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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870.

Vol. 146, No. 53

20 PAGES - 2 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

December 31, 2015

(USPS 065-020)

Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 5B

www.bridgton.com

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Used car dealer vows to rebuild after fire

By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer A fast-moving fire gutted Ovide’s Used Cars in Bridgton on Christmas Eve, but no lives were lost and, God willing, Ovide says he’ll rebuild and come back better than ever.

“I’ve already had offers from other garages in town to use their space,” said Ovide Corbeil as he stood to one side of his 30-year-old dealership and repair shop on Portland Road with his family at his side. One of his mechanics walked over and joked that the building was leaking, as firefighters sent a steady stream of water into the charred rubble and row of used vehicles.

“Don’t you worry,” Ovide told him, “When we build it back up, it will be square.”

Along with the building, which was insured, the fire destroyed around 15 cars that had been parked along

its length. Another 25 or so vehicles parked further away were damaged by the heat.

The vehicles included cars being worked on for repairs and others bought by Ovide for resale.

The fire began at 11:46 a.m., as a mechanic was using a saw to cut a strap holding a gas tank in place in a car he was working on inside one of the garage bays. Ovide’s five employees were just about to break for their annual Christmas party when sparks from the saw ignited the gas.

The mechanic shouted “fire,” and the flames quickly spread in the oil-soaked bay.

Everyone escaped unharmed, even the two resident dogs that serve as constant greeters for regular customers. Ovide, who drove up to find his business on fire, was initially in shock but quickly drew on his faith, telling reporters FULLY ENGULFED — Firefighters found Ovide’s Used Cars on Route 302 in Bridgton fully engulfed after an errant that “something good will spark from a gas tank ignited gasoline and set the building ablaze on Christmas Eve. Owner Ovide Corbeil plans to rebuild.

(Photo courtesy of WCSH) REBUILD, Page 4A

Hand-painted signs worth wait, artist believes

By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer If the Bridgton Board of Selectmen is willing, artist Nelle Ely intends to fulfill her contract and finish work on the wayfaring signs she was charged with creating.

“I intend to fulfill my obligation, and I hope they will allow me to do so,” Ely said Monday.

The signs were due Nov. 30, but several factors — not all of which were in her control — have delayed the project. She regrets the delay, but at the same time doesn’t

want to assign blame. Ely simply wishes to explain her side of the story, in response to criticisms leveled at her sign-making abilities at last week’s selectmen meeting.

“I elected to stay away (from the meeting) and not walk into a situation that was volatile,” said Ely, referring to public statements made by a professional sign painter that her signs were unprofessional in both materials and design. “It hurt, some of the things that were said hurt, but I have great confidence in my work and what I do.”

As someone who has painted several murals and signs in town, Ely, owner of Twin Town Studios, was an enthusiastic advocate of the need for uniform municipal signage as a member of the Community Development Committee. She was just as enthusiastic about the value of hand-painted signs over those that are machine-made — and she pointed out that a majority of selectmen agreed with her.

“The town asked me to design (the signs). They did not ask me to find an engineer

to design them.” Drawing up design specs would have cost upwards of $10,000, “and I didn’t charge them anything,” she said. “They asked me to design hand-painted signs. They did not want a machine-made sign.”

The 3-2 deciding vote in April was close, though, with board members Bernie King and Paul Hoyt, preferring the much less expensive machine-made signs bid by Welch Signage.

Ely chose a blue background with white trim and lettering for all the signs,

using New Times Roman, a popular font style for traffic and directional signs. She used two coats of a polymer primer on MDO board and acrylic-based Golden Paints, which she said holds up much better than the oil-based paints used by her bidding competitor, Welch Signage, and other professional sign makers.

“I will not use any paints that have pollutants in them,” said Ely. A gel “isolation” coat goes over the background and lettering to protect the surface from any

damage. The completed sign is then sprayed with a clear car coat by Dale McDaniel, which she said ensures that the signs “should outlast any of us.”

Along with her commitment to being an active member of the town she’s called home since 2001, Ely said, “If I have a goal in life, it’s to keep hand-painted signs and hand-painted murals alive.

It’s part of Americana and it’s part of our history.” Go to a museum, she said, and you’ll see many of the best ARTIST, Page 3A

‘Angel’ donates Nativity figures

KEEPING FAMILY TRADITION — Two years ago, Elaina Merriam, now 12, created these twin elephants from clay. Her father ended up with the handcrafted gift, keeping it in the family.

(Photo courtesy of Sam Merriam)

Gift-giving game memory maker

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — One extended family in Southern Maine kept trying to get it right when it came to the gift exchange during their annual Christmas party.

For the past 10 years, the mandate for the Merriam family’s Yankee Swap is that all gifts must be homemade ones. With so many artists in the family, it seemed natural to gravitate in that direction.

According to family member Sam Merriam, of Naples, the gift exchange game has become creative, entertaining, memorable and competitive. Who can create the most coveted gift?

“Since the gifts change from year to year, all original and homemade, the same game never dulls and the zeal for it continues to grow,” Merriam said.

His sister, Cindy Burnham, views this Christmas party activity as a valuable memory-maker for her extended family.

“I enjoy family gatherings that have activities that create good memories,” Burnham said.

The evolution of the Yankee Swap, also known as a white elephant gift exchange, was a money-saving move, she said.

Everyone had so many immediate family members (children, spouses, parents) for whom they needed GIFT-GIVING, Page 2A

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Biblical promises came to life during this Christmas season.

Plus, gifts were exchanged in a manner of speaking.

A Maine woman was able to revive the wooden nativity pieces hand-painted decades ago by the great-grandmother of one of her students in the faith-based preschool she established in Limington.

At the same time, the members of a rural church received the figures of a kneeling Mary and the baby Jesus in a manger to complete its outdoor nativity scene in time for Christmas Eve services in Casco.

Earlier in December, at the Casco Village Church United Church of Christ, parishioners noticed something was missing. The baby Jesus and mother Mary had been taken from the crèche, located outside the church and facing Route 121.

“Mary and baby Jesus —

It was at that time that I learned who the artist was and a chill ran through me as I realized why this Nativity set had not been sold by them or by me. It was destined for a place as close to God as it could come, — Elaine Gammon

The kneeling mother Mary and baby Jesus in the manger, which was donated to the Casco Village Church to replace the two figures that were stolen, blend harmoniously with the other figures and have a meaning(De Busk Photo) hand-painted many, many ful history. years ago by a church memElaine Gammon, the ber, were more than just deco- she said. However, when the rations,” according to Pastor thoughtful donation was made, Limington resident who donatthe common sentimentality ed the nativity figures, penned Joyce Long.

Replacing the pieces was a between what was taken and the history of the pieces in a task that could not be avoided, what was given is remarkable.

NATIVITY, Page 3A

Fine levied for setback violation

By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Bridgton Selectmen signed a consent agreement Dec. 22 that will allow Malcolm Road residents to retain the deck they built four feet too close to Highland Lake.

In return, property owners Edward and Margaret Balestra of 66 Malcolm Road will pay a $1,000 fine.

Code Enforcement Officer Robbie Baker said the home is scheduled to be sold in January and the consent agreement will allow the Balestras to clear up the violation to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance before the sale goes through.

Town Manager Bob

Peabody said there is precedent for the board’s decision, in that other owners have been allowed to retain the structures they’ve built in cases where the degree of violation was minor. Selectman Greg Watkins was concerned that subsequent violators could ask for the same treatment, to “do it now and ask for forgiveness later.”

“I don’t think four feet is an egregious violation,” Chairman Bernie King said, agreeing with Peabody. Baker said he hasn’t seen other violators try to use previous agreements to argue for leniency.

“It could happen, but most

people are pretty good about it,” Baker said.

King said precedent doesn’t much figure in when selectmen decide on how to deal with Shoreland Zoning violations.

“We deal with them on a case-by-case basis,” King said.

The vote was 3-1, with Watkins opposed and Selectman Paul Hoyt absent.

In other action, the board approved a five-year leasepurchase agreement for two public works trucks totaling $175,322 at an interest rate of 3.48%. Peabody termed the SNIPPETS, Page 3A

The Bridgton News Established 1870

P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com

Page 2A, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Area news

Gift-giving game memory maker (Continued from Page 1A) to buy gifts. To make it easier on the budget, Sam and Cindy’s grown-up siblings agreed to take an artsycrafty approach to gift giving, she said.

“It challenges their inner artist to come out,” Burnham said, adding that it has been interesting.

“It is like a completive sport,” she said.

Even the children get into the spirit of the adult giftswap game.

“The kids sit around and watch the Christmas swap.

They are really into it. They want to handle the figurines.

I can see my grandson next year wanting to do it. He will make something like a NASCAR with Santa Claus in it,” Burnham said.

Sam’s daughter, Elaina, now 14 and in middle school, participated in the adults’ gift exchange game a few years ago.

“Once you get to a certain age or your skill level is” sufficient to make a homemade gift, then the children are allowed to be part of the swap, she said.

“The first year, I made the elephants and my mom saw them and said, ‘You can do it,’ ” Elaina Merriam said.

“I used clay and painted them. I did the elephant from Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer movie,” she said, referring to a character stuck on the Island of Misfit Toys.

She sculpted twin elephants; and alternated the color pattern to make it more interesting. Her father Sam ended up with the clay creation so it has been kept in the family, she said.

Homemade gifts “are more meaningful. When you get it from the store, there is not as much thought or effort. When you are making it yourself, you are trying hard and caring more. I put a lot of thought into it,” she said.

“When I make something, I put all I could into it,” she said.

“And receiving — if you get a homemade gift, it’s more special,” Elaina said.

Sam recalled his experience of making a gift and having it be part of the Yankee Swap.

“One year I made a penguin from Skulpy. It was about three inches tall, adorned with a red scarf and Santa hat. It was really a last-minute thing I made just hours before the party,” he said.

“I was having difficulty that year figuring out what I was going to do up to that point. The idea came suddenly while just holding the gummy clay-like material in my hands. Once sculpted, baked and painted, I placed it inches away from the wood stove to accelerate the drying of the paint. Guests were arriving

REALLY REGIONAL DECORATION — This half-way humorous ornament depicts the trials and tribulations of driving during the winter in Maine.

(Photo courtesy of Sam Merriam) while it was still tacky and unwrapped,” he said.

“The intense heat really worked and, at the last minute, I entered my wrapped penguin in the game,” he said.

“With nearly 20 other gifts it was placed next to, my penguin was opened early on and got wide praise, more than I felt it deserved because of how little time and thought went into it compared with some of the others,” he said.

“During the game, it got stolen three times. The last to take it was the member who held the number one, who happened to be my nephew. In the game,

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the person who chooses number one is allowed the final choice and takes whatever one gift he wants away from another member. His choice was my penguin.

Wow! Didn’t I feel proud,” Merriam said.

“Further to that I felt motivated to compete and to out-do the others for the next year, assuming we would keep this tradition,” Merriam said.

The Merriam family holiday party was held at the house of Sam and Dawn Merriam on the weekend before Christmas.

This year, Elaina made a trio of tree ornaments.

“This year was fairly easy. I decorated three glass balls with music notes. I took pieces of Christmas music paper and wrapped the ornaments and covered them in glitter,” she said.

As meaningful as crafting Christmas gifts can be, the gathering of family is even better, Elaina said. The combination of first and second cousins — ones who visit on a regular basis and some seen only a few times a year “is nice,” she said.

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warming memories.

This year’s Merriam family Christmas party “was so moving because it was so classic. The children were wonderful together and sang carols together for us without even being prompted by the adults. It was their idea,” Cindy Burnham said.

“I had such a wonderful time at the party. We had a feeling of togetherness and family and it wasn’t commercialized,” she said.

“The art competition/ Christmas gift swap is a game we play that build those memories,” she said.

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“We have a houseful of family members. The more people, the merrier,” she said.

“Most of them make food. A few don’t have much time, but every one brings food. Everyone puts an effort into everything,” she said.

“This year, my Uncle Tom (Merriam) had a getup. He wore a tuxedo and sparkles in his beard and a top hat,” Elaina said.

Her Aunt Cindy, who lives in Litchfield, brought her grandchildren and walked away with heart-

for

New Year’s Week Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 edition The Bridgton News office will close at 12 noon on New Year’s Eve, Thurs., Dec. 31st, and will be closed New Year’s Day, Fri., Jan. 1, 2016.

E-mail will be received at bnews@roadrunner.com We will reopen Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.

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Area news

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 3A

Nativity scene (Continued from Page 1A)

The Depot Street Train Station was chosen for the main ground sign directing visitors to the downtown because “It’s part of the history of this town,” said signmaker Nelle Ely. She said she was given the style of the letter “B,” denoting Bridgton, by the town for use on all of the signs.

Worth the wait, artist believes

(Continued from Page 1A) old signs hung as works of art. The trouble is, she said, “It’s a dying art — and as long as I have requests to paint signs and murals, I’m going to continue to do so, because I love art.”

Ely has created four large ground signs for the downtown and the town beaches that include her original artwork. As a history buff, Ely depicted the old Depot Street train station on the downtown sign, and it was a decision

supported by town staff that inspected the signs. It’s also part of the reason why her signs were more expensive — each painting required around 80 hours of work to create. Had the town gone with a machine made option, the artwork would have been pre-painted on paper and glued on the sign, she said.

Ely used three-inchtall lettering on each of the directional signs, and the reason several of the signs were rejected was that select-

men wanted more spacing between the words, she said.

“Stevens Brook Trail” thus needed to be abbreviated as “Stevens Brook Trl,” and “Downtown District” became “Downtown Dist.”

“Normally when you’re doing a sign you do not break up the words or abbreviate,” said Ely. The next few weeks will be busy ones for Ely in her studio to finish the project, but she points out that despite the controversy, her motiva-

tion remains unchanged.

“I have been so much a part of this town since 2001, as president of the Rotary and the Rufus Porter Museum, serving on the CDC and the Bridgton Community Center Board of Directors,” Ely said.

“I could stay home. I’m not going to starve if I don’t do this. But I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls from people saying they love my work, and I do this out of love — and my desire to keep hand-painted murals and signs alive.”

(Continued from Page 1A) vote as “pro-forma,” as voters had already approved the spending at Town Meeting as part of capital improvement spending. But he added that the town’s bond counsel had recommended selectmen take one more vote, just to be on the safe side.

It was also reported that the Land Use Management Plan for the town’s major arteries would be ready for public inspection and feedback by March. Land Use Committee member Chuck Renneker said members intend to hold neighborhood meetings at that time and also have guest articles about the new zoning rules printed in The Bridgton

News.

The next meeting of the Land Use Committee will be Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 a.m. The committee meets every two weeks in the downstairs meeting room at the Municipal Complex.

In other meeting news, Wastewater Committee Chairman Glen “Bear” Zaidman announced that sewer users will be personally invited to attend the committee’s next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Complex downstairs room to look over new information on the proposed equivalent user system for assigning fees.

Dale McDaniel, owner of

Portland Street Auto, asked selectmen to consider using his local business and other local mechanics when repairs are needed on town vehicles.

Public Works Director Jim Kidder said repairs are typically done through Craig’s Auto in Harrison.

“I’ve been in business many years, and I’ve never been asked to write an estimate,” McDaniel said. “I ask that we be given the opportunity.”

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — For a long time, people have referred to Naples as the “heart of the Lake Region.”

Recently, residents of this town have another brag: The Town of Naples earned the nationally-recognized status of a HEARTSafe Community.

“We have been working very hard to become a HEARTSafe Community,” according to Naples Deputy

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letter to the Casco church.

Essentially, she started a school 21 years ago. One of the students was Ben Wood, whose mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother ran The Spare Time Gift Shop.

This spring, Gammon closed the doors of the 123-ABC Nursery School and purchased the gift shop for her part-time job during retirement. Gammon bought the gift shop, which had closed its doors with inventory locked inside years ago.

“I unwrapped all the items; and among the many wooden pieces was a beautiful nativity set that by the appearance of the paint, I realized had been done many years ago. I gently displayed it outside the shop, but to my dismay, not one person was the least bit interested in it,” Gammon wrote.

“I was sorely disappointed and brought it back inside out of the elements,” she wrote, adding, “It was on my mind and I couldn’t believe that no one had even asked about it.”

“As I was watching the news (last) week, I heard your story about the theft of part of the Nativity set that had been displayed for years at your church,” Gammon said. “Immediately, my thoughts went to the set that I had and knew that a call was inevitable. I knew where it belonged.”

Gammon contacted two of the family members who formerly owned The Spare Time Gift Shop and mentioned the items she was planning to donate to the Casco Church.

“It was at that time that I learned who the artist was and a chill ran through me as I realized why this Nativity set had not been sold by them or by me. It was destined for a place as close to God as it could come,” she said.

“Twenty-One years ago, in 1994, the ABC-123 Nursery School began at 125 Gammon Road in Limington, Maine. It ran successfully, tending to all the needs of the children in all the surrounding towns. ‘Miss Elaine’ was well known among many households, and still is today, as I remain a daycare provider for a few neighboring children,” Gammon’s letter began.

“My first year was about giving the community a service that no other centers had. It was a church-based program that I had used for 15 years prior while teaching at a local church. Although it was not a religiously-taught program, the foundation was there and it ran in that form for the entirety of the school’s life,” she said.

“Six children attended that first year and one little boy, Ben Wood, was a member of that class. His great-grandmother, grandmother and mother were beginning a small enterprise of their own — The Spare Time Gift Shop of Limington, which made its debut around this same time. The shop was filled with handmade items all created by these three women in their spare time and sold to the public,” she said.

“Among the items crafted were hand-painted Nativity sets, one of which has now been donated to your community church in Casco,” she said.

“The eldest of the three women, Betty, now deceased, had painted this set by hand. The pieces were cut, sanded and painted by family members. Betty sold many of these sets, but this one last set remained in the inventory,” Gammon wrote.

Her letter ended, saying: Fire Chief Mark Scribner.

“Blessings to the Gammon, The focus is to reduce Brown and Wood family. Also, the number of fatalities from blessings to your congregacardiac arrests, Scriber said tion and blessings to a broduring the Naples Board ken Nativity that has now been of Selectmen’s meeting on made whole.”

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Page 4A, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Police news

Bridgton Police blotter

These incidents appeared on the Bridgton Police Department blotter between the dates of Monday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 27 (This is only a partial listing).

Monday, December 21 8:24 a.m. The owner of Elegance Salon on Depot Street arrived to discover her shop had been broken into overnight. Police advised her not to touch anything and step outside to wait for police.

9:31 a.m. A woman lost her EBT card either the previous Thursday or Friday.

10:33 a.m. A worker discovered a second break-in at Craftworks on Main Street.

11:25 a.m. A third breakin was discovered at the Bridgton Community Center.

3:09 p.m. An elderly man using a cane was seen hitchhiking on the Portland Road near Ace Hardware.

5:02 p.m. A wallet was found and turned in to the police station.

5:38 p.m. A man riding a 4-wheeler was tearing around the parking lot at Stevens Brook Elementary School, driving recklessly.

Tuesday, December 22 4:42 a.m. A deer was still alive after being hit by a car

near 492 South High Street.

10:46 a.m. A two-car crash occurred at the corner of Portland and Willett Roads, causing property damage.

11:35 a.m. Officer Jones investigated a report of fraud.

2:43 p.m. A man reported losing his wallet sometime over the last 24 hours in Bridgton.

4:17 p.m. A woman said her 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck was “keyed” while she was inside Hannaford shopping.

8:38 p.m. Potholes and inadequate signage were reported at the corner of Portland and Willis Park Roads.

10:30 p.m. A Volkswagen sedan ran off the side of Dugway Road and needed to be towed.

Wednesday, December 23 3:01 a.m.

Officer Smolinsky called for backup in an arrest near the corner of Portland Road and Maple Street after the suspect tried to flee several times.

8:38 a.m. A Sawyer Circle tenant said her neighbors in another apartment routinely trespass on her porch and try to eavesdrop on her conversations.

Searles Excavation Inc. EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR

207-583-4948 TF

SAD AFTERMATH — An hour after an errant spark from a gas tank ignited gasoline and set the building ablaze, employees of Ovide’s Used Cars watch with a firefighter in front of the Portland Road, Bridgton business as a fire engine streams water on remaining embers.

Car dealer to rebuild

BLOTTER, Page 6A

(Continued from Page 1A) come of this.”

“It went up very fast — our first truck responded in eight minutes and the entire building was engulfed,” said Bridgton Fire Chief Glen Garland. “There was a lot of gas, paint and tires that certainly contributed to the rapid spread.” Only the left side of the building was left standing, with its out-

side wall still showing a Christian cross and a sign stating “God is Love.”

Traffic was rerouted to Burnham Road as fire trucks and engines from Bridgton and 10 other towns converged on the scene. Because it was Christmas Eve, and a workday, Garland said most towns were able to only muster a few volunteers to answer the three-alarm fire.

It took around an hour to knock down the fire, and firefighters remained on the scene well into the afternoon to dig out any remaining hot spots.

Tankers shuttled water from a hydrant about a halfmile away on Portland Road, and two holding tanks were set up on the highway and in the parking lot of the adjacent state transportation garage.

These items appeared on the Fryeburg Police Department log (this is a partial listing): Monday, December 21 4:45 p.m. A motor vehicle crash occurred on Main Street.

Tuesday, December 22 11:46 a.m. Police investigated a criminal mischief report on Old River Road.

12:34 p.m. Police received a report of a suspicious person on River Street.

10:20 p.m. A noise complaint on Smith Street was received.

Wednesday, December 23 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Police investigated fraud complaints at Pequawket Village Road and Pebble Circle.

5:40 p.m. A non-report-

able motor vehicle crash occurred on Serenity Lane.

6:18 p.m. Police received a late accident report regarding a collision in the Dollar General parking lot.

