Kennebec Current November 2020

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Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy winners, District 8, Kennebec County

The

INDEX Funny things kids say ..............2 V. Paul Reynolds.....................3 Movie Review ........................6 Classifieds ............................12 Reader Recipes .....................13

FEATURE ARTICLES Change-of-season food blues can become happy expierence.............................5 The Healthy Geezer...............10 Edward Jones - Welcome to our office....................................15 The value of volunteering......15

KENNEBEC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS HOSTING A NIGHT IN, A VIRTUAL COMEDY SHOW AND ONLINE AUCTION See page 2

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019-2020 district awards for the VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy were delayed until this month. The two winners wrote essays on the topic “What Makes America Great.” Laney Cooley of Gardiner was the winner for Patriot’s Pen Grades six to eight, and Shawn Jimenez, West Gardiner, was the winner for Voice of Democracy at the high school level. Both students now attend Gardiner Area High School and were sponsored by the Bagley-Gardiner-Foster VFW Post 9 in Gardiner. From left, presenting checks to the students, with masks and social distancing, Debra Couture, senior vice, Post 9 and essay committee Chairwoman; Shawn Jimenez, Voice of Democracy District 8 winner; Laney Cooley, Patriot Pen District 8 winner; and Roger Line, Commander, Bagley-Gardiner-Foster Post 9.

Gardiner gets $3.5 million for wastewater treatment upgrades WASHINGTON, D.C. — The city of Gardiner will receive a total of $3,532,000 from USDA Rural Development for critical wastewater upgrades. The money includes a Water and Waste Disposal Loan of $3,032,000 and Grant of $500,000. The invest-

ment will be used to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant and Maine Avenue pump station. The work is necessary because of aging equipment. In 2019, the city had five instances where individual air driven Rotating Biological Contractor units stopped rotating. The

city fixed the malfunctions and kept the treatment process operational. The proposed project will resolve these age-related failures. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This as-

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Submit this form with your Funniest Thing Kids Say conversation. Winners chosen randomly from entries that include this form and a submitted conversation. Name:

Address:

My daughter called me from the car after When visiting with our We lost our power for My grandson was 5 picking up my two three days recently due daughter and family years old. I said to him, year old grandson recently, our youngto a storm. My daughter “Let’s play the game and two grandchildren est granddaughter was Simon Says, I will be Si- from daycare. He was in his car seat, in telling about how her live a short distance mon.” I started barking the back, but could cousin was teaching her away. I called and asked out commands, saying hear my voice on my 9 year old grandson some things relating to ‘Simon says’. I could the handling of sheep. if they lost power too, the speaker. As they see my grandson was and he said they had. In the middle of her degetting very flustered drove along, I hear my tailed story she suddenly I asked him how long with the game, so I said, grandson yell from it was out for and he stopped and said, “I am “Why don’t you be the back, “Grammie, getting confused and I replied “ until it came Simon?” I wasn’t sure look at the crane!” He am the one doing the back on”! he understood the game thought I was in the - Robert Concannon, until he said, “Simon talking!” car and could see what - Ken Hinkley, Dixfield Kents Hill says – never play Simon he could see. Says again!” – Valerie Luce, – Peter Minichiello, Windham Stoneham

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FEATURE COLUMN

Intuition may have led to the legendary ‘Hinckley Buck’

V. Paul Reynolds As November comes on in Maine, with frost-laden mornings and leafless hardwoods greying up the tree lines, serious deer hunters begin preparations. Rifles are cleaned and zeroed. Maps are studied. Hunting clothes are checked over. New gear is purchased. Tree stands are erected, and kindred spirits of the fall deer hunt fix the leaky roof at deer camp, all the while sharing stories and day dreaming about what “could be� during the best month of the year. The “what could be� is really what the deer hunt is in its essence. The expectation of that dream buck, the big heavy-antlered behemoth slow stepping up through the alders from the

morning bog, antlers glistening and breath steaming from flared nostrils. For Horace Hinckley of Augusta, that daydream materialized on Fletcher Mountain in November 1955. A massive buck stepped into the sights of Hinckley’s 30:06 and, with one shot, was to become a Maine state record that remains a record to this day – 65 years later! Hinckley’s buck fielddressed at 355 pounds; its live weight was estimated at 488 pounds. In a story written by Richard Bernier, the author reveals that Hinckley’s wife had dispatched a 200 pound buck minutes before Hinckley fired. She was, according to Bernier, within shouting distance of her husband and was calling out to him to come and help her. On a hunter’s hunch, Hinckley did not rush to his wife’s side like many of us would do. He remained motionless and silent. Perhaps he had seen sign and suspected that there might have been some buck spar-

ring in the vicinity, with more than one rutted up critter in the neighborhood. Perhaps Hinckley was just plain lucky. Whatever the case, Hinckley’s instincts delivered to him the buck of a lifetime — literally. Most seasoned deer hunters, even those of us who have never tagged a 200 pound buck, have nevertheless seen or jumped big deer later described at deer camp as the “Hartford Elk.� Still, it is hard to imagine a deer in the Maine woods whose live weight approaches 500 pounds! In 2018, according to the Maine Sportsman, a woman hunter bagged a bragging buck in the Rangeley area that field-dressed at 215 pounds. There were a number of bucks tagged that year exceeding 220 pounds dressed. Kyle Wentworth, spokesman for the Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club, told me his organization’s records indicate that, in 2006, a Maine buck was tagged that fielddressed at 331 pounds. He

cautioned that his club has no way of officially confirming these weights. According to retired deer biologist Gerry Lavigne, most mature adult bucks tip the scales between 200 and 300 pounds. Is there a 400-pounder skulking about somewhere in the Big Woods? It is certainly possible, and that makes the fall deer hunt all that more exciting and filled with anticipation, even for those who are not trophy hunters and hoping simply to fill the freezer with some tasty venison cuts. What makes it all that more exciting is that, in so many cases, these bragging bucks have shown a tendency to show up at the most unexpected times. Good luck with your fall deer hunt. No sleeping on the job. The author is editor of the “Northwoods Sporting Journal.� He is also a Maine guide and host of a weekly radio program — “Maine Outdoors� — heard at 7 p.m. Sundays on “The Voice of Maine News

Submitted photo

- Talk Network.� He has authored three books; online purchase information

is available at www.sportingjournal.com. Contact: vpaulr@tds.net

Kennebec County SWCD supervisor vote deadline is Nov. 24 AUGUSTA — The Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District is holding its election for district supervisor, and the ballot deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24. There is one elected position in this year’s election. It starts Jan. 1, and is a three year term of office. Currently

Ken Laustsen of Oakland is running to fill that position. Write-in candidates are eligible. Ballots are available at the Kennebec District office. Any registered voter wishing to vote for the district supervisor may contact the district for a ballot, or visit the office and cast one.

