Paul Coulombe, the Southport man who recently bought the Boothbay Country Club, has picked a veteran Maine golf course business to help manage the facility.

HF Golf of Scarborough owns Nonesuch River Golf Club in Scarborough and operates Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach.

Coulombe has also asked Chad Penman, an assistant pro at two of the nation’s top golf clubs, to take over as head golf professional and general manager. Rob Wyllie is staying on as superintendent, handling maintenance and turf conditions.

Coulombe bought the club for $1.4 million in February, after the Bank of Maine foreclosed on its loan to former owner Jim Reeves. In March, the bank and Reeves sued each other over the sale and the loan.

In a press release announcing Coulombe’s purchase, the Knickerbocker Group had said a prior owner of the club, Harris Golf, would be managing the course. However, a Harris Golf representative said recently that the company is no longer involved.

With the March 20 snowfall a minor setback, work on the tees and bunkers will start as soon as possible, HF Golf owner Daniel Hourihan said. Coulombe is targeting an opening date of May 22, Hourihan said.

“(Coulombe) has big plans for the course. Our role is really to help him implement his plans,” Hourihan said in an interview March 22.

“Based on our experience, we’re going to help make it happen. But it’s his vision,” Hourihan said.

“Paul is committed to making the facility a first-class golf destination in Maine,” Hourihan said, according to a press release sent to the Boothbay Register.

This season, Hourihan said the course will be operated with the goal of providing the members and guests with superior service and the best conditions possible.

Penman, a native of Brazil, Ind., learned his trade working summers as an assistant pro at Maidstone, one of the premier family country clubs in East Hampton, N.Y. During the winter, he has worked at Calusa Pines, a high-end club geared toward serious golfers. He has had a rounded career at both clubs and been heavily involved in instruction for members and juniors. One of his goals is to encourage and instruct junior golfers, Penman said in an interview.

Plans call for the Boothbay course to be available for public play after 1 p.m. Fees will be down from last year, Hourihan said. (See chart).

“It doesn’t sound too bad,” 2012 club member Gary Blake of Boothbay said of this year’s fees. He plans to join again this year. However, Blake said he would rather see the course open to the public all day.

He’s looking forward to being back at the course, though. “I’m glad it’s going to be up and running,” he said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com

I have been writing about outdoor winter sports for over 20 years; consequently, I get pertinent emails from various quarters that pique my interest.

Recently, I got a post from Alpine Replay, in California, which was offering a free app for iPhones and Android smartphones. It records all your data from each day you ski or snowboard for the entire season. I’m not necessarily a “gearhead” but I am competitive. I do like this gadget that provides me with information about my performance in this sport that I am passionate about.

A couple of years ago I rounded up three of my boys, headed to Smugglers Notch in northern Vermont for a day of hardcore skiing. We were offered a relatively new device to wear on our lower leg called a Flaik.

The Flaik provided similar information as Alpine Replay. Though it was fun, the device had to be rented, was uncomfortably bulky, plus you could not see the results until you were sitting down in front of a computer.

With Alpine Replay the app is free, you can see your stats in real time, it will store multiple ski days and you can imbed video and post it in an e-mail or on Facebook. The app records the number of runs you skied, how long you are on the slope, on the lift and in the lodge.

But, for bragging rights, it lists total amount of vertical feet, total distance, maximum speed, sustained speed and average speed. It will list how many jumps you take and your air time while jumping. It also shows how many calories you burned for the day. These are just the features on your phone. When it is pulled up on your computer it will show the current snow report and temperature at the resorts you’ve tracked with Alpine Replay. It will also show a map of the resort from Goggle Earth with all of the trails and slopes that you have skied highlighted.

Here is what else the creators of this app have made possible. Each time you use Alpine Replay it ranks you against all of the other skiers and riders in the world tracking their performance. When I finally started using the app, I ranked 52,839th in terms of vertical feet skied. Clearly it is catching on quickly.

There are other apps available which I have not tried but seem to have similar features: Ski Tracks, Satski and Sports Traker are a few others I found.

So next time one of your kids or a buddy says, “I just skied 45 miles an hour,” make them prove it with Alpine Replay.
Have fun out there.

Thomas Porter, a life-long skier and outdoor enthusiast, has been writing about his experiences for more than 25 years. Porter competed for his high school and college ski teams, racing at many of the ski areas throughout New England. He continued his engagement with downhill racing by coaching at Windham College in Vermont and the Brattleboro Vermont high school team. Porter has written articles for Explore New England magazine and was the winter sport columnist for The Brattleboro Reformer for more than 25 years before moving to Maine. Porter has contributed to The Maine Outdoor Journal and The Times Record. He is a 26-year member of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and The National Ski Journalist Association. Porter can be reached at tport1950@hotmail.com.

Opening Day, Monday April 1 at 1:05 p.m., will mark the first pitch of the new baseball season and the latest match up of classic rivalry of the Red Sox versus the Yankees. This year, the game will be broadcast live in HD on the large movie screen of Lincoln Theater and made available free to the viewing public.

As a special bonus, there will also be a pre-game talk at 12:30 p.m., as local uber-fan Bud Elwin gives a talk on the life of Ted Williams.

This year, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will stand together to dedicate Opening Day to the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Newton, Conn., three months ago. The baseball rivals will wear a special ribbon on their uniforms to honor those lost and those affected by the tragedy. The ribbon will also be prominently painted on the field in front of both dugouts.

Concessions will be on sale, and seating will be first come, first served. Lincoln Theater is excited to finally be adding sports events to its entertainment roster and looks forward to more of them in this future. This opening day screening has been made possible through the generous donation of two Lincoln Theater members.

A late March Maine snowstorm did not deter a sleepy ol’ bear from leaving his winter bed to investigate the buzzing noise that awoke him from his long sleep. Other sounds of spring did not wake him, but the sound of bees meant honey and he was hungry. This Bank Street Ready-to-Read book by Joanne Oppenheim’s presents the sights and sounds of early spring. This story was read during Story Time at Wiscasset Public Library this past week.

After the story, sisters Ameliah and Lucy Olsen helped prepare bees with tape so the younger children could fly them around the library on their fingers or noises, as they choose. These sisters have offered to volunteer at Story Time to assist in any craft projects that are done. They will be put to work next week to help make chicks and rabbits.

All are welcome to join Story Time on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room.

Olympic luge champion Julia Clukey will speak with students at Wiscasset High School Friday morning about the importance of good decision making and personal responsibility.

Clukey, a 28-year-old Augusta native, is a member of the USA National Luge Team. She has partnered with the Maine Beer and Wine Distributors Association to speak at schools throughout the state as part of their responsibility campaign on underage drinking and decision making.

Students will learn from Clukey's experiences having overcome obstacles and the lessons she has learned on and off the track. She has competed in luge events since age 13, after first catching the racing bug in 1997 at a USA Luge recruiting race in Portland. Read her full story online at: www.clukeyluge.com/.

Since 2001, Clukey has competed in Luge World Cup and the International Luge Federation World Luge Championships, ever reaching higher goals throughout her career. Most recently, she won two Silver Medals at the World Cup competition on Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, N.Y., according to a press release.

The path to her athletic success has been swift, but has not been without its challenges. Clukey took a take a step back from racing following the death of her father, but she returned a few months later.

In 2009, she underwent knee surgery after receiving a torn meniscus during a training exercise. That same year, she suffered from a herniated disk and was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Syndrome, a disorder that gives her headaches and causes her to monitor workouts more closely, according to her website.

In spite of these challenges, Clukey forged ahead with her dreams and pushed herself to reach higher goals.

“We are excited to have Julia come speak to our students,” Wiscasset High School Principal Deb Taylor said. “We know our students encounter obstacles to their own educational and personal goals and that perseverance and resilience are essential to overcoming them.

“Our hope is that Julia's message will encourage and inspire our students to stay the course and pursue their dreams.”

Clukey has been speaking at schools in Maine since 2010 to raise awareness about underage drinking and to talk about responsibility. According to the press release, she has logged over 2,000 miles, spoken with over 6,000 students and visited 20 high schools with the goal of reaching all high schools in Maine.

She just finished speaking at Fryburg Academy, and following Wiscasset, she will speak at Dexter Regional High School, Hall-Dale High School, Hebron Academy, Mt. Blue and Mountain Valley high schools.

In addition to giving presentations, Clukey will host the Julia Clukey Camp for Girls this summer and will train for the 2014 Olympics that are to take place in Sochi, Russia.

To learn more about the summer camp, her presentations and more about her story, find her on Facebook or visit www.clukeyluge.com/.

“Wake Up, It’s Spring!” by Lisa Campbell Ernest was read at Story Time this past week at the Wiscasset Public Library. The sun wakes up the earth who wakes up the worm who wakes up the seed and on and on, finishing with a whole family awakening to the joys of springtime.

After the story, the children constructed their own springtime chicks out of yellow foam eggs and orange pipe cleaners for legs. Some children had already named their chick as they took them home to care for.

There will be no Story Time on Thursday April 11. Story Time will resume again on April 18 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcomed.

With spring in the air and more afternoon light, many people are starting to think about golf, biking and other fair weather sports. I think now is the best time of year to hit the slopes. The bitter cold is all but gone, the wind has lost its frigidness and the sun warms your face in this in between season.

As of this writing all alpine member resorts of Ski Maine are still open with most reporting excellent conditions and enough base to last several more weeks. Of course there is certainly a possibility of additional snowfall too; March can be the snowiest month of the season! The western mountain areas, Shawnee Peak, Saddleback, Sugarloaf and Sunday River are all reporting 40-50 inches of base, which should let them extend their season well past Easter.

Saddleback has all trails open, including the Casablanca Glades and if you haven’t been there lately now is the time. They are offering one more Maine ski day for only $29.  In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, you can get the deal by wearing green on Sunday, April 7. Call for more information.

Checking in with the Nordic areas finds most of them still open with plenty of terrain to ski.  If you are planning to venture out during the week, I would call ahead to your favorite Nordic center to make sure they are running on weekdays.

