Central Maine Board #20 is offering basketball a five-week rules course for people interested in becoming a certified basketball official. The class meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning on Sept. 25 at in Room 106 at Lincoln Academy, Newcastle. The cost is $75. For more information contact TJ Halliday at 207-522-2029 or email at tj.halliday@mainegeneral.org

Gage Thompson scored twice and figured in a third goal leading the Oak Hill Raiders to a 4-0 win over the Wolverines Friday afternoon at Wiscasset Middle High School. The loss dropped the combined Wiscasset/Boothbay team to 0-2. Oak Hill is 3-0.

Nico Soucy netted the Raiders’ first goal on a penalty kick at 23:22 of the first half. It came after the Wolverines were whistled for charging. Thompson then put the visitors up 2-0 at 19:29. Riley Worth’s shot ricocheted off the goal post right to Thompson who booted the ball into the net.

At the midway point of the first half, Wiscasset’s Matt Chapman found Tim Shapplie open who fired but was wide left.

A few minutes later, Chapman made a nice move by Oak Hill’s Brady Bangs. The Raiders were then whistled for pushing just outside the penalty area. Shapplie’s direct kick was pushed wide by Cole Whitten, the Raider’s goalie.

The Wolverines’ first corner kick of the game came with five minutes left until halftime. Shapplie centered the ball but a Raider defender got to it first and cleared the ball away.

After the first 40 minutes, Oak Hill held a 9-4 shot edge, Shapplie taking all four shots for the Wolverines. The Raiders had five corner kicks compared to just one for Wiscasset.

The Raiders’ third goal came on a penalty kick at 15:30 of the second half; Riley Worth scoring.

Thompson then salted this one away with an unassisted goal with 8:32 left to play. His shot from 30 yards away deflected off the far post and into the net. Wiscasset keeper Caleb Gabriele tweaked his knee trying to block the shot and had to leave the game. His brother Josh was inserted to finish and picked up a pair of saves.

The Wolverines’ best scoring opportunity came with 13:32 left to play. Jordan Espeut chipped the ball to the goal mouth. James Hodson was there but his shot was a foot or two wide of the net.

Earlier, Espeut fired a shot from 40 yards away; the ball had a lot of mustard on it but was high sailing over the cross bar.

Sydnie Thayer recorded 21 saves for the Wolverines but Monmouth Academy won 7-0 Saturday Sept. 8 at Wiscasset Middle High School.

Thayer, one of only two seniors on WMHS’s roster, assumed the net keeping duties after starting goalie Lily Souza was lost to a knee injury. Souza was hurt two days earlier in Thursday’s soccer game at Lisbon.

Thayer made 11 saves in the first 40 minutes of play and added a dozen more in the second half of play. Monmouth ended the game with over 30 shots on goal.

Freshman Abby Crawford scored the first goal for the Mustangs just three minutes after the opening kickoff. At 31:25, she scored again from just outside the 18, with Alicen Burnham picking up an assist.

With 15:59 left until halftime, Audrey Fletcher on the left wing centered a pass to Burnham who scored. Just 60 ticks later Burnham booted the ball into the net again putting Monmouth up 4-0, where the score stood at the half.

Audrey Fletcher scored five minutes into the second half and Megan Ham’s goal at 19:44 made it 6-nil. Fletcher scored again in the game’s closing minutes.

The Wolverines’ defense was tested early and often by the visitors. During one five- minute stretch in the first half, the Mustangs took four corner kicks in a row. They added five more before the half ended but failed to convert any of them into a score.

In the first half Wiscasset’s Gwen Webber intercepted Fletcher’s pass to Crawford. She kicked the ball downfield aiming for Alyssa Basset but Monmouth’s Libby Clement got to the ball first.

The Wolverines’ offense struggled throughout the game to maintain possession of the ball. Mustang keeper Destiny Clough was called to make just two stops, one in each half.

The loss dropped class D Wiscasset to 0-3. Monmouth, a class C high school improved to 3-1. The two teams will meet again at Monmouth on Sept. 22. Besides Souza, the Wolverines had three other players sidelined with injuries.

Over in Lisbon on Thursday, Sept. 6, the Greyhounds shut out WMHS 8-0. The bigger loss for the Wolverines was when Souza went down with her injury early in the second half. She finished the game with 16 saves.

Kiley Merritt scored three times for the hosts who entered the game with a 2-1 record in Mountain Valley Conference play. Lisbon, up 3-1 at halftime, out shot Wiscasset 31-1.

With all the attention on soccer this fall, Wolverine fans may have forgotten Wiscasset Middle High School’s cross-country track season is also underway. If you missed the news, WMHS has combined its cross-country program with Boothbay Region High School.

On Sept. 5, the Boothbay/Wiscasset boys team won its first meet while the ladies’ team placed second. They competed against runners from Winthrop, Richmond, Lisbon, Hall-Dale and Oak Hill over a 3.1-mile course at the University of Maine at Augusta. Hall-Dale served as the official scorer.

Warren Cossette has returned to coach the Wolverines. He's been involved in the high school’s track program since 1994. Cossette recently became assistant WMHS principal and athletic director.

Nick Scott is coaching the Boothbay runners.

All of the meets are away ones for the Wolverines; WMHS hasn’t had a cross-country course for several years. Boothbay Region is hosting the annual Mid-season Race next Wednesday, Sept. 19. On Sept. 12, the Boothbay/Wiscasset runners will travel to Winthrop for a meet.

“Whenever we can, we’re combining our practices with Boothbay,” Cossette said. “We went down there this past Saturday to work out and they’re planning to come here to Wiscasset for a practice.”

This season the Wolverives will be wearing Boothbay Region’s familiar blue and gold jerseys when they compete. “Next year, we’re required by the SPA to have a uniform reflecting both schools,” added Cossette. “We combine our scoring as Boothbay/Wiscasset, but the runners are still competing as individuals.”

Representing the Wolverines this season are Lily Yeaton, a sophomore, and Maria West. Also running are junior Gage Varian and sophomore Nate Gilliam. Joining the team this week are two foreign exchange students, Muhammad Khalique of Pakistan, and Fitir Aelang from Thailand.

At UMA last week, Lisbon’s David Schlotterbeck set the pace; his winning time was 19:23. The next four runners to cross the finish line were all from Boothbay/Wiscasset. They included Will Perkins (19:37); Mason Erhard (20:29); Graham Harris (20:41) and Fox Elder (20:45).

Gilliam placed 35^th in 25:21. Varian didn’t run. There were 49 competitors.

Monmouth won the girls’ race, although Boothbay/Wiscasset's Faith Blethen and Glory Blethen finished one and two overall in 22:35 and 23:02. Oak Hill’s Haley Gunn was third in 24:52. Team scoring is based on the top five runners from each school.

Yeaton and West ran 27th and 28^th finishing in 34:56 and 35:04.

The Mountain Valley Conference Championship meet is Oct. 13 at UMA with the Class C Regionals on Oct. 20 and State C meet to follow Oct. 27.

The Samoset Fish and Game Club (SFGC) announces two Turkey Shoot Competitions dates for October 2018. The club will host a shotgun/archery target shoot competition, open to the public, on Sunday, Oct. 14. The shotgun competition will begin at 9 a.m. and the archery competition will begin at noon. SFGC will also host a rifle turkey shoot competition on Sunday, Oct. 21, which is open to the public as well. Members of other firearm clubs are welcome and encouraged to attend. The cost per round for all events is $3. Youth and adults, both male and female, compete against each other for top shot title. The events also include rounds for youth competitors only.

The shotgun competition targets are set at 25 yards. Top Shot title is earned by the closest pellet to the center of the target. Ammunition will be provided for competitors who bring their own shotguns. Competitors for archery will win the Top Shot title for Archery by hitting one arrow closest to center at the 20-yard, 30-yard, and 40-yard targets. Competitors bring their own bows and field tipped arrows. In the event of a tie, a shoot off at the mid-range target (30-yard) closest to center determines the Top Shot for archery. The rifle competition targets are set at 100 yards. Competitors bring their own rifles and ammunition. Club members will be present to compete and assist with the events.

SFGC held their annual membership meeting Sept. 9. Enrollment for membership is open. Persons interested in becoming a member of the club, or for answers to any SFGC questions, can contact Nate Hanna at 529-4607 or Mike Cushing at 677-2824. As always, renewal members can mail the $20 membership fee directly to the club.

SFGC’s range is located on the Transfer Road, Bristol. Follow Route 129/130 Bristol Road out of Damariscotta, at Hanley’s Market continue straight ahead on Route 130, Bristol Road, to Transfer Road, through the SFGC Gate, where you will find the SFGC Range on Transfer Road. Google Maps indicate the road being located in Pemaquid, a peninsula of Bristol. You can follow the club at https://www.facebook.com/samosetfishgameclub/ or email samosetfgc@gmail.com.

Please join Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine Forest Service for another free monthly Woodland Stewardship Tour. On Thursday, Sept. 20 from 3-5 p.m., Kirk Gentalen, Maine Coast Heritage Trust land steward and naturalist, will lead a guided hunt for native woodland mushrooms at Pemaquid Watershed Association’s Pemaquid Pond Preserve Trail. With the recent rains there should be a variety of fungi to find, identify and learn about! Kirk will highlight the natural history of mushrooms and their role in the woodland ecosystem and will also be on the lookout for other natural history observations, including the possibility of otter sign at the shoreline.

Please meet at 3 p.m. at the preserve parking lot on the Turner Rd in Bremen on the east side of Pemaquid Pond, just 0.6 miles from the Pemaquid/McCurdy Pond causeway. For directions and to register for this free program, contact Hildy at 596-2040, hildy@knox-lincoln.org or www.knox-lincoln.org/woodland-stewardship-tours.

The Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, whose mission is to provide assistance to the community in conservation of land and water resources, has openings on its five-member Board of Supervisors. The volunteer board, which is responsible for guiding the District’s business affairs and operations, comprises three elected and two appointed supervisors, who each serve overlapping three-year terms. This year we are seeking nominations for one appointed and two elected positions.

Anyone interested in 1) running for the office of supervisor, 2) being considered for an appointed position, or 3) voting in the election must be a registered voter within the boundaries of the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). Candidates need have only an interest in conservation and a willingness, at a minimum, to participate in a monthly board meeting at the District office in Rockport. 

For appointed positions, the Knox-Lincoln SWCD Board of Supervisors submits up to three names of interested individuals to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which chooses the appointee. To run for an elected position, a candidate must submit a nomination paper signed by 25 Knox and/or Lincoln county residents.

In addition, the SWCD Board welcomes Associate Supervisors, non-voting members appointed by the Board, who may have an interest in the general activities of the District or a specific area of interest or expertise to share.

Nomination papers, appointee forms and ballots may be obtained by contacting the District office. Completed appointment or election documents must be received at the District office by 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, after which candidates will be posted on our website, www.knox-lincoln.org/supervisor-elections. Ballots must be received at the District office no later than 4:00 pm on Nov. 21, and will be counted at our monthly board meeting on that date.

To receive nomination papers, appointee forms or a ballot, or for more information, contact Election Superintendent Hildy Ellis at 893 West Street (Route 90) in Rockport, 596-2040 or hildy@knox-lincoln.org.

So the closest I’ve come to a film festival – indoors or outdoors – was when triple features of Woody Allen or James Bond played at one of the drive-ins back in Connecticut. You remember drive-ins, right? How fun were they? The huge screen, the speakers (which for the most part worked fairly well) that hooked onto the car window, the treats and what not you’d bring along, pillows, blankets … Loved, loved, loved the drive-ins – who didn’t? What could be better? Mmmm, how about watching films outside? On a blanket on the grass? 

The Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF) now has – for the first time – a Lincoln County location for the festival: Brad and Danielle Betts’ Down East Gallery at 146 Boothbay Rd./Route 27 in Edgecomb, Thursday, Sept. 27. The couple have been fans of the Camden International Film Festival for years. 

“Last year we became aware of MOFF and caught the finale showing at Sugarloaf,” said Danielle. “It was inspiring.”

MOFF was founded in 2012 by  Nick Callanan, Nick Bowie and Joe Christopher. Brad and Danielle spoke with Nick Callanan at the Sugarloaf event to express their interest in hosting the festival in Lincoln County. 

“We were all pretty excited about it,” said Brad. “Nick said he wanted to show the films in all 16 counties, but hadn’t been able to find a location in Lincoln County. We have a natural outdoor amphitheater here. It should be a neat place for MOFF.”

“Yeah this is the first location in Lincoln County -EVER,” Nick Callanan said.

There are 68 films in this year’s MOFF to be distributed among 16 locations. How does Nick decide which films to show in each county?

“Programming is tough. But, I’ve lived in Maine my whole life and traveled around the state. You get a sense of what they’d like in each place,” Nick said. “Plus, all of our films are awesome so you can’t go wrong!”

The 9 foot x 12-foot screen will be set up in front of the inflorescence of sunflowers behind the galleries in the 1906 house and 1904 barn.

Special guests include filmmaker Dave Weich, whose work “This Place Called Nuka – Courting Adventure in Wild Alaska,” will be shown at Down East Gallery. Film synopsis: Jeff and Angela wanted to have a camping trip that never ended, and to see if they could live off the land. So they dropped out of college to attend the school of life. They hired a boat captain to ferry them (along with kayaks, snowboards and 30,000 pounds of building materials) to a patch of spectacular wilderness tucked between a glacier and the Gulf of Alaska, 70 miles from the nearest outpost. Run time: 22:20

The film “Fly Girls” includes local Edgecomb bike enthusiast Brynna Nelson whose whole family is super keen on mountain biking. “Fly Girls,” by filmmaker Phoebe Parker, brings audiences along for the second year of the Girls Mountain Bike Camp put on by the Portland Gear Hub. “(The camp) teaches girls 10 to 14 years old about biking and mechanic skills.” (quote from MOFF website). “Fly Girls” is the Audience Winner for the 2018 Summer Broke and Stoked short outdoor film contest and recipient of a $500 prize from Three Rivers Whitewater.

The other films playing at this Lincoln County MOFF event are: 

“Bailey and the Alewives” – Bailey Bowden of Penobscot unexpectedly becomes a fisheries activist to save the dwindling alewife population of the Bagaduce River Watershed. Collaborating with various organizations such as the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Bowden spearheads the construction of natural fishways in place of dams on the rivers in his community. His award-winning volunteer conservation work with alewives, a key species in the food chain, is contributing to the preservation and revival of entire ecosystems. (Video produced for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, 2018) Run time: 5:19

“After the Man” – A profile of a fishing guide in Mexico made by a group of young people in Blue Hill.  Run time: 15:36

“One Week At A Time” – Over three decades, four good friends circumnavigated New England via sea kayak. We follow them on the last leg of their voyage down the Hudson to the foot of the Statue of Liberty. Run time: 11:17

“Playing On the Pinn” – Sometimes having to face something as challenging as grief can trigger healing. This film by Filmuphigh takes a personal journey to a dagger of rock on the Cuillin ridge on the Isle of Skye known as the Inaccessible Pinnacle. After the sudden loss of her mountaineering musician husband, Rachel Bolton decides not only to climb the Pinnacle but to play her fiddle to him on the top. A moving film with an original score and plenty of breathtaking and dizzying footage of Skye’s mountains. Run time: 10:50.

“Freediving the Deepest Blue Hole in the World” – At 663 feet deep, Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the deepest saltwater blue hole on the planet and this piece gives an inside look into the mind of the most extraordinary free divers in the world. Hundreds of feet below the ocean surface with one breath, they risk their lives to redefine what is possible. Run time: 6:21

Brad and Danielle have some fantastic pre-show events planned for MOFF fans from 5 to 7 p.m. First off, there’s the plein air art show featuring Brad’s latest divine paintings and sketches. There’ll be two CD release celebrations: Ben Betts’ first CD, “Reveling,” and Ben’s friend and former music student Persephone’s first CD “Honeyblood.”  Both CD’s feature all original songs. Ben has been writing and recording his songs for a number of years here in Boothbay and Amherst, Massachusetts. Persephone wrote and performed all of the music on her CD (Ben produced the album). Both performers are multi-instrumentalists – piano, guitar, and theremin.

Expect performances by both Ben and Persephone individually and as a duo. In the meantime, give their tunes a listen on Spotify. 

What’s a theremin? Why, it’s one of the earliest electronic instruments created by Léon Theremin, circa 1930. This instrument is played without actually touching it. The sound it produces has been compared to the human voice. From the How Stuff Works website:  “Inside the first theremins, a circuit of vacuum tubes, oscillators, coils and wires created electromagnetic fields around the instrument's two antennae. Players fluttered their fingers and waved their hands near the antennae to raise or lower the Theremin's pitch and volume.” Intrigued? Ben’s theremin will be out and ready to play. 

“When you first experience it, it’s interesting … It will respond to you whether you like it or not,” Ben said with a laugh.

Boothbay Craft Brewery will also be on the scene for the MOFF donating beer at the inaugural event.  And the Two Maine Guys food truck there serving burgers, pulled pork and grilled chicken or fish tacos during the pre-show from 5-7 pm. 

The Maine Outdoor Film Festival is free, but …  a donation of $3 to $5 is suggested. All donations will go to the Teens To Trails program that supports Maine high school outdoor clubs. Since 2013, MOFF has raised $3,500-plus! 

The first film screening will be at 7:30 p.m. Total running time is 71 minutes – not including a brief intermission, with a free door prize raffle. The Betts confirmed parking is A-OK at Edgecomb Eddy School across the street from the gallery.

So pack a picnic, or go for some of the yummy food at the Two Maine Guys truck,  and a blanket or two and be at Down East Gallery for this happening event! The gallery is just a 1/2 mile south of Route 1;  two miles from Wiscasset; and seven miles from downtown Newcastle-Damariscotta.

“Tour de Farms” is an annual bike visit to Lincoln County farms, now in its 19th year.

There were four separate rides Saturday. The first was a 17-mile family ride, starting and stopping at Sheepscot General Store. The other three – a 42-mile ride, a 58-mile ride, and a 100-mile ride – started and ended at Morris Farm in Wiscasset. This year, a dozen farms were on the tours.

Bob Bruce, who has run the tour all 19 years, said he tries to include new farms every year. “We add and subtract rides ... some are easy outings, others are more challenging. You can ride along the Kennebec River, or to the top of Blinn Hill. There are routes along Route 1, and routes along quiet country lanes.”

About 30 people had preregistered, but typically, more will sign up on the day of the ride, Bruce said. “They’re waiting to see what the weather is like,” he said. There had been considerable ground fog about an hour before the rides were scheduled to begin.

The ride isn’t a race anymore, although everyone gets a number and is accounted for after the ride. “We tell people to ride at the pace you’re comfortable at,” he said.

Many of the riders are regulars every year, but some were first-timers. On their first Tour were John and Maureen Denison, from Andover, Massachusetts. Their power was out due to the recent gas explosions, and they took a short vacation.

Sandra Neeley, from Portland, was on her fourth tour, this time with friends attending Bowdoin College. They were experienced riders and planned the 58-mile ride.

Just before the riders set off, Bruce gave them some information about safety and how the routes were marked. “If you get a flat, or need help for any reason, call us or ask the farm where you are to call us and we’ll come and get you.”

As the riders took off for the first farm on their tour, the fog lifted and the sun lit the way.

Wiscasset Middle High School’s homecoming the week of Sept. 24 will show school spirit and community pride in an added way. After Monday’s pajama day, Tuesday’s holiday-themed day, Wednesday’s twin day and Thursday’s dress to impress day, Friday, Sept.  28, school spirit day, will start with Community Service Day.

According to an announcement, students will “experience the joy of serving others and will make contributions using ... teamwork throughout ... Wiscasset.” Freshmen will work on the annual Coastal Cleanup at Hermit Island in Phippsburg, where they will collect and make inventory of debris found along the shore. That data will go into state, national and international databases, the announcement continues. Students will examine the data and look for trends. “This will be the 28th year that Wiscasset ninth graders will participate in this effort.”

Sophomores’ plans include possible trail work, community center work, and cleanup in the area of the superintendent’s office. Juniors will work in the locker rooms, including doing some painting; work in the baseball dugout; and clean up outside the building. Seniors will do individual or small group projects.

At the homecoming pep rally at 1:30 p.m., some students will share their day’s work through photos, according to the announcement.

In other activities homecoming week, middle school soccer games are set for 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, followed by the alumni game at 6 p.m. and a grades nine through 12 homecoming dance from 8  p.m. to 10 p.m.

Events on Saturday, Sept. 29 start with the high school classes decorating bleachers from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Then come the high school tailgate party in the school’s back parking lot from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and the athletes’ bus escort at 3:30 p.m. Olivia Peaslee and Kaitlyn Main will perform the National Anthem at 4:55 p.m. Wiscasset boys varsity soccer team plays Carrabec at 5 p.m. The girls varsity soccer game versus Hyde starts at 7 p.m. And at 9 p.m. are the bonfire and fireworks.

The All Sports Boosters’ snack shack will be open during games.

The Wolverine boys’ soccer team improved its record to 2-3 after back-to-back wins over Dirigo and Carrabec.

At North Anson Saturday, Matt Chapman scored three goals in a 5-0 Wiscasset/Boothbay shutout of Carrabec. Rowan Kristan assisted by James Hodson netted the Wolverines’ first goal with 3:43 left in the first half. Wolverine Coach Chris Cossette said Chapman, assisted by Tim Chappelle, scored two minutes later. The score stood at 2-0 at halftime.

Kristan with John Hodson assisting then scored 45 seconds into the second half.

Chapman from John Hodson made it a 4-0 ballgame at the 23:46 mark. Chapman then picked up his third goal with 11 minutes left in the game. Chance Blagdon’s shot deflected off him and into the net.

Goalie Caleb Gabriele recorded two saves and freshman L. J. Travis had one for Wiscasset/Boothbay. Bradley Clark saved 13 for the Cobras.

The Wolverines dominated offensively, outshooting Carrabec 33-5. Wiscasset took five corner kicks compared to just one for the hosts.

First victory of the season

At Wiscasset Middle High School Sept. 12, Wiscasset/Boothbay won its first ever Mountain Valley Soccer Conference game, 5-1 over Dirigo.

Chapman had a big game. His first goal, unassisted, came just three minutes into the game at 37:03. Chapman scored twice more in the first half, at 29:21 with Kristan assisting, and at 25:59 with Espeut picking up an assist.

In the second half, Kristan booted in a cross pass from Chappelle to put Wiscasset/Boothbay up 4-0. The Cougars scored with three minutes left to play on a direct kick. J. St. Germain headed the ball into the net on a shot on goal taken by M. Lapointe.

The Wolverines outshot their guests 22-4 with Gabriele picking up two saves. L. Hodgkins recorded eight saves for the Cougars. Wiscasset/Boothbay took three corner kicks. Dirigo had just one.