All registered voters residing or owning land within the Kennebec District boundaries are eligible to vote. For information, contact the district office at 50 Hospital St., 207621-9000 and ask for Dale Finseth, Dale@kcswcd.org. • Bookkeeping

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Five counties eligible KVCOG hires pair for new for USDA loans related community resilience positions to drought WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Maine counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Producers in Cumberland, York, Androscoggin, Oxford and Sagadahoc counties who suffered losses caused by drought and above-normal temperatures that has occurred since May 1 may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program. Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Information is available online at farmers.gov/recover.

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FAIRFIELD — William Harper and Robyn Stanicki have joined Kennebec Valley Council of Governments as community resilience coordinators. Harper and Stanicki will work to deliver technical, planning and administrative assistance to municipal and regional entities, small businesses, nonprofits and other stakeholders. The new positions have been made possible for the next two years through CARES Act funding KVCOG received through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. New programming under their direction will include individual consultations and workshops on topics such as disaster recovery and strategic innovation. The positions are responsible for planning and providing emergency preparedness, response, and recovery coordination services to KVCOG and the community to build

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resiliency and be better prepared to plan, respond to and recover from emergency events. “I’m excited to be joining KVCOG at such a pivotal time,” Harper said. “However, amid this pervasive uncertainty is a compelling invitation for change. My ambition is to focus my skills and those of my colleagues towards affirmative resilience, adaptation, and transformation opportunities in our municipalities and across the region.” “Since the beginning of the current pandemic, I have been looking for ways to insert myself into conversations on recovery and to contribute to these efforts in my own community,” Stanicki said. “I believe that we can use this global event to spur change and ideas that allow us to bounce forward rather than bounce back, and to envision recovery and define what it means to move forward in new and exciting ways. KVCOG is ideally positioned to

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work with its member communities to come up with a vision for economic recovery and even, prosperity in the years to come. I’m so glad to have a chance to be part of it.” Laura Cyr, KVCOG executive director, said, “I am thrilled to have William and Robyn join the KVCOG team in this capacity. They both bring with them expertise and experience and their work together will help to prepare the region to move forward from this

pandemic in a meaningful way” said Laura Cyr, Executive Director, KVCOG. KVCOG is a private, nonprofit organization that provides a coordinated approach for planning and economic development at the local and regional level. It serves 62 municipalities and several unorganized territories in Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo counties. Visit www.kvcog.org or follow KVCOG on Facebook and Instagram.

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Free ‘Living Well with Diabetes’ series offered, beginning in January AUGUSTA — Spectrum Generations is partnering with Healthy Living for ME on a free workshop to help individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, their caregivers and family members. “Living Well with Diabetes” will be offered beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19, and run through Feb. 23. Workshop participants will meet weekly from 3 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. Topics such as testing

your blood sugar, menu planning, stress management, increasing activity level, treating low blood sugar, caring for your feet, and healthy eating will be discussed. Those with slow internet or no computer can still participate through Spectrum Generations’ free tablet lending program. Technical support is available The series is offered

free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call 207-6201642 or email jpaquet@ healthylivingforme.org. Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center, provides information and advice, referrals, programs and activities for adults. Healthy Living for Me is a statewide network of evidence-based programs

Page 5

Virtual ‘Turkey Trot 4 Hope’ will raise money for cancer support Thanksgiving Weekend

that empower adults to address and better manage their health issues. It brings together three state Agencies on Aging, including Spectrum Generations, SeniorsPlus, and Aroostook Agency on Aging in a partnership to deliver statewide chronic disease self-management and falls prevention classes. For more information, visit healthylivingforme.org or on Facebook @HLforME.

Area Scout leaders complete Youth Protection Training OAKLAND — Kennebec Valley Scouting District Training Chair Joe Poulin has announced that several volunteer scouting leaders in the area have completed Youth Protection Training during two recent training sessions. “True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in scouting,” Poulin said. “Nationally, scouting requires that all those involved in our programs

take Youth Protection Training every other year. Here in Pine Tree Council, it is an annual requirement.” The training includes a review of scouting’s barriers to abuse, what to do if you witness abuse, how to respond if you suspect abuse, reporting requirements, and how to educate scouting parents and youth members about child safety. “Every Scout also takes the Cyber-Chip Training to help Scouts be safe

while online,” Poulin said. “They earn the patch for completing that program.” Completing the training at a COVID-19 compliant in-person event hosted by Augusta Cub Scout Pack 603 in September were Jeffrey Mortron, of Augusta, Angeline and Zachary Truman, of Farmingdale; Cynthia Davis, of Oakland; Luanne Chelsey, of Vassalboro; Douglas S. Mason Sr., of Augusta. Completing training at a similar in-person training

hosted by China Troop 479 in October were Kern Kelley, of China; Christian Hunter of Unity, Timothy D. Dow Sr., of Albion; Stephanie Choate, of Winslow; Ronald A, Emery, of China.; Scott and Priscilla Adams, of China; Brian Wedge, of China and Bert Audette, of China. Along with inperson courses, the Youth Protection Training is available online at my.scouting.org.

MaineGeneral hospice volunteers to host holiday grief support groups AUGUSTA — MaineGeneral Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley are offering support for those who are grieving for a loved one, and may have a heard time through the holidays. One-time group support meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks, all at the Harold Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta:

• 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14; • 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6; • 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec.

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Hospice volunteers are also needed. Those who have experienced grief and want to help others during their journey may join MaineGeneral Hos-

pice Volunteers of Kennebec Valley to help facilitate peer grief support groups. To sign up for a Coping with Grief during the Holidays Workshop, or to volunteer, contact Yvonne Watson, bereavement coordinator, at 207-2480420 or email yvonne.watson@mainegeneral.org. For more information, visit www. mainegeneral.org/hospice.

