A Winterport educator who helped hang mirrors in her school’s hallways with encouraging words for students has been named Maine’s Elementary Principal of the Year.

Dawn Moore and another teacher were behind the decision to hang the mirrors in Leroy H. Smith Elementary School a few weeks ago, along with signs with expressions like, “I can make a positive impact on the world,” for passing students to glimpse their reflections.

[Mirrors at Maine school reflect words of hope, cheer to students]

In a school assembly Friday morning in the gymnasium, Maine Principals’ Association Executive Director Richard Durost handed Moore, 47, her own mirror and told her to look at her reflection while her students watched.

“You are looking at the state of Maine’s Elementary Principal of the Year,” Durost told students. “The very best of the best in the entire state.”

Moore has been principal at the school for almost a decade, where she is known for approaching education in inventive ways, Assistant Superintendent for Business Regan Nickels said.

[What it’s really like to be a Maine principal]

Moore taught in the Regional School Unit 22 district for 10 years before becoming principal at the Smith School seven years ago, where students in grades Pre-K to fourth grade attend. RSU 22 is comprised of Winterport, Newburgh, Frankfort and Hampden.

Superintendent of Schools Richard Lyons said this is the first time in his memory that an elementary school teacher in that district has won the statewide award.

“When there’s a sense of a common purpose, a positive climate, it just creates a learning environment that is very productive,” Lyons said.

Since Moore began her career in education 25 years ago, the teaching climate has changed drastically, she said.

“The responsibility of administrators and teachers is about more than just academics now,” she said. “It’s also about emotional, social and physical growth of the students. Our goal is to make sure every child is welcome here, and to make sure they are loved no matter what.”

Moore will be recognized for her achievement at an MPA conference later this month, along with the other winners.

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(Player, Team, Class, Height, Position, Statistical averages)

FIRST TEAM

Terion Moss, Portland, Sr., 5-10, G, 19.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.9 spg

Matt Fleming, Bangor, Jr., 6-6, F, 25.3 ppg, 13.2 rpg

Taylor Schildroth, George Stevens Acad., Sr., 6-1, G, 25.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6.1 apg, 5.9 spg

Wol Maiwen, Edward Little, Jr., 6-4, F, 17.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.4 bpg

Nick Fiorillo, Scarborough, Jr., 6-7, F, 19.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg

SECOND TEAM

Nick Curtis, Windham, Sr., 5-9, G, 20.1 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.1 rpg

Ian McIntyre, Hampden Acad., Sr., 6-5, C, 18.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.0 apg

Griffin Guerrette, Presque Isle, Sr., 6-0, G, 28.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.3 spg

Ben Onek, Deering, Jr., 6-4, F, 19.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg

Zac Manoogian, Westbrook, Sr., 6-0, G, 16.0 ppg, 3.2 spg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg

THIRD TEAM

Finn Bowe, Cape Elizabeth, Sr., 6-4, F, 18.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg. 1.9 spg

Zach Hartsgrove, Nokomis, Sr., 6-0, G, 21.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.8 spg

Nolan Hagerty, Yarmouth, Sr., 6-7, F, 12.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 8.0 apg

Keenan Marseille, Hermon, Sr., 6-2, G, 10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.5 apg

Bryce Gilbert, Piscataquis, Sr., 6-0, G, 27.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 4.7 apg

Honorable mention: Ashtyn Abbott (Hall-Dale), Troy Belleaw (Portland), Zach Brown (Greely), Alec Byron (Hall-Dale), Connor Buckley (South Portland), Marcus Christopher (Skowhegan), Derek Collin (MDI), Cam Cousins (Wells), Isaac Cyr (Fort Fairfield), Griffin Foley (Portland), Nick Foley (Greenville), Mike Gilman (Windham), Andrew Hartel (Cape Elizabeth), Jack Kane (Greely), Te’Andre King (North Yarmouth Acad.), Michael Norton Jr. (Oceanside), Jacob Godfrey (Hermon), Ibn Khalid (Edward Little), Cam Lovejoy (Kennebunk), Noah Malone (South Portland), John Martin (Gray-New Gloucester), Max Mattson (George Stevens), Jack Morneault (Winslow), Andrew Phelps (MDI), Jordan Roddy (Cony), Zach Small (Richmond), Damien Vance (Bangor), Isaac Varney (Hermon), Kory Winch (Hampden Acad.)

BANGOR DAILY NEWS

ALL-MAINE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS

1956

First Team: Ed Marchetti, Morse; Paul Davenport, Houlton; Pete Scott, Cape Elizabeth; Danny Drinon, Bangor; Dick Bishop, Morse

Second Team: Terry Spurling, Ellsworth; Karl Daigle, Bangor; Bob Napolitano, Cheverus; Ron Gagne, Lewiston; Don Sturgeon, Old Town

Third Team: Barry Tapley, Easton; Dick Gardner, Rockland; Bob Moran, Cheverus; Wes DeCapus, Morse; Bunky Davis, Solon

1957

First Team: Tom “Skip” Chappelle, Old Town; Pete Kelley, Caribou; Bob Chapman, Edward Little; Don Sturgeon, Old Town; Terry Bragan, Stearns

Second Team: Ronald “Pep” Gagne, Lewiston; Don Files, South Portland; John Ladakakos, Old Orchard Beach; Barry Tapley, Easton; Durwood Pond, Old Town

Third Team: Ray Bishop, Morse; Harold Hatch, Pemetic; Gary Lakeman, Lee Acad.; Ed Delaware, Old Town; Tom Civiello, Stearns

1958

First Team: Chris Heal, South Portland; Bill Cohen, Bangor; Pete Kelley, Caribou; Bob Clark, South Portland; Bill Palmer, Portland

Second Team: Dave Thaxter, Freeport; Ray Bishop, Morse; Dick Ambrose, Stearns; Bob McAllister, John Bapst; Randy Furbish, Brunswick

Third Team: Len MacPhee, South Portland; Warren Sirois, Caribou; Pud Robertson, Brewer; Bob Cyr, Caribou; Dick Claney, Cheverus

1959

First Team: Ken Stone, Deering; Paul Fortin, Lewiston; Archie Tracy, Bangor; Bob McAllister, John Bapst; Joe Taylor, Bangor

Second Team: Danny Coombs, Brewer; Laddie Deemer, Freeport; Pud Robertson, Brewer; Don Donnelly, South Portland; Jack Brown, Brownville Junction

Third Team: Al Daigle, St. Louis; Dave Pound, Stearns; Bob DeGrass, John Bapst; Mike Simpson, Deering; Guy Garon, St. Louis

1960

First Team: Danny Coombs, Brewer; Paul Fortin, Lewiston; Tom Jordan, John Bapst; John Doyle, Lewiston; James Call, Freeport

Second Team: Richard Therriault, Lewiston; Alan Leathers, Brewer; Allen Bornheimer, Yarmouth; Alan Day, Bar Harbor; Wayne Hartford, Presque Isle

Third Team: David Joseph, Waterville; Raymond Wentworth, Calais; Robert Duprey, Presque Isle; John Cimino, Cheverus; John Gillette, Westbrook; Michael Napolitano, Cony

1961

First Team: John Cimino, Cheverus; Wayne Hartford, Presque Isle; Bob Byrne, Waterville; Bob Brewer, Rockland; John Gillette, Westbrook

Second Team: Santo Cimino, Cheverus; Leroy Patterson, Bangor; Harry Buzzell, Presque Isle; Tom McKay, Mount Desert; Dick Joyce, Cheverus

Third Team: Dick Therriault, Lewiston; Joe Harrington, Morse; Bob Duprey, Presque Isle; Carl Brown, Stearns; Jim Dimick, South Portland

1962

First Team: Richard “Joe” Harrington, Morse; Leroy Patterson, Bangor; Bruce MacKinnon, Morse; Santo Cimino, Cheverus; Gary Jones, Pennell of Gray

Second Team: Tom McKay, Mount Desert; James Dimick, South Portland; Roger Valliere, St. Ignatius of Sanford; George Spreng, Caribou; James Veno, Orono

Third Team: Len MacPhee, South Portland; Ken Whitney, Bridgton; Rick Lund, Gardiner; Delmar “Chap” Clark, Fort Fairfield; Dave Comeau, Orono

1963

First Team: Joe Harrington, Morse; Terry Carr, Stearns; Rick Woods, Morse; Dave Vaznis, Stearns; Pete Webb, Milo

Second Team: John Bouchard, Lewiston; Jon MacDonald, Stearns; Dale McNelly, Morse; Dave Delaney, Caribou; Dave Comeau, Orono

Third Team: Ken Knapton, Gorham; Len McPhee, South Portland; Brian Blanchard, Aroostook Central Institute; Jim Willard, Orono; Mike McGuire, Rockland

1964

First Team: Jeff Bannister, Cheverus; Dick Jude, Ellsworth; Dale McNelly, Morse; Jon MacDonald, Stearns; Mike McGuire, Rockland

Second Team: Brian Blanchard, Aroostook Central Institute; Denis Clark, Winthrop; Paul Eggert, John Bapst; Dean Chase, Stearns; Carl Woodman, Rockland

Third Team: Buddy White, Madison; Tommy Thornton, Cheverus; Bobby Thomas, Foxcroft Acad.; Buddy Basso, Deering; Parker Beverage, Cony

1965

First Team: Jon MacDonald, Stearns; Denis Clark, Winthrop; Jock McKernan, Bangor; Terry Waterman, Westbrook; Jim Barnes, Stearns

Second Team: Barney Smith, Presque Isle; Jim Cameron, Bar Harbor; Bobo McFarland, Scarborough; Buddy Basso, Deering; Ted Weaver, Traip; Mike Todd, Stephens

Third Team: Dennis Larock, Lewiston; Paul Reynolds, Winslow; Bob Russell, Brewer; Dick Giroux, Lewiston; Tom Estabrook, Bucksport

1966

First Team: Don Crosby, Cony; Jock McKernan, Bangor; Dick Giroux, Lewiston; Ron Soucie, John Bapst; Marshall Todd, Stephens

Second Team: Chuck Clifford, Biddeford; Vince Pelletier, Stearns; Eric Hayward, Deering; Terry Fillmore, Freeport; Mark Nash, Ellsworth

Third Team: Buddy Basso, Deering; Dennis Larock, Lewiston; Mike Hanson, Stephens; Alan Hall, Falmouth; Fred Drake, Cony

1967

First Team: Nick Scaccia, Sanford; Clark Young, Old Town; John Heatley, Portland; Willie Gavett, Orono; Vince Pelletier, Stearns

Second Team: Harry Webster, Cony; Kevin Baker, Old Town; Mark Nash, Ellsworth; Dennis Stanley, Mexico; Dennis Larson, Brownville Junction

Third Team: Willie Varney, Houlton; Brad Macomber, Winthrop; Chick Viger, Stephens; Dick Saucier, Biddeford; Dana Anderson, Portland

1968

First Team: Steve Pound, Stearns; Dana Anderson, Portland; Bob Davis, South Portland; Ron Cote, St. Louis; Clark Young, Old Town

Second Team: Kevin Baker, Old Town; Don White, Traip; Steve Morris, Yarmouth; Mark Noel, Waterville; Sean Casey, Orono

Third Team: Mike Sponberg, Presque Isle; Gary Veilleux, Cony; Mike Brennan, Cheverus; Gerry Dwyer, Houlton; Fred Radke, Orono

1969

First Team: Wayne Boardman, York; Matt Donahue, Westbrook; Peter Gavett, Orono; Charlie Greer, John Bapst; Mike Kelley, Caribou

Second Team: Lee Arris, Freeport; Bill Burney, Cony; Mark Noel, Waterville; Fred Radke, Orono; Mike Thurston, Caribou

Third Team: Lloyd Buck, Lawrence; Don Douglas, Westbrook; Larry Goodier, Cape Elizabeth; Steve Lane, Sumner; Norm Larock, Lewiston

