Maine Fall Foliage Report October 14, 2015.......Foliage Color Peaking Throughout Maine......

Maine Fall Foliage Report
October 14, 2015

Foliage Color Peaking Throughout Maine

 

 

 

 

Augusta, MAINE (October 14, 2015) - Peak leaf color is spreading throughout the state, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.  Forest Rangers in all tracking zones are reporting 70 percent to 100 percent color and moderate leaf drop of 50 percent.
“Now is the time to grab your cameras and get outdoors. Maine is surrounded by the beautiful colors of fall with just enough green in many of the oaks to make for spectacular photography,” according to Gale Ross, fall foliage coordinator. “As predicted, because of our warm September, Maine’s fall foliage season has been extended by one week, well into mid- to late-October,” Ross noted.
Fall is a time to recognize the importance of the harvest season and Harvest on the Harbor is an event with a specific focus on local products, agriculture and culinary creations. Food lovers will delight in the gathering of Portland area restaurants, Maine farmers, food artisans, fisherman and local chefs. The event starts on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and ends on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Four Mount Desert Island communities will be hosting the 12th Annual MDI Marathon this weekend. The 26.2 mile race was named the “Most Scenic Marathon” by Runner’s World magazine and treats participants to breath-taking scenery. Or gather up the family and head to the 31st Annual HarvestFest & KidsFest in York Beach on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This longstanding festival features a variety of activities for kids, live entertainment, local food vendors and a marketplace, featuring crafters from all over New England.
Be sure to snap photos of your fall foliage adventures and share with us at us at www.mainefoliage.com. You can even sign up to receive weekly reports by email.
For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Lebanon Fire EMS Goes Pink

 

 

 

In support of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month members of the Lebanon Fire EMS Department show off their new pink shirts.

 

Left to Right: Chief Meehan, FF/EMT Rudnicki and FF/EMT Remick

 

Maine CDC Reminds Women of the Importance of Mammograms

 

10/13/2015 11:30 AM EDT

AUGUSTA - During 2015, it is estimated that more than 1,000 Maine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 180 women will die from the disease. As National Breast Cancer Awareness month continues, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds women that regular screening mammograms are critical in diagnosing and beginning treatment of the disease.

"While breast cancer is not preventable, early detection of the disease is the best protection,'' said Governor Paul R. LePage. "I encourage women to speak with their doctor about scheduling a mammogram. This simple screening helps to save lives."
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society recommend an annual mammogram starting at age 40, and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every two years for women aged 50-74. Women with a mother or sister who have breast cancer may warrant testing earlier. Not all breast cancer can be felt as a lump on breast exam, which is why a regular mammogram is so important. A screening mammogram can detect breast cancer early, even before symptoms arise.
The Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program can provide information about cancer screening tests and has some resources available for free cancer screenings.
Women must be age 40 or older and meet financial and other program criteria. Interested women are encouraged to call 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068; TTY users call Maine Relay 711.
More details can also be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/bcp/ .

 

 

Lebanon Fire and EMS and the American Red Cross are Hosting an Upcoming Blood drive.

Lebanon Fire and EMS and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive.
Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!

Drive Details:
Site: Lebanon Fire Department
Address: 3 Upper Cross Road,

Lebanon, ME, 04027

Room Name: Bloodmobile
Date: Wed Dec 2, 2015
Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00: PM

Coordinator Name: J.T. Harmon
Coordinator Phone Number: 207-457-3922
Click here to make an appointment

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.
Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Two Rochester Hannafords to Feature Soldiers Helpers as Beneficiary of their "Good Karma" Reusable Bag Program.

 

 

Hannaford stores in Rochester, NH,

located at 290 No. Main Street and 26 Lilac Mall #2

have chosen Soldiers Helpers to be the beneficiary for the

"Hannaford Helps" Reusable Bag Program

which will feature the new blue "Good Karma" Bag.

 With this new bag,

Hannaford is giving back to causes in their communities.

 For every one of these bags sold at Hannafords in Rochester, between October 15 and December 31, for $1.00,  Soldiers Helpers will receive $1.00! 100% of the sales price!!

