Here are the results for Dec. 29, our third week of Adult Basketball at Wiscasset Community Center:

Now that the snow is sticking around the Midcoast, snowmen are appearing. We spotted a Frosty look-alike, top hat included, in Wiscasset, and an Alna family shared a photo of a freshly built Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen” films. And a Wiscasset boy made an Olaf with a different take.

If you have a snowman photo to share, possibly with its makers in the photo also, please email it and your name and phone number to news@wiscassetnewspaper.com

Happy building!

Wiscasset Middle dropped a pair of Busline League basketball games to visiting Hope Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2.

The visitors scored the first 12 points of the girls’ game and won big, 66-8. Maddie Richardson netted Wiscasset’s first basket of the game, with 2:59 left in the first quarter. Gabby Smith added another basket for Wiscasset in the period’s final minute.

Hope’s stingy defense and tough rebounding held the hosts scoreless in the second and third periods. Belle Orr netted a pair of layups for Wiscasset in the game’s closing seconds. Hope was up 38-4 at halftime and 52-4 headed into the game’s final eight minutes. Leah Jones netted 10 points in the first half for Hope. Quina Hyman finished the game with a blocked shot and a two rebounds for Wiscasset. Laila Dicus grabbed a pair of rebounds in the second half while Orr had a steal and an assist.

In the boys’ game, Wiscasset rallied late, outscoring its guests 19-17 in the final quarter, but Hope hung on for a 61-52 victory.

Austin Trask canned a fast-break layup off the opening tap and back-to-back baskets by Javar Garricks staked Wiscasset to a 6-2 lead in the game’s opening minutes. Hope then scored six unanswered points. Garricks added another basket, but when the buzzer sounded ending the period, Hope was on top 12-10.

Midway into the second period, Trask tied the game at 14, but Hope went on a 7-0 run and took over the lead for good.

In the closing minute of the first half, Miles Spear hit a big three-pointer giving his team a 28-20 lead. Lincoln Wright and Nolan Fields also had three pointers for Hope in the first period. Garricks had eight points in the first half. Trask netted six. Hope led by as much as 11 points in the third period. Trask’s layup with 90 seconds left made it a 44-33 ballgame headed into the final eight minutes of play. Trask scored seven points in the fourth period and finished with 18 points. Garricks, who had a pair of baskets in the fourth period, ended the game with 14.

The Wiscasset Middle boys’ and girls’ teams will host Woolwich on Monday, Jan. 6; the first game begins at 3:45. 

Wiscasset Middle High School outscored visiting Carrabec 13-11 in the third period but it wasn’t enough as the Cobras finished a 61-21 winner in Mountain Valley Conference basketball action Saturday afternoon in Stover Auditorium.

Carrabec entered the game ranked third in class C south and improved to 5-2; the Wolverines remained winless after eight games.

A stingy Cobra defense held the Wolverines to just four points in the first half, forcing a dozen turnovers. The visitors opened the game with a 10-0 run. Wiscasset’s first points came at the four-minute mark of the first period when Kylie Peoples banked in a jump shot from inside the key. The junior played a solid floor game, finishing with seven points and 17 rebounds (10 defensive). She also had five steals and blocked two Cobra shots.

Carrabec’s Cheyanne Cahill scored six points in the first eight minutes, staking her team to a 16-2 first period lead. She scored in every quarter and finished with a game high 20 points. Lindsay Hamilton added nine points and Isabella Slate eight for the team from North Anson. The Wolverines were behind 27-4 at halftime. They regrouped and played better in the third period. Emily Richardson netted the team’s first basket of the second half.

Junior Zoe Waltz, who finished with nine Wolverine points, put seven of those on the scoreboard in the third period. Her trifecta with 3:34 left cut the Cobra lead almost in half, 32-14. With 58 ticks left on the clock, Wiscasset’s Madison Carrier rebounded a loose ball and scored, making the score 38-17 headed into the final period.  

Cahill netted eight points in the final quarter, with the Cobras outscoring WMHS 23-4. Wiscasset played aggressively, sending the Cobras to the free throw line 36 times. They made 19. The Wolverines converted four of 11 free throws.

Cougars, Phoenix win

The Dirigo girls came away 67-24 winners over the Wolverines on Friday night, Dec. 27. The Cougars outscored WMHS every period, 11-6, 23-2, 20-10 and 13-6. Waltz played an all-around good game for Wiscasset. She finished with a team high seven points and eight rebounds. She also had seven blocked shots and three steals. Carrier and Kateleen Trask each had five points. Peoples grabbed six rebounds. Joyce Brophy scored a game high 21 points for the Cougars. Grace Roberts netted 10.

The next night, the Wolverines lost 38-19 to visiting Spruce Mountain. Both teams got off to a slow start. The Phoenix led 4-0 after one period and 17-7 at the half. Wolverine scorers included Trask with six points, Brianna Orr with five, and Richardson and Waltz with four each. Waltz had 10 rebounds. Peoples had nine rebounds to go along with four steals. Mariyah Fournier scored a game high 12 points for the Phoenix. Kaytin Knowlton had eight and Jaycee Cole six.

WMHS made five of 13 free throws.

The Wolverine girls will travel to Jay to play Spruce Mountain again on Jan. 8. They’ll be at Boothbay Region to play the Seahawks on Jan. 10.

Wiscasset Middle High School’s Noah Haggett scored in every period, netting eight points in the fourth period but host Hall-Dale won 95-31 Saturday night in Farmingdale.

“We moved the ball well on offense and had one of our higher scoring games. Noah scored a season high 16 points, (and) displayed his natural ability to finish around the hoop,” WMHS Coach Jamie Jones said.

Bret Osmond had multiple assists while scoring 10 points for the Wolverines. He also had a pair of three-point baskets, one in the second period, the other late in the game. Marshall Weeks had two field goals in the second quarter. Hall-Dale got off to a fast start and was ahead 31-10 after the first period, 50-19 at halftime and 73-21 headed into the game’s final eight minutes.

The Bulldogs’ Josh Nadeau netted 15 points, Max Byron 13 and Patrick Rush 12. Rush had the hot hand in the first quarter scoring eight points. Byron scored eight in the final period. WMHS made one of five from the foul line. The Bulldogs converted 13 of 19. Hall-Dale, currently ranked seventh in the Class C South, improved its Mountain Valley Conference basketball record to 6-2 while the Wolverines moved to 0-9.

The Wolverines lost a pair of home games over the holiday break 80-22 to Dirigo on Dec. 27 and 111-25 the following night to Spruce Mountain. Against Dirigo, Billy Pinkham led WMHS in scoring. He had eight points, netting a pair of trifectas in the second quarter. Haggett finished the game with seven points, and had two field goals in the final period. The Wolverines made three of six free throw attempts.

“We moved the ball better at times and Billy had a good first game back after his ankle injury. Noah continues to be a consistent scorer for us,” Jones commented. The Cougars outscored WMHS 25-2 in the first quarter and led 43-11 at the half. The visitors then outscored their hosts 18-7 and 19-4 in the final two periods.

Mateo LaPointe netted a game high 16 points for Dirigo,10 of those coming in the third period. John Snowman finished with 14 including two three pointers. Dirigo made five of 17 free throw attempts.

Spruce Mountain High School, made up of students from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls, led WMHS 34-4 after the first period and 65-10 at halftime. Pinkham accounted for nine of his team’s points, six in the final period of play. Matt Eckert added seven including a trifecta in the third quarter. Haggett canned a three-point basket in the game’s opening minutes.

Brandon Frey finished with 24 points for the Phoenix, all in the first half. Eli Timler had 15. WMHS converted five of nine foul shots, Spruce Mountain shot 12 of 17 from the foul line. WMHS will host Oak Hill on Jan. 14.

Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company has generously donated a parcel of land on Westport Island to the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) for a wildlife preserve. The 17-acre parcel, near the corner of Main Road and Greenleaf Road, is primarily a Black Spruce Bog, which is a rare habitat type in this area of midcoast Maine.

“This generous donation by Maine Yankee will protect a spectacular bog, providing unique habitat for birds and other wildlife, while protecting traditional access to the land,” said KELT Executive Director, Carrie Kinne, “This is a type of bog that is not present on any of KELT’s other protected lands, so it is exciting to see that we are still able to complete new and surprising land protection projects after 30 years.”

Maine Yankee’s Chief Nuclear Officer Wayne Norton said, “Maine Yankee is pleased to donate the bog parcel on Westport Island to KELT for a wildlife preserve and continued public enjoyment.”

The bog is characterized by black spruce and larch trees in the overstory and typical bog vegetation of heath shrubs, graminoids, and peat mosses. The understory is dominated by leatherleaf, rhodora, winterberry, and highbush blueberry. Near the center of the bog, cinnamon ferns stand more than five feet tall.  This habitat provides suitable perching and foraging habitat for the rare olive-sided flycatcher and three-toed woodpecker.  White-throated sparrows, common yellowthroats, and several species of wood warblers have all been heard on the property. It also includes a small freshwater pond surrounded by abundant rose pogonias.

This land has been used and enjoyed by the public for many years for recreation and KELT will continue and expand those traditional uses.  Access is limited, however, at the present time until trails and parking provisions can be established. 

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s mission is to conserve, restore and instill appreciation of the land and water resources of the Kennebec Estuary to benefit today’s communities and future generations.  KELT was established 30 years ago and now protects over 330 acres on Westport Island and 3,900 acres in the estuary region. Visit kennebecestuary.org to learn about KELT’s wide ranging work in the region.

Let’s face it: Not all of us are into winter sports. There. I said it. And, I (not surprisingly) am one of those. Tried skiing – once – couldn’t make a “pie” or ski as well as the toddlers on the bunny slope! Very discouraging, not to mention embarrassing! But, I got over it rather quickly because the thought of hurdling down a mountain slope covered in snow and ice at a fast clip is not my idea of a good time.

Having said that, I do enjoy snowshoeing – quite a lot, actually. It’s the zen way to go – peaceful and excellent exercise! I don’t have a pair right now, though. Hmm … maybe it’s time to get on the Boothbay Yard Sale Facebook page and look around. I’m particularly fond of the old fashioned wooden shoes, not the aluminum ones that are popular from L.L. Bean … not that there’s anything wrong with them … the wooden ones are hard to find. Reny’s used to sell them, but no longer. Luckily a visit to eBay brought me to just the right pair, at a more than fair and affordable price!

