Maine
Artists unveil ‘The Maine Event’ exhibit at the Paine Gallery

BLUEFIELD, W. Va. (WVVA) -Sunday evening, the Bluefield Arts Center’s Paine Gallery unveiled its newest exhibit, featuring a display of the beauty of one America’s northern states.
“The Maine Event” is the work of James Crim, Katherine Crim, and Carolyn Light, three experienced artists, who combined their art into one display, and showcased their artistic similarities and differences.
The theme for this exhibit is, of course, the state of Maine and the natural beauty to be found there. The artists say they wanted to work together on a theme, and when they took a trip up north to practice their respective mediums, they found their inspiration.
“I’m the photographer and, of course, these two lovely ladies are both the painters,” say James Crim.
“If you’re an artist, a photographer, you’re just attracted to Maine for the… light, for the water, for the lifestyle…” says Light.
“The landscapes, the seascapes, the movement. It’s just beautiful,” says Katherine Crim.
We asked these artists if they had any advice for those just getting started in their artistic pursuits. They say to make art for the love of making art and learn from others, both from classes and from art galleries.
If you’d like to see the Maine Event for yourself, they say you’ll have until the end of May to stop by.
Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.

Maine
Maine-Endwell girls bowling wins program’s first state championship

ENDWELL, N.Y. (WBNG) — Heading into the sixth and final game, Maine-Endwell trailed first place by 28 pins.
The Spartans locked in to hit 1,033 pins, the most that any team bowled on the day, while claiming the program’s first championship by a 132-pin margin.
“We all put all of our hard work and energy into that last game,” said Maine-Endwell senior Jenna Kurtz.
Maine-Endwell’s team of six was led by five seniors.
While the Spartans have failed to achieve the goal of being state champions in the past, a specific focus in practice helped put the Spartans on top.
“We do a lot of spare practicing, and that’s what won us the title,” Maine Endwell senior Natalie Yale said.
When the game was sealed, Maine-Endwell head coach Eric Williams became emotional and proud of his team.
“Especially with four seniors leaving, it’s very tough,” Williams said. “Very exciting to the point where it takes away your breath sometimes.”
The Spartans’ biggest surprise of the day came off the lanes. They found out that a parade had been set up for their arrival at Maine-Endwell, with police, fire trucks and more leading the way.
“It’s just very surprising how many people came out,” said Maine-Endwell senior Reonna Smithgall. “Feels great to have everybody there for us.”
Williams said the Spartans may compete in the High School Bowling National Championship in June, which will take place in Indiana.
Copyright 2025 WBNG. All rights reserved.
Maine
The Best Airbnbs in Maine for a Serene Getaway

Fulfill your dream of living in a treehouse at this picturesque rental located on top of a 21-acre wooded hill that slopes toward the water. The property (located in a classic coastal village) offers remarkable river views and even has a wood-fired cedar hot tub located among the treetops. The dwelling is technically two structures, which are connected by a rope bridge, and guests making their way down to the water can enjoy complimentary access to canoes and kayaks.
Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Amenities: Indoor fireplace, heating, portable fans, kitchen, beach access, backyard, fire pit, outdoor furniture, BBQ, kayak, private hot tub.
Location: In Georgetown
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Kennebunkport has long been a favorite holiday destination in Maine thanks to its blissful waterfront village and historic atmosphere. This rental feels right at home in the community, offering amenities like bicycles and beach chairs for soaking in the sun. The interiors are equally pleasant—wood-paneled walls, high ceilings, and sun-dappled living spaces imbue the home with a relaxed atmosphere.
Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Amenities: Washer/dryer, air conditioning, heating, kitchen, backyard, BBQ, outdoor furniture.
Maine
Rally to oppose Maine's policy on transgender athletes draws crowd in Augusta

Several hundred people rallied at the State House on Saturday to oppose policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports in Maine.
Rally-goers held signs declaring “Protect our girls” and “No men in women’s sports” as they listened to roughly a dozen speakers. Those included a high school athlete from Presque Isle who said she has had to compete against biological males, as well as multiple Republican state lawmakers who argued that Maine’s policy puts young female competitors at an unfair competitive disadvantage as well as at physical risk.
Republican Rep. Liz Caruso of Caratunk was among several lawmakers who urged attendees to also show up for future hearings on bills to reverse Maine’s current policy allowing athletes to compete in sports based on their “gender identity.”
“As much as I am grateful for the national attention that has been coming to Maine, really none of this is going to change anything unless we change something in that building right there,” Caruso said while motioning to the State House.
Maine has been in the national spotlight ever since another Republican state lawmaker, Rep. Laurel Libby of Auburn, posted on social media the picture and name of a high school transgender athlete who had won a girls’ track and field championship. The post quickly went viral and eventually came to the attention of President Donald Trump, who had signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls sports.
Trump later publicly clashed with Gov. Janet Mills in a brief-but-tense exchange that drew national attention. When Trump pressed Mills on whether Maine would comply with the executive order, the governor said the state was following state and federal law and that she would “See you in court.”
The Trump administration responded with investigations into Maine’s compliance with Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against women in educational settings. The administration has also sought to withhold millions of dollars in federal funding from the state, although some was later restored.
Many attending Saturday’s “Girl First” rally wore pro-Trump hats and clothing. And all of the lawmakers who spoke were Republican, although numerous polls suggest that a large majority of Americans oppose allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.
Saturday’s rally featured Chloe Cole of California, who received transition treatment and surgery as a young teenager but who now advocates nationally against gender-affirming care.
“Maine’s Human Rights Act was amended four years ago to include gender identity as a protected characteristic,” Cole said. “But we all understand that it is not a human right for a man to assert himself as a woman and to infringe upon real women’s fairness, privacy and safety.”
Maine’s Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in school extracurricular activities based on the individual’s “gender identity.” The Maine Principals’ Association has said its policy is based on that state law but that only two transgender athletes are competing in high school sports statewide.
Rep. Laurel Libby, the Auburn lawmaker whose social media post helped re-ignite the debate over transgender athletes in Maine, was notably absent from Saturday’s rally, at least at the microphone.
Democrats censured Libby in the Maine House for her post, accusing her of endangering the welfare of the juvenile athlete for political purposes. Libby responded by suing House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, alleging the censure violates her and her constituents constitutional rights because she is not allowed to speak or vote on the House floor until she formally apologizes.
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