Midcoast Conservancy is offering an Invasive Plant Identification workshop on Thursday, May 25, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at its Damariscotta Lake office. This kickoff event for Midcoast Conservancy’s invasive plant monitoring and management effort will be led by Hildy Ellis of the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District. Participants will learn how to ID terrestrial invasive plants that might be found in Midcoast Conservancy’s region, and will go over reporting methods and management techniques for controlling existing invasive plant populations. To begin, there will be an indoor discussion at the Midcoast Conservancy lake office at 38 Lake Farm Circle in Jefferson, and then the group will move outdoors to Midcoast Conservancy’s Davis Stream Preserve (< 0.5 miles of trail, weather permitting).

There will be volunteer opportunities over the summer to assess the extent of invasive plants on Midcoast Conservancy preserves and begin management, but all are invited to attend, regardless of interest in volunteering.

The program is free. To register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/invasive-plant-id-trail-property-stewards/. For more information, go to www.midcoastconservancy.org or call 389-5150.

Freshman Kelsey Jones had two hits and three putouts but the Wolverines softball team lost its season opener 19-4 to visiting Hall-Dale Monday afternoon.

Jones was called on to play shortstop after her teammate Clara Mugnai dislocated her finger during pregame warm-ups. After the game, Coach Gordon Campbell awarded Jones a game ball. “She got her first hit, a single up the middle, in her first at bat playing for the varsity,” Campbell said afterwards.

Hall-Dale went ahead 1-0 in the first inning by scoring an unearned run. The Bulldogs threatened to add more after loading the bases with two outs but Wolverine pitcher August Moore got the next batter to line out to Jones, ending the inning.

In the home half of the first inning, Lindsey Gordon drew a base-on-balls with one out. Moore grounded out, moving Gordon along to second base but Sydnie Thayer then flied out to center field.

Hall-Dale scored two more unearned runs in the second inning. With two outs and two runners aboard, Amanda Benner then tripled to left field, knocking in two more runs. Jones led off with a single when the Wolverines batted in the second but the next three Wiscasset batters went down in order, stranding Jones at second base.

Later in the game, Benner doubled and singled for the Bulldogs. Three of the Wolverines’ runs came in the fifth inning. “It was a bit of a rally for us and it was really good to see our girls hadn’t given up. Very positive for us,” Campbell added.

Moore went the distance on the mound for Wiscasset Middle High School although the game was shortened by the mercy rule after five innings.

Campbell said afterwards, Mugnai’s loss forced him to make a number of spur of the moment adjustments to his lineup. “Unfortunately, it turned out Clara had broken her finger and she’ll have to sit out for a few weeks. It’s a big loss for us,” he said. The coach added he hoped Stephanie Jones, the team’s only senior, will return soon to the lineup. She is recovering from a knee injury.

“At the moment it leaves me with two girls on the bench. I told the girls to be ready to play anywhere I need them on the field,” he said.

Weather permitting, the Wolverines will travel to Madison Wednesday, April 26. Wiscasset hosts Mountain Valley Friday afternoon. The opening pitch is set for 4 p.m.

The Mary E Sailed into Bath on Sunday, April 24. I was standing near the water’s edge watching her approach, just as I had been the first time I saw her 46 years ago in Boothbay Harbor.

The 53-foot (73 feet including the bowsprit) gaff-rigged schooner coming up the Kennebec River under full sail was a spectacular sight for the large crowd that had gathered at Maine Maritime Museum to welcome her back to her home port.

For me it was an emotional homecoming. It was like seeing an old friend. The Mary E was home to me for three summers and a winter in the early ’70s.

It was the summer of 1971. I had come to Boothbay Harbor looking for a job. One day I ran into a friend while walking down Townsend Ave. He told me that his friend Bob Morse had recently bought the Mary E, and that the 1903 clipper-bowed vessel, the oldest Maine-built fishing schooner still in existence, was in Stonington having some work done.

When she was shipshape, Morse would be using her as a charter boat out of Boothbay Harbor. He was looking for a captain and crew. Other than a 26-foot sailboat owned by the Witt family on Cameron’s Point, I had never stepped foot on one, but somehow, through sheer luck, and some fast talking, I was hired as a deckhand.

Morse was in Stonington overseeing the work being done on his new acquisition, and as the time drew near for the Mary E to be launched again, he knew he needed to find a captain. One morning, two young backpackers stopped to admire the old schooner. The 20-year-olds were in the beginning stages of an adventure, hitchhiking around the U.S. for the summer.

Fate stepped in. One of them, Stanton Parks, happened to have a 100-ton captain’s license. From Camden, he had been crewing on windjammers since his early teens. Morse hired him on the spot, and a few days later the Mary E sailed into Boothbay Harbor with Capt. Parks at the helm.

I was waiting for her down by the Tugboat Inn Restaurant. Parks was wearing a dark green watch cap, and his long, thick curly dark hair was blowing out behind him. (It was hard to focus on the boat.) The captain secured the schooner to a mooring, I rowed out to meet him, stepped aboard the Mary E, and fate stepped in again. I moved my meager belongings onto the schooner a week later, and three months later I married the captain.

Living aboard and sailing the Mary E that first summer was a life-changer and an eye-opener. I had to learn, quickly, not just to sail, but to be one of a crew of two, not including the captain, on a big, heavy, old gaff-rigged schooner. Stan bought me a copy of Royce’s Sailing Illustrated, “the sailor’s bible,” and I studied that little book till it was dog-eared.

I learned the lingo: Spars, sheets, lines, rigging, topsides, bowsprit, crow’s nest, and “down-below,” “galley” and “head.” I learned to haul and furl the heavy gaff-rigged sails, coil the fat, heavy lines and throw them in a way that they would uncoil perfectly to someone waiting on a wharf. I learned to sand and paint the deck, rails and topsides. I learned to grease the masts with Vaseline while being slowly raised on a small swing. I learned to swab the deck, clean the head, and cook on a small wood stove in the galley.

I learned that big, strong men who should have just been along for a fun sail on an old schooner, felt compelled to help raise the heavy sails, which I was perfectly capable of doing myself. They never offered to help swab the decks.

That first summer was indeed a learning experience. It's not easy being at least partially responsible for five to 20 people – many of whom had never been out on the ocean.

Oddly, I don’t remember much about the food we ate on the Mary E. I do remember we didn’t have a lot of expendable cash though, so there were probably a lot of peanut butter and jam sandwiches. And when the mackerel were running, we caught them, cleaned them, and fried them in an old frying pan on the wood stove.

One of our charters that summer was a week’s trip with a group of young teenage girls from a summer camp. One night we were anchored off Monhegan. Stan had gone ashore for provisions. I was on the deck when the girls surrounded me, giggling, asking if Stan and I were married. Stan was a good-looking 20-year-old sea captain and the girls all had crushes on him. 

More next week ...

The Wolverines girls track team edged out Mountain Valley High School by one point, 92-91, to win the season’s first track and field meet April 25. It was the track program’s first team win since before Wiscasset High School became Wiscasset Middle High School. Josiah Winchenbach coaches both the boys and girls teams. 

The Wolverines had six first place finishes in the five-team meet that also included Boothbay Region, Dirigo and Richmond high schools.

First place finishers included Grace Webber in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.76 seconds and Gabby Chapman in the 400, 1:09.98. Lilly Souza won the discus with a distance of 58-9 by edging out her teammate Keara Hunter 57-1 who placed second. The team’s 100-meter relay team also placed first with a time of 56.14.

Webber also won the long jump leaping 15-0, an event the Wolverines swept, with Ayanna Stover placing second, 14-8, and Chapman third, 14-3.  Stover also had a good performance in the hurdles, placing second in the 100-meter, 18.26 and second in the 300, 57.63. Stover was less than a second behind the winner in both races. Other Wolverine scorers included: Souza, third in both the triple jump, 20-0, and shot put, 21-1. Keisha Small, third in the 1600, 11:39.70, and fourth in the shot, 20-5; Vanessa Dunn, fifth in the 100, 15.39; and Hunter, fifth in the 100 hurdles, 20.48.

The final girls’ scores were Wiscasset 92, Mountain Valley 91, Boothbay Region 60, Richmond 58, and Dirigo 42.

The Wolverine boys finished the day with a third place finish behind Boothbay Region and Mountain Valley. Matt Chapman led the Wolverines by winning both hurdling events. His time in the 110-meter was 18.06 and in the 300-meter, 46.17.

Brandon Goud won the high jump, clearing a height of 5-6 in fewer attempts than Mountain Valley’s Taylor Pelletier, who cleared the same height.

WMHS won both relay races, the 4x400 in 3:57.34 and 4x800, 9:57.17.

Goud ran neck and neck with Boothbay’s Kyle Ames in the 1600 but finished second crossing the finish line in 5:02.97. Ames’ winning time was 5:00.29. Wiscasset’s Gage Varian was fourth in the race finishing at 5:44.19.

Sam Whitney took third place in the 100, 12.75. The winning time by Boothbay’s Draco Peaslee was 11.88. Whitney was fifth in the 200, 26.98.

Sam Strozier was third in the triple jump with a distance of 35-4; Haiden Dunning, third in the discus, 90-1; Caleb Gabriele placed fifth, 2:28.82 in the 800; and Ethan James placed fifth in the shot put, 33-3.

The final boys’ scores were Mountain Valley 130, Boothbay 96, Wiscasset 68, Dirigo 46, and Richmond, 24.

The next meet is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2 and will be hosted by WMHS. The Wolverines will compete against Carrabec, Dirigo and Winthrop high schools. The meet will get underway at 4 p.m.

As ultra marathoner Hunter de Garmo of Wiscasset takes each stride May 2 during his 31-mile run inside the Boothbay Region YMCA, his mother will be on his mind. In 2004, Barbara de Garmo was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Her son is running Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for Maine Parkinson Society’s Respite Care program.

This is the second year he has organized Stride, a Boothbay Harbor fundraiser with road racers of all levels and anyone who can walk or run to raise money for the charity. De Garmo, 37, developed Stride during one of his long ultra marathon training sessions.  He frequently trains at the BRYMCA running on the indoor track. His training sessions are usually dominated by silence as he focuses on making sure his running stride is perfect.

During a past training session,  he saw signs around the track which read “walk, jog, run.”

“I was thinking about a name for my fundraiser then it hit me, stride!” he said.

Last year, Stride raised $5,000 through donations and local sponsorships. The proceeds go to Maine Parkinson Society’s Respite Care Program which provides patients with funds for exercise classes and other  disease-related costs. De Garmo describes the program as providing a financial boost for those struggling with the disease.

“It gives thousands of people in Maine, like my mom, $500 per year. Due to the price of medication, this is a huge help. Fundraisers like Stride aim directly at working with those in the community to increase the good that the Respite Care Program can do,” he said.

Last year, de Garmo ran the 31 miles by himself except for a few people who joined by either walking or jogging a few laps. This year, he has two runners keeping him company. Dr. Aqui Alamo will run the entire 31 miles with de Garmo and Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch will run a portion of the course. De Garmo invites all those interested in running with them to do so.

“Stride is a unique event where anyone can walk, run or jog with an ultra endurance athlete. There are other local runners joining us and I personally invite everyone to join us.”

His long term mission for Stride  is giving those connected to Parkinson’s disease a chance to connect with individuals, businesses and community programs for inspiring a healthy lifestyle. “With a growing population of Mainers being diagnosed each year, events like this are pivotal in educating entire generations and inspire caregivers to reach out and understand there are opportunities and that people care.”

From 9 a.m. to noon, a social hour will be held in the Y’s Coastal Club Room. For a $10 suggested donation, local runners can run any distance during the event to show their support for Parkinson’s disease-related programs.

Baseball returned to Wiscasset Middle High School Friday afternoon with the Wolverines rallying from behind to defeat the Brunswick High School Dragons 4-3 in their final at bat.