As the days warm and you like venturing out on foot keep in mind that the snow depth is still hefty in many of the wooded areas. Be warned that you may find yourself up to your knees in some spots if you fail to don snowshoes.

Don’t put away your winter sports gear just yet. We still have the sweetest part of the season to embrace. See you out there.

Thomas Porter, a life-long skier and outdoor enthusiast, has been writing about his experiences for more than 25 years. Porter competed for his high school and college ski teams, racing at many of the ski areas throughout New England. He continued his engagement with downhill racing by coaching at Windham College in Vermont and the Brattleboro Vermont high school team. Porter has written articles for Explore New England magazine and was the winter sport columnist for The Brattleboro Reformer for more than 25 years before moving to Maine. Porter has contributed to The Maine Outdoor Journal and The Times Record. He is a 26-year member of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and The National Ski Journalist Association. Porter can be reached at tport1950@hotmail.com.

Even with barely enough players to field a softball team this year, Coach Claire Daniels is optimistic about the upcoming season. After taking the Wiscasset High School girls’ varsity softball team to its first playoff game in years, Daniels returns for her second year as coach to pick up where the Wolverines left off last season.

“My philosophy is building confidence in the athletes by giving them the fundamentals to play,” Daniels said.  This year she said she plans to start explaining and teaching the meaning of the short game.

“For sure the numbers hurt us. We had two other players, but they fell through. But the girls are dedicated to be at every game and practice. They are willing to put aside other sports and driver's education during the season so the team can have its numbers to play,” Daniels said.

Daniels said that she sees strong pitching and hitting so far and is excited about the growth of her players over last year.

Seniors Megan Corson and Heidi Pinkham and junior Abby Dunn will be leading the team in pitching. “Each pitcher has learned and mastered different pitches,” Daniels said.

Corson also plays second base; Dunn can play second base and left field; and Pinkham will also play center field.  

“Briana Goud (junior) brings her awesome glove and arm as a catcher and her batting is on point this year. Tylan Onorato (sophomore) came out of the blue this year. From last year to this year she has come miles and has earned the spot as starting shortstop,” Daniels said.

Also returning to the squad this years are Hannah Campbell, a junior who is currently working through an injury and is hopeful to play third base. Sophomore Kayla Gordon will play first base; Charlene Reed can play left field, third base or second base; and Katie-Lynn Mills will see action in right field.

Only one freshman, Colleen Hendricks, joins the team this year. “She is showing huge potential for being a great first basemen and a strong hitter,” Daniels said.

The girls have a few scrimmages scheduled before opening their regular season at home with Lisbon on April 19 at 4:30 p.m. Click here for the full season game schedule.

David Marcus, a 17-year-old Wiscasset High School junior, wants to make trails between Morris Farm, the Sortwell Pines Management Area, and the Community Center more accessible. He will get his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts as a result and the community will benefit by having new kiosks at each trail head and markers, he said.

“A lot of people around here just run along the road,” Marcus said as he stood in his Boy Scouts uniform at the start of one of the trails. “It seems like wasted space if they're not used.”

In a letter to the editor, Marcus asked the community for help with the project, which seeks to improve the trails and to let people know the location of the trail system.

Marcus said the sidewalks narrow at certain points out along town roads, which poses a hazard for people who like to get outside and run. “It's also a way for the community to get tied into nature more,” he said.

With community support from members of his father's snowmobile club and others, Marcus plans to build informational kiosks at the head of each trail in this trail system. The kiosks will have large maps of the trail system, distances of each trail and also event notices for the Community Center, he said.

Marcus is also organizing an annual trail clean-up and maintenance day, which he hopes will attract many participants.

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Tod Souza said staff would help Marcus with his project and hopes others will pitch in to help.  

“I don't think people realize what a great trail system we have out there,” Souza said.

The trails are not easily recognizable from the Community Center, nor from Morris Farm. There are clear trails through the woods, with small paint marks and arrows on the trees, but out in open areas there are no signs pointing visitors in the right direction.

“David is a fantastic young man,” Souza said, commenting on Marcus's involvement in community projects and involvement in outdoor activities. “I'm proud of David for taking on this project. This is a project that will benefit the community for years to come.”

Donations to the cause can be sent to the David Marcus Eagle Project, 132 West Alna Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578. To learn more about it or to volunteer, contact Souza at the Community Center: 207-882-8230.

Wiscasset has many trails that are open free to the public. To learn more, click here.

A hearty crowd of racing-starved fans huddled into a blustery Wiscasset Speedway the afternoon of April 6 for the start of the 2013 Maine racing season. This is a new chapter in the history of the state's fastest track, which has been relatively silent for nearly three years. Saturday it roared to life as new track owners Richard and Vanessa Jordan of Kingfield unveiled the results of their offseason work, and kickstarted the revival of racing action.

East Madison's Jeff Burgess didn't have a very large group of cars chasing him in the 30- lap Prostock feature. On this day his late father, Butch Burgess, was to be inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame, Burgess honored him in perhaps the best way he could: by winning at the same track his father had won at so many times before.

Burgess used the first half of the race to gradually pull away from Bill Penfold of Yarmouth, and cruised from there to the win. It wasn't his first Wiscasset win, his most difficult win, or the biggest win of his long career. Penfold finished second by nearly a full straightaway and John Rideout of Washington finished third.

In the 35-lap Super Stock feature, former champ Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich led wire to wire for the opening day win. James Osmond of Wiscasset pressured the leader through much of the race, but would have to settle for second. Although he fought handling problems through much of the race, Josh Bailey managed to turn in a third place finish.

Opening day marked the regular season debut of the New England 4-cylinder Prostocks (formerly Allison Legacy cars) at Wiscasset. James Logan of Dighton, Mass., looked unbeatable in the early going, but dropped out with engine problems five laps into the race.

From there, Brad Zahensky of Bow, N.H., took charge and led the rest of the way for the win. Kevin Sherman of Wiscasset rebounded from a late race spin out of turn four to secure the second place finish. Following him was Adam Polvinan, who also had raced his way to a podium finish following a mid-race spin.

Jamie Heath of Waterford led from green to checkers in the 15 lap Thunder 4 feature. He was chased across the line by Mike Dulaney of Richmond and Leandra Martin of Richmond.

The Amsoil Nelcar Legends kicked off their 20th season at Wiscasset Speedway and rolled out the largest field of cars on the program.

Former champ Shawn Buffington of Plainfield, Conn., quickly disposed of his closest competition and methodically picked his way through lap traffic to take the caution free 25-lap feature.

Defending Nelcar champ Matthew Bourgoin of Newport had a good showing as well, but was nearly a full straightaway behind the leader on his way to the second place finish. The best race of the day may have been the race for third.

Veteran Bob Weymouth moved up from his seventh starting position and waged a great battle with Ryan Hammar and Alan Smith to claim the third place trophy.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday April 13 with the Group Two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Streets, Outlaw Mini's, Mini Trucks, and the Flex race of the week is a 10 lap backwards race. Pit gates open at 8 a.m., grandstand gates at 11 a.m., with racing action at 1 p.m. Admission is just $5 for adults and children 7 and up. Kids 6 and under are free. For more information, check the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com/.

Official finish

Prostocks (30 laps): 1. Jeff Burgess - Oakland; 2. Bill Penfold - Yarmouth; 3. John Rideout - Washington; 4. Corey Walker - New Vinyard

Super Stocks (35 laps): 1. Adam Chadbourne - Woolwich; 2. James Osmond - Wiscasset; 3. Josh Bailey - Wiscasset; 4. Dan Nesmith - Wiscasset; 5. Corey Morgan - n/a; 6. Bobby Mesimer - Wiscasset; 7. Chuck Baldwin - Lowell, Mass.

Thunder 4's (15 laps): 1. Jamie Heath - Waterford; 2. Mike Dulaney - Richmond; 3. Leandra Martin - Richmond; 4. Kevin Sherman - Wiscasset; 5. Jason Stanley - New Sharon

N.E. 4-cyl. Prostocks (20 laps): 1. Brad Zahensky - Bow, N.H.; 2. Kevin Sherman - Wiscasset; 3. Adam Polvinan - n/a; 4. Mike Swett - Farmingdale; 5. Travis Dunbar - Lisbon; 6. Dave Patten - Westbrook; 7. Jeff Prindall - Lisbon Falls; 8. Bob Patten - Westbrook; 9. James Logan - Dighton, Mass.

Nelcar Legends (25 laps): 1. Shawn Buffington - Plainfield, Conn.; 2. Matthew Bourgoine - Newport; 3. Bob Weymouth - Topsham; 4. Ryan Hammar - Pembroke, N.H.; 5. Alan Smith - Lincoln; 6. Terry Kirk - Durham; 7. John Peters - Westbrook; 8. Matt Grant - Windham; 9. Ed Getty – Gray; 10. Taylor Martin - Windham; 11. Matt Chagnot - Derry, N.H.; 12. Trevor Bleau - Troy, N.H.; 13. Dan Winter - Windham, N.H.; 14. Anthony Pagliarulo Groveland, Mass.; 15. Wyatt Alexander - Ellsworth; 16. Scott Ferland - Auburn; 17. Pete Cannell - S. Berwick; 18. Steve Johnson - Conway, N.H.; 19. Luke Hiebert – Bethel; 20. Nate Tribbet - Richmond; 21. Maggie Ferland - Auburn.

Does a four-and-a-half-foot tall 10-year-old sound like high school varsity volleyball material? It does if her name is Aleeya Jones.

Incredibly, this past season was Jones' third year on the team at Wiscasset Christian Academy.

The daughter of Chad and Julie Jones of Wiscasset has been playing volleyball since she could hold a ball, according to her mother. Any time and anywhere the fifth grader can, she has one with her, even in the house.

“We've had a lot of broken lamps,” Julie Jones said.

The young player's constant practicing may serve her well as she seeks to work her way up the levels of competition in her sport. She has set her sights high.

How far does she hope to get? “To the Olympics,” she said at the school gym April 4.