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Social Security Scams - COVID Scammers are always looking to capture people’s personal information, and Social Security numbers are highly valuable. Because of that, scammers often impersonate the Social Security Administration. They may pose as a friendly Social Security official who just needs to confirm your information – including your Social Security number. Or, they use fear tactics to force the target’s hand out of fear their Social Security number

Here’s an opportunity to challenge yourself with a fourmile run (for adults and students) or take it slowly with the one-mile “Gobble Wobble” run/walk (for adults, students and children) Thanksgiving weekend to help raise money to assist cancer patients throughout their journey to wellness. Participants pick the day and time as well as their favorite trail, route, track or treadmill. They can also form a team and fundraise to be eligible to win season and day passes to Sunday River and Mt. Abram ski areas; many other prizes are available. All students, grades K through 12, register free. Participants can register themselves, their family or a team; the first 200 people who register get the official Turkey Trot 4 Hope hat. Register at raceroster.com/31423. The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine offers free support, services, comfort items and wellness programs to anyone living with cancer — patients, survivors, caregivers and families. For more information, email dmadden@crcofwm.org or call 207-890-0329.

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MOVIE REVIEW

‘The War with Grandpa’ Lucas Allen (101 Studios/Brookdale Studios) Based on an awardwinning book by Robert Kimmel Smith, “The War with Grandpa� is a family comedy that was filmed three years ago for the now-defunct Weinstein label. It’s great to see a film like this being released in theaters for

families to enjoy together during the pandemic, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is merely a distraction for the younglings while their parents have other things to do. Not to mention, director Tim Hill has a “pedigree� in the genre, including films like “Muppets from Space� and “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.� Recently widowed Ed (Robert De Niro) is having trouble adjusting to living alone, and his daughter Sally (Uma Thurman) has him move into the home she shares with her husband Arthur (Rob Riggle) and her three kids. While the rest of

ual h 15t Ann

the family, including teenager Mia (Laura Marano) and Christmas-obsessed younger sister Jenny (Poppy Gagnon), are happy to have their grandpa around, 12-year-old Peter (Oakes Fegley) is mad that he has to move up into the attic since his bedroom now belongs to Ed. His middle school friends suggest he go on a prank war with his grandpa to get him to move out. Meanwhile, Ed’s buddies Jerry (Christopher Walken) and Danny (Cheech Marin) believe it’s a great way to get back at his grandson. Naturally, the pranks get more dangerous each day, affecting

the twosome’s oncebonding relationship. There’s also a fouragainst-four battle of trampoline dodgeball between the kids and Ed, Jerry, Danny and Diane (Jane Seymour). Things come to a head during Jenny’s Christmas-themed birthday party, where the danger really goes up a notch. Kids will likely have fun with it, but the grownups will have to steer clear from it by more than six feet. This is one of the laziest, illconceived, tone-deaf abominations to hit the silver screen, and forget trying to save theaters with it. It’s one of those plots that could’ve been solved in

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a short period of time, but they instead had to pile it on with more and more absurdity that it becomes unbearable. Not to mention, it’s filled to the brim with family comedy cliches and stale humor that it feels like the movie’s going on auto-pilot without steering into any proper direction. This kind of Hollywood manufacturing of kiddie films has to end at some point. The writers seem to be under the impression that there are no long-term consequences to the characters’ actions. As far-fetched the plot is, there are too many moments that would’ve been more consequential in real life. It’s absolutely ridiculous that these moments were designed to be funny only they end up with irrational, face-palming behavior. But the most baffling thing is why these respectable and legendary actors would stoop this low to be in this movie. With De Niro, it’s par for the course at this point. With this and “Dirty Grandpa,� he finds a way to remain

as stoic and dignified as in his greatest performances while performing heinous acts of unfunny comedy. Then you have Seymour, Marin and Walken, who has not acted with De Niro since “The Deer Hunter,� who were definitely in this only for the paycheck. Both Thurman and Riggle, on the other hand, are decent, but the kid actors are simply below average and they don’t make sitting through this film any easier. If 2020 represents everything wrong with the world, “The War with Grandpa� represents everything wrong with movies today. It’s a soulless, factoryproduced product that doesn’t reflect any moral stance in the real world. Just stay home, watch whatever’s streaming, wait until 2021 when things start going back to normal, and you’ll be fine. THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG (for rude humor, language, and some thematic elements) THE CRITIC’S RATING: 1 Star (Out of Four)

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Page 7

Grant will allow Kennebec Historical Society to further archive collection AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society has received a $1,500 New Century Community Grant from the Maine State Archives that will allow it to further preserve its archival collection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the historical society, like many organizations, has found its resources strained. The grant aims to support and provide needed resources to care for and improve access to archival collections. In April, KHS converted its Access Collections Database to the commercially produced, widely accepted PastPerfect software program. Following the dramatic conversion of more than 60,000 records, KHS determined that a complete inventory of its archive was necessary, compar-

ing old records with new and ensuring that the items listed in the software were consistent with the location in the archive. It is estimated that a complete inventory of the archive will take several months and require significant supervision and resources. KHS plans to stabilize and assess the collections to determine the order in which they should be inventoried. Converted records will need to be verified in the PastPerfect software and the location of the item in the archive confirmed. As items are discovered and inventoried, there may be a need to buy the proper collection supplies to protect and preserve them. KHS also plans to hire its current volunteer archivist, Emily Schroeder, to provide volunteers and

Submitted photo

Emily Schroeder in the Kennebec Historical Society archive. interns with the proper supervision and necessary training. Schroeder was employed by the Maine State Library for more than 35 years and the society will benefit from her archival skills and knowledge of the new software. She already volunteers two days a week for KHS and

the grant allows the society to fund an additional day per week, increasing her overall availability to interns and volunteers. The society’s administrative director, Scott Wood, said, “We are thrilled to receive the New Century Community Grant from the Maine State Archives

Submitted photo

and to have Emily here three days a week. There is nothing more discouraging than turning away a researcher because an item is either lost or not cataloged properly, especially if we actually have what they were looking for, but just could not find it.” Once collections have been assessed and sta-

bilized, the society will make information about the inventoried collections available through its website, its bimonthly newsletter, social media accounts and future press releases. For more information about the grant project, contact Wood at kennhis1891@gmail.com or 207-622-7718.

Kennebec Savings Bank awards grants to local theaters AUGUSTA — Through its new KSB Supports Local Theaters program, Kennebec Savings Bank recently awarded $12,000 COVID-19 relief grants to five community theaters throughout its service area. The awards were made after the bank was awarded a competitive grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s 2020 Jobs for New England Recovery Grant program. Theaters receiving the funding include the Theater at Monmouth, in Monmouth; Colonial Theater, in Augusta; Johnson Hall, in Gardiner; Waterville Opera House, in Waterville; Maine State Music Theatre, in Brunswick. “Community theaters were the first to close, and will likely be the last to completely reopen,” said

Andrew Silsby, president and CEO of Kennebec Saving Bank. “Our community theaters are vital to our local economies and bring diverse cultural experiences to our rural communities. The people running them are our friends and neighbors. We are pleased to be in a position to support them when they need it most.” The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on theaters throughout Maine and the rest of the country. In a recent study conducted by Americans for the Arts, 59% of arts organizations have remained closed since the pandemic began. At least ten percent believe they will not survive the pandemic, which equates to a potential loss of 12,000 organizations nationwide.