1970

First Team: Matt Donahue, Westbrook; Sid Pelletier, Stearns; Mark Rosebush, Schenck; Jim Dunn, Bonny Eagle; Mark Noel, Waterville

Second Team: Bob McKernan, Bangor; Steve Gates, Stearns; Dave Parquette, Cony; Mike Kelley, Caribou; Andy Packard, Presque Isle

Third Team: Ed McAleney, South Portland; Steve Condon, Presque Isle; George Beattie, South Portland; Dick Martin, Thornton; John Dennison, Freeport

1971

First Team: Steve Condon, Presque Isle; Brad Moore, Hall-Dale; Mark Rosebush, Schenck; Dave Parquette, Cony; Jim Beattie, South Portland

Second Team: Randy Prouty, Bangor; Paul Cairnie, Lawrence; Robert Nutter, Deering; Ed McAleney, South Portland; Bruce Campbell, Lewiston

Third Team: Mike Paoletti, Schenck; Mark Tuttle, Presque Isle; George Davis, Hall-Dale; Paul Belanger, Caribou; Duane York, Morse

1972

First Team: Bob Warner, Thornton; Al Cowperthwaite, Houlton; Jim Beattie, South Portland; Dave Rollins, Cony; Tony DiBiase, Westbrook

Second Team: George Manoogian, Westbrook; Dwight Carver, Jonesport-Beals; Terry Kenniston, Rockland; Paul Cairnie, Lawrence; Al Stork, Mount Desert Island

Third Team: Joey Deveau, Schenck; Steve Conley, Deering; Pete Leighton, Cony; Jim Philbrick, Gorham; Rick Fagonde, Jonesport-Beals

1973

First Team: Dave Rollins, Cony; Steve Gavett, Orono; Tom Pelletier, Fort Kent; Wally Russell, Penquis; Gary Smith, Deering

Second Team: Tom Philbrick, Orono; Dwight Carver, Jonesport-Beals; Charlie Wooton, Camden-Rockport; Bimbo Pinkham, Sumner; Stan Kaubris, Rumford

Third Team: Dave Carrier, South Portland; Tom Hibbert, Camden-Rockport; Rick Fagonde, Jonesport-Beals; Terry Weeks, Central Aroostook; Jay Raye, Rockland; Jon Seavey, Mount Desert

1974

First Team: Mark Lancaster, Lawrence; Tom Pelletier, Fort Kent; Charlie Wooton, Camden-Rockport; Tom Philbrick, Orono; Kevin Nelson, Foxcroft Acad.

Second Team: Stan Kaubris, Rumford; Scott Davis, Bangor; Jim Mooney, Rumford; Tom Hibbert, Camden-Rockport; Dave Carrier, South Portland

Third Team: Paul Hess, Bangor; Kim Pound, Stearns; Rick Fagonde, Jonesport-Beals; Jeff Bryan, Westbrook; Ray McKenna, Rumford

1975

First Team: Kevin Nelson, Foxcroft Acad.; Scott Davis, Bangor; Doug Roberts, Rumford; Gary Manoogian, Westbrook; Alan Baran, Medomak

Second Team: Bob Vaznis, Stearns; Ed Redmond, Portland; Chris LeBel, Westbrook; Randy Norsworthy, Presque Isle; Ben Graffam, Bangor

Third Team: Brian Butterfield, Orono; Mark St. Pierre, Cony; Scott Higgins, Kennebunk; Gary Speed, Lake Region; Peter Muzzy, Gray-New Gloucester

1976

First Team: Doug Roberts, Rumford; Mike McGee, Lawrence; Gary Speed, Lake Region; Ken Rowe, Cheverus; Kevin Doyon, Portland

Second Team: Vern Cunningham, Old Town; Clayton Blood, Searsport; Colin Beckwith, South Portland; Phil Wyman, Schenck; Kevin Doody, Lawrence

Third Team: Jan Hall, Limestone; Cal Nicolas, Lake Region; Andy Shorey, Rumford; Mark Lake, Mt. Blue; Tim Ziko, Rumford

1977

First Team: Tim Ziko, Rumford; Bruce Withington, Bangor; Andy Shorey, Rumford; Dean Ericson, Medomak; Mike Baron, Stearns

Second Team: Paul Belanger, Sanford; Matt Kaubris, Rumford; Gary Speed, Lake Region; Scott Wilcox, Nokomis; Phil Adams, Brewer

Third Team: Paul St. Pierre, Hampden Acad.; Gary Brewster, Stearns; Duane Williams, Hodgdon; Phil Foley, Cheverus; Mike Johnson, Portland

1978

First Team: Gary Towle, Cony; Ray Felt, Cony; Chris Jerome, Cheverus; Brett Brown, South Portland; Mike Murphy, Cheverus

Second Team: Steve Busque, Cony; Chris Brinkman, Mt. Blue; Joe Doane, Westbrook; Mike Perry, Mexico; John Dean, Presque Isle

Third Team: Mike Bouchard, Katahdin; Mike Williams, South Portland; Keith Ogden, Bucksport; Mike Macomber, Bucksport; Ernie Burchill, Deering

1979

First Team: Brett Brown, South Portland; Eric Wieder, Presque Isle; Ken Lynch, South Portland; Mike Bouchard, Katahdin; Chris Jerome, Cheverus

Second Team: Keith Ogden, Bucksport; Joe Doane, Westbrook; Rich McLeish, Foxcroft Acad.; Clay Halliday, Waterville; Paul Burnell, South Portland

Third Team: Paul Cook, Lubec; Steve Thompson, Presque Isle; Gary Colson, Bangor Christian; Mark Crockett, Medomak; Frank McGrady, Medomak

1980

First Team: Dave Cousins, South Portland; Paul Burnell, South Portland; Mark Jones, Medomak; Jay Hutchins, Greely; Jeff Sturgeon, Old Town

Second Team: Jim Ray, Cape Elizabeth; Steve Levasseur, Schenck; Dick Scott, Ellsworth; Don Roberts, Rumford; Whit Stevens, Caribou

Third Team: David Anicetti, Messalonskee; Marty Clark, Old Town; Chris Bolduc, South Portland; Peter Norsworthy, Presque Isle; Joe Linscott, Cony

1981

First Team: Dave Creech, Caribou; Jeff Topliff, Orono; Dick Scott, Ellsworth; Stanley Wright, Cheverus; Chris Bolduc, South Portland

Second Team: Harland Storey, Greely; Leroy Richards, Cony; Peter Champagne, Cony; John Kohtala, Mt. Blue; Adam St. John, Old Town

Third Team: Neal Griffeth, Caribou; Tom Sullivan, Cheverus; Gregg Cooper, Cony; Tim Burchill, Deering; Mike Fogarty, Sanford

1982

First Team: Paul Hendricks, Rockland; Dan Costigan, Cheverus; Gregg Cooper, Cony; Neal Griffeth, Caribou; Joe Millette, Biddeford

Second Team: Dan Federico, South Portland; Rick Fenney, Falmouth; Ron Doody, Lawrence; Andy Nickerson, Brewer; Jeff Bowers, South Portland

Third Team: Leonard Holmes, Presque Isle; Tim Morong, Morse; Paul Haggan, Hampden Acad.; Bill Howes, Katahdin; Dave Adams, Brewer

1983

First Team: Chris Vickers, Caribou; Paul Haggan, Hampden; Steve Loubier, South Portland; Steve Smith, Wells; Doug Clark, Dirigo

Second Team: Tony Michaud, Caribou; Jay Moore, Bucksport; Matt Rossignol, Van Buren; Peter Story, Gardiner; Bob Wilder, Madison

Third Team: Dave Chadbourne, Wells; Steve Craig, Katahdin; Dan Harkins, Biddeford; Dale Plummer, Morse; Dan Philippon, Bangor

1984

First Team: Tony Michaud, Caribou; Joe DeRoche, Westbrook; Jon Stovall, Cheverus; Steve Smith, Brewer; Jim Parsons, Lawrence

Second Team: Andy Nickerson, Brewer; Steve Hodge, South Portland; Derek Counts, Oak Grove-Coburn; Matt Rossignol, Van Buren; John Cornelio, Jay

Third Team: Jeff LaRochelle, Winslow; Mike Whitten, South Portland; John Walker, Presque Isle; Dick Whitmore, Waterville; Sean Fennessy, Lewiston

1985

First Team: Matt Rossignol, Van Buren; Jon Stovall, Cheverus; Derek Counts, Oak Grove-Coburn; Phil Kimball, Brewer; Scott Saft, Waterville

Second Team: Bart Donovan, Bangor; Matt Hancock, Lake Region; Mike Francoeur, Westbrook; Rich Additon, Cony; Todd Hanson, Waterville

Third Team: Tyrone White, Portland; Gary Williams, Dexter; Derrick Hodge, Morse; Cam Currin, Limestone; Robert Alley, Jonesport-Beals

1986

First Team: Dean Smith, Foxcroft Acad.; Todd Moore, Westbrook; Derrick Hodge, Morse; Todd Miranda, Portland; Dick Whitmore, Waterville

Second Team: Kevin Whitmore, Waterville; Louis Bute, Bonny Eagle; Mike Story, Gardiner; Matt Drouin, Winslow; Tim Scott, Ellsworth

Third Team: Bob Campbell, Calais; Allen Madore, Van Buren; Bill Anthoine, Deering; Chris Richards, Old Town; Richard Dunston, Oak Grove-Coburn

1987

First Team: Kevin Whitmore, Waterville; Bobby Campbell, Calais; David Heslam, Mount View; Derrick Hodge, Morse; Joe Cawley, Morse

Second Team: Curtis Robertson, Mattanawcook Acad.; Matthew Oliver, Hodgdon; Marc Holtenhoff, South Portland; Chris Davis, Gorham; Marko Registe, Falmouth

Third Team: Archie McEachern, Traip Acad.; Terry Cummings, Houlton; Ernie Kavanagh, Rockland; Tim Bonsant, Erskine Acad.; Matt Nelson, Bangor

1988

First Team: Tim Scott, Ellsworth; Mike D’Andrea, Portland; Joel Murray, Cape Elizabeth; Adam Ward, Cheverus; Paul Searles, Mt. Blue

Second Team: Francois Bouchard, Old Orchard Beach; Mike Austin, Penobscot Valley; Kenny Johnson, Machias; Raymond Alley, Vinalhaven; Shane Todd, Cony

Third Team: John Conley, Morse; Paul True, Fryeburg Acad.; Peter Gurski, Waterville; Scott Trefethen, Traip Acad.; Lindell Beal, Jonesport-Beals

1989

First Team: Paul Butler, Bangor; Raymond Alley, Vinalhaven; Francois Bouchard, Cheverus; John Conley, Morse; Chris Sawyer, South Portland

Second Team: Richard Drummond, Presque Isle; Jeff St. Laurent, Sanford; Gregg Frame, Waterville; Chris McKenney, Lincoln Acad.; Troy Scott, Lawrence

Third Team: Todd Adams, Westbrook; Alex Guiski, Dexter; Jamie Header, Morse; Ted St. Pierre, Schenck; Rob Carbone, Boothbay

1990

First Team: Rich Mazurek, Rockland; Mike Adams, Mt. Blue; Dan Ladd, Oxford Hills; Mike Fennessy, Lewiston; Chris Lawrence, Mount Desert Island

Second Team: Lenny Cole, Lawrence; Chris May, Lewiston; Alex Guiski, Dexter; Matt Gaudet, Mountain Valley; Mark O’Brien, Deering

Third Team: Aaron McDonald, Stearns; Scott Robitaille, Sanford; Tommy Lynch, Bangor; Todd Wheeler, Mountain Valley; Brett Soucy, John Bapst

1991

First Team: Lenny Cole, Lawrence; Shawn Thayer, Hermon; Aaron McDonald, Stearns; Matt Gaudet, Mountain Valley; Keith Young, Gorham

Second Team: Jeff Tardif, Biddeford; Bob Strong, Georges Valley; Casey Costigan, Old Town; Scott Sawyer, South Portland; Mark O’Brien, Deering;

