Obituaries, Week of October 13, 2016

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RICHARD BLACK

WHITEFIELD––Richard F. Black, 77, of Whitefield, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2016, at the Country Manor Nursing Home, in Coopers Mills. Born on April 15, 1939, in Waldoboro, he was the son of Raymond and Eleanor (Marshell) Black.

Richard was a super person and a wonderful big brother. He loved working carnivals, fishing, watching western movies, and listening to country music.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Judy (Leathers) Black; brothers, Eddie and Andy Black; and sisters, Gloria Norton and Judith Greene.

He is survived by daughter, Debbie (Black) Smith, of Eugene, Oregon; sister, Priscilla M. Sumabat; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.

CARL J. SCHROEDER

SOUTH CHINA – Carl J. Schroeder, 68, passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta following a 7 ½-month battle with lung cancer. The first child of Donald Richard (“Popper”) and Dorothy Viola Konitz (“Grammy”) Schroeder, he was born on December 17, 1947, in New Haven, Connecticut.

He enjoyed an adventure-filled childhood and graduated from Hamden High School, Hamden, Connecticut, in 1965, then went on to Southern Connecticut State College and received a B.S. degree in 1969, having majored in industrial arts with a concentration in graphic arts. From 1962 through 1969, he was also a member of the Order of DeMolay.

Despite his aversion to studies he became a well-regarded teacher, beginning with a stint at Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School, in Southington, Connecticut. He also worked for Radio Shack prior to moving to Maine. He and his young family settled in Dresden close to his parents, allowing him to partner with his father in the electronics business. During the 1980s, he taught industrial arts at Hodgkins School, in Augusta, marketing for vocational technical students, and computer operation for adults.

Carl was an independent sort and went into business for himself in the 1990s as a cabinet-maker/contractor/carpenter and never looked back. His great love was to make sawdust and hope something good would fall out of it. That happened 99 percent of the time. He could make or do nearly anything he set his mind to. His mother-in-law once called him the curly-haired genius.

Other interests included collecting and using guns; photography and working on classic cars. Carl enjoyed showing off his 1969 Camaro convertible, fully restored, and his 1966 Avanti II. He was a member of the Maine Obsolete Automobile League, Inc. (MOALS) and the Avanti Owners Association International, Inc.

He was an advocate for Compassion International, and had sponsored several children in foreign countries.

In recent years, he began an online music ministry, sharing his Christian music and songs from other artists. He produced CDs as well, and was working on a Christmas album with dear and talented friends at the time of his death.

One of his favorite places was Swan’s Island, right off Bass Harbor, and he managed to get there one last time for a short visit. He will be missed by his island friends.

Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Emily; son Don and wife Sue, of Dresden, granddaughter Eva; daughter Carla Thomas and her husband Andrew, of Farmingdale; mother Dorothy, of Hallowell; sister Dot Jespersen and her husband Ron, of Pittston; nieces Lori Decker, of Ocala, Florida, and Kris Prindle and her husband Adrian, of Windsor; grandnieces and cousins; former wife, Gail, of Gardiner.

Friends are encouraged to donate to the charity of their choice in Carl’s memory or to any of the following:

South China Community Church, P.O. Box 335, South China, ME 04358; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123, www.cancer.org; Compassion International,
12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921-3668, www.compassion.com.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor.

ROBERT M. LEVESQUE

WINSLOW – Robert M. Levesque, 74, passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. He was born on September 18, 1942, in Bangor, son of Robert and Sophie (Prszybilski) Levesque.

He was a resident of Orrington and a 1960 graduate of Brewer High School.ROBERT M. LEVESQUE

Robert was a jet engine mechanic in the Air National Guard at the former Dow AFB, in Bangor, a truck driver, and bus mechanic for Waterville School Department.

A loving father and grandfather Robert enjoyed spending time with family, watching his grandchildren’s sports and other recreational events. He built his own home, and enjoyed woodworking.

Robert is survived by his wife Dianne; sons, Michael and wife Sibel, Monte and wife Jessica, Matthew and wife Joan, and Benjamin and wife Tomi; grandchildren, Michael Jr., Melanie, Angela, Nicole, Laura, Colby, Emily, Brenden, Jackson, and Madison; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Isabella, Colin, and Alexander; brothers, Richard and companion Earlene, and Steve and wife Sara; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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

ALBERTA N. CRAIG

SOUTH CHINA – Alberta ‘Bunny” Nowland Craig, 99, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016. She was born on October 11, 1916 in Windsor, the third child of the late Arthur V. & Ethel (Cummings) Nowland.

