From the July 12 issue: Maine Forestry Museum Board President, Kevin Cyr, Hall of Fame recipient Frank Orcutt, MFM board member, Scott Stevens and Hall of Fame recipient Casper Haines.  Jim Ferrara

JULY

The Maine High Peaks Paddlefest was scheduled to take place June 28-30, with the Rangeley Oquossoc Adventure Rendezvous (ROAR) as the main event. The event was a collaborative effort between the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (RLHT), with support from many area businesses and organizations. Seventy-four racers set out on 47 boats from Rangeley Lake’s Town Park Boat Launch. First stop on the intended 40-mile, two-day race was the Oquossoc Boat Landing. After carrying their canoes, kayaks and SUPs down a portage trail, racers continued on the Rangeley River, followed by paddling Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Cupsuptic, and then to the dam at Upper Richardson, towards the final destination of the day (and a favorite spot for many), Mill Brook. Due to heavy winds, the final legs of the race, scheduled for that Sunday, were canceled.

The Maine Forestry Museum inducted Frank Orcutt, Casper Haines, Mike and David Kidd to the Logger’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony, held July 13 kicked off the Maine Forestry Museum’s 43rd annual Logging Festival held on the museum’s fairgrounds. The Logger’s Hall of Fame began in 1985 for the purpose of honoring people who have worked in the woods for a significant part of their lives and who have made valuable contributions to logging in the western Maine mountains. This year’s inductees join a list of distinguished woodsmen, including Rodney Richard, Richard Hale, Luke Brochu, Patty Cormier and many others who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame over the last 39 years.

Rangeley Town Manager Joe Roach announced at the Monday, July 15  Select Board meeting that he has hired Richard Caton IV of Wilton as the full-time police chief, beginning Aug. 5.  He will start on Aug. 5. Caton has been interim police chief in Rangeley since late March after Russell French resigned Feb. 13. Caton was hired to work 16 to 20 hours a week to make sure Rangeley’s policies were in place and compliant with state and federal laws. At the same time, Caton, 43, continued his full-time duties as police chief in Jay. The Jay Select Board accepted his resignation with regret.

From the Aug. 16 issue: Les (Skyler Thompson) proves a point to big brother Davey (Daxxtyn Williams) and Jack Kelly (Eric White) during the Rangeley Friends of the Arts production of “Newsies”. Dan Hathaway

AUGUST

Approximately 45 volunteers showed up for the Sargent Family Community Fund (SFCF) Just One Day (JOD) charitable renovation event held on July 17. It was the tenth year in a row that both locals, and even some folks from out of town, came to help clean, paint, landscape, and repair the homes of area residents.

One of the premiere highlights at The Lakeside Theater is the annual production of the summer musical. They have run the gamut for nearly 50 years, from the traditional standards to the quirky off-broadway brand. This year the Rangeley Friends of the Arts brought the historical musical drama “Newsies” to the stage for four sold-out shows on July 25, 26, 28, and 29.

Speaking on behalf of the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children, Ellen Oppenheim, board president, shared the recent news that they have been chosen to receive a $1,000,000 grant from Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC), 2024 Catalyst Program. The funds would aid in the construction of a not-for-profit, licensed, childcare center in Rangeley. The program was designed to improve the economic health of rural communities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The grant would allow the project to proceed as planned. A ceremonial groundbreaking was scheduled for the end of August.

Oquossoc Park renovation was making visible progress.

From the Sept. 13 issue: Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children and helpers break ground at the future site of the Rangeley Childcare Center. Stephanie Dellavalle

SEPTEMBER

More than 50 people, consisting of board members of the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children, family members of Beth Brunswick, local city and state representatives and collaborators and supporters of the Rangeley Childcare Center, came out to celebrate the groundbreaking at the future site of the Rangeley Childcare Center on Aug. 30. “This has really been an example of a true public private effort. I’m so proud of all the federal, state and local agencies and the many area businesses and individuals who have supported our project. Two years ago, this was just a concept, and here we are. It’s truly incredible,” said Ellen Oppenheim, Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund board chair.

