Noisy, plentiful acorns; obscure beech nuts

by Roland D. Hallee

While preparing breakfast last Saturday, I glanced out the kitchen window towards my recently cleaned up garden plot. While looking around I noticed some movement, and commented to my wife: “I think I have a title for a new country song, ‘There’s a squirrel in the compost pile.’”

I’m not sure how that translates to pickup trucks, bass boats and lost loves, but I’m sure it has a place in there somewhere.

Anyway, that prompted me to ask myself what could be in the compost that would interest a squirrel. After all, it has nothing more than plant stems, vines from squashes and various roots and stalks.

There were a few tiny, fledgling fruits from these items that didn’t have a chance to mature, but that would be it.

Then my mind rewound to the recently closed down camp, and the food sources out there. Nearby there is a large oak tree and a mature, but fairly young beech tree. Most of you have probably heard acorns when they fall from the trees, and land on something substantive. They sound like gunfire, exploding bombs or branches falling. They make quite a loud noise. The presence of Beech nuts, on the other hand, are hardly even noticeable.

Wildlife that consume acorns as an important part of their diets includes birds, such as jays, pigeons, some ducks and several species of woodpeckers. Small mammals include mice, squirrels and several other rodents – ahh, squirrels. Large mammals include pigs, bears, and deer. Acorns are in high demand.

Acorns are attractive to animals because they are large and efficiently consumed or cached. They are rich in nutrients and contain large amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats, as well as calcium, phosphorus and potassium, and the vitamin niacin.

Acorns are too heavy for wind dispersal, so the spreading of the seed is dependent on animals like the squirrels who cache the nuts for future use. Squirrels scatter-hoard the acorns in a variety of locations in which it is possible for them to germinate and thrive. On occasion, the odd acorn may be lost, or the squirrel may die before consuming all the acorns it has stored. A small number of acorns may germinate and survive, producing the next generation of oak trees.

As far as us humans go, acorns have frequently been used as a coffee substitute. The Confederates in the American Civil War and the Germans during World War II, which were cut off from coffee supplies by Union and Allied blockades respectively, are particularly notable past instances of this use of acorns.

Either Martha or Stewart on my porch railing, after rummaging through my compost pile, waiting for its annual allotment of chestnuts which I have not yet put out. Photo by Roland Hallee

Either Martha or Stewart on my porch railing, after rummaging through my compost pile, waiting for its annual allotment of chestnuts which I have not yet put out.
Photo by Roland Hallee

As far as the beech nuts go, again going back to camp and the beech tree near our site, there doesn’t seem to be much activity by squirrels in the area of the tree. Of course, the beech nut seems to defy gravity. It is a small nut with soft-spined husks. Although it is high in tannin content, they are bitter. The nut can be extracted by peeling back the husk, but your fingers may hurt dealing with the spines.

Maybe that is why they are not that attractive to squirrels.

Nowhere in all my research did I find any reference to wildlife that feast on the beech nut.

Beech trees are better known for other things than producing a source of food. The Beech bark is extremely thin and scars easily. Carvings, such as lovers’ initials, remain because the beech tree is unable to heal itself.

On a different note, slats of Beech wood are washed in a caustic soda to leach out any flavor and is used in the bottom of fermentation tanks for Budweiser beer. This allows a surface for the yeast to settle, so that it doesn’t pile up too deep. Beech is also used to smoke Westphalian ham, various sausages and some cheeses.

The American beech tree occurs only in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is believed that it was found coast to coast prior to the Ice Age. Now they can only be found east of the Great Plains. You will rarely find the beech tree in developed areas unless it is a left over of a forest that was cut for land development.

The beech tree is also temperamental. Some trees never produce nuts while others only spawn edible nuts in certain years.

So what was that squirrel – I could not discern whether it was Martha or Stewart, my two resident rodents – looking for that day? Probably just window shopping.

Legal Notices, Week of October 27, 2016

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
Court St., Skowhegan, ME
Somerset, SS
Location of Court
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice is October 20, 2016.

If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-A MRSA 3-804.

2016-255 – Estate of GRACE GRANT ROBERTS, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. J. Michael Talbot, Esq., PO Box 9, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-214 – Estate of ROBERT LEE McDONALD, late of Beverly Hills, FL deceased. Bonnie McDonald, Box 421, Natick, MA 01760 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-256 – Estate of ZANIE N. HIKEL, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased. John Hikel, 483 Mast Road, Goffstown, NH 03045 appointed Personal Representative.

2016 -262 – Estate of DANA SEAVEY, late of Canaan, Me deceased. Wallace Seavey, Jr., 17 Lazy Lane, Canaan, Me 04924 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-263 – Estate of JACQUELINE B. POULIN, late of Bingham, Me deceased. Lisa A. Blue, 5 Mikes Lane, W. Gardiner, Me 04345 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-265 – Estate of ALFRED W. DYER, JR. late of Moscow, Me deceased. Alfred W. Dyer, III, 14 West Street, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-267 – Estate of RIZWAN M. NOMANI, late of Norridgewock, Me deceased. Louise B. Nomani, 663 Winding Hill Road, Norridgewock, Me 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-224 – Estate of GLENN A. CAOUETTE, late of Norridgewock, Me deceased. Kim M. Caouette, 15 Megan Drive, Norridgewock, Me 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-268 – Estate of EDWARD L. BEMIS, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Denise M. Bemis, PO Box 285, St. Albans, Me 04971 and Bryan E. Bemis, PO Box 213, St. Albans, Me 04971 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2016-271 – Estate of VICTORIA A. BARRON, late of Bellwood, IL, deceased. Nancy C. Barron, 2800 Korrell Street, Bellwood, IL 60104 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-272 – Estate of LARRY G. BUCKLEY, late of Concord Township, Me deceased. Diane M. Buckley, PO Box 722, Bingham, Me 04920 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-274 – Estate of BRENT A. SHAW, late of Cornville, Me deceased. Dorothy E. Shaw, 4 Robin Court, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-275 – Estate of DANA R. HARRIS, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Martin P. Harris, 298 Belgrade Road, Oakland, Me 04963 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-276 – Estate of MARY LOUISE GREENLAW, late of Madison, Me deceased. Wayne L. Greenlaw, 229 Weeks Mills Road, South China, Me 04358 appointed Personal Representataive.

