The Midcoast United U9 soccer team played its final games of the season at the North Central Soccer Festival hosted by The Maine Novas/Waterville Youth Soccer Association October 21. After playing three tough games, they ended their day with a 1 -2 record.

In the first game, they went up against the Patriot Soccer Club out of Gray. Maddox Tilas scored the first goal of the game in the first half. Jack Duncan added two more goals to bring the final score 3-1 in favor of Midcoast United. Andrew Gudroe played a great game in goal, contributing some tough saves.

Midcoast played the Winslow Travel Soccer Club in their second game of the day. Gudroe started in the goal for the first half of the game, with Aden Foley taking over for the second half. Both goalies worked hard and played tough. Jack Duncan put one goal into the back of the net, though the Midcoast United fell short, 3-1.

In the final game of the day, Midcoast faced Freeport United. With Gudroe back in the goal, Duncan contributed two goals, and they ended the season with score 3-2, Freeport. All the members of the Midcoast United worked hard, and played some of their best soccer of the season. Teammates include Gavin Loupe, Nathaniel Jewitt, Andrew Gudroe, Aden Foley, Garrett Cossette, Eric Drappeau, Jack Duncan and Maddox Tilas.

Midcoast United’s U12 soccer team finished in the top of their league, nearly coming in first, over the past two weekends of playoffs.

In the first playoff match against the Yarmouth Colts, Midcoast came out strong with Will Shaffer scoring in the first 30 seconds. The highlight of the match came when Midcoast keeper Timmy Chappelle saved a penalty kick in the second half. Midcoast defenders, Ella Spear, Ethan Carmolli, Ben Jacobs and Simon Spear, were able to keep the score at 1-0, clinching the win.

An hour later, while playing against Lewiston-Auburn, Midcoast was down 1-0 when Spear dribbled through the midfield and struck from the 18 yard line to tie the game up. Avery Stuart brought the score to 2-1, with a goal off a cross from defender Ben Jacobs. Lewiston-Auburn then pulled ahead with back to back goals. Risking it all for the win, Midcoast moved its players up field to increase offensive pressure on Lewiston’s goal. Lewiston was able to squeak by with two more goals, ending the game Lewiston-Auburn 5, Midcoast 2.

The last game against Western Maine United ended in a tie. Midcoast's Will Shaffer and Simon Spear each scored for Midcoast. After a tackle that took out center defender Ella Spear, Midcoast could not hold on to their lead letting in two goals, for a final score of 2-2.

Coach Lester Spear said, "I am extremely proud of this team, they played at the highest level and really grew this year. They beat the number 2 team and lost to the number1 team by just one point, they are the hardest working team I have seen.”

Midcoast United U9

Midcoast United’s U9 team played their final games of the season at the North Central Soccer Festival in Waterville. In their first match against the Gray Patriots, Maddox Tilas scored the first goal, followed by two more goals by Jack Duncan. Andrew Gudroe played a great game in goal, contributing some tough saves. Midcoast beat the Patriots 3-1.

In the second game of the day, Midcoast faced Winslow. Gudroe started in goal for Midcoast and Aden Foley took over for the second half. Both goalies worked hard and played tough. Jack Duncan put two goals into the back of the net but Midcoast fell short with a final score of 5 -2.

In the final game of the day, Midcoast matched up against Freeport United. With Gudroe back in the goal, Duncan contributed two goals, and Midcoast ended the season with a 3-2 loss to Freeport.

In this final day of play, all the Midcoast players worked hard and played some of their best soccer of the season. Teammates include Gavin Loupe, Nathaniel Jewitt, Andrew Gudroe, Aden Foley, Garrett Cossette, Eric Drappeau, Jack Duncan and Maddox Tilas.

Teens To Trails (T3) is pleased to announce a rare opportunity for Maine High School Outing Club programs to receive funding support through their Grants-to-Clubs program. Since 2008, Teens To Trails has awarded over 50 small grants to Outing Clubs to help get teens active outdoors.

This year, with the generous support of L.L. Bean and The Davis Conservation Foundation, Teens To Trails will ensure that more teens have the opportunity to explore Maine's great outdoors.

The Grants-to-Clubs program is open to any high school Outing Club in Maine. Complete online application guidelines are available at www.teenstotrails.org/grants-clubs-program. Applications are due by midnight December 1. Through the Grants-to-Clubs program, Outing Clubs will receive funds to help with costs such as transportation, outdoor gear, or safety and skills training for leaders. Grants are awarded up to $500.

"A growing body of research shows that unstructured time outdoors is critical to the health and well being of our young people," Founder of Teens To Trails Carol Leone said.

"Life was not meant to be a spectator sport," Leone said. "It is our goal to establish an Outing Club in every one of Maine's high schools.”

Eleven Outing Clubs received assistance last year helping them to plan outdoor adventures throughout the school year. The 2012 Grants-to-Clubs Program is made possible by a grant from The Davis Conservation Foundation and the generosity of L.L. Bean. Teens To Trails encourages high schools to apply. (T3 loves middle schools with outing clubs, but as a primarily all-volunteer effort, T3 are focusing their limited resources on high schools right now.)

For information on the Grants-to-Clubs program, Teens To Trails and Outing Clubs, visit www.TeensToTrails.org.

The National Park Service has announced that the Teens To Trails organization was selected to receive assistance from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program to develop their innovative College Outdoor Mentors initiative.

Teens To Trails (T3) was selected from the most competitive field of requests ever received by the agency and was one of only nine projects accepted in Maine this fiscal year.

Teens To Trails has been promoting high school Outing Club programs since 2006 to ensure that outdoor experiences are available to all Maine teens. With this National Park Service assistance, T3 is pursuing a new initiative to further support teen Outing Clubs by providing inspirational college-aged mentors for younger students, pairing college campuses with their local high school outing clubs.

“We will draw these college students from the many popular outing club programs on our Maine campuses, as well as students pursuing outdoor-related careers,” Teen To Trails Founder Carol Leone said.

“This College Outdoor Mentors initiative will not only serve to engage more Maine teens in the outdoors, but will draw much-deserved national attention to the impressive Outdoor Recreation & Tourism programs being offered right here in Maine,” Leone said.

If you are interested in getting involved, either as a college mentor or as a high school Outing Club demonstration project, get in touch with Leone or Jane Koopman, T3's Outreach Coordinator.

This project was selected by the National Park Service because of its capacity to further the goals of the America's Great Outdoors initiative and support community efforts to increase access to outdoor recreation using innovative partnerships. The National Park Service is proud to support capable partners and eager to help contribute to the T3 College Outdoor Mentors initiative.

Wild edible plant walk

Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 to 3 p.m. – Take a walk with Maine Master Naturalist volunteer Jason Chandler as we explore the landscape of Hidden Valley Nature Center for wild edible plants. Possible finds include pine, acorns, cattails, Solomon's seal, wild carrot, and others. A $5 donation is suggested.

Guided naturalist walks

Friday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to noon – Join several Maine Master Naturalist graduates as they explore the trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center for lichens, those unique organisms consisting of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and alga, a photosynthetic partner. A $5 donation is suggested.

Sunday, Nov. 25, 1 to 3 p.m. – Chandler will lead a walk to explore the landscape of Hidden Valley Nature Center with an eye to the past. What does a large basal scar on a 100 year-old oak tree tell us? What evidence of fire might we uncover? When and how was this property logged? Investigate these questions and many more and walk away with tools to assess any northeastern forest. A $5 donation is suggested.

The Hidden Valley Nature Center is located at 131 Egypt Road in Jefferson. For more information, visit www.hvnc.org, call 586-6752, or email gary@hvnc.org.

Braced against an icy wind, Woolwich Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert, selectmen and a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) official shivered on the snowy banks of the town park late Thursday morning discussing improvements to the town's swimming area. 

Citing summertime conflicts between recreational boaters and swimmers, selectmen have said on more than one occasion they would like to improve the designated swimming area in the park.

DEP project manager Marybeth Richardson met with three members of the Woolwich Board of Selectmen and Engert November 8 for a pre-application meeting. Town officials want to remove brush and put in sand for a beach on approximately 200 feet of shorefront. 

“No one really likes walking up to their ankles in soft, muddy bottom,” Engert said. The designated swimming area is several feet away from the boat ramp and is somewhat shrouded by shoreline brush. Selectmen have said they would like to make the area more attractive to draw swimmers away from the boat ramp.

“There certainly has to be something done down there before there is an injury,” selectman Lloyd Coombs said. 

Coombs and other selectmen have been concerned about young swimmers getting nicked by a propeller blade and the difficulty boaters have in getting their boats safely down the ramp. 

Certain parameters in the Natural Resources Protection Act could limit the scope of their intended project, but the first step town officials must take is to apply for an Individual Natural Resources Protection Act permit.

Richardson, who works in the DEP's Division of Land Resources Regulation, listened to their plans and made recommendations for next steps in the application process. She said the department would be concerned about impacts on fish habitat and indicated the dumping of sand could pose a problem. However, this does not mean the project idea would be rejected outright. There alternative solutions town officials could explore. 

The group also discussed the possibility of installing cement slabs similar to those on the boat ramp or using local sand that has been cleaned.

Engert said they do not want to remove any trees, only brush, and the project would not affect water quality in the lake, as the current flows downstream toward the Nequasset Lake Dam. According to Richardson, sedimentation from beach sand could impact fish, but more research is needed. 

In the application, town officials have to demonstrate a need for the project, its purpose and any impacts to the water body. Richardson recommended they consult with a wetlands specialist, which will help them formulate the scope of their project. 

Pending approval from the DEP, Woolwich selectmen may put out a request for proposals to do the necessary work. This would also help determine the project's approximate cost, according to Coombs. “We have to make this as attractive or more attractive than what's down there now,” he said.

Once a cost is determined and the project is approved by all of the parties involved, selectmen would then see about getting approval from voters by including it on the annual town meeting warrant. There are many steps town officials must take between now and then. Engert said he was told the application process takes a minimum of 90 days.

The Boothbay Region Land Trust is pleased to announce the debut of family hikes, a fun and healthy way to get children and adults outside. Families from the Boothbay region and beyond are invited to these free outings which occur at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month, year-round. 

Every month, a naturalist will lead participants on a kid-friendly hike on one of BRLT’s preserves, adapting the walk to the ability of the group. Hikes will average one mile in length and be about one hour in duration.

Joining BRLT for a hike is a great way to meet other families in the area or catch up with old friends. The pace of the walk will allow plenty of time to discover and observe the natural world and special emphasis made on the seasonal changes that occur from month to month.  There are 19 preserves with 30 miles of hiking trails scattered throughout the Boothbay peninsula, all offering a variety of habitats that make for a year of diverse hiking.    

Family hikes will occur rain or shine, and will only be cancelled in dangerous weather conditions.  For the schedule of family hikes and the most up to date information, visit the calendar link at bbrlt.org or follow Boothbay Region Land Trust on Facebook.  

