Miss Oregon volunteers at Operation Homefront's Back to School Brigade event

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120810-F-TK422-010, a photo by oregonmildep on Flickr.Nichole Mead, Miss Oregon 2012, speaks to children of Oregon National Guard members during Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade event at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Ore., Aug. 10.

The event, organized by the Oregon Chapter of Operation Homefront, gave school supplies and backpacks to children of Oregon National Guard members at no cost. Mead helped participants pick out school supplies and backpacks donated by Dollar Tree.

Oregon National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs.

To see the rest of the photos from this event, visit our official Flickr page, where you can also download the high resolution images.

Oregon Soldiers assist coastal communities with emergency preparation

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20120810-A-PL933-003, a photo by oregonmildep on Flickr.
Above: Spc. Corey Buoy and Spc. Franklin Dominguez, with the 3670th Maintenance Company ground support platoon, conduct preventive care and maintenance work on a military generator used by the City of Seaside as a back up power source in their Water Works section, Aug. 10. The 3670th Maintenance Company provides basic care and preventative maintenance to generators in several coastal cities. Along with maintaining the generators, Citizen-Soldiers also train the local employees on the proper care of older military generators. (Photo by Sgt. Jason van Mourik, 115 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard)


SEASIDE, Ore. - Citizen-Soldiers with the 3670th Maintenance Company ground support platoon, 82 Brigade, Oregon Army National Guard, assisted Oregon coastal communities with equipment repair and maintenance in preparation for natural disasters and emergencies, Aug. 10, in Seaside, Ore.

Soldiers trained City Water Works employees in Seaside the proper preventative care and maintenance for older military generators used as back up systems in case of emergencies and disasters.

"We've had nothing but positive feedback from the groups we support," said Chief Warrant Officer 3, Tim Coronado, a ground support maintenance equipment engineer with the 3670th. "My soldiers love going out and working in the local communities, it helps build relationships across the board."

There are approximately six different communities that request maintenance and training support throughout the year.

"We send out our contact teams during our annual training," said Maj.
Richard Ybarra, 3670th company commander. "The communities understand that it provides training to our Soldiers and the local employees. It's a win-win situation."

Cities like Seaside may not always be able to purchase brand new back up generators, and that's where the local relationships with the Oregon Army National Guard and 3670th Maintenance Company help out.

"This is a key partnership that we have with the communities," said Brig. Gen. Eric Bush, 82 Brigade Commander. "It dovetails nicely with the concept of military support to civilian authorities and building relationships at the local level."

Repairing generators and building community relationships, Soldiers of the 3670th hope to continue on with the program as long as they are needed.

"It's not about getting recognition for what we do," said Coronado. "It's about training our Soldiers and lending a hand to our neighbors."

To see the rest of the photos from this set, visit our official Flickr page.


Story by Sgt. Jason Van Mourik,
Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office

41 Special Troops Battalion awarded Meritorious Unit Citation

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120811-A-AS714-001, a photo by oregonmildep on Flickr.Lt. Col. Sean Nikkila (center), commander of the 41 Special Troops Battalion, affixes a Meritorious Unit Citation streamer to the battalion’s guidon as Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch (left) looks on during an award ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Ore., August 11. The battalion received the Meritorious Unit Citation for exceptionally meritorious service while conducting convoy and base security operations during their 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq with 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jalayna Lagomarsino, 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Oregon's Soldiers put the 'boom' in 1812 Overture

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Citizen-Soldiers with the 2-218 Field Artillery, Oregon Army National Guard, demonstrate the abilities and features of their howitzers at the Oregon Symphony Waterfront Park Concert, Aug. 30, in Portland, Ore.

 

The howitzers have become a tradition at the concert, firing during the playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture.

 

Photo by Sgt. Jason van Mourik, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs.

Oregon National Guard dedicates new facility in Dallas, Ore.

