simply stop by the library to check out a pair. BPL hours are: Tuesday, 9-6, Wednesday 9-5, Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-3.

Go ice skating

ate the sounds of the French Quarter and Tremé, with a combination of traditional jazz, Mardi Gras favorites, and Heather’s own compositions.

The program will feature Paul Barbarin’s 1949 Bourbon Street Parade, Joe Avery’s Blues (the “second line” song), and much, much more.

Attendees are invited to

door; youth 18 and under are $5 when accompanied by an adult. The concert will also be live-streamed for audiences to enjoy from afar. Livestream tickets are $15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the Majestic Café will serve beverages before the concert, including favorite New Orleans cocktails.

In-person and livestreaming tickets are on sale now at www.conwaymajestic.com. Accessible seating and parking are available.

The ice is ready at the Bridgton town rink, located behind the Town Hall on North High Street. Free skate rentals available, and daily movie is shown in the warming room. To check out hours and conditions, go to bridgtonmaine.org/bridgton-recreation/

Senior Games date changed

Maine Senior Games table tennis at the Bridgton Town Hall has been changed to Aug. 20. Officials moved the date due to a conflict with the Track & Field meet on Aug. 13.

LIGHTING was added to the gazebo located behind the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library. (Photo by Moira Yip)

TO PERFORM — Heather Pierson, Davey Sturtevant and Shaw Nadeau at the Majestic Theatre in Conway, N.H. on Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Bridgton Farmers’ Market recipe Cast Iron Frittata

By Nancy Tripp Bridgton Farmers’ Market

There is egg-citement in the air…or in the chicken coop. The days are getting longer and our chickens are beginning to lay eggs again. Just one of the many signs on the farm that spring is around the corner.

Now, we all understand that eggs have gained in value as the market strives to re-adjust to the impact of the avian flu that egg producers have had to deal with this past year. Our market’s members have maintained healthy flocks. Patch Farm has pullets that are just beginning to lay delicious, rich and creamy pullet eggs. These eggs are smaller as the birds are still maturing, but the eggs are so rich and creamy. They are delightful to cook, poached or sunny side up, when you desire that runny, yolky goodness. At this time, Patch Pullet Eggs are only available at the farm stand unless you pre-order them. Gould Acres Farm is bringing coolers full of farm fresh eggs to the market every week and our other farms have eggs to offer also.

So, as a salute to the egg, a perfect little package of protein, this week’s recipe is all about the egg…or a dozen eggs.

Sunday breakfast in our house is always special. My favorite is poached eggs on toast or a creamy omelet loaded with fresh veggies and gooey cheese. But, if I have the kids or company for brunch, I make a frittata, which is easier and more durable for company and easy to serve. It can also be made ahead of time and cut into individual pieces as an entree or an appetizer for a party. This recipe garnered rave reviews from our family. Feel free to change up the vegetables. Add what you have available in your fridge. You can even add leftover cooked potato thinly sliced. This is simply a template for your own creation.

Cast Iron Frittata

from Modern Country Cooking by Annemarie Ahern

Serves 8

4 kale leaves, any kind (I love spinach or any other green you desire)

6 to 12 ounces of mushrooms (check out Shady Groves blue oyster mushrooms)

1 tablespoon chives

1 teaspoon thyme, leaves removed from the stems. Or ½

UMA Dental Clinic for Vets

schedule an appointment and to provide a copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) and proof of Maine residency (Maine driver’s license, hunting or fishing license, lease agreement or tax bill), and grant permission to forward these documents to MBVS for inclusion in its database. If the veteran does not have a copy of their DD-214, MBVS can assist them in acquiring one by submitting the State of Maine Request Form on the MBVS website at https://www.maine.gov/ veterans/forms/index.html.

Maine veterans should contact the MVDN at 207287-6836 or MVDN.mainebvs@maine.gov for eligibility and confirmation before scheduling a free dental cleaning, including X-rays and fluoride treatment.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and participating clinics, including the University of Maine at Augusta’s (UMA) Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor, will provide dental hygiene services to veterans unable to afford preventive dental care.

The Maine Veterans’ Dental Network, which is overseen by MBVS, received a $200,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental to serve veterans who do not otherwise have dental coverage or cannot afford dental care.