ALBERTA N. CRAIGBunny started her education at Windsor Grammar School and continued on with many long walks to Erskine Academy with her siblings to graduate in the class of 1936. She was last surviving member of her class.

Nearing her 100th birthday, the last of her family of eight, she was predeceased by her first-born at birth, Sandra Lee in 1941; her parents, sisters Virginia Nowland (1971); Phyllis Cunningham (2008); sisters-in-law Violet Nowland (2008) and Barbara Nowland (2012); brothers, Dean Nowland (1983); C. Frederick Nowland (2006); Everett (2009); Cecil (2009); Maland (2013); brother-in-law Al Cunningham (1994) and nephews, Gary Cunningham and Steven Nowland.

Bunny became a single mom at an early age and, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child. In our case, it took the Nowland family to provide care in her place, thus enabling her to better herself for her daughter. She went to work at Keene’s Grocery Store (later known as Bernard’s Foodland) in order to support the two of them and go on to college to get a more profitable job. She was soon able to begin working at Depositors Trust Bank at several different branches in Augusta, continuing on many years after it became Key Bank.

Retiring in the late 70s after a fall on the ice while walking to work, breaking vertebrae in her back, making it difficult for her to continue, she decided to retire. It was a hard decision as she enjoyed her co-workers and many customers, a special one being Bill Forbes from Augusta Police Department, friends to this day.

After recovering with her daughter and family, she returned home to help her brothers care for their aging mom. She also enjoyed being near her daughters family including her grandchildren. Soon, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren came to know her as Nana or great-nana.

Survivors include her daughter, Gloria E. Strout and her husband, Arthur, of South China; her five grandchildren: Dennis Strout and wife, Susan; Lenwood Strout and wife, Tammy; Kenneth Strout, Sr. and wife, Tina; Kevin Strout and wife, Cindy and Keri Strout. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Trevor Strout, Tricia Strout, Heather St. Amand and husband, Mark; Kenneth Strout, Jr. and wife Kayla; Zach Strout and wife, Sarah, Cody Strout, Colby Strout and Hannah Strout. In addition, Nana leaves four great-great grandchildren, Bryan, Liam, Ainsley and Josiah; several nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 2600 Network Blvd., Suite 300, Frisco, Texas 75034, and/or, if you are able, lend a hand to someone in need which would warm her heart and put a smile on her face.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: www.plummerfh.com.

GLENNIS J. HOLT

BENTON – Glennis J. Holt, 79, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville, following a year-long battle with heart disease. Glennis was born in Unity to Charles Dinsmore and Charlotte M. Good. She resided there until 1957, when she married her husband, Gerald Willie Holt in Muldraugh, Kentucky, while he served in the military. In the fall of 1964, they moved to Benton where she lived for the remainder of her life.GLENNIS J. HOLT

Glennis had various part time jobs throughout the years, but her primary job was mother to her three children and caretaker of the home. Glennis was an avid Red Sox fan, even as a child she enjoyed listening to them on the radio. She also loved to cook, to travel and most importantly, loved spending time with her grandchildren. Glennis was a charter member of the East Benton Christian Church and her faith gave her strength and remained strong until the end.

Glennis is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gerald Holt, of Benton; sons, Jeff Holt, of Benton, and Andy Holt and wife Wendy Wood-Holt, of Gray, Tennessee, daughter Debra Holt-Kelley and husband Keith, of Dixmont; grandchildren, Alex Holt and Kaylee Holt-Hunter; great grandchildren Ava and Aiden Hunter; sisters, Shirley Chadwick and Beverly Fowler, brother Stanley Dinsmore and wife Donna, brother-in-law Joe Eeva, predeceased by his wife and her sister Gertrude Eeva; and many nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and thoughts expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. June Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.

DANA R. HARRIS

FAIRFIELD – DanDANA R. HARRISa Richard Harris, 57, of Fairfield passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his home on Tues­day, Oct­ober 4, 2016. He was the son of Richard and Marlene (Ham) Harris and was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 11, 1958. He grew up in Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School in 1977.