Thursday, December 24 8:52 p.m. Police checked Maple Street after receiving a report of a suspicious person.

11:22 p.m. Responding to a domestic disturbance on Hemlock Bridge Road, police charged Cody Philibert, 24, of Fryeburg with criminal mischief, and Amoure Roland, 21, of Fryeburg with domestic violence assault.

Friday, December 25 4:05 a.m. Police conducted a bail compliance check at a Bradley Street location.

2:26 p.m. Police received a noise complaint regarding the range on Fish and Game

Road.

8:20 p.m. Following a motor vehicle stop near Canal Bridge, police charged Alec H. Seidman, 25, of Poughquag, N.Y. with speeding (30-plus mph over the posted limit).

Saturday, December 26 4:03 a.m. As the result of a motor vehicle stop on Main Street, police charged Dean B. Luce, 42, of Cornish with operating a motor vehicle

with an expired license (more than 90 days).

4:01 p.m. Responding to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Haley Town and Bull Moose Roads, police charged David R. Quinn, 53, of Conway, N.H. with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

9 p.m. Police responded to a noise complaint on North Fryeburg Road, near the Stow town line.

Items on Fryeburg Police log

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Thursday, December 24 5:58 a.m. A man, who said he spent $58 to have a Willis Park Road sign installed at the Portland Road entrance, wanted to get his money back.

11:49 a.m. Police assist with rerouting traffic around a three-alarm structure fire at Ovide’s Used Cars on Portland Road.

5:49 p.m. Police searched for an intoxicated driver who pulled into a Portland Road restaurant and continued on toward downtown Bridgton.

6:34 p.m. A Willett Road resident reported that his son was struck by a vehicle.

8:45 p.m. Someone was heard in the woods off Buswell Road shooting off a gun five times.

9:42 p.m. A Sam Ingalls Road resident said someone parked on the road and walked into her driveway with an unknown object in their hand.

11 p.m. Bridgton Police assisted Fryeburg Police with a domestic violence incident in which a Hemlock Bridge Road resident was allegedly assaulted by his girlfriend.

Friday, December 25 11:27 a.m. A Main Street resident complained about music coming from an adjoining apartment that was so loud it was shaking the

TF

Man critically injured The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate what sparked an explosion and fire inside a Fryeburg garage Sunday evening that critically burned a man.

Matthew Beardsley, 52, of Fryeburg was burned over 75% of his body, officials say. He was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Beardsley and his son-in-law, Tony Woitko, were transferring fuel from one storage tank to another when the explosion took place at about 6:30 p.m. The garage on McNeil Road was destroyed in the fire. The garage is owned by Woitko, who was not injured.

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Obituaries

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 5A

John B. Gillis

James B. Maxfield

Dorothy R. Kelley

GORHAM — Lt. Colonel (RET) John Bertram Gillis of Gorham passed quietly in his sleep on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. Known more commonly as Jack, he was 84 years old.

Jack married Carolyn in South Portland on June 15, 1952. After her passing in 2001, he married Dorothy in 2002.

They most recently lived in Gorham after having resided in Williamsburg, Va., Charlton, Mass. and Casco.

While serving in the United States Army, Jack and Carolyn lived in Washington, Maryland, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Panama Canal Zone, Germany, Indiana, New Mexico, Maine and Alexandria, Va. with two tours in Vietnam.

Jack graduated from South Portland High School on June 15, 1948. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves prior to attending college. He attended and graduated from Norwich University on June 7, 1953. He began active duty in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Ky. that same year and retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1980. He proudly served his country for 27 years. For his service, he was awarded Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, as well as other military medals from the United States, Vietnam and the Republic of China.

Upon retiring from the Army, Jack worked for McDonnell Aircraft Company/Boeing in St. Louis, Mo. He also became a real estate agent.

He was a 33rd Degree Mason of Presumpscot Lodge No. 0070 in Windham, and member of Moolah Shrine Temple in St. Louis, Mo. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Carolyn Adelaide Pelletier.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Andersen Gillis; his three children, John Gillis, David Gillis and Susan Picciano, all residing in Northern Virginia; as well as five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren; and Dorothy’s two children, Kirsten Davis of South Casco, and Craig Andersen of Hamburg, N.Y. Services, with full military honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations given in his name to: Norwich University Development Fund or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

OCALA, FLA. — James Bradley Maxfield, 81, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, after a brief illness.

He was born on April 6, 1934, to Albert and Annie Maxfield in Westbrook.

A graduate of Scarborough High School, he served eight years in the U.S. Navy and in 1988 retired from the U.S. Postal Service. After his retirement, he worked three years at the Route 1 Mobile station in Scarborough, until he moved with his wife to Ocala, Fla. Brad, as he was known, enjoyed spending time with his family in both Florida and Maine. He enjoyed sports, playing cards and traveling with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Gloria Coulombe Thibodeau Maxfield; children Vicki Maxfield of Ocala, Fla., Kimmerly Maxfield-Fearon of Gorham, Donna Thibodeau Haslop of Ada, Ohio, Robert Thibodeau of Casco, Holly Brown of Ocala, Fla. and Kellie Thibodeau Senghas of Acton, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Edith Wadsworth Maxfield; brother, Howard Maxfield; and sisters, Eldora Deering and Beverly Wood.

A graveside service will be arranged in the summer in Scarborough. Please view and sign the online guestbook at: www. robertsfuneralhomes.com

WINDHAM — Dorothy R. Kelley, 83, died on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Portland.

She was born on Oct. 29, 1932, in Portland, the daughter of John J. and Isabella (Taylor) Murphy. Dorothy was raised in Portland and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1950.

As a young woman, she worked for a number of Portland businesses. Dot met her husband, Merle, while working at Calderwood Bakery. They fell in love, married, and moved to the country, “Windham,” in 1957. In between having and raising seven children, she volunteered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Windham, which led to a full-time position as secretary to Sr. Carmel, Religious Education coordinator.

Dorothy went back to work full-time at the University of Southern Maine as a secretary for the teacher education program until her retirement.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling with her husband in their camper; highlights include trips to Alaska, Montana and California. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed reading. When Merle retired, together they spent three months driving cross-country to Alaska.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her brothers Philip, Peter, Mike and Ralph Murphy; and her sisters Gertrude Grady, Alice Kennedy, Anna Kelley, Isabelle Dykeman and Eleanor Doherty.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Merle Kelley; children Stephen Kelley of Raymond, Susan Kelley of Gorham, Sandra Kelley of Byron, Ill., Timothy Kelley of Westbrook, Kathleen Kelley-Cochrane of Raymond, Kevin Kelley of Bangor and Alice Kelley of Windham; six grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 28, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com

Shawn D. Hurt CASCO — Shawn D. Hurt, 52, of Cooks Mills Road, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, at a Lewiston hospital.

He was born on July 15, 1963, the son of Joyce and the late Bernard Hurt.

Surviving are his mother; three sisters, Sandy Watkins of Norway, Genie of Casco and Debbie of Casco; and brother, Mark of Casco.

Visiting hours were held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, at Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. There will be no formal funeral service.

Richard H. Davis SOUTH PARIS — Richard H. Davis, 87, of Harrison, passed away on Dec. 19, 2015, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris after a lengthy battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

He passed surrounded by his loving family and will be forever missed.

The family is extremely grateful for the loving care he received from Androscoggin Home Health Services, First Light Home Health Services, the Maine Veterans’ Home, Beacon Hospice, and for the kindness provided by the owners of Ruby Slippers Cafe.

We would also like to thank the many friends and relatives who provided transportation for his wife Shirley to and from the Maine Veterans’ Home.

Dick was born on Jan. 4, 1928, the son of Bert M. and Orpha (Sias) Davis.

He attended Harrison grammar school and high school at Bridgton Academy.

He held many jobs from the age of nine to 17, including newsboy, laborer, salesman on a bakery route, carpenter, and a welder on Liberty ships.

After his junior year of high school, at age 17, he joined the Marines and proudly served his country during World War II. Upon his return from the service, at the end of the war, he completed his senior year at Bridgton Academy, serving as president of the class of 1947. He went on to attend the University of Maine at Orono on the GI bill, an opportunity for which he was forever grateful. He received his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. During his time at the University of Maine, he met the love of his life, Shirley A. Libby, and they married while he was attending college.

After his graduation, Dick and Shirley moved to Massena, N.Y., where Dick had landed a job with ALCOA, the first of many moves that his engineering career involved. He loved his job as an engineer and was involved in many high-profile projects such as the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the State of New York Niagara Power Project, the State of California Water Project, and the State of New York Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Hydroelectic project where he worked for the last 20 years of his career.

Dick believed strongly in giving back to the community and was involved with many organizations in his lifetime including the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club International, and the board of the Community Hospital of Cobleskill, N.Y. He was very actively involved with the church all of his life and attended regularly.

Dick was a fantastic listener and had a wonderful sense of humor.

He was a calm, generous, unassuming man and a friend to all. He was always there to lend a hand or an ear to a friend, or stranger in need.

Besides Shirley, his loving wife of 66 years; he is survived by his sister Penelope Light of Ind.; brother Donald Davis of Harrison; sons Averill Davis and his wife Christine of Harrison, Daniel Davis of Fort Worth Texas, Randolph Davis and his wife Beth of South Glens Falls N.Y.; a daughter, Katherine Cornell and her husband Brian of Hudson N.H.; his grandchildren Bert Davis and his wife Denisa, Cynthia Davis-Krupika and her husband Jason, Rebecca Davis-Rice and her husband James, Daniel Davis and his wife Shelle, Matthew Davis and his wife LeeAnne Hunter, all of Nebr.; Elizabeth Wilds and her husband Joe of Reading, Pa., Colin Davis of Bitburg, Germany, Nolan and Stacie Cornell, both of Hudson N.H.; as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the UCC United Parish Congregational Church, on Main Street in Harrison on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow downstairs at the church. Interment will be at the Harrison Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins — donations may be made online at www.alscenter.org (click on ‘Donate’) or checks may made payable to: Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins and mailed to: Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 N. Broadway, Suite 731, Baltimore, MD 21205, attn: Megan O’Shea.; the Town of Harrison Recreation Department Scholarship Fund, PO Box 300, Harrison ME 04040; or the UCC United Parish of Harrison and North Bridgton, PO Box 95, Harrison ME 04040.

Arrangements are in the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Marie B. Darna Marie B. Darna, 71, of Bridgton, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, with her husband at her side.

Marie was born April 16, 1944, in Arlington, Mass., to the late Albert and Anna Balzano of Watertown, Mass.

Marie was a top-notch secretary, working for insurance company C.J.P. BlueCross/ BlueShield, Dr. Charles Trey, WBZ-TV, and law firms in Boston and Florida, ending her career as an assistant activities director at the day care center for the elderly associated with Florida Atlantic University.

Marie and her husband moved to Bridgton in 2006. She worked at Craftworks, Elegance Salon, and the Magic Lantern movie theater.

Marie loved Bridgton, and volunteered with at the Bridgton Community Center and at the Twitchell Campus Café at Bridgton Hospital.

Marie was also an avid novel reader, excellent cook, superb pot/ container gardener of veggies and herbs, and a true animal lover.

Marie is survived by her husband Edward; sister Joanna Balzano; stepdaughter Juli Gilliam; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Marie will be sadly missed by all her family, many friends and coworkers. If desired, donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Hope E. Parrott SAUGUS, MASS. AND SOUTH CASCO — Hope Elizabeth (Macdonald) Parrott, 82, of Saugus, Mass., and South Casco, passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, at her son’s home with her husband by her side.

She was born in Framingham, Mass., on Feb. 27, 1933, the daughter of Frederick and Mary Johnson Macdonald. She moved to Saugus as a child and graduated from Saugus High School in 1950.

She married the love of her life, Charles (Enky) Parrott, on Jan. 23, 1955. She was a stay-at-home mom, raising her four children.

She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Charles (Enky); her sons Chas and his wife Jane Parrott, and David Parrott, all of Harrison; her daughters Jeanne O’Reilly and her husband George, Christine Tretola and her husband Michael all of Saugus, Mass.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and a brother Frederick Macdonald of Orleans, Mass. She was predeceased by her parents; and a sister Ethel Bushway. Words of condolence and tribute may be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com A graveside service was held Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at 1 p.m., at Riverside Cemetery, 164 Winter Street, Saugus, Mass. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the Arthritis Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris, Maine.

Robie G. Wagner BRIDGTON — Robie G. Wagner, 94, a former resident of Livermore Falls, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at his daughter’s home in Bridgton.

He was born Dec. 27, 1920, in Union Square, Nova Scotia, Canada, the son of William Lloyd Wagner and Beulah B. (Ramey) Wagner. He graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1937 and later joined the United States Navy and served during WWII. After completing his Class-A Storekeeper School in Samson, N.Y., and technical storekeeper school at the Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, Pa., he served as a storekeeper during WWII at a Naval Supply Depot on the Island of Guam. On March 30, 1941, he married Gloria D. Dumais in Gardiner, and made their home in Livermore Falls.

Robie worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years retiring in 1981. He was a member of American Legion George Bunton Post #10 in Livermore Falls, where he served as a Post Commander in 1957 and was an Honorary Life Member for 66 years. He was also a member of the Frank L. Mitchell V.F.W. Post 3335 in Jay, where he was an Honorary Life Member, the Lane Dube AMVETS Post 33 in Jay, and the La Societe Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevauz for 61 years and served as Grand Chef De Gare-Grand Voiture Dumaine in 1972. Robie was extremely proud of his large vegetable garden, and he enjoyed socializing with family and friends. Gloria and Robie enjoyed traveling and making Florida their second home 26 years. He is survived by his daughter, Dale (Wagner) Brown and her husband Dennis of Bridgton; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Clayton Wagner and sister Myra Wagner of Livermore Falls.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Gloria Wagner on October 29, 2014; and his brothers, Maurice C. Wagner and Russell G. Wagner. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 1 p.m. at Finley Funeral Home, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls.

Visitation was held from 12 noon to 1 p.m., prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Interment was held at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, in Augusta.

Contributions may be made to: Bridgton Hospital Development Drive, C/O Emergency Department and Renovations, 10 Hospital Drive, Bridgton, ME 04009.

More obituaries on Page 6A

Yvonne L. Davis SOUTH PARIS — Yvonne L. Davis, 83, of Fryeburg, died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at Market Square Health Care Center in South Paris.

Yvonne was born in South Paris on Sept. 29, 1932, a daughter of William H. and Christine (Vallee) Ryerson and attended South Paris Schools. She worked at Northland Shoe for many years and also was a maid at the Green Granite Inn in North Conway, N.H. She married Millard Davis on October 9, 1948.

She was a member of the Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church in Fryeburg and loved visiting friends and family, playing cards and canning. In her younger years she enjoyed camping. For a few years, she and her husband wintered in Florida with her sister, Aline.

Surviving are her husband of Fryeburg; sons, Millard S. Davis Jr. of Fryeburg, Joseph and his wife, Darilyn of Solon, and George and his wife, Diana of Stow; a daughter, Yvonne Davis of Fryeburg; her sister, Aline Davis and her husband, Larry of Limington; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Yvonne was predeceased by four brothers, Lawrence, Frank, Richard and John; and three half-brothers, Clarence Grover, Patrick Ryerson, and Carleton Ryerson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at the Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church in Fryeburg. In lieu of flowers, donations in Yvonne’s memory may be made to the Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church, 454 McNeil Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037. Arrangements are in the care of Wood Funeral Home, 12 Warren Street, Fryeburg. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.woodfuneralhome.org

Meredith B. Shea PARSONSFIELD — Meredith B. Shea, 79, of Kezar Falls, died peacefully on Dec. 21, 2015, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a brief illness.

She was born in Boston, on May 11, 1936, a daughter of Laurence and Frances (Peterson) Barnes. She attended Westwood, Mass., schools and graduated from Westwood High School in 1954.

Meredith worked in the office as a bookkeeper for Plymouth Rubber, Allied Container and Bursaw Oil Company, all in Mass. She also owned her own antique shop out of her home in Beverly, Mass.

After moving to Maine, she worked for Newell and Smith Insurance Co. in Gorham, and Fox and Ginn Trucking Co. in Scarborough. She had also owned and operated the Molly Stark Motel in Brattleboro, Vt., along with her husband, John, for several years.

Meredith and John traveled extensively for the next several years with their fifth-wheel R.V. Always finding work along the way, they would stay for several months at a time in certain places. They especially enjoyed their summer working at Yellowstone National Park. They moved to Parsonsfield, full-time in 2000. She has been very active with the Parsonsfield/Porter Historical Society, and volunteered when she could with various Kezar Falls organizations.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John T. Shea, in 2005. Surviving are two daughters, Margaret Blatchford and husband Peter of Carver, Mass., and Laura Littlefield and husband Darryl of Naples; two sons, Douglas Shea and wife Diane of Cornish, and David Shea of Sebago. A sister, Jocelyn Tripp of Foxborough, Mass.; eight grandchildren: Douglas Shea, Donna Estes, Dana Shea, Darryl Nicholas Jr., Kerri Mazerall, Jacob Shea, John Belliveau and Christopher Belliveau; also two nieces, Cynthia Holmes and Vicki Lowe, and several loving great-grandchildren.

Meredith’s family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine as well as Sandy’s Angels for their kind and compassionate care.

An hour of visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, from 1 to 2 p.m., immediately followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. Her burial will be private at the National V.A. Cemetery in Bourne, Mass., next to her husband. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.wnyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gosnell Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

CLOSED FOR VACATION DEC. 25TH – JAN. 3RD

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Page 6A, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Area news

Parcels under the microscope

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Two parcels of Naples’ town-owned land that have remained unused for decades will receive closer scrutiny.

The Naples Board of Selectmen has been reviewing a few town-owned lots that could be put on the real estate market.

While tax-acquired lots can be put out to bid without much fanfare, all other townowned land must get voter approval at a Town Meeting before it can be sold.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen voted, 4-0, to direct the town manager “to give the property information to the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Fire Department; and if there is no feedback that the properties should be retained to put them for approval on the Town Meeting warrant in June,” according to Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak.

The primary reason this has been discussed is that, about a year and half ago, the town purchased the for-

mer Begin Estate, next to the Naples Fire Station. The idea was that the board would put up for sale under-utilized town-owned land to compensate for the Begin Estate purchase.

During their meeting on Monday, the selectman briefly discussed the two municipal properties.

One lot is known to some in the community as the former transfer site and bulky waste drop off area.

The town-owned property off State Park Road still has gates and signs at the entrance road near Chipmunk Lane.

The size of the parcel is 20 acres, Paraschak said.

“A few years ago, it was explored as a dog park,” he said, but that push has quieted down.

Resident Roger Clement asked if there were any dumped items still on property. He was told that the town removed those when the transfer site was transferred to another area of town.

The lesser known piece of property is 5.4 acres located off Perley Road. It is less than 1000 feet from

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A local business — which was established in the 1970s and is currently the biggest employer in Naples — will pay its outstanding personal property taxes to the Town of Naples by the end of this year.

“That’ll transpire this week,” according to Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak.

On Monday, Paraschak updated the Naples Board of Selectmen on the tax status of P&K Sand and Gravel, Inc. “The reason it is on the agenda” is because action

must be taken in a timely manner, Paraschak said.

The company can take advantage of the State of Maine Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Plan, he said. For the business to be eligible for the reimbursement program, payments must be made by the end of the year, Paraschak said.

Typically, the person or business owing back taxes must pay the oldest bill first; and board approval is required to do that “out of order,” he said.

The board voted, 4-0, to permit P&K to pay its most recent Personal Property Tax

NO SNOW TO MAKE SO WHY NOT WATERSKI? — Midday on Christmas, Henry Hudson III (pictured out on the water) and Josh Harrington (with his vest), both of Shawnee Peak, figured if they couldn’t ski up on the mountain they would do the next best thing and take advantage of the calm cold waters on Moose Pond in Bridgton. Dan Gyger drove the boat since he wasn’t able to make the white stuff on Pleasant Mountain.

Roosevelt Trail.

The town has owned that second lot for eons, Paraschak said, adding he did know the history of the parcel.

“The town doesn’t have any use for” these parcels,

Paraschak said.

Neither piece of municipal land has any existing structures.

The combined property tax assessment of these parcels is $116,000, according to tax maps provided.

first and also for the town to take out the bank note.

Selectman Kevin Rogers was absent from the last meeting of 2015.

In a letter, which board members reviewed, P&K owner Bruce Plummer outlined the best option to get caught up with unpaid Personal Property Taxes.

The plan is to “move the taxes for 2010 through 2013 to a (bank) note and pay newest taxes out of order,” Paraschak said.

“This will allow them to get reimbursement from the state,” he said.

The bank note will be paid

off over the course of 48 monthly payments, starting in January 2016, he said.

The total property tax debt, going back several years, is $129,000, he said.

According to Paraschak, the bank note will be worth $74,000 and that is what will be paid off in a four-year period.

The remaining balance of $55,000 will cover two years of Personal Property Taxes, the tax on items like heavy equipment.

Prior to the vote, Selectman Christine Selectman Rich Cebra said, long, we will be accused of “Can this be done for other helping one business and not Powers said, “Yes, we do this for other businesses.” people? As sure as the day is another.”

P&K to pay taxes, get state refund

Obituaries Hugh W. Hastings II FRYEBURG & LONGWOOD, FLA. — Hugh W. Hastings II, 90, of Fryeburg and Longwood, Fla., died on Dec. 26, 2015, with family at his side.

Hugh was born, the fourth of seven children to Hugh W. Hastings and Martha F. Hastings in Fryeburg, on Sept.

