VAST promotes lifelong health and well-being - By Walter Lunt

A disabled Maine service Veteran, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)and depression, conversed with his VA counselor who told him, “I’m writing you a prescription for VAST.” Although not a drug and not a remedy that required a pharmaceutical prescription, the counselor was quite serious, and explained to his client that Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training was probably the best treatment for his condition.
 

The VAST program operates at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and offers free year-round sports and other activities for veterans with physical and visual disabilities, traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

VAST volunteer Homer McLemore of Windham shared the veteran/counselor story at a recent membership meeting of the American Legion Post 148. McLemore was there to support the center’s speaker of the evening, Kristina Sabateanski, founder and director of VAST.

Sabateanski told the gathering that research supports frequent physical activity for the disabled because it reduces stress, depression and secondary medical conditions, while increasing confidence, employment rates and quality of life.

Year-round games include hand and recumbent cycling, wheelchair basketball, floor hockey and tennis, archery and the increasingly popular disc golf. Over the recent winter, Sabateanski said participation also increased for cross country skiing/biathlon utilizing pellet rifles. About 30 paralympians show up at the outdoor center at Pineland every Wednesday from all over southern Maine. Five or six hail from Windham/Raymond; several more arrive by van from Togus VA Hospital in Augusta. The games and goodwill gatherings take place from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Pineland Farms takes care of our overhead,” explained Sabateanski. “They provide the outdoor center and all the equipment.” VAST is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

Volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves, and students help run the program. Students are usually therapeutic recreation majors or taking elective classes like Facilitating Adaptive Outdoor Recreation at the University of Southern Maine.

 

“But it’s not all about us,” said Sabateanski, “the program is veterans helping veterans.”

In addition to physical well-being, the VAST program officials said the sense of camaraderie among fellow veterans plays a critical role in the overall goal to promote life-long good health. Down time between activities and a lunch break afford the participants the chance to network and to share common experiences. Sabateanski and McLemore’s observations suggest this collaborative time is as valuable as the sports play.

 

One spouse, referring to her veteran husband, said VAST brought out a new, more positive side of his personality. “I’ve never seen him act that way.”

 

“I really enjoyed Kristina’s history and passion about her VAST program,” said American Legion post commander Mel Greenier. “I am very happy there is a program such as this to assist our veterans. Her stories of various veterans who were doing something for the first time and taking a moment to feel happiness again was touching. I have had Post members tell me afterwards they want to be more involved and will see if they can volunteer to help Kristina’s program.”

Sabateanski said the program also offers multi-day sports camps. “There’s a transformation after four days (together) – the camaraderie of military people does something to take their minds off their disability.” She added, “That’s why VA counselors recommend the prescription (for VAST).”

Windham veteran Don Rogers said he gets involved regularly “…so I can get out. Otherwise I’d just sit around the house.” Also, he added, in reference to the USM volunteers, “There are pretty girls around, too.”

Sabateanski, herself an Army veteran and two time U.S. Olympic biathlon participant, founded VAST four years ago, inspired by recently injured veterans she encountered at a military sports camp.

“It’s never once felt like work,” she said. Unfortunately, “…they cut themselves off from the community. But here, there’s a new light in their eyes.”

Now in its fourth year, VAST operates 50 Wednesdays a year and includes two to four multi-day camps. A turkey hunt was organized last fall. Fly-fishing and fly-tying and a sailing camp are planned for this spring and summer. Participation is encouraged, regardless of skill level.

VAST has partnered with other community organizations across the country to develop the U.S. Paralympics, or Paralympic sports clubs. Estimates put the number of physically disabled Americans at about 21 million. For more information, visit www.pinelandfarms.org/vast.

Local chapter of Sons of American Revolution ramps up recruitment drive - By Walter Lunt

Monday, April 18, is Patriot’s Day which commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord near Boston in 1775. It signifies the emergence of American independence and is celebrated chiefly in Maine and Massachusetts. For David Manchester the 241^st Patriot’s Day marks the “run-up decade” to America’s 250^th anniversary, or quarter-millennial (also referred to as semiquincentennial). Manchester, who is past president of the Southern Maine Chapter of the Maine Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) wants to utilize the intervening years as a time to significantly increase numbers in the organization. SAR is a proud and exclusive group of citizens who can trace their roots back to a Patriot in the struggle to win independence from Britain.

“One doesn’t have to have an ancestor who fought in battle,” Manchester hastens to point out, “anyone who served the cause qualifies.” He says some SAR members can trace their family back to shadowy figures who ran intelligence missions, provided ammunition, printed hand bills or sold provisions to the military.

Documented proof, however, is required. Typical sources include birth/death/marriage certificates, town and census records and town, county or state vital statistics publications. One source, particularly helpful to many, according to Manchester, is the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1905), available at the Maine Historical Society in Portland.

