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Serving
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towns of Western Maine since 1870
— A few months ago, the locally elected officials felt so confident that a town-owned waterfront lot would sell for $750,000 that they listed that as the minimum bid.
The bidding deadline went by recently, and the number of bids was zero, according to town officials.
To provide some history: The original owner did not pay taxes on the undeveloped land, and through the tax lien process, the Town of Naples ended up as the owner. The town attorney double-checked the town’s legal ownership of the land because for years people considered the area to be common green space for an abutting subdivision
The land is referred to as the Mayberry Lane property.
Last week, it was revealed
that absolutely nobody had placed a bid — even though social media sites and rumor mills were abuzz with promises of someone writing a $750,000 check to buy the land ASAP.
Therefore, the result was unexpected.
“We received zero [bids].
There was no interest,”
Naples Town Manager John Hawley said. “We weren’t going to accept anything lower than $750,000.”
Ultimately, the Naples Board of Selectmen decided it was best to consult a realtor for this land sale.
Earlier in the discussion, the board had proposed another option. There had been a motion on the floor to re-list the for-sale property, dropping the price to $700,000 and extending the bid date until Labor Day.
But, after hearing about proposed legislation that
CASCO — A tie vote kept the Town of Casco from providing bulky waste coupons to the landowners who are part of the Club Sebago Association (CSA).
The motion on the floor during the Casco Board of Selectmen meeting was whether or not to allow the seasonal residents to take bulky items to the CascoNaples Bulky Waste Facility.
CSA was not asking to use the household trash and recycling area since property management provides those services. Only bulky waste services were on the table.
This is a topic that was brought to the town manager’s attention almost a year ago by a CSA resident who wanted to get rid of some bulky waste items. So, it is something that the select board members have discussed many times prior to Tuesday night.
In fact, the town’s attorney had advised against the town not offering this ser-
vice to these seasonal residents.
“The board spoke with counsel about the practice of not providing bulky waste coupons to Club Sebago. She said we offer these services to other seasonal residents and should do the same throughout town,”
Naples Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward said.
“By council’s guide, we should be providing this service to CSA.” This is how the board voted.
First off, Chairman Robert McDonald recused himself from this agenda item since he works for Point Sebago Resort, which is separate from but affiliated with, CSA.
Then, both Scott Avery and Mary-Vienessa Fernandes voted in favor.
“Last time, I voted against this. I had some reservation. Upon further review, the club has a legal right to have access to bulky waste,” Fernandes said.
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would impact
tax-acquired land, the board decided to let an expert handle it. Additionally, during the discussion, one selectman brought up that selling the waterfront land is contrary to the existing Comp Plan.
On March 27, after hearing that there were no bids whatsoever, Chairman Jim Grattelo asked fellow board members if they wanted to reduce the minimum bid or “leave it the way it is?”
Selectman Colin Brackettasked about rewording the bid.
“Do we accept the first bid above $750,000? Do we want open bids up until the end of the summer and see if anyone bites,” Brackett said.
At first, Selectman Kevin
Rogers favored keeping the bid minimum high and accepting bids until the end of the summer. Grattelo provided some background information. He referred to a meeting during which time landown-
LAST CHANCES to catch ‘Cinderella’ presented by the Lake Region Drama Club in the high school auditorium this Friday through Sunday. Tickets sold at the door (cash and check only) at $12 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. Show times, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Pictured are Prince Payton Vogen and Cinderella Eva Fickett.
Spending hours over several days closely eyeing line after line of figures and trying to find a path to cut 10% from the proposed budget without hurting the needs of workers and the public can become a major headache.
Town Manager Cass Newell faced this dubious task following last week’s workshop as the Select Board instructed her to sharpen her pencil and reduce the proposed budget from 18.1% hike down to 8%. Some officials felt the increase might be too pricy for taxpayers to bear.
To reach the target, Newell — who is in her first year as town manager
— was forced to cut items she publicly championed (the return of the rec swim program) and those deemed critical to town operations.
“To be honest, I don’t love this,” she told the Select Board at the start of Tuesday’s nearly three-hour session regarding the cuts she made.
The toll seemed to hit the manager two-plus hours into the meeting when Newell applied an ice bag to her temple area as relief to a headache. As some in the audience donned concern looks, Newell was quick to respond, “I’m okay.”
Selectman Matt Frank voiced his opposition to get each department and line at or under 8%, feeling the “budget is too lean” and
could put the town in a tough position if “unexpected events” occurred, resulting in unexpected expenses.
“I would like to ask Cass what she thinks the biggest weaknesses are and what additions should be back in the budget,” he asked. “With this budget, we’re counting on a perfect year with nothing unexpected happening. The world doesn’t work that way. We need to anticipate unexpected events.”
After some explanation and discussion, the Select Board returned partial funding in some areas, while ultimately endorsing Newell’s recommendation in other areas.
Some highlights:
• Public Works — Initial cuts including a welding
cabinet, repairs and street sweeping ($5,000 to zero) were restored.
Frank’s suggestion to let taxpayers decide whether to add an assistant Public Service director position (anticipated cost of $70,000 plus fringe benefits) was supported. A separate article will pose this question. The board voted 4-1 (chairman Rick Sykes opposed) to put this position on the warrant. The board decided to not make a recommendation on this item.
Noting word has already been received that salt prices will increase, the board restored $9,500 for sand and salt purchases. They also agreed to include $8,000 for a part-time PW position.
NAPLES— The Naples Board of Selectmen in mid-March passed a moratorium on all storage facilities.
Last week — contrary to the town attorney’s advice — the board stuck by its proverbial guns and kept the moratorium in place. After all, the ideal bull’s eye is to have the proposed storage facility ordinance on the ballot for residents to vote on during the Primary Election in June. A public
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hearing was scheduled for Tuesday so that citizens could hear the first reading of the proposed ordinance, which was based on Town of Denmark’s Storage Facility Ordinance, according to Chairman Jim Grattelo.
This week, the moratorium timeline came to an abrupt end.
“The moratorium is not moving forward. There will be no vote,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.
“The town attorney advised that the proposed moratorium doesn’t meet the ‘necessity’ statue,” Hawley said. “They [the
selectmen] haven’t met since [March 27]. I am sure they will repeal it when they meet on Monday. The attorney suggested an ordinance amendment in lieu of.”
While the moratorium might be dead in the water, the proposed storage ordinance is coming to life. Based on the one Denmark recently passed, the proposed ordinance is being fine-tuned for Naples’ needs.
“They had a public hearing last night [Tuesday] on the proposed storage ordinance. They are making tweaks and the final draft
(Photo courtesy of Shannon Avery)Busk Photo)
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The previous part-timer moved up to a full-time position, leaving the PT job vacant. Newell initially cut that post as part of the cost-saving effort, but Frank urged the board to keep the PW crew at last year’s level.
• Fire Department — Supplies and money for training were initially cut. Frank called the reduction of $5,000 to $1,000 for training as “ludicrous,” while others agreed the need for turnout gear and pagers (“some are antiquated” and “it would be nice to have radios that work”) are necessities to fight fires and keep firefighters safe.
The original proposed funding level was $189,988 with the board settling on $184,988.
• Recreation — Newell admitted there wasn’t “a lot I can do to 8%.” The hard choice to reach that target is to scrap bringing back the summer swim program.
The town manager, however, emphasized that with a summer program at Crystal Lake Park, lifeguards are required by law at the beach. The budget supports two lifeguards at $13,600.
Former Rec Director Paula Holt, who has been acting as a consultant to assist the new Rec Director while also conducting a full inventory of rec supplies, urged town officials to return the summer program to its roots — serving Harrison kids, along with Waterford youngsters since that town now contracts with Harrison for rec programming, and only opening spaces to outside communities if the desired enrollment figure is not reached.
The summer program number is likely 125.
Newell noted that the Rec line also includes money for travel reimbursement and supplies. Since the town vehicle (the former sheriff deputy cruiser is referred to as “The Beast”) is unreliable, the Rec Director uses her own car to attend training and certification sessions, thus the need to reimburse for travel costs. Newell added that several pieces of rec equipment need replacing, including swim area lines.
Money was restored for these areas, as well as for field trips. Frank noted it would be a travesty for the town not to offer its children swim lessons with two incredible lakes — Crystal and Long — here.
The initial proposal was for $210,204. The board settled on $208,044.
• Capital Reserve — Although the town has a cushion and Newell felt one way to lessen the tax burden might be to take a year off from adding more money to this fund, the Select Board ultimately decided to again appropriate money here — especially after approving purchasing several items to be funded with CR money.
Those purchases include:
— $365,000 for a medium-size excavator and trailer
— $8,800 for replacement of eight self-contained breathing apparatus containers for the Fire Department (as part of a three-year process of retiring 34 older bottles)
— $3,000 for a playground at Crystal Lake Park
— $3,000 for a community garden
— $21,127 for field repair at RADR and Crystal Lake Park (this line will eventually be moved to the appropriate department budget)
— $1,600 for a sit/stand work station at the Town Office
Frank suggested sticking with the $250,000 the town has raised in past years, while Selectman Phil Devlin, believing the budget will be a burden for some taxpayers, felt $100,000 might be more appropriate. The board voted 4-1 (Devlin opposed) for $250,000.
• Capital Roads — The board settled on $650,000 to complete the “far end” of Edes Falls Road, which Frank described as in “horrendous condition,” while $40,000 is owed to Pike Industries for previous work.
As the final budget lines were tackled, Chairman Sykes asked Newell if she saw “anything that needs to be revisited or is absolutely critical or very important” for the board to look at?
“No,” she said. “I think where it (the budget) is at, it’s okay.”
CORRECTION — In last week’s Harrison budget review story on Page 1, information regarding this year’s election and town meeting was incorrectly printed on a handout given to attendees.
The Harrison in-person annual town meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14 at 6 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School.
Town elections will be held on Tuesday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.
Company: Conroy Creations Co.
Location: 271 Main Street (Gateway Complex), Bridgton
Telephone: (207) 239-2358
Website: conroycreationsco.com
E-mail: conroycreationsco@ yahoo.com
Hours: Winter hours, Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; will be open 7 days during the summer.
Owner: Ami Conroy
Family: Husband Brian, children Deagan, Devlin, Dierks and Rhett
What’s offered: A unique variety
of products to include funny, sarcastic, local towns/Maine items. Conroy Creations makes tank tops, t-shirts, hoodies, cups, signs, door hangers, doormats, hats, coasters, keychains.
“Everything is made by myself except I do outsource the leather hat patches to a local business. I offer custom orders of any design or product,” Ami said. Why did you decide to open your business? “I started my business out of our home in May of 2020, and continued adding products each year.
Last June, I decided to apply to vendor
shows and attended 10-plus. Everyone kept asking where my storefront was,” Ami said. “I told them I didn’t have one yet.”
In November 2022, Ami was encouraged to give Justin McIver of Main Eco Homes a call because “he had the perfect location.”
“I contacted Justin and toured the space. I just fell in love with what opportunities this space would do for my business,” she said. “Everyone has been welcoming. I cannot thank my customers enough for all of their support.”
— The moratorium on solar farm projects in the Town of Casco exists not to keep out such facilities, but to give the town time to draft a solar ordinance.
On March 13, the Casco Planning Board reviewed highlights of an ordinance that is still in the works.
Chairman Ryan McAllister went over the bullet points.
“We discussed a setback of 50 feet. The discussion around that point was originally 100 feet. If [the applicant] can establish the visual setback at 50 feet, that is okay,” he said. “Anything being developed in the Village District or Shoreland Zone is rooftop application only.”
Homeowners and small business owners in those zones will be permitted to have solar panels on the roof.
But large scale solar-energy farms will be prohibited from Village District and the Shoreland Zone.
visual breaks,” McAllister said.
Previously, the board had discussed using landscaping as visual buffer versus a chain-link fence. Some applicants might prefer a fence for security purposes.
“The fence would be lifted 6 inches to allow small animals to access and go through the project
site,” he said.
Another important thing that came up during discussions was that large-scale projects did not stop traditional access to trails.
“Encourage snowmobile or ATV trails around the outside the project. We know recreation is important to townsfolk,” McAllister said.
The planning board would
take site walks of the proposed sites. Also, the fire chief would review plans to make sure that emergency vehicles could access area, he said.
“One recommendation, as we get closer to drafting the ordinance, is to direct legal to look at the solar ordinances of similar-sized towns,” he said.
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frame.” The size of the parcel owned by Robie is 5.2 acres. The storage facility plan calls for 3.5 acres to be developed. That development includes fencing, landscaping and any retention ponds.
The actual paved area will measure 2.6 acres. That paved area — where six storage buildings will be located and where vehicles will be able to drive — is referred to as impervious.
He touched on why storage units have been a popular use of commercial land for developers.
“There are a number of projects that we’ve done for storage units. I’ve done a couple. What I get for feedback from the applicant or the property owner is that they are doing this project because it’s the best return for the land, Connolly said. “Storage units are a very profitable commercial development right now,”
power needed for a storage unit. They are rented Online. They are paid for Online. You may or may not see a facilities person when go to your unit,” he said.
That is among the reasons landowners find storage units appealing, he said.
Thanks to the low overhead, the profit margin on a storage facility is 41 percent, according to Projection Hub.
Then, Selectman Grant Plummer voted in opposition, having already stated why.
Selectman Eugene Connolly kept his hand down for both the “yes” and “no” call by the chairman. He raised his hand to abstain.
Town Manager Ward said Connolly needed to state a legit reason for recusing himself from the vote. Having none, Connolly voted in opposition of the motion.
The motion failed since it did not have the majority vote.
Prior to the vote, Selectman Plummer stated why he was against extending the bulky waste priviledge to CSA.
A Contract Zone Agreement between the Town of Casco and Point Sebago properties prohibited these particular seasonal residents from using some town services.
“Back when this thing happened, Point Sebago’s contract zoning allowed for very, very small lots . . . There have been exceptions to the zoning rules. The attempt was to allow them to have these specialities [exemptions] while limiting the impact to the Town of Casco,” Plummer said.
“There weren’t supposed to be landowners inside Point Sebago,” he said.
The contract zone was renewed every 10 years.
“In 2016, when it came time for update, we requested for the first time ever, we were asking Point Sebago for some
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A bond will be required.
“That’s surety that at the end of field’s lifespan, the Town of Casco isn’t going to be left with a field to clean up,” he said.
