Midcoast Conservancy will offer two spring walks with bird experts Howie Nielsen and Jonathan Alderfer, who will share their bird identification skills. The first walk will be on May 12 from 7 to 10 a.m.; the second will be on Saturday, May 29, from 7 to 10 a.m. Each will be a short-distance, slow walk at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson to enjoy the birds of woodland and bog habitats. The group will explore the wonders of Hidden Valley’s kettle hole bog from the boardwalk that extends well into the bog. Nielsen is world renowned birder with local roots and expertise. Alderfer is a nationally known bird artist and author who has worked on many of National Geographic’s birding books.

Attendees should bring binoculars if possible, although they are not absolutely necessary, and have appropriate footwear for wet and muddy conditions and tick-deterrent clothing or repellent. Rain date for each walk is the following day. For more information or to register, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/explore/events/

Now that Maine frogs are starting to emerge and sing their spring songs, it is a good time of year to find and observe them. From 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 9, Coastal Rivers Education Director Sarah Gladu will host an online program about Maine frogs.

Gladu will talk about the variety of different frogs found in the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region, how to identify them by their song, and how to locate them. Participants will learn about interesting behaviors and characteristics, and why frogs are important in our local habitats. Gladu will also discuss some threats to frog populations and share ideas for helping to protect frogs and other amphibians locally.

Thanks to member support, this program is free of charge. To join using Zoom, participants must register online at coastalrivers.org/events

The program will be recorded and shared with all those who register, regardless of whether they are able to attend.

With a 28-year career in environmental education, Gladu is director of Education and Environmental Monitoring for Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. She has a master’s degree in environmental learning and leadership from the University of Minnesota.

Coastal Rivers is a non-profit, member-supported, nationally accredited land trust with active programs in land conservation, water quality, trails and public access, and nature education in the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region.

For more information, email info@coastalrivers.org or visit coastalrivers.org

In a split vote March 30, Alna’s appeals board decided David Buczkowski – who voted in appeals involving Jeff Spinney’s shoreland project – was not “a full member of the board.” Then, the board split again: David Abbott sat out that one because he did not vote on those appeals, which project opponents filed. So Spinney’s request the board reconsider its March 4 decision favoring the appellants came down to members Mary Bowers and Alex Pugh.

Bowers voted to reconsider; Pugh, against. “So (the motion) fails. That means we don’t reconsider,” Pugh said.

Afterward, Spinney’s lawyer Kristin Collins, in the Zoom meeting, and Spinney, in a phone interview, reacted to the night’s votes. Collins told the board its vote on Buczkowski’s membership invalidated his votes. “And that would result in a 1-1 vote on all of those votes that were split ... which means the appeal actually fails,” Collins said.

Appellant Allen Philbrick countered, Collins’ point might be valid – if deciding Buczkowski’s membership was within the board’s purview. It is not, Philbrick said. He said Maine Municipal Association (MMA) said only a court could retroactively decide if Buczkowski was a member.

Spinney told Wiscasset Newspaper, “The only things (the appellants) won against me fail, because of (the membership of) Dave Buczkowski being invalid. So they don’t revoke my planning board permit.” And his only restrictions are the ones in his voluntary settlement agreement with selectmen, he said.

Appellant Cathy Johnson’s take on the March 30 votes differed from Spinney’s. Responding to an email request for comment, Johnson wrote: “We are gratified by the board of appeals’ decision to deny reconsideration of its March 4 decision. Jeff Spinney constructed the permanent motor boat ramp at his own risk while both the Alna and (Department of Environmental Protection) appeals were pending. The board of appeals’ decision means that Jeff Spinney does not have a valid Alna shoreland zoning permit which both the town and the DEP require.”

Buczkowski resigned after MMA advised then-Second Selectman Doug Baston March 19, municipal officers must be Maine residents. Buczkowski said he was not. 

In other action March 30, Pugh and Bowers made Abbott the new chair. 

Wiscasset Middle High School is planning for the return of spring sports. Track meets and tennis matches are planned along with softball and baseball skills clinics. Warren Cossette, assistant principal and athletic director, said the programs will strictly adhere to all Maine Principals’ Association-recommended COVID-19 protocols. The focus, Cossette continued, will be on ensuring the health and safety of student athletes, coaches and fans.

Veteran coaches Josiah Winchenbach and Chris Hammond are returning to lead the Wolverine track and field and tennis teams, while Chelsea Taylor and Phil Di Vece will coordinate the intramural softball and baseball programs with the goal of returning to Mountain Valley Conference competition in 2022. The softball and baseball skills clinics are open to students in grades six through 12.

Weather permitting, track and tennis practices start the week of April 5.

Cossette has released a track schedule after coordinating with other MVC members.

WMHS hosts its first track meet during spring vacation week, Thursday, April 22 with Boothbay Region and Monmouth. The second meet will be April 29 with BBR, Winthrop and Richmond high schools. Three other home meets are set for May 4, 12 and 18. The MVC championship meet will be hosted by Lisbon High School May 27, with the Class C state meet June 5 at Brewer High School. Meet dates are subject to postponement depending on the weather, or cancellation, due to COVID-19.

Cossette is still firming up this spring’s tennis schedule. Hammond said there would only be a girls’ team because not enough boys signed up.

“So far, I am expecting about 10 girls, and three boys; the boys are taking part in an intramural program,” Hammond told Wiscasset Newspaper.

“I don’t think anyone has expectations for the season, other than to have fun, and to do so while being safe. We should have a limited experience team, and I am hoping they will leave the season with a continued desire to play the game. There is a great deal of excitement among the players to get outside and play. I am sure being able to play against someone outside their circle of friends for the first time in over a year adds to the excitement,” he added.  

Baseball and softball skills clinics will focus on developing throwing, fielding, pitching and hitting skills. No ballgames have been scheduled. An intramural track program is being planned for middle school students.

Freedom Boat Club of Maine is expanding to the Boothbay region, opening its fifth location at Linekin Bay Resort. Offering the most boat clubs and the largest fleet in the state, Freedom Boat Club of Maine will open this spring with five clubs and 29 new model year boats. Fleet vessels include center consoles, dual consoles, cruisers, rigid inflatables, and pontoon boats.

“We’ve had a lot of interest to open a club in the Boothbay area so are thrilled to partner with Linekin Bay Resort,” explained Steve Arnold, owner of Marina Holdings, which includes Yarmouth Boat Yard, Moose Landing Marina, and Freedom Boat Club of Maine. “It’s a beautiful resort and the boating in the Midcoast region is phenomenal. Our members are very excited.”

More than ever individuals and families are looking for safe, enjoyable ways to explore the outdoors. Freedom Boat Club offers the perfect option for those that love spending time on the water, but don’t want to deal with any of the cleaning or maintenance of boat ownership. The boat sharing model provides access to boating in a wide variety of waterways. And with a broad range of vessels, members can enjoy

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Freedom Boat Club members to our resort this summer,” stated Scott Larson, owner and managing partner of Linekin Bay Resort.  “As a Freedom Boat Club member myself, I know firsthand how great the club is. The staff is helpful and friendly, the boats are clean and well maintained, and you have a wide variety of locations to explore and types of boats to try out. You just can’t beat it.”

The Boothbay club will start out with two new vessels: a Sea Fox 22 -Foot center console and a BRIG 24’ rigid inflatable. All Freedom Boat Club of Maine members will have unlimited access to all fleet vessels at all club locations in the state, plus have reciprocal access to boats at the 265+ Freedom Boat Club locations across the U.S., Canada, and France, at no extra cost.

Other Maine Club locations: Fore Points Marina | 58 Fore Street, Portland;  Sunset Marina | 231 Front Street, South Portland; Yarmouth Boat Yard | 72 Lafayette Street, Yarmouth;  Moose Landing Marina | 32 Moose Landing Trail, Naples;  Linekin Bay Resort | 92 Wall Point Road, Boothbay Harbor.

Visitors can arrive at Linekin Bay Resort by land or by sea and enjoy delicious food and beverage options for lunch, happy hour, or dinner from the renowned Deck Bar & Grill, the resort’s waterfront restaurant. Then they can relax on the bay and enjoy some of the best views of the Midcoast region or set off to Boothbay Harbor to explore local area attractions. With its spectacular location, and friendly and inviting atmosphere, it is no wonder that Linekin Bay Resort has become Maine’s premier waterfront resort. For more information about Linekin Bay Resort, visit LinekinBayResort.com or call 207-633-2494.

Freedom Boat Club offers an affordable alternative to boat ownership. Club members enjoy maintenance-free boating and unlimited access to fleets of new model year boats at five locations in Maine plus 265+ locations across the U.S., Canada and France at no extra charge. With no repair or cleaning concerns, boaters can just enjoy creating lifelong memories on the water with their family and friends. To ensure boat availability, the club maintains a strict member to boat ratio, adding more vessels to the fleet as the membership grows. For more information, visit FreedomBoatClubMaine.com, email phanlon@freedomboatclub.com or call 207-331-5374.

