Seminar on aging parents coming to Brunswick
BRUNSWICK — People Plus and Mid Coast-Parkview Health will continue their series focusing on resources to help with aging parents and aging during a seminar on Thursday, Jan. 10. The event runs from 12-1:30 p.m. at People Plus on Union Street.

The seminar will include a presentation about housing by Carrie Pelletier, a registered nurse and the program manager of marketing and admissions for Mid Coast Senior Health Center.

Dealing with the challenges presented as we age can be both tricky and frustrating. If we are lucky enough to still have parents by the time we hit our 50s, then helping them navigate the journey of aging can be an additional challenge. Where will they live? How do you have the talk about giving up the car keys? What are the legal issues that arise? These questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dealing with aging parents.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 729-0757 or visit peopleplusmaine.org.

Art reception at Topsham library to kick off annual exhibit
TOPSHAM — The town library will hold a reception to kick off the annual juried art exhibit from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19. The show features original artwork by year-round Maine residents who are both amateur and professional artists.

Prizes will be awarded in categories including mixed media/other media, oil/acrylic, pastels and watercolor. The exhibit will hang in the Crooker Gallery through Feb. 23. The public may vote for their favorite work until Wednesday, Feb. 20. The People’s Choice Award will be presented when the exhibit closes.

For more information, call 725-1727 or visit topshamlibrary.org.

Mt. Ararat student receives national band honor
TOPSHAM — Mt. Ararat junior Katie Callahan was one of 121 musicians nationwide selected for the National Association of Music Education’s All-National Honor Ensemble concert band. Callahan traveled with her family to Orlando Nov. 28 to perform in the ensemble, and she was one of only two Mainers to earn a spot in the group. It’s a chance to not only showcase talent but learn under the direction of leaders in the field of music education.

Callahan, who plays alto saxophone, said the chance to play and bond with some of the country’s most talented young musicians was a lasting memory. She was surrounded by people who love music just as much as she does, or more, and everything they said was about music.

According to band director Ben Cox, Callahan’s success comes from setting goals and the work she puts in to achieve them. He said she’s one of few students that’s consistently practicing every day and it’s paying off in a big way.

Callahan’s interest in music took off in fifth grade. While classical music is her favorite, she said that her Spotify playlist is an eclectic mix of over 2,000 songs. Much like the limitless playlist, Callahan hoped to expand her opportunities in music when she sent in her audition video for the national ensemble.

Cox, in his first year as the band instructor at Mt. Ararat, knew he had a talented musician before he knew anything about Callahan’s drive to improve. Cox heard the talent right away.

Earning a spot on the band reinforced Callahan’s hopes to continue playing after high school. She plans to study science in college but wants to minor in music. For now, as a junior in high school, there’s another chance to reach nationals next year.

Mills picks Topsham resident with Bath roots to lead DOT
PORTLAND — Gov.-elect Janet Mills says she will nominate Bruce Van Note to serve as the next Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation.

Van Note, currently the Director of Policy and Planning at the Maine Turnpike Authority, has 25 years of professional transportation work experience in Maine, including 12 years as deputy commissioner at MaineDOT, where he managed the department.

“Bruce’s experience and skills make him well-qualified to lead the Maine Department of Transportation,” said Mills. “As a member of the Legislature and as Attorney General, I became familiar with his depth of knowledge, policy acumen, and reputation for honesty – all of which will serve the people of Maine well. I look forward to working with Bruce to craft policy initiatives to improve and enhance our state’s transportation system and to better position Maine to thrive into the future.”

Van Note, 58, is a member of the planning board in Topsham, where he lives with his wife, Susan. They have four adult sons.

In 2017, he was awarded the Spirit of America Award for outstanding community volunteerism by the Sagadahoc County Commissioners.

Van Note, an engineering graduate, attorney and professional land surveyor, was born in Houlton and grew up in Bath. He earned a B.S. in Surveying Engineering with highest distinction honors from the University of Maine in Orono, and a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law in Portland.

Van Note previously owned and operated a small surveying and land use consulting firm in the Brunswick area; had a part-time solo legal practice specializing in alternative dispute resolution, land use, and real estate; and was an associate attorney focused in real estate at an Auburn law firm.

Van Note currently serves as the director of policy and planning for the Maine Turnpike Authority, a position he has held since 2014.

From 2002 to 2014, Van Note served as Deputy Commissioner of MaineDOT where he participated in the envisioning, drafting, and passage of almost every major piece of state transportation legislation, including Highway Fund budgets, general obligation bonds, multimodal funding, transportation debt policy, prioritization of state highways, local road assistance, design-build contracting, public-private partnerships, and the Turnpike reform bill.

If confirmed, as Commissioner Van Note will be responsible for a transportation system that includes 8,818 miles of state highway, 2,742 bridges, airports, seaports, railroads, transit buses, and ferries.  MaineDOT has annual expenditures that average $650 million per year and has almost 2,000 employees.