NAPLES — One Naples resident said it seemed wrong and unfair that people voted on a bond to do what was shown to improve the transfer station and bulky waste. Then, the apparent plan got changed.
Why is the bond money
that was approved at the ballot box being used differently than it was presented, Naples resident Ed Cash asked?
He was referring to the bond money that citizens in each town (Casco and Naples) okayed for improvements to the Casco-Naples Bulky Waste & Transfer Station. In 2022, the major-
ity of people in the towns of Casco and Naples approved a general obligation bond for improvement to the two facilities.
Last week, Cash asked his questions about the approval of the bond money and if it is permissible to use it on a redesign.
He spoke during public
participation at the beginning of the Naples Select Board meeting. As it turns out, it was a question to which the select board had already sought an answer.
“I have a problem with the transfer station, formerly known as the dump. They changed the design. The whole operation is different.
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO
— A pair of lobsters stood on the lawn in Casco Village. One becomes mesmerized by her own claws. Suddenly, she says aloud, “I have pinchers. Pinch. Pinch.”
The lobster costumes were worn by two children about kindergarten age. A lobster toddler sat in a stroller.
Meanwhile, a mom hurriedly tapes toy stuffed lobsters to the edge of a black speckled enamel pot being held by a young girl wearing a chef hat.
On Friday night, Carrie Canaan is busily preparing for the children’s
parade. Her family hails from Maryland and they have always summered in Casco. She spends the summers on Coffee Pond, she said. Over the years, Casco Days has become a family tradition, especially the Children’s Parade. Most years, when it comes to figuring out the theme for their parade entry — mom’s vote trumps all.
“I decide. Sometimes, they have input. Usually, they can’t agree so it becomes an executive decision,” Carrie said. In the background, one child disagreed with her mom that they couldn’t all agree on a theme.
Unfazed, Carrie said, “I spent my summers up here as a kid. Now, my kids are spending their summers here.”
Her mom agreed, sharing, “She [Carrie] has been in parade since she was an infant. We are carrying on the tradition.”
The Children’s Parade took place Friday night as part of the 89th Annual Casco Days lineup. One entry that seems synonymous with the children’s parade is the Mayberry Hill Pre-school. It’s located near Casco Village. The pre-school has been in existence for about 50 years. It provides a constant stream of children.
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer
Dr. Buckets wants to fill up the hoop to the tune of 1,078 shots converted next Friday night and score a Guinness Book new world record for 3-pointers made in one hour.
DB is actually Ryan Martin, varsity boys’ basketball coach at Lake Region High School. He is shooting to displace Daniel Loriaux, who set the current record of 1,077 back in June 2012 in Oregon. The idea to chase this
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer
CASCO — Too much of a good thing?
That golden sand makes nice beaches but when the sand shifts into the water, it can ruin a perfectly good swimming spot. That is the case with Crescent Lake Beach.
In order to revive the swim area, the Town of Casco may consider applying for a permit to dredge.
Last week, the Casco Select Board held a goals workshop. Topping the list was making Pleasant Lake Beach more accessible as well as reducing erosion.
Also, the workshop was also an opportunity for one select board member to bring up another town beach that could use some TLC. Mary-Vienessa Fernandes expressed concerns about the town beach at Crescent Lake.
“I went
Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward explained. “If you look where the culvert was put in, you will find there is a lot of silt and sand. What it is doing is just filling in the beach area,” Ward said. “Do we have a dialogue with the DEP on dredging the area? You have lost several inches and
I don’t think that is what we voted to do,” Cash said.
Chair Ted Shane clarified that the residents voted to make changes at the facility, but voters did not select a specific design.
Cash disagreed. “I saw picture of what they were going to do,” he said.
“This was debated amongst us on the select board. There was a concept. But it was worded has no reference to the visual image,” Rogers said.
“We have $600,000 tied up in something we don’t
Cash is not the first person to think that, Select Board member Kevin Rogers said.
“We’ve missed a few years. We’ve either been in the grand parade or kiddies
parade, out of 46 years that I’ve owned it, probably 40 years,” accord -
particular record came totally by chance.
“I was messing around shooting with one of my friends (Nick Beauchesne) in late May. We just started counting all of my makes in a row. I got up to 104 threes in a row, which I’ve never made that many threes in a row in my life, that I know of. After I missed, Nick said I should go for a world record,” Ryan said. “So, we looked it up and that night I applied.”
Five days ago, Ryan took a “test run.” First, he calculated how many made 3-pointers were needed in a minute to eclipse 1,077. It takes 18 shots per minute. Then, Ryan wanted to find out how many shots he could hoist, realistically, in a minute — it was 22.
“So, I have to go 18 for
22 on average for a full hour. Wow. I was like, ‘it’s doable.’ I think I can shoot 82% for an hour,” he said.
During the trial run, Ryan had four assistants — two rebounders, someone catching the returned balls, and another feeding the ball from the rack to Ryan, who positioned himself at the top of the 3-point arc — a spot he remains at for the full hour.
“It’s truly about being as efficient as possible. Efficient with how many
shots I can get up but also efficient with me saving as much energy as possible per shot. There’s really a formula to this,” he said. “I was extremely close to getting it.” Ryan dropped 1,056 treys in one hour. What Ryan wasn’t sure about was how would he hold up both physically and mentally.
“Who the heck shoots for an hour? I hadn’t. I underestimated the difficulty of that,” Ryan said. “I
ing to Mayberry Hill PreSchool owner and director
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES, runners (left to right) Rebecca Kiley, Amy Kiley, Julianna Kiley with the torch, Kevin Anderson and Helen Cregor approach the finish line at the Casco Days 4 Miler Saturday morning. There were 500 finishers. See results on Page 7A.
(Rivet Photo)
SHARPSHOOTER — Ryan Martin, varsity boys’ basketball coach at Lake Region, takes aim to break the world record for 3-pointers made in
BURNED-OUT SIGN — The sign along Route 302 and in front of the Naples Fire and Rescue Department building has been looking rundown and burned-out. A new sign is on order and should be delivered in early August. (De Busk Photo)
NFRD sign order upsets some
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer
NAPLES — One Naples selectman got a little hot under the collar over the town not setting a good example by replacing the burned-out sign in front of fire barn with something that exemplifies the modified Sign Ordinance.
For now, a replacement sign has been ordered with a hope for arrival date of early August.
When Selectman Kevin Rogers learned that the same kind of sign — a plastic internally lit sign — had been ordered to upgrade the existing, non-functioning sign, he was not happy.
“It’s just that the plastic black and white, interiorilluminated sign has already been the biggest thorn in my side. When Windham was the worst town you could ever drive through, it was all about the black and white interior illuminated signs and how ghetto they were,” Rogers said.
“It will be better than it was,” he said, sarcastically adding, “It is going to be the exact same sign as before it burnt, but better than that.”
The topic that turned hot started out innocently enough. Last week — at the tail end of the Naples Select Board meeting —
Selectman Rogers asked about the progress on replacing the fire department’s reader sign.
Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers responded with what he viewed as progress: a new sign was being shipped.
“For the backlit sign, we went through a couple ideas. None of them were good. It was taking way too long. So the company that originally did the sign — they are just putting two Lexan signs that will update the information on the sign and replace the old one,” he said.
The sign is made out of Lexan, which is a strong, durable plastic. Lexan is also known for its optical clarity.
The total cost, including the installation, will be less than $2,500, according to Town Manager Rogers. The cost will be covered through the fire department’s annual budget, he said.
The town already paid the deposit on the digital sign, he told the board.
Board members asked how soon the ordered sign might arrive.
“I do not have an estimated delivery date. The order was made approximately two weeks ago, and my initial time was four weeks to get the panels.
So, by early August,” Jason Rogers answered.
Selectman Rogers expressed his displeasure.
“I am going to say that I am pretty bummed that we didn’t do anything good for that. We didn’t go the extra mile to make the sign into an example for our community. It’s kind of a drag to me. I am pretty bummed to hear that news because we are really trying to increase the visual appeal of our Main Street. That sign does not add to the visual appeal of our core,” he said.
Selectman Bill Adams agreed.
“It is still putting lipstick on a pig. We want to make this giant wooden sign above it and this giant LED sign below it,” Adams said.
Selectman Rogers advocated for town decisions that make upward progress.
“We make it a little better. You don’t make it the same or worse. You make it a little better. You bring up the quality,” he said.
Adams said putting up a new sign IS making it better.
Town Manager Rogers said he sympathized with board members’ frustration but replacing the sign had been procrastinated long enough.
“The one there has been burnt for how long? How long ago it did it catch on fire? It’s been a minute. I wanted to at least get that one replaced. I think a wood surround around the metal poles would probably look great. I think absolutely there is more that we could do with that sign,” he said.
“Right now, I want it to look not as bad as it currently does,” Jason Rogers concluded.
He switched gears and talked about opportunities in the future to improve the sign, especially if a public parking lot is put in or the recreation center ends up being constructed on the land between the fire station and the Naples Veterinary Clinic.
Kevin Rogers served on the Naples Ordinance Review Committee when the Sign Ordinance was coming into focus. The ordinance was designed to prohibit businesses from putting up certain types of signs in the Village District and the Causeway District.
“It is just Naples not being a good example of what we are trying to achieve,” he explained.
“You’ve already ordered it. That’s fine. It’ll be better than a half-melted sign,” Selectman Rogers said.
(Continued from Page 1A)
have a say about,” Cash said.
Chairman Ted Shane responded to Cash’s complaints.
“We do have a say. We elect people to be on the transfer station committee to represent us,” Shane said.
Cash listed the other things in which Naples had no voice.
“We don’t have a say in who they hire and how they hire. We don’t have a say in where our metals go. We need a organizational rebuild,” he said.
Casco pays more money than Naples, Cash claimed. Maybe, the amount should be reset or reconsidered, he said.
That has already been determined, Selectman Rogers said. Many years ago, the transfer station was set up to see how much household trash each town generated, he said.
“They had the Naples hopper and the Casco hop-
per, and people threw their trash into the hopper for their town,” Kevin Rogers said.
Cash countered that the U.S. Census was probably used to figure out what percentage each town pays.
“I don’t think we are getting a fair shake. I think we don’t have enough say in the operation. Just ’cause it is in Casco don’t cut the mustard for me,” he said.
Selectman Rogers said the transfer station council is working on better communication with the public.
Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers responded, “Ted [Shane] made a great point when he said the voters choose the people to sit on the council. That council will oversee the operation of the facilities. In our agreement, the Town of Casco is the administrator for personnel. If we [the Town of Naples] wanted to change that arrangement, if we wanted to have the hiring and firing authority, we
would have to approach the council.”
He added that Cash’s presence and opinions would be welcome at the transfer station council’s monthly meetings. Select Board member Stephen LaPointe agreed. He serves on the council.
“What is your specific complaint,” he asked.
Although Cash had already voiced his concerns, he zoned in on the electrical
He said that a three-phase should have been installed and run from Leach Hill Road to Route 11. Instead, all single phases were used, he said. The three-phase would have provided better electrical support to the facility’s generators as well as the inverters connected to the solar farm.
“You could come to the meetings,” LaPointe said. “It is hard to move forward with those concerns if nobody expresses them at the meetings.”
GRINCHES and grins might have been one of the themes for this year’s Annual Christmas In July Boat Parade in Naples. Quite a few entries in the boat parade — included the Grinch or Santa Clause aboard. Per usual, the marine vessel parade drew extra spectators to the Naples Causeway after sunset. This year, a full moon rose in the east as boats travelled under the Bay of Naples Bridge and into Brandy Pond.
(De Busk Photos)
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer
NAPLES — The Naples Select Board has put some focus on regular maintenance and necessary upgrades to buildings on the Village Green campus.
In a few weeks, the board will take a closer look at those town-owned structures. In fact, following the next select board meeting on Aug. 12, a site walk of the town-owned
buildings located on Village Green Lane. The public is invited to walk along. Over the years, improvements have occurred in various buildings located there. A few summers ago, the Marine Safety building received a roof. Another upgrade included the installation of units that properly heat, cool down and dehumidify the Naples Historical Society Museum.
Controlling the air temperature and humidity is a good investment because it prevents artifacts and photos from being damaged.
Last week, during a discussion, Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers mentioned he has been touring grange halls in the area.
“I went to the Grange Hall in Norway to see what they have put into theirs. We could stand to put more into the Singer Center,” he said.
Initially, he suggested meeting with the town manager. Then, he asked the rest of the board if they would also like to tour the buildings together. The tour is scheduled to happen on Aug. 12, which is the date of the next regularly scheduled meeting.
It started out with a question about the Edward Singer Center, also known as the Grange Hall.
center once its contract with the town ends. That won’t be until the late spring, early summer 2025.
“We brought this up two months ago, the contract will be up for the Before and After Care. The Songo Elementary School is open to the idea of hosting Before & After School there. In talking to the principal at Songo Locks School, she agrees placing the Before & After School
program at the school would be a better solution. The facility is better equipped for tutoring. That would be a logical move,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it is a privately-owned organization that runs Before and After School Care. It’ll be up to them to find a solution,” Town Manager Rogers said.
“If the Select Board wants to entertain renewing the lease at a higher rate than what they are currently being charged, we can do that,” he said.
Selectman Kevin Rogers agreed that was a good approach.
“We do need to continue to take care of our buildings,” he said.
The changes at the Singer Center are two-fold, according to Town Manager Rogers. First off, the tenant is likely to change. The Before and After School Program will no longer be using the
Fun, pagentry of the Casco Days Kids’ Parade
(Continued from Page 1A)
Barbara Simpson.
Encompassing that many years, the small children grow up and have their own children who attend the pre-school. Frequently, there are a few generations in the parade.
She pointed out the interesting fact that 40 children will be part of Mayberry’s entry. “This year, we have 40 kids. We have a summer camp. We have alumni that come back and join us. It is a hodgepodge of folks — 40 kids,” she said.
Barbara uses an air pump to blow up “Under the Sea” floaties and decorations. A female employee is assisting her. With the exception of the air
(Continued from Page 1A)
Secondly, the town manager mentioned upgrades to the center.
“Improvements include a small heat pump in the sprinkler room, a heat pump to replace the air conditioners and be the primary source of heat over the kerosene heaters in the building,” he said.
Kevin Rogers said he was interested in what transpired from the inspections.
“We did an interior review of building and it was deemed that we can continue to operate at capacity,” Jason Rogers said. “As far as under the building, that inspection that will be done this summer.”
Selectman Rogers suggested the town “start marketing for next season in order to utilize that space and generate some revenue.”
He talked about soliciting arts or artists co-op to use the space.
“As with the Singer Center, there is time available that we could start using it for other purposes. Towns are not inclined to be rental agencies. But if it is in the script and it is an opportunity to bring foot traffic, we should do it,” he said.
pumps, it is fairly quiet because she has instructed the children not to show up to the parade staging area until after 6:30 p.m. She finds that a full hour before the parade begins is too long for the little ones to contain their excitement.
Also, she shares her method for choosing a theme.
“Some years, the kids pick. This year, I picked it. This year, it is ‘Under the Sea.’ It’s fun for the kids. A lot of the kids love mermaids. It’s pretty simple. Everyone got on board as soon as we said what our theme was,” she said.
Every year, when Casco Days approaches, excitement fill the air.
“The kids get so excited. As soon as the banners go up and they start building the stuff, the kids start talking about Casco Days. And I remember when my children were little, it was the same thing — as soon as they started seeing
the Ferris wheel up, they were thrilled about Casco Days,” Barbara said. “A lot of them were really excited yesterday to come and see the fireworks. They are thrilled to be in the parade. It is a really big deal for them. It’s a lot of fun. The families really enjoy it. The kids enjoy it. We love the Casco Days’ Children’s parade.”
In another area, people in a different parade entry ready their costumes. On the lawn is a pile of a dozen yellow frames with the red words, Guess Who? Christine Campbell, of Otisfield, is filling out the parade entry paperwork.
“This might be our ninth year. They were babies the first year we did it,” she said.
“The first year we didn’t take it very seriously. We just showed up and did it. Every year since, we have been ‘all in’ with pretty elaborate themes. Some years, it has been easy. The kids have been
really into trolls. This year, originally, we were going to do Uno. We decided it was kind of boring and we thought we could be more creative if we could choose characters from the ‘Guess Who?’ game,” Campbell said.
Another adult in the group, Mary Gall, provided the back story.
“Christine was my best friend growing up, since we were 10. We have 10 kids between the two of us. I have four. She has six,” Mary said. “She [Christine] is the mastermind. She started doing it with her family forever ago. We have been coming for probably four or five years ourselves.”
The group listed themes from years past: Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Gettysburg with Abraham Lincoln, a chess board and Under the Sea.
Christine commented that they might be running out of themes. Most like-
ly, members of the group would “age out” first since some of the children will be turning into teenagers, she said.
Jameson Campbell had a story to tell from their Alice in Wonderland parade entry in 2022.
“When I was the bunny [white rabbit], a little girl kept asking me what time it was,” Jameson said.
Others in the party agreed wholeheartedly. Christine claimed they were already winners.
“The thing I take pride in: Although we have never won, typically people ask to have their picture taken with us. That feels like a win,” she said.
Christine’s nephew Dylan felt confident that 2024 was the year the group would take home first place. “They have tried multiple years and never won. This year is definitely the year. I think we will win and I’ll put money on it,” Dylan said.
LOST LOBSTER — This little lobster kept running away until an older brother picked him up and carried him along the parade route for the Casco Days’ Children’s Parade on Friday evening. (De Busk Photo)
CAPTAIN AMERICA greets some young fans during the Casco Days Grand Parade
MINIONS from Camp Agawam were out in full force during the Casco Days Grand Parade Saturday afternoon.
(Rivet Photo)
Evening with Authors to benefit Camp Susan Curtis children
BROWNFIELD —
Maine authors Lily King and Monica Wood will take the stage at Stone Mountain Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 9 for an event that has evolved from a tiny fundraiser to an annual tradition that supports children from every part of Maine.
An Evening with Maine Authors began nine years ago as an informal gathering to support Camp Susan Curtis in Stoneham, not far from Stone Mountain in Brownfield.
Camp Susan Curtis is the only camp in Maine that wholly serves Maine children from low-income households who would not otherwise be able to access the connection and learning of an overnight camp experience.
The small gathering in Stone Mountain’s Queen Post Cafe in 2017 to support the camp’s mission quickly evolved to become a regional tradition and festive dinner in the Center’s Maine Concert Hall. The camp cause and the event headliners caught fire. Among the authors with Maine ties who supported the cause with their talents in past years were Lois Lowry, Kate Braestrup, Bruce Coffin, Elizabeth Strout, Susan Hand Shetterly, Caitlin Shetterly, Margot Lee Shetterly, Aran Shetterly, Kathy Gunst, Debra Spark, and the late Maine storyteller John McDonald.
