York County Extension Services Master Gardeners to Host Spring Plant Sale

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program coupled with the York County Extension Service, will hold their Annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the University of Maine Extension office,  located at 21 Bradeen St., in Springvale, Maine.
Annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs and houseplants will be for sale, as will an assortment of gently used gardening books and tools.
U Maine Master Gardener Volunteers will be available to offer advice and help make garden plan suggestions.

Maine Harvest for Hunger representatives will also be on hand at the event to sign up York County gardeners who want to plant an extra row of vegetables to donate at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
A raffle with many garden-related prizes will be held. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and will be available all day, the day of the sale.
Proceeds benefit Master Gardener Volunteer programs in York County, including Kids Can Grow, Garden Angels, Maine Harvest for Hunger and demonstration gardens.
Tickets for the York County Master Gardener "Diggin It" Garden Tour will be available for purchase at the Plant Sale.
For more information, contact University of Maine Extension Service in York County, 1-800-287-1535 (in Maine) or 207-324-2814.

Oren Cheney Founded West Lebanon Academy, Became President of Bates College

Oren Cheney was born in Holderness, NH to Abigail and Moses Cheney who were prominent abolitionists. Cheney's father was a paper manufacturer and also a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Influenced particularly by his mother, Cheney developed core beliefs in the causes of abolitionism and temperance. He supported these causes throughout his life as an abolitionist, teacher, Freewill Baptist minister, state legislator, editor of "The Morning Star", an abolitionist paper.
Cheney's father, Moses, was the original printer for The Morning Star newspaper, and he was a friend of Frederick Douglass, the noted abolitionist. The first issue of The Morning Star was published in Limerick, Maine on 11 May 1826. Seven years later the newspaper relocated to Dover, NH and it continued to be published in that town from November 1833 until December 1874. Thereafter it was published in various cities including Portland, Boston and Chicago until its final issue rolled off the presses in 1911.
Young Cheney was educated at the Parsonfield Seminary, (a Free Will Baptist prep school). He attended college at Brown University, and Dartmouth College, where he graduated with the Class of 1839. Cheney had transferred from Brown to Dartmouth after seeing mob violence on campus against abolitionists. The college had many economic ties with slave trade shipping. Cheney believed that Dartmouth was more tolerant of abolitionism.
In 1840 he married Caroline A. Rundlett and they had one child, Horace Rundlett Cheney. Caroline died in 1846, while he was studying at Whitestown.
In 1844 Cheney was ordained as a Free Will Baptist minister. He later attended the Free Will Baptist Bible School in Whitestown, NY to study theology but had to leave following his wife's death in 1846. (This school was later called the Cobb Divinity School).
In 1847, the widower Cheney married Nancy S. Perkins. They had two children, Caroline and Emmeline. Nancy died in 1886.
Oren Cheney was the principal at Parsonfield Divinity, a stop on the Underground Railroad, for several years in the 1840s. He founded the Lebanon Academy on Jim Grant Road in West Lebanon, Maine in 1848.
In 1851 Cheney was elected to the Maine House of Representatives as a Free Soil Party candidate, and was a strong supporter of the Maine State Law in favor of prohibition.
In 1855, Cheney founded the Maine State Seminary, the school that would later become Bates College. He served as president until 1894. The school reflected his personal values: it was open to all students regardless of race, gender, wealth or religion
In 1863, Cheney petitioned the Maine Legislature for a change in the charter to permit a collegiate course of study. He changed the school's name to Bates College in honor of Benjamin E. Bates, the industrialist and philanthropist who made substantial early gifts to Cheney's school.
Cheney had a major hand in founding other schools in the State of Maine, such as the Maine Central Institute (MCI), founded in 1866, and he also helped to form Storer College, a school for freed slaves in West Virginia founded in 1867
The Cheney House, on the campus of Bates College, was built in 1875 when Cheney was president.
In 1892 Cheney married for a final time to Emeline S. (Aldrich) Burlingame, a widow, who survived him.
Cheney served as Bates' president for 39 years, retiring at age 79 in 1894.
Cheney died in 1903 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Lewiston, Maine.
The Cheney House was acquired in 1905 by Bates College. Today it is used as a dormitory, a "quiet house" for 32 students.