To be published on October 20 & October 27, 2016

Dated: October 17, 2016
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate

(10/27)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, SS.
SKOWHEGAN, ME

PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates. These matters will be heard at 9 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be, on November 2, 2016. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2016-269 – Estate of CHARITY SHONTELL ALOES. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Charity Shontell Aloes, 215 River Road, North Anson, Me 04958 requesting her name be changed to Charity Shontell Fletcher for reasons set forth therein.

Dated: October 17, 2016
/s/ Victoria M. Hatch
Register of Probate

(10/27)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Pursuant to the Order of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale docketed in Skowhegan District Court on 06 July 2016, Docket Number SKOWDC-RE-15-00084, in an action brought by Timothy and Nancy Ames, against Lisa M. and Michael S. Heaton, Defendants for the foreclosure of the Land Installment Contract recorded in the Somerset County Registry of Deeds in Book 4987, Page 64, the statutory ninety (90) day period having elapsed without redemption on 04 October 2016, notice is hereby given that there will be sold at public sale on 14 November 2016 at 1:00 pm, at the offices of O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips, LLC, 112 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine, all and singular the Premises described in said Mortgage.

The property to be sold is located at 11 Benjamin Way, Madison, Maine. Madison Tax Map and Lot: 007-56-B. For a more particular description please refer to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale recorded in the Somerset County Registry of Deeds in Book 5063, Page 116, which description is incorporated herein.

Terms of Sale: The Premises will be sold to the highest bidder. The purchase price is payable as follows: Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in certified funds payable to O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips, LLC as a non-refundable, earnest money deposit; the balance in certified funds within thirty (30) days thereafter. The property is being sold AS IS, WHERE IS, WITHOUT RECOURSE and no representations are made as to the condition of the property. Seller expressly reserves the right to modify the terms of the sale set forth above and to add additional terms as it so wishes. Other terms and conditions of sale, including any modifications or additions of the terms set forth above will be announced at the time of the public sale.

Timothy A. Ames and Nancy E. Ames by attorneys O’DONNELL, LEE, MCCOWAN & PHILLIPS, LLC, Bryan B Ward, Esq., 112 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine 04901, (207) 872-0112.

(10/27)

PUBLIC MEETING
MASSE DAM REMOVAL PERMIT APPLICATION

A public informational meeting will be held regarding the permit application for the removal of Masse Dam in Vassalboro. Following are details regarding the meeting and the application:

  • Meeting Date: Monday, November 7, 2016
  • Meeting Time: 6:00 PM
  • Meeting Location: Vassalboro Grange, Route 32, East Vassalboro
  • Applicant: China Region Lakes Alliance/Maine Rivers (contact: Landis Hudson); P.O. Box 782, Yarmouth, ME 04096; Phone: (207) 847-9277.
  • Statute/rules under which the application will be processed: Natural Resources Protection Act, 38 M.R.S. §§ 480-A–480-JJ (1988). NRPA Individual Permit – Tier 3 (over 43,560 Sq. feet).
  • Location of activity: Map 21 Lot 24 – Main Street Vassalboro, 44.4521 N, 69.606745 E.
  • Summary description of activity: Removal of Masse Dam. Removal of the dam structure itself will be accomplished using an excavator to remove the concrete dam and sluiceway. The existing dam buttress and dam section to the north of the sluiceway section will remain. The process will occur largely in dry conditions and to maintain flows in the Outlet Stream below the construction site.

The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public of the project and its anticipated environmental impacts, and to educate the public about the opportunities for public comment on the project.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Matt Streeter via telephone at 207-337-2611, or via email at mstreeter212@gmail.com.

(10/27)

I’m Just Curious: Organized?

by Debbie Walker

Have you ever noticed how much of a mess gets made when trying to re-organize your home? Oh, re-organize, maybe in some cases, such as mine, this is a bit of a stretch.

I am in the process now of trying to straighten out my mess. I don’t think this place has ever truly been organized. We started out with this house being a 6/6 home with six months here and six months in Florida. Instead of traveling everything up here I bought dish sets, pots and pans, even bought a crock pot for Maine.

Ken decided to get rid of the Florida home. We had a whopping big yard sale in Florida and still managed to have way too much stuff to move up here. One of the aggravating things is to love your wall art and family pics, but we had more wall space in bigger house, not enough wall space here. So I have had to find storage space. Frustrating!

OK, so it has been quite a process to find places for things we brought here. This house is smaller than the Florida home. In a fit of frustration one day I told Ken to put the pickup truck close to the door and I started throwing. Ken said something really disgusting. He said “you’re throwing out some good stuff, why don’t you have a yard sale?” The man is lucky he lived through that one! “Yard Sale, no way!”

The yard sale in Florida was an experience I don’t care to repeat. People actually stole stuff, stealing stuff at a yard sale! Oh for crying out loud!!

