It’s not too late to sign up for the Saturday, Aug. 9 Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation Tour, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's tour puts the spotlight on four fascinating destinations in Lincoln County, where farmers and foresters will give us tours of their current projects and practices:

  • Uncas Farms in Whitefield, a certified organic farm that uses season-extending high tunnels, micro-irrigation and cover-cropping and has its own general store with café and free Wi-Fi;
  • Goranson Farm in Dresden, where they produce everything from maple syrup to potatoes to veggies (all organically certified) and practice conservation tillage to improve soil health and prevent erosion;
  • Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson, 2014 Maine and Northeast Region Outstanding Tree Farm with 1,000 acres of woodland (and a kettle hole bog) managed for sustainability, education and recreation; and
  • NEWAIM Farm and Fiber Mill in Waldoboro, leading the way in alternative energy technology including solar hot water and grid-tied photovoltaics.

Enjoy a coffee break with homemade goodies, a delicious picnic lunch, learn about the benefits of conservation, local foods and farm and forest preservation, and enjoy the view as we travel through the beautiful Midcoast landscape.

Extras include updates on the recent watershed survey by Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, goings on at Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, and a chance to shop for local goods at all of our stops! Knox-Lincoln SWCD staff Hildy Ellis and Rebecca Jacobs will provide insights and answer questions about geology, ecology and agricultural activities during the drive past farms, lakes and blueberry fields.

Preregistration is required and there are still some seats available. Cost of the tour is only $40 per person and includes all food and travel from Waldoboro. (Optional carpooling to Waldoboro from District office on Route 90 in Rockport). For more information, or to register for the tour, call Hildy at 207-596-2040, email hildy@knox-lincoln.org, or visit www.knox-lincoln.org/conservation-tour

WISCASSET — The Wiscasset Speedway celebrated its 45th birthday July 26 and a ceremony during half time introduced some of Wiscasset’s great drivers from the past including Teddy Palino, Dick Giles, Dick Williams, Bill Bailey, JC Marsh, Dale Chadbourne and Pete Silva.

The weather was beautiful and sunny, and when the day cooled and evening came around the bright lights of Wiscasset lit the track. The grandstands were jammed with fans, and they enjoyed giveaways, fireworks, celebration cake and some great racing action. On the schedule for the evening were Group One racing divisions, including Outlaw Mini’s, Prostocks, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, and Napa Super Streets. 

The spotlighted feature of the week was a 35–lap Napa Super Street race. Starting on the pole was #1 Adam Chadbourne. Last time out on the track, Chadbourne flipped his car coming out of turn four, landing upside down against the front wall, due to a broken tie rod end. Chadbourne said prior to race time it had taken two weeks to repair the damage with crews working around the clock. The whole front end was rebuilt, and a new engine was installed.

Behind Chadbourne were #48 Dan Nessmith and #8 Kevin Morse. During lap five, #05 James Osmond passed Morse on the outside of the front stretch for third. Then, #2 Josh Bailey passed Osmond during lap eight for third on the inside of turn four.

Nessmith slowed on the back stretch during lap fourteen and Bailey took advantage of the opportunity and passed for second. The following lap, Osmond was also able to pass Nessmith on turn two for third.

There was a caution called with only eight laps to go. On the ensuing restart, Bailey and Osmond battled side by side for second. Then, during lap 28, Osmond pulled ahead of Bailey and clinched second.

Chadbourne had been watching the action from his rear view mirror, but everything changed during lap 30. Chadbourne’s car developed a mechanical problem and faltered on the track. Osmond moved to first, while Bailey moved to second and Nessmith moved to third. Chadbourne’s newly refurbished car headed to the pits. Race leaders remained constant to the finish.

This was Osmond’s second top place finish this season in Napa Super Streets, and his sixth top five finish. Coming into Saturday’s race, Osmond was second in points with 370. Chadbourne was first in points with 374 and third in points was Nessmith with 326.

Post-race Osmond said, “It felt good moving from the back up to the front and ending up with the win. Congratulations to the rest of my team for all finishing in the top four. I would like to thank my sponsors: Paul Garber Construction, Red’s Eats, and Possibilities Salon.”

An action packed New England Four Cylinder Prostock feature was next. 13 cars hit the track for a 25–lap race. Starting on the pole was #8 Craig Dunn. Jerry Bailey (#7) and #14 Bob Patten were behind him. After the green flag flew, Patten passed Bailey for second on the inside of turn two. Patten and Bailey battled for second place through lap five, when Bailey passed Patten for second on the outside of turn two.

Jeff Prindall (#24) passed Patten for third on the inside of turn two during lap seven. However, Prindall got loose on the track during lap thirteen and #98 Kamren Knowles passed Prindall for third.

Starting at the back of the pack this week was #38 Ryan Hayes. Hayes was feature winner when last on the track and had been advancing up the track. During lap 14, Hayes passed Kamren Knowles on the inside for third.

There was a caution during lap 15 and a chaotic restart resulted in some leader changes. Dunn maintained the lead, Hayes moved to second and Patten moved to third. Dave Patten (#12) passed Bob Patten during lap 16 to claim third. Then, during lap 20, Hayes headed to the inside and passed Dunn for the lead. Lap 22, saw Knowles pass Dave Patten on the inside of the back stretch for third. There were no other leader changes.

Hayes claimed first. This was Hayes sixth top five finish of the season, and his second win. Hayes was fifth in points coming into the race with 300 points. Dunn placed second and was third in points coming into Saturday’s race with 312 points. Knowles placed third and was point leader coming into the race with 366 points. Second in points was Prindall with 356.

Hayes said, “We did good. It was an awesome race. I didn’t know if I could pick my way through. But, we were patient and picked them off one at a time. I was getting worried at the end if we could nudge Craig out of there. Then, as soon as I got by him, I knew I could hold him off after that. I want to thank my Uncle, parents, all the people that help me in the pit: Jerry, Meaghan, Paige, Todd, and Drew. I also want to thank my sponsor All Season Automotive.”

A quick and exciting 25–lap Outlaw Mini feature was next on the agenda. Starting at the pole was #14 Matt Moore and behind him were #8 Calvin Rose Jr and #13 Nate Tribbet. Rose passed Moore during lap two on the outside of turn two for the lead. Rose gained a commanding lead and watched the pack try to catch up out of his rear view mirror.

It was not until lap 18 that the first leader change occurred. Shawn Kimball (#20) passed Nate Tribbet for third. Then, during lap 20, the cars went three wide on the track on turn one and there was a jumble that sent Tribbet into the wall. On the restart, cars got tangled on the back stretch and #10 Jimmy Childs and Moore made contact and both got sent to the back. Childs went to the pits, but returned to limp around the track through the finish. When racing action resumed, Rose was race leader. In second was Kimball and in third was #12 Darrell Moore.

During lap 22, Kimball’s right rear tire went flat sending him into a spin at the entrance to pit row. This brought Darrell Moore to second and #2 Rob Greenleaf to third. On the restart, Darrell Moore passed Rose for the lead. However, Rose fought back and took back the lead, racing under the checkered in first. Darrell Moore placed second and rounding out the top three was Rob Greenleaf. This was Rose’s second first place finish in the Outlaw Mini’s this season. Coming into the race, Rose was fifth in points with 244. First in points was Jimmy Childs with 360 points and second in points was Kimball with 332.

A 30–lap Prostock race provided excitement for the crowd. This high energy race started with #15 Nick Hinkley on the pole. Will Collins (#25) and #19 John Rideout were behind him. Off the start, Rideout passed Collins and advanced to second. The cars were racing in a pack, equally matched, all vying for position.

Moving up from his 10th starting place was #21 Kevin Douglass. Douglass moved up beside Collins during lap 20 and passed Collins on turn four during lap 21 for third. Douglass then looked for his opportunity to pass Rideout for second. His chance came during lap 23 and he moved to the outside and passed on turn two, securing second.

With only two laps remaining, #77 Maggie Ferland spun alone on the track causing a caution. When racing action resumed, Rideout hugged the bottom of the track and passed Douglass for second. Coming up from behind was #15X Scott Chubbuck. Chubbuck passed Douglass for third during lap 24. Hinkley maintained his lead and drove his Greg’s Used Cars racecar under the checkered in first. Rideout placed second, while Chubbuck placed third.

This is Hinkley’s third win in the Prostock division this year, and his sixth top five finish. Hinkley was third in points coming into the race with 350 points. First in points was Mike Orr with 372 and second in points was Bill Penfold with 368.

Post-race Hinkley said, “The car was good. I expected to see the other 15 car take me down. He used to race for my father. They won 72 races in ten years, so they were competitive. I want to thank my sponsors ideal Portable Toilets and The Galley. I also want to thank my father, Thomas, Scott, Allen, Joey, Craig, Willie, Colton, and Brent.”

For information on the races at Wiscasset Speedway, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

Teddy Palino: One of Wiscasset’s Most Successful Drivers

Teddy Palino has won over 50 races at Wiscasset Speedway. He first began racing at Wiscasset when the track opened 45 years ago. He raced a few years for himself, and according to Steve Reny, he was one of the “winningest drivers at Wiscasset.” Palino was able to drive his #7 replica around the track on Saturday, giving the crowd a look at his vintage car.

In 1973, Palino and Neil Reny got together as a team. Reny provided the #7 car, and Palino drove it to victory after victory. Palino had 18 wins in a row from the 1973 mid-season until the following season. There were 22 races total, and he was champ. Palino was such a winner that there was a “bounty” of $500 for the first person to beat Palino in a race. It took 18 consecutive races for the bounty to be claimed. Palino went on to drive for Richard Moore, and drove all over New England.

Palino said, “I have won at least 50 to 60 races, I have the clippings. I never paid much attention to the wins though. We couldn’t wait for Saturday nights so we could race. For me it was fun. I drove cars and I met a lot of people. For me, it was about the people I met. The people in racing are good people. One great memory I have is when I raced Bobby Allison at Unity Raceway. He wrecked, and I won that race!”

RESULTS

NAPA SUPER STREET (35 LAPS)
1. #05 James Osmond, Woolwich
2. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
3. #48 Dan Nessmith, Wiscasset
4. #06 Zac Poland, Woolwich
5. #8 Kevin Morse, Woolwich
6. #88 Jamie Norton, Farmingdale
7. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
8. #02 Paul Hopkins, Camden

NEW ENGLAND FOUR CYLINDER PROSTOCK (25 LAPS)
1. #38 Ryan Hayes, Jefferson
2. #8 Craig Dunn, Strong
3. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner
4. #12 Dave Patten, Westbrook
5. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
6. #7 Jerry Bailey, Wiscasset
7. #27 Jacob Hensbee, Whitefield
8. #9X Brooke Knowles, West Gardiner
9. #99 Cameron Folsom, Augusta
10. #54 Jim Weymouth, Pittston
11. #14 Bob Patten, Westbrook
12. #35 Nathan McWilliams, Lewiston
13. #2 Jay Bailey, Wiscasset

OUTLAW MINI (25 LAPS)
1. #8 Calvin Rose Jr, Turner
2. #12 Darrell Moore, Oxford
3. #2X Rob Greenleaf, West Bath
4. #62 Tim Robinson, Clinton
5. #56 Pete McCollett, Readfield
6. #14 Matt Moore, Mechanic Falls
7. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
8. #13X Cody Tribbet, Richmond
9. #41 Dixon Smith, Sidney
10. #53 Nick Bissell, Lewiston
11. #20 Shawn Kimball, Augusta
12. #13 Nate Tribbet, Richmond

PROSTOCK (30 LAPS)
1. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
2. #19 John Rideout, Washington
3. #15X Scott Chubbuck, Bowdoin
4. #21 Kevin Douglass, Sidney
5. #25 Will Collins, Waldoboro
6. #01 Andy Saunders, Ellsworth
7. #07 Bill Penfold, Oxford
8. #25X Brad Bellows, China
9. #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn
10. #32 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
11. #11 Ed Trask, Turner
12. #39 James Osmond, Woolwich
13. #28 Ken Beasley, Richmond


The PenBay Pilot sports department can be reached at sports@penbaypilot.com.

Pennsylvanian Laura Onderko just didn’t outrun every female runner during this year’s Lobster Roll 5k road race. She outran every female racer in the event’s five year history. Her time of 19:28 set a new course record on July 25. This was Onderko’s first Lobster Roll 5k. She is an avid racer who competes in most local 5k races. Onderko especially enjoyed running the Boothbay Harbor course.

Onderko liked the course’s ocean view and running on the footbridge. During the race, Onderko was aided by running in a pack of other racers. The runners took turns leading their group over the 3.1 mile course through Boothbay Harbor..

“It’s definitely nice to run in a group,” she said. “We definitely helped each other out. When I felt strong I led the pack, and when I got tired somebody else went ahead.”

Onderko, 28, a medical student who lives in Quakertown, Pa,. said she typically runs between 5-8 miles a day. Her course record bested Lauren Perkowski, 15, of Plantsville, Conn. who finished second with a 20:44 time, and third place finisher Courtney O’Connor, 37, of Somerville, Mass. who ran the course in 21:53.

The top Lincoln County runner was Hannah Fake, 19, of Newcastle. She finished 10th in the women’s division with a 24:07 mark. The top Boothbay region racer was Kristen Gray, 44, of Boothbay Harbor who finished 11th with a 24:24 time.

In the men’s division, Chase Brown, 20, of West Boothbay Harbor, won with a 16:13 time. He defeated Boothbay Region High School track coach Nick Scott, 28, of Boothbay, who finished with a 16:38 time. Joey Paolillo, 15, of Boothbay Harbor finished third with a time of 18:01.

Brown took the lead for good at the three-quarter mile mark. His plan was to ease into the race for the first half mile and assess the field.

“I just took it easy to see where everybody was. And I took off from there,” said Brown, a former Boothbay Region cross country and track runner.

Brown usually runs in three races each year: Boothbay Harbor, Fourth of July 5k in Winthrop and the TD Beach to Beacon 10k in Cape Elizabeth. He runs six times a week totaling about 81 miles preparing for his races.

“My time was a little slow, but I’m not disappointed,” Brown said. “This is a fun race because it’s my hometown. It was nice to run a race that’s so important to the community.”

The Lobster Roll 5k began five years ago as a fundraiser to build a community track. This year’s race had 212 entrants who paid the $20 entry fee.

The Lobster Roll is not only an individual event, it also has a team format. Four teams competed for the championship. The Seahawk Track and Cross Country Alumni team won the event. The four-member team consisted of Brown, Robert Campbell, Bennett Scully, Drew Schmid and Tiffany Tsang. The alumni ran the course in a combined 53:19 time. The alumni defeated the Seahawk Cross Country and Track team who ran a 54:14. The second place team consisted of Scott, Paolillo, Kyle Ames, Tristan Mercer and Raymond Perry.