With one out and down 3-2 in the seventh inning, Wiscasset got the tying run aboard after Conlon Ranta reached base on a towering fly ball that dropped between right and center fielders. Logan Orr then drew a base-on-balls putting Ranta in scoring position. Both runners advanced on a passed ball with Haiden Dunning batting. Dunning then worked the count full and walked, loading the bases.

That set the stage for Andrew Hendrickson who already had two hits in the game. On an 0-2 count, Hendrickson beat out a slow roller back to the mound, scoring Ranta and tying the game 3-3. With the bases still loaded, Stephen Roderick, the number seven batter, then drew a walk, forcing Orr home and ending the game.

Brunswick nicked Wiscasset starter Ron Drake for a run in the first inning. Jacob Robertson delivered the big blow, an RBI double with two out. The Dragons added two more runs in the third. Working with one out, Drake walked the next batter and Robertson drove him home with his second double of the game and later scored on a base hit. Wolverine Coach Gregg Wood brought in Ranta to relieve. After the next batter struck out, the inning finally ended with a play at the plate. Catcher Grant Hefler applied the tag on the runner attempting to score from third base on a pass ball.

Wiscasset got on the scoreboard in the home half of the third after Ranta hammered a solo home run. Dunning then reached on an error and scored on a RBI single by Hendrickson.

Ranta held the Dragons scoreless for an inning and two-thirds. Hefler, who got credit for the win, was called on to work the sixth inning with Brunswick up 3-2.

Coach Wood said afterwards it felt good to start the season with a win. “We only had nine kids playing this afternoon but it only takes nine to win.”

Friday’s game was the season opener for WMHS, which dropped out of  Mountain Valley Conference competition for lack of players. The Wolverines have seven more games scheduled. Their next two ballgames are away at Oak Hill, May 1 and Brunswick, May 3. They’ll return home Friday, May 5 to host Medomak Valley. The opening pitch is set for 4 p.m. 

The Wolverines scored two runs in the fourth inning but came up short, losing 6-2 to visiting Mountain Valley Friday at WMHS.

Paige Adams drove in Farrah Casey with a base hit and later in the inning Natalie Potter scored, making it a 4-2 ballgame.

The Falcons, who scored one run in the first and two more in the second, added single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings.

August Moore pitched a complete game for the Wolverines finishing with three strikeouts allowing just three hits. Wiscasset went quietly in the home half of the fifth inning, but in the sixth Adams drew a one-out walk. The Falcon pitcher then retired the next two hitters.

One of the craziest plays of the game came with Mountain Valley batting in the fifth. The lead-off batter stroked a triple to left and attempted to stretch the hit into a home run. She was tagged out at the plate by catcher Corey Campbell but the umpire then ruled her safe, saying the third baseman had interfered with the runner.

Bulldogs roar

At Madison April 26, the Bulldogs shutout the Wolverines 21-0.

Maeve Blodgett got the Wolverines’ only hit, a single over the third baseman’s head in the fifth inning.

Madison scored six runs in the second on four walks, a double and two singles. In the third inning, Lindsey Gordon took the mound working in relief of Moore, the starting pitcher. Gordon finished with seven walks and a strikeout.

Madeline Wood, the Madison pitcher, had 10 strikeouts.

Wiscasset Middle High School hosts Winthrop May 3 and travels to Boothbay Region May 5.

Fans and racers who had been forced to wait an extra week to get their much-anticipated racing fix were rewarded Saturday afternoon, April 29 as sunny skies and summer-like temps greeted them at the unveiling of the new and improved Wiscasset Speedway. The new walls, catch fence, and other upgrades were well received by the crowd of nearly 2,000, but it was the new fan-friendly victory lane that was the hit of the day. Kids and grownups alike lined the waist high chain link fence in front of the grandstands to give high fives and handshakes to the drivers as they climbed out of their rides. Group 2 divisions were on the schedule including the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman, Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets, and Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. The weekly Flex division race was the first of three appearances for the Wicked Good Vintage Racers. 

The Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds were the spotlight division for the opening day program, rolling out with a 40-lap feature. Nick Reno, Allan Moeller and Adam Chadbourne picked right up where they left off from last season in their battle for supremacy. Last year they were all chasing eventual champion, Mark Lucas. This time they were looking to stake their early claim as top dog in the class. Reno led the field of eight to the green flag and set a strong pace through the first half of the race. Moeller edged him on the outside for the lead on one early lap but soon settled back into third as Chadbourne joined in and settled in Reno's tire tracks. The top three remained the same through the midpoint of the race. Joe Williams gave chase, but couldn't get within a few car lengths of them. Things heated up at 25 laps complete as Chadbourne jumped to the outside driving around Reno and into the lead on lap 28. Moeller moved up to second and took one more shot at the lead, but came up short. Chadbourne took the checkers in his #1 Napa sponsored Modified. Moeller chased him across the line to claim the 2nd place trophy. Reno settled for 3rd after a strong start. Williams and Tom Young filled out the top 5.  The Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds are sponsored by Bath Auto Parts, Wiscasset Auto Parts, Clark Auto Parts of Damariscotta, and Richmond Napa.

In support action, reigning champ Zach Audet of Skowhegan was untouchable from the pole position in the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. He led the 25-lap feature wire to wire despite a pair of mid-race cautions. Four-time champ Rob Greenleaf was the only one able to keep the champ in site and followed across the line for the runner-up finish by half a straightaway. Brent Roy of Vassalboro started mid pack and despite spinning on lap 11 to bring out the first caution of the race, recovered to claim the 3rd place trophy.

The Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets looked well in control of pole sitter Mac Hannan Jr. of Union. He pulled out to a commanding lead in the 25-lap feature and was on his way to his second straight opening day win. However, things took a major turn on lap 19 as Hannon suddenly slowed on the backstretch and then pulled off the track with an electrical failure. Glen Reynolds of Turner, who had started 6th, took over the lead and cruised to his first Wiscasset victory. He was joined in victory lane by #67 Mike Haynes and #00 Kimberly Knight.

A stacked field of 20 took to the track for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman. It was a tall order for the rest of the field as defending champ Chris Thorne lined up with a rare pole position starting spot. Thorne paced the field for the full 35-lap feature on his way to his first win of the season. He was a five-time winner in 2016. There was plenty of action behind him as several contenders moved up to try to get to the champ. #33 Josh St. Clair, #21 Shane Clark, #38 Joey Doyon, and #26 Andrew McLaughlin put on the best battle for position until Doyon and Clark tangled out of turn four onto the front stretch to bring out the first caution on lap 23. McLaughlin, who started 8th, had the best shot at Thorne on a lap 28 restart, but came up short and settled for 2nd. St Clair held on for 3rd ahead of Nick Hinkley (#15) and Ryan St. Clair (#30).

The winners for the Wicked Good Vintage Racers included #151 Rosey Gerry in the Hobby Stock class; #22 Sid Smith in the Outlaw class; and #8 Norris Willett in the Late Model class.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, May 6 with the first night race of the season. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstand gate at 4, and the racing action begins at 6 with Group 1 in action. Super Streets will be the spotlight division along with Servpro of Biddeford-Saco Prostocks, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-cylinder Pros. The Amsoil Nelcar Legends will be the flex race of the week with a special INEX Legends Asphalt Nationals qualifier race, attracting many of the top Legend competitors in the northeast. For more information, go to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com 

Liven up your celebration of spring with an adventure by land and sea exploring the history and mystery of lighthouses in the Boothbay Harbor area on an exclusive tour with Sally Lobkowicz, a.k.a. The Lady in The Red Cloak, hosted by MSAD 11 Adult Education. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will go to benefit the restoration campaign at the historic Burnt Island Lighthouse.

Last week it was the Wolverines girls who won their track meet, Tuesday it was the Wolverine boys. It’s been a long time and it sounds cliché but track really is back at Wiscasset Middle High School.

Coach Josiah Winchenbach saw his charges pile up 103.5 points during the rain-soaked 18-event meet, hosted by WMHS. The Winthrop High School Ramblers, a longtime powerhouse in track and field, finished second, compiling 93.5 points while Dirigo and Carrabec were far behind with 32 and 26 points, respectively.

Brandon Goud won two events, the 3200-meter race with a time of 10.45.99 and high jump by clearing a height of 5 feet, 4 inches. Wiscasset swept high jump for the first time in years. Cedrick Loyola placed second, clearing 5-2 and Josh Gabriele third, clearing 5-0. Later, Loyola won the long jump with a distance of 17-11.5. Caleb Gabriele won the 800 in 2:35.44. Winthrop’s Michael Morales was second at 2:40.04.

Matt Chapman was another two-event Wolverine champion, finishing first in both the 110 and 300 hurdles with times of 18.65 and 44.28. Quinn Ranta ran side-by-side against Chapman in the 110 hurdles and crossed the finish line second, in 21.85. Max Sampson and Sam Strozier finished first and second in the triple jump, with Sampson leaping 38-10, Strozier 37-04.

Sampson and Loyola placed second and fourth in the 100-meter dash with times of 12.88 and 13.26. Winthrop’s Nate Scott was the fastest runner, crossing the finish line in 12:38. Loyola tied for fourth place with Winthrop’s Bailey Baxter and hence the half-point reflected in the final team scoring.

Ethan James won the javelin throw with a distance of 118-8, besting Evan Gorr of Carrabec, whose throw measured 112-1. Haiden Dunning picked up a point with a fifth place finish in the javelin with a toss of 98-0. James placed second in the shot put with a hurl of 33-8 and his teammate Conlon Ranta placed third, 33-1. Dirigo’s Dalton Berry had the winning distance of 43-1.

WMHS won both the 4x400 relay and 4x800 with winning times of 3:59.96 and 9:39.14.

Wolverine girls settle for second

Ayanna Stover had a super day for the Wolverine girls, winning three events. Overall, WMHS had to settle for second place behind Winthrop, which dominated the meet with 103 points. WMHS finished the afternoon with 57 points; Dirigo tallied 45 and Carrabec 22.

Stover won both the 100 hurdles, 17.94, and 300 hurdles, 53.12. Keara Hunter placed third in the 100 hurdles. Her time was 20.47. Stover also won the triple jump with a distance of 32-7 while Lilly Sousa placed fifth, her distance measuring 21-3. Souza picked up six team points for the Wolverines by placing first in the shot put with a hurl of 24-4. Her throw in the javelin measured 43-3 for a third place spot. Hunter’s discus throw of 61-7 gave her a third place finish and Souza placed fifth with a discus toss of 61-0.

Grace Webber was second in the long jump at 14-10 and Gabby Chapman fourth, 13-9. The winning jump, measuring 15-3, was leaped by Winthrop’s Aaliyah Wilson-Falcone. Webber also placed second in the 100-meter dash, recording a time of 13.86. The fastest runner was the Ramblers’ Jill Schmelzer, who sprinted across the finish line in 13.52. Chapman placed second in the 400-meter dash in 1:09.88, seconds behind Kinli DiBiase of Winthrop who won the race, 1:05.95.

The Wolverines had second place wins in the 4x100 and 4x400 relay races.

WMHS will host another four-high school meet next Tuesday, May 9, beginning at 3:45 p.m.

The Wolverines turned a double play and had four hits, three coming in the fifth inning, but the visiting Winthrop Ramblers were too much, winning Wednesday’s softball game 14-1. The loss dropped Wiscasset Middle High School’s record to 0-4; the Ramblers are 5-1 in Mountain Valley Conference standings.

With rain falling intermittently, the Ramblers scored six runs in their first at bat. Amber Raymond delivered the inning’s big hit, a triple to left field that scored two runs. Winthrop pitcher Layne Audet struck out the first two Wolverine batters in the home half of the inning before designated hitter Stephanie Jones singled. It was Jones’ first game back after recovering from knee surgery. The next batter, Sydnie Thayer then grounded out, ending the inning.

Winthrop scored two more runs in the second. With one away, Thayer gloved a line drive for the second out and Wolverine pitcher August Moore fanned the next batter. Wiscasset’s bats were quiet in the home half of the second, Audet chalking up two more strikeouts. The Ramblers went ahead 9-0 in the third on a run-producing double by Moriah Hajduk. At this point, the wind picked up, blowing hard from right to left field. The Wolverines went down in order in the home half of the third.