I really thought I was on the home stretch for getting things organized. I was actually getting close.
Ken had a porch added to the front of the house this summer. Hurray, more room. Well that didn’t last long! You know how I had the duplicate stuff here and Florida, I pretty much had the same set up for the motor home. And Ken sold it! Everything came out of the motor home and, of course, wound up on the porch. Nuts! All that did was give me another room – totally un-organized. The worst thing is yet to happen! I am going to be forced to have a porch/yard sale!

I was thinking about taking some of my craft stuff to a craft fair or two this fall but…… now I NEED to have a yard sale so I will just start dragging more stuff out to the porch. You know I have quite a few interests and if you were to ask Ken he would tell you I am a hoarder. Not true, but to a neat freak like him, my stash of supplies probably looks like just “clutter.”

Well, if you are organized in your home I am so happy for you. I appreciate your skill in keeping it organized. So if you happen upon my yard/porch sale back up your vehicle to the porch door. I’ll bet I can even un-organize your vehicle!!!

I’m just curious if I’ll ever get even semi-organized! Contact me with comments or questions at dwdaffy@yahoo.com . Sub line: organized?

REVIEW POTPOURRI: John Stewart, Pergolesi & The Time of Your Life

Peter Catesby  Peter Cates

John Stewart
Blondes

Allegiance Records AV 431, 12-inch stereo vinyl LP, recorded 1982.

John Stewart (1939-2008) was arguably one of the dozen or so finest singer/songwriters to emerge during the folk/rock era of the ‘60s. When he was picked by the Kingston Trio to replace original member Dave Guard in 1961, his singing, composing, instrumentals and comic spokesman skills added much to the live concerts and recordings for the Trio’s remaining six years before disbanding in 1968.

The launch of his solo career with 1968’s Signals through the Glass would turn out to be, because of its over-produced arrangements (although I still treasure it), a mere taste of the brilliance manifested later in California Bloodlines, Willard, Sunstorm and others over the next 40 years. His songs were stories of the American experience wrought with a uniquely original musical voice- folk, country, Aaron Copland, blues, pop and disco, all blended into the most engaging, individualistic goulash to be heard anywhere. Whether a Mississippi back road, the spectacular dark prairie skies of Nebraska or wistful memories of the woman who got away, Stewart internalized these experiences and transformed them into something very special.

1982’s Blondes is an assortment of 10 songs of exceptional quality, a standard that Stewart, for all his gifts, didn’t always sustain. The general theme is the stark, glittering reality of the early ‘80s California urban landscape, saturated with the refuse of pipe dreams, lonely hearts thousands of miles from home and other on-going forms of emotional brokenness. A few titles reveal a lot – Girl Down the River, Angeles (The City of the Angels), Queen of Hollywood High, Golden Gate; my favorite, by a tiny margin, is You Won’t Be Going Home, a piercingly eloquent four minutes of music that ranks with anything I have heard from any genre.

As so often the case, Stewart has the finest vocal/instrumental talent money can buy. Here, Lindsay Buckingham and Linda Ronstadt do a couple of backups.

Through Amazon and its vendors, Blondes is available for $9 as an mp3, 15 dollars as an LP, and 19 bucks as a CD .

Pergolesi

Stabat Mater; Teresa Stitch-Randall, soprano; Elizabeth Hoengen, alto; Anton Heiller, organ; Mario Rossi conducting the Vienna Akademiekammerchor and Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Vanguard SRV-195SD, 12-inch stereo vinyl LP, recorded mid-’50s.

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, 1710-1736, earned a precarious living composing for the Italian nobility before dying at 26 from tuberculosis. Being one of his two best known works along with the opera La Serva Padrona, these would not be heard until after the composer’s death. Stabat was commissioned by a few nobles for performance before a private gathering and had no liturgical purpose. But it has a lovely intimate, devotional quality and is sung very well by the two fine soloists and women’s choir under Rossi’s authoritative leadership.

Copies of the LP and CD start at just over $2.

The Time of Your Life

starring James Cagney, William Bendix, Ward Bond, Broderick Crawford, Tom Powers, Wayne Morris, Jeanne Cagney, James Barton, etc.; directed by H.C. Potter; produced by William Cagney; released by United Artists; 1948; 109 minutes; based on a play by William Saroyan.

This all time favorite of mine, and very underrated, deals with folks who frequent a San Francisco waterfront bar, just “being themselves!” It features some of Hollywood’s finest alpha male actors – Cagney, Morris, Bond, Crawford, etc. Special fun – just don’t bring any preconceptions !

China TIF ballot questions explained by committee chairman

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Dan L’Heureux
China Town Manager

The November 8, 2016, local ballot contains two questions requesting appropriations based on recommendations from China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee. As chairman of the TIF Committee, I wanted to provide you with information about the TIF committee and the resulting two proposed local ballot questions.

In 2015 the town of China was successful in a TIF application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, resulting in the creation of Municipal TIF District and Development Program; the District term being 20 years with a town revenue allocation projected at $5.2 million.

Projects associated with this development program are obligated to be connected directly to economic development.

The select board appointed a TIF committee to develop prospective economic development projects and to provide guidance on those projects from an original concept through an ultimate town vote for final approval of project costs. The TIF committee is obligated to be mindful of the areas within the district and within the China municipality that are eligible for approval and funding. The TIF committee has met over several months and has initially proposed the two following local ballot questions that the China Select Board has approved to be put on the November 8, 2016 ballot. A short reasoning statement is below each question and respective Select Board and Budget Committee recommendation.

Question 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $50,000 from the Development Program Fund (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of Trails Maintenance and Bridge Capital Projects/Repairs associated with the China Four Seasons Club Trails Program; said maintenance and capital projects of the Four Seasons Club to be done on the CMP Powerline in the current fiscal year.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

A major focus of China’s TIF Program application included trails maintenance. The current request is directly connected with economic development and will be used to fund much needed repairs and maintenance of trails. Our trails system attracts many visitors to the area and provides outdoor recreational options to residents.

