Milton NH hosts Christmas Party to Benefit "Toys For Kids" program

 

The Milton Rec Dept and the Milton VFW

in Milton NH,

invite you to a

CHRISTMAS PARTY

 

Sunday, December 13, 2015

beginning at 1 pm

at the

Emma Ramsey Center

on the corner of

White Mountain Highway (Rt 125) and Charles Street

Milton, NH

 

Goodies, Silent Auction,

and

SANTA

will be making a visit.

 

The Cost of Admission?

1 new unwrapped toy

for

Milton's "Toys for Kids" program.

 

ALSO....

Milton Free Public Library & Milton Recreation’s

6th Annual Gingerbread House Competition

To be judged at the VFW’s Toys for Kids Party On December 13th @ 2:00 pm

This party is a public event, and everyone is invited to attend.

Donations are gratefully accepted.

If you can donate, please bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or a girl

or you may drop off auction items by 1:00 pm on the day of the event.

All gingerbread creations should be dropped off by 1:00 pm the day of the event.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Five Things You Need to Do............. Open Enrollment ENDS DECEMBER 7th......

 

 

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer

Routines help keep us focused, organized, and even healthy. However, if your health routine doesn’t include preparing for Medicare’s Open Enrollment, now’s the time to kick-start a new healthy habit.
If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review and compare coverage options. The Open Enrollment runs through December 7 and is the time you can make changes to your plan. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, you might find a better fit for your budget or your health needs. If you miss an Open Enrollment deadline, you’ll most likely have to wait a full year before you can change your plan.
Here are five things every Medicare beneficiary can do to get in the Medicare Open Enrollment routine.

1. Review your plan notice. Be sure to read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year, especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Look at your plan’s information to make sure your drugs are still covered and your doctors are still in network.

2. Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Do you need a new primary care doctor? Does your network include the specialist you want for an upcoming surgery? Does your current plan cover your new medications? Does another plan offer the same value at a lower cost? Take stock of your health status and determine if you need to make a change.

3. Find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare. Learn about programs in your state to help with the costs of Medicare premiums, your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments, and Medicare prescription drug coverage costs. Visit Medicare.gov or make an appointment with a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor if you need help.

4. Shop for plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to see what other plans are offered in your area. A new plan may:

• Cost less;
• Cover your drugs costs; or
• Let you use the providers you want, like your doctor or pharmacy.

If you find that your current coverage still meets your needs, then you don’t need to make any changes. Remember, during Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay in Original Medicare or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare.

5. Check your plan’s star rating before you enroll. The Medicare Plan Finder includes Star Ratings for the 2016 Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Plans are rated for quality on a one- to five-star scale: one star represents poor performance and five stars represent excellent performance. Be sure to use the ratings to compare the quality of any health and drug plans you are considering.

These are a few easy ways to get a jump-start on your Medicare Open Enrollment. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and say “Agent.” TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language. You can also visit a local SHIP counselor. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one, non-biased Medicare assistance. Get free personalized health insurance counseling by calling your SHIP at the number listed on the Medicare contacts page or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Obituary: Thomas E. Gilman

 

 

Thomas E. Gilman
November 25, 2015
Springvale

Thomas E. Gilman, 74, of Springvale, passed away on Wednesday November 25, 2015 at the Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford with his family by his side. He was born in Sanford on October 11, 1941 a son of the late Howard and Marie (Smith) Gilman. In 1959 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1965.

On September 9, 1969 Tom began his career as a firefighter for the Town of Sanford retiring on April 30, 1997.
Well respected in his field, his career can be summed up in one sentence, “He served by leadership.”

Tom served on the Sanford Firefighters Executive Board Secretary Treasure from 1976 until 1994. He also served on the Executive Board of the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine and was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1624.

After retirement Tom kept active by driving a tow truck for his sons business Gilman Auto Repair as well as doing some snow plowing. He also enjoyed cooking and his favorite eatery was Bay Haven Seafood Restaurant.