Hygiene Clinic received $10,000 of this 2023 grant funding to provide preven

tive dental hygiene services (e.g. cleanings) for qualifying veterans. This program will also provide UMA’s dental hygiene program students with valuable clinical experiences under the supervision of UMA’s Dental Hygiene faculty. The UMA Clinic is located at 201 Texas Avenue, Bangor.

Before scheduling an appointment to receive FREE dental hygiene services from the UMA Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic, veterans must first receive approval from the Maine Veteran’s Dental Network (MVDN). Once approved, they will need to contact the UMA Dental Hygiene Clinic in Bangor at 207-262-7872 to

Hobbs Library

(Continued from Page 5B)

outlets, and the new lighting allows people to better use the space even when the library is closed. McIver Electric installed the subtle, indirect LED lights that were custom designed by George Sexton Associates of Washington, D.C. New projects coming this year include addition of an automatic door opener to make the main entry more accessible, additional shelving for the growing collections, and the addition of a stove to the library’s King Community Room. The door operator is partially funded by the Margaret Burnham Trust, and the Helen R. Coe Trust provided a grant for the shelving; the stove project received funding from the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. Adding the stove may seem straight forward, but the project includes a state-of-the-art fire suppressing hood for safety and kitchen improvements that will enhance library events and create opportunities to collaborate with area food bank programs.

teaspoon dry thyme

2 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, diced

12 eggs

½ cup milk

Kosher salt

Fresh ground pepper

½ cup crumbled farmer’s cheese (or more at my house)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Remove the stems from the kale and rip or chop each leaf into bite size pieces. Trim and slice the mushrooms into pieces. Mince the chives and mix with the thyme leaves, and set aside. Melt the butter in a large cast iron pan. Sauté the onion with a pinch of salt until soft and translucent. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender. Add the kale (or spinach) and cook until it wilts. Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a medium bowl with a whisk. Whisk fiercely to incorporate air. Add the milk, salt and pepper to taste. Pour the mixture into the sautéing vegetables. On medium heat, let the eggs cook until the outside edges are set, about 5 minutes. Do not stir. (You are encouraging a golden-brown crust to form on the bottom.) Sprinkle on the cheese, chives and thyme. Place the frittata in the oven to bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, until it is golden brown, puffy and has set in the middle. Remove the frittata from the oven and enjoy it warm or at room temperature.

Yum!

The Bridgton Winter Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through April 22. The 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 or to sign up for the BFM weekly newsletter 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!

GUSTAVO SANTOS practicing Capoeira in Art Moves Dance Studio taken by Brunno Martins during an exchange with CDTAM (Alberto Maranhao Theater Dance Company) under the direction of Wanie Rose. Irons will return to Natal, RN, Brazil in April for the first time since 2019.

Globalocal looks for performers

NORWAY — Cottage Street Creative Exchange, Inc. is looking for new and longtime Mainers to perform during a Globalocal evening on Saturday, April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Norway. Capoeira from Brazil and Angola and music from Quebec are two styles sought.

The event will celebrate cultures near and far with

music, dance, food and beverages. Artistic Director Debi Irons is looking for people to teach, talk, dance or otherwise share their beloved culture on the second and third floors of the Art Moves Dance Studio building on Cottage at Temple Street, one block from Main Street. Please e-mail debi@artmovesdance.com to participate in any way.

The Town of Lovell continues to support many of the library’s basic functions, along with contributions from Sweden, Stoneham and North Chatham. That municipal support covers a third of the operating expenses, while grants and donations cover the rest and allow for expanded the services and improve the facility for the benefit of all users.

