York County Special Olympics Brings Athletes and Community Together

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
KITTERY—
A very special annual event was held on the fields at Shapleigh School last week when approximately 400 participants took part in the York County Special Olympics Spring Games.
Special Olympians from throughout York County attended the annual event, the results of which are used to place participants in competitive divisions in the Maine Special Olympics Summer Games held each June in Orono.
The York County Games are the third largest in the state with only the games in Penobscot and Cumberland counties drawing larger fields, Mark Capano of Special Olympics said. There are 13 events held in the state each year.
The athletes take part in track and field events including a special division for athletes using wheelchairs and other devices.
There were, Capano said, 26 teams included in this year’s field. The numbers of athletes and teams, he said, are about the same as last year.
Dennis Dean of Kittery, the event manager from 1992 until this year, said the event “has grown a lot” over the years. He said there were 100 or 150 athletes involved when the event was initiated in the late 1980s.
Dean said this year “seemed like time to make the transition” but stayed on to help Capano. He said there was “no special reason” for stepping down. “It just felt like the right time to do it.”
There were, this year, well over 100 volunteers on hand to assist in the games. These included student athletes from Traip Academy in Kittery who ran the track and field events. “They did an exceptional job,” Capano said.
The event was held in Wells for its first two years but then it was moved to Kittery. Dean immediately contacted Traip Athletic Director Al Young and the involvement of the school’s track team began.
Community involvement in the games is high, he said. Organizations involved include the Knights of Columbus, York Hospital and Kittery Rotary.
Capano said that more than 30 workers from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard were also involved to “set up and break down” for the day’s activities.
A large number of York County law enforcement officers were also involved, he said. These included the York County Sheriff’s Department, Berwick, North Berwick, York, Kittery and Wells police departments.
The large number of volunteers also included people from First Congregational Church of Kittery Point and the Kittery Public Works and Recreation Departments.
Athletes compete for ribbons in each event, with the top six finishers winning ribbons.
Special Olympics, founded in 1968, is the largest sports organization in the world for children and adults with special needs. The program includes millions of athletes in 175 countries.
According to its web site, the Special Olympics hopes to “give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.”
Photo caption: Officer Candice Noble and Officer Michael Grogan from the Eliot Police Department help award and congratulate young participants in the York County Special Olympics ceremonies on May 5. (Photo courtesy Officer Candice Noble)

Bill Green to Deliver YCCC’s 16th Commencement Address

WELLS—
York County Community College president, Dr. Charles M. Lyons, is pleased to announce that Bill Green, news reporter/anchor and host of WCSH 6 Bill Green’s Maine, will deliver the 2011 commencement address to 138 graduates on Saturday, May 14, at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Mr. Green will share from his personal experiences, congratulate the students on their accomplishment as well as challenge them to live and work in Maine.
Bill Green is a lifelong Mainer. Born in Bangor, he was educated in Bangor schools and the University of Maine. He worked his way through college as a full-time studio cameraman at WLBZ2 in Bangor.
Bill has worked at all levels of on-air television. His Bill Green’s Maine, now in its twelfth season, is the most watched program in its time period. He debuted as a sportscaster on WLBZ 2 in 1975 and has currently been on-air in Maine longer than any other television broadcaster.
In 1993, Bill came off the anchor desk to produce feature stories and documentaries, including 10 documentaries on Maine and the environment under the banner “Color Me Green,” in addition to his weekly features, “Green Outdoors” and “My Hometown.” In 2000, Bill Green launched an original series, “Bill Green’s Maine.” This program has made him one Maine’s best-known storytellers.
York County Community College, established in 1994, is one of seven community colleges in the Maine Community College System. The college enrolls more than 1,400 students in associate degree and transfer programs and over 2,000 individuals in non-credit continuing education and professional development areas.
Photo caption: Bill Green, of “Bill Green’s Maine” on WCSH 6, will deliver the 2011 commencement address to YCCC graduates on May 14. (Photo courtesy www.wcsh6.com)

