March 27, 2025

“Alone,

Safety first — Town to request 40 mph zone

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

Seeing significant development along Portland Road over the past year, as well as future construction starting soon, Bridgton officials will request a reduction in the speed limit to 40 mph from Beaver Creek Road to Sandy Creek Road.

“Our philosophy is best to prevent and not to react,” Bridgton Planning Board Chair Deb Brusini told the Select Board Tuesday night.

“The Planning Board could send this request to MDOT

(Maine Department of Transportation) on their own, but we think it will be more powerful if it came from the town, meaning the Select Board, the Planning Board and town manager…We’d like it to be a unified decision…The reason for it, it’s really about safety.” Portland Road is certainly busier with the addition of a bigger Nouria gas and store facility, along with more activity at the BRAG Complex including a snowmobile crossing, as well as construction of new commercial spaces such

Selection delay buys more time

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer

HARRISON — Harrison is no longer on the clock to decide whether to remain a member of SAD 17 or seek other educational options.

Wendy Gallant, co-chair of the Harrison Educational Options Committee (HEOC), reported to the Select Board last Thursday that the selection process for a new consolidated elementary school site will not occur until next winter, January or February.

“I can tell you from speaking with Heather Manchester (SAD 17 Superintendent of Schools) was that the urgency for us to make some decisions, have a straw poll, have a vote in June, all of that, has been taken off the table,” Gallant said. “The urgency has gone away... That pressure is off us, which is really good for us to hear.”

Originally, the SAD 17 expected to pick a site by August, pushing Harrison to figure out its next step — either stay in SAD 17 and see its elementary school closed or withdraw from the district, operate its own school system thus keeping Harrison Elementary open and contract for middle school and high school students to attend either SAD 17 or other MS/HS such as Lake Region or Fryeburg Academy. Creating a charter school is not possible since the state is at its limit of 10.

Meeting weekly, the HEOC has compiled information with the focus to present to Harrison citizens their educational options. Gallant noted the group has spoken with Superintendent Manchester, as well as SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith (who said at this time the district could accept Harrison students) and an attorney.

The group requested current figures regarding Harrison’s debt owed to SAD 17, as well as if Harrison joins the consolidated school (its price tag estimated at $80 million), what happens to the Harrison Elementary building? The group was told if SAD 17 has no use for the building, it would be offered to the town. Harrison would assume any debt on the school building.

When asked, “What’s the condition of the elementary school right now?” the answer was “it depends on who you ask about that.”

“It’s habitable. Our kids are there.”

When the school was evaluated as part of the district’s consolidation idea to build a new elementary school, HES

as Ten Lakes Medical Facility and NAPA. Traffic flow will likely increase once Tractor Supply and Dollar General are built off Brag Way — on property behind Nouria.

Brusini noted that the new Nouria station is “one of the two largest stations in the state…there’s not one that’s bigger.” A Nouria in Sabatus is equal in size to the new Bridgton store.

She also pointed to Macdonald Motors development of a secondary lot across from the dealership.

“So, it’s really about safe-

ty,” Brusini said. “To lower the speed limit to 40 doesn’t mean people are going to go 40, but at 55, they’re probably going 65, some of them are.”

Officials have heard from citizens that exiting various points along Portland Road has been increasingly difficult due to vehicle volume and speed.

Public Services Director David Madsen plans to reach out to engineers who prepared traffic data as big projects like Nouria and Tractor Supply were in the planning stages to see “whether they think

that it (speed limit) should go down, whether they think it was okay or if they made any recommendations.”

Select Board member Carmen Lone felt Madsen’s inquiry is a good move since requesting a traffic study can become “quite involved.”

She also suggested the town check to see what MDOT has planned for Route 302.

Brusini pointed out that by state statute, a traffic study is not required to make a request to lower the speed limit. According to statute, “If a municipal request to the

Department of Transportation to change the speed limit is denied, the department shall inform the municipality in writing of the reasons and shall meet with you.”

“So, the thought I have is if we put this forward (the request to lower the speed limit) and they agree, great,” Brusini said. “If they disagree, they’re going to tell us. And then, Mr. Madsen can connect with them.”

When asked if he had data on speeding summonses issued on that stretch of road

SPIDER MAN CONQUERS THE MOMENT — The crowd cheered as this skier, donning a Spider Man costume, reaches the other side of a pool of water during Saturday’s annual Slush Cup held at Pleasant Mountain Ski Resort.

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

HARRISON — Maple sugar producer Joe Lavoie compares sap to milk.

“Sap is like milk. It can’t sit around,” Lavoie said during a tour of his business, Dad’s Maple Sugar Shack in Harrison.

“In high temps it will sour like milk. It will ferment. If it is in the 50s or so, sap will go bad. It turns into a vinegar. That is why we compare it to

milk. That is why we haul the sap instead of letting it sit,” Lavoie said. “We have dairy tanks we use that are insulated and keep the sap cool for storage. As long as the temps are cool enough in the season, you can store it. As the season progresses and the temps warm up, you want to boil the sap as soon as possible. Ultimately, you want to take it out of the tree and boil it.” Lavoie described the 2025 maple sap season as

‘They just don’t come better’

By Rachel Andrews Damon Special to The News

FRYEBURG — When you grow up in Fryeburg, there are many landmarks that involve the Weston Family.

There’s Weston’s Farm, Rivercroft, a beautiful large, yellow, New England style farmhouse, barn and outbuildings overlooking the western flow of the Saco River. Rivercroft is on the National Register of Historic Places. Weston’s farmhouse is adjacent to Weston’s Bridge, an important Maine landmark bordering the state line of Maine and New Hampshire. Most locals still refer to the route as “down by Weston’s” although it’s officially named River Street.

Near Weston’s Farm and Weston’s Bridge is a large community public beach on the Saco River, simply referred to as Weston’s Beach. Generations of barefooted youngsters have made the trek to Weston’s Beach from downtown Fryeburg, dragging along their towels and inner tubes. It’s part of growing up in this town.

Then, there’s Weston’s Farmstand with operations in both Fryeburg and Conway. In this writer’s opinion, they have the most exceptional corn, Christmas trees, wreaths and boughs. But there’s more — none better than the summer vegetables for sale that are grown in Weston’s fields or the Weston’s syrup made by Weston family hands.

2023-George & Laurie Weston Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, Fryeburg

Besides vegetables of every kind, the farmstand offers fruits, yummy pies, breads, ciders, wines, and an incredible selection of handmade and special gifts of the most remarkable kind. A needful things shop to say the least. Almost impossible to go in for a dozen corn and not come out with a few potholders, a balsam pillow you can’t stop smelling or handmade bells to enhance one’s daily life! At the very least, a homemade cookie for the drive home.

In 1799, George’s Weston ancestors headed north to Fryeburg in an ox cart leaving behind the Lexington, Concord area of Massachusetts. George Weston, sixth generation Fryeburg family resident, was born Nov. 3, 1941, the son of John (1910-1972) and Elizabeth Pipe “Betty” Weston (1911-2016). He had one sister, Grace Weston

“Fantastic — like a normal sugar season with the frost in the ground and the colder temperatures. We’ve been boiling for the past two weeks.”

In 2024 and 2023, Lavoie was boiling sap in early February. Another difference he noted this year is that the sugar content — which is measured by a hydrometer — is higher.

“The sugar content has been higher, which is fantastic. It means less boiling,” Lavoie said.

Not only has the sugarmaking season been smooth sailing, but also Maine Maple weekend ended up having a successful turnout.

“By far, it’s one of the best we ever had. We had plenty of product, an outstanding turnout, great people and a lot of return customers,” Lavoie said.

“I’m extremely grateful for all the people who

Maine Maples Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday in March. During that time, local sugar producers hold open houses, inviting the public onto their properties and into their sugar shacks. It is referred to as Maine Maple weekend because many producers are open both Saturday and Sunday. Lavoie and a few other business owners commented on the 2025 agriculture event.

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

OFF THE CLOCK, SOMEWHAT — Harrison Educational Options Committee

received a failing grade due to its lack of fire suppression (sprinkler system, which when the school was built, it was not a requirement).

Speaking for HEOC chairman Mike Guiffre, Gallant noted a public hearing had been scheduled to reveal some of the group’s findings, but now that site selection has been pushed back by SAD 17 (word has it the district is looking at property along the Route 117 corridor around the Pikes Hill area), the group will instead create a report and make it available via a newsletter and website. The survey had about 200 responders, about 10% of Harrison’s voting population. Of those 200-orso, 70% were “non-parent folks,” Gallant said. Of the 30% considered parents of

students, Gallant said based on the number of Harrison students, it “equates to about 70% of current parents did respond to the survey.”

Harrison’s student population is pegged at about 205 (it was noted that Harrison’s student population has been “on a steady decline for 12 years straight,” and Harrison and Waterford schools are “about 50% utilized from their intended capacity”).

“That’s a really good number,” Gallant added. “What we’re finding as you go down through the survey results is that most people were not in favor of going to a consolidated school for fear of really losing our building and a sense of community.”

The HEOC plans to scale back meetings from weekly to monthly. Members

plan to attend SAD 17 School Board and Building Committee meetings, “so we can keep our eyes and ears as to what’s happening on that end,” Gallant noted. When asked if the HEOC might make recommendations at some point, Gallant responded, “I guess we could. We weren’t charged with that, to give a recommendation. We are charged to report on options.”

Selectman Nate Sessions questioned whether a vote on a $20 million bond to address SAD 17 maintenance is still scheduled for November? Sessions pointed out that if the bond passed and Harrison is still part of SAD 17, it would be responsible for a portion of that new debt. It’s a question that the group will

Vote by Clicker — Rather than raising a hand to cast a “yes” or “no” vote at the Harrison annual town meeting, citizens will press their preferences using a “clicker.”

The town purchased 300 clickers, which include three buttons — yes, no and abstain — as well as numerical sequence and Harrison logo. When a vote is entered, the totals will appear on a screen. The new clickers will be tested prior to town meeting use.

“People will sign in and be assigned a number. We’ll give everyone some time and then we’ll say final answer (time to enter the vote). We’ll have a screen and it will show how many yes votes and no votes and abstentions,” said Maureen McAllister, town finance officer. “We won’t be counting hands.”

Neighboring Casco and Naples also utilize voting clickers. Harrison officials hope to work out an agreement with those towns that if additional clickers are needed, they could be borrowed.

“We saw two benefits. One is it would speed the process up. Two is privacy. When you vote, no one will know how you voted because there’s no standing or raising hands,” Select Board chairman Phil Devlin said. “I think the other advantage is that Harrison is not at the forefront of technology so we’re much more comfortable being the second or third one (town) in. There are a couple of sources of expertise, which

we can probably arrange to have available to us if we need it.”

Different budget process coming? As the upcoming proposed budget takes shape with a workshop on Wednesday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m. (open to the public) and a public hearing set for April 9 at 6 p.m. at Harrison Elementary, Interim Town Manager Brad Plante plans to submit an article on the annual town meeting warrant to establish a permanent budget committee.

“There used to be a Budget Committee here years ago when I was here. I don’t know what happened to it. It just kind of went,” Plante said.

Plante said the committee will be appointed by the Select Board.

“My experience with an elected budget committee is that it’s a real struggle to get people to run,” Plante said.

Plante clarified that the budget committee would consist of five or seven citizens — “It’ll be totally independent, it’ll be separate” of the Select Board.

Plante then outlined how the process would work:

• The town manager and the finance director would present a draft budget to the budget committee.

• The budget committee then holds hearings, as well as hold discussions with the town manager and department heads. Budget numbers can be changed.

• The budget committee then presents the budget to the Select Board, which has final say as to what is presented to taxpayers.

“The budget that goes forward to the town meeting is the Select Board’s budget,” Plante added. “It’s not the manager’s, it’s not the budget committee’s, it’s the Select Board’s budget. So,

it’s a three-step process.

Every year, it will work the same way.”

Warrant articles to be considered at town meeting are approved by the Select Board.

Next steps for Scribner’s Mill bridge?

If the towns of Harrison and Otisfield decide against replacing the Scribner’s Mill bridge (it spans the Crooked River) — which has been closed and condemned by the Maine Department of Transportation — Trout Unlimited has a possible plan.

Jim Wescott of TU sent a letter to the town, as well as to Otisfield, on Feb. 14 to “discuss possible mutually beneficial changes at the site.”

“We recognize the bridge is co-owned by the two towns, and structural issues are so severe that it is beyond repair. We also recognize the cost replacement for the seldom traveled one-lane bridge may not be fiscally, a feasible option,” Wescott wrote. “We would like to offer a bridge and dam removal scenario where the towns benefit from hazardous abatement.

The high river flow threat to Scribner’s Mill preservation site is greatly reduced, and aquatic organism passage to the Crooked River, especially the renowned landlocked salmon, is enhanced. We welcome the opportunity to present our thoughts and to hear yours.”

Interim Town Manager Brad Plante had a phone conversation with Wescott, who believes if the town towns agree to remove the bridge, funding can be secured to do that work at no cost to Harrison and Otisfield.

Selectman Nate Sessions believes the Scribner’s Mill Preservation Society utilizes the dam “to some extent” (a water wheel that provides power).

“I think we should involve Scribner’s Mill Preservation in any decision making that’s appropriate. The removal of the bridge seems likely appropriate,

NEW WAY TO VOTE IN JUNE — Harrison will use electronic clickers to cast votes at this year’s annual town meeting. (Rivet Photo)

member Wendy Gallant reports to the Select Board Thursday night, regarding soon-to-be-published survey results and a switch to monthly group meetings.

‘Very pleased’ with Maple Sunday turnout

(Continued from Page 1A)

come out. They get a genuine idea of how much work we put into it,” he said.

In Fryeburg, Weston’s Farm & Market held its event on Sunday only.

“It was very well attended,” according to owner Laurie Weston.

“Last year, we had a snowstorm and people were still digging out,” she said. “This year, the sun was out. They came right inside. We were all inside. They got their ice cream with maples syrup for free, and I swear that is what a lot of people come for.”

“We were very pleased with the turnout. At one point, we ran out of ice cream and had to scurry around to the stores to buy some,” Weston said.

For decades, Sweet Williams in Casco has been satisfying people’s sweettooth and the need to get outdoors after a long winter.

“We had a fantastic weekend. Saturday is never as busy as Sunday but we still had a fantastic turnout. We had a good weekend, sales-wise as we ever had,” according to William “Bill” Symonds.

“Obliviously, the wind was a challenge. All the tents we set up for our pancake breakfast. I was up before 6 a.m. on Sunday, parking vehicles around the tent to tie it down. It was a very exciting morning,” he said.

“The sugarhouse is down in the hollow so the wind will go over your head,” he added.

He referred to the turnout as “great” and blamed the wind gusts for causing

people to stay for a shorter period of time.

“People like to come and hang out for a while. They were coming and enjoying themselves and moving on sooner,” he said.

Symonds was optimistic about the tail-end of the maple sap run.

