Ninevah Purinton pushes a cart Thursday in Waterville that is filled with tulips, daffodils, party decorations and others items for a surprise party to celebrate the 18th birthday of her daughter, Sasha. Purinton says she bought the party items at a local store and is walking home to decorate for the gathering. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Rafters bump a cataract Sunday, March 20, on the Sheepscot River in Whitefield. Heavy rain and warming temperatures increased the river’s flow, attracting paddlers to run between Whitefield and Head Tide Dam in Alna. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Abby Provencher holds her cards Thursday while playing with Phyllis Chamberlain, left, and Billy Cockburn in Skowhegan. The group, members of the Class of 1947 at Skowhegan High School and Bloomfield Academy, gather monthly for cards and lunch. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Tom Cote, 11, throws a pitch to his brother, Isaac, 14, Tuesday outside their family’s Monmouth home. Isaac is practicing with Monmouth Academy’s high school team while Tom says he tosses chaos from the mound as a middle school pitcher. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

The Pledge of Allegiance is recited Saturday, March 19, to open the Albion Town Meeting at the firehouse in Albion. Pictured at left are Selectmen Scott Cyrway, front, Mike Gardner, left, and Brent Brockway. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Tracy Johnson follows through after hitting a golf ball on the first hole on a warm and mostly sunny Friday, March 18, at Sheepscot Links Golf Course in Whitefield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Winslow head baseball coach Beth LaFountain goes over some throwing details with Ethan Loubier, center, and other players during team practice Monday, March 21, in Winslow. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

An immature Bald Eagle sits atop an ice flow Tuesday on Cobbossee Lake in Manchester. Raptors are searching for nesting locations with the arrival of spring and the largest, such as eagles and ospreys, are claiming perches near water. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, is seen through the beveled glass of Senate chamber door Tuesday during morning session at the Maine State House in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Kristian Holbrook feeds lambs born Monday, March 21, at Oaklands Farm in Gardiner. Holbrook says 80 lambs have joined the 85 sheep in the herd, with half still expecting. Holbrook said he is raising the meat and milk animals to contribute to the line of cheese he plans to craft under the product name Roxanne. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Molson, a 5-year-old yellow lab, watches Tuesday as traffic and people pass by SBS Carbon Copy on Main Street in downtown Waterville. Molson and Bentley, a 15-year-old chocolate lab, report to work in the morning with Ashlynne Stevenson, who works at SBS. Stevenson said Molson is a greeter at the store while Bentley serves as the head of customer relations. The dogs’ productivity tails off in the afternoon when they have lunch at 1 p.m. followed by an hours-long nap. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Custodian Dan Bischoff, left, climbs the ladder Tuesday to hang the flag of Ukraine during a ceremony in the cafeteria at Cony Middle and High School in Augusta. Custodian Pete Boucher holds the ladder. Flags of other nations, including Russia, are hung at the school in recognition of the heritage of students and former exchange students. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal