New ‘Fair’ twist Fryeburg Fair partners with Dreamland Amusements for this fall’s riding thrills Page 2A
Inside News
Pride of the Schools
Calendar . . . . . . . 6B-7B
SAD 61 honors students, staff members for pride in their schools
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 7B Country Living . . . 5B-6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 6B
Page 6A
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 3B Opinions . . . . . . . 1B-4B Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Student News . . . . . . 6A Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 4B
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870 Vol. 152, No. 10
16 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
March 10, 2022
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B
www.bridgton.com
(USPS 065-020)
95¢
JOYFUL EXPRESSION — A flash mob of about 40 people showed up in the Big Apple parking lot around noon on Tuesday. It was a rally for International Women’s Day. (De Busk Photo)
‘Flash Mob’ creates equality awareness
By Dawn De Busk In America, women try, Wikipedia said. Staff Writer have had the advantage of This year’s theme for SIGNS SPREAD a message of gender equality: Samar Khuder, who works for the In Saudi Arabia, women being permitted to operate the worldwide holiday is: New England Arab American Organization holds a sign while other people partici“Gender equality for today pate in a flash mob. (De Busk Photo) were given the legal right a vehicle since 1899. to drive on June 24, 2018. But, there’s still a dis- for a sustainable tomortance to go to gain equality. row,” Thomas said. “It’s 2022 and we don’t “I felt really great about have an equality amend- the turnout. I felt very gratment. We don’t have equal ified. It was such a strong By Wayne E. Rivet Schools Al Smith made the Janet Mills got the ball roll- receive “duplicate” mes- pay for women in the show of support,” she said. Some of the women at the Staff Writer mask optional recommen- ing as the CDC scaled back sages regarding the shift in United States. We have the Christine Brown of dation to the board as 217 masking. mask policy — one stem- worse maternity leave poli- Bridgton event explained Casco says the best birth- people followed the discus“The governor said, ming from the Central cies in the world. We are why International Women’s day gift she could receive sion via Zoom. should you wish, it’s not a Office, the other from their also fighting for women’s Day is meaningful to them autonomy over their own and why it’s important to was “to see my son off Smith mandate, to make adjust- respective schools. to school on Wednesday “As we all know, things ments with masking pol“I also want to make bodies,” said Bridgton resi- keep moving in the right direction. Several peomorning with a big smile change rapidly. We were icies. I concur with that sure everyone is respect- dent Melinda Thomas. Thomas — along with ple said the turnout was on his face.” optimistic that things would (designated March 9) date,” ful of those people who To actually see his smile, be good when we came back Smith noted. “I am sure still feel the need to wear the collaboration of other impressive. “It was really exciting not hidden by a mask. from February vacation. a lot of parents are aware a mask, and some people women in the community — organized a dance routo have so many people Brown’s birthday wish Things change dramati- of this meeting tonight. I are very comfortable with came true. By a unani- cally in the wrong direc- need tomorrow (Tuesday) that,” Smith noted. “Some tine to mark International participate. Some people we knew were going to be mous vote Monday night, tion after Christmas break. to get out an accurate mes- people do have conditions Women’s Day this year. A flash mob consisting here. But there were a lot the SAD 61 School Board I am pleased to say our sage before moving in this or situations that warrant made mask wearing option- numbers actually reduced direction so that everyone them wearing it. I think we of about 40 dancers drew of people who just showed al — both inside school even further than prior to will know where we are have a great Laker pride attention to International up today to participate,” facilities as well on district the February break,” Smith coming from.” community, and I am sure Women’s Day. The flash according to Susie Guthro, buses. said. Smith informed parents that students and staff will mob took place at noon who estimated about 40 on Tuesday in the parking people took part in the Superintendent of Smith said Governor tuning in that they will MASK, Page 3A lot on the right side of Big flash mob. Apple in Bridgton. “Turning around and “International Women’s