Barrett Named Sailor of the Year

SAN DIEGO/YORK—

A Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Norfolk Sailor from York has been named Sailor of the Year (SOY) for 2009 by Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS).
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Korilyn C. Barrett (Aviation Warfare) was recognized by Rear. Adm. Mark Heinrich, COMFISCS, for her outstanding achievement as the leading petty officer for FISC Norfolk’s Logistics Support Center New London, in Groton, Conn.
“I am very proud of LS2 Barrett and congratulate her on receiving this well-deserved award,” said Heinrich. “Under her leadership, FISC Norfolk’s New London site has earned the reputation for being one of the best full service logistics centers in the Navy.”
“Winning this award is such a compliment. I have worked hard all year not for an award, but because I had goals I wanted to accomplish before I go back to sea duty at the end of 2010,” said Barrett. “I am just speechless that my efforts are recognized with such a prestigious award. Wow!”
Barrett was recognized for leading a team of 25 logistics specialists and two civilians in providing logistics support to 15 nuclear submarines and 10,000 personnel from 57 tenant commands on board Naval Submarine Base New London. Under her supervision, her team processed more than 15,000 requisitions with a 99 percent on time rate, which had a direct impact on submarine mission readiness.
“There are people I work for as well as those who work for me that I had to set a good example for and, most of all, I have to be a great role model for all three of my children,” Barrett said.
The FISC Norfolk Sailor, who received a Navy Achievement Medal in 2009 for her performance coordinating logistics services for the Italian submarine Scirè, is highly praised by her chain of command for her professionalism and management qualities.
“Petty Officer Barrett is a brilliant, hard-charging and consummate professional who epitomizes all that the Navy is looking for in leaders,” said Capt. Ruth Christopherson, FISC Norfolk’s commanding officer. “She combines that perfect blend of exceptional leadership and superior technical talent to accomplish any assignment given to her.”
Off duty, Barrett is just as committed to serving her fellow shipmates and the community. She was the driving force in developing the Groton Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, a program which is spreading throughout the Navy. She also helped raise $18,000 through the Caring and Sharing program to feed needy Sailors and their families, and is a volunteer reader for youth at the base Child Development Center. Among other community involvement activities, she participated in the New London County Earth Day event and Multiple Sclerosis Walk-A-Thon.
“It’s amazing what a person can accomplish when you have an incredible support system—God, my family, my chain of command and my military and civilian co-workers,” said Barrett. “Cmdr. [Steven] Hartzell and Chief Logistics Specialist [Michelle] Skilbred have taught me to never be satisfied with (mediocrity) and always believe that you can do better. They have shown me that with great leadership and support, self-determination and dedication the sky is the limit.”
LS2 Barrett is the oldest of five children and daughter of Kevin and Lori Barrett of York. She is a 1999 York High School graduate and has been serving in the U.S. Navy since 2002.
Photo caption: York Native Korilyn Barrett has been named Sailor of the Year for her work in Groton, Conn. (Courtesy photo)