“Josh Gabriele, Matt Smith and Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco played very well for us defensively,” said Devin Grover, the Wolverines’ assistant coach.

Wiscasset/Boothbay will travel to Monmouth to play the Mustangs at noon, Saturday, Sept. 22. On Sept. 24 the team will host Lisbon.

At the midpoint of the Mountain Valley Conference soccer season, the Wiscasset Middle High School girls are still looking for their first win. Scoring has been a challenge for the Wolverines who have netted just one goal in their first seven games.

“We are growing, gaining experience in every game we play but we’re young,” Coach Duane Goud said following the team’s loss to Winthrop on Monday, Sept. 17. There are just two seniors on the Wolverine roster; 14 players are underclassmen – 10 sophomores and four freshmen.

Last year, WMHS dropped to class D competition due to declining enrollment but it continues to play a class C schedule. The only class D high school on its schedule this season is Hyde School in Bath. Hyde has a 2-4 record. Reaching the D south playoffs in October isn’t impossible but the Wolverines will need two to three wins to qualify.

At Winthrop, the Ramblers entered the game with a 4-2 record with wins over Dirigo, Hyde, Mt. Valley and Telstar. Jill Schmelzer scored the first of her three goals 90 seconds into the game with a shot low to the post and into the net.

At 22:06 Aaliyah Falcone scored, she finished with three goals as well. Falcone lit up the scoreboard again at 15:41; Schmetzer followed with a goal with 2:47 left until halftime.

Falcone’s hat trick came in the opening minutes of the second half. Hanna Eason then scored at 25:45 and Schmelzer netted her third goal with 4:37 left in the game.

In the second half of play, Goud moved goalie Lily Souza to midfield replacing her with Sydnie Thayer. The switch freed up Gwen Webber to play more offense. The Wolverines finished with a respectable eight shots on goal, compared to 17 shots for the Ramblers.

Souza recorded nine saves, Thayer had three. Brooke Burnham, the Ramblers’ goalkeeper, recorded four saves for Winthrop.

Cobras survive scare

On Saturday, Sept. 15 at North Anson, the Wolverines battled Carrabec to a scoreless first half but lost 2-0 to the Cobras. Makayla Vicnerie scored both goals for the hosts in the game’s final 40 minutes. Her first came at the 25-minute mark; the second at 19:52.

Wolverine goalie Souza recorded 21 saves on 24 Carrabec shots. Aislinn Slate, the Cobra goalie, had one save on two Wiscasset shots.

Phoenix triumph

Visiting Spruce Mt. High School from Jay outshot WMHS 19-0 en route to a 5-0 win on Sept. 13. Calley Baker and Jaycee Cole provided all the offense for the Phoenix. Baker scored three goals and Cole had two. The first goal (Cole) came at 30:18 of the first half. Baker then made it 2-0 scoring at 14:44.

In the second half Cole scored at 25:49, Baker at 8:06 and Baker again with 5:18 remaining.  Souza played in the net the entire game for WMHS and recorded 13 saves. It was her first game back since suffering a knee injury at Lisbon Sept. 6.

Roadrunners roll

Sidney Thayer recorded six saves playing in the net for WMHS but the Wolverines were shut out 6-nil by Mt. Abram at Strong on Sept. 11.  Alice Cockerham scored a hat trick for the Roadrunners. Mt. Abram is currently ranked number one in the class C south MPA heal point standings.

WMHS hosts Boothbay Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and then travels to Dirigo for a night game Sept 21. The Wolverines host Hyde Sept. 29 and Mt. Valley Oct. 2.

A diverse selection of mushrooms can be found in Maine in the fall, from tiny to spectacular. Some are edible, and many have interesting stories associated with them.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, Damariscotta River Association (DRA) is hosting a workshop with mycologist Greg Marley from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Marley will focus on the identification of mushrooms commonly found in Maine, and discuss both edible and medicinal uses of local mushrooms.

The fee for the program is $70, or $60 for DRA members. Early registration is recommended, as space is limited. Registration can be done online at damariscottariver.org/events.

One of DRA’s most often-requested workshops, Marley’s class will begin indoors with photos and identification of fresh mushrooms, then venture outdoors to discover mushrooms “in the wild” at a site to be determined.

Participants are encouraged to bring mushrooms they’ve collected themselves as well as any questions. A lunch, water bottle, collection basket, and field guide are also recommended.

Marley has been pursuing a passion for mushrooms for over 40 years. He leads regular walks and lectures on mushrooms, and offers day-long classes and an annual course on mushroom identification that meets throughout the growing season. His interests and expertise include foraging for, cultivating, and preparing mushrooms, the ecology of mushrooms in our forests, and medicinal use of mushrooms.

Marley is a volunteer mushroom identification consultant for the Poison Control Centers of Northern New England, and is also the owner of Mushrooms for Health, a company offering education and products made with medicinal mushrooms from Maine. Marley is the author of “Mushrooms for Health: Medicinal Secrets of Northeast Fungi” (2009) and “Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares: The Love, Lore and Mystique of Mushrooms” (2010).

For more information call (207) 563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit online at www.damariscottariver.org.

Damariscotta River Association (DRA) offers a variety of programs for kids of all ages during the school year, from the Frogs and Pollywogs class for preschoolers to the Jr. Naturalist After-school program for kids age 6 to 11.

All programs listed meet at DRA’s Great Salt Bay Farm at 110 Belvedere Road in Damariscotta. Scholarships are available for all programs. To register, call DRA at 207-563-1393, except where online registration is required.

Jr. Naturalist After-School Program – for kids ages 6 to 11. This program is offered for one-month sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3 to 5 p.m. Participants will explore the woods, fields and wetlands with a naturalist. Artwork, games, nature journaling and other activities are incorporated into each program. An after-school snack is provided. DRA Great Salt Bay Farm is on bus routes from local elementary schools and close to Route 1.

The monthly fee is $55, or $50 for members at the “Mussel” level or above. Registration for this program must be done online at www.damariscottariver.org/jr-naturalists.

The theme for the November program is birds. The group will discover how birds prepare for winter, dissect owl pellets, and play nature games. During January’s “Wildlife in Winter” session, kids will search for animal dens, learn about wildlife from their tracks and signs, build shelters, and more. February’s “Winter Wonderland” offers snowshoeing, dogsledding and exploring wintery habitats.

Frogs and Pollywogs – For preschoolers ages 2 to 5 and their parents or guardians. These classes take place 10-11 a.m. on the third Thursday (note the new day) of each month. A hike is always included.

The fee for each class is $3 per preschool-aged child. Call DRA to register.

The theme on Oct. 18 the class will go on a “Spider Safari,” turning over logs and rocks to see how many spiders can be found! During the Nov. 15 program, “Turkey Tails and Tales,” the group will search for turkeys and other birds and do an art project. The theme of the Dec. 20 class is “Red Fox, Grey Fox.” The children will have the opportunity to touch a fox skull, followed by a hike to search for fox signs, and other natural treasures, on the trail.

Wild Encounters – A regular program for homeschool families and groups geared toward kids ages 5 and up, though younger kids may come along. The classes are held from 10 a.m. to noon, the fourth Monday of each month, except in October and December. A hike and nature journaling are included in every class.

The fee for each class is $5 per eligible child, or participants may prepay for five classes and get a sixth class free. Call DRA to register.

On Sept. 24, the group will discover how plants are adapted to specific pollinators. The theme on Oct. 8 is “Wabanaki Ways” with educator Judy Dow. Participants will build wigwams, taste wild edibles and make cattail ducks. Note the special day and time for this class, meeting from 10 a.m. to noon and then from 1 to 3 p.m.

On Nov. 26, the class will explore how birds prepare for winter by going on a bird walk, dissecting an owl pellet, and discovering bird adaptations. The focus will shift to Maine’s mammals on Dec. 17, looking for tracks and signs outdoors.

Migration Mini Day Camp on Friday, Oct. 5 – For ages 6 to 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The fee is $50, or $45 for members at the Mussel level and above. Registration must be done online at damariscottariver.org/events-programs/

Activities will include playing migratory hopscotch, making clay animals, and going on a migration safari to look for birds, dragonflies, monarchs and more. Participants will need to bring lunch and snacks.

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

Crisp fall weather means Midcoast Conservancy’s 8th annual Race Through the Woods at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson, on Sunday, Sept. 30, is coming soon. Racers will have two course options to choose from: a 13-mile half-marathon, and a 5.5-mile race; both courses navigate through deep forests and beautiful trails.

This race is open to beginners, novices, and experienced trail runners alike. The atmosphere is not competitive, and there is a great spirit of camaraderie. After the race everyone is encouraged to stick around and enjoy a bonfire, hot cider or a beer from Sheepscot Brewing and a lunch of corn chowder, sides and dessert. Prizes will be awarded for different age classes at the end of the day.

An obstacle course race for kids 10 years and under is an annual favorite event. The race will be only somewhat competitive; the goal is to have fun. The course will feature small hurdles, jumps, and mazes. After the official race, kids are welcome to enjoy the course at their own pace. Register online using the link below; registration for the kids’ race is free.

Race fees are $35 for the half marathon, and $25 for the 5K. Racers can buy a Race Through the Woods T-shirt when registering. Prizes will be given to first place finishers (men and women) in age categories. Prizes will include local food and goods donated by businesses and volunteers. The race is sponsored by First National Bank.

To register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/race-through-the-woods/. For more information, call (207) 389-5150 or email info@midcoastconservancy.org

Wiscasset Middle High School and Boothbay Region High School locked up in a gem of soccer game Wednesday night but when the final horn sounded it was the visiting Seahawks who reigned supreme 3-1 over the Wolverines.

The longtime rivals were scoreless through the first 40 minutes of play. The Wolverines, still looking for their first win, held a 6-3 shot edge over Boothbay Region who entered the game with a 3-3 record.

Hannah Cola finally lit up the scoreboard hammering home a pass from her sister Reagan 5:30 into the second half. The Colas, this time with Hannah scoring, combined for a second goal six minutes later. Reagan then scored with 26:00 left in regulation.

Wiscasset’s goal came on a penalty kick at 25:10 after the Seahawks were whistled for a handball. Sophomore Kayla Cossette went to the line and drilled the ball into the net.

It was a well-played game by both teams, who received a well-deserved round of applause from the fans of both high schools.

Missed opportunities

The Wolverines dominated play for most of the first half. Their first scoring opportunity came on a corner kick just four minutes into the game. Gwen Webber kicked the ball to Alyssa Bassett but Boothbay keeper Emilie Crocker was there for the save.

Ten minutes later, the Wolverines were again deep in Boothbay territory. Eliza Paradis slipped past a Seahawk defender but her shot on goal bounced wide right. Brianna Orr then fired and missed wide left. At 18:30, Orr passed the ball back to Kateleen Trask. She fired but her shot was blocked and cleared away.

Boothbay’s Reagan Cola broke free and carried the ball by two Wolverine defenders before Ellie Pratt finally ran her down deflecting her shot out-of-bounds. Cola is one of the Mountain Valley Conference’s leading scorers.

Bassett’s shot with 9:35 left slipped through Crocker’s hands but no Wolverine player was there to rebound the loose ball.

A tale of two halves

The Seahawks controlled the tempo in the second half of play, outshooting their hosts 7 to 3.

Boothbay’s goal coming just a few minutes after play resumed took a lot of the fight out of the Wolverines. They came to life again after Cossette netted the penalty kick.

Webber’s corner kick with 20:20 left found Paradis open. Her shot was on the mark but right at Crocker, who caught the ball and cleared it down field.

