SOLON & BEYOND, Week of October 6, 2016

Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy.

The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met on September 17 with President Adam Peters presiding. The members have exhibited in four fairs this year and have done very well.

This being the last meeting of  2015-2016 year the members worked on their record sheets. The members voted to display their projects at the Coolidge Library in observance of National 4-H Club week.

After the meeting the club members went to North Star Orchard. They enjoyed a wagon ride and picked a bag of apples for themselves.

A re-dedication of the North Anson Congregational Church was held on September 25, at the church. Every Thursday, there is Bible study at 11:30 a.m., and choir rehearsal at 6:45 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. A potluck luncheon followed the service.

This is more news from the Solon School newspaper: Students in grades K-1 will be given the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment in September to help identify students who might need extra help to enable them to reach benchmarks for their grade level in reading by the end of the year. They will be assessed again in January and May.

All first grade students are given the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) to help monitor their reading achievement and design programs to increase their reading skills. These tests are also given to new students and those who have received Title 1 services in the past.

All students in grades K-5 took the Measures of Academic Progress from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) last spring. This test will be given again in reading and math in the spring to assess students’ progress over the course of the school year. Kindergartners and new students will take the test this fall, and teachers can choose to test their students in the fall and winter if they wish to do so to monitor students’ progress.

In the spring, the students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), taking tests in reading, writing, and math. Fifth graders also take a science test.

The Solon Fire Department Auxiliary will be having a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, October 8, from 4 – 7 p.m., at the Solon Elementary School. There will be a door prize and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will benefit the Solon Fire Department.

And so I leave you with Percy’s memoir once more in hopes of cheering you. It is entitled, Measure Your Lifetime in Blessings: “Measure your lifetime in blessings, Not in the years you have known… Count up the number of people you’ve touched, Add up the love you have shown… Measure your days in the gladness That you and your loved ones have shared … Tally the smiles on the faces of friends, Total the times you have cared … Yes, measure your lifetime in blessings, And you’ll always remain in your prime – For youth is a feeling you keep in your heart, Whether 7 or 79.” (words by Larry Sandman)

Blessings are where we least expect them! The other day Lief and I were in Ken’s having lunch, and as he always does, he had said the blessing before we ate.  A couple came up to our table and the woman grabbed Lief’s hand , and sincerely thanked him for saying the blessing. That is the second time this has happened, when people that we don’t know, (the other time was up in the ‘County’) stop and comment about the blessing. With God, having been taken out of so many things, I’m not surprised at their caring, and it does mean so much

Unity scout earns Eagle Scout in China troop

Submitted by Ron Emery

The celebration of this event was held at the Quaker Hill Christian Church, in Unity, for Eagle Scout Christian Hunter of Troop #479 on September 17, 2016.

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter

Friends, family members, elected officials and other scouts gathered together to honor Christian for earning his wings — the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.  The Eagle is the highest rank that Scouting bestows in the advancement program.  Eagle Scout Christian Hunter, his family, his Scout leaders, and other members of the community had labored long and faithfully, and their efforts were recognized in this special presentation.  Christian chose the Eagle Scout Ceremony and invited other members of Troop 479 to take part in this celebration.

Scout Misha Littlefield opened the Ceremony and introduced Pastor Michael Senacal, from the Quaker Hill Christian Church, to offer the invocation for the ceremony. Misha then introduced Advancement Chairman Ron Emery to serve as moderator.

The Scout Oath was read by Eagle Scout Sean Stewart.  In the scout oath the young Scout promises upon his honor to do his best to do his duty, first to God and his country; second, to other people, by helping them at all times; and third, to himself by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scoutmaster Scott Adams was then introduced to present the Eagle Scout Awards.  Scout Hunter Praul escorted Christian and his parents to the front.  The Eagle badge was presented to Christian’s mother to pin on Christian’s uniform.  A miniature Eagle badge was given to Christian to pin on his mother.  An Eagle neckerchief was given to his father to place around the neck of his son.

Christian credited the Scout leaders for having faith in him and giving him a push whenever he needed a little help with merit badges and for finishing his Eagle project.

Assistant Scoutmaster Darryl Praul was introduced to read the Honor Roll for Troop #479 and have Eagle Scout Christian Hunter advance his name. Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Leonard presented gifts from the Troop Committee.

Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Emery introduced the special guests.  Mark Kantio from U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s office, in Bangor, presented a letter of congratulations and a United States flag, that was flown over the capital in Washington, to Christian.  State Senator Michael Thibodeau presented legislative sentiments and also a flag flown over the capital, in Augusta.  Sentiments from U.S. Senator Susan Collins were presented by Chuck Mahaleris, Kennebec Valley Advancement Chairperson.  Letters of sentiment were received from President George W. Bush and his father, Representative Chellie Pingree  and Governor Paul LePage.

Christian’s parents prepared a slide show for their son titled “Christian’s Journey to Eagle.”

Requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout require mastery of basic skills including hiking, cooking, camping, first-aid, swimming, survival skills and map and compass.  The successful Eagle Scout must also earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, of which 11 are required and include various aspects of citizenship, family and community life, physical fitness, nature and more advanced scout skills.

The candidate must also serve in a position of leadership in the troop for at least six months after attaining the rank of Life Scout.  Christian is also a member of the Order of the Arrow.

An integral component of the requirements is a service project.  The candidate must develop the project, organize the materials and manpower, and supervise its completion.  Christian Hunter’s project was to rebuild the fence surrounding the cemetery in back of the Quaker Hill Christian Church as well as, straighten stones, build benches and plant some shrubs. Scout Christian Hunter led family, friends and other Scouts from Troop #479 in the project.

He is the son of Keith and Chrissy Hunter, of Unity, and is planning to attend Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield.

Quaker Hill Christian Church

Eagle Scout Christian Hunter’s project was to rebuild the fence behind the Quaker Hill Christian Church, in Unity. Contributed photo

The end is near: of the growing season, that is

Emily Catesby  Emily Cates

Were you caught off guard the other night when we got our first frost? I’ll admit I was a bit. As gardeners in northern climates well know, the first frost, no matter how mild, signals the imminent end of a growing season and the beginning of a whole new array of garden activities. Let’s take a look of some of them, including pre-frost roundups and post-frost clean-ups.

Of course, it is best to know when the frost is on its way a night or so before it happens, so that sensitive fruits and veggies like tomatoes, watermelons, eggplants, and peppers can be harvested and brought into a space above freezing temperatures. From there, we can put them into cold storage or process them into all sorts of goodies. Helpful hints: If the fruits (like tomatoes) aren’t quite ripe, it’s oftentimes helpful to pull the whole plant and hang it in a barn or shed or similar place. You might get more to ripen successfully this way than if you just harvested the fruits by themselves. Also, if the frost is light, the season might be extended simply by throwing a blanket over the plants at night. Keep in mind the benefits of cold frames, as easy as a storm window set on a frame of hay bales.

Once we get a frost, there’s no turning back. Sometimes you’ll find fruits, hiding in grass or under the cover of leaves, that are still good. However, if they succumb to the freezing temperatures, it will be obvious. Those with the characteristic frost damage will only be fit for the King of a Compost Pile. Render these “offerings” as part of the garden cleanup that should accompany a frost.

Probably one of the most important things you can do for your garden right now is to ensure the proper clean-up and disposal of garden debris. Pests and pestilence will find a happy home in a garden without this proper treatment, so don’t skip out on it. Then throw these spent plants into a hot compost pile, burn them, or send them to the dump. Remember to pull up plastic mulch and take down temporary trellises, too.

Once garden hygiene is tended to, it’s a good time to add fertilizer and amendments. So scoop out that coop, take a mattock to that paddock, haul out that stall, shovel some stuff until you have adequate material to make your garden happy. I tend to add enough manure or compost to darken the soil a few shades. When making a brand new bed, though, I like to frame it up with cedar posts, mulch the bottom and sides with untreated cardboard or plain newsprint, with and fill it completely with whatever organic materials I have on hand or access to in abundance. (Examples include manure and bedding, compost, or a mix of these.)

While we enjoy this time of year and the accompanying crisp air and beautiful foliage, let’s think about ordering and planting trees. This is a good time of year for it, and we’ll talk about it in the next article. Stay tuned!

New regs on lead sinkers now in effect

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A press release came across my desk this week from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that I thought I would share with you regarding the use of lead sinkers in the state of Maine.