Third Team: Matt Murphy, Lewiston; Darren Whitney, Mattanawcook; Stephane Webster, York; Eric Cowperthwaite, Houlton; Matt Mattson, George Stevens

1992

First Team: John L’Heureux, Old Town; John Wassenbergh, South Portland; Mark Reed, Bangor; Matt Arsenault, Old Town; Matt Greenleaf, Deering

Second Team: Jason Jabar, Waterville; Keith Gendron, Sanford; Antoine Morin, Forest Hills; Jeff Hogan, South Portland; Jeff Woodman, Rockland

Third Team: Chad Fenton, Narraguagus; Rick Sinclair, Hermon; Jason Belanger, Caribou; Bill Newman, Bangor; Jeff Love, Winthrop

1993

First Team: Mark Reed, Bangor; Garrett Quinn, Skowhegan; Matt Arsenault, Old Town; Ken Rassi, John Bapst; Chris Kumka, Sanford

Second Team: Bob Davies, Old Orchard Beach; Tony Tobin, Limestone; Steve Pooler, Old Town; Jeff Love, Winthrop; Aaron Harris, Lawrence

Third Team: T.J. Caouette, Winthrop; Andy Bedard, Mountain Valley; Josh Nash, Medomak Valley; Bert Rich, South Portland; John Tennett, Bangor

1994

First Team: Andy Bedard, Mountain Valley; Bob Davies, Old Orchard Beach; T.J. Caouette, Winthrop; Josh Nash, Medomak Valley; Chris Funk, Caribou

Second Team: Daren Meader, Waterville; Mark Farmer, Schenck; Tommy Reynolds, Lawrence; Jon Kunz, Hampden; Mike Fortier, Morse

Third Team: Mike Geisler, Camden-Rockport; Ryan Hodge, South Portland; Brian Colman, Brewer; Kevin Wyman, Oxford Hills; Chuck Graham, Maine Central Institute

1995

First Team: Josh Nash, Medomak Valley; T.J. Caouette, Winthrop; Chris Funk, Caribou; Matt Kinney, Bangor; Corey Zimmerman, Cape Elizabeth

Second Team: Dale Landrith, Camden-Rockport; Sam Henderson, Hodgdon; Danny Dahl, Bangor; Thomas Jamo, Schenck; Doug Sanborn, Bonny Eagle

Third Team: Jared Rivers, Skowhegan; Pat Gallagher, Sanford; Ryan Martin, Fort Kent; Darby Kopp, Bonny Eagle; Tim Manchester, Machias

1996

First Team: T.J. Caouette, Winthrop; Corey Thibodeau, Old Town; Ryan Martin, Fort Kent; Brett Doody, Caribou; Geoff Sawyer, Westbrook

Second Team: Marc Corliss, MDI; Jeff Bodge, Richmond; Lydell Capers, Hyde; Mike Burke, Gorham; Sam Henderson, Hodgdon

Third Team: Tom Jamo, Schenck; Adam Sterrs, Boothbay; Jason St. Pierre, Bangor; Jason White, Orono; Matt Townsend, Central Aroostook

1997

First Team: Mike Mastropaolo, Falmouth; Mike Burke, Gorham; Travis Gilmore, Mt. Blue; Angelo Salvaggio, Cheverus; Jason St. Pierre, Bangor

Second Team: Rickey White, Mt. Ararat; Dave Cudworth, Sanford; Quinson Lancaster, Lawrence; Andrew Hanson, Greely; James Cerino, Bonny Eagle

Third Team: Austin Ganly, Greely; Steve Smith, Bucksport; Tommy Waterman, Bangor; Scott Raymond, Caribou; Trent Cunningham, Washburn

1998

First Team: Austin Ganly, Greely; Angelo Salvaggio, Cheverus; Tommy Waterman, Bangor; Rickey White, Mt. Ararat; Braden Clement, Skowhegan

Second Team: Jon Masin-Peters, Camden-Rockport; James Cerino, Bonny Eagle; Robert Pilsbury, Portland; Roger Levesque, Falmouth; Lucas Ritchie, Houlton

Third Team: Joe Gutierrez, Westbrook; B.J. Alley, Jonesport-Beals; Brandon Ashby, Washington Acad.; Mark Gilbride, Mt. Ararat; Mike Mathien, John Bapst

1999

First Team: Braden Clement, Skowhegan; Robert Pilsbury, Portland; Roger Levesque, Falmouth; Jim Wilson, Camden-Rockport; Chris Markwood, South Portland

Second Team: Ryan Rivera, Central; Justin Underwood, Lawrence; Jamaal Caterina, Deering; Derek Rodgerson, Hampden Acad.; Jed Johnson, Lawrence

Third Team: Willie Sleeper, Houlton; Jimmie Hunt, Mt. Ararat; Anthony Russo, Portland; Ian Jones, Mount Desert Island; Pierce Jackson, Kennebunk

2000

First Team: Derek Rodgerson, Hampden Acad.; Bryan Lambert Sr., Edward Little; Ben Smith, Boothbay; Jamaal Caterina, Deering; Chris Markwood, South Portland

Second Team: Jimmie Hunt II, Mt. Ararat; T.J. McLeod, Gorham; Chris Howell, Lincoln Acad.; Chris Gray, Hermon; Frank Distefano, Houlton

Third Team: Nick Loukes, Bangor; Jeff White, Nokomis; Brian Gerrity, Maranacook; Brian Wohl, Westbrook; Joe Campbell, Bangor

2001

First Team: Joe Campbell, Bangor; Nik Caner-Medley, Deering; Jamaal Caterina, Deering; Nick Pelotte, Valley; Brian Wohl, Westbrook

Second Team: Jason Levecque, Westbrook; Josh Longstaff, Portland; James Sam, Caribou; Ryan Garland, Hermon; Jeremy Allen, Penquis

Third Team: Buddy Leavitt, Piscataquis; John Knutson, Camden Hills; Dan Hammond, Brunswick; Travis Magnusson, Georges Valley; Brandon McCarthy, Katahdin

2002

First Team: Nik Caner-Medley, Deering; Ralph Mims, Brunswick; Dan Hammond, Brunswick; Jason Harvey, Bucksport; Aaron Spaulding, Cape Elizabeth

Second Team: Travis Magnusson, Georges Valley, Walter Phillips, Deering; Tyler Putnam, Hodgdon; Zak Ray, Bangor; Brian Andre, Valley

Third Team: Trafton Teague, Lawrence; Nick Casavant, Presque Isle; Joe Footer, Calais; Luke Hartwell, Valley; Kendrick Ballantyne, Gorham

2003

First Team: Zak Ray, Bangor; Ralph Mims, Brunswick; Jeff Holmes, Cheverus; Jason Hight, Westbrook; Ryan McLellan, Nokomis

Second Team: Sean Mayo, Thornton Acad.; Jac Arbour, Cony; Rocco Toppi, Portland; Patrick Conway, Deering; Micah Grant, Winslow

Third Team: Travis Patterson, Dexter; Austin DeAngelis, Cheverus; Wesley Day, Bangor; Nick Lawler, Edward Little; Andy Frost, Brewer

2004

First Team: Ralph Mims, Brunswick; Rocco Toppi, Portland; Mark Socoby, Houlton; Matt Donar, Erskine Acad.; Corey Tielinen, Oxford Hills

Second Team: Mark Gaudet, Valley; Shawn Tobey, Marshwood; Eric Shone, Portland; Andy Frost, Brewer; Darren Mastropaolo, Falmouth

Third Team: Jon Marsteller, Lake Region; Brian Wells, Mt. Blue; Aaron Gallant, Bangor, Josh Madden, Calvary Chapel; Derek DiFrederico, Stearns

2005

First Team: Tyler Emmons, Portland; Mark Socoby, Bangor; Jordan Cook, Hampden Acad.; Tim Stammen, Camden Hills; Carlos Strong, Deering

Second Team: Sean Costigan, Cheverus; Aaron Gallant, Bangor; Ben Thayer, Gorham; Matt McDonnell, Oxford Hills; Josh Jones, Erskine Acad.

Third Team: Brock Bradford, Calvary Chapel; Bryant Barr, Falmouth; Matt Wheelock, Hall-Dale; Sean McNally, Gardiner; Chris Wilson, Brewer

2006

First Team: Jordan Cook, Hampden Acad.; Carlos Strong, Deering; Sean Costigan, Cheverus; Bryant Barr, Falmouth; Ryan Martin, Maranacook

Second Team: Jeff Manchester, Gorham; Chris Wilson, Brewer; Sean McNally, Gardiner; Brock Bradford, Bangor Christian; Martin Cleveland, Deering

Third Team: Troy Barnies, Edward Little; Andrew York, Central Aroostook; Greg Whitaker, Presque Isle; Andrew Duncanson, Portland; Brandon Tomah, Calais

2007

First Team: Troy Barnies, Edward Little; Sean McNally, Gardiner; Alex Gallant, Bangor; Andy Shorey, Mountain Valley; Andrew Duncanson, Portland

Second Team: Ryan Martin, Maranacook; Brandon Tomah, Calais; Corey DeWitt, Ellsworth; Sam Leclerc, Winthrop; Eric Friend, Cheverus

Third Team: Eric Taylor, Messalonskee; Isaiah Brathwaite, Mt. Blue; Coleman Findlay, South Portland; Ryan Weston, Bangor; Owen Johnson, Boothbay

2008

First Team: Ryan Martin, Maranacook; Sam Leclerc, Winthrop; Ryan Weston, Bangor; Mick DiStasio, Cheverus; Kyle Donovan, Deering

Second Team: Jon McAllian, Bangor; Keegan Hyland, South Portland; Tom Knight, Dirigo; Derek Libbey, Mattanawcook Acad.; Kris Noonan, Boothbay

Third Team: Adam Kingsbury, Presque Isle; Andrew Pullen, Cony; Kyle Philbrook, Edward Little; Sam Bell, Calais; Jeff Winnie, Thornton Acad.

2009

First Team: Thomas Knight, Dirigo; Keegan Hyland, Portland; Mick DiStasio, Cheverus; James Morse, Thornton Acad.; Gordon Fischer, Camden Hills

Second Team: Corey Therriault, Edward Little; Indiana Faithfull, Cheverus; Ben Russell, Mt. Blue; Dominic Borelli, Westbrook; Tyler McFarland, Camden Hills

Third Team: Ed Bogdanovich, Portland; Cal Shorey, Calais; Alex Bowe, Cape Elizabeth; Russ Mortland, Presque Isle; Cody Gilboe, Forest Hills

2010

First Team: Indiana Faithful, Cheverus; Stefano Mancini, Falmouth; Tyler McFarland, Camden Hills; Dominic Borelli, Westbrook; Yusuf Iman, Edward Little

Second Team: Nich Jobin, Westbrook; Jacob Moore, Hampden Acad.; Dom Drake, Brewer; Cam Shorey, Calais; Andrew Shaw, Thornton Acad.