Wolverine goalie Lily Souza made some really fine stops charging and blocking two shots point blank. She finished with seven saves and made some booming punts downfield. Crocker finished with seven stops.

“Maybe, if we had scored first it would have been a different story,” Wolverine Coach Duane Goud said afterwards.

“We could still be the Cinderella team in the class D playoffs but we need a least two wins to have a chance at getting there.”

The WMHS girls play next at Dirigo High School on Friday, Sept. 21.

At the midway point of the Mountain Valley Conference soccer season, the combined Wiscasset/Boothbay boys’ team is in the hunt for a class C south playoff berth. A 6-1 loss to Oak Hill High School Sept.18 left the team ranked number 10 in the latest SPA standings. The top nine teams advance to post-season play in October.

Coach Chris Cossette saw his Wolverines take the early lead at Wales when Jordon Espeut netted the game’s first goal eight minutes after the opening kickoff. Matt Chapman picked up an assist on the score.

The Raiders then went on a roll scoring six unanswered goals. Caleb Vallieve assisted by Levi Sturtevant tied the game at 29:44. Vallieve’s unassisted goal two minutes later gave the hosts the lead for good.

Two more unassisted goals followed before the half ended. Seth Dyer booted in a direct kick at 23:09 followed by Riley Worth, who scored off a deflection with 14:02 left until the intermission.

Gabe Sampson’s unassisted goal on a direct kick five minutes into the second 40-minute half put the Raiders up 5-1. With 15 minutes left in the game, Brady Bangs fired from 25 yards away. The ball carried over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net. Cossette said Caleb Gaberiel recorded seven saves on 15 shots. Oak Hill’s keeper Cole Whitten had seven saves on 11 Wolverine shots.

Wiscasset had six corner kick opportunities while Oak Hill had just three. "Our backline of Matthew Smith, Josh Gabriele and Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco played strong,” Cossette told the Wiscasset Newspaper after the game. “John Hodson had a great effort in the midfield and James Hodson and Rowan Kristan also put in a good effort up front to create scoring opportunities.”

Looking ahead, at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept 24, the Wolverine boys will host the Lisbon Greyhounds, who are currently ranked ninth in the C south. The following night, the Wolverines host Mt. Abram, currently undefeated, at 5-0.

Maine Maritime Museum and Red Cloak Tours are again offering their popular Lighthouse Legends and Lore boat excursions, including a landing on Burnt Island and exploration of the haunted lighthouse station.

A portion of the proceeds from the Lighthouse Legends and Lore cruises will go to benefit the restoration campaign at the historic Burnt Island lighthouse, offshore of Boothbay Harbor.

The cruises depart from the Maine Maritime Museum (243 Washington St.,Bath) every Saturday at 2 p.m. through October 27 aboard the museum excursion vessel Merrymeeting.

Passengers aboard the Lighthouse Legends and Lore Cruises will see up to six lighthouses, depending on weather and sea conditions. Those destinations could include Doubling Point Light, Hendricks Head Light, Seguin Island Light, Ram Island Light and The Cuckolds. The visit to Burnt Island will include landing on the island for an up-close look at the keeper’s house and other facilities, including the majestic Burnt Island Light tower. Guests will learn the stories behind these iconic beacons; about the lives of some of the keepers and their families - daily routines, traditions and hardships, as well as the legends and lore surrounding them. The tours will be guided by Sally Lobkowicz, the mysterious Lady in the Red Cloak from Red Cloak Tours.

Participants will return to shore with a new and very personal understanding of the lighthouses, and the people who manned them. Stories will be told of the lives saved by these humble keepers while enduring personal privation and their own physical limits as they offered those who went to the sea in ships a hopeful light toward home.

Guests are welcome to bring aboard food and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar, with light snacks, is available onboard.

Cruise prices are: Maine Maritime Museum members - $54; nonmembers - $68; children 6 to 12 -$44; under 6 - $10. (Price includes museum admission.) Space is limited, so advance reservations are required for these exclusive tours.

Reservations for the cruises are available through Maine Maritime Museum, at www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/events/lighthouse-legends-and-lore/ or by calling 207-443-1316.

For more information on Red Cloak Tours, call 207-380-3806, email redcloaktours@gmail.com, or visit redcloaktours.com.

Autumn.

Apples.

Crisp air.

Earthy scented air.

Sunlight filters through leaves of yellow, red, orange … falling, swirling, dancing  leaves … jumping in piles of raked leaves …. Pumpkins, gourds, and corn stalks are decorating go-tos … throw in some purple and orange lights, hang some cobwebs (or, if you’re like me there’ll be a few natural ones suspended from the ceilings – hey, it’s all part of October decór) … sounds downright homey and festive to me!

Speaking of corn, did you know there are 18 corn mazes (or as I like to say, ‘maize mazes’) in Maine? Well there are. One of the closest ones to us here in the Boothbay region is in Warren at Beth’s Farm Market. My friend Linda Dow said she and the fam were there last weekend; took them 45 minutes to find their way out – and they had a blast. So, I think me and mine will be heading there this weekend. Oh, and there’s a hayride out to the maze! If I was a betting person, I’d wager on my 7-year-old granddaughter being the one that gets us all out!

This weekend. What an amazing weekend it will be – there’s SO much going on for families! The Fall Foliage Festival at Boothbay Railway Village … vendors, artisans, craftspeople selling wares and goods you’ve just got to have – or maybe you go every year to buy, say, enough honey to get you through to next year’s festival? Or maybe you include a new polar fleece scarf or hat in the family’s Christmas stockings? And then there’s the food … lobster rolls, fish chowder (sounds like a fine meal to me right there!), hot cider, kettle corn … OK, so between the scents of the season and the scents of the chowder, cider and corn … we’re talkin’ olfactory heaven!

So, yeah, there are like 30-40-something vendors, the steam train’s running, the exhibits are open … and there’s live music! Dig it: Saturday’s lineup: Mark Barter, Boothbay Community Band, The Spaceheaters; Sunday: Ask Us About Our Tree Work Fiddlers, the Oyster Creek Fiddlers, Murky Water Band; Monday is open mic – free! To sign on to play, call the Boothbay Info Center at 633-4743. For more info in general, visit https://railwayvillage.org or www.boothbay.org

OK, then there’s the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta (on Monday)! This is a “must do” event as well! So many events, so little time, right?! Check out the schedule at www.mainepumpkinfest.com

Saturday is a big day – the derby races, street performers, the gigantic, artistic pumpkins lining Main Street, the Pumpkin Parade, pumpkins being catapulted, dropped and what not; the regatta – ginormous pumpkin ships (several of the pirate variety – be on the lookout for Jack Sparrow … or, did he get the Black Pearl back … ) that are a delight to see and marvel over …

Back on our peninsula, cider Saturdays continue in Children’s Garden at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens … and … coming up: Oktoberfest in Wiscasset Oct. 13 (not a Friday, dang it), the Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Halloween Story Book Trail at Oak Point Farm … and … the Great Pumpkin Hunt at CMBG featuring fall-themed games, pumpkin decorating and the hunt in the spotlight. Kids go out in search of ... no, not Linus's great pumpkin (they’d have to stay up far too late for that - and we know how that worked out for Linus and Sally ...) , but golden pumpkins! Young hunters finding these little beauties will be awarded a prize. And, if you are able, CMBG will be accepting non-perishable donations for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry – this is the harvest season - at the door.

Autumn in October … it’s just the best time of the year … ripe with fun … haunts … ghost trains … evening fires and hot toddies … and All Hallows Eve is coming …. insert maniacal laughter here ….

Alyssa Bassett netted two goals and Gwen Webber also scored as the Wolverines shut out Dirigo 3-0 Friday, Sept. 21 at Dixfield. It was the first Mountain Valley Conference soccer win for Wiscasset Middle High School this season. The Cougars, too, entered the game winless.

Both of Bassett’s goals came in the first half, the first about eight minutes into the game on a cross pass from Eliza Paradis. At around the mid-point on the half, Bassett scored again with Latisha Wright assisting.

Webber’s goal came on a direct kick 20 minutes into the second half. Her shot, taken from about 30 yards away, hit the crossbar and bounced into the back of the net.

It was WMHS’s best offensive showing on the season. “We had 17 shots on goal; they had 10,” Wolverine Coach Duane Goud said afterwards. The Wolverines were minus Ellie Pratt for the game. Pratt, a starting defensive back, was ill  and didn’t make the trip, the coach added.

“I had Gwen (Webber) play sweeper for us and moved Sydnie Thayer back to play stopper. Both of them played really well for us.”

Wolverine goalie Lily Souza recorded six saves while the Cougars’ keeper Katherine Morse saved seven.

Getting their first win got the Wolverines out of the class D cellar. They’re now ranked 11th in the SPA South heal standings released Monday. They’ll need to improve to ninth place to qualify for the postseason playoffs in mid-October. “I keep telling them they can do it, be the Cinderella team – but to make the playoffs we need at least one, possibly two more wins,” Goud continued.

WMHS plays predominately class C high schools. It will host the class D Hyde School of Bath this coming Saturday, Sept. 29, under the lights in the annual homecoming game. Hyde, with a 2-5 record, is currently ranked ninth.

After spotting visiting Lisbon an early 1-0 lead, the Wolverines scored three unanswered goals and finished with a 3-1 Mountain Valley Conference soccer win Monday afternoon.

Ten minutes into the game, Cameron Poisson shot from just outside the 18-yard line to put the Greyhounds on the scoreboard first.

Wiscasset/Boothbay’s Chris Loyola tied the game at 27:21, booting in Tim Chappelle’s pass that came from the right side.

With 9:33 left until halftime, Matt Chapman broke free, carried the ball around three Lisbon defenders and scored, putting the Wolverines up 2-1.

John Hodson scored Wiscasset/Boothbay’s final goal with 4:24 left in the game. After Lisbon’s keeper Levi Levesque bobbled Tim Chappelle’s shot, Hodson very alertly was there for the rebound and booted the ball into the net to salt this one away for the Wolverines.

“He showed everyone on the team why you always follow the ball to the net,” Wolverine Coach Chris Cossette said afterwards.

Both teams were even at five shots apiece through the first 40 minutes of play but the Greyhounds finished with a 10-7 shot edge. Caleb Gabriele, the Wolverines’ goalie, finished with seven saves. Most of those stops came in the second half when the Greyhounds dominated possession of the ball. Levesque was credited with three saves.

“It was a big, big win for us,” added Cossette. The victory kept Wiscasset’s tournament hopes very much alive. Both teams are angling for a class C playoff spot. Lisbon entered the contest with the better record with three wins and five losses; Wiscasset/Boothbay is two and five. Before the game, the Greyhounds were ranked ninth in the latest SPA heal standing. The Wolverines were 10^th. The top nine teams qualify.

The two Mountain Valley Conference soccer rivals play each other only once in the regular season. Wiscasset Middle High School  has three more games this week,  all at home against Mt. Abram, Winthrop and Carrabec.

Mustangs win 2-0 at Monmouth

Hayden Fletcher scored twice, once in each half as the host Monmouth Academy Mustangs shut out the Wolverines 2-0 Saturday, Sept. 22.

Fletcher’s first goal, unassisted, came 25 minutes after the opening kickoff. With 17 minutes left in regulation, he scored again, this time with Gabe Martin picking up an assist. Wolverine goalie Caleb Gabriele recorded a dozen saves on 19 Mustang shots.

Connor Davies and Brock Bates split time in the net for Monmouth, combining for seven saves on 12 Wolverine shots on goal.

