Albion students visit State House

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A group of sixth grade students from Albion Elementary School visited the Maine State Museum and the State House, in Augusta, on December 6. State Senator Scott Cyrway, center back, was able to greet the students and share with them what a typical day at the State House is like, as well as talk about the committees he served on in the 127th Legislature.

Contributed photo

Vassalboro News: Planners approve two of three applications

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members approved two of the three permit applications on their Dec. 6 agenda.

By unanimous votes, they issued site review permits to:

  • Leo Barnett for an indoor growing facility for medical marijuana in a building to be put up on Old Meadow Road off Riverside Drive; and
  • Daniel Charest for three additions for commercial storage on his multi-use building at 8 Cushnoc Road.

The board was unable to grant an after-the-fact permit for Brenda Pinkham’s deck on her camp at 119 Pleasant Point Road, because the building is already closer to the high-water mark than allowed and, board Chairman Virginia Brackett said, expansion toward the water is therefore prohibited. Board members agreed that a stairway no more than four feet wide can be built to allow water access, with a permit from the codes officer. They let remain the roof on a side deck, also added without a permit, with the condition that the deck is not to be enclosed.

Barnett’s application generated discussion about whether it was for the building only or for the business for which the building is designed. By the end of the discussion, Brackett and fellow board member Douglas Phillips, who have both been on the board for many years, told Barnett the permit covered the proposed business.

Neighbors again attended the meeting to voice concerns about possible effects. Board members found Barnett’s project meets all criteria in Vassalboro’s ordinance. For both Barnett and Charest, the board required a fence around any dumpster on the property, in an effort to keep children from getting hurt.

Obituaries, Week of December 15, 2016

LEROY W. AUSTIN

CHINA – Leroy “Lee” Winslow Austin, 75, passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016. He believed in the power of individuals to affect change in the community through the active presence of God in all things. Selectman, community activist, father, grandfather and teacher, Lee will be remembered for his humanity, faith, and his love and passion for improving the lives of others. Lee truly lived a life consistent with the ideals he believed.

Born in 1941, during the turbulent years of World War II, Lee made an early decision to embrace the Quaker values of peace, love and the importance of truth.page4pict1

Though raised in the small town of South China, Lee would travel the breadth of the United States before returning to raise his family in the town of his birth. He attended Barrington College, in Rhode Island, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in music and music education in 1965. After college, Lee moved to California where he continued to pursue his love of music, singing in the well-known Roger Wagner Chorale. Here he also met his partner for life, Ann Miller, and the couple married just six months later in the summer of 1967.

Lee returned with his family to the China area in 1979 where he owned and operated Willow Beach Camps on China Lake for more than a decade. During this time he was also elected to the China Board of Selectmen, and served on the board of directors of The Town Line newspaper and the Chamber of Commerce, and even made a State Senate run in 1986.

In the early ‘90s, Lee turned his efforts to community empowerment. He and Ann opened the China Community Food Pantry in 1992, which they have continued to manage for more than 25 years.

Lee was predeceased by his parents, long-time China residents Ralph and Myrtle Austin.

He is survived by his wife Ann Austin; sister Aurie Spender and spouse Robert; daughters Aurie Maxwell and spouse Ronald, Rebekah Thatcher and husband Christopher, sons Eric, Jonathan and spouse Crystal, and seven grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The China Community Food Pantry, PO Box 6012, China Village, ME 04926.

ROLLANDE G. BILODEAU

WINSLOW––Rollande G. Bilodeau, 91, of Winslow passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016. She was born January 31, 1925, the daughter of Athanase and Rose-Anna Gilbert, in St. Alfred, Quebec, Canada.

She married Gerard Bilodeau in July 1946. Together they formed a loving family with four children, Patrick, Yvan, Marlene and Gilbert. She and her husband worked tirelessly for many years building a successful auto repair and sales business in Winslow. Anyone who met her instantly knew she was a special person who gave of herself always.
She was predeceased by her husband Gerard who died in 1981, her brothers Ronald, Laureat, Jean-Paul, Camille and Patrice and her sister Jeannine.