Senator Susan Collins teams with Diane Feinstein to Crack Down on Artisan Soapmakers

I've copied and pasted this blog entry from www.simpleunhookedliving.wordpress.com because I'm shocked and embarrassed that our Maine Senator, Susan Collins, is involved in such nonsense! Artisans have been creating their soaps and herbal soaps for as long as soap has been important. Not only do these soaps contain all natural ingredients, but their sale helps boost the income of many households This is just craziness. Call Senator Susan Collins' office and let her know that pairing up with Senator Diane Feinstein on this, or on ANY bill does not represent what living in Maine is all about.

 

 

Lawmakers want FDA to crack down on soap makers

People who are trying to do good for their families and the planet by living a simple life based on traditional skills are facing yet another assault. Artisanal soap makers say new regulations, proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), will put them out of business. Many soap makers are rural “kitchen table” operations that rely on the income to fund their simple living lifestyle.  Some use milk from goats they raise and ingredients they harvest from the land.

The Handmade Cosmetic Alliance posted this form on its website that can be used to reach out to elected representatives. 

The form includes a statement on behalf of handmade body care product makers that says, in part: “My products comply with FDA labeling requirements and the ingredients are commonly known (i.e, olive oil, oatmeal, sugar, coconut oil, etc).  My best customers are in my community. I cannot afford the user fees proposed in S. 1014. Further, my business has no capacity to do the reporting requirements for each product batch (10-50 units) as it could be several hundred FDA filings per month.” Those who sell online will also be affected.*
The view of Sen. Feinstein and her corporate backers (listed below) is that the Personal Care Products Safety Act (Senate Bill S.1014) will make the world a safer place by scrutinizing “everything from shampoo and hair dye to deodorant and lotion.” She introduced the amendment to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, because of troubling negative health effects from chemicals used in personal care products.  She says the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act should be more progressive like laws in Europe rather than antiquated US regulations in effect since the 1930s.
If the industries that back this law are really so concerned about safety, why don’t they voluntarily make healthy products, like the small time producers already do? I’m calling bullshit.
Problem ingredients Feinstein cites include:
Methylene glycol, (an ingredient in the popular hair smoothing treatment known as the “Brazilian Blowout”) turns into formaldehyde when heated, and exposure has been reported to result in hair loss, rashes, blistered scalps, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, shortness of breath, vomiting and increased risk of cancer.
Propyl paraben, a preservative used in a wide range of products including shampoo, conditioner and lotion, mimics the hormone estrogen and can potentially disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive system disorders. She then goes on to say “consumers deserve to know that the products they use every day are safe.”
Huh? She just said they’re not safe, which is why I and many women already choose to spend a few dollars more on natural products. Feinstein does not propose to ban these dangerous ingredients from soaps and cosmetics, just regulate them with tests and warning labels, fees, and recall authority. She thinks some of these products, though harmful to health, magically become “safe when used by professionals in a salon or spa setting.” My question is; after a half century of so called feminism, why are women still knuckling under to  industry pressure and voluntarily paying to have these poisons applied to their bodies on a regular basis? But I digress.

Berwick Police Send Reminder of Closure of the Berwick Bridge

Interesting Article on Monsanto vs. Oakhurst Dairy, published in the Bangor Daily News

