By Nathan Tsukroff

AUBURN – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, highlighting local groups that have been reaching out to Mainers to educate them about sexual assault and violence.

Sexual assault goes well beyond the obvious rape of a woman or an attack on an LGBTQ+ person.

Sexual assault can be something as simple as touching someone without permission, or body-shaming a person by calling them ugly or fat.

And sexual assault at any level can have lasting psychological effects, sometimes leading to dangerous and inappropriate behavior such as self-harming, drug use, and unsafe sexual activity.

Being aware that someone else’s behavior is wrong can help a person to avoid being assaulted, or report that behavior to prevent further assaults.

That’s where the advocates from Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services (SAPARS) provide help. Starting with young children in elementary school, the advocates provide education and a place for people to report assaults and violence. At schools, the SAPARS advocates teach classes on proper behavior with fellow students, such as maintaining personal space.

SAPARS provides services in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin Counties, and the communities of Bridgton and Harrison.

There is a 24-hour Maine Sexual Assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 for anyone who has been recently assaulted, or is suffering from the effects of a previous assault. There is also a statewide text and chat service, but it has apparently been suspended since January for maintenance/

The outreach at schools and in the local communities has changed dramatically under the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Previously, advocates from SAPARS were available at schools throughout Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties for students to drop in and talk about personal concerns or issues. Under pandemic rules, SAPARS advocates now work remotely via computer virtual sessions.

“What I have seen is a lot of struggle and lack of access to services,” said Bridget McAlonan, the Prevention Education Coordinator for SAPARS. She would be in various Lewiston schools daily, but “we are no longer to be out in the community” during the pandemic.

“In schools, in the churches, in drop-in centers, assisted-living homes, all the places that we would be normally be doing outreach . . . we are not there,” she said.

“One of my workers is the outreach coordinator (Jamie Demers) works with underserved populations . . . LGBTQ folks, folks in assisted living,” but Demers is no longer allowed to see drop-in visitors, McAlonan said. “She would go into the housing communities, into the assisted-living places, and just sit and do drop-in, and someone could come and just sit with her, and gradually know that it was safe to talk to her.” That’s not being allowed during the pandemic.

By Nathan Tsukroff

DURHAM – A suggestion from a former Mrs. Maine America prompted Durham resident Alecia Jack to compete in her first-ever pageant, and she emerged the winner for 2021.

“I was approached by a former 20210 Mrs. Maine America (Christine Blake) and she asked if this was something I would be interested in,” Jack said.

“I asked if this is just a beauty contest, or is there more to it?” and was told there was “totally more to it.”

“There’s a lot of interaction with other women. These other women are very accomplished women, they are ‘power women’ and there’s a lot of networking between them and the business community. And so that’s what intrigued me,” Jack said.

Working as a Senior Claims Adjuster in the Property & Casualty Insurance world, Jack, 36 years old, has been married to her husband, Jason, for 13 years. They share two “fun-loving boys”, Bryson, 10, and Dawson, 6.

The pageant is part of the Mrs. World organization and took place earlier this month at the Doubletree Hotel in South Portland. As this year’s winner, Jack will go on to compete in the Mrs. America pageant in Las Vegas in November. The winner of that pageant will then compete for the international title of Mrs. World.

Traditionally a spring event, last year’s Mrs. Maine America pageant had been postponed three times, taking place in September.

Getting to the pageant involved community service and meeting with the other contestants to learn more about the competition, Jack said.

The Mrs. Maine America judging was in three parts. Each contestant had a four-minute interview with each of the four judges, which counted as 50% of their final score. A swimsuit competition based on stage presence, style, confidence, and beauty was 25% of the score. The final 25% of the score was the evening gown competition, based on the competitor’s poise, posture, grace, elegance, confidence, beauty, how well they carried themselves, and how well the gown complimented them.

 “The interview was being real and true to the judges, answering honestly, and presenting what you can offer to the community,” Jack said.

From Baxter Library

GORHAM – Baxter Memorial Library will host a series of events in May, including the Friends of Baxter Memorial Library Annual Meeting on May 13.

The Friends of Baxter Memorial Library Book Sale will take place May 7 and 8.

Tuesday, May 4

9:30 a.m.

Preschool Discovery Time

If you love picture books watch Ms Heidi on Facebook as she reads a new book each week. (ages 3-5). 

Thursday, May 6

9:30 a.m.

Toddler Discovery Time

Join Ms. Dani for a Virtual Discovery Time on Facebook as she reads a picture book to our youngest listeners.   (18months-3 yrs).

Friday May 7

9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Book Sale

The Friends of Baxter Memorial Library Book Sale will take place on Friday, May 7 from 9 am to 6 pm, and Saturday, May 8 from 9 am to 1 pm in Shaw Gym. 

Saturday May 8

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Book Sale

The Friends of Baxter Memorial Library Book Sale will take place on Friday, May 7 from 9 am to 6 pm, and Saturday, May 8 from 9 am to 1 pm in Shaw Gym. 