Rollande is survived by her four children, Patrick and wife Cathy, Yvan, Marlene and husband Al, Bert and his partner Morgan; grandson Jeremy, granddaughter Jennifer and husband David; great-grandson Jacob and great-granddaughter Claire; sisters Eveline and Annette; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

DEBORAH A. JONES

page4pict3SMITHFIELD – Deborah A. Jones, 66, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016, at her home in Smithfield. She was born April 12, 1950, in Waterville, the daughter of Richard and Emilienne (Mathieu) Ouellette.

She was educated in the schools of Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School in 1968. On January 10, 1970, she married Gary Jones, at Sacred Heart Church, in Waterville. She was employed for many years as a telephone operator at New England Telephone, then later at Central Maine Morning Sentinel until her retirement.

Debbie was a member of the Forest J. Pare VFW Post #1285 Ladies Auxiliary for 18 years, in Waterville, and American Legion Auxiliary in Oakland for 27 years. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and cooking. She cherished time spent with her family and her dog Bandit, and taking care of her family until her illness.

Debbie is survived by her husband of 46 years, Gary Jones, of Smithfield; son, Michael Jones and wife Melissa, of Smithfield; grandson, Dean Jones and girlfriend Ashley Miller, of Skowhegan; two brothers, Thomas Ouellette and partner Donnette White, of Smithfield, Stephen Ouellette and wife Gwen, of Oakland; two nieces, Emily and Lauren Ouellette, both of Oakland.

She was predeceased by her parents, Emilienne and Richard Ouellette.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

MICHAEL P. FLEWELLING

FAIRFIELD – Michael Peter Flewelling, 56, of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. He was born Dec­ember 10, 1959, in Waterville, the son of Peter H. Flewelling and Germaine (Roy) Wallace.page4pict2

He graduated from Winslow High School and attended classes at the University of Maine and Kennebec Valley Community College. Michael worked at Thayer Hospital for many years as a housekeeper, phlebotomist, orderly and switchboard operator. Since then he has worked as an inside and outside sales representative for commercial pump companies. Most currently, he was a successful and dedicated sales representative for F.W.Webb for the past nine years.

He was a loving, supportive, and dedicated father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He always had a lending ear, comforting words or humorous sarcasm for any situation. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and girlfriend Kathy. He also enjoyed riding his Harley and exercising his Second Amendment right to the United States Constitution. Most importantly, though, he enjoyed giving to, and helping others.

Michael is survived by his three children Jessica, Tiffany and Travis Flewelling; mother, Germaine Wallace and husband Donald; brother, David Flewelling and wife Michelle; stepbrothers, Nicolaus and Lance Wallace; niece, Katherine Flewelling; nephew, Nathan Flewelling; girlfriend Kathy Warren; Laurie Costigan, mother of his children and life-long friend; many relatives and many, many friends. Michael is predeceased by his father Peter Flewelling and his sister Karen Wallace.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, December 19, 2016, from 4 – 8 p.m., at the Fairfield Community Center, 61 Water Street, Fairfield

Memorial donations may be made to Maine Medical Center for Pulmonary Embolism Research. For checks and cash, please make a note in memory of Michael Peter Flewelling. Donations may be sent to: Philanthropy Department, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102.

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

SUMNER T. CARLSON

CHINA––Sumner Tuell Carson, 89, passed away at his son’s home on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. He was born December 24, 1917, the first child of Mildred and Gotthard Carlson.

He grew up in Milton, Massachusetts, but spent his younger summers with his parents, brother, and sister at their cottage in Fieldston on the South Shore. When he was older, he spent his summers at his uncle’s farm in Sumner, where he helped with chores and caring for the animals. He attended Milton High School, followed by a year at Norfolk County Agricultural School, in Walpole, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1937. He went on to Massachusetts State College in Amherst to take a two-year course in animal husbandry.

In 1939, he and a college friend set out on a cross-country trip to California in a 1930 Model A Ford purchased for $50.

As money got low, they worked for $2 a day and dinner at a dairy farm in Vermont, and threshing oats in Iowa. On the trip, they visited world’s fairs in San Francisco and New York, the geyser in Yellowstone National Park, and the Badlands National Park. They saved money by sleeping in the car or with friends, and bought 10 gallons of gas for $1 in Buffalo, New York.