The Wolverines held the visitors scoreless in the fourth when they turned a swell double play. First baseman Clara Mugnai stepped on the bag to get the batter and threw to third with Thayer tagging the runner who was advancing from second base.  It was Mugnai’s first game back since she broke her finger on opening day. The inning ended with Thayer catching a line drive from the next batter down the third baseline.

Wiscasset got two runners on base in the fourth. Stephanie Jones reached base after the right fielder dropped a pop fly. With two outs, Thayer then beat out a ground ball advancing Jones to second. The next batter then popped out, ending the inning.

Winthrop put five more runs on the scoreboard in the fifth to go ahead 14-0. Wiscasset didn’t go quietly, however. Leah Potter, the lead off batter, drew a walk and moved down to second when Corey Campbell grounded out. Kelsey Jones’ base hit put Wolverine runners at the corners for the first time in the game. Lindsey Gordon then delivered an RBI base hit. Stephanie Jones delivered her second hit of the game but Audet retired the next batter, ending the inning and the game. It was called after five innings due to the 12-run mercy rule.

Audet was the winning pitcher. Morse was the pitcher of record for WMHS. Wiscasset will be at Boothbay Region High School this Friday, May 5 to face the Seahawks, who are also looking for their first win.

Alna Third Selectman Doug Baston said May 3, he was tired of waiting for Midcoast Conservancy to decide on the board’s request for an annual contribution in lieu of taxes. The board decided unanimously to start billing the Wiscasset-based nonprofit for taxes on properties it has been paying none on.

For some of its properties in town, the conservancy already pays taxes; it paid Alna $2,888 in taxes and interest in 2016, according to a receipt the conservancy sent the Wiscasset Newspaper in February. In pursuing a contribution either for the remaining properties or one sum for all of them, selectmen made two arguments: Other nonprofits give towns contributions, including a yearly one the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum gives Alna; and the conservancy, like other property owners, gets town services, so it should help fund them.

When the board approached the conservancy last year, selectmen discussed basing the contribution on the cheaper, tree growth rate. But with no yes or no answer from the conservancy after emails, a February meeting, and recent news of an option the conservancy got on Haggett Garage in Wiscasset, the board decided May 3 to bill the conservancy beginning with the next tax commitment around September – and not at the tree growth rate, the full one. The conservancy did not apply for the tree growth rate or for tax exemption on those properties, board members said.

Citing Haggett Garage, Baston said maybe the conservancy was not giving Alna a contribution so the money could go toward the mortgage instead. The conservancy didn’t get the property. The Maine Department of Transportation, which plans to turn it into a parking lot, filed for eminent domain and settled with Coastal Enterprises Inc. for $408,000, according to CEI and the state.

When Alna bills the conservancy, using the tree growth rate it didn’t apply for would be discriminatory to other taxpayers, First Selectman David Abbott said.

Attempts to reach the conservancy’s executive director Jody Jones for comment were not immediately successful. She has said the nonprofit gives as well as receives public services, and could work with Alna to improve public access to the Sheepscot River.

Also May 3, selectmen signed the town’s $80,951 grant request to the ConnectME Authority to help get the Head Tide and Puddle Dock villages broadband access. According to the application, the $184,483 project would expand access about 5.5 miles, reaching the Route 194 Whitefield and Newcastle town lines and Dock and Head Tide roads, for a total of 73 potential subscribers. Charter Communications would cover the other $103,532, the application states. The idea sprang from the town’s franchise fee talks with Charter.

In 2o12, Alna won a $122,000 ConnectME grant to help get high-speed internet access t0 81 homes on West Alna, Cross and Lothrop roads.

Selectmen rejected the lone mowing bid in front of them, a three-year one from the town’s current firm, Achorn & Sons. It offered to mow for $4,500 this year, $4,600 in 2018 and $4,700 in 2019. The town paid the firm $2,700 for 2016. Selectmen questioned the jump. No one from the firm was at the meeting. The Wiscasset Newspaper’s phone message was not immediately returned. Selectmen were also unsure if they were looking at all the bids the town got. Town Clerk Lisa Arsenault was not there. Board members had expected one or two others, including one from a Bath contractor who was interested.

The board planned to find out more, possibly put the job back out to bid and, in the meantime, hire a laborer for $15 an hour. The board meets next at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11 at the town office.

Welcome to the Alewife Run in Damariscotta Mills. Whether you’re a fan of the alewife migration, a supporter of the Fish Ladder Restoration or just want to run near these amazing anadromous fish in a very scenic and special place, you’re going to enjoy this experience on May 28.

Last year we had over 90 racers take part in the event. From young kids to our honored senior citizens, the runners and walkers took advantage of a beautiful Sunday morning to help raise money for the Fish Ladder. LincolnHealth will once again sponsor this year’s race.

Registration is $35 (+ $5 race day) and includes a race shirt with race packet. There will be “O’Fish-al” Medals for first and second place male and female finishers for both age groups (13-20, 21 and up) and race (5K and 10K). If you're a parent with a child or two, 12 years and under, they may run with  you in the race at no extra cost. Run with the Alewives shirts will go to the first 100 paid registrants and a special medal will be presented to the non-registered 12 and under runners.

Gift cards from Mexicali Blues and Renys will be randomly drawn at the start for registered runners. The proceeds from this race go to support Maine's oldest fish ladder and historically one of the largest and most productive alewife runs. For more information on this and the road race, visit www.damariscottamills.org The Events and Calendar tab have the link to race registration that includes the course and details for the event. Register early so you can reserve your shirt size preference. See you at the races.

Sumner McKane, a local singer-songwriter, spent three years researching the lumberjack culture in Maine to assemble a montage of films, as well as still photographs, than composed a score to accompany the visuals. He will share his video, "In the Blood," followed by a time for questions and answers on Monday, May 15, from 3 to 4 p.m. at The Lincoln Home.

The public is invited to The Lincoln Home, located at 22 River Road, Newcastle.

For the second time in the first three weeks of the 2017 season, Wiscasset Speedway fell victim to the weather and was forced to cancel its Saturday race program. With no hope to get a window of opportunity, the call to cancel was made early Saturday morning and Wiscasset joined the growing list of northeast region tracks forced to pull the plug.

One of the races affected was the annual Amsoil NELCAR Legends INEX sanctioned National Qualifier, bumping it back a week. Any makeup plans for the regular group 1 divisions are in the works and will be announced soon.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, May 13 at 6 p.m. with Group 2 in action, including the Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets, the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis, Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds, and Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman divisions. The flex race will be the makeup of the Amsoil Nelcar Legends National Qualifier. With a tripled race purse, thanks to Four Season Synthetics, "Your Amsoil Factory Connection," the race is expected to draw top Legends teams from the east coast, from as far away as North Carolina. Pit gates open at 2, grandstand gate at 4, and racing action begins at 6.

For more information, visit the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com

The Wolverines are still looking for their first Mountain Valley Conference softball win following a loss to visiting Dirigo Monday. Weather permitting, Wiscasset Middle High School will be at Boothbay Region today, Tuesday, May 9.

The Cougars sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning, running up a 12-run lead. Gabby White provided the big blow, driving in three runs with a bases-loaded double. Third baseman Sydnie Thayer applied the tag to White after she was thrown out at third base trying to stretch her hit to a triple.

Four of the Wolverines’ runs came in the home half of the first inning. Lindsey Gordon walked and stole second. Stephanie Jones then doubled home Gordon with a line drive double down the left field line. Dirigo pitcher Ashley Perreault then hit Kelsey Jones and walked Sydney Thayer to load the bases. Then Farrah Casey, who was brought in to pinch run for Jones, scored on a wild pitch. The Wolverines added two more runs before the inning ended.

Wiscasset held the visitors scoreless in the second inning, Gordon at shortstop made two putouts. She finished with eight on the day. Dirigo added three more runs in the third and fourth innings. Alexa Varnum doubled, knocking in two runs. The Cougars scored another two runs in the game’s final inning.

Gordon led off the fifth inning with a single to left, Jones then reached base after being hit by a pitch. Back-to-back hits by Thayer and August Moore scored two more Wiscasset runs. The game was called after five innings due to the 12-run rule.

The Wolverines, now 0-4, will face winless Boothbay today. Tuesday’s win was Dirigo’s first (1-4) of the season.

Raiders roll

At Oak Hill High School in Wales Thursday, May 4, WMHS was shut out 12-0. Gordon had two singles for the Wolverines in the third and fifth innings. Farrah Casey and Leah Potter both had singles. Sadie Waterman pitched for Oak Hill and finished with five strikeouts. Moore pitched for WMHS and struck out two batters.

The Raiders put three runs on the scoreboard in the first inning, four in the second, three in the fourth and one in the fifth. Charlotte Waterman had three singles and a triple and Waterman two singles for Oak Hill. Shortstop Gordon made one of the game’s best defensive plays, a diving catch in the fourth inning.

We had our third tennis match of the season on Tuesday afternoon, May 9. Here are the results of our home match against Madison:

First singles: Senior Hayhlee Craig of WMHS vs. junior Kaitlyn Morgan of Madison. Wiscasset wins, 10-6.

Second singles: Senior Brooke Carleton of WMHS vs. junior Jillian Holden of Madison. Madison wins, 10-5.

Third singles: Forfeit to Madison sophomore Breanna Konogy

First doubles: WMHS freshmen Maria West and Cara Viele  vs. Madison juniors Emily Lin and Jenna Davis: Madison wins, 10-2.

Second doubles: WMHS freshmen Kayla Delano and Kaitlyn Main vs. Madison senior Mariana Espinoza and Madison sophomore Kynsey Hibbard: Madison wins, 10-3.

The overall match was a 4-1 loss for Wiscasset.

The Wolverine boys and girls track teams both placed second in a five-school meet Wiscasset Middle High School hosted Tuesday, May 9. Ayanna Stover, Grace Webber and Gabby Chapman all recorded personal bests.

Stover led her team by winning three events, starting with the 100-meter hurdles when she crossed the finish line in 17.9, her fastest time of the season. She edged out Monmouth Academy’s Emily Grandahl by six-tenths of a second. Later, Stover ran neck-and-neck against Hall-Dale High School’s Sabrina Freeman and won the 300-meter hurdles in 57.55. Stover finished the afternoon by winning the triple jump, leaping 30-7 and once again besting Freeman, who jumped 29-4.

Webber won two events, the 100-meter dash in 13.73 and long jump, 16-0; both were new personal bests. Webber’s previous fastest time in the 100 was 13.76; she topped her long jump record by a foot. Gabby Chapman posted her best time of the season in the 400-meter dash, 1:09.12, edging out Monmouth’s Audrey Fletcher, 1:09.71. Chapman placed second in the long jump, 14-9, her best distance of this season.

Wiscasset’s 4x100 relay team of Chapman, Vanessa Dunn, Keara Hunter and Webber placed first in 55.57. The Mount Abram Roadrunners were second. Other Wolverines placing included Dunn and Hunter in the 100, finishing fourth, 15.4 and fifth, 15.7 respectively. Hunter was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles, 20.26, a personal best.

Lily Souza just missed placing in the shot put with a toss of 23-5, finishing sixth. Souza recorded her best season throw in the javelin, 47-2 and placed 11th. Monmouth’s Abby Allen recorded a winning javelin throw of 89-9.

Monmouth won the girl’s meet with 86.5 points, followed by WMHS 57, Mount Abram, 45.5, and Hall-Dale and Richmond with 34 points each.

Many Wolverine boys also set new personal bests. Max Sampson lead the team, winning two events and recording his best distance in the triple jump 40-3, edging Hall-Dale’s Alec Roberts-Poulin who leaped 40-0. Sampson won the long jump that measured 19-8. Hall-Dale’s Jon Whitcomb was second at 19-3.