Cossette praised the play of Chappelle and Chapman in the midfield. Bayly Carrasco, Matt Smith and Josh Gabriele combined for another solid performance in the backfield.

With a snip of the scissors and an enthusiastic round of applause, a new preserve on the banks of the Damariscotta River was dedicated in memory of longtime Damariscotta River Association (DRA) mentor and supporter Pete Noyes this past Saturday.

Members of the Noyes family as well as DRA members and friends were among those gathered to celebrate the preserve and the construction of the new accessible trail across it.

The purchases of the Pete Noyes Preserve and another adjacent property to the south, made possible by donors to DRA’s recent capital campaign, effectively doubled the size of the existing Round Top Farm preserve in downtown Damariscotta.

This chain of publicly accessible lands along the upper Damariscotta River, crisscrossed with a network of trails, creates a permanently protected greenbelt within walking distance of downtown Newcastle and Damariscotta, the CLC YMCA, and Great Salt Bay Community School (GSB).

The successful campaign also allowed for the creation of a gently-graded, 8-foot wide accessible trail crossing the Pete Noyes Preserve and connecting Round Top Farm to GSB, as well as the addition of a crosswalk and a section of sidewalk at the school.

Ideal for wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles, and those on foot, the new trail makes it possible for students to safely cross Business Route 1 to reach the shell middens, Damariscotta Farmers Market, and student gardens at Round Top Farm.

“What an exciting moment for DRA, Great Salt Bay School, and the community!” remarked DRA Executive Director Steven Hufnagel. “This trail has been more than twenty years in the making, and is the start of something even bigger – a link from downtown Damariscotta all the way to Great Salt Bay Farm on Belvedere Road. I look forward to seeing school children and people of all ages and abilities enjoying this trail every day, for years to come.”

While visitors are welcome on the new trail, it is not quite finished: the section crossing Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site has just received final approval from the state, and that portion of the trail is expected to be complete by mid-October.

Due to construction at Round Top Farm, visitors should park at Whaleback Shell Midden parking lot.

A non-profit, membership supported, and nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization, Damariscotta River Association is dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of the Damariscotta region, centered on the Damariscotta River. DRA has active programs in the areas of land conservation, stewardship, community education, water quality monitoring, marine conservation and cultural preservation. 

Visitors are welcome at the Great Salt Bay Heritage Center in Damariscotta as well as the many other DRA properties throughout the region. For more information call 563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit online at www.damariscottariver.org.

The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum, located at 97 Cross Road in Alna, is holding their Annual Fall Festival this Saturday, Sept. 29.

Festivities include family favorites such as a pumpkin patch, children’s games and hayrides on the Museum’s antique Ford Model AA truck, along with new attractions that promise to entertain.

For your listening pleasure, the Museum has partnered with the Bluegrass Association of Maine to hold a bluegrass jam throughout the festival. Acoustic musicians from near and far are invited to join the jam. Bring your instrument and receive a free train ride to and from the jam.

Light refreshments will be served throughout the day.

All of the festivities can be accessed by the Museum’s trains which leave from Sheepscot Station in the morning at 10:30 and 10:55; and in the afternoon at Noon, 12:25, 1:30, 1:55 and 3 p.m.

There are no additional charges for the Festival and regular train ticket prices apply: $8/adults, $7/60 and up, $5/ages 4-12, and free for kids 3 and under.  Train tickets and parking for the festival are also located at Sheepscot Station.

The 2018 season at Wiscasset Speedway is winding down and points championships are finally getting settled. Group 1 was in action Saturday night with three of the four divisions extremely close and one all but a formality.

Feature winners on the night included Andy Saunders of Ellsworth in the ServPro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks. Saunders grabbed an early lead and then held off Sidney's Kevin Douglass to the checkers. Wiscasset's Nick Hinkley easily wrapped up his first Prostock championship. It the third championship of his career, bumping his father Harold Hinkley's total up to 9 championships as a car owner over the past 25 years.

The Maxwells Market Super Streets points battle could not be any closer as Jefferson's Mike Hodgkins and Durham's Michael Harrison rolled onto the track for their final feature tied atop the standings. The two raced to the lead pack and were inseparable for the first 21 laps of the 25 lap feature.

Things took a major turn on lap 22 as Hodgkins tangled with Jason Oakes in turn 3, sending both to the back of the pack for the restart. Two more cautions bunched things up and brought Hodgkins back into contention while Harrison was comfortably in 2nd. Defending champ Josh Bailey took the checkers for his third win of the season. Harrison chased him across the line to claim the division crown.

Hodgkins, who had been awarded August Driver of the Month earlier in the show, finished the race in 4th. In the 25 lap feature for the Cahill tire 4-Cylinder Pros, the division's top winner Hayden Norris and defending champ Max Rowe put on a great battle for the win, with Rowe coming out on top for his 2nd win of the season. The division title came down to veteran racers Jeff Prindall and Larry Melcher, separated by just 6 points on the final day. Prindall sealed the deal with a fourth place finish to pick up his first championship. The Thunder 4 Mini division was another close one with Pownal's Michael Golding holding a scant two-point advantage over Wiscasset's Noah Haggett as the green flag flew on their 25-lap feature.

Things took a major turn on the first lap of the race with Golding getting collected in a wreck in the back of the pack. He would head to the pits with radiator problems and would not return until he was five laps down. Haggett took advantage and turned in a second-place finish to secure his first championship. Despite not having a feature win, Haggett took the title by being the only driver on all four Group 1 divisions to finish in the top 5 in every race this season.

David Cook of Jay took the feature win following post-race inspection, where the original winner was issued a 3 position penalty for a motor mount infraction. The Amsoil Nelcar Legends made their seventh and final appearance of the season. Jake Matheson of Hillsboro, NH picked up his first Nelcar win leading the 25 lap feature wire to wire.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, Sept. 29 with Group 2 championship night. Titles will be up for grabs in three of the four remaining divisions, including Late Models, Modifieds, and Outlaw Minis. The Strictly Street division wrapped up their points season earlier.

However, they will have center stage this Saturday night with the 6th annual Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout. It's a 50-lap main event that attracts many of the top Strictly Street, Wildcat and Outlaw racers in the region. Pit gates will open at 12 noon, grandstand gate at 2 p.m. and racing action will begin at 4 p.m. Admission, as always is $5 for the grandstands side with kids 6&under free. Pitside admission is $20 for all. For the full race day schedule and other information, go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com

WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL RESULTS 9/22/18

SERVPRO OF BIDDEFORD SACO PRO STOCKS (40 laps) Pos No. Name Home Town State Laps Diff 1 01x Andy Saunders Ellsworth ME 40 2 18 Kevin Douglass Sidney ME 40 0.286 3 23 David Farrington Jay ME 40 2.255 4 15 Nick Hinkley Wiscasset ME 40 3.835 5 13T Cody Tribbett Richmond ME 40 4.619 6 29 Kevin Morse Woolwich ME 40 6.502 7 13 Nate Tribbett Richmond ME 40 7.091 8 02 Shane Lane North Anson ME 40 7.345 9 9 Travis Poulliot China ME 39 1 Lap 10 23x Brandon Sprague Boothbay ME 30 10 Laps 11 09 Daren Ripley Thomaston ME 28 12 Laps 12 71 Joey Peaslee Jefferson ME 28 12 Laps 13 6 Anthony Milano Skowhegan ME 2 38 Laps . . MAXWELL'S MARKET SUPER STREETS (25 laps) Pos No. Name Home Town State Laps Diff 1 2 Josh Bailey Wiscasset ME 25 2 85 Michael Harrison Durham ME 25 0.347 3 24 David Thompson Jefferson ME 25 0.454 4 23x Mike Hodgkins Jefferson ME 25 0.662 5 1 Jeff Davis Woolwich ME 25 0.945 6 55 Bob Crocker Freeport ME 25 1.122 7 54 Neil Evans Jr. Randolph ME 25 1.365 8 05 Brett Osmond Wiscasset ME 25 1.673 9 30 Cory Creamer Wiscasset ME 24 1 Lap 10 11 Jason Oakes Boothbay ME 21 4 Laps 11 48 Dan Nessmith Wiscasset ME 2 23 Laps . . CAHILL TIRE 4-CYLINDER PROS (25 laps) Pos No. Name Home Town State Laps Diff 1 12 Max Rowe Turner ME 35 2 03 Hayden Norris Gardiner ME 35 0.227 3 00 PJ Merrill Canton ME 35 2.768 4 24 Jeff Prindall Lisbon ME 35 3.081 5 5 Dominic Curit Saco ME 35 3.135 6 41 Larry Melcher Jay ME 35 5.009 7 01 Jet Decker Chesterville ME 35 5.252 8 70 Taylor Lane Phillips ME 35 5.449 9 14 Nicole Benincasa Buxton ME 35 5.605 10 42 Mike Kibben Lisbon Falls ME 35 21.201 .

Mountain enthusiasts are invited to a hike and conversation in Liberty Friday, Oct. 19, from 3-8 p.m. In celebration of the publication of the 2018 Edition of the Maine Mountain Guide, editor Carey Kish will be joining Midcoast Conservancy to hike a portion of the Hills to Sea Trail.

Come along for a gorgeous four-mile round trip to the top of Hogback Mountain. Views from the overlook promise a gorgeous pastoral view toward the Camden Hills, punctuated with Maine’s famous fall foliage. Count on a moderate pace for the hike, with some uneven round and roughly 400 feet of elevation gain from the trail head to the summit.

Hikers are invited to extend the evening at Lake St. George Brewing Company where they can continue the conversation with Carey, buy a copy of the newest Maine Mountain Guide, and sample some local brews.

For more information, go to www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/foliage-hike-brews-and-conversation-with-maine-mountain-guide-editor-carey-kish/. RSVP to Ali at 389-5150 or ali@midcoastconservancy.org

Wiscasset runner Connor Robertson won the Sept. 21 cross country middle school meet in Boothbay Harbor against 37 other competitors. Robertson ran the 2.1-mile course in 13:01 seconds. Teammate Sawyer Linehan finished third with a 14:11 mark. Wiscasset runner Alex Richard finished 10th with a 15:34 time.

Despite two top three finishes, Wiscasset finished third in the six-team meet. Boothbay had three top finishes in winning the meet with 52 points. Great Salt Bay and Wiscasset tied with 55 points, but a sixth runner’s result broke the tie, and GSB placed higher in the team standings.

In the girls’ meet, Wiscasset finished second with 52 points trailing GSB with 18. Medomak scored 66 points for third place, and Boothbay finished fourth. Wiscasset had two runners with top 10 finishes. Wiscasset’s Makenzi Neuman finished fifth with a 15:27 time and Emily Gilliam finished sixth with a 17:44 time.

The wooden sloop Providence docked in Wiscasset Harbor Tuesday for repairs expected to take until late spring. The Providence will require, among other things, new masts and spurs, and restoration of much of its exterior. It will also likely need more work on its engines.

On July 10, the select board agreed to the ship being repaired in Wiscasset. It is a 1976 reproduction of an early American Navy vessel that was the young John Paul Jones' first command.

The reproduction was damaged in a storm at its homeport of Providence, Rhode Island.

Maine shipbuilder Rob Stevens, who is also working on the reproduction of the 1604 pinnace Virginia, thought to be Maine’s first ship, will repair and restore the Providence. He has a shipyard in Small Point, Phippsburg, but most of the repairs to the Providence will take place at the recreational pier on the Sheepscot River.

