Archive for June 2018
Reggie’s supports Maine Warden Service with Kawasaki Loaner Program

Reggie’s GM Craig Caron instructs game wardens about updates to the new models before they are put to work.
The Maine Warden Service and Reggie’s Kawasaki & Ski-Doo of Leeds have teamed up again this year to provide additional vehicles for law enforcement and search and rescue operations during Maine’s busy boating season. As a result of the Kawasaki User Relations Loaner Program, three new recreational vehicles and two trailers have been loaned to the Warden Service for the summer at no charge.
Auburn dentist honored by Maine Dental Association
Dr. James Helmkamp, a dentist who practices in Auburn, has been recognized by the Maine Dental Association with inclusion on its Honor Wall.
The Honor Wall recognizes “those who have given extraordinary service to the Maine Dental Association” and is displayed at the organization’s headquarters in Manchester. Helmkamp, along with Dr. James Sparaga, were lauded as the Honor Wall’s newest members at the Maine Dental Association’s annual convention on June 9 at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland.
Bates Dance Festival opens with “MYCELIAL: Street Parliament”

In this exploration of interconnectedness in the digital age, a custom mobile app will guide audience members through multiple performance environments. (Photo by Zac Whittenburg)
The 2018 Bates Dance Festival season will open with the U.S. premiere of “MYCELIAL: Street Parliament,” a collaboration between Chicago-based Erica Mott Productions and Egyptian dancers and musicians. In this exploration of interconnectedness in the digital age, a custom mobile app will guide audience members through multiple performance environments.
LAE Summer Enrichment Program features new classes for 2018

Chris Dorman, a technology librarian at the Maine State Library in Augusta, returns this summer to teach a class on air-propelled rockets.
Registration is now open for Lewiston Adult Education’s 2018 Summer Enrichment Programfor families and children. Designed to help keep local children involved and interested in science and the humanities during summer vacation, the program features classes led bystaff from Bates College, the Maine State Library, and 4-H. Lewiston Adult Education’s newest partner, Museum L-A, will host a class in August.Allclassesarefree,but advance registration is required.
Governor’s Address: Medicaid Expansion Activists Will Hurt People Who Need Help Just To Prove a Point
Medicaid-expansion advocates plan to bring busloads of able-bodied adults to DHHS offices on July 2 to enroll in MaineCare. But the Legislature has not provided any money to process their applications or to pay their medical bills.
Medicaid expansion is the law, it is my responsibility to implement it, and I will. However, the Executive Branch cannot commit to hundreds of millions of dollars in ongoing costs without an appropriation to pay for it.
We are appealing the lawsuit that compels DHHS to expand Medicaid with no funding. The activists suing the state believe that, by enrolling busloads of able-bodied people on July 2, they’ll commit the state to Medicaid expansion.
APL kicks off Teen Summer Reading program with outdoor concert

Chicks with Sticks is a popular 12-piece steel drum combo that plays island-style music at events throughout central and coastal Maine.
With the theme “Libraries Rock,” this year’s Teen Summer Reading program at Auburn Public Library’s will focus on music – through reading books about music in the Pizza & Pages Book Club, watching and singing along to musicals, and enjoying programs involving singing and dancing.
The program kick-off will take place on Tuesday, June 26 at 3 p.m. with a performance by Chicks with Sticks. An off-shoot of the Tinpanic Steel Band, Chicks with Sticks is a popular 12-piece steel drum combo that plays island-style music, with sounds similar to Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley, at parties, festivals, receptions, and other special events throughout central and coastal Maine. Open to all ages, the concert will take place on the library lawn, weather permitting.
Teacher of the Year brings positive energy to Minot Consolidated School
When you step inside Katie Toothaker’s kindergarten classroom at Minot Consolidated School, you can feel the love. “I’m a hugger!” says Toothaker. Indeed, Toothaker welcomes the opportunity to provide a physical hug, but she also provides the kind that are less tangible, and even more powerful. She “hugs” people with her kind words, contagious smile, and engaging conversation. She acknowledges others in a way that invites the conversation to continue.
Canoe & Kayak River Race to precede Great Falls Brewfest

This year’s event will feature three different course options and an option to rent a canoe or kayak from Shaker Hill Outdoors.
The Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) will hold its third annual Canoe & Kayak River Race on Saturday, June 23 at 9 a.m., before the kick-off of the annual Great Falls Brewfest that afternoon. The race will depart from the Festival Plaza boat launch on Main Street in Auburn. Participants this year have three course options to choose from:
The Long Distance Paddle, over mostly slow-moving water with a section of class I-III rapids, finishing at the Durham Boat Launch (distance 7 miles; average time 1.5 hours).
The Twin City Boomerang Paddle, from Auburn to Lewiston, then back upriver to Auburn, finishing at Festival Plaza (distance 3 miles; average time 45 minutes; no rapids).
The Twin City Paddle, a short, fun paddle from Auburn to Lewiston, finishing at the Lincoln Street Boat Launch (distance 1.5 miles; average time 20 minutes; no rapids).
Fontaine Family supports Make-A-Wish Maine

Make-A-Wish Maine presents a plaque to the Fontaine Family team in recognition of their ongoing support. The team raised $7,132 last year through its “Bid for Wishes” Facebook Silent Auction. Make-A-Wish Maine recently granted its 1400th wish.
Each year for the past 10 years, Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader has raised funds for Make-A-Wish Maine, either by participating in the program’s annual “Walk-for-Wishes” or through their own “Bid for Wishes” Facebook Silent Auction. 100% of funds raised goes directly to Make-A-Wish Maine to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
This year’s “Bid for Wishes” Facebook Silent Auction is currently under way and will end on Monday, July 23 at 9 a.m. If you would like to donate an item for the auction, please call 784-3800 or e-mail karen@fontaineteam.com (for the Auburn area), or email sally@fontaineteam.com (for the Scarborough area).
Governor’s Address: The Legislature’s Coming into Special Session To Take the Easy Way Out
A year ago, House Republicans shut down state government to make sure bad policies did not pass. Now they are giving in because it’s an election year.
Augusta politicians are proving once again that they’re unwilling to make the right choices. As the session neared its end, Democrats sat on their hands, hoping voters wouldn’t notice that they avoided voting on important bills.
They didn’t vote on tax conformity or Medicaid expansion, and they didn’t vote to increase the reimbursement rates for direct-care workers who are usually paid based on the minimum wage.