Welcome to OUR TOWNS Special Supplement • Morning Sentinel Thursday, May 16, 2019 Outdoor recreation Tranten family keeps program for all ages full-service grocery in soon to be a reality in business for decades Skowhegan Offers meats from local farmers BY VALERIE TUCKER “Our growth and success BY MAIN STREET SKOWHEGAN local stakeholders, the program is designed Correspondent Special to What’s Up Downtown to get Skowhegan residents of all ages active comes from decisions made outdoors and engaged with nature. owntown Farmington has a thriving busi- right here in Franklin County.” ain Street Skowhegan has been In addition to scheduling and executing ness district and Tranten’s full-service awarded grant funding from the outdoor recreation programming – from nature Dgrocery store sits conveniently on Main DONALD TRANTEN MMaine Commission for Community walks to paddling expeditions and mountain Street, a short walk from the University of Maine Service and the Corporation for National & bike training – the outdoor recreation coaches at Farmington and area shops and businesses. Community Service. The funds will be used to will recruit local volunteers who will help sustain “We offer a great selection of competitive- enroll three full-time AmeriCorps members as the program for years to come. ly-priced produce, meats, baked goods and deli outdoor recreation coaches for a three-year The coaches also will establish a gear library items in a fraction of the space of a grocery store period beginning this spring. so residents can borrow outdoor recreation chain,” said Donald Tranten. Under Main Street’s guidance, the outdoor equipment such as kayaks, snowshoes, skis, A family owned and operated business, Trant- recreation coaches will spearhead implemen- and bikes free of charge. en’s carries a wide variety of quality-brand prod- tation of the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Main Street is currently working to fill the out- ucts, but they offer their own specialty creations Recreation Program. Developed in collabora- door recreation coach positions. Learn more at that have become customer favorites. tion with the Outdoor Sport Institute and other runofriver.org/outdoor-recreation-coaches. “People love our fresh-baked World Famous Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bread,” Donald Tranten said. New Skowhegan event to offer Tranten’s offers freshly-cut pork and beef from local farmers. The daily homemade delicates- sen offerings include a variety of fresh salads, local food experiences sandwiches, soups and bakery products made right in the store. Main Street Skowhegan is teaming up with “If we don’t stock something a customer wants the Wesserunsett Arts Council and the Maine today, we can typically find that item and make it Grain Alliance on a new event, AgriCulture, available for those who ask,” Tranten said. Photo contributed that will take place Saturday, June 15 in In the Wine Alley section of the store, custom- Tranten’s Store on 180 Main Street in Skowhegan. ers will find an affordable, but sophisticated Farmington offers a full deli counter, a wide Capitalizing on Somerset County’s agricul- selection of wines. The store also stocks a selection of locally-raised beef and pork, tural bounty and ultra-local food products, large assortment of beverages, including the fresh produce and baked goods and a so- AgriCulture will feature local food experi- locally-owned and freshly-roasted Carrabassett phisticated selection of wines. The store is ences, demonstrations and workshops. The Coffee brand. Each spring, summer and fall, the open seven days a week. Weekday hours event will culminate with a festival in down- store always is stocked with local produce. Fresh are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are town Skowhegan that will include samples lettuce, beet greens, tomatoes, strawberries and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday hours are 9 from local food vendors, music and a cash corn provide a one-stop destination for local- a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, or for bar with local beer and wine. ly-grown products. weekly sales flyers, coupons and specials, There will be numerous opportunities for at- “We offer lots of great money-saving buys in visit trantens.com or call 778-2202. tendees to learn more about where products our weekly sales flier,” Tranten said. “We post come from through first-hand experiences. the flyers online, so customers can plan their More details will be available soon at grocery list before they head out the door.” community projects, including support for the agriculturemaine.org. Tranten’s owners pride themselves on its annual Kingfield Pops concert each summer. superb customer service and its friendly and Donald Tranten has served as past chairman of Karen Segler photo knowledgeable staff who make the shopping the planning committee, and the family provides Local