Sumner joined the army in 1942, and was stationed stateside for four years. He was nicknamed “Meatloaf” because that’s what he cooked whenever it was his turn in the kitchen. He was frugal, saving his pay and purchasing bonds. His service friends used to borrow money from him until payday.

In 1946, he used the money he had saved to purchase Garrison Island, in Friendship, with his parents and brother.
Sumner met Mary Simmons when he purchased the island from her cousin, and they were married in August 1947.

Except for the first year of their married life, they lived year-round on the island until their children were in high school, and then every summer after. He helped build the outbuildings on the island, and a day sailboat with his father and brother. He was a small poultry farmer for a few years, worked as a carpenter, and retired from a lobster dealership in Friendship in 1979.

He busied himself for the next three years by building a new cottage on the island, mowing, planting and maintaining his extensive vegetable gardner, and delivering his rutabagas in the fall to local friends. Maine humorist, John Gould, wrote a newspaper article about Sumner’s legendary turnips, describing how John had instructed the cook at the assisted living home where he then resided, to cook one up for all the people there.

During the last couple of years, Sumner became the advisor for the garden and would ride on the golf cart to inspect it and take note of the produce and any weed growth.

He also had a great passion for baseball and watched every Red Sox game, hoping they would lose (he had been a Boston Braves fan). He read the Boston Herald daily, was a lifelong train enthusiast, and enjoyed his nightly cribbage games with his son.

Sumner lived a long and healthy life. He left behind a legacy of hard work. His favorite saying, “Use it up; wear it out; make it do; or do without,” was instilled in three generations.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary of 58 years; brother, Gilbert; sister, Ann; and two great-grandchildren, Tyler Carlson and Rosalie Bearce.

He will be greatly missed by his surviving daughter, Virginia Bearce and husband, Stephen, of Gray; son, Glenn Carlson and wife Emily, of China; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

GLENN R. TURNER

page5pict1CHINA––Glenn R. Turner, 62, of China, former reporter and editor at the Morning Sentinel who spearheaded the newspaper’s transition to digital layout in the late 1980s, died Sunday, December 4, 2016, following a hard-fought battle with lung cancer, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. Glenn was born March 4, 1949, in Waterville, the son of Richard M. Turner and Beverly J. (Tapley) Turner.

He graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1967 and from the University of Maine, Orono, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, in 1971. He met his future wife, Kathaleen Ladd, while they both were working at the Holiday Inn in Waterville. They married on February 24, 1973, and had two daughters.

Glenn started working at the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a proofreader on March 25, 1973. He was quickly promoted to reporter, where he showed an innate ability to capture the essence of whatever he was covering. At weekly staff meetings, Glenn’s organizational skills became evident and he soon was known for his pie charts and graphs. Then-city editor Kenneth J. Morton was heard on more than one occasion to refer to Glenn as a “born newspaperman.”

He was promoted from reporter to various positions at the newspaper, including state editor, city editor, managing editor for operations, news projects manager and web and special projects editor. The multiple roles required integration of journalism, editing, technical, Web, budgetary and staff management skills and encompassed two production sites in Waterville and at the newspaper’s sister paper, The Kennebec Journal in Augusta.

Glenn was president of the Maine Press Association from 1993 to 1994 and treasurer and a member of the board of directors from 1994 to 2000. He served on the board of directors of United Way of Mid-Maine from 2000 to 2003. He retired from the newspaper in 2010 at 62, but continued to manage online weekly newspapers and worked for the Mid-

Maine Chamber of Commerce, in Waterville.

Glenn devotedly cared for his wife, Kathaleen, as she battled multiple sclerosis, until her death in 2011.

At the time of his death, he was living with his longtime, loving partner, Susan A. Strasburg, in China.

In addition to Strasburg, he is survived by her son, Zachary T. Walter and his wife, April Snow, and their son, Brogan J. Walter; daughter, Kristin L. Cronkite and husband, Jerod, their daughter, Maddison, and son, Jeremy and his wife Mckenzie and their son, Griffin; daughter, Melanie L. Sweet and husband, Chris, their son Isaac, their daughters Alexia Sweet and Baylie Dalton; a brother, Timothy S. Turner and wife Cathy; nephews, Timothy Turner and wife Audra and their children Cayden and Autum, Robert Turner and wife Hillary and their children Addison and Rosalyin, Brooks Ladd and his wife Rebecca and their children Mathew and Nathan, Spencer Ladd and wife Li and their children Roland and Mackenzie; Arthur Ladd and his wife Shelby.