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“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity Kennebec Savings Bank continues to show the Waterville Opera House,” said Tamsen Brooke Warner, the Waterville Opera House’s executive director. “This year has brought intense hardship for performing arts venues, artists, and entertainment professionals worldwide. Thanks to the support from Kennebec

Savings Bank and the kindness of our patrons, donors, and sponsors, we will survive the COVID-19 pandemic and continue bringing great music and theatre to Central Maine.” Kennebec Savings Bank has launched several initiatives to support nonprofits from across sectors during the pandemic. This has including $60,000 in relief funds through its

Catalyst Grant program, seed grants for relief funds to two local United Way organizations, and over $40,000 to local food pantries. Most recently, the bank donated $40,000 in relief funds to additional nonprofits that have been hard hit by the pandemic, including the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, in Waterville; Kennebec Valley YMCA,

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The Kennebec Current Page 8 www.centralmainetoday.com

November 2020

Regaining function following a stroke with the help of MaineGeneral’s rehabilitation specialists By John D. Begin If Mark Wilson’s life was a novel, it would have two chapters and a very promising epilogue. The first chapter would include everything from birth through July 8, 2020; the second would start on July 9 — the day he suffered a devastating stroke that threatened his life and turned his world and his family’s upside down. The promising epilogue? That literary element is made possible by the expert rehabilitation care Mark received from Dr. Emese Simon and the team of physical, occupational and speech therapists and nursing staff at the inpatient Physical Rehabilitation Unit at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta. “Dr. Simon and the staff have been wonderful,� said Mark’s wife Carol. “I wouldn’t have wanted him to go anywhere else — and I don’t think Mark would have either; he’s been happy here.�

Adjusting to the unexpected According to Carol, her husband has never been much of a “sitter.� The 56-year-old Skowhegan man was operations manager at Sappi North America in Skowhegan, where he ran two departments and has been employed for more than 30 years. He would work a full day at the mill and then go home to work on any number of projects. His active lifestyle, coupled with no family history, made his stroke even more surprising. Carol said Mark never complained of any symptoms, nor did she notice anything out of the ordinary until she found him collapsed on the floor after she had gotten out of bed to check on her two visiting grandsons. She would learn in time that the stroke was caused by a dissected carotid artery that sent a blood clot to Mark’s brain. “I told my grandsons afterward that if I hadn’t heard them making noise, I never

Submitted photo

Skowhegan resident Mark Wilson, shown in his room at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta the day before his discharge from the inpatient rehabilitation program. would have found Mark in time,� she said. Journey to recovery Mark was first seen at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, transported by ambulance to the ACH where he was stabilized and then taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland. He was in intensive

care for three days before increasing brain swelling required surgery to help alleviate the pressure. When he was healthy enough to be moved to a rehabilitation facility, Carol and her family chose MaineGeneral’s Physical Rehabilitation Unit. “That was the best choice we’ve made throughout this

journey,� she said. Just days into the start of his rehabilitation, Mark’s white blood cell count spiked, requiring a return to Maine Med, where the medical staff tried to identify the cause. “I didn’t even know what was happening (because I was so sick),� he said. After a battery of imaging and other diagnostic tests, medical staff determined the problem was caused by a highly-infected gallbladder. Given Mark’s fragile medical condition, the best option was to drain the gallbladder to control the infection. After several days, Mark returned to the ACH to restart his rehab. His progress since then — with only a few bumps along the way — has been truly remarkable. “When he came here, he couldn’t move or talk,� Carol said, on the eve of Mark’s discharge to go home. “Now he’s walking, moving and talking — and it’s all been due to MaineGeneral’s therapists and how they’ve motivated him to get to the point where he is now.� “He has thrived under the care of Dr. Simon, his therapists and Mark’s motivation to

do what he needs to do,� she added. “The therapists worked with him every day at a pace he could do and one which they were comfortable with him doing, and they built on those pieces every day.� Carol acknowledges that Mark’s being able to receive excellent rehabilitation care close to home — care her family was involved in to support him — made a tremendous difference. “I’m here every day, and Mark has welcomed having family here during his rehabilitation. The staff has been very welcoming to having us here to help him,� she said. “Because he’s done so well with his rehab and recovery, I keep thinking that his engineering mind has really helped him, and it will only get better once he gets home.� To learn more about MaineGeneral’s Physical Rehabilitation Unit team and the services they provide, visit https://www.mainegeneral. org/inpatient-rehabilitation. John D. Begin is a communications specialist in MaineGeneral Health’s Marketing & Communications Department.

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The Kennebec Current November 2020 www.centralmainetoday.com

Page 9

Health & FEATURE COLUMN

Change-of-season food blues can become happy experience Jodi Cornelio

Live Long, Live Well Jodi R. Cornelio, AS, BA, MBA Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and Motivational Speaker jcornelio@turnerpublishing.net

The temperature is changing and so are our habits. We go from hanging outside in the sunshine, mowing lawns, golfing, walking, biking and planting flowers to watching TV and playing video games indoors and eating comfort

foods that fall in line with the chilly days. Do not let the change of season suck you into bad habits and bad food choices. There are plenty of chilly-day foods that do not involve a lot of unnecessary calories. Instead of reaching for the apple pie and meatloaf with gravy, reach for a hot bowl of soup or make a pot of tomato-based sauce and lather it over spaghetti squash. These are two of my favorite cold weather change-of-season choices. Soups are filling and can be hearty, leaving you satisfied enough to not reach for

dessert. One of my favorite soups my mom used to make all the time is tomato and rice soup. Start with a chicken bouillon base in a 4-quart pot. Fill bouillon base and

water to reach the halfway mark; add a cup of uncooked rice. Add 16 oz. canned stewed tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste. It really is that simple. If you want to add a little

character and make this soup heartier, you can add 2 cups of cooked grilled chicken chunked into bite size pieces. You can also add a cup of diced carrots and/or a cup of shredded

cabbage to add some fiber to this succulent soup. Enjoy all the beauty the changing of seasons brings. Live long, live well.

