Maine
Maine Lobster Festival announces 2023 Delegate contestants and coronation judges
ROCKLAND — Eleven contestants will compete for the title of 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate at the 76th Maine Lobster Festival, according to The Maine Lobster Festival. The coronation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 p.m., on the Main stage on the Festival grounds at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine. Also crowned will be a Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality.
Winter Adams
Winter Adams graduated from Oceanside High School in 2023 and will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington for a degree in Secondary English Education. In high school she played varsity field hockey and will continue the sport in college. Winter is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts and is highly involved with Rockland’s mural arts programs. Winter has chosen to be an educator because she wants to be able to foster growth on both personal and community levels in high school aged kids. Winter has chosen the Girl Scouts Knox Service Unit as her nonprofit. Winter was a member of the Service Unit for two years and learned just how hard the women involved work to do good for young girls everywhere.
Jillian Barnard
Jillian Barnard will be a Senior at Oceanside High School this fall. At OHS she is a multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer and softball, as well as other activities, including being the OHS Junior class representative for the RSU 13 School Board. Jillian is a student at the Mid-Coast School of Technology where she is preparing for her EMT exam. She recently was awarded the state gold medal for Skills USA in the EMT category. Jillian is competing to be the MLF Delegate because she believes she can be a positive influence and role model for her peers and the younger members of her community. Jillian has chosen Pope Memorial Humane Society as her nonprofit.
Allison Colburn
Allison Colburn graduated from Oceanside High School this year. While at OHS, she played field hockey, softball, and competitive cheerleading. She was active in key club, student government, Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, National Honor Society and the National Student Leadership Conference. Her plans are to attend school in Weston, Massachusetts and major in nursing. She will also minor in political science and achieve a certificate in Spanish for health sciences. Allison’s goal is to help people while they are going through some of their worst times and help them get to some of their best times. Allison has chosen New Hope Midcoast as her nonprofit.
Ashleigh Cronin
Ashleigh Cronin is a recent graduate of Oceanside High School. In high school she participated in competitive dance and cheerleading, as well as assistant teaching and coaching in both activities. Ashleigh has spent the past two summers working as a CIT at Alford Lake Camp. Her plan is to become a pediatric physical therapist after college to work with kids and help them overcome injuries and continue to do things they love. Ashleigh is a life-long Thomaston resident and is competing in the Maine Lobster Festival Delegate competition because it supports the community. She loves working with kids, meeting new people, and being involved. Ashleigh has chosen Hole In The Wall Gang Camp as her nonprofit.
Adelaide Hendricks
Adelaide Hendricks is a recent graduate of Oceanside High School. Throughout high school, she participated in multiple school musicals and plays. She also sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sports and community events. Additionally, Addie had the privilege of attending two MMEA District III Festivals and the All State Music Festival in the honor choirs. She will be attending the University of Southern Maine this fall with a plan to become a high school history teacher. Addie has previously volunteered in the food tent and enjoyed every second. She says, “Seeing faces from all over the world coming to experience what our community is about is amazing.” Addie has chosen Alzheimer’s Foundation of America as her nonprofit.
Cassidy Novicka
Cassidy Novicka has been a resident of Rockland for the last eighteen years. She graduated as valedictorian from Oceanside High School in June. In school she played field hockey and ran track. Cassidy was the treasurer of her class, president of Key Club, an Olympia’s Leader, and a member of the National Honors Society. This fall she will be attending the University of Maine, majoring in Political Science and Pre-Law with hopes of attending law school after. Lobstering has been a big part of her family’s history. Cassidy’s mother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and many relatives have been and are lobstermen. She has helped out on her grandfather’s boat, the Teacher’s Pet. Cassidy has chosen the Lung Cancer Foundation of America as her nonprofit. Her grandfather, Neil “Al” Novicka, was lost to lung cancer in 2015, making this foundation near and dear to her heart.
Autumn Oxton
Autumn Oxton graduated from Vinalhaven High School and also attended the Mid-Coast School of Technology. There, she studied welding and fabrication, the CNA program, and auto collision. She attended college at Aveda Institute for Cosmetology and now works at Serenity Hair Salon in Damariscotta. In her spare time, Autumn serves on the Nobleboro Fire Department, participates in cheerleading for Oceanside High School, works on multiple fishing vessels, goes fishing, and spends time with family. She is competing because this has been a dream of hers since she was a little girl. Autumn has chosen The Maine Lobstermen’s Association as her nonprofit.