The Lobster Roll also recognized the winners in the following age groups: 14 and under, female, Elise Hocking, Wyndmoor, Pa., 21:57; male, Kyle Ames, Edgecomb, 19:35; 19 and under, female, Hannah Fake, Newcastle, 24:07; male, Robert Campbell, Boothbay Harbor, 18:03; 29 and under, female, Julia Merton, East Longmeadow, Mass., 22:10; male, Scott Isaac, Visalia, Calif., 18:49; 39 and under, female, Renee Lewis Holderness, N.H., 22:39; male, Jason Bigonia, Walpole, 19:08; 49 and under female, Julia Denney, Ankarra, Turkey, 23:11; male, Gene Hocking, Wyndmoor, Pa., 18:56; 59 and under, female, Ingrid Whitaker, Newcastle, 24:53; male, Ray Desmarais, Barrington, N.H., 21:42; 69 and under, female, Jane Marmack, San Marcos, Calif. 36:58; male, David Tiemann, Brunswick, 25:45; and 70 and over, female, Marinel Carbone, Skowhegan, 47:00; and male, Stephen Lozen, Shirley, Mass. 27:29.

Every year without fail, on the second Saturday of August, the delicious smell of barbecued chicken wafts through the air in North Nobleboro, accompanied by the rollicking sounds of friends and community members enjoying great food and music in the summer sun.

This year, North Nobleboro Day will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the community grounds and Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road in North Nobleboro.

This will be the 42nd year that members of the North Nobleboro community have joined together to provide a fun-filled day for their neighbors while raising money for donations to benefit the local area, and it is a highly anticipated tradition for many in the community.

Booths will open at 10 a.m. Country kitchen booths will be filled with homemade pies and doughnuts, delicious breads and cakes, baked beans, and more. There is even a booth dedicated to homemade fudge. Hot dogs, fresh-picked corn on the cob, French fries and Round Top ice cream will also be available along with various soft drinks.

The craft table always has many beautiful hand-made items and the newly painted Hall will be filled with trash and treasures, a bargain hunter’s dream. Visa gift cards and a goody basket will be raffled and a silent auction table will have valuable items up for bid such as handmade blankets, jewelry and art prints.

Country Western singer Debbie Myers will be back for a ninth year at North Nobleboro Day and her band “Redneck Rodeo” will be performing from 10 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Debbie was the Top Honors Recipient at the 2006 and 2007 Maine Academy of Country Music Awards as “Best Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year.” In past years, she has delighted audiences with tributes to Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Reba McIntyre. Don’t miss an opportunity to see what is always an outstanding musical event.

Under the big tent, the miscellaneous auction will commence at 1 p.m. People are busy cleaning out their attics to find those “oldies but goodies” and area merchants generously donate new items for auction. Any individuals wishing to donate may contact Hilary Petersen at 207-832-7489 (No large appliances please).

Nobleboro’s hard working chicken pit crew will once again have their famous chicken barbecue ready at 11 a.m. and will continue to serve through the afternoon until sold out. The dinner menu consists of half a chicken barbecued with an old secret recipe, coleslaw, a dinner roll, chips, and a beverage. Bring your appetite for a mouthwatering feast.

The North Nobleboro Community Association is proud to use proceeds from this day for donations to various organizations including our local fire departments and for financial assistance to qualified Nobleboro students. Monies are also used for the upkeep of local cemeteries, the Community Hall, and the basketball courts.

The festivities will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on August 9, rain or shine, at the community grounds at the intersection of East Pond Road and the Upper East Pond Road approximately three miles from Route 1 in Nobleboro or three miles from Route 32 in Jefferson. There will be things to buy, great food to eat, places to sit and rest and plenty of parking. Be sure to find your way to North Nobleboro for a great day.

Calling all "person-powered" watercraft! The 21st annual Southport Rowgatta, which encompasses 12 nautical miles is on Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at the town landing at Newagen on Southport Island.

The event benefits Boothbay Region YMCA’s Aquatics programs, which include the free second grade learn-to-swim program where all second grade students on the peninsula learn to swim at the Y for free.  Registration and information is available at the Y front desk and at www.boothbayregionymca.org.

Individuals or teams are welcome to register a dingy, rowboat, canoe, kayak, ocean shell or any other craft that is seaworthy. No sail or powerboats allowed. There is a $35 fee for each participant prior to the day of the event and a $40 fee the day of.

On the morning of August 9, registration at the Town Landing at Newagen begins at 7 a.m. The launch time ETA is 8:30 a.m. Each registrant will receive an official 21st Annual Southport Rowgatta T-shirt, refreshments before and after the event, and everyone is eligible for an exciting array of prizes. Packets with maps and list of rules can be picked up the day of the event at the event site.

There are three legs to the 12 nautical mile race: from the landing to Cozy Harbor, from Cozy Harbor to Robinson's Wharf, and from the Wharf back to the Newagen Town Landing.

Special thanks to the following: Boothbay Harbor Coast Guard Auxiliary – Flotilla 25, United States Coast Guard and others in our community for providing our boat crew coverage.

In the event of bad weather, please contact the Y at 633-2855 by 6:30 a.m. to find out if the event has been canceled or not. There will be no rain date or refunds. We will also post it on the Boothbay Region YMCA Facebook page and website should the event be canceled.

For more information, contact the YMCA at 633-2855 or go to www.boothbayregionymca.org.

Now is the time to sign up for club soccer with Midcoast United. The season will officially kick off at the end of the month and the club is still taking players at this time. If your child is interested, please like us on Facebook, or see our website at Midcoast United Soccer Club and follow the link for registration.

For more information, call Pam Wiley, club manager, at 207-776-9496.

 

Miss Maine Audrey Thomas will visit the 5th annual Blueberry Festival & Harvest Fair in Damariscotta on Saturday, Aug. 9, as part of her get-acquainted tour before she represents Maine at the Miss America Pageant.

The free family festival is at the Friends Meeting House property on Belvedere Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Audrey Thomas of Topsham visiting from 11 a.m. to noon. This year's new location is just a few hundred yards from the blinking light on Route 1 and features freshly harvested blueberries, ready for easting and freezing, at only $5.50 per quart.

There will also be homemade baked goods to take home or eat while listening to live music, special gift baskets and fabric items for sale, local area arts and crafts vendors, children's activities and fresh food items for lunch.

On Thursday, Sept. 4, Jim Henderson and a team of boat owners and local lobstermen are holding a cruise around the harbor for veterans with disabilities. The cruise will conclude with a cookout on the Tugboat Inn deck, which has offered the use of its marina.

Henderson and his wife Sylvia Jenkins keep their sailboat moored at Tugboat. Their son John was in an accident several years ago, leaving him bound to a wheelchair. Last summer, the family went sailing together.

“While it was an ordeal getting him on the boat, it was certainly possible, and it was wonderful for him to know that he could do it,” Henderson said.

The couple was looking around the docks and saw a huge number of boats and began to think about getting disabled veterans out on the water, to give them the same experience. Henderson spoke to a few of the pleasure boat owners, and though some couldn't be involved, others were more than willing. The response from locals was “amazing,” Henderson said.

“Many of them are either vets themselves or have kids that are vets,” he said.

Captain Bruce White of HayVal is one of the charter boats joining the cruise.

“Jim asked me and veterans and wounded veterans are special people,” White said. “They deserve our thanks and if there's anything I can do for them I want to. They are a wonderful example.”

Other boats and captains involved are Larry Knapp, Lady Esther; Mark Stover, Red Hook; George McEvoy, Nellie G II and Northern Ranger; Corey Pottle, Patricia Sue II, Ryan Casey, Northern Lights, Billy Sherman, The Quest; and Billy Hallinan, Apparition II.

The current plan, according to Henderson, is to have everyone meet at Tugboat around 9:30 a.m. to register and have coffee, muffins, and donuts generously donated by Tugboat Inn, Blue Moon Cafe, Red Cup Coffeehouse, Baker’s Way, and Ebb Tide.

Around 10 a.m. the cruise will begin, taking a route through the swing bridge, across the Sheepscot, and around MacMahan Island before returning to Tugboat and having their cookout.

Forty-three veterans are currently signed up to go, including veterans from Togus VA and from the VAST Program, (Veterans Adaptive Sports in New Gloucester). Spots are still available but space is limited.

“I have to cap it around 60 people because I want make sure everyone gets fed before they return. It will be a long day for many of them,” Henderson said.

Right now, Henderson is seeking sponsors for the event. He needs volunteers to help with the cookout, and either food or money to buy food for the 60 veterans and staff.

“Since I'm not a nonprofit, I don't qualify for funding from places like Hannaford or Rite Aid, so I'm seeking help from locals and local businesses,” Henderson said.

Harbor Embroidery has offered to embroider T-shirts for everyone for the event. Henderson is also looking for a sponsor who will buy the shirts.

For more information or to donate, contact Henderson at jim@jimhendersonsculpture.com or 781-267-5159.

Last Saturday morning, more than 160 runners and walkers gathered at Southport Yacht Club for the inaugural Rock the Boat 5k Race. Of the 160 people, we counted 41 families, many sets of cousins, and a few families with three generations represented.

The feeling of camaraderie and community spread through the group as the racers attached bib numbers and prepared for start. The race started with a series of whistles much like the beginning of a sailing race. Soon participants were greeted along the course by neighbors and community members serving as marshals along Pratt’s Island Road. The sound of clapping and cheering echoed through Cozy Harbor.

As the course unfurled, there were smiles and high fives, especially on the challenging hills: up to the Southport General Store, and up Beach Road. Grant Auber, 15, and a member of the Jr. Sailing Program, set a record with a time of 18:40 for the 3.1 mile course. Soon after, runners began to stream the Yacht Club lawn with determined effort. After enjoying freeze pops and water, there was a Kids Fun Run, where even the youngest got involved. At the awards ceremony afterwards, each first place winner was given a homemade pie for a prize and there was much celebration of the accomplishments of all.

The Southport Yacht Club wishes to thank the following people and organizations for their help in making the event possible: Jody Lewis and Boothbay Harbor Public Works Department, Meagan Hamblett and the Boothbay Region YMCA, Adam Harkins and Gerry Gamage of the Southport Fire Department, Rosalie Baker, Woody, Sawyer and Elsa Bates, Jen Britton, Liz Brown, Donna Climo, Nancy Custer Carroll, Nancy Cole, Austin Curwen, Christa Donellan, Kerrin Erhard, Carol Fisher, Tom Frields, Elisa and Alex Goldsmith, Susan Goodell, Deb Grimes, Bob and Tessa Houston, Nick and Joan Hurd, Rebecca Hutchinson, Anne Jacobs, Will Jacobs, Betty Kershaw, Sarah Khetani, Susan Lloyd, Kristen Lorentzen, Jane Lunt, Nancy McCann, Denis and Callie McWhan, Bill Messmer, Linda Murphy, Susannah Parker, Jennifer Peterson, Lynn Schafer, Diane and James Smith, Meghan Thress, and Luanne Webb, and Jennifer and Jim Wickline.

In what organizers describe as heartbreaking, a decision has been made to cancel the 2014 Shipyard Cup.

The Shipyard Cup, scheduled for August 8-10, is a superyacht sailing regatta held annually in Boothbay Harbor.

“Unfortunately a disproportionate number of superyachts stayed in or went back to the Mediterranean this year so the fleet was down to a level that just made it difficult to hold the event,” said Ed Roberts, Shipyard Cup Event Chairman. “We worked tirelessly to attract boats to Maine for the event, but this year is an off year in New England. Even the Newport Bucket, which normally attracts a large fleet, is down to a small handful of boats.”

“The event team is hard at work on a number of strategies to make the event successful and fun for both participants and sponsors in the coming years," said Hodgdon Marketing Manager and Event Manager, Holly Paterson.

Elmo’s got the moves. Have you got the moves?

Families are invited to get up and get moving with Elmo, Abby Cadabby and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends when Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!” visits Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena from October 17-19.

Tickets for all four performances are on sale now at $14 and $18. A limited number of $25 Gold Circle seats and $52 Sunny Seats are also available. A Sunny Seats package features premium show seating and a preshow meet and greet with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo.

Hosted by two live performers, Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!” offers an up-close, interactive experience that includes dance parties. Elmo uses his imagination to do the Robot, Cookie teaches all “feets” to dance, and Ernie shares the fun of dance with the Sesame Street favorite “Shake Your Head One Time.”

Favorite friends join the audience on the floor — dancing with fans, not just for them. 

Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless tunes and lessons for all ages. The universal appeal of each Broadway-quality musical production continues long after preschool. Adults will appreciate the professional staging, cleverly written script, and music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with children.

Performances are at the Cross Insurance Arena located at 1 Civic Center Square in Portland.

For more information, call 207-775-3458. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.

Colonial Pemaquid interns recently demonstrated 17th century food preparation during last weekend’s 17th century encampment at Colonial Pemaquid. 

For more information, visit www.friendsofcolonialpemaquid.org.

The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Special is an event not to be missed at Thomas Point Beach, in Brunswick, Thursday, Aug, 28 through Sunday, Aug. 31.

The All-Star line-up includes: Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys for Stanley's "Man of Constant Sorrow — The Doctor's Farewell” Tour; The Del McCoury Band; Dailey and Vincent; Rhonda Vincent and the Rage; The Gibson Brothers; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper; The Spinney Brothers; Leroy Troy and the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band; Reno and Harrell; Danny Paisley and Southern Grass; The Lonely Heartstring Band The Barefoot Movement; The Steelwheels; Balsam Range; The New England Band; and Williamson Branch.

There will be special performances from White Mountain Bluegrass and The Maine Bluegrass Youth Ensemble, as well as the Thomas Point Beach Children of Bluegrass, and so much more.

Available on site will be food, a lobster bake, workshops, activities for children, and crafts.

The off-stage musician field pickin' at this bluegrass event is known to be the best anywhere.

Tickets, single day, weekend or entire event available at the gate only after Aug. 23.

Children under 12, and camping, are free. Currently all the camp sites with electricity have been booked.

Thomas Point Beach is located at 29 Meadow Road in Brunswick.

For information on tickets and schedule of events, visit http://thomaspointbeach.com.

Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson has so much to celebrate that the entire day of Sept. 6 is being dedicated to enjoying and learning from all that the HVNC community has to offer. Everyone is invited to take part in the SWOAM/Tree Farm Field Days and Live Edge Music Festival.

“HVNC touches so many parts of our diverse communities from outdoor recreation and kid’s activities to forestry and carpentry skills. There will be something for everyone to enjoy on Sept. 6,” HVNC Director Andy McEvoy said.

The first half of the day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature over 50 vendors, exhibitors and demonstrators all sharing something about the Maine woods. Resource professionals like NRCS, Maine Audubon, and the Maine Forest Service will be on hand to answer landowner questions. A dozen local artists will be there with work inspired by Maine’s deep woods and remote places. An entire tent will be dedicated to kids’ games designed and based on HVNC. There will also be face painting and some more educational kids’ activities led by educators.