CATCHING HEALTH - DIANE ATWOOD

Get to the eye doctor right away if you experience early warning signs of torn or detached retina Cynthia, who’s now 59, experienced her first floater in her eye when she was 13. “And I remember distinctly because I saw this thing that looked like it belonged underneath a microscope, like a little amoeba. I asked my mom about it and she said, “Oh, it’s nothing, it’s just a floater,” she recalled. Her eye doctor agreed. Floaters aren’t usually a big deal, but they can be an early warning sign of a retinal tear or a detachment, especially, later in life. Our eyes are filled with a gel-like substance called the vitreous, which contains tiny fibers that are attached to the retina. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that covers about 65 percent of the back of the eye. It receives light and changes it into sig-

nals that it sends to the brain – an important part of our being able to see. Floaters are little clumps of the gel inside your eye. What you see are shadows of the clumps cast on the retina. As we get older, the gel shrinks, and the tiny fibers begin to pull on the retina. Sometimes when a fiber is pulling on the retina the fiber breaks. That’s called a vitreous detachment or a posterior vitreous detachment. It’s not a serious issue, and no treatment is usually necessary. Age is the primary risk factor for PVD, but additional factors are recent eye surgery, such as cataract removal and myopia, or nearsightedness. Dr. Aaron Parnes, a retina specialist with Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, explains the role myopia plays.

“In a highly myopic or nearsighted eye, the eye itself is longer. That elongation causes you to need glasses in order to focus the light farther back than would normally be needed,” he said. “That elongation also causes the retina to be stretched out — it has to cover a larger surface area.” Cynthia is at increased risk of retinal problems because she is nearsighted. She started wearing glasses when she was 12 years old and ever since her first one at age 13, has gotten quite used to seeing floaters. In early

March she had an entirely new experience. She began to see flashing lights in the periphery of her left eye. “It was absolutely terrifying. These bright flashes of light, if you were looking at the sky, look like a lightning bolt that flashes and disappears.,” she said, “and then you move your eye and it flashes again and it disappears. I’d never seen this, so I went to an eye doctor and he said what I was seeing was a fiber tugging on the retina.” You might think you’d feel it if something was

tugging on your retina, but it has no pain sensors, so you see flashing lights instead. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to light flashes or other clues your eye might be sending you that something potentially serious is going on. Parnes emphasizes the importance of recognizing the early warning signs. “Initially, you’ll have floaters, black dots, or flashes of light in your vision,” Parnes noted.

“Floaters mean either there is bleeding, or the gel has shifted around. A flash comes as an arc of light on the side of your vision and goes away immediately. There can be multiple flashes at once. They indicate pulling on the retina.” Pulling on the retina can cause PVD, but it could also lead to a retinal tear and unfortunately, that’s what ended up happening to Cynthia. She was scheduled

Retina gPage 14

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The Kennebec Current Page 10 November 2020 www.centralmainetoday.com

Sabrina Jandreau joins Central Maine Growth Council as Development Coordinator

THE HEALTHY GEEZER

The Healthy Geezer By: Fred Cecitti Q. Can you get Lyme disease in Hawaii? A. It’s possible, but the odds are against it. This is from the Hawaii State Department of Health: “Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness reported on the mainland United States but is not found in Hawaii, since the type of tick that spreads this disease is not present in Hawaii.” The federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the Northeast, the upper Midwest and the West Coast as the places you’re most likely to get Lyme disease. However, Lyme disease is found in many parts of the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. You should

check with the health departments in your area. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria spread by bites primarily from deer ticks, which are brown and often no bigger than a pin head. The disease was named for a Connecticut town where it was first recognized in 1975. Lyme disease can cause fever, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sore muscles, stiff neck and a skin rash that usually begins where the tick dug in. The rash may start out as a small red spot that can get bigger. A ring within the spot can fade and create a “bull’s eye.” Some people with Lyme disease get many red spots. If you don’t treat Lyme disease, it can spread to the heart, joints and the nervous system. Patients with late Lyme disease can suffer permanent damage. If Lyme disease spreads to the heart, the person may feel an irregular or slow heartbeat. The disease is rarely fatal. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. In most cases of early Lyme disease, two to four weeks of oral antibi-

otics kill the bacteria. If the disease has progressed, your doctor may recommend an intravenous antibiotic for two to four weeks. This IV treatment is usually effective, although it may take some time to recover. Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed. The disease’s symptoms are shared with other conditions such as viral infections, joint disorders, muscle pain (fibromyalgia), chronic fatigue syndrome and depression. There is no human vaccine for Lyme disease available. There was a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998. It was pulled from the market in 2002. The CDC reports that there are more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease each year. Most cases are reported in the summer when people are outdoors and ticks are most active. Only a minority of deer tick bites lead to Lyme disease. The longer the tick remains attached to your skin, the greater your risk of contracting the disease. You

aren’t likely to get Lyme disease if the tick has been attached to your skin for less than 48 hours. To remove a tick, use finetipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull in a steady upward motion until the tick comes out. Then apply an antiseptic to the bite area and wash your hands with soap and water. Save the tick for possible identification by a doctor The best method of fighting Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. The following are some recommendations:

• When you go into the

woods, wear light-colored pants and long-sleeve shirts, shoes (no sandals) and a hat. Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes, and tuck shirts into pants. Light-colored garments are better for locating ticks.

• Stay on trails and avoid

walking through low bushes and long grass.

• Use an insect repellent con-

tainingDEETorpermethrin.

• After you spend time outdoors, check for ticks. Then wash and dry clothing at high temperatures.

All Rights Reserved © 2020 by Fred Cicetti

Central Maine Growth Council, a public-private collaborative regional economic development partnership, has hired Sabrina Jandreau as its next Development Coordinator. Jandreau, a graduate of Gordon College, will be responsible for supporting the execution of Sabrina Jandreau economic and community development projects and programs put forth by the Growth Council. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work for the Growth Council. As a life-long resident of central Maine, having the ability to return home and work for an organization that supports the betterment of small businesses and overall community development is humbling.” Sabrina brings previous experience as a Strategic Planning and Business Development intern for Northern Light Health’s home office in Brewer, Maine. Throughout her Gordon College career, she served as the NCAA Commonwealth Coast Conference SAAC president from 2018-2020 and served as the Vice President of Finance for Gordon’s student government. In this role, Sabrina was responsible for organizing the fiscal budget for the 2020-2021 school year, totaling more than $250,000.00, respectively. Sabrina graduated in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Economics, and Law. Her background in studying economic development and public policy will support the Growth Council’s economic development plan, which facilitates the implementation of both public and private investments and projects. “Central Maine Growth Council is excited to have Sabrina join our dynamic team during a time in which we’re scaling our organization and will be launching a regional accelerator initiative,” said Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation, and economic development. “Sabrina’s work will be critically important to continuing to advance our development pipeline, fuel our organizations growth, and deliver on our mission of cultivating a robust local and regional economy.”