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-->Above: Dignitaries participate in a ribbon cutting todedicate the new Col. James W. Nesmith Readiness Center in Dallas, Ore., Oct.12. From left: Dallas Mayor Brian Dalton; Lewis Linn McArthur, great-grandsonof the late Col. James W. Nesmith; Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, Adjutant General,Oregon; Congressman Kurt Schrader; Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney; PolkCounty Commissioner Mike Ainsworth; and Larry Deibert, Civilian Aide to theSecretary of the Army.  The NesmithReadiness Center is home to the Oregon Army National Guard's 162 EngineerCompany. (Photo by Staff Sgt. April Davis, Oregon Military Department)

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The Oregon National Guard dedicated the new Col. James W.Nesmith Readiness Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony, Oct. 12, in Dallas,Ore.
The Nesmith Readiness Center is home to the Oregon ArmyNational Guard's 162 Engineer Company.
The readiness center is named forCol. James W. Nesmith, who served in the Rogue and Yakima Wars, and representedOregon as a United States Senator. Nesmith also served on the Committee of Military Affairs, where hesupported measures which provided for road and railroad construction and riverimprovements throughout Oregon. Nesmith also opposed the payment of bounties to enlist Soldiers as wellas a provision that released men from serving upon payment of a $300commutation fee.
Known as "the father of Polk County," he pushedfor legislation in 1847 to create a separate county out of what was then a verylarge Yamhill County.  In 1849,Nesmith purchased O'Neals Mills west of Dallas, and changed its name toNesmith's Mills. This became the first post office site in Polk County andJames Nesmith acted as postmaster from 1850 to 1852. He was elected treasurerof Polk County in 1852 and, in 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed himU.S. Marshall.
The Design-Build team of Lease Crutcher Lewis, LLC andTHA Architecture were contracted in September of 2010 to design and construct a41,263,000 square-foot facility that will house the 162 Engineer Company with122 Soldiers.  The new readinesscenter, completed in September 2012, replaces the old armory built in 1911 at18,206 square-feet which had suffered severe damage to the roof and supportingmembers and degraded masonry.
Significant features of the building include a fullcommercial grade kitchen, modern weight room, a 1,225 square-foot small-armstraining simulation room, a 5,800 square-foot assembly area, 2,200 square-feetof dividable classroom space, and 2,848 square-feet of maintenance bays tosupport the units 75 engineer vehicles. 
This facility will serve as a community resource withflexible rental space to accommodate events such as weddings, gatherings andconcerts.  According to designers,the building was designed for simple operation, low-maintenance and ease ofmanagement.
The overall design helps the facility blend into the surroundingcountryside. The green design meets the Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) and is currently being considered for a Gold Certification fromthe U.S. Green Building Council.
For another look at the readiness center, see the story from the Polk County Itemizer-Observer, here.
Posted by Master Sgt. Nick Choy,Oregon Military Department Social Media Manager 

1186 Military Police Company commander discusses tour in Afghanistan

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KABUL, Afghanistan - Maj. Jack Gillentine, commander of the 1186 Military Police Company, an Oregon Army National Guard unit currently deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan, discusses his unit's past year in a video interview conducted by the Oregon Guard's 115 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

The interview is available on the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System website:
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/151664/oregon-mp-commander-reflects-afghanistan-tour

The 1186 MP Co., consisting of approximately 180 Oregon Citizen-Soldiers from throughout the state, deployed to Afghanistan in October 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit provides force protection, personal security for high profile visitors, and trains the Afghan National Police in their area. The unit is scheduled to return to Oregon in fall 2012.

The 115 MPAD, consisting of approximately 18 Oregon Citizen-Soldiers, arrived in Afghanistan in July. The unit provides theater-level public affairs support with print and broadcast media operations.

Oregon Army National Guard, Coast Guard conduct week-long training exercise

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ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Sector Columbia River’s Vessel Boarding Security Team and the Oregon Army National Guard 102nd Civil Support Team trained together in Astoria this week to prepare for potential chemical and/or radiation threats posed by vessels entering the Columbia River.