dancing and seeing so many Day is a global holiday cel- people involved, and even ebrated annually on March having spectators watching 8 to commemorate the cul- was really exciting. Very tural political and socio- energizing,” she said. economic achievements Additionally, the local of women,” according to event garnered attention at Wikipedia. the county level. By Dawn De Busk Tracy Martin. The holiday can be “It was exciting to have Staff Writer Greenberg said the deaths traced back to 1909 in [Cumberland County] A young girl was left aren’t just happening someAmerica, and involved pro- District Attorney Jonathan behind after her parent died where else. People in our tests in the garment indusFLASH MOB, Page 3A from an overdose from an communities are dying, she opiate-based drug. said. She lives with guilt There has been a steady because there was an over- increase in overdose deaths dose reversal medicine in the each year. It was 417 in house, but the girl did not 2019; 504 in 2020; and 636 know how to use it. in 2021. “I had a person who lost “It is staggering. These her only parent to an over- are people that we know. We HARRISON — In Harrison voters’ minds, the timing, dose. And she asked me, know these people. We’ve the need and the price were all right to build a new $3.4 a complete stranger, to go met these people. It has been million Public Works Facility and Salt Shed. to the funeral home with a tough year, most definiteA 75 “for” vote to 18 “no” votes moved the project off her. She said to me, ‘I had ly,” Greenberg said. the planning shelf and into action as the result of Tuesday’s that stuff in the house and “Six-hundred thirty-six municipal referendum election. I didn’t know how to use lives lost to opioid overdoses The Select Board recommended a “yes” vote on the it,’ ” according to Candy in the state of Maine, in one project, which will utilize the existing Public Works site on Greenberg, communications year,” she said. Edes Falls Road and replace buildings constructed in the specialist at Lakes Region “We invited family mem1960s. The new 150-foot by 100-foot garage will include Recovery Center. bers who lost a loved one four maintenance bays and a wash bay. A new 90-foot by The young girl’s story to send us in pictures and 90-foot sand and salt storage will also be constructed. demonstrates how vital it is information. As you walk by The town will fund the project through a 15-year bond for the general population to the banners, you’ll see the ($3.4 million in principal, $869,592.04 in interest based on know how to use Narcan, faces of the people who died. 2.99%). The total will be $4,269,592.04. Greenberg said. We added on top of that the Voters had the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the It also stands as a testa- exact number of tear drops existing Public Works facility, which was placed on the ment to how out of control to represent each of the 636 town website. the opioid crisis has become. people,” she said. Voters also agreed — by a 82-11 margin — to accept Last year, 636 people in National Black Balloon HANGING FROM THE ceiling are 636 black balloon from the Harrison Village Cemetery Association the Maine died from overdoses Day is March 6. cutouts to represent the number of people who died Harrison Village Cemetery. from opiates and/or fentanyl. “But, we cannot release from opioid overdoses in 2021. Standing below the This month, a black bal- balloons because to release banner are: (from left) Lakes Region Recovery Center loon banner was designed balloons into the environExecutive Director Tracy Martin, LRRC Communicato represent each of those ment, hurts the birds and tions Specialist Candy Greenberg and Mark Winters, lives lost in 2021. The ban- other animals, and is against from Sen. Collins Portland office. (De Busk Photo) ner hangs from the ceiling the law,” Greenberg said. Established 1870 of a hallway at the recovery The Maine legislature purposefully letting them go from the ceiling. P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. “This we can keep forcenter. passed a law in July 2021 outdoors. Bridgton, ME 04009 “This is our version of ever. We are going to keep “Right now, the rate: Two that prohibits the intentional 207-647-2851 a balloon release,” she said, it here throughout the month people a day in the State of release of balloons. Balloons Fax: 207-647-5001 Maine are dying,” according are considered litter, and pointing to the garland of of March. Then, after that bnews@roadrunner.com to LRRC Executive Director fines are associated with black teardrops hanging BALLOON, Page 8A
SAD 61 goes mask optional
Somber stat:
Two people a day dying from overdoses
Voters approve new PW facility
The Bridgton News