The first hike is this Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. at Lobster Cove Meadow Preserve.  Registration is not required, just meet at the trail head.  For more information, call BRLT at 207-633-4818 or contact Environmental Educator Tracey Hall at thall@bbrlt.org.

Midcoast United’s U12 soccer team played two matches in a tournament this weekend at the Seacoast Dome in Topsham. In the first match against the Seacoast Dragons, Striker Will Shaffer scored Midcoast’s first goal and followed it quickly with another to make the score 2-1 Midcoast. On a pass from Bayly Gaughan Markus Russell was able to break away adding another for Midcoast.

In the second half, defense player Ethan Carmolli scored his first of the season from outside the 18 yard line. Coach Lester Spear said, “That goal was one for the record books. Ethan should be proud of himself; he has put in the extra time and it is paying off."

With the score 4-4 with two minutes to go, Midcoast got a penalty kick. Midfielder Simon Spear sailed it past the Dragon keeper for a 5-4 finish.

An hour later the Midcoast squad met the Bangor Blackbears. With Ella Spear, Ethan Carmolli and Patrick Gudroe on defense, Midcoast took an easy lead in the first half. Striker Will Shaffer was able to finish twice and Simon Spear once for a 3-0 lead. Timmy Chappelle made five crucial saves, finally succumbing in the second half for a final score of 3-1 Midcoast.

Midcoast United would also like to congratulate Camden Spear as he travels to Penn State to train with the Olympic Development Program Region 1 Team. This training is to determine the squads that will potentially be traveling overseas representing the U.S. and Region 1.

The Midcoast United U9 soccer team completed its fall season this past weekend with a round-robin tournament hosted by Seacoast United inTopsham.

First up was Midcoast against BYSL1. Andrew Gudroe played in goal for Midcoast, keeping the ball out of the net. The only goal was a well-placed penalty shot scored by BYSL1, bringing the final score of the first game 1-0, BYSL1.

Kayla Cossette tended the goal during the second game as Midcoast shut out BYSL2, 5-0. Midcoast showed some great teamwork with their passing and defense. Sam Sinibaldi had three goals and Jack Duncan added two for Midcoast.

The third and final game of the day had our Midcoast United matched against the Seacoast/Twombly U10 team. Cossette again helped out in goal. Seacoast took an early goal, but Midcoast's defense and goalie worked well together to hold them to one. Maddox Tilas shot late in the game, which slipped right through the keeper's hands, bringing the final score to 1-1. Midcoast ended their final tournament with 1-1-1 on the day.

Hard work and dedication by Nathaniel Jewett, Grady Suhr, Sam Sinibaldi, Jack Duncan, Kayla Cossette, Gavin Loupe, Eric Drappeau, Maddox Tilas, Garrett Cossette, Cody Cleaveland, Aden Foley and Andrew Gudroe was seen on the field. Paul Foley and Darryl Gudroe coach the team.

Many of the “hunters” in Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ much-loved tradition, the Frozen Turkey Hunt, will take home frozen turkeys. And someone will win the grand prize of 150 gallons of fuel oil, donated by Dead River Company. Another lucky winner will receive a generously sized cord of seasoned wood.

Additional items for the Thanksgiving table will also be awarded during this exciting event Saturday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. The “hunt” proper begins at 11:15 a.m. Complimentary refreshments and cookie decorating will add to the fun of this free event, a gift from the gardens.

How do the hunters win? Different age groups from toddlers to 18-year-olds search for the apples hidden in several areas of the Central Gardens. The apples are theirs to keep, and those with special stickers are winners. The golden apple wins the fuel oil, and the silver apple wins the cord of wood.

Not only is there no charge to attend, but there is also no need to make reservations. Simply show up, have a great time, and with any luck at all, take home a prize. Sponsors for the Frozen Turkey Hunt are Dead River Company, Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch, Bath Savings Institution and Valley View Orchard Pies.

Because the 17th is also Early Bird Sale day in the Boothbay region, the Gardens Gift Shop will be open that day, with a 20 percent discount on all merchandise for every shopper from 9 to 11 a.m., sale tables all day, and a door prize.

For more information, call 207-633-4333, ext. 101; visit Maine Gardens.org; or stop by the gardens, off Barters Island Road in Boothbay. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ 250-acre property is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The buildings are closed on weekends until April.

The Boothbay Railway Village will be running the “North Pole Express” Saturday, Nov. 24, December 8 and December 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This entertaining train ride will consist of a 45-minute experience in a comfortable seat on a steam-heated train. The train will carry you through the Village to Santa’s Railroad Station and is scheduled to depart about every 30 minutes.

You will disembark at Santa’s station to receive your hot chocolate, cookies, storytelling and of course a visit from Santa. Museum staff and volunteers wish everyone the best this holiday season and look forward to serving you in 2013.

Tickets are available online. Because of limited seating capacity it is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets online. By purchasing your tickets early you will be assured a seat on the train at the time of your choice. Visit the museum website to safely purchase tickets.

For more information, contact the Boothbay Railway Village,  Route 27, Boothbay at 207-633-4727 or www.railwayvillage.org.

Teens To Trails (T3) is working to engage Maine teens in the outdoors through their promotion of & support for teen Outing Clubs across the State. A new T3 initiative called "College Outdoor Mentors for Maine Teens" is based on the recognition that college students make wonderful mentors for teenagers!

Young adults who are passionate about the outdoors are powerful tools for enlightening these younger students to the wonders of nature. The Quimby Family Foundation's support of this project has allowed T3 to hire an Outreach Coordinator to lead a number of pilot projects to explore ways to connect college campuses with the high school Outing Clubs in their area.

“With this help from the Quimby Family Foundation,” Founder of T3 Carol Leone said, “we will be able to explore different mentoring scenarios and develop a model that will sustain these high school-college relationships over time.”

At a meeting organized by Teens To Trails last December, representatives from various campuses formed the Maine College Coalition of Outdoor Mentors and established the first demonstration projects. Bowdoin Outing Club members are accompanying the Brunswick High School Outing Club on outings. UMaine Machias worked with Machias Memorial High School to organize an ice fishing trip. Washington County Community College has helped an Outing Club get off the ground at Calais High School.

UMaine Presque Isle is reaching out to help the new Ashland High School Outing Club. Student members of Colby's Outing Club and St. Joe's Outdoor Adventure Club have both expressed enthusiasm in joining the effort to get more Maine teens outside.

A second meeting of the Maine College Coalition of Outdoor Mentors is scheduled for December 7 at Bowdoin's Outing Club facility in Brunswick and the group invites every campus to participate. If you are interested in attending this meeting or getting involved in the project, either as a college mentor or as a high school Outing Club demonstration project, contact Jane Koopman, T3's Outreach Coordinator. Call 207-882-9613 or email info@teenstotrails.org for more information.

Confirmed gingerbread professionals and closet bakers, young novices, masters of the dough and others throughout the Midcoast have reportedly started design and construction work on this year’s confectionery entries into the Great Gingerbread Spectacular being staged at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor this season.

December 14-16 marks the annual convergence of all things gingerbread in the hilarious and often stunningly creative Spectacular that has become a tradition in the Boothbay region.

In past years, nearly 40 houses, castles, local landmarks, camps, lighthouses, and other structures, have been joined by hockey rinks and recycling centers, game boards and snow globes, fashion runways and lobster traps (all fashioned out of gingerbread and sweets) to be judged at the Gingerbread Spectacular. Those interested in creating a gingerbread house into this year’s exhibit should contact the Opera House for details at 207-633-6855. There is no fee to enter, and all creations must be completely edible.

The fun begins at the Dough Ball Party Friday, Dec. 14. The party kicks off after the team of judges has determined both the winner of the coveted Most Spectacular prize, in addition to awards ranging from Most Hilarious to Most Appetizing and from Best Holiday Spirit to best Local Landmark. The awards are announced at the Dough Ball, a play on words mixing up gingerbread dough and the subtle fundraising “dough” sought by the Opera House each winter.

The Dough Ball party allows the creators of the gingerbread structures to mix with the party goers in a night that includes holiday jazz by The Four Snowmen amidst a stunningly decorated Opera House, wonderful hors d’oeuvres provided by the talented Friends of the Opera House, a cash bar, and a silent auction with items ranging from luxury weekend getaways to The Grinch’s Dump Run, from Irish whisky dinners to original artwork by well-known artists, and even a manure fork is available for bidding this year.

All gingerbread house bakers and creators receive a pair of tickets to the Dough Ball. Midcoast residents not up to the task of designing and building a gingerbread entry can still join in the fun at the party by purchasing tickets, $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets are available through the Opera House box office at 207-633-5159 or by visiting the Opera House at 86 Townsend Ave. The party and music start at 7 p.m. Dress for guests is anything from casual to black tie; anything goes on this party night in Boothbay Harbor.

The Dough Ball serves as the warm up event prior to the 6th Annual Gingerbread Spectacular December 15-16. The Spectacular includes the display of all of the gingerbread entries as well as entertainment and a bake sale, appearances by the Gingerbread Man and free cocoa all set amidst one of the most beautiful holiday settings in the state. The doors are open from 10 am-4 pm and there is no charge. Donations are welcome. Visitors may bid on selected gingerbread houses during the Spectacular, which helps to raise funds for the Opera House, and allows residents and visitors alike to take home a little bit of the magic.

Last year’s Most Spectacular award was presented to Susan Brackett for her charming portrayal of The Tooth Fairy’s House and is currently on display in the lobby of the Opera House. A free class for those interested in learning more about building gingerbread houses will be held at the Opera House Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.

The Wiscasset Unsinkables are already working hard to earn some team awards. The golden goggle award is given after each meet for the athletes that have personal best times in all events possible at the meet and the #1 Loser award is given to the athlete who loses the most combined seconds in their individual events.

The first meet the team attended was the Harvest Meet held in Cumberland on October 14. Ava Nery was the #1 Loser taking 15.93 seconds off her times. Cara Viele broke her own record 9-10 100 Free with a time of 1:12.94. The Haunted Hat meet was held in Bangor on October 21. The #1 Loser was Maria West with 21.40 seconds cut.

On October 28 a Halloween Mini Meet was held in Portland for swimmers ages 10 and under. Many of the new team members attended their first meet at this event and everyone had a great time. The golden goggle winners were Vanessa Albert, Henry Currier, Andrew Nery, and Cara Viele. The #1 Loser was Henry Currier with 35.54 seconds lost. Henry Currier also broke the 8 & under 100 free record held by Ben Milliken with a time of 1:17.32.

A Winter Champs Qualifying Meet was held in Waterville on November 3–4. Swimmers attending this meet had the goal of making cut times to attend the Winter Championship meet held in March. Vanessa Albert was the #1 Loser with 16.41 seconds cut. Cara Viele broke her own 9-10 200 Free record with a time of 2:38.76.