In the event that the Coast Guard VBST discovers high levels of radiation or unfamiliar chemicals aboard a vessel, the CST would be called upon to identify the material, and decontaminate the vessel and any members of the team with whom it had come into contact.

The teams worked together in a real world scenario April 8, 2011, when the freight vessel Pan Pac Spirit was cleared to enter the Columbia River. Both teams boarded the vessel, which had recently transited through potentially contaminated waters in the vicinity of Fukushima, Japan. The VBST provided security and basic radiation detection while the CST offered more technologically advanced radiological and chemical detecting capabilities.



Coast Guard members from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., assist a member of the Oregon National Guard 102nd Civil Support Team aboard the Tongue Point Job Corps training vessel Ironwood during a training exercise in Astoria, Thursday, August 16, 2012. The exercise was part of week-long joint training operation hosted by Sector Columbia River. (Coast Guard photo by Fireman Loumania Stewart.)



Oregon's Soldiers put the 'boom' in 1812 Overture

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Citizen-Soldiers with the 2-218 Field Artillery, Oregon Army National Guard, demonstrate the abilities and features of their howitzers at the Oregon Symphony Waterfront Park Concert, Aug. 30, in Portland, Ore.

 

The howitzers have become a tradition at the concert, firing during the playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture.

 

Photo by Sgt. Jason van Mourik, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs.

Maine, Oregon aviation units develop MEDEVAC partnership

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Story by 1st Lt. Kerri Brantley, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT - The focus of the mission in Kuwait is partnerships with the friends of the region while the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade is deployed here. However there is also a state-to-state partnership being fostered in the medical evacuation company.
Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (medevac) is comprised of Forward Support Medical Teams from both Maine and Oregon National Guard's, these states were two of the last few wholly organic medevac units within a given state. The two units did not make the merge into one company until they met at Fort Hood, Texas, during pre-mobilization training and validation. From past deployments, the company commander, Maj. Mark Stevens, from Saco, Maine, has been told about all the issues of working side-by-side with different states.
“We all come from different states, different cultures, one of my biggest concern was our people wouldn’t get along,” said Stevens.
A significant concern of the commander was whether the unit would come together as a team or be two-separate entities; however that is not at all what has happened with this group.
“This has been an extremely easy transition, personalities, training, standards of operations, all lined up,” said Stevens. “They were just like us, Oregon fit right in. This was great that it happened to be so smooth, because this is a long-term partnership. This deployment is the foundation and it was a good start.”
The only disagreement the members from both states have had is the correct pronunciation of Oregon.
“As commander, that has made my job easier, having good Soldiers from both states,” said Stevens.
The commander was not the only one who feared that the unit would not come together as a team, 1st Lt. Samantha Franklin, of Eugene, Ore., is the assistant platoon leader and had similar apprehensions.
“I thought we would be excluded from missions, but that was falsity. There has never been and ‘us and them’ mentality,” said Franklin. “Once we all got together at Fort Hood, leadership has worked hard to ensure there were no lines drawn.”
The unit has faced some struggles together and endured a loss of one of their Soldiers, but in that time of despair the unit stood together. When one was struggling with the loss, another Soldier would be that stronghold.
“The ability for the unit to come together, even in the hard times, just affirmed we are a cohesive team, we know we can lean on one another,” said Franklin. “We also mix the aircrews together, so there is never all Maine or all Oregon personnel on a flight. This allows us to learn from one another all the time.”
The company is the only medevac asset in the 35th CAB, with the primary mission to be the air ambulance for this region. However, when not conducting medical evacuations for troops here, they are training other units for what they have coined as Medevac 101. To date, the company has educated almost 900 people in medevac training.
Medevac 101 teaches evacuation protocols; how to call in the Army’s 9-Line medevac request, how to prepare the landing zone, helicopter safety, and more. Flight medics are the primary instructors for the training.
“The training has multiple levels starting with the basic terminology to simulating a live transport while the helicopter is powered up with the blades running,” said Sgt. Erica Yates.
Back home, in Maine, Yates is a nurse; she is new to aviation but likes teaching the Combat Lifesaver course and Medevac 101.
“The thing I appreciate most is for everyone to have basic safety and understanding of how to operate around the helicopter,” Yates said. “If they had to do this for real, they will know how to do it safely.”
Also playing a vital role in the training is another instructor, Spc. Matthew Maloney, from Oregon. He is also new to aviation, but an experienced combat medic and previously deployed to Iraq with an infantry unit. He was recently hero of the week for his eagerness to progress as a flight medic; extremely active in training the forces, having a great capacity to learn and retain knowledge, which is vital to being a successful flight medic.
“Combining flight crews, for training and real-world evacuations has allowed individuals to come together as a team, we all came here for the same purpose,” said Maloney. “Being able to help someone in a critical situation and train others to help is a very rewarding experience.”
Capt. William Bradbury, from Maine, led a medevac group in the partnership with Jordan, in case a real-world situation happened, they would be there to help. The unit took the opportunity to conduct training flights while there as well.
“The terrain is different in Jordan and it was good to get that experience,” said Bradbury. “We integrated flight crews, so that everyone felt like a part of the whole and no one feels like an outsider.”
Long-lasting friendships have developed over the course of this deployment.
“We just clicked, our values were very similar, it’s like we found our long-lost brothers and sisters,” said Bradbury. “I will definitely stay in contact via Facebook and email. It would be really rewarding to do a Yellow Ribbon event together after the deployment.”
Yellow Ribbon is a Guard and Reserve program that assists members who have served in combat and experienced the stress of war. Once they return to communities and jobs scattered across the nation and to friends and family who may not grasp the depth of their experience, Charlie Company would like the chance to be able to support one another once they are home.
“It would be great to see where they live and for us to get the chance to show them around our home and meet each other’s families,” said Bradbury. “It may or may not happen, but it would be an opportunity, which we would be forever grateful.”
The unit continues to support partnerships in this region that promote stability and security, as they also foster this state-to-state medevac partnership.
“We have set the baseline for a long-term partnership, along with mission success and established lifelong friendships; it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Stevens.
The unit is due home early spring 2013.