He is predeceased by one sister, Glenda Spires.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Juanita (Sinks) Gilman of Springvale, sons, Thomas Gilman Jr., and his wife, Helen of Alfred, Howard Gilman of Alfred, Bob Gilman of Lebanon, grandchildren, Ashley Hall, Tomi-Lynn Gilman, Thomas Gilman III, Peter Gilman, Luke Gilman, one brother, Robert Gilman of East Syracuse, NY. He also leaves behind his two labs, Bear and Daffy, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, December 3rd at 11AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in his memory to the IAFF (International Association of Firefighters Burn Foundation) Charitable Burn Foundation, 1750 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20006.

Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com

Obituary: Doris R. Hodge

 

 

 

Doris R. Hodge
November 25, 2015
Springvale

Doris R. Hodge of Springvale, died November 25, 2015 at the age of 97, surrounded by her children.

Doris was born May 27, 1918 in Acton, Maine to Ernest and Alice Varney Rand. She attended local schools.

On March 14, 1942 she married James F. Hodge in Acton, Maine. They lived in several states throughout the country due to James’ military career until 1976 when they moved back to Maine and settled on Beech Ridge Road in North Berwick. Doris lived in North Berwick for over 35 years and attended the Lebanon-North Berwick Baptist Church.

She was a member of the Nubble Lighthouse Square Dance Club and Seacoast Square Dance Club for many years. She was an avid traveler and loved meeting new people and seeing new places. She was a very active woman who enjoyed snowmobiling well into her 80’s. She was known for her good cooking, especially her homemade biscuits and baked beans. She enjoyed playing cards and games with her friends at the Trafton Center. She also enjoyed spending time at camp on Square Pond with her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband James Hodge and eleven siblings.

She is survived by her sons, Bruce Hodge and his wife Kim of Lebanon, ME, Robert Hodge and his wife Cindy of Rochester, NH: three grandchildren, Brian Hodge and his wife Kathy of Kennebunk, ME, Cory Hodge and his significant other Aimee of Somerville, MA, and Kristen Lajoie and her husband Jason of Porter, ME; and five great-grandchildren, Aidan, Kyley, Jacob, Brooke and Kassidy; and one brother Myron Rand and his wife Ruth of Lebanon, ME.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, December 1st at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A funeral will be held at the funeral home at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 2nd. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Berwick.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the

Lebanon-North Berwick Baptist Church, P.O. Box 135, Lebanon, Maine 04027.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

"Investigation" of Open Door at Lebanon Fire and EMS Station 1 Leaves LMTS Thankful for A Nice Evening Ride.

 

STOP, TURN, REVERSE!!!

BREAKING NEWS!!

Tonight an overhead door at the Lebanon Fire and EMS station was left open as your responders rushed off to a motor vehicle accident!!!

 

OH, the HORROR!!

 

It must be a very slow news night for this to have been given top honors for the evening!!
I hope you all had as good a laugh out of this report as I did.

You KNOW I had to RUSH right down and DEMAND of Chief Meehan how he DARED to leave the overhead doors open on the station when he was rushing off to be sure that there was no one injured or dying out on Rt. 202 tonight!! (kidding)

When I arrived at Station 1 on the corner of Depot Road and Upper Cross Road, ALL the doors of the station were wide open and all the lights were on!! The crew were all busy restocking, cleaning, taking off turn out gear and heading in for a discussion with the Chief on how things went at the scene. There were a lot of "them" there, those responders who left the station with reckless abandon, leaving that one overhead door gaping open wasting thousands of taxpayer dollars, since the station is heated to 70* and it was SO cold out tonight, and WORSE, here it was 9:44 pm when I arrived, and EVERY door was open!!!

 

 

By now, I hope you're all giggling, just as I am.

You see, it was 58* at 9:44 pm tonight as I arrived at Station 1. Warm for a late November evening. The crew were hard at work. I'm sure that everyone was a little warm, as they were dashing around in fire pants, suspenders and t-shirts.

I tried to get them all to come and stand in front of the open doors and wave, but they all declined. Yes, I aggravated them a bit, taunting them and trying to get them to come and pose for me. :::sigh::: but they were all a bit nervous about having their photos taken. You know how that is. If their photo is taken, there are no guarantees as to who will use it, or what horrible meme will be created with it. There is no honor amongst photo thieves.