Following graduation, Dana worked for Levine’s in sales and apartment maintenance. He went on to become a talented certified welder, licensed plumber and long-distance truck driver. Dana worked in construction much of his life, including for Reed & Reed and Cianbro Corp., where he earned the nickname “Doc.” He was especially proud of his part in the construction of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, and he set the observation deck canopy when it was complete. For the past two years, he very much enjoyed working with the staff at L.N. Violette and with the customers he served in the area.

Dana loved antique automobiles and motorcycles, had a deep appreciation for history and items from the past, and could fix anything. He knew many interesting people across the state and had lots of stories to tell. He was happiest working in the woods or in his barn.

Dana is survived by his mother and father of Winslow; his sister, Allison Watson and her husband Michael, of Fairfield; and will be especially missed by his brother, Marty Harris and Rhonda Kennedy, of Oakland; his aunt and uncle, Wayne and Peggy Ham, of Winslow, an uncle, Harold Stevens, of Florida; his great-aunt Evelyn Phair, of Brunswick; and cousins, a niece and nephews.
An online guestbook may be signed and thoughts expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

VIVIAN S. DANIELS

WHITEFIELD – Vivian S Daniels, 90, of Whitefield, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at home from congestive heart failure. Vivian was born in New Jersey on December 13, 1925.

She lived and worked in Florida for 15 years before moving to Whitefield in 1977 where she has lived for the last 39 years.

She worked at the Winthrop Mineral Shop for several years before retiring in 1990.

Vivian was a long time member of the Young at Heart Senior Citizens Club, of Whitefield. She was an avid Bingo player playing twice a week in Wiscasset and Gardiner. She enjoyed doing word search and picture puzzles.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frederick N. Scott and Maybele Winford Garnier.

Vivian leaves behind two sons, Dale G. Daniels and wife Jalaine Bryant, of Whitefield, and Frederick A. Daniels and wife Debbie Daniels ,of Patalaska, Ohio, one daughter Grace Daniels, of Whitefield; grandson John, Matthew and wife Melissa Daniels, of Whitefield; three great- grandkids Reece, Mary, and Marc; several step grandchildren Steven, Nicole, Chris, Shane, Julia; step great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Keema, Reynatio, Laney, Carl, McKenzie, and Rhyder.

OTHERS DEPARTED

BRANT R. PERRY, 63, of Chelsea, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at his home. Locally, he is survived by a brother, Robert Perry, of Windsor.

Planners approve indoor licensed marijuana growing facility

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members unanimously approved the town’s second locally-licensed indoor marijuana-growing facility at their Oct. 4 meeting.

Applicant Mike Kelley represented half a dozen licensed caregivers who intend to grow marijuana in the former craft shop on Route 3, on property more recently the site of the MacKenzie Landscaping satellite business.

Kelley plans no changes to the exterior of the building. There will be no retail traffic; only licensed caregivers are allowed inside the growing area, he said. Primary access will be from Whitehoue Road rather than from busier Route 3.

Kelley said someone will be on the property at all times for security. The odor control plan involves fans and filters, which will not create significant noise outside the building.

Neighbors had been notified, as required by town ordinance. None attended the Oct. 4 meeting.
Planning Board members found the project meets all Vassalboro ordinance requirements.

Codes Officer Richard Dolby said there have been no complaints about Vassalboro’s other town-licensed marijuana-growing business on Cushnoc Road.

Selectmen appoint new police chief

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen have appointed Mark Brown of Vassalboro to succeed Richard Phippen as town police chief.

At the selectmen’s Oct. 6 meeting, board members Lauchlin Titus and Robert Browne accepted Town Manager Mary Sabins’ recommendation to hire Brown. Titus said board Chairman Philip Haines, who was unable to attend the meeting, had interviewed Brown.

Sabins said Brown will be deputy chief for two or three weeks, until his certification is renewed. Phippen announced his planned retirement in August.

In other business, Sabins read a letter from planning board alternate member Paul Breton resigning his position, effective immediately. Residents interested in serving on the planning board are invited to contact the town office.

The alternate member participates in planning oard discussions, but votes only when a full member is absent. In the past, if a full member resigned or retired the alternate was usually offered his or her seat.