The family is beginning to explore a program that could position Jones to pursue her dream. USA Volleyball, the sport's national governing body, uses its “High Performance Program” tryouts to evaluate junior athletes' skills and potential, according the USAV website, at www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball. Qualifying athletes enter a pipeline for training and competition, including international competition.

Jones tried out for the program in March, in Holyoke, Mass. Results are due in May. Making the cut would make her eligible for a week-long training camp in Oklahoma.

Whatever news the results bring, last month's experience helped build Jones' confidence.

“I was kind of nervous, but I just went out there and kind of faced it,” she said. “It wasn't so bad. It was fun.”

Other players trying out were much taller than she was, but she impressed everyone, said her mother, who coaches Jones' school team.

“She's fearless. And she just loves digging for the ball.”

As a setter for the school team, Aleeya passes the ball to a hitter who gets it over the net. She's a hitter for the Maine Juniors Volleyball Club.

Every Olympian started as a kid with a dream, her mother said. Aleeya enjoys the sport, is good at it, and gets added motivation from it to keep her grades up, her mother said. “School comes first.”

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.

Registration is now open for summer camp at Seeds of Knowledge Education Center in Wiscasset. Children entering grades 1-6 can expect interesting, hands-on learning in three unique science and writing camps. These camps are sure to motivate and inspire young learners.

Wacky Kitchen Science Camp

Who knew milk and eggs could be so cool! Put on your chef’s hat and come explore the world of science in the kitchen. Children will study properties of matter and chemical reactions while conducting fun experiments using everyday kitchen supplies. Offered July 8-12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $125.

Write On! Writing Camp

Write On! Writing Camp is the perfect place to nurture budding young authors. Children will engage in interactive activities to explore the elements of effective non-fiction writing. They will connect to authentic audiences and become more confident writers. At the end of the week an Authors’ Tea Party will be held for parents to come celebrate the children’s writing. Offered July 29 to August 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $125.

Secret Agent Academy Camp

Your child’s mission, if they choose to accept it, is to scientifically explore the world of forensic science and espionage. Analyzing ransom notes, exploring invisible ink, building periscopes, fingerprinting, encrypting and decrypting messages are skills children will acquire to earn their diploma and secret agent badge at the end of the week. Offered August 12-16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $125.

All three camps will be held at the Wiscasset Scout Hall. For more information or to register, please visit www.seedsofknowledgeec.com, email info@seedsofknowledgeec.com or call 207-841-2704.

Have you met Pete the Cat? If not, you should! Pete is an easy going, happy going blue cat created by James Dean, not the famous actor by that name. Pete’s Dean is a former electrical engineer who found a cat at an animal shelter. The concept of “Pete the Cat” books began there after. Dean and author, singer Eric Litwin has collaborated on a series of these funny and positive books. Each book offers an address for a free download of the story and song.

Children at last week’s Story Time met Pete. Pete sometimes seems to experience unfortunate events. Does he cry or get upset? No. He just goes on singing his positive song as if nothing went wrong. After enjoying Pete’s adventure in “I love My White Shoes,” each child made a blue cat with four shoes, not all white ones. Two young ladies, Lucy and Ameliah, again offered their services in assisting the younger hand with the cutting, a new experience with scissors for some.

Story Time takes place each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room at the Wiscasset Public Library. However, there will not be Story Time April 11.

The Wiscasset Community Center and the Midcoast Chapter of the American Red Cross are conducting a certified lifeguard course beginning May 12 and will run through May 19. Upon completion of the course, participants receive certification from the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED (good for two years).

The course schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. Please contact the Wiscasset Community Center at 207-882-8230 for a complete course schedule and syllabus.

Participants must meet the following requirements in a pre-screening test, scheduled for Tuesday May 7 (call for an appointment); pass a 400-yard swim test; swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound diving brick from nine feet of water and swim 20 yards with brick (timed); and be at least 15 years of age by May 19, 2013.

The cost of the course is $125 for Wiscasset Community Center members and $150 for non-members. Fee includes all classroom instruction, pool time, equipment and certifications. Books are available for rental upon request.

Entering his 20th year of coaching, Wiscasset High School track coach Warren Cossette says he is committed to “teaching student athletes the skills to become the best that they can be in an encouraging, engaged environment.”

Cossette's goal for the upcoming season is to improve as athletes as much as possible. He says they will do so with, a strong work ethic and veteran runners and throwers on the team. The team is small, but with hard work, Cossette feels his team can find success in the Mountain Valley Conference.

Returning to Wiscasset’s track team for 2013 are Joe Chapman (long jump, relays, 3200 meter run); 
Kyle Shute (racewalk 1600 meter run); 
Michaela Trudeau (racewalk, sprints); Alyssa Urquhart (1600, 3200 meter runs); Cormac Walsh (throwing events); Jon Rines (throwing events); Ali Lambert (800 meter, 1600 meter, 3200 meter runs); Dale Peaslee (long jump, relays, high jump); and Ryan Hanley (relays, sprints).

Chapman has placed in the state meet three years in a row in the long jump.  Other state qualifiers last year included Peaslee in the long jump and Trudeau in the Race Walk.

Amanda Johnson, Amanda Marcus, Sadie Carr, Sara Grenier, Gabby Wenners and Sam Storer join the team this year.

“We have great kids here at Wiscasset. We have to stop hearing these two words…I can’t.” We need a lot more of these great students to participate in the sports/extra curricular activities that we offer. We as a community need to foster more of a ‘we can’ attitude. Sports are just a great place to practice success in a supportive environment,” Cossette said.

Whether it's crocuses poking up, songbirds and snowbirds returning or warmer weather replacing the doldrums of winter, spring is back in the Boothbay region.

Spring is also returning to the water, and the Maine State Aquarium is getting ready for the season.

The aquarium will host its annual set-up day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 20 to get ready for the season and is welcoming volunteers to help set up for the season, Aquarium Manager Aimee Hayden-Roderiques said.

“By springtime, the aquarium has become a storage/project area – and it takes quite a lot of work to get it back into shape for our annual Memorial Day Weekend,” she said. “This includes, and is no small task, getting the tanks whipped back into shape and ready for critters.”

Volunteers are needed to assist in prepping tanks in advance of the visiting hordes of visitors.

“We actually need to get the tank inserts (backgrounds), subfloors and sediment into the tanks and try to replicate natural habitats as best as we can for each species designated in each exhibit tank,” Hayden-Roderiques said. “We also, if the tides are working for us, do some minor collections around the area to help beef up our seaweed, fish and invertebrate stocks.

“We are always low this time of year, having tried to lessen the winter holding load in the fall.”

Hayden-Roderiques said animals are supplied to schools, so stored numbers of animals and specimen are depleted.

But, more importantly the tanks need to be prepped in anticipation of animals arriving.

“We will run the tanks with water and sediments for a few weeks before putting the critters in, just to make sure everything is working well and that the appropriate environmental conditions are right in the tanks,” Hayden-Roderiques said. “In addition to the 'fun' stuff, we put volunteers to work cleaning tanks in the holding room because that is always necessary.”

Volunteers are given a one-day pass to visit the aquarium later in the season. Anyone planning to help should bring a bagged lunch and dress appropriately. For more information, email aquarium@maine.gov or call 207-633-9542.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.

“Brrrrr! I just returned from the Nequasset fish ladder. Ospreys are flying overhead, circling in anticipation of a good meal, but they are going to have to wait a little longer. Water temps today (April 18) were 49 degrees – we need to get up to about 55 for the fish,” said Alicia Heyburn, Program Director.

Harvesters poured new concrete to improve the ramp into the harvest area, and reported that there will be no price increase on fish this year. If you have 75 cents in your pocket you can bring a smoked alewife home for dinner.

Students from Chewonki Semester School came to learn about anadromous fish, barriers to migration and what it takes to make an effective fish ladder. They also helped to haul out debris from the old baffles so the Water District can dispose of them.

Take a look at your schedule and sign up for counting slots after about April 28; if the fish come earlier an alert will be sent. See you at the dam.

Soon enough the Maine State Aquarium will be filled with some of the stranger species from the Gulf of Maine.

But until then it will be work on display.

On April 20, a dozen volunteers filled the tanks in the aquarium and began the arduous task of setting up the displays for the incoming animals. The aquarium will open over Memorial Day weekend.

Each year, the aquarium is a bit different because new people step in and construct the displays, Aquarium Manager Aimee Hayden-Roderiques said.

“We have to take it down and put it up every year,” she said. “What we want people to see is something that's representative of what you would see out there.”

Most of the work involved bringing in and stacking rocks, spreading gravel and stringing mesh to be placed at the bottom of the tanks.

Special consideration was needed for different species and displays; for example, more sand was spread out for young animals and skates to ensure the animals wouldn't be injured.

Other displays were set-up to properly reflect the environment they were emulating; the “Down East” display has a granite wall, the debris tank has a discarded tire and other trash and the under the dock display has pylons caked with mussels.

Other displays went up but will need to be tweaked to accommodate the animals. The tanks where lobsters are housed needs to strike a balance between allowing the animals to be seen by the public while offering up holes for the lobsters to escape to.

The first step in that process was Saturday, where numerous college students and volunteers lugged heavy rocks into cramped spaces and manicuring sand and gravel like miniature zen gardens.

Soon, their hard work will pay off, when the tanks house native Gulf of Maine species and the instruments of construction are replaced with visitors.

To that end, the next step has started.

During the winter months, several species are kept on hand at the aquarium, while other species are released back into the water. More and more species still are shipped to schools, so the aquarium will be looking for some new tenants.

“We have crates set up at the dock and on Burnt Island, so any fishermen who catches something interesting can leave it there,” Hayden-Rodriques said.

Rare species caught in traps, like blobfish, sea ravens, sea robins, stripers, pollock, goosefish and cod are welcome to try out the new digs at the aquarium, Hayden-Rodriques said.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.

Fans and racers alike gathered for another week of racing action at Wiscasset Speedway this past Saturday. The itinerary for the group one division of racing included Superstock, Prostock, New England 4-cylinder Prostock, Thunder 4’s, and the flex race of the week, Wicked Good Vintage Racers.