This year’s event, featuring Maine authors Lily King and Monica Wood, returns to Stone Mountain Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 9. The evening kicks off with a 5 p.m. cocktail hour and is followed by dinner and author readings. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at maineauthors8.eventbrite. com. All proceeds benefit Camp Susan Curtis. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Camp Susan Curtis has helped more than 19,000 Maine children access lifechanging camp experiences. The 10-day, overnight camp experience is 100 percent donor funded, and is the only summer camp in Maine that provides a tuition-free program designed especially for
children facing economic hardship. Through immersive outdoor programming, a caring community, and access to important childhood experiences, Maine kids feel valued and learn to recognize their potential. Campers who have benefitted from their experience will share their stories at EMA, but you can learn more at susancurtis.org.
Lily King is the author of five award-winning novels. Her most recent novel, Writers & Lovers, was published in 2020 and her first collection of short stories, Five Tuesdays in Winter, was released in 2021. Her 2014 novel Euphoria won the Kirkus Award, The New England Book Award, The Maine Fiction Award, and was a finalist for the
National Book Critics Award. Euphoria was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by The New York Times Book Review. It was included in TIME’s Top 10 Fiction Books of 2014, as well as on Amazon, NPR, Entertainment Weekly Publishers Weekly and Salon’s Best Books of 2014. Her other novels also achieved top ten and notable lists with Publishers Weekly, The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune, among others.
Monica Wood is a novelist, memoirist, and playwright; the 2024 recipient of the Sara Josepha Hale award for excellence in New England literary arts; the 2019 recipient of the Maine Humanities Council Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities; and the 2016 recipient of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts. Her new novel, How to Read a Book, is out now. Her most recent novel, The Onein-a-Million Boy, has been translated into 20 languages in over 30 countries. She is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a New England bestseller, Oprah magazine summer-reading pick, and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award and the Maine Literary Award.
Renowned trumpeter to perform
LOVELL — The Brick Church for Performing Arts is honored to welcome internationally acclaimed trumpet player, Rodney Marsalis. This free concert will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.
Marsalis was born in New Orleans, where he began his musical studies at the age of six. When he was 11 years of age, he began taking classical trumpet lessons with his cousin, Wynton Marsalis.
Referred to as a trumpet prodigy, his solo debut was
at the age of fifteen with the New Orleans Symphony. After having won various solo competitions, he received national attention at the age of 19 performing as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also performed as soloist with the San Diego Symphony, the Tenerife Symphony, and many orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.
A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Rodney Marsalis has worked under
the guidance of worldrenowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist, John Williams, Jesus Lopez-Cobos and Christopher Hogwood.
Seating at the Brick Church is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, please call 925-1500.
The Brick Church for the Performing Arts is located at 502 Christian Hill Road in Lovell.
Casco leaps into lakefront goals
(Continued from Page 1A)
feet of water based to siltsand flow.”
The Department of Environmental Protection must be consulted for that project, he said.
“Dredging is a conversation we might want to have with the DEP to clean that area up for our future generations,” Ward said.
Improving Pleasant Lake Beach — another townowned piece of property — did land on the top of the goal’s list.
“The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved that one project that the board wasn’t comfortable moving forward with. So, that has been stopped, basically is where that one is,” Ward said.
Selectman Robert MacDonald spoke.
“Are we losing any of the beach because we haven’t done anything? There was a purpose to do it,” he said. Ward responded, “Does the beach need up a grade? Yes.”
He mentioned the project began before he took on the town manager position.
“My understanding is: The original plan proposed by Mike Morse who was the contracted engineer for that was substantially changed by DEP for any approval. It limited access and changed the whole dynamic of what the beach would have been,” he recapped.
The town has a DEPapproved plan as well as the funding, Ward said, if the select board desired to move forward.
“You could move forward, but it would have to be with
that plan or we would have to go back to the DEP for different permitting if you want to go down that route,” he said.
“Let’s move forward with project and revisit the accessibly section of that plan with them (DEP) only. Just that one section of it,” Vice-Chair Grant Plummer said.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for the town to have an accessible waterfront for any person who wanted to go and use the waterfront. The proximity to the road and parking and minimal site plan issues for us to be able to get people with disabilities to the water’s edge. It’s the perfect place to do it,” Plummer said. “It’s perfect fall-time-type work. Let’s revisit that if we can.”
Plummer summarized the plan, which he referred to as “fantastic.”
“Essentially, just behind
Conversation with Chief Jones
By
Jay Spenciner
Special to The News Firefighters consider each other brothers and sisters. The police are first cousins. Today, I’m interviewing Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones.
JS: Where did you grow up Phil?
PJ: I grew up in Portland, in the Munjoy Hill area. I lived there and went to a small private school, Greater Portland Christian. I graduated in 2000.
JS: Did you go right into policing then?
PJ: No, my original plan on graduating from high school was to study theology. So, I went for one semester for that at a school in Tennessee. Then, I worked on my degree here in South Portland at New England Bible College. In the process of going to school, I needed to work. I worked at the Cumberland County Jail for three years and went to school. They had education reimbursement and you could study at night. Then, I went and got married and put my degree on hold. I never set out to be a police officer. As I worked at the jail and got familiar with the camaraderie of criminal justice and law enforcement, I found that I enjoyed a lot of the aspects of it.
the chainlink fence, it would drop the grade with a small retaining wall, and remove the retaining wall that’s at water’s edge right now,” he said. “The problems that we saw with the DEP’s plan — they had inserted three or four steps over the grade to transition down to lake. I think we can accomplish that without steps. We could do a ramp instead.”
He was enthuised enough about the project that he volunteered to be involved. It helps that through his business, Fieldstone Builders, Inc., he has some experience working in the shoreland zone.
When my wife and I moved to Bridgton, I applied for the police force. I started the day after Christmas, 2006. It took me three times to get hired so persistence paid off. I really enjoy and love the community. When I started, my focus was the schools. We put together a fifth-grade program. After that, I moved into doing a lot of investigations. It’s been a fun ride. The department has grown significantly, and the town has developed.
JS: I know your wife, Vanessa sings and you have a boatload of kids.
PJ: We have six kids and they’re all interested in different things.
JS: You know, five more and you’d have a football team.
PJ: Well, I think a basketball team with a sub is really what I’ve got. I’m good with that.
JS: Do you have any hobbies?
PJ: I enjoy sports, playing and watching. I’m a diehard New England sports fan — Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins. I play basketball and go up to the golf course. I enjoy running.
JS: Full disclosure, to be above board, I’m not neutral on the subject of police. We have three relatives in
Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones rides an electric bike on Main Street during the 4 on the Fourth Road Race. (Rivet Photo)
CHIEF JONES, Page 6A
Author Lily King
Author Monica Wood
Rodney Marsalis
Police Beat
Bridgton man faces drug charges
FRYEBURG — A Bridgton man was arrested Friday and charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine and firearms related charges by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Fryeburg Police.
Kevin L. Thurston 50, faces charges of Unlawful Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Drugs, (Fentanyl) (Methamphetamine) (Cocaine) Class A, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person (Class C).
For the past year, Fryeburg Police Department officers investigated the illegal distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine from a residence at 107 Portland Street in Fryeburg. Officers began the investigation after receiving tips from the public about the suspicious activity believed to be taking place there.
Last Friday, July 26, officers conducted a traffic stop after conducting surveillance of 107 Portland Street. Stopped and subsequently arrested was Kevin L. Thurston. Seized from Thurston at the time of the
stop were approximately 80 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Also seized were assorted prescription pills, a loaded handgun and $3,321 in suspected drug proceeds.
Thurston was transported to the Oxford County Jail, where bail was set at $10,000 cash.
MDEA agents from the Western District Task Force responded to Fryeburg to assist in drafting a search warrant for 107 Portland Street. Agents secured and executed the search warrant with the assistance of Fryeburg Police and the Maine State Police. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and assorted prescription pills and capsules. Also seized were six firearms. The homeowner was not present at the time of the search warrant. Charges related to the seized contraband will be forthcoming. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
“All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,”
Bridgton Police
These items appeared on the Bridgton Police Department blotter (this is a partial listing):
Monday, July 22
12:43 p.m. Domestic verbal argument on Frost Farm Road; officers worked with
both parties for a resolution.
3:30 p.m. Officer assisted Oxford County Sheriff’s Office regarding a theft.
4:29 p.m. Police attempted to locate a black truck operating unsafely on Norway Road in Harrison.
Publisher & Editor Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Dawn De Busk
Circulation & Classifieds
Manager Fran Dumont Advertising Sales Manager Samantha Berke Production Lorena Plourd
The Bridgton News (USPS 065-020) is published Thursdays at 118 Main Street, Bridgton, Maine. Periodicals class postage at Bridgton, Maine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bridgton News, P.O. Box 244, Bridgton, ME 04009
6
SEIZED — Illegal drugs along with firearms and cash were seized as part of an arrest following a traffic stop and subsequent search of a Fryeburg residence.
police noted.
“The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are
4:46 p.m. Report of a juvenile driving a motorcycle unsafely on Main Street; unable to locate individual.
6:27 p.m. Report of a theft of a vehicle on Woods Mill Road in Baldwin.
Tuesday, July 23 1:11 p.m. Police assisted
attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.”
If you or someone you know suffers with substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-
United Ambulance personnel with an unattended death (possible overdose).
2:28 p.m. Motor vehicle crash at Bridgton Hospital property.
4:31 p.m. Police assisted the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office with checking on
211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
a subject on South High Street; no contact made with individual.
6:26 p.m. Report of teens trespassing at a vacant Forest Avenue property. Wednesday, July 24 11:59 a.m. Traffic stop at the intersection of South High Street and Swamp Road resulted in “several violations including speeding.” Vehicle towed; owner left on foot. 12:46 p.m. Welfare check
Police blotter
(Continued from Page 5A)
on Harrison Road.
1:17 p.m. BPD assist (information) to Maine Correctional Facility.
10:19 p.m. Suspicious person on Main Street; officer made contact with person.
10:21 p.m. Police requested to conduct a wellbeing check on South High Street.
Thursday, July 25
3:38 p.m. While making a traffic stop on Main Street, police found a warrant had been issued for the individual. A search revealed illegal narcotics. The driver was arrested, and later bailed from BPD.
5:11 p.m. Citizen assist regarding a vehicle purchased out-of-state experiencing several issues.
6:28 p.m. Welfare check at Sawyer Circle.
8:20 p.m. Pedestrian check on Swamp Road.
8:54 p.m. Disturbance on Main Street.
Friday, July 26
10:28 a.m. An apparent sign bandit has been caught and charged. Following an ongoing investigation of varying signs being stolen throughout town, police identified a suspect and charged the individual with 52 counts of theft. The 52 stolen signs were located at the Bridgton Transfer Station. Owners were contacted, “where possible.”
“If you believe you were the victim of the sign thefts, please contact the Bridgton Police Department,” — BPD.
1:36 p.m. An alleged domestic violence assault on Main Street resulted in an arrest.
Saturday, July 27
9:39 a.m. Officer responded to a Burnham Road residence to escort a citizen involved in a dispute and keep the peace.
11:03 a.m. While an individual was filing a missing cell phone at police headquarters, another citizen arrived to turn in the phone which had been recovered.
11:16 a.m. Report of threats made on Cross Street. When police arrived, a subject had left the area.
11:46 a.m. Two-vehicle crash with personal injury on Sandy Creek Road.
11:54 a.m. Sex offender registration update.
4:21 p.m. Police checked Portland Road and Willett Road after a possible sighting of a “wanted” subject.
4:44 p.m. Theft complaint on Kennard Street.
5:48 p.m. Police checked Portland Road regarding a possible intoxicated individual; report unfounded.
Sunday, July 28
6:27 a.m. Citizen assist on Main Street in Harrison.
3:56 p.m. Officer issued a warning for a dog at large on Ingalls Road.
6:41 p.m. Police assisted an Oxford County deputy on Portland Road.
11:35 p.m. Traffic offense (operating under the influence) on Portland Road.
Monday, July 29
3:32 a.m. Agency assist to Oxford County Sheriff’s Office at Bridgton Hospital.
4:49 a.m. BPD assist to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office regarding motor vehicle burglary on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco.
9:29 a.m. Responding to a vagrancy report on Highland Road, police checked a subject’s well-being and “moved them along.”
10:51 a.m. BPD assist to Probation and Parole on Sweden Road.
12 p.m. Criminal trespass complaint on Main Street.
12:21 p.m. Welfare check on Portland Road.
1:30 p.m. A traffic stop at the intersection of Burnham Road and Portland Road resulted in an arrest for operating without a license. The vehicle was towed.
• During this reporting period, police conducted 21 property checks.
Firehouse Chatter with Chief Jones
(Continued from Page 4A)
police departments, one in Bridgton and two in Boston. I think a lot of all of them. I’ve also met a lot of police officers in my 25 years in the fire department working together at fires and other things. Most all of them are really good people.
I had an experience with the police when I was young. When I was 10 or 11, we lived in a high-rise apartment in New York City, and we lived on the 11th floor. One day, a friend of mine and myself, with not much to do, it seemed like it would be a lot of fun to tear up newspapers into strips and toss them out the window because it was so windy that day. We wondered how far the stuff would go. We tore up the papers and threw them out the window. After a while, we got tired of it and my friend went home.
A few hours later the doorbell rang. My mother answered the door and it was a policeman. My mother was very liberal politically for that era. But, she had taught us to always respect and trust the police and that they were there to help us. Today, this might seem incongruous, but that’s how it was in the old days. He explained to her why he was there and I heard “Jay, Jay.” I went over, saw
the policeman and knew why he was there. She said, “Jay, this policeman says you threw papers out the window. What do you have to say for yourself?” She didn’t ask the officer if he had a search warrant or whatever. She accepted what he said. I did fess up and my mother asked him what I could do. The officer said I should pick up the papers. I spent the rest of the day going around several blocks picking up papers. I don’t know if I got all of them, but I got a lot. Fast forward to today, maybe not so much in Bridgton, but in a lot of places, the police are not thought well of. They’re vilified. What are your thoughts on this?
PJ: I was appointed in 2020 and we saw some significant media coverage pushing an agenda with a negative view of policing. I was asked a lot about what do you say to these critics. I usually answer by saying I’ve had a career where I’ve worked and interacted with colleagues from throughout the State of Maine, New England and the world. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a very few who were not fit to wear the badge. In those cases, especially the ones I experienced, they were dealt with. Ninety-nine percent of police officers
who I’ve worked with, for, worked around, they’re in it for the right reasons. We have to remember these people are putting themselves in a life and death situation whenever they come to work. In the State of Maine, they have to jump through enormous hoops to get to the police academy — polygraph tests, psychological tests, physical tests, written exams, all kinds of countless training, job training, regular evaluations.
There’s a lot of scrutiny in the law enforcement world. I recognize that there’s a negative view that’s out there. I think there’s no amount of words that can persuade or dissuade those people. Actions
matter. I’m going to try and win people over whether I have to arrest them or help them find their lost wallet. My job is to show them that this profession means something. We’re in the people business. I’ve seen very positive feedback in my career when my attention is focused that way.
Things are getting better now. We went through a few years where our staffing was very low. It’s getting better. There are more people excited about the career.
JS: But, there are still a lot of departments that are understaffed. They can’t recruit, especially in the big cities from what I read.
PJ: Part of it is attrition. Many people came into the field and now they’re getting to the point where they can retire. And so, they are. They’re seeing some of the scrutiny you talked about and they’re saying, “I don’t have to put up with that.”
People are retiring and we don’t have enough new faces. Bridgton is different. Bridgton is special in a lot of ways. When all that scrutiny was going on, we weren’t getting hate mail. We got plates of cookies. We were getting ‘thank you’ cards. This is a special place, a special town to work for.
JS: I’m amused at some of the TV programs and
news shows telling how policemen and firemen hate each other. They get in fistfights in bars and really do not get along. I know a small town is different, but the only thing we’ve joked about is you guys eating donuts. I’ve worked with a lot of different police officers over the years. They’re really good guys, no problems. They try to help us. I remember pulling up to a structure fire and there were only a couple of us on the engine. A policeman was there and he helped us drag the hose.
PJ: I always tell my guys the story of working by myself on a Saturday afternoon, nobody to help you. You have to cover a threecar fender bender in the middle of the intersection by Food City, Pondicherry Square. I roll up and have no idea what I’m going to do. All of a sudden, our partners in the fire department show up and they start directing traffic, helping me with gathering information. My force went from one to twenty instantaneously. We have a great resource when we capitalize on our partnership. In other places, it might not work. In Bridgton, it works. When we value other people for what they do, who they are, the world seems to work pretty well.
remember there were certain times where I’d look at the scoreboard and see how much time I had left. Once, I looked and it was 35 minutes left. I thought about stopping. I convinced myself to go 5 more minutes. For some reason, I kept going.”
With 23 minutes left, Ryan developed a bad left calf cramp. He worked through it, and realized he definitely needed a game plan to get through the physical rigors of this challenge.
“I learned a lot from my first test run. I’m so glad I did it. Number one, I realized how hard it is physically. I’m going to prepare myself better by stretching and hydrating better before the event,” Ryan said. “After the test run, my legs felt horrible. I laid out in the parking lot for an hour and a half. I had a cramp in my quad, it was unbelievable. I didn’t think that it would be this hard. I’m barely jumping, just shooting. But to do something for a straight hour, it gets to you. I exer-
cise every day, but after the test run, it’s been five days and I’m still recovering. I’ll be ready for next Friday.”
Even the guys feeding basketballs to Ryan were physically drained.
His team will include Beauchesne, who will utilize a microphone to update Ryan shots made and whether he is on pace.
Several cameras will be in place — behind the backboard to track made shots and be sure Ryan is behind the 3-point stripe, as well as the scoreboard to chart made hoops and time — to record the record chase.
Ryan’s brother-in-law is a health coach, and will offer him some tips to best prepare for the world record attempt.
Once a sharpshooter, always a sharpshooter
Ryan Martin lived and breathed basketball. Hoops has been his life for as long as he can remember.
After a storybook high school career at Maranacook, where he helped lead the Black Bears to two state titles — there should have been a third,
Ryan feels, but a perfect 18-0 season was shockingly derailed by a first-round exit courtesy of a Number 8-seed — Ryan advanced to the next level, Division 1.
“I always wanted to play Division 1 basketball. That was my goal. People always told me I couldn’t, so that was always something that drove me,” he said.
He thought about attending the University of Vermont, but ultimately stayed home and signed on with the UMO Black Bears. The fit, ultimately, wasn’t the right one.
“I played a little bit. I had a stretch where I was first off the bench, but I didn’t get the minutes I wanted. It had nothing to do with the coaches. The coaches were great. It was more on me,” Ryan said.
At times, there was doubt whether he belonged.