Anyway, there were about 10 of them, all responding to a traffic accident, even though there are only TWO who are scheduled to be at the station at that time of the evening, and we shared a bit of good natured ribbing and a few laughs.

I had to question the Chief on WHY the heat would be set to 70* in the station, considering how warm it is tonight and how warm it's supposed to be during the overnight hours, and the truth is that the heat was NOT set to 70*, but 65*.

But that's neither here nor there.

What's important is that there were 10 responders who answered a call for help in Lebanon tonight. TEN. They left the station in good time and as they left........ a door was left open!!!

OR WAS IT??

I got a good laugh out of the TRUTH.

Chief Meehan, several responders and I went into the Chief's office and rolled back the video tape. YUP the proof is in the video!!

We see on the video, the responders arriving at the station, gearing up, unplugging and starting vehicles and rolling out on the call. Typical call. Nothing strange, out of the ordinary, or discouraging. Each to their vehicle and out the large overhead doors of the station.

Yes, I'm dragging this on, because the TRUTH is so funny that I'm purposefully making you wait for it!!!

So the last vehicle out of the station is the Squad vehicle with 2 responders aboard.

Out of the station they go.........and DOWN starts the big overhead door.

About the time that the door gets a quarter of the way down, the door stops, and raises..........

It never shut all the way.

WHY??

Because there are electronic eyes on the bottoms of the doors.

Electronic eyes are on each of the large overhead doors of the station for protection. If anything penetrates the field of the electronic eye, it causes the door to stop its decent and raise itself back up into the rafters of the station.

So tonight, as the Squad vehicle left the station, there was a water hose, that is coiled and hanging by the door, that somehow had shifted so that one of the coils of hose was blocking the electronic eye.

Your responders would have been out of the station and on their way to the accident scene by the time the door began to go UP again.

So the door was open.

Big Deal.

Since the thermostat in Station 1 was set at 65*F, and the temperature at the time, outdoors, was 58* F, the heating units would not have kicked on until the temperature inside the back room where the thermostat hangs, reached 60* F. Since the room where the thermostat is kept has DOORS separating it from the larger garage bays, that would not have happened for several hours.

:::sigh::::

Not one penny of your taxpayer dollars was wasted. Not even one.

I must say that it was a nice evening for a ride across town to Station 1, and spending time with our responders is always a joy for me. So, no harm, no foul.

THANKFUL for a good laugh, good company, and a nice late evening ride!!

 

 

P.S.........LOVE the green light in support of our nation's veterans!!

WAY TO GO Lebanon Fire and EMS!!

 

 

 

 

 

Maine Department of Agriculture Seeks Public Help in Locating Destructive Insect.

Department seeks public help in locating destructive insect

11/25/2015 08:44 AM EST

 

 

*When moths fly with snow, let the Maine Forest Service know*

AUGUSTA - If you are seeing moth flights this time of year, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Forest Service would like to know in order to better understand the locations and size of winter moth (Operophthera brumata) populations in Maine. Assistance from the public is being sought to help combat the destructive moth through use of a simple on-line survey to report winter moth sightings.

"The total economic impact of Maine's forest industry is $8 billion with direct and indirect employment of 38,789 workers," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Fighting invasive insects like the winter moth is important to help protect that sector of our economy; in this case, hardwood trees and agricultural crops such as apples and blueberries. Public involvement will help professionals combat and minimize the destructive potential of this and other invasive species."

Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed that filling out a simple online survey set by the Department to report winter moth sightings is very important. "These reports are critical to building the bigger picture of this insect's distribution," said Whitcomb. "A healthy forest is key to Maine's forest economy. Citizen involvement in monitoring invasive pests is important to the future of rural Maine."

The survey can be accessed online at: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/wintermothsurvey . Reports of moth flights can also be made by phone at (207) 287-2431.

**Why Look For Moths in December?**

December may seem like an odd time to set up traps for a defoliating forest pest. However, during the first week of December, DACF staff will set up traps along the coast and inland in southern Maine. Towns in the study region are cooperating by allowing traps to be hung on municipal property. Two homeowners in the most heavily infested areas have volunteered their services for a third year to make nightly counts of the moths trapped in their yards.

