12 December 2012 Edition - Fiddlehead Focus

267 W. Main St. 

Fort Kent, ME 

04743 

Complete local coverage fast and free at FIDDLEHEADFOCUS.COM 

Volume 3 Issue 50 The only locally owned news source serving daily online news to the entire St. John Valley December 12, 2012 

The publisher 

speaks: FAQs 

on a 75 cent 

Fiddlehead 

Focus 

By Andrew Birden 

ST. JOHN VALLEY – We 

should have seen it coming, but 

as soon as last week’s issue hit 

the stands, the phones at the 

Fiddlehead Focus office in Fort 

Kent started to ring with folks 

asking many questions about the 

plans to move to a paid paper. 

So here are the most common 

questions, and their answers. 

Q. Are you really going to 

give 25 cents to local charities 

from each paper you sell? 

A. Oh yes. We will be choosing 

one local charity each month 

to which we will present a 

check. Fiddlehead Focus will 

base the amount we write on the 

check on 25 cents per paper 

times the number of papers we 

sell that month. We will announce 

the criteria for these 

charities, but we have already 

established that a charity must 

serve the St. John Valley, have 

been in existence for at least five 

years, and have the administrative 

ability to distribute funds 

locally. 

See FAQs page 5 

- In This Issue - 

16 Pages 

Education 6 

UMFK 8 

Business 9 

Columns 11 

Entertainment 12 

Calendar 13 

Funpage 14 

What do Valley residents do when faced with the first significant winter storm of the season? They put on 

their boots, “bonnets,” and gloves, pick up a shovel, and get to work. No stranger to the snow, Lucien and 

Roger Roy, above, have lived in the St. John Valley for decades. Here the brothers clear snow around the 

Gas-n-Go sign on Main Street in Fort Kent during the first winter storm of the season on Monday, Dec. 10. 

The snowfall covered the area in up to five inches of white, just in time to help ensure a white Christmas in 

the St. John Valley. - Monica Pettengill Jerkins image 

Northern Maine is a Top 10 place to visit 

(but we already knew that) 

By Jenna Beaulieu 

AROOSTOOK COUNTY – A 

Lonely Planet article brought exposure 

to the Aroostook County 

last week and may increase tourist 

traffic to the area in the upcoming 

year. Lonely Planet, the world's 

most successful travel publisher, 

chose Northern Maine as number 

seven of the Top 10 U.S. Travel 

Destinations for 2013, along with 

such other destinations as Louisville, 

Kentucky; Fairbanks, Alaska; 

and Eastern Sierra, California, 

among others. 

The Lonely Planet article states, 

“Every year our U.S.-based edi- 

tors team up with Lonely Planet’s 

expert authors to compile a list of 

U.S. destinations that are prime 

for the next year....Our 2013 picks 

are literally all over the map: once 

-in-a-lifetime northern lights, new 

top-tier museums, moose trails, 

Polynesian paradise, and barrels 

of bourbon.” 

The article highlights various 

areas in Northern Maine that 

might appeal to tourists, including 

Baxter State Park and Moosehead 

Lake, and also features Aroostook 

County's extensive biking trails 

and canoe trips that can bring 

adventurers right up to the Canadian 

border. 

Leslie Jackson, Aroostook 

County Tourism Manager, said, 

“Lonely Planet is one of the top 

resources for travel plans. We're 

thrilled and excited that they listed 

Northern Maine.” 

Jackson continued, “It will definitely 

have an impact on our tourism 

traffic.” 

According to Jackson, 

Aroostook County Tourism's target 

markets are typically central 

and southern Maine and neighboring 

states in New England. This 

article will hopefully increase 

exposure nationwide, said Jackson. 

“We'll use this listing as a tool to 

Eagle Lake 

Sled Dog 

Races a go 

after all 

By Julie Daigle 

EAGLE LAKE – After an uncertain 

future for the Eagle Lake 

Sled Dog Races this year in the 

wake of low early registrations, 

the event is a go, said founder and 

board member John Kaleta. 

At one point, the board decided 

they might not run the races if 

there were less than 15 entries by 

Dec. 4. Due to Lindy Howe’s public 

outreach and recruitment efforts 

on Facebook and most likely 

the turn in the weather, the race 

now has 17 teams total, and Kaleta 

said he is confident that more entries 

will turn up as the race date 

draws near. 

He said the board is currently 

considering ways in which they 

can help make it easier for mushers 

to enter the race. This may 

See Races page 5 

market Aroostook County,” said 

Jackson. 

Most tourists are unable to imagine 

the beauty of the area until 

they see it for themselves, said 

Jackson, and many tourists would 

likely be attracted to the relaxed 

atmosphere of northern Maine. 

“I'd say the main thing that separates 

us from the other places 

listed is that we have a low population 

and low traffic,” said Jackson. 

“When you venture north, it's 

wide open sky and it's relaxed. It's 

not hectic like in cities.” 

She continued, “It's great to have 

someone acknowledge that we're a 

gem.”

Page 2 

Fiddlehead Focus, December 12, 2012 

Pelletier 

Ford ad

Three vehicles sustain damage after late 

night accident at Valley Auto Main St. lot 

By Monica Pettengill Jerkins 

FORT KENT - Valley Auto 

has suffered another blow as 

they attempt to rebuild their 

business after a fire destroyed 

their Main Street building in 

early October. 

Just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, 

Dec. 4, 19-year-old Phillip 

Pabellon of Fort Kent was traveling 

west in his 2004 Chevy 

Impala on West Main Street 

when he attempted to negotiate 

a left turn onto Elm Street near 

the vacant lot where Valley Auto 

was displaying some vehicles 

for sale. 

Pabellon hit a curb, which 

bounced him into the right rear 

end of a 2013 Chevy Silverado 

crew cab parked in the Valley 

Auto lot. The force of the im- 

pact pushed the pick-up into a 

neighboring 2012 GMC Acadia. 

Fort Kent Police Chief Kenneth 

Michaud said the roads were wet 

at the time of the accident, but that 

he was unsure if road conditions 

were a factor in the incident. 

Pabellon suffered from some 

minor abrasions as a result of the 

collision, but an ambulance was 

not requested at the scene. 

Officer Chuck Richard responded 

to the incident, and determined 

Pabellon's vehicle a total loss. 

Police notified Valley Auto 

Sales Manager Nelson Daigle of 

the incident the following morning 

at 8 a.m. Damage to the new 

Silverado was severe enough that 

Chief Michaud said the company 

would likely be unable to sell it. 

Daigle said the pick-up had a 

sticker price of $43,530 and 

though the company had yet to 

complete the estimate on the 

amount of damage, he said it was 

definitely more than $10,000. The 

Acadia, which was priced at 

$38,385, sustained approximately 

$3,000 in damage, according to 

Daigle. 

Chief Michaud reported that 

alcohol did not appear to be a 

factor in the crash, which is still 

under investigation. He said there 

are no charges pending at this 

time. 

As for Valley Auto, which has 

been operating sales out of a temporary 

Caribou Road location 

since the fire, Daigle said, "We're 

going to contact the insurance 

company and take it from there." 