The King & Queen of Sprints meet was held in Westbrook November 17-18. The golden goggle winners were Zachary Bhe, Essie Martin, Andrew Nery, Benji Pugh, Sam Richards, Colin Viele, and Julia West. Colin Viele was the #1 Loser cutting 19.59 seconds from his times.

The Unsinkables swim team is currently running a fundraiser at the Wiscasset Community Center. The team is selling raffle tickets for a huge holiday basket located at the front desk in the lobby of the community center. The basket includes lots of goodies including an iPod touch and a $50 gift certificate to L.L. Bean. The drawing for the basket will take place on December 3. Tickets may be purchased from any swim team member or at the front desk of the Wiscasset Community Center.

The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club Junior sailing and tennis programs are now open and available for registration for the 2013 summer season. 

Learning to sail and, if desired, to race sailboats is a healthy and exciting way for young people to spend their summer and the well equipped and superbly taught programs at the Yacht Club are known nationwide for their excellence.

Likewise, world class tennis instruction under the direction of Larry Rioux and his staff is also available to youth from the Boothbay region.

Also now open for enrollment is the Club High School Sailing program which provides teens with the opportunity to sail and race for the spring season (April and May) and the fall season (September and October). Coach Sally Lloyd is available to meet with interested young people and their parents.

A registration for the program of from one to nine weeks long makes a never to be forgotten Christmas present and this can be arranged by calling the Yacht Club at 207-633-5750 or by emailing club manager Jim Matel at office@BHYC.net.

When Coach Donald Strout, an environmental engineer at Bath Iron Works, returns for his 13th year as Wiscasset High School’s swim coach, he said what he wants the most is for his “kids to have fun and respect each other.” He said he hopes to have all the kids improve personally and for as many as possible to qualify for the state meet.

Because Wiscasset is the only school in the Mountain Valley Conference with a swim team, they compete with teams in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference. The Wolverines will compete with teams from Erskine, Brunswick, Cony, Mt. Ararat, Winslow, Lewiston, Belfast and Gardiner.

Strout said his team's size is its biggest weakness. With five girls and four boys, competing as a team difficult. But as individual swimmers the Wolverines perform very well.

Junior Sarah Hanley, a state qualifier last season in the 200 and 100 free, returns to the team, as does her brother, captain Ryan Hanley, also a state qualifier in the 100 back and 200 individual medley (IM). Sophomore Julia West comes back after qualifying for the states in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. Junior Matt Mills was a breaststroke, state qualifier last season.  

Sophomore Maeve Carlson, an all-around swimmer, returns this year and Strout is hoping that she will qualify for the state meet. Senior Captain Alyssa Urquhart returns and will compete 500 free.

New to the team this year are sophomore, Jade Wood and freshmen, Amanda Marcus and Sam Storer.

Also swimming with Wiscasset are Boothbay Region High School students freshmen Brad Tibbetts and Samantha Carter; sophomore Nichole Labrecque; and junior Ethan Walker.

Wolverines open their season home with Erskine December 7, 6 p.m.

The Central Lincoln County YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team, under the direction of coach Janice Cormier-Hay, kicked off their 2012-2013 season at the “Snow Much Fun” gymnastics meet at the Old Town/Orono YMCA this past Sunday, Dec. 2, where they competed against the Old Town host team, Leaps N’ Bounds from Fairfield, and the Waterville YMCA.

Coach Cormier-Hay was excited for Sunday’s meet and the upcoming season. “We have 22 girls representing 10 towns from Lincoln County on our team this year. Some girls are seasoned competitors and some are very new to gymnastics,” Cormier-Hay said. “But what I love about these girls is that they have bonded as a team already, cheering each other on to do their best and supporting each other; that is what our gymnastics team is all about.” 

There are 10 skill levels in competitive gymnastics and this year’s CLC YMCA team begins at level 2 with competitors up to level 6.  

Level 6, Age 12-14: First-year level 6 gymnast Kathryn Colomb,12, of Alna came in 5th on vault with a 7.8, 3rd on bars with a 6.15, 2nd on beam with an 8.2, and 1st with an 8.25 on floor placing 1st all around.

Level 6, Age 11: Emma Hall of Damariscotta came in 5th on vault with a 7.7, 2nd on bars with an 8.25, 2nd on beam with a 7.8 and 1st on floor with an 8.8, placing 2nd all around.

Level 5, Age 7-8: First-year level 5 gymnast Maddy Russ, 8, of Damariscotta came in 2nd on vault with an 8.4, 1st on bars with a 9.25, 2nd on beam with an 8.775, and 1st on floor with a 9.1, placing 1st all around.

Level 4, Age 11 and up: First-time competitor, Collette Perry,13, of Boothbay, came in 1st on vault with an 8.6, 1st on bars with an 8.6, 1st on beam with a 7.85, and 1st on floor with a 6.55, which places her in 1st place all around. 

Level 4 Age 10B: First-time competitor, Quinn Hunold of Damariscotta came in 3rd on vault with an 8.7, 6th on bars, 5th on beam with a 6.0, and 4th on floor with a 7.15, placing 5th all around. 

Level 4, Age 8C: First-time competitor, Skyler Houghton of Newcastle, came in 4th on vault with an 8.3, 4th on bars with a 6.9, 2nd on beam with a 7.3, and 4th on floor with a 6.5, placing 4th all around.

Level 4, Age 6-7: First-year level 4, Elizabeth Rethman of Newcastle came in 4th on vault with an 8.1, 4th on bars with a 7.75, 4th on beam with a 6.7, and 4th on floor with an 8.3, placing 4th all around.

The team’s next meet will be this Saturday in Ellsworth at Springer’s Gymnastics.

The National Audubon Society’s 113th Christmas Bird Count will take place from December 14, through January 5, 2013. The longest running Citizen Science survey in the world, Christmas Bird Count provides critical data on population trends. Tens of thousands of participants know that it is also a lot of fun.

Since the Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago, it has relied on the dedication and commitment of volunteer citizen scientists. In other words, it all starts with you. Midcoast Maine Audubon bird count compilers for the Damariscotta/Pemaquid and Bunker Hill count circles, Dennis McKenna and John Weinrich, will be at Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center December 12 at 10:30 a.m. 

McKenna and Weinrich will discuss how community members can become involved in this year’s Christmas Bird Count and show workshop participants how to identify the winter birds that land on the birdfeeders in everyone’s backyard as well as those who linger in the woods and fields throughout our local count circles.  

Information on where to meet for a field party, clothes to wear, materials to bring, feeder watches, checklists, local bird count dates (December 15 and 18), times, reporting and other useful information will also be provided December 12. 

The count takes place within Count Circles, which focus on specific geographical areas. Each circle is led by a Count Compiler. Therefore, if you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. In addition, if your home is within the boundaries of a Count Circle, then you can stay home and report the birds that visit your feeder once you have arranged to do so with the Count Compiler.

Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations – and to help guide conservation action. Show you care about our regions feathered friends. Learn how you, the members of your families, and your friends can become a part of the Christmas Bird Count tradition by registering for the December 12 bird count information session. Advanced registration required.  To register, call 207-563-1363 by December 11.

Maine Maritime Museum (MMM) invites you and your family to take a break from the holiday rush to enjoy a free evening of family fun and learning. Sponsored by Davenport Trust, Museum admission will be free to all Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m., as Maine Maritime Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary year.

Explore the Museum’s six indoor galleries and exhibits, including the newest exhibit Ahead Full at Fifty: 50 Years of Collecting at Maine Maritime Museum featuring more than 150 of the most notable objects from the MMM collection, selected for their historical importance, their beauty or because of the story behind the object.

The kids will have a great time as they play the Museum’s curator game, participate in an exhibit scavenger hunt, have their face painted or make their own steam bent wooden bracelets.

The Museum Store will be open with a wide range of books, gifts and many Made in Maine products. All purchases will be discounted by 10 percent for nonmembers and 20 percent for members and volunteers.

Sit among the glow of original kerosene lanterns and hear Christmas readings and performances by Westport Island residents. These include a clarinet, guitar and piano rendition of “Coventry Carol,” performed by Carol Blake, Brad Adler and Dewey Harris. 

Also to be performed violin solos by Joseph McGrath and a duet by Drew and Thomas Porter, accompanied by Dewey Harris.

Refreshments will follow next door at the Old Town Hall. In the spirit of the season, all are asked to bring a nonperishable item for the Cottage Pantry on Westport Island.

The Boothbay Region YMCA Dolphins swim team competed against the Sanford YMCA Titans December 1. For some swimmers, it was their first competitive swim meet. Others' improved previous times.

The swimmers' results: 

Girls 11-12 free 200 relay, Loren Genrich, Lincoln Hamblett, Hannah Witwicki and Emma Pearce, 1st place, 2:19.32

Mia Eason: 25 free, 25.47 3rd place, 25 back, 33.74

Callen Eason: 25 free, 28.90; 25 back, 30.24, 4th place

Zoe Eason: 50 free, 6th place, 47.41; 50 back, 3rd place, 53.27. 

Austin Crocker took 5 seconds off his 200 free, 2:20.11; shaved time off his 50 free, 27.70, and took 3 seconds off his 100 breast, 3rd place, 1:26.37. 

Lincoln Hamblett: 2nd in the 100 IM, dropping 6 seconds; 2nd place, 50 breast, 43.18, dropping another second. 

Adam Sirois: 1st in 100IM, 145.52, dropping 7 seconds; 1st place, 50 breast, 1:04.89.

Anna Sirois: 100 fly, 3rd place, 128.68; 100 back, 3rd place, 122.25.

Gareth Hodgdon swam the 100 IM, 50 free and the 50 breast.  

Evy Case: 200 IM, 2nd place; 100 fly, 2nd place, 126.96.

Nicole LaBrecque: 200 IM, 2nd place, 246.60, beating her previous times; 50 free, 2nd place, 29.62.

Ella Yentsch: 50 free, 1st place, 21.11; 50 back, 1st place, 44.53. 

Emilie Crocker: 50 free, 3rd place, 43.65; and the 50 fly, 1:00.02. 

Maren Whitney: 50 fly, 3rd place, 103.06, dropping a whopping 12 seconds; 100 free,  3rd place, 1:42.78. 

Emma Pearce: 50 free, 1st place, 31.40; 50 breast, 1st place, 42.91. 

Hannah Witwicki: 50 free, 2nd place, 34.94; 100 free, 5th place, 124.26.

Loren Genrich: 50 free, 3rd place; 100 free, 4th place, 121.10.

Emma Hodgdon: 50 free, 5th place, 37.54; 50 back, 52.62; 50 breast, 53.29. 

Rebecca Taylor: 50 free, 6th place, 38.92; 50 back, 3rd place, 51.48, and 50 breast.

Rowan Kristan: 50 Free, 1st place, 33.92; 100 free, 1st place, 116.81. 

Ben Pearce: 50 free, 2nd place, 36.79; 50 back, 44.68, 2nd place.

