April 13, 2023

Naples hires interim town manager

By

Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Naples Board of Selectmen hired William “Bill” Giroux to fill the gap as interim manager until Naples hires a full-time town manager.

On Monday night, the selectmen came out of the executive session and appointed William Bill Giroux as the interim town manager. Also, follow -

ing the executive session, the board hired the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) to help with the upcoming job search for a new town manager. “The major reason [for hiring an interim manager] is to have continuity throughout the town while we search for a permanent town manager,” according to Naples Chairman Jim Grattelo. “The reasons:

A level of continuity, so employees have someone to go to, to stabilize everything while we search for a permanent town manager.”

Grattelo provided a bit of background information about Giroux.

“Bill is very knowledgeable. He was town manager for the Town of Standish for four years, city manager of Bath for 11 years, and before that town manager of

Bowdoinham. From about 1989 to 1999, for about 10 years, he worked for the City of Portland in various departments from assistant to city manager back in the 80s and 90s. He’s certainly very qualified,” Grattelo said.

In February, current Naples Town Manager John Hawley announced his resignation. Hawley’s last day of work will be May 12.

Good Friday: Walking in His shoes

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

CASCO — Walking 16 miles beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Good Friday and raising money to combat hunger has become a traditional activity leading up to Easter for a handful of community members.

“We have these teachers

that say we walk because Jesus walked. On Good Friday, Jesus had to take that long walk with the cross to be crucified. This is our way, by walking and raising money for hunger, to take care of our neighbors. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors,” according to one walker Rev. Joyce Long, of

Casco.

On Good Friday, seven people walked 8 miles, going from the Casco Village Church and walking along Route 121 to Raymond Village Church. Then, four of those people walked back to Casco for a total of 16 miles.

The Good Friday Walk

for Hunger has been happening at the two churches for more than two decades.

According to the group who have been doing it for 12 or 13 years, the number of participants has dropped but the enthusiasm remains. In other words, the positive spirit and group support abounds.

Bruce Lockwood is the brother of Pastor Long. He accepted his sister’s invitation to be part of the hunger walk 12 years ago, and he has been doing it ever since.

“Today was a little cooler than I expected it to be. Usually the sun, at this time of year, warms you up a little bit more. But it wasn’t until the last 4 miles that the sun really started to kick in. I was surprised when I went by the Casco Fire Department’s digital sign, the temperature registered 48 degrees. It didn’t feel like 48. There was more wind than there usually is,” Lockwood said.

“I had the usual breakdown of the legs at pretty much the same time — 13 miles seems to be it. Then, I just have to put my head down and go,” he said.

Long added, “It’s called the beeline.”

Bruce agreed, “You hit the threshold and you say, ‘I just don’t want to walk anymore.’ That is when it kicked in.”

Lockwood does this to support his sister and to raise money to help with hunger.

“I’m amazed when I hear the statistics on how many people don’t have good meals every day,” he said. “I have plenty of food. It means a lot to me to share.

Giroux will start May 11.

“The transition will be just two days,” Grattelo said. “They both agreed that was all the time they needed. John is putting together a folder and a synopsis of where we are at. He feels that one to two days is all that is necessary.”

Giroux will have a threeday work week, he said.

Hiring an interim town manager is a process that

happened during Grattelo’s time as a selectman. About five years ago, when Ephrem Paraschak left the Town of Naples for a job in Gorham, the board hired Mitch Berkowitz as interim. Also, on Monday night, the board hired MMA to do the professional manager search.

“We hired David Barrett. David is the same person

INTERIM, Page 2A

Cast CP public opinion net wide

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Times do change, but one never should ignore successful strategies from the past.

While the use of digital surveys proved very effective in gauging the public’s thoughts regarding Bridgton’s Open Spaces (over 600 responses), Selectman Bob McHatton reminded Community Development Director Tori Hill to reach out to different areas of town and different organizations to collect more and more data to be used as the foundation of the new Comprehensive Plan.

Hill updated the Select Board Tuesday night regarding the Comp Plan and what’s next.

A request for proposal goes out this week seeking a consultant, who will blend all collected material (from Vision Bridgton and Community Heart & Soul) and write the actual plan.

Hill posed the idea of creating a “selection team” consisting of task force members to review proposals at the end of May. She hopes to create a method to score proposals received.

Hill noted hiring a consultant to write the plan will bring both expertise to the process (the firm will have experience in writing the plan and know what items will need to be included to meet state compliance), as well as lessen the burden on town staff.

Board Chairman Carmen Lone asked Hill if the public will get a chance to see a pre-production plan at a scheduled forum?

The review schedule will include two meetings with the Select Board and two with the Planning Board, as well as either monthly or bi-monthly meetings between the task force and consultant, which will be open to the public.

BRIDGTON, Page 3A

Naples switches to 4-day week

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Starting on June 1, the Naples Town Office will switch to a four-day work week — joining many municipalities in the area that have already done this.

Naples will continue to be open to the public two Saturdays a month from 9 a.m. to noon.

Town Clerk Michelle Thibodeau came up with a proposal for a Monday through Thursday schedule, with the town hall window staying open a few hours later one day out of the week. As the discussion took place, those hours morphed so that the late night was Thursday.

The Naples Board of Selectmen voted, 4-1, to change the hours, which will be effective on June 1: Monday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also, open the first and last Saturday, 9 to noon until Columbus Day.

As part of the motion, which was suggested by Selectman Ted Shane, the town clerk would check after Columbus Day weekend to see how the schedule is going, particularly the bi-monthly Saturday openings.

WORK WEEK, Page 3A

Auxiliary info

FRYEBURG — Join the Fryeburg Rescue Auxiliary on Tuesday, April 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for or an informational meeting on how to join if you have always wanted to give back to the community.

The meeting will be held at the Fryeburg Rescue Station, 89 Bridgton Road in Fryeburg. For more information, contact Penny Parmenter at 207-890-8073.

EIGHT MILES toward goal, 8 miles to go. From left to right Bruce Lockwood, Daniel Dryden, Rev. Joyce Long, Rev. Petra Smyth, Nancy Grigg, Beth Clark, Tammy Richmond and team driver Nancy pose during the Good Friday Walk for Hunger. (De Busk Photo)

REMEMBERING the sacrifice on the cross — Bruce Lockwood poses with his sister Rev. Joyce Long on Good Friday after walking 18 miles. (De Busk Photo)

End of line for tree; town seeks replacement

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES

— Residents are just recovering from the shock of the removal of all the pine trees in one corner of the Naples Village Green.

On Monday, the obvious was pointed out: The town Christmas tree is dying and has become a public hazard.

Naples Town Manager John Hawley made a public request, asking if anyone would be willing to donate an evergreen to be placed on the village green.

He brought up the topic during the Naples Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday.

“The town Christmas tree — it is now completely dead and must be removed. If anyone looks at it, you can tell it needs to be removed,”

Hawley said. The cost of purchasing and transplanting (or spading) a 40-foot pine or other evergreen was estimated to be $40,000, he said.

“We are searching for a doner that might be willing to part with a large pine. Anyone out there who has a large evergreen tree — we are looking for a live tree,” he said. “If we can get the tree donated, that will cut down the cost. We are trying to get a cost for just the spading services.”

“If, however the pricing comes in really high, the town will need to consider other options.”

During the meeting, someone in the audience offered to have Hawley walk on his land to see if there a suitable tree.

Rep. Fay submits veterinarian bill

State Representative Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, introduced legislation before the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee that would prohibit an employer from requiring or permitting a veterinarian to enter into a noncompete agreement, unless they have an ownership interest in the practice.

The bill would also prohibit a court from enforcing a noncompete agreement that was signed prior to the

date the bill would become law.

“Veterinary care, particularly in rural Maine, is often not readily accessible,” said Fay. “Options are limited, which has an impact on Mainers across the state who love, own and care for animals, including livestock, working animals and pets.”

In the 130th Legislature, Fay sponsored legislation to increase the number of loans, and the amount

of funding, available to emergency and agricultural veterinarians from the Finance Authority of Maine. LD 688 would further efforts to support Maine’s veterinary workers.

“In the states where these noncompete agreements are allowed, corporate practices are moving in and limiting the areas that former employees can practice,” said Fay. “Given the small number of prac-

tices and the high cost of practicing in Maine, noncompete agreements are limiting options for those needing veterinary care. With a rise in out-ofstate-owned corporate veterinary practices utilizing geographic non-competes, access to care for Maine’s animals could be even further impacted.”

The Labor and Housing Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.

Naples voters face three bonds at ballot box

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Two months from now, Naples residents will be deciding on three bonds when they go to the ballot box.

These three separate bonds cover:

1.) Replacing the Fire Department’s fire suppression water tank with a 100,000-gallon water tank for $586,000.

2.) Borrowing $1.2 million to complete several paving and capital improvement projects plus spending $95,000 of that to hire a firm to facilitate comprehensive plan process.

3.) Purchasing three parcels, which measure 3.33 acres, between the Naples

town hall and fire department with road frontage for $270,000. The bond issues will not come up at the Annual Town Meeting. In the past, bond issues have been presented as stand alone articles during town meeting.

Instead, the bond issues face the voters during the Primary Election.

On Monday night, the final public hearing was held for three bond proposals that are headed for the ballot box during the upcoming Election on June 13.

Not much was said during the hearing. After all, the conversation took place during joint meetings of the Naples

Interim manager

(Continued from Page 1A)

we hired 5 years ago from MMA to help us find John Hawley. Dave is familiar with Town of Naples and familiar with what we need because he did it five years ago,” Grattelo said. There will be Zoom-only meeting on April 18.

“It’s a weekday meeting so hardly anyone can make it to town hall because it’s in the middle of the day,” he said.

“Basically, the meeting is for David to tell us what opportunities there are out there, the lay of the land,

and for us to tell him the criteria we have for a town manager,” Grattelo said.

Also, some of the topics that might be discussed are: the information to be included in the job advertisement, where and how to advertise the job vacancy, and the wage and compensation package to be offered.

Naples is not the only town hoping to find a suit able candidate to be town manager. Currently, there are close to 10 towns in the State of Maine that are searching for a town man ager.

Board of Selectmen and Naples Budget Committee.

Naples Chairman Jim Grattelo, who also serves on the budget committee, explained the reasoning behind borrowing money to purchase the lots instead of using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds as previously proposed.

“The logic is we wanted to take out a bond and use the TIFF money to pay back the bond,” he said. “It is going to allow us to have additional money in the TIF to go toward a community center. The goal was a bond to purchase the property. We pay for the bonds with TIF money over time. So, there’s no impact to the taxpayers. It leaves additional money in the TIF to help subsidize a new community center, to reduce the cost of the community center.”

Another bond is proposed so that the town can catch up on paving, according to Grattelo. The budget committee still set aside $500,000 for paving in the town’s operational budget.

“The big bond: We are bonding $1.2 million. About $1 million is for paving, and $95,000 is there for the comp plan,” Grattelo said. The list is included in the referendum paperwork.

“Projects include paving Middle Road, Lake House Road, Kansas Road, Walter Hill Road, Walter Hill/Kings Hill Road intersections, fire station front apron, Jugtown Road, Ellen Drive, entrances to Heritage Hill, and the intersection of Flagg Mill and Edes Falls Road,” the document said.

The other capital improvement projects include replacing the roof on Marine Safety building, sealing the concrete walls of the salt-sand shed and purchasing crosswalk signals.

The other bond is to preserve the town’s water suppression system.

“The bond is for $586,000 to replace the existing water tank with a larger tank,” Grattelo said. “We decided this was a onetime, long-term expense. It made no sense for it to be

part of the operating budget. We took it out of there and presented that as a bond.”

In recent years, elected officials have decided to send bonds and ordinances to the ballot box.

“The number one major reason we agreed that items like ordinances, bonds and item that are not in the regular budget should go to the ballot. We believe we want to have as many people in the town of Naples weigh in as possible,” Grattelo said.

“The attendance at an election is 5 to 10 times greater than any town meeting,” he said.

“The more people who weigh in on longterm expenditures like bonds or long-term decisions like ordinances, the better. The more people vote on it, the better off the town,” he said.

“We don’t want 62 people out of a population of 4,000 to come to town meeting and dictate whether to have a bond or whether to change an ordinance. We want 1,000 people to show up at an election and tell us that.”

The advantage of town meeting is the chance for residents to ask questions. People cannot ask questions during an election.

“That’s why it is our job to educate the voters, either through our website or a mailer. The clerk will be sending out mailers, listing all the ordinances being voted on, and where to go on the website for more details,” Grattelo said.

“It is important to educate the voters. Naples is committed to doing that — both on the ordinances and the bonds,” he said.

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Child must be five (5) on or before October 15, 2023

DATES: May 4th and if needed May 5th

LOCATION: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church - Fryeburg

TIME: Beginning April 3rd, please call for an appointment: 207 935-2600 Ext 1401 or 1414

Call early for preferred time slot

GOING GRAY — The evergreen, which serves as the Christmas tree, is dying as noted by the brittle branches without pine needles. The Town of Naples is asking if anyone can donate a live tree that would be transplanted in the village green. (De Busk Photo)

REMOVAL IS in the future of the Christmas tree in the Naples village Green. It might look good from a distance, but the tree is dead. (De Busk Photo)

4-day work week

(Continued from Page 1A)

Chairman Jim Grattelo voted in opposition. He said since Naples is a tourist town, the town hall should be open for the summer residents who can only spend weekends in Naples. On Monday night, the topic of changing the town office hours was moved toward the beginning of the agenda since staff from the clerk’s office were present.

“The primary reason [for the proposed change] is employee intention. Employees are looking for a life-work balance. The employees seem to be happier about having a three-day weekend,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

Thibodeau stepped up to the microphone and spoke to the board.

“Through networking, we are hearing a lot of municipalities are going to 4-day work week,” Thibodeau said.

SMASHING EFFORT BY ONE

AND ALL — A very big tip of the hat to the Lake Region Drama Club for their presentation of the cherished tale, “Cinderella.”

Audiences enjoyed incredible acting and choreographed numbers, fantastic set designs and costumes, and music. Nicely done by the entire Drama crew!

(Photos courtesy of Shannon Avery)

Bridgton

(Continued from Page 1A)

“As far as the outreach process goes, is there an emphasis on getting people who might not participate, is it happening?” Selectman Paul Tworog asked.

“Yes,” Hill responded. She reviewed how well the processed work with the Open Space Plan with “all partners involved.” She noted volunteers worked with citizens at the Bridgton Community Center to either fill out written surveys or file them online. There was a survey drop-off box at the library, and information was dispensed via social media.

Tworog and McHatton, however, felt holding neighborhood meetings — which was done the last time the town updated its Comp Plan — is needed.

“I am anxious to make sure we get input from different groups,” Tworog said.

Hill pointed out that she has a “big map,” which she asks those attending meetings place a marker indicating where they reside.