Third team: Clark Noonan, Bangor; Ray Bessette, Brewer; Ben Teer, Washington Acad.; Bo Leary, Edward Little; Alex Furness, Cheverus

2011

First Team: Tyler McFarland, Camden Hills; Graham Safford, Hampden Acad.; Bo Leary, Edward Little; Theo Bowe, Cape Elizabeth; Chris Braley, Nokomis

Second team: Keegan Pieri, Camden Hills; Andrew Shaw, Thornton Acad.; Zach Blodgett, Bangor; Nolan Allen, Windham; Joe McCloskey, Penobscot Valley

Third team: Louis DiStasio, Cheverus; Garet Beal, Jonesport-Beals; Ray Bessette, Sam Johnston Greely; Tristan Thomas Bangor

2012

First Team: Christian McCue, Hampden Acad.; Garet Beal, Jonesport-Beals; Josh Britten, Yarmouth; Cam Sennick, Mt. Blue; Jon Amabile Deering

Second team: Louie DiStasio, Cheverus; Liam Langaas, York; Dustin Cole, Bonny Eagle; Cole Libby, Bonny Eagle; Patrick Stewart, Bangor

Third team: Bobby Cote, Biddeford; Cody St. Germain, Dirigo; Jordan Hersom, Leavitt; Mike McClung, Central Aroostook; Labson Abwoch, Deering

2013

First Team: Garet Beal, Jonesport-Beals; Dustin Cole, Bonny Eagle; Zach Gilpin, Hampden Acad.; Tanner Hyland, South Portland; Isaiah Bess, Penquis Valley

Second team: Kyle Bouchard, Houlton; Mitchell Worcester, Washburn; John Murray, Medomak Valley; Aaron Todd, York; Jack Simonds, Falmouth

Third team: Labson Abwoch, Deering; Spencer Carey, Lawrence; Quin Leary, Edward Little; Anthony DiMauro, Boothbay; Garrett Libby, Old Town

2014

First Team: Zach Gilpin, Hampden Acad.; Dustin Cole, Bonny Eagle; Kyle Bouchard, Houlton; Matt Talbot, Portland; Mike McDevitt, Greely

Second team: Isaiah Bess, Hampden Acad.; Jack Simonds, Falmouth; Jayvon Pitts-Young, Portland; Serge Nyirikamba, Waynflete; Blake Gordon, Brunswick

Third team: Thomas Coyne, Falmouth; Tyler Thayer, Hermon; Justin Zukowski, Portland; Trevor Lyford, Penquis Valley; Chris Hudson, Hodgdon

2015

First Team: Nick Gilpin, Hampden Acad.; Nick Mayo, Messalonskee; Kyle Bouchard, Houlton; Jack Simonds, Falmouth; Stephen Alex, Portland

Second Team: Justin Martin, Winslow; Kevin Weisser, Windham; Ben Malloy, Bonny Eagle; Nicholas DePatsy, Medomak Valley; Ian Mileikis, Edward Little

Third Team: Andrew Fleming, Oxford Hills; Eric Hoogterp, Old Town; Shyheim Ulrickson, Mt. Ararat; Brendan McIntyre, Hampden Acad.; Riley Robinson, Dirigo

2016

First Team: Nick Gilpin, Hampden Acad.; Andrew Fleming, Oxford Hills; Thomas Coyne, Falmouth; Amir Moss, Portland; Riley Robinson, Dirigo

Second Team: Jack Lesure, Lake Region; Matt Pushard, Brewer; Tyus Sprague-Ripley, Massabesic; Shyheim Ulrickson, Sr.,  Mt. Ararat; Nicholas DePatsy, Medomak Valley

Third Team: Terion Moss, Portland; Jack Tilley, Thornton Acad.; Taylor Schildroth, George Stevens; Milo Belleau, Waynflete; Justin Thompson, Schenck

2017

First Team: Terion Moss, Portland; Matt McDevitt, Greely; Jack Casale, Cheverus; Taylor Schildroth, George Stevens; Ruay Bol, South Portland

Second Team: Jacob Hickey, Winthrop; Mason Cooper, Lawrence; Justin Thompson, Schenck; Colin Coyne, Falmouth; Matthew Fleming, Oxford Hills

Third Team: Ian McIntyre, Hampden Acad.; Jarod Norcross Plourde, Edward Little; Cameron Allaire, Medomak Valley; Austin Boudreau, Thornton Acad.; Nate Desisto, Orono

2018

First Team: Terion Moss, Portland; Matt Fleming, Bangor; Taylor Schildroth, George Stevens Acad.; Wol Maiwen, Edward Little; Nick Fiorillo, Scarborough

Second Team: Nick Curtis, Windham; Ian McIntyre, Hampden Acad.; Griffin Guerrette, Presque Isle; Ben Onek, Deering; Zac Manoogian, Westbrook

Third Team: Finn Bowe, Cape Elizabeth; Zach Hartsgrove, Nokomis; Nolan Hagerty, Yarmouth; Keenan Marseille, Hermon; Bryce Gilbert, Piscataquis

KENNEBUNK, Maine — $58,437.

That’s a figure that has haunted Edie Rossborough day and night for the past three months. Three months of filling out forms over and over again, emailing and calling contacts at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and dotting every “i” and crossing every “t,” to no avail.

$58,437 is the amount the VA has paid in Aid and Attendance Benefits for Rossborough’s mother Betty Phillips’ care in memory care facilities since November 2013.

It’s also the amount the Veterans Administration asked Rossborough, who acts as her mother’s federal fiduciary, to repay within 60 days because it suddenly declared her mother ineligible for benefits.

Betty Phillips, 88, has advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease and has been in a memory care facility since 2013. Rossborough takes care of all of her finances and pays her bills each month. Rossborough’s father, Loyd Phillips, was a Navy veteran, which provided eligibility for his wife for VA Aid and Attendance, a little-known benefit that helps with home care and assisted living costs.

The problems began in early November, when Rossborough received a letter from the VA saying it had not been notified that Betty Phillips had been moved from a private pay facility to a Medicaid facility in September. The letter warns that “failure to return these forms will result in the removal of any unverified medical expenses retroactive to November, 2013 creating an overpayment that will be subject to repayment.”

However, Rossborough had sent notification and all of the proper forms to the VA and has the documentation to prove it. Nevertheless, she sent the forms again on the advice of VA Field Examiner Randall Minet, whom she had been working closely with for the past five years. Again, they went unrecognized at the VA.

In February, Rossborough received a letter from the VA saying since it had not received any forms or information regarding Betty Phillip’s new facility they had terminated her Aid and Attendance benefits retroactive to November 2013.

“At this point I was in tears. I had filled out all of the forms, and was caught in this is a bureaucratic nightmare created by the VA. And it got worse at every turn. It’s almost too ridiculous to believe. Every time I see an envelope from the VA in the mail I just have so much anxiety,” Rossborough said through tears during an interview Wednesday at her home.

Rossborough shared her ordeal in a long, heart-wrenching post on Facebook earlier in the week.

“This is the number that keeps me up at night and makes me sick to my stomach. I’m at the point now that when I see a VA envelope in the mailbox I have a physical reaction. My pulse races, I get all hot, my hands shake, and I feel sick,” Rossborough shared. “I have absolutely no problem providing the VA with any information at all regarding my mother’s care. I have facility bills, payment receipts, bank statements (every penny that has left her account has gone directly to a facility), anything they want. I just wish they had asked for the information and given me the opportunity to provide it before creating a bogus debt in my name and threatening to ruin my credit. I have operated in good faith handling both my mother’s care and her finances, I wish I could say the same of the Veterans Administration.”

Following the interview with the York County Coast Star Wednesday, and after the newspaper sent emails and placed a phone call to the VA in an attempt to gain comment for this story, Rossborough learned Thursday that the medical expenses had been reinstated and the $58,437 debt had been erased.

According to Rossborough, Josh Broadbelt, assistant public affairs officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia, called her Thursday morning with the news, apologizing for the VA’s mistakes.

Broadbelt also called the York County Coast Star Thursday morning confirming he had been in touch with Rossborough.

In a phone interview Thursday, Rossborough was elated, and thankful for the resolution.

“I’m just so relieved. I told them next to losing my dad to lung cancer five years ago, and watching my mother slowly decline before my eyes with Alzheimer’s, this three-month period has been the most stressful of my life,” she said. “I shudder to think how many others are in this situation who don’t have the resources to work through and fight this.”

Rossborough said her father was a proud Navy veteran serving from 1943 to 1963, spanning World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He died in 2013 from lung cancer, and before he died his greatest concern was his wife’s care as her Alzheimer’s worsened.

“His mind was sharp, and he knew he wasn’t going to be around to care for her. To his last breath, he wanted to make sure she was cared for. Those were his last concerns. Securing this benefit was part of taking care of Mom. He felt good about the fact that this was something that he earned that would help take care of her,” Rossborough said.

When Rossborough and her three siblings, brothers Floyd and Boyd Phillips and sister Cheryl Phillips Day all of Kennebunk learned of the largely unpublished program and discovered that their mother was eligible for the benefits, they knew it would mean they could keep their mother in a private memory care facility a little longer. It essentially gave them another year.

At an average of $70,000 a year for Betty Phillips’ care, an extra $1,100 a month was welcome. With Alzheimer’s disease, Betty’s memory and ability to care for herself are gone, but she’s still physically healthy.

“My sister says Mom’s going to be the one turning out the lights,” Rossborough joked. “We really had no idea she would still be with us, but physically she’s still doing really well.”

The four children sold the family home after their father died and put the money aside to care for their mother. After four years in private care facilities, the money ran out last summer.

“We used every penny. We were out of money, so we knew we needed to move her. But it made us happy that we were able to keep her there as long as we could,” Rossborough said.

Betty Phillips is at St. Andre’s in Biddeford now and she’s happy and well cared for, according to her daughter.

“She knows when I visit that I’m someone special, but she doesn’t know that I’m her daughter,” Rossborough said through tears.

Her mother’s Aid and Attendance benefits will be reduced from roughly $1,100 a month to $90 now that she is in a Medicare facility. Rossborough doesn’t care. In fact. after her ordeal, she said she may just tell the VA to keep the $90 so she doesn’t have to worry about another costly mix-up.

“I feel sorry knowing there are people out there being put through a similar nightmare with the VA. It’s just not right.”

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The Ogunquit selectmen this week learned more about the extent of damage to the Marginal Way caused by nor’easters in early March, and the potential costs for repairs.

Paul Breen, of the Marginal Way Committee, returned before the board Tuesday following a March 20 meeting where he and fellow committee member Joan Griswold presented the extent of the damage to the Marginal Way, which included shifted and eroded rocks, sections of the path that were torn apart and plantings that were damaged.

Breen on Tuesday said, while many costs are yet to be determined, repairs are estimated to cost $335,000. This includes funds for a project manager to oversee daily operations, an engineering evaluation, and a 10-year survivability plan. He requested allocating $200,000 now to begin repairs.

“We have safety issues,” Breen said. “We have washouts. Town staff have gone out and put chains around the areas. There are repairs that we need to existing structures. There are various retaining walls and things out there that were damaged, some were not damaged. There are issues that we need to address regarding when we do it and how we go about it and all that.”

Breen said the board of the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, of which he is a member, is beginning an emergency appeal with a goal of raising $75,000. As of Tuesday, he said the emergency appeal has raised $20,000.

Chair Charles Waite asked about securing a grant from the Marginal Way Preservation Fund to support some repairs. Breen said the board is meeting Friday and will discuss the damage and repairs. “The general rule in our process is a grant request comes up, we evaluate it and deliberate appropriately,” he said. “By Friday I’ll have an answer to what the board is interested in doing.”

FEMA funding is also being explored, Griswold said. The committee is also working with the Department of Environmental Protection to determine what work could begin now, and what will need permits.

Select Board member John Daley suggested moving $400,000 from the town’s undesignated fund balance into the emergency disaster fund “so we can spend it when the time’s right.” Town Manager Patricia Finnigan said there is currently $112,000 in the emergency disaster fund.

Finnigan said the board would have to advertise for and hold a public hearing on transferring funds from the undesignated fund balance to the emergency disaster fund. The board’s next meeting is April 17, she said. “We can advertise for the public hearing that evening, you can vote on it that evening,” she said.

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When John Nickels was in the United States Navy and stationed aboard a submarine, he read a book about then-President George W. Bush and his use of geothermal technology at his Texas ranch.

The retired submariner has been hooked on the subterranean heating and cooling systems ever since.

“I read that story about President Bush’s ranch heating with geothermal and thought that was really cool,” Nickels said. “So when I retired from the Navy I went back to school to learn about it [and] went from school to getting into the [geothermal] business to branching out on my own.”

Today, Nickels owns Earth Heat Engineering, based in Hampden, and said he has installed more than 50 geothermal units from Down East to Aroostook County.

“It absolutely works in Maine,” Nickels said. “The only thing geothermal does is transfer heat from the ground into usable heat for your house.”