Winter is also a great time to visit, oh, I don’t know … how about art museums? The Farnsworth & Wyeth Center in Rockland leaps to mind, as well as the Portland Musuem of Art. I’m particularly happy the Andrew Wyeth “Witches, Ghosts and Mischief” is still on exhibit through March 1 from Andrew and Betsy Wyeth’s collection. This is an exhibit after my own heart. Apparently Wyeth was enthralled by the eerie and the mysterious surrounding Halloween and beyond. Sounds like wicked good fun!

And also at the Farnsworth are the 3-dimensional fiber sculptures of Katharine Cobey. The promo pic the Boothbay Register was sent by the museum was an intriguing hand-spun and knit Churro wool, leather, shell and bone garment entitled “Ritual Against Homelessness.” I know I want to see this one up close. I am fascinated by artists who paint with fiber. The Museum website describes Cobey’s work: “ … builds three-dimensional forms by knitting with unusual fibers, metal wires, and plastics. Her stitches give shape to her viewpoints, integrating and shaping magical costumes or emblems of memory and loss.” I expect her show, “A Different Voice,” will speak volumes.

After seeing exhibitions like these, there are always images that linger in your mind’s eye. Images that offer something new to ponder while you’re out snowshoeing. See, that’s the thing about snowshoeing: You can muse over this thought or that memory or that amazing view you’ve happened upon. Unlike skiing, you are moving at your own thoughtful pace.

You can even capture a few artsy photos with your phone while you’re snowshoeing ... ice crystals balancing perfectly on a tree limb; footprints left by a fox or deer … sunshine filtering through an aged pine tree; branches that contain rune shapes ... and then, maybe, just maybe, I’ll see a tree or branches that will take me back to Cobey’s sculptures … or one of Wyeth’s paintings in the Farnsworth show …

Artful mindfulness at its best ...

La Verna Preserve in Bristol boasts a variety of forest habitats as well as interesting geology and stunning views of Muscongus Bay. Coastal Rivers Education Director Sarah Gladu will be leading a gentle hike at this preserve on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. with a focus on trees in winter.

Boots are recommended, as well as snowshoes or ice cleats if there is snow or ice on the trail. Coastal Rivers asks that dogs be left at home for this guided hike.

La Verna Preserve is located on Route 32 in Bristol, about 3.5 miles south of the Round Pond Post Office. The preserve parking lot is on the right shortly after the Ocean Hill cemetery.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, formerly Damariscotta River Association and Pemaquid Watershed Association, is a non-profit, membership supported, and nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of the greater Pemaquid peninsula and Damariscotta River region.

Coastal Rivers has active programs in the areas of land conservation, stewardship, community education, water quality monitoring, marine conservation and cultural preservation.

Visitors are welcome at Coastal Rivers’ many properties throughout the region. For more information about Coastal Rivers, call (207) 563-1393, email info@coastalrivers.org, or visit www.coastalrivers.org.

Anyone looking for ways to enjoy the snowy winter need venture no further than Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson for a multitude of options. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking are all on the list of events there in the upcoming weeks. Trails at HVNC are groomed and open daily; Midcoast members are free and non-members pay a $5 day-use fee.

Currently in session, the Youth Cross-country Ski Clinic is offered Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 until Feb. 8. Kids ages 5 to 14 get fun and professional instruction in ski skills and take to the nearly 30 miles of trails at HVNC. An adult X-C ski clinic will be offered on Sundays, Feb. 9 and 16; ski rentals will be available for all adult participants.

Also in February, two Family Days at HVNC will give people a chance to ski or take some of Midcoast Conservancy’s fat tire bikes out on the trails. Staff will be on hand to offer basic instruction and advice on trails to explore. Monday, Feb. 17, families are encouraged to come ski HVNC; skis will be available. Tuesday, Feb. 18, the fat bike fleet will be ready for riders; helmets will be provided to those who don’t have their own. Registration is suggested for both events to ensure that equipment is available; go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/explore/events/ to sign up.

Saturdays in February, from noon to 4 p.m., gear will be available for use at HVNC on a first come first served basis. Rent skis, snowshoes or bikes by the hour and take to the trails for a winter adventure.

And finally, everyone is encouraged to put their ski, snowshoe or fat bike skills to the test at the annual winter Biathlon at HVNC on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ages and abilities can have fun in the snow, taking laps around the 1k course between turns on the paintball rifle range. Rifle safety instruction is provided for all racers, four-person teams are welcome, and creative costumes could garner an award at the end of the racing day! Fire pits will be blazing, and chili and cocoa will be available to warm people up from the inside. Register at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/midcoast-conservancy-biathlon-3/

Wiscasset Middle survived a third quarter surge by the visiting Bristol Devils for a 62-40 Busline League basketball win Wednesday evening, Jan. 8.

Balance scoring tipped the scales in Wiscasset’s favor, the Wolves having three players in double scoring figures. Javar Garricks set the pace netting a game high 17 points, six in the final eight minutes. Austin Trask finished with 15 points and Braden Laliberte had 11. The trio also lead their team in rebounding and Garricks had six assists.

Wiscasset led the game from the opening tap but for a while it was close. Mason Clark’s three-point basket capped an early 8-0 run for the Wolves. With two minutes left in the opening quarter, Ethan Demmons drove the length of the court and banked a basket in off the glass. That put Wiscasset on top 13-8 which is where the scored stood at the end of the first period.

Wiscasset was up 28-17 at the half netting nine unanswered points in the second quarter. At 4:40, Laliberte scored off the pick and roll putting the hosts up 20-8. Tucker Geyer’s three field goals in the first half kept Bristol in the game. The Devils rallied back in the third period with a pair of trifectas tossed in by Braxton Crockett. His three-pointer at the four-minute mark made it 37-30 and caused some unease among the Wiscasset fans. Crockett finished the game with 15 points and about a dozen rebounds.

The Wolves quickly regrouped. They scored 11 unanswered points. Laliberte started the run with a rebound and basket. Trask followed with three baskets in a row, two off steals, the other on a Bristol turnover following a Wiscasset defensive press. Headed into the final period, Wiscasset was once again comfortably ahead, 52-33. Clark’s basket with 4:45 left in the game put the Wolves up 56-39. Garricks added a pair of field goals down the stretch.

Bristol girls win

The Wiscasset Middle girls rallied late outscoring Bristol 14-8 in the final period but the visitors hung on for the win, 45-37. Belle Orr and Quina Hyman both finished with 15 points for the Wolves. Taylin Lowe scored in every period for the Devils and finished with a game high 17. Serena Foster had 10. The game was a wild one from the opening tap, with the lead changing six times in the first half.

Foster’s three pointer briefly put Bristol in the lead but a three by Laila Dicus helped give Wiscasset a 12-9 lead at the end of the first period. The Devils outscored Wiscasset 19-10 in the second quarter to lead 27-18 at halftime. Bristol was up 37-23 headed into the final quarter and it looked like the game was over. But Dicus’s basket with 5:60 left kicked off an 8-0 Wiscasset run as Hyman followed with a pair of baskets and Orr banked in a layup. Suddenly, Bristol’s lead was down to four, 37-33.

With the clock winding down to 2:39, Hyman drove inside and scored again, making it a 39-37 ballgame. But that was as close as the Wolves would come. In the closing minute, Lowe grabbed a rebound at the Wiscasset end, dribbled the length of the court, scored and then added another basket in the waning seconds. Orr netted six of seven free throws and had a three-pointer in the first period. Gabby Smith played a good floor game for the Wolves, who have shown a lot of improvement.

Since Coastal Rivers relocated its headquarters to Round Top Farm in Damariscotta last April, the farmhouse at Salt Bay Farm on Belvedere Road has become a dedicated nature center and a hub for outdoor education. The building will be open to the public at certain times through the winter.

Visitors are encouraged to check the website for nature center hours. In January and February, the center will be open most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:15 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:15 PM, and closed on holidays.

When the center is open, a volunteer docent will be available to answer questions and offer suggestions for hikes, paddles and other recreational opportunities on Coastal Rivers’ properties. Visitors are invited to browse a selection of books, preserve brochures, and maps. Sleds and snowshoes in a variety of sizes are also available to borrow while visiting the farm.

In addition to permanent displays, docents also offer special monthly ‘topic table’ displays and interactive activities for children. January’s topic is birds. Visitors of all ages can dissect an owl pellet and learn about winter birds in Maine.

The nature center is occupied during school hours by many different school groups, in addition to Coastal Rivers’ regular after-school, preschool and homeschool programs.

The walking trails at Coastal Rivers’ Salt Bay Farm are open to hikers and other visitors every day during daylight hours.

For more information about Coastal Rivers, call (207) 563-1393, email info@coastalrivers.org, or visit www.coastalrivers.org

Allan Crocker, athletic director at Boothbay Region High School, has announced that tonight’s (Jan. 10) girls basketball contest will be a varsity only contest beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Boothbay girls basketball team defeated county rival Wiscasset, 48-34, at Porter Memorial Gymnasium Jan. 10 for Boothbay’s  win of the season.

Senior guard Chloe Arsenault was the only Seahawk in double figures with 11 points.

Boothbay is 8-2 and is seeded second in the Class C South Heal point standings.

Wiscasset senior Kateleen Trask led all scorers with 17 points.

Madison Faulkingham added seven points for Boothbay, while Glory Blethen, Haley Abbott, Mara Gentry and Kylie Brown each added six points for the Seahawks.

Brianna Orr added eight points for Wiscasset.

In the victory, all 14 Lady Seahawks saw considerable playing time.

Boothbay (8-2) hosts Telstar (0-8) on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Wiscasset will host Class B Oak Hill (7-2) on Tuesday, Jan. 14. 

The Wolverines went toe-to-toe on the basketball court with the Seahawks at Boothbay Region High School Friday night but came up short 48-34.

Kateleen Trask had a big night for Wiscasset Middle High School with a game high 17 points. A dozen came from trifectas. She made four of 10 attempts from behind the 3-point arc. Bri Olson-Orr netted eight points and Kailee Colby had a three-pointer.