“I started to listen to the people who said I wasn’t big enough to play at that level. I started to think, ‘Maybe I can’t.’ I think that’s what was the difference in me playing or not,” Ryan recalled. “I wish I was older mentally when I was
18 and 19 years old. It was a mental game for me. I just didn’t want to sit on the bench anymore. I just wanted to play.” Ryan found the ideal fit, transferring to Keene State. There, he was an integral part of a championship program, which included a victory over the Number 1 team in the country. Two straight years, Ryan lead the nation in free throw percentage at 96 and 94%.
After three years there, Ryan was drafted to play in the National Basketball League of Canada, which was founded in 2011, picked by the Prince Edward Island Storm.
“The cool thing about that was I was the only Division III player that got drafted. I remember looking at the (draft) board at all of the names of players who came from schools like Syracuse and UConn,” he said. “It really dawned on me how much of a mental game basketball really is. I just didn’t know as a teenager how to fight through. I put the time in, and I was good enough to play at that level.”
Ryan went on to play for two other teams, but found his hoop career cut short by a hip injury in 2015.
“It was an overuse injury,” said Ryan, who ultimately had surgery on both the left and right hip. “They (doctors) told me that playing basketball every day wasn’t in my best interest for my future.”
After surgeries, Ryan put the basketball down and went six to seven years without playing a game he had built his life around. His love for basketball led him to coaching.
“I wanted to stay around the game and I love being around kids. I love teaching too. So, coaching was something I always knew that I was going to do when I was done playing. I just didn’t figure I was going to be done that early,” Ryan said. “I thought maybe 35, but instead I was done at 25. My body pretty much shut down where I couldn’t play basketball every single day. It was tough to give up. It was my life. I don’t know if there’s anyone that can say they put in more
Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones
Regional Sports
August 1, 2024 The Bridgton News, Page 7A
Three-peat for Murphy, Pulito at Casco Days
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer
CASCO — Peter Murphy’s first introduction to the Casco Days 4 Miler came as a youngster while spending time at Camp Agawam.
“I went to Agawam from when I was eight to 15. I probably ran the race at least five of those years. It was always a fun thing,” he recalled. “You’re always so active at camp, and taking part in the race works. We used to do some training runs as part of the sports training category, and then do the race.”
Now living in Rhode Island, Peter visits family in Casco, and as part of his stay, he runs the Casco Days Race.
“It’s been fun to come back and do the race as we did as campers,” Murphy said.
It’s a race he’s recently owned.
Murphy continued his dominance Saturday winning his third straight race with a time of 20 minutes, 57 seconds — a 5:15 pace. His first win came in 2022 at 21:35, and he defended the crown in 2023 with a 21:34 ahead of “local favorite” Grady Kemp (22:04).
Murphy and Kemp, a 19-year-old from Casco, were locked in another duel Saturday. Reaching the top of the final hill and reaching Main Street with a lead, Murphy looked over his right shoulder to see where Kemp was.
“I was dying, but I wanted to make sure I could still hold on, so I wanted to know how fast I had to push that last stretch,” he said. “It was good to see a little bit of space there.”
Murphy had plenty of kick left, crossing the fin-
ish line 13 seconds ahead of Kemp, who checked in at 21:10. Cam Shapiro, 17, of Atlanta, Ga. Was third at 21:32 while Lake Region HS runner Aidan Roberts, 17, of Casco was fourth at 22:43.
Coming off the always tough Mile 2 mark which is hilly, Murphy noticed separation at the 3 to 3 ½ mile point.
“The guy in front of me was running really well, and I was just trying to hold onto him. On the last uphill before the finish, I took off,” he said. “It wasn’t as humid as last year, but it still always feels hot out there.”
Like Murphy, Laura Pulito of Bridgton ran her win streak at Casco to three straight, finishing in 25:51, ahead of Dara Frank, 34, of New York, who posted a time of 26:40.
Her approach Saturday was quite simple, “Have fun and see what happens,” the Lake Region HS varsity cross-country coach said. “I haven’t felt great, ever since I ran Boston (Marathon). I think I started training again too soon and I’m dealing with some fatigue.”
Early on, Pulito ran with one of her former Laker runners, Abigail Roberts. On Mile 2, she focused on catching some of the male runners ahead of her.
“And then, I just held on for the last two miles. I was zeroing in one another (male) runner on the last mile to help get me through,” she said. “I was relieved when I finished. I wasn’t happy with my time, but I wasn’t looking to run a fast time.”
SPRINT TO THE FINISH — ZZ (Leighton) Nichols of Mechanic Falls gives camper Holden Hess a run for his money. (Rivet Photos)
WEARING THEIR OLYMPIC GARB are Lina Cregor, 12, of Dorchester, Mass. (left) and Rosie Marttila, 11, of Somerville, Mass.
She was 30 seconds off her 2023 winning time. When asked what she enjoys about competitive running, Pulito said, “That’s hard to say. I think it’s changed as I’ve gotten older. I like improving and being able to see that I’ve improved from high school to college and then post college. You can keep growing, and you can do it for as long as your body lets you.”
GIVE ME FIVE — Hands reach out to Tyler Murray, 7, of Natick, Mass. as he approaches the finish line.
PICKING UP A COUPLE OF RUNNING BUDDIES — Ashley Pringle of Durham gains a little company as she approaches the Casco Days finish line.
The message she passes to her Laker athletes is one she too follows, “I want them to love it and have fun. I want them to be competitive, but what I love seeing is how many of them are still running after they’ve graduated. It’s kind of a measure of our success. When I go to a race like this and see these kids are a year or two or three out of our program, and they’re still running and loving it, it’s awesome to see. I don’t want them to feel burnt out, like they were pushed too hard through high school and then they want to be done with it. I want them to be hungry for more and still enjoy it.”
Race Stats: There were 500 finishers at the 2024 Casco Days Race...There were 277 males and 219 females entered.
How participants fared at Casco Days Race
1. Peter Murphy, 34, Warren, RI, 20:57
2. Grady Kemp, 19, Casco, 21:10
3. Cam Shapiro, 17, Atlanta, GA, 21:32
4. Aidan Roberts, 17, Casco, 22:43
5. James Butcher, 38, Lexington, MA, 22:55
6. Jack Morrissey, 29, Los Angeles, CA, 24:06
7. Casey Carroll, 52, 24:12
8. Ethan Stanley, 21, Raymond, 24:16
9. Michael Beam, 32, Raymond, 24:46
10. Christian Bassett, 41, Casco, 25:10
11. Eric Darling, 51, 25:17
12. Eliot Faith, 15, Raymond, 25:30
13. Michael Clarke, 18, 25:34
14. Laura Pulito, 30, Bridgton, 25:51
15. Brian Bannon, 34, Sebago, 26:16
16. Dave Sheldrick, 49, Sebago, 26:18
17. Dara Frank, 34, New York, NY, 26:40
18. Jared Connell, 42, Carlisle, MA, 26:54
19. Jack Heaton, 16, Hopkinton, MA, 27:00
20. Frances Chorley, 21, Raymond, 27:11
21. Kyle Conforte, 67, Bridgton, 27:15
22. Steven Shapiro, 53, New York, NY, 27:16
23. Adam Bowden, 43, Lexington, KY, 27:17
24. Jake Wagner, 15, Stonington, CT, 27:32
25. Ron Valentine, 37, Casco, 27:34 Area Participants
26. Michael Wheeler, 14, Raymond, 27:37
27. Abigail Roberts, 18, Casco, 27:48
29. Kyle Jordan, 24, Raymond, 27:55
31. Heath Roberts, 45, Casco, 28:09
32. Ken Ross, 62, Harrison, 28:13
42. Kai Okiura, 15, Raymond, 29:12
43. Julien Turmenne, 20, Casco, 29:13
45. Ethan Nutella, 17, Naples, 29:24
47. Will Furlanetto, 15, Raymond, 29:30
48. Zachary Tomlinson, 32, 29:33
50. Tristan Cormier, 19, Bridgton, 29:44
52. Graeme Scales, 14, Bridgton, 29:47
53. Oliver Gordon, 11, Sebago, 29:49
54. Henry Pollack, 14, Raymond, 29:52
57. Cabor Donahue, 11, Raymond, 30:19
58. Sara Bradley, 44, Waterford, 30:20
59. Daniel Jaronczyk, 14, Bridgton, 30:24
61. Jayden Jones, 15, Bridgton, 30:26
62. Harry Good, 14, Raymond, 30:35
63. Nate Plati, 14, Sebago, 30:39
64. Josh Sibblies, 15, Raymond, 30:44
65. Justin Millette, 30, Casco, 30:45
66. Chris Valentine, 24, Casco, 30:47
68. Jason Nadeau, 41, Bridgton, 30:59
69. Gavin Vergo, 12, Raymond, 31:04
71. Niko Yang, 10, Raymond, 31:07
75. Lauren Stone, 24, Casco, 31:24
76. Javier Austin, 14, Sebago, 31:24
78. Oona Frears, 13, Raymond, 31:30
79. Lucian Bassett, 17, Casco, 31:31
81. Andrew Tsiropinas, 44, Casco, 31:36
82. Daphne Easterly-Zeb, 15, Raymond, 31:40
83. Karen Woulfe, 23, Raymond, 31:43
84. Jack Fitzgerald, 14, Raymond, 31:43
87. Garth Altenburg, 51, Raymond, 31:47
88. Averey Klein, 15, Casco, 31:49
89. Alec Lagunes, 17, Raymond, 31:52
90. Camille Why, 14, Raymond, 31:53
91. Peter Walsh, 14, Raymond, 31:53
92. Harrison Field, 13, Raymond, 31:53
93. Charlotte Talmadge, 14, Raymond, 31:56
95. Eric Lonnegren, 19, Raymond, 32:05
96. Ivy Hach, 15, Raymond, 32:05
97. David McMillan, 21, Raymond, 32:06
98. Parker Boyd, 10, 32:10
99. Liam Calder, 12, Raymond, 32:16
100. Ollie Needham, 11, Raymond, 32:17
102. John Richards, 12, Raymond, 32:27
107. Morgan McClean, 32, 33:00
110. Zak Schweitzer, 11, Raymond, 33:17
111. Michelle McCarthy, 22, Raymond, 33:20
113. Remy Csendes, 13, Raymond, 33:30
116. Katharine Celata, 32, Raymond, 33:38
117. Alice Grellier, 27, Raymond, 33:38
121. Lincoln Faith, 13, Raymond, 33:43
126. John Van Dyke, 25, Casco, 34:07
129. Kellam Endres, 14, Raymond, 34:10
132. Katharine Ralph, 40, Casco, 34:23
134. Devin Van Dyke, 32, Casco, 34:28
136. Linden Läufer, 12, Raymond, 34:37
138. Stephanie Broadbent, 42, Casco, 34:40
139. Sam Legaspi, 21, Raymond, 34:46
140. Lucas Maher, 14, Raymond, 34:48
142. Chloe Champoux, 14, Casco, 34:55
147. Henry Albanese, 14, Raymond, 35:15
CASCO DAYS, Page 8A
WINNER — Peter Murphy of Rhode Island, posting a 20:57.
RUNNER-UP — Grady Kemp of Casco, second place at 21:10.
FIRST LADY — Laura Pulito of Bridgton, finishing in 25:51.
SECOND LADY — Dara Frank of New York, crossing in 26:40.
197. Luis Merino, 26, Casco, 38:10 201. Steve Mortimer, 74, Raymond, 38:23
202. Amelia Baum, 15, Raymond, 38:23
203. Campbell Corbin, 13, Raymond, 38:23
207. Colin Murphy, 19, Bridgton, 38:27
211. Sienna Maciel, 15, Casco, 38:48
212. Gabi Castelli, 15, Casco, 38:49
214. Monica Quinn, 36, Naples, 38:52
215. Leo Figge, 19, Raymond, 39:01
217. Charlie Schlesinger, 12, Raymond, 39:05
218. Mojo MacMillan, 15, Raymond, 39:07
221. Clare Starvish, 13, Raymond, 39:15
225. Millard Nadeau, 66, Casco, 39:45
234. Madison Kahn, 13, Raymond, 40:03
235. Taylor Adams, 13, Raymond, 40:03
240. McKenzie Kahn, 16, Raymond, 40:33
241. Abby Lonnegren, 21, Raymond, 40:37
244. Andrew Stanley, 53, Raymond, 40:50
249. Diego Alvarez Hibb, 18, Raymond, 41:12
251. Campbell Wolfe, 16, Casco, 41:27
253. Joseph Rivera, 24, Raymond, 41:32
255. Jack Nims, 12, Raymond, 41:43
256. Kadin Hertzog, 14, Raymond, 41:43
257. Khloii Charles, 14, Raymond, 41:47
258. Alex Goldsmith, 15, Raymond, 41:49
259. Teo Middleton, 12, Raymond, 41:54
260. J. Bruce Murphy, 75, Raymond, 41:57
262. Andrew Yum, 15, Raymond, 42:08
263. Teddy Lehmann, 14, Raymond, 42:09
265. Shamus Shea, 36, Raymond, 42:09
266. Fiona Daggett, 10, Naples, 42:09
267. Skylar Anderson, 10, Casco, 42:10
268. Nathaniel Wheaton, 13, 42:14
269. Gibson McIlvain, 13, Raymond, 42:16
270. Jackson Williamson, 11, Raymond, 42:25
279. Charlie Goldman, 13, Sebago, 42:54
284. Nash Shane, 10, Naples, 43:08
285. Adeline Hancock, 14, Casco, 43:13
286. Will Pacinda, 16, Raymond, 43:28
289. Alaina Clark, 38, Norway, 43:38
290. Isaac Somajni, 16, Raymond, 43:39
293. Gonzalo Secades, 15, Sebago, 43:51
294. Will Connelly, 16, Sebago, 43:53
301. Alanna Yannelli, 42, Sebago, 44:12
302. Olivia Lindsay, 14, Sebago, 44:13
305. Livia Turner, 14, Casco, 44:29
306. Abby Terrell, 15, Casco, 44:29
307. Catherine Bickford, 15, Casco, 44:29
315. Jack Gomez, 15, Raymond, 45:41
316. Eric Snell, 16, Raymond, 45:42
317. Sarah Blank, 40, Casco, 45:48
318. Aldert Blank, 53, Casco, 45:48
321. Megan Regis, 42, Bridgton, 46:19
325. Kerry McKenney, 46, South Casco, 46:42
326. Rory Barton, 15, Raymond, 47:00
327. Eamon Hart, 13, Raymond, 47:03
329. Miguel Fernandez, 14, Raymond, 47:04
331. Maxx Hogan, 13, Raymond, 47:07
332. Charlotte Tool, 14, Casco, 47:08
333. Paige Piper, 14, Casco, 47:08
334. Ryan Allen, 14, Casco, 47:09
335. Odin Hebert, 15, Sebago, 47:13
336. Kim Flanagin, 61, 47:27
337. Ashley Emery, 35, 47:29
338. Grace Gaumont, 14, 47:34
342. Teddy Magischen, 12, Sebago, 48:06
344. Regina Heinze, 14, Casco, 48:23
349. Emma Weitzel, 15, Casco, 48:37
351. Abby Brown, 12, Raymond, 48:43
354. Rodrigo Nieto, 14, Sebago, 48:53
357. Gonzalo Lopez, 16, Sebago, 48:56
358. Luisita Souss, 15, Casco, 48:57
361. Sam Katz, 14, Casco, 49:17
362. Sam Kuon, 15, Casco, 49:18
363. Edie Lyu, 12, Raymond, 49:19
364. Madison Farley, 13, Raymond, 49:37
368. Benjamin Kemp, 12, Casco, 49:47
369. Madelyn Long, 17, Casco, 50:01
371. Joshua Long, 14, Casco, 50:09
374. Kimberly Stiffler, 16, Naples, 50:20
Next on race schedule
FLUVIAL 5K
Saturday, Aug. 3, 4 p.m.
Benefit Loon Echo Land
Trust
Where: Fluvial Brewing, 860 Maple Ridge Road, Harrison
Price: $25
Bib pick-up on race day, 2 to 4 p.m.
Race 1 of the 2024 Loon Echo Race Series. Sign up for one, two or all three races. A good introduction to trail racing. This course will take competitors down to the historic Crooked River, and explore raw trails of the Crooked River Forest.
DOLE 3 MILER
Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m.
Course: Down and back on the Fryeburg Rail Trail www.dole3miler.com
BALD PATE 10K Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m.
Where: Five Fields Farm, 720 South Bridgton Road, Bridgton Bib pick-up on race day from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Price: $35.
Race 2 of the 2024 Loon Echo Race Series. Wind your way through the ancient pitch pine for4est and take in beautiful views of Foster Pond and the surrounding area. WALK TO DEFEAT ALS
Sunday, Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m. Check in 10 a.m. Deering Oaks Park,
Portland To raise funds and awareness for ALS — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease, which there is no known cause or cure. All proceeds raised will support patient care and comfort, as well as research. Register at www.walktodefeatALS.org
PLEASANT
MOUNTAIN 20K
Saturday, Oct. 5, 8 a.m.
SCHEDULE, Page 9A
GONE
When runners and walkers crossed the finish line at Casco Days, their arrival was announced by Jeff Hall, who frequently pointed out the “local favorite” to spectators. Jeff passed away last week after a long illness.
TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND — David Sheldrick of Sebago paid tribute to friend and long-time Casco Days Race public announcer Jeff Hall as he crossed the finish line Saturday. (Photo by Kevin Murphy)
LITTLE RUNNER — Delaney Wright, age 3, of South Portland.
By Allen Crabtree
Hikes in August
Denmark Mountain Hikers August 2024 Hikes
August 2: Easy – Black Cap Mountain (2,369 feet), North Conway, N.H. – 2.8 miles RT, 669-foot elevation gain. RT hiking 2.5 hours. RT driving 2 hours
Meet at the Denmark Church at 8:30 a.m. Relatively easy ascent to the highest peak in the Green Hills Preserves with fine views of Conway and the Green Hills range. We did this last at a group in August 2022. We will access the Black Cap trailhead/parking lot from Hurricane Mountain road. Ice cream at Trails’ End on the North Conway side of Hurricane Mountain Road.
August 9: Easy – Church Pond (1,251 feet), Kancamagus Hwy, N.H. – 2.8 miles RT, 50-foot elevation. RT hiking 1 hour 25 minutes. RT driving 2.0 hours.
Meet at the Denmark Church at 8:30 a.m. Hike and swim! An interesting, short, level walk to Church Pond and the adjacent Church Pond Bog, with a crossing of the Swift River. The swimming is great in Church Pond, or we might also stop at Lower Falls on the Swift River when we come off the trail. We last did Church Pond in August 2017. Bring your wading shoes for the river crossing.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the White Mountain National Forest is a secluded mountain pond that is well worth a visit. Province Pond is a pretty little mountain pond in Chatham, N.H. It is actually two ponds — the original glacial pond on the north end and a beaver pond on the south end.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHF&G) lists Province Pond as one of their backcountry trout ponds, twelve acres in size and with a maximum depth of ten feet. The deepest part of the pond is on the north end. The NHF&G regularly stocks it with fingerling brook trout.
The NHF&G also built a timber crib dam on the south end of the pond in 1960 to stabilize the water level because of the beaver activity. In 2009, the USFS replaced the older dam with an earthen and concrete structure, including a
concrete spillway. The trail along the east side of the pond to the north end goes to a three-sided Adirondackstyle shelter that sleeps six. It was built in the 1930s and is maintained by the U.S. Forest
Race schedule
(Continued from Page 8A)
Where: Pleasant Mountain East Lodge, 305 Mountain Road, Bridgton.
Bib pick-up on Friday evening 5 to 8 p.m. at the East Lodge, and on race day from 6 to 7:30 a.m.
Price: $75 before Sept. 1 and $80 after Sept. 1. Benefit for Loon Echo Land Trust, part of the Loon Echo Race Series. www.lelt.org WATERFORD FALL FOLIAGE 5K Sunday, Oct. 13, 11:30 Fun Run, 5K noon Pre-registration, $25 Race Day, $30 www.waterfordfall5k.com
Service (USFS). Province Pond lies on the eastern edge of the 10,325acre Kearsarge Inventoried Roadless Area. Dominating the skyline west of Province Pond are four small mountains — Mount Shaw (2,585 feet), the Twins (Gemini North at 2,519 feet and Gemini South at 2,490 feet) and Peaked Hill (1,755 feet). The view across the pond to these small peaks is impressive. The mountains are an extension of the range extending northeast from Mount Kearsarge North. According to Steve Smith in his Mountain Wanderer blog, there was a network of trails on the Shaw-Gemini ridge in the 1930s and 1940s. These trails have all been abandoned for decades. There is an exposed ledge on the
north shoulder of Mount Shaw. According to Smith, there was a fire on the mountain started by a lightning strike many years ago (Smith quotes Dave Govatski, retired forester and fire officer from the White Mountain National Forest) and signs of the fire are still faintly visible.
The Ghost of Province Pond
The Denmark Mountain Hikers have stayed overnight at the Adirondack shelter on the north end of Province Pond. Just at dusk, we had finished our supper and were sitting at the shelter watching the campfire burning when one of our hikers, Margaret Mathis, noticed a figure in white walking on the dam at the far side of the pond. We watched as it walked the
Meet at the Denmark Church at 7 a.m. We will be setting up as Trail Angels in Crawford Notch where the Appalachian Trail crosses Route 302 near the Willey House site. We’ll be providing free snacks, cold drinks, soup and sandwich fixings, fresh fruits and other goodies for the AT Through Hikers who visit us. Donations will be appreciated.
August 23: Arduous – Ammonoosic Ravine (5,012 feet), Bretton Woods, 6.2 miles RT, 2,512-foot elevation gain. RT hiking time 6 hours. RT driving 2 hours.
Meet at the Denmark Church at 8:30 a.m. A difficult, steep hike from the USFS lot near the Cog Railroad to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut with great views of Mt. Washington’s summit.
August 23: Moderate – Gem Pool (3,522 feet), Crawford Notch, N.H. – 4.2 miles RT, 1,092-foot elevation gain. RT hiking 4 hours. RT driving 2.5 hours.
Meet at the Denmark Church at 8:30 a.m. Gem Pool is in Ammonoosuc Ravine and the trailhead is near the Cog Railroad Base Station. This is on the easy side of a moderate hike to this small pool. From here, the trail up the Ammonoosuc Ravine to the Lakes of the Cloud hut is steep and rugged, but the moderate hikers will turn around at the pool and go back to the trailhead.
Meet at the Denmark Church at 8:30 a.m. We climbed Foss Mountain 11 times, the last in June2022. This is a very easy and short summer hike.
Questions: If you have questions about the difficulty of a hike, or for any other information, please call John Patrick at (207) 756-2247 or e-mail johnfp@earthlink.net. Hikers are encouraged to select hikes that they are physically capable of attempting.
If you would like to meet us at a trailhead or somewhere along the route to the trailhead please contact Allen Crabtree at (207) 653-9271 or e-mail denmarkmethiker@gmail.com
length of the dam and disappeared in the woods, then reappeared on the other end of the dam a short while afterwards. The figure then sat down on one of the boulders there, gazing out over the water. “That must be the ghost of Province Pond that I’ve heard stories about,” I said, but we’ve never seen it since.
Denmark Mountain Hikers outing on July 19
Jeff Sturgis led the group on the hike to Province Pond on July 19, and wrote:
“Robert Skoglund, Maine’s ‘Humble Farmer’ is married to the ‘almost perfect woman’ Today; the Denmark Mountain Hikers had the ‘almost perfect hike!’ The temperatures were in the midseventies, there were (almost) no bugs (more on that later), the wide trail was shady with dappled sunlight peeking through and the 400’ rise over 1.6 miles made for a very moderate walk in the woods. Eleven hikers were seen off at the church by Allen
PROVINCE POND from the dam with Mount Shaw across the water. (Photo by Tammi Pike)
DENMARK MOUNTAIN HIKERS at the Province Pond shelter.
(Photo by Jeff Sturgis)
PROVINCE, Page 10A
Hiking Trips & Tips
Golf return put on hold
By Suzie Kinney Highlands Golf
Columnist
Technology has advanced to the point where you can see events or play games or sports via Virtual Reality devices. It is expressed as an artificial environment experienced through touch, vision and sound. I’ve played golf using an Occulus putting a virtual golf ball through a virtual 9 or 18-hole course. It was very interesting. I admit, quite fun.
Chip shots from Highlands
By Whit Lesure Highlands Golf Columnist
There was only one group of unhappy folks at Bridgton Highlands CC as this went to print and that was the Tuesday Night Scramble players. Unlucky enough to catch one of the few rainy late afternoons of the past week (some of the best weather money can’t buy), there were whispers around the clubhouse of adding a Thursday make-up event to quell the hot tempers of Czar Bob Bissonette and his “not so Merrie Men” (and Women) of “Mashie”.
BHCC Club
But, actually being on the course is preferable. To truly experience the weather, the course conditions, to feel the actual ball meet the actual club, to listen to your friends and their golf issues is much more satisfying. Yes, I am back on the course and just when I felt I’d be playing with the Wednesday morning Ladies Group… it rained.
Where is that Occulus? The group play was canceled and the course closed for the day. When the course opened, riding carts were not allowed due to the wet, mushy conditions. Many walking golfers hazarded the course around mud, ponds in the bunkers and dripping trees. Fanatics exist in every sport and a bit of yucky weather will not slow them down. I can appreciate their wanting to
play in spite of these prohibitive issues. It is summer in Maine and this is the season for playing outdoors. We want to play as much as possible whenever we can. As a child, we stayed out until the sun set, or until the insects drove us inside or when a parent demanded our return. Circumstances haven’t changed that much and neither have our feelings. No scores to report. No winners to list. We will all be back out on Wednesday trying to best the course and ourselves.
Tip of the Week: Stay young at heart and play on! Hit’em long and straight.
Coach eyes 3-pt record
(Continued from Page 6A)
time at basketball than I did. It was to the point my mom wasn’t happy about it. I was obsessed. It was all I thought about, and all that I did. I just wanted to be the best player I could possibly be. I over-trained. I did a little too much.”
He now channels that passion and energy into coaching, presently at Lake Region High School, and playing an occasional men’s league game.
The sound of a basketball bouncing on the hardwood and the “swish” of the net as a 3-point shot falls through is music to Ryan Martin’s ears. The tune of 1,078 treys netted in one-hour next Friday night, Aug. 9 will sound even better. The public is welcome to attend the shoot-out, which starts at 5 p.m. in Nutting Gym at LRHS. Admission is free, however donations will be accepted — benefitting the
Laker basketball program.
For those who are unable to attend, but wish to watch, they can subscribe to the live stream at www.youtube.com/@ryanmartin5846
And, what is the story about the nickname Dr. Buckets?
“Nick (Beauchesne) just came up with it,” Ryan said. “It’s because I get buckets, meaning I can score, and I’m a doctor, who can help/ coach people to get buckets too.”
Art festival & lawn party
Superintendent George Thomas was less than enthusiastic in comments to the press about the unsubstantiated rumors. “I love those folks and the energy they bring to the course, but did anyone see the deep cart tracks running straight through the hazard in front of #16 green? Jeezum Crow!”
On a slightly happier note, Skip “Skipper” Sullivan continued the recent rash of HoleIn-One’s accomplishing the dream shot on #13 from the Gold Tee-Box with his pitching wedge. Skip just happens to be one of Assistant Pro Dan Cahill’s students and one thing we all know about Dan is that the man can promote (just about anything…).
“I’m not trying to take anything (or anyone) away from ‘Boz’ (Head Pro John Boswell), but show me the money! My lessons produce results. John’s a little too old school for my clients. He’s like a ‘Martini,’ where I’m more like those new age Cannabis dispensaries you see popping up all over town” (and beyond).
Speaking for all those out there without an “Ace,” I just may have to stop in and investigate and see what this fuss (stuff) is all about…Golf has a way of turning you “insideout.”
Sweet won NTP at 50 feet on a hole not disclosed to the press as to embarrass the club for its membership. Pushed for comment, the mild-mannered real estate mogul simply said, “I may have to set my alarm early every weekend if this is all it takes to get some cash around here.” It’s “Championship Week” at BHCC with three flights of competitors teeing off for 36 holes of stroke play. Dan “Director of Club Promotions” Cahill will be running his annual parimutuel betting service, but here’s an insider’s tip sheet worth what you might expect from such things. It would appear to be wide open for anyone who gets “hot.” Last year’s champ, Jim Thombs has the pedigree and game to never be overlooked no matter what the circumstances. Jim Macklin (2022 winner) thrives on coming up big in competitive events and figures to factor here. “Dollar” Bill Kavanagh can win with his “Kiawah” Karma. Rob Pressman is rest-
ed and ready for the “Thunder Road” to the “Promised Land.” Wayne Kuvaja will not back down from the chance to turn back the clocks as he steps to the “blue tee’s” after winning the 1st Flight last year. Ken Mushrow and Nick Stuart both have shown the ability to defeat this field and look to contend. Whit Lesure enjoyed a great July and now hopes for more of the same in the “Big Dance.” Don’t sleep on Laker legend Ben Chaine, who ranks as the top “dark-horse” and comes in carrying approximately 30 less years than most. Bryan Hale is another less known but plenty capable competitor. Jim Hopkins looks to test his Two-Ball Championship in this step up in class event, while Aaron Izaryk will ride his long-driving talents into contention. If I “shanked” anyone here, my apologies. I’m treading on dangerous ground. Good luck. RIP Jeff Hall — a friend to so many in the area and great all-around sportsman.
Province Pond
(Continued from Page 9A)
Crabtree, and they joined 14 hikers waiting at the trailhead. Hiking were 25 Denmark Mountain Hikers, including some new hikers to the group. After introductions and the trailhead picture, we hit the trail at 9:30 a.m. The trail follows an old road that is now a snowmobile trail, so it is fairly wide. There were several muddy and rocky spots where small streams crossed the trail, but nothing too serious. There were also several bridges that crossed larger streams that carry the snowmobiles over in the winter. The 25 hikers spread out as each went at his/her own pace. Most of us reached the dam at 10:10 a.m. and were able to spot our goal, the lean-to, across the pond. Another 20 minutes of hiking brought us to the shelter on the northern shore of the pond. It was a tight fit, but about 20 of us were able to find a space inside the shelter or on the edge of the platform to sit and enjoy lunch in the shade. A good time was had by all as we socialized and got to know each other better.
after a very enjoyable hike. The decision was made to top off the morning by visiting Sherman’s Farm in East Conway for some delicious ice cream consumed in a nice, shaded grove of trees next to the ice cream stand. The hike was a beautiful way to celebrate a return to reasonable temperatures after the unprecedented heat of the last two weeks. Province Pond in Carroll County, Chatham, N.H. Difficulty – Easy Trail distance – 1.6 miles to the pond and shelter via Province Brook Trail Hiking time – 45 minutes to 1 hour to the pond Elevation – 1,330 feet Vertical gain
Directions to the Province Brook trailhead: From the Fryeburg village
LOVELL — Hewnoaks invites the public to the fourth edition of its signature public program, Wild Light, an afternoon of art and community on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. Wild Light draws on the state’s deep well of creative talent and the long history of artists retreating to the Kezar Lake area to produce work inspired by the lands and waters of greater Lovell. Featuring a pop-up exhibition, dance and music by some of Maine’s leading contemporary artists, most of whom are alumni of the Hewnoaks residency program, the event takes place at the historic lakeside campus in Lovell (68 Hewnoaks Road) and is presented in collaboration with the Greater Lovell Land Trust and Lights Out Gallery.
Participating artists include: Visual art by Cushman Amesbury, Maya Attean, Jon Caterina, Louisa Donelson, Annika Early Elana Adler, Joe Ferrigno, Shaina Gates, Thea Hart, Ashley Page and Jay Stern; Music by Asha Tamarisa and Myles Bullen; Dance by Little House Dance. (Italics indicate Hewnoaks alumni.) Admission is free; leave pets home.
In weekend Sweeps action, Whit Lesure took home Saturday’s Low Gross with a 77. Ken “Smooth” Murray earned Low Net. “Dollar” Bill “Grand Dad” Kavanagh paired up with Ken Murray for Team Gross honors. Rob “Boss” Pressman and Jim “the Bogey Man” Thombs took Team Net. Bill “Grand Dad” Kavanagh earned the Quota win while “Wiley” Wes Wisse captured NTP #8. On Sunday, “The Boss” Rob Pressman played his E-Street Shuffle to a Low Gross best 77. Peter “the Principle” Suorsa won Low Net. Jim “the Bogey Man” Thombs and Rob “Jersey” Pressman took Team Gross. John “Ace” Roberge and “Gentleman” Jim Mains combined for Team Net and best golf course etiquette honors. Peter “the Principle” Suorsa took home Quota points. Russ
After a leisurely half hour, we took our “summit” photo and headed back to the trailhead. This was a leisurely stroll with much conversation as we walked. The “no bugs” observation was spoiled slightly as several hikers were stung by a few yellow jackets, whose nest was disturbed near the end of the hike.
Everyone was back in the parking lot by 11:50 a.m.
the Saco River on River Road, and at 1.1 miles turn north onto East Conway Road/Route 113 toward Evans Notch. In another 1.0 mile where Route 113 turns sharply to the right, keep going straight on Green Hill Road/Route 321. Pass the eastern entrance to Hurricane Mountain Road
55 years in Bridgton. It’s a big deal! What better way to celebrate than to support a local non-profit? August 5–9, come into the branch or go online to vote for your favorite local cause. Non-profits will receive a share of $2024 based on the votes, so go vote!
Bridgton Food Pantry
Tucker’s House
The Bridgton Community Center
You can also write-in your favorite non-profit!
We’re proud to have our roots in Bridgton. 1 HARRISON ROAD, BRIDGTON | (207) 647-3344 | NORWAYSAVINGS.BANK | MEMBER
Country Living
August 1, 2024, The Bridgton News, Page 1B
Lone to be Bridgton
The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is pleased to welcome Carmen Lone as speaker on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 a.m. at The Alliance Church at 368 Harrison Road in Bridgton.
Carmen will speak on her role as a member of the Bridgton Food Pantry board. She was president of the board when the food pantry secured funding and the location for its new home.
Carmen has been on the Bridgton Select Board for several years, previously serving as its chair. Also, she was Executive Director of the Bridgton Community Center for over 20 years until her retirement in June 2022. Her contributions to the community have been widely recognized, and
Local Happenings
Night of Poetry at Hobbs Library
LOVELL — Join the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell for a night of poetry with Meghan Sterling on Monday, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Meghan Sterling is the author of three full-length collections of poetry, These Few Seeds (2021), View from a Borrowed Field (March 2023), and Comfort the Mourners (summer 2023). Her chapbook, Self-Portrait with Ghosts of the Diaspora, came out in April 2023. Fryeburg Historical Society
FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Historical Society is 50 years old! The public is invited to help celebrate this mark on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. (rain date Aug. 17) at 83 Portland Street, Fryeburg. This is a free event open to members and non-members.
There will be lots of things to see and do. Tour the Osgood House and see the “Salute to Veterans” display; visit the Kendall C. and Anna Ham Library; games for the children to play; see the antique Peddler’s Wagon; check out the White Elephant sale; purchase a copy of the recently released book, “Fryeburg, Maine An Illustrated History” and much more! Refreshments will be served.
Annual
Summer Guild Sale
St. Joseph Women’s Guild will hold its annual Summer Sale on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the St. Joseph Church Hall, South High Street, Bridgton.
There will be delicious baked goods, gently used clothing for all ages in the Boutique Section and special finds in the Attic treasures. All donations will go directly to the Continuing Education Award. (No electronics or large items.)
There will also be complementary coffee and tea available.
Events and meetings scheduled at the Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street): Thursday, August 1
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Veteran Services by appointment only
1 to 3 p.m., Paint Group ($5)
1:45 to 6 p.m., Video Gamers (free)
5 to 6 p.m., Kettle Dinner sponsored by the Rotary Club (free) Friday, August 2
6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Deertrees Theatre lobster roll fundraiser pick-up
12 p.m., Mahjongg (Free) Saturday, August 3
8 a.m., American Legion breakfast ($8) Sunday, August 4
5 to 8:30 p.m., Bridgton Jazz practice Monday, August 5
10 to 11 a.m. Chair Yoga ($)
2 to 4 p.m., Cribbage, (free) Tuesday, August 6
6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Fitness Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($)
10 a.m. to noon, Chickadee Quilters
12:30 to 4 p.m., Bridge Card Group ($, learn to play)
5 to 6 p.m., American Legion Wednesday, August 7
6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Fitness Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($) 10 a.m., Annette’s Practical Crafting ($)
12 to 1 p.m., Senior Lunch: Baked Ziti ($3)
1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg (free)
5:30 to 7 p.m., Kayley Macrame Plant Hangers ($) Thursday, August 8
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Retirement Workshop
1:45 to 6 p.m., Video Gamers (free)
Sweden Days House Tour
SWEDEN — Visitors will have a chance to tour an historic home at “the corners” of Sweden during the town’s annual Sweden Days celebration. Far Vista, c.1828, the Gibbons residence, barn and garden will be open to the public Friday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes a chance to win a dinner for two at the Old Saco Inn. Proceeds will benefit the Sweden Historical Society.
In 1828, Farnum Stevens, the youngest of Jacob Stevens’ 11 children, bought the acreage on which the homestead sits. Farnum built the house that still stands at 42 Plummer School Road overlooking Keyes Pond. His home was bought and sold many times in the 19th century. In 1879, after Issac Eastman’s house on the Webber Pond Road burned down, he purchased it and his son Aaron inherited the home then sold it in 1891 to Mark W.E. Perry, a surveyor of timber lands.
Rotary Speaker
she continues to be an active member of Bridgton’s civic life.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
For more information about Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, go to https://
lakeregionrotary.com or its Facebook Page. For other questions, contact them at LakeRegionRotary@gmail. com
CARMEN LONE will be the next Rotary Club speaker
After Mark’s death, his second wife continued to live in the house taking care of her many cats and herself as best she could during a lingering illness.
Far Vista was named by the current resident’s parents, Ray and Marjorie Gibbons. They bought the property in 1931 when they were in their 20s. They fell in love with the view of the Presidential Range from the house, though the house itself was in poor shape.
“Back taxes were due and apparently the bank had foreclosed on the mortgage,” Ray Gibbons wrote in his 1971 memoir, which chronicles the 40 years they spent fixing it up. The property is now owned and well maintained by Jane Gibbons, and is a popular AirBnB destination for visitors from around the world. Far Vista, indeed. For more information, contact Jane Gibbons at (207) 647-3887.
StoryWalk at Pondicherry Park
Kids of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join Loon Echo Land Trust, the Bridgton Public Library, and Maine author Jennifer Comeau for a guided walk at the Pondicherry Park StoryWalk on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m.
Comeau’s book, The Inside of ME, is a profound reminder of what happens on the inside when we go outside. Nine special Maine places — including Pondicherry Park — are featured and illustrated on
the pages by Denmarkbased artist, Suzi Linden, who will be at the event to show her original sketches and illustrations. The event will begin at the Depot Street Entrance to Pondicherry Park (Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge). The group will walk pageto-page along the trail, reading as they go and reflecting on the natural world surrounding the pages. A snack will be provided at the end of the event. All youth must be accompanied by a caregiver. The trail is mostly shaded, six feet wide, and has a packed gravel surface with gentle slopes. The total distance walked will be approximately one mile, and there are several benches along the route where you can stop and rest. The trail is suitable for some strollers and wheeled mobility devices. The event is free, but registration is requested at lelt. org or by e-mailing maggie@lelt.org. The Inside of ME will be available to purchase at Bridgton Books after the event.
Class of 1955 Class Gathering
The Bridgton High School Class of 1955 gathered at the Black Horse Tavern Monday, July 29, for a luncheon to celebrate their 69th anniversary of graduation.
In attendance were eight of the 19 remaining classmates with four spouses or family members. Attending the luncheon were Sandra Gardner Cameron with her daughter Kim of Auburn; George Drisko and his wife Kay of Bridgton; Carolyn Farrar Keene and her daughter Kim of North Anson; Robert Libby of Bridgton; Nancy Dillingham Pond and her husband Burpy of Naples; Patricia Lovell Schulze of Laatzen, Germany; Beverley Leavitt Warren and William Warren of Gorham/Bridgton.
Those with last minute conflicts that prevented them from attending were Barbara Conant Autio of Bridgton; Bruce Chalmers and his wife Laurie from Bridgton; Jim MacDonald and his wife Judy of Bridgton; and Julia Moran Farrell from Houston, Texas. Regrets were sent from Arline Graham Matlock of Sandis, Texas; John Maxfield of Conway, N.H.; and Antoinette Unold Pirie of Wilmington, Mass. Other members of the Class of 1955 not attending were Sydney Roberts Keniston of Bridgton; Dorothy Libby of Farmingdale; and Stanley Richardson of Georgia.
CLASS OF 1955 GATHERING,
and George Drisko and having a gathering is a given! By consensus, the BHS Class of 1955 Reunion in 2025 will be on Monday, July 28, at the Black Horse Tavern.
The most recent loss of the 26 graduates out of 45 who graduated is Linwood Douglass of Las Vegas. He was remembered fondly by the class. Bob Libby, a schoolage neighbor, offered some humorous remembrances. Linwood’s widow, Marion, is hoping to attend the 70th reunion next July.
The Class of 1955 has gathered each year since their 55th to celebrate their graduation and every five years holds a reunion — Is there a difference? Bill Warren says, “yes,” as we make a concerted effort to have as many attend the reunion who are able to travel on the 55th anniversaries; that gives us a hopeful 19 to gather next July 28. The class generally invites teachers to the reunion, who were teaching during the class’s years at Bridgton High School. The one remaining teacher is Francis Pratt Caswell, who will be invited to attend the 70th in 2025.
The gathering is coordinated by Bill and Bev Warren
Area Birth
Taylor Farrar and Brooke St. Pierre of Waterford have a son, Weston, born on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 8:41 p.m. at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. Weston weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces. Weston joins sibling, Kendall, age 6.
Maternal grandparents: Bethany Toothaker and Brad St. Pierre.
Paternal grandparents: Anthony and Brandi Farrar of South Paris.
left to right: Robert Libby, Patricia Schultze, Beverley Warren, William Warren, George Drisko and Carolyn Keene; front: Sandra Cameron and Nancy Pond.
FAR VISTA, The Gibbons residence on Plummer School Road in Sweden will be open for tours Friday, Aug. 1, during Sweden Days.
Country Living
Public Breakfasts & Suppers
Thursday, August 1
Community Kettle, sponsored by the BridgtonLake Region Rotary Club at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street in Bridgton from 5 to 6 p.m. or until the food runs out. This will be an eat-in supper with the option for “take-out.” Menu: Spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce, garden salad, and Jello for dessert. The meal is free to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Saturday, August 3
Community Fair Day Breakfast , 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton, 77 Main Street in Harrison (across from Crystal Lake Park). Menu includes scrambled eggs, pancakes (plain and blueberry), sausage, fresh fruit, coffee cake, muffins, coffee, tea, and juice. Donations welcome.
Annual Lobster Roll Luncheon , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., drive by the Naples United Methodist Church (1000 Roosevelt Trail, Naples) and pick up your lobster roll lunch to go. Menu: freshly picked lobster meat, roll, blueberry cake, a bag of chips and water. Cost: $25 each. Call 693-6854 and leave a message to order your roll(s).
Lobster Bake presented by the Harrison Lions Club, 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Crystal Lake Park, as part of Harrison Community Day. Pre-pay until July 31 $25; day of the event while supplies last $30. Use QR code to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, August 6
Public Supper at the North Waterford Congregational Church (10 Irving Green Road, off Route 35) from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Menu: Baked beans, American chop suey, coleslaw, salads, casseroles, brown bread, rolls, beverage and strawberry shortcake. Cost: $12 adults, $6 children under 12.
Saturday, August 10
Lobster Dinner . The East Otisfield Free Baptist Church will hold its annual Lobster Dinner with sittings at 4:30 and 6 p.m. The menu will include a 1-1/4 pound lobster or half a grilled chicken, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, dinner roll, drawn butter, blueberry cake and other refreshments. A total of 76 seats are available in two sittings. Tickets should be purchased in advance from Maryanne Hill for $20 for the chicken meal or $25 for the lobster dinner. All tickets are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please call 3108056 or e-mail Maryanne at EOFBCdinners@yahoo. com for your reservations. All proceeds will benefit multiple church projects. The lobster dinner will be held at the church located on 231 Rayville Road, 1 mile off Route 121 in Otisfield.
Raymond Village Community Church Pot Roast Suppers ! Pot roast and gravy, potatoes, green beans, carrots, a roll, and a brownie for $15. Meals are takeout only. Orders for meals for pick up between 5 and 6 p.m. that Saturday at 27 Main Street in Raymond. They will be hot and ready! Please order in advance as it is unlikely that extra meals will be available. To order your meals please call the office at 6557749 before noon on Aug. 10 and leave a message with your name, number of meals and time you will pick up. Or if you prefer, you can send an e-mail to office@rvccme.org with the information.
Wednesday, August 14
Waterford Summer Breakfast hosted at the Wilkins House at the foot of Plummer Hill in the Flat of Waterford, adjacent to the Congregational Church, 7:30 to 10 a.m. Menu: Scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, muffins, donut holes, juice, coffee, tea, and real Maine maple syrup. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children five years old and younger.
Bridgton Farmers’ Market Recipe Italian Pickled Eggplant
By Nancy Tripp Bridgton Farmers’ Market
Last summer, I had a love affair with Aubergine, the eggplant. I enjoy cooking eggplant year-round, but eggplant grown and locally harvested in season is something that puts me into a swoon. So very fresh and when cooked, creamy and full of the fresh summer flavor. I could not stop seeking out new recipes to try.
I found this recipe online and made several batches that I use as an antipasto when entertaining friends and family. Served on slices of a good baguette and topped with generous slices of Pecorino Romano, this recipe is a mouthwatering, delicious starter. I have a difficult time not eating the entire jar and skipping the rest of dinner. If you can find the red olives they add an appealing visual not offered by a green olive, but it is the flavor we are striving for so any good olive works. I used both the slender Japanese eggplants and the more traditional globe eggplant with equal success. My batches of the Italian Pickled Eggplant stored in air tight jars in the refrigerator lasted long into the winter for a delightful taste of summer on a cold winter’s eve.
Italian Pickled
Eggplant
Southern Italian Style
Ingredients 4 Japanese or baby eggplant, large dice Champagne vinegar & Water — 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water, enough to cover the eggplant in a saucepan Coriander seeds — how much? How much do you like it?
1 large garlic
Red olives — how many? A handful? More? You decide. Parsley — a nice big handful chopped Capers — a few tablespoons, really like capers? Add another!
Fresh red chili pepper — small. Like it hot? Use a bigger chili.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil to fill jar
Clean, sterilized mason jar
Sliced baguette for serving Pecorino Romano for serving
Method
Dice the Eggplant into 1-inch cubes, or long strips. Add the eggplant, a tablespoon, give or take of coriander seeds and smashed clove of garlic to a saucepan. Add liquid (in the ratio of 1/3 champagne vinegar 2/3 water) until the eggplant is submerged. Bring to a boil on high heat. When the skin begins to turn brown, boil for an addi-
tional 5 minutes. Meanwhile, roughly chop the olives, capers, parsley and chili pepper. Set to the side on your cutting board.
Drain the eggplant, coriander and garlic in a colander.
Add to a mason jar in layers. Add some eggplant, then some parsley, olives, chili and capers in layers to fill your jar. Top the mason jar with olive oil, really fill it, to the top. There should be no air gaps, only oil. Run a knife down the sides to release air bubbles and tap the jar lightly on the counter. Put the lid on while the mixture is hot and put it in the fridge and let it rest for around 10 days.
Remove 20 minutes before consuming to allow the oil to return to room temp and serve on slices of bread and generous curls of Pecorino Romano.
Would you like to watch this being made? This fellow will help you relax into a freestyle recipe. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=0OVbsstGOfc
Fun!
Find Us: The Bridgton Farmers’ Market is outside on the Green behind Renys, on Depot Street on Saturdays now through Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon.
BFM is pleased to announce it has joined Senior Farm Shares this year. Stop at the Info Booth to learn more about the program and sign up if you are eligible. For a full list of vendors and information on ordering or to sign up for the BFM weekly newsletter visit https://www.facebook.com/BridgtonFarmersMarket/ or contact the Market at bridgtonfarmersmarket.bfm@gmail. com Please keep your dog on a short leash and under control. BFM accepts credit cards and EBT. See you there!
Arts & Entertainment
Free Fanfare Concert in Naples
NAPLES — The Lake Region is invited and encouraged to come to the Historic Union Church on the Naples Causeway for a special event today, Thursday, Aug. 1. The Fanfare concert band will be playing a free show from 7 to 8 p.m.
The Fanfare Concert Band, a 27-person orchestra band, is generously donating their time and talent for this event! Any donations given at the end of the show will go directly to the church for the restoration and preservation of this iconic and historic causeway site.
Fanfare plays familiar
Dan Moore at Brick Church
LOVELL – The Brick Church for Performing Arts welcomes back talented keyboard artist, Dan Moore, on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.
Although he specialized in the organ when he studied at the Boston Conservatory, Moore loves the unique qualities of different keyboard instruments and styles, and he plays them all.
Among his other professional activities, Dan is currently serving as music director at the Lovell United Church of Christ, where his responsibilities include directing and accompanying the choir.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Free refreshments will be served at intermission.
The Brick Church for the Performing Arts is airconditioned and located at 502 Christian Hill Road in Lovell. For more information please, see the Facebook page or call 925-1500.
melodies from the best of Journey, Elton John, movie scores, and Frank Sinatra to lesser-known stirring renditions to patriotic or hymnal ballads. This is an incredible privilege and honor to host such moving local talent. We are deeply moved by the giving of the bands practice and open-handed gifts to this community and its cause for the benefit of this historical church site.
Brought to you by the Town of Naples Events Committee, in partnership with the Historical Society and historical registrar, this will be a very special event. Neighbors and tourists can gather in the center of the village to hear the impressive talent of our region’s musicians. Please come out in support of the band and this gem within Naples Village.
Fanfare Concert Band started in 1987, and is under the direction of Stan Buchanan. The band practices in Casco in the Spring, in preparation for the concert series in the summer. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy.
LRCT invites public to ‘Be Our Guest’
You are cordially invited to “Be Our Guest” this Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. at the opening of Lake Region Community Theatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
The menu will include an enchanting production that brings the beloved tale to life with stunning visuals, unforgettable music, and a talented cast.
Join LRCT for an evening of magic and wonder as we journey to the enchanted castle and experience the timeless story of love, bravery, and transformation. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Disney’s Beauty and the
Beast is a show you won’t want to miss! Tickets for Beauty and the Beast are now available. They can be purchased online at www.lrctmaine.org, and in person at Bridgton Books and Aubuchon Ace Hardware in Naples. Tickets are always available at the door. Adults $19 and students/seniors 65-plus $15.
Show dates are Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 4 at 2 p.m., and Aug. 9 and Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. Special thanks to Platinum Sponsor Norway Savings Bank and Gold Sponsor Hancock Lumber.
Trio to perform at The Hayloft
The HAYLOFT at Dragonfly Barn in Bridgton (95 Sanborns Grove Road) presents an evening of Jazz, Folk and Blues with the Heather Pierson Trio on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand, the Heather Pierson Trio is a New England favorite that always packs the house and leaves everyone smiling.
This collaboration of seasoned professionals explores genres, improvisation, and travels through a variety of moods and tempos, all of which are delivered to an audience in waiting. The years of dedication and experience translate to accessibility, opening the door to all kinds of musical fun.
Heather Pierson is a spiritual, dynamic and humorous creative. Her bandmates have supported her whimsical improvisation and voracious appetite for diversity for many years. Whether it is a raucous blues tune, dramatic ballad, or a free flow jazz improvisation on the grand piano, they ebb and flow in perfect unison, almost as one entity.
“Heather’s Trio gave one of the most entertaining, artistic, and engaging performances we’ve hosted in our 46 years! Their consummate musicianship, gorgeous vocal harmonies, and excellent songwriting held me, and our full-house audience spellbound. Individually, the three of them are terrific. As a trio they are astounding… The walls of our little venue hold many wonderful sounds and memories. We’ve just added some of the best.” — Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street
Coffeehouse, Downers Grove, Ill. Heather Pierson is a pianist, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, song leader, and performer whose inspiring live perfor-
THE HEATHER PIERSON TRIO featuring Heather Pierson, Craig Bryan and Shawn Nadeau will perform at The HAYLOFT at Dragonfly Barn in Bridgton on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
mances and growing catalog of releases delve into Americana, blues, New Orleans jazz, vocal chants, instrumental piano, and folk. Best known for her virtuosity at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, her songs
TRIO, Page 5B
HARRISON — SebagoLong Lake Music Festival will hold its fourth concert of its 52nd season on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Featured composers are Franz Schubert and John Harbison.
SCHUBERT: Fantasie for Piano Four-Hands, D.940
HARBISON: “November 19, 1828” for Piano Quartet
SCHUBERT: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 99
Musicians are Keiko Tokunaga, violin; Matthew Sinno, viola; Bonnie Thron, cello; Yuri Funahashi, piano; and Mihae Lee, piano. This program features two late-Schubert favorites plus an intriguing 20th-century homage to his work by Harbison.
Fantasie in F Minor for Piano Four-Hands, D.940. While Classical music was heard mainly in the homes of the aristocracy, by Schubert’s time music was being taken up by the bourgeoisie. Middle-class families often included members who played instruments, house-
MUSIC FEST, Page 10B
The HAYLOFT at Dragonfly Barn 95 Sanborns Grove Road, Bridgton, ME
ANTJE DUVEKOT
August 10, 2024, 7:30 pm
June 22, 2024, 7:30 pm
August 10, 2024, 7:30 pm
AUGUST 3, 2024, 7:30 pm
June 22, 2024, 7:30 pm
Antje Duvekot recently unveiled her fifth studio album, “New Wild West”.
This trio performs a rich variety of Heather's originals, jazz and blues standards, and unique reworkings of familiar classics.
Antje Duvekot recently unveiled her fifth studio album, “New Wild West”.
Ellis Paul doesn t just write songs; he’s a guitar -carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream.
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he s a guitar -carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream.
Yet another testament to the powerhouse that is Antje Duvekot, New Wild West” is a sonic and lyrical knockout that marks a newly blazed trail in Duvekot’s songwriting career, celebrating the mid-life transition into a greater sense of self.
Yet another testament to the powerhouse that is Antje Duvekot, “New Wild West” is a sonic and lyrical knockout that marks a newly blazed trail in Duvekot’s songwriting career, celebrating the mid-life transition into a greater sense of self.
"If you're one of those people who likes any style done well old-school jazz, folk, pop, classical you'll love this prodigiously talented threesome. Keyboards, brass, all sorts of strings, and beautiful singing make for a dynamic show packed with energy and surprises."
An original American renaissance man, he is also an illustrator, poet, children ’s book author, producer, music tour leader, collaborator, innovator, educator, commencement speaker, honorary doctorate recipient, respected spokesperson among his peer group of
An original American renaissance man, he is also an illustrator, poet, children s book author, producer, music tour leader, collaborator, innovator, educator, commencement speaker, honorary doctorate recipient, respected spokesperson among his peer group of leading folk artists, and esteemed mentor to newer songwriters such as Rebecca Loebe, Antje Duvekot, and Seth Glier.
Sarah Craig | Caffe Lena | Saratoga Springs, NY
Recorded by her friend, Mark Erelli, it is considered by some to be her best in her 20plus year career.
An original American renaissance man, he is also an illustrator, poet, children s book author, producer, music tour leader, collaborator, innovator, educator, commencement speaker, honorary doctorate recipient, respected spokesperson among his peer group of leading folk artists, and esteemed mentor to newer songwriters such as Rebecca Loebe, Antje Duvekot, and Seth Glier.
Recorded by her friend, Mark Erelli, it is considered by some to be her best in her 20plus year career.