It’s official: Members of Friends of Windjammer Days have chosen the T-shirt design by Maria Elaine Michael for this year’s student-designed T-shirts. Michael is in eighth grade at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES).

This year marks the third year of the Windjammer Days Student T-shirt Design Contest, the brainchild of Rosemary Bourette and daughter Jessica Nadeau, art teacher at BRES.

“Artists were asked to consider what their artwork would look like on a T-shirt when coming up with a design,” said Bourette. “The artists were encouraged to use color, but to avoid watercolor, and to use white sparingly. Some artwork had to be eliminated because it wasn’t colorful and/or it wouldn’t reproduce well.”

Michael, the daughter of Sam and Margaret Michael of Boothbay, is still quite excited about seeing her design on the T-shirts. This was the second year she entered the competition.

When she got the call from the committee, “I was very surprised. My brother was on a meeting call and I started screaming, ‘I won!’” she said. “Then I called my grandmother and friends of my parents. Their daughter-in-law wants a shirt, too, and she lives across the country.

“There was a lot of trial and error – one was really difficult – but I remembered I shouldn’t put too much on a shirt. The first one was two boats that were overlapping from a picture. Then I thought of the design with one boat. I like the boats, they’re really cool. I looked at a bunch of boats, found one I liked and drew it in colored pencils. My favorite part is the Maine flag at the top and the shadows and stuff.”

What will she do with that first prize of $500?

“A lot of times I spend money on a bunch of stuff … but I think I might save it,” she said. “And, my mom’s been telling me to save up for a car since I was 8.”

Tying for second place are Georgia Griffith and Oriana Taylor; and third place went to Rose Campbell. The designs by Bailey Ann Lewis, Duncan Hardwick, Chau Nguyen (designer of the 2020 T-shirt), Evan Merton and Jack Hurd received the same number of judges’ votes for their designs.

With a whopping 73 entries, the judges of the Windjammer Days Student T-shirt Design Contest had their work cut out for them. Here’s the list of students who submitted a design: From BRES – Kindergarten: Jonathan Bailey, Leo Barter, Emily Chappelle, Addyson Farnham, Deklin Ficht, Victoria Gatnar-Koplau, Kyleigh Maxey and Cecilia Jackson; Grade 1: David Goodwin IV; Grade 2: Rowan Barter, Leaf Halin, Finn Leeman, Landyn Peters and Iliya Sanborn; Grade 3: James Barter and Pauline Nadeau-Miller; Grade 4: Ava Barter, Sophia Gatnar-Koplau, Mia Gorey, Xavi Hall, Olivia Hardwick, Byran Hill, Dominic Holmes, Miles Hyson, Spencer Wade and Beatrice Wormwood; Grade 5: Adaline Barter and Natalie Flagg; Grade 6: Meredith Ames, David Frazer, Lexi Marie Hughes, Cole Hyson, Alana R. LaCourse, Titan Lewis, Jason Main, Sophia Mansfield, Chau Nguyen, Eve Pangburn and Oriana Taylor; Grade 7: Rose Campbell, Tatum French, Margaret Halter, Bailey Anne Lewis, Isaac W. Lewis, Evan Merton, Cameron Payson, Hunter Taylor, Afton Warren-Burdin and Ella Watts; Grade 8: Imij Armstead, Skyla Emily Ann Carrier and Hannah Hill; and Maria Elaine Michael, BRES/Homeschool; Boothbay Region High School: Duncan Hardwick, Grade 9. 

Southport Central School – Grade 2: Ryder Baker, Duncan Scot and Grady Gamage; Grade 3: Fiona Bishop, Charlie Hurd, Mabel R. Kaler, Scout Martin, Jessie Ullo and Kayla Watts; Grade 4: Lucy Brown, Haiden Blackman, Roxi Goodwin, Jack Hurd and Carter Townsend; Grade 5: Makayla Abbe, Georgia Griffith, Silas Kaler and Franz Finn; Grade 6: Madisyn Blackman.

Michael is looking forward to Windjammer Days this year, June 27-July 3. “My favorite part of Windjammers is actually the pirate stories – I was quite happy when they threw the coins and I caught one! – followed by the fireworks!”

For more information about the festival and your favorite events, visit www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org

At Friends of Windjammer Days’ April meeting, spirits were high as the committee chairs reported in. Discussions ensued both in person, for the first time, at Brady’s, and via Zoom for some of the volunteer members.

The Tall Ships Festival, originally planned for last year’s Bicentennial, will be a stunning prelude to Windjammer Days. The Tall Ships event docks June 24-27. Ships Spirit of Bermuda, Privateer Lynx (staying on into Windjammer Days), and the Oliver Hazard Perry will be docked near one another: Lynx at Carousel Marina (and will be available for private charter), Spirit of Bermuda, 110 feet long, is staying for one week, first at the Town Dock, then Bristol Marine; Oliver Hazard Perry’s docking is TBD. There will be deck tours all three days aboard the Perry. Tall Ship Santa Maria, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, plans to attend Windjammer Days. Stay tuned.

Tickets during Tall Ships will be available by June 1 on the WJD Festival and Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce (BHRCC) websites at $20 each: www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org and www.boothbayharbor.com. Be advised: These are historic vessels; everyone must be able to walk on their own power.

Mark Gimbel noted the group was still looking for sponsors at the $2,500 level for Harvey Gamage and Agness and Dell.

Given what everyone has been through since last March and the arrival of COVID-19, some  of this year’s vessel sponsors are naming a group or person who made the world brighter; showed caring for another person; or was a light in the darkness of uncertainty. To date, the following have been chosen for the spotlight: Kenzie Cox, Officer Larry Brown, the late Capt. Craig Murray, Maine Medical Center and Wreaths Across America.

Wreaths Across America will have an exhibit in Whale Park Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Socially distancing will be observed. The organization honors veterans and their families by laying memorial wreaths each December at Arlington National Cemetery.

A third category has been added to this year’s Porch Parade, in lieu of the Street Parade. The region’s nonprofits may be staging Land Ho! themed floats/displays in one spot. BHRCC Executive Director Lisa Walby and Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper Operations Manager Sarah Morley are working to find a location.

The Antique Boat Parade reception will be at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort. The Crab Cake Cook Off location is TBA.

Got masks? If you have not seen a Windjammer Days COVID-19 mask yet, they are selling like hotcakes, at $10 each. WJD Friend Pete Ripley said another shipment has arrived and is at Harbor Mart, 15 Commercial St., downtown. In addition to following Maine CDC guidelines, the masks support the festival. Ripley said, as of the April 13 meeting, $385 had been raised so far!

The festival is June 27 through July 3. For all up-to-the-minute details, visit www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites the public on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. to join Springtime Splendor for Amphibians: Vernal Pools of Lilly Pond. The workshop will be held at the amphibian haven, Lilly Pond Community Forest in south Bath. Led by Cheri Brunault, Stewardship Consultant, participants will explore the basics of what makes a vernal pool and discover the interesting critters that make these important seasonal habitats their home.

A vernal pool is a seasonal, fish-free pool of water that provides valuable habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife. Brunault will share information about vernal pools' ecological significance and how to identify different critters that live in these special habitats. Come ready to hike off trail and listen for chorusing amphibians calling for their springtime sweethearts!

Registration is required for this event by April 22 due to the limited class size; visit www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events to sign-up. Participants must wear a mask and remain six feet apart during the duration of the outdoor program. This is a light rain or shine event and the workshop content is targeted for adults and children 10 years old and older. This event is free and open to public thanks to the generosity of The Merrymeeting Bay Trust and Onion Foundation.

Discover fascinating facts about the spiders in your backyard! The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) welcomes Dana Wilde, author of A Backyard Book of Spiders in Maine, to speak about Maine’s diverse and captivating spider species on Thursday, April 29 at 6 p.m. The virtual evening lecture will provide curious observers of arachnids with insights into their biology, ecology, behavior, and natural history. Wilde will read pieces that explore spider bites, arachnid cognition, as well as nursery web and fishing spiders. Participants are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions during the Q&A portion of the lecture.

Registration is free and required in order to receive the Zoom link for the presentation. The Zoom link will be sent out to registrants before the event. For more information and to sign-up, visit KELT’s website at www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events or call (207) 442-8400. 

Dana Wilde lives in Troy, Maine, and writes the Backyard Naturalist column which appears regularly in the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel and occasionally in the Sun Journal newspapers, and originated in years past as the award-winning Amateur Naturalist column in the Bangor Daily News. He has been a college professor, editor, Fulbright scholar, and NEH fellow. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and doctoral and master’s degrees from Binghamton University, where his doctoral dissertation was recognized as the Distinguished Dissertation in the Humanities and Fine Arts for 1995, in part for its efforts to bridge the “two cultures” of science and the humanities. His writings have appeared in The Maine Entomologist and many popular, literary, and scholarly publications; his books include “Summer to Fall: Notes and Numina from the Maine Woods” and “Nebulae: A Backyard Cosmography.” He is a member of the Maine Entomological Society, the International Society of Arachnology, and the National Book Critics Circle.