Chloe Arsenault finished with 11 points and Maddy Faulkingham had seven for BRHS. The Seahawks led their Mountain Valley Conference rivals 15-5 after the first period, by nine points at the half, 28-17, and 40-25 headed into the final quarter.  

According to stats kept by WMHS Assistant Coach Bob Applebee, Kylie Peoples had another good game under the backboards finishing with a team high eight rebounds. Natalie Potter had five. Trask had six steals, Waltz four. The Wolverines made about 25 percent of their shots from the floor.

Phoenix soar

At Jay on Jan. 8, Spruce Mountain High School won handily, 72-19. Vaycee Cole scored 19 points, Marryah Fournier, 12 and Auriana Armandi nine for the Phoenix.

Trask led the Wolverines’ offense with six points. Waltz had four and Olsen-Orr hit a three-pointer. Under the backboards, Peoples grabbed seven rebounds, Madison Carrier five and Latisha Wright four.

WMHS, at 0-10, has eight games left. It hosts class B Oak Hill, 7-3, on Tuesday, Jan. 14, and travels to Bethel to play Telstar Thursday, Jan. 16. Like the Wolverines, the Rebels are still looking for their first MVC win this season.

Wiscasset Middle High School put on a successful five-team junior varsity basketball tournament Saturday. Jan. 11. The 16-minute games were well played, exciting to watch and drew many enthusiastic fans to Stover Auditorium and the Wiscasset Community Center gymnasium.

The Jayvee Jamboree had a last-minute scheduling change after an influenza outbreak forced Temple Christian to pull out. There was also an unforeseen change that necessitated Monmouth Academy play all of its games first. But once the tournament got started, things ran smoothly until its conclusion.

In one of the games in Stover Auditorium, the Boothbay Region High School girls hung on to defeat Monmouth 19-18. Then Wiscasset took the court, played well but lost to Monmouth, 11-7. The Wolverines and Mustangs struggled to put points on the scoreboard. With five minutes gone by, Monmouth was on top 4-0. Maddy Carrier netted the Wolverines’ first points, swishing a basket from a step inside the three-point arch at 9:26. Monmouth answered by netting five unanswered points to go up 9-2.

With 90 second left to play, Brianna Colson-Orr hit a Wolverine trifecta making it a 9-5 ballgame. The Mustangs turned the ball over on their next possession. On the inbounds pass that followed, Zoe Waltz found Kylie Peoples open underneath the basket. Peoples banked the ball into the basket and it was a 9-7 ballgame. In the final seconds, Monmouth added an insurance basket. The Wolverines later played Boothbay and lost by seven points, and then to Buckfield by 10. The Wolverines played Hall-Dale tough right to the closing buzzer. They lost by two after a final shot that would have tied the game rolled off the rim.

Bob “Radar” Applebee called the tournament. It was a learning experience for the players and a lot of fun, too. “Because we don't have a junior varsity team this year, it gave our younger players a chance to get on the court in game situations,” he said. “All of the other coaches told me how much they appreciated us facilitating this tournament. Like us, they used it as a learning experience.”

Next door in WCC, the Wolverine boys lost their first game 30-15 to Monmouth. The Mustangs led from the opening tap but Wiscasset stayed close. Cory Ricker’s fast break basket at 10:34 made it a 10-8 ballgame. The score was 14-12 following a three-pointer banked in by Brett Osmond with 8:39 left on the clock. After the Mustangs scored again, a field goal by Osmond kept it a two-point contest. The Mustangs then took charge, scoring 10 unanswered points to put the game away.

WMHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Warren Cossette said afterwards, he hopes to make the tournament an annual event. “All of the coaches involved promoted skill development, healthy competition and good sportsmanship. I think everyone had a lot of fun and a lot of the games were pretty exciting to watch.”

On behalf of WMHS’s student body and all the participating high schools, Cossette wanted to express thanks to Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud and his staff for being an “outstanding” partner in this event.

“We would also like to thank Maxwell’s Market on Gardiner Road, Wiscasset for their help in providing the concessions at both venues. Their help was very much appreciated by the student body and the fans,” he added.

Results for Jan. 5, week four of adult basketball at Wiscasset Community Center, including the scoring breakdown for the top three of each team.

Boothbay Middle went on a 10-0 run in the closing minutes of the first half winning 69-52 over host Wiscasset in Busline League basketball action Tuesday night, Jan. 14, the final one of the regular season before the tournament begins.

The lead changed hands six times in the first 15 minutes of play before the visitors took the lead for good. Finn Harkin, who finished the game with 26 points, scored 12 of those in the pivotal third quarter for Boothbay. Wiscasset went ahead in the game’s opening minutes. Baskets by Mason Carter and Austin Trask staked the Wolves to an early 7-3 lead. Tyson French’s three-point basket for Boothbay at 5:54 made it a one-point game.

Returning to the second quarter Javar Garricks banked in a three-pointer for Wiscasset knotting the game at 24 with four minutes until the half. Trask’s fast break layup then briefly put the Wolves ahead. Boothbay then put 10 unanswered points on the scoreboard. Three of those baskets came on Wiscasset turnovers.

Clark hit two more baskets and Braden Laliberty scored staking Wiscasset to a four-point lead 13-9. Back-to-back Boothbay baskets by French and Harkin tied the score. When the quarter ended, Boothbay was on top 16-15. Boothbay led 38-27 at halftime and 52-41 headed into the final period.

Garricks and Clark each finished with 13 points. Trask had 12. Boothbay’s Luke Morley had 12.

The Wolverines stayed close Tuesday night, Jan. 14 to Oak Hill through the first half. but the Raiders prevailed 63-31 at Stover Auditorium. The Raiders led their Mountain Valley Conference opponents 12-7 after the first period and 30-20 at the half.

The Wolverines hit four three-point baskets in the first half. Kateleen Trask drained two from behind the arch. Latisha Wright and Bri Colson-Orr each had one. Madison Carrier had a big night for the Wolverines netting eight points, grabbing five rebounds and blocking four Oak Hill shots. Trask also finished with eight points. She had five steals.

Oak Hill’s Deserae Dumis led all scorers with 13 points, Emily Dillman had nine. The visitors took control in the third period when they went on an 18-2 run. A defensive press by the Raiders forced multiple Wolverine turnovers. Wiscasset put nine points on the scoreboard in the final period, with Colson-Orr hitting her second three pointer of the game.

Kylie Peoples once again led the Wolverines in rebounding with eight, four offensive and four defensive. Zoe Waltz finished with six steals and four points.

Wiscasset shot about 30 percent from the floor.

Oak Hill is a Class B high school serving Sabattus, Litchfield and Wales. The Raiders entered the game with a record of 7-3. Wiscasset Middle High School now 0-11 will play winless Telstar in Bethel Thursday night.

Billy Pinkham scored 19 points and Noah Haggett had 11 for the Wiscasset Middle High School Wolverines, who lost to visiting Oak Hill Tuesday night, Jan. 14 in Mountain Valley Conference basketball action.

Pinkham, who scored in every quarter, swished a deep three pointer in the opening period. Haggett had three threes, all in the second half.

“We had a slow start and lacked energy but steadily improved as the game progressed,” said Wolverine Coach Jamie Jones afterwards. “Billy played aggressively and had a season-high 19 points for us.”

The Raiders, who entered the game with a 4-6 record, raced out to a 32-7 first period lead. Ramon Spearman and Auborn Boston accounted for 16 Oak Hill points in the opening minutes. Both had eight first period points, Boston with a pair of threes. Boston finished the game with 19, Spearman 12.

The Raiders led 54-14 at halftime and 70-22 going into the fourth period. The final score was 89-35.

WMHS made six of 14 free throws. Oak Hill was three of 12.

At Winthrop last week, the Wolverines were upended 75-20. The Ramblers outscored WMHS in every period; 25-5, 20-5, 16-4 and 11-6.

Haggett finished with 15 points for WMHS that included a trifecta in the game’s opening minutes. He had six points in the fourth period. Gavin Loupe hit a three for Wiscasset and Matt Eckert had a basket.

The Ramblers had three players finish with 10 points, and Sam Fuller, Logan Baird and Robbie Feeney.

WMHS made two of four foul shots. WHS made five of 11.

The Wolverines, still winless in the Mountain Valley Conference, will travel to Bethel Thursday night to play 2-11 Telstar.  

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud said he isn’t very good at cornhole. But if needed to make even teams for Winterfest’s new tournament Saturday, Feb. 1, he’ll play.

“I’ve never been in a (cornhole) tournament,” Goud said in a phone interview from Wiscasset Community Center Thursday, Jan. 16. A snowstorm made a slow day there, with some programs canceled. Goud hopes Winterfest weather will enable ice skating at the superintendent of schools’ office and snowmobiling at WCC with Alna Snowmobile Club. Either way, the event as always includes indoor offerings. 

Goud said the cornhole in the gym at 2:30 p.m. is a try at adding more for adults to do at Winterfest. So is that day’s community breakfast in the senior center from 7:30 to 10 a.m., a busy time any Saturday due to the swimming program, he said. He hopes that will aid turnout for the breakfast. It, the cornhole and Winterfest’s annual silent auction are fundraisers for Cooper-DiPerri Scholarship Fund.

“(The fund) benefits adults, families and children in the Wiscasset area and surrounding communities with scholarships for camps, after school programs, memberships for the Community Center and programs to help them grow and develop in a healthy and positive way,” the scholarship committee tells businesses in an appeal letter for donations to the auction. “Without this scholarship foundation, many people would not be able to enjoy the benefits of what our local Community Center and Parks & Recreation Department have to offer. Having access to these beneficial programs, we are providing families with the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and happy environment ...”

The auction runs from 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Goud said donations should be in by Tuesday, Jan. 28. The auction and the popular trivia night and pizza party kick off Winterfest 2020. Goud said trivia night-goers filled the senior center last year and, depending on the number of registrations this year’s draws, it may move to the gym. “And I would love that, if we had to do that.” 

Most of Winterfest is Saturday, Feb. 1. Besides the breakfast, auction and cornhole, the flyer lists snowshoeing from 8 to 10:30 a.m.; a fire pit and s’mores all day; children’s outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Southern Maine Robotics bake sale from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.; snowmobile rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; horse carriage rides with Wood Field Farm from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Chewonki Foundation with “Fur, feathers and feet” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the senior center; hot lunch for sale from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; pool party from 12 to 2:30 p.m.; and, at 12:15, a “Chuck a duck” 50/50 raffle to benefit the WCCU/USA swim team. The ducks will be on sale in the lobby all morning.