“We’re casting as wide a net as we can,” she said.

Seeing what happened in a nearby town, Lone suggested that once Round 1 is completed, a second round of seeking public comment should take place, hoping to catch those who were missed and give them a second chance to present their thoughts about Bridgton’s future.

“It’s important we hit all corners of town to get as many different opinions,” McHatton added.

Other news from the Select Board:

• New park maps coming — With the re-development of some Pondicherry Park trails to meet the needs

of those with mobility issues, new maps will soon be printed to identify those pathways, reported Selectman Paul Tworog, who serves as a liaison for the Select Board on the Park Committee. Funds earmarked for map printing were already expended, but Town Manager Bob Peabody said if the committee is seeking to put out more maps prior to summer (after the annual town meeting), money could be taken from a contingency fund. Broadband update — CDD Tori Hill reported that Consolidated Communications is still planning a smaller buildout this summer, branching out on Route 302 toward and up Knights Hill.

Selectman Tworog said the initial focus of broadband work was creating better access and affordability. Based on service plans he has seen, access might improve, but the cost remains high — to a point that many may be priced out of Internet service.

Hill said grants target broadband upgrades and creating more access, but unfortunately does not address the consumer cost piece. However, she said a Greater Portland Council of Governments program, which partners with local libraries of which Bridgton Public Library Director Amy Stone is a member, enables those who qualify by income guidelines to receive $30 off their Internet bill.

Hill plans to meet with Stone to discuss how best to get this word out to local citizens.

Town Report dedication

— This year’s town report will be dedicated to two people — George Kimball and Mike Tarantino.

Kimball, who passed away in April 2022, provid-

ed the town with ambulance service for many years. Selectman Bob McHatton made the recommendation. Tarantino, who was recommended by Selectman Ken Murphy, served on municipal boards.

“Mike Tarantino is very much alive,” Chair Carmen Lone emphasized.

Last year, the town report was dedicated to long-time Planning Board member and town meeting moderator Steve Collins, who adjourned the town meeting as his final act as a moderator.

Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne had provided the Select Board a list of those who had passed over the last year as a point of reference in deciding who to dedicate the town report to.

Unlike years past, the town posts the town report digitally on its website. A flyer was printed last year, which included a QR code that once scanned brings the reader to the town website and location of the report.

Selectman Ken Murphy asked if 100 people showed up at town meeting would there be paper reports available?

“It would be amazing if we had 100,” Town Manager Peabody said.

Last year, there were 45 reports printed, and three additional reports were created since then.

License approvals — The Select Board gave license approvals to Sundown Lounge — formerly the Depot Street Tap House — and Wolfie’s Links, a food truck that will be sited at the Food City parking lot.

Mitchell Slattery of Harrison will be operating Sundown Lounge. He plans to include music in and outdoors — small acoustic, small jazz band but no rock

bands — which will end at either 8 or 9 p.m. The Select Board altered the hours listed on the application from 5 to 11 p.m. to 5 to 10 p.m.

Slattery will also have the special amusement license reviewed by the Planning Board.

Anthony McDermond is finally following his dream. After 20 years in the film industry, he left New York and moved to Maine. After a stint working for an advertising agency, McDermond is on the verge of making a dream a reality — he plans to open Wolfie’s Links hopefully by Memorial Day or June 1. A new food truck is headed from Michigan to Maine. It will be black, and feature the newly-designed Wolfie’s logo. While Wolfie’s Links will sell a first-rate hot dog — “not those spinning in a machine for 30 to 45 minutes,” the menu doesn’t stop there. McDermond plans to experiment with a wide combination of ingredients — like buffalo chicken — stuffed into a link casing. He will also breakfast sandwiches in the morning hours then transitioning to lunch favorites.

“I’ve been here for nine winters since my New York escape. Bridgton is a place where I can do what I want to do, the way life should be,” he said. “I have a great partnership with Food City... I want to take a favorite meal and put into a casing.”

McDermond said the name Wolfie’s Links was done for a reason. “People say that’s not a hot dog,” McDermond noted, “we’re here to accommodate all tastes.”

Some of those towns are: Otisfield, Denmark, New Gloucester, Raymond, Fryeburg, and Sebago.

Thibodeau explained to the board that the schedule would address summer residents’ needs by being open every other Saturday. She also pointed out how easy Online registrations have become for busy people.

“I heard the board had some questions about summer residents. Those Saturdays we would keep open, and that would be helpful to them,” she said.

“Most registrations can be done Online. Anyone who is a Maine resident and buys a boat or vehicle gets a 14-day dealer plate, which gives them two weeks to get it registered,” she said, adding, “Any new snowmobiles or boats can be done by out-of-staters Online.”

She explained the importance of the late evening once a week.

“The typical work day hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. isn’t always feasible for people to get here. To allow residents and non-residents get to town hall, we would be open until 7 p.m.,” she said.

A discussion commenced about whether it should be Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday.

The consideration for being open Friday came up after Grattelo’s comments.

“My biggest concern is that we are a seasonal town and two weekends every month, we are going to be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Closing that Friday, I struggle with that,”

Dump stickers are something that people have to pick up in person from the town hall.

“If we are going to do this, people have to be able to get their dump stickers and coupons without standing in line,” Grattelo said.

The dump stickers weren’t addressed but people did talk about Monday or Friday was preferable as part of the open schedule.

Several people said Monday is a busier time at the town office than Friday is.

Sue Fleck, who was at the meeting representing the planning board, said Monday is errand day for many people. That is a good time for the town office to be open, she said.

“Monday is the day you get your stuff done. By the time, Friday rolls around you have petered out and won’t do it until Monday anyway,” Fleck said.

According to Code Enforcement Officer Kate Matthews, “For my office, Monday is the busiest day. Fridays we don’t have a lot of people. Contractors work over the weekend. First thing Monday, they come into the office. Friday is when people don’t contact us as much.”

Matthews said she favored being open on Mondays.

Thibodeau talked about what the staff could do every other Saturday, that would make up for being closed on Friday.

“On Saturdays, we process permits for people to pick up. If not, they would be waiting for a building permit until Monday. We are there to process and issue those permits,” she said.

Fleck offered up the concept of the town hall being open slightly earlier on Monday to capture the people who Sue Fleck:

“If the window is open at 7 a.m., that person can be to work by 9 a.m. if they have a 2-hour drive. The early morning opening will capture those people,” she said, adding, “Who wouldn’t want to spend an extra night at camp because you need to go to the town office on Monday morning?”

State error helps Naples

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Naples just gained some breathing room in its budget.

A few weeks ago, town officials learned that of the three towns in School Administrative District

(SAD) 61, Naples had the biggest contribution to the district budget.

At the time, on March 27, SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith said Naples’ share of school budget had increased by 7.2 percent, coming in at $586,038.

But, that amount has changed.

The state made a mistake with the school funding formula, reducing Naples school tax by almost $173,000.

“The state had an error in its school funding formula which resulted in a reduction of $172,897 for Naples,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

On Monday, Hawley updated the Naples Board of Selectmen during his manager’s report.

“You will remember that if the school depart-

ERROR, Page 5A

Bridgton Police

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

Monday, April 3

1:19 p.m. A citizen requested a police escort to a Portland Road property that he plans to retake through eviction.

1:42 p.m. Suspicious man reportedly dancing in the municipal parking lot. Police asked him to go elsewhere since he was blocking traffic in the parking lot. The man left without incident.

1:46 p.m. Citizen contacted police regarding accessing private property on South High Street. Police informed the caller an officer could not give access to private property, and the caller would need the landowner’s permission to gain access.

CARS WRECKED but the drivers were sent to Bridgton Hospital with non-life threatening injuries following Sunday’s crash on the Naples Causeway bridge. The car on the left was operarted by Linda Mock of Raymond, while the car on the right was driven by Andrew Amato of Fryeburg. (CCSO Photos)

Fryeburg man hit with multiple charges after Causeway crash

NAPLES — A Fryeburg man faces several charges including driving while under the influence and possession of a scheduled drug following a twocar crash on the Naples Causeway Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Amato, 39, was arrested by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office following the 12:16 p.m. crash, and was charged with violating conditions of release, driving to endanger, operating under the influence (drugs combo) and illegal possession of a schedule Z drugs (Xanax). A warrant had been issued for Amato’s arrest for failing to appear in court.

He was transported to

the county jail, where bail was set at $400.

Police say both vehicles were damaged extensively and disabled on the bridge. Amato was driving a 2005 Honda Civic eastbound when he crossed the double yellow line, striking a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox headon. The Equinox was driven by Linda Mock, 71, of Raymond. Both Amato and Mock were alone in their respective vehicles.

Mock was transported to Bridgton Hospital by Naples Fire-Rescue and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Amato was transported Bridgton Hospital by Casco Fire-Rescue and treated for non-life threatening inju-

ries. After being cleared at the hospital, Amato will be taken to the Cumberland County Jail.

The crash was investigated by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division.

“The ‘Causeway’ in Naples is a popular location for families to gather and take photographs and enjoy the lake and mountain views. Today, Easter Sunday, this location was very busy with pedestrian and vehicular traffic. This incident serves as a reminder to pay attention to your surroundings and be mindful of traffic and other hazards when walking, running or biking,” CCSO said a press release.

CHARGED

Andrew

Fryeburg faces several charges folowing Sunday’s two-car crash on the Causeway bridge. (CCSO Photo)

Man charged with burglaries

A Sebago man has been charged in connection with a string of burglaries in Naples and Sebago.

Adam Beaulieu, 20, of Sebago was arrested last week and charged with multiple counts of Burglary to a Motor Vehicle (class D), Theft (class E), and one additional count of Theft (class C felony). Beaulieu was summonsed and released on bail from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Substation in Naples. He is scheduled for a May 10, 2023 arraignment in Cumberland County Unified Court.

Last Wednesday, April 5, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office began receiving numerous reports of motor vehicle burglaries in the area of Sebago Road (Route 114), Hawkes Road and Anderson Road. This location is a residential area near the town line

of Naples and Sebago, but within close proximity to one another. Each vehicle burglarized was unlocked at the time and parked in a private driveway. By 2 p.m., a total of 17 vehicle burglaries were reported by residents and/or discovered by police. The list of stolen items included cash, prescription medication, and computer equipment.

During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for a home on Hawkes Road in Sebago. During that search, the majority of reported stolen property was recovered, including over $3,000 in cash, CCSO reported.

“While the communities within Cumberland County are safe places to live and work, this incident serves as a dual-purpose reminder: always lock your vehicle

regardless of where you live: Thieves prefer easy targets, and most vehicle burglaries can be prevented by simply locking your car or truck,” CCSO Captain

Donald Foss said. “Keep valuables with you or keep them hidden out of sight. While forced entry into locked vehicles does peri-

BURGLARIES, Page 5A

4:31 p.m. A caller asked police to document an incident — a man entered the property and made the caller “uncomfortable” — that occurred on her property. The caller did not request that a trespass order be issued.

5:40 p.m. Police assisted United Ambulance with a medical emergency on North High Street.

7:16 p.m. Welfare check on Spruce Lane.

7:48 p.m. Mental health issue on Kansas Road.

Tuesday, April 4

8:47 a.m. Two change machines on Portland Road were broken into.

11:57 a.m. Police assisted United Ambulance with a medical emergency on North High Street.

2:45 p.m. Citizen brought prescription medication to BPD for disposal.

1:22 p.m. Citizen on Willis Park Road requested to speak with an officer.

4:13 p.m. Police assisted the Bridgton Fire Department with a report of an “explosion” heard on Burnham Road.

4:45 p.m. Mental health event on Middle Ridge Road.

5:14 p.m. A male reportedly attempted to steal a package off a Ward Acres’ porch.

Wednesday, April 5

12:11 a.m. During routine patrol on Portland Road, police came into contact with a vehicle with a suspend-

BRIDGTON BLOTTER, Page 5A

Fryeburg Police

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

Monday, April 3

9:22 a.m. Radar detail on Main Street.

12:42 p.m. Non-reportable motor vehicle crash at Quinn’s Jockey Cap store.

3:41 p.m. Traffic complaint on Bradley Street.

6:22 p.m. Citizen assist on Fairview Drive.

Tuesday, April 4

11:10 a.m. Traffic complaint on Lovewell Pond Road; unfounded.

11:15 a.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Lovell Road; unfounded.

11:09 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Portland Street.

Wednesday, April 5

4:35 a.m. Fryeburg Police assisted a county deputy on Pequawket Trail in Brownfield.

9 a.m. Lost/found property on Howe Street.

12:11 p.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call at Main Street church.

12:50 to 6:17 p.m. Nine motor vehicle stops (four Bridgton Road, three Main Street, one Portland Street, one River Street) were made; nine warnings issued.

Thursday, April 6

8:14 a.m. Radar detail on Lovell Road.

10:52 a.m. Assist fire department at the intersection of Old River Road and McNeil Road.

Friday, April 7

11:55 a.m. Assault complaint on Howe Street.

2:28 p.m. Radar detail at school zone on Bridgton Road.

8:10 p.m. Restraining order served at West Fryeburg Road location.

11:19 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Bridgton Road.

FRYEBURG LOG, Page 5A

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—

Amato of

Spring happenings at Tear Cap

HIRAM — Tear Cap

Workshops is offering a new learning opportunity for anyone who loves forests, wildlife and biodiversity.

On Saturday, April 29, Deb Perkins of First Light

Wildlife Habitats will lead a workshop on identifying and safely removing invasive plant species from woodland areas.

“Detection and removal of invasive plants is a fundamentally important land

care practice,” says Deb Perkins, wildlife ecologist. “It protects healthy food webs for critically important wildlife habitat and overall biodiversity.” The Invasive Plant Management Workshop at

Good Friday walk

(Continued from Page 1A)

I give to Wayside. I worked at Preble Street before they changed their format. I am very sensitive to the hunger problem.”

The money raised from the Good Friday Walk for Hunger by the walkers will go to Grace-Street Ministries.

Grace-Street Ministries is based in downtown Portland, and it provides food and services to those people who are homeless or marginalized.

(It should be noted: Because some members of the Casco Village Church congregation are aging and can no longer walk 8 or 16 miles in one morning, an alternative way to be involved in the Walk for Hunger fundraiser was offered. Those walkers were given a period of one to two weeks to walk as many miles as possible.)

The Rituals of Holy Week

Bridgton Resident Nancy Grigg has been taking part in the hunger walk for a number of years. She guesstimated between 10 and 12 years ago was her first time. Every Good Friday, she shows up before the sunrise to join the walk.

Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity, she said. So, Holy Week rates high in her book as a time to partake in meaningful activities.

She walks, in part, because she does not care for being silent , which is required during Saturday’s candlelight vigils.

“I can’t do the quiet. The vigils. The three hours Jesus was dying on the cross,” she said. “I appreciate that they do this on Good Friday. What a great way to symbolize the sacrifice Jesus made.”