Also, during the morning sessions there will be a long list of engaging speakers. Speakers include representatives from Forest Society of Maine, Maine Audubon, Maine Farmland Trust, the Chewonki Foundation, and more.

If talks aren’t for you, or you just want to stretch your legs you can attend one of the dozen or so guided tours of HVNC. Some will be forestry focused, others will head towards the bog, and some will head off in search of mushrooms. The walks will all be led by professionals, educators, and folks who know HVNC well. Visitors are also encouraged to stroll across the nature center, or a take a shuttle, and see the three different logging operations ranging from horse logging to sophisticated machinery.

Make sure you plan to spend the day, however. The Live Edge Music Festival begins official at 2 p.m. when local favorites Red Bird hit the stage. They will be followed by Primo Cubano, the premier Cuban dance band. “The barn floor will be clean and ready for dancing,” said HVNC co-founder Bambi Jones. Lastly, world acclaimed musicians John McDowell and Phil Bloch will perform with their newest collaboration Luxury Sedan.

The day is completely free. Jyang Lee Kitchen and Sheepscot General will be serving food all day for fair prices, and Allagash beer will be on tap starting at 2 p..m. Parking is tight and some visitors will have to park off site. There will be shuttle vans running all day.

HVNC’s celebration of forestry, of new buildings, and of local community has many supporters. The Small Woodland Owner’s Association, Maine Tree Farm, and the Maine Forest Service are making the forestry portion of the day possible. Cribstone Capital and Mexicali Blues are supporting the live music. The entire day is a celebration of HVNC’s recent accolades and awards, but also of the community that has made the awards possible. “This is our chance to really show our community that we appreciate them, thank them, and want them to continue to celebrate with us,” said co-founder Tracy Moskovitz.

For more information, visit www.hvnc.org, call 207-200-8840, or write to info@hvnc.org.

Friday, Aug. 29

Whales Tale Restaurant: 3-6 p.m. Scott & Rick Turcotte

Watershed Tavern: 4 -7 p.m. Noel Arrington & Paul Johnson

Andrews Harborside: 4 -7 p.m. Danny Beal

Rocktide Inn: 7-9 p.m. Shanna Underwood

Tugboat Inn: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Danny Beal

McSeagull's: 9 p.m. The Ghost of Paul Revere

Mine Oyster: 9 p.m. Douglas Gimbel & HDRnB

Saturday, Aug. 30

Fisherman's Wharf Inn: noon-2 p.m. Martin England Trio

Robinson's Wharf: 1 to 4 p.m. Anni Clark

Abacus Gallery TBA

Flagship Inn & Suites: 2-4 p.m. Tim Gurshin

Whale's Tale Restaurant: 3-6 p.m. Leif Erickson

Capers Deli: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Martin England Unplugged

Boothbay Harbor Inn: 4-6 p.m. Endless Interstate Duo

Boothbay Lobster Wharf: 6-9 p.m. Tim Sprague & Murky Waters Band

Funk-Soul-R&B Music Cruise: 6-9 p.m. (ticketed event)

Cap'n Fish's Boat Trips (red ticket booth Pier 7): Douglas Gimbel & HDRnB

Opera House at Boothbay Harbor: 7 p.m. (ticketed show), The Wailin' Jennys

McSeagull's: 9 p.m. The Ghost of Paul Revere

Mine Oyster: 9 p.m. Motor Booty Affair

Sunday, Aug. 31

Robinson's Wharf: 1-4 p.m. The Holy Mackerels

Rocktide Inn: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Nikki Hunt Band

Kaler's Restaurant: 2-4 p.m. Lee Roy Blackman & Friends

Whale’s Tale Restaurant: 3-6 p.m. Darlene Bailey

McSeagull's deck: 4-6 p.m. Nyah & Friends unplugged

Reggae Music Cruise: 6-9 p.m. (ticketed event), Cap'n Fish's Boat Trips (red booth Pier 7), Dani Tribesman

Mine Oyster: 9 p.m. Pete Kilpatrick

Friday, Sept. 5

Boothbay Craft Brewery: 4-7 p.m. Crying Wolf

McSeagull's: 9 p.m. Dave Gagne Band

Mine Oyster: 9 p.m. Thunder Bay

Saturday, Sept. 6

Rocktide Inn: 4-7 p.m. Crying Wolf

McSeagull's: 9 p.m. Dave Gagne Band

Mine Oyster: 9 p.m. The Boneheads, featuring Douglas Gimbel

So far this summer, Master Gardener Volunteers at the Morris Farm in Wiscasset have harvested and donated over 600 pounds of fresh, organically-grown produce.

Since early June, all of it has been delivered to food pantries in Boothbay and Wiscasset as part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine Harvest for Hunger program. Volunteers are in their fifth year growing in raised bed gardens and hope to match or exceed their annual goal of 1,000 pounds.

The gardens demonstrate how anyone can produce a great amount of food in a small space while helping their community.

Thanks to a grant from the Maine Master Gardener Development Fund, seeds, seedlings and soil amendments were purchased from local vendors and/or donated by the volunteers. With intense succession planting in seven raised beds and two small in-ground gardens, volunteers spend a half-day each week from May through October planting, weeding, seeding, watering and harvesting. Empty beds are now being planted with lettuce, spinach and other cool weather crops.

Jane Lunt, a member of the Boothbay Region Food Pantry Board, wrote: “We thank you so much for helping to provide fresh, locally grown vegetables for our neighbors in need.”

The public is invited to visit the demonstration gardens at any time and assistance is always welcome. Master Gardener Volunteers are usually working on Wednesday mornings. The Morris Farm Trust is a “Forever Farm” — both a working farm and an educational resource for the communities of Midcoast Maine. The address is 156 Gardiner Road (Route 27) in Wiscasset.

Work to strengthen the Southport Bridge, which spans Townsend Gut and connects Boothbay Harbor and Southport Island, is scheduled to begin the first week of September and should take about two months to complete, Devin Prock of Prock Marine said Aug. 25.

The Maine Department of Transportation awarded Prock Marine the contract for the Southport Bridge project last May. Prock said they will be adding steel plates and concrete and making other repairs to strengthen the bridge floorbeam and structure.

Both automobile and marine traffic will still flow over and under the bridge during construction, but some lane and total bridge closures are planned.

Beginning around Sept. 15 and ending some time in November, Route 27 over Southport Bridge will be reduced to one lane with alternating traffic during weekdays, Monday through Friday. Wide loads, greater than 10 feet, will only be able to cross the bridge on weekends during this time. The bridge will still open to allow marine traffic to pass.

The Southport Bridge will be completely closed to both automobile and marine traffic from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, Oct. 16 and Oct. 31. Prock said if there is a need for emergency vehicles to cross the bridge during the three overnight closures, they will be allowed to do so.

“That’s the top priority,” he said.

“Our main concern was being sure that we could get across with ambulances or other emergency vehicles if we had to,” Southport Selectman Gerry Gamage said. “We are also talking to Boothbay Region Ambulance Service to work up a contingency plan so we are sure we are covered during those times.”

On Sunday, Aug. 31 starting at about 1 p.m., members of the Dirigo Vintage Base Ball League will be hosting a game of Town Ball on the Village Green at the Boothbay Railway Village. Town Ball is a direct descendant of the British game of rounders. It was played in the United States as far back as the early 1800s and is considered a stepping stone towards modern baseball.

Instead of just playing a game of Town Ball, the club members are calling on visitors and museum members to be a part of the game. Men, women and children are all welcome to join in and learn from the experts. Once the basic rules are explained a game or more of Town Ball will be played. Spectators are also welcome and encouraged. Be sure to pack your peanuts and popcorn!

The museum invited the Dirigo Vintage Base Ball League to help tell the story of types of activities rural Maine villages would have enjoyed on their village greens during the late 1800s. In addition to grazing livestock animals, a typical Maine village green would open space for band concerts, seasonal celebrations and even political debates.

Often referred to as "The Massachusetts Game,” Town Ball is still played by the Leatherstocking Base Ball Club every Sunday in Cooperstown, New York.

The Village is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with hourly train departures between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Museum members get in for free. Well-behaved and leashed four-legged friends are welcome. Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at 207-633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay. 

Did you ever think you might like to become a high school basketball official? Do you love the game and like to exercise at the same time? This is your opportunity! Seven weekly classes to prepare you for the Nov. 3 written exam will be starting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16. Remember, it is the best seat in the house. 

For more information regarding time and expense, please contact Dave Parkhurst at 207-633-2222 (daytime) or 207-633-5133 (evenings), after 6 p.m.

Parent/toddler swim lessons are specially designed for infants or toddlers and their parents. This program is catered for children between 6 months to 4 years of age. Our focus is getting young children comfortable with the water through games and play. Parents will be introduced to proper holds, and creative approach to various aquatic skills. An adult must accompany each swimmer.

Class schedule:

Tuesday: 9:30-10 a.m. Instruction (eight weeks)
10-10:30 a.m. Open Swim

Saturday: 10:30-11 a.m. Instruction
11-11:30 a.m. Open swim

Eight Week Session Costs:
$34 Members/ $45 Nonmembers

Waterworks: (Water aerobics)

The Wiscasset Community Center offers both morning and evening aerobic classes in the water. These programs offer participants of all fitness abilities, a program that will benefit all parts of the body. You will tone and firm your muscles, increase your flexibility and range of motion, improve your cardiovascular strength, with concentration to breathing, and stimulate your circulation and have fun doing it! It is amazing how the water’s natural resistance, buoyancy and therapeutic qualities work wonders trimming and toning the body at the same time refreshes and relaxes the participant emotionally. Does your back bother you, or are you sore after a long day in the garden? Let us help you! Come try your first water aerobics class for free. You can sign up for once a week or as many as five times a week!

8 week session

Waterworks!: Monday-Friday 8:30–9:30 a.m.

Aqua Exercise: Mondays 6-7 p.m.

American Red Cross swim lessons:

Sept. 9 to Oct. 28

Tuesdays: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Level 1-3. 

Tuesdays: 4:15-5 p.m. Level 3-5

Sept. 11 to Oct. 30

Thursdays 3:30-4:15 p.m. Level 2-3 

Thursdays: 4:15-5 p.m. Level 3-4

Sept. 13 to Nov. 1

Saturdays: 8:15-9 a.m. Level 4-6

Saturdays: 9-9:45 a.m. Level 3-4

Saturdays: 9:45–10:30AM Level 1-2

Sept. 8 to Oct. 27, Monday a.m.

Splash: 9:30-10:15 a.m. Level 1-2

Sept. 12 to Oct. 31, Friday a.m.

Splash: 9:30- 10:15 a.m. Level 1-2

Local and nationally known sports legends and Hall of Famers are making arrangements to meet in Boothbay for the 24th annual Boothbay Charities Classic golf tournament, lobster bake, and sports auction. Sept. 26 and 27 are the dates for this exciting event and all proceeds will go to benefit Special Olympics Maine. Whether it’s football, baseball, hockey, racing or golf, we will likely have something for the sports fan in you.

The festivities will kick off on Friday afternoon with a New England lobster and clam bake with the participating celebrities. If you are playing golf the cost of the lobster bake is included in your entrance fee. The public is welcome to purchase tickets to the lobster bake and auction by calling Brenda Blackman at 207-633-6280.

A silent sports auction will be available for public viewing and bidding from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at the Railway Village Meeting Hall (results will be announced later that evening). All fans are welcome. The lobster bake will take place under the big tent at the Railway Village on Friday afternoon at 4 and is a great opportunity for the public to mix and mingle with the celebrities. Chicken is also available.

Some of the items collected for the 2014 sports auction include: Autographed bat from Red Sox Hall of Famer Jim Rice; autographed football by the NCAA's only two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin; autographed 2007 World Series Red Sox jersey by David "Big Papi" Ortiz; and autographed Boston Bruins jersey by Ray Bourque.

Celebrities attending the 2014 golf tournament will include: Bob Allietta of the California Angels and Cleveland Indians, Bob Capadona of the Patriots and Buffalo Bills, Ken Hodge from the Bruins, Peter Ladd, Stump Merrill, Steve Minich, Dot Petty, Scott Price, Oakland Raider Otis Sistrunk, Tom Stephens, Robin Cole of the Pittsburgh Steelers, John Kameisha, Dave O’Brien of the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, Don Marcotte, Wayne Soares, Roger Wehrli, Butch Byrd, Gerhard Schwedes, Gino Cappalletti and Pete Banaszak. This list will be updated as the event gets closer.

Team openings and limited individual golfer positions are available for Saturday mornings golf tournament, which includes guaranteed pairing with a celebrity, an awesome goodie bag provided by tournament sponsors, and a seat at Friday nights lobster bake and sports auction. If you are interested in participating please contact Brenda Blackman at 207-633-6280 or call Ken Marston at 207-350-6203. You can also call these numbers if you are just interested in the lobster bake. The sports auction is open to the public at no charge.

Businesses and individuals willing to make donations, volunteer time, or to participate in the tournament are extremely appreciated, and crucial to the continued success of this event. Major sponsorships as well as individual hole and tee sponsorships are also available. For more information please contact Brenda at the above mentioned number. If you wish to donate an item to the auction please contact Tom Erskine at 207-633-6103.

Special Olympics Maine is a year-round athletic training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine we have over 3,800 athletes who participate in the program. For more information on Special Olympics Maine please visit www.somaine.org.

Close to 50 walkers and racers participated in the 10th annual Westport Island Shore Run — “Maine’s Best Little 10k Road Race” — on Sunday, Aug. 24 beginning at 9 a.m. Participants were greeted with bright sunny skies and mid-70s temperatures.

Megan Hempstead of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, won first place female overall; Kelly Daly of South Portland was second place female overall, and Sarah Hempstead of Lebanon, New Hampshire, was third place female overall.

Chase Huges of Westport Island won first place male overall; Smith Hunt of Pownal won second place male overall; and Dana Welch of Gray was third place male overall.

The 10k road race on bridge-accessible Westport Island was along a USATF-certified course through scenic pine and fir tree forests and over two bridges spanning inlets to Heal Cove and Montsweag Bay.  

The race is to benefit the Westport Island Volunteer Fire Department, whose members directed traffic and provided logistical support at the race. Over the last nine years, the race has generated over $12,000 in proceeds for the department. This year it looks like an additional $1,300 was raised for the firefighters, bringing our 10-year total above $15,000.

The 2014 sponsors include: Maine Yankee; Hodgdon Yacht Services; Ames True Value Supply on Route 1; Sheepscot River Marine Service; Abbott, Incorporated; Wiscasset Ford; Newcastle Chrysler Dodge Jeep; Bath Savings Bank; Norm's Used Cars and Trucks; Sharon Drake Real Estate of Bath; the Hampton Inn of Bath; Road ID; Westport Island Community Association; and the First Federal Savings Bank.

Volunteer Mike Kraynak handled all the race day registrations and assisted in the course preparation, volunteers Adam and Jordan Whitney handed out the race medals, and Jim McCorkle of 5k Race Management timed the race.

Mini-golf pros are set to hit the greens, overcome obstacles, and raise money for the Shriners Hospital for Children at the 21st annual Maine Dolphin Tournament Sept. 6-7. All players are welcome to participate in the tournament for a chance to win cash prizes and gift certificates.

Players will be competing for the grand prize of $1,000 that includes a gold medal and a jacket. The second place prize is $600 and a silver medal, and third place prize is $400 and a bronze medal. Cash prizes are awarded to the top eight competitors. The entry fee is $50 before Sept. 1; $75 after Sept. 1, and all participants are eligible to participate in the “Hole in One” competition for the $100 prize following the tournament.

There will also be a Poker Run held Sunday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. to noon. The poker run ($5 per person) is open to the public in which participants draw a playing card at each hole. Players with the best hand at the end of the round will win prizes and gift certificates. Thee prizes, donated by local businesses, are worth over $1,000.

Not suited for the pros? Players of all skill levels can choose to play in different ranks ranging from junior (12 and under), amateur, and senior (62-plus) divisions that will be played at 4 p.m on Saturday. Fees are $10.

Free practice is available to all registered players on Friday, Sept. 5. A flat daily rate of $10 is charged for practice prior to Friday. Lunch will served on both tournament days for all those present. For more information about the event, contact Lee Stoddard at 207-633-4828, or at the facility at the junction of Hardwick Road and Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.

Visit www.dolphinminigolf.com.

The Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour, which was presented by Twisted Tea, made its one and only appearance in Maine at the Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday. Last year driver Toby Wells brought home the win. Wells was point leader coming into the race. However, there was only a 12 point difference between Wells and two-time champ, Emerson Cayer.

Maine native Justin Larsen was third in points coming into the race, trailing the leader by 138 points, but still in the chase.

“It is a pretty tight battle,” Wells said before the race. “It ain’t decided yet between the three of us.”

Also at Wiscasset this weekend were the group one division of racing presented by NAPA Auto Parts, including: NAPA Super Street, Outlaw Mini, Prostock, and New England Four Cylinder Prostock. The fans packed the bleachers to see the show, and also were able to visit the NAPA tent, enjoy BBQ, and get information from the “Napa Know-How Man.”

There were three heat races to determine position for the North East Mini Stock Tour. Starting at the pole was the #21 of Chad Baxter. The #24 of Joe Baxter and the #13 of Nate Tribbet were behind him. Off the start, Joe Baxter surged ahead, but he fell off the pace and the #19 of Zach Audet and the #9 of George Fortin marched up the track and took first and second place, Chad Baxter slipping to third. During lap three, the #48 of Justin King passed Baxter for third on turn one.

There was a leader change during lap six, when Fortin experienced a mechanical issue, and hit the front stretch wall coming out of turn four. Fortin was able to walk away and was uninjured. King moved to second and Chad Baxter moved to third.

Moving up from his seventh starting position was the #18X of Tim Collins. Collins passed Baxter on the outside of turn three for third during lap five.

There was a caution during lap six, and the #88 of Emerson Cayer made contact with the #51 of Mike Mason. Cayer, two time champ, slid back and lost position. Cayer had nothing for the race leaders this race, finishing 19th in overall standings.

Lap eight saw Collins pass King on the inside of the backstretch for second. The #34 of Justin Trombley followed the same line and passed King for third.

A battle for third between Trombley and the #2 of Toby Wells emerged on the track. It was not until lap eighteen that Wells was able to complete the pass on the outside of turn three. Wells advanced up the track to challenge Collins. When the race leaders hit some lap traffic, Wells was able to weave through and passed Collins for second during lap twenty-three. Wells advanced up the track looking for the lead, but Audet held him off.

There was a battle for third between Collins and Trombley. Ahead, Wells and Audet were racing for the lead. Wells chased Audet up the track, and during lap 34, Wells passed Audet for first. Audet fell back to second. 

Audet continued to slide back on the track, and Trombley passed him on the inside of turn three for second during lap forty-two. Collins followed the inside line and passed Audet on turn four during lap forty-two. 

Wells took the checkered for the second year in a row. Trombley placed second, only .42 seconds behind Wells. Collins took third, only .81 seconds behind Wells. 

“It was quite a different experience from last year,” Wells said. “Last year was easy and this year we really had to work for it, the nose was messed up a bit. During one of the restarts the car ahead didn’t get going and I was hit from behind when I slowed up. It came close to taking out the radiator when I hit the car ahead. It was a messy night, and staying out of trouble was the name of the game. We had a great point’s night, and there are two races left in the season. It is not locked up, but if things keep going well it will put me in a good position. I have already won two of the three Triple Crown races in the South, and I am in the running for the North Triple Crown as well. We love coming to Wiscasset. It’s been a good year and I hope we come back to Wiscasset again. I would like to also thank my sponsors: Froling Energy, C&C Trucking, and Motionsick Motorsports.”

A 25 lap Napa Super Street feature was action-packed. Starting on the pole was the #8 of Kevin Morse. Behind him were the #06 of Zac Poland and the #6 of Travis Dunbar. Off the start, the #38 of Chris Buzzell passed Dunbar for third. Morse and Poland battled for first, and Poland passed Morse during the opening lap for the lead. Buzzell passed Morse during lap two for second.

Starting in sixth position was the #05 of James Osmond. Osmond moved into third place during lap two, and began his advance up the track. Osmond passed both Buzzell and Poland by lap eight to claim the lead. 

The #1 of Adam Chadbourne was making his way up the track. Chadbourne passed Buzzell during lap eight for third, then, during lap ten, passed Poland for second place. Starting in tenth position was the #85 of Kenny Harrison. Harrison had made his way through the pack to the front. Harrison passed Poland for third on the outside of turn three during lap thirteen. 

Osmond, Chadbourne, and Harrison raced in a pack. There were twelve remaining laps for the leaders to claim position. Harrison passed Chadbourne during lap fifteen on the inside, but Chadbourne passed Harrison during lap 21 to reclaim second. Osmond held both off, proving once again he was a force on the track as he swept across the finish in first. Chadbourne placed second. Harrison rounded out the top three for third. This was Osmond’s third win of the season in the Napa Super Street division.

Osmond said, “The car was the best it’s been all season! It was a fun race with a lot of pressure from Chadbourne and Harrison. I would like to thank my sponsors: Paul Garber Construction, Red’s Eats, and Skip Cahill Tires.”

Osmond was second in points coming into Saturday’s race with 478 points. Chadbourne was in first place, only four points ahead of Osmond, with 482 points. Dan Nessmith was third in points with 412. It is a tight race between Osmond and Chadbourne, and only two point races remain in the season.

A 25 lap Outlaw Mini feature was next on the agenda. Staring at the pole was the #8 of Calvin Rose Jr. Behind him was the #10 of Jimmy Childs and the #2 of Rob Greenleaf. When the green flag flew, Rose and Childs raced for the lead. Childs passed Rose coming out of turn four onto the front stretch for first. 

There was a caution during lap eighteen, and when racing action resumed on the track, Greenleaf passed Rose for second. Childs’ car liked the clean air and gained a five car length lead after the restart. Childs took the win. Despite being point leader in the division, this was Child’s first win of the season. This was a non-point race for the Outlaw Mini’s. Child’s has 446 points and was point leader coming into the race. In second was Shawn Kimball with 428. Third in points was Nate Tribbet with 410.

Child’s said, “I have struggled all season, so it was good to get a win. If I get up front next week, I hope to back this win up with another. Racing means family to me. My father and I work on my car, and we spend time together and it is good. I am having a lot of fun racing this year.”

A quick straight forward 20 lap New England Four Cylinder Prostock feature was the next crowd pleaser. The #24 of Jeff Prindall started on the pole. Behind him were the #8 of Craig Dunn and the #2 of Jay Bailey. 

Prindall and Dunn raced neck and neck from the start. Then, during lap two, Dunn passed Prindall for the lead on the inside of the front stretch. Prindall looked for his chance to retake the lead. His chance came during lap eight when the pair ran into lap traffic on the track. Prindall piloted his car though the traffic and took the lead coming out of turn one. Prindall was able to keep Dunn behind him for the remainder of the race. Kamren Knowles of the #98 battled Bailey for third, but finished in fourth. 

Knowles was point leader headed into Saturday’s race with 468 points. Jeff Prindall was second in points with 452 points. In third place was Dunn with 420 points. 

Prindall won four consecutive races at the beginning of the season, but has not had a win since May 31, 2014. Prindall said, “It has been a long dry spell without a win. The car is pretty close now to where it had been. A little more fine tuning is needed, but it is driving much better. The race was really good. I am just happy to have won, and want to thank the fans for coming out. I also want to thank my sponsors: Mike Kiddins & Sons Construction, Dubois Snowmobile and Repair, and Bimbo Bakery.”

Wrapping up the evening was an exciting 30 lap Prostock race. Staring on the pole was the #77 of Maggie Ferland. Behind her was the #32 of Mike Orr and the #15X of Scott Chubbuck. When green flag racing began, the #9 of Dylan Turner moved up from behind on the outside and raced side by side with Ferland for the lead. The #72 of Charlie Colby moved from his sixth place start and fought for position in the pack. Turner took the lead. Ferland moved to second. Colby took third.

Ferland began to fall off the pace during lap five, and Colby passed for second. The #15 of Nick Hinkley passed Ferland on the outside of turn two during lap five for third.

Colby headed to the outside during lap eight and passed Turner for the lead on turn three. Turner, Hinkley, and Scott Chubbuck of the #15X battled for second and third positions. Hinkley was on the top of the track and was losing ground quickly. Chubbuck headed to the bottom of the track and passed Turner, taking second place. The #1 of Jeff Burgess followed the inside line and passed Turner, taking third. Colby had run away with the lead. Colby took the checkered. Chubbuck placed second. Burgess took third. Colby was the sixth different winner in the Prostock division this year.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, Aug. 30, 2014. This is also Fan Appreciation Night at Wiscasset Speedway. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

To kick off the Soccer Maine Fall Classic League club soccer season, Midcoast United Soccer Club hosted four games at Clifford Field in Boothbay Aug. 24. While each of our four Midcoast teams played well, the end results were not all in Midcoast's favor.

Midcoast United's U9 age team started the morning with a tough match against Freeport United with Alexx Roy contributing one goal and Casey Duncan adding three more on top. Freeport came away with a win, 5-4.

The U10 age group team met up against Cumberland to start off their season. Will Farrell made some fantastic saves in the goal, along with Kole Lutterman. Maddox Tilas scored four goals and Isaac Thompson contributed one goal, assisted by Nick Archer, for the Midcoast United 5-3 win.

Our U12 age team met up against a second Freeport United team, while our U14 age team played a hard fought match against BESC soccer club of Standish. Both Midcoast teams played tough, but ultimately fell 4-0 to their opponents.

Midcoast United Soccer club is the area's club for travel soccer. Currently, we play and practice in the Boothbay, Damariscotta and Wiscasset areas. We are also beginning registration for winter training sessions. Please visit our website: Midcoast United Soccer Club for more information, and don't forget to like us on Facebook.

Celebrate the start of fall with a hike and cookout featuring seasonal foods and spectacular views.

Saturday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in celebration of the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) will host The Great Hike at Ovens Mouth Preserve. See the first peaks of color along the salt marsh and tidal waters of Ovens Mouth while searching for clues for fabulous prizes in a fun-for-all-ages scavenger hunt.

Once the exploration of the 146-acre preserve is complete, hikers will make their way back to the Erhard Farm, which abuts Ovens Mouth East Preserve. Our good neighbors, Kerrin and Lincoln Erhard, have generously opened their farm for the after-hike barbecue, music and games.

Music will be provided by The Spaceheaters, who offer a funky, melodious sound all can enjoy. Games will include: a letterbox challenge in which participants collect stamps in a passport book related to the features of the preserve, good old-fashioned apple bobbing, relay races and an osprey toss!

The casual hike, fun games with prizes, and excellent food will suit people of all ages and fitness levels. Tickets are now available through www.brownpapertickets.com and the BRLT office for $15/individual, $25/couple and $30/family. All money raised directly supports the BRLT's mission. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact BRLT at 207-633-4818 or brlt@bbrlt.org.

Boothbay Region Land Trust is a non-profit land conservation organization supported solely by voluntary contributions. It protects 22 preserves and offers over 30 miles of hiking trails. To learn more, please visit www.bbrlt.org.

One hundred and seventy-five runners — 105 competing in the 5k and 70 competing in the inaugural Half Marathon — representing 20 states participated in the 2014 Harbor Fest road races on Sunday morning, Aug. 31. Temperatures were in the low 70s and the humidity was a bit high for running.

The Half Marathon race was started promptly at 9 a.m. at Boothbay Craft Brewery after race emcee and race participant Gary Allen was introduced by race director Meagan Hamblett of the Boothbay Region YMCA. Allen is the founder of the highly acclaimed Mount Desert Island Marathon and has recorded sub-3-hour marathons over five decades.

The top three male finishers in the Half Marathon were Robert Ashby, 46, of Brunswick (1:22:19), Brian Blethen, 41, of Boothbay (1:27:22) and Timothy Reilly, 31, NA (1:29:57). The top female finishers in the Half Marathon were Katja Fox, 49, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, (1:40:52), Alison Hwong, 32, Massachusetts (1:42:24) and Julia Merton, 23, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts (1:45:08).

Youth dominated the 5k as 15-year-old Grant Auber of Barrington, Rhode Island, won the open men's division with a time of 17:55 and 13-year-old Faith Blethen of Boothbay won the women's open division with a time of 21:50. Finishing second and third for the men were Andrew Fast, 29, Woodinville, Washington (18:04) and Tom Abello, 41, Edgecomb (18:16). Finishing second and third for the women were Alexandra Andrews, 20, Boothbay Harbor (24:05) and Madison Stedl, 61, Topsham (24:17).

Dozens of volunteers helped make the races a success. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Boothbay Region Community Trails Partnership, which is raising funds to build a sidewalk from the YMCA to the Clifford Playground.

Video by Sue Mello.

 

The Race Through the Woods at Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson has been constantly evolving since it began four years ago. For the first two years the race was only for the dedicated and trail tested. For those two years racers only had one choice: a 13.1 mile half marathon over varied terrain and in the face of any weather. Last year HVNC introduced a milder 5.5 mile race. The shorter race still features a few tough hills, but it is far more welcoming than the full half marathon.

This year, Sunday, Sept. 28 HVNC will offer both those races again, but will add a third race. This time it’s for the kids. A roughly quarter mile obstacle race will be designed for kids about ages five to twelve. The Kids Trail Fun Run is free, but pre-registration is required to ensure you get a spot. Each racer will get a race T-shirt, and official HVNC patch. The kids race is sponsored by Maine Helicopter of Whitefield.