Holiday Funny things kids say! Ask a young child in your family -

How do you cook a turkey? Turner Publishing invites our readers children to send in their “Le�ers to Santa” to be published in their local Turner Publishing paper. All le�ers will be published for all our readers to enjoy.

Write down what they say (or have them write it!) Send it to us, we will pprint it and yyou will be entered to win a ggift certificate!

HOW TO COOK A THANKSGIVING HO or CHRISTMAS TURKEY

There is no charge for having the le�ers published and they will be run exactly as they are submi�ed, misspellings and all. “Le�ers to Santa” is a great keepsake for parents, grandparents and the children themselves.

So get your children to write a le�er to Santa (which will be forwarded to the North Pole...) to share with all your friends and family. Mail your le�ers to: “Le�ers to Santa” PO Box 214, Turner, ME 04282. Le�ers will not be returned but may be picked up at the Turner Publishing office in Turner. All entries must be received by November 25,, 2020. A Product of

Include: Name, address and age. Funny Things Kids Say Turner Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 214 Turner, Maine 04282 Or email: FunnyThingsKidsSay@turnerpublishing.net

The Kennebec Current November 2020 www.centralmainetoday.com

Page 11

A November salute to veterans and patriots — the story of George Briggs By Robert C. Briggs

My uncle George was a true patriot. In his short life of 31 years, he endured more hardships and counted more blessings that any man I know. He is recalled as never complaining about his challenges, and he was a friend to everyone he met. The wisdom he passed along is summed up in one of his favorite sayings — “The unforeseen will defeat the best laid plans every time.� George Briggs was born into a well-to-do Augusta family. His father, my grandfather, Henry Briggs, was one of the pioneers in the automobile industry in the state of Maine. He initiated many of the practices of the industry — buying cars on time, dealership groups and revenue sharing. Despite his financial success, he was painfully aware of the many things money cannot buy. The second born of seven children living at the Briggs home at 22 Melville St., George’s summers were spent at a cottage on Upper Richardson lake in Andover. Upon returning home, my uncle contracted polio. After swimming in a community pool in Farmington, he began to exhibit flulike symptoms. A throat swab confirmed the awful suspicion that George had contracted infantile paralysis (poliomyelitis) — one of the most dreaded scourges of that era. My grandparents were not the type to take adversity lying down, and nei-

ther was George. Henry Briggs designed innovative adaptations for his grandson, such as a car for him to drive using hand pedals and a boat outfitted the same. A pin ball machine, large aquarium, gaming tables and eventually a swimming pool could be found in my grandmother’s living room. An upstairs bedroom was converted into a lab, where George built radios and tested inventions. Although unable to attend public school, George’s goal was to graduate from Cony High School, and that required him to attend class his senior year. With no elevators or electric wheelchairs available, my father, Robert Briggs, carried George from class to class and up and down the long steep stairs at the Flatiron building. Most winters George spent some time in Georgia at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. It was there he made the acquaintance of another polio sufferer — sitting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They would swim together in the heated mineral water pool, and George was a guest at the Little Whitehouse — Roosevelt’s Camp David — situated at the facility. Roosevelt twice invited Uncle George to his presidential inauguration — in 1936 and again in 1940. My father recalled sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the president while visiting George. The bombing of Pearl

Harbor on Dec. 6, 1941, would change life dramatically for every American. My father and two uncles were drafted into the armed service. Americans were called upon to make considerable sacrifices, which included the rationing of luxury and essential materials. American citizens who were German, Italian or Japanese were forced into quarantine, mostly for their own protection. As America geared up to become the arsenal of democracy, my grandfather curtailed his business and loaned money to the Ford factory in Massachusetts that turned out trucks, munitions and planes. Due to his 4-F classification, George was unable to directly participate in the war effort. He served as a postmaster for letters from soldiers in the neighborhood, distributing them to family and friends, but when the federal government enlisted the American public to find a solution to a munitions problem, a disabled man from the small state of Maine may have found the answer that would ultimately change the course of U.S. history. The problem called for a mechanism that would detonate a bomb above ground, greatly expanding its destructive capacity. George worked almost two years on an invention and sent the final draft to the Department of Defense. They responded on several occasions with letters of acknowledgement and congratulations. The

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device to detonate a bomb while airborne was used in the atomic blasting of two Japanese cities that brought a defiant foe to its knees and an end to World War II. While it may or may not have been George’s exact device that was used, to him it did not really matter. Had the bomb not been deployed, Plan B was an allied invasion of mainland Japan. Casualties were estimated to be in the millions, one of them likely his brother, later my father, who was serving in nearby China. Roosevelt and Uncle George would eventually lose their battles to polio. Roosevelt died from complications of the disease in 1945; my uncle in 1951, but they won their war! Roosevelt used the power of his office to pave the way for Jonas Salk and his discovery of a polio vaccine in 1955. Uncle George was able to overcome the many obstacles created by the disease and, by all accounts, lived a happy and successful life. Americans of today could learn a lot from my uncle George.

Robert C. Briggs photo

George Briggs of Augusta, probably in his early teens, stands at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1931. The woman with him is most likely his private nurse.

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Upstream’s Brooke will be Bailey Library speaker Nov. 17

Reader Recipes Gramma’s Oatmeal Bread (No Kneading!) Submitted by: Carolyn Dow

Ingredients:

1 1/2c. oats ½ c. honey 2 envelopes yeast 1 c. molasses 4 T. water 2 1/2tsp. salt 7-7 1/2 c. flour

Directions: 1. Pour 3 cups boiling water over oats. Let stand 30 minutes. 2. Dissolve yeast in 4 T. warm water. 3. Add to oat mixture: molasses, salt, honey, yeast mixture. 4. Gradually stir in 7 to 71/2 c. flour. Dough will be sticky. 5. Cover and set in warm place for two to three hours. 6. Punch risen dough down with fist. 7. Divide in half and place in 2 loaf pans. 8. Let rise again, about 1 hour. 9. Bake @ 350 (for glass pans) or 375 (for metal pans)

for 55-60 mins. Check after 30 mins. Cover with aluminum foil if browning too fast.