PLUMBING & HEATING Collins Plumbing & Heating Inc. Specializing in repair service in The Lake Region 647-4436 (12/23x)

Ken Karpowich Plumbing Repairs/Installation/Remodeling Master Plumber in ME & NH Over 20 years experience 207-925-1423 (12/23x)

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Clement Bros. Lawn and Landscape Organic lawn & garden maintenance Shoreline restoration Creative stonework, property watch Snowplowing & sanding 207-693-6646 www.clementbros.com (12/23x)

REAL ESTATE

Chalmers Real Estate 100 Main St., Bridgton

Tel. 647-3311 (TF)

Kezar Realty Homes, Land & Vacation Rentals Lovell Village 207-925-1500 KezarRealty.com (12/23x)

Oberg Agency Residential, Business, Lake Shore

Property 132 Main St., Bridgton

Tel. 647-5551, 888-400-9858

Privates at a home studio in Hiram, ME. Call 347-854-3010 or email angelaluem@gmail.com (12/23x)

Music Program at MWV Adult Day Care

CENTER CONWAY, N.H. — Thanks to a generous grant of $10,000 from the Goldberg Foundation, The Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center is now working with Mountain Top Music Center to expand therapeutic music programs at the center.

Debbie Meader, program manager for the ADC says, “We are very excited to be able to offer diverse, high quality music experiences to our guests. With Mountain Top, music is their expertise and merging that with our goal to provide enriching and engaging activities is a beautiful match. Our guests will benefit greatly from this partnership!”

Music can be a powerful tool — there is great scientific evidence on the benefits of music. Some of the documented benefits of music include elevating mood, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing blood flow, and lowering blood pressure, reducing the symptoms of depression, stimulating memories, and managing and easing pain. Listening to music can improve learning, memory, and cognition; can boost the immune system; and can foster creativity.

According to Lynn Coyle, ADC administrator and a board-certified music therapist: “This music program has great potential to slow the progression of degenerative conditions, to assist with healing and provide significant health benefits and to increase overall

Calendar of Events

Thursday, February 16 Guest Speaker Karla Rider, executive director of the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity, will speak to the Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region at 7:30 a.m. at Stella’s on the Square, 6 North Main Street, Bridgton. This will be an inperson meeting only. All are welcome. No charge. Coffee only. If school is cancelled due to weather, the meeting will be postponed. NARCAN Training. Learn about NARCAN and how you can save a life. Lake Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm Street in Bridgton, will hold a community NARCAN training session at 4 p.m. Contact LRRC at (207) 803-8707 if you are interested or have any questions.

Friday, February 17

quality of life. The most wonderful part of any music program is that those who benefit from the effects of music are participating because they enjoy the program.”

The Adult Day Center provides many structured activities including dance, yoga, gardening, physical activities such as a walking group, music therapy, therapeutic art, and games. They collaborate with local organizations in order to produce high quality programs that are not only engaging but are scientifically proven to benefit older adults with memory loss.

The Betty C. Ketchum Foundation is a private nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization and opened the Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center in September of 2019. The facility is the only medically licensed adult day center in Carroll County and provides structured therapeutic activities, art and music, health monitoring, meals, and physical activities.

Additional salon services are offered on site, including bathing, nail care and hair styling.

The Adult Day Center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limited transportation is available. Caregiver support groups are offered each Tuesday at 1 p.m.

For additional information call 603-3564980 or visit: www.mwvadultdaycenter.org.

Classified Advertising

BN 7 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: 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 tf7

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

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

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 FOR RENT

OFFICE FOR RENT 82 Main Street, Bridgton for therapy/ massage/office. Furnished, heat/ AC, WiFi, printer. $15/hr. Call207-329-5545. 4t5

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. 4t7x

WANTED

Retired Professor seeks temporary, preferably long-term housing beginning March in quiet Bridgton/ Waterford/Harrison area. Nonsmoker. Have older cat. Please contact Paul at 207-393-0411. 1t7x

First Winter Carnival Ice Queen Pageant, Bridgton Town Hall, 6 p.m., participants 18 years and older, cash prizes.

Saturday, February 18 Winter Carnival 2023 , sponsored by the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, Highland Lake Beach in Bridgton. Events include: 8 a.m. register kids for Ice Fishing Derby at Unc’L Lunkers Bait and Tackle Shop, 8 Gage Street; 10 a.m. registration for Rail Jam ($15 entry fee); 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. horsedrawn wagon rides (button required, $5); 11 a.m. juggling by Richard Hagerstrom (button required); 12 p.m. sign up for Freezing for a Reason; 12 to 6 p.m., Ice Bar on Highland Lake (button required); 1 p.m. Freezing for a Reason Polar Dip to benefit Harvest Hills Animal Shelter; 1:30 p.m. Rail Jam; 1:30 p.m. Spicy Chili Eating Contest; 6 p.m. fireworks on the lake (for safety reasons, no one will be allowed on the lake). All day, music, food and town ice rink open. Bridgton Rec is holding a craft and vendor fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall Gym.