Lizzi Swan
Lizzi Swan graduated from Medomak Valley High School in 2022. In high school, she played soccer, tennis, and was a cheerleader. In addition, she was class president, a member of the National Honors Society and a member of PAWS. While she is currently enrolled at Boston College, Lizzi maintains summer employment at The Landings Restaurant, Beths Farm Market and Maine Scene. Lizzi plans to complete her undergraduate degree at Boston College and continue to law school. As a lawyer, she hopes to focus on human rights to help those who cannot help themselves. Lizzi is excited to compete for the title of Maine Lobster Festival Delegate to immerse herself more in her community. Lizzi has chosen New Hope Midcoast as her nonprofit.
Olivia Van Buskirk
Olivia Van Buskirk recently graduated from Oceanside High School. In high school Olivia was involved with National Honor Society, student government, and theater. She choreographed and participated in set design with the OHS drama program. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old, and on a competitive team with Studio Red since the age of 7. Her summer job is at McLoons Lobster. This fall Olivia will attend the University of New Hampshire, majoring in occupational therapy and continuing to dance. Her goal is to have a career working with kids in the community helping them grow. Olivia has chosen Big Brothers of Mid-Maine as her nonprofit.
Abby Waterman
Abby Waterman is a 2023 graduate of Oceanside High School. In high school Abby participated in sports and was involved in the community. Abby has also participated in camps to help younger athletes, and has mentored 8th graders to make their transition to high school easier. She has grown up on a boat lobstering, and has learned how important the industry is to families and our state. Abby is passionate about this career path herself and plans to include it in her future. She is attending University of Maine at Augusta in the fall to study dental hygiene. Being a role model for younger kids is an important part of who she is. Abby has chosen The Landing Place as her nonprofit.
Mara Wellman
Mara Wellman is a 2023 graduate of Oceanside High School. She has been a dancer since she was 3 years old, competitively since she was 9. Mara also loves to draw and paint. Mara wants to take on the role of Maine Lobster Festival Delegate to be a strong advocate for Maine lobstermen. Mara’s family is from Vinalhaven and she’s incredibly aware of the struggles the industry has been facing, and she looks forward to being a voice in that fight. Mara plans to attend Aveda Institute Maine for cosmetology in the fall. Mara has chosen Good Shepard Food Bank as her nonprofit.
Coronation Judges
Charlotte Strong-Ames
Charlotte Strong-Ames was raised on Matinicus Island, 23 miles off the coast of Rockland, where she fished her own lobster traps at just 8-years-old. She attended the Matinicus Island one-room schoolhouse until about 6th grade, when she transitioned to Thomaston Grammar School. Her family has strong roots on Matinicus, as well as Rockland, Thomaston and Tenants Harbor. Throughout high school she worked as a sternman for her stepfather. She graduated from Oceanside High School in 2016, and was a princess in the 2016 Sea Goddess competition. The following fall she joined Husson University and majored in nursing. She has been working as a registered nurse at Pen Bay Medical Center for three years. She’ll be traveling to Guatemala in July with a medical volunteer program, serving underprivileged, indigenous people in the area. She is currently working toward becoming a certified yoga instructor. She plans to provide mental and spiritual growth and healing opportunities through the practice of yoga. She is looking forward to participating in this year’s Festival, and helping the community learn the importance of the lobster industry to Maine’s economy.
Laura Tracy
Laura Tracy grew up in the Midcoast and is now raising her own family here. An advocate for all things community, Laura is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Knox County Flying Club and is on the board for the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce. Laura is thrilled to be starting a new position this fall at the Midcoast School of Technology. She looks forward to meeting the contestants and bringing her work experience into this process.
Chuck Kruger
Chuck Kruger was born in New Jersey and moved to Maine in 1969. He has been a professional musician, singing, playing guitar and song-writing. He founded Entertainment Resources in 1987 and was the Entertainment Producer and Publicity/Advertising Coordinator for the Maine Lobster Festival. Chuck was a Representative in Maine’s legislature, representing Thomaston, St. George, South Thomaston, Matinicus, Owl’s Head, Cushing from 2008-2016. He served on Judiciary Committee, 3 terms on Marine Resources Committee, and 2 terms as House Chair of Government Oversight Committee. Chuck has deep roots in this community and looks forward to crowning our first MLF Delegate.