“The season has been very good and I expect a lot more to come. We’ve got good temperatures. I never predict anything with maple, but it’s going to be a good year. This year had me a little nervous because I didn’t start making syrup until the second week of March. But when it started to run, it ran extremely well. We made a boatload of syrup. The week that it turned warm and rainy, I thought it was going to stop but with the vacuum system, I collected sap during that week,” he said.

“The hard freeze [the region] had is a good thing. Today is going to let go and we’ll see another good run,” Symonds said on Tuesday.

Lavoie said he thinks his business bring in more crowds by offering the petting zoo and public viewing of their animals: goats, rabbits, chickens and a couple horses.

“A lot of people come because we have the animals. What child wants to see sap boil? Their attention span is about four minutes. They want to go see the animals,” he said.

Lavoie’s adult daughter Jessie Taylor manned the petting zoo.

“The petting zoo — we had a quite a few people say they came to our loca-

Area News

tion because of the animals because other sugar producers didn’t have animals. It did draw a crowd,” Taylor said.

Maine Maple weekend “was very good, very busy. The weather was great on Saturday so lots of people came out on Saturday. Sunday was equally good,” she said.

Her dad, a mechanic by trade, has been a sugar producer for almost 40 years.

“I have memories of collecting: Using snowmobiles with sleds and a tank. Then, he upgraded and got the tractor with a tank. He used to tap other people’s properties. We would go with him and tap,” Taylor said.

Lavoie said he started tapping trees and making maple syrup while he was raising his family. He started because of the lull in outdoor activities in February and March.

“It was the transition time. It was mud season and there is not much to do. We are very active people. It was partly out of curiosity,” he said. “The first year was a few trees. The next year was 25 trees and then 100. At one point, we had 350 buckets. That is when we decided to go to tubing.”

Lavoie had a few mentors, including his father. It didn’t take long for him

to be convinced he got the maple bug.

Symonds understood the maple bug symptoms.

“I’m a builder who is

passionate

it doesn’t matter what profession you are in, you can catch it,” he said.

still a go,

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Locally elected officials braved Monday’s snowstorm and slippery roads in order to finalize the warrant for Naples Annual Town Meeting.

The Naples Select Board needed to meet the deadline for approving the town meeting warrant so that could go to the printers, according to Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers.

That is one reason why the meeting was not postponed like other happenings in the region, he said. The town meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at the Lake Region High School (LRHS) auditorium.

The board voted, 5-0, to approve the town warrant. Incidentally, Chairman Ted Shane attended remotely via Zoom since he was needed at his job with the New Gloucester Public Works Department. Therefore, Colin Brackett was acting chair.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, the board agreed to the replacement of the boat washing station for Trickey Pond.

This project will not cost the town anything as volunteer fundraising and labor will pay for the new boat washing station, Rogers said.

“They plan to start construction in April. The reason they need to come before the board is because it is on town land,” Rogers said. The boat wash station is accessible to the public, too. The vote was, 5-0, to allow this construction to occur.

TIF to cover Rte. 11 traffic light

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — Officials in this waterfront town want to make a such a good first impression that people will stop in their tracks. What better way to do that than with a traffic signal?

The traffic signal installation is a Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) project, and it will not be under construction until 2026.

out raising funds through taxation or taking out a bond,” according to ViceChair Colin Brackett.

Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers provided some information about this project.

The Town of Naples plans to earmark $220,000 from the TIF fund to pay for an upgrade to the traffic signals that will be installed at the intersection of Routes 302 and 11.

On Monday, the Naples Select Board voted, 5-0, to upgrade a new signal light at the intersection of Route 11 and Route 302 from a post and cable design to a boom pole design in the FY 2026-27 budget.

“The cost estimate is $220,000 and can be paid for through TIF funds with-

“When the DOT installs a new light at 302 and 11, their standard install is a wooden pole and cable design. A lot of effort went into getting the boom design at the 35 junction,” he said.

“With the Route 11 light being the first light you see when you come to Naples, it was thought it would be important to keep the same look and feel” as the traffic light structure at routes 35 and 302.

“With DOT, any cost in an upgrade becomes the burden of the town. The state covers the cost of the wooden poles and cables and anything above and beyond that, it falls on the town to cover that cost,” he said.

“What I need from the select board is a commitment to include the cost of the boom-pole design in the 2026-27 budget season so those funds can be secured,” Rogers said.

TIF money is a valid way to pay for these improvements to the state’s project.

“Again, it can be paid for through TIF. It is in our TIF district. It is allowable in our TIF document for public safety,” Rogers said, adding, “I think that would be a good way to go.”

Vice-Chair Brackett, asked if the cost estimate included a 10 percent contingency. The answer was yes. Select Board member Kevin Rogers asked about adding crosswalks.

“They discussed running conduit for a potential crosswalk at that intersection. I don’t know to what

about maple. That maple sickness —

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED right off Route 35 in Harrison, a blow-up maple syrup bottle greets visitors to Dad’s Maple Sugar Shack on Maine Maple weekend. (De Busk Photo)

SUGAR SHACK TALK — At home conversing about the maple sugar process, Joe Lavoie shares information with people who toured Dad’s Sugar Shack as part of Maine Maple weekend this past Saturday and Sunday. (De Busk Photo)

WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE GIRL IS GOOD FOR THE GOAT — At Dad’s Maple Sugar Shack in Harrison on Saturday, Lilah Taylor calms down her goats by laying her coat on the hay for them and pretending to take a nap. The white goat is named June Bug and the other one is Oakley. (De Busk Photo)

Harrison: Planners to tackle Comp Plan

but the dam may be an inconvenience,” Sessions said. Mike Garvey noted the local snowmobile club was looking to possibly save a portion of the bridge to enable crossing there.

When a meeting to dis-

cuss options is scheduled, all groups will be invited.

Volunteer needed for fee review — Since the topic of town fees came up during budget work, Interim

Manager Brad Plante sought Select Board approval to allow him to recruit someone to do a “complete

across the board study of all fees in the town…the whole nine yards.”

“We need to get a real feeling where we are at. Some of the fees are extremely low,” Plante said. “There are some facilities we’re not even charging a fee for. Before we make any

decisions, we need to see the complete picture.”

Plante would like to find a volunteer — this would not be a paid position — with basic computer skills (able to use Excel and create spreadsheets). While working in Sebago, Plante went

Naples resolves shore violation

(Continued from Page 1A)

Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers gave some background history and explained what has taken place to arrive at the consent agreement between the town and Naples resident Dave Keith.

“Back in 2022, Mr. Keith lost his home on 85 Bayou Rd. to a fire. In the subsequent months and years, he has demoed the burnt structure,” Rogers began.

The fire happened in late November 2022. The home is located where the Songo River feeds into Sebago Lake and in the proximity of what locals refer to as the Sand Bar.

“There has been a lot of interaction between the planning board, the town attorney, his attorney — it’s been going on for a while,” Rogers said.

“We are getting to the point where Mr. Keith can satisfy the fees to the town for some tree removal that happened and demonstrate that the septic system is adequate for the new structure. We are at a point move in which he can move forward with the construction of his property,” he said.

The parties had to come to a reasonable amount for the shoreland zone violation fines that had been accruing.

“When the trees were cut down, there are fees associated with that or fines that accumulate every day. I think upwards of $48,000. That is excessive. That is cost prohibitive,” Rogers said. “The time delays were

a matter of going back and forth between attorneys and consulting with the Portland Water District and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“This is a shoreland zone property so we wanted to make sure we were doing it right,” Rogers added.

“In order to lessen the financial burden on Mr. Keith, but at the same time recoup the funds spent during the process, we developed an agreement. There will be a fine of $6,000 with the stipulation that the septic system will be inspected by code office,” he said.

Additionally, the property-owner presented a planting plan, which the code enforcement officer will inspect over the next five years to ascertain the plantings are successful, he said.

“I think the terms of the agreement satisfy both sides. At the end of the day, the goal is to allow Mr. Keith to be able to move forward with building on his property,” Rogers said. Select Board member Stephen LaPointe responded with a question.

“So, you are telling us the town is satisfied at this point,” LaPointe said.

After Rogers said the town was pleased with the agreement, LaPointe said, “Sounds good to me.”

Ted Shane, who joined the meeting via Zoom, invited Town Attorney Amy K. Tchao, of Drummond Woodsum, to speak on the legal document.

Tchao also attended the meeting remotely.

“Jason [Rogers] did summarize the agreement pretty well and the negotiations,” she began.

“There are two general issues that this consent agreement resolves. It resolves some cutting of trees in the shoreland zone. There is going to be a replanting plan. It also prescribes the process of the timing of the rebuild project to take place based on the submission of the materials that the CEO has made clear are needed and [Keith] has agreed to provide. All with a deadline of later this spring,” Tchao said.

“From the town’s perspective, we have worked this out,” she said, suggesting the board amend the motion to authorize the town manager to sign for

select board.

“It can be notarized so it can be recorded in the Registry of Deeds,” Tchao said.

Select Board member Shane asked a question, saying it will be something people in the public will ask.

“If he replants trees and they do not grow, is there a timeframe that he has to plan something else that will grow,” Shane asked.

The replanting timeframe is five years.

“Yes, if there is a mortality [of plantings] the design of the agreement is to address the mortality within the five-year period,” Attorney Tchao said. “After 5 years, you are pretty sure that they will live.” Shane suggested keeping a record of this in the Naples Code Office.

through the same process. A Select Board member volunteered.

“There fees were all over the place,” he said. Plante said the volunteer could also check to see what other towns charge for various fees. Ultimately, the Select Board sets the fees. Plante does not expect to have the fee review and/or fee recommendations until fall (he expects it will “take most of the summer”).

For more information, check the town website or contact Plante.

Planners to tackle Comp Plan — Harrison’s Comprehensive Plan needs to be update, and the Planning Board is willing to take on the project.

PB Chairman James Dayton said the project’s scope will be to update the existing plan and make changes where appropriate.

“The Comprehensive plan is a very well written document. The last time around, there were technical reasons why the state didn’t approve it. There are things in there that really haven’t changed,” Dayton said.

The update timeframe will likely be a year to 18 months, Dayton speculated.

Select Board Chairman Phil Devlin questioned how community engagement would be handled since the plan is a vision of what the community wants the future of Harrison to be.

“I want to be sensitive if there are people who would like to be actively involved,” he said.

“There will be plenty of opportunity,” Dayton answered.

PB Alternate Wendy Gallant hopes that once the plan is updated and approved by the state, it doesn’t sit on a shelf and collect dust. “We have to be able to execute that plan, otherwise, what’s the plan? I’m hoping that we’re prepared to do that,” she said.

The Select Board voted 3-0 to authorize planners to take the Comp Plan update lead.

Manager search update — Devlin gave a quick rundown on the town manager search: 1. The consultant has interviewed citizens, and plans to speak with town employees; 2. At the next Select Board meeting, officials will formally approve the Help Wanted advertisement and decide where it will be placed; 3. The consultant will screen preliminary list of candidates and passing along recommendations regarding applicants the board might like to consider.

“A final set of candidates will come to the board in the June/July timeframe,” Devlin said. “We’ll be trying to do a final selection once the two (Select) board members are elected in June.”

Rte. 11 traffic light

(Continued from Page 3A)

extent they will go with crosswalks,” he said.

Town Manager Rogers responded.

“The planning is going to happen this summer. That’s when we can make sure that is included,” he said.

Naples resident Ken Norton raised a concern based on a previous traffic signal project.

“With the plans for with the Route 35-Route 302 intersection — the state gave the town a conceptual drawing. Then, [former Naples Town Manager] John Hawley found out the design wasn’t included in the construction. It was an extra $100,000 to do the design,” he said.

“I don’t remember how that shook out. But make sure who is responsible for the design costs: the state or the town,” Norton said.

Select Board member Bill Adams said that replacing the traffic signal was the town’s project, not the state’s, which is why the cost fell on the town’s shoulders.

The future traffic signal at Route 11 is different, he said.

“They [DOT] are putting in the lights no matter what. The extra $220,000 was just for the cantilever poles and not just cables,” Adams said.

Town Manager Rogers said, “I will confirm that the project manager that the design is included in the $220,000.”

HARRISON, Page 7A

School Notebook

Academy prize speakers takes center stage

Zoe Daigle’s ‘Conversations’ captures first place

Fryeburg Academy celebrated the finalists of the Annual Speech Prize event on Tuesday, March 18. The event promotes essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and leadership.

Outstanding students were selected based on their impressive performances during the semifinal rounds earlier this month on March 13. The finalists presented their speeches to peers, family, and community members at the Leura Hill Performing Arts Center.

The FA Band performed during intermission to enhance the evening’s festivities, followed by light refreshments.

Each speech was judged based on criteria including content, structure, delivery, fluency, and poise. First place went to Zoe Daigle ’25; second place to Barbara Zhalezniak ’27; and third place to William McDonnell ’26.

Honorable Mentions went to Sarah Priestman ’25, Elise Dunn ’26 and Camila Luna ’27.

A

Series of Conversations

By Zoë Daigle

My dad once told me that we are reflections of our blood. Meaning that

all that has been, is, and I am just the culmination of the actions taken by my parents and their parents and theirs. I said that would be a cool speech topic, and here we are. And, I guess I’m proving his point just by talking about it at this moment, but I really do feel that I am just a stroke in the picture of my family tree. Today, I’d like to talk specifically about my father: a series of conversations between my him and I, of which I am the result.

My dad used to work a lot when I was younger, staying late or even staying over on occasion at the hospital, so sometimes I recall him as this overarching presence throughout my childhood. Like a spirit, my older siblings would conjure up as leverage to stop Rutger, our youngest brother, from misbehaving: “If you don’t clean up your mess, I’ll call dad,” and then they’d count down from ten and he’d frantically start cleaning and it worked every time. The point is, my dad became this all-knowing, omniscient figure, and I’m still pretty sure he has all the answers.

So, I’m about eight or nine years old and this concept of death is really

honors

starting to freak me out. What comes next? Where do we go? I’m terrified, but fortunately my dad should be able to explain it away. For whatever reason, I’ve decided that the best time to get the answers I’m so craving is in the middle of a ride up a mountain via a ski lift.

The air is frigid and the mountain lights are outshining the stars above. Because my dad and I are snowboarders, we take a lift together. It’s silent.

“Dad, I’m scared to die.”

He says, “You have a helmet on, just stay out of the moguls,” so I explain that I meant it in a more general sense and I was not, in fact, experiencing feelings of impending doom over the quad at Shawnee Peak.

“Well, everyone will die, but you have so much time before then. The elderly people that I treat are often ready to go by then anyways—”

“But I don’t want to die.”

“You’re not dying now. You’re skiing.”

And so, we skied. And death wasn’t chasing me that night. And life comes down to the very moment I am inhabiting. What am

I doing right now? What are the odds of me dropping dead while delivering this speech? Never zero, but close to it. Fighting the inevitable becomes a false battle. There is no winning, so be here now.