Question 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Officers/Select Board to acquire land, more specifically described as Map 63 Lot 059-A, and further to appropriate an amount up to $10,000 from the Development Program Fund, (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of acquiring the property, and further to authorize the select board to execute said transaction as they deem in the best interest of the Town of China.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

The Causeway Road was also a specific focus of the TIF Program application and the TIF committee chose the improvement of the area as its highest priority. The proposed purchase of this land would provide options for the town as it proposes to improve Causeway Road pedestrian safety, to implement measures to improve and sustain water quality in China Lake along the Causeway Road such as erosion control and sedimentation processing, to improve recreational activities on the Causeway Road, and to enhance the aesthetics of the general area. The proposed property purchase is integral to the TIF committee plan.

Voting Guide – China: Ballot questions explained to about two dozen residents

by Mary Grow

Around two dozen residents attended China’s Oct. 17 public hearing intended to explain the dozen local ballot questions, with as many opinions as questions.

On Nov. 8, China voters will have local elections, with seven candidates for three seats on the board of selectmen and no other contests, and 12 local issues to resolve.

Voting will be in the former portable classroom beside the town office on Lakeview Drive, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available in advance.

Proposed amendments to the Land Development Code (question #3 on the ballot) generated most discussion at the hearing. The planning board proposed the changes, most of them bringing the town ordinance into conformity with state guidelines.

Former Codes Officer Scott Pierz argued that many of the changes affecting properties around China Lake would have the effect of weakening standards and reversing 25 years of comparatively stringent regulation aimed at restoring the lake’s water quality.

Emphasizing that he was not telling anyone else how to vote, Pierz said he will vote against the changes.

Two other proposed ordinance amendments, questions 1 and 2, deal with solid waste. The major change, according to Transfer Station Committee Chairman Frank Soares, is in transfer station days: if voters approve the amended Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance (question 2), the transfer station will be open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday instead of the current Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The purpose is to eliminate the long space between Saturday and Wednesday when Monday is a holiday.

Three ballot questions propose land acquisitions. Question 4 asks voters to spend up to $12,000 for a parcel of land at the head of China Lake’s east basin; question 5 asks voters to accept as a gift the subdivided Wachusetts property on the east side of Lakeview Drive opposite the former Candlewood Camps; and question 12 asks voters to take up to $10,000 from the Tax Increment Financing fund to buy a lot adjoining the town office land.

Members of the selectboard endorsed all three proposals. The $12,000 would buy the land currently used for parking at the boat landing, so that it could be improved as a parking area, they said. Selectmen Joann Austin and Ronald Breton emphasized that the town would not fill in any of the wetland on the property. The plan for development in the area, which Austin said is related to, but not dependent on, acquiring the parking area, includes installing runoff control measures.

Selectmen have no specific plans for the other pieces of land. The Wachusetts property could be home to a new China Village fire station, or the town could sell it, or, board Chairman Robert MacFarland suggested, it could accommodate a small business park. The parcel by the town office is envisioned as providing room for expanding the town office complex by additional central facilities, like the food pantry should it need to relocate or more ball fields.

Other ballot questions generated little discussion, with the exception of Question 9, asking approval to transfer $100,000 from China’s unassigned fund balance (once known as surplus) to the equipment reserve fund.

Budget Committee Chairman Robert Batteese said a majority of his committee recommended rejecting the proposal, because they believe it would reduce surplus too much. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux strongly supported the transfer; China has more than $500,000 in municipal equipment, he said, and replacing just one piece could cost up to $200,000.

The short selectmen’s meeting that followed the public hearing was, like the hearing, focused mainly on the future. Board members said:

  • On Monday, Oct. 31, MacFarland and others will again run a Halloween Trunk or Treat in the town office parking lot.
  • Because of Halloween, the next regular selectmen’s meeting is rescheduled from the evening of Oct. 31 to 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.
  • Austin and fellow board member Irene Belanger are working on developing a survey of local transportation needs to be distributed at the polls Nov. 8.

China News: Seven vie for three selectmen’s seats

by Mary Grow

The Town Line sent the seven candidates for the China Board of Selectmen a short questionnaire. Responses were received from six of the seven and are reprinted below, with minor editing. They appear in the order in which candidates’ names are listed on the ballot.

Joann Austin, Neil Farrington and Robert MacFarland are currently on the Board of Selectmen.

None of the other four has previously been a China selectman.

China polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the former portable classroom beside the town office on Lakeview Drive.

ALBERT ALTHENN did not reply to the questionnaire. Althenn, age 71, lives on Lakeview Drive and has been a candidate for selectman annually since 2010.

JOANN AUSTIN, 77, works full-time running Austin Law Office, in South China, focusing on elder law, real estate and financial advising. She summered in China from childhood and became a permanent resident 36 years ago.

She has been a selectman for the majority of her years in China and sees great value in offering a historical perspective on issues that come before the board.

Three currently important issues, she said, are keeping as much rural ambience as possible as the town grows; creating opportunities for residents to work together and know each other (thus her support for such ideas as a town beach, a central library and perhaps someday a community center); and making it easier for aging residents to stay in their homes or home town. As a selectman, she is working with Vassalboro on possible public transportation for the two towns and studying opportunities for affordable local senior housing.

WAYNE CHADWICK, 50, lives on Dirigo Road and is self-employed as an excavation contractor. He has lived in China 31 years and wrote that he would like to be a selectman in order to “have some input on how our tax dollars are being spent.”

To Chadwick, the major issue facing the town is keeping spending under control so long-time residents can afford to pay their property taxes without being forced to sell family property.