She is glad her pledge money is going to help people who are food insecure in the area.

“Grace Ministries — they do outreach. I’m all for it. It was worth every step,” she said.

Tear Cap will start with an informative presentation, followed by an interactive forest walk with a focus on invasive plant identification and methods for removal. Groups of participants will then apply their collective knowledge to a focal area of the grounds. This community work will release native plants and allow them to flourish. Participants will have the chance to try out a weed wrench and other tools, as well.

“After invasive plants are removed,” Perkins continued, “Ongoing monitoring and restoration work will create thriving, resilient landscapes in the face of climate change and other stressors.”

As far as doing the sometimes grueling 16 miles, Griggs has a decade of comparison.

“Each year is different. There are different people who do it. Joyce and her brother Bruce have always started out in the morning so I can count on them being there to start with. It’s usually dark so you bring a flashlight. This morning we didn’t need it because it was a full moon,” Griggs said.

“Petra [Smyth] is the pastor at Raymond church, and she brought her two friends. I walked with her last year — Petra and I walked together. It was nice to see her again. It is almost like a happy new year,” she said.

Lockwood commented on the importance of this taking place on Good Friday.

“I started putting a bunch of Easter celebration type things together. It was Maundy Thursday at my church, do the hunger walk here, then my choir sings tonight in South Portland, and we used to do a vigil,” Lockwood said. “I have to get up at 4 o’clock in the morning to be here by 5:30 and then my shift at the vigil is always 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday. So, it’s kind of fun. Then, with Easter services, it made a really wonderful four-day celebration of Easter. Because Easter technically is the biggest holiday in Christianity. It’s not Christmas. It’s Easter.”

A FIELD TRIP to Tear Cap Workshops: Students from the White Mountain School came to the Community Woodworking School for a day of hands-on spoon carving in February. Every spoon, scoop, and spatula were unique — each student had their own design and the chance to try several different hand tools.

Pre-registration is required for this workshop attendance, and space is limited to 15 people. Registration is $20 per par-

TEAR CAP, Page 8A

Items on Bridgton Police blotter

(Continued from Page 4A)

ed registration. The driver was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and operating a motor vehicle after suspension.

6:57 a.m. Report of two suspicious males in a Portland Road business parking lot.

2:40 p.m. A citizen had questions regarding a trespass notice.

5:12 and 8:14 p.m. Mental health events on Kansas Road.

Thursday, April 6 10:39 a.m. Dispute between tenants and property owner.

2:34 p.m. Citizen requesting police escort to a South High Street property to retrieve personal belongings.

3:51 p.m. Keys reported lost on Depot Street.

Burglaries

(Continued from Page 4A)

odically occur, it is usually when an item of value can be seen inside and not under circumstances where the thief simply hopes to find something valuable inside. Breaking a car window can make a lot of noise and draw attention. Instead, most thieves will choose to move on and look for an unlocked vehicle.”

Friday, April 7

2:37 a.m. Mental health event on Kansas Road.

3:20 a.m. Motor vehicle crash with personal injury on Harrison Road.

11:37 a.m. Police assisted United Ambulance with a medical emergency at Holden Hills.

12:32 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Portland Road.

6:50 p.m. Juvenile in crisis. When officers arrived, “peace had been restored.”

Saturday, April 8

12:15 a.m. Police observed “a noticeably intoxicated male” walking north on Harrison Road. The man was given a ride home.

11:53 a.m. Criminal trespass complaint at a

Main Street store.

1:19 p.m. A Holden Hills resident reported that food had been delivered to her home by an unknown male in a silver sedan. The man told the caller that the food was her Door Dash order and left. The caller told police she did not order food. Police checked the area, but were unable to locate the driver.

Sunday, April 9

2:05 a.m. Report of two males knocking on a Harrison Road home front door. Police checked the area, but were unable to locate the individuals.

7:56 p.m. Citizen assist at Hospital Drive.

• During this reporting period, BPD conducted 45 overnight property checks.

Fryeburg log

(Continued from Page 4A)

Saturday, April 8

10 a.m. Police assisted an agency official on Fairview Drive.

10:31 p.m. Juvenile offense at Fryeburg Academy.

Sunday, April 9

3:10 a.m. Suspicious activity on Cobb Street;

could not locate.

4:57 a.m. Suspicious activity on Cobb Street.

4:30 p.m. Suspicious activity on Stuart Street.

Monday, April 10

3:50 a.m. Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Cobb Street.

3:54 a.m. Domestic disturbance on Spring Street in Brownfield.

Long shared her “I’m always grateful to have my brother and my son here to do it with me because they are definitely my support system,” she said.

“I have so many years to compare it to. I wish there were more walkers. We used to have a huge amount of walkers. We are down to a handful of us. We had so many walkers that they covered the sign out in front of the church when we took a picture. And kids, youth, used to get permission slips to have the half day off and I used to have to sign them. They don’t walk anymore. People just aren’t doing this kind of stuff anymore,” Long said.

“The weather was fine. It was on again and off again with jacket. There were wind gusts on the way back,” she said.

“The walk itself it is the ritual, the ritual of Good Friday. We have Maundy Thursday services last night, which is very much like a Good Friday type of services: dark and dramatic. It’s the holy weekend ritual of doing Maundy Thursday, doing this walk, and we have the vigil on Saturday. Then, we take the cross from the sanctuary to outside the church for the sunrise services on Easter Day. It is all those pieces of ritual,” she said.

“It’s struggling to walk 16 miles. I don’t walk 16 miles every day. Once a year. It is that ritual,” she said.

Her brother joined in on the train of thought.

“If you think about it deeply, it is reminiscent of Jesus climbing the hill with the cross,” Lockwood said.

Long smiled. She pointed to her T-shirt.

“We walk because he walked,” she said.

State error helps Naples

(Continued from Page 3A)

ment gets its generator [bond] approved, there is another $180,000 that would be needed. So, there is no need to make any adjustments to the budget as approved in the warrant for town meeting, and you won’t have to have a special town meeting to propose increasing the school budget,” he told the board.

The amount that Naples would owe if the generator bond passes is $193,174, according to Smith.

Later, Hawley commented on the turn of events.

“It had been widely spread last week that the state had made an error. The news spread like wildlife. When I checked in with Al, he confirmed that Naples would be on the better receiving end of that one,” he said.

“The budget that voters are going to vote on at town meeting would have covered only operational. It does not include funding for the cost of generators,” Hawley said. “The concern was if the generators passed on May 23, Naples would have to have a special town meeting to approve that money. Now, we might not have to.”

IN THE FOREST — Deb Perkins will lead a class at Tear Cap Workshops that focuses on Invasive Plant Management in April.

Mason’s Student of the Month at LRVC

Shawn Crouch of Casco has been selected as the Mason’s Vocational Student of the Month for March at Lake Region Vocational Center.

Class of: 2023

Town: Casco

Parent: Laura Berry

Sibling: Lily

Hobbies: I enjoy automotive repair and robotics.

Q. What program are you in at the Vocational Center? I am in the Automotives II program.

Q. What do you like most about your program? I like the availability to learn what you’re interested in (ex. race cars, custom cars, welding applications, etc.).

Q. What are your plans after graduation? I will be attending the University of Maine at Orono for mechanical engineering.

Q. What career goal(s) do you have? I aspire to become a mechanical engineer, working on renewable energy solutions.

Q. Who or what inspired you to pursue this path? The growing opportunities in the field were what drew me to this career path.

Q. What advice would you like to give future students? The vocational programs are as effective as the effort you put into them.

RPM to assist kids to attend summer camp

The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity in Bridgton received a generous grant that will enable qualifying Bridgton-area children to attend Camp Invention®, a program run by the National Inventors Hall of Fame®.

The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust provided the grant funds for these scholarships. This is the sixth year that the Museum has obtained scholarships for area children to attend the camp.

Camp Invention®, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment program, is coming to Stevens Brook Elementary School the week of July 10 to July 14.

A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems. Through hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance and resourcefulness; and encourages entrepreneurship — all in a fun and engaging environment.

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nation’s most world-changing

CAMP, Page 8A

LENDING HANDS — Last Friday, the Lake Region Alternative Ed afternoon students and teachers Tyler Battist and Ann Bragdon went to Camp Sunshine in South Casco for about two hours to assist them with a large mailing. Camp Sunshine depends heavily on volunteers and this mailing went to many hospitals across the country as it is the partner hospitals that refer campers. Anyone who is interested in volunteering there in South Casco should look at their website (https://www.campsunshine.org) for more information.

SATURDAY, MAY 6TH 9:00AM - 12 NOON

FRYEBURG FAIRGROUNDS

MAIN GATE FRYEBURG, MAINE

Please no sick or pregnant pets. Puppies/kittens must be 12 weeks of age to receive Rabies Vaccine. Bring valid rabies certificate and receive a 3 year certificate.

RABIES ONLY - no Distemper Vaccination due to Maine State Law.

NEW HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES — Lake Region High School inducted 16 new members into the National Honor Society on Tuesday, April 11. Those inducted were: (front, left to right) Chloe Ward, Selina Hale-Pena, Eva Fickett, Sage Cormier, Olivia Roy, Laura Dutton, Averie Smith and Shougo Sturk; (back row) Joseph Deschenes, Madison Eddy, Madelyn McDougall, Bella Smith, Hanna Siebert, Madelyn Long, Emma McKenney and Rianna Reynolds.

Shawn Crouch, LRVC Automotives

Senior Rambles

Hike to Knox Mtn.

Knox Mountain is a modest 825-foot hill in the western Maine Mountains, not too far from the New Hampshire-Maine state border.

Knox Mountain is in the 3,959-acre Vernon S. Walker Wildlife Management Area (WMA) just south of the small village of Newfield.

According to Coolidge and Mansfield’s 1859 History and Description of New England, the Town of Newfield is part of a parcel of land bought in 1668 from the Newichawannock Indians for two large Indian blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of gunpowder, four pounds of musket balls and 20 strings of beads.

Hiking on our April 7, 2023 outing were 21 Denmark Mountain Hikers. Skies were clear with wispy clouds, temps in the mid30s and with a stiff wind blowing. We left the trailhead at 10 a.m., reaching the summit at 10:45 a.m. after 45 minutes of hiking. The group left the summit at 11:15 a.m. reaching the trailhead at noon after 45 minutes of hiking.

The trail begins as a dirt road between stonewalls and two rows of trees just behind the WMA sign, between the two fields. This is an active snowmobile trail in winter and on our hike, we found a mix of bare ground and frozen, icy snow where the snowmobiles had compacted it. The snow in the woods on either side of the snowmobile track has melted away in the spring sun and warm temperatures, and many patches were snow free. Most everyone donned microspikes after encountering the first frozen icy stretches.

The trail bears slightly right, crosses a brook on a bridge, and climbs at a moderate rate through mixed hardwoods bordered

with old stonewalls to the open ledges at the summit. Just below the summit, the snowmobile trail forks to the right and the trail to the summit forks left. Denmark Mountain Hiker Toni Carros has hiked Knox Mountain and described a loop trail to the summit that we could take on a future outing — she and DMH Steve Kelley hiked back down this snowmobile trail while the rest of the group hiked back down the trail they had followed to the summit.

DMH Rachel Pickus had her two dogs, Rose and Seamus, on the hike with us. Unfortunately, her dogs got into a confrontation with a porcupine and each got four or five quills in their noses and mouths — she had to take them to a vet in Portland to have the quills removed, but both dogs are doing fine now.

Old stonewalls line the Knox Mountain trail, evidence that there used to be homes and fields on Knox Mountain. At the summit is evidence of drill marks on some of the ledges showing that stone was mined here for homes and barns on the mountain.

For a minimum of effort and vertical climbing, there are fine views from the mountain’s bare summit ledges of nearby Picket Mountain (to the east), Bond and Mitchell Mountains (west) and Province Mountain (northwest). To the north Mount Washington and the Presidentials are visible.

Knox Mountain in York County, Newfield, Maine

Difficulty – Easy

Trail distance – 1 mile to the summit

Hiking time – 30 to 45 minutes to the summit

trips in April

April 14 – Easy –

Jockey Cap (587 ft.), Fryeburg, 1.0 miles RT/ East Bear Paw Preserve (360 ft.), Fryeburg, 3 miles RT, RT hiking 2-3 hours. RT driving 1.5 hours.

Meet at the Denmark Church at 9 a.m. Two easy hikes in Fryeburg. We’ve not done Jockey Cap since August 2012, before the Dollar Store was put in and the trailhead moved to the north of the Jockey Cap Store. East Bear Paw is a property of the Tin Mountain Nature Center and has a series of loop trails, often used by trail bikes.

April 21 – Easy/ Moderate –Table Rock (2,380 ft.), Grafton Notch, 2.4 miles RT, 900 ft. elevation gain. 3 hours RT. RT driving 2.5 hours.

Meet at the Denmark Church at 8 a.m. — earlier because of the drive. This

hike is on the moderate side of easy because of the vertical climb, steep at times. Table Rock isn’t actually a mountain — it’s a plateau that’s sort of on the way to the summit of Baldpate. We will take the AT trail and Table Rock trails to this “massive flat piece of granite” with “splendid view of Grafton Notch and the terrain beyond.” We have only done Table Rock twice, the last time in June 2015.

April 28 – Moderate –Mount Potash (2,700 ft.), Kancamagus Hwy, NH. 3.5 miles RT, 1,400 ft. elevation gain. RT hiking 2.5 hours. RT driving 2.5 hours.

Meet at the Denmark Church at 8 a.m. — earlier because of the drive. We last climbed Mount Potash in December 2019. We have learned how to avoid the high-water icy crossing of Oliverian Brook, and we will undoubtedly

HIKES, Page 8A

Elevation – 825 feet

Vertical gain – 245 feet

Coordinates – 43° 38’ 16” N 70° 52’ 12”

W

Topographic Map – USGS Limerick 7.5-minute quad / 44.10567; -71.094

Directions to the trailhead – From the

junction of Routes 11 and 5 in Limerick take Route 11 west to the village of Newfield (4 ¼ miles). From the Newfield Town Offices (left) and the Willowbrook sign (right) go ¾ miles further to two large fields on the left. There will be a large WMA sign there and a small parking area at the edge of the highway.

Views from the summit of Knox Mountain, located in Newfield. (Photo by Jeff Sturgis)

Hiking Trips & Tips by Allen Crabtree

Denmark Mountain Hiker Dianne Sinclair and Rose crossing the snowmobile bridge on the Knox Mountain trail. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)

DMH’s Rick Dennen stops along the Knox Mountain trail to put on his microspikes. (Photo by Allen Crabtree) Denmark Mountain Hikers at the trailhead to Knox Mountain for their group photo. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)

Denmark Mountain Hikers on the Knox Mountain trail — (left to right) Dianne Sinclair, Susan Gassett and Mary Lou Moulton. (Photo by Allen Crabtree)

Continuations

Who dunnit? ‘Clue: On Stage’ ready for public

NORWAY — Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association (OHMPAA) is at it again with Clue: On Stage to kick off their 39th season and this is one you won’t want to miss. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party at a remote mansion. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects.