Jamie LaBrecque: 50 free, 3rd place; 50 fly, 1st place. 

Jonathan Genrich: 50 free, 4th place; 50 back, 3rd place, 48.94; 50 breast, 2nd place, 108.76.

Tim Norton swam the 50 free. 

Jaime Wheeler: 50 free, 3rd place, 35.24; 100 back, 5th place, 144.92.

Saida Riddell: 50 free, 3rd place, 29.62; 100 back, 1st place, 115.22.

Brenna Alley: 50 free, 4th place, 31.45; 100 free, 4th place, 110.31. 

Sinead Miller: 50 free, 5th place, 34.76; 100 free, 5th place, 1:21.46.

Helen Hamblett: 50 free, 36.44; 50 breast, 4th place, 47.10; 100 free, 6th place, 129.29.

Evan McClellan: 50 free, 1st place, 44.20; 100 back, 1st place, 208.58

Gulnaz Askar: 50 free, 39.30

Qui Haixiang: 50 free, 3rd place, 32.20; 100 free, 4th place, 118.56; 100 breast, 4th place.

Chris Hamblett: 100 free, 2nd place, 118.58; 50 back, 1st place, 44.32. 

Samantha Carter: 100 fly, 4th place, 1:30.59; 100 breast, 3rd place, 139.14.

Are you sad to have missed the horse drawn wagon rides on December 1? A second opportunity awaits on Thursday, December 13. As part of their Think Outside the Box promotion, the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring free horse-drawn carriage rides in the village from 5-7 p.m.  

Treats will host a wine tasting featuring two Maine companies, Mariner Beverages and Chai Wallas of Maine. Sarah’s Café will also be offering a great selection of family style dinners. As part of the festivities, many shop owners in Wiscasset will be staying open until 7 p.m., providing shoppers an evening to get out and do some Christmas shopping.  

On Thursday, Dec. 20, shop owners will again keep their doors open until 7 p.m., providing one last opportunity to fill up your Chamber passports before the raffle and help you finish up your holiday shopping lists. 

Treats will host a second wine tasting with samples from Devenish Wines and cheeses by Spring Day Creamery. Carolers will fill the village with holiday cheer while you walk around, and once again, Sarah’s will be hosting family style dinners for all those hungry shoppers.

The festivities are rounded out at 7 p.m., December 20 with the passport campaign raffle at Le Garage and a light show on the waterfront sponsored by Big Al’s Fireworks.  

For every $20 you spend at participating businesses, get a stamp on your shopping passport.  Fill your passport with five stamps, and enter to win some amazing prizes.

To qualify for the raffle, drop off your completed passport by Thursday, Dec. 20, at any of these Wiscasset locations: Key Bank, Bank of Maine, The First, Wiscasset Community Center, and the Town Office.

And don’t forget to head to Wiscasset Village for exciting activities and extended shopping Thursday evenings. For more information on the Think Outside the Box promotion, participating businesses, and prizes for the passport campaign, call the chamber at 882-9600 or visit www.wiscassetchamber.com.

Wiscasset High School swimmers competed in a three-way meet Friday, Dec. 7 at the Wiscasset Community Center. Although Wiscasset finished third overall, four Wolverines qualified for the state championships.

Julia West earned first place finishes in the girls 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard freestyle; Sarah Hanley took third in the girls 200-yard individual medley (IM); Ryan Hanley finished second in the boys 100 freestyle and first 100-yard backstroke, and freshman Sam Storer finished second in the boys 100-yard butterfly. All four qualified for the state championships in those events.

“With such a small team we don't dwell on scores … everyone swam well,” Coach Don Strout said.

Lincoln Academy, 76; St. Dominic, 43; Wiscasset 41

Girls 200-yard Medley Relay

1. Lincoln Academy (2:08.77); 2. St. Dominic (2:14.99); 3. Wiscasset (2:31.12)

Boys 200-yard medley relay

1. St. Dominic (2:17.55)

Girls 200-yard freestyle

1. Olivia Pennington, Lincoln Academy (2:22.02); 2. Maeve Carlson, Wiscasset, (2:55.07); 3. Cassie Leeman, Lincoln Academy (2:55.37)

Boys 200-yard freestyle

1. Sam Storer, Wiscasset High School (2:23.12), 2. Matthew Mills, Wiscasset High School (2:30.70); 3. Tyler Abbotoni, Lincoln Academy (2:45.23)

Girls 200-yard IM

1.Nicole Robitaille, St. Dominic (2:30.78); 2. Kara Mullin, Lincoln Academy, (2:35.07); 3. Sarah Hanley, Wiscasset (2:45.23)

Boys 200-yard IM

1. Will Hadden, Lincoln Academy 2:18.49; 2. Michael Dempski, St. Dominic (2:33.00); 3. Whitman Vaughan, Lincoln Academy (2:44.11)

Girls 50-yard freestyle

1. Clara Fergusson, St. Dominic (27:29); 2. Elise Dumount, Lincoln Academy (32:21); 3. Emily Carney (34:58); 4. Cassie Leeman, Lincoln Academy (34:58); 5. Amanda Marcus, Wiscasset (45.43)

Boys 50-yard freestyle

1. Matthew Dempski, St. Dominic (28.91); 2. Luke Levesque, Lincoln Academy (30.98); 3. Tristan Messmer, Lincoln Academy (32.66) 4. Kyle Viele, Wiscasset (37.78); 5. Spencer Ward, St. Dominic (39.22)

Girls 100-yard butterfly

1. Heidi Ziegra, Lincoln Academy (1:06.78); 2. Nicole Robitaille, St. Dominic (1:09.44); 3. Holly Stegna, Lincoln Academy (1:29.21)

Boys 100-yard butterfly

1. Matheson Dempksi, St. Dominic ((1:07.71); 2. Sam Storer, Wiscasset High School (1:10.68)

Girls 100-yard freestyle

1. Julia West, Wiscasset High School (1:02.59); 2. Kara Mullin, Lincoln Academy (1:04.45); 3. Sarah Hanley, Wiscasset High School (1:05.44); 4. Elise Dumont, Lincoln Academy (1:12.96); 5. Kristen Connor, St. Dominic (1:16.51)

Boys 100-yard freestyle

1. Will Hadden, Lincoln Academy (53.77); 2. Ryan Hanley, Wiscasset High School (55.09); 3. Whitman Vaughan, Lincoln Academy (1:00.62); 4. Thomas Weeks, St. Dominic (1:15.15); 4. Kyle Viele, Wiscasset (1:27.62)

Girls 500-yard freestyle

1. Clara Fergusson, St. Dominic (5:45.52); 2. Heidi Zeigra, Lincoln Academy (6:09.39); 3. Miranda Boe, Lincoln Academy (7:46.02); Aylssa Urquhard, Wiscasset High School (8:17.88)

Boys 500 yard-freestyle

1. Griffin Han-Lalime, Lincoln Academy (6:49.63)

Girls 200-yard freestyle relay

1. Lincoln Academy (1:57.11); 2. Wiscasset High School (2:10.19); 3. Lincoln Academy (2:12.66); 4. St. Dominic (2:20.11)

Boys 500-yard freestyle relay

1. Lincoln Academy (1:46.64); 2. Wiscasset High School (2:00.55); 3. Lincoln Academy (2:06.85); 4. St. Dominic (2:10.16)

Girls 100-yard backstroke

1. Olivia Pennington, Lincoln Academy (1:09.78); 2. Kristen Conner, St. Dominic (1:22.59); 3. Miranda Boe, Lincoln Academy (1:30.44); 4. Maeve Carlson, Wiscasset High School (1:36.58)

Boys 100-yard backstroke

1. Ryan Hanley, Wiscasset High School (1:03.79); 2. Michael Dempski, St. Dominic (1:25.32); 3. Camden Gulden, Lincoln Academy, (1:26.45); 4. Forrest Meader, Lincoln Academy (1:32.58)

Girls 100 -yard breaststroke

1. Julia West, Wiscasset High School (1:17.21); Rowan Carrol-Christopher, Lincoln Academy (1:35.10); Kate Laemmie, Lincoln Academy (1:39.13); 4.Emily Caron, St. Dominic (1:40.50)

Boys 100-yard breaststroke

1. Matthew Mills, Wiscasset High School (1:21.18); 2. Thomas Weeks, St. Dominic (1:28.97); 3. Luke Levesque, Lincoln Academy (1:30.56); 4. Forrest Meader, Lincoln Academy (1:44.35)

Girls 400-yard freestyle relay

1. Lincoln Academy (5:14.01)

Boys 400-yard freestyle relay

1. Lincoln Academy (5:22.31)

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation will host its first Holiday Basketball Festival December 28.  To start the festivities we are going to have a Maine Red Claws Hot Shot Competition at 9 a.m. This competition will be for children ages 9 to 15. There is no fee to participate.

At 1 p.m. a co-ed three-on-three competition will be held for grades 7 to 9. At 5 p.m., grades 10 to 12 will compete in a co-ed three-on-three competition. There is a $10 entry fee per team in the three-on-three competitions. Both tourneys are double elimination. For registration forms and more information, visit www.wiscassetrec.com or call 207-882-8230.

Winter camping can be a fun-filled adventure. The solitude and silence of a moon-lit night on a crisp clear February night can provide beauty and awareness about the outdoors during the season that seems least appreciated to outdoor enthusiasts. 

Of course, without proper preparation and respect for what a Maine winter might deliver, it could turn into a not so happy experience. 

Introductions to Winter Camping workshops will be held February 1-3, 15-17 and March 1-3.

This 3-day/2-night course will provide information about the skills needed to maximize your winter camping experience. Fees are $125 per person, $100 for Hidden Valley Nature Center members. Registration is required.

Winter camping skills workshop

Learn how to enjoy all that winter has to offer while staying comfortable in the outdoors. Topics covered will include winter safety, travel, food, shelter and clothing. 

The workshop will be interactive and participants can expect to be outside during the entire course and active throughout the day. 

Winter Camping Skills workshops will be held January 12, 26, February 9 and March 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Fees are $40 per person, $30 for Hidden Valley Nature Center members. 

For more information about Hidden Valley Nature Center’s workshops visit www.canoemaine.com, email davidb@canoemaine.com or call 877-632-2663. The Hidden Valley Nature Center is at 131 Egypt Road in Jefferson.

We received an email last week from a young local birder who asked about the idea of doing a Christmas Bird Count in the Boothbay area. 

It occurred to us that many area residents might not know about these counts, which, for birders, are a wonderful and important holiday tradition. 

This tradition began in 1900, an answer to the “Side Hunt,” in which hunters would go into the fields with their guns and whoever returned with the biggest pile of birds (and other animals) was declared the winner. 

This senseless slaughter was repulsive to many, including to conservationist Frank Chapman, of the newly started Audubon Society. 

On Christmas Day in 1900, 27 Christmas Bird Counts were held in places like Toronto and Pacific Grove, Calif., with the vast majority of them taking place in the northeastern U.S. 