It’s only a few years later, or a million moments, when I’m laying in my old room. The curtains are half drawn and the lights are left out. The day is dying and the sun is low, but the

NHS inductees

Fryeburg Academy inducted 27 new members into the B.W. Tinker Chapter of the National Honor Society on Monday, March 17, recognizing their accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Membership in the National Honor Society is among the highest honors a high school student can receive.

Congratulations to the following new inductees:

New Senior Inductees

Lillian Kiley, Minchae (Clodine) Kim, Matthew Kim, Jisoo Lee, Michael Malia, Anna Stasiuk, Haruki Takagi, and Alexis Wentworth.

New Junior Inductees

Elise Dunn, Aspen Hazlewood, Abigail Lain, Anton Liesnoi, Rylan McBride, Andrew Meier, Arthur Osborne, Logan Smith, Pavlo Tsybran and Lilia Vishnyakov.

New Sophomore Inductees

Mia Abarca, Kailey Clynes, Serena Di Nucci, Lexie Gagnon, Abram Grace, Brailey Sands, Olivia Stacy, Brennan Slosberg and Mona Wilson.

FA presents...

FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Academy presents The 39 Steps! Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps A fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!

This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters, an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing Pingers, and some good old-fashioned romance!

Performances: Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

The 39 Steps tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Purchase tickets online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at (207) 5449066. The Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center is located at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg, on the campus of Fryeburg Academy.

last reflections of light over the snow-covered ground have painted the room blue. My TV is on, but nothing is playing. I’ve not done anything for weeks but sink into my mattress and absorb its comfort. I am grossly lethargic and inexplicably depressed. I can’t explain it or help myself or find a cause. Or maybe I don’t care to— sometimes things just happen, I decided. My dad walks

into my room and I still don’t respond or react, just stare.

“What are you doing, Zoë?” I say, “Nothing.”

“You are wasting your time,” he tells me. This is a vivid memory. His expression is sad but knowing. There is understanding and contempt. There is fear and there is alertness. “Is this fundamentally who you

Top LRVC student pick

Calvin Cachu of Bridgton has been selected as the Masons’ Lake Region Vocational Student of the Month for March.

Student Profile Name: Calvin Cachu

Class of: 2026

Town: Bridgton

Parent: Kimberly

Sibling: Teagan

Hobbies: I enjoy woodworking and taking walks.

What program are you in at the Vocational Center? I am in the Health Occupations CNA program.

What do you like most about your program? I enjoy the atmosphere of the class, and

that I’m learning real life work.

What are your plans after graduation? I plan to work as a CNA in the area. What career goal(s) do you have? I plan to become a CNA and then maybe an RN. Who or what inspired you to pursue this path? My family, Mrs. Morello (the program instructor) and my Gramma inspired me. What advice would you like to give future students? Be prepared for this program mentally and physically. Understand that you’ll be dealing with bodily fluids and difficult situations.

MASON’S Student of the Month Calvin Cachu

SPEAKING FINALISTS — First place, Zoe Daigle ’25 (second from left); Second place, Barbara Zhalezniak ’27 (third from left); Third place, William McDonnell ’26 (far right).

27 NEW HONOR SOCIETY CLASS members inducted at Fryeburg Academy at a March 17 ceremony.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH — Hallie Shrier received the Denmark Lions’ Student of the Month Award at Brownfield-Denmark School on Monday, March 24. She is a fourth grader at the school. Her teacher nominated Hallie because she is a wonderful friend to her classmates, works hard and is always respectful to others. She is a student who can work well with everyone and is a great role model at her school. Pictured, Lions Club President Nicole Watkins proudly presents the honor to Hallie Shrier.

Sure shots: Kids gave it their best

The Knights of Columbus, in conjunction with Brian Crockett, the Naples Recreation director, held a Free Throw Competition at the Lake Region Middle School gym on March 1.

Twenty-three boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14 competed within their age and gender group with winners being eligible to compete in the Knights of Columbus state competition in Old Town. There were previous, as well as, new participants in this event coming from the surrounding towns of Bridgton, Naples and Casco, as well as from Minot and New Hampshire.

One of the winners, Delany White of Milan, N.H., won the state title in the 11-year-old girl’s division.

This is the second year this event has taken place at the Lake Region Middle School gym and hopefully for many years to come. (See the Knights thank you letter to Brian Crockett in Section B)

ON THE FOUL LINE —

were participants and

Court to carry Coach’s name

While you may be busy watching your NCAA brackets and cheering on your favorite teams as basketball finals sweep the nation, Bridgton Academy invites the public to a truly historic project to support a facility held near and dear by many Wolverines — the Memorial Gym Wolverdome.

After officially opening its doors in 1959, the Memorial Gymnasium has hosted 66 years of Bridgton Academy student-athletes on its legendary court. From epic basketball games to dodgeball tournaments, to training, indoor practices, and beyond, the Memorial Gym court has seen decades of student-athletes pursue their dreams.

Its years of service are many, and this beloved floor in the Wolverdome, original to the 1959 building, is now in need of replacement.

This May/June, Bridgton Academy will begin the process of installing a new, modernized maple floor in the Memorial Gymnasium, along with making additional upgrades to this unique and beloved facility including a full roof replacement and other basketball gym enhance -

ments. Bridgton Academy is excited to invite the public to be part of history by donating to make this effort to preserve and enhance our historic gymnasium possible.

Honoring the Legendary Coach Whit Lesure Bridgton Academy is honored to announce that Coach Whit Lesure, who has guided and developed Bridgton Academy basket-

ball players since 1997, will be officially recognized with the naming of the Academy’s new basketball court.

The newly installed court will proudly display Coach Whit’s signature, with a dedication celebration to take place at a future date.

Coach Lesure’s legendary career includes training and mentoring decades of Wolverines on the court and in the classroom, with four NEPSAC AAA Championships to his name so far in the process.

A donation to the Memorial Gymnasium Floor Project will help the Academy to recognize a Bridgton Academy faculty veteran and legend who has truly given so much to so many and continues to share his love for the game with the players of today. Own a Piece of Bridgton Academy History

All donors supporting the Memorial Gymnasium Floor Project will be recognized on a donor plaque to reside in the entryway of the Wolverdome in honor of this project. Additionally, donors who give $250 and above are eligible to receive a memento piece of the original Memorial Gym floor. Please note that the quantity of the memento gym floor pieces may be limited and will be provided in the order of donations received.

To make a gift in support of the Bridgton Academy Memorial Gym Floor Project, text BAHoops to 41444.

If you have questions about the Memorial Gymnasium Floor Project or would like to learn more, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at alumni@bridgtonacademy.org or (207) 647-3322, ext. 2.

Fight for Four Square title April 12

With just a few weeks remaining until the annual Four Square World Championships on Saturday, April 12, organizers are reaching out to remind players to secure their spot by registering at https://app.amilia. com/store/en/bridgton/api/Activity/ Detail?activityId=y0RB973 if you haven’t already done so.

Ross picked top citizen volunteer

Longtime community volunteer Glynn Ross has been named the 2025 Citizen Volunteer of the Year by the Maine Recreation and Park Association (MRPA).

The award was presented at the MRPA Annual Awards Banquet held on Monday, March 17, recognizing Glynn’s outstanding dedication to recreation and community service.

The Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually by MRPA to honor an individual who has made a significant impact on their community through ongoing and exceptional volunteer contributions to local parks and recreation programs.

Bridgton Recreation Director Gary Colello presented the award to Glynn at the banquet.

In his speech, Colello highlighted Glynn’s 12 years of service to the Bridgton Recreation Department and the meaningful impact he has made through coaching, volunteering, and supporting community programs. He spoke about Glynn’s reliability, selflessness, and dedication — qualities that have made him a valued member of the Bridgton community.

Advance registration is not mandatory but is really appreciated. Stay connected through social media: X: @4SQUAREWC Instagram: 4 SQUARE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP YouTube https:// www.youtube.com/@ FourSquareWorldChampionships

Organizers are thrilled to unveil several enhancements:

• Improved Schedule Structure: The schedule to include several rounds of play for each of the Boys Children, Girls Children, Women, and Men divisions, ensuring ample opportunities for competitors who are not eliminated to showcase their skills.

• Revised Rules: Eliminated the “points-per-serve” system last year

• Extended Registration and Warmup: A full hour for registration, mingling with fellow Four Square enthusiasts, reviewing the (new) rules, and getting some practice and warm-up time in.

“It is an absolute honor to stand before you today to recognize someone whose unwavering dedication, generosity,” Colello said. “For the past 12 years, Glynn has been a pillar of the Bridgton recreation community, devoting countless hours to enriching the lives of young athletes and families. Whether serving as a coach, mentor, committee member, or community advocate, he has played a vital role in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through recreation.”

Colello added, “His contributions are truly remark-

VOLUNTEER, Page 7A

SQUARES, Page 7A

Child must be five (5) on or before October 15, 2025

DATES: May 1st and May 8th (added only if needed)

LOCATION: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church - Fryeburg TIME: Beginning April 1st, please call for an appointment: 207 935-2600 Ext 1414

Taking part in the Knights of Columbus annual Free Throw Shooting competition

organizers, pictured left to right, Rec Director Brian Crockett, Pat Bracken of the KofC, Graeme Scales, Arianna Regis, Jacob McGuire, Ryker Emery, Cason Emery, Adelynn Wilson, Braxton Nicholas, Henry Hoppe of KofC (Grand Knight), Paul Coplpitts and Richard King of the KofC. Not pictured were Delaney White, Maci Morton and Cameron Young.

STATE HONOR — Glynn Ross of Bridgton is pictured showing off his Citizen Volunteer of the Year plaque. He is pictured with his wife, Kayla.

COACH Whit Lesure talks with his Wolverine basketball players along the sidelines.

Pause mode for Downtown Revitalization

— Is the time right to jumpstart downtown revitalization work or should Harrison remain in a pause mode?

Darryl Sterling, who is a grant writer and community development consultant, recapped revitalization work to date which included working with Wright Pierce Engineers in developing an action plan, holding public engagement workshops and formulating a list of priorities — items to tackle in

Year 1 and Year 2 and then beyond.

The engineering firm submitted a planning study ($35,000) to the state, which is required to be in line for possible revitalization grant funding. Other studies anticipated include downtown parking and Main Street corridor study.

“That’s where we look at the geographic area of the downtown defined district, which will cover more sidewalks, sidewalk renewals, crossings, all of the traffic calming and streetscape, including streetlights,”

Sterling said.

The planning study (estimated at $75,000) would be a 50/50 cost split with the Maine Department of Transportation.

“Then, that would lead to a larger project, which could be a million or two million to tackle major construction items to improve the downtown accessibility…to make the town more accessible, vehicular and pedestrian wise,” Sterling noted.

The ultimate question is whether to stay in pause mode or hit the reset button now.

“I don’t want to start over, but basically start fresh,” Devlin said. “I think we want to have a different committee with a different charter, so there will be more active participation. There were gaps in translations, things didn’t happen, so we’re correcting these things to move ahead.”

Wendy Gallant, who served on the Revitalization Committee, favored “hitting a pause, if not a reset button on this project.”

“I think a lot has changed. I think maybe we do need to kind of start over a little bit,” she said. “Communication was a problem.”

With the Select Board turning over updating of the Comp Plan to the Planning Board, Gallant suggested the revitalization remained paused, for now.

“The Comp Plan is the blueprint of your town. Everything comes from that, so it just seems wise for us to be working to complete the Comp Plan so we can really see the vision of what we all want going forward. So, maybe in a year from now, we would have a better idea…We’re on a good path. We have a good team going here. I really would like to see us not put the cart before the horse.”

Because the Select Board is short two members and staff vacancies exist in the town office, Plante felt a pause on revitalization until after town meeting might be a good move. The Select

Board agreed. Quick points — Watch your speed! County deputies issued 57 traffic tickets in February, which is almost two summonses per day.

• The town has hired a new administrative assistant, Catherine Wilcox.

• Work continues to correct a water issue at the new Public Works facility.

• The Long Lake boat ramp area needs retaining wall repair. Town officials were to meet with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife this week.

• Grants and donations are being sought to replace/ repair playground equipment at Crystal Lake Park and the RADR Complex. Two playground pieces, which were deemed “unserviceable and kind of dangerous,” were removed from RADR, Plante reported.

• Crosswalk flashing lights near Crystal Lake Park and the boat launch area on Long Lake will be installed (cost estimate, $14,175) in the next two to three weeks.

• Based on a report from engineers Wright Pierce, the town’s salt shed is in “tough shape.” Plante said the report did not contain estimates of the cost to either repair or completely replace the shed. Plante suggested the project be placed on the new Capital Improvement Plan list for the next fiscal year. “It’s not in danger of collapsing, but it’s in pretty tough shape,” Plante said.

FA Prize Speaker winner Zoe Daigle

are, or can you change?”

This question is fatal. I’ve been moved and rocked by it — I don’t know. I don’t think this is who I am… but what have I done to stop it? I don’t get the chance to answer his question because he’s already left, but the question is an answer within itself: No, this is not who I am because this is not who I want to be. I know I can change. I did. The summer I turned 14, my family was attending a wedding. My early teenage years were rough in terms of self-confidence — internalized hatred was this plague that I could not ward off. So, the thought of doing anything at all in front of 120 people made me physically ill. My dad, on the other hand, loves to dance. He’d hit the floor for hours at a time and beckon others to join him in the process. At some point in the night, as it’s just beginning to thin out, he sits next to me and asks me to dance. Of course, I

Citizen Volunteer of Year

(Continued from Page 6A)

able. Over the years, he has dedicated countless hours to coaching youth sports, spanning soccer, basketball, football, and baseball — often managing multiple teams in a single season. He has also organized clinics, facilitated open gym sessions, and fostered an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow both on and off the field.”

Colello said he had the pleasure of coaching alongside Glynn and consider him a dear friend.

“His passion for mentoring young athletes and his unwavering commitment to the community are evident in everything he does. He is the coach who stays after practice to help a young athlete master a skill, the mentor who emphasizes life lessons as much as the game itself, and the volunteer who

steps in wherever needed — whether that’s officiating a game, preparing a field, or simply lending a helping hand to a neighboring town,” Colello added. “His integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to youth development have left a lasting mark on our community and the Lake Region.”

am reluctant. I ask how he can go out there and throw inhibitions to the wind.

And he says, “I want to be that guy. That guy who is still dancing when everyone else has sat down or left the party.”

And with that he takes my hand and we dance for the remainder of the night. For Dancing Queen and Mr. Brightside and all the wedding songs in between, he really is That Guy, and I am opportune enough to be his daughter. And there is a great lesson to be reaped from all of this: you can choose to enjoy and wring out all the excitement and energy and love and knowledge from the dirty cloth of life. Every drop is invalu-

able. If my nerdy, middle-aged father can dance the night away at some friend-of-a-friend’s wedding, then so can I. And, so can you. Some people can dive into a challenge and handle it head on. Some people can leave the woes of life and death at the bottom of a mountain. Some people can dance, not like no one is watching, but until no one is watching. My dad can do it all and then treat a patient the next day with ultimate reservation and duty.