Janice Abendroth
Janice Abendroth is a native of Rockport and is the Events Coordinator for PAWS Animal Adoption Center. She retired and sold her woman-owned business, Rockport utomotive, last year. She is an active community member and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Melanie Trott
Melanie Trott is a Rockland resident and business owner at Midcoast Realty Group and MidcoastHome Rental Property Management. She is a busy soccer mom, travel and business enthusiast, and a member of the Rockland Economic Development Committee and OHS Boys Soccer Boosters.
Mia Bogyo
Mia Bogyo is the Education Programs Manager for the Center for Maine Contemporary rt. She is an arts educator and active community member with experience teaching all ages for schools, non-profits, and art centers.
Emcee
Emily Waterman Dillon is a former Navy Wife, mother of three, and well known in our community for her professionalism, humor, and wit. Originally from South Thomaston, she has performed with numerous nationally touring comics, including Dulcé Sloan, Donnell Rawlings, Judy Gold and the late Gilbert Gottfried. Dillon is a founder of Stingers Comedy, and was voted Pensacola Florida‘s best comedian of the coast two years running. We are excited to welcome her back to emcee, this time for Maine Lobster Festival Delegate Competition.
Crown Bearer
Sander Hansen is a 6 year old student who attends APCS. He loves soccer, basketball, tee ball and skiing! He also has a love for reading. He has a 13 year older sister who is also volunteering here, helping out with lobster festival festivities!
Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to the Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. The 2023 Festival will be held Aug. 2-6. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit the website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com , “like” it on Facebook , follow it on Twitter at @MELobsterFest , and on Instagram at @mainelobsterfest.
AMITY, Maine (WABI) – Human remains have been found after a fire heavily damaged a home in Amity, officials said Sunday.
The fire broke out at the home on Emily Drive on Saturday.
Investigators with the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office responded around 2:30 p.m.
We’re told human remains were found in amongst the fire debris.
The remains will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for positive identification.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published in December 2022.
Jerry Galusha and his best friend, Doug Cooke, share a friendship that dates back to 1984, when they were living in Rangeley and were introduced by mutual friends.
Over the years, they have often gone fishing or deer hunting, activities they both have enjoyed immensely.
“The relationship that we have is just unbelievable,” Galusha said. “We’ve had some really amazing adventures.”
This fall, Galusha was confronted with a heart-wrenching task. He would take Cooke into the woods, one last time, in search of a big buck.
The difference was that this time they would not be walking the tote roads and trails together. Instead, Galusha would be carrying Cooke’s cremains in his backpack.
Cooke died on Sept. 5 at age 61 after a long struggle with renal failure. Galusha said after 40 years of dialysis or living with a transplanted kidney, Cooke opted to cease treatment and enter hospice care when his third transplant failed.
Doctors had originally told Cooke he would be lucky to celebrate his 30th birthday. Thus, he tried all his life to avoid getting too emotionally attached to people. He seldom asked anyone for favors.
Cooke and Galusha hadn’t seen each other much in recent years as Galusha focused on raising a family. But in late August, Cooke left a voicemail for Galusha explaining that he planned to enter hospice care.
Cooke told Galusha he didn’t need to do anything, but wanted him to know. He did not want to become a burden to anyone else.
“His body was telling him that he’s had enough,” Galusha said. “He couldn’t golf. He couldn’t play his guitar. He hadn’t been hunting in years.”
Galusha couldn’t let it end like that. In spite of Cooke’s reluctance to have his old friend see him in such poor health, he went to visit him.
But as Cooke faced his own mortality, he asked one favor of Galusha.
“He said, ‘Promise me one thing, could you please, just one time, take me in to Upper Dam to go fishing before you dump my ashes?’” Galusha said.
The dam separates Mooselookmeguntic (Cupsuptic) Lake and Richardson Lake north of Rangeley. It was a favorite spot of theirs, one Cooke introduced to Galusha, who grew up in New York.
“He really loved the wilderness and Rangeley,” Galusha said of Cooke, who was a Vermont native.
Galusha immediately said yes but, knowing how much Cooke also enjoyed hunting, he didn’t feel as though the fishing trip was enough to adequately honor his friend.
“I said, I’m going to take you for the whole deer season, every time I go,” Galusha said. “He looked at me and started crying and said, ‘That would be so awesome.’
“It was hard. We cried and hugged each other,” he said.
When Galusha went deer hunting near his home in Rangeley during the third week of November — a week the two buddies often spent together over the years — he tried his best to make it like old times.
Galusha spared no effort. He carried the cardboard urn containing Cooke’s cremains inside a camouflage can, which was wrapped with a photo showing Cooke posing with a nice buck he had harvested many years earlier.