As a heating and cooling technology, geothermal systems have been around for millenia.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, archaeological evidence indicates the first human use of geothermal resources in North America was 10,000 years ago when Paleo-Indians settled near hot springs.

Those springs served as a source of heat in addition to fulfilling health and spiritual needs.

Over the centuries more and more people discovered the practical uses of hot springs and in 1892 homes and businesses in Boise, Idaho, became part of the world’s first geothermal district heating system when water from hot springs was piped into the towns’ buildings.

Today, geothermal technology is common throughout Europe and gaining steam in the U.S.

“Installing and working with existing [geothermal] systems in Maine keeps me busy every day of the year,” Nickels said.

Simply put, Nickels said, geothermal works because the ground beneath us is warmer than the outside air in the winter and cooler in the summer.

By installing a series of pipes into the ground, heat can be transferred to and from a building.

“When we take the temperatures of the ground in Maine it’s at a constant 45 degrees,” Nickels said. “That may seem like a cold temperature for humans, but for the geothermal heat pump, it’s actually really hot.”

The underground pipes circulate water or refrigerant into the house through the heat pump which extracts the heat from the liquid and distributes it throughout the home as warm air.

The liquid is constantly recirculated through the pipes to collect more of the ground’s warmth.

In the summer, Nickels said, that process is reversed with the heat pump collecting hot air from the home and returning it to the earth through liquid in the looped pipes and leaving behind cool air that is also vented throughout the home.

Since the heated and cooled air is transported rather than created by a fuel source, it leaves no carbon footprint, beyond what is created by the electrical source powering it, Nickels said.

“The only thing happening is usable heat is coming into or leaving your house and it’s staying at around 70 degrees inside,” he said. “Even if it is zero degrees outside, the geothermal system does not care — it only cares about the ground temperature below 20 feet.”

Maine is perfect for geothermal technology, according to Gina Philippon, sales and estimation manager with Midcoast Energy in Damariscotta.

“It’s definitely a good idea in Maine and even more so on the coast,” she said. “We are sitting on a big chunk of granite and the more dense the ground is, the better for geothermal because it conducts energy better and is easier to extract.”

Philippon said she has had numerous conversations with people who live in areas of Maine who fear they could not install a geothermal system due to ledge or granite on their property.

“I tell them those are perfect conditions,” she said. “The energy is there and we will get it for them.”

Operating costs, Nickels said, come into play with the heat pump, which runs off electricity.

Even for people tied to the electrical grid, he said heating costs are far lower with geothermal.

“In my own house I have geothermal and for every dollar I spend to run the heat pump, I get back $5 in heat when compared to what it would cost to heat with just electricity,” Nickels said. “If a home uses oil for heating, you’d need to be buying oil at 83 cents a gallon to equal the cost of producing geothermal heat in your home.”

Nickels said he installs systems that work with new baseboard or ductwork technology or retrofitted into existing residential setups.

“I have houses with 120-year-old heat radiators that are hooked into geothermal,” he said. “I do prefer going with a ductwork system that gives heat in the winter and cool in the summer because all you have to do is flip a switch to go from heat to cool.”

Nickels works with homeowners to determine the size and configuration of a geothermal system that will best fit the household’s needs.

“We do a ‘closed loop’ system that involves drilling bore holes in the ground and the depth and size of those holes will depend on what you need,” he said.

As an example, Nickels said for a 2,000-square-foot ranch style home in Maine, he’d likely drill two 400-foot deep holes to install the closed loop system.

That network of piping, he said, could be under a lawn, driveway or even the foundation.

“You are never going to have to see it again, once we cover it up,” he said.

Nickels ballparks the cost of such a system installation at around $42,000, but added existing federal and state tax incentives can bring the out-of-pocket costs down to around $22,000.

“If you are going to put in a new oil-powered system, you are looking at around $15,000 and adding central air conditioning is another $12,000,” he said. “So it works out to be about the same cost but a lot more efficient.”

Before he installed his own geothermal system, Nickels said he was spending between $750 and $800 every two weeks on home heating oil during the winter in addition to burning up to six cords of firewood.

Those expenses have been erased thanks to geothermal, he said, adding his house remains at a toasty 73 degrees in the winter and there is plenty of hot water left for his own shower after his wife, two teenage children and one exchange student have all showered.

“I installed geothermal in a 1891, three-story Victorian home in southern Maine that was heated with oil from two 300-gallon tanks,” Nickels said. “I went down to check it the other day and the owner has been off oil for a year and two months.”

Doing the math, Nickels said, the homeowner was saving money on heat despite paying close to $1,000 a month for the electricity to run the heat pump and disperse the warm air throughout the large home.

“I asked him, ‘is that cheaper than buying 400 gallons of oil?’” Nickels said. “Because that is what he was having delivered every two weeks.”

According to the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, home heating oil in Maine was averaging $2.73 a gallon statewide at the beginning of March, down from $2.95 in January.

Based on those figures, 400 gallons of home heating oil would currently cost $1,092.

Geothermal system operating costs tend to be more fixed and predictable, as well, Philippon said.

“Even though electricity is relatively expensive in Maine, it is regulated and there are limits to how much and how often the rates can be increased,” she said. “That gives the geothermal home a sort of price protection that does not exist for other fossil fuel sources.”

In a home heated with fuel oil, Philippon said, the owners are at the mercy of ever fluctuating oil prices.

“You have no idea what the price will be season to season,” she said. “Geothermal gives the homeowner that control and the ability to predict future heating costs.”

Philippon agrees there is a large, upfront cost, but said it is mitigated by the overall heating or cooling savings over time and the more immediate rebate and tax incentives.

For an average 2,000-square-foot home, Philippon said converting to a standard geothermal duct system capable of producing between 40,000 and 60,000 BTUs carries a total cost of $45,000.

“The federal government will give you a 30 percent tax incentive and Efficiency Maine has a $3,000 rebate for those who qualify,” she said. “So if you factor that in you are looking at a maximum of $28,500 and even if you have to borrow that, you are paying monthly on that loan and not for oil, and at the end of 10 years when it’s paid off, all that money is savings in your pocket [and] you have a paid-for state of the art home heating system.”

Despite the obvious heating costs savings, people may be discouraged from pursuing the earth-based alternative heating source due in large part to the five-figure installation costs.

“It’s just so expensive,” said Lisa Smith, senior planner with the Governor’s Energy Office. “It’s one thing if you have unlimited dollars, otherwise we’ve been told by geothermal technology people it only makes economic sense during new construction [because] to retrofit is too expensive.”

That expense, Smith said, is the main reason her office does not field a lot of calls on geothermal heating.

“It just does not make sense for a lot of people,” she said. “Forty thousand dollars is not something most people can afford.”

Those who do opt to install the systems, she said, often do so for reasons beyond simple economics.

“They want that specific type of system,” Smith said. “They are willing to pay extra for the ability to say they are ‘geeky’ and clean.”

And Smith did say, there is no denying geothermal is a clean source of energy, albeit one with what she said is a long payback on investment.

There is no doubt it’s a hefty out of pocket initial expense, Nickels said, but he maintains that payback and the good it does for the environment make it well worth it.

“The technology I use and install allows me to track how much carbon a system is saving the planet on a yearly basis,” he said. “In my case, I am saving what 60 acres of trees contributes every year.”

As for the argument it’s too expensive? Nickels does not buy it.

“People won’t hesitate to run out and buy a new car for $20,000 or $30,000, but heaven forbid they buy something that will make them money every time they use it,” he said. “These systems are really just so efficient, why wouldn’t you install one?”

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The Miami-based real estate development and investment company that bought several former Macy’s stores at auction last December, including at the Bangor Mall, has kept mum on its plans for the locations, until some details leaked recently.

Acropolis Development of Syracuse, New York, said Lionheart Capital has picked it to handle the leasing and management of the 88,000-square-foot space at the former Macy’s in Clay, New York at the Great Northern Mall. That Macy’s space will be renamed The Shoppes at Great Northern, according to press information released by Acropolis.

Acropolis also released a concept drawing of the New York space showing a plan for two restaurants with patios, three fast casual dining areas and a 30,000-square-foot entertainment area. There also are several small, high-end retail locations.

“Our ideal tenant mix would be something like CoreLife Eatery, Blaze Pizza and Smashburger, two strong national or regional restaurant brands, and a complementary 30,000-square-foot entertainment concept, which we are currently in negotiations with,” Rick Lickfield, director of leasing for Acropolis, said in a prepared statement.

The Clay Macy’s store closed in April 2017 as part of a plan to close 100 of its 730 stores nationwide. Lionheart bought the store at auction for $945,000, according to The Post-Standard of Syracuse.

Lickfield told the newspaper Acropolis had contacted Mike Kohan, the real estate investor from Great Neck who bought the Great Northern Mall in February 2017 for $8.5 million. But Litchfield said Acropolis now is only involved in the redevelopment of the former Macy’s store, not the rest of the mall. Like the Bangor Mall, Great Northern Mall has lost many tenants in the past few years and has a high vacancy rate.

“The brand, The Shoppes at Great Northern, is intended to emphasize the project’s status as a standalone development while acknowledging its history and connection to a well-known Syracuse-area landmark,” Litchfield said in a press statement. “With exterior entrances and signage, it will shop like an outdoor lifestyle center with the added convenience of interior common area connecting the tenant spaces to themselves and to the existing mall during Syracuse winters.”

Acropolis commercial real estate agent Rob Zaccaria said that like other malls, the Great Northern Mall has experienced a decline in recent years.

“We see the former Macy’s location as having a lot of opportunity. If considered as a new development the location makes a lot of sense,” he said in a press statement.

Lickfield would not comment to the Bangor Daily News on when development on the project might start nor whether any tenants had signed leases.

Company officials from Lionheart, whose new subsidiary Out of the Box is developing the former Macy’s sites, also would not comment on any of its plans, including for the Bangor Mall location.

“We are still in the process of assessing our options with regard to the Macy’s in Bangor. We will provide an update once a decision has been made,” Lowry Brescia, Lionheart’s director of strategic initiatives, wrote in an email response to questions by the Bangor Daily News.

Lionheart is known for high-end residence projects like The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach and Singer Island, Florida.

The former Bangor Macy’s was sold by online auctioneer Ten-X of California as part of a group of eight Macy’s sold from Dec. 11-13, 2017. Lionheart is believed to have purchased up to six of the stores.

Unlike the other three anchor stores at the Bangor Mall, Macy’s was owned by its real estate arm. The other Macy’s stores sold also were independent of the mall owners.

The highest bid for the 143,215-square-foot Bangor property was $750,000, according to Manus Clancy, senior managing director at Trepp, a New York-based aggregator of real estate market data. The sale closed in mid-January.

Macy’s closed its Bangor Mall store in the spring of 2017. It was one of four anchor stores in the Bangor Mall. Sears also is set to close within a week. The remaining anchor stores are Dick’s Sporting Goods and J.C. Penney.

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NIPAWIN, Saskatchewan — Fourteen people were killed and 14 others injured when a truck collided with a bus carrying a junior hockey team to a playoff game in western Canada, authorities said Saturday.

The bus driving the Humboldt Broncos had 28 passengers, including the driver, when it crashed at about 5 p.m. Friday on Highway 35 in Saskatchewan, Canadian police said.

“We can now confirm fourteen people have died as a result of this collision,” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a press release early Saturday. “The other fourteen people were sent to hospitals with a variety of injuries; three of these people have injuries that are critical in nature.”

No names were given, and police would not say whether players or coaches were among the dead. There was no mention of the truck driver.

“I cannot imagine what these parents are going through, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted.

STARS air ambulance said it sent three helicopters to the scene.

Darren Opp, president of the Nipawin Hawks, who the Broncos were set to play against, said a semi T-boned the players’ bus — an account police confirmed.

“It’s a horrible accident, my God,” Opp said.

The Broncos are a close-knit team from the small city of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, which has a population of about 6,000. Many gathered at the community center attached to the hockey arena there after word of the horrific crash began to circulate.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s been tough on everybody,” Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said in a phone interview. “We’re a small community, some of those kids have been on the team for a number of years. A lot grew up in the community and everybody knows each other.”