Winter in Maine is quite suitable to getting winter moth observations from the public. The moth flies when it is dark-this time of year many people are still out after dark. Even if people are inside and glance out their windows, they may notice if there are small tan moths attracted to lights.

**Winter Moth History**

The winter moth was introduced into North America from Europe in the early part of the last century. It was first seen in Nova Scotia in the 1930s and then in the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia, Oregon and Washington) in the 1970s. Winter moth showed up in eastern Massachusetts in the early 2000s and has since spread westward in MA, into Rhode Island and now coastal Maine from Kittery to Bar Harbor. It was first reported in Maine in significant numbers in December 2011.

The larvae (caterpillars) of winter moth defoliate deciduous trees and shrubs such as oaks, maples, apples and blueberries, in early spring. Heavy defoliation for several consecutive years leads to branch dieback and tree mortality. Winter moth defoliation has contributed to tens of thousands of acres of oak mortality in Massachusetts.

Winter moth defoliation was first recorded in Maine in 2012. This year the annual Maine Forest Service aerial survey picked up moderate to heavy defoliation in the Cumberland County towns of Cape Elizabeth, Chebeague Island, Harpswell, Portland (Peaks Island) and Scarborough with over 10,000 acres mapped. On the ground, light to heavy defoliation could be seen in scattered locations from Kittery to Rockland.

Adults are active from late November to January whenever the temperature is above freezing. Males are small, light brown to tan moths. They are attracted to lights and a chemical released by the females. Adult females are small, gray and look like a mosquito wearing a fur coat. They have reduced wings and are flightless. Females are most commonly found crawling on the trunks of trees. So if you see moths flying in December, let the Maine Forest Service know.

Obituary: Alfred W. Weeden Sr.

Alfred W. Weeden, Sr.
(July 27, 1921 - November 24, 2015)

          

Dover, New Hampshire: Alfred W. Weeden, Sr., age 94, of County Farm Cross Road in Dover, died November 24, 2015 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Born July 27, 1921 in Dover, son of Scott L. and Betharlene (Hutchins) Weeden, he was a lifelong resident of Dover. A United States Arm Veteran of World War II, he was recipient of a Purple Heart and a Gold Cluster. In earlier years, he was a shoe factory worker, a Farmer and was retired from Moore Business Forms. He especially loved farming, loved his cows and chickens. A member of Milton Assembly of God Church, church was most important in his life. Survived by his wife of 73 years: Evelyn M. (Haigh) Weeden and their children: Alfred W. Weeden, Jr. and his wife Nancy Weeden, Jane E. and husband William Crosby, Thomas E. and wife Roxanne Weeden, 9 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, 2 sisters: Beulah Eldridge and Betharlene Miller, also many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by a daughter: Evelyn Weeden Bateman and several siblings. Calling hours are Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 9-11am at Milton Assembly of God Church, 370 White Mountain Highway in Milton, NH with a funeral service at 11am with Pastor Alfred W. Weeden, Jr., his son, officiating. Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery in Somersworth. Arrangements by Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street, Farmington.

Obituary: Catherine J. Fernald

 

  

Catherine J. Fernald

May 1, 1955 - November 19, 2015 Dover NH- Catherine 'Cathy' Joanne (James) Fernald 60, of Dover, died at home surrounded by love on November 19, 2015. Cathy was born May 1, 1955, the daughter of Napoleon James and Mildred (Hodgdon) Carter. Donald Carter was her loving step-father. Survived by her family; two sons and daughter-in-law, Kenneth Leigh and his wife, Holly of East Wakefield, NH and Christopher Leigh of Wells, Maine; 7 grandchildren, Kendal, Payton, Chad, Makenna, Logen, Ariah and Landin; 2 brothers and 6 sisters, Michael James of Lebanon Maine, Raymond James of Rochester, Janice Grant of Gonic, Margaret Marcou of Rollinsford, Linda Wallingford of Somersworth, Donna Budlong of Rochester, Charlene Paul of Dover and Nancy Smith of Dover; 21 nieces and nephews and many cousins. She has been reunited with her parents, a niece Malinda Paul and three nephews, Jesse Paul, Wayne Tuck Carter, Jr. and Dennis Tuck. She is deeply missed and will be lovingly remembered, always.