Tickets $35.00
Tickets $35.00
Tickets $35.00
Tickets $35.00
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.hayloftatdragonfly.com
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.hayloftatdragonfly.com
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.hayloftatdragonfly.com
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.hayloftatdragonfly.com
LISTENING ROOM | BYOB | WELL VENTILATED | HEAT AND A/C
LISTENING ROOM | BYOB | WELL VENTILATED | HEAT AND A/C
LISTENING ROOM | BYOB | WELL VENTILATED | HEAT AND A/C
LISTENING ROOM | BYOB | WELL VENTILATED | HEAT AND A/C
WORKING ON THEIR LINES — Belle, played by Emma Chasse, and Gaston, played by Andrew Marcotte, rehearse for this week’s opening of Beauty and the Beast presented by Lake Region Community Theatre at the Lake Region High School auditorium. (Photo by Shannon Avery)
ANTJE DUVEKOT
ELLIS PAUL
ELLIS PAUL
Arts & Entertainment
Deertrees showing and upcoming
HARRISON — Now showing and soon to arrive at Deertrees Theare in Harrison:
The Producers, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $26.
Musical comedy at its finest — Mel Brooks’ adaptation of his 1968 film, hailed as one of the funniest musicals ever written. Failing producer Max Bialystock and his accountant Leo Bloom scam a group of elderly women out of their nest eggs by convincing them to invest in a horrendously offensive Third Reich-themed musical secretly intended to bomb the moment it opens. When high-brow Broadway audiences mistakenly assume “Springtime for Hitler” is a satire, Bialystock finds himself with the critical acclaim that has long eluded him — and the biggest hit of his career! Heinous hijinks artfully directed by Zack Balkcom with
THE PRODUCERS, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $26.
music direction by Mary Bastoni and choreography by Kristen McBride.
Susie Pepper Sings DIVAS! On Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., tickets are $38. Susie Pepper & Mixology present a one-of-a-kind, original concert featuring your favorite divas’ iconic songs, including Beyonce, Aretha, Whitney,
~ Celebration of Life ~ Margaret Gibson
A Celebration of Life for Margaret Gibson will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Waterford Congregational Church, 15 Plummer Hill Road, Waterford. A reception follows at the Wilkins House Community Hall.
Carol A. Keene
Carol A. Slay Burgess Keene, 88, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Carol was born July 16, 1936 in Sacketts Harbor, N.Y. to Virginia Della Dougherty and Noel Grover Slay.
Carol grew up in Maine, and graduated from the Windham High School in 1954. She lived many years in the Portland/South Portland and Sebago Lake areas of Maine.
Curtis Gray of Bridgton was her half-brother.
Carol worked for a time at The Bridgton News in the early 1980s.
Carol’s life passion was horses and the wilderness. She had horses well into her 70s and lived in Southern California for many years. She will be missed by all her children, John (Jackie) Keene, Donna Burgess Graffam, Raymond M. Burgess and Thomas Burgess. Memories can be shared at https://www.forevermissed.com/ carol-a-slayburgesskeene/about
Sylvia J. Shepard
Sylvia J. Shepard, 93, of Bridgton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother went to the Lord on Sunday, July 28, 2024 after a short illness.
Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. To make an online condolence please visit www.chandlerfunerals.com
Roger Dahlke
Mariah, and Celine. This thrilling lineup delivers music that soars to Deertrees’ star-filled sky, where this artist is loved! A dynamic and highly sought-after vocalist throughout the region, Susie Pepper’s talents led to her win Fox23’s
Denmark Arts Music Lineup
DENMARK – Denmark
Arts Center presents Irish music and Uilleann pipes with Woodson & Finley, and Chamber Series with Elan Duo. Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m., Will Woodson and Caitlin Finley. Will Woodson (flute, uilleann pipes) and Caitlin
Finley (fiddle) play sparky and driving traditional Irish music that’s grounded in the textures and rhythms of the rich Irish American soundscape of the 1920s and 30s. With roots in the living Irish musical cultures of Boston, New York City,
James Moore
The family of James Moore is heartbroken to pass on the news of his death. James Alvin Moore, 63, died at his home in Bridgton, on July 23, 2024. Jim was born April 27, 1961, in Bridgton to Audrey Littlefield Moore and Glenn Moore.
After graduating from Yarmouth High School in 1979, Jim learned the trade of meat cutting which became his lifelong career. He and his beloved wife Kelly were married on August 18, 1984, and moved to Bridgton to start their family. In 1996, Jim and Kelly opened Mr. Butcher in Bridgton. Mr. Butcher was a big part of their lives and the community for over 20 years. The store provided top quality meat and excellent service, plus plenty of Jim’s personality. A sign in his store said, “Either you like bacon, or you’re wrong.”
Jim served his neighbors in diverse roles including police officer, bouncer at many local establishments, athletic boosters, Hannaford, and Food City. He fed others whenever he could, donating time at many community events, coaching, and cutting deer for over 35+ years.
Family was always first for Jim. He never missed a sporting event with his kids. He was an amazing father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, in-law, and husband. His presence is still strong at his home, where he and Kelly have built a fantastic playground and garden sanctuary. Throughout his life, Jim made friends wherever he went. He always stood out in a crowd, not just due to his six-foot, eight-inch frame, but due to his even bigger heart.
In the last few years, Jim especially enjoyed traveling with Kelly and her sister Kim. They traveled to Florida and made many day trips in Maine and beyond. They also frequented Peaks Island where Jim enjoyed the serenity and beauty as they explored.
Jim was predeceased by his father, Glenn Moore and his mother, Audrey Moore. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kelly Chabot Moore; their children and grandchildren: Nicholas and Amanda Moore and their sons Liam and Lucas of Poland; Stephanie and Travon (Trey) Wilcher of Bridgton, and their daughters Emjae, Audriana, Raye, Gwendolyn, and Zuri; and Jacob and Tiffany Moore of Barrington, N.H. and their children Juliana and James. Jim will also be deeply missed by his siblings Glenn and Lorrie Moore, Steven and Mary Jo Moore, Donna Moore and Raymond Leveille, and Nancy Moore as well as his aunts Janet Roma of Portland and Sis Littlefield of Bridgton, many cousins, nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law Chris and Heather Chabot, and sister-in-law Kim Storey. Jim also leaves an endless number of friends, including Richard Murphy, Donnie Cashman, Bill Gregor, Jon Labrie and Chris Yale.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 3 from 1 to 3
“Maine Idol” competition and win Miss Maine, 2009. Most recently she and her twin sister Ali Butler were featured on the hit show “I Can See Your Voice.” She has been featured in Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas series, and appears in Maine State Music Theatre’s current season, among countless other performances.
Yesterday Once More ~ Music of The Carpenters, Sunday, Aug. 11, 4 p.m., tickets are $22. Back by popular
DEERTREES, Page 5B
Jeffrey S. Hall
CASCO
cal Center in 1962 to his parents Nancy DiMatteo Hall and Conrad Myron Hall. He began his schooling at Casco Memorial School, a short walk from his home on Stone Road. He graduated from Lake Region High School, and continued his education at Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., where he played basketball and graduated with a business degree.
Jeff started with Hancock Lumber when he was in high school. He proudly worked in most every position within the company over the years, but his true passion was procuring logs for Ryefield Sawmill which he continued to do up until the time of his death.
During this time, Jeff developed great friendships with his loggers — he was a magnet to all that knew him. Jeff’s outgoing personality and kind heart are what made his very many friends, associates, and especially his family feel so loved.
Jeff started off coaching his oldest son when he was just four years old. His love for sports steered him to coach all three of his children. An honorable accomplishment for Jeff was when he assisted Coach True in leading the Lake Region girls’ basketball team to winning the Western Maine Conference Title.
Jeff had a deep passion for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and anything outdoors. He loved to travel, and one of his proudest memories was shooting his elk weighing nearly as much as a mid-sized sedan.
His greatest passion though was time with his family. Jeffrey met the love of his life, Rebecca Henderson Hall on July 23, 1991, at one of his favorite events, Casco Days. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on May 15, 1993. He met his soul mate 33 years ago to the day he passed.
Not only is Jeff loved and missed by his wife Rebecca; but also, his mother Nancy; sister Jennifer Heath; son Alexander Hacker and his wife Christina Anne; daughter Elle Brooke, all from Casco; his son Nicholas Conrad of Hawaii, along with his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father Conrad.
A service will be held at Lake Region High School on August 17, at 2 p.m. All who loved Jeff are welcome to join in celebrating him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Betty & Sumner Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 295, Casco, ME, 04015. Condolences and tributes may be shared at www.hallfuneralhome.net.
November 20, 1939 – July 17, 2024 Roger (Holsclaw) Dahlke, a recent resident of Harrison, and Placitas, N.M., passed away quietly at home after a long illness. He was the oldest son of Garland Holsclaw and Dorothy (Gloss) Dahlke. Roger leaves behind his loving wife of almost 33 years, Barbara (Nastari), and the caring Molloy family of Harrison and Norway. He also leaves three children from a previous marriage: Greg Dahlke (Debbie Tucker), of Winona, Minn., daughters Cathy (Chris) Gagnon of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Susan Dahl ke (Paul Just) of Redondo Beach, Calif. Two grandchildren, Thomas and Michael Gagnon, of Minn. Two great-grandchildren Caroline June and Thomas Xavier Gagnon. Half sisters: Gloria (Chuck) Dickenson, Valerie Landmark, Maureen Dickenson, of Wisc., and Charlotte Newman of Fla.
Roger was born in Chicago, Ill., and was raised mostly in Wisconsin. He graduated from West Bend High School, class of 1957. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961, with a tour in Korea. Upon leaving the Army, Roger became an early participant in the mainframe computer industry with Control Data and others — first as a computer engineer and later with much success in sales.
Roger and Barbara lived many years in California and traveled extensively. Roger ran nine marathons and enjoyed tennis. He retired in 2008 in New Mexico to pursue his passion for golf and attended the Masters Championship four times with his favorite cousin, Lem. Importantly, as an adult, Roger was reunited with his extensive Holsclaw family where he found three half brothers Bob (deceased), Gary (deceased), and Bruce (Hollee) Holsclaw, all of Wisc. The family’s welcoming love and annual reunions were a joy to him. The family thanks the Andwell Hospice angels who went above and beyond with their caring. Per Roger’s wishes, there will be no funeral. For those wishing to donate in Roger’s memory, the family shares the following: Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org>donate; Andwell Home Healthcare and Hospice, Andwell.org/giving/donate
WILL WOODSON AND CAITLIN FINLEY at Denmark Arts Center Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.,
DENMARK, Page 4B
Thursday, August 1
Memorial Hike. Charlie and Evelyn Bennett Memorial Hike at 9 a.m., led by Miriam Gibely and Kay Lyman. 1.3 miles loop to Sweden settler
Jacob Stevens’ homestead cellar hole, Meet at Stevens Cemetery on the Tapawingo Road, Sweden. Wear boots and hiking clothes. FMI contact Miriam at (207) 647-2842.
Kite Day at Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco, 10 a.m. Build and fly a kite. Register at recreation@cascomaine.org
Friendship Button Club will hold a Button Show and Sale from noon to 3 p.m. United Parish Congregational Church basement, 77 Main Street, Harrison. Admission free.
Keyes Pond Environmental Protection Association (KPEPA) annual meeting and potluck supper, Sweden Town Meeting House,6 p.m.; Speaker Lee Attix, a biologist and loon expert.
August 2-4
The Producers at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. August 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 and August 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $26 each and may be purchased online at https://deertrees-theatre.org.
Friday, August 2
Denmark Library Coffee Café, 9 to 11 a.m. Wayne Peabody, local author and musician, will share his music and book: Pathway to the Mind: Haikus and Poems.
Historic House Tour, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gibbons residence (c.1828), 42 Plummer School Road, Sweden. Admission $10 to benefit Sweden Historical Society. Talent Show, 7 p.m., Sweden Meeting House, 147 Bridgton Road. FMI contact Becky at rwbuyers@gmail. com
Saturday & Sunday, August 3-4
Narramissic Civil War Weekend, South Bridgton, 3rd Maine Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Company A, 2nd Rhode Island, 6th Maine Battery, 35th Georgia and 15th Alabama. Demonstrations, drills, live-action scenarios. Co-hosted by Bridgton Historical Society. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Battles 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Saturday, August 3 Sweden Historical Society Schoolhouse Yard/Sweden Meeting House 9:30 a.m. Teresa Hall and Linda Whiting exhibit Early 20th Century Crafts; 10 a.m. Talk by master mason Aron Libby on brickwork; Reading by Bob Spencer from his trilogy of historical novels; Sweden Conservation Commission Booth; 9:55 a.m. Church Bell Ringing and dedi-
August 1, 2024
cation of a SHS plaque honoring the late Stan Brown; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga with Elizabeth Markey, Meeting House; 11:30 a.m. Jeff Dalzell, Painting class, Meeting House; 7 p.m. Contra Dance with caller Kathryn Larson and musicians Birds on a Wire: Greg and Jenny Huang-Dale and Jeanine Lubier, by donation; Meeting House.
Chewonki’s Traveling History Program, “Predators: The Balance of Nature,” will be at Spaulding Memorial Library (282 Sebago Rd.) at 4 p.m. with mounted and live animals! Come enjoy a free program that will discuss the importance of various predators and the roles they have within the world and their environments. FMI 787-2321. Yard sale to benefit the Edes Falls Community Hall (39 Edes Falls Road in Naples) starting at 9 a.m. No early birds, please. Lunch available for purchase.
Woods Pond Association (WPA) annual meeting at the Maine Lake Science Center, 51 Willett, Bridgton. The meeting is free and open to the public. This year’s meeting starts at 11 a.m., and features a fascinating keynote address about the interaction of loons and birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, and how they can be indicators of water pollution.
Harrison Community Fair starting at noon, Crystal Lake Park, kids’ games, vendors, crafts, food, closing with fireworks.
Back to the Past, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Scribner’s Mill, Harrison.
Internationally acclaimed trumpet player, Rodney Marsalis will give a free concert at 7 p.m. at the Brick Church for Performing Arts in Lovell (502 Christian Hill Road). Seating at the Brick Church is limited, so reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, please call 925-1500.
Heather Pierson Trio will perform at The HAYLOFT at Dragonfly Barn in Bridgton at 7:30 p.m. August 2-4 Art Show & Sale at Nathaniel Hawthorne House, 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond. Opening Reception on Friday evening, Aug. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., chance to meet the artists. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home open Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., art available for viewing and sale. Event is free with donations for the continuing maintenance of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home.
August 3-4
52nd Annual Art in the Park at the North Conway (NH) Community Center, just
Legal Announcements
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF HARRISON
SAD 17 Budget Election Notice
The second SAD 17 Election to vote whether to pass the District’s budget for the upcoming school year will be on August 6, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Harrison Town Office, 20 Front St., Harrison. 2T30
Public Notice
TOWN OF NAPLES
Naples Select Board Public Hearing
The Naples Select Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Town Office Building located at 15 Village Green Lane. On the agenda:
1. Liquor License – Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern, to operate at 678 Roosevelt Trail (Map U02 Lot 025) The Public is encouraged to attend. 2T30
Public Notice
TOWN OF NAPLES
Public Hearing
A series of public hearings will be held on Tuesday, August 13 at 6 p.m. and on Monday, August 19 at 6 p.m. in the Naples Town Office regarding:
1. Proposed updates to the Land Use ordinance including: a. Inclusion of manufactured homes in the Village District b. Design standards in the Commercial District 2. Proposed Property Maintenance Ordinance 3. Proposed updates to the Cemetery Ordinance 2T31
Calendar of Events
south of Schouler Park. Food vendors Linda’s Hot Dogs, Mr. Twister Pretzels, Dave’s Lemonade and Kettle Corn and the community center’s ice cream treats. Saturday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Sunday, August 4
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Service at 10 a.m., 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton. All are welcome.
Sweden Community Church, 11:30 a.m. Church Service; Jane Gibbons, officiating; Jo Radner, storyteller; 12:30 p.m., Tour of Sweden Food Pantry and Raffle Drawing for a side of beef to benefit the food pantry.
North Sebago United Methodist Church (820 Sebago Road, Sebago) service from 10 to 11 a.m. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.
August 2-4, August 9-11
Beauty and the Beast, presented by Lake Region Community Theatre at Lake Region High School. Show times: 7 p.m. on Aug. 2, 3, 9, 10 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 4, 11. For more info, go to www. lrctmaine.org
Monday, August 5
Night of Poetry with Meghan Sterling at 6:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell.
Tuesday, August 6
Earth Rocks, presented by The Hiram Cultural Center and The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Soldiers Memorial Library (85 Main Street) in Hiram Village.
National Night Out sponsored by the Bridgton Police Department, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stevens Brook Elementary School, 14 Frances Bell Drive in Bridgton. There will be demonstrations, music and food. Entry is free!
Wednesday, August 7
Denmark Library Children’s Program at 10 a.m., Deb Johnson, from the Maine Gem and Mineral Museum in Bethel, will astound us with the story of the Big Bang followed by craft projects and snacks. Denmark Public Library, 121 E. Main St, Denmark, 207452-2200.
Loon Echo Land Trust
Sunset Concert Series, 6 to 8 p.m., Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco, featuring Bold Riley folk quintet. Bring chairs, blankets, warm layers, and a picnic. Suggested donation of $10 per adult (or an amount that is meaningful to you), which can be made via cash, check or Venmo at the event. All are welcome. All proceeds support LELT’s conservation work in the Lake Region and the stewardship of Hacker’s Hill.
Bridgton Community Band Concert, 7 p.m., “America the Beautiful,” at Stevens Brook
Elementary School grounds in Bridgton. Free Bring lawn chairs and snacks.
Thursday, August 8 Rotary Club Speaker. Carmen Lone, guest speaker, at 7:30 a.m. at the Alliance Church at 368 Harrison Road in Bridgton. Speaking on her role as a member of the Bridgton Food Pantry board. Free and open to the public.
Dan Moore will perform at The Brick Church for Performing Arts (502 Christian Hill Road in Lovell) at 7 p.m. $10 for adults and $5 for children. Free refreshments at intermission. Air-conditioned.
Friday, August 9 Maine authors Lily King and Monica Wood at Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield for An Evening with Maine Authors to benefit Camp Susan Curtis. 5 p.m. cocktail hour followed by dinner and author readings. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at maineauthors8.eventbrite.com.
Saturday, August 10 Community Care Cupboard Give-A-Way, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the S’more Social at The HeartGlow Center, 328 Main Street, Bridgton. Free towels and sheets (all items are new, various sizes). Open to all while supplies last, some limits apply.
St. Joseph Women’s Guild will hold its annual Summer Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the St. Joseph Church Hall, South High Street, Bridgton.
Denmark Library Children’s Program at 10 a.m. will celebrate Smokey the Bear’s 80th Birthday! The Denmark Firefighters will join us with their fire truck. Follows Denmark Congregational Church’s pancake breakfast that morning from 8 to 10 at 70 E Main Street, Denmark.
S’more Social, a oneday benefit event for The HeartGlow Center, Lower Main Street, Bridgton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together artists, authors, holistic healers and other heart glowing community members. Free Donations are appreciated! Food, products, and services are priced individually. Proceeds benefit The HeartGlow Center’s mission and programs.