“The application should include landscape plans and
Connolly went over the square footage of the six buildings. Building No. 1 will be 5,750 square feet; buildings 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be 6,300 square feet; and building No. 6 will measure 6,000 square feet, he said.
There is no necessity for running water or public bathrooms or septic system or utilities, he said.
“Most other commercial applications require staff. There is very little man-
An article called, How Profitable is a self-storage facility? which appeared in Investment Real Estate on Aug. 22, 2022 states that a self-storage facility can earn an average of $350,000 to $800,000 a year.
RIBBON CUTTING to welcome Conroy Creations Co., (located in the new Gateway building in Pondicherry Square) to Bridgton and the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce. Pictured left to right: Steve Richard of Main Eco Homes (MEH), Erin Nelson of Norway Savings Bank; Keri Montague, Bridgton’s Deputy Community Development Coordinator; Ami Conroy and Brian of Conroy Creations Co.; Tori Hill, Bridgton’s Community Development Coordinator; Georgiann Fleck, Bridgton’s Deputy Town Manager; Stephanie McCuster of MEH, and community members.
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ers on Trickey Pond had argued that turning the lots into a boat launch or swim area would cause more problems such as overnight camping, drinking alcohol and illegal drug use. That viewpoint was based on the human activities that had been taking place at the Trickey Pond boat ramp and recreational area off Route 114. Basically, the landowners asked the board to sell land to a private individual instead of designating it as public land.
Also, during that meeting, people commented that with today’s appetite for land with water frontage, the lot will sell like hotcakes on Maine Maple Sunday.
“Just to remind everyone: We listed that on the top end of the number because we were hoping — based on an audience full of people and rumors that someone would write a check for $750K without even batting an eye — that we were going to look for the high end of this,” Grattelo said. “I think we might want to consider a number that is acceptable and reduce the $750,000 to $600,000 to get closer to $500,000 and rebid it out. That would be my recommendation — unless you all believe it is worth $750,000 all day long. I don’t think any of us thought it was worth $750,000. We all thought it was worth $500,000-plus all day long.”
At this point, Selectman Rogers offered another alternative — keeping the lot.
“We should adhere to Comp Plan and retain the land because that is what the Comp Plan suggested: acquire the land,” Rogers began. “No, it doesn’t,” Grattelo said.
“Yes, it does,” Rogers said. “If you guys are going to disagree with the Comp Plan right now, then let’s take that $95,000 right out of the budget.”
He was referring to the money in the proposed budget to pay a firm to help facilitate the comprehensive plan process.
“You are saying the Comp Plan doesn’t mean anything, if you disagree with me and say that Comp Plan did not say to retain land. The Comp Plan has no backbone. The Comp Plan has no legitimacy. So why should we spend any money on it,” Rogers said. Grattelo explained his viewpoint.
“My interpretation would be: It is our job to serve the citizens and their best inter-
est. The Comp Plan said to retain land if it is valuable to the town. This was handed to us. This isn’t town-owned land that we’ve had for 100 to 200 years. This is something that fell in our lap,” he said.
“What I would agree with you on is: If we could get $500,000 or $600,000 or $700,000 and we purchase land that is going to have a greater benefit. If we just put the money from the sale in our general fund — then you are right, we didn’t follow our Comp Plan,” Grattelo said.
Selectman Bill Adams agreed with selling the Mayberry Land parcel and using money from the sale to buy land elsewhere in town.
“We should use it elsewhere to purchase land that would be valuable to more people,” Grattelo said. “We are not selling the town square.”
Rogers continued to argue for keeping that particular parcel.
“I interpret it as we should acquire as much land as possible. We are talking about land on a lake, scenic preservation,” he said.
towns are doing it.
The four-day workweek could offer the public evening hours at the town hall and give employees a schedule they prefer.
Last week, Naples Town Manager John Hawley talked to the Naples Board of Selectmen about switching the hours of operation at the town hall.
“I know this board has thought about this, and since it was mentioned, I have found that many municipalities are considering going to a four-day week schedule,” Hawley said.
“There are some benefits to be considered. One, it is the preferred schedule for the employees. Two, it would also give us the opportunity to extend our hours to allow for evening hours,” he said. “Evening hours for the public could be added to the schedule for those who cannot get here during the traditional 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. timeframe.”
“Now, the staff is chattering about it. I’d like to know if this is something you guys are seriously considering or not,” Hawley said.
Chairman Jim Grattelo shared his thoughts.
“I would have no prob-
lem with four-day workweek as long as we had provision from Memorial Day to Labor Day that we still have the town hall open on Saturdays,” he said. “We are a tourist town. Can you imagine the town office being closed on Friday and Saturday?”
Selectman Colin Brackett asked what hours were being considered.
Hawley answered that Town Clerk Michelle Thibodeau had suggested some schedules. One idea was: 7:30 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and either 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“She is proposing to
keep the first Saturday of each month,” he said.
“In my early days, here I had mentioned that the Saturdays during the winter here were slow. But, it wasn’t supported to do away with those.”
Currently, the town office is open Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, the first and last Saturday of the month, the office is open from 9 a.m. to noon.
Hawley told the board he wasn’t looking for a decision immediately.
“Give it some thought, and we’ll come back to it,” he said.
NAPLES — Before the Naples gymnasium can be demolished, the electrical components must be rerouted.
However, a supply shortage threatens to delay the electrical relocation part of the project by almost four months.
Recently, Naples Town
Manager John Hawley and Naples Maintenance Director Steve Merkle met with an electrical contractor and a Central Maine Power (CMP) employee to review what was needed to do this job.
“One of the significant components needed by the contractor, a meter can and an amp switch, are at a minimum of 16 weeks on
backorder,” Hawley said.
“They will likely do some of the work in preparation, but the switchover can’t occur until those items arrive,” he said.
“We can’t really do any demolition there for at least the next four months unless something comes up sooner,” Hawley said.
He reported that supply problem to the Naples
Board of Selectmen in midMarch.
During Monday’s meeting, there was additional information about the potential cost of the project.
“When we obtained the quote for moving the electrical service to the town office, the future of the foundation space and
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will be available Monday night,” Hawley said. The town attorney “advised that she thought a moratorium would not be statutorily allowed for this purpose because a moratorium has to meet state ‘necessity’ criteria. The first is that the moratorium must be needed ‘To prevent a shortage, or an overburden of public facilities that would otherwise occur during the effective period of the moratorium or that is reasonably foreseeable as a result of any proposed or anticipated development’ or ‘Because the application of existing comprehensive plans, land use ordinances or regulations or other applicable laws, if any, is inadequate to prevent serious public harm from residential, commercial or industrial development in the affected geographic area,’ ” Hawley said.
“In her opinion, based on what I told her, we have not demonstrated either the overburden of public facilities or serious public harm,” he said.
In recent months, there have been some hap -
penings that unfolded in Naples, which prompted the initial moratorium. The groundbreaking for a selfstorage complex immediately off Route 302 spurred confusion and complaints from people in the community, according to Selectman Kevin Rogers, who asked that the topic of a moratorium be put on the agenda. The self-storage lot is located along Route 302, on the same side of the road as Naples Family Practice and on the opposite side of the road as the Dunkin’ Donuts store.
During a selectmen’s meeting on March 13, the storage moratorium ended up on the agenda for the first time ever. The conversation lasted about 20 minutes. The end result was a unanimous decision to pass a moratorium on storage facilities. Here is the discussion that took place on March 13.
“I’ve heard some complaints about the storage units popping up along our corridor,” Rogers said. “I didn’t know if we were just going to continue to let them happen and complain later, or put some design standards on them.”
Grattelo commented.
“I’m one-thousand percent (1000%) in agreement with you. I think we should pass a moratorium. We should have passed a moratorium a year ago. We should pass it tonight,” he said.
Then, Grattelo joked, “I’ve already ordered the signs: ‘Welcome to Naples, storage capital of the world.’”
Rogers joined in saying, “We’ll get one billboarded on the side of the storage units.”
Then, he returned to a more serious mood, continuing the discussion.
“I am certainly not opposed to any of those things [storage facility]. It goes into our zoning and it goes into hopefully things that would come out of the updating of the comp plan. It is the details and the direction of where things like that should be located, and how they should be located,” Rogers said.
“If we are going to move forward with our comprehensive plan, we do a moratorium now. This would be a good segue,” he said.
Grattelo agreed, providing examples of other moratoriums that worked well for the town.
“We did it with solar farms. We did it with marijuana. You’re right: We don’t have our arms around it,” he said.
A moratorium puts a six-month halt on all planning board applications for whatever type of development is listed in the moratorium. By law, a town can pass three moratoriums or take a time period of 18 months to complete an ordinance draft.
The selectmen can pass a moratorium, but it must be supported by the voting residents at town meeting or the ballot box. Residents are given the option to retro-actively enact moratorium unless a proposed ordinance is ready.
Town Manager Hawley told the board: “You have to have a rationale for enacting the moratorium.”
On March 13, Grattelo turned the conversation to an example of design standards.
“Look at the storage sheds they built in Fryeburg. They are nice post and beam. At least, they tried to make it look like it goes with the community,” he said. There was some talk about whether or not the town should put together an ordinance to enforce design standards in all zones for all types of businesses.
In the end, the decision was to focus only on design standards for storage facilities.
Selectman Adams spoke.
“If we are going do this, it is a motion for the townwide standards, not just one business. There have been no standards for 40 years. Every single building looks different from the next one. Everyone wants that colonial feel. But, we have false fronts, brick buildings, etc,” Adams said.
Grattelo took the floor.
“Right now, we want to stop any more storage facilities from being built in Naples for 6 months to come up with design standards for the storage facilities,” Grattelo said.
Selectman Ted Shane clarified that this would be
voted on during June referendum.
Planning Board member
Martina Witts stepped to the microphone to speak.
“The Route 302 corridor is all commercial districts. That is where you would have these structures. There are standards about set backs, plantings and screenings, which we have been enforcing,” she began.
“Do you want to include signs on this, too? The sign situation is different for that commercial zone than it is in the village district,” she said, talking about internally lit signs and the size allotted.
Grattelo moved away from the details of a potential ordinance to the overarching need to get a moratorium in place.
“I think the intent is to have NO more storage facilities built in Naples until we have our arms around it,” Grattelo said.
“There may not be any more built,” Witts replied.
Grattelo responded, “We don’t know that. Whoever thought that one would go in across from Dunkin’ Donuts.”
Witts continued.
“We need to separate the actual act of construction that is happening and what was approved from a future ordinance,” she said. “I mean as far as storage units go, it shouldn’t be any less attractive than others.”
“We don’t have a storage unit specific ordinance. So, this would be a storage unit specific ordinance. If that is the case, it wouldn’t really impact design standards for other structures. I don’t know if there is an appetite for that — design standards,” Witts said. “If somebody wanted another gas station in the village district they could do that. I have fears about that. Quite frankly, it keeps me up at night. First, do we need a gas station? And secondly, do we need it in that little strip from the fire station to the gas station by the Crooked River?”
The chairman brought it back to storage units.
“Right now, I don’t another storage facility to be brought before the planning board,” Grattelo said, slamming his hand down on the table with each word.
These items appeared on the Bridgton Police Department blotter (this is a partial listing):
Monday, March 27
4:51 p.m. Theft complaint regarding “multiple items” stolen from a Main Street business investigated. “A female has been identified and appropriate action has been taken,” according to the police log.
5:05 p.m. Mental health event on Kansas Road.
Tuesday, March 28
12:08 p.m. Police received a complaint that a vehicle almost hit the caller’s vehicle head on along North High Street.
2:59 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at Hospital Drive.
5:30 p.m. Welfare check on Campbell Drive. Subject located at the hospital.
6:04 p.m. Custodial dispute at Garden Way.
7:12 p.m. Disturbance at Sawyer Circle; subject left the area before an officer arrived.
Wednesday, March 29
9:22 a.m. Welfare check on Kansas Road; subject found safe.
10:29 a.m. Mental health event on Kansas Road.
4:49 p.m. Report of “uncooperative”
juvenile leaving home; individual was located a short time later and returned home.
4:54 p.m. Vehicle traveling erratically on Portland Road; police unable to locate.
7:16 p.m. Suspicious person on Main Street; subjects located and issued warnings.
Thursday, March 30
6:41 a.m. Unattended death on South High Street.
8:35 a.m. Mental health event involving a man in a vehicle on South High Street. Police located the vehicle, and subject taken to the hospital for evaluation.
10:50 a.m. Citizen assist on Portland Road.
11:52 a.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Sandy Creek Road and South High Street.
12:53 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Portland Road and Willett Road.
1:59 p.m. Subject turned self in to police custody on an active arrest warrant.
2:07 p.m. Citizen assist on Middle Ridge Road.
3:59 p.m. Responding to a call of a
These items appeared on the Fryeburg Police Department log (this is a partial listing):
Monday, March 27 10:45 a.m. to 7:04 p.m. Five motor vehicle stops (2 Main Street, 3 Portland Street); five warnings issued.
8 p.m. Assist agency at Grandfathers Way.
Tuesday, March 28
8:24 p.m. Suspicious person on Menotomy Road.
Wednesday, March 29 9 a.m. Police responded to a complaint at Molly Ockett School.
7:11 p.m. Motor vehicle crash in the Fryeburg Shopping Plaza.
Thursday, March 30
8:23 a.m. Fraud complaint on Wicks Road.
11:06 a.m. Motor vehicle crash on Lovell Road.
1:10 p.m. Information given to an officer on Wards Brook Cove Road.
Friday, March 31 11:44 a.m. Suspicious activity at the intersection of Main Street and Portland Street.
7:15 p.m. Burglar alarm at Bridgton Road building investigated. 11:55 p.m. Welfare check on Wicks Road.
11:56 p.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Hattie Pike Road checked.
Saturday, April 1 10:07 a.m. Suspicious activity on Porter Road.
10:23 a.m. Assist county deputy on Laurie Lane in Denmark.
3:55 p.m. Burglar alarm on Lovewell Pond Road checked.
8:29 p.m. Warrant served to subject at Hillside Street.
9:05 p.m. Suspicious activity at the intersection of Chapel Hall and Fish Street.
Sunday, April 2 10:37 p.m. Mental health event on Wicks Road.
disabled vehicle on private property at Ward Acres, police discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen on Wednesday. The vehicle was towed to the owner’s residence.
4:42 p.m. Mental health event on Kansas Road. Police were sent to Kansas Road for two additional calls later in the day.