The ship was delayed more than a week due to engine trouble and put into a slip in Portland. Although some of the troubles were overcome before it motored up the coast, by the time it docked in Wiscasset, the engine was making a noise that was not normal, and that will also have to be worked on before the ship is seaworthy, Stevens said.

It is still hoped the Providence will be ready to depart by the end of April, he said.

The Mt. Abram Roadrunners remained unbeaten by defeating host Wiscasset/Boothbay in a rain-soaked soccer game Tuesday afternoon. The game originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. starting time was moved back to 3:30 in hopes of avoiding the worst of the predicted bad weather. As it was, it rained off and on most of the afternoon.

The loss dropped the Wolverines to 3-6 while the Roadrunners improved to 8-0.

The Wolverines were coming off an emotional win over visiting Lisbon the night before. Tuesday’s game was their third in four days. They shave two more games this week hosting Winthrop Thursday night and Carrabec for the homecoming game on Saturday.

The Roadrunners dominated possession of the ball over the first 40-minutes of play. After the Wolverines dodged two near misses, Tyson Hill scored at 28:30 following a wild scramble in front of the net.

Two minutes later, Wiscasset was whistled for charging, setting up a direct kick from just outside the penalty area. Cam Walters fired and in the scrum that followed, the ball deflected off a Wolverine player and ricocheted into the net.

Unassisted goals by Nate Luce at 17:07 and Even Allen, 15:04, made it 4-nil. Hill’s breakaway goal at 13:28 capped the scoring for the first half.

The Wolverines could muster just two scoring opportunities, one coming on a direct kick with 9:13 left until halftime. Tim Chappelle fired but his shot was broken up and cleared away by Dillan Wells.

Wiscasset played better in the second half. In the opening minutes, Matt Chapman cut to his right and fired but his shot was deflected wide of the goal. Chris Loyola had a nice shot from the right side but Roadrunner goalie Jack Deming was there for the save.

Another Wolverine scoring opportunity came at 15:40. Brian Foye chipped a corner kick to the goal mouth but a Roadrunner defender got to the ball first and cleared it away. Oskar Martinz from Hunter Bates netted the Roadrunners sixth goal (25:25). Jackson Materson (7:19) and Nate Luce (4:39) scored the final two goals in the 8-nil victory.

Mt. Abram finished with a 15 to 5 shot edge. Wolverine goalie Caleb Gabriele recorded six saves. L J Travis worked in relief of Gabriele in the final eight minutes and had two saves.

Jared McLaughlin scored two goals, both on direct kicks in the first half leading the Winthrop Ramblers to a 3-0 win over host Wiscasset/Boothbay Thursday night at Wiscasset Middle High School.

The win improved Winthrop’s Mountain Valley Conference soccer record to 6-2. TheWolverines fell to 3-7.

Three minutes after the opening kickoff, the Wolverines were whistled for charging just outside the penalty area. McLaughlin drilled the ball into the net despite a diving effort by Caleb Gabriele, the Wolverine goalkeeper. McLaughlin struck again with 8:37 left until halftime. His shot from 20 yards away carried into the upper right hand corner of the net.

The Wolverines’  first drive came at 32:15. Matt Chapman crossed a pass to Rowan Kristan in front of the goal. Kristan got off a nice shot but the Ramblers’ keeper Jake Smith slide to his left for the save. Chapman chipped a shot from the right side with 11:01 remaining until halftime. Winthrop’s Andrew Frost leaped and headed the ball away.

The shot total was even at six apiece over the first 40 minutes. Gabriele recorded six saves while Smith had five for Winthrop.

The field conditions were poor from heavy rain the day before and got worse in the second half. Both teams struggled to move and maintain possession of the ball. Ten minutes in, a direct kick by Winthrop’s Noah Grube from 40 yards out was blocked and cleared away by defender Matt Smith in the backfield. The Wolverines then took possession of the ball and dominated the next eight minutes of play.

After the Ramblers were whistled for tripping, Brian Foye’s direct kick at the goal was deflected behind the net, setting up a corner kick. Foye  chipped the ball to the goal mouth but Rambler Sam Figueroa got to it first and booted it to the sideline. Grube’s unassisted goal at 25:42 put the visitors up 3-nil. Worse still, Gabriele injured his knee on the play and had to leave the game. L J. Travis played the rest of the game in the net for Wiscasset/Boothbay.

Tim Chappelle fired off two shots in the game’s  final 10 minutes. The first  just missed wide left. The other, a direct kick following a handball, came from about 35 yards out but Smith was there for the stop. Gabriele finished with 10 saves. Travis had one for the Wolverines. Smith finished with eight saves for Winthrop.

The Wolverines entered last night’s game still seeded number 10 in the class C south standings, Winthrop was number seven. The top nine teams advance to the post season play.

A defensive struggle between Wiscasset Middle High School and Hyde ended in a 2-0 girls soccer win for the Wolfpack from Bath Saturday night.

The two class D rivals were scoreless through 70 minutes. The deadlock ended with eight minutes left in regulation when Lily Huettel scored. The goal came after the Wolverines drew a whistle for an infraction just outside the 18-yard line. Logan Truluck passed off to Huettel who was playing striker. She carried the ball to her left, cut right and drilled the ball into the corner of the net.

Hyde’s second goal scored by Truluck came on a penalty kick (charging) with 2:37 remaining.

 Following the opening kickoff, both the Wolverines and Wolfpack struggled to maintain possession of the ball. As the first half wore on, it felt like whichever team scored first would be the eventual winner.

The Wolverines' best chance for a goal came in the first half at 19:30. Going left to right, Gwenn Webber broke free at midfield and carried the ball to the right corner. Her chip shot found Kateleen Trask in front of the Hyde goal but she was unable to get a clean shot away. With 5:05 remaining, Truluck’s direct kick on the Wolverine goal soared over the crossbar.

With three minutes until halftime, Huettel slipped between two defenders just inside the 18-yard line forcing Wolverine goalie Lily Souza to come charging out of the net. Huettel fired but Souza rolled to her left, caught the ball and punted it deep downfield. It was Souza’s seventh save of the half and a big reason the game remained scoreless when the horn finally sounded signaling the break.

Hyde controlled the tempo when play resumed for the final 40 minutes. Kyra Holdampf’s throw-in from midfield went to Truluck who passed off to Tanae Arnold who for the moment was playing striker. Arnold dished off to Huettel who was open on the left wing. Her shot bounced off the left goal post. Wolverine Sydnie Thayer got to the ball and alertly kicked it towards the sideline where her teammate Ellie Pratt booted it downfield.

The Wolverines caught a break after Hyde was whistled for a handball on their side of the field. Webber’s kick that followed carried deep into Hyde’s end. Alyssa Bassett slipped behind a Hyde defender. A wild scramble followed alongside the goal and the ball eventually was deflected behind the net, setting up a Wolverine corner kick. Webber chipped the ball to the goalmouth. Kayla Cossette who had scored the team’s first goal of the season off a corner kick got to it. Lucky for Hyde her shot this time was high. The ball carried a foot or two over the crossbar.

Souza’s save on Truluck’s direct kick with 10 minutes left to play kept the game scoreless. With the clock winding down, it looked like the game might be headed for overtime when at 8:03 Huettel scored. The PK coming five minutes later pretty much ended any hope of Wiscasset rallying back for a tie.

Souza played one of her best games of the season in the net. Besides making some really fine stops and finishing with a dozen saves, she had some great punts, some carrying as far as midfield. Hyde’s goalie Bell Braitberg had three saves. Other Wolverine standouts were Paige Davenport, Natalie Potter, Brianna Orr, Bassett, Pratt, Thayer and Webber.

A win would have gone a long way in securing a class D playoff spot for WMHS. The Wolverines entered the game at 1-9 ranked 11^th in class D south; Hyde at 3-6 came in seeded 8^th. Both teams have just three games remaining in the regular season. The Wolverines’ one MVC win came against Dirigo. They were set to host Mountain Valley, Tuesday, Oct. 2 before heading to Wales to play Oak Hill Oct. 4 and then finish the regular season by hosting Telstar Oct. 10.

Hyde's three other victories were over Telstar, Mountain Valley and Dirigo.

Regardless of where the Wolverines wind up this season, their future looks bright with seven juniors, nine sophomores and four freshmen making up this year’s roster.

Saturday’s nightcap was WMHS’s homecoming game and drew a large crowd. Both teams received a well-deserved round of applause at the game’s conclusion.

Wiscasset/Boothbay won its fourth Mountain Valley Conference soccer game of the season defeating Carrabec 4-1 during the Wolverines’ homecoming celebration Saturday evening.

Matt Chapman scored twice to lead the Wolverines. Other Wiscasset scorers were Tim Chappelle who had a goal and an assist and Rowan Kristan. Goalie Caleb Gabriele picked up an assist on Kristan’s goal.

Chappelle’s unassisted goal lit up the scoreboard at 24:08 of the first half. At 5:06, Kristan took possession of the ball following a deep punt from Gabriele. He broke free, carried the ball through the Cobras' backfield and booted it into the net. With about three minutes left, Chapman chipped the ball into the net from the left side to make it 3-0, which is where the score stood at halftime. Chapman’s second goal with Chappelle assisting came about five minutes after play resumed.

With 12:42 left to play, Nate McGray’s unassisted goal put Carrabec on the scoreboard. It was the first goal of the season for the as yet winless Cobras who saw their record fall to 0-9. Gabriele, who is recovering from a knee injury in the Winthrop game, tended goal the first half and recorded two saves.

“We didn’t want to take any chances with Caleb re-injuring his knee so we had him sit out the second half,” said Wolverine Coach Chris Cossette.

Freshman L J Travis goaltended the final 40 minutes and picked up a couple of saves. Brady Clack saved four for Carrabec.

“L J is improving, the important thing is he’s working hard in practice and willing to listen and learn how to play the position,” the coach added.

The win improved Wiscasset/Boothbay’s MVC record to 4-7 with three games remaining.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3 the Wolverines travel to Jay to play Spruce Mountain, a class B high school. The Phoenix have a 1-7 record. Their only win this season came against Dirigo High School, who then defeated the Phoenix in their second meeting.

On Friday, Oct. 5, Wiscasset/Boothbay will be in Farmingdale to face Hall-Dale. The Bulldogs are undefeated at 8-0. This will be the first time the two MVC rivals meet this season.

“It’s a big game for us. Huge in fact,” commented Coach Cossette.

The season finale is Oct. 15 when the Wolverines host Spruce Mountain at 5 p.m.

The game with Telstar set for Oct. 11 and appearing on some older schedules was cancelled earlier this season. The Bethel high school was unable to field a boys’ soccer team.

If the Wolverines can win out they will finish 7-7 in the first year of a combined program with Boothbay Region High School.

Anyone curious about fat tire biking is invited to join Midcoast Conservancy’s AmeriCorps Outdoor Adventure members on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for some outdoor fun at Wiscasset Community Center.  

Participants can give fat tire biking a try on one of the conservancy's bikes and learn a few helpful basics. Volunteers will be on hand to help attendees find the right size bike and recommend a trail based on the rider’s ability. The event is open to all ages and skill levels. The bikes are a great fit for anyone taller than 4’8”. However, others are encouraged to bring their own mountain bikes. After riding, it is hoped participants will let instructors know what they’d like to see for future Outdoor Adventure programming. No registration is necessary; attendees can stop by anytime during the event.

For more information, call (207) 389-5150 or americorps@midcoastconservancy.org

Healthy Kids held its Family Fun Day on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Darrows Barn in Damariscotta.