Manchester traces his own family roots back seven generations to Stephen Manchester, a founding member of old Windham (New Marblehead) and a Revolutionary War soldier. 

“Upon hearing the news of conflict in Lexington/Concord, Manchester joined a Windham militia group and marched to Boston,” David Manchester said.

Local records reveal there were 91 men from Windham who served in the American War of Independence, according to Manchester. Of those, 32 are interred in Windham cemeteries, 30 are buried in other towns or states and 29 are listed as unaccounted for.

“We are looking for (their) descendants to join (SAR) and get recognized,” said Manchester, and added, “If anyone thinks they may have (Patriot connections), we will help trace back their ancestry.”

The Southern Maine Chapter of SAR was formed one year ago and meets regularly at Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham. In addition to regular business, the meeting often features speakers on history and genealogy. The chapter has about 15 active members, but thanks to Manchester, who was recently awarded a medal from the national organization in recognition of his recruitment efforts, the number is expected to go up. A second chapter formed last year in Bangor. Both are affiliated with the 175 member Maine Sons of the American Revolution.

All affiliates and the national SAR sponsor essay contests on leadership and patriotic themes. Boy Scout Eagle Scouts and high school boys and girls can be awarded up to $10,000 for winning entries.

After nine more Patriot’s Days, Manchester foresees SAR and its chapters will be intensely involved in 4^th of July celebrations around the state. SAR will undoubtedly contribute with parades, color guards, flintlock muzzle loading demonstrations, Patriot workshops and, hopefully, more SAR members celebrating their heritage. 

For additional information on SAR, contact David Manchester at davidlmanchester@outlook.com, or 892-6830.

Statewide television series seeks local entrepreneurs for business pitch competition - By Elizabeth Richards
 American Legion Post 148 honored - By Michelle Libby

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American Legion Post 148 honored - By Michelle Libby

Last Saturday morning, American Legion Post 148 in Windham, hosted the National commander of the American Legion for a breakfast gathering. National commander Dale Barnett from Georgia, visited Maine to give awards to various posts. Barnett is commander of the 2.2 million-member American Legion members across the country. 

“This doesn’t happen every year. They picked some nice posts to visit,” said Curtis Merrill. 

“This post has a long history of exceeding standards that the State of Maine has set,” said Barnett. “We’re so glad to have you with us. We’re a team. 

Barnett gave meritorious service awards to Henry “Chuck” Whynot, Clarence Cummings and Leone Davies for the work they have done with the post helping veterans. The post was given awards for “Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness” for their “support and activities of the American Legion, all the while, being an asset in their community.” The post was also given an all-time high recognition for increasing membership for seven consecutive years from 2009 to 2015.

A certificate of meritorious service was award for “service by enrolling for the year 2016, a membership equaling or surpassing its previous all-time high.” They were also given the Maine “Most Meritorious Service Award in recognition of the efforts of its officers and members in equaling or exceeding the post’s 100 percent membership goal prior to the annual state convention.”

 

Three members, Dick Small, Mel Greenier and Dave Tanguay were given special recognition pin designed for Barnett for recruiting three new members each. 

Post 148 commander Mel Greenier was given a picture of the national commander and a national commander license plate. 

Barnett also pointed out that “chronologically gifted” Carroll McDonald, who was in the Air Core and a Windham resident, has been in the American Legion for 67 years.

“Duty, honor and country,” Barnett said. “We have a duty to community because we want to serve because it’s the right thing to do. Honor to be in the military. It’s an honor to be your National Commander. And, country. There are a lot of countries, but there’s no greater country on Earth than the United States of America. We also know freedom is not free.” 

Others in attendance were State of Maine American Legion officers, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148, and officers from other posts in the area. 

A formal dinner was held at the Naples post. 

Statewide television series seeks local entrepreneurs for business pitch competition - By Elizabeth Richards

Greenlight Maine, a unique television show created by Windham resident Con Fullam, is currently accepting applications for its second season. 
 

Greenlight Maine is a statewide business pitch competition designed to promote Maine entrepreneurs and provide an opportunity to win a $100,000 cash prize. The series airs state-wide on Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. on WCSH and WLBZ.  

During the first season, which is currently airing, companies discovered through the series have already secured $1,250,000 in angel investments, according to a recent press release. 

“That, in addition to many invaluable connections, priceless advice and state-wide television exposure has created a very exciting opportunity for Maine’s entrepreneurs to introduce their companies to an audience eager to see and hear what they have to offer and to angel investors anxious to invest in the next big thing,” the press release stated.  

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a pitch video between March 29^th and April 30, 2016.  On June 1^st, up to 52 quarter finalists will be announced based on video submissions.  Quarterfinalists will then present an in-person pitch at an event on Saturday, June 25^th in Portland as part of Maine Startup & Create Week.  