From Maine CF

ELLSWORTH & PORTLAND — The Maine Community Foundation seeks grant proposals to its Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Grant Program.

The program invests in the preservation, restoration, and retrofitting of historic buildings in Maine.

Grant awards of up to $20,000 are available for the preservation and reuse of historic buildings that serve as civic, cultural, or economic hubs for Maine communities. All proposed projects must be for historic buildings listed or declared eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or contributing buildings within a federally designated historic district. The building must be owned by an eligible nonprofit.

The deadline for grant applications is June 1. Application and a list of recent grants are available at www.mainecf.org. Applicants are encouraged to read eligibility and grant guidelines. Questions should be directed to Senior Program Officer Maggie Drummond-Bahl at mbahl@mainecf.org or (207) 412-0839.  

In 2020, The Belvedere Fund awarded over $345,000 to 25 different projects in all regions of the state. Grantees included the Biddeford Historical Society, to protect the Meetinghouse by reglazing three windows and painting two exterior walls; Friends of Isle au Haut Lighthouse, to repoint and restore the damaged granite base of the Isle au Haut Lighthouse tower; and Kezar Falls Circulating Library, to restore the eleven windows of the 95-year-old Kezar Falls Library.

When the late Deborah Pulliam of Castine established her fund at MaineCF, she named it “Belvedere,” an architectural term that reflected her appreciation for historic buildings.

Since 2008, the preservation fund has awarded more than $3 million to museums, libraries, churches, and other historic structures.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Rockport, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people.

To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.

By Nathan Tsukroff

GORHAM – Watching springs sports at the University of Southern Maine is lots of fun . . . you just can’t watch the games in person during the pandemic.

Instead, you’ll be enjoying the Huskies on live streams over your computer or smartphone. And you’ll be hearing the voice of Sebastian “Bass” Pettitt as he calls the play-by-play for the games.

Pettitt began his announcing career in September, 2016, while working towards a Communications degree at USM. He was assisting men’s soccer coach Mike Keller as a team manager when the communications side of the USM Athletic Department asked him if he had any knowledge about broadcasting and communications.

“I told them I’d been around sports my whole life – it’s something I played and enjoyed . . . and I would definitely be able and willing to learn and lend a hand, and all of that, not really knowing where it was going,” he said.

“At first it was just the fall sports, really just soccer, something I was comfortable working with,” Pettit said. “And there were days where people who were calling the games at that point in time weren’t able to . . . so I picked up field hockey, which wasn’t something I was really comfortable or knowledgeable in, but at the time we really just needed someone to do it, so it wasn’t just silent while the game was airing.”

Pettitt said he had to “pick up quite a bit of knowledge” to learn how to explain a game he had never really watched before.

 He said the athletic department was very supportive of his efforts. “It did give me some sort of comfort knowing they trusted me, even if I’m still learning, and they wanted me to get better and wanted me to improve.”

From NNEPRA

PORTLAND – The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced last week that the Amtrak Downeaster will increase service and implement a new schedule on May 3.

This will restore the Downeaster to its pre-COVD service level of five daily round trips between Brunswick and Boston.   The Downeaster has been offering four daily round-trips since July 2020.

The expanded schedule includes a new southbound train which will depart Brunswick mid-morning each day, as well a new northbound train which will depart Boston mid-afternoon each day.   In addition, seasonal service will resume to Old Orchard Beach, and the last northbound train out of Boston each night will operate on a flexible schedule to better serve evening sports and events.  The new travel times combined with added frequency will provide more options for the traveling public and is expected to be popular with both business and leisure travelers.  

“Passengers have requested more mid-day trains for years.   Given the recent changes in travel patterns, the timing is now right for us to introduce a new 10:20am southbound train from Brunswick and a 3:00pm northbound from Boston.” said Natalie Bogart, Marketing Director at NNEPRA.

The Downeaster fare structure has been recently modified to expand discounts on tickets purchased more than three days in advance of travel.  Standard everyday discounts for seniors, children, military personnel, and disabled riders remain in effect.   Multi-ride passes, including the Discover Maine Pass and College Six-Tix are available for sale and can be used on all trains. 

In recent months, the Amtrak Downeaster has also expanded bike service to all stations and has introduced at seat Café service on some trains.    Amtrak has also recently added technology features which include a capacity indicator so passengers can see in advance how many people are booked on their train and BidUP which offers upgrades to business class at a reduced rate.   Small pets in carriers are accepted on board Downeaster trains with advance reservations.  

Visit AmtrakDowneaster.com for schedule, fares and complete information about the steps being taken to protect the health and safety of their passengers and crews.

From Maine DACF

AUGUSTA – At a Blaine House Ceremony last week, Maine Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal presented Maine Forest Service Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson with the Silver Smokey Bear Award, the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire prevention.

Ranger Nelson is one of two people to earn this national recognition in 2021. 