Matt Chapman recorded his best times winning both the 110 (18.46) and 300 hurdles (45.13) and Brandon Goud posted his best time winning the 1600-meter race, 4:57. The Wolverines won all three relay races, the 4x100 in 49.47; the 4x400, 3:59.88; and the 4x800, 9:25.63. Gage Varian placed second in the 3,200-meter race, crossing the finish line with his best time, 12:11.8.

Other Wolverines who placed were Quinn Ranta, third in the 100-meter hurdles at 21.56, a personal best; Caleb Gabriel,  fourth in the 800-meter race, 2:24.82, a personal best; and Cedric Loyola, fourth in the triple jump with 36-1. Colin Ranta was fourth in the javelin, 117-8 and his best distance of the season. Haiden Dunning placed fourth in the shot put at 34-0, another personal best.

Goud was tied with three others for fifth place in the high jump, clearing a height of 5-2. Aidan Carlson placed fifth in the discus, 90-7, and Chris Loyola tied for fifth in the 100-meter dash, 12.81. Ranta was sixth in the shot put with a throw measuring 33-4, his best distance yet.

Hall-Dale won the meet with 90 points. WMHS had 64.8; Mount Abram 60.3; Monmouth, 44.3; and Richmond 9.5.

Josiah Winchenbach coaches both the WMHS boys and girls track teams. The remainder of the Wolverine meets are away beginning with Lisbon, May 16.

Join Midcoast Conservancy for an Invasive Plant Identification workshop on Thursday, May 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Led by Hildy Ellis of the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, participants will learn how to ID terrestrial invasive plants that might be found in the Midcoast region, with a focus on commonly found invasives and on early detection species. ​

The group will go over potential​ reporting methods and management techniques for controlling existing invasive plant populations. Of major concern is the ecological damage invasive plants may cause, as well as economic problems that can be caused when invasive plant populations become widespread. This can include degradation of hayfields and woodlots. A goal of the workshop is to help people get informed and to start addressing the issue within Midcoast Conservancy preserves.

There will be an indoor discussion at the Midcoast Conservancy lake office, located at 38 Lake Farm Circle, Jefferson; and an outdoor portion at Midcoast Conservancy’s Davis Stream Preserve, weather permitting. There will be volunteer opportunities over the summer to assess the extent of invasive plants on Midcoast Conservancy preserves and begin management, but anyone is welcome to participate in the training, whether or not they have an interest in volunteering. For more information, or to register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/invasive-plant-id-trail-property-stewards/, or call (207) 389-5150.​

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites wildflower connoisseurs on Saturday, May 20 at 12:30 p.m. to join the third workshop in the spring stewardship series, Wondrous Wild Flowers: Spring Ephemerals of Squam Creek. The workshop will be led by Laney Widener, botanical coordinator for the New England Wildflower Society. She brings her extensive knowledge and passion for the lovely springtime flowers that grace Maine’s wild landscapes. Meet Widener at KELT's new Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek on Westport Island. Get a sneak peak of this beautiful place and help KELT discover what flowers are growing on this new preserve.

Participants will join Widener to learn to identify common and not-so-common wildflower species and the needs of these flowering plants. The 144-acre preserve is one of the largest remaining undeveloped coastal parcels on the island. Ecologically, the property hosts a variety of habitats including tidal wetlands, mixed woodlands, and an open field that are home to an assortment of wildlife and the flowering plants we will seek out during the workshop. Plants identified will be added to an inventory KELT records for each of our preserves.

This event is free and open to public thanks to the generosity of The Merrymeeting Bay Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Bath Savings Trust Company. Registration is required due to the limited class size. Please contact KELT at 207-442-8400 or online at www.kennebecestuary.org/stewardship-series-2017 to sign-up. This is a light-rain or shine event and the course framework is geared for adults and children 10 years old and older.

Visit www.kennebecestuary.org or call (207) 442-8400 for more information

We had our fourth tennis match of the season (and first win!) on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. Here are the results of our away match against Lisbon:

First singles: Wiscasset senior Hayhlee Craig vs. Lisbon senior Jennifer Violette.  Wiscasset wins, 10-3.

Second singles: Wiscasset senior Brooke Carleton vs. Lisbon freshman Vanessa Wasielewski. Madison wins, 10-0.

Third singles: Forfeit to Lisbon freshman Madi Valcourt.

First doubles: Wiscasset freshmen Maria West and Cara Viele vs. Lisbon seniors Ciara Gendron and Samantha Wasielewski. Wiscasset wins, 10-5.

 Second doubles: Wiscasset freshmen Kayla Delano and Kaitlyn Main vs. Lisbon freshmen Kayla Carroll and Lilly Arndt. Wiscasset wins, 10-0.

Overall Match: Wiscasset wins, 4-1.

The Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association is having a free youth day on Saturday, May 20 at the Boothbay Region Fish & Game club house on Dover Road in Boothbay. Activities start at 8 a.m. and go on through the afternoon.

The indoor classes and activities will include: archery and fishing demonstrations, gun safety instruction, canoeing, compass courses, First Aid, survival training and more.

Anyone interested in coming are asked to RSVP to mr.ottopartz@gmail.com to make sure we have enough equipment to go around. It is not required though.

The Wolverines played their fifth softball game in five days hosting top-ranked Monmouth Academy Friday afternoon. The Mustangs scored 18 runs in four innings against Wiscasset, improving their Mountain Valley Conference record to 9-1; Wiscasset Middle High School fell to 1-9.

The Mustangs sent nine batters to the plate in the opening inning. Emily Kaplan tripled to the gap between left and center field, scoring the first run. The visitors added four more runs before pitcher August Moore tossed out the number nine hitter on a slow roller to the mound.

After the Wolverines battery went quietly in the home half of the inning, Monmouth scored six more runs in the second. Center fielder Farrah Casey made a nice running catch on a fly ball for the second out, and a pop-out on the infield ended the inning but not before Monmouth had rolled up an 11-0 lead. Sydnie Thayer led off the Wiscasset second with a base hit to right. Moore followed with a stinging line drive base hit to left. Kelsey Jones drew a base on balls to load the bases for the Wolverines. The next batter popped out and Thayer was later tagged out at home. The next batter struck out, ending the inning.

Monmouth scored five more runs in the third inning. Wiscasset stranded another runner in the third. With two outs, Casey beat out a ground ball on the infield. The next batter grounded out, ending the inning.

Coach Gordon Campbell brought in Thayer to pitch the fourth and fifth innings. The Mustangs added two more runs in the fourth but were held scoreless in the fifth when Thayer fanned two batters. Kateleen Trask singled for Wiscasset in the fourth inning and Lindsey Gordon singled in the fifth and final inning for WMHS; the game ended due to the 12-run mercy rule.

Wolverines defeat Seahawks

Thayer had two doubles, driving in six runs, and Casey had a four-hit day as the Wolverines defeated the winless Seahawks 19-7 at Boothbay Region May 9. It was WMHS’ first Mountain Valley Conference win of the season.

Thayer’s hits came in the second and third innings while Casey’s hits, all singles, came in the first, second, fourth and sixth innings. Moore drove in two runs with a pair of singles and a double. Maeve Blodgett had two RBIs with a pair of hits. Other repeat hitters for Wiscasset included Corey Campbell with three singles and Stephanie Jones with two singles. Gordon had a double.

Wiscasset got one run in the first inning, six in both the second and third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth in two in the sixth. Moore pitched the whole game, finishing with three strikeouts and picking up the win.

Greyhounds win big

WMHS lost 15-2 to the Greyhounds at Lisbon High School May 10.

Blodgett drove in both Wolverine runs in the second inning. After Thayer singled, Paige Adams drew a walk. Casey then singled, loading the bases and setting the table for Blodgett’s big hit scoring Thayer and Adams. Campbell followed with a single but Casey was tagged out at home plate. Gordon picked up a base hit and Casey got another single in the third.

Lisbon got six runs in both the second and sixth innings. Thayer pitched for the Wolverines.

Cobras tame Wolverines

At chilly and wet Carrabec, the Wolverines lost 18-1 on May 11. The Wolverines’ lone run came in the fifth inning after Leah Potter, Gordon, and Stephanie Jones all singled to load the bases. Moore drew a walk, bringing Potter home. Jones had three hits including a double and Potter had two hits.

Sam Lebeau pitched and picked up the win for the Cobras, finishing with seven strikeouts.

Then Stephanie Jones hit another pop fly to short center for a single. Lebeau had 7 strikeouts. Moore and Thayer pitched for WMHS.

 We had our sixth tennis match of the season Friday afternoon, May 12. Here are the results of our home match against Boothbay:

First singles: Wiscasset senior Hayhlee Craig vs. Boothbay senior Madison Stahle. Wiscasset wins, 10-4.

Second singles: Wiscasset senior Brooke Carleton vs. Boothbay junior Eve Dolloff. Wiscasset wins, 10-3.

Third singles: Forfeit to Boothbay junior Maddie Gaudett

First doubles: Wiscasset freshmen Maria West and Cara Viele vs. Boothbay juniors Lovely Uberita and Annie Bryer. Boothbay wins, 10-2.

Second doubles: Wiscasset freshmen Kayla Delano and Kaitlyn Main vs. Boothbay junior Kayla Lewis and Boothbay freshman Delly Clarkson. Boothbay wins, 10-2.

Overall match: Boothbay wins, 3-2.

The Dean Snell Cancer Foundation has another $1,800 to help cancer patients with their costs, thanks to a Wiscasset family’s volleyball benefit Saturday. The event at Chad and Julie Jones’ Jones Sand Volleyball Court, at home on Suki Lane, marked an expansion of the fundraiser from once a year to twice, Snell’s niece Julie Jones said.

The money raised at the daylong event adds to the $367,000 Snell’s widow Sharon Snell of Bath said the foundation has raised since the family started it in his memory in 2009. He died that year after a courageous fight with esophageal cancer, family members have said. The nonprofit has aided more than 300 patients of New England Cancer Specialists in Brunswick with a range of financial needs, such as insurance premiums and taxi rides to treatment, and the household expenses that can be hard to meet when fighting cancer.

The fundraiser is in its third year. The spring installment is new. The summer one will be in July or August, Jones said. Saturday’s turnout of 11 teams was the biggest yet. Participants arrived from as far as Massachusetts and Hartland. About 75 people, including the teams, attended, she said. Besides the action on the court, the event had ping pong and concessions and, on the front lawn, more volleyball fun.

Todd Mahoney of Augusta was all smiles as he got two steamed hot dogs. Getting Doritos to go with them, he said, “I need my vitamin D.” Asked what got him to spend his Saturday at the event, Mahoney said: “Great people and a great cause.”

The weather cooperated. “We were hoping that the rain would hold off, and it has. So we’re excited about that,” Jones said next to the court about two hours int the fundraiser. She said she was also excited to see the “oodles” of teens taking part.

Among them, Turner’s Brian Hewitt, interviewed during practice play, said he was there to support the foundation. He added, he wasn’t much of a volleyball player but was having fun with it.

Judi’s Country Store Bakery and Shaw’s supermarket, both in Wiscasset, and Mark Nickerson Plumbing of Phippsburg were event sponsors, Jones said. Brandon and Greg Sprague of Edgecomb helped by bringing their family’s race car. Attendees could be photographed with it, adding to the fundraising, Jones said.

To help sponsor the summer installment of the fundraiser, contact Jones at justjules31@gmail.com or 522-8240. For more on the foundation, visit www.deansnell.org.

Mark your calendars!

The Lobster Roll 5K and kids fun run is Saturday, July 29 at 8 a.m. (5K) and 9 a.m. (kids run) at Boothbay Region High School.

Last year over 200 runners supported the community efforts to build a track and athletic facility in the region. Join us this year and run with some of the region’s best runners on an incredibly scenic race course. Prizes are awarded for overall winners, age group winners and team challenge.

The 5K race starts with on-site registration open at 6:30 a.m.

Register now at lobsterroll5k.weebly.com

For sponsorship information please call Liz Giles-Brown at (207) 633-6834, or email her, lizzybrown@gmail.com

If you wish to make a donation to the community track and are unable to join us for the race please drop off or mail donations to: Community On Track, c/o Superintendent of Schools, 51 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. All donations are tax deductible under 501(c)(3) status and you will be provided a receipt.