6:27 p.m. Caller had questions regarding harassment and disorderly conduct.
5:51 p.m. Police escorted a subject to a Brickyard Hill Road property to retrieve personal belongings.
Friday, March 31
9:21 a.m. Welfare check on Campbell Drive.
3:06 p.m. Mental health issue involving a juvenile; subject taken to the hospital for evaluation.
11:12 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Washington View Lane and South Bridgton Road.
Saturday, April 1
1:30 a.m. A male was taken into custody and returned to the hospital after police received a report that he left Bridgton Hospital, was “intoxicated” and was “yelling in the middle of the road” on South High Street.
Join your neighbors on Earth Day to help keep Bridgton beautiful!
Loon Echo Land Trust is looking for volunteers to help pick up trash along Bridgton’s roadways on Saturday, April 22. Check-in and pick up materials in front of the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Trash bags, maps and gloves will be provided. Please wear bright colors (blaze orange is great).
This event is free and open to all. Please register at link. lelt.org/earthday or by e-mailing maggie@lelt.org.
FRYEBURG — The Fryeburg Historical Society will hold a Ham Dinner on Friday, April 21 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the East Conway Community Hall (2861 East Conway Road, N.H.).
The menu includes ham, pulled pork, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, green beans, casserole, corn, rolls and cream pies for dessert. Take out will be available! Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
3:02 a.m. Noise complaint at Whitetail Ridge.
10:28 a.m. Police assisted a county deputy with an “out of control” prisoner at the Bridgton Hospital Emergency Department.
11:56 a.m. Motor vehicle crash on Harrison Road.
4:13 p.m. Suspicious person at the intersection of Main Street and Cross Street. Police located the subjects, who were “transient” and looking for a place to stay.
6:38 p.m. Police assisted United Ambulance personnel with a medical emergency on Portland Road.
10:34 p.m. and 11:27 p.m. Mental health events on Kansas Road.
11:33 p.m. The window of a vehicle parked on Main Street was “intentionally” smashed.
Sunday, April 2
1:10 p.m. Citizen dispute at Kringle Way.
4:41 p.m. Report of a black Subaru speeding back and forth on Kansas Road; police unable to locate.
Monday, April 3
6:27 a.m. Juvenile allegedly combative to parents on South High Street.
SWEDEN — Sweden held its annual town meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Town Meeting Hall on Route 93. Forty-seven Sweden residents and 12 nonresidents gathered to address and vote on 49 Articles listed in the warrant. Sweden resident Frank Howell, who served as Moderator in 2022, was chosen again to preside over this year’s proceedings.
A number of Town Officers were elected to serve terms of various lengths. Kerry Welton, who was finishing a one-year term on the Select Board, was voted in as a member of the Board for another three years. Melanie RidlonEldracher and Gail DeWilt were elected to serve on the Planning Board for five and four years, respectively. Alisa Karwowski and Jane Gibbons were chosen to be Planning Board alternates for one year each. Alisa Karwowski was also elected as an alternate on the SAD 72 School Board for a period of three years. The positions of Appeals Board member (five years) and two Appeals Board alternates (one year each) remain vacant as there were no nominations for people
to fill them.
The vast majority of articles on the warrant passed unanimously and the meeting moved along quickly. Many of the articles involved increases in compensation for town workers and funds to cover increased costs for fuel, electricity and some town contracts.
A major issue for the town is funding work related to roads, including maintenance, snow removal and sanding. In Article 9, the amount of money that the town should raise for the maintenance of roads and roadsides was voted to be increased by $25,000 over the number suggested by the Select Board and Budget Committee. Another item of concern was obtaining funds to replace the Haskell Hill Bridge, which was washed out during severe winter weather near the end of 2022. Discussions were held on a number of the articles related to the bridge and town roads and all of them passed, mostly unanimously.
The most contentious item was Article 49, the final one on the warrant: “To see if the Town will recommend that the Maine
SWEDEN, Page 5A
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BRIDGTON HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
The Bridgton High School Class of 1965 is having their 58th reunion at Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern in Naples on Saturday, Aug. 19 starting at 1 p.m. The site is handicap accessible with lots of parking space available.
The ’65 reunion committee consists of David Woolley, Gail Thomas Gile, Ross Graham and Carlene Allen Fickett.
The event will be outside with picnic tables under a huge canopy. There will be a 50/50 raffle, possible auction and other activities. The committee is asking $35 per person (non-refundable) be sent to Carlene Fickett at 655 Empire Rd., Poland, ME 04274 by July 31. Any questions, you can call either Ross Graham at (207) 595-0404 or Carlene Fickett at (207) 998-2864 and please leave your name and phone number and message, and we will call you back ASAP.
The BHS Class of 1964 will also be joining the reunion this year. Nancy Hanson will be available for her class. “We are hoping for the biggest turnout ever and looking forward to seeing every one,” Fickett said.
SEASHORE ART —Songo Locks Elementary School seconds graders recently met with a State Park Ranger (via Zoom) at the Cape National Seashore in North Carolina, reported Art Teacher Evelyn Abrams. “They learned about the area and what animals live there. Students then worked in groups to create pieces of art depicting scenes from the area,” she said. Their artwork (some pieces shown here) is on display at this State Park in North Carolina.
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how it would be utilized was unknown. We did not include moving the generator or the generator switch because we didn’t believe this building would be used as a shelter any longer,” However, if there is a plan to put new space back on the gym foundation, and the plan is to offer shelter space here, that generator and switch should be reconnected.
To have a generator put in would cost the town more than $10,000.
“That is a price tag of $11,020 on top of the cost of $58,000 to move the service. We were able to allocate reserve funds to cover that $58,000. But, there is no money allocated to do the generator moving,” Hawley said.
Selectman Kevin Rogers asked, “Does the generator need to be done at the same time as the transfer?”
The answer was no.
Rogers asked if the town could use the same generator it already owns, and if that generator could be stored somewhere.
Selectman Colin Bracket asked about the purpose of the generator. Is it backup for this building, he asked.
“This used to be the shelter. The generator is to provide electricity to run the kitchen and the hot showers,” Hawley answered.
Rogers recommended pushing off the expense of hooking up the generator for now.
“Leave it at $58,000,” Chairman Jim Grattelo said.
Hawley noted, “When you determine what to do with building, you can add to the cost.”
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information: review and report on the environmental impact, some fire safety stuff we thought they had already agreed to do, a report on the state-of-affairs of the septic system,” Plummer said.
“At that point in time, they said, ‘No, we aren’t doing that,’ and walked away from the negotiations. The only leverage the town had was a
CENTER CONWAY, N.H. — Thanks to a recent grant from the George A. Ramlose Foundation, the Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center was able to purchase a treadmill for their recreation and exercise room.
Additionally, Julie Laracy, a Physical Therapist of Strong Bird Exercise, trained the staff on ways to improve physical mobility activities and guided staff through a demonstration of the best practices for using exercise equipment with an aging population.
“Since we work with a vulnerable population, we have a very clear mission to provide therapeutic programming for our guests, but also to improve our own knowledge and expertise so that we are giving our guests the best possible care while they are at the Center,” said Lynn Coyle, executive director at the Center.
It is well documented that exercise has many benefits for people of all ages, this includes older individuals. There is evidence that physical activity can help seniors and older adults maintain existing cognitive skills, with compelling evidence that exercise can help to improve brain function. Research suggests that exercise reduces inflammation in the brain, improves blood flow and even promotes new brain cell growth (www.medicine.com, 2021).
Debbie Meader, program manager at the Center, said, “We recognize that there are numerous benefits of exercise for both physical and cognitive health and we try to incorporate physical exercise into a part of every day. Our goal is to increase participants strength and balance, ideally improving gait and helping prevent falls in addition to all the other benefits.”
It should be noted that activities at the center alone are not a replacement for physical therapy, but with this additional training staff are better equipped to help participants follow through with exercise recommendations and routines, such
handful of building permits in a certain area that was still under construction.”
“Here we sit today 7 years later. My mind is telling me there is red flag waving. And, I’m trying to figure it out. It is important to have relationship so that things are checked off our list,” he said.
Thomas Wood, of JA Wood Management, LLC,
the company that does property management for CSA, spoke.
“The resort is different from the homeowners’ association. They did become landowners and they became big taxpayers in the community. They’re just looking for the same thing that other camp owners and seasonal residents in Casco get,” Wood said.
GREATER
LOVELL — Enjoy spring by joining Greater Lovell Land Trust for a variety of events, including a 5K race cosponsored with Lovell Rec.
Friday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. to noon, For Whom the Wood Frog Croaks. Join GLLT as we explore a couple of vernal pools at Kezar Corridor Lands and learn more about the amphibians who inhabit these places for only a couple of weeks each year. FMI: leigh.hayes@gllt.org
Saturday, April 29, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Charles Pond Through the Seasons Series. Spring ephemerals and vernal pools will delight our senses as we walk along and explore the landscape at Charles Pond Reserve. FMI: leigh.hayes@gllt.org
Friday, May 12, 5:30 p.m., GLLT and Lovell Rec’s Salamander Sashay 5K Trail Run/Walk Race. Join us for a tour around Dan Charles Pond on the trails and gravel roads of GLLT’s newest property.
Registrations made online are $15 for adults and $8 for kids 12 and under. Entry cost is $20 on race day. For more information and registration, go to the GLLT website.
Thursday evenings, late May to August, 5:30 p.m., Roots and Rocks Ramblers. GLLT and Lovell Rec will host these fun runs/walks each week. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. No registration fee. Come when you can. FMI: leigh.hayes@gllt.org
Friday mornings, May 12 to June 9, 6:30 to 9 a.m., Feathered Friends Fridays. Each week, we’ll visit a different location as we listen for and spot returning warblers and other feathered friends.
Join us for one or all of these early morning “walks.” We never go far. And if you need binoculars or a field guide, let us know.
FMI: leigh.hayes@gllt.org
There is even more on Greater Lovell Land Trust’s calendar from now through the end of the year. Check it all out at https://www.gllt.org/
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State Legislature prohibit the operation of personal watercraft on Stearns Pond in Sweden, Maine.” Town residents, as well as nonresidents, made comments regarding the issue, both for and against it. The article was voted on by written secret ballot. The final result was 19 “yes” votes (to see if the Legislature will prohibit the use of personal watercraft on Stearns Pond) and 20 “no” votes, so the item will go no further for the time being.
as those from a licensed physical therapist, while they attend. 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. Additional salon services are offered on site, including bathing, nail care and hair styling.
The Adult Day Center operates Monday–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) 356-4980 or visit: www. mwvadultdaycenter.org.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 a.m. Frank Howell performed his duties as Moderator exceptionally well, keeping proceedings moving smoothly and as quickly as possible while maintaining focus and ensuring participants and contributors kept to the relevant points. The town wishes to thank Mr. Howell for his service and for doing
such a great job moderating again this year. In other Sweden news, the town has implemented a new Communication Alert System to provide a more effective way to connect with residents in an emergency. All Sweden residents and anyone connected to the town are encouraged to register for this service. In the case of an emergency, the messaging system will send alerts via text to mobile phones or a message on a landline answering machine about dangerous weather and road conditions in town; downed power lines; and how to access assistance during an emergency. Information about town meetings and community events will also be sent. For more information about this free service and to register your phone number, please go to the Sweden town website homepage: https://swedenmaine.org/
FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Academy faculty member James St. Pierre was among five Maine educators named to the prestigious Department of Education’s Inaugural Class of Teacher Leader Fellows.
“Being a teacher leader means connecting and helping others connect. It
means gathering the ideas and experiences of the teachers in the state and sharing them in manageable, practical, and efficient ways. We have such a great array of professionals whose knowledge can elevate all students, so to be one of the leaders bringing them together is a privilege,” says St. Pierre
James St. Pierre is a national board-certified teacher with 30 years of teaching experience at Fryeburg Academy. He has taught courses in English and Biology and served as the English department chair. In addition to his work at the secondary level, St. Pierre holds the position of Lecturer at Granite State
College and Western Maine Community College, where he has taught as an adjunct for two decades. He holds a master’s degree in English Literature from Middlebury College and has presented at state and regional conferences regarding the medium of comics.
He is married with two sons and enjoys making
comics in his free time.
As part of this recognition, St. Pierre and the other Teacher Leader Fellows will provide educators across Maine with weekly updates on resources and materials, host monthly professional learning opportunities, and maintain webpages with rich and informative content.
Overall, SAD 61 is making strides in reaching state expectation levels on the Maine Educational Assessment, but there is still work to be done.
Assistant Superintendent Patricia Hayden, Ed.D., provided the SAD 61 School Board an overview of results recently released by Maine’s Department of Education.
• 81.5% of last year’s Grade 11 students at Lake Region High School were either at or above state expectations in Reading, while 75.4% were at/above expectations in Math.
• Lake Region Middle School posted results that were “a little lower than what we would have liked,” Dr. Hayden said.
67.2% of LRMS students were at/above expectations in Reading and 69.9% were at/above expectations in Math.
• Stevens Brook Elementary posted the highest numbers with 92.4% at/above expectations in Reading and 89.8% at/above expectations in Math.
• Crooked River Elementary checked in at 80.6% at/ above expectations in Reading and 72.8% at/above expectations in Math.
Overall, SAD 61 students (Grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 11) had a combined 76.4% at or above expectation in Reading and 74.3% at or above expectation in Math compared to the state average of 83.8% in Reading and 81.3% in Math.
FRYEBURG — Three Fryeburg Academy students were recognized for their outstanding science projects
on Saturday, April 1, at the Maine State Science Fair held at the University of Maine Orono.
May Shin ’23 and Jiwon Choi ’24 took first place in the Plant Sciences (Growth & Development) category out of 10 submissions with their project entitled “The Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Mushroom Substrate on the Plant Growth and Soil Characteristics for PE MicroplasticsContaminated Soil.” The pair studied the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae and mushroom substrate on plant growth in soils that are contaminated with microplastics.
Additionally, the duo earned a special award from the Association for Women Geoscientists and won second place overall for the state of Maine, which qualifies them to compete in May at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, Texas. Choi was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship from The University of Maine’s College of Engineering.
Senior Phuoc (John) Le was awarded second place out of 11 entries in the Behavioral Sciences (Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience) category with his project entitled “The Effect of Native Tongue on Pitch Perception and Differentiation.”