“Maine is the most heavily forested state in the country, which means that wildfire prevention is something that we must take very seriously,” said Governor Mills. “It is why Maine Forest Service Rangers, like Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson, are so important. Their efforts, along with those of fire departments across Maine, are critical to keeping our state safe. I am honored to congratulate Specialist Nelson on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his efforts to safeguard our forests and protect Maine people.” 

“Creating awareness of ways to reduce human-caused wildfires ignition is a critical role for Maine Forest Service, and Ranger Specialist Kent Nelson is a gifted and talented ambassador to this cause who has repeatedly demonstrated creativity and innovation in crafting and disseminating engaging and effective messaging to educate the public,” added DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. 

Smokey Bear awards have been bestowed on well-deserving groups and individuals annually since 1957. The Silver Smokey Bear Award specifically recognizes organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service that is regional (multistate) in scope over at least a two-year period. The National Association of State Foresters, the USDA Forest Service, and The Ad Council sponsor the Awards, and nominations are considered and voted upon by members of the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Committee.  

From Maine DOE

AUGUSTA – The Maine Kids Rock Initiative, a statewide program that offers professional training to teachers as well as grants for instruments and equipment to schools with identified needs, enters its fifth year with the addition of nine more teachers.

Joining the initiative are Lanissa Nadeau (Brewer Community School), Neil James (Geiger Elementary/Lewiston Middle School), Bridget Kazukiewicz (King Middle School, Portland), Joshua Lund (Benton Elementary School)

Michelle Biddlecom (Winthrop Grade School), Brittany Elwell (Carmel Elementary/Suzanne Smith Elementary/Caravel Middle Schools). Thomas Stott (Beech Hill School, Otis), Oren Robinson (Palermo Consolidated, Windsor Elementary Schools), and Nadine Baker (Rose M. Gaffney/Machias Memorial High School).

These teachers join the ranks of nearly 70 teachers across Maine who utilize the Modern Band approach to music education with nearly 1,500 students at all grade levels.

“My administrators and I are very excited to bring music into the 21st century for our students,” said Joshua Lund, general music educator. “At Benton Elementary, we are planning to integrate MKR into the general music class experience as well as starting new co-curricular ensembles. The training, resources, and equipment provided through Maine Kids Rock are sure to help transform what music can be for the students in my school!”

The Maine Kids Rock initiative continues as a partnership between the Maine Department of Education and the national non-profit organization Little Kids Rock.

“We’re thrilled to continue to grow Maine Kids Rock, bring more music education to Maine, and reach even more kids by using the music they know and love,” said Miranda Altman, Senior Director of Program Operations for Little Kids Rock. “We are incredibly grateful to the teachers of this initiative as we enter our fifth year. Welcome to the nine teachers that are newly joining this program!”

Throughout the year these teachers will receive free professional development opportunities, and their schools will receive a set of classroom “rock band”-style instruments for students to use as they explore music education through a modern music lens.  Learning opportunities for students go beyond just learning to play a guitar or drums; they also explore songwriting, the development of interpersonal skills, and boost self-confidence as performers.

For more information about the Maine Kids Rock Initiative through the Maine Department of Education, please contact Visual and Performing Arts Content Specialist Jason Anderson.

By Nathan Tsukroff

LEWISTON – Dr. Philip McLean, a Doctor of Chiropractic at the Maximized Living Family Chiropractic Center on Lisbon Street in Lewison, was stricken with Lyme disease about 10 years ago.

“I had done the traditional treatment with doxycycline antibiotic, and it appeared to help and I felt great for about a year and a half. And then it came back . . . tired, fatigue, brain fog, muscle aches,” he said.

“So I did some more research and I found that the hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be helpful,” McLean said. He purchased what is referred to as a soft hyperbaric chamber and used it “five days a week for about two months” until the symptoms disappeared.

Now McLean helps others by providing the same hyperbaric oxygen therapy for those suffering with various symptoms from a variety of illnesses.

From Maine CF

PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH — The Perloff Family Fund of the Maine Community Foundation will accept applications for four grant programs that benefit public schools in Maine.

One-year Fast Track Grants of up to $3,000 are available for all areas of pre-K through 12th grade. Applications for the 2021-2022 school year are available through June 30.

STEM4ME grants of up to $5,000 focus on science, technology, engineering,
and math (STEM) and are funded on a rolling basis for up to two years. These grants enable students to create real-world solutions to problems in areas such as renewable energy, ecology, automation, space science, and sustainable food production. Integration with the arts and humanities
is encouraged, when possible.

Robotics grants support pre-K through 12th-grade programs that are are integrated into the curriculum. All students at a particular grade level are generally expected to participate, including those who fall into special needs categories. Sufficient numbers of laptops should be available for all students to engage in programming.

The Perloff Family Fund also provides special funding on a rolling basis to smaller, rural schools for programs such as the Children’s Stage Adventure.

More information and applications are available from the Perloff Family Foundation or by emailing Helen McCain, donor services associate, at hmccain@mainecf.org.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Rockport, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people.

To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.