WINTHROP — The Bailey Library will host environmentalist Steve Brooke, of Upstream, a Gardiner nonprofit working to return river herring to the Cobbossee watershed, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, via Zoom. The event is the final part of a yearlong series celebrating Maine’s bicentennial that explores outdoor recreation in Maine. The public is invited to attend via Zoom by visiting baileylibrary.org/ athome and navigating to the “Virtual Events” tab. For help attending, email director Richard Fortin at rfortin@baileylibrary.org. Those who attend will take part in an interactive slideshow presentation, and learn the history of the Cobbossee waterway and what is happening today to secure fish passage for its watershed. Dammed at its head of tide in 1761, Cobbossee Stream is one of the largest coastal watersheds in Maine that is still impassible to native migratory fish. A tributary

Submitted photo

of the Kennebec River and upper Merrymeeting Bay, the Cobbossee watershed includes the communities of Gardiner, West Gardiner, Litchfield, Richmond, Winthrop, Manchester, Monmouth, Readfield and Hallowell. It contains 20 square miles of lakes and ponds.

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Brooke was project coordinator of the Kennebec Coalition during the decommissioning and removal of the Edwards Dam in on the Kennebec River in Augusta After retiring from the Maine State Planning Office, he began work with Upstream.

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Retina Page 9

to see her eye doctor a month after he first saw her, but after experiencing three weeks of continuous flashing lights, something more dramatic occurred. “On the morning of March 26. I was on my computer and these flashes got super bright, super intense and they arced over the entire top of my eye. About 15 minutes later, I saw this thing move across my eye that was like a cloud. I thought, oh my god, that is not good. This big, bulky thing was moving across my eye, and then I saw a darker thing that looked like an octopus flat across my eye, which dropped thousands of little floaters on me,� she recalled. “This was during the height of COVID, round one, but the doctor saw me immediately. He examined my eye and said, ‘Well, the bad news is you have a retinal tear. The good news is it’s not a retinal detachment yet.’ “ Fortunately, the tear could be treated with a laser, which uses heat to seal around the tear and decrease the likelihood of a detached retina. “It took about 15 minutes. The eye doctor had on this weird virtual reality headset and the laser in his hand. He had me torque my head so he could laser in on the spot, and 15 minutes later, he had sealed the hole. I couldn’t see anything for about 10 min-

utes after that because the light was so blinding that my brain had to get used to that happening,� Cynthia said “We left and went home, and I looked like somebody hit me in the face with a baseball bat because my eye was solid red.� The laser sealed the tear in Cynthia’s retina, but the afternoon after her treatment, another black “octopus� streaked across her vision. Back she went to the eye doctor, who discovered that when the tear occurred it nicked a blood vessel. Several months later, Cynthia said it seems as if she is looking through a snow globe. “My vision is actually fine. My vision has not changed, but I have a lot of debris in there — floaters and cloudy stuff, and also a lot of blood in the eye because of the nicked blood vessel. I’m hoping that eventually, more blood will get reabsorbed and I won’t have as much debris floating around in my left eye,� she added. It could be a year before her eye clears up, and the debris may not all go away. Once you’ve started the PVD process in one eye, it’s likely to happen in the other eye as well within a year. Sure enough, Cynthia has already started noticing symptoms. “I started having flashing in my right eye, and I don’t honestly know how long has it been going on. I happened to notice it when I was going up a staircase where there’s a blank wall. Then it was really easy to see. But

Eyecare Medical Group photo Dr. Aaron Parnes it’s really, really far back in the periphery.� Because of the experience with her left eye, Cynthia knows the flashes in her right eye indicate there is pulling going on. She’s trying to take a calm approach to the idea that she might have another retinal tear. Every day she meditates. “As part of my meditation, I always say to myself, I only have a 10 percent chance of it happening again, I only have a 10 percent chance of this happening again; let’s focus on that.� The biggest risk she faces is having a retinal detachment, which is what happens if you have a tear and fluid leaks out under the retina. Serious business, says Parnes. “If the fluid does go through the retinal tear and the retina separates from the back of the eye,

you’ll see a shadow or curtain come over your vision. It starts in one field of your view and eventually, will envelop the entire field. Your vision in that eye will be darkened. When the retina is detached, you can’t just laser it back. You need surgery,� Parnes explained. “The usual procedure is vitrectomy. We remove the gel that fills the eye which removes the pulling on the tear or tears. Then we have to reattach the retina. We usually use a gas bubble to push it back into place. Then we apply a laser to create a scar just like we would if the retina was already attached and there was just a tear there. You usually need to position your head either facing down or facing one way or the other depending on where

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you want the bubble to push,� he continued. “As the laser scars down and seals everything in place, it keeps the retina attached; over three weeks to two months, the bubble slowly dissolves, and we keep a close watch to see that the retina remains attached. The healing process is long, more of a marathon than a sprint.� As I mentioned earlier, the biggest risks associated with torn or detached retinas are age (a PVD is more likely to happen after age 60), being near-sighted, or having recent eye surgery. Trauma to the eye can also increase your risk and having an issue in one eye increases your risk in your other eye. Paying attention to your eyes is the most important thing you can do to prevent more serious problems, says Parnes. “If you have symptoms, don’t ignore them. If flashes or floaters are occurring you should get a dilated eye exam, preferably within a day or so, because it could mean the gel has separated. In most people, the gel can separate and not create a tear or a detachment, but you can’t tell without getting an exam. So, getting examined sooner when you have symptoms is a good idea� Also, don’t forget your routine eye exams. Cynthia couldn’t agree more. She never expected to become a retinal expert herself, but it happened — almost overnight — and one thing that has

caught her attention is how easily some people dismiss what’s going on with their eyes. “I got to know the eye doctor’s office pretty well, and they said that some people are so bodily unaware that they come in and their retinas are almost completely detached, which means they’ve had this black curtain over their eye,� she said. “If you see a heavy drape moving across your vision or down from the top or up from the bottom you should know you have a problem. Get to the eye doctor, and also go if you notice a big floater that’s new or a lot of floaters that happen all of a sudden.�xs You may not be able to prevent torn or detached retina, but the earlier you catch them the more likely you’ll avoid more serious issues later on. Cynthia has one final suggestion to help us all be more aware of our eyes. She’s added something to her morning routine that she says is quick and easy — you could even do it while you’re brushing your teeth. She covers one eye and takes a close look at the other, rolling it around and making sure she doesn’t see any floaters, flashes, dark curtains, or anything else that’s unusual. She does the same with her other eye, finishes brushing her teeth, and moves on with her day (and her daily meditation). I hope she doesn’t run into any more problems. Seems like she’s had enough this year.

