Photos: Artist teaches ritual Ukrainian egg-decorating process

The Holocaust and Human Rights Center hosted 25 students for an egg-decorating class at the The Michael Klahr Center in Augusta. The class was led by Maine-based artist Lesia Sochor, a painter who practices the ancient ritual of transforming an ordinary egg into a “pysanka” by decorating it with ancient, often colorful designs steeped in symbolism. Sochor said that she learned to make them from her parents who fled Ukraine in the aftermath of World War II. Images are by Kennebec Journal staff photographer Joe Phelan.

Photos: Taking the plunge in support of Alfond Youth and Community Center

Painted and costumed Polar Plunge participants leap into Messalonskee Lake on Saturday as a fundraiser for the Alfond Youth and Community Center during its 30th annual Polar Plunge at the Pressey House in Oakland. Photos by Morning Sentinel photojournalist Michael G. Seamans.

Waterville announces parking ban

Waterville officials have announced a downtown winter parking ban on Sunday from midnight to 6 a.m.  The Concourse and downtown should be kept clear of parking to allow the Public Works Department to clear snow from Saturday’s storm. Overnight parking will be permitted at the Head of Falls municipal parking lot.

Mexico woman dies from injuries suffered in Andover snowmobile crash

Dorothy McPherson, 46, was riding alone Saturday on an Andover trail.

Photos: Maine Legislature opens 131st session

Lawmakers met Wednesday, the first day of the new legislative session. Swearing-in Day at the Maine State Capitol is usually an exercise in pomp and circumstance, with new lawmakers getting to know each other, the process and the building and rookies and veterans alike on the hunt for good committee assignments. But between Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, becoming the first Black speaker of the House of Representatives and a looming vote on Mills’ proposed $474 million emergency winter energy relief plan, this first day of a new Legislature felt different.

Photos by Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Photos: Collecting for classrooms

Volunteers collect and organize school supplies at Vassalboro Fire Station on Saturday to be distributed to local classrooms. Photos by Morning Sentinel photographer Michael G. Seamans.

Photos: Skowhegan Fair wraps up another season

Skowhegan State Fair, which wrapped up its 10-day run Saturday, hosted three demolition derbies among its other offerings, including the final smash-’em-up event on Friday, and some harness racing on Saturday. Photos taken by Morning Sentinel photojournalist Michael G. Seamans.

Photos: OakFest returns after 2-year hiatus

The sixth annual celebration of Oakland, OakFest, runs through Monday at Messalonskee Middle School. Photos taken by Morning Sentinel photojournalist Michael G. Seamans.

Photos: 25th Maine International Film Festival

Maine International Film Festival, known widely as MIFF, opened Friday night with a concert and continues through July 17. All photos by Morning Sentinel photographer Michael G. Seamans

Photos: Waterville Opera House has first maskless show

The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s show on Friday was also the first time the venue didn’t ask for proof of vaccination since the pandemic began. All photos were taken by Morning Sentinel photojournalist Michael G. Seamans.