The Kids Trail Fun Run will start at about 10:30 a.m. The other two races will begin at 9 a.m. Plan for plenty of extra time for parking and getting to the race course. Event details and registration are available at www.hvnc.org/trail-race.

“Hopefully we can get more kids and more families engaged with this race,” said Jen Kopp, one of the chief volunteers behind the kids race. The race is not about competition, but rather about providing yet another way for kids to have fun and be healthy outdoors. There will be an official Kids Trail Fun Run, but the obstacle course will be open after the race as well.

“Combine that with the live music, food, and games all day and families should plan to hang out for a while and enjoy the day,” said HVNC Director Andy McEvoy.

For more information, visit www.hvnc.org, call 207-200-8840, or write to info@hvnc.org.

The Wiscasset Speedway held a fan appreciation day at the track last Saturday. Fans were able to gather on the track to both meet and talk with drivers before racing. There were bicycle races on the track for kids. Also, there were numerous bike giveaways for children, as well as other prizes for both kids and adults. A car show was held in the parking lot prior to race time. There were cars and trucks of all ages for spectators to view. All car show participants were given free passes to the races.

Wiscasset Speedway also presented the group two division of racing this week including: Late Model Sportsman, Mini Trucks, Thunder 4’s and Strictly Street. The flex race of the week were the Wicked Good Vintage Racers. 

The spotlighted feature of the night was a 45 lap Late Model Sportsman race. Seventeen cars competed in an exciting race which saw two time winner Chris Thorne drive his way to his third LMS win of the season.

Starting at the pole was the #15 car of Nick Hinkley. Behind him was the #00 of Alex Waltz and the #30 of Ryan St. Clair. Off the start, Ryan St. Clair passed Waltz for second and advanced up the track to challenge Hinkley for the lead. The #34 of Tyler Robbins passed Waltz for third during lap three on the inside of turn one. By lap six, St. Clair had advanced to the side of Hinkley’s car, and the pair fought for the lead. 

During lap 13, Hinkley was passing lap traffic and made contact with the #7 of Danny Smart. Hinkley went to the pits but was able to make it back onto the track during the caution. Both Hinkley and Smart went to the back of the pack. Ryan St. Clair took the lead. Robbins moved to second and the #17 of Chris Thorne, who had been marching his way up the track from his 14th starting position, advanced to third.

Thorne was not able to hold onto third for a full lap. He was squeezed out and the #14 of Dave St. Clair swooped into third. Thorne and Dave St. Clair battle for third, and during lap 14, Thorne passed St. Clair for third on the outside of turn two. 

The race leaders were fighting hard for position. Thorne slowly gained ground, catching Robbins during lap 27 and passing him on the outside for second. The #6 of Chris Bowie, another two-time LMS winner, had woven through the pack and during lap 29 passed Robbins on the outside of turn four for third.

Thorne was looking for his opportunity to take the lead. With only one lap to go, Thorne headed inside and got under Ryan St. Clair, passing him on turn one for the lead. Bowie moved up to challenge St. Clair, but St. Clair held him off, taking second. Bowie finished in third. This made Thorne’s third win of the season in LMS. Thorne was fifth in points going into Saturday’s race with 342 points. Point leader coming into the race was Nick Hinkley with 420 points. Josh St Clair was second in points with 390.

“That race was really good for us,” Thorne said. “It was competitive and I came from the back to win. There are a lot of cars in this division, and I am happy with this finish. I think we put on a good race for the fans and I bet they are pleased by it. I want to thank my wife and my kids. They were all here tonight, making this a special win. I want to thank my sponsors Trees Limited, BPS Roofing, Tim’s Trucking, and 54 Graphics.”

Next on the agenda were two 20 lap Wicked Good Vintage Racer features. The first feature highlighted Late Models and Modified classes. Starting at the pole was the #97 of Brian Hughes. Behind him were the #25 of Mark Hughes and the #128 of Aaron Heath. When the green flag waved over the track, Heath passed Mark Hughes for second. 

Brian Hughes slowed in speed, and the #0 of Dean Grant headed to the outside and passed all three of the leaders, taking first. The #05 of Mike Ouellette passed Brian Hughes during lap four for third. Mark Hughes lost ground during lap five and Ouellette moved to second, and Heath moved to third place. 

Ouellette headed to the inside during lap eight and passed Grant for the lead on turn three. Brian Hughes passed Heath during lap 16 and took third once again. 

Grant and Ouellette battled for the lead with only two left to go. Heath passed Brian Hughes, taking back third during lap 19. Grant surged across the finish taking first. Ouellette finished second. Heath rounded out the top three in third.

The second 20 lap Wicked Good Vintage Racer feature showcased Late Model Sportsman and Outlaws. Starting on the pole was the #8 of Norris Willette. The #2 of Kevin Waterhouse and the #64 of Scott Tucker were behind him.

During lap one, Tucker passed Waterhouse for second on the inside of turn four. Tucker then proceeded up the track and passed Willette for the lead. The #82 of Bobby Symonds passed Waterhouse for third during lap two. 

There was a caution during lap seven when the #76 of Donnie Mehurne spun on the track. On the restart Symonds passed Willette for second. The #13 of Bob Guyon who started at the back of the pack had woven through traffic and had slowly gained ground. Guyon passed both Willette and Symonds for the lead during lap nine. There were no additional leader changes and Guyon claimed the win. Coming in second was Tucker. Third place went to Symonds.

A quick 15 lap Mini Truck feature was action-packed. On the pole was the #1 of Matt Curtis. The #55 of Larry Marshall and the #17 of Matt Weil were behind him. When green flag racing began, Marshall did not get a good start and fell to the back of the pack. The #12 of Jerry McKenna moved to third place. 

There was a caution during lap four when Curtis and Weil made contact on the track, the pair was sent to the back. McKenna moved to first. The #68 of Opie Allard moved to second and Marshall moved to third. When racing action resumed, Curtis passed Marshall for third. McKenna and Allard fought hard for first place. The pair was racing head to head from lap four through lap 10. During lap 10, Allard edged ahead on the outside by just a nose.

Still neck and neck, the duo battled it out for the win. During the final lap, the pair were nose to nose, but McKenna sped under the checkered .06 seconds ahead of Allard. McKenna took the win. Allard placed second. Coming in third was Curtis.

McKenna was point leader coming into Saturday’s race with 502 points. In second was Matt Weil with 420 points. Third in points was Matt Curtis with 364 points. 

McKenna said, “It was a good race. We had a lot of fun. The truck came through at the end of the race, when we really needed it. I want to thank my sponsor Farrar Logging, and my crew: Brian Farrar, Ryan Farrar and Hooter. I also want to thank my wife for putting up with my racing!”

The next crowd pleaser was a 20 lap Thunder 4 race. Starting on the pole was the #31 of Leandra Martin. Behind her were the #13 of Cody Tribbet and the #88 of Carl Hall. On the opening lap, the #85 of Chandler Harrison passed Hall for third. Starting in 11th place was the #5 of Ryan Chadwick. Chadwick had been powering his way through lap traffic, and by lap 10 he had caught the race leaders.

Chadwick passed Harrison on the outside of turn three for third during lap 11. Chadwick continued his march up the track and after some side by side racing was able to pass Tribbet for second. Chadwick then swept up the track towards Martin. Chadwick moved to the outside of Martin and for three laps the pair raced head to head around the track. Chadwick was able to complete the pass during lap 14 for the lead. 

With only three laps remaining, the #24 of Kyai Roussel hit the front stretch wall, causing a caution. On the ensuing restart, Harrison passed Tribbet for third. Harrison then gained ground on Martin, and was able to pass her for second during lap 19. Then, with less than a lap remaining, Tribbet passed Martin for third. Chadwick took the win. Harrison placed second. Coming in third was Tribbet. 

This is Chadwick’s ninth win in Thunder 4’s this season. Chadwick was first in points coming into Saturday’s race with 522 points. In second place was Cody Tribbet with 408 points. Third in points is Trey Brown with 388 points. 

“I was getting worried when I was way back,” Chadwick said in Victory Lane. “I had to pick them off, one by one. It was door to door racing with Leandra Martin. It was fun. I want to thank Shawn for all his work on the car. I also want to thank my sponsors: D&S Excavation, Cahill Tire and Bayside Plumbing and Heating.”

An action-packed Strictly Street feature kept fans on the edge of their seats. This 25 lap race had only one caution and there was a lot of excitement on the track. Starting at the pole was the #24 of Jonathon Emerson. Behind him were the #84 of Kenny Harrison and the # 40 of Mac Hannon. When green flag racing began, Harrison passed Emerson for the lead. The #43 of Ben Erskine swept up the outside and passed Hannon for third. Erskine passed Emerson for second during lap two. 

There was a caution during lap 14, and when racing action resumed on the track, the #83 of Dan Brown passed Emerson for third. Brown had started in 17th place. Brown continued his momentum and passed Erskine on the inside of turn two during lap 16 for second.

Also starting at the back, in 19th place, was the #26 of Corey Morgan. Morgan had marched up the track following Brown, and passed Erskine on the inside of turn one for third place during lap twenty-one. Erskine fought back and took third from Morgan during lap 22.

Morgan battled with Erskine for third, and during lap twenty-three Morgan once again passed Erskine for third. Race leaders remained the same until the finish. Harrison placed first. Brown took second. Morgan placed third. Harrison failed post-race inspection however. Brown moved to first.

Morgan placed second and Erskine placed third. This was Brown’s third win of the season in Strictly Street.

Coming into the race, Morgan was point leader with 452 points. In second was Brown with 434 points. Third in points was Tasha Dyer with 410 points. 

“This was one heck of a race,” Brown said. “We started in 17th and moved to the front. The competition was great. I was running with the ‘King’ Corey Morgan. I’ve learned a lot from watching him. I love the atmosphere at this track also. It is great to be here and plan on coming back next year. I want to thank Troy, Michelle, Mom & Dad, Kriste, Evalyn (my daughter), and all of my family members. I also want to thank my sponsor Gammon Logging.”

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action on Sept. 6, 2014 with its group one line up of divisions: Napa Super Street, Prostock, Outlaw Mini, and New England 4 Cylinder Prostocks. The flex race of the week is a visit from NELCAR Legends, the fourth of five appearances this year. 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. Pit admission is $20. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

OFFICIAL FINISH AUGUST 30, 2014
LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN (45 LAPS)

  1. #17 Chris Thorne, Sidney
  2. #30 Ryan St. Clair, Liberty
  3. #6 Chris Bowie, New Gloucester
  4. #14 Puncin St. Clair, Liberty
  5. #34 Tyler Robbins, Montville
  6. #04 Allan Moeller Sr., Dresden
  7. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
  8. #3 Richard Jordan, Kingfield
  9. #00 Alex Waltz, Walpole
  10. #10 Joey Doyon, Winterport
  11. #12 Dave Patten, Westbrook
  12. #7 Danny Smart, Buxton
  13. #28 Steve Minott, Windham
  14. #25 Will Collins, Waldoboro
  15. #1 Mike Moody, Topsham
  16. #33 Josh St. Clair, Liberty
  17. #5 Billy Pinkham, Wiscasset

WICKED GOOD VINTAGE RACERS: LATE MODEL AND MODIFIED (20 LAPS)

  1. #0 Dean Grant, Detroit
  2. #05 Mike Ouellette, NA
  3. #128 Aaron Heath, South Paris
  4. #97 Brian Hughes, West Paris
  5. #25 Mark Hughes, Milton Mills, New Hampshire
  6. #22 Hal Clark, Brighton

WICKED GOOD VINTAGE RACERS: LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN AND OUTLAWS (20 LAPS)

  1. #13 Bob Guyon, Monmouth
  2. #64 Scott Tucker, Winthrop
  3. #82 Bobby Symonds, NA
  4. #11 James Osgood, Bristol
  5. #76 Donnie Mehurne, Lincolnville
  6. #420 Keith Smalley, Warren

MINI TRUCKS (15 LAPS)

  1. #12 Jerry McKenna, Milton
  2. #68 Opie Allard, Cundy’s Harbor
  3. #1 Matt Curtis, Freeport
  4. #17 Matt Weil, Biddeford
  5. #55 Larry Marshall, Dresden

THUNDER 4’S (20 LAPS)

  1. #5 Ryan Chadwick, Wiscasset
  2. #85 Chandler Harrison, Freeport
  3. #13 Cody Tribbet, Richmond
  4. #31 Leandra Martin, Richmond
  5. #28X David Stone, Sanford
  6. #04 Curtis Anderson, Richmond
  7. #55X Craig Pyy II, Gorham
  8. #48 Michael Harrison, Pownal
  9. #88 Carl Hall, Mt Vernon
  10. #14 Robert McDonald, Smithfield
  11. #24 Kyia Roussel, Portland
  12. #70 Roy Sevigny, Windsor
  13. #74 Aaron Sevigny, Windsor
  14. #68 Tyler Bailey, Wiscasset
  15. #33 Trey Brown, Winterport

STRICTLY STREET (25 LAPS)

  1. #83 Dan Brown, Peru
  2. #26 Corey Morgan, Lewiston
  3. #43 Ben Erskine, Farmington
  4. #24 Jonathan Emerson, Sabattus
  5. #32 Tasha Dyer, Freedom
  6. #85 Jairet Harrison, Freeport
  7. #14 Dave Brannon, Lisbon
  8. #6 Mike Brown, Hope
  9. #29X Mike Stewart, Durham
  10. #40 Mac Hannon Jr., Union
  11. #66 Phil Main Sr, Boothbay
  12. #00 Kimberly Knight, Chesterville
  13. #19 Foster Meserve, Wales
  14. #22 Thomas Smith, Edgecomb
  15. #47 Daryl Cook, Livermore
  16. #51X Allan Higgins, Brunswick
  17. #55 Mike Marshall, Randolph
  18. #8X Ethan Dinsmore, Hope

DQ #84 Kenny Harrison

From now on, anyone who wants to get onto Chewonki Foundation’s 400 acres on Chewonki Neck will need written permission. And, for now, the nonprofit is completely barring marine harvesters from using its land on the neck to get to nearby public mudflats.

The foundation announced the changes in a press release Sept. 3. Open access for the public was set to end at 6 p.m., Sept. 3.

The nonprofit  will be taking time to consider how it might reopen its land access to local marine harvesters, but, for now, no written permission will be granted for marine harvesting, spokesman Deb Cook said in a telephone interview and emails to the Wiscasset Newspaper.

Chewonki Foundation President Willard Morgan states in the release: “We are considering granting access on a limited basis, and with a registration requirement, to the local marine harvesters at some future date.”

Whether local harvesters would mean Wiscasset residents only, or other parameters, is part of what will be looked at, according to Cook.