11th Annual Norway Snowshoe Festival at Roberts Farm Preserve (58 Roberts Road, Norway).

Activities begin at 10 a.m. The full schedule of events can be found at www.wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival.

Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club annual Poker Rally from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street. Cash prizes, great food, Chinese auction, 50/50 Come by sled or car, all are welcome $5 per hand. Swing by and see what the club is all about.

Harrison Lions Club will be holding their Texas Hold’em Tournament 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 will 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.

Sunday, February 19

Winter Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the RADR Field of Dreams in Harrison. Events include ice bowling, cardboard sledding, snow painting, snow sculpting (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., judging at 1:30 p.m., prizes for first, second and third place, e-mail Bri at recreation@ harrison.com to register). Hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase.

Tuesday, February 21

Solar Energy talk. Join the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth, N.H. and the Chocorua Lake Conservancy live via Zoom at 7 p.m. for a “Solar Energy 101 & Beneficial Electrification” with Ten Vansant, founder and president of New England Commercial Solar Services. Ted will give an overview of solar energy and beneficial electrification possibilities for residential, commercial, municipal, and school settings, and answer questions. For more information and please register in advance at bit.ly/ CC-022123.

Wednesday, February 22

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for Ash Wednesday, at 12 p.m. All are welcome.

Bonfire and Night Walk at Holt Pond, sponsored by Lakes Environmental Association from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join LEA for a guided walk in the preserve at night, a bonfire and light refreshments. Please park between Perley Road and Chaplins Mill Road by the dirt road entrance to the preserve. For more information, e-mail Shannon@ mainelakes.org

Saturday, February 25

Create Floorcloth. The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity in Bridgton presents “Create a 19th Century Floorcloth,” 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. https://www. rufusportermuseum.org/ event-details/create-a-19thcentury-style-floorcloth

Otisfield Winter Carnival at the Otisfield Community Hall. The Winter Carnival offers carnival games (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), The Silver Circus (12 to 1 p.m.), a community lunch (12:15 to 1:30), make and take crafts (1 to 2:30), cookie decorating, the classic Cardboard Sled race (2:30), topped off with an Italian dinner (4:30 to 6:30). Donations benefit town office playground and winter fuel assistance!

Casco Village Church United Church of Christ is hosting its February “Florida Fiesta” supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This dinner will feature baked ham with pineapple, casseroles, beans, fruit, summer salads, and homemade desserts! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 10 and under. The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco. Wear your wildest Hawaiian shirt! For more information, call 207-627-4282.

Saturday, March 4

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast , sponsored by American Legion Post 67, 8 to 11 a.m., Bridgton

Community Center, 15 Depot Street. Recommended donation, $8 per person. All proceeds benefit American Legion Post 67. Winter Fun Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Peabody-Fitch Woods. Join Loon Echo Land Trust for a day of winter activities at PeabodyFitch Woods in South Bridgton. There will be a combination of free adaptive and non-adaptive crosscountry ski gear, fat bikes and snowshoes. More details to be posted on the LELT website. This event is free, but please register. Weather date is Sunday, March 5.

Tuesday, March 7 and March 14 Self-Defense Workshop. A self-defense workshop — focusing on mindset, defensive tactics and fun — will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Gym on North High Street. In this three-hour workshop, participants will learn skills to protect themselves with lots of physical practice. For more information, contact instructor Renshi Lisa Magiera at RenshiLisa@ gmail.com. The recommended donation is $15 per person. All proceeds benefit Tucker’s House, a recovery home for women in North Bridgton. The workshop is sponsored by the Bridgton Police Department, Bridgton Recreation and Bushido Karate Dojo.

