EVENTS: Whitefield art night

/0 Comments/in , /by

Rachel Roberge

The Whitefield Library’s First Friday Art night will be held Friday, February 6, at 6 p.m., featuring Rachel Roberge. Rachel is a local artist who works mostly in acrylic, although recently she has begun an exploration into watercolor.

Over the years, she’s seen real growth in her work, and that keeps her motivated. “I try to put my feelings into each painting and let the process guide the final piece,” she added. For Rachel, painting is about patience, growth, and enjoying the journey.

Rachel’s paintings are available for sale at the library with a percentage of sales benefiting the library. The Whitefield Library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, Whitefield. This event is free, but donations are welcome and help support future programming. For more information, email us at: info@whitefieldlibrary.org.

EVENTS: Twelve “Chili Amateurs” compete for trophy on Saturday

/1 Comment/in , /by

The Whitefield Library’s 3rd Annual Chili Contest is Saturday, January 24, from 5 – 7 p.m., at the Whitefield Elementary School. Twelve people have signed up to see whose chili reigns supreme.

In 2023 library volunteer Michelle Finley took the trophy, and last year the top prize went to elementary school secretary Amy Perkins. They are challenging everyone to come and try to beat them this year.

Five judges from the area will taste and rate the chilis to determine the winner. There will also be a People’s Choice award. Competitors have entered a variety of chilis including venison, beef and pork, chicken, and vegetarian.

Besides chili, a ticket includes corn bread, dessert, and various accompaniments. Tickets are $5 per person, or $20 for a family. There will be raffles and a children’s corner with all kinds of fun activities. The Whitefield Elementary School is located at 164 Grand Army Rd., Whitefield.

Tickets are available at the Whitefield Library during open hours, or online at whitefieldlibrary.org. The library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, Whitefield. The Chili Contest is a fundraiser to help support future library programming. For more information, email us at: info@whitefieldlibrary.org.

SNHU announces Fall 2025 dean’s list

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2025 dean’s list. The fall terms run from September to December.

They are Victoria Fortier, of Oakland, Traci Witham, of Clinton, Will Peterlein, of Whitefield, and Krista Antworth and Ashley Penney, both of Augusta.

EVENTS: Sen. Margaret Chase Smith topic of Lunch & Learn at Library

/0 Comments/in , /by

Margaret Chase Smith

The Whitefield Library’s Lunch & Learn series opens with a talk about the life of Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, an American politician and member of the Republican Party. John Taylor, Communications Director at the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan, will be the speaker.

The event is Wednesday, January 7, and a “brown bag” lunch will be provided. The cost is $10, tickets can be purchased online at whitefieldlibrary.org, or at the library during business hours. The presentation will begin at noon and be followed by lunch and roundtable Q&A.

Margaret served as a U.S. representative (1940 – 1949) and a U.S. senator (1949 – 1973) from Maine. She was the first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress. As senator, Smith was among the first to criticize the tactics of Joseph McCarthy in her 1950 speech “Declaration of Conscience.” She was also a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1964 and was the first woman to be placed in nomination for the presidency at a major party’s convention.

At the time of her leaving office, she was the longest-serving female senator in history, a distinction that was not surpassed until January 4, 2011.

There are two additional events in the Historic Women of Maine series. February 4 features Frances Perkins, secretary of labor under FDR; March 4 discusses Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, in Bowdoin, Maine. All tickets are available for purchase now.

The Whitefield Library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, Whitefield, and can be found online at whitefieldlibrary.org or by following on Facebook and Instagram. Donations are welcome and help support future programming. For more information, email us at: info@whitefieldlibrary.org.

EVENTS: Father & Daughter Pottery at Whitefield Library

/0 Comments/in , /by

A creative pottery collaboration between a father and daughter will be on display and for sale at First Friday Art Night, on Friday, December 5, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Whitefield library.

Mike Johnson and Amara Johnderson found a connection through the shared language of clay. Their pottery grows from both family and form by blending two perspectives, a conversation across generations.

United by a deep appreciation for the clay, both its honesty and its unpredictability, each piece is an exchange between Mike and Amara. For them, working together in clay is both an artistic and emotional practice. Each piece records not only the touch of their hands but also the relationship between two artists shaping and being shaped by one another.

Mike’s experience with traditional pottery techniques and natural glazes provide a foundation of craftsmanship, while Amara’s approach brings a spirit of experimentation, surface illustration, and narrative energy. Together, these voices meet in a balance between tradition and discovery.

Mike and Amara are one of several artists participating in the library’s series First Friday Art Nights. For information on future artist shows visit our website.

The Whitefield Library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, Whitefield, and can be found online at whitefieldlibrary.org or by following us on Facebook and Instagram. This event is free, but donations are welcome and help support future programming. For more information, email us at: info@whitefieldlibrary.org.