These days,  there are tens of thousands of official Christmas Bird Counts that take place around the world, with most still held in the United States. Coordinated by the National Audubon Society, each Christmas Bird Count (CBC) occurs within a predesignated 15-mile-radius circle on a date decided on by the local coordinators within a 3-week window from mid-December to the first week of January. 

Coordinators assign teams of birders to count the numbers of each species they can find within smaller sections of the count circle, thereby attempting to get a representative sample of the birds in the area in the early winter time period. 

Some counts have been carried out annually for many decades, a few even for more than a hundred years. 

You can imagine how having data from tens of thousands of such counts over many decades would be of immense use in tracking changes in the numbers and distribution of our continent’s bird life. 

Nearly three dozen Christmas Bird Counts take place here in Maine, some of them having been carried out for more than 50 years. 

A sliver of East Boothbay and Edgecomb are within the area covered by the Pemaquid-Damariscotta CBC; counts also take place nearby in Alna and Bath, and offshore on the islands of Monhegan and Matinicus. 

CBCs are the oldest example of what scientists now refer to as “citizen science,” projects that engage everyday citizens in collecting information that is assembled into databases, which can be used by scientists for research. 

Citizen science projects like the Audubon Christmas Bird Count involve so many people collecting information from so many locations that they would be effectively impossible to carry out any other way; hiring and managing tens of thousands of professional biologists and moving them around the country would be vastly expensive.  

Other well-known citizen science projects include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project Feederwatch, the Great Backyard Bird Count (in February), and here in Maine, Maine Audubon’s Loon Count. 

There’s also the aptly named eBird, a citizen science project that encourages anyone to input any of their bird sightings into a global database of bird sightings.

Today, the “Side Hunt” slaughter is a thing of the past. Instead, bird enthusiasts crunch through snowy streets, parks, and forests, taking aim with binoculars rather than guns. 

Rather than bring home bags of feathered bounty, they return with data that can help researchers better understand and protect birds. If you’d like to get involved in the action, visit www.audubon.org to find out the results of counts that have already taken place and to find out how to participate in any that are still to be held. 

Merry Christmas Bird Counts to all, and to all, good birding!

Dr. Jeff Wells is the senior scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative. During his time at the famed Cornell Lab of Ornithology and as the Audubon Society's national bird conservation director, Dr. Wells earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading bird experts and conservation biologists. Jeff's grandfather, the late John Chase, was a columnist for the Boothbay Register for many years. Allison Childs Wells, also formerly of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a widely published natural history writer and a senior director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Together, they have been writing and teaching people about birds for decades. The Maine natives are authors of the highly acclaimed book, “Maine's Favorite Birds.”

Looking for something really cool to do on New Year's Day? Love to experience things that send chills down your spine? Perhaps one of your resolutions for 2013 is to help a great cause. We have an excellent solution for all of the above.

It is not too late to register for the 2013 Lobster Dip for Special Olympics Maine. This is Maine’s largest and original ocean plunge. The event will take place on New Year's Day at noon in front of the Brunswick Hotel at Old Orchard Beach.

Call 207-879-0489 for a packet, visit www.somaine.org or find us on Facebook.

Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities of all ages. In Maine, we serve more than 3,500 adults and children with intellectual disabilities.

Teens To Trails, or “T3,” is pleased to announce this year’s Outing Club grant recipients from 18 high schools across the state, including four brand new teen Outing Club programs. 

Grant awards were made to: Ashland Community High School, Brunswick High School, Biddeford High School, Bonny Eagle High School, Bucksport High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, Central Aroostook Jr.-Sr. High School, Cheverus High School, Dirigo High School, George Stevens Academy, Hall-Dale High School, Machias Memorial High School, Maine Central Institute, Marshwood High School, Monmouth Academy, Mt. Ararat High School, Portland High School and Thornton Academy.

“High school Outing Clubs are the most effective way we have found for engaging teens in their natural world, with the potential to make fun safe outdoor experiences accessible to every Maine student,” Teens To Trails Founder Carol Leone said. 

These schools were awarded support funds totaling almost $9,000 from Teens To Trails to help more teens get active outside. These grants were made possible by ongoing support from L.L. Bean and generous grants from The Davis Conservation Foundation and The North Face Explore Fund. 

Since the inception of the Grants-to-Clubs Program, T3 has awarded 69 grants in support of Maine high school Outing Club programs thanks to the support of Maine businesses and foundations as well as many heartfelt personal donations. 

This year, assistance with transportation costs helped to eliminate one huge hurdle these schools face in getting their students outdoors. In addition, these grants allowed Outing Clubs to purchase needed outdoor gear and clothing, obtain safety training for leaders, cover recreational fees, and ensure trips are accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation. 

“We're excited to use this T3 grant to help our Outing Club grow.” said Megan Fowler, who is leading a newer Outing Club at Ashland District School. Outing Club Adviser at Hall-Dale High School Deb Large proclaims that these funds will help them tackle their goal to hike “a mountain a month.” 

Biddeford High School’s Outing Club is in its second year. Along with introducing many teenagers to the outdoors for the first time. 

“The Outing Club is an opportunity for students to be involved with pro-social fun activities, have adult mentors, develop positive relationships, learn leadership skills, develop skills in lifelong sports, and make a difference in their community. It is a win-win-win-win-win-win,” wrote Britton Wolfe, Principal at Biddeford High School. 

With increasing research confirming that positive outdoor experiences are critical to the overall health and well being of young people, these Outing Clubs need to be encouraged and supported. 

“It is our goal to establish an Outing Club in every one of Maine’s high schools,” Leone said. “The Grants-to-Clubs program helps Outing Clubs get started and stay active.”

Chewonki announces open enrollment for its upcoming Winter Vacation Camp with great indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families. 

Programs will be offered throughout the winter vacation week, February 18-22, on Chewonki's 400-acre campus and inside its modern Center for Environmental Education.

Events and activities are designed to be fun and educational and are geared for children in grades 1 through 8. Following are options for the week:

Winter Family Day – Monday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 Snowshoeing, animal tracking, pizza making, and “Animal Adaptations” presentation. Learn about animals and winter adaptations while snowshoeing on beautiful Chewonki Neck. 

Bake a pizza lunch over a campfire. Spend the morning outdoors and the afternoon indoors. Open to all ages at parent discretion. Snowshoes are available in limited sizes. This
 program is also open to any first through eighth grade day camper without an adult attending. Please call for details. 

Winter Vacation Camp (Grades 1-5) – 
Tuesday, Feb. 19, Friday, Feb. 22, 
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, outdoor cooking and farm visit;
Wednesday, building and creating with natural materials; 
Thursday, winter arts and crafts; 
and Friday, animal tracking.



Toboggan Building Workshop (Grades 5-8) – Tuesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
 Wooden toboggan building and sledding adventure with optional 
Thursday over night in Chewonki's wood-heated canvas wall.


All programs are instructed by Chewonki's experienced naturalists and teachers. Enrollment is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Chewonki will offer similar programs during spring vacate.

The prices for Family Fun Day is $35 for an adult w/one child and $10 per additional child (max. four children per adult), $37 for children attending without an adult. 

The cost of the Winter Vacation Camp (grades 1-5): Tue-Friday is $37 per day or sign up for all four days and get a 10 percent discount. The Toboggan Building Workshop (grades 5-8) costs $210, which includes the Thursday overnight.

For more information, call Holly Lowe at 207-882-7323 or email hlowe@chewonki.org.

The Wiscasset Community Center is offering two-week free trial memberships during the month of January.  

It’s easy; just stop in at the center and ask for your free trial membership.  Experience how we empower over 1,000 members to be more healthy and connected.  This offer is valid through January 31.

Come try out our 6-lane competition pool with family alcove and hot tub, multipurpose gymnasium and fitness center. The Wiscasset Community Center just makes sense. We offer value rates, quality programming and a top-notch facility. 

For more information, please contact the center at 207-882-8230 or info@wiscassetrec.com.

Zak Preserve at Wildcat Creek in Boothbay has something for everyone and is a preserve for all seasons. With its open fields, salt marsh, tidal wetland, freshwater stream, and forest, the preserve attracts cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter and allows for easy hiking and boating year-round.

The variety of habitat is a haven for wildlife as well, including ground-nesting birds. Because of this, Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) asks dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes near the Zak Preserve field April through August which is ground-nesting bird season.

Zak is BRLT’s largest preserve, stretching from Route 27 all the way to the River Road, generally straddling the watershed of Wildcat Creek in the western half and its headwaters in the eastern half, and is an important piece of the wildlife corridor between the Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers. Wildcat Creek is one of the upper reaches of Ovens Mouth River and was named, according to local lore, because wildcats sometimes traveled by tree in the area.

The salt marsh is a significant saltwater estuary of the Sheepscot River and has been classified as a rare habitat in Maine’s Natural Areas Classification Program. The two-mile trail follows Wildcat Creek, where, when water levels are right, boaters can launch their canoes or kayaks. In the last century, the area bordering the wetlands was farmed, fed by fresh water that flowed unobstructed to the sea as the tide fell but that was impounded and protected from the incoming salt water by the construction of an ingenious set of “doors” that closed automatically as the tide rose.

In 2003 Michael and Roxanne Zak donated significant funds toward the purchase of 149 acres, to which they added 52 acres of their own land, thus protecting and preserving this significant natural habitat forever. More than half of the land, bordering Route 27, was zoned commercial and could have been developed for business or industrial use. Instead, we can enjoy this gateway into the community with its open fields and woods, meandering creeks, and abundant wildlife.

Zak preserve is an important part of River-Link which is a partnership among BRLT and neighboring land trusts, several state agencies, Land For Maine’s Future and several towns seeking to preserve a continuous natural corridor between and along the two rivers that define the Boothbay peninsula. Much of River~Link has hiking trails open to all.

Zak Preserve is located on Route 27 about 5.5 miles north of the junction of Routes 27 and 96, less than a mile south of the Boothbay-Edgecomb town line. For more information about BRLT, call 207-633-4818, visit www.bbrlt.org or stop by the office at 137 Townsend Ave. in Boothbay Harbor.

On January 13 the Central Lincoln County YMCA gymnastics team traveled two and one half hours to compete at the Old Town/Orono YMCA. Under the direction of Coach Janice Cormier-Hay and Betsy Lee, the girls competed against the strongest gymnastics teams in the state, the host team and Waterville YMCA. Many CLC gymnasts recorded personal best times in their events. 

According to Coach Janice, “I am very proud of the team. The girls are polishing their routines and competing extremely well with these very competitive gymnasts. It is early in the season and we saw a lot of personal and season best scores today which was very exciting.”

Individual results (place and scores) were:

Level 4, Age 6- 7: Elizabeth Rethman of Newcastle: 2nd on vault, 8.8; 4th on bars,7.3; 3rd on beam, 7.15; 4th on floor, 8.5. Elizabeth placed 4th all around. 