Some Winterfest events are free; others have fees. For more information, visit wiscassetrec.com or Wiscasset Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page, or call 882-8230. The flyer thanks sponsor Carl M.P. Larrabee Insurance Agency.

“Come out and enjoy the day,” Goud said. 

In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Wiscasset Middle High School is offering free admission to Monday afternoon’s Mountain Valley Conference basketball game. WMHS normally charges adults $4 and students $1 admission at the door.

WMHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Warren Cossette said the Wolverine girls’ varsity will host the Hall-Dale High School Bulldogs. The opening tip-off is set for 1 p.m. in Stover Auditorium. The longtime MVC rivals recently faced off at the Jayvee Jamboree Wiscasset hosted. The Bulldogs won the game, surviving a Wolverine comeback in the closing minutes of play.

Monday’s ballgame was rescheduled due to an earlier postponement with both high schools agreeing to play on the holiday. Food concessions will be sold as usual during the game, added Cossette.

The Wolverines and Coach Tom Philbrick are still looking for their first MVC basketball win. Hall-Dale has a record of three wins and seven losses and is ranked 14^th among 20 high schools making up the class C south.

Just two home games remain for the WMHS girls following Monday’s game. On Friday night, Jan. 24, they’ll host the winless Telstar Rebels. The girls will play at 6:30 after the boys’ game.

The home finale featuring only a girls’ game will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 with the Lisbon Greyhounds. Before the opening tip-off, the Wolverines will honor its three senior players, Jade Rego, Natalie Potter and Kateleen Trask.

Assistant Coach Bob Applebee compiled the following stats for the team’s first 10 games:

Trask is leading the team’s offense this season having scored 61 points including 11 trifectas. Zoe Waltz has 49 points (five trifectas) and Brianna Olson-Orr, 40 points that include eight three-point baskets.

Kylie Peoples is leading the team in rebounding. She’s tallied 89 so far and is on track to record 100 before the season ends. Applebee noted People’s rebounds are about equally split, 48 defensive and 41 offensive. Waltz is the team’s second leading rebounder with 49. She’s also leading the team in steals with 35 and blocked shots, 21. Peoples has recorded 19 blocked shots.

The Wolverines’ closest game this season was a 29-24 loss to Mt. Abram in the MVC season opener.

Midcoast Board of Approved Soccer Officials presented its  2019 Willy Walter Sportsmanship Award to Wiscasset Middle High School’s Wolverine girls’ varsity soccer team Saturday. Fifty officials meet to pick the high school that’s demonstrated the best sportsmanship throughout the soccer season.

The team received an engraved plaque before the start of a Jan. 18 varsity basketball game in Stover Auditorium. The award is named for longtime soccer official Willy Walter. 

Mountain Valley High School scored 27 of its 98 points from behind the 3-point arc while holding host Wiscasset Middle High School to 27 points in Stover Auditorium Saturday.

It was the 12th Mountain Valley Conference loss for the Wolverines this season; the Falcons improved to 7-5.

Airick Richard drained the first of his four trifectas in the opening minutes of the game putting the visitors ahead 14-4. Early in the second period, Cooper Davis canned a jump shot from inside the key, the start of a 13-0 Falcon run. By the time Matt Eckert scored for the Wolverines, Mountain Valley was up by 25 points. It were ahead 45-9 at the half and 80-19 headed into the final eight minutes of play.

Davis had 15 points in the first half and finished with a game high 26. Twelve of Richard’s 18 points also came in the first half.

Eckert rebounded a missed shot and scored early in the third period. Back-to-back baskets by E. J. Weston opened up a 40-point Falcon lead at 6:14. Billy Pinkham then hit a three for Wiscasset. In the final period, a field goal by Brett Osmond followed by Pinkham’s trifecta, put WMHS’s 25th point on the scoreboard. Pinkham added one more basket in the closing minutes.

Kasey Mills led the Wolverines in rebounding down the stretch, grabbing six under the backboards. Pinkham finished in double figures with 11 points; Eckert had six, including the Wolverines’ only field goal of the first half. Osmond chipped in with four points.

WMHS made nine of 13 free throws; the Falcons were six of 13.

In the girls’ game, Mountain Valley never trailed, winning 57-20. The Falcons were up 18-3, 39-8 and 48-10 at the period breaks. Kateleen Trask’s three-point basket in the opening minutes made it a 6-3 ballgame. The Falcons then took off, scoring 26 unanswered points. Trask finally ended the drought by sinking a foul shot late in the second period.

Following a Falcon three by Avery Sevigny, Madison Carrier rebounded Zoe Waltz’s missed shot and scored for WMHS. The Falcons continued to dominate in the second half. Late in the third period, Trask stole the ball, dribbled the length of the court and scored for the Wolverines. Kylie Peoples then very convincingly blocked a Falcon shot under the basket.

Waltz hit a three and a field goal for Wiscasset in the game’s closing minutes. Peoples banked in a final Wolverine basket from underneath.

Trask finished with eight points; Waltz, five; Carrier, four; Peoples, two and Kailee Colby, one. Peoples grabbed a dozen rebounds and had six blocked shots. Waltz had eight rebounds. Brianna Olson-Orr finished the game with three assists.

For the Falcons, Autumn Freeman had 12 points, Rylee Sevigney,10. The Falcons are 8-5 in the MVC. WMHS is 0-12.

Special Olympics Maine celebrates the 50th anniversary of its state Winter Games Jan. 26-28.

In 1970, Special Olympics Maine held the world’s very first Special Olympics Winter Games. It all began on a small hill in Gorham with only a handful of people. This month, Special Olympics Maine will host nearly 400 athletes from 59 teams at Sugarloaf for the 50th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games.

The events begin on Sunday evening, Jan. 26 with one of Maine’s largest community suppers. Citizens of Carrabassett and surrounding areas will play host to the athletes by bringing in casseroles and desserts and serving over 800 people. The evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a sing-a-long and karaoke.

The competition will be underway bright and early Monday morning, Jan. 27 and Opening Ceremonies featuring our parade of athletes will begin at noon sharp. That evening, athletes will be treated to a torchlight parade, fireworks and victory dance.

En route to Sugarloaf, Special Olympic teams can take a break and stretch their legs at a rest stop courtesy of the Roderick-Crosby Post and Auxiliary #28 of Farmington. Sandwiches, chips, hot chocolate and cookies will be provided to the athletes from noon to 3 p.m.

During the three-day event, athletes will compete in Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, snowshoe, speed skating, and dual ski.

Competitions will run through Tuesday morning and conclude with Closing Ceremonies at noon on Jan. 28.

Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. In Maine, there are over 4,800 athletes involved. SOME offers over 75 events annually at the local and state levels.

As part of our annual scarf campaign, every athlete and coach will receive a warm, hand-knit scarf donated from people across the state and from out of state as well.

For further information on Special Olympics Maine or the Winter Games, please call our state office at 879-0489 or email Lisa Bird at lisab@somaine.org

Beginning Jan. 25, feel free to call us at Sugarloaf at the Summit Hotel at 1-800-THE LOAF and ask to be connected with Special Olympics. If any questions during the games, please call the hotel or Bird’s cell at 207-839-5578.

A walking and cross-country skiing trail, an idea when Alna was getting its new town office, became real this month. It cost the town nothing, First Selectman Melissa Spinney said.

“It’s wonderful.”

About a dozen Alna Snowmobile Club members, including Spinney’s husband Jeff, have been clearing and grooming the trail, the Spinneys said Monday and Tuesday via phone, email and text. Jeff Spinney was taking part in an evening grooming session when the newspaper called him Monday.

How was the group staying warm outside on a cold January night? Working with the chainsaws, he said.

Jeff Spinney said the club was happy to add the trail at the town office on Route 218 to its others in town as a way to provide access for multi-purpose use. “That (new) trail is a nice flat loop we thought people would like.” It’s about six to eight feet wide, he said about the new 4.1-mile loop. A map is posted in the town office’s parking area out front, he added.

Melissa said via text Tuesday, she knew when she asked the club it would say yes. “The club is very community-minded and doesn’t hesitate to give back to the town. We got landowner permission from (next door neighbor) Steve Piwowarski, who is very supportive of the project.”

Reached by phone Tuesday, Piwowarski said he loves that people are getting to use the land and enjoy being outside “even in the winter.” He has already seen a family cross-country skiing there. He and Melissa Spinney said users need to be aware the trail is multi-purpose.

She announced the trail’s opening in a town email Sunday. The email credits the club with the work and notes the loop is marked with blue reflectors starting at the office parking lot, then passing Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum’s central station, crossing a bog, and returning to the office. “Please be aware this trail is on the regular snowmobile trail so be aware of snowmobiles and keep dogs on (a) leash for safety ... Enjoy.”

Jeff Spinney said it was nice for members seeing three or four people cross-country-skiing on the new trail. He added Tuesday, “I saw some tracks this morning.”

The night sky: Who doesn’t enjoy looking up at the stars musing about the distance between them and us? Imagining what civilizations from pre-historic times forward thought when seeing what we know as constellations until Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer living in the second century – AD, not BC – came up with names for the star formations above him. There are 44 Greek constellations (yeah, I looked that up). According to Sky-Watch, Orion and Ursa Major/Big Dipper are the two most popular and most recognizable constellations.

I remember how fascinated I was to learn Ptolemy had named many constellations for Greek gods and goddesses – mythological to most, but not all of us. Perseus, Cassiopeia, Lyra, Orion, Andromeda ... And the zodiac was up there, too. Yeah, I could dig all that.

So this winter I’ve really added serious stargazing to my “hobbies,” shall we say? Because although I’ve always enjoyed gazing at the stars I’ve never really had the time or a burning desire to really learn about constellations, black holes and parallel universes.

I’m determined to photograph as many constellations as I can through each season, learning the brightest stars within some of them. For example, Polaris is at the end of the “handle” of the Little Dipper/Ursa Minor. Polaris is also the North Star.