Twenty-two hardy frogs and their trainers leapt at the chance to take part in the annual Frog and Toad Jumping Contest held at the Blueberry Festival in the Town Park. The popular contest drew a big crowd who cheered and applauded each frog’s performance. This year featured a new addition: Dr. David Boyd, our “official” veterinarian, oversaw the contest to ensure that rules were followed and all frogs were well-cared-for. Fortunately, he was present to make the call to give a “time out” to a frog who accidentally jumped into a sneaker and needed a rest.

After four months of acting as interim police chief at the beginning of spring, officially accepting the role in the beginning of August, and then within the last several weeks fully staffing his department, Rangeley Police Chief Richard Caton IV was settling into his new role. “ Up until the beginning of September, he had been carrying the responsibilities of his department on his own. Three officers were hired in succession on Sept. 6, 9 and 10, giving the town full coverage.

From the Oct. 11 issue: Rangeley kindergarten students harvest carrots.

OCTOBER

Students and staff at Rangeley Lakes Regional School embraced agricultural opportunities on the Rangeley campus and beyond throughout the fall. Activities and lessons at all levels were created to encourage learning beyond the classroom and students reaped the benefits.

The school’s Board of Education Chair Dr. Mary Richards welcomed two new student representatives, AuDrey Sutherland (class of 2027) and Natalie Alves (class of 2027), along with returning student representative Nichole Lemay (class of 2025). 

From the Nov. 22 issue: Rangeley Lakes Regional School 4th grader Brooks Knight and Saddleback General Manager Jim Quimby have breakfast during a celebration honoring veterans. (Submitted photo)

NOVEMBER

Residents voted to elect Keith Savage over Ethna Thompson by an uncertified vote of 487-313 to fill a selectman’s term that expires in June 2026. Savage will finish a term formerly held by Wendyll Caisse who moved to another town earlier this year. Voters also approved an Alternative Energy Systems Ordinance by a vote of 484-261.

Rangeley Guides and Sportsmen’s Club hosted an engaging evening with Liz Latti. Latti had recently been appointed to a key administrative role in Augusta as the head fisheries biologist. She shared her insights into the summer and winter habitats and spawning behaviors of our fish species.

Franklin County commissioners voted to award $544,722.24 from the American Rescue Plan Act to 10 entities throughout the county. The money is left from the county’s federal allocation of $5.86 million and needed to be obligated by the end of this year and spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Locally, Rangeley Water District was awarded $50,000 for a generator to run the system. Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club was awarded $10,000 for a safety kiosk.

Rangeley Lakes Regional School’s Drama Club danced us down the Yellow Brick Road for three fun-filled performances of The Wizard of Oz, on November 15, 16, and 17. The 19-member cast was comprised of students from the fifth grade all the way to the twelfth.

From the Dec. 6 issue: Rangeley Giving Tree President Carmen Glidden laughs joyfully during the lighting of the Giving Tree. (Photo by Tami McGarvey)

DECEMBER

Despite falling temperatures and spitting snow, nearly 100 people attended the 37th annual lighting of the Giving Tree. While the weather may have been frightful, the excitement and wonder from the crowd was delightful. Children – and adults – eagerly accepted candy canes while event coordinators wrapped up last minute preparations of this holiday season kick-off event. 

The Board of Selectmen made a motion to officially establish in-town access routes for snowmobiles during the Dec. 2 meeting. The snowmobile access routes include Allen Street, upper Pleasant Street from Route 16 north, Center Street, School Street, Cross Street and Oquossoc Avenue. The board determined that travel on the extreme right of these public ways could be conducted safely and not interfere with vehicular traffic and established a snowmobile speed limit in these areas of 10 miles per hour. The board also recognized the MaineDOT separately established the portion of Maine Street from Manor Road to Allen Street as a snowmobile access route in 1994.

Later in the month, the board approved the purchase of a 2024 Polaris 550 Voyageur snowmobile for the sewer department. “During the budget process last year, we identified on the Capital Reserve sheet that the sewer plant was ready for a snowmobile,” Town Manager Joe Roach said. Oquossoc Marine quoted $11,261 for the snowmobile.