On Friday, students from schools all over Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties met at Wiscasset Middle High School for the annual Special Olympics track and field games.

In addition to the special needs athletes, other students from each area high schools helped by providing timing, measuring and plenty of moral support.

Officer James Fisher of the Wiscasset Police Department observed part of the event. “Everyone here is so excited and happy to be in competition. It’s a humbling thing to watch.”

Events ranged from foot and wheelchair races of all lengths to softball  shot put events and standing long jumps.

Join us on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the return of the alewives! The 10th annual Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28. “We are holding the festival to celebrate the return of the alewives and the completion of the restoration work,” said Deb Wilson, one of the event organizers. “We are finally finished (with only a couple more stones to install) -- what a wonderful achievement thanks to neighbors and friends of the fish ladder.”

Thousands and thousands of alewives will be the stars of the festival and there will be viewing at both the bottom and top of the fish ladder. In addition, Russ and Diana Williams have again offered to open their yard (the upper third of the fish ladder) so that festival goers can see the fish up close during their ascent. Festival events will take place in many locations around Damariscotta Mills---at the fish house, at the bottom of the ladder, at Mulligan’s Smokehouse, along Ladds Hill Road, at the top of the ladder, and at Alewives Fabrics on Main Street. Look for signs pointing the way to activities and maps showing the location of all events.

Two events that were introduced last year, a 5K and 10K road race and an evening concert, were so successful that we’ll hold them again this year. Run with the Alewives, the road race, will take place on Sunday morning at 8 just down the road from the fish house (see runinarace.com for more information and to sign up). This awesome race, for all ages with a special family rate, received high praise from participants last year. It’s sure to be popular again this year so sign up early. In addition, there will be an evening concert by well-known Boston band, the Chris Fitz Band, a talented, charismatic, and versatile group that have won numerous awards. The show will be held on Sunday evening at 7:30 at the Lincoln Theater (doors open at 6:30) and tickets, on sale at Alewife Fabrics in Damariscotta Mills, at Milling Around in Newcastle, and at the festival until they’re gone, are $25 each.

What’s the same in this year’s festival is great food! Each day a special menu will been prepared. On Saturday, we’ll be serving our famous pulled pork and (new) pulled chicken sandwiches. And, thanks to the Damariscotta River Grill, Liberal Cup, Oxbow, and Sheepscot Valley Brewing Co., you’ll be able to enjoy your pulled pork or chicken sandwich with a cold craft beer—while alewives swim by and osprey dive to catch their lunch. The food on Sunday will be equally special—we’ll be serving lobster and crab rolls with chips and a pickle---and perhaps another cold beer. We’ll also have hot dogs, veggie burgers, lots of local oysters, and ice cream on both days.

Mulligan’s smoked alewives--the best in the area—will be on sale all weekend at the smokehouse (across the road from the fish house) or until they run out. The “Smokehouse Girls” will be serving food on Saturday and Sunday this year—their famous breakfast sandwiches, and hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, with all the fixins. On Sunday, Paula Roberts’ fabulous homemade donuts—plain, sugar, molasses, squash, and chocolate, will be on sale at the smokehouse—be sure not to miss them!

Children’s activities will be held near the fish house, on Ladds Hill Road and at Alewives Fabrics this year. Magician Evan Northrup will perform on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Ladds Hill Road, while the Faery Tail Puppets will present a special alewife puppet show accompanied by Julia Lane on the harp on the Alewife Fabrics lawn at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The puppet show will be followed by a performance by the Oyster Creek Fiddlers. The ever-popular osprey fishing game can again be played on Ladds Hill Road, while the Darling Marine Center will be showing plankton on a projecting microscope in the fish house on both Saturday and Sunday. There will be free face painting at Alewives Fabrics together with ice cream, soda, and viewing of video, “Closing the Circle.”

The festival is sponsored by the towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle and the Nobleboro Historical Society. Please join us for a wonderful festival and a chance to see alewives up close as they ascend the fish ladder to spawn in Damariscotta Lake. For additional information, please check out our website at www.damariscottamills.org or contact Deb Wilson at 380-6997 or deb.wilson@roadrunner.com or Russ Williams at 329-1161 or rwilliams343@gmail.com. Hope to see you at the festival!

Wiscasset Middle High School’s track teams got a feel for what the Mountain Valley Conference championship meet is all about participating in a nine-high school meet Lisbon hosted May 16. The Wolverines boys’ team finished tied with Boothbay Region for third while the Wolverine girls placed fourth overall.

Individual event winners included Wiscasset’s Ayanna Stover, who captured the 100-meter hurdles in 17.96. Stover inched ahead of Monmouth Academy’s Emily Grandahl, beating her by a tenth of a second. Lisbon’s Chase Collier was third at 18 seconds flat. Stover also won the triple jump leaping 31 feet. Wolverine Grace Webber won the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.50; Mt. Abram’s Alice Cockerham was second in 13.84 and Reagan Cola third, in 14.43.

WMHS won two relay races. The 4x100 team of Gabby Chapman, Vanessa Dunn, Webber and Stover posted a winning time of 54.50. Mt. Abram’s team was second, 56.53. The Wolverine 4x400 relay team of Chapman, Keara Hunter, Dunn and Webber nosed out Cony High School in a winning time of 4:41.36.

In the long jump, Webber was second, 14-8 and Chapman’s 14-5 landed her in third. Boothbay’s Loren Genrich won the event leaping 15 feet. Stover placed third in the 300-meter hurdles, 55.59. Chapman was third in the 400-meter dash, 1:07.23.Hunter finished sixth in the 100-meter hurdles, 20.18; Lily Souza seventh in the triple jump, 20-1; and Dunn ninth in the 100, 15.20. 

Boys results

WMHS’s Brandon Goud won the 3200-meter race, posting his best time of the season, 10:35.32. He placed second in the 1600-meter race, 4:48.25. Wolverine Matt Chapman won the 110-meter hurdles, 17.84 and placed second in the 300-meter hurdles, 43.71. Max Sampson was second in the long jump, 19-6 and second in the triple jump 40-9.

The Wolverine 4x800 relay team of Caleb Gabriele, Aidan Carlson, Sam Strozier and Goud placed third, 9:36.5. The 4x100 relay team of Chapman, Sampson, Strozier and Chris Loyola was third as well, in 48.31.

Conlon Ranta placed fourth in two events — the javelin, 125-0 and shot put, 34-8. Gage Varian finished ninth in he 1600-meter race in 5:28.01 and Gabriele, ninth in the 800, 2:27.70; Ethan James ninth in the shot put, 33-07; Cedrick Loyolatenth in the long jump, 16-8 and tied for tenth in the high jump, 5-2.

Monmouth won the girls meet with 171.5 points and Cony won the boys meet, 195.5. The Wolverine girls finished with 79 team points, the boys had 78.5. Carrabec, Richmond and Madison also participated.

We had our ninth and tenth tennis matches of the season on Friday afternoon, May 19. Here are the results of our away match against Winthrop. The first set of results is the match we finished up from our rained out/postponed match earlier in the season:

First match results:

First singles:  Hayhlee Craig (Senior)(Wiscasset) vs. Megan Chamberland (Senior)(Winthrop): 10-4 Winthrop

Second singles: Brooke Carleton (Senior)(Wiscasset) vs. Sarah Spahr (Senior)(Winthrop): 10-1 Winthrop

First doubles: Maria West (Freshman) and Cara Viele (Freshman)(Wiscasset) vs. Nora Conrad (Sophomore) and Gabby Blanco (Freshman) (Winthrop): 10-1 Winthrop

Second match results:

Senior Stephanie Jones tripled in her final home game but the Wolverines were shut out 15-0 by Carrabec High School in Mountain Valley Conference softball play Monday afternoon.

Jones’s blast to left center field came with two away in the home half of the first inning. She also made a nifty fourth inning catch on a fly ball hit deep to left field. Jones and other senior athletes will be recognized at WMHS’s sports banquet.

The Cobras entered the game ranked fifth in the MVC standings. Wiscasset Middle High School at 2-10 was ranked 11th at the start of the game. Both teams were set to wrap up the regular season on Wednesday, May 24. The Wolverines were scheduled to travel to Farmingdale to play Hall-Dale.

Wiscasset’s August Moore pitched four innings before being relieved in the fifth by Sydnie Thayer. The game was called at the end of five innings, under the mercy rule. Samantha Lebeau went the distance on the mound for Carrabec. Bailey Dunphy led off the game with a triple for the visitors and scored the first run on a  ground out by Lebeau. The Cobras added two more runs in the second inning and Dunphy doubled in another run in the third.

With one out in the home second, Paige Adams walked and Lebeau then hit Leah Potter, putting Wolverine runners on first and second. Unfortunately, the Wolverines left both runners on base. Carrabec added nine more runs when it batted around the order in the fourth inning. Dunphy started the onslaught with an RBI single. Mackenzie Baker then drove in two runs with a bases loaded base hit. Ashley Cates, the designated hitter, and Lebeau each had two RBI’s as well.

The Cobras capped the afternoon off with two more runs in the final inning. Wiscasset’s batters went down in order in the third, fourth and fifth innings.

Wolverines 27, Mt. Abram 16

Moore picked up her second win of the season when WMHS defeated Mt. Abram on the road 27-16 on May 15.

Farrah Casey drove in two runs for the Wolverines and Thayer had an RBI base hit. Many of the Wolverines’ runs came from walks followed by alert base running by Stephanie Jones, Lindsey Gordon, Maeve Blodgett and Moore who reached home on passed balls and wild pitches.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites trail enthusiasts of all ages to help beautify trails in our brand new preserve, the Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek. Join us on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. The preserve is not yet open to the public; so this is a perfect opportunity to lend a helping hand to get the trails ready for preserve users and get the inside scoop of how trails are planned and made. Possible activities include: trail clearing and raking along with some invasive plant management.

Beginning in 2016, KELT has worked to protect the 144-acre preserve, one of the largest remaining undeveloped coastal parcels on the island. The property is near the historic center of Westport Island and has trails for a plethora of recreational activities including hiking, biking, dog walking, and birding. Ecologically, the property is rich with tidal waterfowl and wading bird habitats as well as woodlands that are home to a variety of wildlife. Shellfish habitat snakes along Squam Creek's shores, which is used for local commercial oyster harvesting.

Please sign up to join a trail crew by contacting Becky Kolak at 207-442-8400 or bkolak@kennebecestuary.org. Please include how many people will be joining and if any children will be volunteering. This will enable KELT to plan for a selection of age appropriate tasks. This event is light rain or shine and participants should bring work gloves and wear closed toed shoes and clothing that can get wet and/or muddy.

To get to the Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve: from Route 1, take ME-144 South for approximately 6.5 miles. Turn right on West Shore Road (Upper) and drive about 0.5 miles to the property. The gated entrance is located on the left after crossing the causeway over Squam Creek. Parking is along the roadside.

The Wolverines won five events in the Mountain Valley Conference track and field meet hosted by Lisbon High School Thursday afternoon, May 25. Qualifiers will move on to the State Class C meet hosted by Foxcroft Academy, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3.

Wolverine Coach Josiah Winchenbach saw Brandon Goud post his best times of the season in winning the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races. Goud’s winning time in the 1600 was 4:46 and Mt. Abram’s Xavier Romanoski was second at 4:47, while Boothbay Region High School’s Blake Erhard finished third, 4:54. The MVC record is 4:21.

Goud’s winning time in the 3200 was 10:17. He again bested Mt. Abram’s Romanoski who was second, 10:33 with Lisbon’s David Schlotterbeck third, 10:47.

In the girls competition, Ayanna Stover and Grace Webber won the triple jump and long jump. Stover’s triple jump of 32-3 was a personal best of the season. Webber’s jump of 15-2 measured an inch further than Boothbay’s Loren Genrich.