Maine Receives Nearly $21 Million to Upgrade Rail Service

AUGUSTA—
Governor Paul LePage learned on Monday, May 9, that the Amtrak Downeaster, which is operated by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, was approved for a $20.8 million grant from the US Department of Transportation.
“We are extremely pleased that the Downeaster will be receiving over $20 million dollars in federal grant money that will make the Downeaster not only faster, but also will allow for more frequent trips between Portland and Boston,” said Governor LePage. “More frequent and faster trips will benefit not only passengers, but Maine businesses as well.”
In March, Governor LePage had sent a letter of support with the grant application for the Downeaster, and also authorized the application for the funds. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood thanked Governor LePage for his support of improved rail service between Maine and Boston in a letter last month.
Maine was one 24 states that applied for over $2 billion in available high-speed rail funds. This money became available when money originally awarded to Florida was rescinded after plans for a Florida high-speed rail line were canceled.
The $20.8 million will be used to construct a 10.4-mile section of double track between Wilmington and Andover, Mass. These track upgrades will allow two trains to operate at the same time on this section of the line, shortening delays and improving the dependability of the Downeaster.
The project is part of nearly $800 million in projects to improve rail service in the crowded Northeast, and $2 billion going to rail projects in 15 states nationwide.
Photo caption: Recently announced funding from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation will help improve Maine’s rail service. (Photo courtesy www.nationalcorridors.org)

Goat Island Light Goes Back In Time: Complete Historic Renovation Underway

KENNEBUNKPORT—
Tom Bradbury, Executive Director of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, announced on April 28 that contracts have been signed for the restoration of the Goat Island Light Station in Cape Porpoise, which began construction on May 2.
This is the culmination of 5 years of planning, permitting, negotiating and fund raising by Mike Weston and Scott Dombrowski, the co-project managers.
The restoration work, awarded to Bartlett Builders of Kennebunkport via a competitive bidding process, will include the rebuilding of the bell tower that was torn down in 1962, the covered walkway from the keeper’s quarters to the light tower damaged by the blizzard of 1978 and the original fuel storage building. The cost of this phase of the restoration will be in the neighborhood of $380,000.
The period chosen for the restoration is the decade of the 1950s. Significant photographic evidence exists for that period and that is the period when all of the structures scheduled to be rebuilt were in place and water and electricity were available.
The process to secure the final approvals for construction included work to obtain permits from the DEP, Army Corps of Engineers, Inland Fish and Wildlife, Indian Tribes of Maine, the Town of Kennebunkport and the Maine Historical Preservation Society. Also required was a change to the Kennebunkport Land Use Ordinance for the island to be designated a Contract Zone and the voters of Kennebunkport overwhelmingly approved that change 2 years ago.
Because of the historical nature of the Goat Island Light Station, two archaeological digs were required to assure that no buried artifacts would be destroyed during the rebuilding phase. During this process, some of the original foundations and pilings were uncovered allowing rebuilding in more historically accurate locations. Crane and Morrison completed the dig and analysis that provided the Trust with a treasure trove of historical documentation. Goat Island Light was first lit on August 15, 1833 so historical accuracy would have been difficult to assure without the results from the dig.
Harvey Wells, a Kennebunk architect, first provided a scale model of the project and volunteered hundreds of hours to complete it. Mr. Wells was chosen to provide all of the detailed plans for the rebuilding and restoration based on the photographic evidence and old historical articles to assure historical accuracy. Dustin Roma, an engineer with Sebago Technics of Westbrook, completed all of the site work, permit applications and technical detail. Engineering expertise for the foundations and structural specifications were provided by Group Design of Saco. The bell tower has been designed to withstand high winds and flooding---without compromising the historical integrity of the building exterior.
Construction is scheduled to be completed by September 1 this year with dedication ceremonies to be held shortly after Labor Day.
Coming soon, you can follow the construction by visiting www.kporttrust.org and selecting the Goat Island web-cam that is being installed in the coming days.
Photo caption: Goat Island Light in the 1950s, the period chosen as a model for the restoration. (Courtesy photo)

Senator Collins Reads to Second Grade Students at WES

WELLS—
On the afternoon of April 29, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited Wells Elementary School to read to a group of 60 second grade students. The Senator made a rain check visit to honor a previous invitation extended to her to read at the school’s annual “Celebration of Reading Day,” which took place on March 4.
WOCSD Superintendent Elaine Tomaszewski and Principal Marianne Horne escorted the Senator and introduced her to students seated in a common area on the second floor of the school. Also present were Assistant Principal Ken Spinney, numerous WES teachers, and three members of the Senator’s staff including State Office Representative in Biddeford, Cathy Goodwin.
According to Goodwin, Senator Collins naturalized 41 new citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Kennebunk that morning. “There was a lot of wonderful patriotism shown today,” said Goodwin.
The Senator read “Antlers Forever” to the group, occasionally walking around to show the illustrations. After reading the book, the Senator asked the students what their favorite books were. She told the students that she received (appropriately enough) the Dr. Suess book, “Oh the Places You Will Go” when she was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and commented she reads everyday.
One second grade student, Hayden Barker, was recognized by the Senator for recently receiving 1st place for his entry in the Second Grade category in the 25th Annual Literary Achievement Awards Contest sponsored by the District and People’s United Bank.
After leaving the atrium on the second floor, the Senator and entourage descended to the first floor to meet with multi-age grade 1-2 students who had put together a hall display honoring the nation’s most recognizable monuments. Students explained their work including models of the White House, the National Mall’s Reflecting Pool (that actually reflected), Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, the Alamo and the Liberty Bell. Senator Collins asked the children about their display.
The “Guest Reader Day” and the Senator’s visit were arranged by Community Resource Coordinator Maryanne Foley.
Photo caption: Senator Susan Collins recently visited Wells Elementary School to read to students. (Photo by Reg Bennett)

