WESTERN WALDO COUNTY — News from Unity and points west in Waldo County.

Unity Area Rotary Club holds annual duck race

Unity Area Rotary Club's 11th annual Duck Race will be held, Saturday, May 4, at 4:30 p.m. on Sandy Stream in Unity. Tickets are available at various locations around the area, from any Rotarian, or contact Charlie Schaefer, 948-2982. Prices of tickets are $5 for two ducks or $10 for five ducks. Prizes: first, $150; second, $100; and third, $50, as well as gift certificates. The winners will be announced at the Unity Barn Raisers' community meal at 5 p.m.

Unity Area Rotary meets at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Crosstrax Neighborhood Deli on Depot Street in Unity. 

In other rotary news:

The club recently heard from Ailish Foley, the club's 2012 scholarship recipient. Ailish is attending the University of Maine in Orono, where she majors in biology. Upon graduation she plans to work in the area of animal healthcare. Ailish is a member of the National Honor Society and takes several honors classes.

Paul Harris Fellow awards

The Unity Area Rotary Club recently presented Paul Harris Fellow awards to the following four member of the club: Jan and Ron Cropley, Beverly Murdock, and Margaret Prior.

The award is presented by Rotary clubs to honor members of their clubs and non-Rotarians for distinguished service to their club or community, or both, for making a major monetary donation to the Rotary Foundation, or both. Donations to the Rotary Foundation are used for health and humanitarian projects around the globe. Most notable has been Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio throughout the world which has been accomplished in all but three countries.

The Unity Area Rotary Club awards were presented by Michael McGovern, of Cape Elizabeth. McGovern is one of only four Americans to currently serve as on of 12 trustees of The Rotary Foundation. He has also been vice president of Rotary International, a member of its Board of Directors as well as serving in numerous Rotary positions.

McGovern was assisted with the presentations by Jan Goddard, Past District Governor of Rotary District 7790 and a member of the Unity Club; Steve Johnson, the incoming District Governor for District 7790; and Charles Schaefer, current president of the Unity Rotary Club.

The Unity Area Rotary Club meets at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at Crosstrax Restaurant and Deli on Depot Street in Unity.

Support Lakewoods

An auction in support of the Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville, is set for Thursday, May 2, 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a live auction, featuring Mike Fredericks of James D. Julia Auctioneers, beginning at 7 p.m.. Proceeds from this annual auction helps give Lakewood residents a fun-filled week at a cottage on the coast in Belfast.

This year, live auction items include a Skydiving Package from Skydive New England (given two thumbs up by Fred).

Other items are a Lebanese dinner for six, a weekend getaway at an oceanfront cottage near Pemaquid, Spa Day at Apollo, and home heating oil from Spring Brook. For a full list of auction items or more information, call 861-3377.

From the Unity Historical Society

The Unity Historical Society kicked off the 2013 Season by welcoming members of the Unity College Woodsmen's Team to the April 23 meeting. The next meeting will be held at the UHS building (8 Depot Street, in Unity), May 28, at 7 p.m. Refreshments follow the speakers.

The Unity Historical Society was established in 1982 and is dedicated to the collection and preservation of historical materials related to Unity. The Society makes this information available to individuals and/or organizations interested in historical and genealogical research.

Looking back: 10 years ago

2003 was a busy and productive year for the Unity Historical Society. In addition to our monthly meetings from April to October, which featured interesting presentations by guest speakers, the Historical Society has been a resource for people across the country doing research on the Unity area and genealogical searches. Some individuals doing research have contacted us by email after visiting our website or finding us through the Town's website.

We continued to repair and maintain the Historical Society building and collection. In preparation for the Unity Bicentennial in 2004, the building trim and signs were painted. The furnace was replaced, which should help conserve energy and protect the building contents. Students from Unity College did maintenance and painting during the Day of Service in September. Friends and members of the Historical Society donated additional maps, clothing and other objects to our collection. All of these contributions and donations from members of the community are valuable and greatly appreciated.

Plans for the Bicentennial continue. Research materials were supplied to help put together the commemorative calendar, plan costuming, and organize a time capsule. Pins and charms/key chains commemorating Unity's two hundred years of achievements are currently available from Historical Society members for $5. A display case with small artifacts from Unity's history was installed in the Town Office.

As we enter our 23rd year, we have the opportunity to help preserve the heritage of the town while educating future generations about the early inhabitants, businesses, activities and associations that have enriched the community over the last two centuries. As we all celebrate the community bicentennial in 2004, the importance of preserving and sharing Unity's history becomes even more imperative. We look forward to working with everyone as we prepare to honor our past.

Calling Waldo Women Entrepreneurs in the Belfast area:

On May 17 at noon, the UMaine Hutchinson Center in Belfast is hosting CEI Maine Women's Business Center monthly networking meetings. Marita Fairfield, of CEI, will lead the events and has a plethora business information, opportunities, and resources for woman business owners or those considering owning a business. These are free networking events. Take your lunch and refreshments (coffee will be provided) and meet other women in business.

This new monthly networking meeting is for women business owners to get together and share business experience and expertise with new, existing and potential business owners. The format is a "Chat-and-Chew" get-together so bring a bag lunch, your business cards if you have them, and get ready to introduce oneself to other women who are in business or are thinking of starting a business.

UPCOMING:

Wednesday, May 1

Cemetery Clean-Up Notice from Unity Cemetery Committee: All winter decorations on grave sites in Unity's cemeteries must be removed by May 1. All decorations will be removed and discarded after May 1.

Saturday, May 4

To celebrate the coming of spring, the opening of the Unity Farmers Market and the Unity Rotary Duck Race, get to the Community Center for Cinco de Mayo, a Unity Barn Raisers Community Meal, at 5 p.m. Enjoy a meal sourced from predominately local ingredients, fiesta music, and good fellowship. Menu Includes, Beef Enchiladas, Tortillas, Chili Beans and Rice and toppings, Mexican Custard, Gluten Free Flan, Blueberry Compote.

Winners of the Duck Race will be announced and prizes distributed. This meal is co-sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust and the UBR Community Meals Committee. Proceeds will support the Maine Farmland Trust's Community Farm Shares Program and future UBR Community Meals.

Monday, May 13

Spring Cleanup Week, May 13-17. For all items not included in the regular trash pick up. There is a fee for this pick up. Call Sullivan's Waste at 948-2658 for details.

Western Waldo County correspondents Pam Myrick was born and raised in Unity. Pam has 30 years experience in the banking and mortgage industries. She worked in local banks in Unity for most of those 30 years. She is a former board member of Future MSAD 3 and volunteers at several of its events each year. She is a member of the Unity Area Rotary Club and was president for the year 2005-2006. Pam serves as Chairperson for the Community Service Avenue at Rotary. She is a graduate of the Midcoast Leadership Academy's Class 2, and volunteers at Mount View. She lives in Troy with her cat, Annie, and enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and simply enjoying life.

Lori Roming's family can be traced back to Unity's original settlers. Although she grew up in Virginia, her summers were spent in Unity. She finally escaped the chaos in 1992 and has been in Unity ever since. She serves as secretary and newsletter editor for the Unity Historical Society, and has recently been appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Lori has been with the Unity Foundation since 2000 and is currently the Research and Program Officer. She was in the first Midcoast Leadership Academy class and been a co-coordinator of MLA since the second year. She is a graduate of the Hutchinson Center's Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management. Lori currently co-facilitates the Level II Strengthening Your Facilitation Skills program through the University of Maine's Waldo County Cooperative Extension.