Up first was the 25-lap Superstock race. Corey Morgan of Lewiston, in the number 26, took the pole position. Morgan led early on, but Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich squeezed by and took the lead. A battle ensued between Morgan and James Osmond of Wiscasset. Osmond held second place, but with seven laps to go, Morgan slid in and took the position away. Chadbourne took the win, Morgan placed second. Osmond finished in third.

Wicked Good Vintage Racers were the flex race of the week. Brian Hughes- Otisfield, started at the point in this 20-lap event. Hot on his heels was car #2, Kevin Waterhouse of West Paris. Waterhouse was quick to pass Hughes with Wally Henderson of Litchfield dogging close behind. A bump on the track, between Waterhouse and Henderson, caused a shift in race leaders. Henderson took first, Bona Guyon of Winthrop, second, and Paul Pierce or Lincolnville, third. The three hugged together and raced for the wire. Pierce overtakes Guyon, with Henderson looming behind. In a scramble, Guyon retook the lead, to win. Pierce took second, and Henderson rounded out the top three.

Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro was in the pole position in the Thunder 4’s feature. Ripley surged ahead in car #09X early on, leaving the pack to race behind him through the fifteen lap feature. Kevin Sherman of Wiscasset took second behind Ripley, making bids to pass. A fight for third began between Derek Cairns of Waterford, Mike Dulaney of Richmond, and Cody Robbins of Montville. With nine laps remaining, #31, Leandra Martin of Richmond, left the track. This was the one and only caution of the race. After the caution, Sherman dropped back, and eventually left the track with car trouble. A race for second between Robbins, Dulaney and Cairns ensued. Ripley roared across the line in first. Robbins placed second in the event. Dulaney took third.

The next feature was Prostock racing. Chris Thorne of Sydney, took the pole position and led the action on the track. Jeff Burgess of Oakland, driving the #X, was able to overtake Thorne in lap eight for the lead. Trailing behind the pair was Jay Sands of Hampton, N.H. Halfway through the 30-lap feature John Rideout of Washington lost control and went round. A caution was called. After the caution, Burgess and Thorne battled for first. Burgess pulled away and ultimately took the win. This is Burgess’s second win at Wiscasset this racing season in the Prostock division. Thorne took second, and Sands rounded out the top three.

The highlighted feature of the week was the 30-lap New England 4-Cylinder Prostock race. Dave Pattern of Westbrook, started at the pole. His lead did not last as Wiscasset’s Sherman quickly took over during lap one. Tim Jeski of Drakut, Mass., held off Lisbon Fall’s Jeff Prindall for second. Mike Swett of Farmingdale, driving #54 was in fourth, and looking to pass. Racing in a pack, race leaders changed rapidly. Twelve laps in Swett suddenly lost control. The first caution was called.

When race action resumed, Sherman was in the lead; however, Jeski stole it away, then promptly lost the position back to Sherman. From the back of the pack, Swett wove his way up, and made a bid to pass Dave Patten. With eleven laps remaining, Sherman and Jeski scrape. A second caution was thrown. Both moved to the back, bringing Dave Pattern back into the lead. Bob Pattern of Westbrook, moved to second and Craig Dum to third.

In a hotly contested race the cars thundered around the track. Sherman worked his way up through the pack, and eventually took second position behind Patten in first. Jeski and Swett were close behind. With only six laps to go, Jeski lost it and went off the track. The third and final caution of the race went out. When the pace car left the track, Patten raced with Sherman for the lead. Sherman pulled ahead, and overtook Patten for the win. Swett followed the pair in the feature. Patten was later disqualified, bringing Travis Dunbar of Lisbon into third at the finish.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, April 27, with its group two lineup of divisions: Strictly Street, Mini Trucks, Outlaw Mini, Late Model Sportsman, and the flex race of the week will be a 100-lap Enduro feature. Pit gates open at 8 a.m. Grandstand gates open at 11 a.m. Racing begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free.

Visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com for more information.

Those who love history and the great outdoors may enjoy a visit to Swan Island. Located in the Kennebec River dividing Dresden and Richmond, the island is now open to the public for day visits and overnight camping.

Each summer, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife opens the island to visitors curious about its history and its bounty of natural habitats. Since March, department staff have been taking camping reservations.

It is a gem of historical and natural significance. The island, officially named the Swan Island Game Management Area, is the only one of its kind in the state that allows camping and includes educational programs for visitors, according to a Maine Fish and Wildlife brochure (www.mefishwildlife.com).

A gravel road runs the length of the four-mile island. It is roughly three-quarters of a mile in width and has numerous historical homesteads, an old machine shop, barns, an ice house, a boathouse, camps and other historical sites.

The buildings date back to the early 18th century, long before the ferry to the island stopped operating in 1936. Tides of change and opportunity transitioned a fairly busy island community (95 residents in 1860) of farmers, fishermen, ice-cutters and boat builders back to the wild.

Today, hundreds of migrating birds, waterfowl, white tailed deer, wild turkeys, nesting bald eagles, porcupine, red squirrel, woodchuck and other critters. There are several freshwater ponds and ample places to spot wildlife among historic sites.

To get to Swan Island, visitors can either take a personal watercraft out there or the ferry, which departs from Richmond. To visit the island and obtain more information, click here or call 207-547-5322.

The Wiscasset High School baseball team is off to a 2-0 start in 2013, picking up wins over Lisbon and Telstar.

On Friday, April 19, the Wolverines beat Lisbon, 8-5, at home. Zach Ellison pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, picking up the win for Wiscasset. Chandler Longfellow came in to pitch the last out of the game and recorded a strikeout.

Ellison allowed just five hits, recorded seven strikeouts and five walks. Dylan McMahon went 2 for 4, driving in three runs.

On Monday, April 22, Wiscasset trailed Telstar 4-1 until the fourth inning. But the Wolverines scored 12 runs in the last three innings and beat Telstar, 13-5.  Freshman Daren Wood was the winning pitcher, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings. He had six strikeouts, gave up two hits and walked three.

Ellison went 2 for 4 including a triple. Wood, Longfellow, Cody Graves and Ben Chadwick each added two hits for Wiscasset.

“Good teams wins for a young Wolverines roster,” said Coach Todd Souza.

Wiscasset’s next game will be at home on Friday, April 26 with Mt. Abram beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Boys

Boothbay 3, Wiscasset 2

Sam Schwehm (Boothbay) 10-2 over Nate Panarese (Wiscasset)

Nick Gorey (Boothbay) 10-1 over J.D. Souza (Wiscasset)

Tom Anderson (Wiscasset) 10-8 over Brady Duncan

Logan Grover and Mason Whitaker (Wiscasset) 10-8 over Benn Betts and Evan Stevens

Collin Thompson and Daniel Drummond (Boothbay) 10-8 over Andrew Walton and Ridge Barnes (Wiscasset)

Girls

Boothbay 4, Wiscasset 1


Shaylee Sibley (Boothbay) 10-6 over Miranda McIntire (Wiscasset)


Maeve Carlson
 (Wiscasset) 11-9 over Jesse Vander (Boothbay)

Alison Cook (Boothbay) 10-8 over Hanna Foye (Wiscasset)

Dana Greenleaf and Angela Machon (Boothbay) 11-10 over Hannah Welborn and Alexa Burns (Wiscasset)


MacKenzie Colby and Chloe Hoecker (Boothbay) 10-3 over Sam Arsenault and Kennedy Orr (Wiscasset)

The Lady Wolverines softball team is still looking for its first win of the season after losing to Lisbon and Telstar this week.

On Friday, April 19, it looked as if Wiscasset was going to win. The Wolverines jumped out to an early 6-1 lead over Lisbon. But giving some pitching experience to new pitchers proved unsuccessful and the Greyhounds beat Wiscasset, 19-9.

With the lead, Coach Claire Daniels gave Abby Dunn the ball in the third and Dunn gave up five runs. Megan Corson retook the mound sent the Greyhounds down in order in the fourth inning. Daniels made her fourth pitching change in the game and put Heidi Pinkham on the mound in the fifth inning and then gave Corson the ball again in the same inning.

Briana Goud had three hits for Wiscasset. Kayla Gordon and Charlene Reed each added two hits for the Wolverines.

On Monday, April 22, Wiscasset came out on the losing side of a tight game with Telstar, 5-2. Megan Corson went the distance for Wiscasset, recording eight strikeouts. The Lady Wolverines couldn’t get much going offensively. Hits by Pinkham and Mckenzie Chancellor were the only two hits for Wiscasset.

Telstar pitcher Jessica Dirago struck out 12 batters in the win.

Bright yellow machines outnumber golf carts at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club as workers level the new driving range, sod tees, redo bunkers, enlarge the putting green and redirect cart paths.

Inside the log clubhouse, the dining room and kitchen have been gutted, awaiting the newly designed bar and eating area.

It is a busy time for the facility's new managers, head golf pro Chad Penman and club house manager Allyson Melchreit.

Getting the golf course ready for the May 22 opening day is the first priority. “I don’t have a choice,” Penman said.

On Monday, April 22, the tees were being re-sodded as course workers were giving the fairways and greens their first cutting.

Pointing through the woods to a bare spot where an excavator had been working to level the new driving range, Penman said the home George Whitten built alongside the 18th fairway would soon be vacated and moved to a lot up on the hill to make room for a trio of target greens.

Penman has other plans to enhance the club, including an old way to introduce the game to the younger generation. “We are going to try to get some local kids to caddy. We want help them to learn and love the game,” he said.

Other civic groups will be encouraged to use the facility, too.

The pro shop is crowded; old dining room tables and chairs are stacked along one wall as a worker begins the task of reframing the structure inside the dining area.

The most striking change is the open space where the bar once stood. “It will be a U-shaped bar in the center of the room and the huge TV set will be over there,” Penman said, pointing to the back wall.

Melchreit, who worked with Penman at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y., awaits the delivery of new kitchen equipment and talks about food.