The Maine State Science Fair (MSSF) is an exciting opportunity for Maine high school students to pursue
their interests in science and engineering and present the results of their projects to fellow students and expert STEM professionals. MSSF is open to all students from all public, private, parochial, and home schools (grades 9-12) throughout Maine and is organized by The Jackson Laboratory and Reach, a program of the MMSA.
To learn more about the Maine State Science Fair, visit https://www.mainestate-science-fair.com
The data will be used to look at areas that SAD 61 “needs to shore up” and what adjustments in curriculum and presentation need to be made.
Former teacher and current Casco School Board member Stan Buchanan said he is taking a “cautious” approach in reviewing the results since they represent just one year of testing. He also was critical of the state for changing the next test target group — dropping Grade 11 and using Grade 10 — leaving school systems to wait another year before they can compare data.
In other school board business:
• Realistic scenarios. Law Enforcement instructor Shawn McDermott wants to give his students a “realistic” experience utilizing skills and decision making learned in the classroom.
One way to put students under pressure in executing a high-risk arrest warrant or active shooter situation is to arm them — not with actual weapons but with paintball guns.
McDermott sought permission to take L/E students to OSG Paintball in Center Barnstead, N.H. on Friday, May 12. Students raised money through bottle drives
SAD 61, Page 8A
NORWAY — Western Foothills Land Trust and Stephens Memorial Hospital are excited to announce the launch of their new weekly spring Nordic walking program.
Starting on April 19, participants can join in on guided walks through scenic Roberts Farm Preserve and on the new Farmto-Town trails linking
Roberts Farm to downtown Norway.
Nordic walking is a low-impact exercise that combines walking with the use of poles to engage the upper body. It’s a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and balance while enjoying the outdoors.
The program will run every Wednesday, April-
June from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and is open to all ages and fitness levels. Participants will be led by experienced instructors who will provide guidance on proper technique and form. A limited supply of poles will be available for participants to borrow if you do not have your own. This program reflects
WALKING, Page 8A
James St. Pierre TOPS AT THE FAIR — May Chin ’23 (middle) holds the finalist award certificate to compete at the international science fair in May with her partner Jiwon Choi ’24. EXPLAINING — John Le ’23 explains his behavioral science project on native tongues at the Maine State Science Fair.April 6, 2023 The Bridgton News, Page 7A
FOES IN THE FINALS, but each Bridgton player had a hand in the final outcome. Bridgton Blue (white jerseys) defeated Bridgton Gold in the finals, but the teams practiced together all season. Coaches emphasized that “everyone was part of earning the trophy, not just the one team.” Pictured, front row, left to right, Jack Caron, Jason Nadeau, Preston Ross, Hudson Hagan, Aiden Burke, Parker Izaryk and James Brown; back row, Coach Glynn Ross, Kamden Tarr, Owen Andrews, Colton Robichaud, Jacob Wentworth, Drew Bardsley, James Priola, Scott Roy, Ryker Sargent, Wyatt Shepard and Coach Jessi Lane.
In the Grade 5-6 version of March Madness, the Casco girls claimed the Rec championship trophy with a 17-10 win over Naples Gold, while Bridgton Blue rolled to a 33-18 victory over Bridgton Gold to capture the boys’ title.
Addy Wilson netted five of her game-high 7 points in the fourth quarter as Casco went on a 7-1 run to pull away from Naples. Addy added 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Everly Robbins hauled down 5 rebounds and came up with 8 steals, while scoring 3 points.
Kaidence Mains netted 2 points to go along with 3 rebounds; Alexis Armentino collected 5 rebounds; Hailey Berry scored 2 points; Emma Thoits notched 2 points; Nevaeh Wing sank a foul shot to go along with 3 rebounds and 2 steals; Ava Barrows recorded a steal; and Lydia Brooks had a
Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway is one of the properties of the Western Foothills Land Trust with a network of hiking/snowshoe and cross-country ski trails overlooking Lake Pennesseewassee (aka Norway Lake).
Since the last time we snowshoed here in January 2019, a new trail, the “Farm to Town Trail,” has been developed that leaves the ski warming hut and meanders about 2.2 miles east ending up at a trailhead on Water Street near the Café Nomad in the village. The trail is named Janet’s Trail, in memory of Janet Nicholas and branches off from the preserve’s single-track Walker Trail, following the slopes above Route 118 and roughly paralleling the Lunch Trail, a 14-foot wide groomed Nordic trail that branches off the Stephens Trail at the preserve. Hiking for our March 10 outing were 11 Denmark Mountain Hikers. We were
not disappointed with the new Farm to Town Trail –it went through a delightful forest of mixed hardwoods with some hemlock, pine and fir, with modest “ups” and “downs” crossing several small side-hill streams along the way. We left the trailhead at 10:10 a.m., and completed the hike after about 2 hours of snowshoeing over the 2.2-mile hike. As we got closer to the Water Street trailhead, the snowshoe trail joined the groomed ski trail, and we elected to follow the ski trail to the end rather than jumping off onto the unbroken snowshoe trail when it left the ski trail about 0.3 miles further on.
Both trails end at the Water Street trailhead.
After we left the Walker Trail near the Ski Warming Hut, the trail had not been broken, and Jeff Sturgis broke trail nearly all of the remaining way. Snow was crusty and deep, and breaking trail was tiring. Closer to the junction with the ski trail, Jeff found he was following footprints of a hiker not wearing snowshoes or spikes, plus a dog, slogging through the snow. If it was difficult for us to break trail in the deep snow, it must have been much more difficult for this lone hiker.
We had dropped my truck and Jeff’s truck at the Water Street trailhead,
and after finishing the hike we shuttled hikers back to the Ski Warming Hut end to where they had left their cars. Several of us then stopped at the Café Nomad for cappuccino and sandwiches. It was a great hike with perfect weather for a winter snowshoe outing!
Snowshoes and Norway
According to Wikipedia, Norway was known variously as the “Snowshoe Capital of the World” and the “Snowshoe Town of America” due to the town’s influential snowshoe manufacturers. A. M. Dunham began making snowshoes there in 1878 and eventually supplied users across North America. In Secrets of Polar Travel, explorer Robert Peary extolled their virtues, calling them “the best snow-shoes [he] ever saw.”
Similarly, Walter Tubbs founded the Tubbs Snowshoe Company 1906. Tubbs produced high quality ash snowshoes, skis, sleds, and furniture, even supplying Byrd’s polar expeditions. Tubbs relocated to Vermont in the early 1930s. Soon after, SnoCraft Inc., a company owned and operated by Kenneth (Kac) Aldrich, set up production in the old Tubbs Factory. SnoCraft was responsible for supplying 70% of the snowshoes ordered by the U.S. government during World War II.
The Story of the Roberts Farm Preserve
The property was operated as a dairy farm by John Roberts beginning in the late 1800s and he built it into a model Maine farm. A 1903 article in the Lewiston Journal described the farm as: “Located on a commanding eminence among the Oxford hills
rebound.
Final stat line: 24 rebounds, 13 steals, 2 blocked shots.
For Naples, Baylee Nelson had 2 points, Avery Nichols 2, Sophia Yates 2, June Endy 2 (foul shots), Maci Morton 1 and Janiella Morales 1. Emma Drouin had a rebound.
• In the boys’ championships, Drew Bardsley scored a game-high 12 points to go along with 2 rebounds and 4 assists as Bridgton Blue took home the title.
The Blue led after each quarter — 10-4, 16-9, 22-12, closing the game with a 11-6 run.
The box score for the Blue: Jason Nadeau fired in 9 points, while collecting 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Kamden Tarr chipped in 6 points and 6 rebounds; Owen Andrews had 4 points, 3 rebounds; Ryker Sargent 2 points, 1 steal; Aiden Burke 7 rebounds; Preston Ross 2
rebounds; Jacob Wentworth 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals; Wyatt Shepard. Team totals: 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals. The box score for the
CHAMPS, Page 8A
Since 2005, Bridgton has hosted the World Four Square Championships. This year, on May 13, you can join the roster and take a shot at the world championship title. There will be advance registration for $10, or please e-mail Peter Lowell (lakesmoose@gmail. com) with an indication of where you are coming from and how many players and spectators you intend to bring. The Town of Bridgton Recreation Department is
SQUARE, Page 8A
and having a fine view of Norway lake that nestles at the foot of the nearby mountains, [Roberts farm] contains over 200 acres of choice and highly cultivated land, and here has been built up as one of the finest dairy establishments in this section of Maine.” Roberts
by Allen Crabtree)
was a Bowdoin graduate, a farmer, a lawyer, a trustee of the University of Maine, a founding trustee of the Norway Library, a State Representative, a State Senator, and the Maine State Commissioner of Agriculture from 1913
CASCO CHAMPS, pictured front row left to right, Lydia Brooks, Alexis Armentino, Addy Wilson, Everly Robbins and Emma Thoits; back row, Kadence Mains, Nevaeh Wing, Hailey Berry and Ava Barrows; coaches left to right, Joey Brooks, Seth Wilson and Margo Tremblay. BRIDGTON CHAMPS — front, left to right, Preston Ross, Aiden Burke and Jason Nadeau; back, Kamden Tarr, Owen Andrews, Ryker Sargent, Jacob Wenworth, Wyatt Shepard, Drew Bardsley and Coach Glynn Ross. Denmark Mountain Hiker Susan Gassett at one of the stream crossings on the Farm to Town Trail. (Photo Hiking Trips & Tips by Allen Crabtree Denmark Mountain Hikers Robin Marciello (left) and Eleanor Sapko at the “town” terminus of the new Roberts Farm “Farm to Town” trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree) RAMBLES, Page 8A(Continued from Page 7A)
the primary sponsor. Entrance to the Champs is open to the public so expect people of all shapes, sizes and stature in attendance. Competitors will battle for the greatest foursquare title in the world. Entrants will be divided into three divisions. The Official Rules of Four Square are the standard rules listed on SquareFour. org. It would be a good idea to book your lodging early and plan to take advantage of all that Bridgton has to offer. Practice sessions are being held at the historic Bridgton Town Hall on North High Street, the home of the Championships, from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Everyone is welcome.
For information on the Championships and registration information, see SquareFour.org.
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until his death in 1920.
In 2007, the Western Foothills Land Trust purchased the former dairy farm as two separate lots with great support from the community and state. Trails were developed, and the Preserve has become a very popular outdoor recreational area. Whether you would like to snowshoe or go cross-country skiing, I cannot recommend the Roberts Farm Preserve enough. It is local and offers a wide range of free winter activities. In summer, these same trails call you to come and explore. More information and a trail map are available at the Western Foothills Land Trust website at http:// www.wfltmaine.org.
Roberts Farm Preserve in Oxford County, Norway, ME
Difficulty – Easy
Trail distance – 2.2 miles for the Farm to Town
Trail
Hiking time – 2 ½ hours to snowshoe the loop
Elevation – 139 feet
Vertical gain – minor ups and downs
Topographic map –USGS Norway 7.5-minute quad
Directions to the Trailhead: From Bridgton take Route 117 north through Harrison to the junction with Route 118 at Norway. Turn right on Route 118, then turn right on Roberts Road. The entrance to the Roberts Farm Preserve, 64 Roberts Road, is 0.2 miles south of Route 118 and Lake Pennesseewassee (aka Norway Lake). There is a warming hut and a
country ski trails and a 3.5 km (2 ¼ miles) hiking/snowshoe trail.
The May 13 will look like this:
5 p.m.: Open registra-
tion and beginner rules workshop
5:30 p.m.: Men’s, Women’s, and Kid’s General entry (top 50% advance)
6:30 p.m.: Semifinals (top 25% advance)
7:00 p. m.: Kid’s Finals
7:20 p.m.: Women’s Finals
7:45 p.m.: Men’s Finals
8:15 p.m.: New champions announced
8:30 p.m.: Relocate to a local establishment for refreshments.
There will be a Sunday schedule for any competitors still in town.
How to Play
Four square is a team sport played among two teams with two players each on a square court divided into four quadrants: A, B, C, and D (usually numbers 3, 4, 2, and 1, respectively, depending on the court.) The square that a player gets to before anyone else immediately becomes their position in the game.
The objective of four
square is to eliminate players on the opposing team to achieve the highest rank on the court, and this is done by bouncing the ball back and forth between quadrants. A player on one team may bounce the ball to an opponent team’s player’s square, and tries to bounce the ball in a state that the player on the opposing team cannot hit it to another square. The winning team will move up in the ranks, and the team that reaches the highest rank, A (usually number 3 on numbered courts depending on the court), first, wins, with all the losing team’s players being eliminated. A player is eliminated when a ball is bounced in a player’s quadrant and the player is unable to bounce the ball into another player’s quadrant. It is a popular game at elementary schools with little required equipment, almost no setup, and short rounds of play that can be ended at any time.
LOVELL — Spring is here and it’s time to hit the links! Sign up now to guarantee your spot in the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library’s 6th Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, June 4 at the beautiful Lake Kezar Country Club in Lovell.
Teams of four will compete in a best ball scramble beginning at 8:30 a.m. (day-of registration will begin at 7:30). Coffee and snacks will be provided prior to the start of the tournament.
There will be prizes for both gross and net scores, closest to the pin, and longest drive.
Sign-up cost of $65 per person includes breakfast items, lunch, player goodie bag and greens fees. Great items will be up for bid in the silent auction and
all participants will enjoy a delicious lunch.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Hobbs Library. For more information about registering, or to become a sponsor, please go to www. hobbslibrary.org a nd search “Golf Tournament” under Events or call the library at 925-3177. You
can also call tournament chairs Alice and Dave Carberry at 207-697-4060 or e-mail ackingfishercc@ gmail.com.
(Continued from Page 7A)
Gold: James Brown 4 points, 1 rebound, blocked shot; Colton Robichaud 4 points, 2 rebounds; Parker Izaryk 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Scott Roy 2 points, 1 steal; Hudson Hagan 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal; Jack Caron 2 points, 1 rebound; James Priola 1 rebound; Cameron Plummer (did not play). Team totals: 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, blocked shot.
(Continued from Page 7A)
the partnership between the land trust and the hos -
pital, providing opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation.
“We’re thrilled to work with the hospital to offer this new program for our
community,” said Lee Dassler, executive director for Western Foothills
(Continued from Page 7A)
over the past five years, and those funds will help defray costs to make the trip (students will need to pay $10 each). Directors approved the request.
• Directors approved the senior class trip to Canobie Lake Park on May 21.