Main Street accident results in injuries, charges 


MADAWASKA – An early 

morning accident on Dec. 8 resulted 

in minor injuries and 

damage to both vehicles that 

totaled over $1,000. According 

to Gerry Cyr, an individual in 

one of the vehicles, the accident 

occurred around 1:15 am on 

Saturday morning. Britney 

Pelletier, 21, along with Cyr and 

one other passenger, was 

stopped on Main Street and was 

waiting to turn onto Fourth Avenue. 

Dereck Dionne, 25, was traveling 

west on Main Street when 

Pelletier made a left turn onto 

Fourth Avenue with her 1990 

Pontiac passenger car. Dionne’s 

vehicle broadsided Pelletier’s car 

on its passenger side. 

Sergeant Ross Dubois and Madawaska 

Ambulance Department 

responded to the call and the am- 

bulance transported Pelletier and 

her two passengers to Northern 

Maine Medical Center for treatment 

of minor injuries. Cyr sustained 

the most significant injuries 

when glass shards went into 

his eye. 

Doctors released Pelletier and 

both passengers Saturday morning. 

Police subsequently charged 

her with failure to yield right of 

way on entering a public way. 

CONTACT US AT FIDDLEHEAD FOCUS 

WE LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU 

ADVERTISING 

Dennis Michaud, Lead Sales Executive 

540-4970 or Dennis@FiddleheadFocus.com 

Julie Daigle, Director of Special Sections 

316-2240 or JulieD@FiddleheadFocus.com 

STORIES and CONTENT 

Editor Monica Pettengill Jerkins 

316-7150 or Monica@FiddleheadFocus.com 

Publisher Andrew Birden at 

316-2243 or AndrewB@FiddleheadFocus.com 

The appearance of comments, advertisements, or statements 

made by readers of the Fiddlehead Focus do not necessarily reflect 

in whole or in part the opinions, acceptance, endorsement or beliefs 

of this news organization, its staff and/or the members of the 

editorial board of Fiddlehead Focus. 

PAWS Cat of the Week 

Page 3 


Hi, my name is Forrest. I am a very proud neutered male 

cat and up-to-date on my shots. As you can see by my photo, 

my pronounced dark tiger-like markings make me very 

unique. Being so handsome allows me to charm the volunteers 

that provide my care. My cunning habits have given me 

quite a reputation around town. I am eager to meet that special 

person who will adopt me so I can have a second chance 

in a forever home. If interested, contact Connie at 834-5159.

Page 4 


Local communities decide how to apply grant funds 


ST. JOHN VALLEY - Three 

local communities have decided 

how to apply $250,000 in Northern 

Border Regional Commission 

approved funds. 

NBRC approved the towns of 

Frenchville, St. Agatha, and 

Madawaska to share the funds to 

expand economic development 

and tourism opportunities in 

their respective communities. 

On Oct. 1, the NBRC announced 

the approval. Since that 

date, public officials and Economic 

and Community Development 

staff have worked together 

to choose where to distribute the 

funds. 

According to St. Agatha town 

manager Christy Sirois, St. Agatha’s 

portion will fund improvements 

to the Main St. boat landing. 

“We’re installing a second 

boat launch,” said Sirois. 

Also, the town will add additional 

parking spots to the parking 

lot. Sirois said the town 

Speed and road conditions 

factors in two rollovers 


FORT KENT – Two unrelated 

vehicular rollovers within 

three days in the Fort Kent area 

caused the total loss of one vehicle 

and over $6,000 worth of 

damage to another vehicle. 

The first accident occurred at 

approximately 4 p.m. on Nov. 

29 on North Perley Brook when 

Michael Marquis of Fort Kent 

rolled his 1994 Ford down a 400 

-foot embankment, coming to 

rest upside-down, said Fort Kent 

Police Chief Kenneth Michaud, 

the investigating officer. 

Marquis, 22, was driving too 

fast on the dirt road near the 

Frenchville town line when he 

lost control of his vehicle, ending 

up on the left side of the 

road before his vehicle rolled 

down the embankment. 

The accident caused no reported 

injuries, said Michaud. Marquis 

was wearing his seatbelt at 

the time of the accident. 

Twin's Service Station towed 

the totaled vehicle from the sce- 

hopes to have the project completed 

by this coming summer. 

Madawaska will use their funds 

to improve their boat landing on 

the St. John River and will make 

upgrades to the area, according to 

town manager Christina Therrien. 

“We’re looking at putting in 

water, sewer and concrete pads for 

campsites,” said Therrien. “I hope 

it’ll happen in the spring.” 

According to Suzie Paradis of 

the Madawaska Office of Community/Economic 

Development, the 

town of Frenchville plans to use 

their portion of the designated 

funds to support their historical 

sites. 

Regarding the project, Paradis 

said, “It consists of refurbishing 

the existing historical caboose, 

replacement of windows, painting, 

new stairs/deck platform, and also 

moving it and placing it on a slab 

foundation.” 

According to Paradis, the town 

also plans to move and place on a 

slab foundation a water tank that 

is named on the National Historic 

Preservation listing and is one of 

ne of the accident. 

The second accident, on Dec. 2 

and also at approximately 4 p.m. 

in the afternoon, occurred on Violette 

Settlement road. Stacy Martin 

of Fort Kent, 36, was eastbound 

down a hill on a curve 

when slippery conditions caused 

her to lose control of her vehicle, 

said Michaud. 

The 2003 Chevy Suburban spun 

around, traveling backward for an 

unreported distance until it skidded 

into a culvert, causing the 

vehicle to rollover. 

Martin was traveling with her 15 

-year-old daughter, who complained 

of pain approximately two 

hours after the accident. A private 

vehicle brought her to Northern 

Maine Medical Center. 

Michaud said the accident 

caused approximately $6,000 

worth of damage to the vehicle; 

Twin's also towed this vehicle 

from the scene. 

Officer Tony Enerva was the 

investigating officer. 

the only three water tanks left on 

the east coast that is located near a 

running railbed. In addition to 

moving it, the town plans to repaint 

the tank. 

The town may also construct a 

cold storage building to store historic 

artifacts, said Paradis. 

According to NBRC, these efforts 

will contribute to the tourism 

opportunities in the area prior to 

the 2014 World Acadian Congress, 

which Congress coordinators 

predict will bring over 50,000 

people to the St. John Valley. 

Your news, fast and free 

at FiddleheadFocus.com 

HISTORICAL SITES - Frenchville will use their portion of grant 

monies from the NBRC to move the above water tank onto a slab, as 

well as refurbishing an historical caboose. - Jenna Beaulieu image

FAQs from page 1 

Q. How and when do I sign 

up for local home delivery? 

A. In January we will print a 

subscription form for local delivery 

in the paper. We are not 

taking orders for local home 

delivery yet, but it will happen 

soon. The price will be $52 for 

local home delivery for 52 

weeks. 

Q. Why is the mail subscription 

$100 per year, but local 

home delivery is only $52 per 

year? 

A. We offer a service to mail 

the Fiddlehead Focus to people 

outside of the St. John Valley 

that uses the U.S. Postal Service. 

In order for people to receive 

their paper in a timely 

fashion, we are sending it out as 

First Class mail, and the postage 

costs at least $1.30 per paper. 

The local home delivery service 

will be for people in this region, 

and will be available sometime 

in January. 

Q. Why don’t you sell the 

paper for 50 cents, and let your 

readers decide whether they 

want to contribute to a charity? 

A. At 75 cents, the price for a 

printed copy of Fiddlehead Focus 

is a great value, and supporting 

our local folks is something we 

have wanted to do since the beginning 

of Fiddlehead Focus in 2010. 

Moving to a paid paper gave us 

the opportunity to achieve that 

goal. The owners of local businesses 

in the St. John Valley know 

that they are always contributing 

to a variety of charities and causes, 

and the money for those contributions 

eventually traces back to 

the money their customers spend 

on the products and services a 

business offers. We just decided to 

make our contributions this way. 

If anyone has questions as we 

move into this next chapter for 

Fiddlehead Focus, please let us 

know by emailing me at andrewb@fiddleheadfocus.com, 

posting the question through our 

Facebook page or calling us at 316 

-2243. 

Races from page 1 

include waiving the late fee this 

year; ensuring that prizes are primarily 

in cash; or finding sponsors 

for stage prizes, in which the 

fastest dog team in a leg of the 

race, from Eagle Lake to Moose 

Point, for example, is eligible for 

further prizes. 

He said the Mad Bomber is 

back as the 30-mile race sponsor, 

and this year, that purse has increased 

to $2,500. 

Irving Woodlands returns as the 

100-mile race sponsor, with a 

$5,000 purse. They have been the 

sponsor for that race over the last 

eight years of the event's history, 

said Kaleta. 

He also thanked Fiddlehead 

Focus and the Credit Union of 

ME for being “lead dog sponsors.” 

In Fiddlehead Focus' case, 

he was referring to the paper's inkind 

donations, in terms of coverage 

and race publicity. 

With the races this year almost a 

week later than in some years, and 

with the snow falling on Dec. 10, 

Kaleta was optimistic about training 

and race conditions for the 

upcoming event. 

Page 5 


Quebec City perfect backdrop for FIS Cross-Country World Cup races 


QUEBEC/ St. John Valley – 

This past weekend, from Friday, 

Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9, 

Quebec City hosted the FIS 

Cross-Country World Cup races. 

Over 20 spectators from Fort 

Kent, Presque Isle and other 

northern Maine towns made the 

three to four and a half hour 

roundtrip north to experience the 

uncommon thrill of watching the 

best cross-country skiers in the 

world compete just a few feet 

from an enthusiastic, cheering 

crowd. 

10th Mountain even had the 

opportunity to get onto the race 

course. A security official asked 

Sherry Dubis, president of the 

Fort Kent 10th Mountain Ski 

Club, if Kikkan Randall, U.S. 

cross-country team member and 

winner of the skate sprint races 

on Saturday, could hold the 10th 

Mountain American flag aloft 

while she took her victory lap. 

Randall and Jesse Diggins also 

took gold on Friday in the women's 

team sprint in an unprecedented 

U.S. showing. 

Saturday's races started off 

gray but snow-free, with green 

grass edging the sidewalks of 

Quebec City outside of Vieux 

Quebec, the old city. Race organizers 

had trucked in snow to create 

the racecourse just as Can-Am 

International Sled Dog Race organizers 

turn Main Street in Fort 

Kent into a dogsled track every 

year. They laid the course within 

touching distance of the wall that 

separates the old city from the 

newer part, adding the ancient 

stone monument to the background 

behind brightly-clad, Lycra-suited 

racers. 

By the middle of the ski race, 

snow was falling in fat snowflakes 

on racers and spectators alike, 

turning Quebec into a snow globe 

of racing adrenaline. According to 

CBC Sports, nearly 10,000 people 

poured into the city to line the 

looped race course and cheer on 

the racers. 

Spectator Carl Theriault of Fort 

Kent said, “This was probably the 

largest North American World 

Cup audience I've seen outside of 

the Olympics.” 

In the festive atmosphere, dotted 

with young women in blue Santa 

suits handing out bells, leashed 

dogs of every shape and size, outdoor 

braziers of open-air flame 

surrounded by yellow Adirondack 

chairs, and vendors displaying 

everything ski-related, from exercise 

machines to smoked meat, 

spectators blended with booted 

pre-race or post-race athletes. 

Both groups used the same pathways 

to move around the race 

course, enhancing the sensation of 

everyone having front-row seats 

at this international event. 

George Dumond of Fort Kent 

described the atmosphere as 

“NASCAR on skis,” with skilled 

sports commentators and a varied 

musical selection contributing to 

the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere. 

Kelly Martin of Fort Kent pointed 

to the added excitement of an 

obstacle in the middle of the 

course, an 18-inch jump. 

“The race was being called 

there,” she said. Those who 

pulled ahead at that point 

generally won and those who 

fell behind, lost. 

Both the American men 

and women's cross-country 

athletes made it into the finals 

on Saturday, but it was 

Kikkan Randall who stole the 

show, at least for the American 

spectators, with her wins 

on both Friday and Saturday. 

“It was pretty special,” said 

Martin about the event. 

Right, Kikkan Randall 

takes a victory lap with an 

American flag from 10th 

Mountain. 

Image courtesy of Fasterskier.com 

Bruce Labbe of the Eagle Lake 

Public Works Department has 

been hard at work building an 

announcer's platform/stage for the 

event's use. Kaleta said it's a twostory 

structure that will complement 

the new bleachers for spectators, 

another first for the event. 

The start remains at last year's 

location on Convent Road, known 

locally as “Dump road,” said Kaleta. 

“We're pretty excited,” said 

Kaleta. “We learned a lot last 

year.”