“Chef Geoff Cornell and I want to feature fresh local foods,” Melchreit said. “Some folks have asked us if we will do vegetarian and gluten free menus and the answer is yes.”

Penman said he has asked to meet with managers of the area hotels on May 2 at the Boothbay Craft Brewery on Adams Pond Road.

“We are not going to try to sell them anything. We want to meet them and see if we can work together to help them sell more rooms during the shoulder season,” Penman said.

The renovations to the golf course and club house, which may eventually include a swimming pool and tennis courts, are part of the plan by new owner Paul Coulombe to make the facility another attraction to augment the area’s other recreational opportunities, he said.

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation had special visitors during April vacation camp last week. Jeff Averill and the folks from Ames Supply came and talked to campers about spring planting.

Averill brought along everything campers needed to start raised bed gardens with salad supplies and flowers. He showed everyone how to plant the seeds and fertilize for best growing. It worked because all of the seeds planted are already up and growing well.

Mike Gordon, our local Hancock Project Pro, and Hancock Lumber supplied materials for our birdhouse-building project. Senior center member Carl Hewitt took the time to cut all of the pieces needed.

The kids learned about building birdhouses and with both men’s assistance 17 houses were built. The kids all got new hats as well. Great job and many thanks to Jeff, Mike and Carl for all their assistance.

On Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day, the first visitors of the 2013 season are welcome to tour Pemaquid Point Lighthouse between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Beginning May 18 and continuing through mid-October, the lighthouse will be open to visitors from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Over 30,000 people from every state and many foreign countries visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse each year. Opening the lighthouse for tours is made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers, the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL).

It takes many people to keep the lighthouse open that much and new volunteers are always welcome. If you love lighthouses, history and meeting people from all over the world, please consider becoming an FPPL volunteer.

There are opportunities for everyone. Those who can spare three hours a week, or every other week, are assigned a regular time slot. Others who can’t commit to a regular weekly schedule may prefer to be an alternate or help with maintenance projects.

If you are interested, please call Marty Welt, 207-563-2739, or send an email to backlog@tidewater.net/. Marty can fill you in on the details. As an incentive, if you become a volunteer now, you will be included in the annual June FPPL lobster bake. The lobster bake is paid for by FPPL as a way to honor and thank our volunteers.

David Marcus said he knew he lived in a close-knit community. But when he sought donations to help him with his Eagle Scout project, the response was greater than he had even hoped.

On April 26, three members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7738 of Bath came to Wiscasset High School and gave the 17-year-old junior $800. He had already received about $500 in donations following news coverage of his plans, so the VFW's check put him past the $900 he needed, he said.

Marcus is out to mark the parts of the Wiscasset trail system that link the Sortwell Pines with the Wiscasset Community Center and Morris Farm. He's thankful to everyone who donated. “It definitely helps a lot. It means I don't have to send out desperate letters to my friends and family,” he said.

Marcus already has plans for the money that's left after he has marked the trails and put up kiosks: He'll give it to the community center to help maintain the trails, he said.

In addition to being one of the final steps he'll take toward becoming an Eagle Scout, Marcus said he hopes the marking project will result in the trails getting more use.

Asked about the VFW post's donation, Junior Vice Cmdr. Kenneth Lambert said Marcus' plans were a natural fit with the types of projects the VFW likes to contribute its bingo revenues to.

“It's an example of that kind of selfless service that we appreciate,” Lambert said.

WHS Principal Deb Taylor, Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza and Marcus' mother Paula Marcus watched as Lambert handed her son the check. Later Souza said he was surprised by the check's size but not by the VFW's generosity.

“It's awesome,” Paula Marcus said of the donation.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.

It was a bright sunny day at the Wiscasset Speedway this past Saturday. Race fans came out in force to enjoy the beautiful weather and cheer for their favorite drivers.

On the schedule this week was the division two racing group, which included: Outlaw Mini’s, Mini Trucks, Late Model Sportsman and Strictly Streets. The flex race of the week was a 100-lap Enduro race.

When the Late Model Sportsmen came onto the track, there was plenty of action in the 35-lap feature. Bryan Robbins in the #14 car took the pole, and found himself in an immediate battle to retain his position. Right behind him was Darin Ripley driving #09 and Steve Reno in the #8.

During heavy racing, Ripley watched for an opportunity to pass Robbins. During lap seven, his chance came when Robbins got loose on turn four. Ripley roared up beside Robbins and passed on the outside, taking the lead. Reno slipped to third and found himself holding off TJ Watson in the #04.

Watson, proving to be a force on the field, overtook Reno in lap 23, and continued to make his way up the track. With four laps to go, Watson pulled ahead of Robbins in turn four.

Watson went loose, but managed to pull it together for the outside pass and took second place. Robbins placed third. Ripley, who had said he “hoped to get a top three win,” placed first. After the race, Watson said, “I’m happy with it, but second place is getting old.” Watson has placed second in each Late Model Sportsman race at Wiscasset this year.

Nate Trippet, in the #13, started in the pole position for the 20-lap Outlaw Mini Feature. On his tail was George Fortin, winner of the last Outlaw Mini race at Wiscasset. The pair dueled for first from the start. Fortin’s #9 pressed ahead on the backstretch, only to be passed by Trippet again. The two dogged each other until lap two. Trippet faltered on turn three, and Fortin zipped by and claimed the lead. Matt Moore in the #14 and Jimmy Childs in the #10 raced for third. Childs, who had said prior to the race that he hoped for a top finish, was able to overtake Moore on turn two for third place midway through the race. Final finish was Fortin in first, Trippet in second, and Childs in third.

Also on the roster was the Mini Truck feature. #88, Kristopher Knox, was in the pole slot. Jeff Schmidtt in the #22 made a bid for first. Knox was quick to pull away and was able to maintain a commanding lead throughout the race.

Coming up from behind was Ryan Farrar of Sumner and Kevin Oliver in the #28. During lap two, Farrar scraped by Oliver in turn four on the inside for third position. Farrar managed to keep the spot for the course of the race, and placed third. Schmidtt placed second.

Knox took first. Knox said in the winner’s circle, “I have a blast here every time I show up.” Knox was the winner in the last Mini Truck race at Wiscasset, making this his second first place finish of the season.

The spotlighted feature of the week was the Strictly Street 30 lap event. On the pole was #26, Corey Morgan. Morgan surged ahead, and despite a hungry pack of racecars trying to overtake him, he managed to hold onto his lead, and ultimately took first place. This is Morgan’s second Strictly Street race at Wiscasset this year, placing second in the last Strictly Street event in his #78 car.

Chasing close behind Morgan was #5, Guy Childs. Childs, a prior first place winner in Strictly Streets, was worried about the race. He said before racing action began that he was, “thinking it was going to be a good day, but my flywheel has lost two teeth, and it might not be so good.”

Childs was able to hold onto second place, despite car trouble. Starting from the back of the pack was Tasha Dyer in the #32. During the heat to determine pole position, Dyer’s car took some damage when she was knocked off the track. She was able to get it patched up in time for the feature. Dyer wove up the track and eventually, with only three laps remaining, managed in turn one to pass car #39 driven by Jerry Freve, who finished fourth.

Dyer was the 2012 Champion in the Ladies Division at Oxford Plains Speedway. Final result was Morgan in first, Childs in second, and Dyer rounding out the top three.

Finishing up the racing day was a 100-lap Enduro race. Fourteen cars took to the track, determined to be the winner. Early on, Ryan Chadwick in the #5 led the race, followed by Randy Henderson and Amon Morse driving the #8. Morse had engine trouble during lap 58, and he headed to the pits, bringing him out of contention.

During lap 60, Henderson, driving #3, got a flat. He made it back onto the track, but was not able to recover his position again. Moving up to second position was car #69 driven by Josh Bailey. Lap 80 brought problems for the #5. Chadwick lost his entire right front tire on turn four and went off the track. Bailey moved to first. Jeff Davis driving #1 moved to second, and Jacob Gagnon driving the #19 moved to third for the finish.

Wiscasset Speedway Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, May 4 with its group two lineup of divisions: Prostock, Superstock, New England 4-cylinder Prostock (formerly Allison Legacy cars), Thunder 4, and the flex race of the week will be a spectator drag.

The first 16 cars to register for the spectator drag will be able to compete in one-lap races, with the winners facing off in a two-lap challenge. Pit gates open at 2 p.m.. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m.. Racing begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset.

Go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com for more information.

April 24: Carrebec 4, Wiscasset 1

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (Wiscasset) def. Maeve Weggler (Carrabec), 10-2

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (Wiscasset) lost to Sarah Larle (Carrabec), 5-10

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (Wiscasset) lost to Jerzee Rugh (Carrabec), 4-10

1st doubles – Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (Wiscasset) lost to Hannah Atwood/Kathleen Swihart (Carrabec), 1-10

2nd doubles – Ali Richardson/Kennedy Orr (Wiscasset) lost to Kate Stevens/Debbie Ellis (Carrabec), 0-10

April 26: Dirigo 5, Wiscasset 0

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (Wiscasset) lost to Addy Fuller (Dirigo), 3-6, 4-6

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (Wiscasset) lost to Ryanne Dailey (Dirigo), 3-6; 0-6

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (Wiscasset) lost to Crace Hebert (Dirigo), 2-6; 1-6

1st doubles – Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (Wiscasset) lost to Michelle Morrison/Lindsey Crutchfield (Dirigo), 0-6; 2-6

2nd doubles – Ali Richardson/Kennedy Orr (Wiscasset) lost to Ciara Keene/Christina Tubbs (Dirigo), 0-6; 0-6

April 29: Hall-Dale 5, Wiscasset 0

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (Wiscasset) lost to Clio Barr (Hall-Dale), 9-11

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (Wiscasset) lost to Laura Stottler (Hall-
Dale), 1-10

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (Wiscasset) lost to Nicole Pellitier (Hall-Dale), 1-10

1st doubles – Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (Wiscasset) lost to Shelby McGitney/Danielle Brasseau (Hall-Dale), 0-10

