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Play review MSMT brings ‘I Love a Piano’ to FA’s performing arts center Saturday Page 1B

Graduation Day

Inside News

Fryeburg Academy’s commencement scenes, and list of award winners

Calendar . . . . . . . 5B-6B Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 4D Country Living . . . 1B-7B

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Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5D Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 6D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-8D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 4C-7C Student News . . . 1C-3C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5C

Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 149, No. 23

32 PAGES - 4 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

June 7, 2018

Two women die in Rte. 302 crash

CASCO — Two Bridgton women were killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle head-on crash on Route 302 in Casco. The women were identified as Jamie Mantz, 53 and her mother, Carol Strom, 80, who was the passenger in the 2003 Jeep Liberty. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s

Office, along with Casco and Raymond Fire & Rescue, responded to a head-on crash at 3:59 p.m. Police say a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, operated by Austin Wood, 26, of Naples was traveling eastbound on Route 302 in Casco. Initial investigation showed that, for

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SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Seeking Public Office

unknown reasons, Mantz crossed the center line and struck Wood head on. Both Mantz and Strom died as a result of the crash. Wood was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious head and leg injuries. He is in critical care. All three occupants had to be extricated out of their respective vehicles.

Casco could buy open space parcels

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Twelve years ago, the town’s residents passed a policy to protect open space, undeveloped land, whenever it is possible to do so. The idea behind these land acquisitions would be

Olivia Deschenes Co-Valedictorian

to work with landowners to preserve undeveloped natural acreage in Casco. This could be for recreational activities and also to provide a habitat in which the region’s wildlife could thrive. Next week, the purchase of two pieces of undeveloped property will be consid-

Brianna Warren Co-Valedictorian

One on One with...

The Tops in their Class 2018

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer For the past four years, three young ladies have used motivation, desire, an eagerness to learn and explore as driving forces in and outside of the classroom. They emerged as Lake Region’s brightest academic stars and will find themselves on stage this Sunday, June 10 when they offer some parting words of wisdom or a memory to cling to during the Class of 2018’s graduation ceremony. (Note: Graduation will Hailey Parsons be held at 2 p.m. outdoors, Salutatorian weather permitting. If moved indoors, tickets will be required for gymnasium seating, while overflow attendees will be seated in the auditorium) A first in recent memory, the honor of valedictorian will be shared between Olivia Deschenes and Brianna Warren. The honor of salutatorian falls to Hailey Parsons. The News went one-on-one with Lake Region’s top scholars regarding a range of topics: Background Olivia Deschenes of Naples Parents: Suzi and Rob Deschenes School organizations/sports: Field hockey, lacrosse, National Honor Society, Interact Club, Varsity Club Honors: Lions Club Student of the Month, Rotary Club Citizen of the Month, MPA Citizenship Award, Principal’s Award Brianna Warren of Casco (adopted from China as an infant) Parents: J.R. and Melissa Warren School organizations/sports: CenterStage Project Dance, National Honor Society, A.S.T.R.A. Leaders in Service Club Honors: High honors all semesters, various awards for outstanding academic achievement Hailey Parsons of Naples Parents: Erika and Travis Parsons School organizations/sports: Field hockey, lacrosse, Interact Club, Varsity Club, National Honor Society, METS Honors: WMC field hockey all-conference selection, all-state academic team, national academic squad, Rotary Club Citizen of the Month, Principal’s Award What they said… Q. People often wonder, how does a student become the tops in their class? What has it taken for you to achieve this incredible honor? TOPS IN THE CLASS, Page 2C

ered as warrant articles at the Casco Annual Town Meeting. The annual town meeting takes place at the Casco Fire Station on Wednesday, June 13, starting at 7 p.m. The proposals appear as Warrant Articles 26 and 27. Protecting open space land is in line with the wishes of the residents based on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and the Open Space Plan, which was established in 2006, according to Keith Morehouse with the Open Space Commission. One reason that citizens would support these proposed purchases is “because the people in the town of Casco endorse the idea of protecting open space because it is a valuable asset,” Morehouse said. There is the opinion among community members that having rural, open space is “one of the benefits that are derived from living in the Casco area. Open space is anywhere where there is no development. You could have a fallow field, a block of timber, a swamp, wetlands,” he said. Earlier this year, Morehouse presented the proposed purchases to both the Casco Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. There are two separate opportunities for the Town of Casco to gain open space: One proposed land purchase is on the Heath (for $75,000) and the other real estate offer abuts town land off State Park Road (for $27,500). At the town meeting on Wednesday night, there will be information detailing the open space land acquisitions. The larger tract located on the Heath encompasses about 15 acres and has a southsouthwest view directly on