Fryeburg Historical Society 50 Year Celebration, 1 to 3 p.m., 83 Portland Street, Fryeburg. Free event. Rain date Aug. 17. Refreshments will be served.
Wild Light Art Festival & Lawn Party, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Hewnoaks Artist Residency, 68 Hewnoaks Road, Lovell. Bring your camp chairs and picnic blankets as the event will culminate in a lawn concert. Admission is free. All are welcome, no pets.
Public Notice
TOWN OF NAPLES
Community/Rec Center Workshop
The second meeting in a series of workshops regarding a proposed Community/Recreation Center will be held on August 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Naples Town Office. The public is encouraged to attend. 2T30
Public Notice
TOWN OF NAPLES
Site Walk
The Naples Planning Board will conduct a site walk for an application for the proposed Dollar General located at 642 Roosevelt Trail (Tax Map U02, Lot 24). The Board will meet at the access road located at 642 Roosevelt Trail on August 6 at 5 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend.
A Planning Board meeting regarding this matter will be held at 6 p.m. in the Naples Town Office following the site walk.
The Naples Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. 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:
A. Tabled Business – Map U02 Lot 24 – Major Site plan Review Application for Dollar General
B. Map U03 Lot 23 – Major Site Plan Review Application for Moose Landing Marina 8,000-Gallon Fuel Tank
C. Map U33 Lot 12— Minor Site Plan Review Application for Fire Suppression Improvement, Underground Storage Tanks and Transmission Main 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 1T31
Meet Neeps the tortoise in person at Spaulding Memorial Library (282 Sebago Road, Sebago) at 4 p.m. for a free program with children’s author Diane Madden and her book The Story of Neeps and Tattie. Come learn about tortoises… and Scotland! FMI 787-2321.
Sunday, August 11
2024 Summer Bazaar to benefit The Autism Society of Maine will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission. The bazaar will be held at the Fryeburg Fair Camping Lot (across the street from the Main Gate) at 1154 Main Street, Fryeburg.
Monday, August 12
Dr. Judy Rowe Michaels, a Geraldine R. Dodge poet in the schools and for many years a poet in residence, will speak at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13
StoryTime & Walk. Kids of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join Loon Echo Land Trust, the Bridgton Public Library, and Maine author Jennifer Comeau for a guided walk at the Pondicherry Park StoryWalk at 10 a.m. Begin sat the Depot Street Entrance to Pondicherry Park (Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge). The group will walk page-topage along the trail, reading as they go and reflecting on the natural world surrounding the pages. A snack will be provided at the end of the event. All youth must be accompanied by a caregiver. The event is free, but registration is requested at lelt.org or by e-mailing maggie@lelt.org. The Inside of ME will be available to purchase at Bridgton Books after the event.
Wednesday, August 14
LEA annual meeting at Bear Mountain Inn & Barn, 364 Waterford Road in Waterford, 5 p.m. Registration required www.mainelakes.org
Bridgton Community Band Concert, 7 p.m., “Best of Bridgton 2024,” at Stevens Brook Elementary School grounds in Bridgton. Free. 86th Birthday Celebration with refreshments. Bring lawn chairs and snacks. Katie Dunn, Denmark Librarian, will host the Denmark Library Children’s Program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at her camp at 28 Dunn Dr. off Mountain Road in Denmark. Join us to make fire pies and enjoy some stargazing.
Thursday, August 15 Special slide-show presentation on “Migratory Birds in Southern Maine,” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond (40 Hawthorne Road) at 7 p.m. Admission will be a minimum $5 donation, which will be used to renovate the historic home’s very old kitchen. Attendees will be served decaf coffee and yummy cookies.
Saturday, August 17 Pie Sale, 9 a.m., Bridgton First Congregational Church, 33 South High Street. Dog Days of Bridgton, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bridgton Community Center (outside), 15 Depot Street, Bridgton, hosted by Tasteful Things. Benefits Harvest Hills Animal Shelter and other local pet rescues. Vendors, food, music, games, raffles and more. Please, no aggressive dogs. All dogs must be leashed. Dog mom and dads’ responsible for their pets.
Annual Flea Market and Yard Sale, sponsored by the American Legion Post 67, Bridgton, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 25 Depot Street. Multiple vendors, snacks and drinks. Play Ball! Remembering baseball presented by the Hiram Historical Society. Bring your memories and your photos old and new to share at our informal gathering. Great Ossipee Museum of Hiram Historical Society, 20 Historical Ridge (off Main Street Route 117), Hiram at 1:30 p.m. Free, light refreshments. FMI 207-615-4390. Mushroom Walk, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., join Chocorua (N.H.) Lake Conservancy for a Mushroom Walk near Chocorua Lake with Eric Milligan of NH Mushroom Co. Space is limited. More info and please register in advance via www.chocorualake.org/ events. Summer Dance, 8 to 11 p.m., at the Waterford Fairgrounds (36 Irving Green Road), featuring Roadhouse, hall opens at 7 p.m., $15 per person, 21 and over BYOB, snacks for sale, free ice. Saturday, August 24 Music on Main at 144 Main Street in Bridgton, featuring Shawn Theriault (of American Ride) and Classic Stones Live (The Rolling Stones Tribute Band), 6 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Free admission. Food trucks.
Opinion & Comment
Views from Augusta
by Janet Mills Governor of Maine
Rebuilding Maine’s Working Waterfront
Working waterfronts are a cornerstone of our coastal communities and of our economy. Last winter’s devastating storms demonstrated just how vulnerable they are to extreme weather and climate change.
This week, I announced some major grants that we’re distributing to those working waterfronts to help them rebuild and rebuild in ways to make them better able to withstand future storms and protect access to the water now and for generations to come.
This spring, I proposed and the legislature approved $60 million in state funds dedicated to storm relief — the single largest investment in storm recovery by any administration in Maine history. This week, I announced that we’re distributing part of that funding through the Working Waterfront Resiliency Grant program. Through that program, 68 Maine Working Waterfronts from Bailey Island and Boothbay Harbor to South Bristol and Belfast and WATERFRONT, Page 9B
Revisiting First (Modern) Olympic Games
Howdy neighbor!
In Ye Olden Times
by Michael Davis BHS Assistant Director
It’s that time again; America’s best athletes have once more voyaged far beyond seas to compete upon the international stage in behalf of our country, striving in honorable contest against the rival nations of the world to bring home the golden medallions and laurel crowns of the grand Olympic ceremonies now being held in Paris. The noble sacrifices of these athletes, made in behalf of our nation, are commendable in the extreme; each dedicating years of their lives and enduring considerable sufferings and expense made in the course of improving themselves sufficient to win mastery in their chosen field, only to then set their skills to public trial against the best athletes of the world.
To do this for any reason is commendable enough; but to do it selflessly, to rise in service to the honor of their homeland, and without pay or other state inducements, makes of each champion a fit example of sportsmanship, rectitude and patriotism whose virtues our aspiring youth would do well to emulate, and of which all our citizens should be truly proud. At time of this writing, they’ve already earned many prizes to our name, chiefly 12 medals — more than any other nation as yet this year — and among them three Golds. Certainly, by the end of the week when we go to print, we should expect far more to have been added to this count, increasing upon the grand total of almost three thousand medals won by United States athletes since our participation in the very first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Missing only one Olympics from in all that time — disdaining to make our appearance at the 1980 Soviet games when we led a coalition of 66 nations in protest against their attempt to expand communism in the Middle East — the United States has since earned the distinction of winning the most medals of any nation to compete, and regularly leads the field each year the games are held despite being one of only three countries whose teams are not in any way state-sponsored. We must
Letters to the Editor
Thank you Loon Echo
To The Editor: Born and raised in the Lake Region, I’ve seen some things change in my 40-plus years. I consider myself lucky though, here in this corner of Maine I still get to enjoy the deep woods, large tracts of forestland that support habitat for wildlife, and marvel at the way the landscape continues to support our Maine way of life.
So, when I was financially able, I started donating to my local land trust. Then, I decided I could do a little more and joined the board. I wanted to put my time and effort into an organization that aligned with my deep love and appreciation for this place. I have been so grateful to be involved in the work of Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT), and so thankful for the hard work of the staff, my fellow board members and many volunteers and donors who are committed to not only conserving the land, but securing access to it for hunting and fishing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, biking, hiking, strolling and even utilizing adaptive equipment to enjoy the outdoors. I think one of the most powerful impacts of land conservation is that it can return spaces to our communities, protecting our mental
always remember that our athletes come from every walk of life, and are homegrown American heroes standing on their own merits. They are not as the champions of so many other nations, paid state-actors trained from infancy solely for the job of winning medals. That our athletes are independent champions is a particular point of pride, and more so when we consider just how often, indeed how regularly, these free agents beat out their carefully curated opponents.
Our team has done very well since 1896, and at the risk of sounding over-bold, I expect we shall continue to do the same this year. But given that we like to reflect on our history and traditions here at the News, and especially in this column, I thought it would be a fine thing to look back on the first modern Olympic Games, which reopened after a lapse of only a couple millennia in Athens, Greece on April 6, 1896. These were of course the first Olympic Games to be held in over fifteen hundred years, the games having first begun in the time of Ancient Greece, starting in 776 BC and ending under Roman rule in the reign of the Emperor Theodosius around 393 AD.
But given that the archives of The Bridgton News don’t go back quite that far, and since I’m particularly interested in American history over the Classics of my old Academy days, I wanted to give our readers a brief account of the first modern Olympics from the files of the News dating to May 8,
IN THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT — Matthew Cregor, 48, of Boston, Mass. sports a laurel leaf during his Casco Days Road Race run Saturday. (Rivet Photo)
and everyone who helps make the organization’s work possible!
1896. This was an era when there were only nine sports on trial, as opposed to the present 32, and perhaps chief amongst them was the race of Marathon, so named after that legendary run made in the year 490 BC by the Athenian youth Pheidippides, who raced unceasing from the battlefield on the plains of Marathon over 26 miles home to Athens to announce their victory over the Persians. This the boy did without fail, without pausing to take a breath or drink of water from the urgency of his report, and having so exerted himself with the strain of bearing his message, he said by the historian Lucian to have died on the spot immediately after relating the message: ‘Joy to you, we’ve won.’ Now I must confess to never having run a marathon, nor do I think it would be wise to try — I’ll stick to by golf and fishing thank you — but having run several miles before in track and field, and knowing many others who have attempted modern marathons in the past, it is certainly one of the most taxing feats of individual athleticism currently practiced by civilized societies. In 1896, at the first Games, Greece was very desirous to take home the gold, especially after their perceived national shame suffered when Robert Garett took home the Gold for America in both Discus and Shotput, in which the Greeks were fully expected to prevail. When the time came to run the fabled marathon, the very best of the Greeks lined up to do it – and what
OLYMPIC, Page 9B
and physical health, fostering our connections with each other and our relationship with this beautiful place. Just in the past year, LELT has conserved over 900 acres in the Lake Region. All of that newly conserved land is open to the public (and yes, the organization pays property taxes on the land it owns too). This is in addition to the 8,500 acres of Lake Region land that has already been conserved by the organization since it was founded in 1987 — places like Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, Raymond Community Forest, and Hacker’s Hill will always be available for me and my family to enjoy. How incredible is that? To make sure we can access this land enjoyably and safely, LELT maintains over 35 miles of trails, has built new parking lots and trailhead facilities, and is always working to remove barriers to access for as many people as possible — in the last three years LELT has built universal access trails at Pondicherry Park and PeabodyFitch Woods in Bridgton, with plans to build more trails like these in the near future elsewhere in the Lake Region.
I am so proud of the work LELT does. I’ve learned that it is truly a community effort, and I am grateful I can be a part of something that will be meaningful for my children and grandchildren for years to come. Thank you, Loon Echo Land Trust
Allanna Yannelli Sebago
and LELT Board
Member
Re-Writing History
To The Editor: In July of 2020, I predicted in The Bridgton News that Joe Biden would not run for president in 2024. In August of 2023, I predicted in The Bridgton News that Biden would not finish his first term as president. Joe Biden “Fell on his sword” last week, according to the media, and stepped down. He didn’t say why he did so, although we all know that he was forced out by party leaders because of the knockout blow he received at the debate, and the worldwide public perception that he is cognitively impaired. Of course, Biden cannot admit that because then people would ask why are you still in control of the nuclear football. We all saw his decline for years but it was hidden by Kamala, the Democrats and the media until they could no longer hide it. Now, the Democrats and left leaning media are trying to re-write history. Kamala is a radical California Leftist and was ranked as Most Liberal Senator by the non-partisan Govtrack in 2019 — even more liberal than Biden or Bernie Sanders who is an avowed Socialist. This Govtrack
ranking has since been taken down after Trump mentioned it at one of his rallies. Trump also attacked Harris for her poor record as “Border Czar.” Biden appointed Kamala as Border Czar in March 24, 2021, and it was reported by dozens of newspapers and media outlets. This too has been re-written by the Democrats and the media by a flurry of articles denying what we all saw — you be the judge. Check reports of Kamala as “Border Czar” from the official record of the House of Representatives, New York Times, NBC News, The Washington Post, Politico, Breitbart, and Axios. Even Wikipedia pages have deleted many references to Kamala’s title of Border Czar.
Kamala never met with any of the four heads of the border patrol or the Governor of Texas, but she did proclaim that the border was secure. She wants to decriminalize penalties for border crossing lawbreakers. She supports sanctuary cities and limiting cooperation with federal authorities and she wants taxpayer funded Medicare for all, including illegals.
According to Open Books Rpt, 92% of Kamala’s staff has resigned during the last three years, due to a toxic, disorganized work environment. If she can’t run her own staff, how can she run our country? Kamala has now been endorsed by every democratic politician and she will, no doubt, experience a wave of support. But, once the honeymoon is over, the voters will see how liberal and un-electable she really is.
The Democrats and the media will do or say anything to stay in power and to defeat Donald Trump. What will they do next?
Let’s see what happens in the succeeding weeks and then at the Democratic National Convention next month.
Remember in November. Bill Preis Bridgton
Passed the quiz
To The Editor:
With regard to Mr. MacGregor’s letter “Common Sense” (July 25), there are a few things that should be pointed out about his “quiz.” First of all, if you give a test that has questions like “Do you prefer prevarication or the truth?” and then ask if you answered them positively, what’s a positive answer to that? Positive answers usually mean you answered “yes,” which can’t be done with that kind of question. As for the questions themselves:
• Do you prefer prevarications or the truth: Trump racked up over 30,000 lies or misleading information during his presidency, and 30-plus lies during his debate with President Biden.
• Do you favor the Border being opened or closed to illegal immigrants: this would have been taken
HANGING OUT — This turtle is living the best life, basking in the summer sun. (Photo by Pam Ward)
Page 8B, The Bridgton News, August 1, 2024
favors drugs or human trafficking. But, most of that doesn’t come over the Southern Border.
Opinions
care of with the bipartisan (mostly led by Republicans) bill to address border issues, but Trump told his followers to reject the bill because he wanted to have the issue to run on, delaying action by at least a year.
• Do you favor or oppose drugs or human trafficking flowing freely across our Southern Border: nobody
• Do you favor government employment or private employment: both are good. I assume he wants smaller government, which would impact government programs like Social Security, Medicare, farm subsidies, and on and on. This would potentially raise taxes, but see the next question.
higher taxes. But it would be nice if Trump proposed to lower taxes on the lower and middle classes rather than just the ultra-rich. Note that he offered to slash regulations on businesses if the ultrarich would donate a billion dollars to his campaign. (Also, inflation is not a tax but tariffs are a tax, which Trump said he would raise.)
then go for it.
• Do you favor allowing Iran to sell oil to China and have the money to finance terrorism or do you favor the Iran oil embargo: do you mean we need something like the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) bill, a bipartisan bill that was passed last November?
who is in the military, or what they call themselves. All I want them to do is be prepared for any enemy butt kicking necessary. Remember the enemies like Russia (Trump: let then take whatever they want), Xi (Trump: he’s a brilliant man), Kim Jong Un (Trump: in love with him)? Don’t forget, he also wants to leave NATO.
(Continued from Page 7B) LETTERS, Page 9B
• Do you favor higher or lower taxes: nobody wants
• Do you favor more regulation or less regulation: air quality, water quality, climate change, worker safety, etc. … if it requires more regulation
• Do you favor the military concentrating on pronouns and who uses which facility, or do you favor the military concentrating on kicking our enemies’ butts: I don’t care
• Do you favor concealing and silencing speech or do you favor “I may not agree with you but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it”: it would be terrible if a leader
Classified Advertising
imprisoned all of his political enemies. You know, like Trump says he would. And more recently, an X (formerly Twitter) account was suspended by Elon Musk because it raised money for Harris.
• Do you believe in sidelining the Constitution in favor of Constitutional Law or do you believe that the Constitution is the foundation of our laws and favor Constitutional supremacy: I would have a reply to that but it’s a confusing word salad which is incomprehensible.
BN31
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JESUS IS LORD — new and used auto parts. National locator. Most parts 2 days. Good used cars. Ovide’s Used Cars, Inc., Rte. 302 Bridgton, 207-647-5477. tf30 2014 CHEVY SILVERADO — 1500 in excellent condition. 160,000 miles. Price $12,500 or BEST OFFER. 207-693-4949 or 693-2104. 6t28x
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LOOKING FOR — houses or camps to paint for 2024 season. Free estimates. 36 years experience. Dirigo Custom Painting. 743-9889 15t21x
DENMARK HOUSE PAINTING — Since 1980. Interior and exterior painting. Free estimates. Call John Mathews 452-2781. 52t1x
IF YOU NEED ANYTHING — hauled off, my trailer is 7x18 ft. Call Chuck’s Maintenance 7439889. 19t21x
DK PROPERTY MAINTENANCE — Property watch/caretaking. Mowing, trimming, tree/ brush removal. Debris removal, spring/fall clean-ups. Driveway repair, gravel, stone loam, mulch and rototilling. Fully insured. Dan Knapp 207-713-0779 Bridgton. 13t18x
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SEEKING HOUSING — Retired professor seeking affordable, all-inclusive housing (studio, apartment or cottage) beginning immediately in Bridgton/Waterford/Harrison/Naples area. Prefer quiet/rural environment. Nonsmoker. Have older cat. Please contact Paul at 207-393-0411. 1t31x
Hiring Immediately!!!
North Conway & Bartlett Region
Open Maintenance Positions
• Property Care Taker- $22/hour
•Seasonal Property Care Taker- $22/hour
• Maintenance Tech- $21/hour
Open Housekeeping Positions
• Piece rate housekeepers needed for the Conway & Bartlett Region
Please visit our website for more information www.vacasa.com/careers
TOWN OF RAYMOND, MAINE Full-Time Public Works Position
The Town of Raymond is seeking one full-time laborer/ truck driver to join our Public Works Department. Successful applicants must have a valid CDL license (Class A or B) with a clean driving record and experience in the operation of heavy equipment and all aspects of municipal Public Works functions. The work week consists of ten-hour days Monday through Thursday.