April 24: Wiscasset 4, Carrabec 1

1st singles – Nate Panarese (Wiscasset) def. Avery Boucher (Carrabec), 10-6

2nd singles – Tom Anderson (Wiscasset) def. Carroll Handley (Carrabec), 10-3

3rd singles – Wiscasset forfeit

1st doubles – Mason Whitaker/Logan Grover (Wiscasset) def. Seth Burns/Damian Greene (Carrabec), 10-6

2nd doubles – Camden Reiss/Ridge Barnes (Wiscasset) def. Adam Poulin/Trevor Edes (Carrabec), 10-8

April 26: Dirigo 3, Wiscasset 2

1st singles – Jeremy Grignon (Dirigo) def. Nate Panarese (Wiscasset), 10-1

2nd singles – Yossapat Chanaroon (Dirigo) def. JD Souza (Wiscasset), 10-7

3rd singles – Trevor Statham (Dirigo) def. Andrew Walton (Wiscasset), 10-2

1st doubles – Tom Anderson/Logan Grover (Wiscasset) def. Loren Keim/Alex Briggs (Dirigo), 10-8

2nd doubles – Camden Reiss/Ridge Barnes (Wiscasset) def. Clif Boynton/Isiah Brown (Dirigo), 10-7

April 29: Hall-Dale 5, Wiscasset 0

1st singles –  Nate Panarese (Wiscasset) lost to Spencer Shagoury (Hall-Dale), 0-6; 0-6

2nd singles – JD Souza (Wiscasset) lost to Derek Vigue (Hall-Dale), 4-6; 2-6

3rd singles – Tom Anderson (Wiscasset) lost to Josh Peterson (Hall-Dale), 6-1; 4-6; 2-6

1st doubles – Mason Whitaker/Logan Grover (Wiscasset) lost to Ryan Brandscom/Ayden Young (Hall-Dale), 6-4; 4-6; 1-6

2nd doubles – Camden Reiss/Andrew Walton (Wiscasset) lost to Connor White/Tucker Bond (Hall-Dale), 4-6; 6-4; 3-6

Still looking for their first win of the season, the 0-4 Wiscasset High School Lady Wolverines took a 3-2 lead to the bottom of the sixth inning at Hall-Dale on Monday, April 29, but the Bulldogs rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth and beat the Wolverines 7-3.

Wiscasset jumped out an early lead, scoring twice in the second inning.  But in the bottom of the third Hall-Dale answer back with two runs of their own.  

In the forth inning Wiscasset’s MacKenzie Chancellor belted a double to center field, then scored on a single by Megan Corson, giving Wiscasset a 3-2 lead. Corson and rest of the Wolverines defense shut the Bulldogs down for the next two innings.

In the sixth inning, Corson gave up three hits including a double by Hall-Dale’s Emily Maynard, which drove in three runs. Two costly errors by the Wolverines in the inning contributed to the five runs scored by Hall-Dale.

Mt. Abram 13, Wiscasset 2

The Lady Wolverines hosted Mt. Abram on Friday, April 26 and managed just two hits and in a 13-2 loss.  Mt. Abram scored three runs in the second and five runs in the third to put the game out of reach early for the Wolverines, who are having difficulty scoring runs. 

Mt. Abram played solid game defensively and didn’t commit any errors. Kayla Gordon and McKenzie Chancellor had the only two hits for the Wolverines. Megan Corson pitched all seven innings for Wiscasset and had five strikeouts.

Mt. Valley 12, Wiscasset 0

On Wednesday April 24, the Lady Wolverines committed nine errors in a 12-0 mercy-rule shorten game in Rumford with Mt. Valley. Wiscasset allowed eight runs in the second inning.

Megan Corson pitched six innings for Wiscasset she allowed eight hits. Only four of the 12 runs allowed were earn. Heidi Pinkham, Briana Goud and Colleen Hendricks had the only hits for Wiscasset.

Naming and finding shapes was the challenge for the preschoolers during Story Time this past week. Geometry teachers will be happy to know these future students can name and recognize similar shapes in the world around them.

The big book “What’s the Shape” by Jude Nayer was presented to the children then each child was given various shapes to find in the room. Fortunately, two older children again volunteered to assist at Story Time and they aided the younger ones in this shape adventure.

After the searching was done, each was given a bag of the different shapes to take home and, using their imagination, to create pictures.

Story Time takes place each Thursday at 10:30 a.m., at the Wiscasset Public Library. All are welcomed.

Matt Carter, 41, of Boothbay Harbor and Jenna Krajewski, 33, of Hallowell won the men's and women's divisions of the 33rd annual Boothbay Region YMCA Rocky Coast 10k Road Race May 4. The race was run under sunny skies and the temperature in the 50s.

Fifty-five runners competed in the 10k race, 59 runners were in the 5k run, and 40 kids, ages 2 to 10, ran the 1 mile Bunny Run.

Carter finished the 6.2 mile course in 34:57. Krajewski's time was 37:56. Finishing second overall in the men's division was Chris Pert, 30, of Nobleboro (39:10) and third was Paul Leeman, 37, of Round Pond (40:06). Taking second in the women's division was Amanda Schweizer, 27, of Portland (47:19) and third was Doreen Chamberlin, 44, of Boothbay (47:37).

In the 5k/3.1 mile race, Thomas Abello, 39, finished first with a time of 19:31, followed by Joey Paolillo, 14, of Boothbay Harbor with a time of 19:44 and in third place was Jordan Cole, 14, of Lisbon, with a time of 19:58. For the women, taking first place was Helen Hamblett, 12, of East Boothbay with a time of 22:36. In second place was Mackenzie Abbott, 13, of Boothbay with a time of 24:27. Finishing third was Nancy Kneeland, 58, with a time of 24:55.

In the 1 mile Bunny Run held for kids ages 1-10 before the Rocky Coast race, Chris Hamblett, 10, Rowan Kistan, 10, and William Perkins, 10, finished first through third respectively. Hamblett's time was 4:56, Kistan finished in 4:58 and Perkins' time was 5:11. For the girls, Haley Abbott, 9, Kyra Blake, 8, and Hannah Abello, 5, finished first through third, respectively. Abbott's time was 6:03, Blake's time was 6:20 and Abello finished with a time of 6:40.

Although the Wiscasset High School Lady Wolverines lost their sixth straight game 11-10 to St. Dom’s in Auburn on May 2, Coach Claire Daniels was pleased with the team’s hitting. Every player in the Wolverine lineup had at least one hit; they combined for 19 hits in the game.

The Lady Wolverines fell behind 5 to 1 after two innings, but battled to stay in the game. In the top of the third Briana Goud hit a homerun to left field to make it 5 to 2.  Three Wolverine errors in the bottom of the third led to three runs for St. Dom’s, which left them in an 8 to 2 deficit.

But Wiscasset came out swinging in the fifth. They manufactured four runs on hits by Goud, Kayla Gordon, Hannah Campbell, Tylan Onorato and MacKenzie Chancellor and closed the gap 8-6. St. Dom’s answered with two runs of their own in the home-half of the inning to extend the lead to 10-6.  

Wiscasset exploded with four runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 10. Megan Corson, who has pitched in six straight games for the Wolverines, pitched her way out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth; but then she walked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Goud was 4/5 and Charlene Reed went 4/4 to lead the Wolverine offense. Gordon, Onorato and Chancellor also had a multiple hit game.

Corson allowed 10 hits and struck out five.

Maddie Gray's broken leg couldn't keep her from a May 4 benefit walk to help send weekend food home with students who attend Wiscasset schools.

The 9-year-old Lewiston girl climbed into her mother Cathy Gray's Radio Flyer wagon; Maddie's brother Simeon Gray, 18, pulled his sister along the route.

Their siblings, Ethan Gray, 12, and Bronwyn Gray, 15, were also among the 35 participants in the May 4 fundraiser for Feed Our Scholars. The group was already halfway to its goal of raising $10,000 to get food into 40 students' backpacks every weekend next school year.

About another $500 was raised Saturday, enough to cover an entire school year of weekend food supplies for two students, organizers said.

Cathy Gray said she and her family were joining in the walk as members of the new Freedom Fellowship Church in Wiscasset. “We wanted to show that our church is here to support community events and services,” she said.

Daughter Maddie added one more reason: “It's fun,” she said.

The walk was a run for those who chose to, including Wiscasset High School physical education teacher Matthew Cook of Bowdoin.

“There are a lot of kids out there who come to school hungry, and they eat at school but when they go home they have nothing. So anything that can provide them with a source to eat on a regular basis is great,” Cook said of the cause.

Volunteers welcomed the morning's blue sky and light breeze for the event that was months in the planning. Del Ketcham of Wiscasset, in charge of tallying participants' three laps as they completed each one, said he was glad it didn't turn out to be one of those spring days as hot as summer.

On the opposite side of the finish line from Ketcham, fellow Wiscasset resident Pat Maguire called out people's lap times.

“11:11. Good job,” Maguire called to one runner rounding the turn to start her second lap.

Jessica Gallant walked with sons Joseph,  and Isaiah, 9. “They're learning about being healthy while they're contributing to the community,” she said.

For more on the cause, go to www.feedourscholars.wordpress.com.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.

This week saw Josh Bailey of Wiscasset score his first career win at the Wiscasset Speedway. Bailey leaped to the lead and left the pack behind him during the 25-lap Super Stock race. Car No. 05 driven by James Osmond and Adam Chadbourne in the No. 1, jockeyed for second position during the opening lap.

On turn three Chadbourne passed Osmond on the outside. Osmond was unable to maintain his momentum and then allowed Bobby Mesimer in the No. 3 to overtake him in turn one of the following lap.

There was a caution in lap nine after Nate Yeaton in No. 27 slid onto the infield on the backstretch. There was a scramble for position after the restart. Bailey quickly moved to the lead once again.

Mesimer tracked down Chadbourne, looking for an opportunity to pass. His chance came in lap eleven, and he passed Chadbourne on the inside on turn three. In lap 12, Chadbourne and Osmond tangled on the backstretch. Osmond went to the pit with right frontend damage.