Published in the Bangor Daily News, Thursday April 30, 2015

Oakhurst, Monsanto gird for federal court battle

By SHARON KILEY MACK, BDN Staff        

BANGOR – A trio of Monsanto representatives was in Bangor Thursday morning lobbying on behalf of the chemical giant’s federal lawsuit to force Oakhurst Dairy to change its milk jug labels, a federal court case that will come to trial in January.
The landmark lawsuit centers on whether – as new and controversial ingredients enter the food supply – a producer has the right to make truthful statements about what a product does not contain, right along with what it does contain.
Oakhurst’s label tells the truth. But Monsanto contends that, although truthful, the label is misleading and prompts consumer skepticism that undermines the company’s lucrative markets.
Monsanto sued Oakhurst on July 3, claiming that a label on Oakhurst milk jugs that states “Our Farmers’ Pledge: No Artificial Growth Hormones” is hurting the multinational chemical company’s relationship with dairy farmers and misleads consumers into thinking that there is something wrong with milk produced with artificial hormones.
Monsanto is the only producer of Posilac, or recombinant bovine growth hormone, a drug injected into milk cows every two weeks to boost production. About one-third of the United States’ 9 million dairy cows are given the hormone.
Dr. Jennifer Garrett of Monsanto said Thursday that “healthy, comfortable cows are those producing more milk. Posilac helps cows make about 1 gallon more a day. It is a very natural process.”
Opponents, however, have concerns that the artificial hormones are harmful to cows, that they make cows produce milk that is chemically and nutritionally different from natural milk, and that they could induce higher rates of cancer in humans. Based on these concerns, Canada and the European Union have banned the hormone. The United States, Mexico and Brazil are the only countries where it is permitted.
Stanley Bennett II, president of Oakhurst, on Thursday reasserted his stand against changing the label. “We don’t feel we have any obligation, nor will we be required or bullied into somehow qualifying our standards,” he said.
“Our customers have told us in no uncertain terms that they don’t want artificial growth hormones in their milk. Our label is an accurate and honest attempt to communicate to consumers what we are trying to do. It is our obligation to our customers.”
This is the third such suit filed by Monsanto against dairy processors regarding labeling issues. The two other suits, one in Texas and the other in Chicago, were settled out of court.
Although the details of those settlements are confidential, Brian Robert Lowrey, director of industry affairs for Monsanto, said that both dairies changed their labels after the settlement.
Many opponents of artificial growth hormones have labeled the Oakhurst lawsuit a “David versus Goliath” battle (Monsanto had $4 billion in sales last year, compared to Oakhurst’s $85 million), one in which Monsanto hopes to obtain a victory that would provide a precedent to fight similar labels across the country.
Not so, the Monsanto representatives maintained. “When Oakhurst began expanding their market into the Boston area, and only after a great deal of consideration, we felt we had to take action,” said Janice M. Armstrong, Monsanto’s director of public affairs.
Several other milk producers in New England – including Hood and Garelik – have similar labels but are not being sued. When asked if those companies also would be sued, Armstrong said she could not predict future litigation.
Since the suit was filed, Bennett said, his company has been inundated with letters, e-mails and other gestures of support, and has had an increase in sales. Ralph Nader, the Green Party candidate for president in the last election, contacted Oakhurst in August to offer free legal help through his foundation, which supports freedom of speech.

Please access the Bangor Daily News at www.bangordailynews.com
 

Batchelder's Sales Announces May 14th Open House Plans.