Led by Wadsworth (Aaron Skofield) — the butler — Yvette (Laurie Riihimaki) — the French maid — Miss Scarlett (Savannah Leavitt), Professor Plum (Brandon Pullen), Mrs. White (Jennifer Collins), Mr. Green

(Daniel Rennie), Mrs. Peacock (Sandra Fickett) and Colonel Mustard (Michael Newsom) race to find the killer as the body count stacks up.

Ensemble members Amanda Robinson, Germaine Robison, and Elton Cole play multiple characters throughout this hilarious fast-paced piece.

The show will have eight performances at the Norway Grange at 15 Whitman Street in Norway within the dates of April 6-16. For more information and to secure your tickets visit OHMPAA.com or visit their Facebook for event details. Tickets can also be purchased at The Tribune, downtown Norway’s local book

store.

Looking ahead to warmer weather

\As the snowbanks recede, my mind is drawn to summers past. The following poem is a fond memory of mine brought back by the anticipation of warmer weather.

Happy Spring.

Casco

extends Comp Plan time

-

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The Casco

Comprehensive Plan —

which people had anticipated would be voted on during annual town meeting — has been postponed by almost a month to provide a longer comment time for community members.

Important dates

CASCO — These are the revised dates to bring the Casco Comprehensive Plan before the voting citizens during a Special Town Meeting in mid-July.

• Sometime this week: Post the official public hearing draft for review on the town’s website.

• May 13, Saturday: Hold a daylong planning open house at the Casco Community Center.

about the proposed comp plan: The Casco Planning Board may host a workshop to discuss land-use planning versus current zoning.

Additionally, Nguyen encouraged members of the planning board and the board of selectmen to talk about the comp plan to help spread the word.

Summer Ride

By Shane Brewster Bridgton

I greet the dawn with a laugh

This morning it is shy

Tucked behind a matted gray fleece sky

And a wall of water

“I’m going to drown”

My chuckles, more vibration than sound as I leave shelter

The roar and rush of rain struck asphalt obscuring like clouds

Key in lock

Hands to bars

Up, over, and ass to seat

Sandals biting into pedals

Gliding through water I am more mermaid than man

The hands of a 5:30am summer downpour echoing that of a lover’s

There is no inch of me unexplored

Squinting and spitting

Shift.

Water-cooled engine cyclically churning

Shift.

Speeding amphibian straddling a firecracker Shift.

Lean and turn

Past the city, the sub, and the holy ghost Shift. Downhill. Yeah!

Left at the field

I’m dodging potholes

Weaving in and out with the determination of a Black Friday shopper

Wondering all the while if I’ve developed gills

Or will later develop pneumonia

Cool to the touch I am flame wrapped in flesh

Coal engine for a heart sputtering outward through a smile

Giving in to the inevitable, there is ecstasy in letting go

Downshift. Turn. Dirt.

A verdant tunnel connecting to the big dig of 1898

The rattling of riding over rubble has me clenched and attentive

I am not alone.

A cascading shadow merges overhead

Silent wings pulsing above

It’s pulling ahead and suddenly I’ve invented the sport of owl racing

The owl banks left

Promptly disappearing as quickly as it came

Leaving me alone, zipping along

Soaked, solitary, grateful.

DMH April hikes

(Continued from Page 7A)

have snow to contend with.

Questions — If you have questions about the difficulty of a hike, or for any other information, please call John Patrick at 207-756-2247 (johnfp@earthlink. net). If you would like to meet us at a trail head or somewhere along the route to the trailhead please contact Allen Crabtree at 207-653-9271 (denmarkmthiker@ gmail.com). Hikes are subject to change or cancellation.

“There was a renewed interest in public participation,” according to Casco Comp Plan Steering Committee Chair Rae-Anne Nguyen. Last week, the steering committee brought before the Casco Board of Selectmen the request to extend the comp plan timeline.

That request was granted. A proposed comp plan will be the only warrant article during a special town meeting on July 12.

Therefore, the proposed comp plan has a new deadline of June 12 to become a warrant article.

This extension provides the community with more time to read and digest the document before voting on it.

“

As you know, the select board committed to an open and inclusive engagement process to create this new plan for Casco,” Nguyen said. “Your continued support for robust public engagement is appreciated.”

Later this week, the comp plan draft will be posted on the town’s website for residents to peruse through. Currently, the

• Week of May 15: The Casco Board of selectmen and Casco Planning Board will hold a joint public hearing. The exact date to be announced.

• May 15 to June 11: The Casco Comp Plan Steering Committee will process and review any additional comments and feedback and make necessary updates to the plan.

• June 12: Warrant due

• July 12: Hold Casco Special Town Meeting, during which time the adoption of the comp plan is the exclusive warrant article.

letter from the steering committee has been posted for residents to read.

In between the draft being publicly displayed and the draft being adopted by voters, the committee will host a day-long open house. That is being scheduled for May 13, which is a Saturday.

After that open house, the committee will incorporate new comments into the document, which will be available for further review until mid-June.

The selectmen agreed to those dates and voted, 5-0, to postpone the comp plan coming before residents as a warrant article until Casco’s Special Town Meeting on July 12.

Nguyen came before the board during its April 4 meeting. She talked about the methods that

have been used to make the public aware about the comp plan dates. Some of those communication techniques included 30 lawn signs, 15 posters, and more than 500 postcards put in public places and handed out to elementary school students.

She mentioned the lackluster response recently when 16 individuals commented on the draft, and one person showed up to the comp plan meeting.

In the future, another method of informing the voters will happen during the upcoming annual town meeting. The committee plans to set up a booth during town meeting. People can ask questions or post comments.

Another future event to help educate people

Camp Invention grant

(Continued from Page 6A)

inventors — the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees. This year’s Wonder program encourages children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovativeness though hands-on activities including:

• Catching Air™: Taking a confidence-building ride through physics, engineering and art, children design and build their own skate park.

• Invention Celebration™: Campers take on the role of event planners as they throw a party celebrating creativity and innovation.

• MimicBot™: Children

show their unique style when they transform a robot that mimics sounds into a one-of-a-kind animatronic stuffie.

• Pop-Up Venture™: Big ideas come to life as campers design their own mini pop-up business. “Both of my kids loved Camp Invention! They loved having the opportunity to create, innovate and iterate what they had learned,” said a parent of 2022 Camp Invention campers. “They were intensely proud to tell of their work each day and to showcase their projects at the end of the week.”

All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and

taught by qualified educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves 118,000 students every year and partners with more than 2,200 schools and districts across the nation.

For more information or to register, visit invent.org/ camp or call 800-968-4332.

Camp Invention® is one of the ways that the Rufus Porter Museum seeks to support the cultural and intellectual life of the Bridgton community, in addition to encouraging the creative inventiveness that Rufus Porter himself sustained throughout his life.

Selectman Scott Avery spoke prior to the vote that changed the comp plan dates.

“We should go with the committee’s suggestion. It’s a good idea, more time for feedback, open houses beforehand. Let’s get it all out there. There are a lot of rumors flying around,” he said.

“Comp plan is not zoning. It is not automatically passing zoning. We cannot make any zoning decisions until people make it at town meeting. It is not a snap of the fingers and it is done,” Avery said.

Selectman Plummer spoke “Just for the record, this is a guiding principal document. This is not an action document. This is letting the town know these are the steps moving forward. This is the work that can be done if this is what you want to see in Casco,” Plummer said. “These are just examples. It isn’t what is going to happen here. People seem to think that this document is a backbone — it’s a guide.”

At that point in the discussion, the board voted unanimously to switch the dates and allow for more public participation.

Following the vote, Chairman Robert MacDonald spoke to the audience.

“We are postponing everything for about 30 days so people can get their opinion out there. We encourage participation from each and every citizen. It is your voices we need to hear,” MacDonald said.

“Casco had meant a great deal to me. I have been here 55 years. It’s important to me: the roads, the recreational areas, the people,” he said. “I am excited about the amount of public participation. I am not afraid to pick up my phone if you call me.”

Happenings at Tear Cap Workshops

(Continued from Page 5A)

ticipant, and work clothes and sturdy shoes are recommended. Read more about the program and sign up at tearcapworkshops.org.

Tear Cap Workshops is a non-profit, community benefit organization located in Hiram at the site of a former pine sawmill. Eleven existing buildings are slowly being transformed into artisan workshops and

educational workspaces for a variety of hands-on crafts. The mission of the organization is to unleash creativity through handson learning: the goal is to use what we have in abundance, making use of a former industrial site (which also includes eight acres of forest) and utilizing our native Maine wood, stone, and talent.

There has been a lot

of action at Tear Cap Workshops over the last several months. The fall program was filled (and nearly sold out) of every available class on schedule. New skills in spoon carving, stone wall building, bookbinding and basket making were shared and perfected, resulting in some beautiful and useful objects. Meanwhile, the artisans who rent their workshop

spaces are busy and productive, making guitars, timberframes, doors, and cabinets, among other items. Coming up next, Tear Cap Workshops is offering classes in bookbinding, basket making and canoe paddle carving, all in the month of June. For more information and to register, please see tearcapworkshops.org or give a call at 207-625-3396.

CLUE CAST — pictured front, left to right, Laurie Riihimaki, Savannah Leavitt, Sandra Fickett, Jennifer Collins and Amanda Robinson; back row, Aaron Skofield, Brandon Pullen, Daniel Rennie, Michael Newsome, and Germaine Robinson. Missing from photo Elton Cole.

Opinion & Comment

In Ye Olden Times

by Michael Davis BHS Assistant Director

An Easter Cantata

Howdy neighbor!

This past week, I feel as though I can finally say that Spring has arrived in our section of country. While yes it’s true that astrologically speaking, Spring officially began back on the Equinox in mid-March, and apparently some meteorologists hold it starts even earlier than that, on something like the first of March (still well and truly a winter month as far as I’m concerned), for me it never really feels like Spring until Easter arrives.

This year, that rule of thumb held out, and boy what an Easter we had. Some of the most beautiful weather yet this year, 55 degrees and sunny, and even the strong winds of the last week had the good graces to quiet down for the holiday. Tulips are out and sprouting, basements are flooding up and down the High Street corridor, and all over town the churchbells rang; you can just feel Spring in the air, bringing its promise of warmth and growth soon to come. April is always a fine Spring month, and Eastertide should carry us right on through May till Summer comes in June. At time of writing, the forecast for this week says we shall see temperatures in the high 60s by the weekend, perhaps pushing 70 degrees; a circumstance that should chase away the last of the stubborn snow still clinging in our woods.

Ice Out predication dates swiftly being argued around the dinner table, and for anyone still looking to lay in a fresh supply of maple syrup for the year ahead, be sure to get out to your local sugar shacks right away; maple season will soon be over, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the sap stops running in the next week or so. I imagine we have precious few nights left below freezing.

This week, we’re looking at an old Easter celebration of the mid-30s, when just over 90 years ago a local youth group, the Fremstad Club, put on a special Easter performance in the Congregational Church on South High Street. This club, formed in 1928 as the Juvenile Fremstad Club, was an all-girls choir and musical society organized to benefit local Bridgton institutions, inspired by both the career and charitable giving of Bridgton’s own original prima donna, the Met Opera star Olive Fremstad, who for many years summered in her grand estate up on the Ridge. Through the 1930s and 40s, in fact as late as 1953, it would seem, this club was putting on local concerts encouraging youth to take up music, and putting on benefit shows for the local library, hospital, and other worthy causes. They even played several times on the air, going to Portland for broadcast on area radio networks. But, the performance we’re looking at today was a smaller one, a special Easter service advertised in The Bridgton News of April 12, and later detailed in a special article on April 26, 1935. On behalf of everyone here at The News and also your friends down at the Bridgton Historical Society, I sincerely hope that every one of our readers this year had at least as enjoyable an Easter, as our forefathers did at the following program back in ye olden times. Enjoy!

“Fremstad Club Will Present Easter Concert”

The next major activity of the Fremstad Club will be the presentation of an Easter Concert and Cantata at the First

EASTER, Page 4B

Who are the heroes?

To The Editor:

Why do we make heroes out of athletes, actors, musicians or social media influencers? They are all paid huge sums of money and, for some reason, many believe that their opinions carry a level of importance that is commensurate with their income. They are wrong, and we need to re-prioritize who gets the pedestal.

Two weeks ago, we saw two genuine heroes rush into the elementary school in Nashville, Tenn. Nashville Police Officers Rex Englebert and Michael Collazo ran into the building and ended the killing within six minutes of arriving at the school. Any progressive that has thought, even for a second, that defunding the police is a good idea should watch the body cam video from these two officers. While you are watching it, imagine that your child, wife, husband or friend was in the building with an active shooter. Still like the idea of defunding the police? Courageous Officers Engelbert and Collazo saved countless innocent victims and took out the demon that was doing the shooting with little regard for their own safety. We have reached a breaking point in this country and there are many parts of our society that are in desperate need of a priority reset. If you are looking for heroes, they are all around us. They are

active military, law enforcement officers and veterans. If you see an active member of the military or a veteran, thank them for your freedom. If you see a law enforcement officer, thank them for keeping you safe. They deserve appreciation and accolades much more than actors, athletes, musicians and social media influencers. Like Engelbert and Collazo, they are the real heroes!

Mark Lopez Bridgton

True words today

To The Editor: “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government IS the problem.” These were the words of former President Ronald Reagan, at his Inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1981. Those words were true in 1981 and remain true even to this day. At the state level presently, many opportunities were missed by the Maine Legislature to address many unresolved constituent issues and solve many grievances caused by this administration and legislature. However, it’s become apparent and clear that minimal progress and headway has been made, including by the Legislature and administration. It is imperative that both this administration and legislature address and resolve issues for Mainers collaboratively. Failure to do so is neither acceptable nor okay.

Presently, it remains “business as usual,” with poor “public policy” and planning and very poor problem res-

April 13, 2023, The Bridgton News, Page 1B

Gardeners pause for the Diapause

After a few months of having to put on boots, a hat, a puffy coat, and gloves to retrieve my mail, and seeing mounds of white snow as I trudge down my driveway toward the mailbox, I am now very happy to be able to move the heavier clothing into storage.

As the temperature warms, I am able to walk the length of my driveway without spikes on my boots to keep me from slipping, and I am beginning to watch for the more colorful perennials poke through the leaves that I left in place in the gardens last fall.