Obituary: Joseph Henry Dixon

 

Joseph Henry Dixon

November 9, 2015

Rochester, NH- Joseph Henry Dixon, 58, of 63A Lafayette Street died Monday Nov. 9, 2015 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born Jan. 27, 1958 the son of the late Arthur Dixon and Shirley (Matteson) Corliss.

He has resided in Rochester all of his life and worked at many shoe factories as a laster. He enjoyed playing games on his cell phone, swimming, working on cars, and babysitting.

Members of his family include his wife of 9 years, Georgianna (Kibbe) Dixon, Rochester; son, Joseph H. Dixon, Jr of Somersworth, NH; 10 grandchildren; brothers, Arthur of Concord, NH, Richard of Lebanon, ME., William of Ossipee; and Daryl of Gohram, ME; sister, Sandra Kimball of RI; one uncle Henry Matteson of RI. Many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother David Dixon and, sister Robin Ljubic.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday Nov. 28, 2015 from 2-4PM at their home in Rochester NH.

State of Maine Dept of Health and Human Services Looks to Ban "Junk Food" Candy and Sugary Drinks from SNAP Program Purchases.

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – Maine's commissioner of Health and Human Services is calling on the federal government for a waiver, allowing the state to prevent food stamps from being used to purchase soda and candy.
Commissioner Mary Mayhew says the new policy would improve the health of low income Mainers while strengthening the integrity of the food stamp program. She says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, is meant for the essentials, not sugar filled soda and candy.
"It seems only logical that in a self proclaimed nutrition assistance program that sugary food and beverages would be off the menu", said Mayhew.
Advocates for families struggling with hunger say banning those items is a bad idea. They say this is just another attempt to discourage the needy from getting benefits.
"The SNAP benefits are dismal at best, I think they're $4.00 a day for all 3 meals, so there are a limited amount of benefits and families are doing all they can to buy the foods that they need, that are healthy", said Michelle Lamm, Director of the Maine Hunger Initiative.
Several other states have requested similar waivers to allow the ban. They all have been denied.

Read or Share this story: http://on.wcsh6.com/1jgvEXn

Southern Maine Readies for First Possibility of Accumulative Snowfall of the Season.

 

 

              

Here come the snow!!

 

WCSH Channel 6 news in Portland is telling folks in Southern Maine to "Prepare for a slippery Monday morning as temperatures drop into the 20s and a mix of rain and snow falls overnight."

The station's meteorologists are saying that most of southern and central Maine will see rain by 9 p.m. As temperatures drop, some areas will see a turnover to snow.

Since Lebanon is RIGHT on the line, our town could see totals of anywhere from a coating to 2 inches by Monday morning.

York County Sheriff's Office Searches for "Red Truck" Involved in Waterboro Hit and Run

UPDATE!!!!!

Last week the York County Sherriff's Office asked for help locating a "red truck" that hit a man walking his dog on West Road in Waterboro.

This may be the truck!

 

 If you know whose truck it is, please notify us at (207) 324-1113 or contact Deputy Travis Belleard at TCBelleard@co.york.me.us

Lebanon Hate Speech Reaches Small Rural Town in Northern Maine.

My Dear friends from Lebanon.
Sadly I have to report to you that hatred knows no boundaries.
While we have thought that we have many problems with fake pages, internet stalking and harassment of our Fire and EMS responders, it is with GREAT sadness that I advise you that this is getting so out of control, that the FAKE sites are reaching to our north to a lovely little town called Carmel, Maine.
You see, the very SAME 15 Anonymous Volunteers that are posting negatively and creating site after site after site to confuse Lebanon residents into believing they are reading REAL news, have also now created a FAKE news site in Carmel, Maine.

For those of you who do not know, Carmel is the hometown of our own Firefighter / EMT Windy Rudnicki. Despite what you have read on many FAKE Lebanon pages, Ms. Rudnicki's family is well respected in Carmel. Her Mom is a Selectwoman there and after she had the CHUTZPAH to post on one of the Lebanon FAKE news pages, SHE, (just like Deborah) was put into Facebook prison.