He also packed Cooke’s blaze orange hat and vest, along with his grunt tube, compass, doe bleat can, deer scents and a set of rattling antlers.
Galusha chronicled the events of each hunting day by posting to Cooke’s Facebook page, complete with observations, recollections and photos.
Lots of deer were seen and there was one encounter with a buck, but after missing initially, Galusha refused to take a bad shot as the deer was partially obscured by undergrowth.
“I just did what Doug would have done. He’s not going to shoot and I wasn’t going to shoot,” Galusha said.
He spoke reverently about Cooke’s resilience through the years in the face of his constant battle with health problems, which included not only kidney failure, dialysis and transplants, but four hip replacements and, eventually, a heart attack.
The arrival of muzzleloader season provided one more week to hunt. On Friday, Dec. 2, Galusha walked more than 3 miles along a gated road to an area where he had seen deer a week earlier.
That got him off the beaten track, away from other potential hunters, something Cooke would have appreciated.
“He wasn’t afraid to go do stuff,” Galusha said. “It might take us a little bit longer, but he didn’t care.”
Galusha, who still often refers to Cooke in the present tense, said he vocalized some of his reflections while in the woods. He saw eagles, which he thought might be Cooke keeping an eye on him.
“I talked to him a lot,” Galusha said, who also enjoyed telling the handful of hunters he encountered that he was not out alone, rather with his friend.
He then explained the story of his promise to Cooke and reverently removed the urn from his pack to show them.
When Galusha finally saw the buck, it wasn’t quite close enough. He uses one of Cooke’s favorite tactics to coax the deer closer.
Galusha tried the grunt tube, and then the doe bleat can, but the deer didn’t seem to hear it. Then, he blew harder on the grunt tube and finally got the buck’s attention.
“I irked one right in, that’s what Doug would say,” said Galusha, recalling Cooke’s affection for using the alternating calls.
The spikehorn turned and walked directly at Galusha, who shot it.
“I cried,” he said of the moment, recalling that Cooke had been there when he shot his first antlered deer, also a spikehorn.
During the long drag back to his truck, Galusha had plenty of time to think about how much Cooke would have enjoyed the hunt — and watching him make the drag.
At one point, a crew of loggers had approached.
“I was pointing to the sky saying, ‘We got it done,’ shaking my hand,” Galusha said. “A guy came up behind me and said, ‘You all set?’ and I’m like, yup.”
Cooke and Galusha had lived together for 10 years at one point, but they also had gone long periods without talking with each other. Even so, whenever they were reunited it was as if they had never been apart.
The last few visits were difficult. Cooke’s health was failing, but Galusha just wanted to be there for his buddy.
“It was emotional,” said Galusha, who was present when Cooke died. “I held his hand to his last breath.”
Next spring, hopefully when the fish are biting and the bugs aren’t, Galusha will grant Cooke — who he described as a fabulous fisherman — his final wish by taking him fishing at Upper Dam, just like they used to do.
“I’m thinking maybe around his birthday [July 19]. It might be sooner, depending on how buggy it is,” said Galusha, who expects to make more than one excursion with Cooke.
Galusha said he will know when it’s time to say goodbye.
“I really don’t want to let him go, but I promised him I would, so I will,” he said.
ORONO, Maine (WABI) – On Saturday Maine Football hosted their bitter rivals the UNH Wildcats for their 112th all-time matchup with the coveted Brice-Cowell Musket on the line.
The Black Bears were the first team to make their mark on the scoreboard as Joey Bryson converted a 39-yard field goal with 3:56 left to play in the first quarter.
Maine would score again just a few minutes later as quarterback Carter Peevy connected with Montigo Moss for a spectacular one-handed touchdown.
After the Black Bears failed to score on a two-point conversion Maine held onto a 9-0 lead.
Maine’s ‘Black Hole’ defense was able to keep UNH off the board for nearly all of the first half.
But with 11 seconds to go before halftime the Wildcats scored their first touchdown of the game.
UNH would score their second touchdown on their first play from scrimmage in the second half giving them a 14-9 advantage.
That score would end up being the decisive one.
The Wildcats were able to shut out Maine the rest of the game en route to a 27-9 victory.
Saturday’s loss marks the third consecutive season that the Black Bears have lost in the Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket.
Maine’s season has now come to an end as the Black Bears finish their season with a 5-7 record.
Copyright 2024 WABI. All rights reserved.
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