WMHS’s 4x100 relay team of Gabby Chapman, Vanessa Dunn, Webber and Stover won in 53.67, Winthrop finshed second, 53.76 and Lisbon, third 54.58. Webber finished second in the 200-meter, 27.42, behind Telstar’s Kaitlee Killam, 26.90. Telstar’s Calla Orino was third, 28.48.

Stover placed second in the 100-meter hurdles, 16.90, behind Mt. Valley’s Lauren Sterling 16:36. Lisbon’s Chase Collier was third, 17.25; Wiscasset’s Keara Hunter was 10th at 19.78. Stover was fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, 53.79 and Dunn fifth, 54.40 and Hunter 12th, 59.36.

The Wolverine girls 4x400 relay team of Chapman, Dunn, Hunter and Webber was fourth, finishing in 4:40. Chapman placed fifth in the 400-meter, 1:06, and sixth in the long jump, 14-3. Lily Souza placed 11th in the shot put with a throw of 24-4.

Overall, the Wolverines finished fourth among 12 competing high schools, with 62 team points. Monmouth Academy won the meet with 164.5 points, Lisbon finished second, 99, and Winthrop third, 73.

Wolverine Matthew Chapman placed second in the 300-meter hurdles, 43.39, a personal best. He was 10th in the 110-meter hurdles, 20.68. Max Sampson and Sam Strozier placed fifth and sixth in the triple jump at 39-3 and 37-0, respectively. Sampson also placed seventh in the long jump, 19-0. WMHS’s 4x800 relay team of Caleb Gabriele, Strozier, Aidan Carlson and Goud placed fifth in 9:11. The  4x400 relay team of Gabriele, Strozier, Goud and Chapman was fifth as well, recording a time of 4:01. Mt. Valley’s Kyle Farrar’s winning distance in the long jump was 21-10. Farrar also won the triple jump, leaping 43-1.

Gage Varian placed fifth in the 3200, in 11:20. Varian shaved 28 seconds from his previous best time this season.

Ethan James placed seventh in the javelin, 123-6 and Cedrick Loyola was among 10 participants who tied for eighth place in the high jump, clearing a height of 5-2. Gabriele placed 10th in the 800, 2:21. Chris Loyola placed 13th in the 100, 12.58; Mt Valley’s Elijah Turner recorded the fastest time, 11.33; Boothbay’s Draco Peaslee was second, 11,49.

Lisbon won the 13-school meet with 119 points followed by Hall-Dale, 105; Mountain Valley, 85; Boothbay Region, 77; and Dirigo, 55. WMHS was sixth, tallying 47 team points. 

Ornithologist Steve Kress, known affectionately as the “Puffin Man,” will conduct a bird walk in the fields of Inn Along the Way at Chapman Farm, 741 Main Street in Damariscotta, on Saturday, June 3 beginning at 7 a.m. The walk is open to all at no charge.

Kress is director of the Seabird Restoration Program (Puffin Project) and vice president for bird conservation of the National Audubon Society. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He is also the author of numerous books, including "The Audubon Guide to Attracting Birds," "The National Audubon Society's Birder's Handbook," "The Bird Garden," "Project Puffin: How We Brought Puffins Back to Egg Rock," "Saving Birds," "Golden Guide to Bird Life" and others.

Formerly home to nine generations of the Chapman family and purchased by the nonprofit group Inn Along the Way in 2015, Chapman Farm consists of 31 acres of rolling fields and a small pond. The land is surrounded by many acres of forest, providing for a varied habitat for a diversity of bird species.

At Chapman Farm, Inn Along the Way is in the process of creating a collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting. The nonprofit organization is currently raising funds for its first phase, which will transform the original farmhouse into a small inn with a café and community rooms, offering overnight accommodations to the general public, as well as those seeking respite. For more information, readers can visit the website, innalongtheway.org.

Wiscasset Middle High School closed out its Mountain Valley Conference softball season with a 7-2 loss to Hall-Dale May 24 at Farmingdale.

Kelsey Jones’s RBI single in the first inning put the Wolverines up 1-0. After Maeve Blodgett drew a one out walk, senior Stephanie Jones reached on a base hit. Both runners advanced into scoring position and Jones singled up the middle, scoring Blodgett. The Bulldogs went ahead 2-1 in the home half of the first. Alisa Bonenfant and Jill Whynot both singled and scored. Blodgett and Sydnie Thayer each caught a pop fly and pitcher August Moore struck out the next batter to end the inning.

The Wolverines threatened again in the second inning. Leah Potter drew a base on balls and advanced to third on a bunt single by Corey Campbell. Unfortunately, they were left stranded on base. Both girls singled again in the fourth inning but again the Bulldogs held WMHS scoreless. Thayer singled to left field in the fifth, stole second and third but was left stranded on third.

In the seventh, Stephanie Jones doubled to center field in her final at bat and scored on a double by Kelsey Jones. Isabella Marino, Kailey Roberts and Julia Cross all pitched for Hall-Dale. The Bull-Dogs scored four more runs in the second inning and added another run in the fourth. Moore went the distance on the mound for WMHS and pitched a strong game, finishing with six strikeouts.

“Even though it was a loss, we played our best game of the season,” said Hannah Campbell, Wolverine assistant coach. Earlier in the season, Hall-Dale had defeated the Wiscasset 19-4. “Our goal for next year is to make it to playoffs. Even if it’s just a prelim game,” she added. The Wolverines  finished the season at 2-12 under Coach Gordon Campbell. They were ranked 14th in Class C. The wins came against Boothbay Region and Mt. Abram. Mt. Abram, also 2-12, qualified for the post season being ranked 10th  in SPA heal standings.

On Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Midcoast Conservancy will be hosting the annual Hooked on Fishing event, where kids ages 5-15 get out on the water and experience the fun of fishing! Children of all experience levels are welcome; each child get an hour of fishing in prime fishing spots on Damariscotta Lake with experienced volunteer boaters as their personal guides. Mentors will be onshore to assist young anglers with equipment andto answer their questions about fishing.

Midcoast Conservancy will provide all of the kids’ equipment (fishing poles, bait, boats, and lifejackets) and the Whitefield Lions Club will cook up delicious food — all for free! Sign up today; one fishing rod will be given away at the event, and admission to the Park is free for everyone coming to this event, compliments of Midcoast Conservancy.

Participants will meet at Damariscotta Lake State Park in Jefferson, and head out onto the lake from there. Register to choose a time slot; boats will leave hourly. Go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/hooked-fishing-day/ Call (207) 389-5150 for more information or with any questions.

The event is co-sponsored by Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and the Whitefield Lions Club.

The second Maine Summer Adventure Race on June 24 will offer simultaneous three- and 10-hour races to challenge racers at any level. While the 10-hour course will draw competitive racers from far and wide, the three-hour course is meant to provide an opportunity for less-experienced racers, including family teams.

First-time adventure racers and families can discover how fun the sport of adventure racing is with the beginner-friendly three-hour race, according to course designer Kate White. “If you can walk or jog a 5K, bike five miles and paddle one mile, you will be more than prepared for the three-hour race,” she said.

The MSAR will involve teams of two, three or four competing in a nonstop race involving trail running or trekking, road and mountain biking, flat-water paddling and orienteering. Teams will have to combine athleticism with strategy and navigation to guide themselves to as many checkpoints as possible within the race’s time limit. The race is designed by Cliff and Kate White of the Strong Machine Adventure Racing team and will be hosted by Midcoast Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education and recreation.

The race will challenge expert adventure racers and beginners alike with a fun and beautiful course that travels from the coast through thick pine forests, across deep cold lakes and rivers.

“Maine is a beautiful state and this area of Maine is one of our favorites,” said race co-director Cliff White. "When we started exploring the area, our first thought was that it would be the perfect place for an adventure race because it has so much varied terrain. We’ve expanded the range of the race from last year’s course. We can’t wait to send racers out to explore all the cool places we’ve discovered.”

Entry fees are quite modest as far as adventure races go, with per-racer fees between $45 to $125, not including discounts offered to Midcoast Conservancy members. Race entry includes a race T-shirt, swag bag, post-race feast and drinks (including Oxbow beers), maps, canoe and paddle rental, prizes and giveaways and facility and land-use fees.

The race will be sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association and will count as part of its points series.

Those interested in the Maine Summer Adventure Race can find more information at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/maine-summer-adventure-race-71517/, MaineSummerAR.weebly.com or by searching for the Maine Summer Adventure Race on Facebook.

Ronald Drake singled in the winning run Tuesday, giving the Wolverines a 7-6 win over visiting Medomak Valley High School in the final baseball game of the season. Wiscasset Middle High School, unable to field a varsity team, finished with a 5-1 record with wins against Brunswick, Carrabec and Richmond.

Drake’s game-winning hit came in the eighth inning. With one away, Grant Hefler ripped a line drive single over the leaping shortstop and got into scoring position by stealing second base with a headfirst slide. Drake then fisted a fastball offered by pitcher Kevin White down the right field line that fell just inside fair territory. Hefler rounded the bases and scored the winning run.

Conlon Ranta started the game and sent the Panthers down in order in each of the first three innings, striking out seven of the nine batters he faced before being lifted by Coach Gregg Wood.

Hefler drove in the first two Wiscasset runs in the second inning with a bases loaded double, scoring Haiden Dunning who singled and Chase Reed who was hit by a pitch. Dunning drove in the Wolverines’ third run in the third with two out single scoring Logan Orr who lead off the inning with a double.

Andrew Hendrickson came in to pitch the fourth and set the Panthers down in order, with Matt Chapman making a nice catch on a fly ball to deep center field.

Chapman beat a slow roller to lead off the home half of the fourth and then stole second. He scored on Hefler’s second double,  his third RBI, making it a 4-0 ballgame. Drake drove in another Wolverine run with a sacrifice fly. The Panthers then erupted for five runs in the fifth inning when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Darius Pierpoint provided the big blast with a bases loaded triple. The Panthers tied the game 5-5.

Medomak went ahead with a run in the sixth inning. Clayton Belcher tripled off Hefler who had come in to pitch. Belcher then stole home on a pass ball putting the visitors ahead 6-5.

The Wolverines sent the game into extra innings in the seventh. Orr singled and moved down to second after Hendrickson reached on an error. Dunning was then intentionally walked to load the bases and Orr scored on a pass ball. Medomak then turned a double play to end the inning. After Chase Reed flied out to center, Hendrickson was thrown out after tagging up and trying to advance to third.

In the top of the eighth, Medomak got the go ahead run on base with a two out single. But the Panther base runner was thrown out trying to steal second, the catcher Ranta throwing down to Drake who applied the tag. Coach Wood awarded Drake a game ball after the game ended.

At least one Wolverine will continue playing baseball this summer. Hefler plans to join his brother Darin Wood and play in the city of Portland’s Twilight League.

Harrington, Maine's Andrew McLaughlin has come close, very close, to winning the state's biggest Late Model Sportsman race; The Coastal 200, on more than one occasion. Finally, on a near perfect sunny Sunday afternoon at Wiscasset Speedway, McLaughlin finally sealed the deal and took home the biggest win of his career in dominant fashion. Over 2600 fans packed the house for the Memorial Day weekend tradition, including a large contingent of veterans & active duty military who were admitted free of charge as the track's special guests. Starting from the pole position in front of the 26 car field, McLaughlin led 181 of the 200 laps but was still tested on several occasions by a handful of drivers waiting for him to make a mistake. That mistake never happened as he was the best car all day, nailing down the win by a comfortable 3 seconds over Fairfield's Ben Ashline and local favorite Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset. For his efforts, McLaughlin raked in $5100 in winnings and lap leader money, including $500 for leading halfway. The race was once again presented by Jordan Lumber and Jordan Excavation of Kingfield. Other winners on the program included Jonathan Emerson of Sabbatus in the Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets; Mark Lucas of Harpswell in the Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds; and Zac Audet of Skowhegan in the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis.