Glenn also was predeceased by his mother, Beverly J. Turner, father, Richard M. Turner; and wife, Kathaleen L. Turner.
Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville ME 04901.

OTHERS DEPARTED

MATHEW GUILFOYLE, 37, of Monmouth, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, November 24, 2016, following a medical emergency. Locally, he is survived by his father, Mark D. Guilfoyle, and a brother, Mark D. Guilfoyle, both of Windsor.

DIANNA M. PARKER LABRIE, 92, of Madison, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016, at Oak Grove Nursing Care, in Waterville. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Emily Parker Poulin and husband Richard, of Fairfield Center, and grandson Josh Parker, of Windsor.

HAROLD C. ABBOTT SR., 85, of South Bristol, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016, at the Sussman House, in Rockport. Locally, he is survived by a grandson, Harold D. Abbott III, of Jefferson.

ELEANOR J. BURTCHELL, 90, of Wilton, passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016, in Wilton. Locally, she is survived by daughters, Judy Gallant and Sherry Young, both of Vassalboro.

ROSALIE M. PLOURDE, 85, of West Gardiner, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation. Locally, she is survived by a son, Joseph Plourde and his partner Tiffany Glidden, of China.

ETHEL F. BARTLETT, 89, formerly of Washington, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at Jefferson Green, in Jefferson. Locally, she is survived by a granddaughter, Stacey Bond and husband Aaron, of Whitefield, and great-grandchildren Augustus, Griffin and Keegan Bond, all of Whitefield, and Monica Pallotta, of Somerville.

TIMMY L. McARTHUR, 53, of Chelsea, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at MaineGeneral Medical Center Emergency Room, in Augusta. Locally, he is survived by a nephew, Eugene R. McArthur III, of North Whitefield.

ANN S. POND, 92, of Winthrop, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. Locally, she is survived by daughters Sally Gould Vlodek and husband Kenneth, of Vassalboro, and Kathryn Higgins and husband Scott, of Windsor.

REGINA P. ARBOUR, 63, of Augusta, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation & Long Term Care at Glenridge. Locally, she is survived by sisters Virginia Davis, of Augusta, and Mary Vannah, of Vassalboro, and brothers Larrie Minoty, of Vassalboro, Richard Minoty, of Belgrade, and Robert Minoty and Kenneth Minoty, both of Whitefield.

Letters to the editor, Week of December 15, 2016

Coal for Christmas to driver

To the editor:

To the person who hit the dog and didn’t stop on Rt 32, in Jefferson, on Sunday morning (12/11) at 7 a.m…I will call you a coward because the paper will not let me print what I would really like to call you and what I am sure other pet lovers and fur baby parents reading this will be thinking.

This fur baby you hit, a Rottweiler, a puppy, “Baby” was new to the family having just filled the void of a recently passed fur baby from cancer “Bota.” She was a lap dog, “Roy’s” playmate, loved to go camping, rides, and cruise on the golf cart.

You left her people, kids, grandkids, devastated at this holiday season.

No, she shouldn’t have been in the road, but you didn’t need to be so heartless as to not stop and offer your condolences, it wasn’t a squirrel, turkey or a cat for that matter. Someone reading might say maybe you didn’t know you hit something, well the pieces of your car left in the road beg to differ.

I hope Santa leaves you COAL for Christmas. PS: if you want your car parts, stop and get them. Trash is Wednesday.

