We've moved!

Somerset News Online has a new home effective Nov. 14, 2012. Visit us at http://somersetnewsonline.wordpress.com. All other contact information remains the same. Give us a little time to catch up, but look for more community news from the Somerset-Sebasticook Valley Region every week.

November Red Cross blood drives

 “Warm your heart – heat your home” is the theme of the American Red Cross Blood Donor Centers this month as all presenting donors will be eligible to win a $200 gift certificate that can be used toward the cost of heating their homes. The sponsor of this community-minded program is Suburban Propane.

  Here are the blood drives in Central Maine this month. Reservations can be made either online at www.redcrossblood.org  or 1-800-REDCROSS

• Wednesday, Nov. 21: Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, Skowhegan; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 30: Redington-Fairview Hospital, Skowhegan, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Free park passes for Maine vets

  AUGUSTA – Maine residents who are veterans and were honorably discharged or received a general discharge under honorable conditions are reminded this Veterans Day that they are eligible for a free, life-time day-use pass to Maine state parks and historic sites.

  “We are honored to be able to offer this small token of our gratitude to Maine veterans in recognition of their outstanding service to this country,” said Commissioner Walter Whitcomb of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which oversees Maine state parks and historic sites. “We are very proud and thankful for all that our veterans have contributed to the security and freedom of our country."

Taylor’s Drug Store collecting food for People Who Care Food Cupboard

  MADISON – Taylor’s Drug Store in Madison has “adopted” the People Who Care Food Cupboard for the month of November.  Shelves will be set up in the store for food collection and a cash donation counter will be on the counter.

  The Greater Somerset Public Health Collaborative and United Way of Mid-Maine offer the “adoption” program, which connects local businesses and area food cupboards to improve food security for families. Main Street Skowhegan, Skowhegan Rotary, Madison Business Alliance and Norridgewock Chamber of Commerce have also endorsed the project.

Maine State Grange annual convention underway at Rockland Elks Lodge

  AUGUSTA – Patrick Brewer, Master (President) of the Maine State Grange will preside over the 139th Annual Session of the Maine State Grange Oct. 25-27 at the Rockland Elks Lodge.

  Approximately 140 Granges from across the state will send delegates to debate various resolutions from national to state legislative to issues to assorted internal issues.

  Resolutions passes at the session will become policy of the Maine State Grange and will be lobbied for at the Maine State Legislature.  Those pertaining to national policies will be sent to the National Grange Session held in November where delegates from across the country will consider them.

   On Oct. 26, Walter Whitcomb, State of Maine Commissioner of Agriculture will address the session.

Shoe tariff discussion at Citizen Trade Policy Meeting in Skowhegan Oct. 24

  AUGUSTA – The future of shoe tariffs that protect hundreds of jobs in Maine will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing of the Citizen Trade Policy Commission.  The meeting will be held at the Skowhegan Community Center from 5:30 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

  “The meeting is another opportunity to hear from workers about how important these local jobs are,” said Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, who has been advocating for the tariff to remain intact in an international free trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is now under negotiation between the US and 10 other countries.

Skowhegan Fright Fest 2012

  SKOWHEGAN – The Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce has announced several scary but fun events for Fright Fest 2012.

  Haunted Hayrides, Oct. 26 - 27 (Friday and Saturday), 6 - 10 p.m., Skowhegan Fairgrounds.  The Chamber is still looking for volunteers for both Friday and Saturday nights, so all help is appreciated.  Contact the Chamber for more information. Posters with details are in several businesses and community locations.

  Skowhegan Municipal Haunted House, Oct. 26 - 27, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Skowhegan Municipal Building.  This event will be running at the same time as the hayrides, so that Skowhegan has several events to help you celebrate Halloween.  Attendance was great last year so get there early.  Also on Saturday the 27th will be a special performance on the Opera House Stage called Casper’s House at 5 p.m.  Nearly 400 people attended Casper’s House last year.

  Halloween Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 27, Downtown Skowhegan, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Presented by the Skowhegan First Church of the Nazarene, this event gives a safe place for families to trick or treat on Saturday night by the downtown rotary.  If it rains, this event will be moved to the church on East Madison Road.

  Halloween Parade, Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m., downtown Skowhegan, presented by the Skowhegan Free Public Library.  Lineup begins at the Federated Church.

  Mama Mack’s Haunted House, Oct. 31. Check posters in downtown Skowhegan and other community locations for details.

 

Sharon Mack guest speaker at Nov. 1 Mid-Maine Community Forum

  PITTSFIELD – The Mid-Maine Community Forum caps off its fall forum series with long-time Central Maine journalist Sharon Mack on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Universalist Church in Pittsfield.

   Newspapers nationwide are struggling with the double whammy of the downturn in the national economy and the explosion of Internet news. How has this changed the way the public gets its information and how that information is presented? Mack will discuss the changing face of journalism based on her 30 years in the industry.

   Sharon Kiley Mack began her journalism career in Pittsfield 30 years ago. She worked for two weekly newspapers - the Valley Times and Eastern Gazette - before joining the Bangor Daily News. She was bureau chief for Somerset County for more than two decades before moving to Downeast Maine four years ago to continue her career.

  She has won numerous state, regional and national writing awards for her work, including in her specialty of agriculture. Mack is a University of Hartford graduate, mother of six and grandmother of six. She continues to write as a freelancer for several papers and maintains an artist studio in Machias.

 The forum is free and open to all. Donations are welcome. For more info, contact Trudy Ferland at 487-6523.