NEIL FARRINGTON, 66, lives on Weeks Mills Road and is a personal care attendant. A China native, he served in the Navy for more than 20 years and returned to China in 1997. Living off Neck Road until his house burned and now in the south end of town where he was born, he feels that he knows “the diverse demographics” of both parts of town.

Farrington would like to continue on the selectboard to use his common sense and support the common good, especially when spending the new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

The major town priority Farrington cited is providing services, like transportation and health care, to enable older residents to stay in their homes. With younger generations moving out of Maine for better jobs, elders are left alone, and therefore, “The Town needs to help and be their family,” he wrote.

JEFFREY LAVERDIERE, 55, who lives on Fire Road 19, is another China native. He owns LaVerdiere’s General Store just north of China Village and also sells sand, gravel and loam.
He is a candidate for selectman because he believes “it is time for some new members who have experience in other areas and can share our knowledge.” If elected, he wrote, “I will always do what is in the best interest of my fellow China residents.”

To LaVerdiere, the town’s biggest problem is “the topic of spending money around the lake,” an issue on which residents have many opinions. China people “are quite sensitive when it comes to decisions that affect our lake,” he observed.

ROBERT MACFARLAND, 55, the current chairman of the board of selectmen, has been a resident of China for about 10 years and lives on Alder Park Road. He is a self-employed building contractor and does lawn and garden sales.

MacFarland said he is running for re-election because, “I feel it’s important to give back to my community in ways that I feel I can best serve them.” If re-elected, he said, he will continue to do so; if not chosen, he expressed gratitude for being allowed to serve. He also apologized for missing the March town meeting, explaining that he had been ill.

MacFarland agrees with others that providing services for the elderly is important, and also mentioned the need for local services for children, to minimize travel costs for everyone. Therefore, he said, “We need to allow a responsible business community to grow along with us.”
He added, “We also have a lake water quality issue and I have an interesting idea for that too, but it’s too long and early to discuss here.”

RAYMOND ROBERT, 43, has lived on Fire Road 34 for three years. He wrote he has “always worked in the private sector” and described himself as having “a business mindset.” He currently works as a safety professional; he explained that means he works, “to keep employees safe from workplace hazards pertaining to OSHA.”

Robert listed town spending as his major concern: he wants to ensure tax dollars are spent responsibly and thinks the town “in the past has spent excessively on projects that do not benefit all tax payers.” He wrote that any surplus money should go back to taxpayers and not be spent on needless projects.

If elected, he said, “I will do my best to eliminate wasteful spending.” He offered his Twitterfeed, @rrobert7771, for anyone with questions for him.

Obituaries, Week of October 27, 2016

RICHARD L. DONALD

PALERMO––Richard L. Donald, 40, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 7, 2016. He was born August 11, 1976.

Rich loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He had a reputation of being a hard worker, who was not afraid to get his hands dirty or help out a friend if there was a tough job to do.

Rich is survived by his two sons Lucas Donald and Cole Donald, of Palermo; daughter Brittany Gilboy, of Chelsea; girlfriend Kelly Goulet, of Sidney; brother Scott Dyer and wife Mayu and their two children Kai and Amelia, of Bedford, Massachusetts; sisters Vicky Glusker and husband James and their four children Elizabeth, Eli, Samuel and Stephen, of Augusta and Brandi Hayes and husband Steve and their two children Mason Dyer and Sarianna Hayes, of Readfield; mother Norma Donald, of Augusta, and father Richard Donald, of Blanco, Texas; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Memorial donations may be made to the Donald children’s scholarship fund in care of Norma Donald.

ERROL F. CLEMENT

BENTON––Errol F. Clement, 93, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born in Smithfield on January 10, 1923, the son of the late Hanson and Ida (Caswell) Clement.

Errol attended schools in Smithfield and Fairfield. Following his schooling, he served with the US Army during World War II from February 2, 1943 to December 4, 1945.

On October 21, 1949, he married the former Caroline Haskell. Errol worked various jobs over the years. Later in life he was employed by SAD #49 for 15 years. Following retirement, he was a self-employed mechanic, always tinkering on something for someone.

Errol was a member and two time commander for Fairfield VFW Post#14.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and plowing snow. He especially enjoyed playing competitive horseshoes, which he continued into his 90s. Errol was very well liked in the community and would always lend a helping hand to those in need.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Errol W. Clement; his brothers, Malcolm, Leo, Erlon, Harry, and Theron, and his sisters, Josephine Sopia and Christine Bickford.

Errol will be sadly missed by his wife Caroline; children, Sandra Perrine and husband Don, Wendell Clement, David Clement, Pamela Smith and husband Walter, Carol Dudley and husband David, Roger Clement, Gerald Clement, Bernard Clement and wife Tanda, Michael Clement and wife Ruth, and Brenda Coombs and husband Carl; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawriybrothers.com.

EILEEN PLEAU

WINSLOW––Eileen Pleau, 79, of Winslow, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2016.
Eileen was a remarkable woman. From the early age of three she was saddened to lose her mother.

She and her late sister Yvette Clark found themselves often fending for themselves. Even though faced with the tragedy of losing her mother, Eileen grew to become an amazing woman. Eileen married her husband, Lionel, and was blessed with having six children.

Eileen worked at Inland Hospital for 37 plus years. She was a hard worker and dedicated employee and a friend to her coworkers. Eileen rarely would ever miss work. A work ethic she valued and passed down to her children. She loved her job and, in fact, even after she so-called retired, continued to work on a regular basis. She enjoyed being at work and truly valued the friendships she had made daily. Eileen’s position was never filled so she could return to her job.