With no more cautions, the race quickly concluded with Bailey, driving the No. 2, in first. Once in victory lane, Bailey said, “I struggled bad last race, but this week makes up for it.” Second went to Mesimer, and 2013 two-time Wiscasset Super Stock winner, Adam Chadbourne, placed third.

The speeds at Wiscasset this week were the fastest in years as the surface was smoother from recent track renovations. The improvements were evident during the first feature of the evening, a 20-lap New England 4-Cylinder Prostock race.

Brad Zahensky had the pole position and surged ahead early on. Dave Patten in the No. 12 and Mike Swett were on his heels. Zahensky’s No. 7 liked the fresh air and quickly had a five-car length lead. Despite two cautions, track leaders remained consistent. Zahensky finished first in his Lee Family Automotive No. 7. Zahensky said, “This track is fun with the new pavement on it, it’s fast.” Dave Patten finished second. Mike Swett, driving the No 54, placed third.

Included in this week’s group one division of racing were the Thunder-4’s. This 15-lap feature was swift and uncomplicated. No. 91, driven by Jamie Heath, started at the pole.

Heath, with one win at Wiscasset already under his belt, spent the race looking out his rear view mirror watching his competitors try to catch up. Behind Heath were Leandra Martin in the No. 31 and Mike Delaney in the No. 10. Martin said prior to race time, “We are having our fastest time on the track today. It is going to be a good, fun race.”

Martin was fast, but was unable to catch Heath during the duration of the race. After placing first, Heath said, “I would like to thank Richard Jordan for allowing us to come down here and have fun. What he has done to the track makes the car run faster.” Heath was 2010 Oxford Plains Speedway V-6 Renegade champion. Martin placed second. Delaney placed third.

The flex event of the week was a spectator drag. After six heats, Cory Creamer from Randolf, and Forest Peasley of Jefferson faced off in a three-lap challenge.

Creamer, driving a Volvo 40 turbo roared around the track, but was unable to overtake the Dodge Challenger driven by Peasley. Peasley took his victory lap to the cheers of the crowd, and provided a smoke show to even more applause.

The highlighted feature of the night was the 30 lap Prostock race. In the pole position was John Rideout in the No. 39 Pro concrete car. Starting behind him was two-time Prostock winner, Jeff Burgess.

Burgess said prior to race time, “I am optimistic, won the first two. There are a couple of guys coming on up and we’ll see about the competition. I haven’t raced here at night since 2009.”

When racing action started, Jeff Burgess quickly pulled ahead of Rideout on the outside of turn one. Rideout quickly resumed the lead. The two raced neck and neck, even clipping each other in lap three on turn three.

Chris Thorne in the No. 17 was behind the duo. Bill Penfold driving No. 0 had come up from behind to give chase to the race leaders. An end for the battle for first came in lap six, when Burgess’ Ford Fusion was finally able to pull ahead of Rideout on the backstretch.

In lap eight, Thorne lost it on the front stretch. There was a resulting scuffle, but no caution was called. When the dust cleared, Penfold had pulled ahead of Thorne for third position. Rideout was losing steam, and Penfold overtook him the following lap.

Lap 20 saw Rideout head for the pits with mechanical trouble. Penfold tried to close in on Burgess, but found himself unable to catch him. Burgess, who had gained a commanding lead, became a three-time winner at Wiscasset. Penfold placed second, and rounding out the top three was Thorne.

Burgess said after the race, “It was exciting. No. 39 was right beside me and we raced side by side for six laps. Chase, my son, turns four on Monday; this win was for him.” Burgess was also Unity Raceway Late Model Champion in 2011.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, May 11 with its group two lineup of divisions: Strictly Street, Mini Trucks, Outlaw Mini, and Late Model Sportsman. The flex race of the week will be a ladies race, to celebrate the Mother’s Day weekend. Come on out ladies and race. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Wiscasset Speedway is on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to www.wiscassetspeedway.com/.

Boys

May 1: Wiscasset 2, Lisbon 3

1st singles – Nate Panarese lost to Levi Dussault, 8-10

2nd singles – JD Souza defeated. Rodger James, 10-4

3rd singles – Tom Anderson defeated Mike Jenkins, 10-3

1st doubles – Mason Whitaker/Logan Grover lost to Jacob Bremmer/Nate Bugeron, 7-10

2nd doubles – Camden Reiss/Ridge Barnes lost to Mitch Austin/Zach Cribbin, 9-11

May 3: Wiscasset 0, Madison 5

1st singles – Nate Panarese (W) lost to Dylan Price (M), 1-10

2nd singles – Tom Anderson (W) lost to Hunter Clark (M), 4-10

3rd singles – Wiscasset forfeit

1st doubles – Mason Whitaker/Logan Grover (W) lost to Dustin West/Alex Morrow (M), 3-10

2nd doubles – Ridge Barnes/Camden Reiss (W) lost to Andrey Fernandez/Larz Moody (M), 3-10

May 6: Wiscasset 0, Monmouth 5

1st singles – JD Souza (W) lost to Kasey Smith 8-10

2nd singles – Tom Anderson (W) lost to Robert Vickerman (M), 6-10

3rd singles – Wiscasset forfeit

1st doubles – Mason Whitaker/Logan Grover (W) lost to Joe Menace/Ben Bulstridge (M), 5-10

2nd doubles – Ridge Barnes/Camden Reiss (W) lost to Karl Schkrioba/Mason Clement (M), 5-10

Girls

May 1: Wiscasset 2, Lisbon 3

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (W) lost to Nichole Jones (L) 1-10

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (W) lost to Bryanna Sult (L), 7-10

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (W) lost to Tabitha Porter (L), 1-10

1st doubles: Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (W) defeated Sarah Craig/Jordan Frederick (L), 10-7

2nd doubles – Sam Arsenault/Kennedy Orr (W) won by forfeit.

May 3: Wiscasset 3, Madison 2

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (W) defeated Logan Bruneau (M), 10-3

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (W) defeated Brittany Horton (M), 10-5

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (W) defeated Olivia Demchak (M), 10-0

1st doubles – Alexa Burns/Hannah Welborn (W) lost to Elizabeth Richardson/Charlotte Thibodeau (M), 6-10

2nd doubles – Kennedy Orr/Ali Richardson (W) lost to Emily Knox/Kayla Linkletter (M), 3-10

May 6: Wiscasset 1, Monmouth 4

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (W) lost to Natalie Olko (M), 7-10

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (W) lost to Meagan Currie (M), 4-10

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (W) defeated Anna Lombardo (M), 10-5

1st doubles: Alexa Burns/Hannah Welborn (W) lost to Emily Lombardo/Brielle Embery (M), 10-11 (5-7)

2nd doubles – Sam Arsenault/Ali Richardson (W) lost to Kirsten Grennell/Sara Caruso (M), 3-10

Everything came together for the Lady Wolverines on May 6, good defense, good pitching and timely hitting, which earned Wiscasset (2-7) its second win of the season, defeating Winthrop (4-3) 5-3.

Coach Claire Daniels said the team has struggled with errors all season. But she was pleased with team’s effort in this game, allowing just two errors. “They kept with it,” she said.

After giving up two runs in the first inning, winning pitcher Megan Corson pitched shutout ball for the next four innings. She allowed just four hits in the game and struck out five.

Colleen Hendricks led off the third inning with a single to right field. Heidi Pinkham laid down a bunt, which advanced her to second base.

Briana Goud and Kayla Gordon each produced RBI hits that tied the game at two. Wiscasset took the lead a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning.

Wiscasset’s two errors both came in the sixth inning, allowing an unearned run to score, which tied the game.   

With runners in scoring position, Gordon picked up her forth hit of the game and drove in two runs to give the Wolverines a 5-3 edge going into the seventh.

Corson made a great defensive play diving to catch a ball hit to the left side of the mound for the first out of the inning. She then struck out Winthrop’s Danielle Pease for out number two. A ground ball out ended the game.

Daniels handed out two game balls, one to Gordon and the other to Goud; the two combined for seven hits in the game.

“The game ball could have gone to the whole team,” said Goud, who is the team's catcher. “When everyone is on their game, we get the “W,” she said.

“I love my Mommy because she reads me stories.” This is the first sentence of the picture book “I Love My Mommy Because …” and what an appropriate way to start Story Time by celebrating reading, mothers and grandmothers. The book by Laurel Porter-Gaylord has page after page of a child’s statements of appreciation of all that Mommy does.

After the story, the children potted a plant to present to the person that brings them each week to Story Time. As they presented the plants they said “Thank you for bringing me.”

Story Time is each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room of the Wiscasset Public Library. All are welcome.

YMCA Project Change is a new program to the Boothbay Region YMCA created especially for elementary age students. Project Change nurtures the development of local and global citizenship by encouraging children to be caring and concerned members of a community and also by empowering them to connect, to accept responsibility, to take action and to contribute to those both locally and globally.

At Project Change meetings, members of the club will identify the needs of others and then design service learning projects to address those needs. At our Thursday meetings we will discuss and plan our Sunday service projects. Sign up at the Y front desk. This is a free club and is open to all youth in our community in grades 2-8.

For more information, please contact Emily Moore at emoore@brymca.org or 207-633-2855. Thursday, May 23 meeting, 6-7 p.m. and Sunday, May 26 service project, 3-5 p.m.

The Midcoast United U-12 team displayed their rising confidence and teamwork with a 4-0 win over the Bangor Soccer Club at Clifford Playground in Boothbay on Sunday, May 12.

With showers dampening the field and the ball, Midcoast established an early lead on a breakaway goal by Will Shaffer in the first ten seconds of play. The teams played evenly throughout the rest of the 30-minute half with good defensive effort displayed by both sides.

After the half, play resumed in the mud, with an accurately placed goal by Abby Brewer off a corner kick. After that, it was all Midcoast as Bayly Gaughan smashed in a shot from within the six-yard box. Simon Spear finished off the scoring with a nice breakaway goal into the right corner of the net.

Timmy Chappelle, Midcoast goalkeeper, proved himself yet again with some impressive saves. Bangor players made several hard shots throughout the game, only to hit the bar or post instead of the net. Every Midcoast player put in a solid effort to come away with the Mother’s Day 4-0 win.