Lead poisoning has long been the leading cause of death for adult loons in Maine. In order to protect loons from lead poisoning resulting from the ingestion of lead fishing tackle, beginning in September 2016 it is illegal in Maine to sell bare (unpainted) lead-headed jigs less than 2.5 inches long. In September 2017, the use of these jigs will also be banned. Although painted lead jigheads are equally harmful to loons (the paint wears off in a matter of days in the loons acidic gizzard), they are not included in the current regulations.

Photo by Marla Brin

Photo by Marla Brin

Lead poisoning was responsible for almost one third of the documented mortality of adult loons in Maine prior to the implementation of Maine’s first lead regulations in 2002. “Adult loons either ingest lead when they catch fish with lead sinkers and jigs attached, or they pick up lead objects while eating the gravel they need to digest their food from lake bottoms,” said Susan Gallo, Maine Audubon wildlife biologist. Ingested objects like sinkers and jigs stay in loon gizzards, wearing down and elevating lead levels in blood and body tissues. Loons usually die from lead poisoning in a matter of weeks.

After An Act to Protect Maine’s Loons by Banning Lead Sinkers and Jigs (LD 730) was passed in 2013,  Maine Audubon, along with many partners including the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW),  Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Bass Nation, and the Maine Lakes Society, created the Fish Lead-Free Initiative, a coalition with the goal of helping anglers make the switch to lead-free tackle.

“We wanted to get the word out to anglers that making the switch to lead-free can be easy now that there are so many products available for purchase in local stores and online,” said Gallo, who is spearheading the initiative. “Using lead-free tackle will make an enormous difference for loons. We are already seeing a significant reduction in loon mortality.”

Fish Lead-Free conducts outreach efforts to educate the public about the importance of fishing with lead-free tackle, including a website (fishleadfree.org) that outlines Maine’s tackle regulations and lists retailers and online outlets where lead-free tackle can be purchased. Fish Lead-Free also hosts tackle exchanges and provides interested individuals or community groups with lead exchange “kits” stocked with lead-free tackle that can be given out at public events, like fishing derbies or tournaments. Plus, Fish Lead Free has provided 350 tackle boxes stocked with lead-free tackle to the DIFW Hooked on Fishing Program.

To increase awareness of the Fish Lead Free effort, Maine Audubon reached out to other states in an effort to create unity in messaging about the importance of lead-free fishing.  New Hampshire was the first state to join Maine, creating outreach materials that integrate the Fish Lead Free logo and standard messaging. And last year, four more states contributed information to the Fish Lead-Free website to let anglers know of state-specific tackle regulations and local lead-free tackle sources.

“We’re so glad to see the loon protection regulations phased in and want to help anglers comply with the new laws,” said Gallo.

Organizations interested in hosting a tackle exchange or a presentation on loons and the importance of fishing without lead tackle should contact Susan Gallo via email at sgallo@maineaudubon.org. More information about Fish Lead Free is at http://www.fishleadfree.org.

After initial lead regulations in 2002 banned the use of lead sinkers less than a half ounce, there was a slight drop in adult loon mortality, with just over 23 percent of the loon carcasses collected between 2002 and 2012 determined to have died from lead poisoning. In 2013, An Act to Protect Maine’s Loons (LD 730) banned the sale and use of lead sinkers an ounce or less. Since that time, mortality due to lead poisoning has dropped to just under 20 percent of the carcasses collected.

Please visit www.maineaudubon.org for more information.

Area Students Enroll at Colby College

Area students enrolled at Colby College, in Waterville, this fall include:

Kathryn K. Bernier, of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School and is the daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Bernier, of Waterville.

Madeline D. Greene, of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School and is the daughter of David and Carolyn Greene, of Waterville.

Demetrius D. Ramirez, of Waterville, is a graduate of Waterville Senior High School and is the son of Linda Bones, of Waterville.

Area creameries to take part in Open Creamery Day October 15

As the hardwood foliage bursts in a blaze of colors on Columbus Day weekend, take in the spectacular sights and taste some award-winning cheese during the Maine Cheese Guild’s annual Open Creamery Day on Sunday, October 15, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Visit many of the area’s cheese makers in their creameries, meet the animals, and learn the stories behind Maine’s more than 150 artisan cheeses. Along the way you can also visit a farmers’ market, stop at an orchard, explore one of Maine’s premier breweries or wineries, pick fruit at Maine’s legendary orchards, and drop-in on one of the many artisan bread makers our state has to offer. You’ll love the views, and the taste of Maine cheese, straight from the source, will be the best memory of all.

