Explanation Land Use Committee gives an overview of proposed Bridgton ordinance Page 3A
Staying alive
Inside News
LR rallies for three runs in final at bat to beat Wells in softball; baseball nipped
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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 23
28 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
June 6, 2019
(USPS 065-020)
Next Wk . . Just Desserts
www.bridgton.com
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Effort to launch Magic Lantern Innovation Lab $2 million raised, $2 million to go ORONO — A $4 million fundraising campaign is underway to purchase the Magic Lantern, a theater and pub on Depot Street in Bridgton, and expand the community engagement it offers with the development of an innovation lab and learning center for youth. To date, the Maine 4-H Foundation has raised half of the $4 million needed to purchase the facility from Snapdragon LLC to create and open the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab and Learning Center. The center, which will be led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will provide a hub of creative activity for rural youth in
the Maine Lakes Region. Under Maine 4-H Foundation ownership, the Magic Lantern will continue to offer a three-auditorium theater, a pub with upgraded movie projection capabilities, and a venue for community engagement. The UMaine Extension 4-H youth development program will increase the educational offerings, and outreach to schools and educational nonprofit organizations. The goal is to have proceeds from the Magic Lantern theater and pub fund local youth education, making the facility as selfsustaining as possible. “Our intention has
always been to promote entertainment, culture and education through the Magic Lantern. We lit the torch — 4-H and the University of Maine will continue to run with it. We couldn’t be happier,” said Magic Lantern co-owner Frank Howell of the project. Magic Lantern opened in February of 2008 as a community center with state-ofthe-art technology, including high-definition projection and sound systems, and full stages. The facility was put up for sale in 2017. The following year, talks began with the co-owners of the Magic Lantern, community members and the Maine
4-H Foundation to explore the possibility of the philanthropic and educational venture. In addition to Frank Howell and Susan Jennings, the planning team behind the project included the creative thinking of Dan Cousins and the input of many local community members including school superintendents, head mas-
ters, nonprofit educators and foundation leaders. Among the priorities: educational opportunities for young people focused
on the arts, and on mathematics through design and engineering activities. In the Tannery Pub, a dine-in LEARNING, Page 3A
Hotel Bridgton up for final approval Monday
After two days and nearly 10 hours of deliberation last week, the Bridgton Planning Board gave tentative approval to the Hotel Bridgton project. The board will meet on Monday at 3 p.m. in the municipal complex lower meeting room to review the Findings of Fact, and decide whether to give final approval. Through considerable discussion, planners attached an “extensive list” of conditions as part of the tentative approval.
If the project is approved, the decision will be appealed to the town’s Appeals Board, according to Susan Hatch, a member of the Save Kennard Street group, which opposed the project targeted for the former Saunders Mill dowel site and was represented by legal counsel during public hearings. An appeal must be filed within 30 days of the planning board’s final approval, according to town administrative secretary Brenda Day.
Planning candiate profile: Samantha Zawistowski
THE BEFORE PHOTO — Three friends (from left) Olivia Chaine, 9; Danielle Pelkie, 8; and Melanie Bishop, 7, pose before Olivia and Dani shave their heads in support of Melanie who is going through chemotherapy for Leukemia. (De Busk Photos)
Girls shave heads to back friend
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer FRYEBURG — Two young girls were eager to demonstrate how far they were willing to go to support a friend in need. After fundraising more than $1,800, nine-year-old Olivia Chaine and eightyear-old Danielle Pelkie agreed to shave their heads to show their friend Melanie Bishop that they have her back. Bishop, who is only seven years old, was diagnosed a few months ago with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Since she is undergoing chemotherapy, Bishop already had her head shaven. “Her dad shaved her
Samantha Zawistowski is one of five candidates seeking two seats on the Bridgton Planning Board. Candidates Deb Brusini (incumbent), Dan Harden, Doug Oakley and Greg Watkins were profiled in last week’s edition, and their responses can be found on the BNews website (bridgton.com). Samantha Zawistowski has called Bridgton “Home” for 13 years. Currently, she serves the town as its Youth Services Librarian at Bridgton Public Library. She spends much of her time talking to the people who work, shop and live here. “I speak with children, teens, teachers, parents, grandparents, social service professionals and other adults visiting the library.
The result of these rich conversations, coupled with my own observations, is a keen awareness of the people who make up this town and of what they want from their town and its leadership,” she said. “The current town leadership does not accurately represent this group I’ve described. Most people with the time and confidence to run are our retired citizens. Young people, and parents in particular, lack the time, resources or confidence to step forward. I hope to represent these people who have vastly different needs and concerns from our retired population. While our retired residents undoubtedly can and should make meaningful contributions to our town, they currently already hold the
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Lake Region High School students went to bat for a homeschooler they referred to as one of their own, as an ideal ‘Laker.’ One by one, teens preparing to graduate and those who have already graduated stepped to the microphone and asked the local school board to let Tim Moore march to Pomp and Circumstance. His mother Kelly Moore made an emotional plea to the people sitting in the directors’ seats to permit her son to participate in the graduation ceremony with the Lake Region friends he has made in sports, scouting, and in band. Two hundred signatures accompanied a student-led petition
requesting that Moore be allowed to take part in this month’s graduation. On Monday night, the School Administrative District (SAD) 61 Board of Directors stuck by a policy adopted twelve years ago, which forbids homeschooled students from participating in the graduation ceremony. SAD 61 Board Chairman Janice Barter spoke, saying that the board adopts policies to be consistent with students.
Planning Board candidate Samantha Zawistowski majority of elected positions.” Zawistowski would like to add a new perspective and a young voice to the PROFILE, Page 2A
Classmates argue for Tim, but he won’t walk
head because her hair was falling out,” said Melanie’s mom, Kym Bishop. “She was such a brave girl. After her head was shaved, she put on a dress and said, ‘Mom can we go out?’ She didn’t even wear a hat. So, we went out and had a mother-and-daughter date,” Kym said. “Through this whole thing, she has been very brave. Some days are tough but she has been strong through it.” Kym explained that after Melanie was diagnosed and got her first treatment at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Melanie’s dad Justin got her a puppy, a corgi named Zippy. “My husband got Zippy as a companion for Melanie,” she said.
Melanie’s girlfriends were worried that with the hospital bills, the family might need help paying for the puppy’s food, treats, inhome training and veterinary visits, Kym said. The girls contacted Melanie’s family via Facebook and asked if it would be okay to set up a GoFundMe page for that purpose. Also, the girls pledged to shave off their hair when they reached their fundraising goal. All three girls — Melanie, Dani and Olivia — are students at Molly Ockett School in Fryeburg. However, because of a weakened immune system, Bishop has been absent from school. On Thursday, everyFRIENDS, Page 2A
“Graduation is not a ceremony about citizenship or sportsmanship,” she said. “It is a graduation ceremony. Tim has not fulfilled the requirements for a Lake Region High School diploma. In order to march, students must fulfill the requirements.” “I know it is wonderful for the family to have all your support,” Barter said to the people in the audience. TIM, Page 5A
The Bridgton News Established 1870
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com