The team was on its way to play in Game 5 of a semi-final against the Hawks.

“Hockey was what brought us all together and we had two communities that were rivals in the rink. To find out that it was their first responders that aided our boys just warms your heart,” the mayor said as his voice cracked.

Penny Lee, the spokeswoman for the town of Humboldt, said grief counselors are available.

“Everybody is just so devastated. These poor young boys,” Lee said.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a junior ‘A’ hockey league under Hockey Canada, which is part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. It’s open to North American-born players between the ages of 16 and 20.

The team president said parents from across western Canada were struggling to cope with the tragedy and were rushing to the scene.

“It’s one of the hardest days of my life,” said the team’s president, Kevin Garinger. “Our whole community is in shock, we are grieving and we will continue to grieve throughout this ordeal as we try to work toward supporting each other.”

Michelle Straschnitzki, who lives in Airdrie, said her 18-year old son Ryan was transported to a hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“We talked to him, but he said he couldn’t feel his lower extremities so I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “I am freaking out. I am so sad for all of the teammates and I am losing my mind.”

Opp, the president of the Hawks, said the coaching staff and players from their team were waiting to help.

“They are sitting in the church just waiting to hear any good news,” he said.

Pastor Jordan Gadsby at the Apostolic Church in Nipawin said more than a hundred people had gathered at the church — including parents and grandparents of the players who were on the bus.

“Lots of them are waiting for information,” he said.

Garinger said he still didn’t know the fate of one of the players living in his home.

“We don’t know who has passed and we don’t expect to know right away,” he said. “We know that the coroner and their office needs to do their work and let families know.”

Garinger said all the team can do now is help the players and their families however they can.

“We just need to try to support each other as we deal with this incredible loss to our community, to our province, to our hockey world.”

Kevin Henry, a coach who runs a hockey school in Prince Albert, said he knows players on the team.

“This is I would think one of the darkest days in the history of Saskatchewan, especially because hockey is so ingrained in how we grow up here,” he said.

Rob Gillies contributed to this report from Toronto.

A lawmaker from South Carolina pulled out his loaded pistol during a meeting with his constituents Friday to make a point about gun safety, according to advocacy group members who were present.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina, placed the gun on a table for “several minutes” while arguing that the presence of the weapon in the room made his constituents safer, according to volunteers for the South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

[NRA joins fight against Maine ‘red flag’ bill]

“Rep. Norman’s behavior today was a far cry from what responsible gun ownership looks like,” said Lori Freemon, a volunteer who attended the meeting, in a news release. “I had looked forward to a respectful dialogue with my representative about common-sense gun violence prevention policies.”

“Instead, I felt unsafe when he insisted on showing us his loaded gun and keeping it out on the table for much of our conversation,” she said.

A spokesman for Norman could not be immediately reached.

[In wake of student protests, talk at a Maine gun show centers on respect for firearms]

Norman told the Post and Courier, however, that he pulled out the gun during a public meeting over breakfast at a Rock Hill diner to make the point that guns are only dangerous when they are in the hands of criminals. As a concealed carry permit holder, Norman said he often carries his guns with him in public.

The demonstration, he said, was intended to prove to constituents that “guns don’t shoot people, people shoot guns,” according to the Post and Courier. Norman told the attendees that if someone were to walk into the diner and begin shooting at them, he’d be able to protect them because of his gun.

“I’m not going to be a Gabby Giffords,” Norman told the Post and Courier afterward, referring to the 2011 shooting of an Arizona congresswoman during a public appearance in the Tucson area. “I don’t mind dying, but whoever shoots me better shoot well or I’m shooting back.”

[The courts say the Parkland kids’ agenda is largely compatible with the Second Amendment]

Norman said he does not regret pulling out his gun – and in fact plans to conduct the same demonstration at other constituent meetings moving forward, according to the Post and Courier, and denied that any of the attendees at Friday meetings jumped or appeared frightened by the gun.

“I’m tired of these liberals jumping on the guns themselves as if they are the cause of the problem,” Norman told the newspaper. “Guns are not the problem.”

KENNEBUNK, Maine — The community is mourning the loss of local businessman and community leader, Jeff Cole, 64, who died unexpectedly last Saturday, recalling a man who lived his life with compassion, conviction, a sense of adventure and a stalwart love of the Kennebunks.

Cole was president of the Cole Harrison Insurance Agency, joining the company in 1980 as the fifth generation of the Cole family to work in the firm. He was an active member of the community serving as a trustee of South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, and longtime volunteer with both the Kennebunkport Fire Department and Kennebunk Fire Rescue.

Bob Foley, a partner with Cole and Jim Harrison, said the company, along with the community, is reeling from the news of Cole’s sudden death. Cole died unexpectedly Saturday morning, and it’s not known yet whether a fall from a ladder at his house several days earlier may have been a factor, Foley said. Cole had injured his back in the fall, according to Foley, and was feeling tired and weak when he left the office on Main Street after work on Friday night.

“It was a shock. Right now our concern is Jeff’s family, and getting them through this. We need to be there for them. These will be difficult days.” Foley said.

He said the outpouring of support from the many lives Cole touched has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated.

Cole’s contributions to the community were spread across many organizations over the years.

“Everything he did was to try to improve the town of Kennebunk. He was a community organizer. He was a quiet soul who just did things, not for the recognition, but because they needed to be done. He loved this community,” Foley said.

He had strong convictions, but he also appreciated other people’s perspectives and he would always listen to and respect other viewpoints, Foley said.

Cole served as an Regional School Unit 21 board member, and also served on the board of the Kennebunk Free Library and the Brick Store Museum.

He and his wife Kim founded the Kennebunk Beach Triathlon Club, and the pair were in training to compete in upcoming marathons and triathlons. Cole’s passion for triathlons heightened after he beat stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma more than 10 years ago, according to Foley.

“After the lymphoma he trained for and finished the IronMan Triathlon out in Lake Placid, New York and he was so proud of that,” Foley said. “I just remember the absolute jubilation on his face. He did what he set out to do, and that is a great testament to Jeff’s devotion and passion and his drive.”

Rev. Charlie Whiston from South Congregational Church has known Cole and his family for years, and said that Cole would see a need somewhere in the community, and would quietly find a way to help.

Whiston recalled that about 10 to 12 years ago he had a group from the church going on a mission trip, and they had been told at the last minute they needed to bring their own sleeping bags — something they hadn’t planned or budgeted for. Whiston was relating the story in a tale he was telling to the children’s group during the church service, and he said Cole was listening too.

“Jeff must have been sitting in the front that day. At the end of the service he handed me a note that said simply, don’t worry about the sleeping bags. It will be taken care of. And I remember he also wanted us to leave them behind for the homeless. That’s the kind of person he was. He saw the need, and did things, but not to raise his own flag.”

Cole ran for his RSU 21 Board of Directors seat in 2014 as a fiscal conservative. RSU 21 Superintendent Katie Hawes said, “Throughout his three year term he pushed our thinking, investing countless hours on our Facility and Finance Committees. I quickly gained a great deal of respect for him and truly valued his opinion. Even though we didn’t always agree, I really came to like Jeff. This is such a surprising and tragic loss for our community. He will be missed.”

Foley said the Cole Harrison Agency, with 16 employees in Kennebunk and one in each of the satellite offices in Kittery and Carrabassett Valley, will continue meeting the needs of their clients during this difficult time, as Cole would want them too.

“I feel like if Jeff were here, he’d say ’OK, enough fuss, get back to work, we have a job to do. That’s the way he lived his life,” Foley said.

Whiston noted the same, saying Cole offered gentle guidance during difficult times for decades while serving the community he loved.

“There’s something unique about people who are there for others when the constellations shift. To be able and willing to sit with people, that takes a special person, and Jeff and his partners quietly do that in this community and it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Whiston said. “People have been coming by and remembering all the little things that Jeff did for them, when the sands shifted in their own lives.”

Cole leaves behind his wife of over 30 years, Kim, and two children, his son Ben Cole and daughter Rachel Cole Weiss, all of Kennebunk, along with two brothers, Steven W. Cole of Rye, New Hampshire, and Joseph T. Cole of Sorrento, Florida.

Cole was a cancer survivor, and the family encourages memorial contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 98018 Washington, D.C. 20090, or https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate, in his memory.

Foley said that while compassion, conviction and faith led Cole in his business and community service, they were also the forces that drove his personal passions as well. In addition to competing in marathons and triathlons, he was an accomplished hunter and fisherman as well.

One friend posted a bible verse on Facebook in honor of Cole.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” Timothy 4, verse 7.

“Losing Jeff like this so suddenly reaffirms what we all know, but often forget,” Foley said. “Our time here on Earth is unknown, and what we do when we are here is important. Jeff filled his life with important things.”

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Democrats running to the left

During the past several months, liberals hoping to run against Rep. Bruce Poliquin have been traveling around Maine. Instead of talking about how to build consensus in Washington, D.C., these candidates are running to the extreme left flank of their party in hopes of attracting the attention and money of liberal Washington elites.

Appealing to the extreme end of either party will not improve the lives of Mainers. In this day and age of congressional gridlock, Poliquin has stayed above partisan politics and worked with both parties to get things done. In the 20 years before he was elected, Poliquin’s predecessor, Mike Michaud, was only able to get 11 of his sponsored bills passed in the House. The past year alone, Poliquin has seen six of his bills successfully voted through the House.

Mainers need a representative who is focused on getting work done, not impressing Nancy Pelosi.

Ashley Simon

Newburgh

Protect your dog

The Bangor Post Office and surrounding post offices would like pet owners to take a moment and look at the world through their dog’s eyes. Eating, sleeping and playing take up most of their day. The one job they do have, at least in their minds, is protecting their turf and their family.

“It’s OK he won’t bite you” is a phrase heard often by letter carriers. But the truth is that all dogs will bite if they feel their territory or family is being threatened.

To protect your letter carrier, or anyone who may visit your home, make sure that your dog is inside or restrained out of reach of your door when you’re expecting a delivery. Before opening the door to accept or sign for a package, place your pet in another room, secured out of sight of what they may consider a threatening transaction. Make sure any children in the home also understand the need to separate the family pet from a visitor at the door.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Dog bites account for more than one-third of all liability claims against homeowners insurance.

With your help, we can keep our carriers, your neighbors and your dogs safe. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner and for protecting your pet and our letter carriers as we continue to bring packages and other important correspondence to your door each day.

Stephen P Dalessandro

Postmaster

Bangor

Walkout to end abortion

As you have probably heard there was recently a student walkout where students walked out of school for 17 minutes to honor the 17 students and staff killed in the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Now, a California high school student, Brandon Gillespie, is organizing a 17 minute walkout at 10 a.m. April 11 to “honor all the lives of the millions of aborted babies every year.” Every day in our country more than 3,000 unborn children are aborted. The death of the 17 students and staff in Parkland is tragic and never should have happened. Tragically, the answer to the question “am I next?” is “yes” for 3,000 unborn children who will never have the chance to live outside the womb of their mother.

Will you join students as we stand for life, as we use our voice to speak for those who have no voice? Will you join us as we say “no more” to the slaughter of innocent unborn babies all over our country? All human beings are created in the image of our creator God at the moment of conception and deserve the right to life without fear of being killed.

Please share the message as we cry out to our fellow countrymen, “no more.” I ask that you share this message far and wide and encourage students to walkout on April 11 to show the country that we will use our voice to protect the voiceless.

Virginia Cowperthwaite

Thomaston

To kick off his interview with rap mogul Jay-Z, David Letterman held up his hand and asked the audience, “We have here married people with families?”

He added, “Families, I think it’s safe to say, are pretty much trouble-free.”

That intro – on the fourth episode of Letterman’s free-ranging interview show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman,” which dropped Friday on Netflix – foreshadowed the 50-minute conversation during which Jay-Z was strikingly candid about his own family. The rapper opened up about infidelity in his marriage to Beyoncé, his mother coming out as a lesbian and his absentee father.