29, 1926. He graduated from Fryeburg Academy, attended University of Maine – Orono, graduated from Bowdoin College, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was employed by the Fryeburg Water Company for over 65 years, serving as president for most of that time. He was a licensed land surveyor and managed woodlands for both his family and for Saunders Brothers in Westbrook, Maine.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Fryeburg, the Masons – Pythagorean Lodge #11 for 64 years, and the American Legion. He had also been a member of Kiwanis International.

Always an outgoing individual and known for the twinkle in his eye, Hugh loved a good party and family gatherings. He co-hosted the annual Hastings Family Lobster and Clam Picnic at the rustic family camp on Kezar Pond in Fryeburg, which brought together approximately 100 family members each year. He always looked forward to large gatherings of friends and family alike to celebrate his birthday in recent years. Sing-a-longs with piano accompaniment were his favorites.

He and his loving wife of 62 years, Norene (Rene), also loved to travel. Together with her brother, Walter Mattson and his wife Gerry, they visited many exotic places throughout the world. In recent years, Hugh and Rene spent the winters in Florida, but Hugh was always most comfortable in his native Fryeburg and the family home in which he lived for most of his life, sleeping in the same bedroom in which he had been born.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Norene M., son Tom (Lynn) of Maitland, Florida, daughter Ellen Zelman (Andy) of Altamonte Springs, Florida, son John (Lynne Smith) of Fryeburg, daughter Jane Rosenberg (David) of Lafayette, Colorado, grandson Steven Zelman and granddaughters, Katie Zelman, Melanie Rosenberg, and Casey Rosenberg. Hugh is also survived by two sisters, Jane Folsom (John) and Mary Dumas (Bruce Folsom) of Alfred; and a brother, Peter (Stefi) of Fryeburg; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the Altamonte Chapel, 825 East Altamonte Drive (State Road 436), Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, at 4 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. A celebration of his life and burial service will be held in Fryeburg in the early summer. In Hugh’s memory, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Fryeburg, 655 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

The Bridgton News

OBITUARY POLICY

The News will run, at no charge, obituaries that have local connections.

Photographs may be submitted at no additional charge, and whenever possible, they should be emailed as a jpg file.

The News will include: Individuals – predeceased by parents, siblings, spouse, children; survived by spouse, significant other, children, parents. Names of spouses of surviving relatives will not be included. In most cases names of the grandchildren, nephews and nieces will not be listed, just the number of each. However, if the deceased individual’s only connection to the area is a nephew, niece or grandchild, that person will be identified. The News reserves the right to edit all free obituaries.

Requests for more complete obituaries will be accepted as paid advertisements.

Contact: The Bridgton News, P.O. Box 244, 118 Main Street, Bridgton, ME 04009.

Tel. 207-647-2851, fax 207-647-5001, e-mail: bnews@roadrunner.com

Ordinance board meets in Jan.

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — This summer, the public as well as public officials expressed concerns about the Naples’ Sign Ordinance.

In fact, shortly after Labor Day, the Naples Ordinance Review Committee seemed set to convene and consider the clarity of the Sign Ordinance. That did not happen at that time.

Other town ordinances — besides the often controversial Sign Ordinance — have been identified as needing to be simplified to become more user-friendly.

This winter, the Ordinance Review Committee will have some specific objectives.

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. at the Naples Town Hall.

Earlier this year, Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak said that staff was compiling ordinances that have stumped or confused residents.

The committee will not be making changes to the meaning of any ordinance.

Instead, its job will be to find language to make the ordinance clearer for the public.

Any new ordinance must be approved by residents at a Town Meeting.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen voted to

put on the committee’s plate the review of two new ordinances that were generated by the fire department.

According to Paraschak, one of the proposed ordinances falls under the category of fire prevention. If passed, it would require the installation of fire suppression sprinklers in newlybuilt commercial structures of a certain size, he said.

In an unrelated matter, the board on Monday discussed the possibility of pursuing grant money to pay for an electric car charging station.

The board voted, 3-1, to direct the town manager to look into a specific grant offered through Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) that would pay for a car charging station and the installation of the charger.

Selectman Rich Cebra voted in opposition.

The purchase price and installation cost of an electric car charging station would be covered by the GPCOG grant, Paraschak said. “There is the cost of the electricity,” he said.

Selectman Dana Watson asked if the town could keep track of how often the charging station is used.

“We may be able to track that,” Paraschak said. “I suspect that with the group that uses the electric cars — if

we put up a sign-in sheet, we could get people to fill it out,” he said.

Christine Powers said she was on board with his idea.

“We can track it, and look for other grant opportunities,” she said.

Selectman Watson said tracking the usage would be a good tool for the town.

One concern for some

selectmen was the unpredictability of the electric bill.

Compared to the electricity consumption of townoperated buildings and outdoor lighting, the amount of electricity used at the charging station “won’t be much,” Paraschak said.

“There is no way to gauge how popular it will be,” he ORDINANCE, Page 8A

‘Heart’ status (Continued from Page 3A)

instruction, public access defibrillators, and aggressive resuscitation protocols for first responders and area hospitals.”

“We had a lot of this program in place,” Scribner said.

One of the Naples Fire and Rescue Department’s goals was to increase the number of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) available at public places around town.

In addition to obvious spots like the fire station, the AEDs were placed at the Naples Town Office Gym, the Singer Center, and most recently at the Umbrella Factory Supermarket.

During the summer, an AED is located outside at the Naples Town Beach; and during the off-season, it ends up in the Recreation Director’s office.

Not only has the number of AEDs multiplied but also the number of people trained to use them has grown, Scribner said.

The AED is designed to instruct the user through the process of assisting someone having cardiac problems.

In the past several months, the Naples Fire and Rescue Department has been offering First Aid and CPR classes.

“We have had tremendous turnouts,” Scribner said.

The upcoming classes can be found on the fire department’s Facebook page. “Now, we are a HEARTSafe Community — the only one besides United Way in the area,” Scribner said.

On the Bridgton Police blotter

(Continued from Page 4A) walls.

5:25 p.m. A driver on Portland Road reported hitting a cat, and informing the cat’s owner when he arrived on the scene.

Saturday, December 26 1:06 a.m. A car struck a deer near 320 Waterford Road, and the deer ran away.

11:28 a.m. An employee of Family Dollar on Portland Road said a man kept coming into the store after he was told he was trespassing.

3:41 p.m. Juveniles were seen smoking marijuana by the river near the Bridgton Skate Park.

3:49 p.m. Vandalism was reported to the white building next to Stevens Brook Elementary School, but Officer Muise could find no vandalism evidence.

4:55 p.m. A Walker Street resident said a man approached her to ask where she lived and whether she was lonely.

5:27 p.m. What was thought to be gunshots heard around the North High Street area turned out to be fireworks.

Sunday, December 27 1:35 a.m. A belligerent man was confronting the owner of a Portland Road restaurant outside the business.

9:40 a.m. A woman was reportedly

assaulted and her vehicle vandalized the night before in the Food City parking lot.

11:14 a.m. A man appeared agitated and was causing problems at Harry Barkers Emporium on Main Street.

12:16 p.m. A large rock was removed from the roadway in the area of 220 Pond Road.

5:38 p.m. Renys reported the theft of a pair of shoes by a younger male on Dec. 23 that had been caught on tape.

8:26 p.m. Officer Muise was asked to retrieve the clothes of a burn victim at Bridgton Hospital from a fire in Fryeburg.

Community

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 7A

Winter tough on those with breathing problems NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — It may not seem much like winter yet, but for people with pulmonary problems such as asthma or COPD, it can be a difficult — and even deadly — time of year.

More than just the drop in temperature, the cold weather means a lack of humidity in the air, both indoors and out, as well as the proliferation of influenza, viral and bacterial infections.

Charles Felton, MD, an internal medicine physician and pulmonary specialist at Memorial Hospital’s Pulmonary Care Clinic, says people with breathing disorders and lung disease are especially at high risk for complications during the cold weather months.

“Someone with pulmonary problems is more prone to viral infections, like the flu

or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and they are twice as likely to get pneumonia in the winter,” he said. “If a person has breathing problems, the flu can be life-threatening because coping with a chronic illness takes away their reserve to fight against other infections.”

Asthmatics are particularly sensitive to the cold, dry air, which irritates the throat and nose.

“In winter, our houses are all closed up. The heat is running; fireplaces or wood stoves are going. All of this contributes to an excessively dry environment in our homes which should have a humidity level of at least 40%,” Dr. Felton said.

Respiratory therapist Joyce Smith added that proper management of pulmonary illness is critical at this time

Area Events Texas Hold ‘em Tournament Jan. 2

HARRISON — The Harrison Lions Club will be holding their Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 2 at the VFW Hall on Waterford Road in Harrison.

There will be a $55 entry fee. Doors open at noon, with starting time at 1 p.m. This is a BYOB event with great food and refreshments available. The proceeds will be used to help support local children’s programs, such as eye screening for school age children, Christmas for Kids and scholarships. Remember, you cannot win if you don’t play!

$2 A Bag Sale at Lovell Thrift Shop

LOVELL — A $2 A Bag Sale will be held the week of Jan. 4 through 9 at the Lovell Thrift Shop, located in the basement of the Lovell United Church of Christ on Route 5 in Center Lovell. Shop hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Wednesday Breakfast and Fellowship

NAPLES — The Naples United Methodist Church at 1000 Roosevelt Trail in Naples will be hosting a free breakfast and fellowship every Wednesday from 7:30 to 10 a.m. from January through the end of April. The next breakfast will be held Jan. 6. Please come enjoy a good hot meal and warm fellowship on these cold winter days.

All are welcome! The breakfast is cancelled for inclement weather if SAD 61 schools cancel. For more information please call the church hotline at 693-6594.

Oxford Hills Honey Bee Club

SOUTH PARIS — The Oxford Hills Honey Bee Club will meet on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Oxford County Extension Center, 9 Olson Road, South Paris, and the public is welcome. Club members, please bring your beekeeping gizmos and gadgets for demonstration.

There will be a brief meeting for nominations and election of officers. For more information, contact Kevin Farr at farrout@roadrunner.com or visit www.mainehoneybees.com

Raymond Food Pantry schedule

RAYMOND — Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, the Raymond Food Pantry will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lake Region Baptist Church, 1273 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond.

Dates in January are Jan. 14 and 28.

A Pythagorean Pancake Breakfast

FRYEBURG — The Pythagorean Lodge at 50 Portland Street is putting on a pancake breakfast to support Fryeburg Academy’s Project Graduation for the Class of 2016. Join your friends and family for pancakes, sausage, bacon and eggs with coffee or tea on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 8 to 11 a.m. Cost is $7 for adults and kids, with a donation for children age five and under. Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause!

of year.

“There are many things that people with breathing problems can do to prevent complications,” Smith said.

“They need to keep hydrated because we all need more fluids in winter. Get a good night’s sleep and exercise if you’re able. Keep up with your medications and, most importantly, listen to your body.”

Both encourage their patients to be vigilant in washing their hands and consider avoiding large crowds, as well as getting an annual flu shot.

“The flu vaccine isn’t perfect,” Dr. Felton said, “but it does reduce a person’s risk of getting it and the severity of it.” He said the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine can also reduce the risk of severe lung infection.

Young children and older adults with breathing problems or lung disease are the most susceptible to winter problems. Signs and symptoms that it’s time to see the

doctor include a bad cough, fever, green sputum, chills or vomiting.

Dr. Felton also took the opportunity to point out the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning at this time of year.

“Everyone should have carbon monoxide monitors and smoke alarms in their homes — and check to be certain that they’re working before winter starts,” he said.

Pulmonary medicine deals with different aspects of breathing disorders and lung diseases including chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis, shortness of breath, emphysema, and more. Memorial Hospital’s Pulmonary Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Patients are referred by their primary care provider for specialized diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan. Appointments can be scheduled with the clinic receptionist by calling 603- Dr. Charles Felton of Memorial Hospital’s Pulmonary Clinic.

(Photo by Bill Lee) 356-4949, ext. 3326.

Bridgton Hospital recognizes staff’s dedication, commitment

Bridgton Hospital is pleased to partner with New England Organ Bank to honor and remember those who gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.

On Jan. 1, 2016, the Donate Life Rose Parade Float titled “Treasure Life’s Journey” will include a dedication garden made up of roses with handwritten dedications by hospital CEO’s across the country including David Frum, CEO of Bridgton Hospital.

“With this rose dedication, Bridgton Hospital publicly recognizes our staff’s dedication and commitment to organ and tissue donation,” Frum said. “We are excited to be part of this celebration of life watched by millions on New Year’s Day.” Since its debut on New Year’s Day 2004, the Donate Life Rose Parade float has become the world’s most visible campaign to inspire people to become organ and tissue donors. In addition to the 40 million viewers who watch the Rose Parade on TV and along the parade route, hundreds of events are held in cities and towns around the country to complete the “floragraphs” of donors that adorn the float.

The theme of the 2016 Rose Parade is “Find Your Adventure” and Donate Life’s float will be named, aptly, “Treasure Life’s Journey.”

The float features a colorful caravan with sixty donor medal-inspired floragraphs honoring the invaluable trea-

sure of a deceased donor’s lifesaving gift. Twenty-four transplant recipients ride the float and continue to share in life’s adventures allowed by the gift of organ or tissue donation. Sixteen living donors walk alongside the float carrying provisions of flower-accented fruit, symbolizing life-giving and enhancing gifts that have been given. Dedicated roses, placed lovingly by people touched by donation, create floral jewels that ornament the base of the float.

In total, the campaign will recognize 100 honorees on

this year’s float. “Treasure Life’s Journey” will feature portraits of deceased donors called “floragraphs” that honor the invaluable treasure of the gift of life each donor has given. Only organic materials — such as spices, seeds and crushed flowers — are used to create the floragraphs, beautifully underscoring their life-giving symbolism. In addition, Donate Life will honor those who continue to share in life’s adventures through the gift of organ, eye or tissue donation, by featuring recipients as riders on the float. Meanwhile, living

donors will walk beside the float carrying provisions of fruit accented with flowers, symbolizing the life-sustaining gift that they have given.

Dedicated roses placed by families create floral jewels that ornament the base of the float. This admirable group of donors and recipients represent millions of people touched by organ and tissue donation.

To register as an organ and tissue donor, register through the state’s driver’s license renewal process or go to www.

DonateLifeNewEngland.org to register online.

Welcomes Attorney Andrew P. Pierce Andy graduated from Carleton College and received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota in 2006. His primary practice areas are civil litigation, real estate and estate planning.

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Area news

Page 8A, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Center open houses

More than 40 visitors got a chance to tour the new Maine Lake Science Center in two open houses held earlier this month. Nestled in the woods on an 18-acre parcel in the heart of Bridgton, this yearround facility of the Lakes Environmental Association is designed to attract scientists and educators from all over Maine and beyond to conduct lake-related research.

In January, LEA plans to begin its public fundraising campaign to raise $400,000 to achieve its goal of $1.2 million to be able to operate the Center through 2020, which is the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The Maine Lake Science Center opened in June at 51 Willett Road after seven years of planning by LEA. The facility is dedicated to supporting and advancing research on Maine’s lakes, and it was designed, in part, to enhance LEA’s work. Open house visitors were able to tour the facil-

ity’s 50-seat conference room, its education center for classes and laboratory research, housing for researchers and administrative office space. The space is available for researchers to use throughout the year to complete their fieldwork and as an outdoor and indoor classroom for students. The property abuts the 66-acre Pondicherry Park and is connected by a trail to the park’s Willett Brook trail.

Since forming in 1970, LEA’s mission has been to preserve and promote water quality in the Lake Region and throughout Western Maine. Some of its goals are to increase enforcement of Maine’s environmental protection laws and to educate landowners about why lake protection is vital.

The purpose of the Center is to build collaborations and networking within the scientific community and provide researchers with facilities to attract them to Western Maine

for the purpose of studying and preserving Maine’s lakes.

The Center will also provide expanded opportunities for watershed education programs serving students, land use professionals, the business community, and the public to promote knowledge to action to protect and preserve our natural resources. The Center will work closely with the academic community and other nonprofit organizations with similar goals of advancing lake research.

“We need to find out if our current land use standards are adequate to protect our lakes,” states Peter Lowell, executive director of LEA. “We’re trying to help develop better lake testing programs, which should lead to better, more appropriate, land use standards and education as well.”

Lowell said creating the Center was the best solution for being able to promote lake research and to create partnerCENTER, Page 9A

In Bridgton

Alyson Smith is Center and Project manager of the Maine Lake Science Center.

JANUARY Selectmen started the year looking forward to reading a study that was due Dec. 31 on the needs of the fire department. Turned out, however, that it took six more months before the report was completed. The board had a dust-up over their decision not to allow nonresidents to serve on town committees, and created a new Route 302 Corridor Development Ad Hoc Committee. That committee eventually morphed into the Land Use Advisory Committee.

The Planning Board, meanwhile, was busy working on revisions to the town’s Tower Ordinance in the wake of a protracted battle the previous year over AT&T’s plans to put a cell phone tower on Hio Ridge Road.

Bridgton Selectmen took a lead role fighting state cuts to revenue sharing by hosting a regional informational session attended by Maine Municipal Association officials and representatives from eight area towns.

FEBRUARY Selectmen began their fight against the Maine Department of Transportation’s guardrail plans along the Moose Pond Causeway by sending a strongly-worded letter of concern, urging the state to reconsider preservation of the granite blocks that have graced the expanse since 1954. The letter fell on deaf ears, however, and the board had to force the issue later in the fall.

Selectmen narrowly agreed to follow Casco’s lead in allowing installation of an electric car charging station.

Some board members were dubious about the annual maintenance costs.

Wastewater Committee members began a public outreach campaign to explain the benefits of an expansion to the downtown sewer system and the drawbacks to the present allocation-based method of apportioning sewer user costs.

The annual jump into Highland Lake on behalf of

Manager

Alyson Smith, Center and Project manager of the Maine Lake Science Center, graduated from University of Maine in Orono with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1984, and a master’s degree in educational administration from University of Southern Maine in 1991. She moved to Maine with her family in high school and has lived in MANAGER, Page 9A

Ordinance board meets in Jan. (Continued from Page 6A) said.

Resident Roger Clement asked if there was a way to estimate the increase in the town’s electric bills.

Paraschak answered that according to GPCOG, it costs 84 cents an hour.

“If someone plugged in all day, it would run up our bill,” he said.

It was mentioned that the location for the future charging station was a place with

high visibility. The selected spot is the parking spaces by the old brick building, formerly a town hall and now an antique glass museum, in the Village Green.

In addressing another agenda item, one Naples resident knows that real running requires calories not a rechargeable battery. The selectmen decided to waive the fees for the 5K Dempsey Challenge on the Causeway, organized locally by George

Vooris.

“It went very well this year and I am going to do it again,” Vooris said.

Paraschak agreed.

“It did go well. He involved a lot of organizations,” he said.

“The board has the ability to waive the fee for using the Causeway,” he said.

Vooris said the 5K, held for the first time in August, raised a total of $8,500.

Of the money raised from

registration fees, $6,000 went to the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing. The local food pantry received $1,000; and other area organizations benefited from the fundraising.

“It was great watching them running up Route 114. It was hard to believe that it was the first year.

Everything went so smoothly,” Chairman Bob Caron II said.

Calendar

Mountain Hikers, meet 8 a.m. at Denmark Congregational Church, pack for winter hikes.

FMI: 756-2247.

Fri., Jan. 8 — Easy hike to Mount Sabattus, Center Lovell, by Denmark Mountain Hikers, meet 8 a.m. at Denmark Congregational Church, pack for winter hikes. FMI: 756-2247.

Tue., Jan. 12 — Songwriters Circle 7:30 p.m., Denmark Arts Center.

HARRISON Sat., Jan. 2 — Texas Hold ‘em Tournament, doors open noon, play starts 1 p.m., VFW Hall, Waterford Rd. Tue., Jan. 5 — Senior Social Extravaganza, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. w/luncheon sponsored

by Harrison Lions, Fire Station Community Room.

LOVELL Mon., Wed., Sat., Jan. 4, 6, 9 — $2 A Bag Sale, Lovell Thrift Shop, 10 a.m. to noon, Lovell Church of Christ, Rte. 5.

NAPLES Mon., Jan. 4 — The Food Basket and Kyrie’s Kitchen, 1 to 3 p.m., Town Hall gym. FMI: 615-3226.

Tue., Jan. 5 — Stop in & meet new Naples Librarian Dani Longley, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m., library.

Wed., Jan. 6 — Free Breakfast & Fellowship, 7:30 to 10 a.m., United Methodist Church of Good Fellowship.

Sat., Jan. 9 — Beginning Crochet, 10 a.m. to noon, library.

Tue., Jan. 12 — Scrabble, 7 p.m., library.

RAYMOND Mon., Jan. 4 — Children’s Story Times resume, 10:30 a.m.,

library.

Mon., Jan. 4 — Lego Club for ages 6 & up, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 11 — Library Trustee Meeting, 6 p.m., library.

SEBAGO Mon., Jan. 4 — Sebago Food Pantry, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Nazarene Church, Rte. 114.

Mon., Jan. 11 — Sebago (Special) Food Pantry, Nazarene Church, Rte. 114, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

SWEDEN Wed., Jan. 6 — Sweden Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sweden Church basement, 137 Bridgton Rd. FMI: 647-4429, 647-5399.

WATERFORD Mon., Jan. 4 — Socrates Cafe, discussion of gun violence, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., library.

AREA EVENTS Thur., Dec. 31 — New Year’s Planetarium, 6:30 p.m. to midnight, USM Planetarium, Falmouth St., Portland.

Thur., Dec. 31 — Holiday Music Concert by classical pianist Natalia Shevchuk, 7 p.m., No. Conway Lutheran Church of the Nativity, No. Conway, N.H. FMI: 603-356-7827.

