Updated: Local cancellations in response to COVID-19 concerns

AMERICAN LEGION GEORGE BUNTEN POST 10

American Legion George Bunten Post 10 in Livermore Falls has canceled its Saturday, March 21 fundraising supper.

CARRABASSETT VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Carrabassett Valley Public Library & Community Center will be closed to the public until further notice. Weather permitting there will be a box or cart outside with books from our used book swap so help yourself. WiFi will still be available 24/7.

FRANKLIN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

While the environment around us is uncertain, we feel it is in the best interest of our community to close to the public through Monday, March 30th, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. We will communicate any changes to our reopening date with you here on our Facebook page as well as https://fcanimalshelter.org.

If you are interested in adopting an animal, we are able to do adoptions by appointment. You can view our available animals at https://fcanimalshelter.org under the OUR ANIMALS tab, or by visiting our Facebook Available Cats album or Available Dogs album. To meet an animal you are interested in adopting, please email info@fcanimalshelter.org.

Franklin County Animal Shelter is committed to our animal-loving community. Our dedicated staff is still here caring for our animals daily. We are practicing social distancing, limiting community contact in our facility, while still providing the highest level of care to the animals dependent on us.

FRANKLIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

The Franklin County Extension Showcase, originally scheduled for 4-7:30 p.m., April 9, Saint Joseph Parish, 133 Middle Street, Farmington, has been canceled. It will be rescheduled.

Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension is making the decision to cancel indoor events of more than 20 attendees happening through April 10.

For further information contact Tiffany Wing, 207-778-4650 or 1-800-297-1478.

FARMINGTON ROTARY PRICE IS RIGHT

Due to health concerns, and venue availability, the Farmington Rotary Price is Right fundraiser has been postponed until this fall. The event was scheduled to take place on March 28 at Mt. Blue campus.

FARMINGTON

The Farmington Board of Selectmen will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to consider postponing the annual Town Meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, March 30.

FARMINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER

Due to the concern for public health, Farmington Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Foster announced: The Farmington Community Center will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16th and will remain closed until March 30th, at which time we will reassess the situation and consider whether or not we will be re-opening to the public at that time.

All programs, rentals, and activities have also been canceled for the next 4 weeks (until April, 10th) at which time we will again reassess the situation and make a decision at that time when we will resume normal programming and facility use.

Our staff will be contacting all program participants today to update them on the situation and full refunds or prorated refunds will be issued in the form of checks paid to program participants and rental customers.

As a Department whose sole purpose is to “Bring our community alive” through providing public spaces for leisure services such as events, athletics, activities and other programming, we are saddened by the need to stop providing some of what we are here to do, even for a brief period of time.

Finally, I would like to encourage our residents to take this time to reflect on what a blessing it is to live in Western Maine and to call the Town of Farmington our home. The Parks are still open, so please go for a walk, enjoy a sunset, listen to the clock bells chime at Meetinghouse Parks, go bird watching at Walton’s Mill Pond Park…Fresh air, sunshine, and open spaces can heal a multitude of things.

FRANKLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOMS

Franklin Memorial Hospital is temporarily suspending the use of its conference rooms to outside groups such as self-help groups and classes, effective Saturday, March 14, in the wake of concerns over the respiratory illness coronavirus/COVID-19 inching its way into the state.

“This suspension is being done out of an abundance of caution,” said Rebecca Wood, chief nursing officer. “We apologize for any inconvenience this causes, but our primary focus is to keep our patients and staff safe.”

Anyone with questions may call Jennifer Stevens in the education department at 779-2381.

To learn more about coronavirus/COVID-19 visit https://mainehealth.org/healthy-communities/coronavirus

JAY-NILES MEMORIAL LIBRARY

RSU 73 made the decision to close schools for the next two weeks. The Jay-Niles Memorial Library will also be closed. We are waiting for guidance from the Maine State Library on the handling of materials at this time as well as general information on library services during a pandemic. As you all know, this situation is unprecedented…so please bear with us. All fines will be waived and the book drop will be available for you to drop off your materials. Please check back regularly for updates.

MAINE MOUNTAIN QUILTERS

Meetings and workshops are canceled until further notice.

MAINE SCHOOLS SPRING SPORTS

The Maine Principals Association has postponed the beginning of the spring high school athletics season from Monday, March 23 to Monday, April 27.

MT. BLUE AREA GARDEN CLUB

Mt Blue Area Garden Club meeting on March 17 held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Farmington Falls Road, Farmington has been canceled.

MT. BLUE SPRING SPORTS MEETING

The Mt. Blue High School spring sports meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16, has been canceled. Individual team meetings for student-athletes only will be scheduled during the two-week period prior to the April 27 start date. As these meetings are planned and scheduled, they will be announced to students and the community.

NORLANDS LIVING HISTORY CENTER

Norlands LivingHistory Center in Livermore is canceling Maine Maple Sunday activities on March 22. The pancake breakfast and maple sugaring scheduled for March 22 has been canceled.

NORTH CHESTERVILLE EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS

The North Chesterville Extension Homemakers are canceling their March 24th meeting at the Chesterville Town Office. We regret any inconvenience but feel it is better to err on the side of caution. FMI: Leave a message at 778-3156.

NORTH LIVERMORE BAPTIST CHURCH

No office hours, Bible studies, choir, or workshops this week; will reassess next week.

REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT 9

Schools will be closed to students through March 27.

REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT 73

Schools will be closed to students through March 27.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT 58

Schools will be closed to students through March 27.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension is making the decision to cancel indoor events of more than 20 attendees happening through April 10.