Batchelder Sales, located at 1511 Carl Broggi Highway, across from Hometown Mobil, announces their Open House, on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 4 pm until 8 pm.
Click on the photo above, print, and fill out the invitation below and bring it with you to be entered for prizes, drawings and food!!!
The folks from Bite Me Hot Dog Eatery, located just before the NH State line on Rt. 202 in Lebanon, will be in attendance for the Open House offering samples from their new and expanded menu.
Batchelder Sales has been in business at this location since 1996, and has been a Kioti Tractor Dealership since 2002, servicing all makes and models of farm and garden tractors.
"We carry everything from your basic homeowner models, to the big 90 horsepower agricultural tractors", said Judy Batchelder when I spoke with her on Thursday morning.
There are 334 Kioti Dealerships between the United States and Canda, according to Judy, and Batchelder Sales is one of the Paw 5 dealerships (kind of like referring to a 5 star hotel or restaurant). A dealership must work very hard and maintain a great service record to achieve this rating, criteria for the Paw 5 rating include dollar sales volume, advertising records, recent upgrades and signs, inventory of parts and machines on hand, availability of Certified Kioti technicians, delivery availability and more. "We are in the top 20 dealerships in the country, we work very hard at this", said Judy.
Kioti tractors are manufactured in Korea by the Daedong Industrial Co., LTD, they are shipped into Virginia, and go through customs. Batchelder's takes delivery of the tractors in pieces and assembles them right here in their Lebanon shop. "Our family could go the easy way and let Kioti assemble them," says Judy, "but in the end, it's us who is responsible to our customer, so we assemble them ourselves to make sure everything is done 100% correct."
Batchelder's son also heads up the company's 2nd location, on Route 1 in North Hampton, NH and daughter Becky travels back and forth between the two stores. Employee Eric Thompson came to the Bachelder's when he was only 14 years old. Judy tells the story of a young Eric coming into the office with his father looking for work, and their reluctance to hire such a young man. "His father said, his boy was different, and he certainly is," Judy said of Thompson. "He'll be the one to take over the Lebanon business when we retire." Between the two locations, Batchelder's boasts a total of over 1,200 tractors for customers to consider. According to Judy, they've grown so big from having great customer service. "We don't do a lot of advertising," Judy said, "most of our advertising is done by word of mouth." She took great pride in telling us about the great customer to customer base that the business has taken care to maintain over the years. "If you fill out the coupon to participate in our drawings," she added, "you don't have to worry about salesmen calling you or strong arm sales tactics. We really just would like to know where people are hearing about our business."
Another key player to the Bachelder's success story is daughter, Becky. "Without her I'd be lost," said Judy. "People have no idea of the massive inventory she is responsible for."  Not only does Becky provide support to both Batchelder Sales locations, she is responsible for all wholegoods and parts inventory. This involves ordering and maintaining adequate wholegoods & parts records, all warranty submissions, routine customer billings and overall customer support as needed. Becky works directly with the people at Kioti and with customer financing at Agricredit.  "She is also our very valuable IT person. Many times Becky is the first contact our customers have with Batchelder Sales and she completes many of our sales." said Judy.
It was fun talking to Judy and hearing the details of the trip she and Becky recently took to tour the Daedong manufacturing plant in Korea. The pair also toured the company's foundry, which Judy says was her first time ever being able to see a working foundry. There's a photo album of their trip in the office and seeing the thousands of bright orange tractors all lined up for export to the United States is pretty amazing. "All compact tractors these days are made outside of the United States," Judy informed me, "While people think that John Deere is manufactured in America, they're not," adding that many are manufactured in Mexico and South America and only assembled in the States.
Batchelder Sales also carries Bad Boy brand zero turn mowers, manufactured in Batesville, Arkansas and Land Pride three point hitch accessories which are located in Kansas. Both being 100% American Made.
Watch this week for Batchelder's to be adding their new Kioti Dealership sign. The old one is coming down and will be replaced prior to the May 14th Open House!!
Bachelder's Sales offers help with financing through Agricredit and York County Federal Credit Union. According to Judy, York County offers some awesome financing deals and they've been able to help many people get the equipment they need through York County Federal Credit Union's financing programs.

Schoolhouse Ice Cream Opening Day to Benefit the Animal Welfare Society.

Schoolhouse Ice Cream is pleased to announce that the Animal Welfare Society will be the beneficiary of 10% of all of the proceeds from their opening day, scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 at 1:00 pm.
Also planned for the day is a 50/50 raffle (50% going to the lucky winner, and 50% being donated to the Animal Welfare Society), and a Cruise Night, featuring many antique collectible cars, scheduled to begin at 4 pm.
Schoolhouse Ice Cream is located on the corner of Depot Road and Baker's Grant Road in Lebanon.
The Animal Welfare Society, which is located at 46 Holland Road in Kennebunk, Maine, offers services for all of the stray animals that are brought in by the Lebanon Animal Control Officers, Mary Kinney and Carol Harris. 
Lebanon residents who find strays, or who are unable to keep their pets, can surrender them to the AWS, Sunday - Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 11am to 4:00pm, by appointment only. No appointments for surrenders are given on Saturdays or Wednesdays.
 AWS also has many dogs and cats available for adoption. Adoption Hours are every day, except Wednesday from 11am to 4:30pm
The Animal Welfare Society is Closed on Wednesdays for Staff  and Volunteer Training.
For more information on surrenders, strays, adoptions or Maine's spay and neuter programs, you can call the Animal Welfare Society at 207-985-3244
Or you can visit them online at http://animalwelfaresociety.org/