Governor LePage Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/15/2016 03:56 PM EST

 AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day by attending the 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast in Waterville on Monday, Jan. 18. Additionally, Governor LePage has signed a proclamation declaring Monday as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

"On this day our state and nation remembers the life and work of a man who dedicated his life to ensure civil rights for all Americans," Governor LePage said. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was committed to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and his teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing the challenges of today."

"As we remember Dr. King, we are reminded of the many opportunities we have as Americans to give back to our communities on this holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year." This is the 25th year of the event, which is sponsored by the Waterville Rotary Club and Spectrum Generations. Governor LePage, who is a Rotarian, has attended the annual Waterville event for many years.

The Pleasant Street Methodist Church Choir and George Mitchell School students will perform music at the celebration. Allecia Reid, PH. D. William and Margaret Montgoris Assistant Professor of Psychology, Colby College, will be the guest speaker. Reid received her Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University. She held postdoctoral research positions at Yale University and Brown University before coming to Colby College in 2013. Dr. Reid lives in Oakland, Maine with her husband and two children.

Proclamation language is as follows:

WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice and opportunity for all, and challenged all Americans to participate in the never-ending work of building a more perfect union; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing challenges in our communities; and

WHEREAS, the King Holiday and Service Act, enacted in 1994, designated the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Services with leading the effort that has inspired millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities on the King Holiday; and

WHEREAS, serving on the King Holiday is an appropriate way to honor Dr. King, meet local and national needs, bring our citizens together, and strengthen our communities and nation; and

WHEREAS, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday commemorated as a national day of service, and offers an opportunity for Americans to give back to their communities on the holiday and make an ongoing commitment to service throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, King Day of Service projects are being organized by a wide range of non-profits in the State of Maine.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, proclaim January 18, 2016, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

throughout the State of Maine, and call upon the people of Maine to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through participation in community service projects on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year.

The Celebration of Kwanzaa, A Celebration of Community, Family, Honor....... and a West African recipe to try!!

Kwanzaa, December 26th to January 1st....
A celebration of people of Community, Family, Honor, Love and Respect.

Kwanzaa was first celebrated in December 1966 and January 1967. The holiday was proposed by Maulana Karenga to give those of African descent a holiday to celebrate their own cultural heritage and the key values of family and community.  Although seen as an alternative to Christmas and thus possibly anti-Christian in the early years, many people now observe aspects of both festivals.

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise *Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

• Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
• Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
• Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
• Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed: corn (Mahindi) and other crops, a candle holder kinara with seven candles (Mishumaa Saba), a communal cup for pouring libation (Kikombe cha Umoja), gifts (Zawadi), a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.

West African Chicken Stew Recipe for Kwanza

1 tablespoon olive oil         

1 (3 pound) roasting chicken, deboned and cut into bite size pieces

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, chopped

1 large potato, diced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water                                   
• 3/4 cup unsalted natural-style peanut butter          
  
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

Prep 10 m            

Cook 35 m            

Ready In 45 m            

1. In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken, and brown quickly. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium low, and add garlic, onion and potato to the pan; saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with cumin, coriander, black pepper, red pepper and salt. Do not let garlic brown.
2. Mix in water and browned chicken, and any accumulated juices. Place lid on skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove lid, and stir in the peanut butter and garbanzo beans. Make sure the peanut butter is blended in. Replace lid to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and serve.

 

JULY is National Ice Cream Month.....Time for a Visit to Your Favorite Local Ice Cream Parlor

 

JULY IS NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH!!

CELEBRATE

by ENJOYING A CONE

from Your

FAVORITE

LEBANON AREA ICE CREAM PARLOR~

 

SCHOOL HOUSE ICE CREAM

253 Bakers Grant Road, North Lebanon, Maine

Find out More HERE

http://www.schoolhouseicecreammaine.com/

 

LICK ME ICE CREAM

1716 Carl Broggi Highway (Rt 202), Lebanon Maine

Find out More HERE

https://www.facebook.com/lickmeicecreamstand

 

and just over the border in Rochester, NH

LONE OAK ICE CREAM

175 Milton Road, (Rt 125), Rochster, NH

Find out More HERE

http://www.loneoakicecream.com/

 

and in neighboring Sanford, ME

SHAINE'S of MAINE ICE CREAM

1491 Main Street, Sanford, ME

Find out More HERE

http://www.shainsofmaine.com

 