My dad once told me that we are reflections of our blood. I hope to spend my life proving that.

Shout out to my wonderful mother… Sorry! Thank you.

Young poet winner

Isabel Neal, a member of Bridgton Academy’s Humanities faculty, has been named the 2025 Yale Younger Poets winner for her manuscript Thrown Voice

This prestigious honor, awarded by Yale University Press, is the longest-running poetry prize in the United States, recognizing some of the most talented emerging poets since 1919. Isabel’s work was selected by acclaimed poet Rae Armantrout, and her collection will be published in April 2026.

“What an incredible honor for Isabel,” says Jamie Izaryk, Dean of Academics. “Her writing is eloquent and engaging, and being named the 2025 Yale Younger Poets winner for Thrown Voice is not only fitting but well deserved. She is a tremendously talented educator and accomplished writer, and she never ceases to impress me with her ability to achieve and educate at the highest level. Our students are fortunate to learn from her, and we are equally lucky to have her as a colleague.”

“This news has left me so moved and grateful,” Isabel shares. “Thrown Voice came to be with the witness and care of many friends, teachers, and students. I am excited to share this with the people whose company and curiosity have sustained me.”

Isabel’s passion for language and storytelling shines not only in her poetry but also in the way she inspires her students every day. Her achievement is a wonderful milestone and moment of pride for Bridgton Academy and its outstanding and dedicated faculty.

Fight for Four Square title

Meet and Greet, Rules Review and Open Play

Glynn doesn’t volunteer for recognition; he does it because “he truly believes in the power of recreation to unite people, teach valuable life lessons, and positively shape the future of our youth. His dedication serves as an inspiration to us all, and it is only fitting that we honor him for the incredible impact he has made,” Colello noted. “… Your work has made a difference, and our community is better because of you.”

and introduced “outs” scoring which tracks the number of times a competitor is eliminated from their square. Each competitor will have their specific number of outs tracked. This ensures fairness and transparency in scoring.

• Refreshment Break: Take a scheduled break to enjoy complimentary refreshments and recharge for the next round of action.

The 20th Annual Four Square World Championships on April 12 at the Bridgton Town Hall (North High Street) schedule: 3:30 to 4:30: Walk-on registrations,

6:45 to 7:10: Men’s Championships. 7:15: Trophy and Awards Ceremony. (Continued from

4:30 to 5:15: Scoring Round, all players (men on designated courts, all others - group play).

5:15 to 5:30: Break with refreshments.

5:30 to 5:55: Women’s/Girls’/Boys’ Semifinaals (women, girls, boys each on designated courts).

5:55 to 6:20: Men’s Semifinals.

6:20 to 6:45: Women’s/Girls’/Boys’ Championships (women, girls, boys each on designated courts).

Isabel Neal BA Faculty member

People Profile: George Weston

(Continued from Page 1A)

Gordon (1936-1995).

This story is about George — one of the most outstanding citizens of Fryeburg. The similarities to Jimmy Stewart’s small-town George Bailey are spot on.

George Weston was born into a Fryeburg farm family and he accepted his unwritten mission with enthusiasm and dedication. Weston’s Farm had been a superior Holstein dairy farm for decades.

At age 4, George woke up one day and was having trouble walking. Dr. Boothby, of Fryeburg, was suspicious that he had contracted polio and doctors in Portland confirmed it. George spent many months at Children’s Hospital in Boston, which was full of polio patients. To this day, he continues to hold their doctors and hospital in the highest regard for their fine treatment and life-saving care. He also had the loving and unwavering support of his family. Several surgeries during his growth years made it possible for George to “walk reasonably well.”

In 1952, the Portland Press Herald wrote a story about 10-year-old George Weston and two other Fryeburg boys, John Hill, age 14, and George’s cousin, Carl Pipe, age 9, when they started their own maple syrup business. The article was about their enthusiasm and teamwork.

By the time George reached high school, his otherwise unlucky health issues, left him with a determination and positive temperament that steers his life to this day.

George was not able to play sports in high school, instead participating as the enthusiastic manager of the football and basketball teams. He was a member of the student council, starred in school plays, was a member of the Future Farmers of America, and served as senior class president. At graduation, one of the awards he received was given in honor of his, “unselfish leadership and service to his fellows.”

A true Fryeburg Academy Raider. George would go on to attend the University of New Hampshire. He graduated in 1964 with his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.

In 1966, George married Conway resident Laurie Burnell after being introduced to her by his FA classmate, Arizona Zipper, of Fryeburg. George and Laurie built a house near the large farm on family property. Children Mary (1967), Julie (1969) and John (1975) would follow as seventh generation

Westons. In 1972, George’s father, John Weston, passed due to a heart attack. “I was talking to my father on the front lawn and he died right there.” As expected, George picked up where his father left off. “... Well I tried to,” he says modestly. “I thought I was going to be doing exactly what my father did - buying and selling cows. For a while, I was going to Vermont once a week with dairy cattle but that got old. As life would have it, small dairy farms were folding left and right during the early 70s. The demands on dairy farmers got bigger and more sophisticated. Milk used to be picked up in cans. Then, milk companies started requiring milk tanks. Some farmers didn’t want to go that route. It was a tough business. It costs a lot to bring in feed and the small guys went out of business. And new generations did not want to do it. They understood the negative economics of it. There’s no question that in the 50s a person here in the valley could milk a few cows, have a small tractor, sell corn to the corn shops, and they could get by alright but that is no longer. The dairy farms that are left are very big and mechanized. It’s kind of too bad it had to go that way, but it did.”

“In the long run, the last thing I ever thought I’d be doing is selling vegetables. But we started and here we are!” he said.

The Westons grow 60 acres of fresh vegetables, and two acres are certified organic.

George says, “Our daughter, Mary, has a great eye for running things at the farmstand in Fryeburg. My son, John, does all the farming and outdoor work. Our daughter, Julie, works at our West Side Road farmstand in Conway. Our niece, Heather Burnell, is fast becoming the manager here in Fryeburg as my wife, Laurie, looks to cut back on her many years in farming

and long hours associated with this life. And I have two grandchildren, Serena, 16 and Tyler, 25, and they are great helpers.”

George is a very knowledgeable historian. His home office is lined with photos and important historical Weston family memorabilia including scenes of his father with President Eisenhower on a visit he made to Maine in 1955; a letter he received while a patient at Children’s Hospital in Boston dated 1954 from Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith; and, a framed photo and article about the surgeon who treated him at Children’s Hospital. He owns records of farmers detailing the cattle drives out of Fryeburg to the Brighton Stockyards near Boston back before the railroad came to town.

“It would take 10 days to drive cattle to Somerville, Massachusetts. The first stop was in Freedom, N.H., with designated stops all along the way to pasture the cattle. Farmers bought and sold all along the way,” George says. “My father was a wellknown cattle dealer. He had a commission business in Somerville. There were all kinds of stories on those drives. The Fryeburg railroad changed all that around 1871.”

George loves Fryeburg Fair and has been involved all his life. He started showing the family’s Holsteins at the fair’s dairy shows while in grade school as a young 4-H’er. He would go on to work with

their Holsteins at Weston Farm,

the 4-H department for many years with Dick Andrews and then Henry Black. He helped Dr. Eugene Hussey, then the Livestock Chairman. When Dr. Hussey moved to the Finance Committee at the Fair, George was named to replace him as Livestock Chairman and has been in that role ever since.

George’s grandfather, his namesake, George Weston (1870-1938) was instrumental in leadership at Fryeburg Fair as well as his father, John. He recalls his father and two other fair leaders going to the bank annually to sign a personal note to guarantee they had funds to open the fair, personally underwriting their beloved agricultural event. George’s father was the chairman of the Maine Harness Racing Commission.

At 83 years old, George says he doesn’t see himself retiring. “Of course, I’ve slowed down some. As far as the fair, I have a very able assistant, Dave Richardson, of Fryeburg. And as long as I can contribute and not get in the way, I’d like to keep going, probably reversing roles with Dave.”

Richardson says, “George is a wonderful role model, mentor and father figure to me. I have sought his sound guidance many times as a friend and as his livestock assistant. He has an inspirational amount of integrity along with a high degree of professionalism that we all respect and appreciate. When an issue needs to be resolved, he listens to everyone. With his calm manner, a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye, he resolves the issue with fairness and respect.”

When asked about his favorite aspects of the fair, George seems to gravitate to areas his ancestors have been involved in.

“I love the horse racing. To see them all running around the corner...so great. My father was instrumental in starting Woodsmen’s Field Day and I love that. A good day at the Fair is to be involved with the animals. My job is to go around and see that all is going smoothly in the livestock and agricul-

tural areas. It’s a hectic week but I enjoy seeing our regular farmers and families that come every year. And all the happy fairgoers,” he said.

Dave Hastings, president of Fryeburg Fair, says, “George is a pillar of the Fryeburg Fair. He speaks quietly and with a lot of wisdom. When hard decisions need to be made, we all listen carefully to George.”

Besides the fair, George has long been the annual organizer of Fryeburg’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony.

“My uncle, Dick Pipe, was the Commander of the American Legion in Fryeburg at one time. He was getting on in years and he decided I was going to help him. I’ve tried to do what I can. Uncle Dick served in WWII 19431945 in the China, Burma, India theater and was part of ‘Flying the Hump’, a dangerous navigation through the Himalayan Mountains near enemy territory,” he noted.

On the list of other contributions, George has been a selectman for the town of Fryeburg, as well as serving on town committees. He and son, John, have long maintained their family’s Stark’s Mountain for use by Fryeburg Academy sports teams and town residents for skiing, running and general recreation.

George recently had his left knee replaced on his “good leg” and is doing well. He right leg has endured the lifelong effects of polio.

Roy Andrews, lifelong resident of Fryeburg and past president of Fryeburg Fair says, “George and I grew up together. I’m a few years older. Our families were both in the dairy business and we traded and sold cattle for many years. He is extremely respected in the town and very involved in the community. They just don’t come any better than George.”

George’s exceptional nature, ability to adapt and commitment to his fellow citizens is a model for all. He’s Fryeburg’s very own George Bailey.

Written by Rachel Andrews Damon with thanks to David Crouse of Cold River Chronicle for historical assistance.

Bridgton

and collision figures, Police Chief Phil Jones responded, “I don’t have any strong data to show that there’s a high level of crashes other than during the wintertime, which is a different issue altogether.” Brusini reiterated the request is a “preventative” step. “These stores have gone up in quick order, and more are going up. Our approach is why wait for something to happen?” she said. “You lose nothing if you write to the Department of Transportation and they say ‘no.’ It actually stimulates the discussion in more detail.”

Madsen did ask one business (Campfire Grill) about the possible speed limit change, and they were “all in favor of it,” Brusini noted. “Any time people are going a little slower, they’re going to notice your business, and it’s going to be easier getting in and out of there.”

The Select Board agreed to direct Interim Town Manager Georgiann Fleck to write a letter (with assistance from Planning Board Chair Brusini) to MDOT requesting the speed limit change. Select Board Chairman Bob McHatton will sign the letter.

A ‘different’ food choice — Lahcen Abaichi will soon bring a “different” dining experience to Bridgton when he opens Café Paprika, located in the space next to the golf driving range off Route 117.

“I think this is going to be good for the town, bringing some different diversity and different food to the region,” said Abaichi, who resides in Harrison.

When the space recently opened, rather than continue to commute, Abaichi liked the idea of being closer to home and a chance to open Café Paprika. Knowing the property owner from a previous business, Abaichi said, “it was an easy match.”

Café Paprika will feature Moroccan and Mediterranean food, made fresh in house.

“It will be a bit different,” he said. “Almost like a destination when you crave or you want something different than what you have every day or every weekend. Hopefully you join us. It is going to be a slow pace kind of service. If you’re in a rush, forgive us. We want people to come in, sit, and enjoy the meal.” Abaichi looks forward to meeting patrons and developing new friendships.

“I pride myself for being personable, friendly with people. You come in, we are going to have a relationship. You come back next time, I’ll pick up where we left it in a conversation,” he said. “So, I’m looking forward to do this.”

Café Paprika will be open seven days, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

John Weston with son, George, and a few of

Fryeburg, Maine, circa 1950

Opinion & Comment

In Ye Olden Times

by Michael Davis Bridgton History Columnist

A Stone Called Salt Pork

Howdy neighbor!

Some time ago, while digging around in the old papers and local history reports of Norman Libby down to the Historical Society, I found the following brief notice of a peculiar stone in North Bridgton, which I feel is worth sharing, for it smacks of that certain flavor of old-time, rustic charm which our modern age just cannot duplicate. It is a story of North Bridgton and concerns a once famous local boulder that past generations once knew by name — and a very strange name it was! To begin, Libby writes;

“Near the Academy at North Bridgton, there can be seen sitting quietly beside the road a stone of moderate size, to which chance or happenstance in days long past has since affixed a highly singular name. It is universally known to the youth of this village by the name of ‘salt pork,’ likely from its bearing some imagined resemblance to a great lump of that coarse fare so common in the early days of the settlement. But this alone is not what makes it worthy of notice, and without doubt it would have long since been broken up and hauled away by the elders of the village, were it not for the singular reverence held by it among their children. For however it earned this descriptive sobriquet, the title is perpetually reanointed by the youth of this place, who in going to and from their studies never fail but to stop before it and kick up over the old stone a liberal quantity of dust from the road, or else cast upon it sand taken up from the shores of the lake, so that the traveler passing on his way cannot fail in any season of finding this curious form of pork liberally strewn with a coating of earthly ‘salt’ bestowed by passing children, who are themselves no doubt as ignorant as to the reason for their behavior as are their sires, saving only that in the simple earnestness of youth they declare it has always been their custom to do so.”

Despite my best research, I have only succeeded in finding one other reference to this landmark, and it is far from agreeable, for it comes by way of a literary device in a children’s novel by Abby Morton Diaz entitled, “The Flat Iron and the Red Cloak; or, Old Times at Cross-Roads.” To be clear, this is not a history book. It was published in 1901 just a few years before her death, for Mrs. Diaz had been born in 1821, and so far, as I can tell, this book is a children’s story set in a fictionalized version of the author’s childhood.

While our surviving records of scholars at Bridgton Academy, especially in the antebellum period, are vastly incomplete, it seems certain that either she herself or perhaps some of her many children or nieces, to whom she dedicates her books, must at one time have come to Bridgton to attend boarding school at BA, for in her book she has her main characters pass a great stone crucial to the plot called, “White Rock,” whereupon her main character observes its visual similarity to the great stone “Salt Pork” which she’d once head of at a place called Bridgton. She writes:

“So, Emily put both hands up to her face, but talked through between then, saying that white rock was ’bout the size of the one they used to call ‘salt pork’ over at Bridgton, and all the children used to stop going home from school, and salt it with sand.”