Page 6 


FKCHS announces 

first trimester honors 

Seniors 

High Honors: Mistie Albert, 

Crystal Bouley, Morgan Chasse, 

Miranda Daigle, Benjamin Fishman, 

Marissa Hebert, Emily 

Kaleta, Sarah Kelly, Nicholas 

Levesque, Antonio Naranja, 

Savannah Paradis, Melanie 

Saucier, Abby Stevens, Jeremy 

Voisine 

Honors: Marissa Blier, Abby 

Bouchard, Alexis Desjardins, 

Kevin Henderson Jr., Kenadi 

Labbe, Kaitlin Lagasse, Colby 

Martin, Kristine Martin, Jacob 

Morin, Charles Nadeau, Keianna 

Sirois, Brittany Theriault 

Juniors 

High Honors: Megan 

Blanchette, Adam Bouchard, 

Emma Brickman, Stevie Daigle, 

Amber Devoe, Lauren Doak, 

Samantha Dubay, Donna Johnson, 

Carrigan Levesque, Rudy 

Martin, Amanda Ouellette, Danielle 

Ouellette, Steffany Paradis, 

Demi Pelletier, Kelsey Pelletier, 

Paige Pelletier, Georgianna 

Witmer 

Honors: Krista Albert, Ty 

Beal, Garrick Bouchard, Philip 

Bouchard, sebastien Chiasson, 

Cassidy Chouinard, Olivia 

Chouinard, Trevor Daigle, Katina 

Dionne, Amelia Guimond, 

Nicholas Hebert, Lance Jandreau, 

Brandon Ketchen, Adam 

Labbe, Tia Miranda, Ashley 

Mueller, Andrew Paradis, Jacob 

Pelletier, Chelseyu Plourde, Cody 

Plourde, Anik Tabor, Robyn 

Weyeneth 

Sophomores 

High Honors: Steffany Caron, 

Matthew Daigle, Noah Dubay, 

Caitlin Gray, Jenna Lynds, Kassidy 

Mcleod, Jared Michaud, 

Danielle Pelletier, Adam Puttkammer, 

Jeremy Saucier, 

Camryn Smith, Matthew Tous- 

saint 

Honors: Rebecca Albert, Cody 

Caron, Joshua Caron, Sarah Daigle, 

Trenton Daigle, Anthony 

Desjardins, Kaylee Dionne, Zachary 

Dionne, Emilie Hebert, Chelsea 

Michaud, Hailey Nadeau, 

Christo Naranja, Curtis Ouellette, 

Samuel Ouellette, Mitchell Pelletier, 

Mitchel Rioux, Jayne Rossignol, 

Dustin Roy, Taylor Roy, 

Brooke Saucier, Robert Sirois, 

Matthew Swope, Carter Voisine 

Freshmen 

High Honors: Zoe Bossie, Emily 

Charette, Joseph Delena, Lea 

Freeman, Brooke Jandreau, Caleb 

Jandreau, Katelyn Labbe, Tejai 

Lee, Samuel Levasseur, Emily 

Ouellette, Charles Parham, Meagan 

Pelletier, Corey Raymond, 

Shantelle Rioux, Mackenzie 

Saucier, Jacob Smart, Jordan Tanguay, 

Braeden Williams 

Honors: Joshua Anderson, Bailey 

Beaulieu, Simon Caron, Trevor 

Carter, Ryan Chasse, 

Michelle Cyr, Gabrielle Dumond, 

Jordan Hodgkin, Kamran Husain, 

Stephanie Martin, Emmaline 

Nadeau, Liza Oaks, Elizabeth 

Ray, Tyler St. Peter, Kip Stanley, 

Chloe Theriault, Tony Valcour 

Boucher earns All-State honor on bari saxophone 


MADAWASKA – All-State 

Band auditions took place last 

month and judges selected one 

Madawaska student to join the 

band. Baritone saxophone player 

Ryan Boucher was the only student 

judges chose out of the five 

students who auditioned from 

MAKING THE CUT – Madawaska 

student Ryan Boucher is 

pictured here with his Bari Saxophone, 

which he played during 

his audition in November for the 

All-State Band. Boucher was the 

only student to be accepted to the 

band out of five students who 

auditioned. - Contributed photo 

Madawaska. 

According to Music Instructor 

Josh Bosse, the audition required 

Boucher to memorize 10 scales, 

play advanced level music, and 

perform part of a yet-unseen piece 

in front of two judges. 

“Ryan put a lot of effort into his 

audition, and it paid off. He had 

something like 10-15 lessons with 

me before his audition, and he was 

improving each time that he had a 

lesson,” said Bosse. “I am very 

proud of his success, for this is 

truly a gift that not everyone can 

experience.” 

Boucher will perform with the 

rest of the All-State Band at the 

All-State Music Festival at the 

University of Southern Maine in 

May 2013. 

Bosse said, “I know Ryan will 

have a lot of fun, meet new musicians, 

and he will definitely become 

a better musician because of 

this.”

SAD 24 

considers 

hopping on 

the biomass 

bandwagon 

VAN BUREN - SAD 24 officials 

visited Northern Maine 

Community College to take a 

first-hand look at the new biomass 

boiler which contractors 

recently installed at the college. 

SAD 24 (Van Buren, Hamlin 

and Cyr Plantation) has been 

considering purchasing an alternative 

energy boiler for the elementary/secondary 

school over 

the past two years as a way to 

save on fuel costs. 

The tour of the Schmid Boiler 

not only explained the potential 

savings, the quality and price of 

the unit, but the college also 

presented its real-time status 

monitor that graphically displays 

the functions and hot water 

distribution of the system. 

“Because of NM’s credibility 

in the community as being very 

progressive regarding alternative 

energy, it’s significant to us that 

the college has chosen this particular 

boiler,” explained Superintendent 

Larry Worcester. “The 

district has not made a final decision 

but the entire school 

board will be discussing the 

short-term payback with biomass 

and the longer-term savings 

in energy.” 

The 900-kilowatt pellet boiler 

at Northern Maine Community 

College is now heating the two 

largest buildings on the campus 

and will replace nearly 70 percent 

of the annual campus fuel 

oil consumption with local, renewable 

energy. 

Along with realizing savings, 

the college is also taking steps to 

develop an educational component 

utilizing the biomass unit. 

The real-time status monitor can 

be used as a teaching tool in the 

alternative energy and conservation 

curriculum. Cameras have 

also been set up in the boiler 

room to allow for remote access 

in the classroom, part of the 

solid fuel academic program 

currently being envisioned. 

BRING ON THE SNOW - Lonesome Pines is making snow, and the 

CHS Ski Team is gearing up for another year of statewide competition. 

Pictured from left to right, bottom to top: Savannah Paradis, Rudy Martin, 

Erin Chasse, Catherine Prescott, Kelsey Pelletier, Matthew Toussaint, 

Adam Labbe, Jeremy Saucier, Danielle Ouellette, Tito Naranja, 

Brandon Ouellette, Joey Guimond, Andrew Paradis, Dawson Daigle, 

Jared Michaud, and Coach Ben Paradis. – Contributed image 

MAINE READS – Eager adult learners gather to read and share as part 

of the collaboration between the Maine Reads Community Literacy 

Project Grant for 2010 to 2012 and Madawaska/SAD 33 Adult and 

Community Education. Left to right are Jeannine Ayotte, Joan Carrier, 

Debbie Lavoie, Gail Bourgoin, Doug Morneault, Curtis Companik, Darrill 

Jandreau, Jesse Luce, and Cheryl Dow. – Contributed image 

Page 7 


Fort Kent Senior Center 

to award scholarships 

FORT KENT - The Fort Kent Senior Center will award one $1,000 

scholarship each year to a Fort Kent Community High School graduate 

who has maintained an average grade of “B” or better and is a child or a 

grandchild of a member of the Fort Kent Senior Center. The Senior 

Center Scholarship Committee is presently searching for students who 

meet these requirements and who graduated in the spring of 2011, 2012 

or are expected to graduate in the spring of 2013. 

The committee will pay out the scholarships only after the student has 

started his/her junior college year and has maintained an average grade 

of “B” or better during the first two college years. The student must 

attend a four-year undergraduate school; however, the committee will 

allow attendance at one or more schools during the first two years. 

If you are a member of the Fort Kent Senior Center and have a child 

or a grandchild who meets the above requirements, please contact Lucien 

Theriault, Chairman of the Senior Center Scholarship Committee at 

165 Third Ave., Fort Kent, ME 04743 (834-6553) to give him the name 

of that student and his/her contact information. The Senior Center Board 

of Directors will select the scholarship recipient from the list of potential 

candidates based on perceived need. Donations to help cover the 

scholarship cost may be sent to the above address.