You would seldom see Eileen without a book in her hand. She loved reading novels and it was her favorite thing to do in the evening before settling in for the night. Eileen enjoyed playing Bingo on Sundays with her two daughters, sometimes her granddaughter and a true friend from Waterville High School. Recently, being introduced to the Bangor slots, Eileen found herself enjoying a past time she was never familiar with in her early life and grew to look forward to taking trips to Bangor.

Eileen would never become a rich woman, but was rich in character.

Eileen is survived by her children, Michael and wife Jill, of Vassalboro, Angela, of Waterville, Lisa Nelson and husband Vince, of Thorndike, Paula Pooler and husband Carleton, of Winslow, Mary Greene and Robert, of Freeport, and Cherry Frewin and husband Wes, of Florida; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Alfond Center for Cancer Care Giving, Maine General Health, Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 828, Waterville ME 04903.

DEBRA A. POMELOW

CHINA – Debra A. Pomelow, 59, passed away October 14, 2016, at Maine­Gen­eral Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born Oct­ober 1, 1957, in Skow­hegan, the daughter of John and Carlene (Lagasse) Lanctot.DEBRA A. POMELOW

She was educated in the schools of Augusta and graduated from Cony High School in 1976. On July 4, 1975, she married Richard Pomelow, in Augusta. She was employed at Tri City Tire and was the owner of Olde Tyme Primitives. Debra enjoyed photography, crafts, horses, cruising the country side with friends, sports cars, panning for gold, digging for diamonds, and cross word puzzles.

Debra is survived by her husband Richard Pomelow, of China; son, Shane Pomelow and wife Heather, of South China; daughter, Angela Nelson and husband Troy, of Palermo; mother, Carlene Roy and husband Lucien, of China; father, John Lanctot and wife Joyce, of Skowhegan; mother-in-law, Natalie Pomelow, of Skowhegan; sister, Lisa Gilbert, of Augusta; step-sister, Kim Roy and companion Aaron Feldmus, of Belgrade; brother-in-law, Donald Pomelow and wife Holly, of Vassalboro; sisters-in-law, Diane Orcutt and husband Gary, of Norridgewock, Joan Reed and husband Gil, of Strong, Linda Nickerson and husband Brian, of Canaan; grandchildren, Jacob Pomelow, Madilyn Pomelow, Alicia Nelson, Royce Nelson; niece, Lauren Gilbert, of Augusta; along with many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father-in-law, Raymond Pomelow.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 10:00 am at the Chadwick Hill Cemetery in China followed by a private gathering at Rick’s house.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086-1240.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.

DEBORAH E. HUCK

FAIRFIELD­­––Deborah Elizabeth Huck, 60, of Fairfield, died in Augusta, Tuesday, October 18, 2016, following seven years of battling cancer and the health care system. Debbie was born on November 18, 1955, in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in Sierra Madre, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Greenwich, Connecticut, and rural Pennsylvania.

Her passion for books and learning resonated throughout her life and career. She graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in English, her first job teaching English and running the library at Fairfield (Montana) High School. Moving to Maine in 1986, she worked as a librarian in York and Wells public libraries. While raising two kids, she eventually settled at Benton Elementary School working first as a substitute teacher, then a special education aide, then a library assistant. She usually had five books and her kindle open at the same time.

Debbie’s other great love was cooking and baking. She created a cookbook “The Huck Family Greatest Hits” for her children. There will be many family and friends missing her amazing cookie platters this Christmas.

Debbie was also active in Amnesty International, leading the Waterville area chapter for over 14 years, acting as legislative coordinator for Maine, and organizing events, fair booths and exhibits statewide.

Debbie was predeceased by her mother and father, Beverly Lou and Robert Voss Bock, formerly of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Christopher Huck, of Fairfield; children, Matthew Huck, of Portland, Oregon, and Nicole Huck, of Fairfield; sister Kimberly Beggs and husband Jim, of West Caln, Pennsylvania; brother Christopher Bock and wife Bonnie, of Spring City, Pennsylvania; adopted brother Sung Yun Bock, of Victoria, Australia; sister-in-law Lisabeth Huck, of Guilford, Connecticut; brother-in-law Michael Huck and his husband Andres, of Huntington Beach, California; and 11 nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the library book fund at Benton Elementary School.

ELVAN PRINCE

BENTON––Elvan Prince, 84, passed away Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Inland Hospital. Elvan was born May 24, 1932, in Benton. He was the son of Albert and Hazel Prince.

He graduated from Waterville High School, and was a proud veteran of the Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. Elvan was a professional truck driver for over 30 years for Spector Freight; he then went on to a second career with the HVAC department at Colby College for 11 years. After retiring from Colby, Elvan worked at Caverly Farms as a driver for several more years.

Elvan was a member of the Shawmut Baptist Church where he served as head deacon. Elvan was also a member of the Vassalboro Masonic Lodge #54 where he was a past master. His favorite hobby was reading and his greatest happiness and pride came from providing for his family.

Elvan is survived by his wife of 49 years Diann Prince; son Mark Prince and wife Simone; daughter Lori Tibbetts; granddaughter Taylor; brother Blynn and wife Ruth; sister-in-law Roseann; and nieces, Emily, Katie, Cathy, and Karen.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to: Masonic Scholarship Fund, Vassalboro Lodge #54, c/o Jim Maloy, 1001 Webber Pond Road, Vassalboro ME 04989.

GERMAINE JACQUES

SIDNEY – Germaine (Michaud) Jacques, 85, passed away Friday, October 14, 2016, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. She was born February 19, 1931, in Waterville, the daughter of Magloire and Yvonne (Cote) Michaud.

GERMAINE JACQUESShe attended Notre Dame School, in Waterville. On September 1, 1951, she married Richard Jacques.