handcrafted cheese will be one of experience as enjoyable and convenient as financial support. Neal Tranten has served for the features of the new AgriCulture event this year. possible. many years on the board of the Franklin County “Our growth and success comes from Children’s Task Force. decisions made right here in Franklin County,” Clay Tranten said his grandparents, Harold Donald Tranten said. “We reinvest our earnings and Mary Tranten, first opened their business in and time in the local communities we serve.” The family has been very involved with More TRANTEN, PAGE 4 Franklin County announces events May 20 Franklin County is a unique blend of sophis- RANGELEY RUKABI RACE ticated culture and laid-back charm amidst Rangeley RuKaBi Race - 12 noon - 2 p.m. natural beauty. Have you ever wanted to stroll Run 3.5 miles, Kayak 1.5 miles and Bike 3.5 down a vibrant downtown area while visiting miles. FMI: Call 207-864-5571 or 207-864- local galleries, unique shops and eateries and 3055 within the same mile be able to walk down beautiful trails within miles of tranquil forest? May 31 Anonymous $31,000 donated to How about hike a glacial rock formation and LIVERMORE FALLS HISTORY NIGHT ride a train on a track that’s more than a hun- CRUISE-IN Skowhegan’s Run of River Project dred years old, all within the same day? With Downtown Livermore Falls Live band music our many pristine lakes and breathtaking from 5 to 8 p.m. Tractor rides by Jason & An anonymous donor recently gave U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maine Depart- mountains, it’s not hard to explore or discover Richard Gibbs. Art in the the Park. Plant sale $31,000 for the Run of River Whitewater ment of Environmental Protection and U.S. your favorite outdoor experience. by Treat Memorial Library. The Paper and Recreation Area, a proposed whitewater Fish and Wildlife Service. Total permitting Heritage Museum open 4 to 8 p.m. Condi- park and expanded trails network that will costs are expected to be $180,000. The While in Franklin County stop by one of the tions pending, we may have train rides at the be located in and around the Kennebec committee has submitted several grant ap- events below. museum, food vendors, and more! River Gorge in downtown Skowhegan. plications to raise the remaining $149,000 The donation brings the total raised for and hopes to apply for permits this summer. UPCOMING EVENTS: June 1 Run of River in the last nine months to The committee is planning for construction May 18 LITERACY VOLUNTEERS ANNUAL BOOK $124,000. This includes a $25,000 grant of the whitewater park – three whitewater ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND SALE & LITERACY FESTIVAL from the Quimby Family Foundation, a features for playboating (where the paddler GOLF TOURNAMENT Festival starts at 9 a.m. at the Farming- $25,000 matching gift from a Maine Com- performs various technical moves in one Held at Turner Highlands, 10 Highland Ave ton Elk’s Lodge, 120 School Street, West munity Foundation Donor Advised Fund, place), surfing and tubing; access trails; in Turner, the Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls Farmington. Celebrate family literacy and find $40,000 from the Somerset County Tax and terraced seating – during the summer Chamber of Commerce hosts this 18-hole golf some great books at the Literacy Volunteers Increment Financing Community Benefits of 2021. This timing will coincide with the scramble tournament to raise funds for schol- amazing annual book sale! Fund and $3,000 raised via Skowhegan installation of a fish passage apparatus at arships awarded to RSU 73 students. FMI: Sit in on an origami lesson, watch shadow River Fest event proceeds. upriver Weston Dam and ensure low water www.jay-livermore-lf.org or 207-500-2464. puppet theater and a magic show, listen to a “We’re so grateful to the donor for this levels for construction in the gorge. read-aloud, or visit the animals in Fred and amazing gift,” said Kristina Cannon, Run Total funds raised for the $5.3 million May 19 Matilda’s Petting Zoo. of River Committee member and Main whitewater park now exceed $1.56 million. SUGARLOAF MARATHON Lots of great food, $2 raffle tickets on Satur- Street Skowhegan executive director. “We In addition to pursuing grant funding, the Eustis Maine’s oldest continuously running day for bikes, games, and movie tickets. can’t thank them enough for believing in committee is gearing up for a major fund- Marathon is an official qualifier for the Boston All proceeds benefit Literacy Volunteers of Skowhegan, this project and the vision for raising campaign to help raise the addition- Marathon, a notably fast course known for Franklin and Somerset Counties. community transformation through outdoor al $3.7 million. PRs, and a strict limit of 2,000 participants, Book donations will be accepted at the Elk’s recreation.” For more information, please see runof- registration will sell out quickly.