The Town of Raymond offers competitive pay and benefits including medical and dental insurance, life insurance and Maine PERS retirement plan.
Applications are available on the website at www. raymondmaine.org or at the Raymond Town Office. Completed application, cover letter and resume can be emailed to cathy.gosselin@raymondmaine.org, or mail to the Town Office:
Cathy Gosselin
Human Resource Officer 401 Webbs Mills Road Raymond, ME 04071 207-655-4742 X 123
Position open until filled.
THE TOWN OF RAYMOND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
The Town of Lovell Maine is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Public Works Director.
The candidate must have a positive attitude and be a team player. An unrestricted CDL A license is required for this position.
The Public Works Director shall have computer skills for the electronic communications and interactions with all Local, State and Federal entities as necessary for regulatory compliance, grant applications as appropriate and for all other electronic documentation required by this position.
The applicant should have experience in snow plowing and working with heavy equipment. Mechanical skills would be helpful.
Applicants must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and may require being on your feet for extended periods of time.
This is a full time position based on a minimum of 40 hours per week.
Starting pay is $26.00 per hour, which is negotiable based on experience.
Benefits include Health Insurance, retirement benefits, and paid vacation, holiday, personal, and sick time. Total benefits package annual value is approximately $24,000.
Please contact Rick directly at (207)
Please submit a letter of interest, resume and references not later than August 9, 2024 to: Town of Lovell Maine, Attention: Stephen Goldsmith, 1069 Main Street, Lovell, Maine 04051, or email to: s.goldsmith@lovellmaine.org.
Please note that a more detailed description of the responsibilities of this position is available at the Lovell Town Office, 1069 Main Street, Lovell, Maine
The Town of Lovell
So, in my opinion, I passed the quiz with flying colors. Henry Thode
and New York
Bridgton
A “Last Supper”
To The Editor:
The anti-woke, antiLBGTQ crowd is still having a Fox News ginned up hissy fit in reaction to the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics, specifically the so-called “Last Supper” drag queen “tableau” (replete with fashion show runway), which they’ve mischaracterized as a blasphemous reenactment of Jesus’s swan song prior to his nailin-in grand finale. The 18 — not 12 — not apostles at all — performers in the celebratory reenact of a Dionisian feast have been endlessly vilified by the aforementioned propaganda outlet and the cult that was formerly known as the party of Lincoln.
These are the same nimrods — devoid of any knowledge of Greek mythology already — who revel at the prospect of a dictator-for-a-day- only and has proclaimed he will abolish the Department of Education altogether. What a plan! The RNC and christo-fascist evangelicals are freaking out and demanding a response from the Harris campaign and the current president as if they have anything to do with the Olympic organizers and planners any more than they do with both the continuing decrease of gas prices at the pump or the continually booming “46” stock market.
Ironically, the robin’s egg blue “weirdo” Dionysis tableau persona and the he/she/ hers/them 17 other company Dionisian queen participants who so upset these cultists happen to be dead- ringers for the likes of the so-called J6 QAnon shaman weirdo/patriots and company. Who would have thunk? And, can anyone explain to me why insurrectionist Clarence Thomas’ sponsor oligarch Harlan Crowe is donating as much money as he can to the Jared Golden reelection campaign in the Second District?
Jon St. Laurent North Windham
‘It will be fine’
To The Editor: Did you hear what Trump said to Christians at the Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in West Palm Beach, Fla. last week? He said, “Get out and vote. Just this time, you won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it will be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians… Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote, in four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.” When Trump tells you who he is, believe him!
Wanda
Berry Dunlap Bridgton
Continue to investigate
To The Editor: Happy August to all. This follows up on the
Opinions
recent letter to the editor published on July 18, Page 9B. The earlier LTE pertained to the GOC (Government Oversight Committee) of the Maine Legislature, a bi-partisan committee, with oversight authority of Maine State Government operations, etc. This committee has investigative authority over State Department agencies and their bureaus. Further, this committee has investigative authority to investigate and address administrative matters, including administrative acts, actions, wrongdoing, malfeasance, etc.
It is essential that meaningful action and meaningful progress are made by this committee. The administration has side-stepped a multitude of problems. Why was this ever acceptable?
(Continued from Page 8B) LETTERS, Page 10B
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM
www.americanlegionpost155.com
I wish to restate and clarify the following: Let’s hope that the GOC (Government Oversight Committee) is continuing its investigation into many issues and transgressions involving the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and also the Maine Department of Labor (DoL). This pertains to several ongoing issues and investigations of the DHHS, including the recent cases of child abuse and deaths on DHHS’ watch. Further, let’s also hope that this committee will be moving forward on other related issues and matters involving DHHS, as well as the DoL. There are many issues that still need to be addressed, investigated and resolved, including resolution of all unresolved, unpaid unemployment weekly claims and other benefits that claimants should be entitled to. Departmental reforms are clearly necessary for resolving the cumulative, multiple problems plaguing these departments and their bureaus. This committee must continue to work collaboratively and address these heinous issues and problems plaguing these departments. The Committee’s Chairs need to ensure that all constituents’ issues are addressed and dealt with and also mandate corrective actions to resolve the multitude of problems.
Let’s not have any further deaths of children under DHHS care and not have recurring issues on benefits for claimants. “Failure is not an option.”
David Hall Aggrieved taxpayer and claimant Cornish
Cultivated meat
To The Editor:
Any politician who claims to be concerned with animal welfare should support increased federal funding for cultivated-meat research. For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, cultivated meat is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. Nothing else has the potential to reduce more animal suffering and premature death. The private sector has made significant progress in developing the technology, but government money for cellular-agriculture development will help cultivated meat reach price parity with slaughtered options. This is crucial for widespread adoption amongst the public. Compassionate politicians should back the effort.
Jon Hochschartner Granby, Conn.
Didn’t take long
To The Editor:
Less than two weeks have passed since the assassination
Olympic Games
(Continued from Page 7B)
do you know, a Greek boy did take home the gold that day, and in the true spirit of amateur competition, far from any trained athlete or prince’s son, their Marathon winner was himself a mere peasant water-carrier in the very mold of his ancient predecessor Pheidippides. I give you now the story, as told here in the News of May 8, 1896. Enjoy! “A Long Distance Run. The closing days of the athletic contests at Athens show some interesting records. It is proved for one thing that Americans or the nations of western Europe are not to be mentioned in a long-distance dunning match with the Greeks, although Americans can beat the Greeks in jumping and discus throwing and in a short sprint. The long-distance run was laid out over the ground traversed by the runner who announced in Athens, 2386 years ago, that the Greeks had defeated the Persians on the plain of Marathon. The distance from Marathon to Athens is rather more than 26 miles. Our American young men, always brave, entered for this 26-mile run along with the Greeks. But they were nowhere; it is remarkable that the winners of all three prizes in the run from Marathon were Greeks. It probably shows that among the Greeks are the swiftest foot travelers in the world, unless perhaps some of the South American Indians are fleeter. It is remarkable, too, that the Greek who made the distance in two and three-quarter hours and got the first prize was a common peasant named Louis. The figures show that he ran almost nine and one-half miles an hour.” Till next time!
(Continued from Page 7B)
many others will receive more than $21 million to rebuild their damaged wharves and piers, and repair bait sheds and the like, and upgrade fuel and electrical systems to rebuild their structures in a way that makes them more resilient to the impacts of future storms.
In addition to this grant program, we’ve also designated other funds for storm recovery, about $10 million for the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund, to provide direct support to businesses that were harmed by the winter storms. And approximately $25 million to make other public infrastructure more resilient to storms and flooding. My departments are reviewing application for those additional funds now, and we expect to announce our decisions in the coming weeks.
Thursday, August 1st
Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m.:
$4 Crowd pleaser appetizer (Beacon nachos, bean dip with cream cheese, salsa topped with melted cheeses) with any Beacon Signature Drink, The Chi Chi, Sombrero, Beacon Margarita, Jalapeno Margarita, Bees Knees or Jamaican Rum Punch or Mojito
$3 Bud lite / $3 Michelob
Friday, August 2nd
Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m.: Frozen Jamaican Rum Punches $7, $2.50 Bud Lite & $3 Jacks Abbey Entertainment: Ben Kilcollins 6:30–10 p.m.
Saturday, August 3rd
Breakfast Buffet 8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Quiche, Scrambled Eggs, Hamburger Hash, Bacon, Crispy Hash Browns, Sausage, Eggs, Fruit Cup, Thick French Toast, Pancakes & Blueberry Pancakes, with Real Maple Syrup, English Muffins, Breakfast Sandwiches, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls and More!
Adults $17.50, kids $7.50
Saturday Night, August 3rd
Reggae Night at the Beacon
B-Positive 6:30–10 p.m.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Meal $25 Jamaican Rum Punch Primer, 4-6 p.m., $10
Sunday, August 4th
Breakfast Buffet 8 a.m.-12 p.m.:
Adults $17.50, kids $7.50
2-5 p.m., 1½ lb. Steamed Lobster, served with melted butter, $25, until they are gone! Monday, August 5th
1st Monday Night FISH FRY: Including Fried Full Belly Clams, Fresh Haddock, Baked Stuffed Haddock, Salads, Cole Slaw, Onion Rings, French Fries, Rolls, Cornbread & more! First-time Monday Night Fish Fry introductory offer, $25
Tuesday: Early Bird Dinner Special 2-6 p.m., Enough for 2 or Appetizers for a crew! SEAFOOD PLATTER, Dry Large Scallops, Fried Clams, Jumbo Shrimp, Haddock, French fries, and Cole Slaw, $49 Wednesday All Day, Smoked Pulled Pork on brioche, topped with pickled onions & blueberry BBQ sauce, $6
Daily for Lunch, Breakfast, Happy Hour & Dinner
I hope this new funding approved by the legislature can provide some sense of certainty and security as we rebuild our infrastructure — rebuild it stronger and better, to preserve our working waterfronts and other critical infrastructure across the state for years to come, in the face of worsening weather and climate change. My administration will do everything we can to ensure that our working waterfronts continue to provide a good living and access for our commercial fishermen, and that they will contribute to our economy for years to come.
Predators in Sebago
SEBAGO — Scary, disgusting, wicked, vicious: Predators have a rough reputation in our society. Chewonki’s Traveling History Program, “Predators: The Balance of Nature,” will be at Spaulding Memorial Library in Sebago on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 4 p.m., to explore the many commonly held myths about predators.
Highlighting the remarkable adaptations that help predators find and consume their prey, the presentation will engage participants with a vivid slideshow, handson activities and lively discussion.
Chewonki’s presenter will use the lens of food webs and natural cycles to explore problems faced by predators in our world, including examples of their decline throughout history due to habitat loss and human interference. A discussion of current events will emphasize the importance of predators in maintaining the world’s ecological balance.
A mounted coyote will help unite the dynamic issues connecting us to the predators in our landscape, and the concepts will really spring to life when the audience views several live non-releasable animals and observes some of their fascinating predatory adaptations. Striking, essential, advanced, magnificent: The image of predators reexamined.
FMI (207) 787-2321.
Letters
(Continued from Page 9B)
attempt on Donald Trump and those suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome have resumed their attacks on Trump and his supporters. “Contributors” like Peter Bollen continue to get their “facts” in the form of edited snippets from the View, MSNBC and CNN. For the record Peter, Trump was not found guilty of sexual assault in the civil trial and no police officers died on Jan 6. Easy to fact check, Peter.
Peter says, “Anyone convicted of felonies would be serving a jail term.” What about Hunter Biden? He was convicted of three felonies and was last seen shopping in LA. The difference between the Hunter Biden trial and the lawfare waged against Trump is that I can tell you the crimes Hunter was charged with and convicted of. Can Peter enlighten the BNews readers by explaining the crime Trump was charged with? Peter does have a keen
perception for the obvious in one regard. He has correctly identified me as someone that wants to Make America Great Again. There were several Republican candidates I would have supported had they been the nominee. I will be supporting Trump.
To those who routinely call Trump names like Hitler, refer to him as a dictator or claim he is a threat to Democracy, you all have the blood of Cory Comperatore of Butler, Pa., as well as David Dutch and James Copenhaver, both of Pennsylvania and Trump on your hands. I don’t support anything Biden stands for, but would immediately condemn any act of violence against him.
Jock MacGregor summed up what really is at stake in November. It is not “democracy” as those afflicted with TDS claim. I hope that voters will be emotionally mature enough to open their eyes and cast their vote based on merit and policy instead of identity and personality. Instead of continuing to regurgitate liberal rhetoric, the “contributors” should reread Mr. MacGregor’s letter and answer those questions
Schubert up next for SLL Music Fest
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holds frequently had a piano, and domestic musical evenings flourished. Schubert’s amiable band of friends — they called themselves the Schubertians — gathered frequently to hear his music, in evening get-togethers that became known as Schubertiads. There were also many solo works for the piano, including marches and duets for four hands. In May 1828, Schubert and the composer Franz Lachner performed the composition that one critic called the “crowning glory” of Schubert’s piano duets: The Fantasie in F Minor.
Board member Ted Gerber remarked, “Mihae Lee and Yuri Funahashi’s performances for Four-Hands are extremely popular with SLLMF audiences. The duet has performed them almost yearly over the past decade. This is the first time they will play Schubert for us. I’m sure it will be outstanding.”
“November 19, 1828” for Piano Quartet. Schubert died on November 19, 1828. In this ingenious homage, John Harbison — the eminent and prolific American composer of everything from jazz to symphonies to opera — imagines him on a musical journey into the afterlife on the day of his death. Harbison incorporates elements of Schubert’s style throughout the four-movement work. What is striking is how seamlessly Schubert’s harmonies blend with Harbison’s dissonances. In Harbison’s words, “The piece asserts Schubert’s relevance to our present rather than any nostalgia for the past.” Throughout the work, Harbison imagines Schubert listening to sounds that are both familiar and strange.
Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Flat Major. Benjamin Britten called the last year and a half of Schubert’s life arguably “the richest and most productive eighteen months in our music history.” Despite being in the painful final throes of the disease that soon would kill him, during this period Schubert wrote some of his sunniest works, including his great B Flat Major Piano Trio. It is one of his most radiant compositions, overflowing
honestly and objectively. The answers will point voters to the better candidate come November.
Mark Lopez Bridgton
Hamas Mobs
To The Editor: “Congress shall make no law …abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people to peaceable assemble…” (U.S. Constitution, Amendment I).
Evidently, the pro-Hamas mobs invading and occupying Washington, D.C. don’t understand, or don’t care, that their right to free speech comes with the obligation to respect the right to free speech of others. Threats of annihilation of a people because you covet the land that they live on is not free speech, it is terrorism. The Constitution’s free speech Amendment doesn’t provide cover for persons to takeover property, to destroy property, to threaten others, to trespass, to resist lawful orders, or to
intimidate. That is mob rule not the Constitutional rule of law.
Hamas’ Charter “…defines the struggle to be against the Jews and calls for the creation of an Islamic Palestinian State in all of former Mandatory Palestine, and the obliteration and dissolution of Israel.”
(Extracted from Wikipedia’s summary of 1988 Hamas Charter — emphasis mine.)
The pro-Hamas “useful idiots,” as Lenin called fellow travelers, who blindly follow the outside agitators don’t appear to understand that Israelis have been a factor in the lands of Palestine since the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel in 1080 BC and established Jerusalem as its capital in 1000 BC. Under the Ottoman Empire (1834-1919), Muslims from Egypt settled in Palestine as Palestinian Arabs. The Ottomans backed Germany in WWI and lost their empire. The British Mandate (1920-1947) administered Palestine and re-established the Jewish homeland in 1947. Arab armies of aggression lost militarily and geographically to Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, 2006. In an experiment in Palestinian self-
with the rich harmonies, ingratiating melodies, and rhythmic inventiveness that make Schubert’s work instantly recognizable.
All those 21 and under are admitted free of charge at all SLLMF concerts at Deertrees. Monday Open Rehearsals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Deertrees continue throughout the festival season and are free and open to the public. Camp Encore-Coda will perform on the lawn before this concert from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival performs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at Deertrees Theatre for the next two weeks, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. For more information about the Festival and to order tickets, go to https://sebagomusicfestival.org/concerttickets-2024/. Tickets can also be purchased the evening of the concert at the box office.
rule, Israel returned Gaza to the Palestinians. After Hamas beat the Palestinian Authority in combat, Hamas went on to win an election and took over the Gaza Strip. I believe that was the last election ever held in Gaza. Under the guise of the Muslim religion, but in reality Iran, Hamas attacked Israel, butchered, raped, murdered and/or taken hostage over 1,200 Israeli non-combatants without provocation. In the past, Arab-Israel wars, after winning, the Israelis tried to barter land for peace. Some of the Sunni Muslims eventually made peace with Israel, but Hamas and the Shia Muslims, following the diktats of the radical teaching and financing of Mullahs of Iran, have not. The Great Satan (America) and the Little Satan (Israel) must be converted or eliminated. This has not changed, so therefore Israel’s war against Hamas is existential. If they give in to the cease fire advocates, the Hamas types will only rearm, rebuild, and the next time will terrorize the Israelis with nuclear weapons.
insist on the elimination of Israel “from the River to the Sea” (source: www.learnreligion.com, www.britannica. com, Wikipedia, and 76 years of observing Palestinian leaders refusal to recognize Israel’s existence and their aggression against Israel).
Remember in November Jock MacGregor Sebago
Taken sides
To The Editor:
The current crop of excitably young people needs to stop their stupidity and realize where Hamas is coming from. They would gleefully kill every Jew, eliminate Israel, and then kill their “useful idiots” whose lifestyle doesn’t strictly adhere to their version of the Quran. Americans, be careful of what you wish for, you might get it. A two state solution can’t not happen as long as the Muslim Palestine’s
So now Donald Trump has God on his side according to his Convention speech. This is reminiscent of Bob Dylan’s song, With God on our Side. Every time a crushing victory in history over opponents had God on their side whether moral or immoral. Another Dylan song, Only a Pawn in their Game, could refer to the MAGA supporters. Dylan was clearly a visionary of the human condition. At this point, it’s hard for me to see how any woman would support the Trump/ Vance candidacy. Their stand against abortion is a war on women’s health and actually a war on women. Even men now have to deal with their spouses’ health dilemmas. Trump/Vance made it clear that a national ban is their agenda. Making women potential felons after 50 years losing their rights is their agenda. Notwithstanding his ongoing lies which the public witnessed in the last debate. Peter Bollen Bridgton
SLLMF Artists from 2023 Season, (left to righ) Keiko Tokunaga, violin; Yuri Funahashi, piano; Bonnie Thron, cello; and Matthew Sinno, viola. (Photo by Mark Silber)
Chewonki’s Traveling History Program, will be at Spaulding Memorial Library