They were married for 63 years.

She was employed for many years by C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville, and was a homemaker to raise her family. She was a member of Notre Dame Church, in Waterville, and loved gardening and canning.

Germaine is survived by seven children, Stewart Jacques and wife Elaine, of Sidney, Daniel Jacques,of Waterville, David Jacques and wife Patricia, of Sidney, Mark Jacques and wife Deborah, of Fairfield, Raymond Jacques and wife Vickie, of Waterville, Patrick Jacques and wife Lisa, of Sidney; daughter, Paula Denis and life partner Donald McNeal, of Waterville; grandchildren, Sarah of Keene, of New Hampshire, Danielle and Jessie, of Waterville, Megan, of Waterville, Alex, of Fairfield, Eric and Cassie, of Waterville, Matthew and wife Michelle, of Lincoln, Ryan, of Sidney, Nicholas, of Sidney; great-grandchildren, Cayden, of Sidney, and Amelia, of Lincoln; sister, Arlene Nadeau, of Fairfield; brother, Fern Michaud, of Clinton.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 28, at 10 a.m., at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt Vernon Road, Augusta.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.

OTHERS DEPARTED

KEITH L. WINCHENBACH, 93, of Panama City Beach, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, from natural causes. Locally, he is survived by daughter Terry Johnson, of Jefferson.

RICHARD L. WALLACE, 83, of Scarborough, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice Home. Locally, he is survived by a won, Scott Wallace and wife Stephanie, of Fairfield.

WELDON L. WASSON, 86, of Norridgewock, passed away on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Somerset Rehabilitation and Living Center, in Bingham. Locally, he is survived by grandchildren Rob Morrison and wife Lesley, of Sidney, and Paul Morrison, of Vassalboro.

GERARD ST. AMAND, 70, of Enfield, New Hampshire, on Saturday, October 8, 2016, following a courageous battle with cancer. Locally, he is survived by daughter Lorri Lacroix, of Vassalboro, and granddaughters Nichole Burke, Kelsie Farrin and husband Brandon, and Danielle Colfer.

MAURICE C. HODGKINS JR., 70, of Chelsea, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016. Locally, he is survived by a son, Michael and wife Lori, of Jefferson.

JULIETTE I. FORTIN, 95, of Hallowell, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at Hillside Terrace. Locally, she is survived by a son David E. Fortin and wife Tracye, of Vassalboro, daughter Judith A. Thornton, of Windsor; and sister Rita Chamberlain, of Vassalboro.

PAULA M. BAILEY, 60, of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Tissue’s Country Estate, in Athens. Locally, she is survived by an aunt, Virginia (Beale) Levesque and husband Peter, of Oakland.

Board of appeals to meet Oct. 27

The Vassalboro Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, to hear Jonathan Blumberg’s appeal of the codes officer’s issuance of building and plumbing permits for Bernard Welch at Welch’s South Stanley Hill Road property.

Letters to the editor, Week of October 27, 2016

Glowa visit to Hime Hill

To the editor:

Mr. Glowa, I am writing in regards to your letter to the editor in The Town Line of the October 13 issue. After reading your letter I quickly arrived to some opinions that are not favorable towards you.

First, I thought to myself – what does consuming alcohol on ones own property have to do with your campaign for House District #79? Actually nothing! You do not know what was in those glasses – it could have been a hot cup of tea, water, orange juice or even perhaps it was a beer. The fact remains it does not matter as all was consumed on private property and drinking is not a crime last I knew.

Was it your sole intent to make people look bad? Drinking alcohol has not one single thing to do with your campaign. The fact is we were sitting around a campfire mourning the loss of my dad, Roy Dow, a man who was good, honest, hard working, and very much devoted to his family and his wife, and then you arrived on the scene. You became confrontational, because we did not agree with your way of thinking. To you maybe things are a “no brainer” but to us, and many others, it could be a much different view. Also, instead of having to be asked to leave, maybe you should have realized that some function was taking place and you should have politely excused yourself and left – that is a “no brainer.” Instead you hung around until you were finally asked to leave, and even then you didn’t.

You had to be escorted to your car, a bad choice on your part especially when one is campaigning for a seat in the House.

Secondly, after reading your letter I came away with the thoughts – Wow, that man is on a one man agenda. In case you didn’t know it takes teamwork when you’re elected and you work for the good of people who elected you. You write about how you’re going into the House to change everything.

Thirdly, I would recommend that one should not go around bragging to all that one worked for the State of Maine for 5 or 6 years and did nothing each day yet collected a hefty salary. I don’t know about you but I take deep pride in doing an honest day’s work for a pay check.

Finally, my biggest beef with you is how you have tried to portray my family. You have attempted to portray your visit as one where we were belligerent and intoxicated, when in truth, you intruded upon a private mourning time and did not leave when asked. In the eyes of many, this has made you seem as though you cannot properly interact with the public and furthermore you, perhaps, have lost their votes.

Jane Dow Glidden
Palermo

Don’t sit this one out!

To the editor:

Last week I set out to write a supporting letter for Mr. Graves’ [letter to the editor] entitled Christians need to get involved. But after reading Eric Austin’s piece, I feel I first need to respond to two of Mr. Austin’s assertions.

First, Mr. Graves was addressing Christian, not “ordinary people.” Second, Mr. Austin makes no mention of the Declaration of Independence which embodies the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. To quote the preamble, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Can one really believe that the authors meant “Mother Nature” by using the term “Creator?” God may not be explicity expressed in either the constitution or the Bill of Rights, but there is no doubt that Judeo-Christian values have had a fundamental impact on the history of our country since before its inception. The denial or the dismissal of this understanding is precisely one of the reasons our country is headed in the direction of the Titanic (to paraphrase Mr. Pauley’s comment in another [letter]) and precisely why Christians need to stand up for the right to have their beliefs heard and respected by our fellow citizens, as any other religious group’s rights should be respected.