Oregon Guard honors former governor by naming installation after him

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121002-Z-TK422-1302, a photo by oregonmildep on Flickr.Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (second from left), pictured with Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees (far left), Adjutant General, Oregon; Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber; and Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney (far right), following the dedication ceremony for the Governor Theodore Kulongoski Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Ore., Oct. 2. The installation was named in honor of the former governor for his support of Oregon’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen. Kulongoski, Oregon’s longest standing wartime governor, who served as commander-in-chief of the Oregon National Guard, attended almost all of the Oregon National Guard’s deployment ceremonies and the funerals of Oregon service members killed overseas during his two terms in office. “Always a Marine, Always a Soldier, forever an Oregonian,” Courtney said of Kulongoski during his speech. (Photo by Master Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Last Resort "Eight Bells" Premiers TONIGHT Oct. 11th

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Those who have become fans of the all new ABC series Last Resort will be able to watch an all new episode at 8pm entitled "Eight Bells". In tonight's all new episode of Last Resort, Marcus leads a search for three missing crew members of the Colorado, a search that leads them to Serrat's compound, where they receive an ominous demand. Meanwhile, a clandestine meeting between Kylie and Admiral Shepard confirms that the order to fire came through a back channel.


"Last Resort" stars Andre Braugher as Captain Marcus Chaplin, Scott Speedman as XO Sam Kendal, Daisy Betts as Lieutenant Grace Shepard, Dichen Lachman as Tani Tumrenjack, Daniel Lissing as SEAL Officer James King, Sahr Ngaujah as Mayor Julian Serrat, Camille de Pazzis as Sophie Girard, Autumn Reeser as Kylie Sinclair, Jessy Schram as Christine Kendal and Robert Patrick as Master Chief Joseph Prosser.

Guest Cast: Jay Karnes as Secretary of Defense William Curry, Michael Ng as Cameron Pitts, Bruce Davison as Admiral Shepard, Jessica Camacho as Pilar Cortez, Will Rothhaar as Seaman Josh Brannan, Chad Michael Collins as Redman.