Page 8 


Snow proves worthy 

topic for contest 

FORT KENT –The University 

of Maine at Fort Kent’s Presidential 

Lecture Series committee 

has announced the three individuals 

who are the winners for the 

UMFK-sponsored biannual writing 

contest conducted this fall. 

The committee selected Katie 

Levesque from Fort Kent as the 

contest winner. Edwin Gray 

James, formerly from Raleigh, 

North Carolina, now living in St. 

David, and Jessica Fongemie, a 

UMFK alumna from Soldier 

Pond, are second and third place 

winners, respectively. 

Levesque, James and Fongemie 

were chosen from among the 

many students, faculty, staff, 

alumni and community members 

who submitted entries of prose 

or poetry, within a 600 wordlimit. 

Currently enrolled in the 

English program at UMFK, 

Levesque’s entry is titled A Sled 

Ride Memory. James, a retired 

Teamster, is now working as an 

educational technician in Madawaska 

and submitted a poem, 

Winter’s Approach. Fongemie 

(´96) titled her short story entry 

A Box of Lettuce. 

The panel of jurists for the 

annual writing contest included 

Dorothy Hopkins, retired UMFK 

writing specialist, Dr. Doris Metz, 

associate professor of curriculum 

and instruction and Lise Pelletier, 

director of UMFK’s Acadian Archives. 

The university removed all 

information about the authors 

before sending the entries to the 

judges. After reading all of the 

entries and giving each careful 

consideration, the judges selected 

the winners. 

The winning essays will become 

part of the 2012-2013 Presidential 

Lecture Series Potato Chips Chapbook. 

The book will be released at 

the UMFK Scholars’ Symposium, 

to be held on Friday, May 3, 

2013. 

Another writing contest will 

also soon be announced. 

The Presidential Lecture Series 

at UMFK provides a platform for 

intellectual discourse among campus 

community participants, as 

part of UMFK’s Strategic Plan for 

Excellence. The Series, which 

fosters an environment of academic 

inquiry and excellence, 

continues to bring to campus a 

variety of renowned scholars, 

speakers, authors and poets. 

UMFK men 

lose again, 

drop to 0-9 

FORT KENT - Claude Louis 

and Patrick Manifold each scored 

26 points to lead University of 

Maine at Presque Isle over University 

of Maine at Fort Kent 71- 

63 from Fort Kent, Maine on 

Dec. 5. 

UMFK drops to 0-9 and will 

next play Southern Virginia University 

at 6 p.m. Friday at the 

VUL Dragons Invitational in 

Lynchburg, Virginia. UMPI improved 

to 6-4 with the big road 

win. 

Louis and Manifold combined 

to shoot 20 of 42 from the floor 

while UMFK struggled as a team 

shooting just 30 percent on the 

night including a 4-20 effort from 

three-point-land. 

Yoshives Belizaire (Miramar, 

Florida) recorded a doubledouble 

with 14 points and 13 

rebounds to lead UMFK. Jorge 

Matesanz (Sevilla, Spain) added 

12 points and five assists and 

Andre Poux (Miami, Florida) had 

12 points and nine boards in the 

loss. 

UMFK nurses rock on exams 

FORT KENT - The University 

of Maine at Fort Kent Nursing 

Division graduates topped 

Maine’s baccalaureate nursing 

programs in the national nursing 

exam for first-time test takers educated 

in Maine’s programs, according 

to statistics that the Maine 

State Board of Nursing released 

last week. 

The UMFK nursing program 

posted a near-perfect 38 of 39 

(97.44 percent) first-time pass rate 

for its graduates on the national 

NCLEX-RN exam during the Oct. 

1, 2011 through Sept. 30, 2012 

timeframe, to finish at the top of 

Maine’s baccalaureate programs. 

The statewide first-time pass 

rate for baccalaureate-prepared 

nurses was 89.96 percent. UMFK 

graduates also scored higher than 

the national first-time pass rate of 

NCLEX-RN 90.22 percent. 

UMFK graduates have consistently 

achieved the highest 

NCLEX-RN scores within the 

state of Maine, including five perfect 

scores, since 2000. 

“Our students are a great source 

of pride to all of us at UMFK. 

Each student worked incredibly 

hard to prepare for the NCLEX- 

RN examination. The outstanding 

scores achieved by the Class of 

2012 are indicative of the overall 

quality in our nursing program,” 

said Dr. Erin Soucy, Nursing Division 

director. 

“UMFK nursing students enjoy 

their educational experience at 

UMFK because of the supportive, 

yet academically challenging, 

environment in which each of 

them receives the attention they 

need to reach their career goals. I 

am extremely proud of our students 

and also of our faculty,” Dr. 

Soucy added. 

The UMFK Division of Nursing 

has a rich tradition in its 31-year 

history. Since its inception in 

1981, UMFK has served the 

needs of the St. John Valley, and 

beyond, by graduating caring, 

competent registered nurses. 

NCLEX-RN is a national, standardized, 

exam for registered nurses 

developed and controlled by 

the National Council of State 

Boards of Nursing. The exam is 

application-oriented, related to the 

job functions most commonly 

required of entry-level RNs. The 

exam tests a student’s current 

medical knowledge, nursing competencies 

and determines their 

eligibility to earn a RN license.

Dan the Tire Man comes to Madawaska 


MADAWASKA - A new 

business opened up on Main 

Street in Madawaska and has 

recently popped up on the radar 

for many locals due to a larger 

roadside sign. Dan Marsh, formerly 

of Julian, California owns 

and operates Dan the Tire Man, 

a tire sales and installation garage 

located off 14th Avenue. 

The business opened in mid- 

October and Marsh is excited to 

offer his 30-plus years of tire 

industry experience to his community. 

Prior to moving to Madawaska, 

Marsh lived in Alaska 

and California. According to 

Marsh, he was inspired to move 

to northern Maine because of 

the availability of affordable 

land. 

Marsh and his family purchased 

acreage in Grand Isle 

and a 14th Ave residence in 

Madawaska, where Dan the Tire 

Man garage is located. Marsh 

purchased the acreage in Grand 

Isle on eBay because he wanted 

to own land somewhere. 

“Sell your land on eBay,” said 

Marsh. “People like us want 

Save the Gas! 

Find it Local! 

The economy has 

improved and folks 

are spending more 

money. Let’s help 

them spend it in 

the St. John Valley. 

10% off ALL print 

advertisements 

before Christmas. 

Call Fiddlehead 

Focus at 316-2243 

Today! 

Advertising 

deadline is Noon 

on Monday. 

affordable land in a nice area and 

there’s so much of it here.” 

Their intent to move to the area 

was strengthened after they visited 

the St. John Valley. 

“A town has to look good for 

people to move there,” said Marsh. 

According to Marsh, one of their 

primary reasons for moving to 

Madawaska was because of the 

great schools. 

Marsh said, “We were at a point 

in our lives in California where we 

didn’t feel like we were connected 

to anything, that we needed to stay 

around.” 

He said, “We just thought ‘let’s 

do it.’” 

Marsh and his wife Katie, along 

with their two young daughters, 

two dogs and two bearded dragons, 

packed up 1,400 square feet 

worth of their possessions into a 

26-foot box truck and drove over a 

period of 13 days to their new 900 

square foot home in northern 

Maine. 