So, there you have it folks, Salt Pork existed. Of course, I should say here that the first account from Mr. Libby was already enough to convince me of this stone’s reality; he was a careful historian and seems to have understood the value of documenting local folklore and the stories behind minor landmarks or place names which might otherwise be forgotten. Working as he did in the 1900s, 10s and 20s, he collected many tidbits of history which would otherwise have been entirely forgotten. Since he’s never played me

STONE, Page 3B

Letters to the Editor

Statement from Bridgton Historical Society

To The Editor:

The views expressed In Ye Olden Times in the Jan. 23 issue of The Bridgton News do not represent the views of the Bridgton Historical Society (BHS). We realize by including BHS in the heading it would appear we had knowledge of and approved this commentary, and that is not the case. As a nonprofit in Bridgton, it is unacceptable to provide commentary on another non-profit, and BHS was inappropriately represented by doing so. We wish to clear up any inaccuracies about this.

Kerry Cushing Executive Director Bridgton Historical Society

Free Throw Success

To The Editor:

The Knights of Columbus Council 11376 of Bridgton/

Losing Allies: Did You Vote for This?

Independent Thought

by Rev. Robert Plaisted Guest Columnist

“Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine in charge of purging the civil service… [We are] at war with a dictator backed by a traitor.” French Senator Claude Malhuret delivered those remarks after Donald Trump’s shameful assault on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They describe how most of our former European allies view Trump’s abandonment of 250 years of American foreign policy. France is our oldest ally, going back even before we were an independent nation. Without their military and financial aid, we could not have won the Revolutionary War. They stood with us for 250 years, but now our dime-store Nero has tossed it all in the garbage can like a dirty rag. Nice work, big guy.

Did you vote for the USA to become a groveling vassal state of Vladimir Putin’s Russian empire? Every president since World War II cultivated NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and its purpose of keeping a belligerent, hostile Russia from expanding across Europe, “from Vladivostok to Lisbon,” as Putin has put it. Now, in one of the most abominable acts in all of American history, King Donald openly allied himself with the worst of our historic enemies, and against our historic allies. Did you vote for that? I didn’t.

Did you vote for the tariffs that have harmed New England for weeks, and slowly choked off trade around the world? I didn’t. How about you, Susan Collins? Do you like his tariffs on lumber? You grew up in a multi-generation family lumber business. Are you “concerned” enough to do something? Or, are you okay with destroying America’s economic system?

Did you veterans vote to cut 80,000 jobs from the Veteran’s Administration? I didn’t.

Did anyone vote for grocery prices to go down on day one of Trump 2.0? I didn’t. It’s now around day 65, and prices are still going up.

If you voted for any of this stuff, you were a fool for believing a pathological liar.

Did you vote to destroy the Department of Education? I didn’t. What possible motive could the MAGA cult have for savaging America’s public education system? Simple. If we

VOTE, Page 4B

Tariffs are a recurring theme

By Tom Emery Guest Column

These days, the tariff is back in the news as a frontline political issue. The debate is hardly a new phenomenon.

Tariffs have been a recurring theme in American politics since 1789, when Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton introduced the first tariff. The measure was designed not only to raise badly needed revenue but also protect American production against foreign imports.

That tariff was popular in New England but opposed in the South and West, a sectional divide that has been repeated many times since. After the early 1830s, the Northeast usually supported tariffs, while the South was typically against.

In 1828, John Quincy Adams backed a high tariff to help domestic industry, much of which was centered in New England. Adams’ political rival, Andrew Jackson, opposed the measure, and a bitter fight ensued over what became known as the “Tariff of Abominations.”

Vice President John Calhoun helped South Carolina declare the tariff as “unconstitutional” and “oppressive,” and the state nullified the tariff, leading to a state’s rights issue and the threat of secession, three decades before the Civil War.

The tariff fight then cooled somewhat, but the Republican Party, founded in 1854, established its protec-

Fryeburg and in conjunction with the Naples Recreation Department held its Free Throw Competition on March 1 at Lake Region Middle School. Twenty-three boys and girls competed with 10 winners being eligible for the KofC State Competition in Old Town. One of these winners won the state championship in her age group.

This was a great event for all, but it would not have been possible without the great work and support of Brian Crockett, the Naples Recreational director. Brian was key securing the gym at Lake Region Middle School and promoting the event throughout the local town’s recreational programs up to and including the day of the competition. In observing Brian that day, it is obvious he loves the kids regardless of age and ability. We have had many returning and new participants, which is a testament of his maintaining and communicating for youth of all ages a positive and competitive attitude. I and the entire membership of KofC Council 11376 would like to extend a sincere thank you to Brian and look forward to working with him again in the future.

Pat Bracken, Council Community Director Knights of Columbus Council 11376 Bridgton/Fryeburg

tionist stance early on. Democrats, meanwhile, espoused lower tariffs since the late 1840s. All political parties have supported tariffs at one time or another.

After the Civil War, the tariff issue returned to the forefront, and Democratic President Grover Cleveland forcefully called for a lower tariff in his annual message to Congress in December 1887. He lost a bid for re-election in 1888 and two years later, Republican House member and future President William McKinley sponsored an act that set the tariff at a sky-high 48 percent.

As before, the McKinley Tariff was designed to protect domestic industry, though some agricultural products, like sugar, were also included, at a fee of two cents per pound. Consumer prices rose, and the public voted the Republicans out in the midterm elections.

Democrats sought revenge by reducing the tariff to 41 percent with the Wilson-Gorman Act in 1894, which failed because duties were added to more goods.

McKinley won the White House in 1896, and the Dingley Tariff Act the following year pumped tariffs to a whopping 57 percent, the highest of the century.

The Roaring Twenties, a period of Republican dominance in both houses of Congress, brought high tariff rates once more. With the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930, President Herbert Hoover hoped the protectionist measure

Page 4B

Rather than Canada becoming the 51st state, maybe Maine should become the 11th province.

Jon Chappell Bridgton

Thank you Bridgton Hospital

To The Editor:

About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and I am writing to express a long-overdue “Thank You” to all the doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Oncology and Infusion Clinic here at Bridgton Hospital. From the beginning, my wife and I have been overwhelmed by the compassionate, supportive and care that all these dedicated professionals provide. Having them here in Bridgton, I am able to receive chemotherapy treatments, which are often several days per week, right here in town, and see test results (often on the same day) and medical records through my patient portal.

As part of Central Maine Healthcare in Lewiston, we have access to

assets and services no small, local hospital could possibly provide, and the broader collaborative relationship with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston ensures that I also have access to world-class, cutting-edge care, while still having the comfort and convenience of dealing with a local institution and people who know me. Ned Allen Bridgton

Pantry needs help

To The Editor: Dear Lake Region residents and community — After speaking with a devoted worker at the transfer station today and then having a phone chat with Sandy (Swett) at the Harrison Food Bank, I was made aware of the current circumstances there. Our food bank is the largest in Maine, which serves

1,000 families weekly with 400 of those being home deliveries by volunteers. Under the current circumstances, the food bank needs food, funds and help. Additionally, there are 300 students in the Oxford Hills schools who are food insecure. I kindly ask you to help in whatever way you might.

Gratefully, Barbara Grandolfo Harrison

To The Editor: Anyone paying attention may notice that Bridgton is hemorrhaging highly qualified employees. Last October, our finance director resigned related to breach of policy and her treatment by our deputy town manager; the town manager was removed in less than 24 hours related to the same incident; and last month our community development director resigned due to “toxicity over teamwork and lack of support.” There seems to be a common thread among these departures. The employee turnover is the result of a culture of “I can do what I want, I am the town manager”

SPRING WAS TEASING us last week, encouraging “ice out” at frozen lakes and ponds in the area as captured here at Lower Kimball Pond in Fryeburg. (Photo by Lori Plourd)

TARIFFS,

Opinions

Letters to the Editor

(Continued from Page 1B)

attitude from the top. Well in fact, no Madame Interim Town Manager, you cannot do what you want; you are bound by the oath you have sworn every year to uphold the Constitution and the state laws. You cannot forbid department heads from meeting or use the Select Board as your private HR department.

The Select Board is currently interviewing for a new town manager and is searching for yet another community development director. Bridgton is growing fast, and we need to address the cancer that is spreading in our town office. I say it is time to make sure our Select Board and top municipal employees are willing to ensure that all employees are treated fairly. Municipal offices should obey the state labor laws and act with integrity. Our town employees deserve better. As taxpayers, we must demand it. Bridgton is a wonderful town, and this current culture does not represent Bridgton at its best.

As of March 25, the Select Board and interim town manager have ignored my Freedom of Access Act request for disclosure of e-mails. The Comprehensive Plan is being presented to the Select Board on March 25. Please consider attending a meeting or tuning in to see what is going on and how our elected officials are making decisions. There is a small group of interested residents, but we need more support and interest to make a difference. Select Board meetings occur every other Tuesday at 5 p.m., are open to the public, available to live stream and previous meetings are viewable in archived meetings. More information is available on the town website.

Ann Morrell Bridgton

Sad to hear

To The Editor: It saddens me to hear that Mike Davis is no longer working for the Bridgton Historical Society. Mike has shared his infectious enthusiasm for the history of Bridgton, as well as the surrounding towns in our area with so much knowledge and a genuine love for Bridgton and its rich history. Mike has been gifted with some many wonderful qualities — his keen mind and curiosity, honesty, love of people, the giving of himself to others and a wonderful attitude about life, to name just a few. When I think about Mike Davis, I smile. Mike will go a long way in life.

Greg Marston Bridgton

Getting to know Clarence

To The Editor:

Mike Davis’ column about Clarence Spinney and the prized ham was great! What a piece of work. Thoughtful and loving and funny. It made me want to know both the man and the author. The ending about shooting deer from a car made me slap my own knee! What a hoot!

More please!

Love The Bridgton News!

Paul J. Flatley Golden, Colorado

The “Mad King”

To The Editor: “A President who touts an image of himself as a ‘king’ or a ‘dictator,’ perhaps as his

vision of effective leadership, fundamentally misapprehends the role under Article II of the U.S. Constitution,” U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wrote in one ruling rebuking Trump last week referencing the “Mad King’s’ recent social media posts depicting himself as a monarch.

Federal district judges have heard myriad lawsuits since January 20 filed by plaintiffs in response to the autocratic administration’s de facto coup d’etat against government agencies and civil servants owing to the DOGE meat axe and have ruled predominantly against the latter. In response, there has been an unprecedented uptick of threats toward judges.

The Federal Judicial Association, the nation’s largest association of U.S. federal judges, said, “there has always been tension between the government’s three ‘separate and equal’ branches, but criticism is a far cry from threats that in turn ‘erode our Constitution.’”

America: did you really vote for this?

Jon St. Laurent North Windham

Medicaid, should not be happening, yet, they have happened once again, with serious lack of meaningful concerns by Legislative leadership, including by the majority party in charge.

The Legislature has failed to manage and adequately get to the root causes and problems for these recurring fiscal issues and problems. As a result, the taxpayers are forced to pay out more taxpayer funds, to bail out state government for its chronic over-spending and mis-management, just like someone over-drawing their checking account or exceeding their credit limit. This is fiscal irresponsibility with misfeasance that must be fully dealt with adequately, properly and sensibly. Leadership must find ways of working collaboratively vs. otherwise and address these chronic serious issues at once.

Taxpayers aren’t happy about this recurring set of problems. When is enough going to be truly 100% enough? Going forward, let’s find better ways to address shortfalls, including in MaineCare, ensuring that it is there for all Mainers vs. “New Americans.” We need a lot more common sense vs. current idiocracy in Maine state government. Think about it.

way

Let’s find a better

To The Editor:

This letter to the editor is regarding recent Maine Legislature happenings, including non-resolution of passing a supplemental state budget. This was due to serious mismanagement with chronic over-spending of taxpayer funds by the majority party and current administration. It’s appalling, very sad and unfortunate that the Legislature isn’t sensible or very disciplined about budgeting and managing taxpayer funds, which Maine taxpayers are forced to pay, via payroll and income taxes, among many other taxes.

The current issues include chronic over-expenditures of MaineCare funds with likelihood of misuse of MaineCare benefits. In addition, hospital reimbursement payments maybe in danger of not being paid fully and timely. Why does the majority party and legislative leadership not address the problems and root causes of all of the overspending? Most people can’t over-extend their finances. In addition, the Legislature met last Thursday and passed a $11.3 billion dollar biennial state budget.

Per news reports and as reported in Friday’s Portland Press Herald, there were only a few hours provided to review the 400-page budget before the vote was held. It was also reported that there was no support by the majority party, to pass a bi-partisan biennial budget, thus silencing the Republicans and constituency. This is totally unacceptable, unconscionable and reprehensible by the Democrats in the majority party. In addition, it appears to be more of the same tactics, as previously used by Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. House of Representatives, including: “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy. …” How is this any way to lead, govern and also manage state budgets?

We need greatly improved efficiencies with substantively improved accountability and oversight of Maine State Government, including all governmental services. Greater accountability with fully meaningful oversight is absolutely necessary, including within the Department of Health and Human Services, including all of its bureaus and its divisions. The financial shortages within MaineCare, aka,

David Hall Cornish LETTERS, Page 3B

DONATION — The Knights of Columbus, Bridgton/Fryeburg Council 11376, recently presented a donation to the Progress Center in Oxford. The Knights have an annual program for people with disabilities, also known as the Tootsie Roll Drive. This past year, the Knights collected money at churches and local stores and were able to donate $1,550 to the Progress Center. For the past 45 years, the Progress Center’s mission is to inspire hope, independence and lasting change within the community through building a healthy environment in which all individuals may thrive. Pictured left to right, Grand Knight Henry Hoppe, Progress Center Co-Executive Director Maureen Bilodeau and Financial Secretary Tom Leonard.

Obituaries

Harold W. Leino

August 28, 1931 - March 19, 2025

SOUTH PARIS — Harold E. Leino, 93, of Harrison passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris surrounded by family.

He was born August 28, 1931, at the Leino family farm in Harrison, son of John and Hilda Leino.

He was preceded in death by wife Helen (nee Uusitalo) Leino. They had four children, John of Highland, Migh.; Kathryn (Mrs. John Furey) of New Hudson, Migh.; Linda (Mrs. Paul Kangas) of Hartland, Migh.; and Lisa (Mrs. Duncan Harlan) of Englewood, Fla.; 14 grandchildren, Heather, Tracey, John, Steve, Ryan, Tammy, Katrina, Anna, Alison, Erik, Nick, Christy, Darcy, Ivy; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was one of 14 Leino children and is survived by siblings Martha and Walter Leino, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was drafted into the Army and served in Korea from 1952-1954, and stayed on after the Korean War ended in July 1953. After his service in Korea, he attended Wolverine Mechanical Trade School on the G.I. bill and worked for Eaton Yale Corporation in Michigan as a Training Specialist teaching heavy equipment operators and mechanics until his retirement in 1983. At which time, they moved back to his childhood roots to live out his retirement years in Maine.

He was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Howell, Migh.

