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At this year’s Windsor Fair Appreciation Barbecue on July 15, the Windsor Fair Association celebrated a man whose life has become inseparable from the history of the Fair itself. Tom Foster was recognized for more than five decades of dedicated service, including an extraordinary 32 years as President of Windsor Fair. The recognition was highlighted by the presentation of an official Legislative Sentiment from Senator Dick Bradstreet and Representative Bill Bridgeo, honoring Tom’s decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to Maine agriculture and the Windsor Fair. The Legislative Sentiment noted that Tom is a sixth-generation cattle farmer who began showing Guernsey dairy cattle and today continues his agricultural tradition by raising Black Angus cattle. Tom’s connection to Windsor Fair spans generations. His father served as a trustee of the Fair, Tom has served as a trustee since 1969, and today his son proudly carries on the family tradition as President of Windsor Fair. Few individuals can claim such a deep and lasting commitment to a community institution. Under Tom’s leadership, Windsor Fair experienced decades of growth while remaining true to its agricultural roots. His steady leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and passion for preserving the Fair’s mission helped ensure that Windsor Fair remained one of Maine’s premier agricultural fairs. In recognition of his remarkable legacy, the 2026 Windsor Fair Premium Book has been dedicated to Tom Foster. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose vision, integrity, and lifelong service have left an enduring mark on Windsor Fair, Maine agriculture, and the generations of families who have enjoyed the Fair because of his dedication. 

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Bubbles & Co. – Maine's New Laundry Experience Has Arrived!

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Central Maine Equipment is one of Central Maine’s Premier family-owned businesses in the Kennebec Valley. The Wheeler family picked up the reins of this long-time community staple lawn and tractor dealership on the Garland Road in Winslow 2023. Mike Shuckrow and his dad had been serving the needs of local commercial landscaping companies and homeowners for many years. Parts and service were the key to keeping lawns mowed and projects completed. Omar Wheeler and his son Jake, who were friends of Mike’s and long-time customers, had the opportunity to purchase the business three and a half years ago. Cub Cadet and Echo were two of the original dealerships brands and since that time they have added Bad Boy, Toro, Fisher Snow Plows, Eskimo, Ion, and more. They were offered the Mahindra tractor and diesel utility vehicle franchise for the Central Maine area after the sudden closing of another local dealer. I asked Jake what he attributes his steady business growth to and he said it all comes down to seven key things:  They upgraded the facility. Added the TAO Motor franchise, a youth-based line of off-road go-karts, dirt bikes, and ATVs. Hired experienced technicians and continued their pick-up and delivery service. They recreated the showroom into a bright, ever-changing display area where customers can take a look at the newest models available and expanded the outside model display area to showcase many more options. Used equipment is also available. The Wheeler family is on site at all times. Jake, his dad, and brother-in-law Joe, man the front desk so both phone calls and walk-in customers can be helped quickly. They learned quickly that knowing the parts for many models was key to finding exactly what is needed. Detailed conversations including parts numbers help them find and order the parts if necessary. They take calls from around Maine and beyond to service customers’ needs. Lastly, Jake said they love what they do! Everyday is a challenge. Something new to learn and experience has helped them build the “Wheeler Team.” Together they take on the challenges of each new day! Central Maine Equipment & Motorsports is the real deal: a family-owned and operated business with the belief that good customer service, product knowledge, and fair pricing will keep Mainers coming back time after time. Stop by Central Maine Equipment in Winslow for their summer sale today! 56 Garland Road, Winslow, ME (207) 873-4945 Open Mon–Fri 7:30AM–5PM & Sat 9AM–2PM www.centralmaineequipment.com