Soon-to-be Boothbay Harbor residents Ed and Ashley Bernard are bringing Carefree Boat Club to the harbor. The franchise will be Carefree’s first in Maine and an addition to nearly 100 locations in North America, Tortola BVI, Panama and Philippines.

The Bernards wanted to find a slower-paced, community-oriented environment to raise a family while indulging in their passion for boating. Ashley is a Maine native and Ed is from Boxford, Massachusetts. Ed grew up visiting family in Woolwich and spent many summers boating up and down the Kennebec River. The couple met at University of Maine Orono in 2010, married in 2015 and, before moving to Portland in 2017, they lived in Boston, Ed working in financial services and Ashley in recruitment and administrative services.

“We both grew up in Maine and we knew this is really where we wanted to raise a family,” Ed said. “Boothbay Harbor was always the main destination for many of those childhood trips on the Kennebec. You know, I remember getting ice cream right down the street, I remember going bowling, and always was a huge fan of the food.”

Carefree came onto Ed’s radar while he lived in Boston. The business has a location there and in Danvers which is near his hometown. Citing the exorbitant costs of owning and maintaining a boat, he said the club is closer to the recreational experience he would prefer. Winterizing a vessel is about the cost of a yearly membership with Carefree, he said. “And that's before the most expensive part – the boat itself. If you own a boat and plan on, say, boating for the weekend, you're looking at I don't know how long showing up ahead of time, prepping before everyone gets there, whereas here you're just hopping online reserving a boat.

The club has one-time initiation fees for the standard, week-day and family and friends plans; and monthly dues for each plan. Every member goes through a one-to-two-hour initial training class and a two-hour on-the-water training. The membership also covers unlimited one-on-one training conducted by local certified sea captains, said Ed. The training is tailored so people can go at their own pace and members are responsible for taking the National Association of State Boating Law Administrator course, free through BoatUS, to be covered by Carefree's insurance.

The fleet will be starting with four boats – 242 CC with Twin 150’s, 220 Cobia DC and two 239 Sea Pro Deep V Series. All vessels are fully equipped including GPS, fish finder, anchors, flares, life-jackets, Bluetooth and electric heads; the only other cost besides membership is fuel. The fleet can add grow as as membership increases or demand rises; boats will be replaced every two to three years and the Boothbay Harbor Carefree franchise plans on keeping the lowest member-to-boat ratio in the industry, said Ed. Members can reserve boats online or by calling the dock phone; memberships are good for any Carefree franchise three times a year in each location.

Reserving a boat is like booking a hotel. When the member arrives at the dock to pick up the boat, deckhands will have it gassed and cleaned to Center for Disease Control standards, Ed said. The staff will help load the member’s belongings and, upon return, they will track the fuel use with their phones and charge the refill to the member’s card which is kept on file, he said.

Ed said Carefree does two things for its members: Provide boat availability and keep the fleet relevant to the region's demand. However, the Bernards provide more than just everything boating, they provide a great experience, in part by making it as safe as possible, Ed said. The safer people feel, the more boating they will want to do. In turn, that just means more fun, he said.

“Nobody's really gone anywhere, so a lot of people are looking for things to do recreationally, and you can't catch COVID out there, that's for sure.”

The other part is about providing a family and community-oriented service, Ed said. “We always knew there was a great boating community here. Now, transitioning from Portland up here into the community, everyone is so nice. You can just tell everybody wants everyone to do well, everyone seems so helpful. It's just a great place to be.”

For more information on membership plans, go to https://carefreeboats.com/locations/maine/

“After 80 years of studies warning that carbon emissions are destroying our environment, the danger is now at our doorstep. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than almost any other saltwater body in the world, driving our lobsters up the coast. Our coastal waters are growing acidic; temperatures are fluctuating, and sea levels are rising, endangering our shellfish industry. Our forests are less suitable for spruce and fir and more suitable for ticks. Climate change is threatening our jobs, damaging our health and attacking our historic relationship to the land and sea. Tonight I say, enough. Enough with studies, talk, and debate. It is time to act!” – Governor Janet T. Mills, 2019 Inaugural Address

New England Aqua Ventus, LLC (NEAV), currently developing the offshore wind demonstration project near Monhegan with floating platform technology developed by the University of Maine, has assembled the following information about the environmental and climate benefits of the project.

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world's oceans. In the last year, the hottest ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Maine in a single day were recorded. It has already begun to affect the ecosystem, and more impact is anticipated, reported Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council. Recent temperature changes in the Gulf are causing it to begin to lose its subarctic characteristics and key species in the food chain.

For instance, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute has predicted a 62% drop in lobster population by 2050. The best case for Maine by 2050 is that the southern coast will have an ocean climate similar to what Rhode Island has today – around 2.7 ºF above the 1976-2005 baseline. If carbon emissions aren’t sufficiently reduced, even the waters of Downeast Maine will feel like Rhode Island – temperatures exceeding 5.4°F above that baseline by the end of the century.

In response, Maine has developed a climate plan that, among other actions, sets a target of meeting 80% of the state's electricity needs with renewables by 2030, with offshore wind supplying a portion of that power. The first step in that direction is deployment of the demonstration turbine near Monhegan.

The demonstration wind turbine's contribution to Maine's clean energy and climate objectives will be a modest but tangible example of the environmental benefits that offshore wind can provide. The turbine off of Monhegan will interconnect with the Central Maine Power system in Lincoln County and serve Maine electricity consumers. According to the most recent data from U.S. Energy Information Administration, the turbine will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of the equivalent of approximately 5,465 Maine households or around 35% of the households in Lincoln County. In terms of its greenhouse gas reduction impact, operating the Monhegan wind turbine will be like taking 6,263 passenger cars off the road every year; recycling 9,883 tons of waste instead of landfilling it; or replacing 1,101,251 incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. The demonstration project will displace 63.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.

The deployment of additional wind turbines elsewhere in the Gulf of Maine, including the research array proposed by the Mills Administration, would multiply these environmental benefits. Through science and research, the array will determine how best to protect the Gulf of Maine’s ecology, marine users, and Maine’s overall interests as the federal government and other states plan commercial offshore wind projects in the Gulf.

April 8 was Sara Leone’s birthday. The Wiscasset High School teenager, and daughter of Teens to Trails founders Bob and Carol Leone, had a big love for the outdoors. Together with her parents and her older sister Lindsay, Sara enjoyed so many meaningful experiences in nature, from jumping in cold ocean waves to family camping to watching meteor showers light up the night sky. Sara’s inspired outdoor spirit lives on in both our organization and the scholarship that bears her name. 

Since 2008, Teens to Trails has awarded over 20 high school students Sara’s Scholarship, allowing them life-changing outdoor experiences of their own. Sara’s Scholarship winners have enjoyed sea kayaking, hiking the AT, island excursions, backpacking trips and so many more memorable summer adventures with peers.

This year, we awarded Sara’s Scholarship to four teenagers across the state, including Linnea Andersson. Like Sara, Linnea is a Wiscasset High School student. Praised by her English teacher as a person who is always willing to try something new and find value in the experience, we believed Linnea would be an ideal candidate. That recommendation, coupled with a personal essay that detailed her early memories of hikes at Morris Farm in Wiscasset, spoke to us. She writes, “I remember how dark and cool the woods were when we finally made it across the pasture during the hot days of summer and I have thought of the woods as a comfort ever since.” With her scholarship, Linnea will be attending Chewonki’s three-week Leadership Expedition on Maine’s Appalachian Trail this summer.

This openness to explore the outdoors and embrace new experiences reflects Sara Leone’s legacy. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate her birthday than providing students like Linnea with life-changing opportunities in nature. 

If you want to pay tribute to someone who loved being outdoors, please consider a memorial gift to Teens to Trails. Visit teenstotrails.org or contact Executive Director Alicia Heyburn at alicia@teenstotrails.org

Franklin Dorray came to Wiscasset Speedway decades ago with a racing crew from Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough. None of them, including Dorray, had been to the West Alna Road, Wiscasset track. They liked it and decided they would come back. Now Dorray, son of past Beech Ridge safety director Roland Meeker, comes as a fan.

The Bath man was in line and wearing a face mask Saturday, under a blue sky with clouds, as he waited to get in for opening day. At his feet was a cooler bedecked with racing stickers. What did he bring? “Diet Coke.”

In front of Dorray in line were Wiscasset’s John MacKenzie and granddaughter Peyton Johnson, almost 4. Was this her first visit to the speedway? “Oh, no,” MacKenzie said, smiling. “She’s practically been raised here.”

Interviewed separately, Dorray, MacKenzie and, in front of him, fellow Wiscasset resident John Schmiz Jr., each used the same word to describe how they felt about opening day: Excited. That was also Vanessa Jordan’s word for it. She and husband Richard own the track. She said under state COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor venues, the business could have a 75% capacity crowd and later this spring 100%.

Alna’s Maria Jenness always wonders when she finds a shoe on the side of the road: Where is the other one?