EVENTS: All aboard the Polar Express

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sat., December 6,
4 p.m. departure
Whitefield Library train depot

Tickets are FREE but must be obtained in advance due to space limitations. Grab yours at the library.

Arrive at the Whitefield Library train depot, 1 Arlington Lane, at 3:45 p.m. Wear your PJs and bring your favorite stuffy or blanket. There will be hot cocoa with marshmallows, cookies and every child will get a special gift to take home.

Whitefield Lions support local youth

/0 Comments/in , /by

Contributed photo

One of the many missions of the Whitefield Lions Club is to support local youth. Each year the Whitefield Lions Club Scholarship Committee chooses among deserving applicants based on academic performance, perseverance, leadership, community service and career goals. The Whitefield Lions recognizes six graduating seniors. These students will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards furthering their education after their completion of their first semester.

This year the club is proud to recognize LilliAnn Brooks, of Lincoln Academy, who will receive the Lion Ronald Kenoyer Scholarship and will be attending Central Maine Community College, and Husson University, in Bangor, to become a Certified Public Accountant, Joslyn Sandoval, of Erskine Academy, in South China, who will receive the Legacy Award and will be attending Aveda Institute of Cosmetology, Loralie Grady, of Cony high School, in Augusta, who will receive a scholarship and attend University of Maine Farmington for Psychology-Social Work, Carter Rau, of Erskine Academy, in South China, who will receive a scholarship and attend Southern Maine Community College, and study Communications and New Media with a Videography focus, Ashley Kalloch, of Hall-Dale High School, she will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College and Study Business Administration, and Emmet Appel, of Erskine Academy, in South China, who will be attending Princeton University and study mechanical engineering and public policy.

These students and their parents/grandparents were honored at the Lions Club dinner on May 22, 2025.

Erskine Academy student to participate in Poetry Out Loud State Finals

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Erskine Academy

As Poetry Out Loud celebrates its 20th anniversary, Maine’s most talented high school students took the stage at the Poetry Out Loud State Finals, on Monday, March 3, at 5 p.m., at the Waterville Opera House. This milestone year honors two decades of inspiring students across the country to explore poetry through recitation, building confidence, public speaking skills, and a lifelong appreciation for literature. This year, 11 outstanding student poets from across Maine have advanced through school and regional competitions to compete for the state title. Erskine Academy is pleased to announce that freshman Stella Martinelli, of Whitefield, has advanced to the State Finals competition.

The Maine State Champion will receive a $200 prize and advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., where they will compete for $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends. The state champion’s school will receive $500 to support poetry materials, while the first runner-up will be awarded $100, with $200 for their school. The Poetry Foundation administers all monetary prizes and travel arrangements for national finalists.

This free and public event was live streamed by Portland Media Center on the Maine Arts Commission Facebook page, with a final produced broadcast available later in the year.

Husson University Online celebrates Term 4 academic award recipients

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Husson University Online has announced the academic achievements of students recently named to the president’s list, dean’s list and honors list for Term 4 of the 2023-2024 academic year. Courses for full-time online undergraduate students are offered over the course of seven weeks. This accelerated timeframe provides adult learners with an opportunity to balance existing personal and professional commitments as they complete their studies.

Full-time online students must be enrolled as an undergraduate, carry a full-time load of 12 credit hours over the course of 21 weeks, complete all attempted courses in the time allotted, and achieve a designated semester grade-point average. Credits from pass/fail classes do not qualify toward meeting the minimum credit hour requirement.

President’s List: 3.80 to 4.0 semester grade-point average

Dean’s List: 3.60 to 3.79 semester grade-point average

Honor’s List: 3.40 to 3.59 semester grade-point average

Ashley Castagnetto, of Winslow, – President’s List – BS Healthcare Administration & Public Health;

Sarah Rodrigue, of Cornville, – President’s List – BS Accounting;

Vivian Tschamler, of Whitefield, – Dean’s List – BS Psychology.

PHOTO: RSU#12 takes part in Special Olympics bowling event

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

Representing RSU #12 (Palermo, Chelsea, Windsor, Whitefield) with pride, students competed in a local Special Olympics bowling event. These students gave their best effort and demonstrated the values of perseverance, teamwork, and determination. This annual event brought together athletes from across the region to compete, make new friends, and celebrate their achievements.Their participation in the Special Olympics bowling event showcases the district’s commitment to inclusion and highlights the extraordinary talents within the RSU #12 community. Pictured, front row, from left to right, Anderson Hines, Elias Vashon, Draven Ruby, Jayden Clark, Aria Goethe, Christina Bell, and Holly Morgan. Back row, Kynlee Staples, Allison Storm, Tara Delisle, Lincoln Heiss, Liam Brown, and Mark Leavitt. Absent, Isabelle Zarate. (Contributed photo)