You know hope is in the air when you see a young family from Rome, Maine make the decision to create solutions for their fellow Mainers’ ever-changing energy needs in 2026 and beyond. Dereck Shaw, a Master Electrician with 20 years electrical experience, is the owner of CDS Energy Services. He puts his skills to work offering residential, commercial and industrial electrical installations. He services projects large and small, including solar and off-grid installations. Dereck attended Kennebec Valley Community College’s Electrical Technology program in 2007- 2009, adding a 608 Heat Pump Certificate in 2022. The CDS team is passionate about quality electrical work and customer satisfaction. They offer a variety of electrical services helping Mainers complete their projects across the Central Maine area, and beyond. CDS Energy Services has a wide range electrical experience from new construction and vintage homes, panel upgrades, service upgrades, EV chargers, above ground services, underground services, utility pole setups, commercial lighting solutions, industrial applications and much more! Dereck is an official Generac Generator Dealer. They install and service existing Generac generators. Dereck is also a Samsung Heat Pump official dealer. He will work with the property owners to design the best heating and cooling options available for our ever-changing weather temperatures. CDS Energy Services works with Efficiency Maine offering rebates to homeowners for heat pumps, lighting solutions for commercial business owners and EV chargers. They offer a few different options for financing for heat pumps or generators. Dereck is happy to consult on which options are most efficient for you. Dereck is a puzzle-solver! His eyes light up when he studies each piece of a homeowner’s project and finds solutions not only to make their home or commercial space more efficient, but look stunningly attractive as well. New outside lighting or motion detector sensors adds beauty and safety to your property. Dereck provides timely on-site estimates and schedules your installation as soon as possible. He is blessed to have his wife Sarah working with him making follow up communications with his clients flow smoothly. If you are in the market to create better electrical connections, Dereck Shaw is the Master Electrician for you! This fellow Mainer will work hard to update your home or business to make it energy efficient right here in Central Maine. For more information, visit cdsenergy207.com today!

April 30, 2026 will be the last day that Juliette’s Bakery & Deli in Waterville will be open. Gerard Turmelle, Juliette’s current owner, is ready to retire. Gerard has steered the Juliette’s helm since 2020. His sister, Juliette, opened the bakery and deli in 2009. She shared her baking skills and creative menu with us locals, to provide freshly made whoopie pies, lemon squares, bread, pies, and the most amazing fresh made deli sandwiches and fresh dough pizza all in a sparkling clean facility. The business and the building are on the market with Coldwell Banker Plourde for the unbelievable price of $275,000. All equipment is included plus the two apartments upstairs will offset the mortgage. The Turmelle family has been a fixture in the north end since 2000. Gerard’s brother, Arthur, who owns the building, has agreed to sell the property as part of a package deal. Gerard says it was a very hard decision to retire and he will feel very sad to say goodbye. He said he has an amazing staff and most of all, wonderful customers! He will miss seeing all of his patrons, but feels he wanted time to enjoy his retirement while in good health. Gerard is a very humble, down to earth man, and credits his customers and What About Maine? Trivia Magazine for putting them on the map. Folks from near and far have found their way to Ticonic Street and Juliette’s. It is the only advertising he uses. Customers love winning Juliette’s gift cards. Even to this day he sees new faces. He says many tell him that they saw his ad in What About Maine?. The winners joyfully hand over their gift cards with a big smile! There will be two “Last Gift Card Winners” – one will be from the magazine, and one from our What About Maine? Facebook page. An original, one-of-a-kind framed gift card signed by the staff will be given out to be used before closing. You could be the owner of a piece of Juliette’s history! Be sure to enter the April contest at WhatAboutMaine.com or enter on our Facebook page. Gerard would like the new owners to know that the key to his success was to do these things every day: Treat everyone with respect and get to know your customers Keep the store spotlessly clean Serve excellent Food at a reasonable price Be good to your staff Take time for yourself and family Juliette’s Bakery & Deli will be an opportunity for someone to build generational wealth, working together and bringing the central Maine community the food they love at the unbelievable price of $275,000 with everything included! For more information about purchasing the property, contact Coldwell Banker Plourde at 207-872-7650 or teamnatole@cbplourde.com.