Selectmen reviewed Sabins’ draft of a three-page survey on transportation needs and approved distributing it at the polls on Nov. 8. Residents will be asked to take the survey home to fill out, rather than spending extra time in the town office Nov.

The board approved a consent agreement with resident Bernard Welch resolving Welch’s violations of town ordinance, in return for payment of a fine and reimbursement for town legal fees.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.

Letters to the editor, Week of October 13, 2016

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Rebutts two letters

To the editor:

I want to thank Messrs. Pauley and White for their letters to the editor regarding the campaign for House District #79 and for providing me this opportunity to set the record straight.

With regard to Mr. Pauley’s letter, I have been a wildlife advocate in Maine for more than 20 years. I am also a sportsman. During that time I have seen how broken and corrupt Maine’s system of fish and wildlife management is. The special interest group that he identified as targeting me for defeat is benefiting from this corruption. They have tried multiple times to take away all of our rights to petition the government for citizens referendums on fish and wildlife issues. I believe in government of, by, and for the people and I believe that we need to identify corruption in government and get rid of it. No wonder they want to keep me out of the legislature. The people of Maine deserve a government that represents all of us, not just the special interests.

Regarding wolves, I am an advocate for a healthy ecosystem. Wolves are native to Maine and are essential for a healthy, complete ecosystem. I have never advocated bringing wolves into Maine. Mr. Pauley’s comment that, “I suspect that if wolves wanted to be in Maine, they would be in Maine” is an interesting one. In fact, wolves are attempting to naturally return to Maine but are being killed in the process. Unfortunately, neither our state nor federal governments are giving these animals the legal protection they are entitled to. I encourage folks to go to www.mainewolfcoalition.org for factual information on the status of wolves in the northeast. Because of their close proximity to Maine and our abundance of natural prey (beaver, moose, deer) and habitat, wolves will recolonize Maine and it is up to us to be educated and informed about them. Because the state of Maine refuses to do so, it is up to us to educate ourselves.

With regard to Mr. White’s letter, it is true that I visited the property and I did respond to one question, “That is a no brainer.” Mr. White left out a few other aspects of my visit. 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.” Of the many hundreds of homes I have visited during the campaign, this is the only one where I was told to leave and I promptly did so. During the five or ten minutes that I was there talking with folks, I was asked a number of questions by several different people regarding my stances on several issues including the North Woods National Monument. I truthfully answered all of their questions (some weren’t happy with my answers) and I stated that I support the National Monument and that it was a no-brainer. From an economic standpoint, the creation of the monument is a no-brainer. The 87,000 acre donation of public land has now been completed, the National Monument has been created, and the local economy is already benefiting from visitors.

Concerning his claim that I stated that I, “…drew a big salary and did nothing…” I worked for the people of Maine for nearly three decades, most of that time in the Department of Environmental Protection. As many people know, and as all DEP staff, past and present know, this governor ran for office on an anti-DEP, anti-environmental enforcement platform. My career happened to be working for the DEP in water enforcement. For the last 5-6 years with the DEP, I was given so little work that I had nothing to do some 90 percent of the time. I am not proud of this. I am disgusted that given the environmental problems and issues in our state, DEP staff are paid to sit in the office and do nothing because people in positions of power don’t want to rock the boat. This is a major reason why I am running for the legislature.

It is this kind of government waste and corruption that I intend to eliminate if I am elected. I would add that it is easy to throw stones and complain. It is not easy to put yourself out there, expose yourself to lies and half-truths, and actually work to make things better.

John M. Glowa, Sr.
South China

Christians need to get involved

To the editor:

In less than a month, American voters will go to the polls and select their choice of who will become the 45th President of the United States of America, the most powerful office in the world.
Our founders recognized early on that the perfect foundation for a good government could only come through the blessings of God.

But once again, it is quite obvious that we have allowed our Government, our Courts, our Churches and Ourselves to succumb to a cancerous deterioration of our Founding Christian principles.

We see it every day through the TV lens, the constant continual moral decay that will eventually bring us to a course that knows no redemption.

America, our complacency is destroying us. Why aren’t professing Christians speaking up?

Isn’t it time for the body of Christ to awaken from its apathy and act responsibly?