Constellations we can see during winter here in the northern hemisphere are Orion (never here in summer, most because of that being so near the equator thing …); Canis Major and Minor, Gemini, Taurus, and Auriga; although I swear I saw a dipper last night (Jan. 20) … I’m quite certain Orion was above my backyard, well, make that side yard. You can’t mistake that hour glass frame, belt of three diagonal stars and sword of three vertical stars.

I drove around experimenting with a “night sky” setting on one of the Register’s cameras – my yard,Barrett Park, OP, Dogfish Head Beach. Unfortunately it was so cold last night and I didn’t even realize it at the time but my hands were shaking just enough to mess up my shots. I’m sharing a few anyway.

Someday I hope to shoot awesome images of constellations and celestial objects. Someone who does have an eye for photographing the night sky is local pro photographer Mike Leonard. He wrote an article last year I think it was, for the Register and Wiscasset Newspaper, on capturing the Milky Way with your camera. First thing he mentions is the moon shouldn’t be very visible. He also recommends the app Photo Pills, for iPhones and androids. Phones, that is! This app assists night sky lovers to not only find the best location(s) for the Milky Way and planets (and maybe even an alien spacecraft … no, Mike didn’t say that!) Mike did say the Photo Pills app “will also help steer you to make your best shots of the sun and moon rises and sets.” Check out Mike Leonard’s entire article on night photography at https://admin.boothbayregister.com/article/nighttime-photography/105107.

I also love taking pics of the moon, a most heavenly celestial body. Years ago I loved to chase the moon going here and there to see it in different locations. But my friend Linda Dow … now there’s a moon lover … she is out at OP (and other locations) on the night of every full moon. Her license plate should be MNGDES for Moon Goddess!

Oh! And if you love space and astronomy, you must check out the videos on YouTube of the sounds in space – often quite surreal. Then, next thing you know you’ll be watching info videos about Tesla’s 3-6-9 being the key to the universe! Hey, there are far less informative and entertaining ways to spend an afternoon.

If some of you out there have a telescope … sweet! If I ever win the lottery, a fine telescope is on my “Things I long for but can’t afford or justify buying” list.

I’ll leave you with two thoughts: Firstly, and this is mine – make some time for stargazing; for the wonder of it … and let your imagination soar among all things celestial.

Second is something Rachel Carson had to say on the subject in her 1956 book “The Sense of Wonder”: “My companion and I were alone with the stars: the misty river of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, the patterns of the constellations standing out bright and clear, a blazing planet low on the horizon. It occurred to me that if this were a sight that could be seen only once in a century, this little headland would be thronged with spectators. But it can be seen many scores of nights in any year, and so the lights burned in the cottages and the inhabitants probably gave not a thought to the beauty overhead; and because they could see it almost any night, perhaps they never will.”

Hall-Dale High School relied on its outside shooting game netting 10 three-point baskets and winning, 58-15, over host Wiscasset Middle High School Monday afternoon in Stover Auditorium.

K.K. Wills hit three of her team’s trifectas in the first half. The Bulldogs outscored the Wolverines 15-5 and 19-2 in the first two periods and headed into the locker room with a 34-9 halftime lead.

After the visitors took a 5-0 lead in the game’s opening minutes, Kateleen Trask banked in a three-pointer for Wiscasset. Minutes later, Zoe Waltz’s fast break basket made the score 8-5. A field goal by Trask with 3:30 left in the first period made it a two-point game, 9-7. But that was as close as the Wolverines would get. Back-to-back threes by Averi Baker and Wills staked the hot-shooting Bulldogs to an eight-point lead when the buzzer sounded ending the period.

The Wolverine offense struggled the remainder of the game. Waltz netted the only points for WMHS in the second period, a layup on a pass from Brianna Colson-Orr with 90 seconds left until the half. On the defensive side, Kylie Peoples blocked a Bulldog shot in the closing seconds and Madison Carrier grabbed three rebounds at Hall-Dale’s end of the court.

The Wolverines took plenty of shots in the third period but failed to put any points on the scoreboard. Midway into the period, Kayla Lee swished a three, the Bulldogs’ 10^th of the game, putting her team up 46-9. Colson-Orr hit a pair of threes for the Wolverines in the fourth period. The first, a rainbow from well behind the arc, was on her team’s first possession. Her second three came with 58 ticks left in the game and was only the Wolverines’ second basket of the half.

Olson-Orr finished with six points for Wiscasset. Trask had five, Waltz four. Waltz also had five rebounds. Emily Richardson had four rebounds and two assists. Hall-Dale’s Wills led all scores with 14 points. Rita Benoit finished with 12 points, all in the second half.

The Wolverines will travel to Mt. Abram Wednesday and host Telstar High School Friday night, Jan. 24.

Every Saturday is a snow day ay Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center this winter. For the rest of January and through Feb. 22, from noon to 4 p.m., Midcoast Conservancy’s gear library of cross-country skis, snowshoes and fat tire bikes are available to rent for only $5 an hour. This is a great opportunity to try out a winter sport for the first time, or shake the rust off a familiar one. No previous experience is necessary. Outdoor Adventure AmeriCorps members from Midcoast Conservancy will be on hand to help fit participants with the right gear, do a demo if needed, and recommend trails appropriate to the user’s skill level. HVNC, in Jefferson, has nearly 30 miles of trails that offer a wide range of terrain; most are groomed after a snowfall and as needed.

Also in February, two Family Days at HVNC will give people a chance to ski or take some the fat tire bikes out on the trails. Staff will be on hand to offer basic instruction and advice on trails to explore. Monday, Feb. 17, families are encouraged to come ski HVNC; skis, boots and poles will be available. Tuesday, Feb. 18, the fat bike fleet will be ready for riders; helmets will be provided to those who don’t have their own. Registration is suggested for both events to ensure that equipment is available; go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/explore/events/ to sign up.

After all that practice, everyone is encouraged to put their ski, snowshoe or fat bike skills to the test at the annual winter Biathlon at HVNC on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All ages and abilities can have fun in the snow, taking laps around the 1k course between turns on the paintball rifle range. Rifle safety instruction is provided for all racers, four-person teams are welcome, and creative costumes could garner an award at the end of the racing day! Fire pits will be blazing, and chili and cocoa will be available to warm people up from the inside. Register at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/midcoast-conservancy-biathlon-3/

On a sunny midday Jan. 23, Wiscasset Newspaper took a winter’s look around Wiscasset Municipal Airport.

Through April, office hours are by appointment, Airport Manager Rick Tetrev said in replies to texted questions Jan. 24. How is business going this winter? “Actually quite good. This month we had four days with 40-plus (flights),” Tetrev said.

He added, Wiscasset’s public works department has been keeping the airport clear after each snowstorm. 

The Wolverines got off to a fast start, but the visiting Telstar Rebels left a 47-28 winner Friday in Mountain Valley Conference girls’ basketball action at Stover Auditorium.

It was Senior Night, the last time this season the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams will play their games together. The senior girls Coach Tom Philbrick and his assistant Bob Applebee honored included scorekeeper Katelyn Long and players Natalie Potter, Jade Rego and Kateleen Trask. A highlight of the game was when Rego and Potter entered late in the game and both scored, Rego going two for two from the foul line and Potter hitting a field goal. Rego was injured most of the season and Potter had a recent bout with the flu.

Both teams entered the game without a win this season, Wiscasset Middle High School at 0-14, and the Rebels 0-12.

The Wolverines got off to great start, with their first points coming when Zoe Waltz connected on a three-point basket just 60 seconds into the ballgame. Kylie Peoples then hit two baskets in a row, opening up a 7-2 Wiscasset lead. The Rebels responded with 10 unanswered points. Katie Evans’ three pointer tied the game 7-all at 2:17. In the closing seconds, Luci Rothwell stole the ball, dribbled the length of the court and scored, giving the visitors a 12-7 advantage after the first eight minutes of play.

The visitors were up 29-11 at the half and 37-18 after three periods. With that said, there were many exciting moments on the court between two teams vying for their first win. Unfortunately, the Wolverines found themselves in a bit of foul trouble in the early going; they committed 13 personals in the first half. Rothwell’s basket underneath from Calla Orino opened up a double-digit lead for Telstar. A second three by Evans with 3:27 left until halftime made it 22-7.

Brianna Colson-Orr finally netted a baseline jumper for Wiscasset and then late in the period Waltz made a nifty hook shot on an inbounds pass. With just 30 ticks left on the clock before the half, Brooklyn Kimball banked a trifecta off the glass for the Rebels.

Waltz netted Wiscasset’s first points of the second half, a three, just past the midway point of the third period. The Wolverines scored six unanswered points in the final period beginning with a basket by D’Nisha Dawkins, the first of three Wolverine substitutes to enter the game and put points on the scoreboard.

Waltz, in foul trouble early, finished the night with 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Olson-Orr had six points and six rebounds. Kylie Peoples, also in foul trouble, had four points, four rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.

Orina finished with 14 points; Rothwell, 12 points and 21 rebounds. Rothwell by the way is among the MVC’s leading scorers and rebounders.  The two teams will meet again Wednesday, Jan 29 in Bethel.  

Roadrunners win

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Kyle Peoples’ had 12 rebounds, 10 blocked shots and five steals against Mt. Abram in Salem. The Roadrunners won 34-27. Trask scored a team high nine points, with Waltz chipping in with seven points and eight rebounds.

Mt. Abram was ahead 18-9 at halftime and led by seven after three periods. Both teams netted five points in the final period. Maddy Phelps scored a game high 15 points.

There’s one more chance to see the Wolverine girls at home this season. They’ll host Lisbon Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m.

Josh Jones launched and swished a final three for the Wolverines on Senior Night, the game recognizing members of the class of 2020, but Telstar High School won 79-44 at Stover Auditorium Friday night.  

Davin Mason scored 20 points, 10 in each half and three other players were in double figures for the Rebels. Along with Jones, seniors Wolverine Coach Jamie Jones recognized were Billy Pinkham, the team’s best ball handler and three-point shooter, and Noah Haggett, the team’s top rebounder and leading scorer.

Balanced scoring and good ball control did the trick for Telstar who improved its Mountain Valley Conference record to 3-11. The Rebels also sunk 22 of 40 attempts from the free throw line. The Wolverines, still winless, went to the foul line nine times and made two. The Rebels scored the first eight points of the game before Pinkham knocked down the game’s first trifecta, a nice rainbow from behind the key. A second three from Brett Osmond with 3:30 left in the period made it 12-10. The Rebels regrouped and had worked their lead to seven, 18-11, when the buzzer sounded.