"Eight Bells" was written by Eileen Myers and directed by Michael Offer.

The two photographs in this article are credited to ABC.

Maine Potato Harvest Yields Good-Quality Spud

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Augusta, Maine - Maine potato producers are harvesting “a quality crop” this season, according to state agriculture officials.

With 80 to 85 percent of the crop already harvested this week, growers are having a successful growing year and are storing a good crop of potatoes, Don Flannery, Maine Potato Board executive director said.

Maine farmers also are not being affected by the severe drought conditions that have taken place in the Midwest, he noted.

 “A quality crop is going into storage – quality in, quality out,” Flannery said this week. “We’re looking at a crop that is good quality and somewhere close to average yield.”

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) supports Maine potato farmers specifically through certifying seed potatoes, inspecting and evaluating fresh market and processed potatoes and certifying them according to state and federal regulations. As of September 2012, a total of 11,444 acres of seed potatoes, managed by 121 growers, was certified. The most common varieties were Frito-Lay propagated varieties, Russet Burbanks, and Atlantics, according to ACF’s Animal and Plant Health Division.

Maine potato growers planted a total of 59,000 acres of potatoes in 2012. The potato industry employs 2,650 people directly and 2,400 indirectly.

“Maine has approximately 380 potato farmers, and although the majority of family-owned potato operations are in located in Aroostook County, commercially, potatoes are grown statewide,” said Walter Whitcomb, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry commissioner. “They are Maine’s largest agricultural crop and a huge economic boost to rural Maine.”

In Maine, 65 percent of the crop is sold for processing, with pre-season contracts; 20 percent is sold as seed potatoes primarily to East Coast producers; and the remaining crop is sold as fresh/tablestock potatoes.

Flannery said this year’s crop is expected to be a yield in keeping with the 12-year average of 290 hundredweight per acre. The final amount won’t be known until about six months from now after the entire crop is sold, he said.

“Right now, there appears to be an adequate supply of fresh potatoes,” with no shortages due to the drought conditions affecting the Midwest, Flannery said, adding that he did not expect price volatility post harvest.

“We expect everything to store well,” the board executive director pointed out. Last year, there was a storage issues because of the amount of rain during the season, but this season has been a drier year, he said.

For more information about the Maine Potato Board, go to: http://www.mainepotatoes.com/

For more information about Maine Seed Potato Certification, go to: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/potato/index.htm

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: go to: http://www.maine.gov/acf

Freeze Watch Issued For Friday Night

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Coastal Maine, Maine - Coastal Maine are expected to see the first freeze of the season with temps falling to between 25-32 degrees. The area impacted with this freeze watch are the following counties.

Androscoggin
Coastal Cumberland
Coastal Waldo
Coastal York
Interior Cumberland
Interior Waldo
Interior York
Kennebec
Knox
Lincoln
SagadahocSouthern Oxford 

People in this area should take care of their outdoor plants to protect them against a freeze Friday night into Saturday morning.

National Weather Service says ... FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAY HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES... FALLING BELOW FREEZING WITH LOWS RANGING FROM 25 TO 32.

* TIMING... TEMPERATURES MAY FALL BELOW FREEZING AS EARLY AS 10 PM AND MAY NOT RISE ABOVE FREEZING AGAIN UNTIL 10 AM.

* IMPACTS... VULNERABLE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF NOT PROTECTED. THOSE WITH PLANTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT COULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY FREEZING TEMPERATURES WILL NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE COLD TEMPERATURES.


More Information

... MUCH COLDER WEATHER EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT...