There will be visiting hours at 10 a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. on March 31, 2025, at Chandler Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford. Interment will be at the Harrison Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The First Apostolic Lutheran Church, 2970 Oak Grove Rd., Howell, MI 48843; or to the Harrison Village Library, P.O. Box 597, Harrison, ME 04040; or The Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris; 477 High Street, South Paris, ME 04281.

Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

John D. Lowell

On March 9, John D. Lowell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away at home surrounded by family. The love, kindness, and joy he contributed to the community and beyond will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. John was born in Bridgton, in 1953 to Walter and Janice Lowell.

The youngest of three boys, John’s childhood was full of adventure, as well as a healthy dose of mayhem. Be it days spent playing down at the Grove on Highland Lake, helping his dad with the family business, or skiing at Pleasant Mountain, John’s active youth fostered a lifelong love of the Northeast. John attended Gould Academy for high school, where he joined the ski team and developed a passion for ski jumping. That passion helped lead him to Dartmouth College, where he studied geology while refining his skills on the ski hill, ultimately competing in the NCAA as one of the nation’s top collegiate ski jumpers. Later in life, John’s connection to his alma mater deepened when he and his wife Carrie managed the Minary Center, a Dartmouth-owned conference and retreat facility on Squam Lake.

John’s professional life reflected both an entrepreneurial spirit and a restless curiosity. Whether it was purchasing and operating the Highlander Motel in Bridgton right after graduating from college, running a conference and event center, or managing the Castle in the Clouds estate in Moultonborough, N.H., John followed passion and opportunity wherever it led him. At one point, he and Carrie became part owners of the Mount Washington cruise ship; John acting as president and managing partner. He even went so far as to get his commercial captain’s license so he could captain the 230-foot vessel. John spent the latter part of his career in the ski industry, working at resorts throughout New England, including Waterville Valley, Mount Snow, Attitash and Wildcat. He retired as the general manager of Attitash and Wildcat, a job he always described as “his dream job.” His multiple decades in the industry left an indelible mark on New England’s ski culture.

The true center of John’s world was his family. He was married to his wife and best friend Carrie for 46 years. It was a partnership built on love, respect, humor, and shared adventure. He was a tremendous father to his three children, Katherine, Trevor, and Madison and maintained strong bonds with his brothers, Roger and Peter, throughout his life. He often marveled at his good fortune of being a grandparent, “Pops,” to seven grandchildren — Hunter, Andrew (Finn), Edwin, Jax, August, Coraline, and Sullivan — each one holding a special place in his heart. As family gatherings had grown larger and more rambunctious over the years, so too did John’s love, expanding to care and support his growing family.

After retirement, John got to work restoring his antique wooden ski boat. If you happened to find yourself on Squam Lake on a warm summer day these past few years, there’s a good chance you saw him cruising in his 1963 Century Resorter with Carrie and his dog Tilley at his side.

Those fortunate enough to know John will remember his ready smile, his thoughtful nature, and the genuine interest he took in others. He was gregarious and kind and always went out of his way to make sure people felt comfortable and cared for. In every season of life, John approached each day with enthusiasm and a genuine appreciation for the people and places he loved.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Hunter A. Raucci, and his sons-in-law Tyler D. Hardy and Andrew M. Raucci. He is survived by his loving wife Carrie L. Lowell, his children Katherine H. Raucci, Trevor T. Lowell and his wife Emily N. Lowell, Madison W. Hardy, his grandchildren, his brothers Roger Lowell and Peter Lowell, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to send a special thank you to the team at Quality Care Home Health and Hospice in Moultonborough, N.H.

John’s legacy of warmth, generosity, and joy lives on in the memories we cherish and the stories we’ll continue to share. There will be a celebration of life on April 6, 2025, at 1 p.m. at The Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in memory of John.

Opinions

A Stone Called Salt Pork

(Continued from Page 1B)

false in any of his other stories, on his authority I trust the foregoing narrative. That said, it is always a pleasure and indeed a relief to find corroboration in the separate writings of others, even if in this case it comes only as a minor line in an otherwise obscure children’s book.

All that being said, what of it now? Does Salt Pork still exist? Well sadly I must report that asking around among my several friends who grew up in North Bridgton, I can at least confirm that it seems to have been utterly forgotten, at least among the modern generations. Possibly, there are still old-timers around who know of it, but no one I talked to has any recollection of even hearing such a story. This does not necessarily mean that Salt Pork no longer exists, only that the present generations have forgotten about it. I took a drive through the village the other day, looking up and down the streets trying to find a wayside boulder of any form, let alone one I could imagine looking like a lump of pork. I did not succeed, unless one counts the stone in the little heater piece at the foot of Chadbourne Road below the old North Bridgton Church, sitting almost beside the Academy and almost opposite where the old brick schoolhouse used to stand, and on which are now

PUBLIC NOTICE

TOWN OF CASCO SELECTBOARD PUBLIC HEARING

The Casco Selectboard will hold a public hearing at the Casco Community Center, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine on April 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. to review the application for On-Premises Liquor License for Top of the Hill Café d/b/a Top of the Hill Grille located at 8 Sunny Hill Road, Casco, Maine. 1T13

PUBLIC NOTICE

Town of Waterford

McWain Hill Road

Reconstruction Project 2025

The Town of Waterford is seeking Bids for the McWain Hill Road Reconstruction Project 2025. Bid packages are available at the Town Office, 366 Valley Road and on the Towns website (www.waterfordme.org).

Bids are due Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 4 p.m. 2T13

1069 Main Street, Lovell, ME 04051

Phone: 207-925-6272 Fax 207-925-1710

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIQUOR LICENSE HEARING

There will be a public Hearing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Lovell Town Office at 6:30 p.m. to review the liquor licenses for the following establishments: Lake Kezar Country Club Quisisana Resort Kezar Lake Marina Severance Lodge The Lodge at Pleasant Point Ctr. Lovell Inn Ebenezer’s Pub

The public is encouraged to attend to discuss any concerns that they might have.

Public Notice

TOWN OF NAPLES

New Business and Liquor License Applicaitons

A meeting will be held to discuss a New Business License Application for Crafters On The Causeway, located at 852 Roosevelt Trail (Map U0 l and Lot 004); GEM Construction LLC, located at 6 Rockwood Way (Map R02 and Lot 007); Liquor License for Smokin Jays located at 1124 Roosevelt Trail (Map U033 and Lot 014) on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Naples Town Office at 15 Village Green Lane at 6 p.m.

The Public is encouraged to attend.

placed memorial plaques to local veterans of the First and Second World Wars, Leroy A. Allen and Roger F. Woodbury. But so far as I know, I believe this stone was placed there specifically to be that monument, and so cannot be our old time Salt Pork. Very likely it was lost when the village streets were paved, widened, and paved again

Public Notice

Town of Sweden

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 11, 2025

Town of Sweden

147 Bridgton Road Sweden, Maine 04040-5239

207-647-3944

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Sweden.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about April 11, 2025, Town of Sweden will submit a request to HUD for the release of Community Project Funding Program funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, (P.L. 118-42), to undertake a project known as FIRE STATION for the purpose of constructing a new fire station for the Town. The scope of this project is building a 4864 square foot building on a concrete slab with radiant heat, building of wood framed with a truss roof covered with shingles. This building shall be constructed on existing town-owned property adjacent to the Town Office located at 147 Bridgton Road in Sweden, Maine 04040. This project is funded with a Community Project Funding Grant (CPF) from HUD in the amount of $1,150,000.00 plus funding from the Town of Sweden in the amount of $610,000.00. The total cost of this project is expected to be $1,760,000.00

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Town of Sweden has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Sweden Town Office located at 147 Bridgton Road, Sweden, Maine 04040 or at https://cpd.hud. gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment by calling 207-647-3944.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Town of Sweden’s, EMA Director, Tommie C. McKenzie. All comments received by April 11, 2025, will be considered by the Town of Sweden prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Town of Sweden certifies to HUD that Tommie C. McKenzie in his capacity as EMA Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Sweden to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Town of Sweden’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Town of Sweden; (b) the Town of Sweden has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be emailed to HUD at cpdrrofbos@hud.gov

Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tommie C. McKenzie, EMA Director, Town of Sweden, Maine, Certifying Officer 2T12

March 27, 2025, The Bridgton

at intervals over the long decades since.

Of course, if you live in North Bridgton and happen to have heard anything about a stone the children used to throw sand on, or if you own property in the village with a little boulder sitting beside the road which I’ve somehow overlooked, and which kids would have passed on their way to and from either BA or the old North Bridgton Schoolhouse in days gone by, please do write in with the details. Even if Salt Pork is no more, as seems likely, I do hope you’ve enjoyed its charming reminiscence, and think of it the next time you find yourself on the dusty lanes of old North Bridgton. Till next time!

Letters to the Editor

An Outrageous Lie

To The Editor: When the president changed his position and lied about the war in Ukraine, stating Ukraine started the war with Russia, not one MAGA Republican spoke up about the lie. Not one. These Republicans chose to be total sycophants and moral cowards.

Three weeks ago, Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes TV stated at the end of the show, “The president told a lie” regarding Ukraine. Thank goodness for honest journalists. More voices are needed to call out the continuing lies as it certainly won’t be the Republicans holding office.

Peter Bollen Bridgton

Vote them out!

To The Editor:

The current guy is a convicted fraud, pathological liar, and traitor. By default, everything the guy says is a lie!

The Reverend Robert Plaisted, in an excellent BN column (March 13), mentions two polls taken after the current guy spoke March 5 — “The actual number of documented lies exposed between them (the two polls) was nearly 50, but it could have been a thousand.”

The MANIFESTO: Project 2025 is a racist document, hiding inside the sheep’s skin of Christian nationalism. Project 2025 would eliminate our existing government, replacing it with an autocratic government. Project 2025 stands to destroy everything it took 240 years to build.

The PLAN: The right wing intends to use Article 5 of the current (1788) Constitution, and call for a new Constitutional Convention. Currently 28 of 34 states necessary to have a Constitutional Convention agree to a new convention. This plan is the work of the Heritage Foundation, the Meckler family (tea party), the Koch brothers, the Mercer family (Breitbart) and other right-wing oligarchs wanting an autocracy in America.

The PROCESS: First, discredit the legitimate press. The current guy tried this in 2017, and now uses social media to finish the job. Second, stack the judicial system — again in 2017 — now, impeach any judge who rules against him. Finally, implement the MANIFESTO. Any 11th grade history student who studied Germany in the 1930s hears Yogi Berra, “this is deja vu all over again.”

The CONSEQUENCES: First, the current Constitution would end! The current Constitution ended the “Articles of Confederation” and now, 240 years later, the current Constitution would be

(Continued from Page 2B) LETTERS, Page 4B

no more. Second, Project 2025 would enable the current guy to establish a dynasty. He heard the names Adams, Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Bush and thinks a dynasty is a good idea. Third, the oligarchs would have their autocracy, enabling them to accumulate even greater wealth for themselves. There is only one way to stop this extreme racism. Congress, the courts and the current two-party system will not stop the current guy or Project 2025. It is up to us — We the People. We must apply the litmus test for any candidate for office in all 50 state legislators: “Will you vote for or against a Constitutional Convention?” We need to stand up, speak out and VOTE this entire cabal into oblivion.

Joseph W. Angelo Bridgton

A Marriage made in Hell

To The Editor:

Take the Wilsonian/ Progressive government theory (all power to the government) and marry it to the “sustainable development” (UN Agenda 21) and they will give birth to Karl Marx’s grandchildren. Unfortunately, the grandchildren are spoiled rotten and corrupt. The progeny of the marriage between Wilsonian/ Progressivism and “sustainable development” have run amok with no accountability and an unlimited credit card. These progenies permeate our government and the surrounding quasi-government partnerships. Under the guise of “sustainable development” (the Green movement) has made a hash of our culture, our economy, our foreign affairs, our spirituality, our courts, our justice system and our common sense.

Because of this, the vested interests, Wilsonian/ Progressives and Marxian’s (mostly Democrats) are vociferous, stupid, and often violent in their resistance. Why are they stupid? Because this blind resistance can’t produce any benefits for the American people. It can only produce chaos. Why is this happening? They have nothing to offer the people except hate for Trump and violent resistance. Perhaps that is what they want (chaos), so they can achieve the Marxian goal of destroying Capitalism and rebuilding a Socialist paradise. Lenin said it best: they are useful idiots.

The Trump administration believes in America; the Constitution, as written and amended; and free market capitalism. Trump’s administration sees the precarious position socialist policies have put us in. As Maggie Thatcher predicted: Socialism fails when it runs out of other people’s money. Trump and Musk realize that government has run out

PERCHED — A pair of eagles watch folks walking along Meadow Street in Bridgton. (Rivet Photo)

Country Living

Calendar of Events

Thursday, March 28

Cribbage every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Naples Town Office, come to play or to learn.

Friday, March 28

Blood Drive held by the American Red Cross and the Harrison Lions Club from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton, 77 Main Street, in Harrison. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter HarrisonME or call 1-800733-2767 to make an appointment.

Saturday, March 29

Drive Up Lunch at the Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main Street in Lovell, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $5 per person. Menu: American chop suey, side salad and cookie. Drop by or call 928-3132 to reserve a meal. All proceeds benefit the Disaster Relief Fund of the United Church of Christ.

Ukrainian Egg Decorating from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell (Main Street). Limited class size, registration required (library website, or e-mail thedesk@ hobbslibrary.org or call 925-

3177). Suitable for middleschool age and up. Thanksgiving Supper at the Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This month’s dinner will feature turkey, potatoes, veggies, with all the fixins and homemade desserts! It’s all for only $12 for adults, and $5 for children 8 and under. The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco or contact 207-627-4282.

Sunday, March 30

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (42 Sweden Road, Bridgton) Sunday Service at 10 a.m. All welcome.

Monday, March 31

Seniors Plus will give a talk about resources for seniors in Maine at 3 p.m. at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell (Route 5) as part of the Aging in Maine series. The program is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, April 1

Blood Drive presented by the American Red Cross and the Masons of Oriental Lodge #13, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Masonic Oriental Lodge #13, 166 Harrison Road in Bridgton. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or

visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter BridgtonME to schedule an appointment. Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood. org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

Wednesday, April 2

Nature Walk, presented by the Greater Lovell Land Trust, 9:30 a.m. each Wednesday, leisurely-paced walk. Location posted on Facebook, GLLT’s Monday morning e-mail blast and gllt.org/calendar

Senior Game Day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Casco Community Center. Card games, board games, Wii Bowling, corn hole and light snacks. For more info, call Casco Rec Director Beth Latsey at 627-4187.

Taizé Prayer, a meditative candle lit worship of prayer and silence, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., a community fellowship of soup and bread to follow. All are welcome.

Monday, April 7

The Grateful Undead, a grassroots organization, will discuss at 3 p.m. how they formed and organized their services, including neighborto-neighbor initiatives (transportation, helping hands, and

more) as part of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell Aging in Maine series. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information about these programs, check out www. hobbslibrary.org or e-mail thedesk@hobbslibrary.org or call (207) 925-3177.