Marsh operates the tire business 

in a garage that is off Main Street 

on the north end of 14th Ave. He 

performs all tire sales, installation, 

and relative bookkeeping himself. 

Customers that purchase tires from 

Dan are offered free tire rotation 

and free flat repairs for the life of 

the tire. 

“Everyone’s been telling me the 

prices are really good,” said 

Marsh. 

In addition to tire sales and installation, 

Marsh and his wife 

Katie also work in the export business. 

Marsh said, “My main focus 

now is export of tires, scrap tires, 

coal and metal. The tire business 

keeps me busy when the export 

stuff isn’t busy.” 

According to Marsh, he only 

exports American-made products 

and he does not import goods. 

Regarding the process for starting 

a business in Madawaska, 

Marsh said, “It was very simple 

and very easy to open a business 

when working with the town. 

Even getting the sign reviewed 

was simple.” 

He continued, “Everybody here 

has been warm and receptive to 

new business.” 

While tire-change season is 

slowing down, Marsh has still 

been pulling in business, including 

tire sales to Police Chief Carroll 

Theriault for a police vehicle. 

Both of Marsh’s two daughters 

attend Madawaska Elementary 

School and Katie, a writer of two 

books, is considering starting a 

yoga class and spin class in the 

area. 

Page 9 


WELCOMING A NEW BUSINESS – Dan Marsh, formerly of Julian, 

California, recently opened a tire sales and installation business called 

Dan the Tire Man on Main Street in Madawaska. Marsh moved to the 

area to purchase affordable land and enroll his two young daughters in a 

good school. Entry to the garage is available off the north end of 14th 

Ave. - Jenna Beaulieu image

Page 10 


Wicked Water Graphics occupies former Riverside building, offers unique service 


MADAWASKA – For months 

since the folks at Riverside 

Hardware announced the closing 

of their hardware store business, 

people have been driving by the 

location watching with curious 

eyes as the building underwent a 

renovation. Building owners 

kept the project hush, but on 

Friday, Dec. 7, the wait was over 

and Madawaska officially welcomed 

a new business, a hydrographic 

dipping workshop and 

hunting/fishing supply store 

called Wicked Water Works, 

located in the former Riverside 

Hardware building at 516 Main 

Street. 

On Friday, Wicked Water 

Works owners and operators 

Dave and Linda Kelso held an 

open house for vendors such as 

ATV, motorcycle, and snowmobile 

dealers and provided 

demonstrations of the unique hydrographic 

dipping process. 

Hydrographic dipping applies a 

graphic to such items as pistol 

cases, gun barrels and even moose 

skulls. Floral, camouflage, skull 

patterns and a large selection of 

additional patterns are available. 

The Kelsos are able to apply 

graphics to any item that can be 

submerged in water and fits into 

their printing tank, which is 44 

inches wide, 88 inches long, and 

30 inches deep. 

According to Linda Kelso, she 

and Dave have been decorating 

items for two months now, ever 

since Dave saw a decorated deer 

call available from a hunting supplier 

and was inspired to apply 

graphics to additional supplies and 

gear, such as firearms and tactical 

equipment. 

Wicked Water Graphics also 

applies decorations to auto parts 

and household items like light 

fixtures, light switches, fan blades, 

etc. 

In addition to a printing tank, the 

shop also houses a paint booth and 

a rinsing tank, allowing the Kelsos 

to offer a variety of decorating 

options to their customers and to 

complete these processes inhouse. 

The shop is open Monday 

through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 

p.m., along with a small retail 

department that offers customers a 

wide variety of animal calls, fishing 

flies that local master sportsman 

and Maine Guide Dave designed 

himself, along with other 

hunting and fishing gear. 

Information regarding patterns 

and the process and a products 

gallery is viewable on their website: 

wickedwatergraphics.com. 

NMMC celebrates National Radiologic Technology Week 

NMMC's RADIOLOGIC TECH- 

NOLOGY STAFF - Left to right, 

in front row: Kim Bernard, Chris 

Bard, Rena Jandreau, Sonya 

Doucette, Jessica Lamarre, Jessica 

Baron, Jill Ecke. In back row: Cindy 

Pelletier, Sue Deprey, Marie 

Levesque, Tim Dahlke, C.J. Theriault. 

Missing from photo: Sharon 

Nadeau, Tina Fields, Lisa Leary, 

Mike Dechaine, Beverly Cote, Dave 

Marquis, Shannon Theriault and Dr. 

Nissenbaum. - Contributed image 

IF IT FITS IN THE TANK, THEY CAN INK IT – Linda Kelso dips 

a gun case cover into a tank in a process called hydrographic dipping. 

Hydrographic dipping can be performed on anything that can fit in the 

tank, from hunting supplies, gun barrels and deer calls, to household 

items like fan blades and light switch covers. Kelso said they can also 

apply graphics to motorcycle gas tanks and other recreational vehicle 

parts. - Jenna Beaulieu image

Heavy: Dear 

Santa 

By Monica Pettengill Jerkins 

As a person who has been fat 

nearly all my life, I have a hard 

time understanding how a society 

that generally frowns upon 

obesity actually celebrates it in 

one of its most beloved and 

revered iconic characters. 

Yes, I’m talking about none 

other than jolly old St. Nicholas, 

aka, Santa. 

You see, when my belly 

shakes when I laugh like a 

bowlful of jelly, nobody writes 

long classic holiday poems 

about it. Instead, they hand me 

paperwork about diabetes and 

high blood pressure, and encourage 

me to diet and exercise. 

Mrs. Claus is no help, I’m 

sure. She probably makes sweet 

treats all year long like peanut 

butter fudge and soft peppermint 

sticks or sugar cookies and 

warm gingerbread. 

Of course, maybe if I visited 

every home in the world over 

the course of one exhausting 

night to fill stockings hung by 

the chimney with care while 

children lay nestled all snug in 

their beds, then people would 

view me differently too. Maybe 

then my fat would not only be 

celebrated in classic literature, 

but also encouraged by the same 

masses leaving cookies and eggnog 

by the Christmas tree for 

dear Santa Claus. After all, he 

Monica Pettengill Jerkins 

must burn a whole lot of calories 

delivering all of those holiday 

goodies worldwide. 

I wonder, when was the last time 

he visited the doctor for an echocardiogram? 

Who wants a skinny Santa, anyway? 

There’s something about the 

man, every chubby and plump 

pound of him, which endears him 

to young children all over the 

planet as a pleasant, generous, 

trustworthy and comforting soul. 

Why else would everyone write to 

him with their hopes and deepest 

desires at Christmas? 

It’s been a while since I last 

wrote to Santa. Back in the day, 

my letters were homages to youthful 

whims. I wanted the Barbie 

Dream Castle, or the latest New 

Kids on the Block album. As an 

adult, I want different things – like 

a calorie-free Christmas dinner 

that still tastes every bit as good as 

the real one, or an exercise that I 

can do by pushing a button while 

sitting on the couch. 

I refuse to feel jealous of Santa 

and the fact that he can indulge 

without guilt, or the fact that he 

can somehow still fit down the 

tiny chimney flues even after eating 

a million cookies in one night. 