.THE COLDEST AIR OF THE SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON FRIDAY. BY FRIDAY NIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL BE DROPPING TO NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING FOR ALL OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Maine's Volunteer Lawyers Project Offers Legal Information Clinics Through Maine Public Libraries

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Maine's Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), with the support of the Maine Regional Library System (MRLS), will offer free legal information clinics at libraries across the state beginning with a clinic focused on family law court processes on Tuesday, October 16 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

The presentation will go out live from the Maine State Library in Augusta to participating public libraries across the state. Library patrons will be able to go to a local participating library, watch the presentation and ask questions to the volunteer lawyer in Augusta. The clinics will also be streamed to library computer terminals and be recorded for future web access.

The VLP legal information clinics and future person-to-person legal consultations will be available through the MRLS's desktop video conferencing system, a secure SKYPE-like technology. This new resource, funded by a grant from the Legal Services Corporation, is created specifically to address the urgent need of low-income Maine residents in rural areas seeking help navigating the civil justice system.

The VLP legal information clinics will take place every third Tuesday and will cover different civil legal issues. Starting in the spring of 2013, VLP will begin to offer live computer based appointments for people with low incomes in rural Maine who need to consult with a volunteer lawyer.

Anyone interested in attending VLP legal information clinics should check with their local public library for schedules and availability or go online to http://www.bit.ly/legalaidclinic and click on the green "Lawyers in Libraries" link.

About Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project:

VLP coordinates the volunteer efforts of Maine attorneys and community members to help low income people navigate the civil justice system. VLP provide free information, brief assistance and pro bono legal representation in civil legal matters to qualifying clients. VLP volunteers give Mainers in need the tools and know-how to be equal participants in our legal system. VLP, P.O. Box 547, Portland ME 04112, (207) 774-4348, http://www.vlp.org.

Confirmed Libraries for the Oct 16 Clinic:

Bangor Public Library

York Public Library

Norway Memorial Library

Cary Library in Houlton

Cherryfield Free Public Library

Skowhegan Public Library

Maine State Library in Augusta - Live presentation, video conferencing host

Fall Career Fair in Presque Isle Features Dozens of Employers

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Presque Isle, Maine - The Presque Isle CareerCenter is co-sponsoring a Career Fair on Wednesday October 17, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crow's Nest restaurant and Event Center, 150 Maysville Street, Presque Isle.

"Job fairs are a great way for people to learn about many types of jobs in many different industries," said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. "They are also a good opportunity to make a strong first impression with an employer."

Employers representing the healthcare, finance, agricultural, manufacturing, education, criminal justice, technology and other industries will be attending. A sample of employers recruiting at the fair includes: McCain Foods, the Caribou Vet Center, Sitel, Sears, Northern Maine General, Fastenal, Irving Woodlands, Acme Monaco, the National Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, Jobs in ME, Maine Staffing, Pines Health, Fastenal, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Lowes, Walmart and the State Police.

Paquette added, "It is great to see so many employers from several industries hiring. Getting people back to work is a priority for the LePage administration."

A veterans' outreach representative will be available to meet with veterans of any age interested in employment and training opportunities. The event will also feature several other organizations that can assist job seekers or those considering changing careers in determining what careers are appropriate for them. These institutions will provide information on training and higher-education opportunities.

Attendees should bring a resume and, more important, should be prepared to have an "interview-like" conversation with employers to discuss skills, knowledge areas and abilities. Job seekers should also be dressed for an interview.

The event is sponsored by the Presque Isle CareerCenter and the Maine Department of Labor, the Northern Maine Development Commission, the Crow's Nest Restaurant and Event Center and the Northern Maine Asset Coalition.

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of workshops and services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O'Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

Call (207) 760-6300 or 1-800-635-0357 (TTY users call Maine Relay 711) for additional information and to register for workshops held at the CareerCenter. The CareerCenter, located at 66 Spruce Street in Presque Isle, ME 04769, is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also find more information at the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com.

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Discovering Maine's Rocky Coast: The Wells Reserve

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The Wells Reserve at Laudholm met us with an unexpected surprise.  We were determined to catch the last fleeing moments of daylight at the beach, walking hand in hand.  It had been a busy week with the kids and work and breathing the fresh Maine salt air seemed as it would be a welcome intoxication from our chaotic schedules.   We pulled in and were happy to see there were other cars. There would be time for a brisk walk down to the ocean and back and hopefully the chance to catch a glimpse light show the setting sun creates on the East Coast.