• Personnel: Cheryl Frost was approved as an Ed Tech III at Lake Region Vocational
Center, replacing Paul Janus who resigned. There was one applicant for the position.
Sandy Arris resigned, effective March 3, as a Lake Region Vocational Center teacher.
Julie Brown will be a long-term substitute for Allison Curtsinger, a science teacher at LRHS, who is on leave.
• Stipends were
approved for the following coaches: Rachel Shanks and Emma Brown as varsity girls’ lacrosse co-coaches; Walter Ridlon as varsity golf coach; Laura Pulito as
MS girls’ track and field; Michelle Lemelin as MS girls’ lacrosse; Ryan Hamlin as Grade 7 softball coach; Shane Waters as Grade 7 baseball coach.
Land Trust. “Nordic walking is a fun and effective way to stay active and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone out on the trails.”
For more information or to register for the program, please visit www. wfltmaine.org/programs or e-mail info@wfltmaine.org
large parking lot at the Preserve with 12 km (7 ½ miles) of groomed cross-
Denmark Mountain Hikers Jeff Sturgis (left), Susan Gassett and Rick Dennen on the snowy Roberts Farm ski trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)
Denmark Mountain Hiker Jeff Sturgis nearing a trail junction on the new Farm to Town trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)
April 6, 2023, The Bridgton News, Page 1B
To The Editor: What do people think about the direction the State of Maine is headed? Maybe people are happy with it. Maybe people are concerned. Maybe they have questions. For sake of some clarity, I suggest the following considerations.
Recognize the importance of planning. Good planning is essential to the well-being of a family, community, or any enterprise whether public or private, large or small. The basic question always before citizens and their representatives is “What are the PLANS for the State of Maine?” For illustration, think of a PLAN for a trip as written in destinations, days, and miles. The PLAN for the future of Maine is written in policies, programs, and dollars—that’s the State of Maine’s budget.
That state budget has been the main topic of discussion among all the people’s representatives since we began work in early January. Last week, news reports covered how everything came to a head on March 30 as the Democrat’s parliamentary maneuvers again achieved for them passage — with not a single Republican vote — of a state budget that was also absolutely devoid of even one iota of Republican input!
Though Maine’s constitution charges us to create a budget with 2/3 approval by June 21, it doesn’t preclude a dominant party steamrolling one through by procedural gymnastics. This has become the Democrat Party’s modus operandi. Over and over again, the Democrats are taking control of ALL the plans for ALL the people of Maine — effectively turning their back on those representing 600,000 Mainers from over 450 municipalities!
At the post office, my neighbor rolled down the window of his pick-up truck to chat. As is typical in northern Maine this time of year, we praised the sunlight, warmth, bare patches of ground, and eyed the shrinking snowbanks with delight.
“Winter wasn’t so bad, this year,” he weighed in, “not like it used to be.”
At 85, he’s old enough to remember the minus-20 F temperatures from January onward. At 40, I also remember that same frigid sting, particularly in the mornings while my siblings and I waited for the school bus.
“Gotta give global warming that much,” he joked.
I’m not sure he believes the climate crisis is real, even though he’s lived through the shocking shift in temperatures, seen the impacts on our local farming community, and read the headlines of the disasters like the forest fires, droughts, super-storms, and flooding.
“It’s not good for the ecosystem,” I venture, cautiously. Contradicting an elder runs counter to the values we were both raised with, but the future of humanity is at stake.
“Remember the article in the newspaper that said 90 per-
By Rivera Sun
cent of the moose calves died from tick swarms?”
The moose is iconic, nearly synonymous with the state of Maine. When mild winters fail to kill off the tick population, the explosion of ticks literally sucks the blood out of the baby calves. Moose
dislike the changing climate. The hotter summers force them to spend more time trying to get cool instead of munching the plants that give them enough fat to survive the winter. I can’t imagine Maine
NATURE, Page 2B
Education can come to us in the most surprising ways. One of the many benefits of education is that it changes our point of view, so we see the world around us through new eyes. In recent weeks, for example, I learned that a wind-blown flurry of dried leaves was not a flock of birds, I discovered it is fascinating to see an occasional crow or two flying in the distance, and when a flock of eight Robins appeared on bare ground not far from my hospital window, I took that as an encouraging sign of spring. Another
day, I noticed a bird perched upright near the top of a tall bare tree across the field and wondered what it could be. When it finally flew, I was fairly certain it was a Cooper’s Hawk. Now I am home, sitting at the kitchen table and looking out the window at the bird feeders, and thanks to my new education I have learned what a thrill it is to see three Goldfinches, a Chickadee, and a Tufted Titmouse. A new appreciation of the birds we see around us every day is only part of the education I have received in the past month. I have had a
By Jean Preis BN Columnist
close-up view of the inside of a hospital and have experienced extraordinary care from a wide array of skilled, caring, nurses, nurses’ aides, doctors, food service staff, housekeeping staff, physical and occupational therapists, and all the folks
who work hard as a team to help others feel comfortable and heal. I have learned how it feels to have a bright pink cast on my lower leg, later replaced by a slightly smaller one of periwinkle blue. The waves of love and
BIRD WATCH, Page 4B
You’re wondering, “ok, where is she going with this?” Glad you asked. Every time April rolls around, I think of these three words: Spring, Swimsuits, and Scales. Have you ever tried to make an appointment with a dietitian this time of year? I admit it’s not quite the ticket frenzy created by a Taylor Swift tour, but suffice to say you might be waiting weeks. The arrival of spring brings thoughts of the beach, which inevitability leads to thoughts of oneself donning a swimsuit. “Will it still fit?” we wonder secretly to ourselves. This leads to thoughts of the bathroom scale and the need to muster up enough courage
to step onto this most baneful tool. And sometimes when we do, we realize we might need some help to lose a bit of winter padding. Like spring cleaning, losing a few pounds as summer approaches can be quite cathartic. But before we dive into weight loss advice, I’d like to add another word: SIMPLE. Experience has taught me that for the majority of folks, the least complicated diet plan is the most successful. I equate it to doing taxes, if I had to spend hours and hours trying to figure out what numbers to put on what lines, I’d throw my hands up in frustration and scream, “IRS, just take it all!”
Thank goodness for accountants and the 1040EZ form.
I once worked for the creator of the Zone Diet. Some of you may recall this wildly popular program as one of the original moderate carbohydrate plans in the late 1990s. It worked like magic. People lost weight and inches, improved their choles-
terol and blood pressure levels, and reversed what they assumed to be an inevitable path to diabetes. The Zone Diet really did all of this, but the downside to the plan was its complexity. It required counting specific amounts of foods measured in ‘blocks’ and except for its most ardent
CORNER, Page 4B
So, as to the question about the direction of the State of Maine — whether the people are happy or unhappy with how things have been going in their state, they can know exactly who to credit or to blame: the Maine Democrat Party.
Mark Walker (R-Naples) State Representative Maine House District 84To The Editor: My dad believed in corporal punishment. It’s a controversial topic today, but I believe I am better off for having experienced it. I’m pretty sure I was spanked no more than twice as a child. In fact, it may have been just the one time, which I recall to this day, as the impression it made has endured my entire life. Not so much the brief, intense pain, but the realization that I was being called out for doing something I knew was wrong and therefore, I was getting exactly what I deserved. My offense: I had told a lie.
Sadly, lying has now become a way of life (and income) among certain politicians, TV personalities and others. And far from being called out to face any meaningful consequences, they’ll claim even their most blatant lies are a form of “protected free speech.” (I can imagine what Dad would have thought of that rebuttal.)
So, I propose we consider instituting a policy in this country of corporal punishment for public figures, regardless of position or rank, who lie to or knowingly mislead their constituents and viewers. The prospect of finding themselves on the receiving end of an old fashioned, pants down, public spanking might finally be a deterrent for these people and just what this country needs to help put our democracy back on track.
Andy Buck Naples/BrownfieldTo The Editor:
Route 302 in Bridgton covers about 13 miles. Most of this length is zoned as mixed use. I would like some of it changed to rural neighborhood district. From downtown Bridgton to the Harrison town line on Route 117 is also a mixed-use district, about 8 miles. I would like some of that length changed to rural neighborhood district. I realize that there are currently some businesses in these areas. They would stay where they are, just no new business development where there are currently no parking lots, storage facilities and strip malls.
Bridgton is a small town of 5,500 people and does not need 20-plus miles of business/mixed use districts. I enjoy the views on these roads as I am going to Fryeburg and Harrison. I dislike the way business has expanded in Fryeburg to fill their business district. Fryeburg has lost its New England character in my opinion.
Elizabeth McAvoy BridgtonTo The Editor:
So, for those of us who were present at last Thursday’s Harrison Board of Selectmen budget meeting, there was an eye opener moment when the board chair was asked if the warrant will be “open or closed.” The immediate response from the Board chairman, Rick Sykes, was that the warrant will be a “closed” warrant. What that means is that the board will determine what amount will be appropriated on the warrant for each article, which I am sure will match their “board recommends” statement. Isn’t the purpose of the recommendation statement to say that the amount proposed is what the board feels is appropriate? Why then take
LETTERS, Page 4B
Howdy neighbor!
Some performance our local high school’s putting on now isn’t it? Have you been out to see the play?
For those who’ve somehow missed all the flyers and commotion in town this past week, the Lake Region High School Drama Club has been putting on a proper stage treatment of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; no not the newfangled Disney version, the good old 1957 classic musi-
cal of Julie Andrews fame, and in their capable hands it’s more than living up to the high expectations surrounding the production. With two casts, a local band supplemented by string players brought over from the Oxford Hills, and some truly inventive set pieces (never have I seen a larger pumpkin, and a sure fit for the blue-ribbon prize at any fair once they’re done using it as a carriage), I heartily encourage our readers
to take their opportunity to see it before the last curtain falls. With the showing now halfway through its scheduled run, the remaining shows are this Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, both at 7 p.m., and a matinee on Sunday, April 9 at 2 p.m., so seek them out before they become a thing of the past, with only ticket stubs and playbills left to tell the tale. That’s where I usually come in, sifting through the ephemera
of bygone Bridgton stage shows, so it’s always nice to catch ‘a live one’ while I can.
Today, we’ll be looking back at one of those old time productions, in the form of a play put on in April of 1905 by the Highland Dramatic Club, one of Bridgton’s longest running amateur theatrical companies. The Highland Dramatic Club was organized in 1895 and presented 63 plays over the course of its 20-year life,
until it was dissolved in 1916. Composed largely of residents from the Ridge, it typically put on shows in that neighborhood in
dear old Walker Hall, but also came down Highland Avenue at times, then Water Street, to perform in Gibbs
LOTS OF ACTION at the Naples Causeway as people gather for fun on Long Lake before the seasonal ice disappears. (Photo by Suzanne Richard)(Continued from Page 1B)
Opera House here in the village, and occasionally even fared abroad to other towns. Perhaps its bestknown member was Arthur “Old Zeph” Sanborn, for many years a columnist here at the News, who actually owed this moniker to his memorable performance as “Old Zeph Cummings” in the once-classic drama “Down in Maine.”
Typically, the Highland Dramatic Club, or Highland Players for short, put on westerns, and the majority of surviving playbills and scripts from their performances reflect that, with a drama called “Down the Black Canyon” seeming to have been especially popular. Included with this column is a photograph of the cast of “Down in Maine,” with Old Zeph seated centerstage in the group, who are all ‘dressed the part’ and each ready to break a leg putting on a performance which was later described in the Bridgton News of April 28, 1905.
The original article, running to multiple columns with paragraphs on every cast member and a good deal of the musicians as well, will have to be truncated here out of consideration for space, but the overarching success of the performance carries through most especially in the headline which excitedly proclaimed; “Down in Maine Drew Large Houses
Each Night!”
“When an entertainment draws out a larger audience the second evening than it does the first, it is proof sufficient that the affair meets with the approval of the play-going public. ‘Down in Maine,’ the domestic drama given Friday and Saturday evening of last week, comfortably filled the Opera House Friday evening and packed it to overflowing Saturday, with an audience
that was enthusiastic and appreciative at every turn. There have been dramas of all sorts in Bridgton, both in recent years and in times gone by, but it is safe to say that it has been a long time since an entertainment of this sort met with a more cordial reception than did ‘Down in Maine.’
‘Down in Maine’ is a drama which appeals to all ages and to all sorts and conditions of men. The most pleasing part of the play to the majority of those attending, is the absence of any objectionable features. There was no villain to call forth a storm of disapproval, no forced scenes, no undercurrent and no impossible action. All of the characters were taken from everyday life, such as we who have always resided in New England have seen from day to day. In the mind’s eye, one could picture each one of the cast as the author portrayed him and many can name a living substitute of the kind-hearted old Zeph Cummings, the thoughtful mother, the henpecked Bingle, the desperate old maid and the omnipresent ‘fresh air kid.’
Arthur Sanborn as ‘Zeph Cummings’ was the life and soul of the whole evening and he was supported by a cast that was excellent in every day, from the greatest to the least. As the kindhearted old farmer, who has stayed at home, looked after the old people and raised the mortgage from the farm, Mr. Sanborn was a great success, as in fact he has been in every part he has taken in recent dramas. It must be said, however, that he excels in the portrayal of the ‘old man’ character. Saturday night his every appearance on the stage was a signal for a storm of applause which swept over the house spontaneously. His laugh, which the small boys about town have been
Public Notice
Public Hearing
The Naples Select Board will conduct a public hearing and meeting for the following:
New Liquor License, Entertainment Permit, and Business License Applications for The Locks, a property found on Tax Map U05, Lot 012, 215 Roosevelt Trail (formerly known as Black Bear Cafe).
The meeting will take place at the Naples Town Office, 15 Village Green Lane on Monday, April 10th, 2023, beginning at 6 p.m. The public is welcome. 2T13
endeavoring in vain to imitate this week, is one that it is difficult to do justice to. He invented it himself and it will be unnecessary for him to get a copyright on it, for there is no other living being that could ‘steal his thunder.’ It started somewhere down in his pedal extremities, rumbled up along his shin bones, took a couple of turns around his waist and died somewhere back in the depth of his throat before it could be released. It was one of the best features of his acting…
As a financial success, the affair surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the committee in charge of the arrangements, and they should most certain-
ly appreciate the support which was given the company by the townspeople. Saturday evening of this week, the company goes to Harrison, and the probability is that there will be many of the Bridgton people in attendance at this time.”