Thur., Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Gala to benefit M&D Productions, 7:30 p.m., 1857 White Mtn. Hywy., No. Conway, N.H. FMI: 603-7335275.

Sat., Jan. 2 — Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert, 7 p.m., Windham Performing Arts Center, Windham High

School.

Wed., Jan. 6 — Beginners’ Square Dance 15-wk. class session starts, by Swingin Bears Square Dance Club, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., Oxford Hills Middle School, 100 Pine St., So. Paris.

Thur., Jan. 7 — Stampin’ Up with Kathy, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Cancer Resource Center, 199 Main St., Norway. FMI: 890-7063.

Fri., Jan. 8 — Visual Journaling 4-part series begins with Peter Herley, 10 a.m. to noon, Cancer Resource Center, 199 Main St., Norway. FMI: 890-7063.

Sat., Jan. 9 — Oxford Hills Honey Bee Club, 1 p.m., Oxford County Extension Ctr., 9 Olson Rd., So. Paris.

Wed., Jan. 13 — Community Cancer Cut & Sew, 10 a.m. to noon, Cancer Resource Center, 199 Main St., Norway. FMI: 890-7063.

PLEASE NOTE: All calendar listings/press releases must be sent in at least one week before the event. E-mail bnews@roadrunner.com or mail to P.O. Box 244, Bridgton, ME 04009.

BRIDGTON Fri., Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day, BCC closed.

Sun., Jan. 3 — Free Brunch

by Bridgton 4 Bernie, open to all, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Drip Coffee & Espresso Bar, 260 Main St. FMI: 647-2389.

Fri., Jan. 8 — Joy of Singing, 3 p.m., Community Center.

Fri., Jan. 8 — Easy Riders Snowmobile Club, 5:30 p.m., Community Center.

Wed., Jan. 13 — Prostate Cancer Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Community Center.

BROWNFIELD Tue., Jan. 5 — Adult Play Group, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Center.

CASCO Fri., Jan. 1 — First Day Hike w/Bureau of Parks and Lands, meet 10 a.m. at Sebago Lake State Park boat launch.

FMI: 693-6231.

Sun., Jan. 3 — e-Books for Readers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., library.

Thur., Jan. 7 — Color & Calm Time, 1-2 p.m. & 6-7 p.m., library.

DENMARK Fri., Jan. 1 — Moderate hike to Pleasant Mountain Traverse, Denmark, by Denmark

ONGOING WEEKLY DAILY Alcoholics Anonymous, 9 a.m., Clyde Bailey Center, Rte. 302, Casco.

Alcoholics Anonymous, noon to 1 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sweden Rd., Bridgton. O/D MONDAYS Jumpin’ Janes, 9 a.m., Bridgton Town Hall, No. High St. (Also 9 a.m. Weds. & Fri.) Sebago Food Pantry, 9-10:30 a.m. (3:30-5:30 p.m.

2nd Mon.) Nazarene Church, Rte. 114. FMI: 274-1569.

2015, Page 9A

Free Zumba Gold Classes thru Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m., Fountain of You, Rte. 302, Naples. FMI: 939-2436.

Casco/Naples Senior Meal Site, noon, Casco Fire Station.

FMI: 627-4044, 318-9246.

Bridge, 1 p.m., Bradley St., Fryeburg. Runs year-round.

Cribbage, 2 p.m., Bridgton Community Center.

Coed Adult Basketball, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Harrison Elementary School. FMI: 583-2241.

Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m. Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot St. ODLH Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Clyde Bailey Center, Rte. 302, Casco.

TUESDAYS Jeanette’s Free Clothing Closet, 9 to 11:30 a.m., First Congregational Church, Bridgton.

Chickadee Quilters, 9:30 a.m., Bridgton Community Center.

Tai Chi, 10 a.m., Bridgton Town Hall, No. High St. Naples Food Pantry, 10 to 11:30 a.m., United Methodist Church, Village Green. FMI: 595-2754.

Bridgton Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Methodist Church, 98 Main St., Bridgton.

FMI: 647-4476.

Bridge, 12:15 p.m., Bridgton Community Center.

Medicare Open Enrollment, by appt., 1-4:30 p.m., Bridgton Community Center. FMI: 647-3116.

Harrison Food Pantry, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Adventist Church, 2

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Adult Volleyball, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Brownfield Community Center.

Al-Anon Bridgton, 7 p.m.

Newcomers Meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open Meeting, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

AA Step Mtgs., 7 p.m., Clyde Bailey Center, Rte. 302, Casco.

WEDNESDAYS Free Breakfast & Fellowship, 7:30 to 10 a.m., United Methodist Church, 1000 Roosevelt Trail, Naples, thru end of April.

Gathering Place Support Group, noon, Bridgton Community Center.

Senior Lunch, noon, Bridgton Community Center.

Ping Pong, 1-3 p.m., Harrison Fire Station Community Room, Harrison.

Over 40 Pickleball, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Harrison Elementary School. FMI: 583-2241.

Bible Study, 6 p.m., Bridgton Community Center.

Pickleball, 7 p.m., Casco Community Center Gym. FMI: 627-4187.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 to 8 p.m., Clyde Bailey Center, Rte. 302, So. Casco.

THURSDAYS AA Ladies Step-Meeting, 7 a.m. & 7 p.m., Clyde Bailey Center, Rte. 302, So. Casco.

Casco/Naples Senior Meal Site, noon, Casco Fire Station.

FMI: 627-4044, 318-9246.

Gathering Place Support Group, noon, Bridgton Community Center.

Pinochle, 1 p.m., Bridgton Community Center.

Free Community Kettle Supper, 5 p.m., Bridgton Community Center (No supper on Dec. 31).

Chickadee Quilters, 6:30 p.m. Community Center.

Al-Anon, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., Open Meeting, Naples Methodist Church, Village Green.

NA Women’s Meeting, 7 to 8 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sweden Rd., Bridgton.

FRIDAYS No programs New Year’s Day Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m. Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot St. ODLH SATURDAYS Sebago Clothes Closet, 9 a.m. to noon, Warming Hut, Rte. 114, Sebago, next to Nazarene Church.

AA Meeting, O/BB/D/A/L, 7 to 8 p.m., Lovell Church of Christ, 1174 Main St., Lovell.

Al-Anon, 7 to 8 p.m., Lovell Church of Christ, 1174 Main St., Lovell.

AA Beginner’s & Group Mtgs., 7 to 8 p.m., Clyde Bailey Center, 224 Roosevelt Trail, So. Casco.

SUNDAYS Alcoholics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Harrison Congregational Church.

Bridgton Year in Review

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 9A

Harvest Hills Animal Shelter attracted 72 brave souls and netted a total of $32,000 for the animals.

MARCH The Planning Board holds a hearing on local rules governing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries that generates only modest interest. BRAG volunteers reach the homestretch in making improvements to the ballfields, winning approval to build a new concession stand/pressbox.

Just as bids were about to go out on the long-awaited Town Hall upgrade project, disaster struck when the furnace failed. The setback called into question the construction financing and wreaked havoc with recreation programs that had to find temporary homes elsewhere. By the end of the month, momentum was building to rethink the entire project, tear down Town Hall and build a new building that would better serve the needs of town recreation.

Debate begins over whether to fund commuter bus service from Bridgton to Portland, and an $85,000 price tag for bathrooms at Highland Lake Beach comes as a shocker.

APRIL The debate over Town Hall’s future heats up after a citizen’s petition forces a June vote on freezing stabilization funding until all of the costs are known, including the inside work. Photocopied signatures on the petition briefly call its validity into question, but ultimately it’s decided that the vote will go forward. Undaunted, selectmen stick to their guns but agree to look into the question of interior water damage by spending $11,000 on an engineering inspection.

Selectmen decide to spend $30,000 on Nelle Ely’s hand-painted signs for the town wayfaring project instead of going with the much less expensive machine-made signs.

Little did they know their 3-2 decision would be called into serious question eight months later when Ely has almost finished the project and the signs are ready to be hung.

MDOT’s Engineering Council rejects pleas to forego the guardrail on the Moose Pond Causeway, maintaining that Route 302 is a Priority 1 highway and the granite stones just aren’t sufficient to protect vehicles from running off the road and into the water.

Selectmen are still waiting for the fire department study to arrive, and are getting more frustrated by the minute. They go public in opposition of all three citizen petition referendums coming up in June — $10,000 for the commuter bus, freezing Town Hall spending and exempting current sewer allocation holders from any revisions to the sewer ordinance.

The first town-wide revaluation in a decade becomes official when selectmen hire longtime assessors John E. O’Donnell & Associates to do the work for $172,500.

Residents are informed that field agents will be visiting their properties over the next six months or so to determine new values.

Longtime Selectman Doug Taft announces he’ll be stepping down, and won’t be running again, only to change his mind before the election, running as a write-in.

MAY The notion of a regional food hub gains traction with submission by the town of a grant to test the viability of a Food Hub serving Bridgton and 12 other Lake Region towns. Also gaining traction is support for the Lake Region commuter bus, as evidenced by the strong turnout of vocal supporters at a public hearing held by selectmen.

A separate public hearing on the Town Hall repair debate also drew strong feelings, when selectmen had to defend their stabilization stance against criticism leveled by Community Development Committee member Dave Crowell, who

Center manager (Continued from Page 8A)

Harrison for the past 25 years.

Prior to joining Lakes Environmental Association, Alyson had been in education for 30 years, most recently as a sixth grade STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teacher at Harrison Elementary School. She had participated with some of LEA’s programs with her classes.

Environmental stewardship and use of the outdoors as a classroom has always been her priority.

Alyson’s love of the environment, passion for teaching and learning, her sense of community and belief that everyone can make a difference made for a natural affiliation with LEA. One of her favorite activities is to swim in Crystal Lake with her dog, Lucy. She also loves to ski, hike, kayak, read and generally be outdoors.

As Center and Project manager, Alyson is responsible for the day-to-day affairs at the Center. She acts as host to researchers-in-residence and visitors, recruits center users, works with LEA education staff to develop multi-faceted education programs, write grants to support the center’s financial obligations and establish partnerships with organizations and groups with coordinating missions. To reach Alyson at the Center, call 647-3318.

Science Center (Continued from Page 8A)

ships between researchers, the academic community, municipalities, marinas, and other groups that depend on water quality.

“We’ve tried to develop a facility that will serve the state’s lakes well and avert water quality disasters, which many scientists feel are a decade or two away if something additional isn’t done,” Lowell said.

would rather see the focus be on finding a better space for recreation.

The specter of spending $80,000 on beachside bathrooms is laid to rest when developer Mark Lopez steps in with an offer to build it for $36,000. The goodwill his gesture generates later leads to new bathrooms at Woods Pond Beach and a generous donation

by Woods Pond resident Carole Ayer for new playground equipment.

Oops — as if Town Hall’s woes weren’t serious enough, an unexpected hole was discovered in the roof. The hole explained a lot as to why so much water had intruded, and inevitably led to talk of the need for a new roof. Bob McHatton Jr. was hired to inspect the water damage and determine how serious the mold issues were.

JUNE Town Hall supporters turn out in force to support selectmen in awarding the bid for the work, only days before a petition referendum vote on whether to freeze all spending on repairs. The board said they were doing the will of the voters who authorized the spending at the June 2014 Town Meeting. Their position was validated when 2015 voters rejected the petition by a vote of 450 to 382.

The Lake Region Bus funding won out by a vote of 460 to 370, and voters said no to the citizen petition against changing the sewer ordinance. After the contentious debates of the previous few months, Town Meeting was downright amicable, with nearly 100 residents zipping through 40 warrant articles in just over an hour. Selectmen candidates Bob McHatton and Greg Watson were declared the winners of the two open seats, with McHatton squeaking by on two votes over third-place finisher Robert Murphy. Taft, the write-in, came in last with a respectable 198 votes.

Bridgton Academy’s Headmaster Grady Vigneau appeared before the Planning Board

to argue that a gun shop should not be allowed on abutting property, in the heart of North Bridgton’s historic district. The plans met all ordinance standards, however, and was tentatively approved June 23, with final approval on July 7.

One of the state’s largest medical marijuana companies, Canuvo, asks the Planning Board for permission to use the old Bridgton Knitting Mill as a space for growing and processing the plant. Their timing comes in advance of adoption of local standards that an ad hoc committee has been working to write into the site plan review ordinance. The board approved the plans on Aug. 4, over the objections raised by Police Chief Richard Stillman.

JULY The long-awaited Depot Street Streetscape Project is completed, with new paving, sidewalks, benches, trees and relocation of utility lines. The project eliminates on-street parking, which becomes a bit of a challenge to enforce as the summer season gets underway.

Finally! The fire department study is done, and selectmen meet to go over the results.

The meeting reveals some pieces of information are still missing. As expected, the study recommended a full-time fire chief and better attention to training, but it was the finding of low morale and resentment over budget cuts that drew selectmen’s immediate attention. A concerted effort was made by selectmen to mend the rift, and by year’s end a real healing had occurred.

Well-regarded Bridgton Librarian Holly Hancock announces her retirement after eight and a half years, so she can spend more time with her family and her responsibilities as a Casco Selectman. Taking her place is Allison Griffin, a former library employee who worked in both its IT and Youth Services departments.

Part II will appear next week.

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Page 10A, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Regional Sports

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 1B

The Top 10 stories in sports “Stay true to yourself and listen to your inner voice.

It will lead you to your dream,” ― James Ross, a cancer survivor and writer of several novels from fictitious Prairie Winds Golf Course high atop the Mississippi river bluffs just east of St. Louis.

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Every athlete has a dream.

Some strive to be in the best physical condition and work hours upon hours to perfect skills in hopes of achieving an ultimate prize — a record, all-conference status or maybe a state title.

Others possess higher aspirations. They ignore those who say, “You’re just a kid from a little town in western Maine, and you expect to…”

Talent, desire and an unwavering spirit to reach a goal, which sets some athletes apart from others.

In 2015, we watched a historical feat by a young lady who refused to allow physical obstacles to keep her from excellence.

We saw outstanding efforts, some rewarded with titles while others fell short of the ultimate prize, but gave fans plenty to cheer about.

The Lake Region continues to be a hotbed of highlycompetitive races throughout the summer. Its reputation even lured a statewide event, which allowed others a chance to see this gem — we call home — for the first time from the seat of a bicycle.

As we flip the page on another sports chapter in local history, we take a look back at the Top 10 sports stories of 2015: #10. Bursting at the seams — Maine is a road racing paradise. Look on the Cool Runnings website, and you can find a race (or 2 or 3 or 4) somewhere in the Pine Tree state each week. One of the jewels remains Bridgton’s 4 on the Fourth. It’s popularity remains very strong as Race Director Jim Cossey discovered, having to close down registration after numbers soared past the 2,000 cutoff — a figure considered to be the magic number to run a “safe” race through the streets of Bridgton. With a majority of registrations now done online, the Bridgton race — which continues to be a major fundraiser for the local library, as well as a donor to several other causes, saw 2,000 competitors cross the finish line on Depot Street.

Race winner Andrew Stewart, 22, of Radcliff, Kentucky made his first Bridgton appearance, winning in 20:19. He pulled away from former Fryeburg Academy standout Silas Eastman, 20, of Chatham, N.H., who finished 22 seconds behind the leader.

Top female Erin Flynn, 36, of Newton, Mass. broke the finish line tape in 23:31, and was 18th overall. It was Erin’s first victory in Bridgton. She placed third in 2014.

Some fun facts: Runners came from 37 states plus the District of Columbia and from 12 foreign countries.

• 632 campers registered for the race, 72 more than ever before.

• Camp Wyonegonic was the winner of the Camp Cup for girls’ camps, which was a competition conducted for the first time this year. Camp Owatonna again won the Camp Cup in competition with other boys’ camps. Camp Owatonna has won this competition every year since its inception in 2003. #9. Here today, but will it stay? Talk about being a leader in promoting fitness. Lovell hosts two running events and a bike race. But, there is a price to pay. Unless organizers of the Tour de Lovell can find other groups to help out, the popular bike race could disappear from the sports calendar in 2016. Tour de Lovell volunteer Stan Tupaj says the race needs an infusion of volunteers to work the 21.3-mile course. Riders hope such a turn can be avoided and an 11th annual TDL will be held.

“I can play out my Walter Mitty Tour de France fantasies. I am 59 years old and have been cycling since I was a teenager. My wife and I have entered the Tour de Lovell five times over the years. It is great fun to research training ideas and try to improve my performance,” said Mark Huston of Jamaica Plain, Mass., who added that the Tour de Lovell is the sporting highlight of his year. Huston placed 43rd at 1 hour, 14 minutes, 58.4 seconds. #8. Do what you love — Like most high school students, Nicole Thurston tried a variety of sports activities as a youngster. She found field hockey to be a love and a passion. Those qualities led Nicole to a 40-goal career at Fryeburg Academy, and a Player of the Year award this fall.

Combining speed, size and determination, Nicole was one of the league’s top scoring threats as she helped lead the Raiders to post-season berths throughout her high school career. Although the Raiders stumbled in the playoffs the past few years, Nicole had the kind of high school career she hoped for. #7. At the top of their games — Their sports might not attract as much attention or ink as the major sports do, but three athletes were at the top of their games inn 2015.

Fryeburg Academy’s Xiaoyu Victor Yang took the high school track & field world by storm, emerging as a state 2015, Page 2B YEAR IN PICTURES — Top to bottom, left to right, Olympian Kris Freeman added some spice to the Great Adventure Triathlon as he rewrote the record book; Kate Hall capped off an incredible high school track & field career by setting a national record in the long jump. She was honored in her hometown of Casco; Lake Region students showed their school spirit in a WGME challenge series; the Laker boys’ basketball saw a run at a state title game fall short as Cape Elizabeth rallied in the fourth quarter. The Lakers, however, did dish out some payback, avenging a lopsided regular season loss to Yarmouth by beating the Clippers 52-50 in the Class B West semis; pitcher Nicole Bennett helped lead Fryeburg Academy to the Class B West softball finals, only to lose 1-0 to Yarmouth in Coach Fred Apt’s return to the Raider dugout; the Bridgton 4-on-the-Fourth and the Tour de Lovell again saw strong turnouts in 2015; local high schools continued an unprecedented run of collecting MPA Good Sportsmanship Award banners, including both the Fryeburg Academy boys and girls spring track & field teams.

Page 2B, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Regional sports

Names into record book Relay scoresheet

The USM Relays, like last year’s Bowdoin Relays, are a great opportunity to compete during vacation, have fun with peers, and try a few rarely contested relays (which sometimes means school records!).

“A few years ago, we scoured the Internet and press releases to lock down on these rarely contested relay records. I think our list is now very accurate. This year, we found a couple of events offered at the USM Relays that we did not have school records for,” Lake Region indoor track & field coach Mark Snow reported.

“So, congratulations to the following teams that estab-

lished school records at the USM Relay meet.”

Those record setters were: Hannah Chadwick, Danica Chadwick and Meghan Boos in the triple jump relay (total distance of 90-feet 5.25-inches).

Thomas Noble, Shea Durgin, Brandon Ross and Cameron Meserve in the 1600m Sprint Medley Relay SMR (200 meters, 200, 400 and 800). Their time was 5:09.23.

The teams also broke the school records in the following events: Boys’ long jump — Dakota Stover, Theo Snow, Nick Scarlett jumped 50-feet 11.25-inches (old record 45’10” set in 2004).

Boys’ triple jump — Dakota Stover, Theo Snow, Nick Scarlett jumped 106feet 3.25-inches (old record 94’6” set in 2004).

Girls’ 4x400m — Catherine Christiansen, Danica Chadwick, Olivia Toole, Hannah Chadwick 4:45.78 (old record 4:57.29 set in 2004).

The Relay meet can also count toward state meet qualifying. Hannah Chadwick provisionally qualified in the high jump and automatically in the triple jump.

Danica Chadwick provisionally qualified for the triple jump. Danica had three personal records (PRs) on the day to lead both teams.

Hannah had two PRs and is now very close to a couple of school records (5-inches off the triple jump record and 2-inches off the JR high jump record).

Also setting two PRs were Nick Scarlett and Meghan Boos. Nick’s PRs were in the long jump (15’6”) and his 800m split from the SMR

(2:43.0). Meghan broke her high jump record twice during the meet raising it to 4’2”. She also PRed in the long jump narrowly missing 13 feet (12-feet 11.25-inches).

Eleven, yes 11 other Lakers set personal records on the day.

“Congratulations to all of them and our new school record holders. I wish we could schedule more of these meets. The competition is high (many class A schools attended) and the rarely contested events make for an interesting day,” Coach Snow added.

Up next: Lake Region’s next meet is Friday, Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at USM against Greely, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Fryeburg Academy, NYA, Wells and St. Dom’s. It will be the first of five consecutive Fridays of meets.

Lastra rewrites 800m GORHAM — As Kevin McDonald sees it, the Holiday Classic Relays at the University of Southern Maine is a perfect opportunity to meet new track athletes and see how one measures up to some of the state’s top indoor track & field talent.

Twenty-three teams attended the meet held at the Gorham field house. Due to the holidays, Fryeburg Academy’s squad dwindled to only 16 competitors, but Coach McDonald felt those competing “did a great job.”

Some highlights: On the boys’ side, the 4x200 relay team finished fifth overall in 1:44.85. The team was made up of Spencer Thomas, Evan Wadsworth, Jake Maidment and Max Kummer. The same group made up the “Sprint Medley,” which consists of 200m, 200m, 400m and 800m. They finished fourth overall.

“In a meet of 23 teams, to finish in the top 5 in both events is very impressive to say the least,” Coach McDonald said. “Our hats go off to Max Kummer, who was asked to go outside his comfort zone and run the 800m on the Sprint Medley.