This belief is why I hope many quiet Christians like me have taken Mr. Graves’ words to heart, to become involved, at least as far as studying the substance behind this presidential election. As a Christian whose relationship with Jesus Christ is personal, I have been frustrated for many months by the lack of clarity in the media’s portrayal of the two major candidates. Like Mr. Graves, I am directing this [letter] to other Christians, especially those who feel they cannot make a wise decision based on what they hear blasted at them 24/7 by the many media outlets.

There is no denying that both Clinton and Trump are flawed, but who of us is not? Romans 8:28 is quite clear. It is so easy to become distracted by this continual bombardment of accusation and innuendo. By focusing on the flaws, we lose sight of the really important issues, which have everything to do with the future direction of America. Because Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have profoundly different world views, their solutions to the threats facing America are diametrically opposed. Set the candidates aside for the moment and consider the impact of what they propose concerning the role of the federal government, the protection of our Constitutional rights, our national security and defense, the future of the Supreme Court, etc. When talking to neighbors and friends, I am stunned to find that so many have no idea where each of these candidates stands on any of these issues.

Christians, the media blitz is designed to discourage you from exercising your responsibility to vote. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom to make the right choice. For some deeply thoughtful insights into where each candidate would like to take our country, you can find an election guide that clearly defines the differences between the two candidates on all the major issues of importance to Christians, in the September 2016 issue of Decision Magazine, online at billygraham.org.

The future of our country and our personal liberty is at stake. The single thing that makes America different from any other country in the world is the belief that our rights are granted to us by a Creator God, not by nature or mother earth, and especially not by the government. If we continue to exclude, ignore, and even deny God in the public square, our freedoms cannot long endure and the decline of this great nation is assured. Don’t sit this one out. We are supposed to make the difference.

Carole Johnson
South China

Nadeau cares about veterans

To the editor:

My mom has a lot of respect and really cares about veterans. Her father, Richard “Duke” Caron, served in the Marines during the Korean War. My uncles John and Paul are veterans. I am a veteran having served in the United States Coast Guard.

My pépère died in 2009 after a long courageous battle with cancer and was buried in the Maine’s Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. Every year since then, each Memorial Day, mom joins a group of volunteers who place more than 30,000 flags on the graves of the brave men and women that are buried at both VA cemeteries in Augusta. She now serves on the committee that organizes these events.

Mom has served the citizens of Winslow for over 25 years and I believe her experience, work ethic and true caring nature are what we need more of in Augusta.

Jim Nadeau
Winslow

Nadeau leads by example

To the editor:

November 8 is fast approaching and I’m sure you’re as tired as I am of all the negative campaigning. Even in my wife’s race there are false claims and twisted facts being sent out by those supporting her opponent. Let me tell you what I know to be true.

During the past four years I have seen Cathy spend countless hours in Augusta working tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of Winslow and Benton. Even though Cathy is a Democrat she strives to work together with members of both parties to do what’s in the best interest of all the people of Maine. She does what is ethical and leads by example. This is what we surely need more of in Augusta and Washington.

I am extremely proud of the work Cathy has done and encourage you to re-elect her on November 8.

Bob Nadeau
Winslow

Know your audience

To the editor:

Mr. Glowa, political differences aside and perspectives aside (as we all know every one’s glasses are a different color), I am the daughter of Roy M. Dow, Jr., whom passed away on May 29, 2016, Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. He was the tender age of 86 years old. He has a large family – a wife of 65 years whom you met the day you visited us on your door-to-door campaign trail (and you probably don’t know which one of the persons she was), five children and spouses, 11 grandchildren and spouses, and nine great-grandchildren, five of whom were born right before he passed away.

Roy Dow was a pillar in the town of China for 65 years. He owned China General Store, he owned the ice cream stand “Custard’s Last Stand,” he owned the town little league fields, he plowed the driveways of China’s residents, he pumped the septic tanks of China’s residents, he owned and operated the heavy equipment of the town, he owned and managed woodlots, he worked for the state of Maine (yes, your employer who paid you to do nothing for five years, self-proclaimed); and the litany continues. He hunted, he fished, he trapped, he lobstered, he dug clams, he was a sharp shooter, he was a pilot. He was friend, he was a voice of reason, he was a giver. He had it, you needed it, he gave it to you. He was a creator.

He created “Hime Hill Road,” our private property, our family compound. Private the operative word here. You came onto our private property, unannounced and uninvited, walking into the middle of a very private family time….when the patriarch of the family had just passed and we had just gathered; and to top it off, you refused to leave when asked. You had to be told multiple times, like a child, to leave.

Mr. Glowa, you have no intuition. You have no political savvy. You have no social etiquette. You wrote in a letter to the editor of The Town Line published on October 13, 2016: “When I arrived at the property as part of my door to door campaigning, a number of people were sitting around a campfire consuming alcohol. I was not “asked” to leave, I was ordered to “get off my property.”

Roy Dow would have told you the same thing: ‘get off my property,’ because you were not welcomed there. Furthermore, we can drink all the alcohol we want on our private property. Not a political issue. Were you trying to paint a picture?

Lastly, regarding the Northern Maine Woods, Roy Dow [knew] every inch of the Northern Maine woods by vehicle, by boat, by snowmobile, by plane, and by foot. I can guarantee you that he could take you in there, and you would never find your way out – because you most likely do not know the Northern Maine Woods.

I would recommend that if you ever campaign for anything again you know your audience, because not knowing your audience is political suicide.

Roberta Ann Dow
China