Pinkham scored the second quarter’s first points, a baseline jumper. After Haggett scored at 4:06, Pinkham hit his second three after a Telstar turnover. Pinkham then hit his second field goal. Osmond’s layup capped what turned out to be a 9-0 Wiscasset run. It briefly made it a five-point game, 29-24. That was as close as the Wolverines would come.

Logan Sumner, who scored in every period for Telstar, had four points in the period. The Rebels were up by 11, 35-24, at halftime. The Wolverines got off to a slow start in the second half. The team’s first basket didn’t come until the midway point of the third, with Haggett banking in a three. By that point, the visitors were comfortably in front, 48-27.

Along with Jones, Osmond and Pinkham had three-points in the final quarter for WMHS. Johnny Spies, Marshall Weeks and Aiden Foley played well off the bench for the Wolverines who were without the services of starter Matt Eckert. Pinkham finished with 18 points, Osmond 12, Haggett seven and Jones five. Sumner had 17 for Telstar.

Cobras by 31

The Wolverines scored a season high 53 points at Carrabec High School but lost to the Cobras 84-53 Tuesday night, Jan. 21.

“Offensively we played aggressively and had good ball movement,” Jones commented afterwards. “Billy’s balanced attack in the post and on the perimeter led to his season high 22 points. Brett consistently created open looks for his teammates and scored 16 points.” Pinkham finished the game with four threes, two in the first period and two in the fourth. Osmond scored in every period, including six field goals in the third period. Kasey Mills and Haggett chipped in with five points each. WMHS made nine of 14 foul shots.

The Cobras outscored their guests in every period, 27-13, 17-9, 17-13 and 20-20. Carrabec had three players in double figures. Luke Carey finished with a game high 18 points. Bryson Boston and Dan Handley each had 16. The team was seven of 24 from the foul line.

The Wolverines will host Madison at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is once again partnering with Great Salt Bay Community School’s PTO to host the sixth annual Winter Fest, a free, family-friendly outdoor celebration of winter. This year the event will take place at Coastal Rivers’ Salt Bay Farm on Belvedere Road in Damariscotta on Sunday, Feb. 9 from noon to 3 p.m.

Kids and grown-ups alike are invited to go sledding, try out a snowshoe obstacle course and other snowshoe games, make an animal tracks craft, enjoy free hot dogs and hot cocoa, and warm up by a campfire with marshmallows for roasting.

Thanks to a grant from the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend School Partnerships Fund in 2018, adult and kid-sized snowshoes will available to borrow.

A rain or no-snow date has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15 at the same time. For more information, call (207) 563-1393, email info@coastalrivers.org, or visit www.coastalrivers.org

By the light of a full moon, the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) welcomes the public to explore Thorne Head Preserve in Bath for owls on Friday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Led by Maine Master Naturalist Alan Seamans, participants of all ages will listen to different owl calls, explore what makes a good owl home, and learn fun facts about these nighttime birds of prey. This is a free event.

Maine is home to eleven owl species, who spend all or part of the year in the state. These nocturnal predators can live in a variety of habitats from dense woodlands, to marshes, to urban environments like golf courses or airports. Seamans will share recordings of various owl calls as he leads prowlers on a walk through the preserve. Meeting at dusk will optimize chances of seeing or hearing owls as wintertime is their mating season. Owls will be listening for possible mates and more eager to respond to calls, even if they come from a recording.

Prowlers should wear footwear with excellent tread and/or bring micro-spikes for traction on potentially icy trails. Packing a headlamp and dressing to spend 1-1 ½ hours outdoors is strongly encouraged. Please sign up at www.kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400. To get to Thorne Head Preserve, take High Street north out of Bath to the very end of the street, ~2.1 miles north of the intersection of High and Centre streets.

Madison led from the opening tip-off winning 73-18 over Wiscasset Middle High School Monday night at Stover Auditorium in Mountain Valley Conference basketball action.

The game began with Madison’s Caden Franzose launching and hitting a three pointer from the left side of the basket. The Wolverines’ first points came from a three Noah Haggett tossed in at 3:50. His basket accounted for the team’s only points of the first period as the Bulldogs went up 19-3. Cameron Cobb netted nine of the Bulldogs’ first period points.

The visitors outscored WMHS 18-4 in the second period, 19-4 in the third and 16-8 in the final eight minutes of play. With 3:50 left until the half, Christian Cabrera’s fast break basket opened up a 21-3 lead. Dimitri Turcotte’s trifecta put the Bulldogs up 34-3. With the clock winding down until halftime, the Wolverine offense got into gear. Billy Pinkham rebounded and scored from under the basket. After forcing a turnover, Dillon Leeman drove to the hoop and laid in a basket.

Also in the game, Wolverine Johnny Spies blocked a shot. And Leeman’s ball handling skills continue to improve and Gavin Loupe coming off the bench grabbed a rebound or two. Pinkham, who finished with 10 points, hit a three late in the fourth period. The game ended on a positive note when Haggett hit a basket as the final buzzer sounded. Haggett finished with six points, Leeman two and Loupe one.

Cobb had a game high 13 points. Aiden Ostiguy had 11. Campbell finished with10, eight in the second period. WMHS made two of six free throws. Madison was eight of 18.

Wiscasset’s final games will be on the road versus Dirigo and Telstar. And on Saturday, Feb. 8, WMHS will participate in the Richmond Junior Varsity Tournament. The Wolverines boys will play Richmond at 9 a.m. and Vinyl Haven at 11.

Midcoast Conservancy will offer a full moon hike (or snowshoe, if there is snow on the ground) at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6-8 p.m. Hikers can enjoy a crisp evening illuminated by the glow of the Full “Snow Moon” and discover a new way of being in the woods. At night, sounds become more pronounced; the group will listen for owls and the rustling of nighttime foragers along the trail.

Participants should meet at the HVNC gate at 5:45 p.m.; hikers should dress warmly, wear shoes with good grips and bring a hiking stick if desired, along with a snack, drink and flashlight or headlamp. The hike guide will lead the group to shore of Little Dyer Pond to watch the moon rise over the water. The hike will be about 40 minutes each way, and of moderate ease. Snowshoes are available by reservation, or participants can bring their own, in the event of snow.

For more information or to register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/full-moon-hike-11/ or call (207) 389-5150.

The Wolverine boys closed out their Mountain Valley Conference basketball season with a 97-26 loss to Telstar High School at Bethel Wednesday night, Jan. 29.

The hot-shooting Rebels held Wiscasset Middle High School to just two points in the first period, those coming on a pair of foul shots sunk by Billy Pinkham. Pinkham canned a three and a field goal in the second period and Brett Osmond hit two foul shots.

The Rebels were up 27-2 after one period and 49-9 at the half. Josh Jones launched and sunk a three-point basket for the Wolverines in the third period. Noah Haggett and Johnny Spies each had a field goal. Pinkham finished with eight points. Spies and Marshall Weeks had four points apiece; Osmond, Dillon Leeman and Haggett had two points each and Aiden Foley hit a foul shot.

WMHS had a pretty good night from the free throw line, netting eight of 12 attempts. Telstar had three players in double scoring figures. Davin Mason had a night to remember. He scored in every period, finishing with 32 points –16 in the first period, including a three. Logan Sumner netted 20 points and Brayden Stevens had an even dozen.

The hosts made 14 of 29 foul shots, Sumner making four of six from the foul line.

The Rebels outscored WMHS 27-1 in the first period, 22-9 in the second, 27-12 in the third and 21-5 in the final eight minutes of play. Wolverine Coach Jamie Jones noted afterwards it was the team’s third game in three days. The previous night, the team played at Dirigo, and Wiscasset hosted Madison on Monday, Jan. 27.

“It didn’t deter our guys from playing hard from start to finish and giving everything they had left.” He added, freshman Johnny Spies, a newcomer to the game this season, played another strong game. “He was tenacious on the defensive end making plays for us throughout the night.”

The Wolverines finished the regular season winless in 18 tries.

WMHS will play in a jayvee tournament at Richmond High School Feb. 8. Wiscasset will play Richmond and then Vinalhaven High School.

The Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association will hold its annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby on Wiley Pond from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the club property at 447 Dover Road, Boothbay.
Wiley Pond has again been opened by the state for kids-only (under 16) ice fishing for the month of February. The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocked the pond with brook trout this past fall specifically for ice fishing.

The Derby will be open to the public, and the club gate will be open so that participants can drive up into the club parking lot adjacent to the pond. The club house will be heated and open to all, with a free lunch of hot dogs, pizza, chips, and drinks. There is no entry fee.

IF&W rules allow a maximum of two traps or fishing rods per child. No finfish (shiners, smelts, etc.) alive or dead will be allowed as bait during the derby, but worms and artificial lures are permitted. A maximum of two trout per child per day may be legally retained. The club has a limited number of loaner traps that entrants may use, and folks with ice augers will be available for drilling holes.
The club will encourage catch and release during the event, and member volunteers will come around to measure and record any fish that are to be released. Released fish have the same opportunity for winning prizes as fish that are retained.

Five cash prizes of $100, $50, $25, $20, and $20 will be awarded respectively for the five largest (longest overall length) brook trout caught. The awards ceremony will be held in the club house at 2 p.m. and will include plenty of door prizes.

In the event of postponement due to weather or ice conditions, the club will post a notice on its Facebook page, Boothbay Region Fish and Game Association. The weather date is Feb. 22.

For more information contact Martin Page at (207) 380-9282.

“You might just have to take two, if they’re stuck together,” Dave Sawyer told Recreation Programmer Chelsea Taylor as she had one pancake in the tongs and a hanger-on at Saturday’s breakfast at Winterfest at Wiscasset Community Center. Taylor and fiancé Ben Richards were returning from a hike she gave in lieu of snowshoeing, lost to mild weather. 

Sawyer and fellow masons from Lincoln Lodge in Wiscasset were volunteering in the kitchen.

“It’s a bummer” to not have the snowshoeing, but she might hold another trek later this winter with snowshoes from Midcoast Conservancy, Taylor said. Saturday’s hike had about six takers, she said.