As I have written in a previous column, I follow the advice of experts that have documented how important it is to allow the leaves and plant stems and stalks to remain in place in order to provide protection and insulation to insects during the winter months. To survive the cold of winter, many insects seek a place to shelter from the cold and actually undergo a pause in growth and development. This process is called diapause and is similar to hibernation in some animal species. However, one main difference is that diapause may occur during the embryo stage, larval stage or in chrysalis or cocoons, or even in the adult stage. Hibernation is a period of deep sleep, whereas diapause is a temporary cease of development. Insects in diapause may be found in tree trunks, under rocks, under leaf litter, in hollow stalks of plants, or underground. The Queen Bumble Bee spends the winter underground in

Down the Garden Path

by Nancy Donovan, Ph.D., PT Master Gardener Volunteer

burrows that are 1-2 inches below the ground. With the warmer weather days beginning, there may be an urge to begin the spring clean-up of gardens. However, entomologists strongly advise gardeners to wait in order to allow time for insects to awaken and continue their development. Using rakes, blowers, or even our hands too early can actually kill the beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy ecosystem. We rely on beneficial insects to pollinate the plants in our gardens and also our food. The pollinators also require pollen and nectar for their survival. Leaves on the ground are natural habitats for some insects, butterflies, salamanders, turtles, toads, earthworms, etc. A general recommendation found in the literature is for gardeners to wait until the outside temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit for both day and

DIAPAUSE, Page 2B

Interconnection of all things

By Megan-Mack Nicholson

If you were to think about the largest organism on earth, what would you imagine? Maybe an elephant? Or possibly a blue whale? What if I were to tell you the largest organism on earth spanned 108 acres, weighed 6,000 tons and was up to several thousand years old… and did I mention it is mostly out of sight?

Just for reference, that’s 1,000 elephants or 30 blue whales. Have you heard of Pando? Pando is the name given to a quaking aspen grove in Utah that is identified as the largest single living organism and is assumed to have a massive interconnected underground root system.

April is a month of rebirth here in Maine. Water thaws, birds return, peepers emerge and flowers start to find their way toward the sun. April is also Earth Month. Certain dates are well known, like April 22, which is celebrated as Earth Day, which began in 1970. April 15 is Tax Day, but we don’t want to talk about that. The 28th is my favorite — Arbor Day. Predating Earth Day by 100 years! Earth Day is a beautiful celebration of a wide variety of environmental concerns,

olution of bureaucratic red tape. Also, it is apparent that more substantive, meaningful improvements with reforms are necessary, to effectively serve Maine people better, including with customer service improvements and better responsiveness to bureaucratic, systematic problems. Generally, state government and its departments aren’t serving Maine people effectively or responsibly. Such examples include ongoing bureaucratic problems within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including its Child Protective Services (CPS) Division, among its other divisions, with the Department of Labor (DoL) issues with its broken unemployment compensation system, among its other divisions. It should be noted that it has taken many months for Maine CareerCenters to reopen. They’re now open Monday through Thursday, but not on Fridays. Yet, the people of Maine, through the Legislature, and Mainers’ tax dollars, appropriated full fund-

ing to cover full services and staffing for five days a week. However, career centers still remain closed on Fridays to job seekers, etc. Why? And why is this situation not being addressed? How is this “helpful” to employers needing employees and workers and to job seekers? Additionally, how come little is being done to deal with welfare fraud issues, including other similar issues such as SNAP benefit issues for those eligible but not getting them? In addition, why should it be necessary to go elsewhere including outof-state, for career services help? It is very disappointing that various legislative committees, including Labor and Housing, Human Services, state and local government, among others, are less than responsive or helpful on these issues. What have Maine people gotten for their tax dollars? Do Mainers deserve more of the same thing from Augusta bureaucrats and this administration? Let’s hope not.

Past administrations and legislative sessions substan-

Earth Notes

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

however, Arbor Day focuses on the importance of trees. Trees, to me, are the most magnificent flower on the planet. There’s nothing like being in a forest, imagining yourself as small as a bee fluttering around from flower (tree) to flower. Every tree seems to be separate from the next, each holding a unique offering to the forest, yet still feeling as if it stands alone. It’s been proven that a forest of trees is connected through an immense network of mycelium that helps bring nutrients to young trees and trees in need — creating a stronger and more stable forest. Knowing about Pando, I can’t help from wondering what’s connected just below my feet… and then I make my way out of the woods and down the street. My mind shifts to the humans around me, my community. Our communities are filled with, at eyesight level, such a diverse multicultural array of “things.” We drive different

INTERCONNECTION, Page 2B

tively neglected and shirked their duties and responsibilities all-around, to address and improve constituent responsiveness to Mainers for benefits and other governmentprovided services. Numerous agency bureaucratic and systematic failures occurred and were ignored and sidestepped by current and previous administrations. Agency misfeasance with recurring negligence remains a serious concern and disservice; it is unconscionable and unacceptable! It is hopeful that the legislature and this administration will finally get serious and work collaboratively, to address and resolve many unresolved matters and constituent issues. Same thing must happen at the national level. Let’s move forward in a meaningful and substantive way to adequately address, trouble-shoot and resolve many governmental bureaucratic and systematic failures and serve Mainers better. Going forward, agency programmatic reviews must occur immediately, including for these depart-

ments. Additionally, we must improve Maine’s economy and job market, improving governmental cooperation.

In summation, let’s fix and overhaul state government, its bureaus, audit and review agency programs and services, to effectively serve Maine people better. Let’s get this done as expeditiously and sensibly as possible and avoid further problems.

David Hall Cornish

Have they enhanced Democracy?

To The Editor: There is a clear and present danger to our Democracy, right (2023) now. We read in Letters to the Editor that Democrats are driving America into ruin. That’s a broken record! We heard it under Carter, Clinton, Obama, and now Biden. Give it up!

Recently, the green sign

ICE BREAKING up on Woods Pond in Bridgton is a welcomed sign that spring is here. (Photo by Pam Ward)

Opinions

Gardeners Pause for the Diapause

(Continued from Page 1B)

night for at least seven days. This will ensure that both flower and vegetable gardens have the pollinators and other animals to support the health of each garden ecosystem.

In an article written by Justin Wheeler in March 2023, and published on the website for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, he offered, “Chrysalides still cling to last season’s dried standing plant material. While you may begin to see bumble bees and ground-nesting bees emerge as flowering trees and shrubs burst into bloom, they still need cover during chilly nights and heavy spring showers.”

Another example is found on the website for the Monarch Joint Venture (https://monarchjointventure.org). On the website, there is an article titled, “Hold off on Spring Garden Cleanup! Pollinators Need that Debris” was published on April 7, 2022. The writer offered that “… the endangered Karner blue butterfly overwinters as an egg on vegetation beneath the snow and emerges as a caterpillar in the spring.”

As a point of education here, I want to point out that the only native lupine for the State of Maine is the Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis). All other lupine in Maine is invasive and replacing the native Sundial lupine. Sundial lupine is the only plant that the Karner Blue larvae, or caterpillars, can eat. It is currently believed that this beautiful butterfly has been eliminated in Maine due to the invasive lupines replacing the Sundial lupines. I strongly recommend that people plant only the Sundial lupine in gardens and to first ensure that the plants were raised from native Maine seeds and without pesticide or herbicide treatments, as those will also kill larvae and caterpillars. Perhaps, we can entice the blue butterfly to return as a gift to our gardens.

Now, I want to be clear about one thing. I am not recommending that we remain inside our homes or apartments until the bumble bees and other insects emerge from diapause. I have made a list of the activities that can be pursued as another winter becomes history.

When the ground thaws such that you can get a trowel or spade to a depth of 6-8 inches, spring is a great time to send a soil sample to be analyzed so that you can ensure that you put the right plants in the right place. A cardboard box and the form to complete are free for the asking and can be obtained at the county offices or by calling the analytical lab at 581-3591. The cost for the testing is $18. Information about the soil test can be found in Bulletin 2286 of the

Letters

(Continued from Page 1B)

on Route 302 in Bridgton read, “Progressives win when they are silenced.” Progressives consist of Independents, moderate Republicans, Democrats, and the population in the “political left of center.” That leaves only Trumplicans, with any voice. Trumplicans are led by their autocratic, disgraced, twice impeached, now indicted, pathological lying former president. Trumplicans, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and their acolytes in Congress use the megaphone of their pathological lying cable network to spread lies and conspiracy theories

designed to destroy the very Constitution that gives them voice. Trumplicans readily use the First Amendment to the Constitution to spread their lies and misinformation and they need to be called out for this conduct. It is the Trumplicans who attempted the seditious insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, to overthrow the government of the United States.

It is the Trumplicans in the Tennessee Legislature who expelled two duly-elected Democrat legislators for “violating decorum” on April 6, 2023. Representative Jones and Pearson were expelled for speaking on behalf of their constituents. This is clearly where autocracy begins. The first step is to silence the opposition, no matter how

Legals

The Casco Selectboard will hold a public hearing at the Casco Community Center, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine on April 18, 2023 at 6:00 pm to review the application for On-Premises Liquor License for Top of the Hill Café d/b/a Top of the Hill Grille located at 8 Sunny Hill Road, Casco, Maine. 1T15

Public Notice

TOWN

OF NAPLES 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).

• Liquor License renewal for Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza, a property found on Tax Map U02, Lot 39 (770 Roosevelt Trail)

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. 2T15

Public Notice

TOWN OF SEBAGO Townofsebago.org

PLANNING BOARD OPENING

The Town of Sebago is seeking an individual to fill an opening on the Planning Board.

Those interested may contact the Town Manager at 207-787-2457 for more information.

Applications/Letters of Interest may be e-mailed to:

Maureen F. Scanlon townmanager@townofsebago.org or mailed to: Town of Sebago 406 Bridgton Rd Sebago, ME 04029 1T15

Maine Cooperative Extension Service at the website extension.umaine.edu.

The Cumberland County office is located at 75 Clearwater Dr., Falmouth. Phone number: 781-6099.

The Oxford County office is located at 9 Olson Road in South Paris. Phone number: 743-6329.

√ Clean and organize garages.

√ Clean and sharpen gardening tools.

√ Clean birdbaths and birdfeeders.

√ Clean patio/deck furniture and sit in it for a while.

√ Walk around your yard and record the amount of sun an area receives throughout the day. Also make note of how moist the areas are and record whether there is good or poor drainage.

√ Obtain an application for the Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification Program. While you may or may not want to apply for the certification, the application lists native plants by season (early season, mid-season, and late season) and this may help you decide which plants to put in the ground this year. The application can be downloaded at https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/pollinator-gardencertification/application/ or you can request a copy by calling 942-7396.

√ If the soil in your garden is moist, it is best not to walk on it as this will compact the soil and kill insects that have not emerged.

√ If leaf litter is too thick or heavy for plants to emerge, you can very gently lift it and place it in another spot.

√ Twigs and branches and pinecones can be collected and put in a permanent brush pile to serve as shelters for insects and other little critters.

√ Begin an exercise program to prepare for gardening activities. Please note that you should speak with your physician about any restrictions before you initiate any exercise program. Careful stretching those muscles that have accommodated the sitting position can be helpful. Even a comfortable walking pace while observing and smelling spring can bring smiles. But speak with your physician first.

√ Take time to enjoy the warmth and sights and sounds of the new season.

√ Put on some “groovy” music and dance outside. Perhaps consider the songs I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor or Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, or Spring Feve” by Elvis Presley. There hardly ever is a reason to pause dancing.

legitimately entitled they are to speak. Thus, Trumplicans need to answer the question —“What have Trumplicans done over the past 24 years to enhance our Democracy and/or strengthen our Constitution?”

There will be letters in The Bridgton News answering this question. However, please do not offer “what ifs” or “what abouts?” or any other misdirection aimed at distracting from the question. Just focus, and specifically answer the question, “What have Trumplicans done since 1999 till now to enhance our Democracy and/or strengthen our Constitution?”

Joseph W. Angelo Bridgton

J’accuse

To The Editor: Democrats have perfected the never-ending accusation. It doesn’t matter if the accusation is true or false, the sheer volume of accusations will bankrupt most just paying for lawyers and if that doesn’t do it, government wears them down under the unlimited resources of government. This government abuse of power is a form of “cruel and unusual punishment” before guilt has been proven. Democrats are doing their damnedest to cancel Trump.

On April 4, ’23, the

LETTERS, Page 3B

1069 Main Street, Lovell, ME 04051 Phone: 207-925-6272 Fax 207-925-1710

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOVELL PLANNING BOARD

The Lovell Planning Board has scheduled a meeting with the Ordinance Review Committee for April 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Lovell Town Hall 1133, Main Steet, Lovell, Maine. The meeting agenda will include discussion on Maine LD2003, as well as reviewing of current and proposed Zoning Ordinances. This meeting is open to the public.

Andrew Brosnan Chairperson

Independent Thought

by Rev. Robert Plaisted Guest Columnist

It’s Like Comparing Apples & Oranges

Consider the humble apple and orange. They’re more different than alike. Both are juicy, seed-bearing fruits, and there the similarity ends. Apples can be red, yellow, green or pink. Oranges are various shades of orange. Most people eat the skins of apples; very few eat orange peels. Oranges separate naturally into segments; apples don’t. Ripe apples sometimes are tart, but seldom sour. Ripe oranges range from sweet to sour. And so forth.

The differences between those two fruits gave rise to the traditional saying, “You’re comparing apples and oranges.” That’s called “false equivalency.” Many politicians employ it occasionally in making arguments, but it’s been the go-to method of argumentation for Republicans as long as I can remember.

It’s still happening, of course. MAGA Guy was caught transporting White House documents to his Florida mansion, including many that were classified. He hid them, defied lawful subpoenas seeking them, and lied that they all had been returned. That resulted in an ongoing investigation that may end with a criminal indictment.

Somewhat later, a few classified documents turned up at President Biden’s office and his home, quickly followed by similar discoveries at former VP Mike Pence’s home. The right-wing propaganda machine — from Fox Disinformation Nation to the House Cuckoo Caucus — tried to portray those three different situations as if they were equivalent. In effect, they wailed, “Democrats steal classified documents, too!” That strategy bombed. Fox viewers don’t seem as stupid as GOP politicians think they are.

Since I was old enough to study current events, the GOP has smeared opponents by implying a false equivalence between “socialist” policies and Republican policies. See how many of these GOP bumper-sticker slogans you remember: The International Communist Conspiracy; A choice, not an echo; Better dead than Red; The homosexual agenda; Traditional family values; The liberal media; Tax and spend Democrats; Guns don’t kill people; Counterfeit Christianity; Deep state; Witch Hunt.

Behold, 11 GOP propaganda slogans, right off the top of my head. With a little research, I probably could have come up with a hundred. GOP propagandists spew out this stuff

COMPARING, Page 4B

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

SPECIAL AMUSEMENT PERMIT

The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, to accept oral and written comments on a special amusement permit application from Stella’s on the Square located at 6 North High Street for live music and shows from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. 1T15

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

APPLICATION BY PITSTOP PROPANE AND FUELS

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

APPLICATION BY BOODOO HOLDINGS

The Bridgton Planning Board will conduct a Public Hearing at the Bridgton Town Office, 3 Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, beginning at 5 p.m. to consider the following:

An application filed by Boodoo Holdings, located at North High Street, Bridgton, Maine 04009, known as Bridgton Tax Map 13B Lot 10.