One of the unique things about the Coastal 200, (or the Coastal 150 in its early days), is that in its 20+ year history, the race has seen only one repeat winner. With only a pair of previous winners scattered through the 26 car field, the odds remained high for yet another driver to be hoisting the victor's trophy for the first time. McLaughlin brought the field to the green with Burgess alongside. Both drivers have been a former runner-up in the big race. Behind them were another pair of heavy favorites, 2016 winner Chris Thorne and veteran ACT racer Ben Ashline, making his return to action after nearly 3 years away. McLaughlin set a torrid pace from the drop of the green flag, pulling out to a half straightaway advantage, while Ashline, Burgess, Thorne, and several others jockeyed for position. Four separate cautions for spins mid-pack bunched things up for challengers to take their shot at the leader, but he held served through the midpoint of the race until a much-needed caution flag flew on lap 135, sending all the lead lap cars onto pit road for tires. When the cars returned to the track for the restart, McLaughlin had come out last among the nine cars left on the lead lap. Will Collins held the lead for a lap after the restart until it was taken by Ashline and then Hinkley over the next 19 laps. Intermixed with several lapped cars, McLaughlin sliced his way through traffic and drove around Hinkley to reclaim the lead. That pass was the validation that the fans and fellow drivers needed to confirm that it was his race to win. As contenders faded, McLaughlin's car seemed to get stronger and he sealed the victory in a race he had turned in 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the past three years. Ashline fought a loose race car all day and recovered from a lap 139 spin of his own to place 2nd. Hinkley was the last driver with a serious challenge to the eventual winner, holding the lead til lap 152 but then faded late to settle for the third place trophy. Winterport's Joey Doyon spent much of the race in the top five, even having a shot at the lead himself on lap 137. He would match his career best from last year's race in 4th. Mike Hopkins of Hermon had a solid day, but some early body damage to the right front of his car helped relegate him to a 5th place finish. McLaughlin, Ashline, and Burgess each pocketed an extra $100 from Norms Used Cars of Wiscasset for winning their respective heat races.

Other early favorites including Thorne, Burgess, and Winterport's Shane Clark all succumbed to mechanical problems dropping them from contention. Clark had made three separate charges up from the back of the field into the top five in the first third of the race but finally retired on lap 86. He was awarded the Code 99 Designs Hard Luck Driver of the race. Collins took home the AR Bodies Hard Charger Award after starting 20th and finishing 7th.

In victory lane, the winner was all smiles. "I've won a bunch of Saturday night feature races, and have come close in a few big ones," said McLaughlin. "It's been a goal of mine to win this race. This is the highlight of my racing career, right here. I couldn't be prouder." He added, "I knew once I got new tires on the car I'd be OK. I knew I had a good car. As soon as we unloaded today, I knew they were in trouble"

Twenty-one cars lined up for the 25-lap feature in the Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets. Third generation racer Jonathan Emerson of Sabattus added his name to the family registry of feature winners in grand fashion. The 16-year-old started from the pole position with his dad Zach alongside and a host of veteran heavy hitters mid pack. When the checkers flew he had not only brushed off the challenge of his father but then held off both Kurt and Kyle Hewins over the final ten laps to pick up his first career win. In victory lane, he was asked if he was nervous with the Hewins brothers in his mirror over the closing laps. "Yeah, I was nervous from lap zero really," said Jonathan. defending champ Kurt Hewins finished runner-up and Kyle settled for 3rd in his first Wiscasset run of the season.

Defending champ Mark Lucas cruised to an easy win in the 30-lap feature for the Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds. Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich and Allen Moeller Sr of Dresden joined him in victory lane; both turning in their third straight podium finish to start 2017.

Zach Audet of Skowhegan took advantage of a rare front row starting position along with the mechanical woes of some of his toughest competition to go wire to wire for the win in the 25-lap feature for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. It was his 2nd win of the season in his quest for a second straight division championship. Tim Collins of Farmingdale rebounded from a tough race two weeks ago to pick up the runner-up trophy. Vassalboro's Brent Roy continued his solid start to the season with his third straight podium appearance.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, June 3 at 6 p.m. with Group 1 in action presented by The Bozutto's Company and the Dream Ride for Special Olympics. The show will be highlighted by a 50-lap spotlight feature for the ServPro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks. The race will serv as a qualifier race for the $10,000 to win SLM / Prostock Nationals at Seekonk Speedway in July. Also in action Saturday night will be the Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis and N.E. 4-cylinder Pros.

For more information go to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com, or call (207) 491-3720. 

Official Finishes 5/28/17

 2017 Coastal 200

1. #26 Andrew McLaughlin - Harrington (200)

2. #15me Ben Ashline - Fairfield (200)

3. #15 Nick Hinkley - Wiscasset (200)

4. #38x Joey Doyon - Winterport (200)

5. #15h Mike Hopkins - Hermon (200)

6. #33 Josh St Clair - Liberty (200)

7. #25 Will Collins - Waldoboro (200)

8. #11 Cody Verrill - Richmond (200)

9. Brandon Bailey - Wiscasset (200)

10. #33t Trey Brown - Winterport (198)

11. #3 Richard Jordan - Kingfield (198)

12. #17 Chris Thorne - Sidney (198)

13. #17x Chris Matchett - Skowhegan (196)

14. #74 Adam Chadbourne - Woolwich (193)

15. #30x Dylan Street - Old Town (177)

16. #7 Tyler Bailey - Wiscasset (131)

17. #21 Shane Clark - Winterport (85)

18. #00 Alex Waltz - Walpole (80)

19. #41 Brian Whitney - Etna (78)

20. #30 Ryan St Clair - Liberty (24)

21. #34 Jeff Burgess - Fairfield (23)

22. #8x Ray Dinsmore - Waterboro (23)

23. #28 Steve Minott - Windham (8) 

24. #77x John Brill - Turner (7)

Dq #3X Wes Turner - Freedom (unregistered Tires)

Dq #1 Steven Chicoine - Portland (condcut)

Cautions (9)

Lap Leaders:

#26 Andrew McLaughlin (1 -8)

#15me Ben Ashline (9)

#26 Andrew Mclaughlin (10-134)

#25 Will Collins (135)

#15me Ben Ashline (136 - 138)

#15 Nick Hinkley (139 - 152)

#26 Andrew Mclaughlin (153 - 200)

New England Racing Fuels $500 Halfway Leader 

#26 Andrew McLaughlin

Ar Bodies Hard Charger Award 

#25 Will Collins (+13)

Code 99 Designs Hard Luck Award

#21 Shane Clark

Norm's Used Cars $100 Heat Winners

Heat 1 = #26 Andrew McLaughlin

Heat 2 = #15me Ben Ashline

Heat 3 = #34 Jeff Burgess

Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets (25 Laps)

1. #24 Jonathan Emerson - Sabattus

2. #55h Kurt Hewins - Leeds

3. #51 Kyle Hewins - Leeds

4. #23 Zach Emerson - Sabattus

5. #25 Brad Bellows - China

6. #67 Michael Haynes - Livermore Falls

7. #05r Glenn Reynolds - Turner

8. #51x Bryan Robbins - Montville

9. #78 Tiger Colby - Wiscasset

10. #11 Mike Short - Auburn

11. #14 Anthony Constentino - Sumner

12. #47 Brian Caswell - Buxton

13. #89 Faith Cleaves - Freeport

14. #4 Jordan Russell - Norway

15. #00 Kimberly Knight - Chesterville

16. #66 James Grover Jr - Newcastle

17. #66 Dave Brannon - Lisbon Falls

18. #2 Joe Hutter - Leeds 

19. #36 Richard Spaulding - Lisbon

20. #35h Heath Hotham - China

Dns - #85 Jay Avery- Berwick

Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds (30 Laps)

1. #5 Mark Lucas - Harpswell

2. #1 Adam Chadbourne - Woolwich

3. #04 Allen Moeller Sr - Dresden

4. #15 Joe Williams - Woolwich

5. #21 Tom Young - Freeport

6. #28 Mark Lundblad - Conway. Nh

7. #33 Ron Bryant - Livemore

8. #61 Shawn Austin - Norridgewock

9. #4C Nick Coates - Turner

Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis (25 Laps)

1. #19me Zach Audet - Skowhegan

2. #18 Tim Collins - Farmingdale

3. #26 Brent Roy - Vassalboro

4. #41 Shane Smith - Augusta

5. #2x Rob Greenleaf - West Bath

6. #61 Cole Robinson - Clinton

7. #10 Jimmy Childs - Leeds

8. #41m Larry Melcher - Jay

9. #27 Jacob Hendsbee - Whitefield

10. #36 Megan Frost - Montville

Dns - #20 Shawn Kimball

Dns - #72 Mike Delano

Midcoast United soccer club seeks fall youth soccer players.

We are happy to announce our dates for fall youth travel soccer tryouts: Tuesday, June 13, 5 p.m. registration and 5:30 tryouts; and, Thursday June 15, 5:30 to 7 tryouts. These tryouts at the Nobleboro Central School field are for players age 8 (as of Aug. 1) and up.

Midcoast United is a volunteer organization committed to bringing instruction and encouragement to youth soccer players in the Midcoast region. We play in Soccer Maine's Fall Classic League while upholding the rules and regulations of this organization. We hold practices locally, twice a week through the season.

For more information, email mtilas.midcoast@gmail.com or newcastle.houghton@gmail.com

A new summer camp experience will provide girls ages 9-15 with a special opportunity to learn about nature. Hearty Roots, a nonprofit, will host up to 60 girls at three Lincoln County locations.The camp’s purpose is to grow young girls’ self-esteem and self-awareness by exposing them to the wilderness.

Edgecomb Eddy School guidance counselor Haley Bezon created Hearty Roots. Prior to moving to Maine, she worked in Alaska and ran a 50-day wilderness expedition for at-risk teens.

Her Alaskan experience is something Bezon wanted to bring here since arriving over a decade ago. Bezon believes nature provides “restorative healing” to students coping with the challenges of being a teen. As a guidance counselor, she provides students with techniques to make better life choices. She began forming her non-profit corporation last year to help students find healthier ways to a happier lifestyle.

The program brings students into an outdoor setting for five days of activities such as camping, cooking over an open fire, practicing yoga and making arts and crafts. Four of the six camps have one overnight session. Each camp lasts five days.

Bezon called Hearty Roots a “pipe dream” of hers. She has always wanted to bring it to the Northeast.

“I’ve wanted to do something like this for years. As a school counselor, I’m focused on providing students with tools coping with life’s challenges, fostering happiness and developing resiliency. This program is all about discovering and connecting with yourself. It gets their adrenaline going by providing some cool, healthy alternatives. Research has shown kids exposed to an outlet producing a natural high are less likely to experiment with substances.”

In the future, Healthy Roots may sponsor a boys’ or co-educational program, according to Bezon.

Hearty Roots has partnered with the Deck House School in Edgecomb, Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson and Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta. The three locations have access to a wilderness setting, according to Bezon. Three weeks are dedicated to girls ages 9-12 and three other weeks are devoted to girls ages 13-15. Hearty Roots’ Board of Directors decided, at least for the first year, camps shouldn’t be co-educational. The board decided to focus on a program for girls this summer. Hearty Roots officials believe young girls will gain a great deal of self awareness through their participation.

The program creates a setting where participants leave social media alone for a few days, allowingssss them an important personal growth experience.

“Research suggests girls’ self-esteem peaks at age 9, and by 15, it significantly drops,” Bezon said. “Our work will be like holding up a mirror for girls discovering the strength and love already inside them.”

Each camp has 10 spots available. The camps in Edgecomb and Jefferson cost $225 per student and include an overnight stay. The two Damariscotta camps cost $150 and do not include an overnight camp-out. Each location has one session for girls 9-12 years old and one for girls age 13-15.  Healthy Roots is seeking grants and local donations to provide scholarships for students who can’t afford the tuition. The nonprofit is also partnering with another local organization providing transportation for campers. The Restorative Justice Program, which serves Lincoln, Waldo and Knox counties, will provide daily transportation, according to Bezon.