– On his marriage to Beyoncé

Letterman saved the most hot-button question for the end of the interview, pausing before saying, “You and I have one other thing in common, and I have to be cautious how I articulate this.”

“A few years ago, I got myself into some trouble, and the situation was my responsibility and my fault,” Letterman continued. “I did something that I had no business doing, and I regret it, and since then I have tried to acknowledge that mistake and be a better person.”

[Beyonce pic captures Massachusetts grandmother’s star-struck reaction]

Facing blackmail threats in 2009, the married late-night host admitted to cheating on his wife, Regina Lasko, by having sex with female members of his staff.

Jay-Z also became headline fodder for cheating on his wife, Beyoncé. Speculation about the rapper’s infidelity began in 2014 when a video surfaced of his sister-in-law Solange Knowles attacking him in an elevator. Those rumors gained steam with Beyoncé’s 2016 record “Lemonade,” which contained several semi-veiled references to cheating, such as “You can taste the dishonesty/It’s on your breath as you pass it off so cavalier” and a mention of the mysterious “Becky with the good hair.” Jay-Z finally admitted his transgression last year in a November interview with the New York Times’s T Magazine.

“At the time, the pain that I caused myself was the fear that I had blown up my family,” Letterman told the rapper. “I never talked to a person who had been in that situation. And I’m wondering if this rings a bell with you.”

Indeed, it did. Jay-Z said he didn’t have the emotional tools required for a marriage, but through therapy and Beyoncé’s support, he’s working toward gaining them.

“For a lot of us, especially where I grew up and men in general, we don’t have emotional cues from when we were young. Our emotional cue is ‘Be a man. Don’t cry,’” he said, mentioning his song “Song Cry,” in which he raps: “I can’t see ‘em coming down my eyes, so I gotta make the song cry.”

“It was my way of saying I want to cry, I want to be open, I want to have the emotional tools that it takes to keep my family together,” Jay-Z said. “Much like you, I have a beautiful wife who was understanding and who knew I’m not the worst of what I’ve done.”

“We did the hard work of going to therapy,” Jay-Z added. “We love each other, so we really put in the work for years.”

Because of that, Jay-Z said: “I like to believe we’re in a better place today. I’m proud of the father and the husband that I am today.”

Jay-Z said he shares his story in case someone watching who has lost hope in a relationship relates to it and thinks, “Let me stick with this and come through the other side. I see how that looks.”

“We didn’t see that. All we saw is people fleeing,” he told Letterman. “We just see people give up. The divorce rate is 50 percent. We never see people (who say) ‘OK, let’s work through this. I love you; I love my family.’ “

– On his mother, Gloria Carter, coming out as a lesbian

One touching song on Jay-Z’s 2017 album “4:44″ is “Smile,” which reveals that his mother Gloria Carter is gay, with the lines “Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian/Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian.” Carter herself appears at the end of the song with a spoken word poem, saying: “Life is short, and it’s time to be free/Love who you love, because life isn’t guaranteed.”

The rapper told Letterman that he has long known that his mother is a lesbian, but it wasn’t until he was recording that album that the two spoke about it. That conversation was the first time he heard his mother say she loved a romantic partner.

“The only thing about that experience for me is her,” he said. “Imagine having to live your life as someone else, and you think you’re protecting your kids.”

He said the conversation was so emotional that he began crying. The next day, he sat down and wrote “Smile.”

“For her to sit in front of me and tell me, ‘I think I love someone.’ I mean, I really cried,” he said. “I cried because I was so happy for her, that she was free.”

– On making peace with Adnis Reeves, his absentee father

Jay-Z’s lyrics often center on his father, Adnis Reeves, who abandoned Carter, Jay-Z and his three siblings when the musician was 11 years old – leaving behind a deep emotional scar. When Beyoncé was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Blue Ivy, Jay-Z rapped a mission statement: “My dad left me and I promise never repeat him.”

But time, Jay-Z said, helped him better understand his father and the circumstances leading to his absence. Reeves’ brother was killed in the projects, and finding the murderer became something of an obsession for him.

“Someone would call and say, ‘I just seen the guy who killed your brother,’ ” Jay-Z said. “He would get up from his bed – his bed with his children – and he would take his gun, and he’d leave the house.”

Eventually, Jay-Z’s mother confronted Reeves, saying ” ‘Hey, you have a family here.’”

“She didn’t have the language that she needed to speak to him, like ‘We love you. We don’t want to lose you, as well,’ ” Jay-Z said. “Her fear came out almost like an ultimatum to him. … That kinda like splintered their relationship. From there, he was in deep pain, started using heroin, and things like that.”

As a young man, Jay-Z felt abandoned by and furious with his father. But now, he said, “I have compassion for what (my dad) went through, which was anger.”

WESTBROOK — A Friday night armed robbery of a gas station in Westbrook has police looking to see if the suspect from nine recent robberies in the area was involved.

Before 8 p.m. Friday, police said a man entered the Gulf Mart on Route 302 in Westbrook, displayed a gun “in a threatening manner” and demanded money.

[Police release video footage of armed robbery suspect after spree reaches 7]

Westbrook police said the man left the station with an undisclosed amount of money. A Portland Police K-9 tracked the suspect to a nearby street, but it is presumed the suspect left in a waiting car.

The man was dressed in dark clothing and his face was covered with a scarf.

A witness who works down the street told CBS 13 this was another armed robbery.

[Portland area has eighth armed robbery in 8 days]

The witness, who spoke to employees at the Gulf Station, described the suspect as wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants with grey pockets and had his face covered.

Because this robbery is similar to the recent rash of armed robberies stretching from Cumberland to Old Orchard Beach, Westbrook Police said investigators are trying to determine if it was the same suspect from the previous robberies.

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The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office believes detectives have recovered all the money – about $2,600 – taken in the New Harbor bank robbery April 2.

April L. Blake, 46, of Waldoboro, faces one count each of class B robbery and class C theft by unauthorized taking in connection with the incident at the Damariscotta Bank and Trust branch.

Blake made her first court appearance Wednesday, April 4, according to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Gerety. She did not enter a plea.

The robbery was at 9:42 a.m., Monday, April 2, according to a statement from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

A woman “entered the bank, passed a note demanding money, and walked out with (approximately) $2,600 cash,” Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Detective Scott Hayden said in an affidavit.

[Police seek woman accused of robbing bank in coastal Maine hamlet]

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Michael Murphy declined to release the text of the note, but said it told the teller to “put all the money in the bag” and not to put in any “dye packs or trackers.”

“There was no threat of violence,” Murphy said.

At 3:55 p.m., the sheriff’s office released a surveillance image of the suspect and the truck she was driving at the time of the robbery.

The sheriff’s office received a tip at about 7 p.m., according to Hayden’s affidavit.

The anonymous tipster said the woman appeared to be Blake and said Blake and her boyfriend owned a red Chevrolet truck like the one in the image, according to the affidavit.

Hayden and Detective Sgt. Jason Pease went to the couple’s home on Jackson Road in North Waldoboro, according to Hayden. The truck was in the driveway.

“April Blake spoke with us and admitted to writing the note, giving it to the teller, and stated she received a large amount of cash,” Hayden said in the affidavit. “Blake stated she never counted it. Blake stated the money was hidden in the residence.”

Blake and her boyfriend consented to a search of the residence.

“She also pointed out all the evidence, to include the money, shoes, clothing, and dust mask,” Hayden said.

“We believe we’ve recovered all the money,” Murphy said in a phone interview. He declined to release the exact amount.

Blake’s boyfriend did not know about the robbery, according to the affidavit.

Hayden arrested Blake at about 9:30 p.m., according to a jail admission form. She was taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Blake was released on bail Thursday, April 5, according to jail personnel.

Blake’s bail was set at $1,000 cash, according to court documents. She cannot enter any bank or credit union and must abide by the terms of a supervision contract with Maine Pretrial Services.

The affidavit does not indicate a motive for the robbery. Gerety declined to comment on the matter.

While Blake did not threaten violence, a person can be guilty of robbery under state law if the person “intentionally or knowingly places any person present in fear of the imminent use of force with the intent … (to) compel the person in control of the property to give it up …”

It was not clear whether Blake has an attorney. Court documents did not name an attorney and Gerety did not know whether she has an attorney.

Blake declined comment when reached by phone.

Blake will next appear in court June 4.

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Another bill to allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone, an overdose-reversing medication, without a prescription should not be necessary. The Maine Legislature passed such a law in 2016. But, because of inaction and last-minute changes by Gov. Paul LePage, the law has yet to go into effect.

Last year, 418 Mainers died from drug overdoses. Yet, Maine is one of just a handful of states that do not allow the distribution of naloxone without a prescription.

Hoping to reduce this death toll, lawmakers passed a bill in 2016 to make naloxone available without a prescription. It was vetoed by LePage, but his veto was overridden. Because of an error in the way the bill was written, the issue came before lawmakers again last year. They passed a bill to fix the problem, which became law without the governor’s signature.

It was then up to the Maine Board of Pharmacy to write rules to implement the law. The board unanimously approved draft rules in August. They then sat on LePage’s desk for more than five months. There was disagreement over whether the governor’s signature was even needed.

In February, LePage demanded that the draft rules be changed to require that naloxone only be distributed to those who are 21 and older. The pharmacy board made the change to raise the age in the draft rule from 18 to 21.

But, the policy has yet to go into effect.

The board is in the process of collecting public comment on the draft rules, which are now different from the ones the board approved last year. The board held a public hearing on Thursday. It could still be weeks, or months, before the rule is finalized. And, it would limit naloxone distribution to only those over 21, which is not the intent of the legislation that began the rulemaking process.

The rules were set to expire in July 2019, but lawmakers passed a bill eliminating this expiration date. It, of course, was vetoed by LePage with his usual denigration of naloxone. The veto was easily overridden.

Now, House Speaker Sara Gideon, the sponsor of the original naloxone without a prescription bill, has new legislation to circumvent this circuitous and drawn-out process.

Last week, she introduced LD 1892, which would allow anyone in Maine to obtain naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan, without a prescription with no age limitations.

If approved by lawmakers, the bill would avoid a lengthy rulemaking process at the Board of Pharmacy. Instead, the board would simply have to publish the rules, as adopted by the Legislature, for them to be effective.

Gideon’s latest bill should not be necessary. But, because of LePage’s obstruction it is and lawmakers should strongly support it.

LePage has long condemned naloxone as ineffective, and by corollary, those struggling with addiction as not worth helping. “Naloxone is does not truly save lives; it merely extends them until the next overdose,” he wrote in his veto letter of the 2016 bill. His contempt for those with substance abuse disorder is alarming and heartless. The first priority must be to keep those who have overdosed alive so they can get the treatment they need.

Contrast LePage’s comments with those of the U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who urged all Americans to carry naloxone. “You don’t have to be a policeman or a firefighter or a paramedic to save a life,” Adams said in an April 5 speech. He pointed out that more than half of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. occur at home.

“There are people out there who think naloxone doesn’t make a difference: you’re just going to go on and misuse substances again,” Adams said. “That would be like me saying I’m not going to do CPR on someone having a heart attack because if we save them, they’re just going to go out there and eat fast food and be back here all over again.”

Naloxone is not a magic cure to addiction. But it can give thousands of Mainers the chance to stay alive so they can get the treatment and support they need to overcome their disease.

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HAMBURG, Germany – A man driving a van plowed into a crowd in the northern German city of Münster on Saturday afternoon, killing at least three people and injuring dozens before shooting himself, a senior German security official said.

German security officials were unsure whether the incident had connections to terrorism. The senior security official said police were conducting response measures as though it were a terrorist attack but they remained uncertain about whether it was one. Police also dispatched a bomb squad to the scene to check whether there were explosives in the van, the senior security official said.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the unfolding details of the case.