Level 4, Age 8A: Dakota Gregory of Newcastle: 5th on vault, 8.3; 5th on bars, 7.3; 4th on beam, 7.0; 5th on floor, 7.0. Dakota placed 5th all around. Skyler Houghton of Newcastle: 6th on vault, 8.2; 6th on bars, 5.5; 5th on beam, 5.4; 6th on floor, 6.6. 

Level 4, Age 8B: Erica Johnson of Nobleboro: tied for 2nd on vault, 8.9; 4th on bars, 8.0;  1st on beam, 9.1; 4th on floor, 8.05. Erica placed 3rd all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Alexa Coffin: 4th on vault, 8.7; 6th on bars, 7.25; 7th on beam, 6.7; 6th on floor, 7.6. Alexa placed 7th all around. 

Level 4, Age 9A: Ava Carmolli of Edgecomb: 4th on vault, 8.75; 6th on bars, 6.0; 6th on beam, 7.1; 6th on floor, 6.95. Ava placed 6th all around. 

Level 4, Age 9B: Chloe Achorn of Bremen: 2nd on vault, 9.1; 2nd on bars, 8.15; 1st on beam, 9.15; 2nd on floor, 8.85. Chloe placed 1st all around with a personal best all around score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Sadie Yentsch of Boothbay: 6th on vault, 8.4; 3rd on bars, 8.0; 7th on beam, 6.6; 4th on floor, 8.55. Sadie placed 6th all around.

Level 4, Age 10: Aubree Cookson of Nobleboro: 2nd on vault, 8.8; 5th on bars, 5.2; 6th on beam, 6.0; 6th on floor, 7.0. Aubree placed 5th all around. Quinn Hunold of Nobleboro: 2nd on vault, 8.8; 5th on beam, 6.2; 1st on floor, 8.05. Quinn placed 6th all around. 

Level 4, Age 12 and up:  Collette Perry of Boothbay: 2nd on vault, 8.6; 2nd on bars, 8.0; 2nd on beam, 8.15; 1st on floor, 8.8. Collette placed 2nd all around with an all around score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet.

Level 5, Age 9: Maddy Russ of Damariscotta: placed 1st on vault, 8.35; 3rd on bars, 8.5; 1st on beam, 9.1, 1st on floor, 9.15.  Maddy placed 1st all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Reed Gulden of Walpole: 5th on vault, 7.5; 1st on bars, 8.8; 2nd on beam, 8.85; 4th on floor, 8.55. Reed placed 2nd all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. 

Level 5, Age 10: Emily Kelsey: 2nd on vault, 8.3; 5th on bars, 7.0; 4th on beam, 8.05; 4th on floor, 6.95. Emily placed 4th all around. Madison Bradbury of Bristol: 4th on vault, 7.7; 4th on bars, 7.7; 5th on beam, 8.0; 5th on floor, 6.8. Madison placed 5th all around. 

Level 6, Age 9-13: Emma Hall of Damariscotta: 2nd on vault, 8.7; 3rd on bars, 8.6; 2nd on beam, 9.05; 2nd on floor, 8.8. Emma placed 3rd all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet.

The team’s next meet is February 2 in Bath.

If you’re looking for a new adventure close to home, the Mount Washington Valley area of New Hampshire might be just the ticket. My wife and I recently spent a weekend with friends enjoying both Nordic skiing at the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation and alpine skiing at Wildcat Ski Resort. We were there in less than three hours from the Midcoast, making it as easy to reach as a lot of our favorites in Maine.

The January thaw was here with temps into the 40’s and concern that conditions would be less than ideal proved unfounded. The snow was firm and fast which provided for easy skiing and rapid descents. 

It had been a number of years since we had skied at a real touring center as we generally do back-country skiing to include Sadie the dog. 

However, there is something to be said about perfectly set tracks. The day was enjoyed thoroughly. The trail we chose was adjacent to the Ellis River for much of its 7.7 km length providing nice water views as we skied. We spent half a day skiing covering over 15 km and arrived back at the cozy lodge tired, hungry and happy. 

The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based nonprofit, which is chartered to maintain trails in and around the village of Jackson, N.H. They manage 150 km of trails that are considered by many to be the finest cross-country ski trails in the eastern U.S. 

The foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, the cooperation of 82 private landowners and the town of Jackson. 

In fact, Jackson is geared around cross-country and snowshoeing rather than as a sideline to alpine skiing. 

Trail passes for adults (age 18 and over): $21, 65-plus: $15, juniors (ages 10-17): $10 children (under 10): free.

Snowshoe ticket: $10 a day 

So pack up the family and enjoy the beauty of Jackson, N.H. It’s inexpensive, healthy family entertainment. See you out there.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 4, Boothbay Region YMCA camp registration, payment plans and scholarship assistance applications will be accepted.

Highlights for Summer Camp 2013 include:

-Flexible payment options for your budget. The earlier you register, the longer you have to spread out your payments -February thru September! 

-Half Day Camps are back! Fishing, Wilderness Exploration with Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Environmental Educator, Tracey Hall, Media Camp with BRCTV, Jonne Trees, Culinary Camp…just to name a few. Want a specialty half day camp but need full day care? Add on Camp K in the afternoons!

-Adventure Camps offer a different adventure every week including Acadia National Park, White Water Rafting, Island Hopping, Mountain Hiking, Forts of Maine and many more!

-2013 marks the 10th season of Y ARTS Music Theater Camp. In addition, we’ve expanded our Y ARTS repertoire to include Dance Camp with Melissa Nein, Hip Hop Camp with Ashlea Andrews and Art Camp with Carrie Eason. 

-Sports Camps this summer include Basketball Camp with Coach I.J. Pinkham, Baseball Camp with Dale Plummer and Football Camp with BRHS Football Coach, Bryan Dionne.

-Camp Knickerbocker our traditional day camp located on Knickerbocker Lake in Boothbay can be combined with any of the camps above or select as many weeks of Camp Knickerbocker as you like. Flag ceremony, theme weeks, archery, swimming, boating, adventure course, sports, arts & crafts and so much more!

-For the youngest of children, Critter Camp(3-4 year olds) and Scamper Camp (5 year olds entering kindergarten in the fall) are offered. 

-Last but certainly not least, our Counselor In Training Program takes place at Camp K all 10 weeks of summer and is for youth ages 12-14 years! Ready for fun and a bit more responsibility? Interested in learning how to be a camp counselor? Our YMCA’s C.I.T. program is the first step in an individual’s transition from a camper to a potential staff member. C.I.T.’s develop strong leadership skills through training, discussion, observation and practice. The skills they develop are directly applied in leadership opportunities throughout camp in supervised programs.

This summer, to better serve our YMCA Camp families, all camp registration will take place thru our Camp Registrar, Maddie Rideout. Maddie can be contacted directly at 207-633-2855, mrideout@brymca.org and campregistrar@brymca.org. You may register online, in person, or thru the mail. The 2013 Summer Camp Guide, camp forms and scholarship assistance applications are available on the YMCA’s website: www.boothbayregionymca.org as well as in the flyer kiosk in the YMCA lobby. 

For financial assistance, please contact Lisa Stevens at 207-633-2855 or lstevens@brymca.org. The deadline for Summer Camp 2013 Financial Assistance applications is Friday, June 7.

Today, the temperature in our area is 18 F, balmy compared to the below-zero temps that engulfed the region not long ago. For most of us humans, that means less time out in the elements, or more layers of clothing if we do decide to brave the cold. 

Does it make you wonder how birds survive these cold snaps? Believe it or not, most of them do survive, thanks to basic biology and a little avian ingenuity.

For example, you know those “cute” photos you see of puffed-up birds? 

Well, you probably guessed that they aren’t actually trying to be cute. Or look tough. Air is an excellent insulator, so by fluffing up their feathers, birds are actually trapping air that helps keep them warm, not unlike why we use a down jacket. 

Another way birds stay warm is by huddling close together with others of their kind. High-altitude mountain climbers often pile into the same tent to maximize the body’s heat production. Birds often use nest boxes for roosting during the nonbreeding season, but in cold weather, they may resort to what you might call “extreme roosting,” where many individuals pile up into a one nest box. 

In fact, occasionally 20 or more Eastern bluebirds have been documented squished together in a single nest box.

You may be surprised to learn that, like us, birds stay warm by shivering. Shivering is the body’s way of generating heat. Although we shiver when we’re cold, it’s actually a net gain in heat. The same is true for birds. 

Birds also stay warm by burning up the calories stored in their bodies and in high-protein food sources like seeds, fruit, and insects – yes, insects. Even in the dire cold, insects and insect larvae can be plentiful if you know where to look, and chickadees, for instance, know where to look, mostly deep in tree crevices or under bark. 

Those little buggers are packed with fat protein that helps keep many bird species alive throughout the winter, especially during the coldest times. 

Like humans, you just don’t see that many birds out and about during the temperature plunges. Where are all of those birds you typically see sitting in tree tops or on telephone wires? They’re likely tucked away in the protective arms of an evergreen tree or other shelter. 

So given all of this, you may wonder whether keeping your bird feeders full during times like these is of much benefit to birds. During cold days, feeders are less essential than on days with heavy snow fall, when food sources may become buried and not as easy for birds to find. 

In general, though, studies have shown that bird feeders provide only a portion of the daily diet for most birds, not usually enough to create a life or death situation. 

There are plenty of other reasons to keep those feeders full, though. Watching feeder birds is enjoyable, fosters kids’ interest in nature, and provides ample opportunity to learn more about birds. What better way to spend an afternoon on an exceptionally cold winter day?

Dr. Jeff Wells is the senior scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative. During his time at the famed Cornell Lab of Ornithology and as the Audubon Society's national bird conservation director, Dr. Wells earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading bird experts and conservation biologists. Jeff's grandfather, the late John Chase, was a columnist for the Boothbay Register for many years. Allison Childs Wells, also formerly of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a widely published natural history writer and a senior director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Together, they have been writing and teaching people about birds for decades. The Maine natives are authors of the highly acclaimed book, “Maine's Favorite Birds.”

Come to the Chewonki Family Camp for five days (August 15-19) of nature exploration, boating, art, outdoor camp craft, harvesting vegetables at our farm, and more. Our annual Family Camp is an opportunity for all ages to enjoy a fully outfitted Maine vacation. You don’t need to have kids to come. Couples and single people are welcome too. Come, relax, and enjoy a vacation that includes active learning opportunities for you, your children, or your grandchildren. There is plenty of time for activities, fun, and relaxation, including early-morning bird walks, exploring our 400-acre coastal campus, learning about the area’s rich natural history, and of course swimming at our exceptional waterfront.

Quieter activities can include playing cards and board games, soaking up the sun or the shade, and reading.   