Primarily a sprinter, Max helped the team to that fourth place finish as we were short

on athletes. A great job by Max.” On the girls’ side, FA had many outstanding performances. Skye Collins and Oriagna Inirio both qualified for the finals of the 55m-dash running 7.74 and 7.75 respectfully.

The 4x200 relay had an A and a B team and they finished fourth and 17th. The A team consisted of Skye, Orie, Lexi Charles and Olivia Pelkie while the B team was made up of Grace Condon, Caroline Condon, Taylor Kruger and Colleen Bullard.

These teams also combined for a third and 16th place finish in the “Sprint Medley” with Anna Lastra replacing Lexi on the A team.

“A very nice showing,”

Coach McDonald said.

“These young ladies showed they can race with the best in the State and hold their own.”

Anna Lastra and Caroline Condon raced in the open mile. Caroline, only a freshman, turned in a time of 6:15.10.

“As we move forward and fine tune her tactics, we are confident that Caroline will make it to the State Meet. A dedicated athlete, her future is very bright,” the coach said.

Lastra continued her assault on the record book.

On Dec. 18, she destroyed the indoor school 800m record and on Dec. 26 she did the same to the indoor mile record. Lastra held the school indoor record with a mark of

GIRLS’ RESULTS 55 meters: 6. Skye Collins, FA, 7.85; 7. Oriagna Inirio, FA, 7.89; (wt 7.65) Mile: 3. Anna Lastra, FA, 5:18.81; 22. Caroline Condon, FA, 6:15.10; 23. Audrey Blais, LR, 6:17.22; (wt 5:14.34) 4X200: 4. Fryeburg Academy (Collins, Lexi Charles, Lastra, Inirio) 1:55.83; 12. Lake Region (Olivia Toole, Maraia Nason, Blais, Catherine Christiansen) 2:09.09; (wt 1:51.14); 17. Fryeburg Academy (Emily McDermith, Grace Condon, Caroline Condon, Taylor Kruger) 2:15.69 4X400: 3. Lake Region (Toole, Danica Chadwick, Christiansen, Hannan Chadwick) 4:45.78; (wt 4:41.48) 1600 Sprint Medley: 3. Fryeburg Academy (Collins, Olivia Pelkie, Inirio, Lastra) 4:32.01; 15. Lake Region (Jackie Morse, Toole, Emily Colson, Addie Blais) 5:13.81; (wt 4:31.09) High Jump: 6. Hannah Chadwick, LR, 4-6; 16. Meghan Boos, LR, 4-2; (wj 5-6) Long Jump: 27. Meghan Boos, LR, 12-11.25; 31.

Jackie Morse, LR, 12-3; (wj 16-7.75) Triple Jump: 5. Hannah Chadwick, LR, 31-11.75; 12.

Danica Chadwick, LR, 30-8.50; 22. Meghan Boos, LR, 27-9; (wj 35-8) Shot Put: 11. Sam DeSouza, LR, 30-4.50; 27. Colleen Bullard, FA, 24-2.50; 30. Maraia Nason, LR, 23-4; 35.

Taylor Kruger, FA, 21-3.25; (wt 39-1.75) BOYS’ RESULTS 4X200: 5. Fryeburg Academy (Evan Wadsworth, Evan Maidment, Jake Maidment, Jeremiah Schrader) 1:44.85; 18. Lake Region (Thomas Noble, Shea Durgin, Brandon Ross, Cameron Meserve) 2:06.07; (wt 1:33.40) 1600 Sprint Medley: 4. Fryeburg Academy (Wadsworth, J. Maidment, Spencer Thomas, Max Kummer) 4:15.18; 17. Lake Region (Noble, Durgin, Ross, Meserve) 5:09.23; (wt 3:52.11) Long Jump: 7. Dakota Stover, LR, 19-0.50; 29. Theo Snow, LR, 16-4.75; 30. Josh Perkins, LR, 15-6; 32. Jake Maidment, FA, 15-0; 33. Evan Maidment, FA, 14-9.50; (wj 20-0.50) Triple Jump: 2. Dakota Stover, LR, 39-4.25; 16. Theo Snow, LR, 33-10; 17. Nick Scarlett, LR, 33-01; (wj 41-2.25) Shot Put: 28. Thomas Noble, LR, 25-0.50; 29. Matt Stenger, LR, 23-9.25; 31. Shea Durgin, LR, 20-00; (wt 45-1.50)a

5:31.29. The new record now stands at 5:18.81.

“We knew Anna was ready for a fast mile, but to run this time in only the second meet of the season is off the charts,” Coach McDonald said. “We do not think Anna is done with this recordsmashing campaign as the 400m and the two-mile have

yet to be contested.”

Speaking of school indoor records, Evan Wadsworth is poised to rewrite the 200m and the 400m records.

“Evan has been working hard and the results are starting to show. It would give us great pleasure to see Evan’s name in the record book,” Coach McDonald added.

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(Continued from Page 1B) champion in the triple and high jumps.

Sierra Leavitt of Casco recently hit a high point in her ski racing career while attending Colby College.

Earlier this month, she qualified and was chosen for the Colby NCAA alpine ski team 2015 that was held at Lake Placid’s Whiteface Mountain in New York, March 11-14.

The event was very successful for the Colby women’s team. Individually, Sierra skied her way into ninth place, earning NCAA Division 1 Alpine All-American status for Colby College.

Also, Sierra is listed as one of the student-athletes named to the NESCAC Winter All-Academic Team.

Colby College finished third among New England Small College Athletic Conference schools (NESCAC) with the number of student athletes named to the NESCAC Winter All-Academic Team.

Freddy McCarthy is a national snowboarding champion. Freddy is a student at Sierra Nevada College in Tahoe. He grew up in Sebago and attended Lake Region High School. He also spent his last year of high school at Carrabasset Valley Academy at Sugarloaf, where he graduated.

Freddy competed in the U.S. Collegiate Ski/Snowboard Association National Championships held at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon. He won the Snowboard Cross Race, taking the national championship title for SBX and led his team to the win for the SBX USCSA National Championship, besting a field of 21 schools! Freddy also won the Slopestyle Event, and led his team to the national championship title for that event, as well. #6. Here come the cyclists — Bridgton was the eye of the BikeMaine storm this year as riders flocked here before heading out on their next leg of the 350-mile journey. Riders stayed overnight Monday on the Bridgton Community Center grounds. The 350 riders and 50 support staff from the BikeMaine Coalition had high praise for Bridgton’s downtown and its people, who worked tire-

SIERRA LEAVITT of Casco continued her alpine racing success while attending Colby College. lessly Monday to ensure all details of the campover came off without a hitch.

“We heard again and again how special Bridgton was, how impressively everyone worked together, how smoothly it went and how other towns could learn from us how to really throw a party,” said BikeMaine Bridgton’s Entertainment Coordinator Carrye Castleman-Ross The bikers were treated like royalty as they rolled into the municipal parking lot in front of the Community Center, where support booths were set up with supplies, services and information. Beside the Community Center, the colorful rows of tents lent a festival atmosphere to the day. As they got off their bikes, they went over to a truck hauler where a staffer was unloading enormous bags of gear. Some opted immediately to take to the portable showers, set up discreetly behind the building.

The 2015 bicycle round trip began in Kittery and proceeded through small towns in western Maine including Denmark, Sebago, Waterford, Lovell, Sweden and Bethel. #5. They got it right — Local high school teams “get it.” Unlike any time in either Lake Region and Fryeburg 2015, Page 4B

Regional sports

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 3B

Tenmile River Demonstration Forest is managed for sustainable forestry, timber stand improvement, wildlife habitat improvement, special habitat protection, water resources protection, and passive outdoor recreation opportunities. To the left, Denmark Mountain Hikers Mary Lou Moulton and Nancy Sosman on the banks of the Tenmile River.

(Photo by Allen Crabtree)

Tenmile River Forest Senior Rambles Hiking Trips & Tips

by Allen Crabtree with fine views of Round Pond.

I encourage you to take a couple of hours, in any season of the year, and explore this close-to-home jewel. It is a delight!

Tenmile River Demonstration Forest in Oxford County, Brownfield, ME

Difficulty – Easy Trail distance – 5.2 miles of combinations of 11 trails Hiking times – varies, depending on the trails hiked Elevation – 558 feet Vertical gains – 50 feet more or less in gentle “ups” and “downs” Coordinates – 43° 52’ 30” HIKE, Page 5B

Denmark Mountain Hikers (photo above) following the trail down to the Tenmile River in the Tenmile River Demonstration Forest. In the photo to the left, Carol Madsen at an information sign for a beaver dam in the Tenmile River Demonstration Forest.

(Photos by Allen Crabtree)

Lots for Sale

BRIDGTON Established Subdivision Water, Sewer & Electricity Installed Owner Financing Available

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Usually in these Senior Rambles columns, I tell you about the mountains in our area and encourage everyone to get out and take a hike. But you don’t have to climb a mountain to experience the wonderful world of nature all around us here in western Maine. This week’s column to the Tenmile River Demonstration Forest in Brownfield is a great local hike, more of a gentle stroll actually, and doesn’t require climbing over boulders and cliffs.

The “Great Fire of 1947” burned 17,188 acres of forest when it swept through this area in October of that year, and most of the woods in what is now the Tenmile River Forest were destroyed.

Frank Merrifield stepped forward soon after the fire and donated 211 acres of land to the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District (District) with hopes that the terrible scars of the fire could be healed and the land restored to productive forest management again. Since then, other parcels of land have been donated to what is now the Tenmile River Demonstration Forest.

Under the stewardship of the District, a forest management plan was written and 40 acres of the parcel was replanted with white and red pine. Trees from the forest have been harvested three times under this plan, and the forest is now close to what a naturally occurring stand of pines would look like before the trees were cleared for farming more than 100 years ago. The District manages the forest for “sustainable forestry, timber stand improvement, wildlife habitat improvement, special habitat protection, water resources protection, [and] passive outdoor recreation opportunities” at the Tenmile River Demonstration Forest, and has developed a network of trails to encourage “access by the public of the forest in a way that protects this very special natural resource area.”

The forest is bordered

by Tenmile River, a pristine free-flowing brook trout stream and Round Pond, a six-acre freshwater kettle hole pond. It is laced with 11 easy trails totaling 5.21 miles in length. Most of the trails follow old logging roads and are easy with only gentle “ups” and “downs” in elevation. Trails are well marked and trail junctions are well signed, and in winter the trails would offer a delightful cross-country ski outing.

Day use only is permitted and no ATV or motorized vehicles are allowed (but snow machines with adequate snow cover are). There is no camping nor fires allowed.

The trailhead kiosk has trail maps, or hikers can go to the District website at https:// oxfordcountyswcd.files. wordpress.com/2015/12/ trdftrailmap2015.pdf and down load one.

The Tenmile River Trail (0.65 miles) goes through both pine plantation stands and some natural stands of pine to the banks of the Tenmile River. There is a 0.1-mile side trail to a small glacial kettle hole bog. The Beaver Dam trail (0.57 miles) goes through a red pine plantation and follows the edge of a marsh created by an old beaver dam on a tributary of the Tenmile River.

The Watershed Loop Trail (0.54 miles) and the Pond Overlook follows a ridge

100 Main Street Bridgton, ME 04009 (207) 647-3311

(800) 660-3315 (Maine) or (800) 486-3312 (outside Maine)

Wishing You a Safe & Very Happy 2016!

Waterford – Vintage farmhouse set on a private lot with a babbling brook across the street. Lots of charm and updates. 4BR, 2BA, wood floors and barn. $159,000

Bridgton – BIG PRICE REDUCTION from motivated seller! Lots of new work in this very affordable Bridgton home near end of dead-end on quiet side st. Come take a look!! $49,900

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Private master suite w/BA. Open concept, new flooring, appliances & more! $135,000

Lovell – Kezar Lake boat slip comes w/this stunning farmhouse! Multiple living spaces, fplc., wood stove, builtin bookcases, 6BR, 4BA, wide pine flrs., gourmet kit., great rm., outdoor stone shower, att. 2-car gar. $749,000

Bridgton – Like-new “cabin in the woods,” priv. w/8 ac., 3BR, 2BA, open concept, wood floors, wood stove, 2-car gar., rear open farmer’s porch and metal roof. $229,000

Bridgton – Wooded building lot in great Highland Lake subdivision, offering beach rights to sandy beach. Docks also available. Soil tested and plenty of room on this 1.5-ac. lot. $39,500

Bridgton – Antique 1810 cape w/ 2.5-ac. lot w/lilacs, Japanese crabapple & a lily of the valley “tree.”

Spacious living/dining rm., updated kitchen, sunken family rm. & much more. 2BR, 1.5BA. $68,900

CE! T PRI GREA

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BRIDGTON – Cute bungalow-style intown home, wood floors throughout, enclosed front porch, fireplace in the living room, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath.

Detached 2-car garage, paved driveway, town water, close to all downtown amenities. $99,500.

CED! REDU JUST

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BRIDGTON – Move right into this well-maintained ranch house in a country setting. Open concept kitchen with a lot of counter space, living and dining area with large windows for excellent lighting. 3 bedrooms, full bath, deck for entertaining, a 2-car detached garage, and paved driveway. Many updates: newer furnace, newer roof, new windows. Wonderful location close to Long Lake and Shawnee Peak. Use as a year-round or vacation home. $117,900.

Harrison – Skyview Estates, newer subdivision lots priced to sell.

Buy for investment or build your new home! 3 lots: 2.8 ac. at $24,900, 2.11-ac. at $27,900, and 2.56-ac. at $24,900.

Harrison – 3.5-ac. lot within walking distance to Harrison center and boat launch. $36,000

Call 647-5551 or 1-888-400-9858

ED OVAT Y-REN NEWL

Wonderful Country Location

HARRISON – Enjoy this wonderful setting w/3.56 acres. Full-dormered cape w/many new upgrades. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Master bedroom has a large walk-in closet and attached bath. Open concept living/ dining area. Country kitchen has slider out to a wrap deck. Downstairs has a large extra room for office or other possibilities. Full walkout basement that is partially-finished. Aboveground pool attached to the deck. $187,550.

S VIEW TAIN MOUN

Stately Lovell Farmhouse

BRIDGTON – Stately setting w/ White Mtn. views as your backdrop.

Minutes to Kezar Lake. Beautiful antique farmhouse w/newly-updated wraparound farmer’s porch. Floor-toceiling fplc. in the spacious formal liv. rm., lg. formal din. rm., country kit. w/ many original features. Gorgeous hardwood floors. Beautiful colored glass windows/doors. Attached 2-story barn/ separate detached gar. $225,000.

www.obergrealestate.com

Regional sports

(Continued from Page 2B) Academy sports histories, the schools continued an unprecedented run of being awarded Maine Principals’ Association’s “Good Sportsmanship” banners. Some programs, such as the Lake Region varsity boys’ soccer team, have received the honor in back-to-back years. Although the Laker boys failed to win a soccer game this past fall, they were winners amongst their peers — opponents and coaches — who selected them for the honor. It certainly is far easier to be a good sport when your team wins, and wins often, but it is a testament to the athletes who play the game the way it is intended to be played — full tilt but with honor and respect — whether they win or lose. #4. So close to reaching the Finals — One game certainly doesn’t define a season. Maybe that was one lesson the Lake Region varsity boys’ basketball team learned in 2015. Considered one of the top contenders in Class B West, the Lakers suffered a humiliating loss at Yarmouth on a Saturday matinee. They were blown off the court, somewhere in the 30-point range, thanks to a barrage of 3-point shots by the Clippers. Players admitted they were embarrassed, so it was with great pride that they were able to turn the table on Yarmouth on the biggest stage.

In a 52-50 thriller, the Lakers avenged that lopsided loss as Marcus DeVoe had a career game, 24 points including multiple 3-pointners from all angles on the Civic Center floor. While the Lakers incredible run ended with a 51-46 loss to Cape Elizabeth in the West finals (an 11-0 run down the stretch stung the Lakers), the team hopes that lessons learned will help lead them to a state title game in 2016.

It’s been somewhat of an up and down start (4-2) thus far, but the Lakers know that they have time to work out a few kinks and get themselves primed for a championship-like run come February. #3. Ringer in the field — As an Olympic cross-country racer, Kris Freeman has no real offseason. Training simply changes in form. In June, Kris placed 12th at the Mount Washington Road Race in his home state of New Hampshire.

Looking to find an event that would put him to a physical test, Kris decided to make an appearance at the Great Adventure Challenge triathlon at Shawnee Peak. While fellow GAC competitors were impressed by his strength and drive, they also found some inspiration in his story.

When he was 19, Kris had just walked away from a full scholarship at the University of Vermont to pursue Olympic cross-country skiing. A routine blood test (by the Olympic ski team prior to the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City) revealed twice the normal level of glucose, and Kris was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“Doctors insisted that my Olympic dream was over because no one with type one diabetes had ever competed in an Olympic endurance sport,” Kris remembered.

Kris was “terrified” because he knew nothing about the disease.

“Things you don’t understand are always the scariest.

The more I learned, the more comfortable I became with it.

The hardest part was believing I could go to the Olympics… continue to follow my dream,” he said. “I went home and did some research. The thing that really made me think I could do it was all of the innovative technology that was available, like Dexcom’s continuous glucose monitoring system.”

Two years later, Kris made it to the Olympics. He has been competing at a high level for 15 years, which shows that not only can one compete in endurance sports with a chronic disease, but one can also do it for a very long time.

The four-time Olympian and winner of 17 national championships never stops training, competing and striving for more.

Kris dominated the GAC field, but GAC competitors didn’t mind that a “ringer” was amongst them. Instead, they enjoyed being in the presence of an Olympian. Kris didn’t stay for the awards ceremony following the triathlon.

He jumped on his bicycle and went for an extended ride, instead. #2. Follow your dream — Greg Johnson is living the dream. He loves his job as a personal trainer. He lives in California, close to his beloved Oakland Raiders. And, he was recently selected the 2015 Life Fitness Trainer to Watch

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This week’s game solutions

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HARDWOOD FLOORS 207-803-8221 mainefloorsanding.com

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like many in the sports world who often put themselves above the game. Kate is wholesome. She is highly competitive, yet always respectful of her opponent and the sport. Her smile is genuine. She always made time to answer a lengthy list of questions I’ve e-mailed, sometimes with little notice or time to complete. Yet, she was always gracious to do it and articulate in her responses. Someone wrote Kate is an ambassador for the sport of track & field. That is spot on.

There is no better role model or spokeswoman, which is why Kate has been invited to testify in Washington, D.C. regarding diabetes (a condition she has learned to manage while still able to achieve top performance) and to speak to girls at summer camps. While she could have easily become totally immersed in her training and consumed by success, Kate finds a way to make time for others. Her impact on fellow Laker track mates and others has been tremendous.

And, her work isn’t done. While the high school chapter is written and closed, Kate is off to Iowa State to continue her track journey. We suspect this rising star will continue to sparkle as she strives for the next goal in front of her.

Good-bye 2015, it certainly had its memorable moments.

Wonder what 2016 has in store?

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award winner. Not bad for a guy from Sebago, Maine.

“Since I was born, they (my parents) have been helping people through their jobs and community service,” Greg said. “I now feel blessed to be able to help people in my own way.”

His “way” is guiding, encouraging and pushing people from all walks of life toward a healthier being. The greatest compliments Greg may receive as a personal trainer likely come from clients, who overcome obstacles and achieve their goals through his enthusiasm and energetic approach.

The 1997 Lake Region graduate landed international recognition for his work. Out of 1,000 nominations from 49 countries, Greg was one of four Americans to be selected a Top 10 finalist in the 2015 Life Fitness Trainer to Watch award. He emerged as this year’s top personal trainer, and received the award Oct. 30 in Barcelona, Spain.

Greg rose above the other trainer finalists, all of whom demonstrated their elite training skills and passion for fitness, at the Life Fitness Personal Trainers to Watch live judging event competition.

Finalists were selected based on personal values, innovative training philosophies, education and experience. Judges included experts from Life Fitness and its educational arm, Life Fitness Academy, as well as the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs), EuropeActive, American Council on Exercise (ACE) and past competition winners.

The top 10 finalists competed in the program’s day-long live judging event, where they were evaluated on their ability to motivate, praise and collaborate with a client, as well as enhance the workout experience using the Life Fitness SYNRGY BlueSky outdoor training system.

“I’m truly honored to be among this collection of talented and passionate personal trainers, let alone to have been named the international winner,” Greg said. “Personal training improves clients’ lives by revitalizing their health and inspiring positive change. I wouldn’t be in this position today without the support of my family, the trust of my clients and support from companies like Life Fitness who recognize the value of our profession.”

Greg is the owner of Varimax Fitness and lead trainer of FitGolf in Sacramento, Calif. #1. Kate, the Legend — I remember the first time I saw Kate Hall. She was in fifth or sixth grade. I was officiating a youth rec basketball game and quickly noticed one young lady who combined speed, agility and tenacity to be a lockdown defender. Immediately, I thought, “She’s going to be an incredible basketball player one day.”

I was right about just one thing. Kate Hall proved to truly be incredible. She gave up basketball to put her full attention on what she loves the most — running and jumping. It proved to be a no-brainer decision. Over a four-year high school career, Kate Hall took on legendary status. She rewrote school and Maine records over and over again in the long jump and sprints. Her resume not only leaves one speechless, but out of breath reading through all the accomplishments and honors that go with being one, if not the, best high school track athletes ever.

Want a sampling of that list? Here are just a few: Two-time national long jump champion Seven-time high school All American 12 times finished in Top 10 in national competition Six-time New England champion — two LJ, two 55m and two 100m — all while missing two N.E. meets due to injury and scheduling conflict 26-time state champion (25 individual and one 4X100 relay) Undefeated throughout all Maine high school meets — indoor and outdoor — 55 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters and Long Jump Maine all-time best in 55m, 60m, 100m, 200m, Long Jump New England all-time best in 55m, 100m, Long Jump National record holder in outdoor Long Jump, 22-feet 5-inches Top 10 in the world for outdoor Long Jump in 2015 — 22-5 Twice, Gatorade Player of the Year in T&F in Maine Simply, wow!