Tuesday, April 8

Classic Home Style Baked Bean Supper will be served at the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The menu will include a variety of baked beans with all the fixings, Mac & Cheese, rolls, biscuits, desserts, punch and coffee. The church is located at 231 Rayville Road in Otisfield, one mile off Route 121. Everyone is welcome and the meal is free. Donations are gratefully accepted and support the needy in our community.

Wednesday, April 9

Preschool Story Hour at Spaulding Memorial Library in Sebago at 1 p.m. Stories, songs and play, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Check the FB page for details.

Taizé Prayer, a meditative candle lit worship of prayer and silence, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., a community fellowship of soup and bread to follow. All are welcome.

Losing Allies: Did You Vote for This?

(Continued from Page 1B)

abolish the Department of Education, we’ll end up with many more badly educated citizens. Trump has said that he loves poorly educated people. Mission accomplished! They’re so much easier to manipulate than people who actually know stuff.

Letters to the Editor

(Continued from Page 3B)

of the taxpayers’ money. Karl Marx’s grandchildren have allowed the national debt to exceed $36,000,000,000,000 (that’s with a “T”). The cost of interest on this debt is crowding out other government programs and governments taking first call on credit is causing government spending to crowd out the money available to grow the economy in the private sector. This is a downward spiral that will wreck the economy. Trump and Musk are working intelligently to undo this spiral by reducing the size of government and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

An essential part of the Trump administration’s saving the economy is to rejuvenate the private sector while reducing the government sector. This is just common sense. Government growth is overhead (some of which is necessary) and contributes very little, if any, to growth of the economy. In fact, too much government will destroy the economy. The private sector economy: free market capitalism on the other hand creates class fluidity, which allows all people

to advance on merit rather than being restricted by birth, color, race, or religion and grows the economy.

Elon Musk is exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in government that has reached titanic proportions. This will involve downsizing the government and laying people off by the thousands.

Luckily, Trump has brought back to America over $4 trillion in all kinds of manufacturing and thousands of good paying jobs. What an opportunity for those in government, who are downsized, to change careers. Unfortunately, the waste, fraud, and abuse the Musk team is uncovering tends to upset the “sustainable development” politicians and their quasi-government partners. It seems that schemes, scams, and ridiculous ideas have consumed hundreds of billions, possibly even trillions, of dollars of taxpayers’ hard-earned money with only the well-connected benefiting. The marriage made in hell appears to be heading for a divorce. None too soon!

Jock MacGregor Sebago

This week’s puzzle theme: Fromer Rulers

Trump’s MAGA cult wants to turn our whole nation into a yellowed, dog-eared copy of the southern states of the Old Confederacy, which perennially battle for the lowest ten spots in American educational achievement. A nation of morons would be easier to plunder than the welleducated citizenry envisioned by our Founders.

The real purpose of Project 2025 never was to cut “waste, fraud and abuse” from our government. It was to damage our government so disastrously that it wouldn’t be able to govern and stop the naked corporate money-grab by Trump and his billionaire cronies. MAGA is a modern bunch of vandals, invading our government, destroying every priceless treasure in sight, and stealing everything else not nailed down. That’s Trump’s new “Golden Age.” Billionaires get the gold; everyone else gets the shaft.

Again, MAGA cult, did you vote for any of this? Are you even sorry for the damage you’ve brought upon our nation by your rotten decisions, or are you still making lame excuses for the worst betrayal of the United States since 1860? Don’t ask me to forgive your moral and ethical squalor. Confessing your sins, repenting, asking forgiveness, and making restitution are between yourselves and God. I wish you well, but your moral stain is indelible.

With apologies to Lee Greenwood, I offer these final words: “I’m ashamed of Trump’s America, where our people once were free. And I won’t forget the MAGA mob, who stole my rights from me. And I’d gladly stand up, next to you, and reclaim those rights today. So, I’ll say to God in solemn prayer, ‘Forgive the USA.’”

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

Thursday, April 10

Harrison Men’s Breakfast 8 to 9 a.m. at United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton, 77 Main Street, Harrison, for more information contact info@unitedparishucc.org.

Parkinson’s Group meeting at 10 a.m. at the Maine Lakes Science Center, Willett Road in Bridgton. Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13

The 39 Steps! Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps. A fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!

Performances: Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. The 39 Steps tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Purchase tickets online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at (207) 5449066. The Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center is located at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg, on the campus of Fryeburg Academy. Saturday, April 12

Easter Egg Hunt presented by Harrison Recreation at 10 a.m. at Crystal Lake Park. Pictures with the Easter Bunny. Questions: recreation@harrisonmaine.org

Community Egg Hunt from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Join Greater Lovell Land Trust and Lovell Recreation for the annual egg hunt at Kezar River Reserve! Please park across the street at the old Wicked Good Store and walk in.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows visits Spaulding Memorial Library in Sebago at 10 a.m. in honor of National Library Week

and celebration of Sebago library’s 100th anniversary. World Four Square Championships at the Bridgton Town Hall, beginning at 5 p.m. The hall will be open for warm-ups at 3 p.m. Registration is not required, but appreciated. Pre-register at: https://app.amilia.com/ store/en/bridgton/api/ Activity/Detail?activityId Benefit Spaghetti Dinner to support the Tracy Family, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brownfield Community Center. Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family of four or more. Dessert and raffle donations sought. All raffle donations needed by April 9. Questions or to donate via text to Deb Tait at (207) 890-3550. Full Moon Hike from 7:30 to 9 p.m., presented by Greater Lovell Land Trust. Discover the beauty of the forest at night! Bring your flashlights and hike to the light of the full moon. Location to be determined. Registration required, gllt. org/calendar Saturday, April 12 to Wednesday, April 23 Innovative Revolutionary War Exhibition at Bridgton Historical Society’s new gallery and exhibit space on the first floor of the 1869 Methodist Church on Main Street in Bridgton. The exhibit opens on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other times: Sunday, April 13, hours will be

Page 7B

Tariffs are a recurring theme

(Continued from Page 1B)

would help the farm economy against foreign competitors, but the act failed miserably. A global tariff war broke out, most trade was damaged, and the European economy was decimated.

Despite the heated debate over the years, many economists and historians believe the economic effects of tariffs have been negligible, at best. Similarly, many analysts think the importance of tariffs has declined from past eras, mainly because they are no longer a key source of revenue. Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-7108392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.

Concludes

54. Tug-of-War equipment

Soon, to a bard

Burton of gothic horror

Country Living

March 27, 2025, The Bridgton News, Page 5B

Chamber After Hours Returns— A Perfect Way to Connect

The Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of its Chamber After Hours networking events!

Starting Thursday, April 17, After Hours will be held on the third Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at rotating host locations. The first event kicks off at Standard Gastropub, where guests can enjoy a cool, relaxed vibe, delicious bites, and great company.

Hours and other exciting events, visit gblrcc.org and check out the calendar for the latest updates.

A variety of local businesses are already lined up to host future After Hours events, includ-

Chamber After Hours provides an excellent opportunity to network with fellow business owners, professionals, and community members in a casual and engaging environment. Whether you’re looking to build new connections, strengthen existing relationships, or simply stay informed about what is happening in the Bridgton area, these events are a fantastic way to do so.

ing Gallery 302, Spyro’s Gyros, Treasured Gifts, and the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club. Each event offers a unique setting and experience, ensuring that attendees walk away with fresh insights and valuable connections.

To stay informed about upcoming Chamber After

Interested in hosting an After Hours event? The Chamber welcomes local businesses eager to showcase their space and connect with the community. If you’d like to host an After Hours, please e-mail staff@gblrcc.org or call the Chamber office at (207) 647-3472 for more information.

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this chance to engage, connect, and grow within the Greater Bridgton business community. The Chamber looks forward to seeing you at After Hours!

Revolutionary Experience at BHS

The Innovative Revolutionary War Exhibition is a Collaborative Project of the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

The Molly Ockett Chapter DAR is excited to announce the grand opening of the American Revolution Experience on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Bridgton Historical Society’s new gallery and exhibit space on the first floor of the 1869 Methodist Church on Main Street. Sunday, April 13, hours will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Starting April 14 through April 23, the exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit will not be open on Easter Sunday, April 20. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary

accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

Created through a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the exhibit is also made possible by generous matching funds from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program battlefield interpretation grants.

The traveling exhibit includes 12 panels highlighting thematic connections between profiled individuals and three interactive kiosks that connect to the full digital biographies, provide documentary context on the Revolutionary War and offer information on how to visit the places tied to these individuals today.

Both online and on-site, the American Revolution Experience features custom illustrations by South Carolinabased artist Dale Watson. The exhibit also draws from documents and objects in DAR’s collection, as well as the Trust’s industry leading digital interpretation resources.

The 1869 Methodist Church on 214 Main Street in Bridgton is not yet handicapped accessible.

‘Buy a Brick, Build a Kitchen’

Nathaniel

Hawthorne’s Boyhood

RAYMOND — Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond (40 Hawthorne Road) — which now serves as a beloved community and cultural center for Sebago Lake area residents — needs a renovated kitchen to best serve attendees at its upcoming concerts, art shows, lectures, watch-parties, and festivals throughout 2025 and beyond.

To raise the $12,000 for the full-scale kitchen renovation, The Hawthorne Community Association has launched an innovative “Buy a Brick, Build a Kitchen” fundraising campaign.

Home Launches Fundraising Campaign

ARTISTIC RENDERING of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home. (Image courtesy of the Hawthorne Community Association)

A donation of $300 per brick will enable the donor to have engraved on his or her brick such things as “In

Loving Memory of [a Loved One,],” favorite pithy quotes, or other matters close to the donor’s heart. Each brick then will be placed in a small patio near Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood

Summer 2025 Internship

LOVELL — The Lovell Historical Society is offering two $3,000 part-time summer internships to qualified college students or recent high school graduates with matriculation plans for Fall of 2024.

The internship is for eight weeks beginning June 10, although that date is flexible. Hours of work are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and two Sunday events (approximately five hours each).

The salary, paid on a semimonthly basis, will be payable on the Saturday following the completed twoweek period and is subject to required withholdings. The selected candidates are required to complete the entire eight-week program. Applicants should be willing to: help organize the Society’s collection; learn the museum software program; assist with event planning; conduct research;

guide museum tours; and assist with general office tasks.

The internship is available to college students or recent high school graduates with matriculation plans for Fall of 2025. Strong organizational skills, computer skills and an ability to work independently are preferred, as is a strong interest in history and working with the local community. Both local and summer residents are encouraged to apply. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume, with names of references. No phone calls please. All applications will be reviewed and selections made by committee within two weeks of the deadline. The application deadline is April 16, 2025, and candidates should mail or e-mail their application to: Lovell Historical Society, P.O. Box 166, Lovell, ME 04051 or lovellhistoricalsociety@ gmail.com.

Home, around a larger stone with the saying “Time flies over us/But leaves its shadow behind,” attributed to Nathaniel Hawthorne.

For more details — including how to submit your brick’s “legacy words” for engraving and pay the donation fee —please visit https://hawthorneassoc. com/. After printing and filling out the request form, donors may scan it and e-mail it to info@hawthorneassoc. com or mail to: Hawthorne Community Association, P.O. Box 185, South Casco, ME 04077.

Donors may also send a check to that address or submit their donation online. For more information, please e-mail info@hawthorneassoc.com.

Sebago Celebrates Library Week

SEBAGO — April 6-12, 2025 marks National Library Week, and on Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. Spaulding Memorial Library in Sebago will have a special visitor.

Two years before the library was completed, corporation papers were filed for the East Sebago Library. As Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows likes to acknowledge the anniversary of these beginnings, she will visit Sebago’s library. She agreed to come this year as it is the 100th anniversary of the library’s completion.

On land donated by Harry H. and Lillian Fitch, Leon

LIBRARY, Page 6B

NEW DAR MEMBER — The Molly Ockett Chapter, NSDAR met on March 8 at the Bridgton Community Center for its monthly meeting during which Jasmine Stollar was welcomed as a new member. She is pictured here with Vice-Regent Savannah Sessions and her mother, DAR member, Kristine Claremont. Molly Ockett Chapter, NSDAR, is a non-profit, nonpolitical, volunteer women’s service organization. DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to the securing of the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. Molly Ockett Chapter proudly serves Bridgton and surrounding communities. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR visit www.dar. org or the Molly Ockett Chapter contact lakeregiondar@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

LOVELL — Public events presented by Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) include: Weekly Nature Walks — Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Do you love being outside and exploring the woods around you? Would you like to meet people who share those interests? Have you been wanting to get to know our trails? Every Wednesday, GLLT offers a leisurely paced walk with lots of room for observing nature and getting to know our properties.

Come join us! No commitment is required, and no advance registration is necessary. The time and location of each walk is published in the GLLT Monday morning e-mail newsletter, on Facebook, and the GLLT website calendar. Community Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 12 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Join Greater Lovell Land Trust and Lovell Recreation for the annual egg hunt at Kezar River Reserve!

GLLT, Page 6B

Events and meetings scheduled at the Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street): Thursday, March 27

6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($)

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., School Group

1:45 to 6 p.m., Video Gamers (Free) Friday, March 28

9 to 11 a.m., AARP Tax Preparation (Free, by appointment only)

10 to 11 a.m., Chair Yoga ($)

10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Bridgton Food Pantry

1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg (Free)

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Rick the Juggler, Practice Saturday, March 29

9 to 10 a.m., Girl Scouts, Troop 1458

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., LR Republican Coalition Sunday, March 30

1 to 3 p.m., Girl Scouts

3:30 to 5 p.m., Rick the Juggler, Practice

5 to 8:30 p.m., Bridgton Jazz Practice Monday, March 31

9 a.m. to 12 p.m., AARP Tax Preparation (Free, by appointment only)

10 to 11 a.m., Chair Yoga ($)

1 to 4 p.m., Cribbage (free) Tuesday, April 1

6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($)

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Chickadee Quilters

12:30 to 4 p.m., Bridge Card Group ($, learn to play)

4 to 5 p.m., EFT/Tapping for Stress Reduction ($)

6 to 8 p.m., American Legion Wednesday, April 2

12 to 1 p.m., Senior Lunch. Menu: American chop suey, garden salad, garlic bread ($3)

1 to 4 p.m., Mahjong (Free), everyone welcome 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Rick the Juggler, Practice Thursday, April 3

6 to 8:30 a.m., Dan Crafted Art & Fitness Class ($)

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Veteran Services (by appointment only)

1:45 to 6 p.m., Video Gamers (Free)

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Chickadee Quilters Friday, April 4

9 to 11 a.m., AARP Tax Preparation (Free, by appointment only)

10 to 11 a.m., Chair Yoga

1 to 4 p.m., Mahjongg (Free)

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Rick the Juggler, Practice

SECRETARY OF STATE — Shenna Bellows will help Spaulding Memorial Library celebrate Library Week.