The application is available for viewing at the Bridgton Town Office by appointment only. All interested individuals are invited to attend at the above place and time. 2T15

Public Notice

TOWN OF NAPLES

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

The Bridgton Planning Board will conduct a Public Hearing at The Bridgton Town Office, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, beginning at 5 p.m. to consider the following:

An application filed by Pitstop Propane and Fuels, located at Raspberry Lane, Bridgton, Maine 04009, known as Bridgton Tax Map 6 Lot 24I.

The application is available for viewing at the Bridgton Town Office by appointment only. All interested individuals are invited to attend at the above place and time. 2T15

This

game solutions

week’s

Opinions

Interconnection of all things

(Continued from Page 1B)

cars, have different political signs in our front yards, choose to decorate (or not decorate) at opposing times of the year, and some are bustling with energy while others — quiet. But that’s just at eye-level. What about all the ways we are connected “below” the surface. How the energy of what is happening in one household affects their neighbors just as the mycelium helps trees regulate forest health. I am blessed to live in a very tight-knit community, but we are all VERY different.

Recently, a fellow community member had a family emergency and I can’t tell you how IMMEDIATELY the rest of us showed up to support them in whatever way we could.

In that moment, and in the moments still, we are operating as one. We are giving, they are receiving and we are all a stronger, healthier community for it. Most times, I think we walk around denying our connectedness. Why? Does it scare us to pretend we are inexplicably connected to the neighbors who didn’t vote as we did? Where and when did we decide to deny how connected we are below the surface? Maybe if we truly band together knowing how interwoven we are, WE would be the largest living organism on the planet.

Megan-Mack Nicholson is a registered Maine Guide, Shamanic-Reiki Practitioner, certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Founder of Holon Healing and runs an Outdoor Leadership School in northern Maine. You can contact her at www.holonhealingme.com

Obituaries

John A. McSherry

John A. McSherry passed away at his home in the Florida Keys on March 30, 2023. John was born in Fryeburg, to Thomas and Dorothy McSherry on January 28, 1944. He grew up and was educated in Fryeburg, and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1963. John was a varsity member of the football, baseball and ski teams (captain 1962-63). He won the gold medal at the State Meet in ski jumping and participated in Student Council, oneact plays, the senior drama, as well as the Latin and French Clubs. He is a graduate of Nassan College and served as captain of the ski team while winning the NCAA Division 2 Championship. In 2022 John was inducted into the Fryeburg Academy Hall of Excellence.

After college, John volunteered for active duty and began a very exciting and distinguished naval career during the Vietnam War from 1966-1971. He was a naval aviator flying the F8 Crusader, the most challenging carrier-based interceptor of its era, often under very difficult conditions in part because F-8s flew on the Navy’s oldest (renovated WW2 vintage) and smallest aircraft carriers, as they were light enough to fly from ships of this size. After he received his wings, he went on to the Naval Justice School in Newport and became a JAG (Judge Advocate General), lawyer/judge under the uniform code of military justice.

John participated in a (then) classified program to evaluate the Mig 21 using an aircraft secured by Israel through an Iraqi defector. A handful of pilots with reputations as “the best in the fleet” were selected to participate in this program which then convinced the Navy to establish their “Top Gun” school for fighter pilots. John became one of the original “Top Gun” instructors. By all accounts, he was one of the best Navy pilots flying the most challenging and dangerous aircraft of that time. His experiences as a pilot fighter included a NATO mission, where he intercepted an armed Russian-crewed TU-16 bomber near his carrier in the Mediterranean in May of 1969. He was under orders to shoot it down unless an immediate course change. John volunteered his flying combat readiness to the Israeli Air Force prior to the Arab 7 Day War.

After the Navy John returned to the Fryeburg area where he started Western Maine Realty, and later to run McSherry’s Orchard in Sweden, Maine until 2010 when he retired full time to the Keys.

During the slow winter months during this period John went to the Florida Keys and established a marine search and salvage operation, searching Florida and Bahamian waters. He is well known and respected within the ocean marine archeological survey and recovery community and always had a governmentapproved marine archeologist on board when artifacts were moved for recovery.

John made several major finds of historic significance, including a very early site with hundreds of gold and silver bars that were confirmed to belong to Cortez, due to their assayer’s mark, documenting Cortez’s savage behavior. John donated two silver bars to Mexico’s National Museum, along with Aztec religious figurines from the find, documenting that Cortez had looted and melted down such native religious artifacts. Another of his significant finds was an early, 12-foot-long brass cannon that is now displayed in a London Museum. Recovery of this cannon was documented in a NOVA episode.

In 2010 he sold the McSherry’s Orchard to the Stephen King Family. They are now running Pie Tree Orchard, a major pickyour-own apple and fruit facility.

John retired to the Florida Keys in 2010 where he lived with his companion Lynne, and was locally nicknamed “Top Gun” John was a “self-declared” Patriot to his death.

John is predeceased by his parents, Thomas, and Dorothy McSherry and by his eldest daughter Katherine. He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie McSherry Chamberlain, and husband Carey, grandchildren Dexter and Zita, and his daughter Elizabeth McSherry and her husband Zach. He is survived by his sister Gail McSherry and brother Thomas (Ned) McSherry and life partner, Rochelle Leeder, his niece Paige Fox and husband Marcus, grandniece Kendra and husband Brent Thomas, and Nick Fox, and niece Bethany Higdon and husband Mike.

A celebration of life will be held graveside.

Arrangements are under the care of Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.woodfuneralhome.org

Fern A. Twitchell

NAPLES — Our beloved mother Fern Ann Twitchell passed away on April 4, 2023, at the age of 86. We are heartbroken to lose someone so special. She was a wonderful woman who will be deeply missed. She worked for Shaw’s Supermarkets for 27 years, volunteered at Twitchell Cafe at Bridgton Hospital and the Bridgton food pantry. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Bridgton, Maine Rebekah’s, Daughters of the Nile, Women’s Auxiliary, American Legion Post 155 and numerous others.

She was predeceased by her father Ben Twitchell, mother Mildred Twitchell, son Danial Knight, husband Ronald Sawtelle, and brothers Ben Twitchell and Erland Twitchell. She is survived by her sister Dotty Snow, sons Russell Knight, Michael Knight, Timothy Knight, Eric Knight, stepsons Ronald Sawtelle and Edward Sawtelle, 18 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

April 13, 2023, The Bridgton News, Page 3B

and many other charges, none of which has stuck.

Debora J. Sylvester

NAPLES — Debora J. (Barker)

Sylvester, 64, of Naples, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Maine Medical Center surrounded by family and close friends. Debbie was born March 5, 1959, to Almon and Norine (Sturgis) Barker. She grew up in Naples and graduated from Lake Region High School with the class of 1977. She married Robert Nyren in 1978, and they had four children. Debbie and Robert divorced in 1994. In 2003, Debbie married Donald Sylvester, who later died the same year.

Debbie built a career as a Lead Dental Assistant at Prosthodontics Associates in Portland for more than 20 years. During that time, she had multiple roles at the office and formed many lasting relationships with coworkers and patients. She helped organize annual office events to raise awareness for Donate Life, a cause very close to her heart, which promotes organ and tissue donation. Debbie was diagnosed with end stage liver disease (NASH) in June 2022, and some of her last wishes were to give of herself what she was able.

Always with a song in her heart, Debbie loved music. She played clarinet in the Bridgton Community Band for several years and encouraged her children to join. Debbie loved community. She spent many years working and volunteering at the Naples Public Library, as a part of parent groups, volunteering in local schools and at her church, and coaching youth sports. She loved her friends and her coworkers.

Above all, Debbie loved her family. She devoted her life to raising her children and took pride in being a grandmother. She always made herself present and available for as many of her children’s and grandchildren’s events as possible. She cherished her brother and sisters, and she was always excited to gather with extended family for reunions.

Debora is missed and survived by her daughters, Lisa Newcomb, of Portland, Maine; Michelle Nyren of Naples; Ann Nyren and son Jacob Lowberg of Raymond; and son Patrick Nyren of Hanover, Md., his wife Erin Nyren, and their three children: Liam, Norah, and Elizabeth; brother, David (Donna) Barker of Bridgton, and sisters Linda (Mike) Koloski of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Rosalie Fredericks of Lewiston; Bette (Steve) York of Freeport, and Janet (Peter) Richardson of Wilmington, N.C. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Joyce Barker.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Hall in Naples on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.

Always Improving

(Continued from Page 2B)

Democrats let the cat out of the bag. They are scared sh---less of Donald Trump! New York District Attorney Bragg (anointed by Soros) took a misdemeanor in drag to accuse a former president and leading candidate to run against Joe Biden of 34 misdemeanors based on a private transaction that is three to four years beyond the statute of limitations.

Bragg spent $200 million, pulled in 30,000-plus police officers to “protect” 100 Center Street and his frivolous ridiculous charges against Trump.

Democrat prosecutors in Georgia are trying the “phone call” gambit again against Trump.

Biden’s pet Attorney General, Merrick Garland, has appointed Jack Smith as Special Counsel to investigate the Mar-a-Lago files. Will AG Garland also appoint a special counsel to investigate Senator, VP, and President Biden’s voluminous files?

There will be a celebration of life held on April 22, 2023, at 27 Martin View Dr., Naples at 12 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net. Eric

A FBI SWAT team was used to raid Trump’s home, Mar-a-Lago, to get files from a locked room approved by the FBI to store the files. On the other hand, Biden’s files are spread out all over the countryside and protected by Joe’s Corvette. Biden gets a pass. The Russia fraud case, the two impeachments, emoluments, federal campaign and financial reporting laws, talking to Putin,

Letters LETTERS, Page 4B

Maybe that is why Nancy Pelosi said “…everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence” (emphasis mine). Really, the Constitution says everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.

Jock MacGregor Sebago

How can he win?

To The Editor: I still don’t get it. Here’s a man who claims to have never done wrong and the ‘enemies’ are out to get him. A soulless media tycoon and the assorted followers who see fit to stick with him (Trump) when he bragged about sexual assault, paid off at least one porn star, mocked vulnerable people, attacked judges, separated families, made racist and bigoted statements, gave tacit support to white supremacists, told thousands of lies, undermined democracy, cozied up to dictators, tried to extort Ukraine, stole classified documents, and was twice impeached. His followers swallow all his big lies like a large-mouthed bass.

I try to find the good in everyone. But, this guy eludes me. He’s even nasty to his own family, berating them at times in public. Apparently, he’s a legend in his own mind. He’s innocent of everything thrown his way. The only perfect person beside you know who. And, he’s thumped the bible for

Dale W. Smith

AUGUSTA — Dale W. Smith, 75, of Sweden, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Togus VA Hospital in Augusta. He served in Vietnam, 1st Cavalry, during the heavy use of Agent Orange and battled very hard and long with the health complications in his years after as a result.

He was born in Longbeach, Wash., a son of the late William and Harriett Gould Smith.

Dale attended Hudson Bay High school and joined the United States Army directly afterwards, which he proudly served.

After leaving the military he worked as an auto mechanic for most of his life but also greatly enjoyed his time as a volunteer driver. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. His witty and playful personality ensured he was loved by all. Dale treated everyone he met like he’s been their friend for years even if he just met them in line at the supermarket.

He was predeceased by his loving parents, William and Harriett Smith, two brothers, Ivan and Theron and a sister Theral.

He leaves behind three loving children to cherish his memories, his daughter Cheryl Ackerman and her spouse David, his sons Adam Smith and his spouse Sue, Thomas Smith and his spouse Shari, four grandchildren and one great-grandson along with many other family and friends.

In keeping with Dale’s wishes all services are at the convenience of the family, interment will take place at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. To make an online condolence please visit www. chandlerfuenrnals.com

Opinions

Easter Egg Hunt in Harrison

(Continued from Page 3B)

God’s sake. (His “favorite book besides his own.”)

I hope he runs in 2024 and makes good on it. He’ll lose to anyone. My barber, for instance. The public simply doesn’t like him and he’s never won a popular vote with the public. Imagine, he may even run behind a legal cage. (Where he belongs.) Good riddance. Ugh.

Peter Bollen Bridgton

Howe Jr. rebuttal

To The Editor:

GOOD TURNOUT

— About 100 children showed up at the Crystal Lake Park for the Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning. A couple children show off the eggs they found. Harrison Recreation Department hosted the event, which included the egg hunt, prizes and photos with the Easter bunny. (De Busk Photos)

Comparing Apples & Oranges

(Continued from Page 2B)

like rancid sausage. Their slogans stick in our memory, but they all have one thing in common. They’re false, deliberate distortions of reality through half-truths and outright lies.

It began in 1950, when GOP Sen. Joe McCarthy waved a sheet of paper and snarled, “I have here in my hand a list

An Easter Cantata

(Continued from Page 1B)

Congregational Church, on Easter Sunday at 4 o’clock. The Cantata will be of about thirty minute’s duration and will be ‘The Risen King.’

There will be tenor solos by Carl Kilborn and a special feature will be solos and duets by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dodds of Portland, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, who are now at the Chestnut Street Church. A cordial invitation is extended to the public to attend this concert.”

And how’s this for a follow-up;

“‘The Risen King’ Presented by Fremstad Club

A feature of the Easter observance at the Congregational Church this year was the presentation by the Fremstad Club of the sacred cantata, The Risen King, arranged for female voices only and the club scored another success, although it is to be regretted that the audience was not larger as much time had been put into the preparation.

Mrs. Grace Richardson conducted and Miss Constance Saunders was at the organ. Rev. E.F. Doughty, of the Methodist Church assisted the pastor, Rev. Stanley C. Sherman, in the devotional services.

Prior to the presentation of the cantata, a double quartet sang Unfold Ye Portals and there were solo numbers by Carl Kilbor, of Bridgton and by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dodds of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds also rendered a duet number during the afternoon, the cantata being given as a Vesper Service. Miss Anna Saunders also rendered a cello solo with her sister Miss Constance Saunders at the organ.”

Till next time!

The mission of the Bridgton Historical Society is to collect, preserve, interpret, and share the history and traditions of Bridgton and the surrounding communities, to advocate for preservation, and to consult on matters which affect our town’s identity and sense of place. We are 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Visit us at https://www.bridgtonhistory.org

This week’s puzzle theme: Cartoon CharaCters

of 205…members of the Communist Party, and who nevertheless are still working and shaping the policy of the State Department.” McCarthy never showed his “list” to anyone, never revealed a single name and, in subsequent speeches, stated the number of alleged “communists” as 57, 81 or 10. For all we know, he could have been waving his laundry list.