For a MAP and an updated list of participating cheese makers, visit www.mainecheeseguild.org

Area participating Cheesemakers:

Appleton Creamery
Caitlin & Bradley Hunter
780 Gurney Town Road, Appleton 04862
appletoncreamery@gmail.com
www.appletoncreamery.com
Visit the goats and sample the award-winning cheese at Appleton Creamery in Appleton, and enjoy the whole goat experience. Cheese is handcrafted daily using traditional methods with milk from our herd of Alpine goats, and local cow dairies. Joining us this year for GOATAPALOOZA will be Copper Tail Farm with goat milk caramels, cajeta and yogurt, Sisters Soap with goat milk soap, Dragonfly Cove Farm goat meat products, and Back Forty Breads. Local spinner Penelope Olson will be spinning goat fiber. The pizza oven will be cooking!

Barred Owl Creamery
Patti and Chris Hamilton
6 South Fowles Lane, Whitefield ME 04353
hamiltonfarm03@yahoo.com
Experience award-winning organic cheese (best in the nation goat/sheep farmstead feta) on a beautiful farm, in Whitefield. Meet the goats and sheep, tour Barred Owl Creamery and visit our farm store full of homemade products including baked products. For more than 15 years we have hand-milked our Fresian sheep and Nubian cross goats and produced MOFGA-certified organic feta, chevre and blue cheeses. We also have laying hens and heritage breed turkeys. We live in the heart of central Maine’s agricultural hub of Whitefield only six miles from Sheepscot General Store, Fuzzy Udder and several other cheese producers.

Fredrikson Farm
60 Danforth Road, China Village 04926.
http://www.fredriksonfarm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fredriksonfarm?fref=ts
Come join all the festivities at Fredrikson Farm, enjoy a farm tour and take a stroll on our beautiful walking trails. Experience Alpaca with the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm from Unity. We will be joined by Younity Winery and Tree Spirits Winery with wine tasting. Boynton-Mckay Food Co. from Camden will be providing their amazing cuisine. Live music by the Oshima Brothers who will be providing “upbeat folk – sibling harmonies.”

Fuzzy Udder Creamery
Jessie Dowling, cheesemaker-farmer-activist
35 Townhouse Road, Whitefield  04353.
fuzzyudder@gmail.com
www.fuzzyudder.com
https://www.facebook.com/FuzzyUdderCreamery/.
Fuzzy Udder Creamery currently milks 16 sheep and 12 goats and buys organic cows milk from Two Loons Farm, in South China. Our animals are raised on pasture, fed organic grain and Maine grown oats and given lots and lots of love. We make a variety of fresh, soft-ripened and aged cheeses from cow, sheep and goat milk. Come snuggle our fuzzy critters and taste our cheeses.

Kennebec Cheesery at Koons Farm
795 Pond Road, Sidney 04330.
Kennebeccheesery@gmail.com
www.KennebecCheesery.com
Licensed in 2008 with 10 goats we have expanded to an in-line milking system with PV panels on the cheesery roof and now milk 42 Alpine and Saanen cross goats. Come see the “working girls” and this year’s J-doelings? and taste the delicious soft and hard cheeses we make from?their milk. Many fun recipes provided. We also have a flock of Katahdin sheep who love apples. Come feed Bambi, CoCo, Snow White and the others.

ME Water Buffalo Co.
Brian & Jessica Farrar & family
232 Old County Road, Appleton
www.mewaterbuffaloco.com
mewaterbuffaloco@gmail.com
Come visit Maine’s only herd of water buffalo. At our state licensed dairy, we specialize in our fresh hand-stretched buffalo mozzarella along with other fresh buffalo cheeses and our creamy yogurt and gelato-all made with our own water buffalo milk. Pasture hayrides throughout the day to see the water buffalo up close. Some of our fresh buffalo cheeses will be available at our farm store to sample and purchase along with our other farm products. Pet the baby buffalo calves and feed our pet goats.