“I can’t think of a nicer way to spend an extended weekend in August than at Family Camp,” said Betta Stothart, Director of Communications at Chewonki. “The beauty of Family Camp is that everything is taken care of, including meals, lodging, and high-quality activities for children, giving moms, dads, and grandparents the chance to truly relax and enjoy summer in Maine.”

Prices: Adults and children 13 years and older: $555; Children 5-12: $325; Children under 5: no charge  (New for 2013: share a cabin with a family you know or camp out on beautiful New Meadows Field and receive a 20 percent discount for each family member – spaces limited.) Prices include all lodging, meals and activities. Contact Katie Tremblay (ktremblay@chewonki.org) 207-882-7323, extension 152 to learn more.

The Chewonki Foundation, an environmental-education organization, is based in Wiscasset. Visit www.chewonki.org

On February 12 and 14 at Boothbay Region Adult Ed, instructors from Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be conducting a snowmobile safety course. Knowing how to handle these recreational machines and understanding Maine laws governing their use helps to reduced the risk of injury and accidents. State law requires that operators under the age of 16 complete a safety course. Parents are held legally responsible for violators. Play it safe and learn the right way to ride.  

This two evening course is 6-9 p.m., and the fee is $10. To register complete a registration form in the brochure or print one online at www.boothbayae.org, either mail or drop off in the main office at Boothbay Region High School along with payment.

Call 207-633-3224 if you have questions or need more information.

The Central Lincoln County YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team, under the direction of coach Janice Cormier-Hay and Betsy Lee, went to the Bath YMCA this past Sunday, February 3 to compete against Bath and the Lewiston Auburn YMCA.

According to Coach Janice, “We had three new team members competing for the first time and they were excited and performed well under the pressure. Our veteran gymnasts all had their personal best scores and high scores of the meet. It was a fantastic day for the CLC YMCA.”

Results

Level 6 Age 10-12: Emma Hall of Damariscotta: 2nd on vault, 8.3; 1st on bars, 8.65; 1st on beam with an outstanding performance and personal best score of 9.5; and 1st on floor, 8.9. Emma placed 1st all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional meet. 

Level 5, Age 10: Emily Kelsey: 1st on vault, 8.3; 2nd on bars, 5.6; 3rd on beam, 8.15; and 3rd on floor, 7.45. Emily placed 1st overall. Madison Bradbury: 2nd on vault, 7.25; 1st on bars, 6.9; 4th on beam, 7.2; and 2nd on floor, 7.8. Madison placed 3rd overall.

Level 5 Age 9: Maddy Russ: 1st on vault, 8.9; 1st on bars, 9.2; 1st on beam, 8.9; and 1st on floor, 9.2. Maddy placed 1st overall with the highest all around score of the meet which qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Reed Gulden: 2nd on vault, 8.05; 2nd on bars, 8.8; 2nd on beam, 7.9; and 2nd on floor, 8.05. Reed placed 2nd overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet.

Level 4, Age 10+: Collette Perry: 1st on vault, 9.3; 1st on bars, 8.15; 1st on beam, 9.0, and 1st on floor, 8.75. Collette place 1st overall with a personal best score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional meet. Aubree Cookson: 4th on vault, 8.8; 2nd on bars, 6.1; 5th on beam, 6.9; and 3rd on floor, 7.15. Aubree placed 3rd overall. Quinn Hunold: 5th on vault, 7.9; 5th on bars, 3rd on beam, 7.75 and 2nd on floor, 7.8. Quinn placed 5th all around.

Level 4, Age 9: Chloe Achorn: 1st on vault, 8.9; 1st on bars, 7.3; 1st on beam, 9.15; and 1st on floor, 9.1. Chloe placed 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Ava Carmolli: 2nd on vault, 8.7; 2nd on bars, 2nd on beam, 8.8; and  2nd on floor, 7.5. Ava placed 2nd all around. First time competitor and new team member Emily Mahoney scored a 6.8 on vault.

Level 4, Age 8A: Erica Johnson: 2nd on vault, 8.85; 1st on bars, 9.0; 1st on beam, 9.05; and 1st on floor, 8.8. Erica placed 1st overall with a personal best score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional meet. Alexa Coffin: 1st on vault, 8.95; 2nd on bars, 7.2; 2nd on beam, 7.6; and 2nd on floor, 7.85. Alexa placed 2nd overall. New team member Elizabeth Swan came in 3rd on vault with an 8.8.

Level 4, Age 8B: Dakota Gregory: 1st on vault, 9.1; 1st on bars, 7.2; 2nd on beam, 7.65; and 1st on floor, 8.3. Dakota placed 1st overall. Skylar Houghton: 4th on vault, 8.35; 4th on bars; 4th on beam, 7.0; and 3rd on floor. Skylar placed 4th overall. 

Level 4, Age 7: Elizabeth Rethman: 1st on vault, 9.05; 3rd on bars; 3rd on beam, 7.6; and 1st on floor, 8.45. Elizabeth placed 3rd overall. In her first meet of the season, Gloria Seaman placed 4th on vault with a 6.0.

The team’s next meet will on Sunday, Feb. 9 in Ellsworth.

The Central Lincoln County YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team, under the direction of coach Janice Cormier-Hay, went to Ellsworth’s Downeast Family YMCA on Sunday, Feb. 10 to compete against the host team and Bangor YMCA. 

“This is always a challenging time in the season as the girls are polishing their routines and learning how to compete consistently with routines that will take them to states in April,”  Cormier-Hay said. “And at Ellsworth that is exactly what they did, and made me proud.”

Results

Level 4, Age 7: Gloria Seaman: 5th on vault, 8.2, and 7th on beam, 5.8.

Level 4, Age 8: Erica Johnson: 2nd on vault, 9.1; 6th on bars, 7.75; 5th on beam, 8.05, and 3rd on floor, 8.55. Erica placed 3rd overall. Dakota Gregory: 5th on vault, 8.5; 4th on bars, 8.0; 1st on beam, 8.5; and 4th on floor, 8.0. Dakota placed 5th overall. Alexa Coffin: 6th on vault, 8.2; 5th on bars, 7.85; 3rd on beam, 8.25; and 4th on floor, 8.0. Alexa placed 6th overall. Skylar Houghton: 3rd on vault, 8.8; 9th on bars; 4th on beam, 8.1; and 6th on floor, 6.45. Skylar placed 9th overall. 

Level 4, Age 9: Chloe Achorn: 5th on vault, 8.4; 2nd on bars, 8.05; 1st on beam, 8.7; and 1st on floor, 9.05. Chloe placed 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Sadie Yentsch: 1st on vault, 8.75; 5th on bars, 7.5, 3rd on beam, 7.7; and 4th on floor, 8.35. Sadie placed 3rd all around. Ava Carmolli: 2nd on vault, 8.6; 7th on bars, 6.3; 5th on beam, 7.45; and 6th on floor, 7.9. Ava placed 7th all around. Emily Mahoney: 3rd on vault, 8.55; and 8th on beam, 6.7. 

Level 4, Age 11-plus: Leah Wilcox: 7th on vault, 7.9; and 7th on beam, 7.9.

Level 5 Age 9-10: Maddy Russ: 2nd on vault, 8.8; 2nd on bars, 9.0; 1st on beam, 9.4; 1st on floor, 9.3; placing 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Reed Gulden: 9th on vault, 8.0; 3rd on bars, 8.8; 2nd on beam, 9.3; and 6th on floor, 8.05. Reed placed 4th overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Emily Kelsey: 6th on vault, 8.25; 6th on bars, 6.7; 4th on beam, 8.9; and 8th on floor, 7.6. Emily placed 6th overall. Madison Bradbury: 10th on vault, 7.5; 4th on bars, 8.0, 9th on beam, 7.55; and 7th on floor, 7.8. Madison placed 9th overall.

Level 6 Age 10-12: Emma Hall: 1st on vault, 8.3; 1st on bars, 8.4, 2nd on beam, 8.6; and 2nd on floor, 8.7. Emma placed 1st all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional meet. 

The team’s next meet will on Sunday, March 10 in Bangor.

Valentine’s Day is a time to show appreciation to family and friends. Elephant and Pig showed the depth of their friendship in the book “My Friend is Sad” by Mo Willems. Marla Frazee’s “Boots and Shoe” is the story of sibling dogs that cannot find each other and very concerned until they finally are reunited.

Because Valentine’s Day includes hearts and roses, with the help of more experienced hands of mothers, older sisters, and grandmothers, young hands transformed paper napkins into beautiful flowers and paper heart and doilies became one of a kind Valentines.

Story Time is each Thursday at 10:30 a.m., at the Wiscasset Public Library.

In 2012, participants of Hall’s Weight Loss Challenge lost over 6,000 pounds together. If you are ready to make some serious changes and commit to your health, then this program is for you.

The next session of Hall’s Weight Loss Challenge will kickoff on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 8 to 10 a.m. and runs until April 5. For more details call the Wiscasset Community Center at 207-882-8230.

This is a six-week program that will push you to break your mental and physical barriers. If you are ready to work hard, lose weight and get fit, then this challenge is for your. We will guide, support and challenge you to make necessary changes for a healthier you.

The team competitions offer extra fun and will motivate you to work harder for your team. If you give 100 percent for the entire six weeks, this program will change your life.

The program is for all fitness levels. All participants are encouraged to go at their own pace and fitness level. Please consult your physician before participating. The cost of the program is $150 for Wiscasset Community Center members and $200 for non-members.

Between February 15 and 17, ballroom dance competitor Alina Blakesley took a sweeping victory in the beginner level competition with first place in 10 dances in the International Standard style, featuring the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep, and six first place and two second place in the Latin Rhythm style, featuring Rumba, Bolero, Cha Cha, and East Coast Swing.

This annual event is held at The Eastern United States Dancesport Championships at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel in Boston. Dance teacher Christian Clayton, owner of the Swing and Sway Dance School in Rockland, prepares students for the ProAm event. Each student can improve their technique and work towards more advanced levels.

Blakesley, 65, started taking dance lessons five years ago. “Each year I look forward to the competition which allows me to work towards a goal,” she said. “It is my health program where I can combine fitness, stamina, and artistic expression. I plan to continue well into my seventies.”

Join the New England Forestry Foundation and consulting forester Sherm Small for a tour of our current timber harvest at Sortwell Memorial Forest on March 14 beginning on 8 a.m. This walk is an opportunity for community residents and others to learn more about the goals of this harvest, as well as our approach to sound forest management on our woodlands throughout New England.  

This walk is free of charge, and it will be held rain or shine (though it may be postponed in the event of severe ice or snowfall).  For more information or to register, please contact Sonya at sleclair@newenglandforestry.org or call 978-952-6856.  

Directions

Participants should plan to meet at the Sortwell parking area near the landing on Willow Lane.

About New England Forestry Foundation

New England Forestry Foundation is a recognized leader in conserving working forests, educating the public about forestry, and assisting landowners in the long-term protection and sustainable management of their properties. NEFF owns and manages over 135 demonstration forests, totaling more than 24,000 acres throughout New England. 