Barn Gallery Presents 33rd Annual Student Art Show

OGUNQUIT—
Join us as area elementary through high school students show their latest work at the 33rd Annual Student Art Show at the Barn Gallery on Bourne Lane at Shore Road in Ogunquit on May 7 and 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. All are invited to a reception on Friday, May 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Barn Gallery will be filled floor to ceiling with imaginative paintings, photographs, collages, prints, sculpture, and mixed media pieces. The artistic energy and enthusiasm of the young artists shine forth in a variety of media and subjects.
“I love this show,” says Nancy Davison, President of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative and the Barn Gallery. “The students try so many different images and techniques. And they delight in finding their work on the walls of a ‘real’ gallery. Our annual Mother’s Day event is one of the most festive shows we have at Barn Gallery.”
Art teachers from schools in southern Maine, including Wells, York, Kittery, Lebanon, Berwick, North Berwick and South Berwick, select individual and group student art projects for this traditional celebration of the year’s work in area art classes.
Barn Gallery will open for the season on Wednesday May 25 at 11 a.m. For more information call 207-646-8400 after May 25, 2011.
Photo caption: Barn Gallery in Ogunquit will host its 33rd Annual Student Art Show on May 7 and 8, with an opening reception on May 6. (Courtesy photo)

American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks to Appear in Ogunquit

OGUNQUIT—
Alabama’s favorite son continues to be in “The Right Place” since becoming the fifth-season winner of American Idol. Fascinating to note, Season 5 of Idol was the #1 most watched television program in the past decade, with an average of 31 million viewers tuning in each Tuesday and Wednesday. During the last few years, Taylor Hicks has seen his Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Allman Brothers and Willie Nelson, toured through Asia, penned a brisk-selling Random House memoir, made his Broadway debut in “Grease” and will now be making his second appearance on the Maine Seacoast at Jonathan’s Ogunquit for a very special Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday, May 8, 2011.
Taylor released his latest album titled “The Distance” in March of 2009, and is supported by the single, “Seven Mile Breakdown.” Along with the album, his own DVD was just released. “Whomp at the Warfield” offers fans exhilarating live performances by Taylor and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.
His personal twist of fate came in New Orleans at the wedding of an Auburn friend, the night before Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29, 2005. With his flight cancelled, he was given a free airplane voucher. Earlier that summer, he had considered auditioning for American Idol in Memphis, but the auditions were cancelled, as the city became one of hubs of the Katrina relief effort. Through the summer and fall, however, auditions proceeded in eight cities across the country. Taylor eventually used his voucher to travel for a Las Vegas holiday, coincidentally American Idol was auditioning there during his vacation.
A lifetime steeped in the blues, soul and R&B of his native Southern heroes - Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown and Sam Cooke, to name a few - culminated in no uncertain terms as Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of American Idol. It was an emotionally uplifting night - May 24, 2006 - when 36.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the season finale, the year’s third-largest audience for a televised event after the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards. More than 63 million votes were cast in crowning a gritty, down-home, white soul singer the new winner.
“I thought about who Taylor Hicks would attract to the show if we had him for a concert and I said, hey let’s give it a try! He is not our typical folk type but I am excited to branch out to different types of music and personalities this season and Taylor Hicks is a fine representation of that!” stated Jonathan West about Taylor Hick’s upcoming appearance at his venue in Ogunquit.
Taylor Hicks will be playing live at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on Sunday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are now available. Jonathan’s Ogunquit is located at 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, ME, just around the corner from the Ogunquit Playhouse. For more information contact caitlan@jonathansrestaurant.com, visit our website at www.jonathansrestaurant.com or www.taylorhicks.com.
Photo caption: American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will make his second appearance at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on May 8. (Photo by Nancy L. Kent, courtesy Jonathan’s Ogunquit)