Pumpkin Vine Family Farm
217 Hewett Rd, Somerville 04348
(207) 549 – 3096 – Kelly
(207) 215 – 4319 – Anil
info@pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinvinefamilyfarm
http://www.pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com.

Kennebec Retired Educators Assn. announces available grants

Submitted by Kay Grindall

The Kennebec Retired Educators Association (KREA) is comprised of retired educators from 60 schools in 31 cities and towns.  In an effort to give back to the schools where they spent many years, KREA awards two $150 grants to two educators in Kennebec County for classroom use.  The grants will supplement expenses for student-centered, inter-disciplinary projects and may be expended for materials used in the classroom, speakers’ fees, project development expenses, etc.

“Even though we are not actively teaching in the classroom anymore, for many of us retirees that is where our hearts remain long after we leave teaching,” says Phil Gonyar, chairman of the Innovative Classroom Grant Committee, and retired social studies educator from Waterville High School.

Grant description and applications have been disseminated to every principal of all elementary, middle, and high schools.  The principals have made them available to the classroom teachers.

Grant applications are to be submitted by October 31, 2016.  The winning applicant will be notified by December 1 and will receive the grant money at that time.

Obituaries, Week of October 6, 2016

DORIS G. ROBINSON

JEFFERSON––Doris Gail Robinson, 70, of Washington Road, died Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Augusta following a long illness. She was born in Augusta on September 13, 1946, the daughter of Clinton Cunningham and Helen (James) Cunningham.

Gail grew up in Chelsea and was raised by her grandparents, Leland and Doris James. She grew up with her many aunts and uncles who she viewed and treated as her brothers and sisters. Gail went to grammar school in a one-room schoolhouse in Chelsea. She attended Cony High School for a while and graduated from Medomak Valley High School in 1976.

In the 80’s, Gail completed training at Kennebec Valley Medical Center for work as a non-invasive laboratory technician. She worked there for many years in that capacity. She also provided home health care for a time. She was also a spiritual person and taught Sunday school when her children were little.

Gail was a very giving and supportive person, and family and friends were extremely important to her. She was very creative and shared her love of crafts by crocheting and making many baby blankets to give to others. She especially enjoyed home decorating and helped many friends and families create warm and inviting spaces within their own homes to enjoy.

Gail loved children and was very close to her grandsons, Brooks and Brock. She went on every field trip her grandsons had when they were in school, and enjoyed time spent at the beach at Damariscotta Lake, as well as trips to the ocean.

Gail was involved in her community and was a lifetime member of the Whitefield Lions Club. She had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun and do silly things like drive to Connecticut for pizza, a favorite, and visit her friend Liz, or drive to Massachusetts just to go to Trader Joe’s. Gail loved to play sports, and they had many family baseball games over the years. She was also a Patriot’s fan and watched every game.

Gail loved gardening and had beautiful gardens. She also enjoyed cooking and her favorite dishes to prepare were lasagna and potato salad.

Gail was predeceased by her father, Clinton Cunningham; her mother, Helen Cunningham Robichaud; her stepfather, Roland J. Robichaud; and a brother, Glenn Robichaud

Surviving is her longtime companion, Prescott Lord; two daughters, Laurie Robinson and Tamara Blackler and husband Mark, all of Jefferson; brother Bryan Robichaud, of South Bend, Indiana; sisters, Earlene Jeane, of Windsor, and Deana Waterman, of Augusta; two grandchildren, Brooks Blackler and Brock Blackler and companion Monica Belanger; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Condolences, photos, and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

Memorial donations are preferred to: Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta ME 04330 or Travis Mills Foundation, 89 Water Street, Hallowell ME 04347.

LEEANN SMITH

PALERMO––LeeAnn Smith, 57, passed away following a long battle with cancer on Friday, September 23, 2016. She was born in Augusta on December 30, 1958, to George Moore Sr. and Ruth Wing.

LeeAnn graduated from Winthrop High School in 1978. After high school she went to work at the mill for many years. She also worked at a nursing home, and worked for many years at a day care until her retirement. LeeAnn enjoyed biking, hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with her family, and she loved outdoors.

She was predeceased by her mother Ruth; maternal grandparents Lloyd and Olive Moore.