NEFF also holds 137 conservation easements, protecting 1.143 million acres of forestland. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.newenglandforestry.org/.  

The Central Lincoln County YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team under the direction of coach Janice Cormier-Hay and Betsy Lee traveled to Bangor’s Penobscot Valley Gymnastics this past Sunday, March 10 to compete against the host team and Oxford Hills. 

According to Coach Janice, “We had several stand out performances at this meet but one gymnast truly stood out to me: Level 6, Katie Colomb, 12 of Alna, competed in her first meet since an injury sidelined her six weeks ago. During this time, Katie continued to work out with the team and work on her strength training and conditioning. I was so proud of the courage she showed at Sunday’s meet and to top it off she proved to everyone what a great competitor she is and that all that hard work paid off.”

Level 6 Age 10-13: Emma Hall came in 1st on vault, bars, beam and floor (8.8, 8.4, 8.8 and 9.0 scored respectively). She placed 1st all around with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional meet. Katie Colomb came in 4th on vault, 8.1; 5th on bars, 7.3; 4th on beam, 6.7; and 6th on floor, placing 4th all around.

Level 5 Age 10: Madison Bradbury came in 5th on vault, 7.6; 2nd on bars, 7.6; 5th on beam, 7.3; 3rd on floor, 8.1; and placed 3rd overall. Emily Kelsey came in 3rd on vault, 8.1; 4th on bars, 6.8; 4th on beam, 7.6; 4th on floor, 8.0; and placed 4th overall. 

Level 5 Age 9: Reed Gulden came in 1st on vault, 8.3; 2nd on bars, 8.6; 2nd on beam, 8.7; 1st on floor, 8.8; and placed 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Another tough competitor facing injury was Maddy Russ who competed two events and came in 1st on bars, 9.3; 1st on beam, 9.0; and placed 5th overall. 

Level 4, Age 12 and up: Leah Wilcox came in 4th on vault, 8.0; 4th on bars, 7.4; 4th on beam, 8.05, 4th on floor, 7.4; and placed 4th all around.

Level 4, Age 10: Teammates Quinn Hunold and Aubree Cookson tied for 7th place. Quinn came in 3rd on vault, 8.6; 5th on bars, 6.1; 5th on beam, 8.4; 9th on floor, 6.8; and placed 7th all around. Aubree Cookson came in 3rd on vault, 8.6; 6th on bars, 7th on beam, 8.25; 8th on floor, 7.05; and placed 7th all around.

Level 4, Age 9: Chloe Achorn came in 2nd on vault, 8.8; 2nd on bars, 8.0; 1st on beam, 9.25, 2nd on floor, 8.85; and placed 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Sadie Yentsch came in 3rd on vault, 8.7; 1st on bars, 8.1; 4th on beam, 8.15; 6th on floor, 8.2; and placed 4th all around. Newcomer Zaniah Puchalski came in 4th on vault, 8.4; 7th on beam, 7.7; 7th on floor, 7.05; and placed 8th all around. Emily Mahoney came in 3rd on vault, 8.7; 7th on bars; 8th on beam, 6.9; 9th on floor, 6.4; and placed 9th all around. Newcomer Taylor Fink came in 6th on vault, 7.3; 8th on bars, 9th on beam, 6.75; 10th on floor; and placed 10th all around. 

Level 4, Age 8b: Erica Johnson came in 1st on vault, 8.9; 2nd on bars, 8.7; 1st on beam, 9.1; 1st on floor, 8.65; and placed 1st overall with a score that qualifies her for the Northeast Regional Meet. Alexa Coffin came in 2nd on vault, 8.7; 4th on bars, 6.8; 3rd on beam, 8.7; 4th on floor, 7.6; and placed 4th overall. Elizabeth Swan came in 4th on vault, 8.3; 5th on bars, 5th on beam, 7.05, 5th on floor, 6.85; and placed 5th overall. Madalyn Mercer came in 5th on vault, 8.2; 6th on bars; 6th on beam; 6th on floor; and placing 6th overall. 

Level 4, Age 7-8a: Dakota Gregory came in 5th on vault, 8.5; 4th on bars, 8.0; 1st on beam, 8.5; 4th on floor, 8.0; and placed 5th overall. In her second meet of the season, Gloria Seaman came in 5th on vault, 8.2; and 7th on beam, 5.8. Skyler Houghton came in  3rd on vault, 8.2; 5th on bars, 6.2; 4th on beam, 8.0; 6th on floor, 6.4; and placing 6th all around.

Level 3, Age 8: Jasmine Brown placed 7th on vault, 7.5; 6th on bars; 6th on beam, 6.1; 6th on floor, 7.3; and placed 7th all around.

Level 3, Age 6-7: Reese Instasi came in 2nd on vault, 8.6; 2nd on bars, 5.3; 2nd on beam, 8.3; 1st on floor, 8.9; and placed 2nd all around. Nora Villeneuve came in 5th on vault, 7.6; 5th on bars; 3rd on beam, 7.3; 2nd on floor, 8.4; and placed 3rd all around. Sarah Goldrup came in 3rd on vault, 7.8; 4th on bars; 4th on beam, 6.9; 3rd on floor, 8.0; and placed 4th all around. Kadence Rogers came in 4th on vault, 7.7; 3rd on bars; 5th on beam; 4th on floor, 7.8; and placed 5th all around. 

As the season works its way to the Maine State Gymnastics Championship, the team’s next meet will be held on Sunday, April 14 in Ellsworth.

Join us in a virtual run on April 14 ... wherever you are ... 1 mile, 5k, or a 10k. The event will be taking place on April 14, but you can choose the place, time and route.

This is an individual fundraising event for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer, Hope & Healing. Send a donation amount of your choice in lieu of a registration fee. Once your donation has been received, we will email you your own bib to print off. Don't forget to send us a photo of yourself after your run; there will be a prize for the best decorated bib! All participants will be entered into a raffle for a gift prize!

Click here for event information. Donate your registration securely here: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/bSQW2/.

On Friday, March 15 from 5-6:15 p.m., a yoga class will be taught by Wendy Johnson at the Yoga Firm Studio, 137 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. This class is by donation with a portion of the proceeds being donated to our local Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

What does yoga and food have in common? Both will nourish and sooth your mind and body. That's why Johnson decided to teach this special Karma Yoga class for our community. Sun salutations, standing and seated poses and a short meditation are included in this all ages and ability levels class.  For more information, contact Wendy at 207-380-7361 or visit www.yogafirmstudio.com/.

Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary’s 6th Annual Karl’s Kids Fun Day held March 2 at Sugarloaf was a huge success. Karl’s Kids helps kids and teens in Lincoln County with financial need who want to participate in sports or enjoy physical activities. Karl’s Kids helps with equipment needs and in many other ways that will give kids and teens access to physical activities.

The weekend’s festivities were highlighted by a great challenge ski race with over 45 racers participating at the Boardwalk race course. For a $5 donation racers competed for prizes for fastest, slowest and craziest dressed skier. After the race a great silent auction and closing reception were held. This year Karl’s Kids raised over $10,000 thanks to great efforts of sponsors, silent auction donors, volunteers and Sugarloaf.

Karl’s Kids would like to thank its generous sponsors First Federal Savings Bank, The First, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Cheney Insurance Companies, Midcoast Energy Systems, Thomas Farrell Naval Architects, Whitney Family Dentistry, Dow Furniture, Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, SMI Management & Research, Mexicalli Blues, Camden National Bank. Karl’s Kids also wants to thank all of the generous businesses and individuals who contributed to our great silent auction.

Karl’s Kids needs help from community members to help identify less fortunate kids and teens who need assistance in getting sports equipment, sneakers, helmets, and other items in order to participate in sports or other physical activities. Being physically active leads to a healthy lifestyle. 

Mary Berger, wife of the late Karl Berger whom Karl’s Kids is named for in his memory, said, “The kids and teens of Lincoln County will truly benefit from the businesses and people who so graciously gave of their time and money to help kids and teens become physically active.” Karl’s Kids has already helped many kids in need. Karl’s has provided baseball equipment, cheerleading uniforms, and much more to help kids and teens.

Karl’s Kids applications can be found on www.damariscotta-newcastlerotary.org or www.karlskids.org/. Simply fill out the application and mail it to Karl’s Kids, P.O. Box 363, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or call Mike Hall at 207-832-5541 for further information.

Another year, another go-round for Ella and Simon Spears at the Francis Piche Invitational Championship at Gunstock Ski Resort in Gilford, N.H.

The Spears, of Boothbay, competed last year in the regional championship that pits young skiers from several states including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts in a weekend of competition.

They will compete again March 22, 23, and 24 during the competition.

It won't just be the Spears representing Maine, or Lincoln County for that matter. Aidan Managhan will ski in the under-14 division and Ben Jacobs in the under-12s. Both skiers are from Lincoln County.

Both Ella, Simon and Ben all ski for Sugarloaf-Carrabassett Valley Academy.

Is your child interested in playing soccer this spring? If so, Midcoast United will be fielding three teams from ages 8 to 13 and has openings for training players as well. Games will be played on Sundays and trainings will be held twice a week in Boothbay or Wiscasset.

Midcoast United will have Peter Ostergard, assistant coach of the Colby College men's soccer team working alongside the Midcoast coaching staff this spring.

For more information, contact Pam Wiley at pwiley@roadrunner.com, 207-776-9496; or contact Lester Spear at absolutehome@roadrunner.com, 207-838-3381.

Merrymeeting Audubon Society, a chapter of Maine Audubon, is offering scholarships to two Maine environmental education camps for summer 2013. Both are residential and full to half scholarships are available. Students must contact their school's guidance counselor for an application form and more information. Completed applications should submitted with essays to the counselor.

Children now in grades 3-5 may apply for Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville, Maine. Tanglewood provides traditional camp activities and environmental education on woods and wildlife. Campers select a six-day session from late June to mid-August. For information, call 207-729-3343 or 207-442-8195.

Students in grades 4-8 may apply to UMaine 4H Camp at Bryant Pond. Sessions include Natural Explorer, which focuses on outdoor recreation and forest ecology, Conservation Camp for students interested in outdoor recreation skills and outdoor ethics, and Primitive Skills, which focuses on advanced wilderness skills. For information, call 207-729-9650.

Final applications, including essays, must be received by April 12, 2013. These scholarships are funded by the Merrymeeting Audubon Chapter and by organizations and individuals who contribute as co-sponsors.

In Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor, students should contact Linda Lupton at Boothbay Region Elementary School: 207-633-5097 or llupton@csd3.org for applications and additional information. In Edgecomb, Madeline Olney at 207-882-5515 or molney@edgecomb.u49.k12.me.us; Bette Ann Buchan, 207-633- 3132 at Southport Central School.

Community members wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund or learn about other activities of the Merrymeeting Audubon Society may call the Chapter President, Ted Allen, at 207-729-8661.