Families from Jefferson, Waldoboro, Boothbay, Damariscotta, Bristol, Nobleboro, and other Lincoln County towns enjoyed playing with bubbles, making T-shirts, building tall structures with toilet paper/paper towel rolls and cards and decorating cookies. Also a hit was playing in “goop,” corn hole, bowling and climbing through a tunnel.

The event was made possible by Rising Tide Coop and the Damariscotta River Association.

The Hills to Sea Trail is ablaze in foliage! Midcoast Conservancy invites all to a day of hiking and a delicious farm-to-table lunch in Freedom as part of the third annual Goosepecker Trekker, Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The recently-completed 46-mile Hills to Sea Trail stretches from Unity to Belfast, crossing more than 60 landowners’ property and offering some of the finest Midcoast Maine hiking to be found.

The Trekker route will start in Montville and end near the Freedom General Store. From there, hikers will head to the Villageside Farm in Freedom for a locally-sourced farm lunch and beer from Marshall Wharf Brewing. Hikers will meet at the parking lot of the Freedom Mill between 8:30-9 a.m., before shuttling to the trailhead several miles away. The hike is 3.5 miles, but a shorter, family-friendly route will also be available, complete with nature scavenger hunt.

The $15 registration fee includes lunch and a beer. Kids 3-12 are $7, and under-3 year olds are free. Families of four can register for $35. For more information, or to register for the hike, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/goosepecker-trekker-93017/ or call (207) 389-5150.

This afternoon’s girls’ Mountain Valley Conference soccer game between Wiscasset Middle High School and Mt. Valley High School at Wiscasset has been postponed due to the inclement weather and field conditions.

Warren Cossette, WMHS assistant principal and athletic director, said the game will be made up on Monday, Oct. 15. It will be played that evening beginning around 5:30 after the boys’ game with Spruce Mountain which starts at 4 p.m.

Barring any future scheduling changes this will be the last regular season MVC game for both teams.

Tim Chappelle’s unassisted goal midway into the first half was all Wiscasset/Boothbay needed in a 2-0 Mountain Valley Conference soccer victory over Spruce Mountain at Jay Wednesday. Coach Chris Cossette said Chappelle’s shot came from about 25 yards away.

With 6:32 remaining,Jordan Espeut booted in a penalty kick to finish off the Phoenix.

Caleb Gaberiele and L J Travis split the goalkeeping duties for the Wolverines. Gaberiele finished with six saves in the net. Travis had two.

“Our defensive backfield of Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco, Matt Smith and Josh Gaberiele stepped it up a notch in the second half and played very well for us. John Hodson had a good game, filling in multiple roles,” added Cossette.

It’s hard to believe but the Wolverines are headed into the final week of the MVC soccer season. Cossette said having the players from Boothbay Region High School really benefited the Wolverines. “They’ve been great, I hope we’ll see them back next year along with some new faces as well.”

The Wolverines’ win was their second in a row. This past Saturday, they defeated Carrabec 4-1 in the homecoming game. The win over Spruce Mountain improved Wiscasset/Boothbay’s record to 5-7. The team is ranked 11th in the Class C South Heal standings.

Two games remain in the regular season. The big one is Friday afternoon, Oct. 6 at Farmingdale. Wiscasset/Boothbay will take the field against undefeated Hall-Dale. The Bulldogs are 10-0 and ranked number 1 in Class C South.

After Friday’s game, the Wolverines have a week off. They’ll finish the regular season Monday, Oct. 15 by hosting Spruce Mountain at 4 p.m.

Junior varsity tournament

Wiscasset/Boothbay will host a round-robin tournament for junior varsity players Saturday, Oct. 13.

Coach Cossette, who’s organizing the tournament, said three high schools have expressed an interest: Hall-Dale, Lincoln Academy and Temple. Several others have been invited, but are not confirmed.

A 9 a.m. start is planned. The duration of the games will be reduced and teams will consist of seven players each.

United States Tennis Association New England is proud to announce it has selected Damariscotta’s Central Lincoln County (CLC) YMCA as its 2018 Community Tennis Association of the Year. CLC YMCA and four other award winners will be recognized at a luncheon at USTA New England’s Tennis Weekend on Nov. 17 at the Boston Marriott Newton.

"USTA New England is grateful to have so many tennis enthusiasts dedicated to growing and developing tennis. To be selected from a field of such worthy nominees is a true honor, and we look forward to celebrating these deserving winners and all they’ve done to give back to the sport,” said USTA New England President and CEO Peter Parrotta.

CLC YMCA is a staple in the Maine tennis community and truly demonstrates it is a youth-first organization. It currently provides tennis to more than 500 kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play. From free and discounted lessons and physical education classes to parent/child play, the organization offers ample tennis opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. Junior players never pay for court time and scholarships are available for all tennis programs.

The Community Tennis Association of the Year award goes to the registered USTA Community Tennis Association that made the greatest impact on its community during the past year through programming, events and partnerships. All award winners will also be the New England nominee for their respective national awards.

Rowan Kristan scored twice for Wiscasset/Boothbay but Hall-Dale was too much, winning 8-2 in Farmingdale Friday afternoon. The loss dropped the Wolverines’ class C soccer record to 5-8 in the Mountain Valley Conference. Hall-Dale is 11-0.

Alec Bryan, assisted by Matt Albert, put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard less than three minutes into the game. Bryan scored again, with Josh Nadeau on the assist at 29:54. Kristan’s goal with 21:54 remaining until halftime made it a 2-1 ballgame. Freshman Garrett Cossette picked up an assist on the score.

The Bulldogs netted two more goals, with Bryan and Nadeau combining again at 21:24 and Akita Warren scoring at 12:35 with Ian Stebbins credited with an assist. Two minutes later, Kristan with Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco on the assist made it 4-2. Hall-Dale scored twice more in the first half – Alec Bryan from Andrew Guiou with 4:12 left and Josh Nadeau from Ashton Abbot in the closing minute.

In the second half, Matt Albert booted in a direct kick at the 28:51 mark and Nadeau’s unassisted goal at 18:31 made it 8-2. “We had our opportunities, hitting the post several times in each half,” Coach Chris Cossette reported afterwards.

He started Caleb Gaberiele as goalie. He played the entire first half recording a dozen saves. Freshman L J Travis took over in the net and played the second half and finished with eight saves.

“Josh Gabriele and Bayly Carrasco-Carrasco played well in the backline and saw some playing time at outside midfield. They created some very good opportunities offensively for us,” the Wolverine coach added.  “Rowan (Kristan) found his stride scoring twice and worked well up front with Garrett (Cossette). Matt Chapman and Tim Chappelle held down the duties at the central midfield position.”

Wiscasset/Boothbay has a week off and then will close out the soccer season against Spruce Mountain. The game is at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15.

While I didn’t come upon a blue hookah smoking caterpillar on any of the mushrooms at Knickercane Park last week, I did discover a wide variety of mushrooms. It seems this year there’s an abundance of them popping up everywhere, more so than usual, and not just here in the Boothbay region. I met a couple from Rhode Island there, having lunch, who couldn’t help but notice me on the ground shooting pics of the fungi fruits, and during our brief conversation they said it was the same in Rhode Island – plentiful mushrooms everywhere.

No doubt you have some in your yard and have found them on walks through the woods. I don’t know about you, but at Knickercane I began to feel like I’d been cast in an Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) B horror film and any moment the mushrooms were going to sprout legs like the brooms in Fantasia’s “Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

I contacted Tracey Hall, environmental educator at Boothbay Region Land Trust, and asked her if this was a weather-related phenomenon. Hall agreed there were more mushrooms around than she’d seen in  years. And here’s why:  “It’s a combination of weather conditions affecting humidity and moisture levels,” she said. “It’s created the ideal conditions for them to reproduce.”

Admiring the array of mushrooms is one thing. Eating them is quite another. Unlike Alice, it’s unlikely that a blue caterpillar will be around to tell you if you should eat a wild mushroom let alone what would happen to  you if you did!  So unless you know wild mushrooms, don’t plan on including them in your next stir fry. And be sure not to let your canine friend eat any while you’re out walking. Distract him by saying something like, “Hey Rondo! Is that a ... squirrel over there?”

There are several mushroom field guides and a couple Maine Mushroom Facebook pages you can consult before placing a wild mushroom in your basket.

Toadstools and mushrooms: Have you ever wondered what makes one or the other? From the research I’ve done, toadstools are poisonous shrooms ... that’s your Death Caps and  Fly Agarics. These are the delightfully color-topped shrooms in reds, oranges and yellows, to name two.

And I can’t write about mushrooms without mentioning fairy rings. These rings, sometimes arcs, not full blown rings, are where the fey, or fairies, dance after a rain. But never go into the center of a fairy ring. You may find yourself in the Land of the Fey to never return, and, if you did return it could be 100 years later!

I worked at a mushroom farm in Franklin, Connecticut for a few months back in the mid-late years of the 1970s harvesting the tasty morsels. When I moved here in 1988, I was looking for some mushrooms and there were numerous packages of Franklin’s crop. The farm has been closed for quite some time I hear. Interesting people work in mushroom farms and some very entertaining ones at that; in particular, there were two guys who used to do a Yogi and BooBoo shtick that had us all dying from laughter: “Hey BooBoo, check out the shrooms in this pic-a-nic basket ....”

Teams of two were out for fun and money in Wiscasset Sunday, in the parking lot of Ames True Value on Route 1. They were playing cornhole. Entrants, spectactors and organizers said it's like horseshoes but with a lighter object to toss, a filled bag to get in or near a hole in a board.

Due to the wind, experienced cornhole competitor and retired Navy air traffic controller Gary Ashley of Bowdoinham planned to opt for a pancake or Frisbee-style of throw, over a more up in the air toss. The pancake is more accurate and is less impacted by wind, Ashley explained as teams practiced for the double-elimination event paying $1,000 for first.

Ashley's wife Lisa Ashley, watching with daughter Kiersten Carlson at a picnic table under the bright sky, said as a spectator sport cornhole is fun; following the score can be a challenge, she added.

Among first-time tournament players were Wiscasset's Devin Grover and Caleb Bryant. Between throws, they said it was something different to do and they liked to support a local business.

Sidney's Jason Greenleaf, part of a line of family members practicing, said he had only ever played at family functions. Smiling throughout the interview, he said about why he came: “For fun, and maybe we'll have some Greenleaf magic.”

Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based Wicked Cornhole co-owner Bruce Taylor and Ames's Sumner Averill, who builds cornhole boards Wicked Cornhole designs and sells at Ames and elsewhere around New England, said they worked together to put on the event. Averill hopes to make it annual. Taylor said cornhole became popular nationally over the last 10 years, southern New England in the last four, and is now spreading north.

Sunday’s sun followed a gray, rainy Saturday. “I think we lucked out,” Averill said. Thirty teams of two took part, Averill said Monday. He said a Massachusetts team won. The Wiscasset Newspaper is seeking the members’ names. 

Monday afternoon’s boys’and girls’ Mountain Valley Conference soccer games at Wiscasset Middle High School were postponed due the wet weather and muddy field conditions.

Warren Cossette, WMHS assistant principal and athletic director, said Monday, the games will hopefully be made up on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The boys’ game with Spruce Mountain will start at 4 p.m., followed by the girls’ game vs. Mt. Valley.

Senior player recognition by the Wolverine coaches is planned at the break between the two games.

These will be the last games of the season for the Wolverines since neither team qualified for the class D and C tournaments. The WMHS girls at 1-12 are ranked 13^th in the class D south; the boys at 5-8 are ranked 11^th in class C south. Only the top nine teams advance to post-season play.