Instead, I’m going to believe in 

the magic of Christmas and write 

a letter to Santa just like I used to 

when I was a kid – almost. 

Dear Santa, 

I’ve tried to be a good girl this 

year. 

I’ve counted most of my calories 

(and it’s really hard to count that 

high). I’ve weighed and portioned 

some of my foods. I’ve chosen a 

few healthier snacks and I’ve taken 

care not to eat late too many 

nights in a row. 

I’ve exercised. Well, once in a 

while at least. 

Anyway, the point is, I’ve tried. 

Could I have tried harder? Well, 

sure, but do we really need to talk 

about that right now? 

What I want for Christmas is 

peace and comfort and joy for 

everyone, which I’m fairly certain 

can be achieved with the help of a 

really good Belgian waffle maker. 

By the way, you really rock the 

red suit. 

Yours truly, 

Monica 

Coming next week: a new 

installment of UpCountry 

Living by Jenna Beaulieu 

Page 11 

Fiddlehead Focus, December 12, 2012

Page 12 


A sweet sound, MPBN 

features local talent in 

holiday concert special 

FORT KENT – The Maine 

Public Broadcasting Network 

invited a 17-year-old singing 

sensation from Fort Kent, Melanie 

Dorice Saucier, to join a 

who’s who of Maine folk and 

classical musicians for the 

Christmas TV special, which the 

network recently recorded at the 

Husson University’s Gracie 

Theatre in Bangor, Maine. 

Performers included Noel Paul 

Stookey, Jonathan Edwards, 

Paul Sullivan, Rich Charette, 

Laura Darrell, Lew Colby, John 

McVeigh, George Lopez, Maggie 

Coffin and the DaPonte 

String Quartet, as well as Con 

Fullam, organizer and songwriter. 

Melanie performed “Minuit 

Chrétien” “O Holy Night.” 

To celebrate the 25th anniversary 

of “The Maine Christmas 

Song,” Fullam organized a special 

Christmas in Maine concert 

which MPBN began televising 

this past weekend and throughout 

the remainder of the month. 

Fullam performs the song with 

the Camden Hills Regional High 

School Chamber Singers. 

MPBN’s Suzanne Nance and 

Maine humorist Tim Sample 

hosts the show. 

Melanie is no stranger to Suzanne 

Nance and George Lopez. 

The University of Maine at Fort 

Kent invited her to perform a 

duet with soprano Nance at the 

UMFK Foundation Dinner on 

the University’s campus in 

2010, where they performed 

“Barcarolle” from Offenbach’s 

Les Contes d’Hoffman. George 

Lopez, classical pianist and faculty 

member of Bowdoin College, 

accompanied them. 

The concert first aired on Sunday, 

Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and again 

that same evening at11 p.m. The 

remaining MPBN air dates for 

the special are: Sunday, Dec. 23 

at 12 noon; and, Tuesday, Dec. 

25 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. 

Melanie Saucier 

Melanie is a senior at the Community 

High School in Fort Kent 

and a Pleasant Street Academy 

student at the University of Maine 

at Fort Kent. Melanie participated 

in the Christmas in Maine 20th 

Anniversary CD which she sang 

“The Maine Christmas Song” in 

French. 

Campus Ministries to 

host holiday concert 

FORT KENT – The University 

of Maine at Fort Kent’s Chi Alpha 

Campus Ministries is inviting the 

public to a special Christmas concert 

Sunday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at 

UMFK’s Fox Auditorium. 

Joel and Janna Gilbert are a 

brother and sister team having 

recorded two CDs together of 

their own music. They have 

gained much recognition in the 

New England area. 

Doug Elder of “The Wrecking” 

has toured nationally with wellknown 

bands such as Switchfoot 

and Kutless. He also writes his 

own music, which is heard on 

radio and other popular music 

outlets. 

People may recognize these 

artists from events such as 

Soulfest in New Hampshire or 

Soulquest at the Bangor Waterfront. 

The Christmas concert will 

feature holiday favorites as well 

as original songs. 

Organizers say having these 

artists perform for this holiday 

event is a wonderful opportunity 

for the campus and community.

Our readers speak 

Last week, Fiddlehead 

Focus asked : 

What is the best way to 

wish friends and family a 

Merry Christmas? 

Here’s how 107 readers 

responded: 

45% said In person 

35% said A Christmas 

card 

11% said A phone call 

4% said Bah humbug! 

3% said Fruitcake 

2% said A Facebook/ 

Twitter post 

0% said An email 

0% said A Christmasgram 

Do you agree? Visit 

FiddleheadFocus.com to 

vote in our weekly polls. 

WEDNESDAY, 12/12 

Sea Legs - FK Sr. Ctr., 11 a.m. 

THURSDAY, 12/13 

SJV Timebanks - VB Robin's 

Restaurant, 7-8 p.m., FMI Eleanor 

Varley 868 5803, Paul Vaillancourt 

868 5599, Nancy Dumond 

Violette 868 5324. 

www.sjv.timebanks.org or 

sjv.timebanks on facebook. 

Beans and Franks - FK Sr. Ctr., 

11 a.m. 

Northern Neighbor Quilters - 

FK Town Off., 1 p.m. 

Charlemagne - FK Sr. Ctr., 1 

p.m. 

Christmas holiday ornaments 

and decorations workshop - FK 

Town Off., $3 per stud., pre-reg., 

6 - 7:30 p.m., 834-3730 

Bingo - FK Sr. Ctr., 6:30 p.m. 

FRIDAY, 12/14 

Turkey and Stuffing - Fk Sr. 

Ctr., 11 a.m. 

Tennessee Haze at Jerry T's 

Chug-A-Mug - Mad., 9 p.m. 

WORLD CUP SPRINT RAC- 

ING - Some of the world’s best 

cross-country skiers, shown here 

in bright racing suits against a 

background of ancient Quebec 

City stone walls and late afternoon 

sun, competed during the 

recent races on Dec. 8. Spectators, 

close enough to touch, lined 

the city’s streets.—Brent Jepson 

image 

DECEMBER 

SATURDAY, 12/15 

Mass - St. Fran.: St. Charles 6 p.m. 

Kids Korner - EL Town off., Morgan 

Granger and Morgan Wilson, 0- 

2 yrs from 9 -10 a.m., 3-5 yrs from 

10 -11 a.m., 436-4920 

Children's Christmas Party - St. 

Ag., Lakeview Rest. Banquet Rm., 

$5/child, $5/parent, pre-reg., 10 

a.m. - 2 p.m., French. or St. Ag. 

Town Off. 

Historical Society pre-Christmas 

gathering - FK Town Off., Lorraine 

Pelletier and Faye O'Leary Hafford, 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Lights of Life Wrap It Up Rally 

for Hope - PI MPG Ace Hardware 

Farm Store, Parsons St., 11 a.m. - 1 

p.m. 

SUNDAY, 12/16 

Mass - FK: St. Louis 9 a.m., EL: St. 

Mary’s 11 a.m., Wall.: St. Joe’s 5 

p.m. 

Services - FK: Assembly of God at 

10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. (FMI 834- 

5730), Christ Church Congregational 

4:30 p.m., Agape Christian Fellowship 

10 a.m. 