the water. The land is being sold as two lots for $75,000, which is about half the market value, Morehouse said. The rustic property is accessible from the end of a maintained road named Bass Lane; from there, a “jeep trail” offers passage onto the land. “There are no developments aside from an old jeep trail. There are no structures on the property,” Morehouse said. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, hunting and trapping as well as snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling could be done on the land. “The area is rich with fish and wildlife habitat capable of helping to support sustainable populations of deer and moose and furbearers such as beaver, fisher, lynx, mink, and bear. There is a mix of habitats that support an abundant birdlife, from water birds to upland song and game birds,” Morehouse said. “The Heath is a relatively shallow, but also fairly pristine (unpolluted), waterway that reputedly has good fishery values and helps to maintain and protect the greater resource values of Thompson Lake — which has ample shoreline development,” he said. The purchase and sale agreement has been completed — should the voters approve the purchase, he said. “The family lives in Bridgton, and they are the Austins,” he said. The other proposed landacquisition is off State Park Road in South Casco. The price is $27,500 for 11½ acres. OPEN SPACE, Page 3A

Penny Bean

Achille Belanger

Looking to fill Harrison positions By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer HARRISON — Four candidates will seek two seats on the Harrison Board of Selectmen as voters go to the polls this coming Tuesday, June 12, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office meeting room. The ballot lists incumbent Achille F.S. Belanger along with challengers Penny Bean and Henry Dumont. Henry Hudson Jr. has announced he is a write-in candidate. “I do not plan to campaign. If people write me in, I will accept the job,” said Hudson, who served as a selectman about 20 years ago. He was encouraged to seek a return to the board for a three-year term. Hudson says he brings years of experience running a business, will act in what is in the best interest of the town, and has “no axes to grind.” The News reached out to the other three candidates, who provided the following background profiles and answers to four questions: Responses alphabetically. Background Penny Bean: I grew up in Harrison and attended schools here. After graduation, I began a 15-year career in banking

Henry Dumont and moved to the Portland area. It didn’t take me long to realize I missed Harrison. I moved back home and continued to commute. In 2002, I changed careers and accepted a job as Deputy Town Clerk in Harrison while starting a family. In 2015, I accepted a position at the City of Westbrook, and worked there until January of this year when I became the Town Clerk in Casco. I currently reside in Scribner’s Mills with my 15-year-old daughter, Danielle. Achille Belanger: Completed first term as selectman; 16 ½ years working at the Harrison Transfer Station; 45 years residing in Harrison; bachelor’s degree in Communications. Henry Dumont: I was born, brought up and have lived in Maine most of my life. I married, brought up six children and have 11 grandchildren. I have been a widower for 21 years. I was in the military, owned my own business, worked in the post office and HARRISON, Page 5A

Women paint like night owls By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Brenda and Pat are a pair of night owls who enjoy painting owls. The two friends also paint birds, wildflowers, wildlife, people’s favorite pets and images from greeting cards. Some sources of inspiration are found in bird identification books and National Geographic magazines. Their preferred medium is acrylic paint, partly because it dries somewhat quickly. Pat Avery likes that her acquaintances appreciate her art so much they are willing to pay for it. And, family members ask to keep paintings that catch their eyes. “I paint ‘cause I want to paint, not ‘cause I want to keep them,” she said. “I do all kinds of paintings and give them away.” Pat has painted with acrylics and watercolors for 40-plus years — since the mid-1970’s, she said. She never paints from memory. She always refers to a photograph or picture. Brenda ChapmanLozoway, who is 68 years old, learned how to paint with acrylics for the first time in February. Pat taught her how. This month, their works of art are being displayed on the walls of the Casco Inn Residential Care Facility.

That’s where Pat and Brenda live. Typically, the two women paint at night because they don’t want to miss the activities that are scheduled during the day. Also, it is quieter at night, they said. In the evening, employees help the women set up their artists’ studio and away they go. How time passes while doing this pleasurable activity. “I like it. I can lose track of time. I like getting into it and everything else I don’t hear,” Brenda said. Pat agreed, “I’m right into it. I get so into painting I forget to eat. I could paint right through.” “The only bad thing is Brenda makes me stay up all night,” Pat joked, adding, “Seriously, we have fun.” Now and then, the two women try something their paint brushes have never done before. They get the giggles when it doesn’t turn out as well as hoped or imagined. “My red fox looked like a pumpkin,” Pat said. “Or when my bird looked like it was on sticks instead of legs,” Brenda said. Brenda — who has only been painting with acrylics for three or four months — started out with birds and flowers. During the past few weeks, she started experimenting with

A NIGHT OWL ARTISTS — The evening-time and Sunday afternoons are when Pat Avery gets free time to paint, an activity she learned 40-plus years ago. (De Busk Photo) silhouettes, animals that don’t live in Maine like the jaguar and flamingo, and mythical creatures like the mermaid. Pat likes recreating images associated with Maine: lighthouses, loons, North American

bald eagles. Pat’s first paintings were of birds and it is a subject that still enchants her. “I started mainly with birds,” she said, adding she keeps those realistic. “I don’t PAINT, 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


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