The trash she would see on her running route inspired Jenness, who works for Maine Island Trail Association, to spearhead a town-wide roadside cleanup this spring. She spread the word via Facebook and in selectmen’s Zoom meetings. Residents signed up for stretches of road and, whenever worked for them, picked up the recycleables and trash.

Saturday morning, Jenness was bagging cans, food containers, cigarette butts and, while Wiscasset Newspaper was with her on Route 218, a ladies dress shoe.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups wrappers’ bright orange color makes them easy to spot, she added.

Jenness estimated more than 50 people took part that day or earlier. She noted Alna Snowmobile Club helped clean up the roadsides, and was going around town Saturday picking up everyone’s filled bags.

Club Vice President Kristina Verney told Wiscasset Newspaper via email, “The (club) did a great job today picking up trash on many roads in Alna and also picked (up) all trash bags and tires ... others helped collect across town. We had multiple loads of trash!”

Jenness was pleased with all the participation. She would like to do it again next year, hopefully with an ending celebration she said was not possible this time given the pandemic.

Wiscasset Yacht Club’s private 12-hour sailing instruction for adults begins June 7 through September. Classes are held weekdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instruction is customized to suit the knowledge and comfort level of the participant, covering everything from why sails work to making them work. It also includes terminology, boat handling, safety, sail trim, fundamental weather, knots, and rudimentary navigation.

The cost is $175 plus basic instruction cost for non-members and $100 for members to support the WYC sailing program. For specifics and arranging your 12-hour private class, contact Tom Stoner at 207-205-2409.

WMHS practice times

(Changes may be made by individual coaches)

Intramural Softball/Baseball-2:35-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (WMHS fields)

Intramural Tennis 2:35-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (Group Option Friday) (tennis courts)

Track-3:-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (Group Option Friday) (Track)

Middle School Track- Mondays

Track and Field 2021

(All meets at home except MVC Championship and State Meet)

4/28: Boothbay, Winthrop

5/5: Boothbay, Richmond, Monmouth

5/10: Wiscasset, Boothbay, Winthrop

5/19: Wiscasset, Boothbay, Monmouth

5/27: MVC Conference Championship at Lisbon

6/5: Class C State Meet at Brewer

Meets 4:15 p.m. Wiscasset

Make-up meets will be rescheduled if possible.

Spring has arrived on the Boothbay peninsula and our local vernal pools are a flurry of activity. These seasonal bodies of water are a desirable place for some species of frogs, salamanders and insects to reproduce, as they lack the egg eating fish found in ponds and streams. For portions of the year vernal pools dry up, but each spring they fill with snow melt and rain. Each spring, amphibians migrate from the surrounding forest to mate and lay their eggs in dense jelly masses.

Many of us on the Boothbay peninsula live within walking distance of a vernal pool with its many sights and sounds. If you have never looked closely at a vernal pool, this is the time to do so. Locally wood frogs, spring peepers, and spotted salamanders are finishing up mating, and their eggs are visible in the pools' waters. Frog calls can also be heard on warm nights--some from miles away, so be sure to crack your windows or step out on the porch to enjoy the rich cacophony.

For those interested in learning more about some of the creatures that rely on vernal pools, Boothbay Region Land Trust has a fabulous free online talk on Friday, April 30 at 10 a.m.. Senior research scientist Dr. John Burns of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences will share his research on the Spotted Salamander and its symbiotic relationship with a tiny green alga in vernal pools in his talk entitled “Salamanders and Algae: From Roommates to Intimate Partners.”

Scientists have discovered an alga that invades baby salamander tissues and cells and forms the only known such association in any vertebrate. In this talk, Dr. Burns will speak about the salamander-alga association and discuss the context of why it is currently under intense scrutiny. The uniqueness of the interaction has implications for the development of our own adaptive immune systems.

To register for this talk please visit bbrlt.org/events or enter the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ncMsSjpRSGKxWQ26PsCF9g

We hope you can join us for what is sure to be a fascinating presentation.

As part of Midcoast Conservancy’s Nature Workshop series, a hike focused on animal tracking and a talk on ticks will be held in May.

The tracking event is on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will join tracker Charlie Perakis and learn to see the hidden signs of life all around at the Riverbrook Preserve in Waldoboro.

While practicing family medicine for 20 years in an underserved community in Maine, Perakis learned to connect the stories of his patients with the stories he saw written in the landscape all around him. Now retired, he spends much of his time observing the signs of wildlife and sharing his passion with others. 

Registration is required and can be found at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/nature-workshop-tracking/

On May 22, outdoor educator Robin Huntley will lead a presentation on ticks.

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are a rising concern in Midcoast Maine, and protection against ticks has become more important than ever. When armed with knowledge, it is possible to adequately manage the risk of tick-borne illness and safely spend time outdoors. With the ability to identify ticks, it’s possible to immediately gauge the level of concern necessary when a tick is found biting oneself or someone else.

In this workshop, which is intended for amateur naturalists, attendees will learn the physical characteristics and habits of the tick species found locally. Tick specimens will be provided for study, and participants will be guided in learning to identify the species and sex of ticks commonly found in the midcoast landscape.

This event is family-friendly, but is most appropriate for children eight years and older. The content is useful for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, but is especially useful for those who spend time in nature with children.

Registration for this workshop is at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/nature-workshop-tick-talk-2/

For more information on the other Nature Workshop events, go to https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/nature-workshop-series/

A popular walking trail in Dresden has been temporarily closed due to problems with unleashed dogs. Trail developer Dave Probert said the loop trail near Pownalborough Court House has consistently had problems with dog owners failing to follow leash rules.

“The signs were thrown into the bushes,” Probert told selectmen at the board’s Tuesday, April 27 meeting. Probert said as many as 400 people per month had used the trail until it was closed last year.

“When the trail started it was good news,” Justin Parker told the board. But as the trail became popular, his Common Road property became swamped with traffic. “It became a headache,” he said. Parker, who raises hunting dogs, said his border collie had to fight off a larger dog who entered their yard. “We had to post our land,” said Patty Stewart Parker, Justin’s wife.

Selectman Allan Moeller suggested  the trail access be moved to another part of Common Road. Justin Parker said eight other Common Road households had raised issues with the trail’s misuse. Probert said the only immediate action would be to post new closure signs until a solution could be formulated.

New librarian

Bridge Academy President Richard Graffam introduced newly appointed librarian Amalia Farel to the board. Farel said that when she took over the job in February, the library had been staffed by volunteers. “They did a fabulous job,” said Farel.

Having recently moved to Damariscotta from Pennsylvania, her background was in manufacturing and she had no training as a librarian, she said. Since she started in the job, she has attracted several grants to improve the library’s book collection, completed the children’s room, and is looking to attract funds to replace the windows of the old school building. “The library is just a gem,” she added.

Town Administrator Mike Faass announced the town would soon receive the first half of a $163,000 grant from The American Rescue Plan. He said the money could be used for a COVID-19 related project but not to reduce taxes. Selectman  Gerald Lilly suggested using the funds to install air quality equipment in Pownalborough Hall and the town office.

The board rejected an offer to extend the Wiscasset Ambulance Service contract to three years. “We are not going to sign anything until we see the upfront cost,” said Moeller.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites families with children aged 5-12 to join Penny Jessop for a morning of birding at Bonyun Preserve May 15. Together we will investigate our feathered friends of Westport Island, including those that live in the forest, soar through the sky, and feed along the shore. Binoculars and field guides will be made available to attendees, but you are encouraged to bring your own!

Penny Jessop, Maine Master Naturalist Volunteer, is a retired school teacher re-wired as a nature educator. Her experience serving as a nature guide at Thorncrag Sanctuary in Lewiston, equips Penny with vast birding expertise to lead us in our exploration.

This event is free and open to public thanks to the generosity of The Merrymeeting Bay Trust. Registration is required due to the limited class size. Please sign-up by calling KELT at 207-442-8400 or online at www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events/2021/4/15/kidsbirdingwalk. This is a light-rain or shine event and the course framework is geared for children ages 5-12. To get to Bunyun Preserve from Route 1, take Route 144 south 10 miles to second intersection with West Shore Road (Lower). Turn Right, go 0.25 miles to parking lot and kiosk on left.

Registration is required for this free event by May 14 due to the limited class size; visit www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events to sign-up. Participants must wear a mask and remain six feet apart during the duration of the outdoor program.

AUGUSTA — Based on the recent announcement regarding the wearing of face masks at outdoor events, the following guidelines will be in place for those events overseen by the Maine Principals’ Association. 

Masks are not required for outdoor practices and competitions.

Masks are recommended when six feet of physical distance is hard to maintain (e.g., athletes on the bench).

Masks are required when individuals go inside (e.g., to locker rooms, rest rooms, or on a bus).

Spectators are not required to wear a mask at outside events if they are able to maintain six feet of distancing.

The Wolverine boys and girls track teams finished first among four high schools in a Mountain Valley Conference Class C track meet hosted by Wiscasset Middle High School. Boothbay Region, Mountain Valley and Winthrop high schools took part.

