Mainer women on a roll at international event

As much of the world turned to watch the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Maine was also well-represented in another elite international sporting event: the Roller Derby World Cup in Manchester, U.K., which took place in early February. After months of training, skaters, officials and others from Maine recently participated in the growing international event, representing Team Korea, Team Greece, Team Indigenous, and serving on the officiating crew.

Melanie Tingdahl of Portland has been a member of Maine Roller Derby since 2014 and competed with Team Korea Roller Derby this year.

“Being able to play for Team Korea was a dream come true,” Tingdahl said. “To me, the tournament was not just about winning or showing off skills, but about representing my family’s heritage.”

Christina “Beth Salts” Bouras of South Portland has been a member of Maine Roller Derby since 2013 and first skated with Team Greece Roller Derby in 2014 with only about a year of skating experience. Bouras said since that time, she has been pushing herself to grow as a skater.

“Being involved in my second Roller Derby World Cup has been an amazing experience,” Bouras said, “Being on a team with other strong Greek women makes me appreciate my culture in a new way, and I was honored to fight with them on track.”

Alex “BarbaRusky” Petroff of Brunswick is a member of Casco Bay Roller Derby and also represented Team Greece as a coach. Petroff described the experience as one of the most rewarding coaching experiences of his life. “It is a wonderful feeling to take skaters from teams across the world of all different styles, put them together in a team, build some crazy strategies, see the bonds form, throw them against the best skaters from other countries, and watch them shine.”

Calvary Cemetery groundskeeper honored 

The lifesaving efforts of a Calvary Cemetery groundskeeper were recognized by the South Portland Fire Department during a ceremony held at the cemetery Feb. 27. 

Members of the fire department presented Ralph Conant with a Community Service Recognition commendation for coming to the rescue of a man who had fallen from his wheelchair on a frigid January day.

“His actions definitely made a huge difference. It’s the smallest things sometimes that make the biggest difference, and we wanted to recognize that,” said Capt. Christopher Copp, who presented the award.

Conant was driving through the cemetery late in the afternoon when he saw something amiss behind the maintenance garage. Not sure what it was, he went to investigate and discovered that a man had fallen from his wheelchair, which had become stuck on the ice and snow. The man had cuts on his arms and appeared to have been struggling for some time.

“He had gotten off to try to free himself and, then, actually fell down in the snow, and trying to get up, most of his clothing had gotten soaked in the snow, and he was well on his way to hypothermia. We were probably about 45 minutes away from dark, so if Ralph hadn’t noticed him and called us, the gentleman never would have made it through the night,” Copp said.

Conant tried to lift the man himself, but had to call the fire department for assistance.

Copp said the fire department wanted to recognize Conant because it is important that citizens step in to help.

“We love it when people get involved and make our job easier, so we just wanted to say thank you and make sure everybody knew what he did,” said Copp.

Several family members attended the awards ceremony, but Conant said he also wished his mother, who has passed away, could have also been there because it was her example that he was following.

“My mom would be proud. I know that,” Conant said. “She raised me to always be there for others and to help others.” 

Certified

Maine Medical Center has been certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level of stroke certification a hospital can receive. 

Recognition

Assistant Majority Leader Amy Volk, R-Cumberland, was honored Feb. 2 with the Friends of Private Practice Award from NorthEast Private Practice Network at a ceremony in Freeport. She and Sen. Rod Whittemore, R-Somerset, received the recognition for sponsoring and/or supporting LD 445, “An Act To Encourage Maine Consumers To Comparison-shop for Certain Health Care Procedures and To Lower Health Care Costs.”

New Ventures

Gail Donovan, library assistant at the Portland Public Library, has been signed by Islandport Press in Yarmouth. Donovan will release her latest middle-grade novel, “Finchosaurus,” this fall.

Portside Real Estate Group recently celebrated the opening of its new Falmouth headquarters with an official ribbon cutting and open house attended by over 100 members of the community at 417 Route One. 

Hires, promotions, appointments

CBRE | The Boulos Company has promoted Tim Millett to associate broker. Millett grew up in Auburn and attended North Yarmouth Academy.

Scot E. Draeger of Falmouth has been named director of Wealth Management and General Counsel at Portland-based R. M. Davis wealth management firm.

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