Since McCarthyism, far-right Republicans have devoured a steady diet of wild accusations and crackpot theories. Once it was established, equating Democrats and communists became a standard GOP smear. We still read it in the newspaper, like this line from last week’s letters to the editor: “It happened to 38 million Russians because they wouldn’t play nice with the leftist/Communists.” In fact, Russians have lived under brutal authoritarian tyrants for 1,200 years, except for a few failed attempts at elected government. Leftists aren’t communists, and communists aren’t leftists. That’s comparing apples and oranges again.

Nonsense like this drove me out of the Republican Party in 1974. Even in my thirties, I could see where the GOP was headed, and I resolved not to go there with them. For example, consider the ugly hatchet-job they’ve done upon a traditionally noble word, “liberal.” Merriam Webster defines liberal as, “not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms.” Listed among its synonyms are, “broad-minded, open-minded, unconventional, progressive, unorthodox.

Call yourself a liberal today and right-wing critics jump on you with hobnailed boots. A former chairman of the Maine Republican Party, Charlie Webster, built his career railing against imaginary “liberal, Socialist, Communist labor unions.” Liberal, socialist and communist are very different philosophies. The sooner the far-right stops parroting 70-year-old smears, the better for everyone.

Rev. Robert Plaisted is a retired United Methodist clergyman, formerly of Bridgton, now residing in Bath.

In his April 6 letter, Robert Howe Jr. of Bridgton makes some pretty farfetched claims:

• Socialist ruling Democrats are intent on taking away his ICE car motor and gas stove;

• The aforementioned are all corrupt and are receiving a piece of the action for it;

• Democrats alone are responsible for all urban crime for (sic) their waging war on law enforcement;

• Budget cutting, wokeism and recognition of those who identify as non-binary is going to precipitate an inability of America’s military to thwart an inevitable Chinese takeover; this is of course nonsensical given the Biden administration’s massive military funding — $100 billion more appropriated in fiscal year 2022 and billions more than the Pentagon actually requested voted for by Democrats and Republicans alike!

(https://www.defense. gov/News/Releases/ Release/Article/3326875/ department-of-defenserelea ses-the-presidents-

fiscal-year-2024-defensebudget/)

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey recently said: “Day in and day out, you hear Republicans and their acolytes deriding socialism on Fox News. They don’t like the green new deal. It’s socialism. Well, what do you call tax breaks for oil, gas, and coal industry for 100 years?”

Given these aforementioned insanities do not represent any sane “social welfare” handouts to the poor that I’ve no doubt — were they implemented — would freak you right outta of your suspenders Mr. Howe; to the contrary, this is corporate socialism you and I are obliged to underwrite by law, and does that make it any less heinous for being the antithesis of a “woke” and educated aware citizen’s social fiscal policy precipitated by their awakened vote?

Jon St. Laurent Lovell

Idaho?

To The Editor: Perhaps for those of us not possessing Mr. St. Laurent’s infinite wisdom and knowledge he would be so kind as to share with us what Idaho infers.

We are all indeed fortunate to have The News to weekly inform us so well on local activities and people, and for “frosting on the cake” provide amusing entertainment from folks totally lacking in self-awareness and analytic skills, who while providing a consistent flow of drivel and insults ironically excoriate those with whom they disagree as doing the same thing. It’s pretty funny when you think about it.

Equally amusing is their amalgam of facts/opinions

LETTERS, Page 8B

smallboat shop

restoration & repair of wood/canvas canoes

hio ridge rd. denmark me 04022 207-256-9073 smallboatshop@fairpoint.net www.smallboat-shop.com

Full service garage offering knowledge, skills and services on anything from your daily drivers, hot rods, heavy duty and diesel; to fleet work, custom exhaust, lifts, speed, and high performance.

207.256.8080

69. “Time,” e.g., colloquially

70. Hint of color

71. “The Way We ___”

72. Farm pen 73. Skedaddle

DOWN

1. What hedonism and idealism have in common

2. Rejections

3. Flatfoot’s lack

4. Pie option

5. Calamitous

6. One of the Eagles

7. *Pluto or Snoopy

8. Acrobat maker

9. Rural building

10. Homesteader’s purchase, sing.

11. Nabisco’s “Chips

Earth Day Panel Discussion

The Letter, a documentary film produced in 2022 to focus attention on our changing climate and other ecological issues, will be featured at the Magic Lantern Theater in Bridgton on Earth Day, April 22, from noon to 2 p.m.

An interactive panel with Mary Jewett, teacher/natu-

ralist at Lakes Environmental Association, Matt Markot, executive director of Loon Echo Land Trust, and Maine State Senator Rick Bennett (R-District 18) will follow the 80-minute film.

Mary Jewett, LEA Matt Markot, Loon Echo Rick Bennett, State Senator

Local Happenings

Texas Hold’em tournament

HARRISON — The Harrison Lions Club will be holding their Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, April 15 at the Lions’ Den, located in the back of the Block Building on Main Street in Harrison.

There will be a $60 entry fee. Doors will open at 12 p.m. with a start time of 1 p.m. Great food and refreshment will be available. Proceeds will be used to support the Harrison Food Bank and Harrison Rec activities.

Otisfield Community Lunch

OTISFIELD — If it’s the third Wednesday of the month, it must be Otisfield’s Community Lunch. April 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Community Hall, the Social Outreach Committee hosts its first Spring Lunch of the year.

The menu features baked ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, salads, rolls and cake for dessert. The meal is free. Donations are appreciated and make this a selfsupporting event.

The Community Hall is located at 292 on Route 121. Please consider inviting a friend, a neighbor or anyone who might enjoy getting out.

‘High on the Hog’ Supper

CASCO — The Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ is hosting its “High on the Hog!” supper on Saturday, April 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This dinner will feature ham and pork, baked beans, casseroles, crisp salads, rolls, and homemade pies! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 10 and under.

The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco. Telephone: 207-627-4282.

Rotary speakers

Bridgton’s Community Development Director

Tory Hill will be joined by Susie Guthro, Community Resilience Builder with the Opportunity Alliance, in speaking at the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, April 20, 7:30 a.m. at Stella’s on the Square, 6 North High Street in Bridgton.

The meeting is in-person only. It is free and open to the public.

Hill will address Bridgton’s Comprehensive Plan.

Guthrie, as project manager for Bridgton’s Community Heart & Soul seed grant, will share how the project is proceeding and seek input for the town’s future vision. For more information, contact lakeregionrotary@ gmail.com.

Summary: Five people from very different walks of life and faiths receive an invitation to the Vatican from Pope Francis, whose acclaimed encyclical, Laudato Si’, is inspiring world efforts to address a range of ecological crises. Each person reflects on the declining ability of earth’s ecosystems to absorb environmental assaults where they live and the cumulative impacts this has on humans and wildlife worldwide. Together, they explore ways humanity can contribute positive actions, in a spirit of hope and determination, to be better stewards of earth’s gifts and one another.

All are welcome to celebrate Earth Day at this special showing of “The Letter.” Admission is free. An optional $5 donation would be appreciated to benefit local environmental efforts.

The event is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Maine and hosted by the St. Joseph Parish’s Social Justice and Peace Commission of Bridgton and Fryeburg. Contact Bill Wood at Catholic Charities of Maine with any questions: 207-956-1457.

Gallery speaker on Abstract Art

Richard Allen, a local artist, will be giving a presentation on “Abstract Art” at Gallery 302 tonight, Thursday, April 13, at 4 p.m.

The theme of his talk

Free movies & more at Lantern

The Magic Lantern Innovation Center is bringing another season of free family older movies on Saturdays at 1 p.m. for the community.

The family movies are sponsored by the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, including the Grand Lodge, and the Chalmers Insurance Group and will run for 20 weeks. Located in Bridgton, the Magic Lantern Theater and Innovation Center is focused on community. The family movies are free to the public. The concessions stand is open — food and drinks are not included in the free movie offer.

This weekend on Saturday, April 15 is the original 1978 Superman. Check out the Magic Lantern theater website for movie schedules each week.

Classic Senior Movies — The Magic Lantern Theater and Innovation Center continues to offer Classic Senior Movies on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. for a dessert, hot beverage, and some fun. All are welcome. There is no cost to come watch the movie. The ML offers coffee and a sweet treat for $4 per person. It is a great, and fun trip to the movies for all.

Trivia Night returns — Back by popular demand, join the Magic Lantern for Trivia Night at Web’s Tavern every Thursday Night at 7 p.m. The trivia event is a family friendly evening. Teams of up to six players are eligible to play — win bragging rights and the first-place team wins a prize.

important thing for critics to remember is the subject matter in abstract painting and the abstraction in representational work.”

A primary source for this discussion is the book,

Youth Workshops — The Magic Lantern Innovation Center has a series of workshops for youth during April vacation, as well. Tuesday April 18, Build a Wormery — An earthworm can eat its own weight in soil every day! Kids will learn all about worms and build their own wormery to take home with them.

Wednesday, April 19, Grow a Grass Head — Do you know what makes a seed grow? Come investigate the life cycle of plants and make your own grass head to take home.

Thursday, April 20, Bug Hotel — Everybody needs a home even the bugs in your garden. Come learn about the beneficial insects living in your yard and make a bug hotel to take home.

MAGIC LANTERN, Page 6B

‘Spring’ Concert

FRYEBURG — Local musicians welcome spring in a casual concert on Sunday, April 16 at 5 p.m. at Fryeburg New Church.

RICHARD ALLEN’S “Face of the Future.” Allen’s presentation on “Abstract Art” is tonight, April 13 at 4 p.m. at Gallery 302.

is expressed in the following quote by the painter, Fairfield Porter: “The

The Painter’s Mind, written by Romare Bearden and Carl Holty. Even though the book was published in 1969, it is an excellent analysis of structure and space in painting — universal concepts that transcend specific subject matter. Some questions

ABSTRACT, Page 7B

The church is located at 12 Oxford Street in Fryeburg and is the home of a recently-purchased Chickering grand piano worth playing. Ellen Schwindt hosts open piano events on an occasional basis. People who have music to share — not just piano — gather and perform for a community audience.

This time, the program’s theme is “To Spring.” The title is eponymous with a piece Grieg included in Opus 43 that Schwindt will perform in the concert. Its music is full of promise,

Naples/Casco/Raymond

American Legion Post #155

with Emily

Friday, April 14 6-8 p.m.

Queen

Karaoke

with Ericca Saturday, April 15

Sun., April 16 • 4 p.m.

TEXAS HOLD’EM

Thursday, April 27 • 6

but is not without reference to the dark days when the snow returns. Charlotte Gill will be sharing two movements from one of the Bach French Suites. Gill and Schwindt will play together on a set of pieces called Method Book Miniatures. These are little musical jokes inspired by famous teaching pieces. The program’s musical selections will be seasoned with spring poems. Other players and readers are welcome to contribute. To join in the performance, please contact Ellen Schwindt at ellen.m.schwindt@gmail. com.

Admission to the concert is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted to help take care of the piano, and to support the musicians.

Area birth

Maverix Dana Manchester-Cummings , son of Hope Manchester of Casco and Isaac Woodward of Gray, was born on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 11:02 at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.

Maverix weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

Maternal grandparents: Linda Manchester and Dana Manchester of Casco.

Paternal grandparent: Bill Cummings of Gray.

Opera & Festivals at LHEPAC

Upcoming performances at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Fryeburg Academy, include: Fryeburg Academy Spring Concert, tonight, Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m. This year’s annual spring concert features the Fryeburg Academy Chorus, Band, and the Valley String Ensemble. The Valley Strings program features the music of Jean Sibelius in addition to original compositions by student composer, Isaac Houghton, and one of the group’s directors, Ellen Schwindt.

The FA Chorus will be performing a wide variety of styles, including Desh, a piece based on an Indian Raga. The FA students are excited to welcome members of the Molly Ockett Chorus for two pieces. A highlight of the FA Band program is “Foundry,” an intense piece that utilizes a wide array of found metal percussion. The band has been working in collaboration with students in the Technical Arts in the creation of percussion instruments for this unique work. Admission is free. No reservations required.

Met Opera Live in HD, Der Rosenkavalier, Saturday, April 15, 12 p.m. A dream cast assembles for Strauss’s grand Viennese comedy.

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 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. Fryeburg Academy Spring Concert at 7 p.m. at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center (18 Bradley Street, Fryeburg). This year’s annual spring concert features the Fryeburg Academy Chorus, Band, and the Valley String Ensemble. Admission is free. No reservations required.

Saturday, April 15

Der Rosenkavalier at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center (18

Soprano Lise Davidsen is the aristocratic Marschallin, opposite mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as her lover, Octavian, and soprano Erin Morley as Sophie, the beautiful younger woman who steals his heart. Bass Günther Groissböck returns as the churlish Baron Ochs, and Markus Brück is Sophie’s wealthy father, Faninal. Maestro Simone Young takes the Met podium to oversee Robert Carsen’s fin-de-siècle staging. Estimated run time: 4 hours 30 minutes. For tickets, go to the website at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac

• Opera enthusiast Joe De Vito will be hosting his Opera Lecture Series today, Thursday, April 13 at 3 p.m. in the LHE/PAC Seminar Room. The lectures are free and open to the public. No Man’s Land Film Festival, Friday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. The Girl Up club at Fryeburg Academy is excited to bring “No Man’s Land Film Festival” to the Mount Washington Valley! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with rad raffle items and a vendor fair highlighting local, women-owned, and outdoor-oriented businesses. The films will begin at 7 p.m. There will be snacks and a raffle at intermission. Suggested $10 cash donation at the door to support Fryeburg Academy’s

Magic Lantern

(Continued from Page 5B)

Foster Better Futures

— A very special event for the community is on Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon — Take Action to Foster Better Futures.

Join the Magic Lantern for a free family event!

Learn more about foster care and the need for resource families, and enjoy a screening of the documentary Foster (PG-13). A Q/A panel session will follow the screening. Check out the website for more information.

Girl Up club — contributing to advancing girls’ rights, health, and education in developing countries and promoting gender equality within sports and the outdoors. The PAC is located at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg. E-mail: boxoffice@fryeburgacademy.org

Phone: 207-544-9066

Calendar of Events

Bradley Street, Fryeburg).

Estimated run time: 4 hours 30 minutes. For tickets, go to the website at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac

• Opera enthusiast Joe De

Vito will be hosting his Opera Lecture Series Thursday, April 13 at 3 p.m. in the LHE/ PAC Seminar Room. The lectures are free and open to the public.

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

Sunday, April 16

Casual Concert at 5 p.m. at Fryeburg New Church, 12 Oxford Street in Fryeburg featuring Ellen Schwindt and Charlotte Gill. The program’s musical selections will be seasoned with spring poems. Other players and readers are welcome to contribute. To join in the performance, please contact Ellen Schwindt at ellen.m.schwindt@gmail. com. Admission to the concert is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted to help take care of the piano, and to support the musicians.