“The weather wasn’t perfect but the meet itself went on without any problems. Coach Josiah Winchenbach deserves the credit for that,” Warren Cossette, WMHS athletic director told Wiscasset Newspaper afterwards. “It was just nice to see the kids out there competing again and enjoying themselves. Our teams did very well and we’re very proud of them and of all the kids who participated and appreciate the volunteers who helped run the meet.”

The Wolverines will host four more MVC meets beginning Wednesday, May 5, weather permitting; the rain date is Thursday, May 6. Other meets are scheduled for May 10 and 25 leading up to the MVC Class C championship meet hosted by Lisbon High School on May 27. The meets generally start between 4 and 4:15. Here are some highlights from Monday.

Girls: Reese Hesseltine, Gwen Webber and Emily Gilliam swept the 100 finishing first, second and third. Hesseltine’s winning time was 15.44 seconds. Hesseltine placed second in the 200, 33.93. Gilliam was third in the 400, 1:23.16.

Julia Truesdell placed first in the 1600, 7:18.61. Josie Harrington from Chop Point School won the 100-meter hurdles 19.11; Webber was second. Webber crossed the finish line first in the 300-meter hurdles, 58.01.

The Wolverines’ 4x100 relay team of Webber, Gilliam, Hesseltine and Harrington won its race in 58.55.

Harrington won the high jump clearing a height of 4’10”. Gilliam placed second in the triple jump leaping 22’5”. Alivia Orr took third place in the shot put. Linnea Andersson was second in the 1600 race walk.

Boys: Austin Trask and Bryan Gagnon ran first and third in the 100. Trask’s winning time was 12.62. Robert Conner won the 800, 2:25.13. Nate Gilliam took second in the 1600 and won the 3200-meter race, 12:39.30.

The Wolverines’ 4x400 relay team of Tristan Pepe, Peyton Blagdon, Gagnon and Trask won in 51.43. Johnny Spies placed third in the long jump, 14’4”. Gilliam was third in the triple jump, 24’.8”. Spies placed fourth in the shot put and took third in the discus, 77’3”. John Hodson won the javelin with a hurl of 98’9” while Spies placed third.

Kayden Ames was a standout at a Mountain Valley Conference track and field meet Wiscasset Middle High School hosted Thursday afternoon, May 6. The meet featured boy and girl student athletes from Boothbay Region High School and WMHS.

Another three-event winner, four if you count the relay race, was Josie Harrington of Chop Point School in Woolwich. Harrington, part of the Wolverine team this spring, won the 100-meter low hurdles in 18.69 seconds. She then won the 200-meter dash (31.14) and later cleared 4’10 to capture the high jump.

Ames, of Boothbay Region, swept the weights division starting with the discus, which he won on his first throw with a toss of 120’3”. Wiscasset’s Johnny Spies’ took second place; his toss measured 76’10”. Ames next won the shot put with a hurl of 38’6 and then finished the afternoon with a first place finish in the javelin at 99’5”. His wins added up to 18 points for the Seahawks.

WMHS’s Reese Hesseltine placed first in the triple jump. She leaped 25’2” besting her teammate Emily Gilliam by a quarter of an inch. Wolverine Gwen Webber won the 100-meter dash in 15.65 and Sadie Yeaton won the long jump 8’3”.

Alivia Orr was another two-event winner for the Wolverines. She won the shot put with a hurl of 20’3” and javelin event with a toss into the wind measuring 46’10”. Boothbay’s Marissa Davison was a very close second; her javelin throw measured 45’9”.

Davison won the discus; her longest throw of the day came in at 64’3”, a personal best. She placed second in the shot put, 17’4”.

Other Seahawk winners were Ava Schlosser, who won the 1600 race walk in 9.37.78. Grace Campbell won the 800 in 3:21.31. Nate Chatterton won the mile in 5:19; his teammate Ryan Clark was next at 5:58, a personal best.

The Wolverines’ Julia Truesdell won the 1600-meter race in 7:47.1.2. WMHS’ Emily Gilliam won the 400-meter dash besting BBR’s Campbell at the finish line after running neck and neck down the track. Their times were 1:17.49 and 1:19.

Other Wiscasset winners included Austin Trask in the 100 (13 seconds); Bryon Gagnon the 200 (26.26); John Hodson the 400 (1:10.18); Connor Richardson the 800 (2:24.48); Nate Gilliam the 3,200 (12.44.11) and Nate Benoit the 110-meter hurdles (25.83). 

Spies won the long jump, 15’.7”, Cory Ricker the high jump, 4’6” and Aiden Foley the triple jump, 32’6”. The Seahawk team had no entries in these events.

WMHS was unopposed in both the boys’ and girls’ relay races. The team of Webber, Hesseltine, Giliam and Harrington recorded a time of 58.74 in the 4x100, and Gagon, Payton Blagdon, Tristan Pepe and Trask recorded a time of 50.33. The 4x800 relay team of Gilliam, Chance Blagdon, Hodson and Robertson recorded a time of 11:41.

NORM’S USED CARS PRO STOCKS (50 laps - spotlight)

*Hinkley 2-time PS champ (started 2nd)

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.BRACKETT'S MARKET 4-CYLINDER PRO (25 laps)

* Hayes led green to checkers

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.MAXWELL'S MARKET SUPER STREETS (30 laps)

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SCHOONER BAY TAXI THUNDER 4 MINI (25 laps)

* Cook won on opening day 4/24 

* Cook started 12th

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WICKED GOOD VINTAGE RACERS - HOBBY (20 laps)

TOP 3

1. #38 Adison Bowie - Auburn

2. #2 Bub Dow - West Paris

3. #44 Dean Grant - Detroit

WALDOBORO — The Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame is looking for nominations of individuals or teams to be honored at its annual banquet.

Requirements to be eligible include attending one of the schools in Knox or Lincoln Counties; coached, taught, or administered at one of the schools in these counties; or made significant contributions to organized sports in these counties as an athlete, official, reporter, broadcaster, trainer, or other associated position.

All candidates must be at least 30 years old.

Nomination forms can be found online at midcoastsportshalloffame.com.

Applications close June 1.

If you have questions email Tom Mellor at ttmellorgmail.com or 691-2770.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is pleased to welcome Professor Aram Calhoun from the University of Maine for an online lecture on Thursday, May 20 at 6 p.m. Join us to learn about vernal pools, the landscapes that make it possible for them to exist, and how we can steward and support these important habitats.

Each spring, water pools in areas of Maine’s landscape, creating vernal pools. This habitat makes it possible for wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp to survive and brings the joyful sound of frog calls with the disappearing snow. These unique habitats and the creatures that live in them are an important part of Maine’s forest ecosystems. Right now, the wood frog and salamander eggs in pools across the state are hatching, and the young salamanders and frogs are starting to journey out into the nearby forests. The presentation will touch on the ecology of these systems as well as actions that we can take at the individual property owner, land trust, and community level to support vernal pools and the creatures that live in them.

Registration is free and required in order to receive the Zoom link for the presentation. The Zoom link will be sent out to registrants before the event. For more information and to sign-up, visit KELT’s website at www.kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events or call (207) 442-8400.

Aram Calhoun is a professor of Wetland Ecology in the University of Maine’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology and has been researching, teaching, and sharing information about vernal pools for more than 25 years. Her work focuses on the importance of conserving these habitats and the species that live in them on private lands by addressing both human and ecosystem needs for land use and conservation. As a result of this focus on both people and nature, her work has blended research and outreach. You can read more about her research and Maine’s vernal pools at http://www.vernalpools.me/

The stately old Segerstrom house has been removed from the Preserve at Squam Creek in Westport Island in preparation for reassembly at a new site. (Thank you, John Wallace!)  It is now time to restore the site and the original Stephen Dunton cellar hole for preservation and historic display. There remain lots of wood scraps and masonry debris from the house removal that we would like to clean up in preparation for mounting historic displays and the Friends of Westport Island scavenger hunt May 23.

We are planning two work party days: Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you could help for a couple hours on either of those days, please join us. We will be gathering the debris and loading it onto a dump trailer to take to the transfer station. Bring work gloves and, if you have one, a bucket to collect scraps in.  If you wish to bring a rake, that could be useful. You should wear thick soled shoes since there are scraps of wood with nails in them!

Anyone interested in local forestry is invited to attend a Forest Walk on Saturday, June 12, from noon to 2 p.m. at Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC). Walk hosts include HVNC Forester Barrie Brusila, HVNC Co-Founder Tracy Moskovitz, and Midcoast Conservancy Forestry and Lands Manager Tim Libby; participants will join them for a walk during which the hosts will explain the Crop Tree Release projects at Hidden Valley and how they relate to forest health, wildlife and habitat, soil and water quality, trail layout, and low impact harvest techniques.

This is the last in a three-part series. The first walk looked at the Pre-crop Tree Release; second addressed what goes on during the Crop Tree Release, and this final walk will look at what happens after crop tree release.

Participants should meet at the Barn; everyone should bring a mask and be prepared to maintain physical distancing protocols. The rain date for the event is Sunday, February 28th, from 12-2 pm. Registration for the free walk can be found at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/forest-walk-at-hidden-valley-nature-center-3/

Space is limited to 20 participants. Contact Tim Libby with any questions at tim@midcoastconservancy.org

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) has decided to bring back its innovative Summer Camp Club for a second season. In a year when many in-person summer camps are still on hiatus, the self-guided program maintains the spirit of independence and nature-discovery CMBG summer camps are known for. “It was such a success last year,” says Erika Huber, Youth & Family Program Manager, “that we wanted to offer it again, give kids another safe and memorable summer at the Gardens.”

Participating campers receive four or eight full weeks of self-guided summer camp experiences, taking place both at the Gardens and at home. In session one, “Animal Kingdom,” those experiences explore the relationships between the flora and fauna of Maine. Session two, “Minibeasts,” covers insects and other invertebrates.

Session activities will be self-guided and take place both at the Gardens and at campers’ homes. Clues for scavenger hunts, themed activities and games, experiments, art projects, and recipes made with ingredients harvested at the Gardens are just a few of the activities on offer. Campers will also be invited to attend theme-based, small-group outdoor learning sessions with Education staff throughout the summer.

“Camp” begins the week of June 28, and participants will pick up their first activities at the Gardens’ Visitor Center. After that, new activities and supplies will be available each week. If participants need more flexibility, they can choose different start dates, pick up multiple weeks’ activities, or condense the program into fewer weeks. “Families have told us how much they love the flexible program and the fact that it’s filled with different adventures every week to do with their kids,” Huber adds.

Each camper will receive a special bag to keep filled with tools for investigation and discovery as well as a camp hat, and campers who sign up for both camp sessions will receive bonus supplies. Those families who participated last year and do not need another camp bag can receive a $5.00 discount when registering; families signing up for both sessions will receive a 15% discount at checkout.

The $80 registration per session does not include admission to the Gardens. However, by signing up for the CMBG Summer Camp Club, participants are eligible to receive a 50% discount on a family membership, which allows for unlimited complementary visits to the Gardens. Lincoln County residents may also eligible for membership scholarships. Those interested should contact Betsy Angelico at 633-8013.To learn more about CMBG’s Summer Camp Club, visit MaineGardens.org or call 207-633-8000.

At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public Garden in New England. Voted #1 on TripAdvisor, the nationally recognized public garden is located in Boothbay, Maine. The mission of the Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research. Visit MaineGardens.org or call 633-8000.

Last summer Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) completed several major improvement projects at its flagship preserve--Oak Point Farm. Among these was the expansion of the disability parking area and the installation of a universally accessible trail to the shore. The trail and parking upgrades have enabled access to the scenic saltwater farm for many who otherwise could not fully enjoy this local treasure.

Community members and visitors have spent the past year discovering the universal access trail. Its installation and opening coincided with a critical moment in our community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in which stress, anxiety, and isolation had increased and there were fewer outlets available for relief. Local resident Kitty Hartford visited the trail for the first time recently on a sunny spring day. She explains, “I haven’t been able to visit any of the preserves or walk any trails for the past 10 years, and I’ve been cooped up in my tiny apartment during the entire pandemic.” Kitty, who uses a rollator walker for mobility support, was able to spend the day with an old friend enjoying what she describes as a “beautiful outdoor experience.”

With the emergence of COVID-19, Boothbay Region Land Trust recognized early on its unique ability to provide a community resource that was both healthy and safe when few other options were available. There has been an increased recognition and appreciation for natural spaces, as well as a growing awareness that these spaces must be inclusive and truly serve the full community. BRLT has always had a strong focus on public access as a central pillar of its conservation work. The challenges facing this community over the past year only strengthened the land trust’s resolve to maintain this focus on access, and to extend the reach of nature to every person in our community.

In 2021, the land trust focus will continue to center on improvements that further public access and enjoyment of our lands. As a next step, BRLT’s Board of Directors voted to fund additional universal access trail around the fresh water pond at Oak Point Farm, extending the system to just over .5 miles of accessible trail and ensuring that the most spectacular views of the shore and the wildlife rich habitats around the pond can be enjoyed by everyone.

Wiscasset Middle School Wolverines met the Jefferson Village School Knights at home on the track May 13. Three athletes from each boys and girls team represented the Wolverines.

Kaydence Raymond placed first in the 100m dash in 14.68. Abby Blagdon and Addison Brann followed in sixth and eighth place in 16.31 and 18.35; Blagdon and Brann took second and sixth in the 200m dash in 36.7 and 47.01; Raymond and Blagdon took second and third in the 400m dash in 1:31.97 and 1:36.7; Brann took seventh in the long jump with 6’3” and third in javelin with a 19’2” throw.

Henry Putnam, Emmitt Loupe and Peter Rego took top three in the 100m dash with respective times of 13.5, 14.31 and 15.2. Putnam and Loupe placed first and third in the 400m dash in 1:08.12 and 1:18. Putnam placed third in the long jump with 12’ and Rego took first in shot put and discus with a 32’4” put and 49’3” throw.

The boys 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams took first in 59.5 and 5:20.3. The three boys worked out a system for the 100m event and Putnam and Loupe managed the 400m event.

Wiscasset Middle High School Wolverines, Boothbay Region High School Seahawks and the Winthrop High School Vikings took to the track May 18. The Vikings’ girls team took first in points, edging Wiscasset out 50 to 41 with the Seahawks taking third with five points. The Wolverines and Vikings boys teams tied for first with 53 points each, Seahawks taking second with 17 points.

Wolverines Josie Harrington, Reese Hesseltine, Gwen Webber and Emily Gilliam finished the 100m dash together ahead of all competition with times spanning less than one second: 14.17, 14.89, 15.00 and 15.15 respectively. Sadie Yeaton and Alivia Orr took seventh and eighth in 16.33 and 19.49.

Gilliam and Hesseltine finished second and third in the 200m dash in 32.78 and 32.93. Harrington took second in the high jump with 5’, just 2” under Viking Autumn Gerry, and competed in the 100m hurdles alone, in 18.94. Webber competed alone in the 300m hurdles, in 57.37.

Gilliam, Yeaton, Hesseltine and Linnea Andersson took third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the long jump with 11’6”, 10’4”, 9’8” and 8’5”..

Orr and Seahawk Marissa Davison took third and fourth in shot put with 19’ and 18’7” hurls and third and fourth in javelin with 43’10” and 34’5” throws. Davison took second in discus with a 55’2” throw.

The Wolverines took first in the 4x100m relay in 57.6. The team consisted of Webber, Gilliam, Hesseltine and Harrington.

Austin Trask, Connor Robertson, Bryan Gagnon and Tristan Pepe took second through fifth and Chancelor Blagdon and Kyle Ricker seventh and ninth in the boys 100m dash. Their times were 12.48, 12.75, 12.89, 12.92, 14.11 and 20.55 respectively. Gagnon, Pepe and Chancelor Blagdon took first, third and fifth in the 200m dash in 25.87, 28.00 and 28.59. Robertson took first and Chancelor Blagdon third in the 400m dash in 59.74 and 1:09.02.

Gilliam and Seahawk Ryan Clark took second and fourth in the 1600m run in 5:29.13 and 5:41.95. Wolverine Nate Benoit competed in the 110m hurdles alone in 24.89 and took second in the 300m hurdles behind teammate Payton Blagdon in 1:05.43 and 54.39 respectively. The Wolverines took third through sixth in the long jump: Johnny Spies with a 15’ jump; Gilliam, 12’4”; Benoit, 11’1”; and Ricker 4’6”.

Seahawk Kayden Ames and Spies took first and second in shot put and discus with 41’6” and 27’7” hurls and 121’ and 88’3” throws respectively. Ames took first in javelin with a 116’9” throw and Wolverines took third, fourth, seventh and eighth: Payton Blagdon with a 94’7” throw; Spies, 75’1”; Trask, 51’1” and Gilliam, 50’4”.

The Wolverines put up the only boys 4x100m relay team and finished in 55.64. The team consisted of Gagnon, Pepe, Payton Blagdon and Trask.

Paddle sports can be so enjoyable especially in Maine which has some of the most beautiful spots and exceptional paddling experiences on the planet. But safety skills are essential for excursions along Maine’s coastal and inland waters in canoes and kayaks. Currents, tides, cold water, and other hazards contribute to paddle sports problems and fatalities out of proportion to general boating.

Join two experienced paddlers of canoes and kayaks on Zoom to learn how to prepare for and deal with the challenges associated with our favorite sport. The class is suited for beginner and intermediate paddlers.

The course is free and involves two Zoom class sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8 and 9 from 6 to 8 each night.

To register for the course or to get more information contact via email (david.racicot25@gmail.com).