“There are dead and injured. Please avoid the area,” the North Rhine-Westphalia regional police wrote on their official Twitter account. “We are on site.” The police told people to avoid the city center.

Images of the city center showed a small delivery van that appeared to have hopped onto a sidewalk off the street and plowed through the seats and tables of an outdoor cafe. Chairs were scattered and broken across a small cobblestone plaza. The incident took place at the square surrounding the Kiepenkerl statue, a city landmark that commemorates a traveling peddler.

“Terrible news from Münster,” wrote German Justice Minister Katarina Barley on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their family members. Thank you to the rescue workers on the scene. We must do everything to clarify the background of the incident.”

Vehicles have been used in terrorist attacks across Europe in recent years, including in Germany. In December 2016, a Tunisian man whose asylum request had been rejected crashed a truck through a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 and injuring 56.

The incident in Münster also came a year to the day after a man driving a stolen delivery truck slammed into a crowd in Stockholm, killing four.

After Desiree York moved to Bangor from Waldo County several years ago, she drifted away from her family, sinking further into a life of drug addiction and homelessness, according to friends and relatives.

York, 36, and Michael Bridges, 43, were found dead on March 28 in a burning box truck. She left behind a young daughter, her parents, who live in Knox, and seven half-siblings.

“Drug use and stuff like that, that all happened in the last four or five years,” said her half-brother, Jason York, 43. “But the kid’s 36. For the first 31 years of her life, she was happy. Sometimes something snaps inside.”

Bridges and York had been homeless since September, a friend said. Another local homeless man, John De St. Croix, 25, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with their deaths, although authorities have not described a possible motive.

York’s parents, who are caring for her 7-year-old daughter Miracle, declined to speak to reporters, but her siblings remembered her as a bubbly, charismatic person.

“Our choices, sometimes, our addiction, got in the way, and we chose to be around unhealthy people and be in places that we probably shouldn’t have been,” said Desiree’s half-sister Torie York, 40, who is in recovery for her own drug use.

As a kid, Desiree often conspired with Torie to play good-humored tricks on her older brothers, “putting shaving cream in your hand while you were sleeping and tickling your nose — whatever it was,” Jason said.

Thanks to Desiree, joking around was a defining part of the family’s home life and annual summer camping trips, Torie said.

Desiree, Torie said, had a passion for children and a childlike innocence about her well into adulthood. If Desiree walked into a house and had to choose between a roomful of adults or a roomful of children, she almost automatically chose to be with the kids. Desiree helped raise Torie’s three children — 20-year-old Tamika, 18-year-old Nikiesha and 16-year-old Taniesha, Torie said.

After she graduated from Mount View High School in Thorndike, Desiree worked through her 20s at a Unity restaurant and then at a scrap metal business with Jason and her father, said Jason, who is now a carpenter.

Desiree never appeared to have an interest in going to college. She liked cooking and waitressing and helped her father run a restaurant in Knox for several years, Torie said.

She was an avid NASCAR and Jeff Gordon fan and attended her brother Donald’s stock car races regularly. She was a member of his pit crew, tracking tire pressures and making sure it looked clean, Donald said.

“She was into that pretty good,” Donald said. “She just loved to be around family.”

She and Torie usually loved to root against their male family members’ teams, just for argument’s sake, Torie said.

Desiree started pulling away from the family in her early 30s, when she moved to Bangor and lived on and off the streets, Jason said. “Once she was up there, I didn’t see her,” he said.

Torie said she suspects that some of Desiree’s addiction issues traced back to the death of Desiree’s daughter, Nevaeh — Heaven spelled backward — who was stillborn about 10 years ago.

But even before then, York had several brushes with the law. In 2005, she began collecting misdemeanor drug and OUI convictions, according to a criminal background check with the Maine State Bureau of Investigation. When she died, she had theft, domestic violence, disorderly conduct charges pending in Penobscot County.

Desiree tried to overcome drug addiction at least once while in Bangor, according to Angela Dyer, who said she met York in late 2014 when the two sought treatment at a the same methadone clinic.

They coincidentally became neighbors last summer, when York moved into an apartment at 30 Ohio St., said Dyer, who lives nearby.

Dyer said last week she could tell York was using again. “Her overall appearance had deteriorated,” she said, recalling York’s weight loss and lined face.

York started dating Michael Bridges around June, said Dyer, who knew Bridges because he lived in the building where she served as property manager.

York and a friend moved in with Bridges. It took around two months for Dyer to evict them and a third roommate for partying and failing to pay rent, she said.

After the eviction, they became homeless, and Bridges and York went to live along a nearby footpath. They were in an on-and-off relationship, spending nights in various places around the city, until they died.

Desiree York’s siblings, Jason and Torie, said their sister may have been homeless, but she could always have gone home to her family.

“She chose to be where she was and to be with who she was with,” Torie said. “The family didn’t leave her homeless.”

BDN writers Nick Sambides Jr. and Judy Harrison contributed to this report.

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A Maine high school aimed at pumping out future ship captains, oceanographers, marine biologists and other seaworthy professionals is close to picking its first crop of students.

The Maine Ocean School expects a fall launch in Searsport for the 2018-19 academic year.

“There’s a lot of things in the air right now,” said Eric Jergenson, an assistant professor at Maine Maritime Academy who serves as chairman of Maine Ocean School’s board.

Among the big items to check off will be hiring the school’s director. The board has been fielding applications, but needs to complete human relations training before it can review the candidates, a process that should start in the next couple of weeks, Jergenson said. They’ll also need to find an administrative assistant.

Once those positions are filled, the search for teachers and other staff will start.

Representatives of the school have been setting up booths at boat shows and other public events in a push to drum up interest. They also hosted summer day programs, taking groups of prospective students out on schooner trips, toured the Mack Point port facility in Searsport, and visited Penobscot Marine Museum. They expect to have similar excursions this summer.

March 30 was the priority application deadline, so students who applied before that date will be considered in the first round of enrollments, while those who file later will be considered on a rolling basis. Jergenson said he doesn’t yet know how many applications have been filed, but said they’ve come in from “all over the state.”

“We are first and foremost interested in knowing the students are interested in the mission and ocean focus of the school,” Jergenson said in explaining what qualities they looked for in students.

The school will include courses in required content areas — such as math, English, arts and world languages — but those programs will sometimes feature maritime twists. Students can specialize in programs focused on engineering, transportation, marine sciences or management.

The board expects to cap enrollment at 30 in the school’s first year, adding more slots and expanding course offerings in future years. Jergenson said organizers hope the school grows to have more than 100 students, but that could be several years down the road.

It’s not yet clear where the school will be located, but organizers have pitched the idea of holding classes in an underused wing of Searsport District Middle and High School, but the arrangement is still being ironed out, according to Jergenson. Offices likely will be set up elsewhere in town.

“The setup of the school will be campuslike, spread across Searsport,” Jergenson said.

Organizers say the Penobscot Bay town is an ideal location because of its proximity to a seaport, marine museum, and several colleges and universities with strong maritime programs.

For now, the school will rely on local families willing to host students who can’t commute. Eventually, it plans to open student dormitories.

As a public magnet school, Maine Ocean School will be funded through a state reimbursement for a portion of the cost of each student the school educates. A nonprofit foundation will be responsible for raising the rest of the money needed to support the school.

Limestone’s Maine School of Science and Mathematics is the state’s only other public magnet.

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Nine overdoses in four counties on Friday night have police warning the public Saturday about bad batches of heroin.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department posted a warning on its Facebook page after investigators discovered three overdoses in Washington County and one in Hancock County. None of the overdoses killed the victims, who were revived with multiple doses of Narcan, an anti-overdose drug, police said.

“If you have a loved one battling addiction and heroin is their vice, please spread the word and urge caution,” the Facebook post reads.

The three overdoses came within 30 minutes of each other and the fourth within two hours of those, prompting investigators to suspect that the users had bought the same batch of heroin, police said.

The other five overdoses occurred in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and are not believed to be connected, police said.

The overdoses occurred in Bangor, Brewer, Corinth, East Machias, Franklin, Guilford, Hartland, Hermon and Machiasport, police said.

Police automatically assume that heroin that causes these kinds of overdoses is laced with fentanyl, an opioid used for anesthesia and analgesia, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Fentanyl is the most deadly drug typically added to heroin, police said.

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It doesn’t take much to get Fritz Appleby, a retired Maine State Park manager, to wax rhapsodic about his love of classic cast iron cookware.

Appleby owns a couple of hundred pieces of the heavy duty, long-lived pots and pans — and that’s after a recent downsizing. He’s got skillets, Dutch ovens, griddles, muffin pans, waffle irons and more, and what’s more, he uses them — even the ones that date back to before the Civil War.

“It’s going to last generations,” he said of cast iron cookware. “If your grandmother handed you some pans she cooked on, and you’re still using them, wow! That’s a lot of history right there. Holding a piece in your hands that’s pre-Civil War, you can’t help but think of some of the campfires it’s seen. It’s pretty neat.”

But getting all those years of use out of cast iron cookware requires that cooks take good care of their pieces. What’s the best way to do that? For some of us, our knowledge of cast iron care begins and ends with the understanding that using soap to clean cast iron has the same effect on your pans that Kryptonite had on Superman: in short, don’t do it. But that’s not the whole story.

Here are tips on how to best maintain cast iron from Appleby and the helpful folks at Rooster Brother in Ellsworth, a cooking supply store that sells a lot of cast iron and knows how to treat it.

— When bringing a new pan home, scour it thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a steel pad. This removes the machine oil from the pan and opens it up for seasoning, according to the Rooster Brother cast iron tip sheet.

— Dry the pan well and put it on your stovetop over low heat. When the pan is hot enough to evaporate a drop of water, put in some oil (peanut oil is recommended by the staff at Rooster Brother) and rub it into the metal with a paper towel. Keep rubbing it intermittently for half an hour, keeping the pan on low heat the whole time. At first, the paper towel will turn black, but keep on changing towels until it becomes clean. After 30 minutes, wipe off excess oil. According to cast iron maker, Lodge Cast Iron, any food-safe cooking oil or shortening will work for maintaining cookware, but the company recommends using vegetable or canola oil. Olive oil is not recommended for seasoning because it has a very low smoke point.

— Some people prefer to season newer pans in the oven, covering every inch of the pan with a thin, even layer of melted Crisco or vegetable oil such as peanut. Then put the pan upside down on a shallow, tinfoil-lined baking pan and put it in a 350-degree oven. After an hour, turn the heat off and allow the pan to cool all the way down before taking it out of the oven.

— Your pan is now seasoned. To keep it that way, you will need to always clean it immediately after use, while the pan is still warm, with hot water and a brush. Don’t use soap, Rooster Brother staff say. Dry the pan well and wipe it with a little oil.

— To avoid food sticking on your pan, always heat it until it will evaporate a drop of water, then add your oil. Wait until the oil is hot before cooking.

— Cast iron is hardy, but there are some things to watch out for, according to Appleby. “They can take a lot of abuse, unless you drop them, or they get warped, or cracked. They’re not much good after that,” he said, adding that in addition to not dropping the cookware, users should be careful not to change the temperature too fast. Don’t take them out of a hot oven and put them into icy cold water, for example.

— When cooking, Appleby heats up the pans to medium — not high — and uses plenty of oil or bacon fat before he puts food in them. When he’s done cooking and serving, he puts hot water in the pan and lets it soak. After the meal, he uses a plastic scraper to scrape out food residue from the pan, then he rinses the pan under hot water and wipes it out. “I put it on a burner on low heat and then I wipe it down with oil,” he said. “If you treat it right, it really is the original non-stick cookware. Your food really doesn’t stick.”

— Appleby is not as strict on the “no soap” rule as some. Sometimes, cooked-on food is not easy to remove from a pan. Fish, especially, can require tougher cleaning protocols, and he uses a little dish soap. “Soap and water is not really going to hurt it,” he said. “But I wouldn’t soak it in that for a long time. If you do, it can break down the finish you’ve built up. The seasoning. The pans do get black and glossy over time, and that’s what you want.”

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