The Franklin County Extension Showcase, originally scheduled for April 9 has been canceled. There are plans to reschedule the event at a later date.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTION

The University of Maine at Farmington announced that starting Wednesday, March 18, all campus buildings will be closed to the public until further notice in an effort to help curb the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19.

UMF faculty, staff, and students who have key or key-card access to campus buildings will continue to be able to enter those facilities, with the exception of Mantor Library, which will be closed to all visitors beginning Wednesday, March 18.

“As we have always taken great pride in inviting the citizens of western Maine to enjoy using many of our campus spaces, this decision was an especially hard one to make,” said UMF President Edward Serna. “But the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic require that we take this measure to help curb the spread of the disease and ensure the health and well-being of everyone in our community.”

For the latest University of Maine System updates that affect students, faculty and staff at all seven UMS campuses, please see the UMS Health Advisory site.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON FITNESS AND RECREATION CENTER

The University of Maine at Farmington announced that its Fitness and Recreation Center will close Tuesday, March 17, through Sunday, March 29, in an effort to minimize social contact in the community and help safeguard patrons and staff from the spread of COVID-19.

All FRC programs, reservations, rentals, and activities will be suspended during the closure. Below is a brief Q&A that will hopefully address many of your questions about the closure. If you have questions not answered below, please contact Ben White, Director of Fitness and Recreation, at benjamin.j.white@maine.edu.

Why have you decided to close?

State, Federal, and public health officials worldwide recommend that social contact be minimized in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. Despite our initial measures to prevent/minimize transmission of the disease, we’ve determined that these efforts will not be sufficient. Therefore, UMF leadership and the FRC staff feel that the most responsible measure is to close the facility in an effort to ensure that we don’t contribute to the spread of the virus.

How will my membership be handled?

In general, memberships will be extended for the duration of the closure. In other words, memberships will be extended for the number of days the FRC is closed. For people who hold perpetual memberships, we will not charge individuals for any future time we are closed. Credits for the March closure will be issued at the next automatic billing cycle when the FRC reopens.

Given the variety of different membership options, we realize that these approaches might not accommodate every membership type. For patrons wishing to request changes to their membership, there will be an online form available in the coming days. For immediate questions, please email Leah Brackett, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Intramural Sports and Children’s Programs, at leah.brackett@maine.edu.

What about programs like swim lessons and Red Cross classes?

All programs are canceled during the closure. We will provide account credits in full for future sessions that have been paid for and prorated amounts for ongoing lessons. Participants will be contacted in the upcoming days with specifics regarding rescheduling and refund options. For questions regarding aquatics or Red Cross programs, please email Jennifer Pageot, Assistant Director of Aquatics and Health and Safety Educator, at jennifer.pageot@maine.edu.

UNITED WAY OF THE TRI-VALLEY AREA

In light of recent health concerns regarding COVID-19, United Way will be postponing its Celebration and Annual Meeting which was to be held on March 26. Stay tuned for a rescheduled date later this spring.

You may be wondering about other coronavirus-related activity at United Way:

We will remain open until further notice, practicing safe social distancing.
Those wishing to schedule a scan and go tax appointment can call 778-5048 to schedule a time to drop off documents and meet with Nichole Ernest.
We will be disinfecting the office daily.
All small gatherings will be limited and rooms will be cleaned after.
We are canceling all large gatherings.
We have posted links to information related to the virus on our website and facebook page.
We will continue to support 211Maine which is on the front-line of providing current and reliable information regarding COVID-19. Text your zip code to 898-211 or call 211.
We will gratefully accept contributions designated to our Very Basics Fund which supports food, fuel, and shelter provided by non-profits in the area. There will be a high demand for these services as a result of the impact the virus will have on families.

USDA/NRCS OFFICES

All Maine offices will stay open (unless a particular location is known to have an outbreak), and at least one employee on the NRCS side must be present in the office, with employees rotating teleworking through March 27th. In addition, the doors to the offices are locked, with a sign on the front door for people to call inside, and if they can confirm that they (or someone they’ve been in contact with) have not been diagnosed with COVID-19, been traveling in certain areas in the last 14 days, or don’t have certain symptoms, they can be let inside.

WARMING CENTERS

The Warming Centers at St Joseph (Tuesdays) and St. Rose (Fridays) are being replaced by a takeout meal initiative. Because social gatherings statewide are restricted due to coronavirus, Parish Social Ministry is shifting focus to providing meals for people to take home. Please watch the Parish Facebook page for updates, and install the myparish app (myparishapp.com) if you don’t have it.

For this week, takeout meals will be available from the St. Joseph Hall on 3/17 from 11:00 to 12:00. Takeout meals will be available from the St. Rose Hall 3/20 from 4:30 to 5:30. If we have enough volunteers, we may be able to expand that the following week to include more days. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Max Becher at max.becher@portlanddiocese.org or 897-2173 ext. 1205. Volunteer needs include making and bringing soups and other dishes to be packaged up, helping with packaging, and possibly delivering meals. We are adapting to a rapidly changing situation, so please check back for updates!

The bicentennial supper planned at St Rose on 3/20 is also canceled. Please consider making a contribution to the blessing box at either Parish as you are able.

WILTON

Wilton Board of Selectpersons meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 has been canceled. The Planning Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 19 has been postponed to April 2.

WILTON MASONS

The Masonic supper originally scheduled for 5-6:30 pm, Saturday, March 21, at the Harland M. Harnden Masonic lodge in Wilton, has been canceled.