Snow or no, Aquatics Director of 22 years Lori LaPointe said she still enjoys Winterfest every year. “Absolutely. I love it. You get to see all the community members and we have the big pool party.” The party and most of Winterfest went on snow-free. Ice skating and snowmobiling were off, Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud said.

“I do wish there was snow,” Goud said about an hour into Saturday’s activities. He said he might look at moving Winterfest a little later next winter to raise the chances of snow cover. Plus, then youth basketball would be over, freeing up the gym, he said.

Trivia Night, Winterfest’s kickoff Friday night, got a good turnout of close to 60 people, Goud said. Winners Taylor later shared with Wiscasset Newspaper were the Osmond family, first place; the Bickford family, second; and the Lincoln family, third. Taylor said Wood Field Farm’s free horse carriage rides Carl M.P. Larrabee Insurance sponsored were a big hit Saturday.

In the lobby, Wiscasset’s Russell and Pat Cloutier were repeat volunteers on sales in a “Chuck a duck” raffle. And Atlantic Partners EMS Traffic Safety Educator Rick Tarr of Boothbay Harbor was hoping for takers on his offer to event-goers to get behind the wheel of a simulator about texting while driving. Looking outside and smiling, he said, “It’s a Winterfest without the winter.”

Daryna Yesyp, 16, of Ukraine was volunteering at her first Winterfest at WCC. Studying at Wiscasset Middle High School this school year, she is about six months into her Wiscasset stay, she said. Her hometown is bigger than Wiscasset, by about 40,000 people. “I really like it, Wiscasset. Everybody knows each other,” she said. Fellow Winterfest volunteer Colleen Gilliam of Wiscasset manned the senior center entrance with her at the breakfast. Gilliam, newly on the Cooper-DiPerri Scholarship Committee, likes its cause of helping provide access to the department’s programs.

The Wolverines outscored visiting Lisbon 16-11 in the final period but fell short losing 47-35. Saturday’s basketball game at Stover Auditorium was the Mountain Valley Conference season finale for Wiscasset Middle High School.

Kateleen Trask put 10 points on the scoreboard for Wiscasset in the game’s final eight minutes that included hitting two threes in the closing minutes. The Greyhounds were ahead 12-8 after one period when the lead changed three times. The visitors then went on a roll scoring 11 unanswered points in the second period, Kiley Merritt putting six of those points on the scoreboard staking the Greyhounds to a 23-8 halftime lead.

Lisbon shut down the Wolverine offense until halfway through the third period. Trask ended the drought swishing a jump shot. The Wolverines finally came to life when freshman guard Kailee Colby entered the game. Colby came off the bench and hit two threes and suddenly the score was 34-19. Her second three came with just 20 ticks left in the period, forcing the Lisbon bench to call a timeout.

The fourth period started with Colby dribbling by two Lisbon defenders and scoring. Lisbon answered on its next possession, but a steal and basket by Brianna Olsen-Orr trimmed Lisbon’s lead to 17. With three minutes left to play? the Wolverines went on a 5-0 run. Trask’s three in the closing minute cut Lisbon’s lead to 11, 44-33. With 36 ticks left in the game, Trask stole the ball at half-court, dribbled to the hoop and scored, making it a 44-35 ballgame. That was as close as the Wolverines would come.

Colby finished with nine points, a season high for her. Olsen-Orr had four, Kylie Peoples and Waltz two, and Latisha Wright hit a foul shot. Peoples grabbed 12 rebounds, Madison Carrier nine. Lisbon’s Giana Russo netted 13 points, including two threes in the first half. Charlee Cox had nine. Emma Wiley went four for four on the foul line. Lisbon, a class B high school, improves to 10-7. WMHS finishes the MVC season at 0-18.

Cougars win

Trask scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and had a steal for the Wolverines in a 50-32 loss to Dirigo at Dixfield Jan 28. WMHS had just three points in the first half. The Cougars led 24-3 after the first eight minutes and 32-3 at halftime. The Wolverines outscored their hosts 29-18 in the second half.

Waltz finished the game with seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Carrier has six points and grabbed 10 rebounds as well. Trask had three trifectas, Waltz had one. Wiscasset made four of five foul shots. Olson-Orr and Colby had two points each.

Rebels roll

Telstar outscored WMHS in every period, winning 52-27 at Bethel Jan. 16. Wiscasset’s Zoe Waltz netted 14 points including a three and Kylie people blocked three Rebel shots. Telstar led 15-7 after the first period, 25-12 at the half and 43-20 going into the final quarter.

Carrier had five points and five rebounds. Olson-Orr and Trask each scored four points.  

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour, hosted by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, returns to Damariscotta at 7 p.m. on March 2 at the Lincoln Theater with a curated selection of the festival’s 2020 films. Now in its 17th year, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour is a selection of short films from the annual festival held the third week of January in Nevada City, California. The films speak to environmental concerns, outdoor adventure, and finding connection to nature.

The nine short films to be screened on March 2 include “The Guardian Elephant Warriors of Reteti,” which documents the work of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the first ever community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa. This oasis where orphans grow up, learning to be wild so that one day they can rejoin their herds, is as much about the people as it is about elephants. It's a powerful story about the changing relationship between people and the animals they are protecting.

“In Celebration of Open Space” was produced right here in Maine. Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park pursues collaborative solutions to critical environmental problems through discovery and learning. In 2018, the institute worked with organizations and volunteers from Maine, the United States, and more than 19 different countries to enhance our understanding of the land and seascapes of Acadia National Park and surrounding areas. After volunteers spent time outside walking, observing, and recording data, they were asked: what does open space mean to you?

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in California in 2003. The festival’s namesake is in celebration of SYRCL’s landmark victory to receive “Wild & Scenic” status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River in 1999.

The five-day event in Nevada City features over 150 award-winning films and welcomes over 100 guest speakers, celebrities, and activists who bring a human face to the environmental movement. The home festival kicks-off the international tour to over 200 communities around the globe, allowing SYRCL to share their success as an environmental group with other organizations.

The festival is building a network of grassroots organizations connected by a common goal of using film to inspire activism. With the support of Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour’s National Partners, Peak Design, Klean Kanteen, EarthJustice, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and Hipcamp, the festival can reach an even larger audience.

The event is a natural extension of Coastal Rivers’ work to inspire people to act on behalf of the environment. Formerly Damariscotta River Association and Pemaquid Watershed Association, Coastal Rivers is a non-profit, membership supported, and nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of the greater Pemaquid peninsula and Damariscotta River region.

Coastal Rivers has active programs in the areas of land conservation, stewardship, community education, water quality monitoring, marine conservation and cultural preservation.

The Lincoln Theater is at 2 Theater St. in Damariscotta. Tickets are $10, $5 for kids 16 and under, and free for Coastal Rivers members, and may be reserved online at www.coastalrivers.org/events

New this year, Oysterhead Pizza Co. will offer beer, wine and pizza for sale, and Rising Tide Co-op is once again providing a complimentary dessert and coffee bar. 

For more information, call 563-1393, email info@coastalrivers.org, or visit www.coastalrivers.org

Come enjoy the beauty of winter in Maine at Merrymeeting Fields Preserve while on Nordic skis or snowshoes. On Saturday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants are welcome to join skiers and snowshoers at the Merrymeeting Preserve in Woolwich. Activities begin at 11 and will include instruction and adventure.

This event is being held thanks to a collaboration between Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Phippsburg Sportsman’s Association and MYSO - Maine Youth Sports Opportunities.

Chuck Mainville of MYSO-Maine Youth Sports Opportunities, a Nordic skiing program for area families, will be on hand to lead the cross-country skiers. The fields and nearby paths sport gentle slopes and a variety of trail lengths to make the perfect location to learn and to improve cross country ski skills.

Novice to experienced skiers and snowshoers are welcome, and registration is required. There is a limited supply of Nordic equipment and snowshoes to loan for children and adults- not all fits are available. Please include at registration if equipment is desired (boot size, height, and weight are needed to borrow ski equipment).

To get to Merrymeeting Fields Preserve, take Route 1 North to Route 127 (just across Bath Bridge on the left). Take North on 127 to Route 128 and turn left. Follow about 6 miles to Chopps Point Road, turn left. 0.9 miles to parking lot and kiosk on right. View Map.

Snow is required for this event. Therefore, date and location is subject to change based on snow conditions.

FMI visit www.kennebecestuary.org or call (207) 442-8400.

The Wolverine girls closed out their basketball season by winning one of their two games Saturday in a junior varsity tournament Richmond High School hosted. Wiscasset Middle High School won 29-17 over the host Bobcats then lost by a whisker 17-14 to Vinalhaven High.

The teams played two 10-minute halves with the usual stoppage time for fouls. The only hitch was the gym’s scoreboard and clock weren’t working, so the time and score had to be kept manually on the sideline.

Five Wolverines put points on the scoreboard against the hosts. Kylie Peoples hit the team’s first basket, launching and swishing a three-pointer. Zoe Waltz hit a three in the opening minutes along with a layup. When the period ended, Wiscasset held a six-point advantage, 19-13. The team held Richmond to just four points in the second 10-minute half while putting 10 more points on the scoreboard.  

The Wolverines matched up well against the Bobcats. “We played man-to-man the whole game and did well at both ends of the court,” said Assistant Coach Bob Applebee. Waltz finished with eight points. Peoples and Madison Carrier each had seven. Other Wolverine scorers were Brianna Colson-Orr, D’Nisha Dawkins and Emily Richardson. Kara Brillant netted eight points for the Bobcats.

Wiscasset led early against the Vinalhaven team, about 30 minutes late to the gym. The game started with Peoples blocking a Viking shot. Waltz scored the game’s first points when she drew a foul and went two for two from the free throw line. Carrier hit a three from the left side of the arc, putting the Wolverines up 5-2. The Vikings scored five unanswered points in the closing minutes of the half. Jazmyn Robishaw’s basket on the team’s final possession put her team up 7-5.

Vinalhaven never trailed in the second half. Back-to-back baskets by Maddy Miller put the islanders ahead 11-5. Waltz then hit a huge three, WMHS’s first points of the second half, and suddenly it was an 11-8 ballgame. In the final minute, a three by Waltz from the corner made it a one-point game 15-14. Vinalhaven then hit a pair of foul shot to salt this one away.