While such accomplishments could easily spoil any athlete, Kate Hall remains the same. She is not self-centered,

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Page 4B, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

1T53

935-4358 ext. #21

“I’m a 2-year-old cattle dog mix who was surrendered because I got into a fight with my (doggy) sister. I’m very timid at the moment, so I am wary of strangers.

I have started to come around with the staff and they have noticed I LOVE car rides and to have my face rubbed. I’m very smart and I know many commands. I don’t seem to bother the cats in the shelter, but dogs may not be the best companions for me. I’m also wary of children under 13 until I get to know them.”

Visit our website to see other cats and dogs waiting for a new home! www.harvest-hills.org

Classifieds Classified advertising is sold in this space at the rate of $3.50 for 20 words or less and 15¢ a word over 20. All ads are payable in advance.

Repeats are charged at the same rate as new ads. Ads taken over the phone must be called in by Monday with payment arriving by Tuesday. A charge of $1.00 per week extra is made for the use of a box number if requested. A charge of $1.00 per classified is made if billing is necessary. Cards of Thanks and In Memoriams are charged at the same rate as classified ads. Poetry is charged by the inch.

Classified display is sold at $6.50 per column inch. Classified advertisers must furnish written copy.

The Bridgton News assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements other than to reprint that part of any advertisement in which a typographical error occurs. Advertisers will please notify the business office promptly of any errors that may occur, phone 207-647-2851.

Discriminatory Advertising under the Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 at 42 U.S.C. 3604(c) makes it unlawful “to make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale, or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

CHALMERS INSURANCE &

REAL ESTATE

Part of the Chalmers Group

100 Main Street, Bridgton, ME 04009 Phone: 207-647-3311 Fax: 207-647-3003 www.chalmers-ins.com BN 53

ATTENTION

Classified line ads are now posted on our website at NO EXTRA CHARGE! www.bridgton.com

HELP WANTED

SPORTS DIRECTOR — Seasonal: June-August. Camp Tapawingo, Sweden, Maine. Contact JD 207-256-8106 or JD@ camptapawingo.com 2t52

HELP WANTED — E.O.E. Maine School Administrative District 72, 124 Portland St., Fryeburg, ME 04037. Employment Postings: www.msad72.org tf46

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE — Director. Seasonal: June-August. Camp Tapawingo, Sweden, Maine. Contact JD 207-256-8106 or JD@camptapawingo.com 2t52

HELP WANTED

GIRLS CAMP — Counselors.

Seasonal: June-August. Camp Tapawingo, Sweden, Maine. FMI contact JD 207-256-8106 or JD@ camptapawingo.com 2t52

WORK WANTED

EXCAVATING — Have hoe, will travel. Snowplowing, removal and sanding. Site work, foundations dug, back filling, septic systems, sand, loam, gravel. Call Brad Chute, 653-4377 or 627-4560. tf3

FOR RENT

BRIDGTON — For sale or rent commercial lease immediately available. A newly-renovated stand-alone, 1,400-sq. ft. building is available for lease in Bridgton.

Large, sunny open layout with loft and one private office. Energy-efficient, AC/heat, and plenty of parking. Great location across from the hospital situated adjacent to 17 acres of beautifully-groomed hiking trails. Many potential uses.

If interested please call Joe at 207890-9192. tf46

WANTED

PLEASE CONSIDER — donating gently used furniture, household items and more to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

FMI, go to our website www. harvesthills.org for details or call 935-4358, ext. 21. tf44

TREE WORK — Brush removal, garage cleanups, light trucking and CASCO — Completely furnished more. Call 595-8321.

5t49x rooms, heat, lights & cable TV included. $125 weekly. No pets. Call SEMI-RETIRED CONTRACTOR cell, 207-595-4946. tf46 — looking for plumbing work in BUSINESS SERVICES the local area. Call 647-8026. tf30 HEAP HAULERS — Towing FOR SALE service. Cash paid for junk cars.

WESTERNMAINEFIREWOOD.com Call 655-5963. tf12 — Seasoned hardwood. Aged 12 DEN ­ M ARK HOUSE — months or more. Cut, split and delivered. Cord $300; Half cord Painting, Inc. Inter­ior and Exterior Paint­ing. Also, Paper­hang­ing. 40 $160, 583-4113 or 595-5029.

55t31x years of painting ex­pe­ri­ence. Call for esti­mates. Call John Math­ews, $5 FOR TATTERED — U.S. 207-452-2781. tf49 Flag when purchasing new U.S. Flag 3’x5’ or larger. Maine Flag & Banner, Windham, 893-0339.

tf46 FIREWOOD — $225 per cord green. Ask about volume discount. 2 cord minimum for delivery. 207-925-1138. westernmainetimberlands.com

tf13 RED’S FIREWOOD — Cut, split and delivered. Any amounts.

Call 615-6342 for details. tf35

VEHI­CLES FOR SALE

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

2001 CHRYSLER CONCORD — Sunroof, automatic car starter, electric seats, one scrape. $2800 or best offer. Call 712-2757. 2t53x

FOR RENT

DENMARK — Available immediately. Brick home close to Bridgton amenities, large master bedroom, office, open living areas, full basement, FHW heat, kit. appliances included, W/D hookups. $875/mo. plus utilities. Clean and bright and warm. Plowing and lawn care included. Security deposit and references required. No pets, no smoking. Call 207-4522441 or 207-357-7401 for more information. tf52

MOOSE POND — Waterfront summer rental. Four bedrooms, 2 baths, sleeps 10-12. Association pool, tennis and beach. $1000 2t52x weekly 781-831-3874.

NAPLES ­— off Route 35. Second floor apartment, 2 bedrooms.

No smoking, no pets. $950 month includes heat & electric. Call 207899-5052. tf48

186 Portland Road (Route 302), Bridgton, ME 04009 Phone: 207-647-8821 Fax: 207-647-3285

We have the following positions and shifts available:

LICENSED CHARGE NURSE – Evenings and Nights – Per Diem CNAs – All Shifts – Per Diem CRMAs (40-hour training) – Per Diem

We are a 43-bed skilled nursing facility and 16-bed specialized residential care facility for the memory-impaired. We offer weekend and shift differentials. Inquiries should be directed to: Susan Robbins, Director of Nurses at (207) 647-8821. 2T53CD

TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

— Position Vacancy —

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PARKS DIVISION The Bridgton Public Works Department is accepting applications for full-time employment with the Public Works Department/Parks Division. Additional information is available on the Town of Bridgton website at www.bridgtonmaine.org. A current class B operator’s license is preferred but, as a minimum, applicant must possess a Maine vehicle operator’s license. The individual will be responsible for grounds maintenance, plowing, light equipment operations and light carpentry.

Please submit application to Jim Kidder, Public Works Director, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine 04009, by noon on Friday, January 8, 2016. Questions should be referred to Jim Kidder at 207-647-2326. The Town of Bridgton is an equal opportunity employer.

2T52CD

Allen’s hike

Have a great story idea?

(Continued from Page 3B) N 70° 55’ 39” W Topographic Map – USGS Brownfield 7.5-minute quad Directions to the trailhead: Drive south from Brownfield on Route 5/113 and turn right (west) on

Call us 647-2851

S.N.O.W. Saturday Night of Worship

The UMBRELLA FACTORY SUPERMARKET Now taking applications for employment.

Notch Road — if you get to the Saco River bridge in Hiram you’ve gone too far.

The parking lot at the forest trailhead is 1.7 miles west at 600 Notch Road; it is on the right (north) side of the road. There is room for about 6 cars at the parking lot. Trails are well marked and signed.

Concert featuring

“Faith, Hope, and Love”

Must be 18 or older. All positions part-time.

Apply in person at The Umbrella Factory.

Buying and Offering US Coins Gold & Silver Bullion

by Hillsong Worship Happy New Year Sat., Jan. 2 at 6 p.m.

NAPLES SHOPPING CENTER Route 302, Naples, ME 207-693-3988 TF22CD

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

TFCD

at Bridgton Alliance Church 368 Harrison Rd. (Rt. 117) (This event is free)

142 Main Street Conway, NH 603-447-3611 Metal Detectors

1T53CD

3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

A&D

— Position Vacancy —

JDN ENTERPRISES

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

RESTORATION

HIGHWAY DIVISION

Painting Interior | Exterior Powerwash Carpentry | Flooring Roofing | Siding Landscape Tree Work | Yard Care

The Bridgton Public Works Department is accepting applications for the position of Laborer/Operator/Highway Crew. Additional information is available on the Town of Bridgton website at www.bridgtonmaine.org. The individual will be responsible for manual labor tasks, maintenance of town roads and facilities, the operation of trucks including snow plowing, sidewalk plows, frontend loader and related motorized equipment as well as hand tools.

Applicant must possess at a minimum a valid State of Maine Class B Motor Vehicles Operator’s License.

Please submit application to Jim Kidder, Public Works Director, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine 04009, by noon on Friday, January 8, 2016. Questions should be referred to Jim Kidder at 207-647-2326. The Town of Bridgton is an equal opportunity employer.

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Andrew Fogg

207-595-9249

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Bridgton Health & Residential Care Center

This beaver dam is 10 years old on a tributary of the Tenmile River.

(Photo by Allen Crabtree)

• General Contracting • Water Lines • Excavation • Septic Systems • Bush Hogging • Retaining Walls • Firewood “ONE CALL DOES IT ALL” 207-647-8146 JACK KOSTKA “JK” jdnenterprisesllc@yahoo.com

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$225/cord green ~ cut/split/del.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED

• Tree Removal • Logging • Fully Insured

• RTP is looking for people to drive their own vehicles, helping to transport riders in Cumberland County to their appointments.

Bob Mitchell

• You get to set your schedule — days/times. We would prefer that you are available the same times every day, but we will work with your schedule.

• We are especially looking for people for mornings and afternoons, as it seems between 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on are our busiest times.

• Can you help us out?

• We reimburse at $0.44 per vehicle mile.

• You need to have a clean driving record, and a clean criminal background check. We also run DHHS background checks, and the DOE requires that our drivers be finger-printed.

• Lots cleared • Buying Standing Timber

(H) 647-3584 ~ (C) 583-7438 TF41CD

DENMARK SELF-STORAGE 10' x 10' Unit $50.00 per month

• Defensive Driving, CPR/First Aid and other training are provided before you drive on the road. As you can see, we value the safety of our drivers and riders.

207-452-2157

• Please stop by our office at 127 St. John Street in Portland between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to pick up an application, or you can download it on our website at www.rtprides.org 2T52CD

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CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS Deadline: Friday 4:00 p.m.

CLASSIFIED LINE ADS Deadline: Monday 5:00 p.m.

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 5B

Are you ready to BE more?

Are you ready to DO more?

Come Grow with us at

GOOD NEIGHBORS INC.

No experience is necessary, as all training will be provided.

Requirements do include a minimum of a High School diploma or GED, must be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license and a basic proficiency in computer skills.

Direct Support Professionals interested in per diem positions (requiring 30 hours per month) that possess a current DSP and CRMA certificate, are eligible to receive a starting wage of $11.50 per hour in lieu of benefits.

Regular positions are also available for immediate overnight, weekend and evening shifts in the Bridgton area. Highly-competitive rates and benefits are offered based on qualifications and desired positions.

Interested applicants are welcome to apply within at: Good Neighbors, Inc., 119 Sandy Creek Rd., Bridgton, ME 04009. For further information, please contact Wanda Millett, Human Resource Manager, at 647-8244 ext. 11.

Make a difference today and come join our team of Direct Support Professionals!

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Direct Support openings in SEBAGO

Opportunities await for Direct Support Professionals in the Bridgton area to provide services to persons with Intellectual and Cognitive Disabilities. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with personal care, facilitating activities and community involvement, documentation, and promoting life skill development.

STATION ELEVATION 560 FT.

Day

Date

Mon. Tues.

Wed. Thurs.

Fri. Sat. Sun. Mon.

12/21 12/22 12/23 12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28

High Low 31° 38° 37° 41° 49° 49° 45° 36°

22° 26° 29° 29° 30° 29° 28° 22°

7AM Precip 26° 30° 29° 41° 31° 29° 33° 22°

------.65" .86" .01" ---.17" .12"

DECEMBER AVERAGES High 40.9°, Low 27.4° at 7 a.m. 30.4° JANUARY TRIVIA High 1/7/07 = 64°, Low -26° 1/16 & 20/94 Most Snow (1) Day = 16.1" 1/29/90

Opinions

Page 6B, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

This week’s puzzle theme:

Everything Gothic

ACROSS 1. Raise a barn, e.g.

6. Cribbage piece 9. Tear violently 13. Specialty 14. Luau welcome 15. Japanese-American 16. Junk yard stuff 17. Make mistakes 18. *Gothic novel “The Asylum” by ____ Mitchell 19. Archimedes’ exclamation 21. *”Just Like Heaven” creator 23. Bathroom label 24. Swank 25. Sis’ sibling 28. Cap and gown accessory 30. Put down 35. Plural of lira 37. Whoopi Goldberg’s opinion, e.g.

39. Artillery burst 40. Between ports 41. Type of poetic stanza 43. “Hurry up and ____” 44. Burns to charcoal 46. State of Israel 47. *SS Gothic, ocean liner owned by White ___ Line 48. Ransom precursor 50. Made in Vegas 52. Compass point between E and NE 53. Deadly sin?

55. Debt acknowledgement 57. *Stoker novel

61. *Goth, literally 64. Finger or toe 65. Boiling blood 67. Goodbye to amiga 69. Popular gemstone 70. Teresa of Calcutta, e.g.

71. Ma Bell, e.g.

72. Ready and eager 73. Dynamite 74. Illegal firing DOWN 1. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy 2. *The Vampire Chronicles author 3. Beige 4. It carries good luck?

5. Conical dwellings 6. Type of bargain 7. Poetic “always” 8. Fat Albert’s problem 9. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 10. Biblical twin 11. Getting warm 12. Needed for craps 15. Brother’s daughters 20. Between 10 and Queen 22. Concealed oneself 24. Breed of sheep 25. *Prominent Goth color 26. Hindu sage 27. Mountain nymph 29. Seven of these are considered deadly 31. Traps, as in mouths 32. Fill with optimism 33. Like Bird flu 34. *____ Dame 36. Garner wages 38. *”American Gothic”

painter 42. Mumbai country 45. “Yes, Sir!” gesture 49. Afghan monetary unit 51. Beethoven’s “Moonlight ____” 54. *First Gothic church,

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

Basilica of ____ Denis Dairy gland 62. Pains Famous military landing 63. “Insane” in Spain Capital of Latvia 66. Seek a seat Lab culture Give a quote Heater outlet

68. George W., to George Herbert Walker

Solutions on Page XB

EVERGREEN

BUILDING 40+ YEARS IN THE LAKES REGION AREA

Tree and Landscape Co., Inc. LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE TF

Lawns, Shrubs, Trees, Patios, Retaining Walls Tree Pruning & Removal, Brush Chipping Maine Licensed & Insured Arborist TIM TOBIN 583-6109 PETE BELL

PHIL DOUGLASS (207) 647-3732

NEED A

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JEFF DOUGLASS 207-595-8968

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE? THE BRIDGTON NEWS

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CONSULT OUR LISTING OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND LET AN EXPERT DO THE JOB! ACCOUNTANTS Chandel Associates Accounting, Taxes Audits, Full Service Payroll 3 Elm St., Bridgton Office 647-5711

CLEANING SERVICES First Impressions Cleaning Inc. Residential & Commercial Seasonal 647-5096

DOCKS Great Northern Docks, Inc. Sales & Service Route 302, Naples 693-3770 1-800-423-4042 www.greatnortherndocks.com

Servicemaster Prof. Carpet Cleaning – Home/Office ELECTRICIANS Fire/Smoke Damage Restoration 1-800-244-7630 207-539-4452 Bosworth Electric Inc. Quality electrical contractor TLC Home Maintenance Co. Commercial/Industrial/Residential Professional Cleaning and Generators/Todd Bosworth/207-838-6755 Property Management bosworthelectricinc@hotmail.com ALARMS Housekeeping and much more 583-4314 D. M. Electric Inc. & Sons WAM-ALARM Systems Dennis McIver, Electrical Contractor Installation, Service, Monitoring COMPUTERS Residential/Commercial/Industrial Burglar-Fire-Temperature Sensors Licensed in Maine & New Hampshire Free Security Survey 647-2323 Grammy Geek Bridgton 207-647-5012 Tech support for seniors (jr’s too) APPLIANCE REPAIR 1-1 support at your home J.P. Gallinari Electric Co. Malware & virus removal/PC repair Residential - Commercial - Industrial Jones Appliance Service/Repair LLC Free pick-up & delivery 207-310-0289 Aerial - Auger - Lifting Service Quality service you deserve Bridgton 647-9435 All major brands Ms. C’s Computer Repair jonesappliances@aol.com 647-4432 Virus and spyware removal McIver Electric PC repairs 207-228-5279 “Your on time every time electricians” ATTORNEYS 27 Zion Hill Road, Bridgton 221 Portland Rd, Bridgton Jones & Matthews, PA Certified Public Accountants Accounting and taxes Roosevelt Trail Prof. Bldg.

Route 302, Bridgton 647-3668 cpas@maine.com

Shelley P. Carter, Attorney Law Office of Shelley P. Carter, PA 110 Portland St., Fryeburg, ME 04037 935-1950 www.spcarterlaw.com Michael G. Friedman, Esq., PA 132 Main St. P.O. Box 10, Bridgton, ME 04009 647-8360 Hastings Malia, PA 376 Main Street – PO Box 290 Fryeburg, ME 04037 935-2061 www.hastings-law.com

CARETAKERS Caretake America Managing and Patrolling Kevin Rogers, Owner/Manager Rte. 35, Naples 693-6000

CARPENTRY Robert E. Guy General Carpentry – Additions Repairs – Remodeling www.bobguy@myfairpoint.net Harrison 743-5120 239-4804 (cell) Jerry’s Carpentry & Painting Carpenter & General Contractor Log homes – decks – remodeling Fully insured – Free estimates 207-527-2552

CARPETING

Naples Computer Services PC repair/upgrades – on-site service Virus and spy-ware removal Home and business networking Video security systems 71 Harrison Rd., Naples 207-693-3746

CONTRACTORS Jeff Hadley Builder Remodeling, Additions Tile work, Wood flooring Kitchens, Drywall, Painting 30 yrs experience 583-4460 jhadley44@gmail.com Quality Custom Carpentry From start to finish and from old to new Jeff Juneau Naples 207-655-5903

DANCE INSTRUCTION The Ballroom Dance - Exercise - Yoga - Aikido Main St., Harrison, Maine 207-583-6964

DENTAL SERVICES Bridgton Dental Associates Dr. Paul Cloutier Complete dental care 138 Harrison Rd, Bridgton www.bridgtondental.com 207-647-8052

Thurlow’s Carpet & Home Center Sales & Service Bridgton Dental Hygiene Care, PA Meadow Rd. (Sandy Creek Junction) Complete comprehensive oral hygiene care Bridgton 647-5562, 800-310-5563 Infants – Seniors www.thurlowscarpet.com Most dental insurances, MaineCare 647-4125 bdhc@myfairpoint.net

CHIMNEY LINING

The Clean Sweep LLC Chimney Cleaning Service Supaflu and Stainless Steel Chimney lining and relining Dana Richardson 935-2501

Mountain View Dentistry Dr. Leslie A. Elston Cosmetic/restorative & Family Dentistry 207-647-3628 MountainViewDentistryMaine.com

647-3664 www.mciverelectric.net

R.W. Merrill Electrical Contractor 24 hour Emergency Service Residential & Commercial Harrison 583-2986 Fax 583-4882 David K. Moynihan Master Electrician Licensed ME & NH Bridgton 647-8016

EXCAVATION JDN Enterprises Septic systems, Water lines Site work, Drainage 207-647-8146 Snow’s Excavation Complete site work Foundations-Septic-Lots cleared 207-647-2697

EXERCISE/FITNESS Dee’s BodyCraft Personal Training, Aerobics, Pilates Certified – Experienced Bridgton 647-9599

FLOORING Abrams Hardwood Floors Sanding/Refinishing/Installation Sales & Service Tile – LVT – Hardwood 5 Otter Pond Rd, Bridgton 803-8221 Bolsters Decorating Center Carpet – vinyl – ceramic Always free decorating consulting bolsters@megalink.net 9 Market Sq., So. Paris 207-743-9202 J & M Wood Floors Installation/Sanding/Refinishing Fully insured – Free estimates 207-337-5623

FOUNDATIONS Henry’s Concrete Construction Foundations, Slabs, Floors Harrison Tel. 583-4896 J. B. Concrete Bill O’Brien Poured Foundations 207-647-5940

GARAGE DOORS Naples Garage Door Co. Installation & repair services Free estimates Naples 207-693-3480

MUSIC LESSONS Up Scale Music Studio Piano Lessons – All Levels Composition-Theory-Transcription Evan 647-9599

OIL DEALERS Dead River Co. Range & Fuel Oil Oil Burner Service Tel. 647-2882, Bridgton

PAINTING CONTRACTORS

Jerry’s Painting Service Roberts Overhead Doors Quality Painting – Interior/Exterior Commercial/residential – free estimates Fully Insured – Free Estimates Now offering Master Card & Visa 207-527-2552 207-595-2311

HEATING Bass Heating Oil Burner Service Sales and Installations Waterford (207) 595-8829

PLUMBING & HEATING Collins Plumbing & Heating Inc. Specializing in repair service in The Lake Region 647-4436

Ken Karpowich Plumbing Thurlow’s Carpet & Home Center Repairs/Installation/Remodeling Master Plumber in ME & NH Monitor Heaters Sales & Service Meadow Rd. (Sandy Creek Junction) Over 20 years experience 207-925-1423 Bridgton 647-5562, 800-310-5563 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT www.thurlowscarpet.com

HOME INSPECTION ACW Inspection Services Certified Home Inspector 20 years in Real Estate Fryeburg 207-256-2574

INSULATION Western Me. Insulation Inc Batts, blown or foamed Over 30 yrs experience Free estimates – fully insured 7 days a week – 693-3585

INSURANCE Ace Insurance Agency Inc. Home and Auto 43 East Main Street Denmark 1-800-452-0745 Chalmers Ins. Agency 100 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-3311 Oberg Insurance Auto, Home, Business, Life 132 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-5551, 888-400-9858

Bridgton Veterinary Kennels Boarding Route 117, Bridgton, Me. Tel. 647-8804

LAWN CARE North Country Property Services Lawn Care Property Management www.ncpsllc.com 207-713-0675

MASONRY D & D Masonry Chimneys/fireplaces/walks/etc.