If we fail to express our opinions, others will be more than happy to make decisions for us.

Let us never forget that we are a government, “Of the People, by the People and for the People.”

It says in II Tim. 4:3: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Less than 60 percent of eligible Christians actually vote or are even registered to vote.

Christians, We need to Get Involved!

Gene V. Graves
Rockport

Vote No on Question 3

To the editor:

As a former member of the NRA and owner of a pistol and rifle, and also passed a background check, the following dawned on me.

Question 3 needs to be defeated because, too late for me and others who passed the, but in my opinion this law is a government “stealth” way to keep records on all us law abiding citizens. Why? Just like in Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the regime feared a possible uprising. How to be ahead of this possibility? Have all citizens register their weapons. By the late ‘30s, with all gun owners registered, the Gestapo quickly confiscated all the registered guns, claiming “national security.” Sound familiar? Vote “No” on Question 3, and remain free.

Frank Slason
Somerville

Waterville Art Society honors founders

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At an opening reception, Thursday, October 6, Waterville Area Art Society founders Patricia Binette, Fairfield, and Pauline Turner, a 40-year resident of China, were honored for their many years of teaching and inspiring other artists and for their continued dedication to the Art Society.

The 30th Anniversary Art Show, on view through October 28 at the Winslow Public Library, features work from the four founders including Marilyn Dwelley, of Florida, formerly of China, and the late Peggy Stowers. Forty-four members and former members are represented in the 90 pieces of art. An impressive range of styles and media are found in the exhibit, including pieces sent from as far away as Florida and Alabama.

Patricia Binette and Pauline Turner

Patricia Binette, left, and Pauline Turner stand in front of a display of their work at an opening reception honoring them at the 30th anniversary of the Waterville Area Art Society they co-founded with Marilyn Dwelley and the late Peggy Stowers. Contributed photo

Society president Amy Cyrway, co-owner of the Framemakers, in Waterville, gave a brief history of the organization and told the 50 to 60 people present about the four founders and their impact on arts in the Greater Waterville Area and beyond.

The art society holds two-member shows once a year and is co-sponsor of an annual juried art show that draws entrants from across Maine.

China Village postmaster retires after 32-year career

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by Mary Grow
Priscilla Adams

Priscilla Adams, China Village postmaster, has retired following a 32-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. Contributed photo

Priscilla Adams ended her 32-year career with the United States Postal Service Sept. 30. Her last day as China Village Postmaster was followed Oct. 1 by a retirement party organized by her husband Scott that gave another 100 or so friends and relatives a chance to wish her happiness.

Retirement is bittersweet, Adams said. She looks forward to time for herself, to work in her garden and to take day trips, starting with the Fryeburg Fair Oct. 3. She expects to watch more of her grandsons’ basketball games in southern Maine – and, she said happily, “If it’s a blizzard out and I don’t feel like coming home, I don’t have to.”

On the other hand, she’ll miss the people who enlivened her days behind the post office counter, miss the long talks and listening to people’s stories and problems.

Adams was appointed China Village Postmaster on February 1, 1997. Before that, she worked as PMR (Postmaster Relief, postal-speak for substitute) and sometimes Officer in Charge at other area post offices.

The worst part of her career, she said, has been going through so many changes, which have been difficult for employees and sometimes for customers, like the introduction in 2001 of the E911 system that changed the name and the box numbers in what’s now the China Village post office.
Adams has seen the switch from a manual typewriter to a computer, from a fan scale to an electric scale, from stamps that had to be licked to self-adhesive stamps, from any stamps at all to a postage meter.

She’s watched the price of stamps, box rentals and other services go up – and this February had the rare opportunity to see them go down a bit, for the first time, she believes, since the 1940s.
Two or three years ago, when the Postal Service cut back hours in many post offices, including China Village, there was a rumor that the China Village office would be eliminated when Adams retired.

Just a rumor, Adams is quite sure – the office is valuable not only to its 225 boxholders and other China residents, but to people from surrounding towns where post office window hours are shorter or less convenient.

Adams’ duties, official and unofficial, have included distributing mail and selling stamps, keeping the building clean, collecting lost items, putting up posters for lost pets and helping start people’s cars.

“It’s been a great working experience,” she summarized. “I like helping out people. There’ve been good times and bad times, ups and downs, but I’ve had a lot of fun.”