In away games, Midcoast’s U-9 team tied Buxton, 2-2 and the U-10 team beat Seacoast in Freeport, 5-1.

We look forward to more Midcoast soccer on Sunday, May 19 1 p.m. at Clifford Playground.

An overcast rainy day at the Wiscasset Speedway last Saturday caused the races to be canceled. Racers were on hand and the track had been dried, but yet another round of rainfall began. Ken Minott, track promoter, said, “We wanted to give the guys who came here an opportunity to race, and we thought we had a small window to get the show in, but we were rained out.”

The Strictly Streets and Late Model Sportsman classes are rescheduled to next week, May 18. They will join the group one line up of racing divisions: Prostock, Super Stock, New England 4-Cylinder Prostock, and Thunder 4’s.

The featured race of the week will be a North East Mini Stock Tour 50-lap event. This is the only appearance the NE Mini Stock Tour will make in Maine this season. Outlaw Mini and Mini truck groups are going to be made up at a later date.

Come join the racing action on May 18 at the Wiscasset Speedway. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset.

For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com/.

May 8: Wiscasset 2, Mt. Valley 3

1st singles – Nate Panarese (W) lost to Yanik Hosfeld (MV) 0-6, 3-6

2nd singles – Tom Anderson (W) def. Travis Ford (MV), 0-6, 1-6

3rd singles – Mason Whitaker (W) def. Andrew Boucher (MV), 6-3, 6-2

1st doubles – Andrew Walton/Logan Grover (W) lost to Nate Billings/Connor Woods (MV), 2-6, 0-6

2nd doubles – Wiscasset won by forfeit.

May 10: Wiscasset 5, Mt. Abram 0

1st singles – JD Souza (W) defeats Chad Fenwick (Mt. Abram), 10-5

2nd singles – Nate Panarese (W) defeats Chris Daly (Mt. Abram), 10-6

3rd singles – Tom Anderson (W) won by forfiet

1st doubles – Logan Grover/Mason Whitaker (W) defeat Kevin Smith/Jay Ruggiero (Mt. Abram), 10-2

2nd doubles – Ridge Barnes/Andrew Walton (W) defeat Noah Patnaude/Lane Burgess (Mt. Abram), 10-0

Girls

May 8: Wiscasset 2, Mt. Valley 3

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (W) defeated Taylor Dickson (MV), 10-1

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (W) lost to Elizabeth Adley (MV), 9-11

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (W) lost to Abbey Pinkham (MV), 8-10

1st doubles – Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (W) defeated Abby Gorham/Kristin Gould (MV), 10-6

2nd doubles: Kennedy Orr/Sam Arsenault (W) lost to Kasey Zadakis/Rachel Averill (MV), 7-10

May 13: Wiscasset 2, Oak Hill 3

1st singles – Miranda McIntire (W) defeated Sandy Wilson (OH), 10-8

2nd singles – Maeve Carlson (W) defeated Emily Baker (OH), 10-1

3rd singles – Hanna Foye (W) lost to Kelsey Lapointe (OH), 3-10

1st doubles – Hannah Welborn/Alexa Burns (W) lost to Sierra Tibbets/Emma Weissenfels (OH), 9-11

2nd doubles – Kennedy Orr/Ali Richardson (W) lost to Brittany Karkos/Ashley Clifford (OH), 0-10

Winthrop defeated Wiscasset 7-1 on May 8. Dirigo won 11-12 May 10.

From top: Chandler Longfellow makes an infield catch in baseball action with Winthrop; Zach Ellison takes the mound May 10; Third baseman Tyler Bailey waits on the throw to third May 10.

Wiscasset Speedway will present its biggest show of the 2013 season to date on Saturday, May 18, with a full card of racing and a special 5:30 p.m. start time.  

Along with the regular group one rotation of classes (Prostock, Super Stock, Thunder 4Minis, and N.E. 4-cyl Pro’s), there will be makeup races for Late Model Sportsman and Strictly Street divisions. The show highlight will be the only Maine appearance of the Texas Roadhouse Northeast Mini Stock Tour. The 50 lap main event showcases the region’s top mini stock talent on the high-banks of Maine’s fastest track.

Tour director Bob Guptil says he is anxious to bring his successful tour back to his home state. “I am very excited to return to the pine tree state with the series that was born here. Maine drivers have been a staple in helping me grow this series to what is today. We have raced at Wiscasset twice and had a great show both times.” Guptil expects one of the largest fields of cars in the tour’s history attempting to claim one of the 31 starting positions and a shot at the $750 winner’s check. Extra local sponsorship support has enabled him to post over $3400 in prize money.

Wiscasset Speedway promoter Ken Minott is also looking forward to Saturday’s show. “We’ve got our new crew together and up to speed; new improvements to the facility; a smoother, faster racing surface; and we’re anxious to show it off this weekend. Six divisions of action and the Northeast Mini Stock Tour … It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

Grandstand admission is only $5 with children 6 and under free. Pit admission is $20. Pit gates will open at 2:00pm, grandstand gate at 4:00pm and green flag flies on the action at 5:30pm. For directions and information go to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com

The Lady Seahawks softball team's comeback from an 11-0 deficit after two and a half innings, where they cut the lead to 11-7 after five innings, fell short as they went on to lose to the Wiscasset Lady Wolverines, 17-7, in seven innings at Perkins Field. Boothbay dropped to 0-11 with the May 15 loss.

Wiscasset (3-9) scored six runs in the first inning on several walks and timely hitting. The Wolverines had 19 hits overall, including three each by Briana Goud and Hannah Campbell. Campbell and Abby Dunn each had two runs batted in.

Boothbay's senior first baseman Alex Clarke had her best hitting game of the season with four hits, including a triple. Senior Allison Crocker and sophomore Brenna Alley each had two of Boothbay's 12 hits.

If a rivalry game is supposed to be played close to the vest, then the Boothbay-Wiscasset baseball game on May 15 didn't disappoint.

The Boothbay Region High School boys varsity baseball team was stung by bad luck and timely hits and the Wiscasset Wolverines were able to win, 12-2.

The score was 4-1 in favor of Wiscasset going into the fifth inning, with starter Nate Colcord mixing pitches and escaping jams.

Wiscasset scored three runs in the first thanks to a booming, two-run double by Wiscasset shortstop Dylan McMahon, but Colcord was able to escape the inning.

Boothbay was poised to make a splash in the fourth; after Linc Simmons walked to open the inning, Nick Kilgus singled and Jesse Peters drew a walk.

Zach Vice then ripped a single to right-center, which allowed pinch-runner Xavier Downing to score. Kilgus, who was on second, broke for home but was called out on a play that could have gone either way and another runner was thrown out trying to reach third, allowing Wiscasset to escape the bases-loaded jam with only one run scored.

Wiscasset's bats came alive in the fifth inning, when the Wolverines tacked-on eight runs and put the game out of reach.

Boothbay would tack on one more run in the bottom of the fifth when Julian Aponte reached on a fielder's choice and scored after Colcord scalded a ball into the outfield. Colcord would be thrown out at third to end the game.

Wiscasset starting pitcher Chandler Longfellow was able to hold the Seahawks to four hits and one run in four innings with six strikeouts.

Boothbay will travel to Mt. Abram on Friday, May 17.

UPDATE: The country club opening has been delayed until May 25.

Original post: The landscapers are planting, the excavators are excavating, the carpenters are hammering and Chad Penman is itching to send the first golfers out to play at the new Boothbay Harbor Country Club.

“I am so ready for (May 22),” said the new head pro as he pointed to all the construction workers swarming over the elderly log cabin that has served as the clubhouse for years. “It's gonna be cool,” Penman said.

The club is scheduled to open on Wednesday, May 22, after a rocky start that saw the former owner, James Reeves, ousted after the Bank of Maine foreclosed on his mortgage. The bank then sold the property to Southport businessman Paul Coulombe for $1.4 million.

Although Reeves and the bank are still involved in a legal battle, Coulombe has said it has nothing to do with his ownership.

The former distillery owner has spent millions of dollars getting ready for the season. Penman said the club has welcomed approximately 200 members.

Outside the clubhouse, the greens have been spiked, healed and are nearly perfect. The tees sport new sod and are smooth and level. The greenside bunkers have been redone and await a chance to welcome an errant shot into a blanket of new sand.

Not far from the 18th fairway, excavators and blasters are scraping off a hill to welcome a practice facility. It will feature a trio of target greens and a range.

The practice area will also have club fitting gear, including video capability to help refine member's swings. A house once owned by longtime Boothbay resident George Whitten has been purchased and is ready to be moved.

The outside of the clubhouse has been repaired, reroofed and repainted. A new deck, one with room for 19 tables, is being built. It will include a space for the chef to grow his own herbs and a few tomatoes, said clubhouse manager Ally Melchreit.

Melchreit promises all will be ready for opening day when she will unveil the club's signature build-it-yourself burger.
Meanwhile, as workers finish the new kitchen, others are wiring, sawing and finishing off the refurbished dining room.

The pro shop sports a new coat of white paint as bright new shirts are flanked by rows of new bags and clubs standing at attention.

Penman has asked a dozen local boys and girls to come and learn to caddy for those members who want to play the game as it was invented – on foot.

The new pro also will offer club fitting and custom club design to help cure some members longtime swing faults.

“This is one of my specialties,” Penman said. “A lot of funky golf swings are really people just trying to work around ill fitting equipment.”

Penman and assistant pro Raynor Lynn will also offer an a specialized introduction to the game course to accommodate those who may want to take up the game, but might be intimidated by the process.

“We will teach them the basics, what to wear, how to drive a golf cart and other facets of the game,” he said.

Another boom echoed over the fairways as blasters working on the practice range carved another chunk out of the bedrock. Penman said one reason he couldn't wait for opening day was to welcome peace and quiet back to the course.

Has he sneaked out and played a few holes on the lush and inviting fairways?

“Not yet,” he said. “I will wait and let the paying customers go first.”