Children’s Musicians Celebrate The Power of Music in Children’s Lives

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
SOUTH BERWICK—
Like many young mothers, South Berwick’s Sammie Haynes started to create songs to entertain her son when he was born in 1989. Little did she know at the time that her song writing would lead to a life long pursuit of children’s music. Nor did she realize that it would expose her to a nationwide network of people, many like herself, that devote themselves to creating children’s music and supporting the wide range of people that use it. That group is known as the Children’s Music Network.
“Many of us started doing children’s music when we had kids,” Haynes said. “I would sing to my son at night before bed. I started making up short, little songs. Later, when he was in school, I ‘d go to his classroom and sing.”
Eventually, Haynes produced a CD. That’s when she got involved with the Children’s Music Network, a group whose membership includes musicians, teachers, librarians, song leaders and choral directors, social workers, parents and others who care about kids’ music.
“I joined in 2005 because I had just released a second children’s CD,” Haynes said. “Someone from CMN wrote to me. She said she liked my new CD and I should become a member. I did. Soon thereafter, they had a regional gathering in Amherst, Mass. I instantly felt that I belonged to this fabulous group of people. They were very positive and welcoming. It was a wonderful experience.”
Haynes estimated that about 100 people in New England belong to the network, which has its headquarters in Evanston, Ill., near Chicago. Liz Buchanan of Massachusetts is a representative on the national board. She said the network is driven primarily by volunteers.
“There’s one staff person,” Buchanan said. “Otherwise it’s all volunteer run. People do it out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Buchanan got involved with CMN around 2000, after following a path into children’s music that paralleled Haynes.’ “I started when my kids were little,” she said. “They grew up but I kept making music.”
She said the network serves an important function. “It’s a great resource for anything related to children’s music,” she said. “It’s a national network that has great gatherings, with singing and workshops (on a variety of topics). It benefits children because it helps provide support to people who work with music and kids.”
Buchanan and Haynes have been involved recently in helping to plan the network’s regional conference, which will be on March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. The program is titled The Power of Music in Children’s Lives and features Ruth Pelham, a noted singer and songwriter from Albany, N.Y. Pelham will offer the keynote address. “Ruth is an icon in children’s music,” Buchanan said. “She’s a fabulous talent and individual.”
There will also be several workshops available to attendees, and the day will end with a CMN tradition, known as the Round Robin, where attendees have a chance to share a children’s song or musical activity with the group.
“The Round Robin is the highlight for me personally,” Haynes said. “I get all charged up to try new songs.”
That, Haynes said, is the essence of the network. “It enables people like me to get together and learn more and share more,” she said. “People come of all grades of performing and teaching. I’ve learned a lot. It’s a vital force for me.”
For more information, email Haynes at sammiekids@aol.com.

New Rules for Credit Card Companies Take Effect

WASHINGTON, D.C.—
Every Maine family with a credit card will be protected by new rules that went into effect Feb. 22, according to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. The rules are designed to stop the worst practices of the big banks and credit companies and give consumers more control over their finances.
“These big credit card companies have been running roughshod over consumers for too long,” Pingree said. “These new rules are going to give card holders the protections they deserve.”
The rules will ban rate increases on existing balances in most cases, require 45 day advance notice of future rate increases, make it more difficult for credit card companies to charge “over the limit” fees and prohibit credit card companies from charging card holders when they pay online or over the phone.
Pingree was the first to speak on the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights on the floor of Congress last year, saying that credit cards have become a necessity for most Americans, and at the same time the playing field has been tipped in favor of the credit card companies.
“Everywhere you turn, it seems the credit card companies have dreamed up a new fee or another clever scheme to raise your interest rate,” Pingree said. “Basic fairness has been replaced by deception and greed.”
“These days, using a credit card is like going to a Las Vegas casino—no matter how clever or responsible you are, 9 times out of 10 you’re going to lose and the company is going to win,” Pingree said. “Managing your finances shouldn’t be a gamble. The deck shouldn’t be stacked against you.”
During her speech, Pingree said the tough economy has forced more people to turn to credit cards to pay for basic necessities. “Last weekend in Maine I was talking with one of my constituents who told me a credit card is the only way she can pay her medical bills,” she said. “And last winter, with skyrocketing heating oil prices, a credit card was the only way many people in my state were able to stay warm.”
Some provisions of the bill: (more details available at www.pingree.house.gov)
Bars rate increases on existing balances unless the cardholder is at least 60 days behind in paying the bill. If a person does fall behind and the rate on past buys is increased, lenders must restore the lower rate after six months if the cardholder has paid monthly bills on time. Requires that customers receive 45 days notice before rates are increased. Prohibits over-the-limit fees unless a cardholder signs up for them in advance. Requires lenders to apply payments to highest interest-rate balances first. Requires lenders to say how much time it would take and how much money in interest would be paid if only the minimum monthly payments are made. Bans “pay-to-pay” fees, which are charged when someone pays the bill by phone or on the Internet. Requires lenders to post their credit card agreements on the Internet. Require banks to give customers a reasonable time, such as 21 days, to pay the bill before it is considered late.