HOW SAD IS THIS, Lebanon??
How sad is this that a town FAR to our north, who should NEVER have been dragged into this MESS we have allowed ourselves into here in Lebanon, has to even HEAR of Lebanon Maine or our problems??

Might I suggest visiting the REAL Carmel Maine Community News (link below) and offering our support and expressing our embarrassment and sorrow that they should have to deal with a resident of OUR town, that WE have not yet figured out how to deal with properly.

Let the good people of Carmel, Maine know that we LOVE Firefighter / EMT Windy Rudnicki and that they have a LOT to be proud of in their native daughter.

Also a holler of support for Windy's Mom, Selectwoman Suzane Wilson Rudnicki might be in order.

YUP, Lebanon, Maine..........

I'm in tears tonight at the thought our name is, once again, being dragged through the mud by "He who shall not be named".
This time WAY up north in LOVELY Carmel, Maine......

PRAYING that Carmel is ready for the onslaught!!
~~Deborah

Carmel Maine Community News

Community WARNING!!!!
There is a fake page called: Carmel, Maine Community News
(with a comma)
This fake page was made by an ex-selectmen from Lebanon, Maine, he is also the ex-rescue chief, the ex-Sanford, Maine worker, ex-movie usher, ex-grocery bagger, ex-Rochester, NH dispatcher, ex- Planet Fitness worker, ex-husband, seems like a theme here.
He made the page to humiliate, slander and bully Select-person Rudnicki because she stuck up for her daughter who this man has been slandering, stalking and terrorizing her daughter and grandson.
He lies and spins the truth, he has been after her daughter for over a year now and because she will not bow to him, he will post lies, stalk her, take pictures of her and her son, slander her almost daily. It is a shame that this guy even has children.
Just take warning if you see hate pages start cropping up.
We will keep you informed!

Citizens' initiative for ranked-choice voting found valid with 64,687 signatures

 

 

 

11/19/2015 08:10 AM EST

AUGUSTA - The citizens' initiative petition effort to consider ranked-choice voting has been found valid, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed today.

The petitions for "An Act To Establish Ranked-choice Voting" had been in circulation since Oct. 28, 2014. On Oct. 19, 2015, the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions received 10,036 petition forms with 75,369 signatures of voters who support the initiative.

Staff members at the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions have completed the process of certifying all of the petitions and have found 64,687 valid signatures, while 10,682 were not valid. A minimum of 61,123 signatures from registered Maine voters is required in the citizens' initiative process, thus the petition has been deemed valid by Secretary Dunlap.

The initiative to establish ranked-choice voting will now go to the Legislature for consideration, per the provisions of the Maine Constitution. The Legislature can choose to enact the bill as written or to send it forward to a statewide vote in November 2016.

The bill would provide ranked-choice voting for the offices of U.S. senator, U.S. representative to Congress, governor, state senator and state representative for elections held on or after Jan. 1, 2018. In ranked choice voting, voters rank candidates in order of preference and the results are tabulated in rounds, in which last-place candidates are defeated and the candidate with the most votes in the final round is elected.

Thinking of Bringing Your Local Product to the Farmer's Market in 2016??

Maine Farmers’ Market Convention

 

 

 

The 8th annual Maine Farmers’ Market Convention will take place at the Maple Hill Farm Inn in Hallowell on Sunday, January 31st, 2016. This day-long event is an opportunity for farmers’ market members, managers, and supporters to come together to learn from one another and from experts in related fields.  We expect this year’s roster to include the following topics: Food safety requirements for a safe and legal farmers’ market Pricing: breaking even or making a profit? Scaling up your FM business Working with municipal governments – how to build good relationships Soliciting market sponsorships Developing (and enforcing) market rules Effective outreach to low-income shoppers Market promotion and outreach Farmers’ markets in 2020 and beyond Labor law and your FM business Market manager roundtable discussion What’s happening at your market? News from around the state For more information, please visit: http://www.mainefarmersmarkets.org/.

Crafters, Agricultural Producers and Companies Creating Maine Food Products are Invited to Participate in the GET REAL! GET MAINE! Product Showcase in Augusta!!