Kathy McDaniel
Jefferson

China police log November 1 – 28 2016

November 1 – 28 2016

Friday November 4

1630      Business Check Lakeview Drive
1702       Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
1722       Business Check Main Street China Village
1825       Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
1850       Traffic Stop Neck Road
1922        Traffic Stop Neck Road
1936        Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
2000       Business Check Rt. 3
2010       Business Check Rt. 3
2025       Business Check Rt. 3

Friday November 17

1330       Assist Code Enforcement Rt. 3
1430       Assist Search Warrant Weeks Mills Road
1512        Assist MDEA with Traffic Stop
1555       Criminal Mischief Complaint Thurston Park
1615        Business Check Lakeview Drive
1640       Traffic Stop Village Road, S. China
1700       Business Check Rt. 3
1715        Business Check Rt. 3
1735        Stolen Vehicle Complaint Dirigo Road
1745        Domestic Disturbance Dirigo Road
1810       Business Check Windsor Road
1857       Traffic Stop Rt. 3
1915       Assist KSO with Criminal Speed Lakeview Drive

Saturday November 26

1210        Business Check Lakeview Drive
1215         Business Check Causeway Road
1330       Animal Complaint Hanson Road
1355        Traffic Stop Pleasant View Ridge Road
1500       Traffic Stop Windsor Road
1545        Business Check Rt. 3
1622       Residence Check Requested Old Waterville Road
1700       Business Check Lakeview Drive

China News: Police report: traffic on Main St. too fast

by Mary Grow

China Village residents told selectmen last summer that traffic on Main Street and Causeway Road is too fast. Technology has backed them up.

Two of China’s five local police officers, all of whom are also Oakland policemen, reported to China selectmen on Dec. 12 about police activities since August. Traffic control is one of the major issues they deal with. In his written report, Sergeant Tracey Frost said they used grant money to buy a Blackcat radar system which they deployed inconspicuously on Main Street, Dirigo Road and Jones Road, three places where residents complained of speeders.

An attached report from Sergeant Jerry Haynes, who analyzed the radar reports, said that Jones Road and Dirigo Road have some fast traffic, but not enough to warrant a major enforcement effort. On Main Street, however, almost 21 percent of drivers exceeded the enforcement limit of 35 miles an hour, which is 10 miles above the posted speed limit.
Main Street, Frost wrote, “has the highest level of traffic violations we have ever recorded.”

He recommended that patrols continue and that in the spring selectmen consider other traffic-calming measures. “The concerns of local residents are certainly justified,” he added.

Besides the 25 mile an hour limit on Main Street and intersecting Causeway Road, additional signs warn drivers to watch out for a blind pedestrian, children playing and pets.

Frost’s report listed other activities in which the five officers have engaged this fall, and offered residents his personal email address to which to send law-enforcement concerns: chinamainepolice@gmail.com. In other business at the Dec. 12 meeting, selectmen accepted the resignation of Fred Montgomery as an alternate member of the planning board. Tom Michaud said Neck Road residents had asked him to apply for the seat; selectmen decided to follow their usual procedure of advertising the vacancy. They are also looking for more members for the ad hoc committee on China for a Lifetime, which will investigate ways to make the town more user-friendly, especially but not exclusively for senior citizens. The committee currently consists of Michaud, Selectmen Joann Austin and Irene Belanger, Sandra Kostron, Helen Roy and Toni Wall.

Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux reported that acquisition of the Wachusetts property on Lakeview Drive, given to the town and accepted by voters on Nov. 8, is complete. He is still working toward acquiring the two properties voters agreed to buy, one adjoining the town office and the other at the head of China Lake.

Selectmen considered proposing local measures to prepare for the state-wide legalization of recreational marijuana. They decided the March town meeting will be an appropriate time for any action they choose to recommend.

Other area town officials are exploring ordinances to ban recreational marijuana or to establish a moratorium to give them time to create appropriate local regulations.

Board Chairman Neil Farrington reported that he and Selectman Ron Breton met with Palermo selectmen to work out final details of Palermo residents’ use of China’s transfer station, scheduled to begin with the new year.

Farrington also issued a reminder that the new transfer station days are now in effect: the facility is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and no longer open on Wednesday.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting has been rescheduled from Monday evening, Dec. 26, to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, in the town office meeting room.

China News: Planners approve marijuana growing facility

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members have approved Nathan White’s application to grow marijuana for medical purposes in a former store at 306 Route 3, after a short Dec. 13 public hearing that allowed interested residents to ask questions and comment on the proposal.

In response to questions, White said he is allowed only one employee, who will be hired later. He plans no changes to the exterior of the building; there will be no public access or traffic and no odors, noise, waste or other potentially harmful or annoying effects. Security measures will include the watchfulness of the neighbor in the adjacent house, cameras and door sensors.