Fullam, an award winning music, film, and television producer and the showrunner for Greenlight Maine, said that the 26 selected contestants will travel in mid-July to NESCOM at Husson University in Bangor for filming.  Each of these filmed episodes will feature two contestants who will participate in a pitch-off to a panel of judges, who listen, discuss and decide who will move on to the mentoring round.  These episodes will air in the Fall of 2016.

The mentoring round, which will be filmed in January of 2017, is designed to give the winning 13 presenters an opportunity to put their product or service back in front of thousands of interested parties, said Fullam.  

“The purpose of this round is to help the presenter address a significant challenge that they are currently facing, and hopefully walk away with new tools in their tool box,” he said.  This round will also be aired state-wide. 

Fullam said the show is looking for companies already operating that demonstrate a potential for growth and sustainability; individuals who are ready to take a “great widget” they have invented to the marketplace; individuals or companies who have created services products; and/or the next great idea that has a clear path to early development.

Interested contestants should follow the submission process outlined on both the website www.greenlightmaine.com and the Greenlight Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/greenlightmaine/).

Teams build competition robots and community at Gearbots district meet - By Anne Libby
 Maine Maple Weekend - By Michelle Libby

Gray secession committee discusses pros and cons of annexation to Raymond - By Walter Lunt

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Teams build competition robots and community at Gearbots district meet - By Anne Libby and Michelle Libby

Last Saturday Southern Maine Gearbots teams gathered at Saint Joseph’s College of the sixth annual competition. It was a day of excitement and constructive rivalry as teams competed in two divisions. The first was junior division for grades 1 through 3 and a senior division for grades four through eight.  

The junior division teams developed a creation that would help take care of trash and a poster to explain what their machine did. There were 16 junior teams.

The other part of the competition is the vehicle building for the senior division. Each LEGO machine was created to accomplish a task. The seniors were tested in competition to determine the fastest robot, steeplechase winner, best walker/bridge builder, strongest robot or table clearing mission, best slope climber or best ping pong shot put. There were 22 senior teams. 

Teams were from Windham, Raymond, Massabesic, Saco, Gray-New Gloucester and Portland.

“It’s pretty excited. There a lot of excitement and new faces. It’s a good experience for the kids to see everything and talk to professionals who use robots in the field,” said interim Gearbot president Pat Noonan. 

A group from Massabesic was working to perfect it’s robot that entered the strongest robot competition. “They discovered they need to redistribute the weight and add weight to give it traction so the wheels won’t slip,” said coach Karen Turgeon. 

The idea of the robotics clubs is to have the students make the robots with adult supervision. 

In the six years the Gearbots have been holding the competition, it has grown exponentially. With the addition of a display from New England LEGO users group (NELUG), this year featuring a circuit that moved small balls around tables set in a square using intricate working machines. 

“I love doing it,” said Thomas Atkinson, who showed off his project The Great Ball Contraption. He’d been making models for 11 years and knows that it teaches students mechanical principles and so much more. “It is an awesome learning tool.” 

The Portland Police Department bomb squad officers also showed off their professional remote control bomb disposal robots to demonstrate the practical use of robots in police work. Other organization brought in LEGOs for hands on building, including Sarah Sparks, a 4-H science professional from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Hands-on LEGOs from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland. 

Robot Republic from Windham had been preparing for the Gearbots competition since January, when they started meeting at Manchester School. The team is comprised of two fifth graders (Rafael Roney and Riles Brown) and two third graders (Chayse Caron and Zachary Noonan). They were coached by Steve Brown and Allen Caron. The team placed in the top five in the speed competition.

“We’re super excited, not only to come and compete but also checking out other ideas. There’s a sense of community here,” said the Robot Republic team.

Winners for fastest robot were Team CYD and Dream Crushers. For strongest robot, Argh! came in first with Dream Crushers right behind, other pulling 60 pounds.  In the steeplechase, Tanx won, followed by Struedle Gatiale Unicorns. In table clearing Robot Republic removed five cans and Me Myself and I removed three cans. Raymond Gizmo Guys and Rage Bots both climbed a 65 degree wall. In delivery, Dream Crushers beat out The Dibbles. 

Parents, grandparents and other spectators watched the competitions closely, including the building speed challenge for the junior coaches, which was a hit with the junior competitors. Coach LaCasse walked away with the win despite some strong competitors. There were also raffle and concession items that were donated and greatly appreciated, said Noonan. 

Southern Maine Gearbots are looking for new board members. “We’ve been growing for the last couple of seasons and we’ll keep growing for a long time to come,” Noonan said.

Photo: Gearheads from all over southern Maine gather around The Great Ball Contraption from Thomas Atkinson from New England Lug (www.nelug.org) out of Londonderry, New Hampshire. Anne Libby Photo.