Becky Tesseo, who also works part-time at the post office in South China, has taken over the China Village office until a new postmaster can be found. Tesseo doesn’t know how long she’ll be in the north end of town – maybe a month, she said.

As Priscilla Adams’ retirement party wound down Oct. 1 in the China Baptist Church Vestry Fellowship Hall, people began assembling in the adjacent church for the funeral of Eleanor Foster, Postmaster from 1956 until 1982, when she retired and Joyce Whitney was appointed. Foster died Sept. 19 at the age of 96.

Foster and her husband Bill lived next door to the post office while Foster worked there and for many years afterwards. Adams said for the first few months of her tenure, they had a standing joke: she would ask Foster, “Do you want to be my PMR?”

Foster would pretend to consider for a moment before replying, “No thanks.”

I’m Just Curious: Mae West

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by Debbie Walker

I cannot really explain why my mind goes off in all these different directions. I have to admit it is kind of fun.

So… today my interest is Mae West. I saw a cartoon this past week and it included one of her famous quotes. The quote was, “I speak two languages, English and Body!” I never met Mae West, not even sure that I saw more than a blip of any movie or show she did. What I do know is I believe I would have enjoyed her attitude.

There may be some today who still think she was over the top with some of her actions. I am truly hoping that the person she was in film or shows was truly her personality and from some things I read today it looks like she was!

Some of her sayings:

“I used to be Snow White, but then I drifted!”

“Sex is emotion in motion.”

“When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad I’m better.”

“It’s not what I do but the way I do it. It’s not what I say, but the way I say it.”

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

“I’ve been in more laps than a napkin.”

“Don’t keep a man guessing too long – he’s sure to find the answer somewhere else.”

I skipped around the internet looking for Mae West information and there was plenty of it. There are little videos that gave me a bit more info and to experience some of her acting. She wrote her own plays, that’s right, all those years and years ago Mae West was ahead of the game, she wrote her own plays. She had to, I imagine. I am not sure there was anyone at that time who would put out a new product so risqué.

I have always been attracted to “feisty old broads” and they would know who they are but most sadly are gone now. One woman I met was a “fan dancers,” and if we really pushed she would do one or two of them for us. I used to work with a woman who had a reputation of having a drink, a cigarette and belt out some old English pub songs. I missed those days, I met her when her drinking and smoking days were over but she could still tell some pretty good stories.

I think I secretly hope to be referred to when I’m dead and gone as “Some character.” If you get a chance look up some of Mae’s entertaining. It was pretty neat. I think I may become a president of her fan club.

I’m just curious if you would see the humor as I did. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com  sub: Mae. Hope you enjoyed!!!

Just a note: The first grade class is writing a book. The teacher told them Friday that I am a published author. I showed them the column and their first words were, “why is there no picture of you.” I explained to them I wanted words more than my picture.” Hope you understand, too.

KCS & WCD district supervisor election upcoming

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Persons wanting to run for the office of District Supervisor for the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District should contact the District office at 21 Enterprise Dr. Suite #1, Augusta, ME telephone (207) 622-7847 x3, to obtain nominating papers. Nomination papers require 25 valid signatures in order to become a candidate.

Nomination papers must be received at the District office no later than November 3, 2016. This year we have one full three-year term of office up for election.

Any person who desires to run for the office of District Supervisor must be a resident who is living on lands lying within the boundaries of the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The actual election is scheduled for November 25, 2016. Ballots for the election will be mailed to anyone requesting one. Registered voters wishing to vote in the election of District Supervisor must contact the District in order to receive a ballot. All registered voters residing within the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District boundaries are eligible to vote. All completed ballots must be received by the afternoon of November 25, at 4 p.m.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of October 6, 2016

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS and faithful readers, are you ready for what has been going on again with a historical society?  Wow, busy folks and this time, WALLS, you have Madison to brag about.  What’s more, for sure you are going to hear some very surprising information about Norridgewock.

Lew had gone to the races at the last day of Farmington Fair and, since word had been out that an author of the book In the Shadow of the Steel Cross would be at the Madison Historic Museum, at one time, had been Old Point Avenue School.  What a great historical display the members of the Madison Museum’ Historical Society have done to bring history of Madison and vicinity alive for anyone visiting the Museum.