Planning Board Chairman James Wilkens said board members have reviewed state regulations for licensed medical marijuana caregivers, which govern White’s project. White’s father, Carrol White, said a few years ago he would not have favored his son growing medical marijuana, but having seen how its use helps patients get off other medication, he is now a supporter. One of Nathan White’s patients agreed and praised White specifically for researching individual needs and providing the types of marijuana most helpful in improving his clients’ lives.

The four planning board members at the Dec. 13 meeting voted unanimously that the project met all criteria in China’s ordinance and granted the permit.

After the application review, board members talked about how to improve their process. They decided to reinstate the visioning sessions they used to hold every year or so, at which they reviewed members’ interests and areas of expertise, board goals and procedures and the need – or not – to recommend changes in town ordinances.

A visioning session is likely to be scheduled in January 2017. The next board meeting is set for Tuesday evening, Dec. 27.

Hats for the homeless

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Clinton Elementary School’s Student Council recently led the school in a “Hats for the Homeless” drive. Students and staff had the opportunity all week to donate and in turn on Friday they could wear a hat in school for the day. Approximately 200 hats and $293 was collected and brought to the Mid Maine Homeless Shelter on December 6.

Student Council members, front, from left to right, Cylie Henderson, Kyra Henry, Hailey Bowley, Kylie Delile and Max Begin. Back, Makenzie Nadeau, Cameron Stewart, Lucas Campbell and Matthew Stubenrod.

Contributed photo

10th annual veterans dinner held at South China Legion hall

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee, managing editor

On November 9, the South China, Boynton-Webber American Legion Post #179 and Auxiliary hosted the 10th annual veterans dinner, sponsored by Fieldstone Quick Stop, Erskine Academy students and the Maine Veterans Home, at Togus.page1pict1

Neil Farrington, commander of the South China post, was instrumental in getting the most veterans that have ever attended the event. Over 130 local veterans, and many that were bused from the veterans home, were guests at the annual dinner.

Thadius Barber, owner of Fieldstone Quickstop, in South China, provided all the food, with the legion auxiliary providing coffee and many different, delicious desserts.

Also, 15 students from Erskine Academy’s Jobs for Maine Graduates program assisted at the dinner, waiting on tables, serving the coffee and dessert, and then assisted the veterans to their buses and cars.

The dinner, to honor local veterans, was the brain child of the late Martha Brann, who approached Barber 10 years ago when he owned Tobey’s Grocery, in South China. “Martha approached me to ask if I would support veterans at the South China Legion,” Barber recalls. “I didn’t need any time to think about it. I said yes.”

Brann followed through and continued with the annual project. “She had spunk,” Barber added, “You’d never know she was in her 80s. She loved to help people.”

Erskine Academy Jobs for Maine Graduates students and members of the Boynton-Webber American Legion Auxiliary assisted during the 10th annual veterans dinner held on November 9. Contributed photos

Erskine Academy Jobs for Maine Graduates students and members of the Boynton-Webber American Legion Auxiliary assisted during the 10th annual veterans dinner held on November 9.
Contributed photos

Hitting it off immediately, Barber arranged a dinner date for Martha with his widower grandfather, Lee Babb, a Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Spadefish submarine, at Pearl Harbor. Babb attended all the dinners until his passing seven years ago.

When Brann passed away this year, her daughter Dawn Spoden and her daughter stepped up to continue the traditional dinner. The dinner is held annually the day following election day in November.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of December 8, 2016

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, captured this flock of blue jays in his yard.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, captured this flock of blue jays in his yard.

 

PECULIAR MUSHROOM: Joan Robertson, of Palermo, snapped this mushroom growing on her lawn. It measured more than 10-inches in diameter.

PECULIAR MUSHROOM: Joan Robertson, of Palermo, snapped this mushroom growing on her lawn. It measured more than 10-inches in diameter.

 

SUPER MOON: Tina Richard, of Clinton, was on the spot to get this photo of the Super Moon on Nov. 14.

SUPER MOON: Tina Richard, of Clinton, was on the spot to get this photo of the Super Moon on Nov. 14.