I looked at my phone and wondered if they really locked the gates at dusk.  I placed it in my pocket and zipped up my jacket, the temperatures were dropping and fall had arrived along the coast of Maine.  Kyle smiled at me as if he knew what I was thinking.  He grabbed my hand and led me through the stone parking lot and up the pathway to the buildings that lined the main entrance.  I had been there once years ago for a pit stop on a bike ride but was so tired that I had failed to take in the beauty that surrounded the reserve.  As we approached the first building, two incredibly large pumpkins greeted us and to our delight as we stepped closer we saw the intricate carvings and work that had been accomplished.  I squeezed Kyle's hand, excited that he had suggested that we escape to the Laudhold Farm on that Fall evening even though our kids weren't with us.
We admired the artistry of the Jack-O-Lanterns but knew we must hurry on our way if we wanted to catch the beach before dusk had set.  The trail led us through the farm and fields.  We were joined by numerous birds and critters who were busily preparing their stays and journeys before a long winter landed on the coast.  The chill took our breath away and we hastened our step.  The trail was sprinkled with signs and information letting us know just how special is to find ourselves in the middle of the reserve.  We walked and talked and smiled as we caught glimpses of somethings unexpected.  When we came out of the woods and found ourselves just before the boardwalk that led us onto the beach, I realized that I had been there before.  The trails had led us out to the far end of Drake's Island beach.  My most favorite beach along the coast of Maine from an entirely different perspective felt as though I had traveled to a new place.  I smiled when I realized where we were and said thank you to Kyle for sharing another side of the coast with me.
We rushed back to our car and found a kind gentleman writing the license plates of the cars that remained in the parking lot.  He smiled as he looked up and asked, "is that your wagon?"  We both nodded and he replied, "you just made it."  We thanked him and ran to the car.  Dusk had set and the gate was being locked for the night.  We slid into the seats of the wagon laughing like teenagers who had barely just missed getting caught.  I'll never tire exploring the coast of Maine, whether it's with my children, my friends, or by myself.  There are so many miles left and so little time, but I will do my best.



Sometimes the journeys closest to home create the most unexpected memories.

Get your copy of Jennifer Ellen Parker'sUplifting and Inspiring Book"A LITTLE LIFT"from Amazon today.

High School Field Hockey: Oceanside Split Outcome Oct. 9th

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Rockland, Maine - Oceanside Field Hockey Varsity and Junior Varsity hosted their last home game of the season against Camden Hills Regional High School on Tuesday, the 9th of October. The day started with the Varsity teams taken to the field in their match. Before the Varsity game got started the Oceanside seniors were reorganized for being involved in the sport of Field Hockey. Some of the Oceanside seniors are Emma Davis, Casey Carroll, Hannah Plourde and Phoebe Ferraiolo, just to name a few that were reorganized.


In the Varsity game both teams had a tough time scoring in the first half. Things changed as two Oceanside players were able to score against Camden Hills during the second half. One of the two players that were able to score and win the game for Oceanside was Jackie Thorbjornson. Final score in the game was 2-0 with Oceanside winning. Both teams played their hardest in this game.

Between the Varsity and Junior Varsity games, Varsity senior members and coach Hall reorganized some of the Oceanside Youth Field Hockey league. After the Youth league reorganization, it was time for the Junior Varsity teams took to the field for their game. In this game Gabby from Camden Hills was the lone player that were able to score during this game. With Gabby being the only player that was able to score during this tough game, Camden Hills won by a score of 1-0. Even thou Oceanside didn't win this game, they still played their hardest.


Varsity PhotographsYouth League Oceanside Field HockeyPhotographs Oceanside Varsity SeniorsThe following are a few photographs of the Oceanside Middle School Field Hockey team that has made it to the playoffs. We send congratulations to them on making it to the playoffs.Junior Varsity Photographs