Fully insured Free estimates Darryl & Doug Hunt 693-5060

MOVING Bridgton Moving Residential & light commercial bridgtonmoving@verizon.net Glynn Ross 240 N. High St. – 647-8255 671-2556 (cell)

Dyer Septic Septic systems installed & repaired Site work-emergency service-ecofriendly 1-877-250-4546 207-583-4546

SNOWPLOWING Webber Snowplowing Service Residential – Second Home – Camp Private road – Parking lots – Insured Free estimates – Craig, 207-831-8354

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Associates, Inc. Serving the greater NE area 35 years experience 877-478-8642

SURVEYORS F. Jonathan Bliss, P.L.S. Bliss & Associates Surveying, Land Planning 693 Main St, Lovell 207-925-1468 blissinc@fairpoint.net

Maine Survey Consultants, Inc. Land info services – Surveys Boundary/Topographic/Flood elevation PO Box 485, Harrison, Maine Off: 583-6159 D. A. Maxfield Jr. PLS Clement Bros. Lawn and Landscape Over 10,000 surveys on file Organic lawn & garden maintenance Shoreline restoration TAXIDERMIST Creative stonework, property watch Trapper’s Taxidermy Snowplowing & sanding 207-693-6646 www.clementbros.com Jason Pingree 112 Bush Row Rd Denmark 207-452-2091 REAL ESTATE Chalmers Real Estate 100 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-3311 Lakes Region Properties “At the Lights in Naples” Waterfront, Residential Commercial & Land 207-693-7000 Oberg Agency Residential, Business, Lake Shore Property 132 Main St., Bridgton Tel. 647-5551, 888-400-9858

ROOFING

JDN Enterprises Southern Maine Retirement Services Shingles – Roofs replaced Medicare Supplements & Prescription Plans New construction – Repairs Bridgton 207-647-8146 Life and Senior Dental Insurance 150 Main St., Bridgton 1-866-886-4340

KENNELS

SEPTIC TANK PUMPING

RUBBISH SERVICE

ABC Rubbish Weekly Pick-up Container Service Tel. 743-5417

TREE SERVICE Q-Team & Cook’s Tree Service Removal-pruning-cabling-chipping Stump grinding-bucket work-bobcat Crane-licensed & fully insured Q Team 693-3831 or Cook’s 647-4051 Toll free 207-693-3831 www.Q-Team.com Rice Tree Service – Sheldon Rice Complete tree service – free estimates Removal-prune-chipping-stump grinding Licensed and insured Utility and Landscape Arborist Waterford ME – 583-2474 Top Notch Tree Service, LLC All aspects of tree care & removal Fully-licensed and insured Excellent references 207-357-WOOD (9663)

VETERINARY Bridgton Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Rt. 117, Bridgton, ME 647-8804 Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Route 302, Fryeburg 207-935-2244

AM Enterprises Inc. Trash & snow removal Serving Harrison & Bridgton Norway Veterinary Hospital ameinc@outlook.com 207-749-2850 Naples Clinic Corner Rte. 302 & Lambs Mill Rd. The Dump Guy

By Appointment 693-3135 Insured – Junk removal Rozzie May Animal Alliance Basement and attic cleanouts 207-450-5858 www.thedumpguy.com Low cost spay/neuter Dogs Conway clinic Cats mobile pickup NH & ME SELF STORAGE Oxf. Cty residents may qualify for funds Bridgton Storage www.rozziemay.org 603-447-1373 409 Portland Rd 28 units & 4000’ open barn WINDOW TREATMENTS Bridgton 647-3206 Bolsters Decorating Center JB Self Storage Custom window treatments Rt. 5 Lovell, Maine Always free decorating consulting Monthly/yearly secure storage bolsters@megalink.net 207-925-3045 9 Market Sq., So. Paris 207-743-9202

Opinion & Comment

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 7B

Irreverence, Irrelevance, Whatever...

by Mike Corrigan BN Columnist

All in your perspective

I don’t know about you — in fact, I’ve been concerned about you and your attitude for years — but when I can’t sleep at night I attempt to solve the problems of the world, to take my mind off my own worries. This has proven to be no help, to either me or to the world. Lately, I can’t seem to even get past properly defining the terms.

Take last night. Somehow I got on the problem of the banks, and how they get together to set interest rates to their own advantage, and how they hoodwinked us all in 2008, and so on. But before I could settle in to giving the banks a good thrashing with some brilliant economic comeuppance or other, I got sidetracked by words. This always happens, and it just makes things worse.

Because for some reason, the thought of the Left Bank in Paris popped into my head, and for a fuzzy moment I wondered why it was called that, since, looking south, it would be the Right Bank, and how could they determine which direction was the proper one to look at it from? And besides, if I remember correctly, the Seine bulges eastward through the city, and that would make one bank the Top Bank, or the Bottom Bank, depending upon your orientation and how you looked at it. Anyway, I finally remembered the Seine flows northward, so, floating down it, from the perspective of the river-bound, the western bank would be the Left Bank, and so maybe that would explain it. This did PERSPECTIVE, Page 9B

EVEN SANTA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A WARM DECEMBER — Santa drew a big crowd on Moose Pond recently has he enjoyed the area’s warm temperatures. “I was just amazed at all the smiles and the happy people that stopped.

If I had to guess there were at least two hundred. Grown men yelling out to see if Santa has caught any fish, little kids just looking and laughing, pictures and videos and joy,” said Susan Campisano who was snapping a few photos of Ron Shaw, dressed as Santa. “We never expected such a reaction but we are thrilled that we brought such happiness to so many.”

Christmas past and present

When my brother and I were growing up down south, F.A.O. Schwarz was always an unseen but critical presence on Christmas morning. I had never even heard of the New York toy store, much less seen a catalogue. But every Christmas morning, our parlor floor was completely covered with the gifts Mr. Schwarz advertised. From board games to lead soldiers and a lot of other stuff that seemed to break, get lost or simply be neglected during the remaining 12 days of Christmas.

How did these good things suddenly materialize? Only later did I figure out that their hiding place was in the “cold room” upstairs in the front of the house, that is, at the opposite end from the bathroom where a gas heater gave off minimal warmth

by Tom McLaughlin on winter mornings. We were told to stay out of there with veiled hints of bad colds if we entered.

BN Columnist None of our friends enjoyed such largess. None of them had a bachelor uncle who made a handsome salary and had no one else to spend it on. They usually found sweaters, jackets or caps under a small tree. Our tree reached the ceiling and had ornaments that dated from my parents’ childhood.

There was one benefice for our friends that stirred envy in our toy-crammed parlor: Mid-morning on Christmas each year Do voting for president and choosing a mate have anything we would hear the dull roar coming down our paved street. (In in common? In both instances, Americans are making an impor- our neighborhood the city saved by paving every other street.) tant decision: with whom will they enter a years-long relationship? Immature people and voters tend to look for the perfect mate or the perfect candidate. The more mature recognize there are no such things. None of us have to marry, but as citizens we have a duty to vote.

The end of a marriage or of a presidential term is often unpleasant, but the beginning of each is a honeymoon. The The gentleman had already started his heated spiel about partners cannot get enough of each other, and both sides revel how today’s generation of parents were spoiling their children. in a glow. During the 2012 election cycle, actress Lena Dunham He talked about how parents allow their children to act of the HBO production Girls made an ad urging young women disorderly without any discipline in public places. He said his to vote for Barack Obama. In it, she said: “Your first time mother would have never stood for him behaving in that manshouldn’t be with just anybody, you wanna do it with a great ner, especially in a supermarket. guy.” Although Obama was running for reelection, Dunham He said he was seriously worried about the future because was pitching to young women or “girls” in her demographic of what was happening around the world and because of the who had just reached voting age and would be voting for the way children were being brought up right here in America. first time. As Dunham described it: “My first time voting was “You ask me if I am fine. I am not fine,” he said. amazing. It was this line in the sand. Before I was a girl, now I He took the breath that happens before saying the words to was a woman.” conclude a thought.

Most of us fall in love with someone we eventually marry.

“I am worried about terrorism, ISIS, Iran’s nuclear arms and He or she seems perfect in every way, but as time goes by, we China,” he said. notice flaws. Minor imperfections can be accepted as part of the He was finished; and although I could have sat and talked package if the relationship is to continue. If we refuse to accept with him for hours about my thoughts on the exports and the foibles, they lead to separation and divorce. Major flaws such policies of the Chinese government, I thought it best to keep as lies and infidelities are often considered unacceptable and my mouth shut. catalyze wrenching divorces — or impeachments. Some of us, I was the mom being reprimanded by a stranger in the grohowever, go to great lengths to deny deficiencies — both major cery store.

He was done talking. He had said his peace.

DUTY, Page 9B

Front Row Seat

Our duty to vote

Small World

by Henry Precht BN Columnist

All the boys, it seemed, got roller skates every year and were keen to test them. (I suppose they wore out in a few weeks.)

Even some Negro boys got them and ventured across West Broad Street (the recognized color line) to try them out. It was the season of good will so there were no racial clashes.

Moving right along, we come to the family of two children my wife and I celebrated Christmas with in almost a dozen different living rooms over the years. Somehow, Marian always was able to make it festive. In Rome, we would go down to the Piazza Navona where shepherds came in from the Abruzzi Mountains to play their bagpipes. The most challenging fete was certainly in Egypt. There was no Moslem-Christian probCHRISTMAS, Page 9B

Happy New Year and peace out

Letters New Year’s resolution

To The Editor: Once again, it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, particularly those to improve our diet and exercise routine.

Although gun violence and traffic accidents remain the leading causes of death among young people, the most dangerous weapon for the rest of us is still our fork. Well over a million of us are killed each year by high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases linked to our meat-based diet.

But times are changing.

According to Gallup, 22% of American consumers are avoiding meat and 12% are avoiding dairy products.

Supermarket chains, along with Target and Walmart, offer a growing selection of delicious and healthy plantbased meats and dairy products. Animal meat consumption has dropped by 8% in the past decade.

KEEPING THE FAITH — This wreath and sign were Hundreds of school, colfound on the burnt shell of Ovide’s Used Cars on lege, hospital, and corporate Christmas Day. The sign read, “It’s still Merry Christmas cafeterias have embraced because Jesus is Lord!!!”

Meatless Monday and vegan (Photo submitted by Roy Mickelson)

meals. Fast-food chains like Chipotle, Panera, Subway, Taco Bell, and White Castle, are rolling out vegan options.

Let’s make this New Year’s resolution about exploring the rich variety of plant-based entrees, lunchmeats, cheeses, ice creams, and milks, as well as the more traditional green and yellow veggies. The Internet offers tons of recipes and transition tips.

Brandon Newcomb Bridgton

Something special

To The Editor: I am so happy to call Bridgton home, and so grateful for all the kindnesses experienced recently while shopping with my young adult nephew with special needs, who was visiting.

Thanks to all the salespeople, who greeted us and showed kindness in a variety of ways as we shopped in almost all the stores in town searching for keys — my nephew collects these.

He found quite a few, some he purchased and some were given to him! He also wanted to buy a matching dog collar and leash as a Christmas gift for his dog, Daisy; his grandmother had given

It Dawned on Me

by Dawn De Busk BN Columnist He had never physically stepped into my personal space nor did I exhibit any defensive or aggressive behavior. I heard every word while trying to avoid direct eye contact that might cause more agitation.

When I glanced around, the store manager had walked onto the scene. She talked calmly and casually to me as I finished checking out.

“Are you going to the beach today,” she asked.

It should have been apparent since my preteen daughter was PEACE, Page 9B him some money for this.

A discriminating shopper, he searched every store and we were shown lots of options by people who were friendly

and patient. He finally struck a deal with a salesperson at Paris Farmer’s Union and he promised to send a picLETTERS, Page 8B

Medicare nugget

By Stan Cohen Medicare Volunteer Counselor The annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans ended on Dec. 7. In certain situations, however, people with Medicare may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) during which they can join a plan – or switch to a different plan.

Here are some of the categories that qualify for an SEP: • Individuals who had Federal Low Income Subsidy (also known as “extra help”), but who lost it through redetermination. Their SEP is from Jan. 1 through March 31.

• Those who lose their eligibility in a Part D plan because of a geographic move can enroll in a new plan in their new location.

• Those who have both MaineCare and Medicare, or are in a Medicare Savings Program (also known as the “buy-in”), have an ongoing SEP. • Those who lose their MaineCare benefit have a onetime election for change in Part D plans.

• Individuals who involuntarily lost creditable drug coverage (usually coverage through a previous employer) have an SEP to join a Part D plan without penalty. The SEP begins the month they are notified that coverage will end and lasts for two months after that coverage ends.

• Anyone who becomes newly eligible for Medicare can enroll from three months before their birth month to three months after.

Medicare volunteer counselors are available for free, one-on-one consultations. Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging at 396-6500 or the Bridgton Community Center at 647-3116 to arrange for an appointment.

Page 8B, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

Opinions

Look for good changes in downtown Bridgton

TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

Notice of Public Hearing The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 6 P.M. on Tuesday, January 12th, 2016, at the Municipal Building located at 10 Iredale Street, in Bridgton, to accept oral and written comments on an application from Magic Lantern (9 Depot Street) for a Special Amusement Permit (live entertainment).

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Public Notice

TOWN OF WATERFORD Planning Board

The Waterford Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., January 20, 2016, at the municipal building, 366 Valley Road, for proposed changes to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, which can be viewed at www.waterfordme.org

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Lovell residents attending, or planning to attend, a school of postsecondary education (whether liberal arts or vocational) are invited to apply. The Warren B. and John W. McKeen Educational Foundation will be awarding a number of scholarships to such students who have been Lovell residents for at least one year.

Application forms may be obtained at the Lovell Town Office (Tel.: 207-925-6272), or at the office of the Foundation’s Trustee, Peter J. Malia Jr., HastingsMalia, P.A., P.O. Box 290, 376 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037 (Tel.: 207-935-2061), or at the Guidance Office at Fryeburg Academy. Some financial information will be required, since awards must be made on the basis of financial need, but such information will be kept confidential.

Completed applications must be received by January 31, in order to be considered.

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TOWN OF BRIDGTON 3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009

PUBLIC NOTICE

ITEMS FOR SALE The following items are for sale by sealed bid and can be seen at the Public Works garage in Bridgton between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. All bids must be received in a sealed envelope, clearly-marked for the item you wish to bid on. Bids will be accepted until 1:00 p.m. on January 6, 2016, and awarded at the Selectman’s meeting on January 12, 2016. The Board has the right to accept or reject any and all bids.

2011 Ford Crown Vic with 96352 miles All items will be sold “as is.”

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Public Notice

by Anne Krieg Bridgton Director of Planning, Economic & Community Development The Planning Board and Appeals Board have been very busy — the price of growth is these boards get full of activity.

My position includes planning so I have turned attention to the background research into permits before the boards along with my other parts of the duties. I do like surfacing into this part of my job — planners sometimes think they don’t want to do permitting, but the secret is, we do like it. Permitting is the implementation of zoning, which is the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, so it all flows together.

Speaking of zoning, the Land Use & Zoning Committee is now directing draft language for downtown and up the Route 302 corridor. If you would like to be informed of their work, let me know. As drafts are available, they will be posted onto the town website. Public workshops are planned later this winter.

The Electric Vehicle charger has been installed at the garage on Depot Street. We will hold a grand opening celebration of this grant-funded project in January (date to be determined).

The town received a grant from the Greater Portland Council of Governments for this car charger. Having an electric vehicle charger will assuredly bring more folks into the downtown while their car is charging, always a good thing!

Did you know that Goodwill has programs to pay for training of employees and internship programs? Let me know if your business is interested in this program. I met with the administrator of the program and I hope local businesses will take advantage of assistance like this!

Did you also know there are energy-efficiency loan programs for small businesses and agricultural businesses? Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the link.

New businesses are on the horizon this winter into spring so look for good changes to come in the downtown area! One hurdle that has hampered a few instances is the wastewater situation. The Wastewater Committee is meeting to discuss public outreach on an ordinance change to modify how wastewater is calculated and billed, which will free up use for some new businesses and expansions of existing business. The worst

(Continued from Page 7B) ture of him walking Daisy in the new collar and leash after Christmas. After a full day shopping in Bridgton, he said he’d like to come back because he had fun and everyone was so nice and kind!

Thanks to all who made our shopping day special — the genuine and generous respect, patience and kindness displayed was awesome!

Cathy Finck Bridgton

Unfettered migration

To The Editor: The latest plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees into our country is a controversial one and should be carefully considered, but it ignores the larger issue of unfettered migration into our country, one that is largely ignored but one that needs to be addressed.

There is a Bible verse that dramatically illustrates this: “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow

UNSEASONABLY ICE-FREE water of Big Sebago Lake reflects the sky and landscape about half an hour before sunset on Dec. 20. The view is from a cove on the north side of Sebago Lake. (De Busk Photo) a camel.” The “gnat” is the refugee issue, the “camel” is immigration. And how large is this “camel?”

In fiscal year 2013, it amounted to 2,125,000 aliens, legal and illegal, coming into our country — permanently. It includes 990,553 green card recipients, 69,903 refugees, 25,199 granted asylum, an estimated 840,000 coming across

STATE OF MAINE CUMBERLAND, SS.

Public Hearing

The Naples Planning Board will be holding a meeting at 15 Village Green Lane on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.

On the agenda: 1.) An outdoor entertainment application submitted by George Vooris for the Naples 5k Race to be held on 8/28/16.

2.) An application for a major subdivision submitted by Naples Golf & Country Club for property found on Map U24, Lot 1.

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Public Notice

TOWN OF LOVELL

Planning Board – Public Hearing The Lovell Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on proposed revisions to the Lovell Zoning Ordinance on January 6, 2016, at the Town Office, starting at 7:00 p.m. The revisions are in three parts: 1) Article II, Definitions — amendment of the definition of “Functionally Water-Dependent Uses‚ to exclude boat houses from the definition.

2) Article V, General Provisions — including: a) A statement of the responsibility of the Planning Board in dealing with nonconformities; b) Revised standards or existing structures which are nonconforming as to setback required from lakes and streams.

3) Clarificaton of Planning Board responsibility to reach a timely decision on a conditional use application when no public hearing is to be held.

Following the hearing there will be a public discussion on the need for a town signboard.

Copies of the proposed ordinance revisions are available at the town office.

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thing to happen would be to turn bona fide business away due to wastewater services.

I am assembling the operating budget now for my department for the next fiscal year that starts July 1, 2016. The focus currently assigned is promotion for next year. With this goal in mind, I am looking at more trade shows, advertising, and, as noted in the Comprehensive Plan: a tourism plan.

The Community Development Block Grant applications are due Jan. 11, 2016. If you are thinking of applying, please make an appointment with me right away so we can discuss if the project fits the federal/county requirements. Please note if you are thinking façade improvement projects, please come see me right away.

The heating system for Town Hall is expected to be installed at the end of January. We know this has been a long arduous construction project and we look forward to its completion, as much as you likely do!

The new signs directing folks through the downtown area are also almost completed and will be installed in the spring.

Great news is planned for the Lake Region-Fryeburg Adult Education program that I have been working on — I won’t be a spoiler so stay tuned.

Speaking of spoilers, do NOT spoil Star Wars for me — I hope to see if sometime after Christmas if I can wait that long!

Other things I am working on include the Annual Report and the Capital Improvement Plan. Next month, I am attending a conference on Scandinavian investment in Maine, speaking at Rotary Club, attending the commercial real estate prediction session at the MEREDA conference and the Maine Association of Planners General Membership meeting.

Don’t forget to get your button for Winter Carnival, which is on Feb. 20 — will the lake be frozen for Freezin for a Reason?

As the year comes to an end, it was a busy year but the projects have been rewarding. I look forward to working on the Streetscape Project in 2016 and helping more businesses open and continue to prosper. I appreciate all of the work so many of you do for this town and I am encouraging those watching and lurking to join in to continue making improvements in this town. I also want to thank those of you that invest in the town, with your capital investments in development, having your business here, shopping/eating here and choosing to live here. A community is successful when all of these investment elements fall into place.

Thank you for having me as a part of your continued movement to enliven the community.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2016!