Wells Reserve Receives Visionary Award

WELLS—
The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve was recognized recently by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, which presented the Wells Reserve with its 2009 Visionary Award. The Council praised the Wells Reserve “for sustained excellence in science, communication, partnerships, education, and stewardship of the Gulf of Maine ecosystems.”
“The Wells Reserve is honored to receive a Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award,” said Reserve Director Paul Dest, who accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “It recognizes the great work and many accomplishments of our staff in the areas of science, education, and conservation. And it intensifies our commitment to protecting and restoring ecosystems around the Gulf of Maine.”
The Gulf of Maine Council cited the Wells Reserve for fostering “an environment of coastal understanding and awareness through numerous programs that have been effective in training many stakeholders in the region, and enlightening marine professionals about the scientific dynamics of estuarine and coastal ecosystems.”
The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment was established in 1989 by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to foster cooperative actions within the Gulf watershed. Its mission is to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine to allow for sustainable resource use by existing and future generations.
Each year, the Gulf of Maine Council gives Visionary Awards to two individuals, businesses, or organizations within each state and province bordering the Gulf. The awards recognize innovation, creativity, and commitment to protecting the marine environment.
The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve expands knowledge about coasts and estuaries, engages people in environmental learning, and involves communities in conserving natural resources. The Wells Reserve is headquartered at historic Laudholm Farm. Its work is supported by Laudholm Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. FMI www.wellsreserve.org.
Photo caption: Kathleen Leyden, Maine representative to the Gulf of Maine Council, presents the Council’s 2009 Visionary Award to Wells Reserve director Paul Dest. Joining them is Diana Joyner, chair of the Reserve Management Authority and president of Laudholm Trust. (Courtesy photo)

Noah Farrington Wins York County Spelling Bee

YORK COUNTY—
A student who is home schooled and from Alfred, Noah Farrington, won first place in the Annual York County Spelling Bee at Wells Junior High School on Feb. 9th. Reed Vanderlinde of Berwick Academy came in second and Macy Morrison from Marshwood Middle School came in third. All three are in the eighth grade.
The contest lasted 29 rounds. After the first couple of rounds no one had been eliminated, but after the mid-point of the competition, Farrington, Vanderlinde and Morrison were left to go back and fourth to the podium to face increasingly harder words. The contest eventually came down to Reed and Farrington and ended much later when Farrington spelled the words “vulnerable” and “colloquial.”
Noah Farrington will now represent York County at the State Spelling Bee in Portland on March 20th.
According to co-Governor of the York County Spelling Bee Vicki Aldridge, this is the twelfth year that the York County Spelling Bee has been held at Wells Junior High School. As in past years, two students were picked to represent each participating school. This year, nine area schools were represented. In addition, there were two home schooled students present.
Judges for the spelling bee were Rachel Kilbride, Marilyn Zotos and Anne Meadows. Wells Junior High School Assistant Principal Johanna Reinke was the event’s Spelling Pronouncer.
Co-Governors of the York County Spelling Bee are Aldridge and Lynn Mercier.
Twenty students qualified to participate in the 2010 York County Spelling Bee. Schools represented included Berwick Academy, Biddeford Middle School, Noble Junior High School, Saco Middle School, Marshwood Middle School, St. James School, Acton Elementary School, Notre Dame School and Wells Junior High School. Those representing WJHS included Tim Finley and Adrienne Perron.
Photo caption: From left to right are Reed Vanderlinde, Macy Morrison and Noah Farrington who placed in the 2010 York County Spelling Bee. Farrington, the winner, is holding the event’s mascot, “Spelling Bee.” (Reg Bennet photo)