 

 

 

Pictorial Posting of the Milton / Milton Mills New Hampshire Independence Day Parade

We were invited to attend the Milton, NH / Milton Mills, NH Parade this morning by several people VERY early this morning, so with grandson in tow, we headed over to the Milton Free Public Library where the parade would begin promptly at 10 AM.
There was a moment's chance for a quick conversation and hug from "Our Milton Home" online news editor, Les Elder, who was busy at his assignment of registering all the children who were riding in the parade on patriotic themed, decorated bicycles. It was nice to see so many of the local people involved in this great, small, home town parade, and we were thankful they'd invited us to be a part of their day.

 

Everyone was lined up and waiting, and it sure wasn't hard to spot Lebanon Fire and Rescue in the big blue box of Rescue 1. Walking up the road I had a moment to speak with Chief Meehan and EMT/Firefighter Rudnicki who informed me that while they were attending Milton's Independence Day Parade, the Fire Department was on a call, and the Rescue was out on a separate call. We were sure glad that TJ and Stu were back in Lebanon holding down the fort!!

 

 

Leading the way was Milton Selectman and Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer Mike Beaulieu, tossing out candy to the children along the parade route.

 

 

There were three floats in the parade, each one depicting a different special someone from the pages of American History. Can you guess who they are representing??

 

 

Look who else was in the Milton parade!! It's Lebanon's own Harrison Thorp!!  The Lebanon Voice, Thorp's online newspaper, covers Lebanon, Rochester and Milton. Looking GOOD Harrison!!!

 

 

 

 Several Fine Automobiles were present in the parade as well!!! NICE RIDES!!!

Then came all the local children on their decorated bicycles. All were beautiful, but I chose a few to share. If we were judging, grandson Damien and I would have judged this way........

 

Largest Flag

 

Most Original

Noisiest

Littlest

 

Lebanon Fire and Rescue Chief Daniel Meehan

 

Lebanon EMT / Firefighter Windy Rudnicki

 

At the very end of the parade came the Lebanon Fire and EMS Department Chief Dan Meehan in our beautiful C1 Ford Expedition Personnel Carrier, and EMT/Firefighter Windy Rudnicki piloting the big blue box, Rescue 1.

 

We were proud to hear Milton's residents yelling out and thanking our Lebanon Chief and Rescue for their help. We don't often hear about it when our Fire and EMS responds to Mutual Aid calls in Milton, but our Chief and EMT were well received and many along the route took time to holler out words of encouragement and thanks.

 

 

Lebanon's Fire and EMS Department brought up the rear. Did the Milton folks save the best for last?? Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers thought so!!

 

Thank you Milton / Milton Mills, NH for inviting us to be a part of your Independence Day celebration!! The weather was perfect for a parade, a bit cloudy, but nice and cool so that we were all comfortable. I had teamed up with a group of Milton, NH residents and we had a great time cheering on all the Police, Fire, Children and Floats.

 

Happy Independence Day to the residents of Milton, NH and Milton Mills, NH!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independence Day Parades in Sanford, ME and Milton NH Kick Off at 10 AM.

Sanford Maine July 4th Parade....
Steps off at 10:00 AM at Stilson Street and continues down Main Street to Gowan Park
WATCH for our Lebanon Fire and Rescue!!!
State Representative Karen Gerrish, a Lebanon, Maine resident has also posted she will be in the parade!!

Milton New Hampshire's July 4th Parade also steps off at 10:00 AM.
This small town parade also features local youth on decorated bicycles!!
If you plan on participating in the parade, please be at the Milton Free Public Library by 9:30 am.
WATCH for Lebanon Maine Fire and Rescue Chief Daniel Meehan who has been invited to join in on Milton's Parade Route!!

 

ENJOY THE PARADE!!!

Did You Know?? The Star Spangled Banner Has More Than One Verse?

 

The Star Spangled Banner

United States National Anthem

 

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

 

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
 

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

 

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Town Departments, Town Office, Closed on Friday, July 3, 2015, in Observance of Independence Day.