And for all our readers looking for something else in the form of entertainment this week, before catching Cinderella on Friday or the coming weekend, the Bridgton Historical Society has some further exciting news. The very day this issue of the News hits the stands, Thursday, April 6, a special episode of Bridgton history will be airing on the Magnolia Network, tonight at 9 p.m.
Public Notice
Select Board Public Hearing
The Naples Select Board will conduct a public hearing and meeting for the following: Liquor License renewal and Entertainment Permit applications for American Legion Post 155, a property found on Tax Map U04, Lot 07 (26 Casco Road).
The meeting will take place at the Naples Town Office, 15 Village Green Lane on Monday, April 24, 2023, beginning at 6 p.m. The public is welcome. 2T14
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADA DOOR OPENERS
BID #4.21.23
MSAD #61 is looking for qualified contractors/firms to supply and install eight (8) ADA Automatic Door Openers in District Schools as part of the DOE Revolving Renovations Fund Grant.
The district has conducted an accessibility survey and the following schools need to have ADA Automatic Door Openers installed to bring these buildings up to proper accessibility codes: Lake Region High School Four [4] locations:
1877 Roosevelt Trail Two [2] interior doors Naples, ME 04055 Two [2] exterior doors
Lake Region Middle School Two [2] locations: 204 Kansas Road One [1] interior door Naples, ME 04055 One [1] exterior door
Stevens Brook Elementary School Two [2] locations:
Public Notice
Planning Board Meeting
The Naples Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 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
A. An application for a proposed development of two 3,200 s.f. buildings and associated operations yard (Tax Map U05, Lot 24-1).
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
2T14
14 Frances Bell Drive One [1] interior door Bridgton, ME 04009 One [1] exterior door Bids must be in a sealed envelope clearly marked “ADA Door Openers Bid #4.21.23” in the lower left-hand corner and received at MSAD #61, Central Office, 900 Portland Rd., Bridgton, ME by 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at which time and place, they will be publicly opened and read. Bid packets can be requested from Roxanne Gagne and bids can be submitted by mail, dropped off, faxed or e-mailed to: Roxanne.gagne@ lakeregionschools.org or fax 207-647-5682. Bids received after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, will not be accepted. Questions related to this project should be directed to Andy Madura, Facilities Director, MSAD #61 at 207693-6467.
The Board of Directors of MSAD #61 reserves the right to waive all informalities, to reject any or all nonconforming or conditional proposals, and to accept any bid or reject any bid (or part thereof) should it be deemed in its best interest to do so. It is the intent of the Board to award bids subject to budget approval and authorization.
Last year, the wonderful crew of BarnWood Builders came up to New England from their usual Southern stomping grounds, and while they were here they stopped over for a tour of BHS’s own Temperance Barn at Narramissic, the Peabody-Fitch farmstead in South Bridgton. Join us as their renowned team takes a behind-the-scenes look
inside the oldest surviving barn known in the state of Maine to be constructed entirely without alcohol, and learn a bit as well about the wonderful, inventive, and admittedly eccentric family that built it. Tune in for the premier showing this Thursday at 9, and stay tuned for notice of re-runs in the months to follow. Till next time!
(Continued from Page 1B)
without moose.
From the look in my neighbor’s eyes, I know he can’t either. A touch of discomfort shifts through him. He taps the steering wheel uneasily. Then, he shrugs.
“Nature has a way of correcting itself.”
He shifts into reverse and pulls out of the parking lot, leaving me with my retort hanging on the tip of my tongue. Yes, nature corrects itself. But that failsafe is crumbling, rapidly The size of the changes caused by fossil fuels vastly outstrips the autocorrect function of our
beautiful planet. When Earth resets from these impacts, human beings may not like the corrections it makes. It will likely not include our species. Or thousands of other species we know and love … like moose.
There is not much time, but there is still enough time for us all to take action today, tomorrow, the next day, and continue until we transition off of fossil fuels. It is a massive shift that must take place in the next seven years if we are to survive. It’s terrifying. Like my neighbor, both options — the doomsday sce-
NATURE, Page 3B
A New Foundation Under a Non-Conforming New Structure in the 100’ Buffer Zone within the Shoreland District with the following Proposed Improvements: to replace existing home, to enlarge/expand existing home, and to add a new foundation For: Martha Belyea Re: Map 035 Lot 031, 112 Schrader Drive, Denmark, Maine 04022
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023; Time: 9 a.m. Location: 112 Schrader Drive, Denmark, Maine 1T14
PORTLAND – On March 27, 2023, a remarkable man passed on. Richard Card in every way was a truly amazing individual.
Dick was born in Providence R.I., to Howard and Doris Card on September 20, 1948. He spent much of his early years in Rhode Island and “landed” in North Conway N.H., where he always said he came from. Dick graduated from Kennett High School with many honors, including being the representative to Boys State in Washington DC. He went on to attend Bowdoin College where he participated in ROTC and was commissioned into the army upon graduation in 1970. He later received a MS from USM and an Ed.D in Education Administration from Vanderbilt University.
In 1969 Dick married Lynne Asplund and together they had three girls, Kim, Kate and Kylie. They were the light of his life.
Dick’s career was interesting and varied. He started out as a teacher in the North Conway school district, became a teaching principal and then a principal. He loved those positions but was eager to take on more complex administrative duties. Dick served as assistant superintendent in MSAD 58 and then became superintendent of schools in MSAD 72. In 1987, he was asked to join the state level education office where he served as Deputy Commissioner of Education. Colleagues and those he influenced fondly remember his leadership in developing the state’s first Common Core of Learning. Afterwards, he went on to lead the University of Maine Chancellor’s initiative as the executive director of the Office of Professional Education Development. Concurrently Dick became involved with USM’s ETEP program where he taught and acted as the University’s representative in western Maine. And if all this wasn’t enough, he served as the consultant to the Commissioner on Maine Learning Results implementation. He ended his career by working with two non-profit organizations –Spurwink and Community Concepts. He often said, laughingly, that he just couldn’t keep a job. As member of the Casco Village Church, Dick once again found ways to lead and support, by serving as president of the church. He will be remembered with great affection by Pastor Joyce.
In 1995 Dick married Susan Doughty and they began a most wonderful life together traveling, playing golf and spending time with friends and family. Dick was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2017 and was told that he had a life expectancy of 18 months. Five years later he continued to challenge the odds. With his wife Sue lovingly and relentlessly caring for him, he managed to make the most of the time he was given.
Dick is survived by his brother, Donald, his former wife, Lynne, and current wife Sue, his three daughters, their husbands, Matt Rousey, Colby Martin, Matt Almy and nine grandchildren, Hannah, Brooke, Lainey, Mackenzie, Broden, Bella and Sam, Sylas and Sebastian.
A celebration of life will be held on April 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Casco Village Church, Casco, Maine.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.
Richard S. Macdonald, 93, formerly of Bridgton, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Suncoast Hospice in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Born in Pine Grove, Pa., “Dick” was the son of the late Robert A. Macdonald and Kathryn (Seidel) Macdonald. After graduating from Pine Grove High School in 1946, Dick enlisted in the US Navy and served as a diesel mechanic aboard PC 1141 in the South Pacific.
Dick married the love of his life, Sylvia (Lord), in 1953 in Bridgton.
In 1968, Dick and Sylvia moved their family from Bridgton to Madeira Beach, Fla.
Dick is preceded in death by his sisters Patricia Bors and Sara Rice; his brother John; and a granddaughter.
Dick is survived by his wife of 69 years Sylvia; his children Kathryn, Cynthia, Sara, and Richard; as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Interment will be at 10 a.m. on June 14, 2023, at Bay Pines National Cemetery, Bay Pines, Fla.
Valerie Jean Woodman, 60, of Bridgton died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 30, at home. She was the beloved wife of Harold Woodman of eight years.
Valerie was born on Oct. 6, 1962, in Brockton, Mass., and raised on the South Shore in Pembroke. She graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in 1980. She moved to Maine in 1985.
Valerie was well known in the town of Bridgton through her work at the Bridgton Redemption Depot and the Bridgton Transfer Station. Valerie enjoyed meeting and working with community members. She also worked for Good Neighbors Inc. in Bridgton and Norway Savings Bank in Naples.
Valerie was passionate about her many vegetable and flower gardens and enjoyed canning and preserving the results of her and Harold’s efforts. Her grandchildren Lilah and Willow were her greatest joy.
In addition to her husband Harold, she is survived by her children Heather Whiting of Bridgton, Britney Whiting of Bridgton and Leanna and her husband Bill Day and grandchildren Lilah and Willow of Bridgton. She is also survived by, her mother Priscilla H. Whiting of Bridgton, sister Linda Dugas of Brownfield, brother Frank B. Whiting of Waterford, brother Paul L. Whiting of Bridgton and Sister Sheila Flanigan of Bridgton and multiple nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Valerie’s Life to occur in the late spring. Details will be placed in The Bridgton News and an event on Facebook will be made.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Valerie Woodman’s Arrangements through GoFundMe or CashApp at https:// gofund.me/5e1ef394 and https://cash.app/$SheSquatch Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.
NAPLES – Roland T. Mayberry, 89, of Naples, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Roland was born in Naples, July 23, 1933, the second of three children to Leland and Josie (Nee: Flagg) Mayberry. He attended Naples schools. He married the late Florence Y. Mayberry (Nee: Emond) June 8, 1957. They went on to have two sons Thomas and Timothy. Roland lived a full life. He served in the U.S. Army spending time in Germany. Over the years he had many jobs within the Naples area. He worked for Burnham Brothers, cut ice from Long Lake with the late Don Rogers to supply ice for the hotels and restaurants, worked for the State of Maine for many years driving the grader and plowing snow, acted as Naples Road Commissioner, ran his own business R.T. Mayberry and moved buildings. He was also the driver of the pace car for his son’s racing tour (PASS) for many years leading the pack. He was a hard worker always working to enjoy time and trips with his family.
He was a lover of anything with wheels and engines. He was a core member of the Model A Touring Club and enjoyed road trips with Florence and their good friends. In the winter when his signature red hat came out, he was in his glory plowing snow. Snowmobiling and motorcycle trips were also enjoyed.
Left to cherish his memory are his son, Thomas Mayberry and his wife Mary of Naples; his son, Timothy Mayberry and his wife Carol of Sebago; his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Leland, Charles, Amanda and Michael; and his great-grandson, Nicolai. He was predeceased by his wife, parents and siblings.
The family would like to thank the compassionate teams at First Light and CMMC who provided wonderful care for him.
We welcome those who would like to celebrate Roland’s life to join for a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, April 5, from 4-7 p.m. at American Legion Post 155 on Route 11 in Naples. A private burial will be held. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road in Casco where condolences and tributes may be shared at www. hallfuneralhome.net.
Davis Van Winkle died quickly and peacefully at the age of 81 in his Sedona, Ariz., home surrounded by family. In February he fell on the tennis court playing his favorite sport which started a cascade of hospital stays and treatments including an MRI which showed significant spread of cancer to his bones. A month later he decided to return home for hospice care and passed five days after. While Davis wasn’t one for deep thoughts, we believe he had great goals in life, most of which centered around reaching his own and helping others reach their full and unimagined potential. This was witnessed when he was teaching history or coaching soccer at Kent’s Hill School, Waynflete School, and Bates College. After marrying Louise Gulick, whom he met at Middlebury College, serving two years in the Army, spending six months in Vietnam, and doing a Master’s Program in Geography at Clark University, Davis then devoted his life to Wohelo Camps, Louise’s family business. The thousands of lives he touched through his leadership of these camps with Louise as his teammate and supporter can be seen when reading his Caring Bridge. His two children, Mark and Heidi, are proud to call Davis their father and help carry on his legacy as directors of Wohelo Camps.
In his own words, these are his life lessons: Stay flexible/ go with the flow; Humor is key; Friends are important; Can’t beat a pb&j; Keep physically active; Be frugal, except for essential extravagances. A remembrance of Davis will be part of the regular Wohelo camp traditions this summer.
W. Davis Van Winkle – May 1, 1941 to March 25, 2023; Born: Summit, N.J.. Died: Sedona, Ariz. Resident: Sedona, Ariz., and Raymond, Maine. Middlebury College, ‘63, All American Soccer Team 1962-63; Vietnam ‘66; Clark University ‘67; First
Wife: Louise Gulick Van Winkle; Siblings: Webb Van Winkle (decd.), Keith Van Winkle (decd.), Barb Van Winkle; Parents: Web and Elise Van Winkle; Children: Mark Van Winkle and Heidi Gorton Van Winkle; Grandchildren: Ellie Van Winkle, Fritz Van Winkle, Hannah Gorton, Ainslie Gorton Caring Bridge Site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davisvanwinkle
MERIDEN, Conn. – Edmund Harold Wheaton Jr. of Meriden, Conn., entered into rest on March 31, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 87 years old.
Edmund was born January 29, 1936, in Waltham, Mass., the beloved son of Edmund and Mae Wheaton (both deceased).
He is survived by his son, Brian (Bridget) Wheaton of Puebla, Mexico, daughter Karen M. Yifru of Peoria, Ariz., Jacque Patey of Quincy, Mass., Michael (Jocelyn) Wheaton of Northford, Conn., and Michelle (Mariusz)
Ciszewski of Meriden, Conn. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Chad and Matthew Wheaton, Kezia Marshall, Candace Yifru, Kenneth and Alyxandrea Patey, Daylan and Rayne Ciszewski, Mara and Grant Wheaton. He is predeceased by his loving grandsons Kidan Travis Yifru and Biniam Tyler Marshall Yifru. He also leaves behind several great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Laura, in 2022. Edmund recently moved to Meriden after spending over twenty years in Maine. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle person who loved his family. He loved his retirement years, spending time with his wife, at Sebago Lake and playing cards.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.
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nario of human extinction and the scale of the transition to a renewable-powered society — make many of us uneasy, worried, and frightened. But of the two, I know which one I choose.
Nature’s way of correcting itself right now is embodied by the students walking out of school on Fridays, pleading with older generations to take action to ensure their future. Nature is correcting itself through climate scientists publishing well-documented facts about this crisis. Or through activists blocking pipelines or pushing universities and retirement funds
to divest from fossil fuels. Earth is speaking through city councils declaring climate emergencies, churches switching to solar and wind, businesses cleaning up their act, and much more.
If we hope nature will correct itself … we need to wake up to our role in the rebalancing. My neighbor and I can be part of these changes. So, can you. Rivera Sun, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is the editor of Nonviolence News and the Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence and a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent campaigns.