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Letters

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

TOWN OF NAPLES

Public welcome

Planning Front

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting ) through the RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, ) USDA, F/K/A the FARMERS HOME ) ADMINISTRATION ) ) PLAINTIFF ) ) vs. ) ) MAHDY ARYAMAND ) ) ) DEFENDANT )

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

SUPERIOR COURT originally filed in the MAINE DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT NINE LOCATION: PORTLAND DIVISION OF S. CUMBERLAND DOCKET NO. PORSC-RE-2015-231

ORDER FOR SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION TITLE TO REAL ESTATE INVOLVED

On Motion of the Plaintiff for an Order for Service by Publication of the Complaint for Foreclosure on the Defendant, Mahdy Aryamand, pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 4(g), it appearing that this is an action to foreclose a mortgage from Mahdy Aryamand and Tahereh Khansari Nejad dated August 15, 2005, and recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds in Book 23022 Page 097, on premises located at 298 Shaker Road in Gray, Maine.

It further appears, and the Court so finds, that personal service of the Complaint cannot be made upon the Defendant, Mahdy Aryamand, any other way, inasmuch as his present whereabouts is unknown and cannot with reasonable diligence be established, it is hereby ORDERED that service be made upon the Defendant, Mahdy Aryamand, by publishing this Order once a week for three consecutive weeks in The Bridgton News, a newspaper of general circulation in Cumberland County. The first publication shall be made within twenty (20) days after the Order is granted. Service by publication shall be complete on the twenty-first day after the first publication. Within twenty (20) days after service is completed by the foregoing method, the Defendant, Mahdy Aryamand, shall appear and defend this action by filing an answer with the Clerk of the Maine District Court at P. O. Box 412, Portland, ME 04112, and also by serving a copy of the answer on Plaintiff’s attorney, Richard H. Broderick, Jr., Esq., at P. O. Box 5, Lincoln, Maine 04457. If he fails to do so a judgment by default will be rendered against him for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

IMPORTANT WARNING: IF YOU FAIL TO FILE AN ANSWER WITHIN THE TIME STATED ABOVE, OR IF AFTER YOU FILE YOUR ANSWER YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT ANY TIME THE COURT NOTIFIES YOU TO DO SO, A JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU IN YOUR ABSENCE FOR THE RELIEF DEMANDED WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME. IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE THIS LAWSUIT, DO NOT FAIL TO ANSWER WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME. If you believe the Plaintiff is not entitled to all or part of the claim set forth in the Complaint or if you believe you have a claim of your own against the Plaintiff, you should talk to a lawyer. You may ask the office of the Clerk of the Maine District Court for information as to places where you may seek legal assistance.

Dated: Dec. 21, 2015

/s/ Andrew Horton Justice, Superior Court

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Things have been pretty busy here so there hasn’t been too much time to think about holidays; however I did enjoy Festival of Lights, which always starts the season for me! Did you like the tree lighting at the little park next to The Bridgton News? How should we step this event up to make it fun for all? Let us know!

The Lake Region Food Study grant project is moving forward. Bridgton is the lead with Cumberland County as the grant administrator along with 15 towns within the Lake Region. We jointly received a USDA grant to assess the region’s current food system, with a goal of identifying food system gaps and opportunities to increase access and consumption of local food and food products. We have a steering committee formed including farmers, restaurant owners and the like to keep the project on track to deliver a product that is useful and pertinent to the region. If you feel you should be part of the stakeholder group, please pop me an e-mail: ecodevdir@bridgtonmaine.org I attended a Brownfield Program at Greater Portland Council of Governments to hold a place in line for these funds should the Bridgton Memorial School redevelopment project resurface. I also toured and networked with the folks at Maine International Trade Center; there are many opportunities for international investment in this region so I want to make sure Bridgton is a part of those ventures.

the border undetected, and 200,000 visa overstays (2013 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, Department of Homeland Security, www. dhs.gov/).

If that sounds like a lot, it is, and should be seen as a contributor to our foreignborn population, which is at a historical high of 13%. In 1920, at the end of the Great Wave of immigration, it was 13.1%. Soon after, in 1924, the Immigration Quota Act was passed, severely limiting immigration into the country.

It dropped down to a low of 4.7% in 1970 and then, as a result of the 1965 immigration law and subsequent legislation, it shot up to 11.1% in 2000 and now stands at 13% (Working Paper No. 81, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, February, 2006).

Just as the 1924 Quota Law allowed for assimilation, so we must now throttle back on migration into the country to accomplish the same thing, starting with securing our borders. Unfortunately, our politicians are marching to a different tune, a frustration recently expressed by a lady who recently commented on the “Secure Our Border” sign I was holding at the Norway Bank intersection: “If only they would listen to us.” Indeed!

Bob Casimiro Bridgton

It’s amazing

To The Editor: On behalf of my niece, Allie Black, and the dogs and cats of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of support in the form of donations and kind

words for our Christmas Eve Shelter Sleepover 2015! The fundraiser was saturated with generosity from our amazing community, as well as by donors from as far away as Texas! Currently, with donations still trickling in, the total is over $13,000…far exceeding our $10,000 goal and the $10,758 raised last year!

Some of the money raised from this fundraiser will go to construct a “living room” in the basement of the shelter, where volunteers can take dogs and cats for some peaceful time away from the stresses of their kennels and condos. The “living room” will have all the comforts of home where the animals, especially those who have been there a long time, or are having an especially hard time dealing with shelter life, can experience some “normalcy” while waiting to be adopted, making shelter life just that much more bearable for them.

Thank you again to all the donors, including an anonymous $500 matching donor, which resulted in over $1,300 in new donations!

Likewise, an extra special thank you goes out to Herb and Susan Farnsworth, who adopted Sadie in the spring, a dog I adored and had spent a lot of time with over the two years she was at HHAS (and also slept with on Christmas Eve last year). Instead of gifts, they asked family and friends to donate to the sleepover and raised nearly $1,100! I am so grateful for this amazing effort; for what they have done and continue to do for Sadie; and for our new-found friendship!

Deb Cloutier Bridgton LETTERS, Page 9B

Opinions

December 31, 2015, The Bridgton News, Page 9B

Have a flippering Happy New Year, peace out friends pushed her around in a shopping cart, while I carried a plastic basket and grabbed about a dozen items.

Seems like there is a subliminal message sent out to shoppers, inviting everyone to the checkout counters at the same time. When I was finished my selection of purchases, other people with more groceries were waiting in line.

I counted the items in my basket. Sixteen is the limit for the “express checkout.” At this stage, math skills tend to get rusty. The quick checkout had no customers when I got there.

What slowed down the process: Leaky orange slices. The young male cashier began to double wrap the precut citrus with produce bags. Basically, it was already too late for me to offer cuts in line to the man behind me. An empty shopping basket separated us; and

Your perspective

(Continued from Page 7B) nothing to solve anyone’s financial problems, of course, but I felt I had gained some small measure of understanding of the wider world, and prepared to sleep.

But then I fell right into the next trap the Middle East, Now, I know I should leave cogitations about this troubled part of the globe to Henry Precht, who has been there and actually knows what he’s talking about. Henry tells us the whole place is a riddle wrapped inside an enigma, bound in a catastrophe and surrounded by a god-awful mess, so just drop the pretensions of rational thought and walk away calmly. Naturally, such a warning-off fell on deaf ears — I can’t hear a darned thing anymore, anyway — and since I still couldn’t sleep I began wondering why they called it the West Bank, when it was clearly in the eastern part of the country.

Let’s see now… Okay, we are talking about the River Jordan, right? And that historic river, like the Seine, also flows north-south, although in my addled, sleep-deprived brain I was not clear in which direction it flowed, or even matter, and still doesn’t, because we are not talking left or right here, but east and west, which are cardinal directions and not relative directions. Here was my question, then: how could Israel be asked to give up the West Bank, when, to my way of thinking, the West Bank was, well, ISRAEL itself? I mean, it’s not a very big country, and there’s already a dent in the eastern side, if I remember correctly, so that anything west of that is basically only a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea, and the Israelis need to live somewhere themselves. No wonder Israel didn’t want to give up territory there to the Palestinians, or to the Syrians, or to anyone who comes calling in the middle of the night, looking for lodging.

I couldn’t get the thing settled in my mind. I realized I was not clear at all on who had settled in the West Bank, and when, or why, or who wanted to know, or who hoped to extirpate or relocate their populace there. But I figured that if we wouldn’t even agree on which one was the West Bank, or which side of some definite line on the Earth’s surface anyone was now or plotted to be tomorrow, the problem couldn’t be solved, anyway. In this tenuous condition, I left the Middle East. It was just making me tense, and I needed to sleep.

From that point, for some reason, I moved on to Cut Bank, Montana, and tried to remember if that far outpost of civilization was on the Missouri River or not. I decided it was. Next I thought about which bank was the cut bank, and figured it must be the one on the outside of a loop of a river, one that the current kept eating away at — but were that the case, how had Cut Bank, Montana survived years of erosion by the Big Muddy? I mean, by all rights the town should be gone by now. Maybe it is. Maybe it’s just a name on a map.

I’m beginning to think you can’t trust maps, particularly the ones you carry in your head. And, it goes without saying, you can’t trust banks, either.

Can’t attend the B4B brunch? No worries! Call 647-2389 for updates.

The next B4B event is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. (Continued from Page 8B) 26, 2016 at the Tap House on Depot Street.

Let’s all Feel the Burn together on the 3rd!

Happy New Year, To The Editor: George Bradt Bridgton 4 Bernie (B4B) Bridgton invites you and your friends to B4B Treasurer a free brunch on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. Nosh on pizza, beignets, quiche, salad, scones — all homemade, with glutenfree options. Enjoy endless cups of delicious coffee at the Drip Coffee & Espresso Bar at 260 Main Street in Bridgton.

The B4B brunch, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a key part to get four Sanders delegates to Augusta for Maine’s Democratic State Convention, on to the National Convention in Philadelphia in July, and into the White House in January 2017.

Greg Grigsby, educator, will facilitate a lively discussion of four key planks in Bernie’s platform, such as global warming, and fair wages.

Anyone not yet a registered Maine voter will be given registration cards at the event. We’ll help anyone from Bridgton fill one out.

If the weather is iffy, please check our Facebook page for updated information about the B4B brunch, which is handicapped accessible, free and open to all.

my daughter had climbed out to stock up on any chocolate within hands’ reach.

The gray-haired gentleman had about six items, including a case of Budweiser beer.

I asked if he was okay. He did not respond. I said, “Oh, you are fine.”

That was the final provocation because he was not okay with what was happening. He was sick and tired of the parents who permit their children to run around and scream in the grocery store like it was a playground. The man mentioned my daughter walking around the store with flippers on her feet. “Those, those are meant for the lake,” he said. “My mother would’ve NEVER let me get away” with such behavior.

I expected him to say that the world was going to hell in a handbasket.

“I am worried about terrorism, ISIS, Iran’s nuclear arms and China” covered the realm of real concerns.

Meanwhile, my daughter was oblivious to the outburst since she was too busy showing off for her friends. In fact, in the car, she told me it was best to “not dwell on it.” I told her that I needed to debrief.

Her friends said some shoppers had reacted kindly to Dani wearing fins; and other people gave her a weird look.

Less than an hour later we were on the beach; the tide was going out with seven hours of daylight left. In reality, the man — and his legitimate concerns, including how I am rais-

ing my child — had not left my mind.

The sun shifted into the west, bringing about the shades of burnt orange and deep red in the sky. In the east above the sea, a full moon went from ghostly white to brilliant pink.

The man popped back into my head.

During the sunset, I wished I could share that moment on the beach with him. He might not have endured the road trip, with my child’s hand reaching into my driving space to turn the radio station to her preference.

Perhaps, sitting in a lawn chair on the unpopulated beach, drinking his beer, and listening to the ocean waves, the man might have postponed his worries and discovered

what we had in common.

I had no wish to offend or upset him. I can imagine how many people from the generation before mine don’t say anything, walk away shaking their heads. The adults who grew up under the rule: Spare the rod, spoil the child — at some point, we decided to do things differently. Even schools have moved away from corporal punishment — the spanking of children by teachers.

One thing is multigenerational: a desire for change for the better.

For better or for worse, here comes the splash into 2016.

Have a flipperin’ happy New Year. May there be times that despite everything you feel as carefree as spending a day at the beach.

Christmas past and present

(Continued from Page 7B) lem, but there were strict austerity controls. Nothing nonessential could be imported. No toys. No turkey except desert free-range birds. No Christmas tree! Never mind. We had a huge garden and a skilled gardener, Abdul, who could manufacture one from branches lashed together.

Which brings us to the present. Almost. Once in Bridgton, we went into the woods to cut down a small tree. I confess my guilt and hope I have been granted mercy. Now, we buy

ours from a nearby church.

We decorate it with ornaments accumulated along our career path plus side trips to New Delhi and Guatemala or handmade by Paul and Katherine in school. More fun than the tree is the Neapolitan crèche with small clay figures depicting life around the stable where the Christ child lies. It’s a busy place with, for example, fishermen, shepherds, women at the well, pizza vendors and two bands, Indian and Guatemalan.

This Christmas, the prevail-

ing pattern of gift exchanges continued: books (some of which will be re-exchanged).

For a few holidays, sweaters and jackets and wool socks prevailed, then faded. (Global warming?) Our grandson this year liked better than the impossible Rubik’s cube the poster of the island in Highland Lake he swims to in summer.

Then there was the feast — some years it is a goose but this dinner featured roast beef with Yorkshire pudding followed by a figgy pudding. I expected to see Dickens’ Tiny

Tim carried in between courses. One of us is a vegetarian so there was also a delicious eggplant parmigiana. And as we finished, the telephone rang bringing Katherine and her family celebrating with her husband’s people in Tenby, Wales. We Skyped with them (if that’s the verb.)

And, so, somehow, despite technology, constant travel, changing tastes, Christmas survives… and if you like books, thrives.

Henry Precht is a retired Foreign Service Officer.

McLaughlin: Our duty to vote

(Continued from Page 7B) and minor — desperate to carry on the perception of perfection, accepting excuses for inexcusable behavior.

Some ostensible conservatives were infatuated with Obama during the 2008 cycle. One, New York Times columnist David Brooks, wrote about meeting then-Senator Obama for the first time: “I remember distinctly an image of — we were sitting on his couches, and I was looking at his pant leg and his perfectly creased pant, and I’m thinking, a.) he’s going to be president and b.) he’ll be a very good president.” Brooks got over his Obama crush, but others have not. Leftist MSNBC host Chris Matthews was infatuated with Obama too, describing “a thrill going up my leg” when listening to an Obama speech, and evidently he’s still in love.

In response to the Lena Dunham “First Time” ad, the conservative “Independent Women’s Forum” put one out called “Boyfriend” in which a young woman is talking to an older woman on a couch, above which hangs a “Hope” poster of President Obama. She opens saying: “I was so excited at first.

He seemed so perfect.” The older woman responded, “They always do.” The younger one asked: “Why do I always fall for guys like this?” and the mature woman concluded, “You know you deserve better,” “Boyfriend was followed up by “Feeling Guilty,” with the same young woman and another older woman who opens, saying: “Feeling Guilty?” The young woman angrily declares, “I supported him for four years,” then seems to soften, saying, “Some of the things that happened weren’t his fault.” The older woman then scolds her: “Why are you always making excuses for him?” The young woman responds, saying: “I miss the way he used to make me feel.”

About a 130 million Americans will cast a vote for president in 2016 and right now they’re sizing up the field, a process not unlike “playing the field.” Suitors present themselves in their

Letters

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Brunch for Bernie

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best possible light, as knights in shining armor who will come and save the day. The maidens must decide which “knight” may be suitable, but for no more than eight years.

Some terms are cut short earlier like those of President Carter and the first President Bush, both of whom were considered too wimpy to lead after only four years, but the average lately is eight. According to the McKinley/Irvin family law firm: “The average length of a marriage that ends in divorce is eight years.”

Approximately 126 million people voted in 2012 and there were almost 59 million married couples that year, or about 118 million people. Campaigns seem to get longer each four-year cycle and maybe candidates’ flaws will be evident sooner.

Maybe voters have wised up a bit and will think longer before “tying the knot.”

Or, maybe not.

Tom McLaughlin of Lovell is a retired middle school U.S. History teacher.

smallboat shop restoration & repair of wood/canvas canoes 394 hio ridge rd. denmark me 04022 207-452-2687 smallboatshop@fairpoint.net www.smallboat-shop.com

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(Continued from Page 7B) standing next to me wearing swimming flippers.

Let me go back to the beginning of the journey: A trip to the Atlantic Ocean in August.

It was the height of summer vacation, one of the Thursdays in August when the thermometer promised to surpass 80 degrees. I had planned a trip to Parsons Beach in Kennebunk with my daughter and two of her girlfriends. Per usual, it was almost noon before I had single-handedly packed the car. The remaining picnic food required the dreaded stop at the grocery store in Windham.

My daughter exited the vehicle and hit the parking lot pavement in a pair of fins. I decided to let her wear them.

What harm could be done? It ended up that she could not walk in the flippers so her

School news

Page 10B, The Bridgton News, December 31, 2015

New director, direction Adult Ed is on move

MSAD 61 & 72 Adult Education programming is on the move! There is a new director (Madelyn Litz), a new name (Lake Region Adult Ed and Fryeburg Area Adult Ed), a new focus (more relevant and accessible programming), and a variety of satellite locations at which the residents of both communities will be able to access programming more easily.

The public will continue to find them at their main office in Casco at the Crooked River School (Route 11), which is now open Monday to Friday for all academic programming. In addition, they are working with the Town of Bridgton and will be available for registration, HiSet (GED) preparation and testing, academic remediation, and college and career advising at the town office’s lower conference room on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment beginning in mid-January.

Opportunity for academic remediation is also offered at Stevens Brook Elementary two evenings a week. The effort to expand programming is ongoing in the Fryeburg area as well and will complement the access for residents that is currently provided at the community’s local libraries and Molly Ockett Middle School. Stay tuned for more information!

Lake Region and Fryeburg Area Adult Ed is working hard to have a ‘face’ in all the communities they serve. Their new brochure was recently mailed out to area resident and placed on the website. The new website URL will be lakeregion-fryeburg.maineadulted. org.

On the website, you will find the current brochure, news and events about Adult Education, and upcoming training opportunities and enrichment classes that are of interest to the residents of both MSAD 61

and MSAD 72. Most classes allow you to register online, or you can call and register by phone!

The academic programming will help you to earn an adult education high school diploma or HiSet equivalency diploma, as well as offering academic remediation and literacy services. If you are ready to take the next steps towards a career change or want to enroll in a post-secondary training program or college, residents are encouraged to utilize the free services of our Career Advising and College Transitions programming.

For those who are ready for college, you might want to take advantage of the four Southern Maine Community College classes that will be held at Lake Region High School starting in early February.

Registration information is listed on both the Adult Ed and SMCC websites. “Lake Region and Fryeburg Area Adult Ed has lots of opportunities to engage the residents of MSAD 61 & 72 and the surrounding communities,” Litz said.

Please call to get more information about where and when instruction and classes are available to help you. Taking that first step toward improving your life isn’t always easy; please know they are here to help you with that process and will support you along the way.

For more information call us at 6274291, visit their website at lakeregion-fryeburg.maineadulted.org, or e-mail them at adulted.lakeregionschools.org! The staff is there to help you and answer any questions you might have.

• See story about college courses from Southern Maine Community College being offered at Lake Region High School on Page 2A.

FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS — For the third year, Delta Lodge #153 held its annual Grocery Raffle with a prize of a $250 gift card from Shaw’s going to Mike Stephens, who turned the gift back to the Lodge and it was divided up into five $50 gift cards.

The gift cards were given to the Town of Lovell to disburse. Friends Helping Friends received a check for $1,626.00. Pictured left to right, RW DDGM for the 16th Masonic District Kevin Kugell, Brother/Selectman Bob Drew, Wor Dana Gregson Current Master of Delta Lodge, VW Doug Taft DER for the 16th Masonic District.

Local blogger teaches how to make $ online

Blogging is not something that most people think would become a business or a way of life. But many people use blogging as a way to supplement their income and even replace a full time job.

Learning the skills on how to do this is the topic of a course being run by Lake Region & Fryeburg Area Adult Education in January/ February.

A blog is a frequently updated journal of written articles that normally follow a theme or topic. Every few days a new article is written and posted on a website, which can attract thousands of readers a day. The key to making this a business is knowing how to help an audience and the many ways to monetize your writing.

Avid blogger and local Casco educator Gary Lewis

GARY LEWIS — making money from blogging. is teaching the classes at the Crooked River School campus in Casco. If you want to just get into blogging for fun, there is a twoweek course (“Blogging

for Fun”). The course goes through the steps of setting up a free blog website and the simple rules of writing to get you started.

Once you complete that course, you can advance to the “Blogging for Profit” course that delves deeper into the moneymaking sides of blogging.

“If you love to write, have a passion for a topic and want to earn some money for your effort, then these courses could set you on the right track,” says Lewis, who has active blogs on a few different topics.

For more information visit the Adult Education webpage (https://lakeregionfryeburg.coursestorm.com/ browseCategory/computers-and-technology) or see the booklet delivered to all households in the region.

FILLING BACKPACKS — Through the efforts of the Brethren at Delta Lodge, a Spaghetti Supper supporting the “Sunshine Backpack Program,” which assists SAD 72 children with friendly food for the weekends during the school year. A check was presented for $1,203 to Christine Gillespie, who is in charge of the program. Pictured are Ms. Gillespie and Wor Dana Gregson current Master of Delta Lodge. These amounts are greatly enhanced with grants afforded the Lodges by the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. Many thanks to them and to all who assisted the Masons with these successful efforts.

TF46

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Hormal Domestic Hillview

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Fresh Lean

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Fresh Extra-Lean

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USDA Select Boneless Hummel Premium Point cut

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Extra-Lean Petite Boneless

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Lean

“Cooks in the bag!”...

Seaboard Farms Boneless Marinated Seaboard Farms Honey, Hickory & Original

“Cooks in the bag!”.........................

Fresh Fresh Sugardale, 16 oz. pkg.

Hatfield Thin-Sliced

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