BRACKETT'S MARKET 4-CYLINDER PRO (35 laps - spotlight)

* Decker (point leader ) first win of 2021 .. 2nd win of career

* Neptune first career top 3

MAXWELL'S MARKET SUPER STREETS (30 laps)

* Peacock (rookie ) first career Super St win  (started from the pole, led all 30 laps)

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SCHOONER BAY TAXI THUNDER 4 MINI (25 laps)

* Farrington first career win

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NORMS USED CARS PRO STOCKS (40 laps)

* St Clair (rookie)  - 2nd prostock win of season .. 4th over all win of season (1 Late Model win, 1 Strictly Street win)

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IDEAL ENDURO SERIES - ENDURO #1 (100 laps)

11 lead changes (among 6 drivers)

Capt. Harold Burnham, owner of the pinky schooner Ardelle, is once again offering Boothbay Region Historical Society a wonderful fundraising opportunity.

During Windjammer Days, on Tuesday, June 29, 10 a.m. to noon, we’ll welcome 24 guests aboard Ardelle for a sail around the waters of Boothbay Harbor, with all proceeds going to the society. Capt. Burnham will share stories from his long career sailing and restoring classic sailing vessels.

For more on Ardelle, visit https://schoonerardelle.com/

For more information on these efforts, visit www.schoonerardelle.com. Tickets are $30 per person. Bring your friends and favorite refreshments.

To reserve your space, please contact BRHS by phone at 633-0820, or email brhs@gwi.net. We hope to see you there!

Wiscasset Middle School Wolverines met the Jefferson Village School Knights for a virtual meet May 25. Three boys and one girl represented the Wolverines – Henry Putnam, Emmitt Loupe and Peter Rego for the boys and Kaydence Raymond for the girls.

Raymond ran neck and neck with JVS Knight Kylee Parlin placing first in the 100m dash in 14.61 about a half-second ahead and second in the 400m in 1:18.72 just under a second behind.

Putnam, Loupe and Rego took second, third and fourth respectively in the 100m dash. Putnam was just edged out by JVS Knight David Winchenbach who took first in 13.06. Putnam also ran by himself in the 400m dash finishing in 1:08.17. Rego took first and second in shot put and discus with a 29’6” hurl and a 51’7” throw. The Wolverines’ 4x100m relay team took a close second to the Knights finishing in 59.49.

As we near Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer recreational boating season, the Maine Marine Patrol provides the following reminders for a safe, enjoyable experience on Maine’s coastal waters:

Wear a Life Jacket

• In Maine, all children 10 and under must wear a life jacket. Adults don’t have to wear them, but they must be available on board for every occupant.
• S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2019, and that 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
• New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting, and are much cooler in the warmer weather.
  
  

Check Your Boat and Gear

• Safe boaters should also have working navigation lights, visual distress signals, sound signalling devices, VHF radio, cell phone, proper ventilation, and properly displayed registration numbers.
• A thorough check of fire extinguishers and flares should be done to make sure they work.

Plan Before You Go

• Always check the local marine forecast before heading out on Maine’s coastal waters.
• Boaters should file a float plan with a friend or relative, letting them know where you are going and when you plan to return
  
  

Paddle Safe

• Kayakers, canoeists and paddle boarders should always wear a life jacket.
• Bring a hand-held VHF radio and a cell phone in a waterproof case.
• Carry signalling devices (whistle, mirror, flares) in a pocket of your life jacket.
• A personal locator beacon will relay your precise location to rescue agencies if you’re in distress.
• Kayakers should always carry a paddle float and bilge pump.
• With ocean temperatures in many places less than 50 degrees, paddlers should dress for the water temperature and consider wearing a dry suit or a wet suit.
• Place a sticker on smaller craft like kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, with contact information including a phone number.
• If Marine Patrol or Coast Guard finds one of these small vessels with nobody onboard, they can call the number and confirm whether the owner is missing, potentially avoiding an unnecessary search and rescue operation.
  
  

Don’t Boat Under the Influence

• Another important safety issue is drinking and boating. According to Coast Guard statistics, alcohol is a leading contributor in deadly boating accidents.
• Marine Patrol will prosecute people who are under the influence while operating a boat.
  
  

For information on Maine’s plan to protect public health during the busy tourism season, review Moving Maine Forward. Recreational boaters should also refer to US CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on recreational boating safety, visit the Maine Department of Marine Resources website at http://www.maine.gov/dmr/marine-patrol/recboatingsafety.html

AUGUSTA —The Maine Principals’ Association announced a reopening of all high school athletics activities in the state late Wednesday afternoon.

That means high school sports as they existed before the COVID-19 pandemic will be how sports are played for the upcoming school year. 

“It is with great excitement that the Maine Principals’ Association announces a reopening of all interscholastic activities in Maine,” MPA executive director Michael Burnham said in a statement. “As our state moves to following of U.S. CDC guidelines, we will continue to work with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine School Board and Superintendent’s Association, and the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association to assist schools in developing their individual school plans to allow for a safe reopening plan for their athletes and school staff. These plans will look at current requirements and recommendations for schools as well as Maine’s Executive Orders.” 

The Wiscasset Middle High School Wolverines track teams competed in the Mountain Valley Conference South Championship May 27 in Lisbon. Both teams took fifth place: the boys with 63 points, ahead of Spruce Mountain High School (34) and Telstar High School (9); and the girls, 48 points, ahead of Buckfield High School (29) and SMHS (25.5).

The Dirigo High School boys took fourth with 80 points; Buckfield, third, 91; Mountain Valley High School, second, 101; and Lisbon High School and Oak Hill, first, 209. The Telstar girls took fourth with 50 points; Dirigo, third, 52; MVHS, second, 82.5; and LHS/OH, first, 291.

Wolverines Josie Harrington, Reese Hesseltine and Emily Gilliam took third, eighth and 11th in the 100m dash in 14.04, 15.01 and 15.48. Hesseltine and Gilliam took fifth and seventh in the 200m dash in 31.85 and 32.72; Gilliam, fifth, 400m dash, 1:17.9; Julia Truesdell, fifth, 800m run, 3:23.06; Truesdell, fourth, 1600m run, 7:21.68; Harrington, third, 100m hurdles, 18.25; Gwen Webber, fourth, 300m hurdles, 55.5; and Linnea Andersson, sixth, 1600m racewalk, 12:35.39.

Alivia Orr took 11th in javelin and fourth in shot put with a 47’6” throw and 22’5” hurl. Hesseltine took ninth in shot put with a hurl of 18’1”. Harrington took third in the high jump with 4’8”.

Bryan Gagnon and Tristan Pepe took fifth and seventh in the 100m dash in 12.87 and 13.08. Gagnon, Pepe and Chance Blagdon took second, sixth and seventh in the 200m dash in 25.98, 27.41 and 30.18. Connor Robertson, Chance Blagdon and Hodson took second, ninth and 10th in the 400m dash in 57.7, 1:03.41 and 1:09.35. Nate Gilliam took sixth in the 1600m run in 5:37.12 and fourth in the 3200m run in 12:59.19. Nate Benoit took seventh in the 110m hurdles in 24.45.

Payton Blagdon and Benoit took fourth and 10th in the 300m hurdles in 51.12 and 1:00.5.

Johnny Spies took seventh in discus and sixth in shot put with an 86’4” throw and 35’5.25” hurl. Payton Blagdon and Hodson took sixth and ninth in javelin with 86’8” and 69’1” throws. Nathan Gilliam took sixth in the triple jump with 26’1.5”.

The boys took second in the 4x100m relay in 49.63 with Gagnon, Pepe, Payton Blagdon and Robertson; third in the 4x400m relay in 4:06.77 with Hodson, Payton Blagdon, Gagnon and Robertson; and second in the 4x800m relay in 10:40.93 with Gilliam, Hodson, Chance Blagdon and Robertson.

The girls took third in the 4x100m relay in 1:02.89 with Webber, Gilliam, Hesseltine and Harrington.

In the world of auto racing, the old adage still applies "You win some - You lose some". Unfortunately, Sunday afternoon Mother Nature won out over a hopeful contingent of racers and fans who had gathered for the annual Coastal 200 at Wiscasset Speedway. With the threat of oncoming rain, track officials made the decision to bump up the start time of the afternoon's action by an hour to 1:00 pm and run Late Model heats and then features only in the support divisions, in an effort to beat the oncoming weather. Things looked good to start with successful runs in three 12-lap heat races for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, to set the field for the big race. In heat one, a pair of third-generation drivers battled for the pole position, with Tiger Colby of Wiscasset jumping up from his number two starting position to grab the lead and then hold off a late charge from point leader Josh St Clair of Liberty to take the checkered flag. Matt Bourgoine of Stetson finished in 3rd. In heat number two it was Shane Clark of Winterport who turned in an easy win, leading from start to finish over Clinton's Frank Moulton and Harpswell's Mark Lucas. Heat number three was dominated by 2-time defending Coastal 200 champ Ben Ashline. He grabbed the lead on lap one and held the top spot all the way to the checkers. Former 200 champ Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington chased him across the line in second followed by Scott Hall of Jay. 26 of 27 cars on hand are now qualified for the Coastal 200.