She had no time-frame for how long the foundation may take to consider its options for the harvesters.

“We want to give it the good thought,” she said.

In the meantime, the foundation recommends diggers call the town office at 207-882-8200, for information on public launches and access points to the mudflats.

The Wiscasset waterfront and Ferry Road Landing both have public access, Town Manager Marian Anderson said.

A launch on Westport Island, opposite Ferry Road Landing, is open to the public, said Jon Hentz, Wiscasset’s municipal shellfish conservation warden.

Clam diggers already get to the flats by boat, since their product is so heavy, Hentz said.

Most of the marine harvesters dig for bloodworms, Cook said. It was not immediately known how many had been using the foundation’s land to get to the flats.

Margaret Harrington figures it to be as many as 100, possibly more, over a one-year span; she manages Phil Harrington Bait, a Woolwich business that buys worms dug around the state and then sells them wholesale, worldwide. In a telephone interview September 4, Harrington said she supports the foundation’s decision to block all diggers’ access to its land while considering next steps; but she said she would not support letting only Wiscasset diggers in. The standard should be a background check or some other form of screening, not where someone lives, she said.

The foundation ended open access to its Chewonki Neck property after speaking with Wiscasset police and town officials.

 “As a school, we are aware that times have changed and that we need to adapt to that change,” Morgan states in the release. “In recent discussions with Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline, we have been advised to carefully assess and update our campus access policy. We understand that some of the challenges that we might think of as ‘big city’ challenges are now present in our small town community. 

“At Chewonki, we are responsible for creating a safe and healthy environment for our students. To this end, we have concluded that we must restrict access only to staff, program participants and invited guests.”

The release does not further define those challenges it says are now in the community. Cook did not cite a problem with anyone’s use of the property.

A break-in occurred at the foundation’s development office in mid-August, Wiscasset Police Sgt. Kathy Williams said. Someone entered through a window and took an electronic device, Williams said. No one has been charged.

Limiting access to property that serves as a school is a good decision, according to Williams.

“You should know who’s on your land.”

The department will help in any way it can with the change to the new restrictions, she said.

Other foundation properties, including Eaton Farm and acreage on Cushman Mountain, remain open to the public, Cook said.

Thursday, September 4 was a clear, beautiful day in Boothbay Harbor — a perfect day to be out on the water. More than 50 veterans and many volunteers met at Tugboat Inn at 9:30 a.m. for a cruise spearheaded by Jim Henderson for veterans with disabilities.

“There were at least 80 people total, including all the veterans and the volunteers,” Henderson said.

Local boat owners volunteered their time and vessels to take the veterans out for a four-hour (give or take) cruise, which went through the harbor and across the Sheepscot, passed Burnt Island and Ram Island, and around Southport.

Once they returned, a cookout was held on the dock. Volunteer cooks included Nick Upham, Ben Kaler and Harley Campbell. Mary Kaler also volunteered, as did her son, Sam Kaler, who provided appetizers free of charge for the captain's meeting held the night before.

The boats and captains were Bruce White, HayVal; Rusty Court, Casey Anne; Larry Knapp, Lady Esther; Mark Stover, Red Hook; George McEvoy, Nellie G II and Northern Ranger; Corey Pottle, Patricia Sue II, Ryan Casey, Northern Lights; Doug Goldhirsch, Avelinda, and Billy Hallinan, Apparition II.

Several of the captains pointed out local landmarks as the boats toured the harbor. On Captain Rusty Court's boat, landmarks included local lobster buying places (such as Atlantic Edge, the Sea Pier, and the Lobster Dock) and lobster buoys. Court also pointed out local homes of note along the route, and identified the islands the boats passed. He also spoke to his group about his 45 years of lobstering.

Three of the veterans on the cruise who rode the Casey Anne were Jen Howes, Kathleen Lyons and Mark Scott. Howes was a veteran of Somalia, where she served with the Army as an ammunition specialist.

“I loaded ammo that weighed 120 pounds up a ladder into this gun. At the time I think I weighed 120 pounds,” Howes said. The work caused her to break both her lower back and hip, injuries that went undiagnosed for several years and have left her on permanent disability. Howes brought her father, Pat Howes, along on the cruise.

Lyons served with the army as well, for four years in Germany as a communications expert.

“There were three of us on the team, we were all women,” Lyons said. “We moved from mountaintop to mountaintop making sure communications were working.”

With Lyons was her driver, Al Fornier. Lyons needs a driver because she's had several surgeries on her wrist.

“If it wasn't for Al, I don't know what I'd do,” Lyons said. “Because of him, I've never been late to a doctor's appointment or event. He's been very good to me.”

The last veteran on the boat (other than Coast Guard veteran Rusty Court) was Mark Scott, who was in the Air Force and fought in the Vietnam War.

“It was our job to keep the north Vietnamese from traveling through Laos,” Scott said. “And at that time, we didn't know how angry the United States was about the war. We were cut off.”

“When I came back I was walking through the San Francisco airport in my uniform and somebody called out ‘how you doing, baby killer?’ It hurt. We learned not to wear our uniforms.”

“Now, things are different,” Scott said. “People are against wars, but support the troops anyways. People thank us for our service. Things are much better now.”

As the boats pulled back into the marina at Tugboat, the veterans were all talking about the wonderful experience and how they hoped it would be repeated next year.

“I will be doing this again,” said Henderson. “It grew very complicated but I now have a network of names and phone numbers I can use which will make it much easier.”

“When this was being planned, every person I talked with connected me with another person. The idea just kept growing.”

The one change they are thinking of making next year is passing out sunscreen samples.

Local businesses who donated included Andrew's Harborside, Baker's Way, Red Cup Coffeehouse, Blue Moon Cafe, Ebb Tide, Olivers, China by the Sea, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Thistle Inn, McSeagulls, Kaler's, T-shirts By The Bay and Shaw's.

Special thanks go to Bonnie Stover and the Tugboat Inn, Alan Baldwin of Fisherman's Wharf, Betty Maddocks of Janson's Clothing, Sheila Sawyer of the Larrabee Agency, Harbor Embroidery, The Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce, and many personal donors and volunteers that helped make this day happen.

Roxanne and Al Andrews bought several pieces of clothing from Wiscasset school sports’ past Friday night, Sept. 5. The Westport Island couple will give them as surprise presents to their grown children, Wiscasset High School alumni who now live in Alabama and Connecticut.

“Probably what will happen is the grandchildren will end up wearing them,” Roxanne Andrews said, smiling after picking up the bargains. There were plenty to be had, and a flow of shoppers to buy them from the Wiscasset All Sports Boosters. The group got the items from the new Wiscasset School Department, after staff at the three schools went through the closets for long-stored items.

By organizer and Boosters member Betsy Cossette’s estimate, at least 40 people volunteered to help with the fundraiser, a fashion show, sale and auction to benefit the Boosters’ cause of supporting student athletics.

Boosters President Gordon Campbell praised Cossette for heading up the event and making it a success.

“She has done an awesome job,” he said in an interview in the Wiscasset High School gym. “I probably couldn’t count the hours she has put in.”

The gym was hot Friday night. Event-goers used their numbered auction paddles as fans. But enthusiasm remained high, in the audience and on-stage, where alumni including Wiscasset Fire Chief T.J. Merry and current students from Wiscasset Primary School on up gave the sports clothes their best shot at bringing in money. From cheerleading to Toni Basil’s “Mickey,” to a pretend baseball game as John Fogerty’s “Centerfield” played, the volunteer models entertained as Wiscasset High staff member Deb Pooler took the mike as auctioneer.

Wiscasset High’s new principal Cheri Towle modeled and later bid, entering and winning a bidding war over a duffel bag. She paid $56 for it.

Friday’s event raised more than $1,500. About $250 of that had already come in prior to the event, in advance sales and donations, Cossette said.

Many sports clothes remain to be sold. If interested, contact Cossette at bccsstt6@yahoo.com or 207-380-3395.

Saturday at Wiscasset Speedway started out sunny and hot, but bands of showers and thundershowers swept through the area causing a two hour rain delay. A hardcore group of race fans stayed through the delay to watch the races when they resumed on the track. Group one raced at Wiscasset Speedway this weekend, including Prostock, New England Four Cylinder Prostock, Outlaw Minis and Napa Super Street. The Amsoil Nelcar Legends also made their fourth of five appearances at the Speedway.

An exciting 30 lap Prostock feature kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Prostock race saw its seventh different winner of the season. Starting on the pole was #77 Maggie Ferland #77.

Behind her were James Osmond #39 and Mike Orr #32. When green flag racing began, Osmond got a good jump off the start and passed Ferland for the lead. Nick Hinkley #15 started in fourth, and he headed to the inside and passed both Orr and Ferland for second during lap one. However, during lap three a caution was called when Hinkley developed mechanical problems. He headed to the pits and never made it back onto the track.

When racing action resumed, Jeff Burgess #1 passed Orr on the outside of turn two for third place. Burgess continued to march up the track, and passed Ferland on the outside of the back stretch for second. Burgess slowly reeled in Osmond, and passed him during lap seven on the outside of the back stretch for the lead. 

Ferland blew the motor of her car during lap 10, but was able to limp off the track. She was running in third at the time, and Charlie Colby #72 moved up to claim third. During lap twelve Colby passed Osmond on the outside of the front stretch for second place. A caution was called during lap fourteen, on the ensuing restart Orr passed Osmond for third.

Excitement mounted on the track when Colby moved to the outside of Burgess during lap sixteen. Colby passed Burgess for the lead and the pair raced door to door for three laps. During lap nineteen Burgess edged ahead and took the lead coming out of turn four, and Burgess was able to hold Colby off until race conclusion. Burgess took the win, and was the seventh different Prostock winner of the season. Colby placed second. Rounding out the top three was Mike Orr. 

“The hard work paid off,” Burgess said. “We had a rough season at Oxford and we came here and got a win. It is good to be back. Charlie and I had a good race, but I was able to persevere and take the win. I would like to thank my sponsors Ed Trask Drywall, Trask Performance, PJ Perrino (Attorney at Law), and Burgess Racing and Fabrication. I would also like to thank Micky Landry Jr., John Ketchen, my mom, and my sister.”

Coming into Saturday’s race Hinkley was point leader with 454 points. Orr was close behind with 450 points. Third in points was Bill Penfold with 414 points. There is only one Prostock race remaining in the season for drivers to accumulate points.

The spotlighted feature of the week was a thirty lap New England Four Cylinder Prostock race. Starting on the pole was Kamren Knowles #98. Jacob Hendsbee #27 and Nate McWilliams #35 were behind him. The cars roared off the start. During lap one, Craig Dunn #8 moved from his seventh starting position, and was able to pass McWilliams for third. Jeff Prindall #24, who had started in eighth, headed to the inside and passed both Dunn and Hendsbee for second. 

Then, point leaders Knowles and Prindall raced for the lead. Prindall was able to pass Knowles on the outside of turn one during lap five, and keep the nose of his car ahead. Knowles fought back and the pair raced neck and neck from lap five through lap eight, when Prindall was able to pull ahead and clinch the lead. Knowles was glued to the back of Prindall’s car. With two laps remaining, Knowles gave it all he had and went for the lead. Knowles crept up to the side of Prindall’s car, but couldn’t complete a pass. With only one lap remaining, Knowles headed to the outside, and was making ground passing Prindall, when his car went into a spin coming out of turn four, heading towards the finish line. 

Prindall sped under the checkered claiming first while Knowles attempted to get back on the track. Dunn passed Knowles and took second place. Knowles got his car back on the track and roared over the finish, claiming third.

Coming into Saturday’s race, Knowles and Prindall were tied in points with 512 each. Third in points was Craig Dunn with 476 points. This is Prindall’s fifth win of the season in NEFCP.
“It was a very close race,” Prindall said. “The car was running good despite hitting the wall during the heat race, in fact, it was really fast during the race. It was good to race Kamren Knowles side by side, he was really on my tail! I want to think my sponsors Mike Kibbin Construction, Dubois Snowmobile Service and Repair and Bimbo Bakery.”

A twenty five lap Napa Super Street had plenty of action. Starting at the pole was Zach Poland #06. Dan Nessmith #48 and Josh Bailey #02 were behind him. When the green flag waved over the track, Nessmith got a good jump and passed Poland for the lead. During lap one, Poland dropped back and both Bailey and Adam Chadbourne #01 passed for second and third place.
Chadbourne passed Bailey on the outside during lap four to claim second. Chadbourne moved up the track and challenged Nessmith for the lead. Chadbourne was able to pass Nessmith during lap nine on the outside of turn three for the lead. 

There was a caution called during lap thirteen when Nessmith blew his transmission. Nessmith headed to the pits and did not make it back onto the track. Ricky Burgess Jr. #38 moved to third. On the restart, Burgess had the inside lane, and was able to pass Bailey at the start for second. 

During lap fourteen, James Osmond #05 moved up the track and passed Bailey for third on the front stretch. Race leaders remained the same until race conclusion. Chadbourne took first. Burgess placed second. Osmond came in third. 

This is Chadbourne’s fifth win of the season in Napa Super Street. Chadbourne was also point leader heading into Saturday’s race with 540 points. Osmond was second in points with 538 points. In third was Nessmith with 452 points.

“It was fun, and I had a good time,” Chadbourne said. “I went fast and passed a few cars! I want to thank my crew Randy, Pete, Bobby, Dad, and Don Dave. I also want to thank my sponsors Norm’s Used Cars and Peavey’s General Store.”

The flex race of the week were the Amsoil Nelcar Legends. This twenty five lap race was action packed. Starting on the pole was Darren Johnson #2. Behind him were Matt Chagnot #8 and Wyatt Alexander #96. Off the start Chagnot passed Johnson for first. 

Mathew Bourgoine #38 had started in tenth position. Bourgoine had won the last three Legend races at Wiscasset, and he wanted to make it his fourth. By lap two, Bourgoine had caught the race leaders. He swooped to the inside and passed all three race leaders for first place. 

Moving up from behind was Andy Santere #44. During lap three Santere passed both Johnson and Chagnot to claim second. During lap four, Alexander passed Chagnot for third. There was a caution during lap six. When green flag racing resumed on the track, Santere developed a mechanical problem and headed to the pits. Matt Grant #84 moved to third. Race leaders remained constant until the finish. 

Bourgoine claimed his fourth Wiscasset Speedway win, and further solidified his point lead. Bourgoine had 1713 points coming into Saturday’s race. In second was Alan Smith with 1494 points. Third in points was Alexander with 1480 points.

This was the fourth appearance of the Legend cars, and they will be back on Sept. 20 for their last appearance this year at Wiscasset.

Rounding out the racing evening was a twenty five lap Outlaw Mini feature. This race was quick and straight forward. Starting on the pole was Nate Tribbet #13. Behind him were Jimmy Childs #10 and Shawn Kimball #20. 