First, WALLS, tell about what awaits folks at the museum.  No, no, no….those cookies and other goodies on the table are not available for every visitor’s enjoyment, but these wonderful refreshments were available for everyone who came to hear author Louise Ketchum Hunt tell of Father Sebastian Rasle, S.J., Mission in Norridgewock, after immigrating to our United States from France 250 years ago.  Folks from Madison know that our Catholic Church is named Sebastian Rasle Church and the, once, church school was named Father Rasle School.  But, do you Madisonites know how the village of Norridgewock, the British, the French all figured prominently in our history with the Wabanaki and Abenaki Indian tribes.

This is a fascinating book and Louise Ketchum Hunt, of Indian heritage, so graciously tells the story of Father Rasle and the frightening story of how her heritage was affected……….all the way to Father Rasle’s being murdered with Indian chies huddled next to him to protect him.  Yes, the famous Father Rasle, while WALLS is not trying to convert believers to Catholicism, WALLS do know that Father Rasle’s history in our area is something we of every age must be aware.

A few weeks ago, we drove to Eustis, when we heard that the historical society there would be featuring the Brittish’ going to Canada.  We certainly were impressed with the displays of history there, but when we saw the name of our one-and-only Andrew Redmond so prominently displayed, we thought of his son’s story about the house he and his wife own on the Norridgewock Road, in Skowhegan.  True, that location is not mentioned in the book by Ms. Hunt, but somehow, WALLS, do you think the famous spring of which he has spoken figured into the Norridgewock attacks?  Yes, there was an attack several times on Norridgewock Village.

In closing, WALLS, why don’t you tell about the name of the book by Mrs. Hunt?  The name:  In the Shadow of the Steel Cross. Father Rasle Road is off the Norridgewock-Madison Road and you faithful readers may wish to visit the Father Rasle Cemetery.

Orchestra leader Michel Legrand; Film: London Has Fallen

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Peter Catesby  Peter Cates

Castles in Spain
Michel Legrand and his Orchestra;  Columbia – CL 888, mono 12-inch vinyl LP,
recorded 1956.

Now 84 years old, Michel Legrand is one of the most interesting all-around musicians/arranger, composer, conductor, pianist,  to impact the American  music scene since his  1956 Columbia LP, I Love Paris, which has sold several million copies  and is on CD. The wiki biography does a pretty thorough job documenting his accomplishments and is worthwhile reading. I will say that his most well known song is The Windmills of your Mind from the 1968 version of The Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.

Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand

Castles in Spain is a beautifully-scored musical collage of Spain and her expressive dimensions and moods. He includes several well known pieces of music – Espana, Malaguena, Jungle Drums, Andalucia, etc. – and re-works them with the freshest, most alive treatments, a main quality of his music-making, whether applied here or to his own compositions. Several selections from the LP can be heard on Youtube while the entire album has also been reissued on a still available CD.

London Has  Fallen
Starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, etc.; directed by Babak Najafi; produced by Millenium Films, 99 minutes, released 2016.

As a sequel to 2013’s Prometheus Has Fallen (which I have not seen), this film caters to the huge demand for cathartic blockbusters featuring supermannish secret agent heroes  versus terrorist blood suckers. Nine out of ten of these flicks are quite forgettable but still have their two- or three-day cash cow run at the local Flagship. And I will be the first to admit that I do have a taste for these entertainments!page9pict2

A British prime minister has died so several world leaders will be attending the funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral, including U.S. President Benjamin Asher (competently played by Aaron Eckhart). For purposes of security, his  entourage arrives ahead of schedule with his favorite SS agent, and best friend, Mike Manning (Gerard Butler) right by his side. Without going into ad nauseam detail, their arrival in London is greeted by the split second unleashing of apocalyptic mayhem. Naturally, Manning and the president are reduced by the carnage, thanks to the agent’s own  gifts of strength, speed, quick thinking and extremely preternatural intuition, to being just about the only survivors of the entourage but inevitably reduced, for the remainder of the film, to hopscotching around the besieged city by foot and the occasional stolen vehicle. Enough of the details.

I admit to a certain restlessness during my Netflix viewing but stayed the course, assigning a definite C to C-minus to this cinematic excursion.