Tuesday, April 18 Senior Luncheon at the Harrison Fire Station Community Room at 12 p.m. Menu: pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and dessert. Following lunch, “minuteto-win-it” games. RSVP to 207-583-2241 or recreation@

harrisonmaine.org

Informational Meeting. Join the Fryeburg Rescue Auxiliary from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for or an informational meeting on how to join. The meeting will be held at the Fryeburg Rescue Station, 89 Bridgton Road in Fryeburg. For more information, contact Penny Parmenter at (207) 890-8073.

Wednesday, April 19

Fraud Prevention talk by Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones at noon at the Bridgton Community Center during the weekly senior luncheon.

Otisfield Community Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Community Hall, presented by the Social Outreach Committee. The menu features baked ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, salads, rolls and cake for dessert. The meal is free Donations are appreciated and make this a self-supporting event. The Community Hall is located at 292 on Route 121.

Thursday, April 20

Guest speakers at Rotary Meeting, Bridgton’s Community Development Director Tory Hill will be joined by Susie Guthro, Community Resilience Builder with the Opportunity Alliance, in speaking at the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, April 20, 7:30 a.m. at Stella’s on the Square, 6 North High Street in Bridgton. The meeting is in-person only. It is free and open to the public. 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 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.

Friday, April 21 and

Saturday, April 22 Homeschoolers of Maine presents its 33rd Annual Convention — Families Helping Families, Together with HOME, featuring renowned keynote speaker Perry Ployhar in Augusta. Register at www.homeschoolersofmaine.org

Friday, April 21 to

Sunday, April 23

The Original’s present ICE GLEN, a wistful period comedy, at Saco River Theatre. April 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 General Admission at www.sacorivertheate.org or call 207-9296473 for reservations.

Saturday, April 22

Spring Rummage Sale at St. Catherine of Sienna Church. The rummage sale has new-to-you clothes for women, men and children at very reasonable prices. You may be able to find something

you didn’t know you needed in one of the White Elephant rooms where the prices are better than any local store. The sale runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Arrive early for the best choices or take your chance at a dollar a bag beginning at 11 a.m. Please bring your own bags. Proceed from the sale support the free, community Thanksgiving dinner. St. Catherine of Sienna Church is located at 32 Paris Street in Norway.

Earth Day Clean Up. 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.

Free showing of “The Letter,” a documentary film produced in 2022 to focus attention on our changing climate and other ecological issues, will be featured at the Magic Lantern Theater in Bridgton on Earth Day, from noon to 2 p.m.

An interactive panel with Mary Jewett, teacher/naturalist at Lakes Environmental Association, Matt Markot, executive director of Loon Echo Land Trust, and Maine State Senator Rick Bennett (R-District 18) will follow the 80-minute film. An optional $5 donation would be appreciated to benefit local environmental efforts.

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

Church Supper, Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ is hosting its “High on the Hog!” supper on from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This dinner will feature ham and pork, baked beans, casseroles, crisp salads, rolls, and homemade pies! It’s all for only $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 10 and under. The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco.

Friday, April 28 No Man’s Land Film Festival, at the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center (18 Bradley Street, Fryeburg). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with rad raffle items and a vendor fair highlighting local, women-owned, and outdoor-oriented businesses. The films will begin at 7 p.m. There will be snacks and a raffle at intermission. Suggested $10 cash donation at the door to support Fryeburg Academy’s Girl Up club — contributing to advancing girls’ rights, health, and education in developing countries and promoting gender equality within sports and the outdoors.

Saturday, April 29

Create a 19th Century Style Floorcloth, presented by the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity, https:// www.rufusportermuseum. org/event-details/readingsand-q-a-with-maine-poet-laureate-julia-bouwsma

Drive-Up Lunch at the Lovell United Church of Christ (1174 Main Street), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $5 per person, chili, corn bread and dessert, drop by or call Joyce at 9283132 to reserve your meal. Proceeds benefit Mission Committee work.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

QuirkWorks Photography Commercial, Product & Lifestyle photography and video quirkworksstudio.com / 207-239-4154 (12/23x)

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

Deertrees’ summer events

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beer, wine, canned cocktails, and snacks are available in the Café. Bring your best, quirky, unusual, and astounding talents for a fun night of surprises — maybe your big break! All are welcome, whether performing or just enjoying the show from the audience. Please schedule a performance time slot at deertrees-theatre.org/gong-show-open-mic-night.html

Magic Bus – The Who Tribute Band, Friday, June 30, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $27. The Who, one of rock’s most iconic bands, made the charts in 1964 with their hit song, Can’t Explain, launching their amazing journey to fame. Magic Bus, a tribute band based in Portland captures The Who’s authentic original sound and feel.

Maine as a solo artist and as the front man of Phil ’n the Blanks. Phil’s original songs reflect lessons hard learned and the joy that comes from a life dedicated to his art.

The Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy, Saturday, July 29, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $34. What do you get when you combine Elton John and Billy Joel on one stage?

A night of Grammy® award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducing magic! “Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy” is a tribute to the amazing songs of Billy Joel and Elton John, featuring Joe Boucher on piano and vocals with arrangements by Christopher Eastburn.

An Evening at Dave’s Sauna, Friday, August 4, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 5, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $29. The “Rated N for Naughty” musical is back by popular demand! All bets are off in this tale of a Saturday night in 1980 at the legendary Dave’s Sauna in South Paris, Maine, where hippies, rednecks, bikers, townies, swingers, and all kinds of folks would

back and “Sing a Song” in Deertrees’ Salt Lick Cabaret setting. Dark Side of Somewhere Dance Immersion, Friday, August 24, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 25, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $25. “The Dark Side of Somewhere” is the world premiere of a unique and immersive multimedia dance and circus arts experience brought to life by sisters Nettie and Hannah Gentempo. This new, exciting production is set to mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon. Conflict, greed, time, money, life, death, and a deep dive into the imagination are all themes explored through this production that includes a full cast of dancers and flow/circus artists, puppets, costumes, and a stunning, large-scale video backdrop.

A Tribute to Jeff Buckley with Sami Sabbagh, Thursday, August 31, 7 p.m., tickets are $10.

Join first-time Deertrees artist and theatre intern Sami Sabbagh as he makes his solo debut and carries listeners through the history and meaning behind one of the world’s most enchanting artist’s songs. Explore a retrospective of the life and times of Jeff Buckley, son of famous folk singer Tim Buckley, whose life was cut short by a riptide in the Mississippi River. In a live Salt Lick Cabaret performance, Sabbagh covers multiple songs from Buckley’s albums Grace and Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk.

Almost Maine – A Real Romantic Comedy, Fridays, July 7, 21, and 23, and Saturdays July 8, and 22, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $25. John Cariani’s play Almost, Maine, comprises nine short plays exploring love, loss, and a little bit of magic in a remote, mythical almost-town named “Almost,” Maine. On a cold, clear midwinter night, under the northern lights in the sky above, Almost’s residents are falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Love is lost, found, and confounded, and life for the people of Almost will never be the same. Featuring the official Maine state song My Sweet Maine, by local composer Terry Swett.

Tipping Points: The Halcyon Quartet, a benefit concert for the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy in Norway, Sunday, July 9, 4 p.m., tickets range from $5 to $60 (pay what you can). The Center for an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE) presents a multimedia performance featuring The Halcyon Quartet, raising awareness for environmental challenges. CEBE engages the community in addressing the climate emergency.

Sebago Long Lake Music Festival, Tuesdays, July 11 through August 8, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $35 per concert, season passes are $135.

Family & Movie Musical Songs with Susie Pepper, Ali Butler, and Mixology, Thursday, July 13, 3 p.m., and Friday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., tickets are $15. Performing artist Susie Pepper and her amazing twin sister Ali Butler bring their voices and unmatchable energy to two concerts geared for families and kids, ages 2 to 102! Attendees are encouraged to enjoy making costumes to dress up as their favorite movie character and attend the concert in high-style!

Donor/Sponsor Dance Party featuring The Cobblestones Band, Saturday, July 15, 6:30 p.m., suggested $10 donation, free admission for all sponsors, donors, and volunteers. The popular Cobblestones Band performs tunes to sway and dance to all night long. Enjoy complimentary bites and a cash bar, mingle with friends, listen to great music and explore Deertrees’ Art Gallery, Salt Lick Café and cabaret setting, and the welcoming back porch under the Maine stars!

Camp Encore Coda’s Faculty Ensemble Concert Monday, July 17, 6:30 p.m., admission is free, donations gratefully accepted. The talented staff of Camp Encore Coda present a 20-piece chamber orchestra concert, free to the public. Phil ’n the Blanks, Thursday, July 27, 7 p.m., tickets are $10. Phil Allen sings and plays his guitar all around southern

come for a sauna (and maybe more)! This original musical is based on true accounts of the sauna back in its heyday. Meet Weird Rob, Bearded Hippie, Off-Duty Waitress, 9-5 Guy, Neighbor Not Happy, Local Town Cop, Trailer Park Woman, MassHole, Dave’s best friend Saul, his wife Nancy, her best friend Josephine, the seductive Sauna Sirens and many other colorful characters.

Lobster Roll Fundraiser, Friday, August 11, 12 to 4 p.m.

Preorder for $25 at deertrees-theatre.org/lobster-roll-fundraiser.html. Preorder accepted online by August 5 to enjoy delicious lobster rolls (chock full of tail, knuckle, and claw meat), a bag of chips and a cookie, all in support of Deertrees Theatre. Purchasers pick up their order at United Parish UCC, 77 Main Street, Harrison.

Midnight Breakfast, Saturday, August 12, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $22. Admission includes a glass of bubbly (attendees must be age 21-up). Maine’s five-piece Indie-soul band Midnight Breakfast has quickly become a household name. Improvisational live performance style, commanding stage presence, and groovy melodies make each Midnight Breakfast show unique, energizing, and ultimately unforgettable.

3 Day Funk, Thursday, August 17, 7 p.m., tickets are $10.

Enjoy 70s to 90s-era hard classic rock in Deertrees Salt Lick Cabaret setting. 3 Day Funk is a classic rock trio paying homage to the great bands of yesteryear. With a music catalogue of familiar songs — whether blues, hard rock, or a little funk — attendees are sure to enjoy a rockin’ good time.

Susie Pepper Sings Carole King and Bonnie Raitt, Friday, August 18, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $35. Susie Pepper & Mixology present a one-of-a-kind concert featuring the beloved songs of Carole King and Bonnie Raitt.

Yesterday Once More – Music of The Carpenters, Thursday, August 24, 7 p.m., tickets are $20. Back by popular demand, performing artists Katie Connor, Gail Phaneuf, and Patti Hathaway sing your favorites and lead a cabaret performance of some of The Carpenters’ most famous hits, and its suddenly yesterday once more! With Sam Levy on electric guitar and Dan Fox on saxophone, this is a fun night to kick

Naples Easter Festivities

Kippy – Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living! Friday, September 1, 7 p.m., tickets are $20. A onewoman theatrical imagining of Kip Tiernan, “Kippy – Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living!” explores the life of social justice hero and founder of Boston’s Rosie’s Place, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Healthcare for the Homeless, The Poor People’s United Fund, and many others. Kip Tiernan was an extraordinary character and a force of nature who changed the face of social justice in Boston. Passionate and salty-tongued, she engendered outrage and empathy for the plight of poor and homeless women in crisis. Kip founded Rosie’s Place in 1974, the first-ever homeless shelter for women in the United States. Written and performed by playwright and Deertrees’ Artistic Director Gail Phaneuf.

“Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Still Only the Piano Player!” David Sheel, Comedy/Piano, Sunday, September 3, 7 p.m., tickets are $24. It’s no small wonder that his style is often compared with the late, great Victor Borge. Comedian and pianist David Sheel welcomes audiences to spend a night alternating interludes of hysterical laughter with technically brilliant piano performance.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Friday, September 8, 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, September 9, 6:30 p.m., tickets are $20.

A modern staging of this Shakespeare classic, set during 1960s America — a nation in transition, in the real-world city of Athens, Georgia. Serving today as a safe haven for queer and genderqueer persons, in the 60s, Athens was full of tight-knit townsfolk in one of the most conservative towns in America. The setting transforms the faerie characters from fey spirits to queer and genderqueer aliens, whose interaction with conservative Athens fundamentally changes the city for the better. From the minds of Shakespeare veterans Rob Faucher and Hal St. Louis comes a night of love, magic, and robots unlike anything you’ve seen before. Brace yourselves to experience something otherworldly - the extraterrestrial universe just got a whole lot bigger in this fabulous frolic!

The Salt Lick Café Cabaret Series

Deertrees’ Salt Lick Café opens two hours before each event, and is home to Deertrees Art Gallery curated by Artist Karen Pettengill. The café offers beer, wine, canned cocktails and a variety of sweet and savory snacks. The Salt Lick Cabaret space has art gallery table seating for up to 65 people, serving as a cozy, intimate space for Deertrees’ smaller performances.

For more information, visit deertrees-theatre.org/salt-lickseries-events.html.

About Deertrees Theatre Deertrees Theatre’s ticket prices include a $2 Heritage Fee that supports the ongoing restoration and improvements to Deertrees Theatre. To purchase tickets, or more information, visit deertrees-theatre.org, e-mail gail@deertrees.org, or follow Deertrees Theatre on Facebook and Instagram.

peeps orchestrate, there was no scheduled arson or looting on their agenda.

PLAYING BINGO together — After the Easter egg hunt at Songo Lock School, families sat down in the school’s cafeteria for several games of Easter Bingo. Also, after the egg hunt, story time was offered to the children. Saturday’s activities were hosted by Naples Community Activities Department and the Naples Recreation Committee. (De Busk Photos)

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such as the reference last week to those “murdered” and maimed on Jan. 6. It really is an inconvenient fact that the only murder that day was an unarmed protester shot at point-blank range by a Capitol officer, who for reasons not clear was not subject to the normal scrutiny attendant to police killings.

White privilege allowed the protesters to go to dinner Mr. StL.? Ork ork, good boy. Your handlers will give you a trophy for that.

No, Mr. StL., they went home to dinner because they had completed their protest, and unlike the events your

Progress is being made here, however, if one notices Mr. StL. refers to the folks as rioters not insurrectionists. Lord almighty…another Easter miracle! There may be hope for him yet!

Finally, Mr. StL., a suggestion for you. Bearing in mind the old adage “you’re known by the company you keep,” do you really want to ally yourself with Hillary? Don Vose Naples P.S. Oh, and just to save you the trouble, what you and the pack of hyenas has done to our 45th President is disgraceful, and it is my fervent hope he emulates Grover Cleveland.

MAGIC BUS, The Who tribute band, Friday, June 30, 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy image)

AN EVENING AT DAVE’S SAUNA, 2022 performance. Catch it this year on Friday, August 4, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 5, 7:30 p.m (Image by Ram McDonough)