The top three cars were well matched and raced in a pack. During lap three, the one and only leader change occurred when Childs passed Tribbet on the inside for first. Tribbet battled Childs for the lead, but Childs car liked the fresh air, and he held off Tribbet the entire race.

“Nice little battle with Tribbet,” Childs said. “The #13 was going really good. The track was a little slick from the rain, but still fast and fun. I want to thank my dad, my family, and my fans- they make it all possible.”

This made Childs second win of the season in Outlaw Minis. Heading into Saturday’s race, Childs was point leader with 446 points. In second was Kimball with 428. Third in points was Tribbet with 410 points.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, September 13 with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Thunder 4’s and Mini Trucks. The flex race of the week is a flagpole race. Please visit the website for flagpole race information. 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. Pit admission is $20. Race fans and drivers can also now purchase their favorite pictures from not only this season, but from season’s past, at Peter Taylor’s (the track photographer) website: www.petespicks.smugmug.com. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com. 

Official finishes

PROSTOCK (30 LAPS)

  1. #1 Jeff Burgess, East Madison
  2. #72 Charlie Colby, Newcastle
  3. #32 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
  4. #39 James Osmond, Woolwich
  5. #96 Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth
  6. #28 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
  7. #51 John Peters, Westbrook
  8. #81 Dan Winter, Windham
  9. #33 Poncho Darveau, Chelsea
  10. #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn
  11. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
  12. #25X Brad Bellows, China

NEW ENGLAND FOUR CYLINDER PROSTOCK (30 LAPS)

  1. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
  2. #8 Craig Dunn, Strong
  3. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner
  4. #27 Jacob Hendsbee, Whitefield
  5. #9X Brooke Knowles, West Gardiner
  6. #55 John Shorey, Alna
  7. #99 Cameron Folsom, Augusta
  8. #35 Nate McWilliams, Lewiston

NAPA SUPER STREET (25 LAPS)

  1. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
  2. #38 Ricky Burgess Jr., NA
  3. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset
  4. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
  5. #06 Zac Poland, Woolwich
  6. #51 RJ Austin, Smithfield
  7. #48 Dan Nessmith, Wiscasset
  8. #88 Jamie Norton, Farmingdale

AMSOIL NELCAR LEGENDS (25 LAPS)

  1. #38 Mathew Bourgoine, Newport
  2. #96 Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth
  3. #84 Matt Grant, Windham
  4. #399 Bob Weymouth, Topsham
  5. #8 Matt Chagnot, Derry, N.H.
  6. #33 Alan Smith, Lincoln
  7. #10 Ed Getty, Gray
  8. #70 Tylar Braunschweig, West Newfield
  9. #17 Terry Kirk, Durham
  10. #00 Phil Brackett, South Portland
  11. #2 Darren Johnson, Pembroke, N.H.
  12. #113 Casey Nash, Richmond
  13. #44 Andy Santere, Cherryfield

OUTLAW MINI (25 LAPS)

  1. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
  2. #13 Nate Tribbet, Richmond
  3. #20 Shawn Kimball, Augusta
  4. #14 Matt Moore, Mechanic Falls
  5. #18X Tim Collins, Waldoboro
  6. #84 Michael Bolduc, Windsor

The four teams of Midcoast United Soccer Club, our area’s only travel soccer club, were all on the road this past weekend. Both the U9 and U10 age group teams traveled to Yarmouth for back to back games. Our U9 group came out strong and took the game 8-2, with goals by Nick Russ, Alexx Roy and Mica Houghton (one each) and Casey Duncan (8). The Midcoast United U10 team showed off their strong passing skills and team work against a tough Yarmouth team. Nick Archer had one goal and Maddox Tilas put in four, with assists from Archer, Will Farrell and Mason Woodman. Midcoast won, 5-4. 

The U12 age group traveled to Fairfield and met the Bulldog United Soccer club team. Midcoast put on a great showing with skill and experience on the field, with Natalie Farrell scoring the lone goal for our Midcoast team, but CMU won, 4-1. Our U14 team met up with Western Maine United in Farmington. Again, the team played with great form and worked hard, with Tim Chapelle, Simon Spear and Marcus Russell each having one goal. Avery Stewart made a number of clean saves in the goal, but Midcoast United fell short, 5-3.

Visit and like us on Facebook for upcoming game schedules and more information. Midcoast United Soccer Club is the travel soccer club in the greater Midcoast region. We serve players from over 10 local communities.

For more information, or to become involved, visit our webpage.

Despite an opening scare, it was the Wiscasset High School girls varsity soccer team that was in control in the Sept. 5 opener in Boothbay Harbor.

Wiscasset finished with 25 shots, including 21 in the first half. The Wolverines scored three first half goals in their 5-0 victory. It was both teams’ opening game in girls’ Mountain Valley Conference soccer action.

Boothbay forward Sinead Miller opened the game in prime position to score a goal as she dribbled down the near sideline for 30 yards and found herself about 12 yards from the goal. She let the shot fly, but Wiscasset goal keeper Kayla Gordon smothered the shot and punted it away.

Other Boothbay Region scoring chances were few and far between. Miller’s shot was only one of four for the game.

Wiscasset scored at the eight minute mark on Hanna Foye’s goal. Brooke Carleton made it 2-0 with a goal at the 26 minute mark. And Wiscasset forward Miranda McIntire scored the third first half goal and two second half ones to cap the scoring. McIntire said her team started slowly, but it focused on a team concept of play to keep the ball in the Boothbay zone for the majority of the contest.

“We did a good job controlling the ball, but we still need to work on a lot of things,” McIntire said. “Our intensity wasn’t there to start the game. They out-hustled us to a lot balls in the air, and they did a good job at getting in front us to win those balls.”

Boothbay goal keeper Jamie Wheeler was kept busy making 12 saves on 25 shots. Wiscasset goal keeper Kayla Gordon made four saves on four shots.

Wiscasset (1-0) will have its first home game Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Carrabec.

Wiscasset Speedway began racing action last Saturday night, but rain arrived before the whole show could be presented. Heats for both Late Model Sportsman and Strictly Streets and the beginning of the Strictly Street feature had been started when rained out.

With only six of 25 laps complete, the drivers voted by majority vote not to make up the incomplete feature, thus ending their point season. This makes Corey Morgan the Strictly Street Point Champion. Morgan had a great season with four wins. In eight out of ten races, Morgan placed in the top three. 

The Strictly Street division will return Sept. 20 for the non-point Top Gun Strictly Shootout. Thunder 4’s and Mini Truck features were canceled and will not be made up. They will run their final point races on Sept. 27 as scheduled. Both Ryan Chadwick (Thunder 4) and Jerry McKenna (Mini Trucks) will enter the last feature race with the 2014 Point Champion title in hand.

The Late Model Sportsman feature will run a makeup 35 lap feature to begin the Sept. 27 show (since their qualifying heats were completed last Saturday night) and then they will also run their regularly scheduled race on the 27th.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action on Sept. 20 with its group one line up of divisions: Prostock, Outlaw Mini, and New England 4 Cylinder Prostocks. The Strictly Streets will take center stage with the second annual “Top Gun Strictly Shootout” presented by McKeage’s Top Gun Contractors. The group 1 Napa Super Streets will be off until Sept. 27. The flex race of the week is a visit from NELCAR Legends, their fifth appearance this year. 

Pit gates open at 1 p.m., Grandstand gates open at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

Golfers from around New England converged on the links at Wawenock Golf Club in South Bristol on a warm and steamy Saturday, Sept. 6, to enjoy a round of scramble-format golf, a variety of golfing contests, and an all-round good time.

The eighth annual Shamrock Classic, organized by the Knights of Columbus men’s group at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Newcastle, also produced its best-ever fundraising — all of which will support scholarships for local youth moving on to continue their post-high school education.

The foursome with the lowest gross score 57 was the Team Pemaquid Trail, comprising Stan Kahl, Conor Kahl, Ryan Kahl and Stan Wade; the lowest net scoring foursome was David Cleaveland, Cody Cleaveland, Brandon Lutterman and Cole Lutterman, playing under the banner of Wiscasset Redskins.

The winning teams will enjoy dinner at King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta (and bragging rights for a year) as a reward for their participation and accomplishment.

Second place (gross) team was Team Foley #2 (gross), more generally recognized as Irene Foley, Ben Foley and Nathan Foley; second place (net) was secured by Paul Foley, Aidan Foley, Richard Burt and Scott Ferrel of Team Foley #2.

Rounding out the best of the pack were Patriot Nation, scoring the third lowest gross scorecard based on the performances of Robert Vachon, Kevin McNay, Ray McConnell and Kurt Raucher; and United Nations, with Paul Kelleher, Kieren Kelleher, Kevin Strozinider and Seyhmus Yuksekkaya recording the third lowest net score.

The threesome of Bill Maloney, Francis Plourde and Ed Schultz, golfing as Geezer Patrol, was pronounced “most honest” team during the post-tournament lunch at the Wawenock Bar and Grill.

“But the real winners are the local youth whose future educational endeavors will be supported by the scholarship funds generated today,” said event Chairman Paul Foley.

Individual competitions within the tournament yielded men’s and women’s longest drives Stan Wade and Irene Foley, straightest drives Cody Cleaveland and Irene Foley, and tee shot closest to the hole David Cleaveland and Nowelle Brosche).

Hole-in-one prizes (including a beautiful Jeep Wrangler from Newcastle Chrysler Plymouth Jeep, a $10,000 security system from Northeast Security, a vacation package, and a 2015 membership at Wawenock) tempted the golfers at every hole, but remained unclaimed at the end of the day.

Other major sponsors of the Shamrock Classic included Creekside Dental in Bristol, and Dow Furniture in Waldoboro. The putting contest was won by Paul Stevens. Watch for the opportunity to claim more prizes, and to challenge this year’s winners, about the same time next year.

The success of this year’s Shamrock Classic would not have been possible without the generous support of the local businesses and individuals sponsoring the event. The Knights of Columbus extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the event sponsors; as well as to the volunteers, the golfers, and the great staff at Wawenock Golf Club, for their participation and support. 

The second annual Kehail Point Regatta took place on a beautiful windy day on the Sheepscot River Aug. 29.

Conditions were perfect but challenging on the nine mile course designed by race organizer and skipper, Jeff Blaisdell.

Wind gusts up to 23 mph and rough seas made for a wet run for some of the smaller boats, but fantastic sailing for all skippers and crew.

Vessels ranging from a 12.5-foot Dark Harbor to a 37-foot Endeavor participated. Ten boats from Edgecomb, Westport, MacMahan Island and Georgetown competed.

Defending champion, Chris Malliet on Step Lively, cheerfully handed the trophy cup over to winning skipper Mike Gaffney on Sunfish, a Pisces 21, during the post-race awards and barbecue.

The annual event was started by local builder Chris Malliet of Step Lively and summer resident John Blaisdell, owner of Merope two years ago as a friendly competition between wooden boat lovers.

This year’s race grew to 10 boats with a couple of multi-generational family teams contending in a spirited, but friendly competition.

The race is organized as a “pursuit” race with staggered starts but the course was designed to challenge seamanship and sailing skills. The intent of the race organizers is to make the event enjoyable yet challenging and they hope to attract racing sailors as well as people who want to come out for a good day’s sail and a chance to win the Kehail Point Cup.

For more information or to sign up for next year’s race, email kehailpointregatta@gmail.com.

Any mono-hull sailboat is eligible to enter.

This past Sunday found three of the four Midcoast United Soccer teams on the road for strong match ups. 

Midcoast's U14 team traveled to Falmouth and won. Goals were scored by Simon Spear, Seamus Mann and Hannah Cola, with assists from Tim Chappelle and Mann.

Midcoast U12 and U10 age teams both traveled to Gray-New Gloucester. The U10 team won 3-1.

Goalie Will Farrell made strong saves and only let one goal by midway through the second half. Isaac Thompson assisted on a goal by Maddox Tilas in the first half. Tilas also put the ball in the net twice in the second half, though the 3-1 win was a true team effort.

The U12 team then took the field in a back and forth battle with the GNG Patriots, who won, 5-3. Ben Pierce manned the goal in the first half, but the GNG team's quick offense was able to score four by halftime. Patrick McKinney put two strong shots on goal, both of which found the back of the net, bringing the score 4-2. Another goal by Jack Duncan closed the gap to 4-3.

Garrett Day held on as keeper the second half, but GNG was able to get one more by, with a final score 5-3, GNG.

At the home field in Boothbay, the U9 team hosted and tied Yarmouth. Gavin Albert assisted Mica Houghton with one goal and Casey Duncan contributed two goals. Benno Hennig, Alexx Roy, Nick Russ and Duncan each played strong in the goal.

Midcoast United is the local club for travel soccer. Visit our website and like us on Facebook for information on upcoming winter skills clinics, and we are gearing up for our spring soccer league. We serve kids and families in 10-plus local communities — and we continue to grow. For more information, visit www.midcoastunited.com.

Join naturalist and Damariscotta River Association Education Director Sarah Gladu for three gentle hikes to see migratory birds and other changes in nature that fall brings.

In honor of “Active Aging Week” and in partnership with Spectrum Generations but open to people of any age. Free.

Sept. 22, Great Salt Bay Farm (110 Belvedere Road), 10 to 11 a.m.

Sept. 24, Salt Bay Preserve (park: Lincoln County Publishing, Route 215), 10 to 11 a.m.

Sept. 26, Dodge Point Preserve (River Road, Newcastle), 10 to 11 a.m.

For more information, call 207-563-1393 or visit www.damariscottariver.org.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Wiscasset High School raised more than $250 dollars to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Students, teachers, and staff donated all day long. The student council also helped organize an ice bucket challenge.

Students who participated in the challenge brought buckets from home. Student council members filled those buckets up at the end of the day. Student Council President Ridge Barnes and member Erica Auger kicked off the challenge by dumping an ice bucket on Principal Cheri Towle.

They also challenged Boothbay Region High School, WGME’s Jeff Peterson, who came to Wiscasset High last school year for the Spirit Challenge, and Sarah Ricker, our athletic director.

The school is focusing on building a strong community foundation as well as building aspirations in students after high school.  Towle believes that by creating a strong school culture and including students in community events, students become engaged in their learning, thus increasing graduation rates. 

Video courtesy of Wiscasset High School.

In the moments before Wiscasset High School freshman Lindsey Gordon and her horse Nina head into a competition, she tells the 10-year-old thoroughbred that it is the mare’s time to shine. Then Nina does.

They both did, at a recent state-level event at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The duo, who have been training together since last spring, took first place in “modified hunter on the flat.”

The category, which was open to all ages of juniors and amateur adult riders who qualified, called for the horse to use three different gaits, but none of the jumping Gordon and Nina do so much of together.

“I was surprised,” Gordon’s mother Deanna Gordon said of the win.