LeeAnn is survived by her husband Dustin Smith, of Palermo; daughter Heather Butler and husband Scott; two grandchildren, Kaylee and Jordan, of Corrina; her father George Moore and wife Diane, of Palermo; stepmother Mary Fogg and husband Richard, of Westbrook; brothers, Stanley Moore and wife Carol, of Augusta, Doug Goucher and wife Melissa, of Winthrop, Rodney Moore and wife Donna, of Jefferson, and George Moore Jr. and wife Penny, of Winthrop; sisters, Donna Moore and partner Emile Pelotte Sr., of Brandenton, Florida, Brenda Cyr and husband Bob, of Sabattus, Cindy Weymouth and husband Bernard, of Winthrop, Kelly Moore, of  Waldoboro, and Terry Arbo and partner Lou Giordano, of Winslow; aunt Pat McDevitt and husband Rick, of Falmouth; father-in-law and mother-in-law Leo and Pricilla Smith, of Palermo; sister-in-law Melinda Prebble and husband Mark, of Palermo; and many nieces and nephews.

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

DOUGLAS E. PEASLEE SR.

JEFFERSON––Douglas E. Peaslee Sr., 86, of Jefferson, died Friday, September 23, 2016, in Jefferson, at his daughter Shirley’s home. Douglas was born April 13, 1930, in Somerville, to Guy and Leola Benner Peaslee.

Douglas grew up in Somerville and attended local schools. He started working in the woods at the age of 13.

He worked hard all of his life in the woods, growing and harvesting Christmas trees. He also was a school bus driver, D.O.T driver, and worked at the Dragon Cement Plant, in Thomaston. He owned and operated Douglas Peaslee & Son’s Trucking Loam & Gravel for many years until he retired.

He was the road commissioner for the town of Jefferson for over 30 years. He was a loyal, trustworthy and dependable person. His wife, Shirley, was the center of his world along with his children and grandchildren. He loved to go hunting and fishing so that he could provide food for his family through the long Maine winters.

He was predeceased by sons, Elbridge and Dennis Peaslee.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley Peaslee, of Jefferson; children, Douglas Peaslee Jr. and wife Teri, of Jefferson, Delma Lee and husband Tom, of Jefferson, Shirley St. Pierre, of Jefferson, Roland Peaslee Sr. and wife Patricia, of Jefferson, Kathy Peaslee, of Jefferson, and Susan Peaslee and companion Daniel Achorn, of Jefferson; brothers, Lawrence Peaslee, of Edgecomb, and Guy Peaslee Jr., of Boothbay; sisters, Myra Cook, of Florida, Evelyn Gaboury, of Chelsea, and Marion Asdot, of Wiscasset; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

To extend online condolences, light a candle for Doug, or to share a story or pictures, visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

DAVID A. MEADER

FAIRFIELD CENTER­­––David A. Meader,k 62, died Monday, September 26, 2016, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland.

He was born in Waterville on September 16, 1954, the son of Mervin and Theresa (Carey) Meader.

David graduated from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, class of 1972, and attended the University of Maine at Augusta where he earned his real estate license.

David worked in the area for most of his life as a carpenter, both for himself and as a subcontractor for many local builders. He was a member of the Decker-Simmons Post Sons of American Legion, in Oakland. He loved to play the drums and could be heard over the years playing with a variety Central Maine bands.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother Steven Meader and a sister Cindy Meader.

Surviving are his wife Heidi Meader, of Fairfield; sons Jayde, of Readfield, Jacob, of Fairfield, Jeremiah, of Smithfield; daughter Cassie Sirois, of Winslow; stepson Leif “Erickson Butler; stepdaughter Alisa Gill; brothers, Gary, Jeff and Lloyd; sisters Marcia Collins, Roberta Rutherford, and Barbara Rangely; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

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

David would ask that you please consider making a donation to the Waterville Area Humane Society.

ROLAND OUELLETTE

SOUTH CHINA – Roland Ouellette passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016, following a courageous 10-year battle with cancer. He was born on May 12, 1947, in Fort Kent, to Lawrence and Lena (Michard) Ouellette.