Waltz finished with a team high eight. Carrier had four, Peoples two.

The Wolverine boys’ jayvee played hard but lost both of its games. The team dropped the first game 36-7 to the Bobcats. RHS outscored Wiscasset 22-1 in the first half and 14-6 in the second. Freshman Ricky York had a good second half for the Wolverines with a pair of rebounds and back-to-back baskets late, a three-pointer and a field goal. He finished with a team high five points. Wiscasset’s other scorers were Dillion Leeman and Kasey Mills.

In the second game, Vinalhaven got off to a fast start and won big, 38-9. Wiscasset regrouped and played better in the second half. Johnny Spies and Aiden Foley both hit trifectas for Wiscasset. Mills and Cory Ricker led the team under the backboards.

The 13th annual Karl’s Kids Ski Day fundraiser will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7 at Sugarloaf. Since its inception, Karl’s Kids has helped more than 1,600 children in Lincoln County over the past 13 years.

Karl’s Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping less fortunate Lincoln County youth, up to age 18, participate in athletics by providing all kinds of sports equipment such as sneakers, cleats, football equipment, soccer equipment, basketballs, team uniforms, scuba gear, helmets, bicycles, and more.

This year’s event kicks off on Friday, March 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Sugar Bowl for a family night of food, games, and fun, proceeds benefiting Karl’s Kids. The following morning, Saturday, March 7 the slopes will become a winter wonderland of activities. There will be skiing all day followed by a fun race on the Boardwalk racecourse from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A $5 donation to Karl’s Kids will provide two runs for a chance to win prizes for fastest run, slowest run and craziest dressed skier. Auction items will be available for bidding all day at the Sugarloaf Hotel. The closing reception will take place at the Sugarloaf Hotel after the race from 4:30 to 6 p.m. with free hors d’ oeuvres and beverages for children, a cash bar, announcement of the ski race winners, and closing remarks.

This year’s auction items will entice buyers with the most discerning eye. Auction items include, but are not limited to: variety of Coastal Waters Cruises; Sugarloaf Golf & Stay; Red Sox tickets; lobster bake for eight; many restaurant and Reny’s gift certificates, and lots of other wicked good stuff.

Sugarloaf will give a room/lodging discount to folks who mention Karl’s Kids 2020 when they book through 1-800-THE-LOAF. Discounted lift ticket vouchers are available to all Karl’s Kids participants by contacting berger@tidewater.net

If you are interested in making a difference in children’s lives, a contribution can be made to Karl’s Kids, c/o Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club, 110 Gibbs Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578. Sponsorships and auction items are appreciated.

Karl’s Kids is a Damariscotta/Newcastle, Maine Rotary Club community outreach program dedicated to the memory of long-time Rotarian, Karl F. Berger. If you are a parent, coach, teacher, mentor or friend of a child in need, please visit www.karlskids.org and complete the grant application. Information is kept strictly confidential and not released to the general public.

After a successful and exciting inaugural season, MidCoast Cal Ripken is happy to welcome the town of Richmond to the league. Richmond youth baseball/softball players ages 9-12 will now be competing under the MidCoast banner. Games will be played against Boothbay Region, Wiscasset, Bath, Brunswick, Durham, Auburn, Lisbon and potentially any other town or regional leagues located throughout Midcoast Maine.

Teams throughout the league will be divided by age group as Minors age 9-10 and Majors age 11-12. Wiscasset, Boothbay and Richmond will be holding league signups starting around Feb. 15 but each town will establish specific sign up dates as necessary. This year it will be possible for all players to register electronically through the Wiscasset Recreation Department’s website under a MidCoast Cal Ripken link. Each town/region will have a specific portal to register players. Traditional paper registration sessions will be held in each town, times and dates to be announced.

The season is expected to start around the third week of April and will consist of 12 regular season games. Tournament teams will be selected toward the end of the season to compete in district and state tournaments starting late May.

In addition to the Cal Ripken divisions, there will be a new opportunity for players aged 13-15 to play Babe Ruth League baseball also starting in late May, around the time middle school baseball is winding down. More details on Coastal Babe Ruth signups and dates will be released in the near future.

All age appropriate youth in the towns of Richmond, Wiscasset, Westport, Alna, Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Trevett, Dresden, Pittston, Newcastle, Damariscotta and Whitefield are encouraged to participate.

For more information about Cal Ripken registration in your area you can contact the following league representatives: Wiscasset: Duane Goud (207) 380-1698 dgoud@wiscassetrec.com; Boothbay Region: John Splaine (207) 751-9065 velonut1@myfairpoint.net; Richmond: Michelle Snowden (207) 737-4305 ext. 350 recreation@richmondmaine.com

Once again this, 106.9 FRANK FM (WBQX, Thomaston) will be broadcast several tournament basketball games from the Augusta Civic Center, featuring several schools in the Midcoast and Central Maine area. FRANK’s radio coverage will include the Medomak Valley boys and birls, Cony boys, Gardiner birls, Erskine Academy girls, Boothbay boys and girls, Vinalhaven boys and girls and the North Haven girls.

Don Shields will again be calling the play by play action, with Terry Spear and Chris Seavey working alongside to provide the analysis, marking the station’s 10th year of tournament coverage. Along with being heard on 106.9 FRANK FM, the games will also be streamed via a link on the station’s Facebook Page at www.mixlr.com/1069bball.

Quarterfinals

Friday, Feb. 14

Medomak Valley girls vs. Gardiner – 5:15 p.m. pregame

Erskine Academy girls vs. Lawrence – 7:15 p.m. pregame

Saturday, Feb. 15

Vinalhaven girls vs. Rangeley - 10:15 a.m. pregame

Medomak Valley boys vs. Skowhegan – 3:45 p.m.

Cony boys vs. Lawrence – 5:15 p.m. pregame

Monday, Feb. 17

Vinalhaven boys vs. Rangeley – 10:15 a.m. pregame

North Haven girls vs. Greenville – 1:15 p.m. pregame

Boothbay boys vs. Mt. Abram/Buckfield winner – 3:45 p.m. pregame

Tuesday Feb. 18

Boothbay girls vs. Sacopee Valley – 5:15 p.m. pregame

Semifinals (All games based on quarterfinal wins)

Wednesday, February 19

Vinalhaven boys – 9:45 a.m. pregame

Medomak/Gardiner winner – 1:45 p.m. pregame

Erskine Academy girls – 3:30 p.m. pregame

Medomak and/or Cony boys – 6:45 p.m. pregame

Thursday, Feb. 20

Vinalhaven Girls – 9:45 a.m. pregame

North Haven girls – 11:30 a.m. pregame

Boothbay girls – 1:45 p.m. pregame

Boothbay boys – 6:45 p.m. pregame

Regional finals (All games based on semifinal wins)

Friday, Feb. 21

Gardiner, Medomak and/or Erskine Academy girls - 5:45 p.m. pregame

Cony and/or Medomak boys - 7:30 p.m. pregame

Saturday, Feb. 22

Vinalhaven or North Haven girls - 12:45 pregame

Vinalhaven boys - 2:30 p.m. pregame

Boothbay girls - 5:45 p.m. pregame

Boothbay boys – 7:30 p.m. pregame

State championship games

Friday, Feb. 28 or Saturday, Feb. 29

The Mountain Valley Conference announced its high school winter sports all-star teams this week. Wiscasset Middle High School boys and girls basketball players were honored by the recent votes of the league’s coaches.

Girls players receiving honorable mention were Kylie Peoples and Zoe Waltz. The boys player receiving honorable mention was Billy Pinkham.

Named academic all-stars were Joshua Jones, Kaitlyn Main, Natalie Potter, Jade Rego, Lily Souza, Cara Viele and Maria West.

The Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association’s annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby was held on Wily Pond on Saturday, Feb. 15, and despite temperatures barely above zero for the 8 a.m. start and some “challenging” fishing compared to some previous derbies, sunny skies, a warm club house, safe ice, and lots of enthusiasm helped make the event another big success

Fifty-four kids under the age of 16 and some 35 adults turned out for the derby. Approximately 40 brook trout were caught (with many released), and 18 were entered in the contest by the 2 p.m. deadline. First place, good for $100 cash and a beautiful trophy, went to Dylan Chryplewicz for his 15 ¼” fish. Second place, for $50 cash and a trophy, was won by five-year-old Ben Alley for his trout, which measured 14 7/8”. Abbie Clark finished third and received $25 cash and a trophy for her 14 3/4” fish. Robbie Shaw collected $20 for catching the first trout of the derby, which measured 9 ½”, and Ben Alley added $20 to his winnings by catching the last fish entered, which measured 9”. Other notable catches included Ryan Clark’s 14 ½-incher, Anthony Barter’s 14 ¼-incher, Ethan Clark’s 12 7/8-incher, and an 8 ¾-inch trout taken by Chase Carver.

After the fish awards were given out by Official Fish-Measurer Michelle Bryer, every young contestant attending the ceremony at the club house went home with a door prize, ranging from rod and reel outfits to hats and bandanas to bags of popcorn and fishing tackle.

Kids and adults alike enjoyed free pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, hot chocolate, venison and moose stew, baked beans, American chop suey, cookies, brownies, and soft drinks in the club house during the derby. Loaner ice traps, tackle, and bait were available to those who were new to the sport, and there were plenty of willing adults with ice augers to drill holes.

The club wishes to extend thanks to those who contributed prizes, food, or their time, including Jeff at Ames Supply, Tim and Deb at T&D Variety, Steve Wood, Bobo at Hometown Convenience, Dan Williams, Dabney Lewis, Andy and Reese Davis, Betty Maddocks of Janson’s Clothing, Julie Roberts of Coastal Maine Popcorn, Carl Jordan, Matt and Heidi Spurgin, Billy Smith, Pat Lavalley, Andrea Kelly, and Kathy Page. Special thanks also to Fish & Game Club members Dennis Blackman, John Splaine, Timber Brown, Michelle Bryer, Keith Royal, Jonathan Tuell, Paul Perry, and Ken Anderson for all their contributions, and major kudos to Derby Director Martin Page for providing the trophies and for all his time and effort in putting together yet another successful Derby that went off without a hitch.

The Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby, which is free and open to all children under the age of 16, has become a popular winter event in the Boothbay Region and the club is planning to hold it again next February.