This week’s online poll: 

What is your favorite winter 

event? 

Go to Fiddlehead 

Focus.com 

to cast your vote. 

Baked Stuffed Chicken Breast 

Dinner - FK Sr. Ctr., $7/person, 

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Children's Christmas Party - FK 

KC Hall, 1 p.m., Duane Belanger 

951-2874 

Pride of Madawaska's Annual 

Holiday Concert - Mad. MHS, 

chicken stew, 4 p.m. 

Christmas celebration and Light 

Parade- Gr. Isle, 4:30 p.m. 

Christmas Concert - UMFK Fox 

Aud., featuring Joel and Janna Gilbert, 

and Doug Elder of The Wrecking, 

7 p.m. 

MONDAY, 12/17 

American Chop Suey - FK Sr. Ctr., 

11 a.m. 

Cribbage - FK Sr. Ctr., 1 p.m. 

Caribou school choral holiday 

show - CPAC, 6:30 p.m. 

TUESDAY, 12/18 

Hot Chicken - FK Sr. Ctr., 11 a.m. 

2013 Beaulieu Family Reunion 

Meeting - Mad. Ac. Fam. Health 

Ctr., Rm 202, 6 p.m., FMI Lucille 

Beaulieu-Pelletier, 728-7157, or 

Murielle Deschaine 895-5262 

Community Calendar is a free service to non-profits 

and entertainers. Send us a note on Facebook. Deadline 

Monday @ 10 a.m. 

Page 13 


FLY LIKE AN EAGLE JIGSAW - Pat Daigle of Fort Kent, shown here, 

and a friend took advantage of the newly made snow at the Lonesome Pines 

ski trails on Dec. 5, having spent the previous day and part of that one 

building the perfect ski and snowboard jumps. He is executing a back flip 

iron cross in this image. Just feet from Daigle and the artificial snow, green 

grass stretches away up the ski tow hill, a testament to the mild winter conditions 

northern Maine residents have been experiencing during the early 

part of this winter. To solve this jigsaw, visit Fiddlehead Focus.com and 

download it to your PC.—Julie Daigle image 

Facebook Quote of the Week! 

Carla Albert said, when FF asked about readers’ favorite ornaments 

or decorations, 

“I have a red bell that belonged to my Grandmother who passed 

away in 1991. My parents home burned flat in 1978 and there wasn't 

anything my mom could give me for a keepsake of our many beautiful 

Christmas'. When my grammy died , my mom gave me this little 

red bell for a keepsake and it is hung on our tree every Christmas.” 

‘LIKE’ Fiddlehead Focus on Facebook for weekly questions, links to 

our most popular stories, breaking news updates, lost pet finder 

service, and more!

Page 14 


Solutions at FiddleheadFocus.com 

Across 

1 New England dinner 

4 Less is __ 

5 Sled driver 

8 Coach Ben 

9 "Free" money 

11 Singer Saucier 

12 Husson Theatre 

14 Christian Greek letters 

15 Winter tool 

16 Lowly saxophone 

17 UMFK writing topic 

18 30-miler sponsor 

Down 

1 Alternative boiler 

2 Crimson bisector 

3 Ice fishing derby locale 

6 Image dipping 

7 Pretty for males 

8 Blood measure 

10 FKCHS time divisions 

13 Train butt 

CLASSIFIED 

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$6/ten words. Call 316-2243. 

For Rent – 2 - 3 BR Houses 834- 

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Paul Beaulieu Apartments Madawaska 

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Office/Retail Space Rental, West 

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10+ Cars, Ideal Location, Price 

Negotiable, Leave Message 834- 

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Hygienist Wanted for St. John 

Valley Dental Madawaska 728- 

7557

www.paradisshopnsave.com 

Nutritious Choices 

Made Simple 

Accepting Most Insurance Plans 

Maine State Employees 

Prescription Plan/ 

Maine Teacher’s Association 

90 Day Refills, Maine Rx Plus, 

Aetna 

Fort Kent, Houlton & 

Caribou Pharmacies 

Page 15 


Business Focus Directory 

Drop off your Non-Perishable Foods at any NorState office 

until 12/19/12 

Sponsored by: NorState Federal Credit Union & Channel X Radio 

Listen to Channel ‘ X for updates or online at www.norstatefcu.org for more information

Page 16 


‘Tis the season, donors give 47 pints of blood 


FORT KENT – On Tuesday, 

Dec. 4, the St. John Vianney 

parish and the Red Cross coordinated 

one of the two yearly Fort 

Kent-based blood drives they 

sponsor, which included free 

Subway sandwiches as part of 

the Red Cross' reward for donors' 

generosity. 

The organizations held the 

drive at the Lonesome Pines ski 

trails lodge. The Lonesome 

Pines' board donates the use of 

the lodge for this public service, 

and volunteers provide all the 

local assistance to the Red 

Cross. 

The Social Justice and Peace 

Commission of the St. John Vianney 

parish has been working 

with the Red Cross to coordinate 

this effort for nine years, said 

member Laura Audibert, who 

chairs the initiative. 

The Commission provides 

assistance in the form of staffing 

for registration and the canteen 

table, providing reading materials, 

donor coordination and escort, 

securing the location for 

the blood drive, and making 

certain tables and chairs are 

available, among other tasks. 

The Red Cross handles publicity 

and the technical aspects of the 

blood drive, including set up. 

Although the Red Cross and 

parish held the blood drive 

shortly after a blood drive occurred 

at Northern Maine Medical 

Center, the effort gained the 

Red Cross 47 units of blood, 

very nearly completing the 

drive's goal of acquiring 51 

units. 

Audibert said, “We did well.” 

Donors are only able to donate 

once every 56 days, so turn-out 

at the event was lower than the 

organizations originally anticipated. 

On the other hand, she said, it 

may have “worked out better for 

the donor,” since those donating 

had a very short waiting period 

before they could give blood. 

Approximately 80 people usually 

attend the regular events. 

“We have very dedicated donors,” 

said Audibert. 

Subway's donation is part of 

the company's effort to help 

support the Red Cross during the 

month of December, said Audibert. 

Audibert sees the involvement 

of the parish in the blood drive as 

part of their mission to help provide 

for those in need. 

“It's a form of public service,” 

she said. 

“And it doesn't cost anybody 

anything, other than time,” she 

added, referring to the donors' 

involvement. Donors were able to 

give blood in memory or in support 

of a specific person, if they 

chose, and the Church will publish 

their donation in their bulletin. 

Although their donation of blood 

cannot be directed to a specific 

person, it nevertheless allows participants 

to make the donation 

more personal. 

“It gives people another reason 

to come,” she said. 

The next blood drive the St. 

John Vianney parish and the Red 

Cross will coordinate is scheduled 

for Monday, July 15, at the Lonesome 

Pines lodge. 

WINTER BLOOD DRIVE - George Dumond, left, smiles as he donates 

a unit of blood at the recent St. John Vianney parish and Red 

Cross coordinated blood drive that occurred at the Lonesome Pines Ski 

Lodge, above, in Fort Kent on Tuesday, Dec. 4. - Julie Daigle image

12 December 2012 Edition - Fiddlehead Focus

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