Downeaster’s Planned Expansion Highlights Its Popularity

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
MAINE—
Recent news that the federal government is funding an extension of Downeaster train service from Portland to Freeport and Brunswick underscored the popularity of the rail service that connects Maine with Boston. One of the key stops in that system is the Wells Regional Transportation Center.
“The extension to Freeport and Brunswick will boost things here,” said Brent Marriner of Marriner Marketing, the group the town contracts with to coordinate management and staffing of the center. “With all the seasonal campgrounds and condominiums here, people will park here for free and take the train to Bean’s.”
The Downeaster is only one of several transportation modes using the center, albeit an important one. In 2009, for example, the station handled 46,082 total passengers, not surprisingly divided almost equally between boardings and alightings. Among other Downeaster stations in Maine, only Portland surpassed that total. An informal survey of boarding passengers at the Wells station indicated that over 80 percent of the people were traveling for leisure, with nearly 8 percent commuting to work.
“This is a transportation center, not just a train station,” Marriner said. “There’s about 5,000 people a month that go through the building. We have buses that go to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, the WAVE from Sanford, the Trolley, Mermaid Transportation, cabs, and bicycles. Our long term goal is to re-establish the intercity bus service.”
A short-term goal is beefing up the volunteer and revenue supported staff that work at the center. “We’re in the process of recruiting volunteers,” he said. “Since August, volunteer hosts have averaged 120 hours per month. Our goal is to cover 105 hours per week with revenue supported staff. That’s 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, which covers all the trains except for the last one at 1 a.m. The Wells Police department is pretty good about meeting that one.”
In addition to the plans to expand service northward, Marriner, who attends monthly operations meetings with system representatives, said other improvements are under study as well. “The goal is to see double track construction between Portland and Plaistow to allow an increase in trains,” he said. Currently, the first weekday northbound train doesn’t depart Wells until 10:49 a.m. That essentially precludes commuters from southern Maine to Portland using the train to get to work. The double track could address that issue.
“The greatest need is an early morning trip to Portland,” Marriner said.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Marriner at 646-4793 or email bmarrine@maine.rr.com.

A Chocolate Lover’s Dream in Ogunquit

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
There’s a buzz of activity at Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit these days. As Valentine’s Day approaches, owner Jean Foss and her staff are hard at work, preparing nearly 100 varieties of chocolate that have satisfied customers from near and far for over three decades.
“I started it because I wanted to live in Maine,” Foss said. “My parents had operated it as a seasonal business, open a few weeks a year. My father was very gifted when it came to making anything.”
The original seasonal shop was located near the Main Beach parking area, in the building that houses Huckleberry’s today. Foss moved it to its current Route 1 location.
“I put my mind to owning the real estate,” she said. “It grew gradually and now is open year round.”
Most people are familiar with the retail end of the operation, the shop that is a few doors north of the Village Food Market. What many people don’t know, however, is that the shop contains a veritable chocolate factory as well, where the staff creates by hand the turtles, truffles, fudge and other chocolate delights that have a national following.
“The store is known outside the state, maybe more than inside,” Foss said. “We have a mail order business from customers we pick up in the summer. 85 percent of our business is from the shop. That leads to the 10 to 15 percent of mail order and that sustains us in the winter.”
Foss said the key to producing excellent candy is a combination of things. “The recipe is important, but the ‘feel’ is watching the process as you go along,” she said. “It’s about trouble shooting. Once in a while you might notice that something might not be right, maybe the temperature or the humidity. Very few people know about chocolate. (Making it) is more complex than something like baking.”
Another key is freshness. “The shelf life varies by product,” Foss said. “Some kinds are good for two weeks, some for three, and some less. We make everything fresh. We try to keep freshness in mind all the time. Why sell something that’s really nice and then destroy it by virtue of your timing?”
The popularity of a particular variety varies by the time of year. “In the summer, people like classic, simple fudge,” Foss said. “Turtles are one of our best varieties. We make them all from scratch. There are no short cuts. That’s what brings people back.”
For Valentine’s Day, truffles take center stage. “They are the item,” said Foss. “Thirty years ago, we headed off to France to learn the basics of what a true truffle is. It must be fresh and kept cool. We throw them away after two weeks.”
Another characteristic of Harbor Candy is its ability to produce some of its chocolate without depending on traditional dairy products. That has earned the shop an award from the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “We have a number of products that were already vegan, with no dairy or anything,” Foss said. “We developed a truffle by making it with soy milk. We have a milk chocolate made with rice milk. It is good for health reasons, for people who can’t use diary products.”
They key, though, is the care that Foss and the staff take to create their hand-made delicacies. “We’re small, not big and showy,” said Foss. “That’s how nice chocolate works.”
Photo caption: Harbor Candy Shop owner Jean Foss with a sampling of the nearly 100 varieties of chocolate the shop produces. (Jim Kanak photo)