News Briefs

SAD 29 plans changes for lunch program
    HOULTON — SAD 29 students will be returning back to school on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Along with the start of a new school year, there will be a few changes in the school lunch program.
    The price for full paid lunches will be $2.05 preK-3 and $2.30 for grades 4-12. This is due to a new federal regulation. Adult lunches will remain at $3.50. Breakfast prices will remain at $1 for full paid, free for reduced and $1.50 for adults.
    Due to changes in enrollment and the sensitivity of allergies to fish and peanuts, Wellington Elementary School will be peanut and fish free. Sunbutter/jelly sandwiches will be offered instead of peanut butter and jelly. Houlton Elementary will no longer be peanut or fish free, but will have a peanut-free table. When fish is on the menu at SAD 29, Wellington will be offered another entrée instead of fish. They will have their own menu. It will still be the same as Houlton Elementary with the exception of peanut butter and on fish day.
    The federal government has proposed that all flavored milk in the school lunch program be made with fat-free milk. In anticipation of this law passing, Houlton Farms Dairy will be providing the School Lunch Program with fat free chocolate milk.
    There will be potable water with cups available for all students during lunch time at all schools.Concert gives a boost to area food pantries
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
    CARIBOU — Catholic Charities of Maine has always received a tremendous amount of community support, but helping the local food pantry took on a whole new level of fun on Aug. 20, when country stars Big and Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy took the stage at Spud Speedway for Feed the County Summerfest.
    Approximately 4,600 turned out for the show and while ticket sales were lower than event organizers had hoped for, the fundraiser still means plenty of money for Catholic Charities in Caribou to assist with their mission of stocking food pantries in northern Maine.
    “This event raised awareness about Feed the County, we know that we’ve raised some money for the cause, and people in The County got to have a good time and see a show like no other right here in Caribou,” said Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney. An exact amount of how much money was raised for Catholic Charities was unavailable at presstime, but Program Director of Catholic Charities in Caribou Dixie Shaw didn’t need an exact figure to be pleased with the event’s success.
Aroostook Republican photo by Natalie Bazinet
ON STAGE — National Guard Sgt. Ryan Merritt of Littleton was called onto the stage by members of the Xtreme Muzik Tour in honor of his service to the country.
    “I think The County has always supported us and this is a great chance for them to get something back,” Shaw said. “Not only are [concert-goers] supporting their neighbors who have less than they do, they’re having an opportunity to see some great bands and have a great time right here in Aroostook County.”
    “I couldn’t be happier,” she added.
    Talented musicians put on a show so good, it was borderline country-converting — or at least it was for one Caribou man.
    Dave Faye said that he’s never been into country music and traditionally prefers rock, but after seeing the talents showcased through Feed the County Summerfest, “I’m thinking about becoming a country music fan,” he said, adding that event planners should be commended for their efforts.
    Aside from major headliners, concert goers were able to enjoy performances from Neon Highway, Kelly Parker Band and Common Crossing.
    Through efforts of organizers like Shaw, Haney and John Swanberg of Aroostook Savings and Loan, the venue drew country fans from all over Maine and New Brunswick and license plates from states spanning the East Coast speckled the parking lot.
    Whether grasping onto the crowd-control gate at center stage, enjoying a beverage in the beer tent or gazing at the unfolding show from the bleachers, everyone seemed to be dancing, singing, clapping or tapping their toes along to the music of Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich and of course, the rhythmic rapping of Cowboy Troy.
    Stationary galloping is also included in that list of musically induced movements, but only during segments of Big and Rich’s performance of “Save a Horse, (Ride a Cowboy)” during which the bleachers literally bounced as female fans pantomimed the lyrics.
    But the crowd went wild when, as the country stars have done along their Xtreme Muzik tour, they dedicated a portion of their show to honoring local veterans.
    National Guard Sgt. Ryan Merritt was even invited on stage for a song and a drink (of soda) while his fellow guardsmen stood in front of the stage, saluting a recently raised flag.
    An Iraq veteran, Merritt got to sit at the stage’s bar with Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson while Big and Rich sang “8th of November,” a song that “is probably the most important song we ever wrote,” Big Kenny said, dedicating the song to veterans in the audience.
    Merritt didn’t know he’d be honored by the country celebrities until a few hours before the performance. While he mentioned that he was a bit apprehensive about being on stage in front of all those people, “it was awesome,” Merritt said. “Very memorable.”
    Assistant Program Director for Catholic Charities of Caribou Debbie Pelkey said she only heard good things from the crowd.
    “Everything’s been positive, everyone thinks we had a good turnout and they’re all glad to be here and glad to support the cause,” Pelkey said.
    Shaw, known for her own level of positive energy, enthusiastically thanked everyone in attendance.
    “I want to say a big thank you to all of you for coming here tonight; we’re helping to feed a lot of people in Aroostook County,” she said.