 

Please note that the Lebanon Town Office

and all Lebanon Town Departments 

will be closed on

Friday, July 3, 2015

in observance of the

July 4th, Independence Day, holiday.

 

Because July 4th falls on a Saturday this year, 2015, according to the Town's personnel standards, the Town Office and all Town Departments, including the Transfer Station and Highway Department will be closed on Friday, July 3.

All town Departments including the Town Office will resume their normal schedule on Monday, July 6, 2015.

Today, June 17, is National "Eat Your Vegetables" Day!!

Today, June 17th is National "Eat Your Vegetables" Day

      Strategically created in the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, this day is the perfect opportunity to re-introduce a healthy portion of vegetables into your diet. No doubt about it, Eat Your Vegetables Day was created to promote a more healthy diet.......for life! On this day, you are encouraged to eat vegetables for every meal, and for a snack. Better still, try to be a vegetarian....for the day. Short of that, any additional vegetables at meal time today will honor the event, as well as make you a little healthier. We encourage parents to let the kids help with dinner, preparing the salad and vegetables. Along the way, you tell your kids a little about the importance of vegetables for a long and healthy life.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE? Today, June 13th, is National Sewing Machine Day!!

Today, June 13th, is National Sewing Machine Day!!  

 

   

Sewing Machine Day celebrates a very important invention ----- the sewing machine. The first sewing machines were made in France in the 1830s. It wasn't until 1846, that they were patented in the U.S. What a great invention. Prior to it's creation, clothes items were sewn together by hand...stitch by stitch. People who know how to use a sewing machine are dwindling in number. Our mothers and grandmothers had a sewing machine in the house. They used it, too. But, look around your house. Do you have a sewing machine? Chance are, the answers is no. If you have a sewing machine, enjoy today making things with it. If not, consider picking up sewing as a hobby.

Today, June 12th, 2015 is National Red Rose Day!!

America's Favorite Red Rose, The American Beauty

 

Today is Red Rose Day!

 

June 12 is National Red Rose day.

This holiday comes to you, imported from the land down under (Australia), where they celebrate Red Rose Day and Week sponsored by that country's Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

This day is set aside, once a year for American's to enjoy the favorite of all the flowers, the Red Rose.

Red Roses have been sent for many years to lovers, as they are said to symbolize love.

Roses are just coming into full bloom as we enter the month of June, filling the air with their heavy scent and making us smile with their beauty. They will bloom, on and of, until the first heavy frost.

 

 

Looking for a Reason to Celebrate?? June 11, 2015 is National Corn on the Cob Day.

 

Today, June 11th is National Corn on the Cob Day

Date When celebrated : Always June 11th

Millions of people love sweet corn on the cob. As summer nears, we can't wait to bring out the salt and pepper, and boil, steam or grill some fresh, sweet, corn on the cob.

National Corn on the Cob Day encourages us to celebrate and enjoy this tasty summer time treat.

Plainview, Minnesota celebrates National Corn on the Cob Day in a big way. They hold a parade and other festivities.

Did you Know? Sweet Corn originated in Mexico. It dates back to about 9,000 BC.             Tip: Sweet Corn loses its sweetness rapidly. Home gardeners know to pick it just before it is cooked. When buying sweet corn at a store or farm market, make sure it is fresh picked.




 

National Free Donut Day this Friday, June 5th.

National Free Donut Day is this Friday, June 5th.
YES, it is an actual holiday!!
National Free Donut Day was instituted in 1938 to commemorate Salvation Army workers who surprised soldiers with donut deliveries. Today, it’s marked by a nationwide flurry of freebies from national donut chains.
Dunkin Donuts offers a FREE donut when you purchase a beverage of your choice from any of their locations, nationwide.
Here in Lebanon, we have several choices of locations. Not ONE Dunkin Donut within the borders of our town, however there are three in Rochester and three in Sanford, so no matter which direction you're heading, you can take advantage of the donut giant's giveaway!!


Wherever you are in the country, you can find the nearest Dunkin Donuts by going to the Dunkin Donuts Store Locator HERE..............  https://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/stores.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwqLWrBRC-_OaG-IfL0kASJAAbzKsVlywQJxxl3GYFZWpfQ3rgT7hgZlJpAofy5Y3cCiXJXxoC5dLw_wcB