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The Kennebec Current November 2020 www.centralmainetoday.com

Page 15

FEATURE COLUMNS

Edward Jones - welcome to our office!

By Julie Barter-Lucas Located in the Stevens Commons development at 1 Beech St., Hallowell, Edward Jones is not your typical financial advisor practice. For us, it’s more than investment; it’s about building relationships and creating a partnership with our clients. I joined Edward Jones in 2007. I decided to become a financial advisor in order to make a difference in the lives of others. A couple of years before joining Edward Jones, I experienced an unexpected and life-changing event. At a very vulnerable point in my life, I was given sound financial advice. During a period of grief and loss, I could have easily been misled or been taken advantage of, but I was fortunate to be guided by financial professionals

empathetic to my personal situation and who put my best interest first. At the time, I did not realize the impact that advice would have on my life. As I reflect, I know it was their guidance that helped provide me with the foundation of the life I have today. This experience inspired me to become a financial advisor to help others live their best lives. We work with our clients to make sure they feel understood, informed, in control and secure so that they can focus on what is most important to them and their family. We help every client create an individual strategy to help them achieve their goals now and for generations to come. We work confidentially and discreetly with other financial professionals,

including CPAs, estate planning attorneys and insurance specialists to make sure we understand each client’s complete financial picture. As a partner, we are there with our clients throughout life’s biggest moments. During the best of times and the worst, we are there every step of the way. I have had the honor to be the trusted partner for dozens of families for more than 13 years, navigating education savings, social security and life insurance needs. I have helped so many individuals and couples design a retirement goal strategy, celebrating with them when they transitioned to retirement. I have walked side-by-side with so many clients as they faced terminal illness. I have been there to listen to how they

envision their legacy and then helped their loved ones realize that legacy after they have passed. On many occasions I have helped people who, like me so many years ago, have experienced a sudden and lifechanging event. I chose this career because I understood the meaningful impact I would have on my clients and very early recognized that the impact of serving others could be rewarding. My clients are like an extension of my family, and so many have become close friends. As I am there to support and guide them through their life’s journey, they have also been such a big part of mine. I am also fortunate to have an administrative team dedicated to client service. Senior branch office administrator Kristy Vickerson joined my

Submitted photo

From left, Kristy Vickerson, Ashley Michaud and Julie Barter-Lucas team almost five years ago. She brings more than 15 years of experience working in the educational system. Branch office administrator Ashley Michaud joined our team earlier this year and brings a whole new digital aspect to our day to day work. Whether greeting clients, answering questions or managing the day-to-day

activities in our office, both Kristy and Ashley are always committed to delivering an exceptional level of friendly and professional service. We are welcoming new clients. If you are looking for a trusted partner, reach out to us at 207-622-0991. You can also visit us on our website www.edwardjones.com/juliebarterlucas

The value of volunteering Kelly Marie, Marketing Coordinator, Gardiner FCU

Enriching your community will enrich your life. The day I walked into the back room of Ragamuffin’s, nearly six years ago, changed my life. I had no idea, when I showed up to volunteer on the Promotions Committee for Gardiner Main Street, that this would happen. I sought only to share my creativity and eventplanning experience, to get involved and help grow and promote our downtown. The focus of our committee is to organize and run special events, to bring people to downtown Gardiner, so they – in turn – can support our local businesses and get to know how great our city

is. Some events included: Live Game Show Night, Spring Celebration with Easter Egg Hunt, River Fest, Swine & Stein, Shop Small Saturday, Days of Light, the Annual Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights, as well as our monthly meet & greets. We also offered support to others, who ran Art Walk & Music Walk Events. As you can see, there were volunteer opportunities a plenty. In addition to helping plan events, I’ve hosted haunted story-telling events, donned an elf hat and shoes, led the caroling at the tree lighting, painted props, built fairy houses, baked a lot of cookies, sold a lot of raffle tickets and so much more. I have also met so very many people I may

otherwise never have known. I have gotten to know many of our area community leaders, business owners and staff members, and have developed lasting friendships with some of my fellow volunteers. Being a friendly person, I’m acquainted with a lot of people, I consider many to be friends. I have definitely found my tribe, through my involvement and volunteering. These are the kind of people who are the first to reach out to a friend,

or organization, in need. In addition to the wonderful people one meets volunteering, there are other benefits. It feels good to give of yourself. Sometimes it’s the joy of knowing something you’ve done has made a difference in someone’s life. It could be the rush of endorphins your body experiences from the physical exertion of helping set up or break down an event. It may be the happiness you see on

the face of someone who has been shut in, when you bring them a hot meal and a little company. Helping with annual roadside clean up gives a sense of pride. It could be something like that, which takes only a few hours a year. Giving of yourself should feel like a blessing, not a burden. To avoid burn out, we should each do only what we can comfortably do. Even in these times of social distancing, when there are fewer in-person events,

non-profit organizations are still finding creative ways to raise funds. Reach out and see how you can help. By helping them, you in turn have a hand in their efforts to help others. And believe me, every small gift you give, whether of money, of your time, of yourself, is appreciated now more than ever. And you never know who you might meet. Giving the effort to help others, not only changes their lives, it can change yours.

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Getting started is easy. Call your financial advisor today to learn more. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to ($25 million for joint accounts of two or more people). More information about the Insured Bank Deposit program, including the program disclosure, is available from your financial advisor or at www.edwardjones.com/bankdeposit. For more information about FDIC, go to www.fdic.gov.

HALLOWELL, ME Julie Barter Lucas, AAMS 1 Beech Street 207-622-0991

AUGUSTA, ME David J Farago 378 Western Avenue 207-480-1316

HALLOWELL, ME Vaunalee M Foster 1 Beech Street 207-622-0991

MANCHESTER, ME Blaine J Guido 11 VioleƩe Way Suite 1 207-377-1111

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The Kennebec Current Page 16 November 2020 www.centralmainetoday.com

Getting the right care, at the right time, in the right place has never been more important. At MaineGeneral, we’re with you.

Don’t delay getting the care you need. While many things have changed during COVID-19, you can be sure that MaineGeneral is here to care for you safely. We’re with you for checkups, procedures and everything in between. We require all people at MaineGeneral to wear a face covering and practice social distancing. Expanded cleaning takes place in all areas. We’re with you today and every day. We look forward to providing you and your family with the quality, patient-centered care that you’ve come to expect from us. Please call your primary care provider with any health concerns.

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