Country Living

March 27, 2025

Bridgton Farmers’ Market Recipe Parsnip, Date & Hazelnut Loaf Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze

By Nancy Tripp Bridgton Farmers’ Market

I haven’t baked anything in a while and with the cold weather this next week I am inspired. I’m looking for something special, but uncomplicated and seasonal. I do want it to be really good. I had been thinking of a pound cake with fresh fruit, but what is seasonal in fresh fruit in Maine right now? Nothing. So, I went searching and found this loaf cake in Josh McFadden’s Six Seasons, A New Way with Vegetables cookbook.

Parsnips are a sign of spring as our farmers begin to dig them out of the softening earth. This cake has a fine crumb, is dense and sweet without being heavy. The dates and nuts are a great addition, even though I used toasted cashews that I had available. I found it took a lot longer to bake than the suggested time. (I think that is my oven’s fault. But be prepared.) The lemon glaze is a perfect drizzle and I added more zest than called for as I really love an intense lemon flavor. My glaze was not as pretty as Josh’s, but it sure was delicious. If you want to use this as a breakfast quick bread leave off the glaze.

I plan to make this again for my family for Easter because it is so darn good. Maybe I will find the hazelnuts by then. You never know.

NSB Contributes to support food bank

HARRISON — Serving more than 40,000 pounds of groceries to around 1,000 families per week only begins to tell the story of the Harrison Food Bank.

The list of community needs the food bank meets could fill pages. In addition to offering food assistance at no cost, the organization provides snacks to three local elementary schools for children who don’t have any at recess, assists homeless individuals at Bridgton Recovery Center, makes nearly 400 home deliveries of food each week, and now operates the Ronald St. John Community Center, located

in the town’s former VFW building. There is even dog and cat food at the ready. Achieving all of this with a band of committed volunteers is remarkable, doing so while treating each person served with respect while preserving dignity is an act of pure compassion. “We are committed to

FOOD, Page 8B

Library Week

(Continued from Page 5B)

C. and Dorothy Spaulding had the library built. Leon died shortly before the library’s completion and the name was changed to Spaulding Memorial Library.

Ms. Bellows is the 50th Secretary of State and the first female to hold the office in Maine. She also serves on the National Association of Secretary of State Elections, Cybersecurity, State Records and Archives, Business Services, International Relations Committees and previously served two terms in the Maine Senate.

The public is invited to visit the library on April 12 to meet Ms. Bellows and as Sebago celebrates the library’s 100th anniversary.

GLLT Events

(Continued from Page 5B)

Please park across the street at the old Wicked Good Store and walk in.

Full Moon Hike — Saturday, April 12 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Discover the beauty of the forest at night! Bring your flashlights and hike to the light of the full moon. Location to be determined. Registration required.

Earth Day Cleanup in Stoneham — Tuesday, April 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join GLLT for a roadside cleanup in Stoneham. GLLT will supply the trash bags, gloves, and safety vests. Please meet at the Keewaydin Dam parking lot promptly at 1 p.m. to join.

Earth Day Craft at Hobbs Library — Tuesday, April 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day by making your own “Harry” or “Harriet” grass-haired guy or gal! Free to attend. No registration is necessary!

Vernal Pond Exploration — Saturday, April 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the wonders of life in a vernal pool! Join GLLT for a short hike where we’ll use aquatic nets to search for macroinvertebrates, salamanders, tadpoles, and other fascinating creatures. Registration required. Register for programs by visiting gllt.org/calendar.

Parsnip, Date and Hazelnut Loaf Cake with Meyer Lemon Glaze — Josh McFadden

Ingredients

Butter & flour for the baking pan

11/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (or more)

Freshly ground black pepper

½ pound parsnips, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup chopped dates

2 large eggs

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

¾ cup hazelnuts, toasted and finely chopped

Directions

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Generously butter an 8 x

5 loaf pan. Add a few spoonfuls of flour and shake to coat

all surfaces, and tap out any excess. Stir together the lemon juice and powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest and several twists of pepper. Set the glaze aside.

Put the parsnips in a food processor and process until they are finely chopped, like the texture of couscous: you want to have about 11/2 cups. (If you don’t have a processor, you can grate the parsnips.) Return the parsnips to the processor if you have taken them out to measure.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add the chopped dates and toss until the dates are coated with flour so they don’t clump together.

To the processor, add the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and remaining teaspoon of lemon zest and pulse until smooth and well blended. Pulse in the oil to RECIPE, Page 8B

Classified Advertising

BN13

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

FUTURE LEADERS WANTED — Q-Team Tree Service in Naples. Visit Q-Team.com/benefits for info. tf51

MSAD72 (EOE) — Fryeburg, Maine is hiring CDL bus drivers, van drivers and bus aides. Visit www.msad72.org for a complete listing of open positions and an application, call 207-935-2600 or pick up an application today. MSAD 72, 25 Molly Ockett Drive, Door #10, Fryeburg, ME tf2 FOR SALE

DRIED FIREWOOD — Seasoned 12 months. Selling seasoned hardwood year-round. $375 per seasoned cord, cut, split, delivered. Call 207-595-5029; 207-583-4113. seasonedmainefirewood.com 52t31x

$5 FOR TATTERED — U.S. Flag when purchasing new U.S. Flag 3’x5’ or larger. Maine Flag & Banner, Windham, 893-0339. tf46 FOR RENT

S. BRIDGTON — Townhouse style two bedroom, two bath. 900 sq. ft. Deck and fenced-in dog run. Includes heat, hot water and electricity. $1,400/mo. Call 2329022. 4t11x

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 BUSINESS SERVICES

IF YOU NEED ANYTHING hauled off, my trailer is 7x18 ft. Call Chuck’s Maintenance 7439889. 17t10x DENMARK HOUSE PAINTING — Since 1980. Interior and exterior painting. Free estimates. Call John Mathews 452-2781. 52t1x

Shared Studio Rental Space in Bridgton!

This 650 sq. ft. open space with a rubber mat floor and high ceilings is currently a Pilates studio. Perfect for movement, exercise, meditation, yoga, home school classes, and more. Looking to co-lease the space on a monthly or daily basis. Come see the possibilities. Text Heidi at (207)756-9272 or email heidibfillmore@gmail.com.

Henry’s Concrete Construction is looking to hire for a few positions: concrete laborer, concrete floor finisher, and Class B boom truck operator.

PREMIUM HARDWOOD MIX

PREMIUM HARDWOOD MIX

SEASONED: $325/cord

SEASONED: $325/cord

GREEN: $225/cord SEMI-SEASONED: $275/cord 2 cord minimum TF CD

PREMIUM HARDWOOD MIX MIX NOW DELIVERING GREEN: $275/cord $300/cord SEMISEASONED: CUT & SPLIT

Please DO NOT respond if you: are unable to set your alarm, text out sick once a week, have to find a ride to work, or think checking social media every five minutes is part of your daily tasks.

SUPPLY IS LIMITED, ORDER NOW! DELIVERED TO MAINE ONLY GREEN: $250/cord DELIVERED TO NH AND ME

DELIVERED TO MAINE ONLY GREEN: $250/cord DELIVERED TO MAINE ONLY

Call to order: 207-452-2157 Call to order: 207-452-2157

DO REPLY if you are a dependable hard worker that doesn’t whine, is able to be part of a team that provides quality work, you don’t mind working 50+ hours a week earning great pay, staying fit and getting a great tan and have a never give up attitude. Please call or text 207-557-2801

Outdoor Living

A Serene Hike at Twin Bridges

Senior Rambles

Hiking Trips & Tips

By Allen Crabtree

In his sermon on Sunday, our Pastor, John Patrick, mentioned the hike that he and I did with the Denmark Mountain Hikers last Friday. The trees along the trail were cloaked with newly fallen snow from the storm the night before, and as we snowshoed along the trail all was still and quiet. Shafts of sunlight from the bright blue sky overhead filtered through the tree tops and snowy blankets on the trees making everything sparkle. All was quiet in the snowy forest, and John and I stopped to take everything in without speaking.

He said that this was truly the Language of God, and that God was speaking to us about his creation. It truly was a wonderful experience.

Serene Winter Forest David R. Foster

In the heart of the woods, where the cold whispers dwell, Snowflakes like secrets, in the silence they fell.

A canopy cloaked in winter’s soft lace, Each branch with the frost finds its tender embrace. The trees stand in stillness, in white garb adorned, A tableau so peaceful, so pure and unscorned. The breath of the forest, a slow, sleeping sigh, Under the watch of the bright blue sky.

A hush lies heavy where the wild things roam, In this frozen realm, where the quiet makes home. Nature’s own chapel, where the pines gently bow, Here in the snowfall, the world takes a vow.

Only snowshoe tracks mar the immaculate scene, A world otherwise untouched, ethereal, serene. The whisper of snow as it blankets the ground, In this picture of silence, beauty is found

Bridgton Farmers’ Market Recipe

(Continued from Page 6B)

make a creamy consistency. Pour the parsnip mixture into the dry ingredients and fold in until blended. Add the hazelnuts and fold until there are no more bits of flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until slightly risen and a pick or a thin knife blade inserted into the center comes out clean. 35 to 40 minutes for a metal pan, longer for glass or ceramic. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to release from the pan. Set the warm cake on a rack set over a tray to catch the glaze. Drizzle the glaze all over the cake while the cake is still warm.

Find us: The Winter Bridgton Farmers Market at the Oriental Lodge #13, 166 Harrison Road now through April 19, from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday.

For a full list of vendors and information on ordering or to sign up for the BFM weekly newsletter visit https:// facebook.com/BridgtonFarmersMarket/ or contact BFM at bridgtonfarmersmarket.bfm@gmail.com

Please, no dogs allowed.

BFM accepts credit cards and EBT. See you there!

There were nine Denmark Mountain Hikers on the Twin Bridges trails on the Feb. 28 hike, there were about 3 to 4 inches of new fluffy snow on the trail, and the snow pack underneath had compacted and was dense so we didn’t sink in with our snowshoes deeper than the depth of the new snow on the trails.

A short distance from the kiosk, after crossing a bridge over a stream, the trail expands into an open area where the Pierce, Hankins, Elliot and Scribner Hirst Trails converge. Five of us took a clockwise loop of about two miles comprised of the Pierce and Hankins Trails while two took the Hankins Trail counter-clockwise a short distance to a bench situated by the river. The first part of this loop on the Pierce Trail goes for approximately one mile through a mixed hardwood and fir forest and then turns 180° to the right and links to the Hankins Trail that borders the Crooked River. The trail had been tamped down by snowshoers earlier in the week and had a cover of three or four inches of fresh snow from the previous day’s storm, so the footing under our snowshoes was not too bad under the circumstances.

The sun was brilliant with temperatures in the high 20s and the tree limbs hung low under the weight of the new snow. There were few small trees that had fallen over the trail, but they were fairly easy to duck under. We used our trekking poles to knock the snow off low-hanging branches so that we could move under them without getting a shower of snow down our necks. Due to the fresh snow cover, there were many distinct animal tracks in and around the trail that led to speculation about what species they represented.

The last half of the loop was beautiful as we were always in sight of the river that was iced over in places and flowing quickly in others. The twists and turns of the river added to its beauty and highlights the obvious reason for its name. Along the river bank we passed some truly huge pine trees that towered over the other trees and were obviously very old. They had probably escaped the loggers axes due to their location as an integral part of the riverbank and seemed to us to be well over one hundred years old. After almost a mile and the crossing of two bridges, we arrived at 10:30 a.m. at an overlook marked by a Leopold bench. Here, we lingered for about 10 minutes and had our snacks while enjoying the view of the river.

Then, we started our trek over the last half mile to the parking lot arriving there around 10:45 a.m. after a beautiful hike through the fresh snow and beautiful scenery along the river. In the parking lot, we removed our snowshoes. Western Foothills Land Trust protects farmlands, wetlands, forestlands, unique natural resources and open space in the greater Oxford Hills area of western Maine. The Trust also holds conservation easements on privately owned lands and owns working forest lands and preserves in the region. To date, trust lands contain over 32 miles of recreational trails.

The Twin Bridges Preserve is one of many preserves that are a part of the Crooked River Forest. WFLT continues to partner with other organizations to protect lands in the Crooked River watershed, with an over-arching goal of protecting a forested watershed for a variety of ecosystem services including water quality. Over 200,000 households, 1/6th of Maine, rely upon clean drinking water from the Sebago Lake Reservoir, which is fed by the Crooked River and other tributaries within the greater Sebago Lake Watershed.

Twin Bridges Preserve in Oxford County, Otisfield, ME Difficulty – Easy

Trail distance –. A network of about 5.0 miles of trails

Hiking times – 1 ½ to 3 hours depending on trails taken

Elevation – 450 feet

Vertical gains – 52 feet

Directions to the trailhead: Go 5.3 miles on Route 117 towards Norway from the junction of Routes 35 and 117 in Harrison. Right after the road crosses the Crooked River there are two parking lots on the right. The Twin Bridges Preserve trailhead is the second parking lot. Room for 6 to 8 cars. There is a trail map at the Western Foothills Land Trust website http://www.wfltmaine.org.

Bradley Backstage hosts concert

(Continued from Page 7B)

Jazz Ambassador, Fulbright Specialist, and U.S. Embassy Outreach Artist. Gary has released seven CDs as a leader. He performs original music, instrumental and vocal jazz, Blues and Americana, Latin and Middle Eastern music. His book, Thelonious Monk for Guitar, published in 1999, has been a favorite of guitarists worldwide. Bradley Backstage tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students. Purchase tickets online at www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac, or call the box office at (207) 544-9066. The LHE/PAC is located at 18 Bradley Street in Fryeburg, on the campus of Fryeburg Academy.

NSB Contributes to support food bank

(Continued from Page 6B)

responding to the food needs of our community to see that no person goes hungry,” said Sandy Swett, executive director of Harrison Food Bank. “Nutritious food is a basic human right, and over 50 volunteers work so hard to make this possible. It’s a labor of love.”

A labor that stretches from the drive-up lines on Tuesday nights to collecting Christmas gifts and spreading joy at other special times of year.

It’s an effort that has inspired Norway Savings Bank for years, including more than $15,000 in support over the last three years and a recent $1,000 sponsorship for an

exciting opportunity at the food bank.

“Shutterbugs 4 Charity, a Portland-based organization, is holding an art auction to raise money for the food bank. The auction will be held in August and already promises to be an amazing fundraiser,” said Swett.

“When looking for a sponsor, Norway Savings was the first place we thought of because of how much they believe in us, what we do, and our mission of service. We’re so very grateful.”

“The need and Harrison Food Bank’s response to it are equal parts humbling and awe-inspiring,” said Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “The work of Harrison Food Bank strengthens our community and is guided by an appreciation for our common humanity and the inherent worth of each individual.” The Food Bank, which is located on 176 Waterford Road (Route 35), is open each Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. There are so many ways to assist the food bank, including volunteering, donating, or driving. For more information, visit www.harrisonfoodbank. com/donate or e-mail harrisonfoodbank@gmail. com.

Denmark Mountain Hikers on the Twin Bridges trail. (Photo by Jeff Sturgis)