 

 

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry would like to invite you to participate in our new Get Real! Get Maine Product Showcase. The Showcase will take place on Tuesday, January 12th, from 9am-5pm at the 75th Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show. This showcase is a special opportunity for Get Real. Get Maine! producers to showcase their products at one of the biggest agricultural events in the state.

Producers who are members of Get Real. Get Maine! may apply for a space in the showcase. A limited number of exhibit spaces are available; the fee for each 8’ x 10’ exhibit space is $75.00. This fee will include the cost of any electrical hookups, tables and chairs. Wireless internet access is available through the Augusta Civic Center.

To apply for exhibit space at the 2016 Maine Agricultural Trades Show, please visit, https://www.regonline.com/getrealmaine. Please fill out the online application as accurately and in as much detail as possible. In order to sample food & beverage at your booth, you must present a copy of your food & beverage license and/or certificate with your application.

Please register no later than Friday, December 11th, 2015. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Due to the increasing popularity of the show and demand for space, payment for booth space is due IN FULL with your completed application. Please make your payment online at the time of registration or send a check made out to: Treasurer, State of Maine. Space will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. We will notify you in writing if your application is accepted. Once space becomes full, we will put additional names on a waiting list. Once the floor is filled, if you are not chosen, payment will be immediately returned to you.

If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Samantha Howard, Agricultural Promotions Coordinator, at (207) 287-7620 or by e-mail at Samantha.Howard@maine.gov. We look forward to seeing you in Augusta, January 12th-14th, 2016.

Sincerely,

Samantha Howard
Agricultural Promotions Coordinator
Agricultural Resources Development Division

Help your first responders by helping yourself

 

November 21, 2015

In a large, serious emergency, travel may be restricted, or businesses closed. If you have what you need, and know how to take care of yourself, you will be freeing up first responders to get where they are most needed, and helping your community weather the storm.

Daily Preparedness Tips from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Lunar Halo is Stunning tonight!!

 

DID YOU SEE IT??

There is an aura around the moon tonight.

Otherwise known as a "LUNAR HALO"

 

November 21, 2015

It’s not really a magically significant event so much as a scientific one. It’s actually a phenomenon known as a lunar halo, and it happens sometimes when moonlight is refracted through ice particles in the earth's atmosphere.
The folks at the Farmer’s Almanac have a great explanation of it, and say, “A lunar halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.

As light passes through these hexagon-shaped ice crystals, it is bent at a 22 degree angle, creating a halo 22 degrees in radius (or 44 degrees in diameter).”

It’s definitely beautiful to look at. From a folkloric standpoint, however, many traditions of weather magic indicate that a ring around the moon means bad weather, rain, snow or other foul atmospheric conditions are on the way.
In general, there is no Wiccan or other Neopagan magical correspondence related to the lunar halo.

Sorry that it's not the greatest photo!! Hopefully someone will have a better one to share!
BUT
You can know that as Deborah sat, staring upward in awe of the amazing weather phenomenon, I could think of nothing else but all of my facebook friends and how very much I've been missing our conversations. I was hoping the aura extended down and touched each one of your lives tonight with a little mystical magic and brightness!!!
Feeling the need to share with someone who could appreciate my "WEIRD" fixation with all things beautiful, I called Windy and, as I figured, she was unaware, but went right outside to view the moon with me. That's what great friends do, even if they're not interested. But Windy WAS and she took the time to explain to me the scientific process that it takes to create a Lunar Halo.
Very Beautiful indeed, very enchanting!!
I  hope you had the chance to see the abnormally large halo around the moon tonight and know that I'm thinking of all my Facebook friends and wishing you all simply the chance to see beautiful things.
~~Deborah

Thank You to "He Who Shall Not be Named".......

 

Deborah's been SOOO busy that despite her man's persistence,

she hasn't had the time to go Truck Shopping with him.

UNTIL TODAY

After being reported to Facebook by "He who shall not be named",

Deborah not ONLY went Truck Shopping,

but seems her guy's awfully happy driving around in his

Chevy Silverado Pick Up Truck

 this afternoon!!!

 

SO happy, in fact,

that after a homemade meal,

he's snoozing like a

BABY

in his New Recliner!!