You know that spring is coming when you see the steam from the sugarhouse evaporator streaking skyward. The aroma of sweet maple syrup overwhelms you when you enter any Maine Sugarhouse. You should take advantage of the opportunity to visit several locations during Maine Maple Sunday Weekend. It will delight every family member. Activities like horse or tractor rides through the sugarbush, Easter egg hunts, sugarhouse tours and lots of maple treats, including maple cotton candy, whoopie pies, maple syrup topped ice cream, and so much more. Central Maine is home to a large variety of sugarhouses, all specializing in their uniquely crafted flavors. You might prefer the lighter amber syrup from Raider’s Sugarhouse, to Black Owl’s hardy robust dark syrup. Both tickle your taste buds in different ways. Ask them questions and learn their secrets to capturing the flavor of each grade of syrup. Bacon Farm Maple Products is known for their variety of products they produce with pure Maine maple syrup. They make maple coated nuts of all varieties, maple habanero hot sauce, freeze dried maple marshmallows, and homemade smoked maple BBQ sauce, just to name a few. Wilson’s Family Maple products in Benton bring the syrup to a perfect boil and fill their orders across Maine. Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is the first sign that spring is on our doorstep and mud season is in full swing. All Maine sugarmakers work diligently on call 24/7 for 6 to 8 weeks. They boil until they have processed all of that day’s gathered sap. As long as the days are warm and the nights are cold, the sweet fragrance of maple will steam skyward. Celebrate spring 2026 by giving yourself and your family a true “Maine Experience” by visiting our many Maine sugarhouses on Maine Maple Sunday Weekend March 21–22. For a list of sugarhouses and events go to www.mainemapleproducers.com for one in your area.

Tucked away inside Maine’s Capitol is a Life Skills Program filled with smiling faces, meaningful connections, and good old-fashioned competition. With an ever-growing group of members who read What About Maine? , compete each month to earn the highest trivia score, and race to finish word searches the fastest, we knew we had to stop by and hear their story. It all began when Jon, a member of the group, discovered the paper and started answering the trivia with Coach Kevin. Nearby, Shawn was working on a puzzle when he overheard and wanted to join. The rest is history. Before long, members and staff alike were recruited to take part. During our visit, we met Jon and Shawn, along with Nate, Chris, Zack, Tina, and several staff members. The group shared how much they look forward to each new issue, eager to see who answered the most trivia questions correctly. Some of their favorite questions are the ones with funny or unexpected answers, which had both staff and members laughing as they recalled past moments. The group also enjoys the recipes featured in "Food for You & ME," often trying them out or printing them to take home. Strongly connected to their community, the group frequently checks the What About Maine? Events Calendar. When asked about their sense of community, members shared that they enjoy shopping together, exercising at the YMCA, participating in local competitions, and attending sporting events, visiting museums, local fairs, and even amusement parks. Some members are part of Special Olympics bowling and swimming teams, while many volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the local food pantry. When asked why they volunteer, the answer was unanimous: “It feels good to help others!” When we asked staff about their favorite parts of the program, the answer echoed that same joy. Coordinator Courtney said, “Just seeing them happy!” Staff members smiled, and so did the group. Coach Kevin added, “We try to make anything they might want happen.” That sparked an interesting question: if What About Maine? were to expand, what should we add? Chris didn’t hesitate – he suggested a joke section, which earned instant approval from the group. Next month, members will attend A Night to Shine (Tim Tebow Foundation), a prom-like event where they’ll dress to the nines, ride in limousines, walk the red carpet, receive crowns, enjoy dinner and dancing, and create unforgettable memories. It’s clear that this group’s joy extends far beyond their home in Augusta. With winter upon us, staying connected and involved can be challenging. While we’d love to say that What About Maine? alone is the cure for the winter blues, the truth runs deeper. Jon, Shawn, Nate, Chris, Zack, and Tina showed us that laughter, friendly competition, good food, time spent with friends, helping others, and focusing on what brings you joy (including What About Maine? ) are the real ingredients for staying connected all year long. Thank you all for inviting us to visit and for sharing your afternoon with us!