Funeral
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away the ability for the people to raise the amount if they see fit rather than dictate the amount as set by the board, which is what happens with a “closed” warrant?
With a “closed” warrant, the people — you and I — cannot increase any amounts, but can only lower amounts. This smacks to me of “Big Brother” deciding for me what is an appropriate amount to be spent. I have been to enumerable town meetings where “WE,” the people of the town, spoke for and against amounts appropriated and made the final decision on what “WE” thought was appropriate. When was it decided that the board would control what “WE” could negotiate and decide upon? If you feel, as I do, that the board has overstepped their boundaries on this I implore you to contact board members and let them know “WE” the people, are not happy with this determination. “WE,” the people, can think on a critical level and make our own decisions!
Kathy Laplante HarrisonTo The Editor:
The Biden Administration wants to build 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. Did you know that windmills are killing whales, dolphins, and birds?
In all, 23 dead whales have washed ashore along the East Coast since early December, including 12 in New Jersey and New York, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This winter’s quick succession of stranded whales also coincides with work being done in advance of the installation of roughly a dozen large offshore wind farms from Massachusetts to Virginia. The noise from seabed rock sampling is contributing to the whales’ and dolphins’ deaths. They lose their hearing from the blasts and wash up on shore confused and die. A pod of eight dolphins recently washed ashore in New Jersey, all of which have died according to a local animal rescue organization. All eight dolphins have been sent to the New Jersey State Lab.
Shawn Smallwood, a California ornithologist, told PolitiFact that roughly 100 eagles die each year due to impacts with wind turbines. Bald Eagles and Golden
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followers, the Zone proved too complicated and timeconsuming to follow.
To be successful, diet changes must slip nicely into our busy lives without too much calculation and forethought. A simple method of losing weight is to make two adjustments: 1.) Limit starchy foods such as pasta, bread, rice, potato, cereal, pretzels, crackers, etc. to three servings per day for men and two per day for women; 2.) Include at least three food groups at every meal and snack. There are six groups: Protein, Starch, Fruit, Vegetable, Fat, and Dairy. Eating at least three together improves results. For example, rather than sitting down to a large plate of spaghetti, instead try including several meatballs, a vegetable, and a large tossed salad with dressing, with a small side of pasta. The metabolic effect of this meal differs profoundly from a large pasta meal. It stimulates hormones in the body, which promote weight loss and lower lipid and blood sugar levels.
The reasons for this can be
the focus of a future column, just know that eating this way works. By limiting starches, we omit all those snacky-type foods and sweets that are so tempting to grab when we feel like munching, but those are the very foods which are addicting and which wreak havoc on our ability to lose weight. Try instead to snack on nuts, olives, cheese, hard boiled eggs, beef jerky, cottage cheese, smoked salmon, veggie sticks with your favorite dressing, and sugarfree or plain yogurt.
To make the plan work faster, it’s important to spread the starches throughout the day. In other words, don’t save them up for one meal. I hope this is helpful, it’s certainly simple. I can almost guarantee success. See you at the beach!
Donna Dodge of Denmark has 30 years of experience as a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant. Do you have a diet or nutrition question? E-mail The Bridgton News at news@bridgton. com for a chance to have your question featured in next week’s paper. All questions will remain anonymous.
57. *Vein to “go for”
*Cell body, axon and dendrite
64. Use the other side of pencil 65. Caviar alternative 67. Mafia’s top dogs 69. “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft ____” 70. Fuss 71. Modern correspondence 72. Opposite of want 73. Japanese currency
Pep gathering DOWN 1. Annoying pop-ups
2. “Yes, ____!”
3. Beige 4. E-wallet content
5. Resentment
6. Musketeer’s sword
7. *Smallest bones location
8. Work the dough
9. Diamond in a cutting tool
10. “Wonderfilled” cookie
11. a.k.a. Indian Lilac
Eagles are a federally protected species and I don’t think the windmill companies are paying the fines that other killers pay.
A 2013 study published in The Wildlife Society Bulletin found that wind turbines killed an estimated 573,000 birds annually in the United States. That was 10 years ago. I bet the number of birds killed is higher today. Windmills are destroying birds and marine life as we know it.
Diana Holcomb NorwayTo The Editor: Many Americans believe the nation has reached a turning point that, without rapid change, will result in the downfall of the country that has been a blessing to the world since its founding nearly 250 years ago.
Everywhere one looks, turbulence and sheer incompetence reign supreme. It could not be more clear that our political system is riddled with corrupt politicians and bureaucrats whose goal in life is to wield complete control over the American people while greatly enriching themselves.
Politicians will not be content to merely tell us what kind of cars we are allowed to drive and what kind of stoves we can cook our meals on. They also want to have control over our bank accounts so they can monitor our purchases to ensure we are buying only governmentapproved products on which Uncle Sam will take a large cut of the purchase price.
It should be clear by now that Joe Biden and the Democratic Party are deliberately sabotaging America in order to move the nation from Socialism to full-blown Communism, where they will be able to control your every move.
Everything Biden and his team of flunkies have touched has turned into a disaster. We cannot survive six more years of these political thugs.
Democrats have waged war on the nation’s police, making many American cities virtually unlivable for lawabiding citizens who can’t shop or ride public transportation without fear for their lives. Democrats have decimated our military with their over the top woke-ism, gender fanaticism, and budget cutting. We have been so weakened that China will likely be able to roll right over us at a time of their choosing.
Thank you, Joe Biden, for wrecking this wonderful country. History will remember you as the nation’s worst president, by far.
Robert M. Howe Jr. Bridgton(Continued from Page 1B)
support that poured over me and my husband, after I was struck by a car in Caribou, Maine, while I was crossing a road on my snowmobile, is impossible to describe. Members of the Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club, who were in Caribou on our annual snowmobile trip, rallied around my husband and helped him in many ways while I was in Cary Medical Center. Four days later, when I was transferred to Bridgton Hospital’s excellent Swing Bed inpatient rehabilitation program, the waves of love and support continued to grow, and I learned how important friends, and an entire community, are in a time of need.
Now I am home, getting around on a borrowed walker and my new wheelchair, seeing birds through new eyes. This morning, while having our tea, we watched a Robin in our back yard. At lunch, a
To The Editor:
Jon Chappell posted a small cartoon that said NBC has the peacock, FOX should have the ostrich. Most appropriate. I agree. The ostrich is often seen as a symbol of strength, power, and determination. It is also associated with grounding and stability. A peacock represents vanity and self-pride.
Victor Detmer HarrisonTo The Editor: “Accuse your enemies of doing what you are doing, while you are doing it…” (V I Lenin)
In spite of a pernicious compromise on slavery, the American Republic: based on the American people controlling the powers granted to government; and a free market capitalist system, has produced more freedom, more and fairer opportunity, and a higher standard of living for all Americans than any other political system known to mankind.
This Constitutional compromise on slavery has infected the body politic in general and the Democrat Party in particular. The states that embraced slavery fell prey to the fundamental weakness of democracy — the enslavement of one group by another.
The Civil War pitted the Republican North against the Democrat South. The victory of the Republicans over the Democrats emancipated Blacks from slavery. When Blacks were freed, the Democrat elites feared these Freedmen would vote them out of power.
The former slave owners countered the numerical superiority of Blacks by pitting Whites against Blacks; terrorizing Blacks with the KKK; and instituting Jim Crow laws from 1877 until 1964. In trying to get the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (CRA) passed, President Johnson ran into roadblocks from Southern senators, who refused to end discrimination against Blacks. Once again, Republicans, led by Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, came to the rescue of Blacks and passed the CRA that finally gave Blacks their due.
Today’s Democrats are elitist, tyrannical, plutocrats whose only interest is in maintaining power at any cost. In the pursuit of power, Democrats have weaponized government power to crush their political opponents. Democrats are returning to their slave owning roots by racially segregating society and playing special interest groups against each other. Creating chaos and blaming the Republicans for the chaos that Democrats created. Democrats have taken Lenin’s maxim to heart.
Jock MacGregor SebagoHawk flew in and perched on a low limb outside our window, and now, sitting at the kitchen table, I am watching familiar birds at the feeders. A handsome male Cardinal on the feeder glanced toward the window a few minutes ago, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker clung to the seed feeder while he took his fill. A Song Sparrow searched for seeds on the porch deck below the feeders. Every bird we have seen today is a treat. Every bird is special.
I hope I have learned to never again take for granted the importance of our excellent medical community, the incredible gift of love and support from friends and from the community, and the beauty and delight of our familiar local birds. Education does not come for free, and this latest learning has come at a cost, but if it taught me to open my eyes to the gifts life offers, it was worth the price.
To The Editor:
Letters the editors published this last issue seemed to parrot a common theme: that being that the Jan. 6 sacking of the Capitol by agents of the twice impeached, to date once criminally indicted and just now arraigned “Big Lie” former guy was no big deal.
The gentleman from Bridgton who perennially propagandizes roadside digitally exhorts us to “respect law enforcement,” but apparently this excludes the maimed and murdered ones on the Capitol grounds that dark day of whom mention is never made.
A Mr. Hale from Naples — among other pinocchios — characterizes those who sacked our citadel of democracy as “political prisoners,” whose violent behaviors were a last stand against “the left” and an imminent reenactment in this country of the tyrannical socialist Cambodian “killing fields” regime circa 1976 post-Vietnam War. His other absurd assertion that we’re one step from a government coerced billeting of asylum seekers as are E.U. country’s homeowners is conspiracy B.S. and I am surprised that the editors would print such drivel.
The gentleman from Sebago doesn’t comment on Jan. 6 this time, but chimes in with his assertion that recent bank failures as well as inflation are due simply to the current Administration’s overspending on a “green revolution” while it sells off parcels of the Gulf of Mexico the size of the whole country of Italy for oil and gas drilling operations. And of course, the gentleman from Naples, Mr. V, who for five consecutive weeks now has insulted and disparaged any and all contributors who do not share his convoluted
LETTERS, Page 8B
Tamra Wight will present an in-person program at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library on Thursday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Wight is the author of five eco-mystery middlegrade novels, including “Cooper and Packrat: Mystery on Pine Lake.”
According to the author’s website, Wight said, “Looking back, it seems like I was always writing, but never really thought about being an author. I kept diaries and wrote poems. I’d walk to the Charlton Library once a week for books. I recently found a book I’d written in grammar school, complete with illustrations and a book jacket. The story is pretty good, but the illustrations...well, let’s just say I should stick with writing. I’d read every chance I got. In the branches of a maple tree, in the car or under my covers with a flashlight... it didn’t matter where I was. I always had a book in my hand.
Wight earned an associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism from Becker Junior College in Leicester. She and her husband David moved to Maine in 1991 to live in beautiful Poland
Spring on Lower Range Pond. There, they owned and operated the 132-site Poland Spring Campground for 27 years, raising two children; Alexandra and Benjamin.
“The best part for me, was being able to get back to nature, and enjoy it as I did in my childhood. All year long, you could find me on our hiking trails on over 40 acres, tracking foxes or on the lake observing loons and eagles and any other wildlife that crossed my path. In fact, the year the eagles had rare triplets, I began photography as a hobby and as way of researching the wildlife around me. Much of that research has become scenes in the Cooper and Packrat series,” she wrote. “Family
Central Maine Healthcare will be holding three job fairs in April to fill positions at Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital and Rumford Community Home.
At all three events, candidates will have the opportunity to meet with hiring leaders for on-the-spot interviews and offers.
The Bridgton Hospital job fair will take place on Thursday, April 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Bridgton Hospital, 10 Hospital Drive.
The Pleasant Mountain Presbyterian Church is hosting a Red Cross Blood drive on Thursday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
BROWNFIELD —
Celebrate the Blues this weekend at Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield.
“Central Maine Healthcare is a terrific place to work and advance your career,” said Dick Kropp, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, senior vice president, chief people officer, Central Maine Healthcare. “Currently, there is a great need to fill so many of these critical positions, and Central Maine Healthcare offers very competitive pay and other outstanding benefits. I highly recommend anyone who is considering a new job to attend one of these job fairs. We have many open positions in healthcare, and in other less clinical roles that are important and desirable.”
Among the open positions are: Registered nurses, certified nurse’s assistants, medical assistants, sonographers, radiological techs, patient services representatives, patient access specialists, phlebotomists, medical technologists, unit secretaries, certified residential medication aides, personal support specialists, physical therapists, residential activity coordinators, residential CAN/Med techs, residential dietary aides and security officers.
Day in Mystery on Pine Lake is also based on our family’s traditions. Every Monday in July and August we took Alex and Ben out of the campground to explore Maine. We found amazing places while hiking and geocaching. Some of them found their way into my stories as interesting settings.”
In 2017, after their children had grown and moved on, Tamra and David sold Poland Spring Campground and moved a couple towns over to live on another lake. Now, Tamra is an Ed Tech at Whittier Middle School in Poland.
“I love working with seventh and eighth graders! They are some of the most interesting people I know. You can read more about
my teaching under the ‘For Teachers’ tab above,” she wrote. “Everyone in my family loves to read, and books are found in every room of the house. Besides reading and writing, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, geo-caching, gardening, puzzles and traveling. My husband and I also love to sail in Casco Bay.” Wight’s program will include a half-hour presentation full of wildlife photos which show the wildlife inspiration (stories/behaviors) behind each of her books as well as a wildlife fact game. She will be available after her presentation to sell and sign books. For more information: 207-925-3177 or thedesk@HobbsLibrary. org.
Starting with Friday, April 7, bluesman Buffalo Nichols. New to the blues scene, and first time at SMAC, Carl Nichols has been cutting his teeth between a Baptist church and bars in Milwaukee, to a globetrotting trip through West Africa and Europe. This experience gave him the blending of past and future blues. The tumbling lines of the 30-yearold’s finger-picked guitar carry echoes of the blues pioneers of the 1920s, along with his husky and intimate vocals. All the text you read about him says, blues, but there is some old time folk here too that makes his music really interesting and unique.
On Saturday, April 8, it’s Tinsley Ellis and Marcia Ball sure to be a Blues night to remember! Seasoned blues’ artists, Tinsley Ellis and Marcia Ball are excited to present an intimate evening of their music and memories called “Acoustic Songs and Stories.” They will each play a set of their own songs. Tinsley, an elder statesman of the Blues world, and Marcia, a fivetime Grammy nominee,
will weave their music together with stories from their years on stage and on the road. For tickets and information, go to www.stonemountainartscenter.com
Stone Mountain Arts Center is located in the foothills of the White Mountains in Brownfield. Telephone: 207-935-7292.
Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade.
The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7. The self-guided Tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios. Eagerly anticipated by all who enjoy handmade pottery, as well as anyone looking for a special and unique Mother’s Day gift.
This year, 66 pottery studios around the state will be participating, including Buckland Ceramics (184 North High Street) in Bridgton and Greener Fields Pottery (303 Bisbee Town Road) in Waterford. They are organized into six regions, allowing several studios to be visited in a single outing. Fourteen of these studios will have guest artists with them, so there’s even more to enjoy. The weekend is a fun chance to meet the artists, peek in the kilns, see demonstrations, and shop for pottery and other handmade goods. Interactive maps of
Four local libraries will hold a Shredathon on Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. Bring all your sensitive documents to the First
Congregational Church in Bridgton (33 South High Street) to see them shredded right in front of you.
The Bridgton Public
Library, the Harrison Village Library, the Spaulding Memorial Library, and the Denmark Public Library have joined
forces to sponsor the Third Annual Shredathon. Secure shredding of any documents with identifying information will help reduce your risk of identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Identity theft happens when someone takes your name and personal information (like your social security number) and uses it without your permission to do things like open new accounts, use your existing accounts, or obtain medical services.”
Bridgton Chief of Police
Page
SPEAKING THIS AFTERNOON, April 6, at 4:30 p.m. will be author Tamra Wight.
Thursday, April 6
Author Tamra Wight will present an in-person program at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell at 4:30 p.m.
Local poet Jonny Bolduc will read from and discuss his latest book, Dead Brother, Will You Walk with Me Through the Fire? and his other published works from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Norway Memorial Library.
Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9
Cinderella presented by the Lake Region Drama Club in the high school auditorium. Tickets sold at the door (cash and check only) at $12 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. Show times, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 8
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Bridgton Community Center, presented by the American Legion Post 67. Recommended donation, $8 per person. Proceeds benefit American Legion Post 67.
Easter Pie Sale at the Denmark Congregational Church driveway, starting at 9 a.m. Drive in the middle entrance and head toward the church; there will be two lines. It is a first-come, first-serve entrance. You stay in your car until the first two leave, you pull forward and then you can get out of the car and come to the tables to choose your pie or pies. You return to your car and drive out and next two pull forward. All pies are 10-inch and homemade and in a nice window box for holiday traveling. Cost for a pie is $18.
Bake Sale, Easter and spring-themed treats, cookies, cakes and pies, 9 a.m. to noon at the Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main Street, Lovell.
Free Family Movie, Rise of the Guardians, at 2:30 p.m. at the Magic Lantern’s Mayfair Theater. This 20-week series is being sponsored by Chalmers Insurance Group and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. Everyone is welcome.
Church Suppah! An Italian Dinner will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church (Rayville Road) in Otisfield, off of Route 121. This dinner is a free event open to the public, but donations are graciously accepted. All donations are used to help people in need in the community. Reservations are not required. The menu includes classic meat lasagna, cheese lasagna, white lasagna, meatballs, sausage, salad, rolls, and assorted cakes.
Vernal Pool Exploration. Join the Chocorua Lake Conservancy for a Vernal Pool Exploration with CLC Stewardship Director Debra Marnich in Chocorua, N.H. location TBA based on conditions, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Alternate date depending on conditions is Saturday, April 29. Free; space is limited—please register in advance at bit.ly/CLC-040823. For more information visit www.chocorualake.org.
Thursday, April 13
Songo Garden Club Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Spring is here! Join us for the first meeting of the year of the Songo Garden Club in Naples at the Singer Center/Grange Hall on the town green, in front of the Town Office. Guests and new members are welcome, from any town. We will be planning our activities for the upcoming year, including our plant sale, summer field trips, possibly participating in the 4th of July parade, guest speakers, making and delivering fall flower arrangements for the Casco Inn residents, etc. We want to hear your ideas. Desserts will be served. For more information, contact Doug at dbogdan2@roadrunner.com
Abstract Art. Richard Allen, a local artist, will be giving a presentation on “Abstract Art” at Gallery 302 in Bridgton at 4 p.m. The theme of his talk is expressed in the following quote by the painter, Fairfield Porter: “The
CALENDAR, Page 8B
POLLY GLAVINE’s handmade linens, Easter eggs and beaded flowers are all part of an exhibit at the Norway Memorial Library now through April.
NORWAY — Visitors to Norway Memorial Library can enjoy a glass case display of handmade linens, Easter eggs, and sparkling beaded flowers by Polly Glavine.
Marilyn “Polly” Glavine is a vibrant and much-loved member of her extended family and community.
Born and educated in rural Somerset County, Polly’s life was filled with travel, living from the East Coast to the West Coast and back during Jack’s long aerospace career. She is fascinated with art, literature, gardening, and nature. She has embraced numerous personal artistic pursuits with great passion and dedication. At 91, Polly plays a significant role in her community at Schooner Estates in Auburn, Maine. Her friends are continually amazed at her seemingly unending energy and vibrancy.
Polly’s art seems to have evolved as a tribute to early Americana. A prolific painter, her favorite themes are the homesteads — some historical — of hers and Jack’s and their extended family. Then too, she immersed herself in the historical crafts that decorated those lovely homes. She taught herself
FRYEBURG
Citizen Walk and Service for Christ
Good Friday, April 7, 5 to 6:15 p.m.
Rain or shine. This symbolic walk is to demonstrate Jesus Christ’s love for all in His suffering and death on the cross. The walk starts in the Thriftway parking lot and heads to Bradley Park (one-mile walk) in Fryeburg.
Following the walk, there will be a service at the Fryeburg Assembly of God Church, 8 Drift Road, in Fryeburg. For more information, call 697-3574 or 9353129.
BRIDGTON
• Holy Week and Easter Services at First Church (South High Street) in Bridgton:
Maundy Thursday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Good Friday, April 7 at noon: a service of scripture, prayer, and music offered by Jan and Glen Jukkola performing on Piano and Violin.
Easter Sunrise, April 9 at 6 a.m. at Knights Hill Beach.
Children’s Easter Service and Egg Hunt, April 9 at 9 a.m., church lawn (rain or shine!) for a 15-minute childfocused service followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.
Traditional Easter Sunday Worship, April 9 at 10 a.m.
This service will be streamed live at: https://www.facebook.com/FirstCongregationalChurchBridgtonUcc/videos
• St. Peter’s Episocopal Church, Bridgton, Sunday service at 10 a.m.
NAPLES
Cornerstone Gospel Church, Sunday, April 9
Easter Sunrise Service at 6 a.m.
Breakfast at 7 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service at 10:15 a.m. HARRISON
• Holy Week and Easter Sunday 2023 for the United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton:
Thursday, April 6, we will join the Waterford Congregational Church at 7:30 p.m. for a service of readings, Tenebrae, and Communion at their church.
On Easter Sunday, 6 a.m., we will join with the Waterford and North Waterford Congregational Churches for a joint sunrise service at Keoka Beach on Route 35 followed by a light breakfast at the Wilkins House, next door to the church.
At 10:30 a.m., we will gather at our church sanctuary to celebrate the Risen Christ in person and also online. We will have a traditional Easter message, readings, hymns,
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Polly Glavine
I love a recipe that simplifies meal prep, tastes fabulous and allows me time to enjoy my family. This recipe is spot on. Upon first observation, it may seem complicated... “Too many ingredients!” but this is really a recipe that guides you through the main recipe and offers options for you to personalize your entree.
Built upon a loaf of
stale bread (from Lollipapa Farm…..yay…..use it up), farm fresh eggs (many of our members have wonderful fresh eggs) and dairy (High View Farm, of course), this recipe can be made with additional ingredients that your family loves. Ham and swiss with some roasted peppers, fresh spinach with onions and bacon crumbled into it or your favorite cheese with sautéed mushrooms from Shady Grove Farm.
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blinkered logic that tfg “loser’s” murderous mob were by definition not engaged in insurrection whereas their white privilege afforded them the wherewithal to go home post rioting to eat their dinner. His invocation of events like the Bolshevik revolution by merely citing dates is apparently meant to infer his private Idaho criterion for what constitutes “insurrection,” as well as his keen knowledge of history.
Whereas, I am certain that each of the aforementioned will still vote for the as yet un-convicted presidential candidate in 2024 regardless, they can all rest assured that nothing by statute nor constitutionally disenfranchises their voting for him even should he by then reside behind bars.
To quote Hillary Rodham Clinton after the Grand Jury in Manhattan returned it’s indictment of tfg... “Lock who up?
B---h.”
Jon St. Laurent Lovell
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important thing for critics to remember is the subject matter in abstract painting and the abstraction in representational work.” The gallery is located on Main Street.
Wednesday, April 19
Fraud Prevention talk by Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones at noon at the Bridgton Community Center during the weekly senior luncheon.
Saturday, April 15
Public Supper hosted by the Waterford World’s Fair from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the North Waterford Congregational Church, 5 Kezar Road in North Waterford. Menu: turkey pie, mashed potatoes, vegetables, beverage and delicious homemade pies. $15 per person. Support the great fair, 50/50 and door prize. FMI 207-890-7669.
Thursday, April 20
Blood Drive. The Pleasant Mountain Presbyterian Church is hosting a Red Cross Blood drive on Thursday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 30 North High Street (right next to the old town hall) in Bridgton.
You may make an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org/ (type the Bridgton zip code, 04009, into the search window and it will be the first listing).
Friday, April 21
Ham Dinner presented by the Fryeburg Historical Society from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Hall (2861 East Conway Road, N.H. menu includes ham, pulled pork, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, green b role, corn, rolls and cream pies for dessert be available! Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Choose a couple of fillings and assemble this recipe the night before and let it flavor up in the fridge. Serve with a fresh green salad (Patch Farm) and microgreens (Rock and Fortress Farm) and of course a cup of fresh brewed Maine Morning Micro Roasters coffee.
Yum!
Breakfast Strata from Two Kooks in the Kitchen Serves 8
Ingredients
Core Recipe
8 cups bread, any kind, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 to10 large eggs (about 2 cups)
2 3/4 cups whole milk or half and half cream (or any combination of the two)
1 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese (about 6 ounces) – or cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (41g) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Fillings: Choose 3
Fresh spinach - steamed and drained (or squeeze it out)
1 large onion;
8 to10 breakfast sausage links;
8 slices bacon;
2 cups diced cooked ham;
16 ounces mushrooms chopped;
1/2 cup green onion chopped.
Other veggies like red peppers or sweet potatoes.
Instructions
Prepare Pans: Butter or spray with oil one 9×13 inch (3 quart) dish or two 8×8 (2 quart) pans. Prepare fillings: Choose 2 to 3 options. For vegetarian strata, I use spinach, onions, and mushrooms. For meat-based, I use sausage, onions, and spinach.
Spinach: Steam and squeeze water out using hands or paper towels. Get as much water out as possible.
lucent (or cook 25-30 minutes, stirring, to caramelize, adding 1/2 teaspoon sugar to speed up caramelization). Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Mushrooms: Sauté in butter or olive oil for 5-7 minutes on medium-high heat. Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.
Sausage: Pan fry or grill until no longer pink on medium-high heat. Cut into small pieces. Or remove from casings and sauté ground sausage until cooked.
Bacon: Fry or microwave. Or bake at 400F for 18-20 minutes. Crumble.
Green Onions or Ham: Chop. No need to cook.
Prepare core ingredients: Cut bread (with or without crusts) into 1-inch cubes. Measure 8 cups packed. Place in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and all seasonings. Grate cheeses.
Assemble and refrigerate: Add to a large bowl with bread cubes in it, the egg mixture, the vegetable filling, and the cheeses (reserving 1/2 cup cheese to sprinkle on top). Mix lightly to combine well. Pour into the prepared casserole dish or pan(s). Sprinkle on remaining cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate or aluminum foil for at least 30 minutes (1 hour is better) or overnight.
Bake and serve: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Remove strata from fridge. Uncover and bake for 40-50 minutes until puffed and golden brown on top – and just until the center doesn’t jiggle when you shake the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come
This week at the Bridgton Community Center (located on Depot Street):
Today, Thursday, April 6
6 to 8 a.m., Fitness with Dan, please call to register.
12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Bits & Pieces, no charge
7 to 9 p.m., Chickadee Quilters
Friday, April 7
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., AARP
9 to 10 a.m., Chair yoga
1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg, no charge
6 to 8 p.m., Painting with Gregory Bullard. FMI to register, call 647-3116.
Saturday, April 8
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Chickadee Quilters
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., DAR
1 to 3 p.m., Egg Hunt Vineyard Church, no charge
Sunday, April 9
1 to 3 p.m., Bridgton Fiber Group
1 to 3 p.m., Girl Scouts
5 to 8:30 p.m., The Band, practice
Monday, April 10
1 to 3 p.m., Free Home School program
1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Cribbage, no charge
5:30 to 8 p.m., Lions’ Club meeting
Tuesday, April 11
6 to 8 a.m., Fitness with Dan, please call to register.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Chickadee Quilters
12:30 to 4 p.m., Bridge, $3 fee
Wednesday, April 12
6 to 8 a.m., Fitness with Dan, please call to register.
12 to1 p.m., Senior Lunch, meatloaf
1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg, no charge
1 to 2:30 p.m., Caregiver support group
5 to 7 p.m., Crafts with Kayley
Thursday, April 13
6 to 8 a.m., Fitness with Dan, please call to register.
12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Bits & Pieces, no charge
5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Lake Region Republican Committee
out clean. If using a slightly bigger pan, bake 5-10 minutes less as strata will be thinner. Don’t overbake as the strata will become dry. Serve warm. Garnish with sour cream if desired.
Recipe Notes
Fillings: Other filling options include bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cooked ham, asparagus. All fillings should be cooked except asparagus (which will have enough time to cook in the oven if not too thick) and green onions. Crumbled goat cheese can be added as well (about 1/2 cup).
Make Ahead: Baked breakfast strata can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. Strata can be frozen, covered, for up to 3 months.
Defrost on the counter before baking the next day or overnight in the fridge. The Bridgton Winter Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through April 22. The new winter location is the Masonic Hall, Oriental Lodge #13 at 166 Harrison Road (Route 117). For a full list of vendors and information on ordering or to sign up for BFM’s 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!