Wednesday, March 8 Cyberspace Lecture. Summer 2022 Intern Grace Acton will present a Virtual Lecture on “Rufus’s Adventures in Cyberspace.” Grace will discuss how digital historians turn historical data into interactive digital objects. She will specifically focus on the process of creating the map of Porter School art that is available on the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity website. Link: https://www.rufusportermuseum.org/event-details/ rufuss-adventures-in-cyberspace International Women’s Day Flash Mob, presented by the Bridgton Arts and Culture Subcommittee, 12 p.m., parking lot at Ian Factor Fine Art, 67 Main Street, Bridgton. Flash Mob to help Break the Bias! Everyone welcome to participate. To find out how to participate, e-mail Susan Guthro at susieguthro@gmail.com or go to the Facebook page, www. facebook.com/bridgtonartsandculture.

Friday, March 10 Fill the Plate Breakfast. SeniorsPlus, the designated Agency on Aging for Western Maine, will hold a breakfast to benefit its Meals on Wheels nutrition program from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn. The breakfast will honor Auburn resident Eloise O’Neill with the 2023 Ikaria Award and feature a talk by former WGME-TV award-winning, longtime anchor Kim Block. Tickets are $25 per person ($30 at the door) and are available at www.seniorsplus.org or by calling 207-795-4010. Seats are limited and advance registration is recommended.

concrete floor finisher, and Class B boom truck operator. Please DO NOT respond if you: are unable to set your alarm, text out sick once a week, have to find a ride to work, or think checking social media every five minutes is part of your daily tasks.

Easy Riders Club enjoys the great northern trails

By Bill Preis BER Club Correspondent

Thirty members of the Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club just returned from Millinocket, the first club trip of the year. Unlike the snow conditions here in Bridgton, conditions in Millinocket were perfect. The temperature varied between about 19 degrees to about 37 degrees with lots of brilliant sunshine. The trails, as usual, were excellent! It is impossible to adequately describe how beautiful snow-covered Mt. Katahdin is against the blue sky. These photos can’t do it justice.

The club members trailered up to the Baxter Park Inn for a five-night stay, which included a “Meet and Greet Pizza Party on Sunday night. Breakfasts were provided by the Inn, including orange juice, coffee, hot chocolate, cold and warm cereals, toast, bagels, muffins, fruits, and yogurts.

On Tuesday night, club members supported the East Branch Sno Rovers SC spaghetti supper, complete with garlic bread, coffee, tea, soft drinks and dessert. This was followed by their local 15-piece band that provided entertainment and dance music. Two of our own club members, John Clement and Dwayne Hendrix, sang and played guitar. Their performance can be seen on The Bridgton Facebook Page.

Mighty Moose

The Mighty Moose and the White-tailed Deer Education program will be held at the Maine Lake Science Center (Willett Road in Bridgton) on Friday, Feb. 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

One is slowly disappearing, and the other is growing and thriving. Why is it becoming more difficult to see a moose in the wild? What makes this giant so vulnerable? What is the relationship between the white-tailed deer and moose? If you are

There are many lunch destinations that range from six to 60 miles, including Shin Pond Village, Wildwood Trailside Camps, Matagamon Wilderness, and Kokadjo. This year, a new close-by facility was added: The Knife Edge Brewing which in addition to their own brews, also features delicious wood-fired pizza and sandwiches, and soft drinks.

The annual BER Snowmobile Rally will be this Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at the Bridgton Community Center at 9 a.m. There will be lots of food, drinks, and snacks and maps available, as well as door prizes and 50-50. Hope to see you there.

The next club meeting will be on March 10 at the Bridgton Community Center. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. There will not be a potluck supper this time.

Website: Bridgtoneasyriders.com

To see dozens of photos and videos of the northern trip, go to: https://www.facebook.com/bridgtoneasyridersclub/

Track ID Trek

FRYEBURG — Join Upper Saco Valley Land Trust and Greater Lovell Land Trust for a walk at the Menotomy Preserve in Fryeburg this Sunday, Feb. 19.

The hike will be led by Leigh MacMillen Hayes, GLLT Education Director/ Maine Master Naturalist. We’ll look for mammal tracks in the snow and learn how to identify trees and shrubs in winter.

The Winter Wildlife: Mammal Tracks and Tree ID is from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Menotomy Preserve. Snowshoes are available to borrow free of charge but require advance registration so we bring the right size and quantity.