Skowhegan Community Band is looking for new members

  SKOWHEGAN – Les Tomlinson, Director of the Skowhegan Community Band, is inviting all instrumentalists in the area to join the band.  If you have played a few years ago or many moons ago and you wish to make music again, join them for a rehearsal to watch and listen or join. For the time being, rehearsals will be sight reading music, old and new.

Maine State Board of Education chair receives national honor

  AUGUSTA – Dr. Steven Pound, chairman of the Maine State Board of Education, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of State Boards of Education at the organization's national conference in Chicago, Ill. on Oct. 12. The national award is given annually to a state board of education member in recognition of outstanding service to public education.

   “At this pivotal time in public education, state boards are the lynchpin to successful education reform policies and their implementation,” said NASBE Executive Director Jim Kohlmoos.

Traffic sensors to be installed in Skowhegan this week

  SKOWHEGAN – Maine Department of Transportation crews will be installing traffic classifying sensors in the pavement on Route 201 (Waterville Road) in Skowhegan starting on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

  This two day event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flaggers will assist with alternating one-way traffic for a quarter mile beginning approximately two miles north of the Varney Road and two tenths of a mile south of Carrier Lane.

  Because this work is weather dependent, the rain date is set for Thursday, Oct. 18.

  The project supports the DOT Traffic Monitoring Program, providing the number of vehicles utilizing the highway throughout the year as well as changes in travel patterns.

Rolls at Lake George dinner-auction to feature local flour

  SKOWHEGAN – This year, more of the food at the Lake George Regional Park annual spaghetti dinner will be local. Thanks to a donation and partnership between Somerset Grist Mill, Maine Grains and the Bankery, the park dinner on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Skowhegan Rec Center will feature 17 dozen rolls baked with local wheat.

  “We have always had strong support from the Skowhegan-Madison Elks, Gifford’s Ice Cream and Northeast Coffee but adding Cayford’s Cider, local lettuce and local wheat is helping broaden our local sourcing,” said Park Director Jeff McCabe.

Publisher’s Note: This is your community website – take advantage of it!

   Snowmobile clubs, veterans’ groups, Granges, fraternal organizations and community service groups are invited to submit their events to Somerset News Online.

  There is no charge or obligation. Publishing your events on our website gives your organization a little more exposure and free publicity.

   So take advantage of it! Just email your events to mdlange@roadrunner.com.

   We usually update the site two or three times per week. So if you don’t see your event online right away, be patient.

Skowhegan Chamber BAH Oct. 17

   SKOWHEGAN – The UMaine Margaret Chase Smith Library is the host for the next Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 5 - 7 p.m.  Come check out what is new at the library and hear about the transition into the UMaine system.  Guided tours will be available and the event will be catered by the Heritage House.  It’s a great opportunity to network with fellow members.

  For more information, contact the Chamber at 474-3621.

 

Dexter Candidates' Night Oct. 20

  DEXTER - Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) and the Dexter Unitarian Universalist Church will jointly sponsor a “Local Food Supper and Candidates Night” on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the church.

Donors urged to ‘cruise in’ for October Red Cross blood drives

 
  Maine’s blood shortage is still critical as supplies recover from the normal summer slowdown, so there are plenty of opportunities for donors to give the “Gift of Life” this month at Red Cross blood drives in the Mid-Maine and Sebasticook Valley region

  Some incentives for donors this month are:

• A chance to win a seven-day cruise for two departing from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn.
• A $5 Lobster Bucks Card from Weathervane Seafood Restaurant.
• A chance to win a lobster dinner for two from Weathervane Seafood Restaurant.
• A coupon for $5 off your next purchase at Freihofer's Bakery Outlet.

Masonic open house Saturday, Oct. 20

  On Saturday, Oct. 20, Masonic Lodges across Maine will be opening their doors so that neighbors and friends can learn more about our organization, its members, and its buildings. It’s a great chance for you to come and see just what we're all about.

The Grand Master has suggested that Lodge open houses run from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Please check with your local lodge for the exact time they will be open.

  Here are the lodges in Central Maine and the Sebasticook Valley region that plan to be open that day.

Bingham Area Dental Center moves into new facility

  BINGHAM – The Bingham Area Dental Center offers valuable services to more than 1,200 Mainers each year and will continue to do so in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that opened Oct. 8. Thanks to the dedication and initiative of the Bingham Health Council, the new dental office is equipped with a brand new work space that includes an additional patient chair with all the accessories, a private waiting area and a new digital, panoramic X-ray machine.

Abnaki Sno-Riders public meals

  MADISON – The Abnaki Sno-Riders have announced the following events at their clubhouse:

• Hunter's Breakfast: Oct. 27, 4:30 – 8:30 a.m. Menu consists of baked beans, eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and orange juice. $8 per person; under age 8, free.

• Turkey Pie Dinner: Nov. 10, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.  Menu: Turkey pie and gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, salad, coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate and assorted dessert pies. $9 per person; under age 8, free.

Skowhegan Board of Selectmen's agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 9

  SKOWHEGAN – The Skowhegan Board of Selectmen will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the council chambers starting at 5:30 p.m. Executive Secretary Cara Mason has released the following agenda.

1. Town Manager’s Report

2. Items by the Public

Public Hearing:

1. Discussion and decision to approve the Application for a Victualer’ License for:

• The Dore Group d/b/a The Old Mill Pub
• 39 Water Street
• Skowhegan, ME  04976

Presentation:

1. KVCAP will give a presentation on the proposed public transportation plan.