Her daughter qualified for the event, the Downeast Medal Finals, held Sept. 12-14, by placing in other competitions over the summer. In addition to the win, the horse and rider earned two sixth-place finishes in other portions of last month’s event.

The jumping is one of the teen’s favorite aspects of spending time in the saddle.

“To me, it’s like three seconds of flying,” she said.

She and Nina have some things in common that probably help them work well together, Gordon said.

“We have kind of the same attitude. She’s a girl, and she’s kind of a prima donna and I kind of am.”

Gordon, 14, of Wiscasset described the riding and all her time at Stonewall Stables in Nobleboro as a comfort zone for her, calming, like a feeling of being home. She’s been riding there about two years.

“It’s kind of my relaxing place. I’d rather be at the barn than doing anything else.”

Stonewall Stables’ owner Virginia Shaw Nickerson owns Nina, and trains her and Gordon.

“Nina and Lindsey are a great team,” she said.

“Lindsey has great potential in the horse world, (with) her dedication to trying and working hard and really putting her all into  it and into a connection with the horse,” Nickerson said. “I’m excited to see where the partnership between Nina and Lindsey will go.”

Gordon has always loved animals. She wants to study veterinary science. Being around, and on, a horse is second nature, something she’s been doing since about the age of five. Her mother has a horse and has been happy to see Lindsey share her interest in them.

“I totally support it, because I have the same love of horses,” she said.

The teen also makes time to play on Wiscasset High’s girls soccer and basketball teams.

Autumn is a time for photographers, professional and amateur, to break out their cameras and capture the glories of leaves changing, the fun fall festivals and activities, and of course, the obligatory Halloween selfies, too.

It’s time to vote for your favorites fall photos! The Best Fall Photo Contest ends Sunday, Nov. 2.

But it’s not too late to enter your best ones. Send shots of pumpkin carving, apple picking, Halloween costumes, foliage scenes — whatever says “fall” to you.

If you’ve already participated in one of our past contests, you’re ready to log in. If not, registering is easy and takes just a minute.

Winning photos will appear in the printed newspaper.

You can submit up to 20 photos per day (for those serious photogs) and you can vote as many times a day as you like. (Don’t forget to share your entries with friends and family so they can vote for you.)

For a resource of all upcoming, local fall events, festivals and activities, visit our Best of Fall page.

Cheering and wrestling teams and a volleyball club are up for consideration Thursday night by the Wiscasset School Committee.

Wiscasset High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Sarah Ricker is set to meet with the committee about those winter sports and the school’s student and athletic handbooks. Tonight’s meeting in the high school library starts at 6 p.m.

The panel is also scheduled to consider hiring Ryan Michaud as an alternative education teacher; and plans call for a closed-door session to discuss teacher and support staff contract talks.

It’s the committee’s first meeting since its Sept. 15 decision to close Wiscasset Primary School. The issue is not on tonight’s agenda, but Chairman Steve Smith said it could come up if people want to talk about it.

Maine is well known and loved for its Atlantic puffins and common loons, bald eagles and ospreys.

Among birders, Maine is also famous for its so-called “boreal specialties” — species that reach their southeastern range limits in the northeastern states that border Canada.

These include the apt-named boreal chickadee and spruce grouse, whose year-round distribution extends northward from Maine across the vast boreal forest region of Canada and Alaska.

Other species that have the same distribution include the gray jay, sometimes called the Canada jay, which looks a bit like a giant chickadee, and the black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers.

Here in Maine these species are usually specialists of extensive stands of spruce-dominated woodlands around bogs and streams or higher-elevation mountainous terrain.

To have the highest likelihood of finding them, a birder must generally travel north to places like Rangeley, Moosehead Lake, and Baxter State Park, or east to Washington County. There are, here and there, outposts where some of the species can occur slightly farther south or west then these locations, if you know where to look.

For example, spruce grouse do occur on Mount Desert Island but are rarely seen by birders, and we have heard that at least one is seen irregularly around the Orono Bog near Bangor. We have seen boreal chickadees as far west as North Haven Island in Penobscot Bay, and now and then a wandering black-backed woodpecker shows up farther south, as one did near Phippsburg a few years ago.

We had the pleasure recently of looking for boreal specialties ourselves with friends in the Kennebago area near Rangeley. Even before we arrived at our rendezvous spot, a male spruce grouse paraded in front of us along the dirt road. Spruce grouse are often, like many boreal specialties, quite tame, and this one let us approach very close in the car, so we had stunning views of him as he flew up into a spruce tree and began picking spruce needles for his dinner.

Later, a gray jay came flying in when we made some barred owl imitations. Gray jays are well-known to hang around camps looking for handouts of leftovers or even taking food when the humans aren’t watching. This habit is an extension of a behavior that has allowed them to survive the harsh northern winters across their range—a tendency to follow both human hunters and other predators like wolves, hoping to be nearby when a kill is made.

After a kill, whether by human or animal predator, there’s always some parts left over that gray jays can consume. (An aside: some backwoodsmen call the gray jay the “whiskeyjack.” We never knew the derivation of that name until recently when we discovered that many native American cultures in Canada still know the gray jay as various similar names like “wiskedjak,” “whiskachon” and “wisakedjak.”)

It’s interesting to consider why some of these “boreal specialties” don’t occur farther south in Maine along the coastal peninsulas and islands that have spruce-dominated forests like those of northern and eastern Maine.

We guess that this is in part because much of the forests in this area of the state were cleared for firewood and pasture and lost their original populations of these specialist species. Today, although many islands and peninsulas are gaining more older spruce forest cover, there may not be any populations near enough and large enough for young dispersing individuals to settle the new habitat patches.

So you’ll have to take that trip farther north if you want to see these birds, and it’s well worth the trip.

Jeffrey V. Wells, Ph.D., is a Fellow of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dr. Wells is one of the nation's leading bird experts and conservation biologists. His grandfather, the late John Chase, was a columnist for the Boothbay Register for many years. Formerly of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Allison Childs Wells is a senior director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Both are widely published natural history writers and are the authors of the book, Maine’s Favorite Birds.

On Oct. 11 and 12 the Boothbay Railway Village along with the Boothbay Information Center will host a true New England Craft Fair.

This year the Fall Foliage Festival is part of a new initiative, called Maine Craft Weekend, sponsored by the Maine Crafts Association in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Made Program and additional support from the Maine Office of Tourism.

The beautiful crafts are center stage on the Village Green surrounded by the historic buildings and structures of the Boothbay Railway Village. Rides on the narrow gauge steam train and the opportunity for guests to explore exhibits detailing Maine’s railroad heritage, interpreting village life, and displaying more than 60 antique automobiles set this event apart.

Maine Craft Weekend (MCW), a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries, businesses and events, is an opportunity for the public to explore the life and work of craft artists and craft brewers in Maine.

MCW is a public, educational, community orientated, family friendly weekend October 11-12. MCW is scheduled in conjunction with American Craft Week, a nationwide event promoting craft events each October.

Modeled after Maine Maple Sunday and Buy Local Saturday, this self-guided tour features participants all over the state who are not regularly open to the public or who have planned special MCW events and demonstrations at their locations. 

Last year, the Fall Foliage Festival featured craft demonstrations for the very first time. This year that part of the event has expanded.

“I’m very excited that we are part of the Maine Craft Weekend program,” festival organizer Rene Evans said. “It really makes it special for our artisans to be the highlight of an entire weekend in Maine.”

Visitors will be able to watch beeswax candles being dipped and pottery being fired using the Raku technique. The demonstration schedule will be posted each morning at the festival entrance.

“I’m especially pleased that local musician Tyler Richards will be performing at the festival for the very first time, and that Dickie Spofford is coming back to the festival, with his new group, the Murky Water Band,” event coordinator Melissa Thornton said.

Saturday’s line up begins at 10:30 a.m. with the smooth guitar and vocals of Noel Arrington and Gabe Tonon. Toes will be tapping at 12 when the youngsters of the Oyster Creek Fiddlers take the stage. At 1 p.m. the Boothbay Region Community Band aka Alumni Band performs.

The Holy Mackerels acoustic take on hits by Van Morrison, James Taylor and more is the perfect ending to Saturday with a double set from 2 to 4 p.m.

On Sunday the day starts with newcomer Tyler Richards at 10 a.m., followed by the Murky Water Band from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair ends with a big two hour show by the Spaceheaters, known for their original music as well as covers of anything from Miles Davis to the Grateful Dead, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Foodies will not be disappointed in the festival’s culinary offerings. The famous chowder cooked up by the Boothbay Region Lions Club will be back along with wood-fired pizza, crab cakes, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot cider, kettle corn, homemade pies, and much more.

The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $2 for adults, children and Boothbay Railway Village Museum Members are free. Steam train tickets are an additional $5 each (free for Museum Members.) Parking is free both in the museum’s main parking lots and the special event parking lot across Route 27 next to T&D Variety.

Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at 207-633-4727 or www.railwayvillage.org. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.

Weeks before Halloween, the only appropriate way to describe the Oak Hill-Wiscasset match-up was a Jekyll and Hyde game.

The Wiscasset Wolverines girls varsity soccer team hosted the Oak Hill Raiders Thursday, Oct. 2 and played to a 2-2 tie.

The first half saw Wiscasset dominate the Raiders, although neither team scored. Wiscasset goalkeeper Kayla Gordon blocked everything that bounced her way, and sophomore Gabby Chapman and senior Miranda McIntire kept the pressure on Oak Hill and kept the ball deep into Raider territory for most of the first half.

Wiscasset had several chances to score on Oak Hill goalie Anna Dodge, but weren't able to capitalize in the first half. Despite being an offensive-oriented half, neither team was able to score.

That was not the case the second time around. Both teams flashed serious defense and scored twice, leading to two overtimes and a final score of 2-2.

The tie moves Wiscasset to 3-6-1 and gives Oak Hill a record of 2-7-1.

It was Oak Hill that finally broke up the scoreless tie with 19 minutes and 29 seconds remaining in the game. The Raiders were able to push deep into Wiscasset territory and Toni Pushard-Hart lofted a shot above everyone except the goal post to give Oak Hill a 1-0 advantage.

Then things got weird.

At the 10 minute remaining mark, Wiscasset had too many players on the field and received a yellow card. One minute later freshman Grace Webber, who had been denied several opportunities in the first half of the game, managed to chip a shot in over Dodge's head and tie the game at 1-1.

A minute later Wiscasset was whistled for a handball, just outside the box. Oak Hill's Jamie Prue took the direct kick and sent a rocket towards the goal. The ball then bounced up, bounced down, and barely bounced in, but it counted and Oak Hill led with eight minutes left in the game.

With just two minutes left in regulation and needing a goal, Wiscasset attacked the Oak Hill defense and a Raider accidentally touched the ball with the box, setting up a penalty kick.

McIntire sent the ball spinning into an empty area of net and tied the game at 2.

Neither team was able to score in both five minute overtime periods, and the game finished after 90 minutes of play with the score knotted 2-2.

Gordon had 11 saves on 13 shots for Wiscasset, while Dodge collected 13 saves on 15 shots.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-844-0711 or benbulkeley@wiscassetnewspaper.com

The Iditarod isn’t the 1,000-mile sled dog race Heidi Sutter has been aiming to enter.

“It never was a thought in my mind,” the 1994 Wiscasset High School graduate said from Chistochina, Alaska, where the wife, mother, schoolteacher and musher now lives. She was, and still is, planning to compete in the 2016 Yukon Quest 1000.

The lesser known, Whitehorse to Fairbanks race lacks the media spectacle that surrounds the Iditarod’s Anchorage to Nome run and, with fewer checkpoints than the Iditarod, it’s more challenging.

But this year, Sutter and her husband Darrin Lee were looking to put more miles of competition on their dogs; and Sutter had racked up enough miles and good post-race report cards to be eligible for consideration by the Iditarod’s trail committee.

Lee and Sutter were talking by phone when he first suggested she try to get in the race. The call cut off right after he said it, leaving Sutter with a day before they would talk again. “It was 24 hours of stressing on it, thinking on it. It was distracting at work.” she said. Her boss could tell something was on her mind. When she told him the idea, he picked her up and twirled her around.

Entry into the race is at the trail committee’s discretion, based on the miles logged, the report cards and other factors, Sutter said. She found out in July, she was in.

“At first it was very surreal: ‘I’m running the Iditarod.’ It just felt funny coming out of my mouth. The Iditarod is like going to the moon. It’s the mecca.”

The race, with more entrants in it than Chistochina has residents, starts March 7 in downtown Anchorage. Sutter, 38, has no expectations to be first or nearly first across the finish line. “There is no way I could ever win the Iditarod,” she said. The caliber of the other dog teams is too high; instead, her goal will be to finish in 10 days, likely days behind the winner.

It will be her first 1,000 mile event. Her longest to date is last April’s 440-mile Kobuk. She finished tenth in a field of 20. Stronger finishes have been in a third place  out of 16 in a 300-mile version of the Yukon Quest, and twelfth out of 45 in the Copper Basin 300.

The excursion business Sutter works for has sponsored her $3,000 entry fee to the Iditarod. Getting to and through the race takes at least about another $17,000 in travel and other costs, Sutter said. She just bought $3,200 in dog food that will go into food drops during the race.

To help sponsor Sutter’s Iditarod run or to learn more about her and the dogs, go to www.kmakennel.com.

This past Sunday marked the last regular season game play for the Fall Classic League for our local travel team. All four teams were on the road.

Midcoast's U9 team traveled to Topsham to take on the Merrymeeting Soccer club. Midcoast came out ready, scoring four goals in the first half, one by Benno Hennig and three Casey Duncan, to Merrymeeting's one. Topsham rallied in the second half, putting three scores on net. Midcoast's Gavin Albert contributed one more for the Midcoast win, 5-4.

Our U10 team was on the road in southern Maine to meet the Cumberland U10 team. Will Farrell and Maddox Tilas teamed up in Midcoast's net to earn the team a shutout. Isaac Thompson scored in the first half with a clean assist by Marley Label and Nick Archer scored off an assist from Thompson, bringing the final score 2-0.

Midcoast's U12 team traveled to the Lewiston Auburn area to meet the league leader in their division. Our Midcoast team played tough and clean, but ended up on the losing end, with a 6-0 score in LA's favor. Garrett Day and Andrew Gudroe teamed up in net, working against some tough shots.

Midcoast's U14 team also met the top team in their division, the Broncos of Hampden. Midcoast's Tim Chapelle scored two from penalty shots for the Midcoast team, and Avery Stewart worked hard in net. Midcoast's defense worked hard to keep the Broncos from scoring, but Midcoast ultimately fell short in the end, 4-2.

The Midcoast United Soccer Club's U14 and U12 teams will be playing in upcoming playoff games, while our U10 and U9 teams will head to a day-long tournament.

Look for information on upcoming winter foot skills clinics and like us on Facebook for more information. We are also gearing up for spring league soccer registrations!