Anyone curious about fit tire biking is invited to join Midcoast Conservancy’s AmeriCorps Outdoor Adventure members Jess, Emma and Miranda on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. for some outdoor fun at the Wiscasset Community Center. 

Participants can give fat tire biking a try on one of Midcoast Conservancy’s bikes and learn a few helpful bike basics. The Outdoor Adventure team will help attendees find the right size bike and recommend a trail based on the rider’s ability. The event is open to all ages and skill levels. Midcoast Conservancy’s bikes are a great fit for anyone taller than 4’ 8”. However, others are encouraged to bring their own mountain bikes. After riding, it is hoped that participants will let instructors know what they’d like to see for future Outdoor Adventure Programming with Midcoast Conservancy. No registration necessary; attendees can stop by anytime between 10 and 1. 

Contact Midcoast Conservancy for more information, or with any questions: (207) 389-5150 or americorps@midcoastconservancy.org.

The Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 class, which will be inducted Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Rockland Elks Lodge. The inductees are Bob Brewer, Penny Post Crockett, Robert Huntley, Richard Kelley, Jeff Madore, Wade Oliver, Charles “Chuck” Shea and Russell “Rusty” Worcester Jr. Shea is the only inductee from Lincoln County to the hall of fame, at Dow’s Discount in Waldoboro.

He is a 1959 graduate of Wiscasset High School, where he earned 15 varsity letters in basketball, baseball, cross country and track and field. Wiscasset won three straight league and state championships in cross country from 1956 to 1958 and won the state track and field championship in 1958. Shea won the state cross-country championship as an individual in 1956.

After graduation, Shea attended Bowdoin College, where he earned seven varsity letters in cross country, baseball and basketball. Just after graduating from Bowdoin, he returned to Wiscasset High  to coach cross country from 1963 to 1995. His teams won two state championships during his coaching tenure, one of which included his son Steve, who was also an individual state champion in 1989.

Shea coached basketball from 1963 to 1967 and again from 1980 to 1982. Chuck coached the 1980-81 team to Wiscasset’s first undefeated season at 18-0 and many considered it the best team in Wiscasset history. Shea also started the tennis program at Wiscasset in 1977 and served as athletic director at Wiscasset High for many years.

He has stayed very active over the years by playing in Brunswick and Bath adult softball leagues, numerous basketball leagues into his 50s, lots of tennis matches and has run a plethora of road races, including the Casco Bay Marathon.

He is now an avid bowler and plays pickleball in his spare time. Shea still lives in Wiscasset with his wife Faye. 

The Wiscasset Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club held its first meeting of the season, a potluck supper followed by a business meeting at the club house by the Recycle Center. The meetings are the second and fourth Thursday night at 7 p.m. with a potluck on the second Thursday night at 6:30.

There was a discussion on trails. We are going to have to make minor adjustments to the system. Nobody knew of any wind damage to the trails. We would love to hear from anybody who uses the trails for walking to share any info on tree damage. Winter activity was also discussed. We talked about a trip to Caribou and Bingham with day trips to Newport and Rangeley. We will also participate in Winterfest at the Community Center.  Snow permitting, the club with give rides to children and adults.

Anybody wishing to join the club should contact Bob Bruce at bobbikermaine@gmail.com or 207-319-8009 or Tim Soule at 841-5721 or countryhomewf@roadrunner.com

The Wolverine boys ended their Mountain Valley Conference soccer season with a 5-0 win over visiting Spruce Mountain Tuesday afternoon. The first ever combined Wiscasset/Boothbay team finished with a 5-8 record, which failed to qualify it for the Class C South playoffs.

After winning the coin toss, the Wolverines elected to play the first half with the wind at their backs. They dominated the initial 10 minutes of play but the Phoenix who had the first scoring opportunity, at 26:26 on a direct kick after the Wolverines drew the game’s first whistle just outside the 18-yard line. Cam Cain fired low to the near post sending Wolverine goalie Caleb Gabriele diving to the turf and tipping the ball wide of the net.

On Wiscasset/Boothbay’s next possession, Matt Chapman centered a pass from the right wing to James Hodson but his shot was caught by Jacob Bryant, the Phoenix keeper. Chapman put the Wolverines on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal at 14:55. Jordan Espeut then scored from 30 yards away with 3:41 left until halftime.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Tim Chappelle rang the ball off the far post and scored, putting the Wolverines up 3-0. Cain then broke free and fired from inside the penalty area. Gabriele slid to his right and caught the ball, punting it downfield. At 32:52, Chapman found Hodson open again at the goal mouth. This time, Hodson drilled the ball past the keeper.

Late in the game, Garret Smith rang a shot off the crossbar for the Phoenix and that was as close as Spruce Mountain came to averting the shutout.

With less than three minutes left to play, Wiscasset/Boothbay drove deep again and drew a corner kick. Chappelle chipped the ball in front of the net and Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco was there to hammer it home.

On Senior Night, four seniors, Chapman, Hodson, Chappelle and Gaughan-Carrasco, all scored and Gabriele picked up a shutout. The win was a great way for Wolverine Coach Chris Cossette and his assistant coach Devin Grover to end the season.  

Gabriele finished with six stops. Bryant turned away eight for Spruce Mountain.

Two weeks ago, the Wolverines shut out the Phoenix 2-0 at Jay. Wiscasset/Boothbay’s other MVC wins this season came against Dirigo, Lisbon and Carrabec whom they defeated twice.

Class B Spruce Mountain entered the game at 2-11 with wins over Dirigo and Carrabec.

The Wolverine girls scored first but couldn’t hold on, losing 3-1 to visiting Mountain Valley in the season finale for both Mountain Valley Conference soccer teams Tuesday night.

Sydnie Thayer gave Wiscasset Middle High School the early lead that resulted from a corner taken by Gwen Webber. Falcon goalie Taylor Henry slapped the ball away. Thayer got to it first and booted the ball over her head into the net. That one goal stood up all the way to the 18:56 mark of the second half.  Kaylee Pelliter’s shot from 30 yards found its way into the net tying the game. She netted the game-winning goal about seven minutes later. The final goal with 7:17 left in the game was booted in by Kierstyn Lyons.

Between those last two scores, Wiscasset keeper Lily Souza recorded a save on a penalty kick. The Wolverines were whistled for the infraction at the same time they had a player down on the field with an injury.

The Wolverines controlled possession of the ball for the first 20 minutes of play. At one point, they had three corner kick opportunities in three minutes. They scored on their fourth attempt. Natalie Potter broke free with the ball with 8:30 left until halftime. She carried the ball inside the 18-yard line but Henry charged out and broke up the shot.

In the second half, Brianna Orr made a nice move in the Falcon backfield but once again Henry was there for the stop. Later the Falcons averted another Wolverine scoring opportunity by clearing away Webber’s corner kick. Mountain Valley finished with a 12-11 shot edge. Both goalies ended the night with eight saves. The Wolverines and Mt. Valley each entered the game with a 1-12 record.

What a gorgeous day it was for the 3rd annual Great Pumpkin Hunt at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Oct. 20! Event coordinator Erika Huber said just over 2,000 people attended the third annual event. Folks came from all over the state and beyond.

The Great Pumpkin Hunt - chock full of inventive, learning games - eight in all - also included pumpkin decorating and pumpkins to take home. The main event had kids participating in the scavenger hunt for one of the 14 golden pumpkins. Prizes for this event were family memberships, guest passes, gift cards for the Gardenshop, and tickets to Gardens Aglow. Each prize in this category came with four tickets.

Along the way to the Great Lawn kids entered the Caterpillar Crawl Tunnel (an education project this past spring), very cool-looking covered with vines, adorned with flowers and flocked by pumpkins.

Kids really dug the games. On the Great Lawn were the Apple Broom Race (croquet with brooms and apples - great idea!), Metamorphosis Relay (racers experience the stages of a butterfly’s life - the cocoon was a burlap bag - ending with the donning of Monarch wings), Apple In A Haystack, involving a giant tub filled with hay, and Pretend to Eat Leaves Like A Caterpillar, using bowls of leaves and hay. More games awaited kids and families over at the Children’s Garden: Scarecrow Bingo, Gourd Race, Pumpkin Ring Toss, and the StrawBale Scramble obstacle course. A Bean Tunnel was tall enough for adults to walk through too! All the children at the event received prizes of their choosing at prize tables.

The tunes of Celtic and Canadian origin were played by 13-year-old fiddler Owen Kennedy of Winthrop. He has only been playing fiddle for nine years, but what a talent! His mom, Christine Kennedy, said they had just returned from Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours Festival where Owen played during the jams and open mics.  Huber heard Owen playing at the Farmer’s Market on the Boothbay Common this year and immediately thought "Have I got a gig for you!"

The pumpkin decorating tables were always full of kids and adults with an abundant selection of markers, paints, felt, glue and other materials to adorn their fall fruits with.

On a joyful note of a different kind, Huber reported 401 non-perishable food items and $300 cash had been donated for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry!

Music in the air, brilliant sunshine, the colors of the autumn season, and thousands of pumpkins made for a fun-filled and memorable afternoon.

The Wiscasset Recreation Junior soccer teams completed a successful season against Boothbay, Damariscotta and Richmond teams Oct. 27. The two junior teams called Dynamo and Fire are predominantly composed of fifth and sixth graders from Wiscasset Elementary School and Center for Teacher and Learning (CTL) in Edgecomb.

Glenn Powers, the coach for Dynamo said, “The Wiscasset Dynamo had a great season this year at the rec. We improved so much across the board and had a lot of fun.”

Shanon Cotta of Alna, the coach of Fire, reiterated the skill improvement of the players. “I want to thank the parents, young players and the Wiscasset Recreation for fostering a positive learning environment and teamwork.”

All the players received certificates for completing a wonderful season. If families are interested in participating in youth soccer at Wiscasset Recreation, please contact Duane Goud, Wiscasset Community Center at dgoud@wiscassetrec.com

On Saturday, Nov. 3, Wiscasset Middle High School 2018 graduate Samuel Strozier had his first Division 3 NCAA wrestling match for the University of Southern Maine. In an exhibition match at 184 pounds, at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, the USM freshman wrestled sophomore David Wilfredo.

Strozier dominated, beating Wilfredo 10-5. The USM Huskies won the meet 33-7.

This weekend, Strozier will compete in the Roger Williams Invitational in Bristol, Rhode Island. The tournament is considered one of the toughest in the Northeast.

Back at WMHS, Strozier's name now appears on the wrestling 100 wins club banner in Stover Auditorium. Last year's accomplishment was the first in nine years for the school, according to the banner.

All are invited to join Midcoast Conservancy’s AmeriCorps Outdoor Adventure members Emma, Jess, and Miranda on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for some outdoor fun at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson.

The event will provide a chance for participants to give fat tire biking a try on one of Midcoast Conservancy’s bikes (or bring their own) and learn a few helpful bike basics. Volunteers will be on hand to help attendees find the right size bike and to recommend a trail based on the rider’s ability. The event is open to all ages and skill levels.

Midcoast Conservancy’s bikes are a great fit for anyone taller than 4’ 8”. However, others are encouraged to bring their own mountain bikes. After riding, everyone is invited to enjoy some cider and s’mores and talk to the team about what other activities people would like to see for future Outdoor Adventure Programming with Midcoast Conservancy. No registration necessary, but a signed wavier is needed for kids unaccompanied by an adult. Stop by anytime between 10 and 2. 

Contact Midcoast Conservancy for more information, or with any questions: (207) 389-5150 or americorps@midcoastconservancy.org.