 

There's ALWAYS something to be Thankful for!!!

 

 

YUP, we're SO miserable not being able to post on Facebook!!

Can't Keep a Good Woman Down. A day at the Isinglass River in Rochester.

November 20, 2015

Even though it's a bit more difficult, Deborah still has the ability to post on the blog page and then Sandy can share the blog and post it to Facebook.

So I'll go back to showing you what a LOVELY time my Gary and I had today over on the Gonic Trails on the Waste Management property in Rochester.

Deborah and Gary at Isinglass Falls in Rochester, NH.

 

The Isinglass Falls were beautiful today!!

A perfect day for walking!!

 

The Isinglass River was beautiful today!! Swift and Cold!

 

Everywhere we looked was Beauty!!

 

While there are roots and rocks underfoot, the trails are well kept and easy to walk.

 

We went off the trail a bit and climbed to the top of a ledge.

There in the woods, we found a simple little cemetery.

The name on the headstone read, RUCA.

We're assuming by the size of the grave RUCA may have been a dog.

 

We saw lots of squirrel stashes everywhere, but never did see any squirrels!

 

There were the remnants of an old foundation,

there were lots of old metal items within.

We find them pretty, do you??

 

Just another brick in the wall!!

The red brick was eyecatching next to the large stones!

 

Bittersweet vine was everywhere lending LOTS of fall color!

 

LOTS of moss and fungus!

 

The trails are well marked.

All you have to do is look for the metal markers on the trees.

 

The moon began rising in a crystal blue sky.

Time to head home and care for the animals.

 

 

 

 

Maine Unemployment Rate 4.3 Percent in October

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released October workforce estimates for Maine. Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.3 percent for October was little changed from 4.4 percent in September and down from 5.6 percent one year ago. The unemployment rate was the lowest since 2002. The number of unemployed declined 9,600 over the year to 29,100. The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 5.0 percent was little changed from 5.1 percent in September and down from 5.7 percent one year ago. The estimate of the employment to population ratio (age 16 and over) in Maine of 59.6 percent was the lowest in four years. In the years ahead, the share of employed population is likely to gradually trend lower as large numbers of baby boomers retire. The U.S. average was 59.3 percent. The New England unemployment rate averaged 4.6 percent. Rates for other states were 3.3 percent in New Hampshire, 3.7 percent in Vermont, 4.6 percent in Massachusetts, 5.3 percent in Rhode Island, and 5.1 percent in Connecticut. Labor force and unemployment data is available here. Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate of 611,300 for October was up 5,500 from one year ago. The gain was entirely in the private sector, primarily in the professional and business services, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. The estimate for government was unchanged from one year ago. Nonfarm payroll jobs data is available here. Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate estimate of 3.6 percent in October was down from 4.9 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates were down over the year in all 16 counties, with the largest decline in Franklin County (-1.8 points). Rates ranged from 2.8 percent in Sagadahoc County to 5.4 percent in Somerset County. The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in the Portland-South Portland metro (2.9 percent) and close to the average in Lewiston-Auburn (3.5 percent) and Bangor (3.5 percent). This release is available here. November workforce estimates will be released Friday, December 18 (Data Release Schedule). NOTES: 1. Preliminary labor force estimates, including unemployment and employment to population ratios for Maine, tend to move in a direction for several months and then reverse course. Those directional trends are largely driven by a smoothing procedure and may not indicate a change in underlying workforce conditions. Annual revisions (to be published in March 2016) will moderate or eliminate those directional patterns. In addition, the 90 percent confidence interval for statewide unemployment rates in 2015 has been 0.5 to 0.7 percentage points above or below the published estimate each month. 2. Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates tend to be volatile from month to month because there is variability in the sample of reporting employers and their representativeness for the universe of all employers. Additionally, seasonal adjustment is imperfect because weather, the beginning and ending of school semesters and holidays, and other events do not always occur with the same timing, which can exacerbate monthly volatility. Users should look to the trend over multiple months rather than the change from one specific month to another. Estimates for the period from October 2014 to September 2015 will be replaced with actual payroll data in March 2016. Those benchmark revisions are likely to show less volatility than preliminary estimates.