For more information and to register, please contact Carissa Milliman, Development/Outreach Coordination at cmilliman@ usvlt.org or 603-682-0008. Learn more about the Menotomy Preserve at usvlt. org/conserved-lands/menotomy. Find out more about how you can get outside with USVLT at usvlt.org/easement-exploration-series.

interested in finding out more about these animals, come to this informative program meant for adults and children 10 and older.

It will also be a hands-on program where people can feel the weight of a pair of moose antlers and touch the bleached bones of a moose. This will be a family-friendly program and will run an hour to an hour and a half long.

To sign up, please contact Mary Jewett: mary@ mainelakes.org

No-Show Hike to Mt. Tire’em

It wasn’t too many years ago, on Jan. 24, 2014, that nine Denmark Mountain Hikers ventured off for an overnight at the Radeke Cabin on the Kank at minus-14° F. Even with Kathy Huchthausen keeping the wood stove in the old cabin stoked all night, temperatures never got above 40 F within six feet of the stove. My water bottle, that I had kept under my head all night in the bunkroom, was completely frozen in the morning!

The temperatures for our planned hike to Mount Tire’m on Feb. 3 were almost balmy by comparison — it was 0 F at the church at 9 a.m., but all the hikers but me wisely decided to skip the hike in what has been the two coldest days of the year, Friday and Saturday, in Maine and New England. A stiff wind made for very low wind chills on top of the cold temperatures. The Mount Washington Observatory was live on CNN last night and recorded a minus-108° F wind chill there!

Temperatures continued to plunge all day, and Friday, temperatures at our house were minus-20° F. Saturday, temps were minus-25° F on the back porch and predicted to stay cold all day. Not good conditions to go hiking. I waited at the church in my warm truck until 9:15 a.m. but there were no shows of other hikers, so I went home

Senior Rambles

Hiking Trips & Tips

by Allen Crabtree

and stayed warm, taking off my five layers of heavy winter clothes when I got there. Several of our hikers sent me e-mails that they were not hiking in the cold weather. Even Peter Zack’s hiking group cancelled their planned hike on Saturday because of the cold and wind chill. The Pleasant Mountain Ski Area shortened their hours of operation, as well!

Could it be that as our hikers have gotten older they have also gotten wiser, at least about hiking in extreme conditions? One of our Denmark Mountain Hikers, Ron Paquette, sent me this e-mail: “I think that since we’ve become older hikers, we are not as brave as we once were…Be Well and Stay Warm, Ron.”

MAMMAL TRACKS AND TREE ID walk at The Menotomy Preserve in Fryeburg this Sunday, Feb. 19 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Otisfield Carnival

OTISFIELD — A band of faithful Otisfield volunteers have organized to offer families a fun and FREE day at Otisfield Winter Carnival 2023 to be held at the Community Hall.

Adults and children are invited; children must be accompanied by an adult. The Winter Carnival offers carnival games, the Silver Circus, a community lunch, make and take crafts, cookie decorating, the classic Cardboard Sled race, topped off with an Italian dinner!

What is not to like!

On Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., families can gather at the Otisfield Community Hall to build their Cardboard Sled. Cardboard and duct tape will be provided.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Carnival kicks off at 10 a.m. with inside games, complete with prizes. Outside games will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

New to the docket, Andrew Silver of the Silver Circus will entertain with juggling, magic and physi-

cal comedy from 12 to 1 p.m. The Community Lunch takes place during part of this period as well (12:15 to 1:30) Lunch is provided by the Spurr’s Corner Church, the Social Outreach Committee and the Dyer family.

At the Town Office Annex from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Make and Take crafts and cookie decorating is overseen by the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church.

At 2 p.m. at the Town Office Annex, registration for the Cardboard Sled Race takes place, followed at 2:30 with racing.

Finally, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., an Italian dinner will be served at the Community Hall. Donations will benefit the Town Office Playground and Winter Fuel Assistance. Noreen Edwards digs up her perennial garden and gets others to do the same to raise money so the Winter Carnival can be free. Even so, donations are always appreciated from those who are able. FMI: please call Noreen at 627-7033.

MEET THE MIGHTY MOOSE at Maine Lake Science Center on Feb. 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

BRIDGTON EASY RIDERS snowmobile club enjoyed a multi-day riding adventure in the Baxter Park region.