Several of Bezon’s Edgecomb Eddy students have signed up for at least one week. Some are excited about the new experience and others are a bit squeamish about being outdoors for five days, Bezon said. “They are all excited and willing to move outside of their comfort zone a little bit by trying something new.”

An intern will assist Bezon during each camp. One of the first lessons taught by Bezon is in her brochure. She advises campers to “stand tall and proud, sink in your roots, go out on a limb, drink lots of water, enjoy the view, and keep growing.”

For more information, contact Bezon at rootshearty@gmail.com or on Facebook.com/heartyrootsinc, or call 207-242-1434.

The Contented Sole Restaurant, Colonial Pemaquid Drive, New Harbor will be a happening place on June 22 at 5 p.m. with the 13th annual Pemaquid Watershed Association “Party on the Pier” fundraising event.

A cash bar and traditional folk music played by the Dam Jam Fiddler band will help kick off the evening. The restaurant, located in Pemaquid Harbor, will generously offer a buffet dinner and dessert to add to the festivities.

The highlight of the event will be a raffle of themed prizes such as Dining on the Pemaquid, Health and Wellness, Spa Sampler, Monhegan Island overnight package along with boat rides, oyster tastings and many, many more enticing items. These raffle chances are $10 each or 3 for $25.

In addition to the exciting items offered, 100 tickets will be available at $25 each for the possibility to win a $500 cash prize! All tickets go on sale June 1 and the winner does not need to be present.

Event and raffle tickets can be purchased by phone at (207) 563-2196, online at www.pemaquidwatershed.org, or at the PWA office, 584 Main St., Damariscotta. Tickets for the event are $30 and a limited number will be available at the door at $35.

Proceeds of the event are to support PWA’s mission to conserve the natural resources of the Pemaquid Peninsula through land and water stewardship and education.

For more information, please log on to www.pemaquidwatershed.org or call (207) 563-2196.

Those who own or plan to purchase a kayak or canoe will not want to miss Paddle Sports Safety being offered through Central Lincoln County Adult Education. This is a one week, two session class meeting Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Lincoln County Adult Education office in Damariscotta.

Paddle sports can be so enjoyable. However, safety skills are essential for pleasant trips along Maine’s coastal and inland waters in canoes and kayaks. This introductory course presents information needed to operate paddle craft safely. Materials developed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association are provided. An optional certification exam can be taken at the conclusion of the class.

The cost of the course is $29 for registrations received by June 13 and $34 for all other registrations. So register early and save.

For more information call CLC Adult Education at 563-2811 or email us at clcae@aos93.org. You can register on-line at clc.maineadulted.org or fill out a registration form in the winter/spring 2017 CLC Adult Education brochure and send it along with your payment to CLC Adult Education, 767 Main Street, 1-A Damariscotta, ME 04543.

With its black and white plumage and yellow nape, the male bobolink is a handsome bird easily identified from a distance. Celebrated for their bubbling song, punctuated with sharp metallic notes, bobolinks are summertime residents of tall grass, mixed prairie, hay fields and meadows across the northern United States and southern Canada.

To learn about grassland birds such as the bobolink and take a walk through a beautiful bobolink habitat that is now being managed for nesting grassland birds, join Damariscotta River Association (DRA), the Agricultural Allies program and Avian Haven for a free Nesting Grassland Bird Walk on June 15 from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.

Bobolinks are remarkable migrants, arriving here to breed each spring all the way from their winter homes in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. They travel about 12,500 miles round-trip every year, in one of the longest migrations of any songbird. In fact, throughout its lifetime, a single Bobolink may travel the equivalent of 4 or 5 times around the circumference of the earth.   

Loss of grassland habitat is a major factor in the steep population decline of grassland birds throughout the northeast such as bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, and savanna sparrows. Additionally, today’s standard field mowing practices often result in total nest failure of these birds. Consequently, the State of the Birds Report, released by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, placed bobolinks on the 2014 Watchlist of birds most in need of conservation help.

Conservation mowing practices preserve nesting sites and reduce grassland bird mortality.  Laura Suomi-Lecker, Project Manager of the grassland bird Agricultural Allies program for Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as education and outreach coordinator for Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in Freedom, will discuss the needs and issues facing grassland birds and best management practices to help them, whether you live on a suburban lot, or have acres out in the country, or manage a farm.  

DRA Lands and Stewardship Director Jesse Ferreira will also talk briefly about DRA’s new habitat management practices.

To register, call 207-563-1393 or email dra@damariscottariver.org. There is no cost for this event.

For more information about the camps or other programs and events call 207-563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit www.damariscottariver.org.

Wiscasset Middle High School’s girls track team finished 12th in the State Class C track meet at Dover-Foxcroft Saturday.

Ayanna Stover placed second in the 100-meter, crossing the finish line in 17.21, Lauren Sterling of Mountain Valley was the fastest in 16.19. Emily Grandahl of Monmouth Academy was third, 17.31. WMHS’ Keara Hunter came in 24th in 20.18.

Stover was also second in the 100-meter hurdles, 17.21 again behind Sterling who won in 16.20. Traip’s Sophia Santamaria was third, 13.35. Wiscasset’s 4x100 relay team of Gabby Chapman, Vanessa Dunn, Grace Webber and Stover placed sixth in 53.83. The team from Orono won in 52.65. Chapman was 13th in the 400-meter with a time of 1:07.25. Orono’s Rebecca Lopez-Anido won in 1:00.43.

Dunn finished ninth in 300-meter hurdles, 53.41. Eliza Broughton of Geirge Stevens Academy won the event, 49.29. Stover placed 16th, 56.82. Webber was sixth in the 200-meter, 28.11. Alexandra Hammerton of St. Dom’s won with a time of 27.8. Chapman was seventh in the long jump, 14-7 and Webber 10th, 14-1. Katherine O'Brien of Orono had the winning jump at 16-8. Stover was third in the triple jump, 31-11. Maija Overturf of Central won with 32-9.

Orono won the meet with 125.33 points, George Stevens Academy was second with 56, Maranacook, third 48.5. WMHS placed 12th among 29 high schools competing.

Boys results

WMHS’ Matt Chapman placed seventh in the 110-meter hurdles in 17.92. Traip Academy’s Evan Porter won in 15.28. Chapman finished ninth, 44.89 in the 300-meter hurdles. Porter won this race as well, posting a time of 39.98. The Wolverine 4x100 relay team of Chapman, Sam Strozier, Max Sampson and Chris Loyola finished 13th overall with a time of 49.19. The Orono team won the event, 44.74.

Wiscasset’s 4x400 relay team of Strozier, Cedrick Loyola, Caleb Gabriele and Chapman came in 14th recording a time of 3:58.11. The Orono team won the race in 44.74. Loyola was among eight entries to clear 5-2 in the high jump; the winning jump was 6-4 by Hall-Dale’s Jon Whitcomb. Sampson jumped 18-11.5, coming in eighth in the long jump. Cayden Spencer-Thomson won the event with a leap of 22-3.5. Sampson was eleventh in the triple jump at 38-7. The Wolverines’ top distance runner Brandon Goud was injured and didn’t compete.

The WMHS boys finished near the bottom at the state meet. Orono won with 102 team points, Traip was second with 69, George Stevens third, with 61, and Hall-Dale and Mountain Valley tied for fourth, 38.

Everyone concerned about climate change and the Trump Administration’s rejection of the Paris Climate Agreement is invited to attend a forum sponsored by the Sagadahoc County Democratic Committee on Monday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Woolwich Town Hall. Lisa Pohlmann, the executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), will speak on “Mainers’ Role in Global Climate Change.”

NRCM Director Pohlmann has said that the decision to remove the United States from the Climate Agreement is “a devastating blow to the nation and the planet” and could have “dire consequences” for the state of Maine.

“We are going to suffer here more than many places because of Maine’s vulnerability to climate change,” said Pohlmann, citing the deep links between Maine’s economy and our environment.

NRCM is Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization with more than 20,000 members and supporters. Started by Maine people in 1959, NRCM is actively engaged in policy making, and works statewide to protect Maine’s woods, waters and wildlife. Executive Director Pohlmann is a resident of Jefferson and has a PhD from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.

“Environmental issues have united Maine voters for many years” said Bronwen Tudor, chair of the Sagadahoc County Democratic Committee. “Our rivers and mountains, wilderness and coast are treasures we enjoy as well as an important engine driving our economy. As Democrats, we are deeply concerned about climate change, but also about the way it’s become a political football. We encourage everyone to come and learn more about both the big picture of federal and state action, and about the actions we can take now as individual advocates and consumers.”

There will be an opportunity at the free event, held at the Woolwich Town Office, 13 Nequasset Road, for audience members to ask questions and take advocacy action. 

Maine's fastest oval, Wiscasset Speedway, showcased Group 2 Saturday night, June 10 in front of another big crowd. Three different drivers picked up their first wins of the 2017 campaign, while another took early control of the tracks most competitive division with his second victory of the year.

Midcoast Region Napa Mods were the spotlight division with a 40-lap main event. Joe Williams of Woolwich withstood a late race restart and pulled away from defending champ Mark Lucas for a convincing win; his first of the year. The race of the day was the one a straightaway behind him for second between Tom Young and Nick Reno. The two racing wheel-to-wheel for the final 10 laps with Reno grabbing the runner-up trophy on the outside by less than a foot. Young settled for 3rd. Other winners on the night included Nick Hinkley on the Late Model Sportsman, Shawn Kimball in the Outlaw Minis, and Joe Hutter in the Strictly Streets. The flex race was a 100-lap Enduro, won by Zach Emerson.

In the 25-lap feature for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis, Augusta's Shawn Kimball finally shook off a month's worth of hard luck and bad breaks to lead the feature wire to wire. The two-time champ was chased across the line by four-time champ Rob Greenleaf of West Bath and Farmingdale's Tim Collins. For Collins, it was his second straight podium appearance.

The Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman rolled out another stacked field of 21 cars for their 35-lap feature. Wiscasset's Nick Hinkley took sole possession of the points lead with his second straight win. Hinkley started 15th and took advantage of a couple mid-race restarts and took the lead from Ben Erskine with five laps to go en route to the victory. Brandon Bailey, also of Wiscasset worked the traffic nicely from back in the pack to pick up a career-best 2nd place finish. Coastal 200 champ Andrew McLaughlin charged up the outside lane on the final lap beating Alex Waltz to the stripe by a scant 6/1000th of a second to claim 3rd.

Strictly Streets, sponsored by Norm's Used Cars of Wiscasset, had plenty of action in their 25-lap feature. Joe Hutter of Leeds held an early lead until he was passed by Montville's Bryan Robbins, only to get it back on a late race restart when Robbins knocked out of the lead by Zac Bowie. Hutter held tight to the bottom of the race track as he was challenged over the final five laps by point leader Mike Haynes. His hard work paid off with his first career win at Wiscasset Speedway. Haynes joined Hutter in victory lane along with Zach Emerson of Sabbatus, making his first podium appearance of the season.

The flex race of the night was a 100-lap Enduro. Forty-nine cars answered the opening bell and fanned out five wide thru the turns in search of the checkered flag. When all was said and done, and nearly at the end of their 1-hour time limit, Zach Emerson, who had started back in 45th, emerged with the victory. Runner-up Josh Dube of Auburn was the only other car left on the lead lap. Wiscasset flagman Ron Whitcomb turned the duties over to assistant Larry Arsenault and drove his car to a 3rd place finish, followed by Brad Clement and Johnathan Rines.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, June 17 for the Father's Day weekend program featuring Group 1 divisions; Prostocks, Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-cylinder Pros. The show will begin with the flex division which will be a special go-kart exhibition race, showcasing some of the young up and coming talent in the making. Pit gates will open at 2 p.m., grandstands at 4 and the show begins promptly at 6. Wiscasset Speedway is located on the West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, go to the website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com    

Wiscasset Speedway official finishes 6/10/17

Midcoast region Napa Modifieds (40-lap Spotlight Feature)

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Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis (25 laps)

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Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman (35 laps)

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Norm's Used Cars Strictly Streets (25 laps)

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Enduro #1 (100 laps)