The Strictly Streets took to the track next with a strong field lined up for a 30 lap feature. There was good side-by-side action right from the drop of the green flag. Joey Peaslee and Brady Romano set the pace from the front row, but they were quickly overtaken by Caleb Emerson-Mains of Richmond, who moved up from his third starting spot. The action was stopped on lap 5 as Peaslee was involved in an accident in turn 4. Just five more laps would go by when the rain arrived on the scene and so did the yellow caution flag. With the precipitation increasing, the cars were kept on the track at caution pace to keep heat in the racing surface. However, after about 10 minutes of waiting, the track official resigned to the fact the track was lost to the weather and the remainder of the program would need to be postponed. 

The Coastal 200 has tentatively been rescheduled for Saturday, June 12, which is the next time Group 2 is in action at the track. A start time and further details have yet to be determined, but will be posted on the track's website within the next week. In the meantime, Group 1 returns to action this coming Saturday, June 6th at 5:00pm. The Maxwell's Market Super Streets will have center stage with a 40 lap Spotlight feature, along with action in the Pro Stocks, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-Cylinder Pros. They will also be joined by the Wicked Good Vintage Racers Outlaw and Early Late Model divisions. Full event details are available on the website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com 

COASTAL 200 HEAT RESULTS

LATE MODEL / HEAT 1 (12 laps)\

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LATE MODEL / HEAT 2 (12 laps)

LATE MODEL / HEAT 3 (12 laps)

The word “boat” can apply generically to watercraft from less than 12 feet in length to more than 1200 feet in length and displacements from a under a hundred pounds to a hundred thousand tons or more; yet despite all the differences there are many striking similarities when contemplating the dangers their occupants face. At or near the top of almost every mariner’s list of concerns is the certainty that being on the boat is almost always preferable to being in the water around the boat, fire onboard being a notable exception. That certainty engenders a culture based on safety, caution and respect for the dangers faced as soon as the waters around them become more than wading depth.

In the last few years, the popularity of human powered watercraft, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, aka Paddlecraft, has skyrocketed and along with that explosive gain in popularity has come a disproportionate increase in the number of fatalities attributed to that relatively small sector of the “boating public.”

The reasons for this surprising surge in boating fatalities among a relatively minor segment (less than 10%) of recreational boaters is a simple yet critical conceptual disconnect between, for example, the occupants of a 30-foot cabin cruiser and the lone occupant of a 16-foot kayak.

That disconnect is that many paddlesports enthusiasts see their “just having fun” outings as somehow unaffected by the dangers of cold-water immersion, foul weather, collision or drowning. The too-common mindset is that “I’m not really a ‘boat’ because I’m just out having fun, so all those concerns that ‘boaters’ have, just don’t apply to me.” Pretending that being on the water is somehow less hazardous just because you have a paddle instead of an engine or a sail, is a life-threatening folly.

The statistics unquestionably contradict the idea that holding a paddle, vs a throttle or tiller, grants immunity from the cold reality that carelessness and lack of preparation are equal opportunity killers.

The recreational boating safety mandate addressing all boaters has been a primary focus of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary since its inception over 80 years ago, but the alarming rise in paddle craft related fatalities has fostered new efforts focused exclusively on paddle craft operators. In response to these disturbing statistics, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is implementing major efforts to educate paddlesports enthusiasts with the message that having fun and practicing safe boating habits are not mutually exclusive.

Flotilla 2-5 Boothbay Harbor, ME, is offering a 2 evening, 4 hr Paddle Sports Safety class offered via Zoom on June 8 and 9 from 6-8 p.m. each day. The registration deadline is June 5.

For more information about the course and to register, please contact CG Auxiliary member: David Racicot: david.racicot25@gmail.com

Midcoast Conservancy will host a full moon paddle at its Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson on Wednesday, June 23, from 8-10 p.m. Participants can enjoy the silvery glow of the “strawberry” moon from canoes provided by the nature center as they glide along Little Dyer Pond after a beautiful mile-and-a half hike into the woods.

Little Dyer Pond is a true Great Pond with no public boat launch and almost no shoreline development. Midcoast Conservancy will provide the canoes, paddles, and life jackets.

All ages are welcome! Participants should be comfortable in a canoe on flat water, able to steer a canoe, and able to walk three miles on moderate trails.

Space is limited by the number of boats available, and pre-registration is required. More information and registration is available online at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/full-moon-paddle-on-little-dyer-pond-10/.  Meet at the gate at 8; bring flashlights or headlamps for the hike back to the parking lot.

Note that HVNC’s canoes are available to rent anytime between dawn and dusk. Just leave a $10 per boat donation at the Gatehouse and hit the water to explore Little Dyer Pond.

Midcoast Conservancy’s Hidden Valley Nature is open to the public 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. Comprising 1,000 acres of diverse habitat, and laced with nearly thirty miles of multi-use trails, HVNC makes a great classroom for nature-based learning and non-motorized recreation.

For more information: midcoastconservancy.org or call (207) 389-5150.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt lottery.

Seven Mainers were selected for the opportunity to participate in the hunt, and five alternates were selected in the event a primary hunter cannot attend. The names of the alternates can be found on the home page of Bureau’s website - https://www.maine.gov/veterans/

The primary winners are:

1. Ken Blagburn, Lake View Plantation

2. John Krott, Brunswick

3. Berthol Daigle, Eagle Lake

4. John Roy, Rome

5. Ryan Jennings, Bowdoinham

6. Adrian Vielhauer, Bethel

7. Richard Parent, Sommerville

Since the program’s inception in 2010, MBVS has partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) and Smoldering Lake Outfitters to issue hunting permits and essential equipment to participating veterans. The hunt, which is entirely free for selected veterans, includes guiding services, essential adaptive equipment, meat processing, travel, and lodging.

MBVS Director, David Richmond offered the following regarding the hunt, “This program provides a wonderful opportunity for veterans to engage with the outdoors and each other. It’s not only about the moose, but about the bonds that form between the veterans in the group that unite in a common goal. Congratulations to this year’s winners, best of luck on the hunt, and thank you to all of the sponsors who make the hunts possible.”

Unlike the regular IF&W moose lottery, the Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Lottery is limited to only those veterans with a disability rating of at least 50%. Each hunter is required to team up with a registered Maine Guide who has specific training for the hunt, and if a veteran has ever tagged a moose through the program, that veteran is ineligible to hunt again. The selected hunters will join the folks at Smoldering Lake Outfitters in Bridgewater, Maine for a late summer hunt in Aroostook County.

For more information on the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services and the Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/recreational-licenses/veterans-moose-lottery.html or call 207-430-6035. Applications for the 2022 Maine Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt will be available on the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Website on March 1, 2022.

Wolverine track teams will send seven girls and eight boys to Brewer for the Maine Class C State Championships June 5. Connor Robertson will compete in the 400m dash and is seeded at 19th with a 57.7 run. Bryan Gagnon, 200m dash, 20th, 25.87; and Payton Blagdon, 300m hurdles, 14th, 51.12.

The boys will also put up 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m relay teams with eight athletes on the roster: Robertson, Gagnon, Payton Blagdon, Chancelor Blagdon, Nathan Gilliam, John Hodson, Tristan Pepe and Johnny Spies. The teams are seeded 10th, 18th and 15th respectively with 49.63, 4:06.77 and 10:40.93 runs.

Josie Harrington will compete in the 100m hurdles and high jump and is seeded at 11th and sixth in a 18.25 run and a 5’ jump. Gwen Webber will compete in the 300m hurdles and is seeded 17th with a 55.5 run. The Wolverine girls will also put up a 4x100 relay team with seven athletes on the roster: Webber, Harrington, Emily Gilliam, Reese Hesseltine, Sadie Yeaton, Linnea Andersson and Alivia Orr. The team is seeded at 13th with a 57.6 run.

GROUP 1 plus Wicked Good Vintage Racers

MAXWELL'S MARKET SUPER STREETS (40 laps - spotlight) ... ** RACE RESULTS UNOFFICIAL PENDING TECHNICAL INSPECTION OF SHOCKS

SCHOONER BAY TAXI THUNDER 4 MINI (25 laps)

* Webber - first career Wiscasset win

NORMS USED CARS PRO STOCKS (40 laps)

Melcher - first career Pro Stock win

race was caution free

BRACKETT'S MARKET 4-CYLINDER PRO (25 laps)

* Binnette - first career win

* at 12 years & 16 days old , becomes the second-youngest feature winner in track history

WICKED GOOD VINTAGE RACERS (30 laps) - TOP 3

1. #420 - Keith Smalley - Warren

2. #19 - Ben Overlock - Warren

3. #78 - Parker Long - Boothbay Harbor

Kayden Ames, a sophomore at Boothbay Region High School, took third place in the shot put and sixth place in the discus at the state Class C track meet in Brewer on Saturday, June 5. Also, Josie Harrington of Chop Point School, competing with the Wiscasset Middle High School, tied for third place with two others in the high jump at the meet, according to Maine Principals Association results.

Ames put the shot 41 feet, .25 inches. The winning toss was achieved by Gavin Billings of Bucksport, 47-01. In the discus, Ames' throw was 125-11. Jared Martin of Monmouth won the event with a throw of 137-08.

The winning girls high jump was done by Rose Jenkins of Kents Hill, 5-05.