 These funds will go to help Soldiers Helpers send Christmas packages overseas and continue with other programs to help veterans and also continue to work at the many different service related events that they travel to and participate in. 

 So please, beginning on Oct. 15 look in our Rochester, NH Hannafords for these bags and pick up a couple and help Soldiers Helpers. 

Maine, New Hampshire Officials Confirm European Naiad Infestation in Salmon Falls River

Naiad, or Bushy Pond Weed, an invasive species has been found

in the Salmon Falls River on the Lebanon Maine, New Hampshire border.

 

(AUGUSTA) — Biologists from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with their New Hampshire counterparts, have confirmed a late September discovery of the invasive  species European naiad (scientific name: Najas minor) in a 1040-acre impoundment within Salmon Falls River, a border water body with shorelines in Lebanon and Acton, Maine and Milton, New Hampshire. The impoundment includes Northeast, Milton and Town House Ponds.
Able to overtake native lake habitats by shading and outcompeting ecologically valuable aquatic plants, European naiad grows from an annual seed into 7-foot long plants. A productive, one-acre infestation can generate tens of millions of seeds per season. Dense infestations can alter water chemistry and oxygen levels.
 “We’re finding well-established populations in Northeast Pond and in the narrow thoroughfare leading to Milton Pond with the thickest growth in northern portions of Northeast Pond,” says biologist John McPhedran of the Maine DEP. “It is our immediate objective to monitor the extent of this infestation throughout the entire impoundment so that we can consider response options with New Hampshire for 2016.”
The infestation was first documented in early September by an area volunteer citizen scientist. Subsequent monitoring has been provided by trained volunteers coordinated by the York County Soil and Water Conservation District, the local interstate Three Ponds Protective Association, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) and Maine DEP.
European naiad has been confirmed in one small Maine Pond in Kittery and in a handful of New Hampshire water bodies this growing season.
The invasive plant had been documented previously in two New Hampshire water bodies, but populations declined on their own without management, according to Amy Smagula of the New Hampshire DES. “European naiad has not been a common problem species in this area, though with several new infestations documented in New Hampshire in 2015, that may be about to change. It warrants further investigation.”
Maine DEP and NH DES have distributed invasive species warning signs to be posted at boat ramps urging boaters to inspect for and remove plant debris before and after accessing the impoundment. Also notified were boat ramp and other land owners, fishing tournament organizers, and fisheries and warden services from both states.  
Maine has been fortunate in recent years to remove water bodies from the statewide list of infestations. To date, of Maine’s 5,700 named water bodies, only 46 are now documented as infested.

 

 

***Extra note of interest from Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers***

Naiad, of the Naja or Najadaceae genus of water plant,

is named after a female spirit from ancient Greek mythology.

Naiad was a spirit known to preside over fountains, wells, springs, streams and small lakes.

 

Everyone has Something They Can Do to Help Neighbors in Need.

Everyone has something they can do to help a neighbor in need.
Today marked the donation of 100 dozen farm fresh eggs  by Gary and myself to the New Covenant Church Food Pantry in North Berwick, ME.
We didn't donate 100 dozen all at once, rather it was several dozen one week, two dozen the next, etc....  You don't have to make a HUGE donation to make a difference!! One or two items each week or even each month, can feed many who are struggling in our own town!!

Deborah Wilson and Pat McLaughlin of the New Covenant Church Food Pantry.

New Covenant Church works with local retailers, farmers and civic organizations to help feed many families. August 2015 number showed the pantry feeding over 240 families, 132 of those families are from Lebanon, Maine.
That's not a misprint. 132 Families from Lebanon Maine are accessing this amazing food pantry.
Shown here with Pat McLaughlin who has come to the farm to pick up eggs each and every Monday throughout the summer!!
Pat, who works with the York County Community Action out of Sanford, volunteers his time with the food pantry as he knows just how important it has become to providing fresh vegetables, meats, fish and farm fresh products to families who are food challenged.
Please consider a donation of food items to the New Covenant Church in North Berwick, Maine. If you call, they'll even come and pick up your donation!!!