The Ouellette family moved to Weeks Mills when Roland was six years old so his father, a disabled war veteran, could be closer to Togus.ROLAND OUELLETTE

Following high school Roland moved to Massachusetts and attended autobody school. He worked for several years for his uncle at RH Long Auto. After getting married, Roland moved his family back to Weeks Mills so his three children would have a better life living in a small town on a farm. He raised beef cows and worked at Caron’s Auto Body for a few years before deciding to open his own auto body shop, Brookside Auto. After working for himself for some time, he began working at O’Connor GMC, in Augusta. He made many friends at O’Connor’s and was known for being an aggravator and jokester. He continued these friendships well after he left O’Connor’s.

Roland knew how to keep busy. He looked forward to haying season every year and only last year did he stop making hay. His home was his castle and he took pride in its appearance and maintenance. His favorite moments were sitting around the kitchen table, enjoying his coffee brandy and cigars, with his friends and family trying so solve the world’s problems.

Roland is survived by his three children, Pamela Morin and her husband Lee, Niki Sheldon and her husband Ethan, and Brian Ouellette; and his five grandchildren, Jennifer Frederickson, Timothy Carter, Bo Ouellette, Catherine Sheldon, and Alexander Sheldon. He is also survived by his brother Herman Ouellette and his wife Diane, sister Pat Pelton and husband Jerry, and sister Verna Willoughby.

He was predeceased by his sister Nancy Cunningham.

At Roland’s request, there will be no public viewing. The family will hold a gathering at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Maine General Hospice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME.  Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

OTHERS DEPARTED

DORIS L. GRAZIANO, 82, of Oldsmars, Florida, passed away on Monday, August 27, 2016, following a long illness. Locally, she is survived by a sister, Rose Marie Whary and husband Ron, of Winslow.

CARLTON R. COTE, 87, of Augusta, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016, at the Captain Lewis Residence, in Farmingdale. Locally, he is survived by a daughter, Elaine C. Hanson and husband John, of Vassalboro, and a brother, Alton Cote and wife Marlene, of China.

JESSIE T. McCABE, 93, of Shelton, Connecticut, died on Monday, September 19, 2016, at Branford Hospice, in Connecticut. Locally, he is survived by a son, Terence McCabe Jr. and wife Moira, of Jefferson.

JOSHUA W. VARNUM, 29, of Augusta, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at his home. Locally, he is survived by his father William J. Varnum Jr. and wife Diane, of Vassalboro, and paternal grandfather Willism F. Varnum Sr., of Vassalboro.

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

BEVERLY CROMMETT, 86, of Waterville, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. Locally, she is survived by a son, Timothy Elkins and his companion Janet Soucy, of Waterville, and daughters Bonnie Clifford, of Shawmut, Johnette Bowers and husband Layne, of Clinton, and Holly Bellerose and her companion Burtell Pratt II, of Fairfield.

KATHERYN M. AMES, 84, of Farmington, passed away on Tues., September 27, 2016, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, in Farmington. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Carrie Aubin and husband Matthew, of Windsor.

FORMER RESIDENT

EDITH G. BRAGG, 84, of Augusta, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Edith lived in Jefferson for most of her life. She was the salutatorian of her eighth grade year at the two-room Jefferson Village School. From 1952 – 1960 she was a clerical worker at Sylvania Electric, in Wldoboro. After 17 years of raising her two children Edith returned to work as a clerk typist for the state of Maine, Department of Human Services, from May 1977 to November 1992. Edith received a recognition award for 15 years of distinguished service. She also volunteered at the Muskie Center, in Waterville, as well as Senior Spectrum, in Damariscotta.  She also contributed to the Bunker Hill Ladies Aid, Veteran Association, and American Heart Association. She was a long-standing member of the Orff’s Corner Community Church, in Waldoboro.

She is survived by her ex-husband Norman H. Bragg, daughter Cynthia Bragg, and son Jeffrey Braff, all of Jefferson, and a brother Robert Pierpont, of Whitefield.

Lambert earns dean’s list honors at Tufts University

Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts,  recently announced the dean’s list for the Spring 2016 semester.

Among these students is Cody Lambert, of Winslow, class of 2019.

Davis enters class of 2020 at The Citadel

The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina, is welcoming the class of 2020. The incoming class of over 800 new cadets, students represents 36 states and seven foreign countries. Seth Davis, of Liberty, matriculated as part of The Citadel’s class of 2020, the largest recorded freshman class in the history of the college.