CHINA NEWS: Planners adopt mission statement

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members adopted a mission statement and approved an application at their May 23 meeting, both by unanimous votes.

The application approval allows William Pettipas, of New England Imports, 632 Lakeview Drive, to add a 20-by-40-foot bay on his existing commercial garage. Board members had no comments from neighbors; they decided an expansion of an existing business with no changes affecting the neighborhood did not need a public hearing. Before the meeting several board members researched mission statements and three prepared drafts for the China board. The agreed-upon version, based primarily on a draft by Tom Miragliuolo, reads: “It is the mission of the China Planning Board to balance public and private needs while promoting development which integrates environmental protection and community economic goals.”

Board members asked Codes Officer Paul Mitnik to print the statement on future agendas, both as a guide and to give them a chance to reconsider and amend it if necessary.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 13.

Erskine students presented with scholarships

Erskine Academy students/scholarship winners, from left to right, Abigail Haskell, Audrey Jordan, Keeley Gomes, Allie Bonsant and Hannah Burns. Contributed photo

On May 25, the Whitefield Lions Club awarded five scholarships to local students.

This year, the Lions are proud to have increased the number of $1000 scholarships from three to five.

All five recipients are Erskine Academy students.

Winners are Abigail Haskell, Audrey Jordan, Keeley Gomes, Allie Bonsant and Hannah Burns.

Their families were in attendance

Earlier in the evening, the newly-formed Leo Club, of Erskine Academy, was awarded a check for $250.

This money, donated by the Whitefield Lions, is to be spent on community service projects For the Leo club to choose and use at their discretion

The Leo Club, was formed this year in conjunction with the Whitefield Lions Club.

Leo clubs provide young people with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of their local, national, and international communities.

Submitted by Britt Morris.

Area observances of Memorial Day

All gave some…some gave all: Flags line all the graves at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta.
Photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine

by Central Maine Photography Reporter/Writer Jessica Laliberte

Local service organization leaders pose at the veterans memorial in South China. From left to right, Rick Fischer, Jeff Zimmerman and Neil Farrington.
Contritured photo

A sea of red, white and blue fills the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, as thousands of flags adorn the graves of soldiers buried in the cemetery. This is the 11th year of the event. The ceremony featured music from the Public Safety Pipes and Drum Corp, the singing of the National Anthem, prayer by a local deacon, and brief remarks from Maine Governor Paul LePage.

Hundreds of volunteers including Scouts, veterans, civilians and other civic groups joined forces to place a flag on the grave of every soldier buried in the cemetery, about 15,000 in total, on Saturday, May 27.

As the volunteers dispersed to the graves with flags in hand, the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace echoed in the chilly morning air.

The flags were purchased through donations. According to Donald Simoneau, a past state commander and organizer of the event, about 750 veterans die each year and are buried at the Maine Veterans Cemetery.

If you would like to donate you can make checks payable to the American Legion “Grave Flag Program,” P.O. Box 900, Waterville, ME 04901.

In honor of their service: Derek Fennell, a Marine veteran from China, with his two sons, Kamren and Evan, places flags at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, on May 27.
Photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff.

Stage Bluebirds

Stage Presence for Dancers advanced ballet class in a piece entitled “Bluebird,” choreographed by instructor Meghan Loubier.
Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography

Jason Feyler, First place winner

Huard’s Sport Karate team member Jason Feyler, of Winslow, captured first place in forms and third place in fighting at the recent KICKS USA National Karate Tournament, held in Gardiner, on May 20.
Photo by Mark Huard

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What do we really know about chickadees?

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee

About 12 years ago, our grandson gave us a birdhouse that he had built. That same year, while attending a benefit auction, I acquired another birdhouse. We took both of those houses and mounted them on trees behind camp. There they sat for a dozen years. No activity that we ever noticed, until last weekend, when while having breakfast, I noticed a black-capped chickadee enter one of them. I continued to watch as it exited, and came back a few minutes later with what looked like building material for a nest.

Finally, someone was moving in. The little bird continued to work the rest of the day, and continued the next. That’s when I asked myself, “what do we really know about chickadees?”

They are the state bird, and they can be found just about everywhere. But, what else?

Insects form a large part of their diet in summer. Seeds and berries become their fare in winter. We feed the birds both at home and at camp, and one of the things that has always captured my attention in that chickadees, unlike the gold finches or nuthatches, who park themselves on the feeders, the chickadee goes to the feeder, takes one seed, and flies to a nearby tree to break it open. They will also store food in various places. They can remember where the food is stashed for up to 28 days.

On cold winter nights, they have the ability to reduce their body temperature by as much as 10-12 degrees C. That kind of torpor is not common in birds.

black-capped chickadee

black-capped chickadee

Chickadees are permanent residents. They do not migrate in winter, other than possibly moving south within their range. During winter, they often flock together, and will forage as a group. While flocking, they create a social hierarchy, Males rank over females and older birds over juveniles.

They usually sleep in vegetation or in cavities. I guess this particular chickadee liked the looks of that hole in what it may think is part of the tree.

Black-capped chickadees are monogamous, and males contribute greatly to reproduction. During the incubation period, the male will feed its partner. When the nestlings hatch, males are the primary provider. However, as the young get older the female takes over those responsibilities. They breed between April and June. Females prefer dominant males.

The black-capped chickadee is the state bird of both Maine and Massachusetts, and the Canadian province of New Brunswick, which borders Maine.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the black-capped chickadee as least concern due to its widespread distribution, and large population.

But, what disturbed me was the sighting of a blue jay in the area of the bird house on Monday. We haven’t seen the chickadee since.

Blue jays are known to attack or kill smaller birds. They are extremely territorial birds and will even show aggression towards humans if they come too close to their nest. Additionally, blue jays may raid other birds’ nests, stealing eggs, chicks or simply taking over the nest. We hope that was not the fate of that little chickadee that we have enjoyed watching for those couple of days.

Of course, with the rain we had on Monday, let’s just hope the chickadee had enough sense to stay out of the rain.

Legal Notices, Week of May 25, 2017

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Pursuant to the Order of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale docketed in Waterville District Court on 17 January 2017, Docket Number WATDC-RE-2016-00046, in an action brought by Robert W. Palmer, Jr., and Robert W. Palmer, III, against Jason York and Amy York, Defendants, for the foreclosure of the Mortgage recorded in the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds in Book 12117, Page 15, the statutory ninety (90) day period having elapsed without redemption on 17 April 2017, notice is hereby given that there will be sold at public sale on 30 June 2017 at 1:00 pm, at the offices of O’Donnell, Lee, P.A., 112 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine, all and singular the Premises described in said Mortgage.

The property to be sold is located at 965 Main Street, Vassalboro, Maine. Tax Map 23, Lots 9 and 9A. For a more particular description please refer to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale recorded in the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds in Book 12546, Page 169, which description is incorporated herein.

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

Robert W. Palmer, Jr., by attorneys O’DONNELL LEE, P.A., Bryan B Ward, Esq., 112 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine 04901, (207) 872-0112.
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SOLON & BEYOND, Week of May 25, 2017

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

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

First I want to correct something I wrote about an event that was coming up. The Inside Yard & Bake Sale at the North Anson Congregational Church will not be held on June 3, will try and let you know in time. They had to change the date and I haven’t heard yet when it will be.

And to the new friend in Gardiner who called me after reading about the wonderful store in Portland that I wrote about, my apologies, I have been really busy lately and somehow I lost your telephone number to let you know how to find this extra special haven of art supplies….It is Artist & Craftsman Supply at 540 Deering Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103. Thank you, for calling me, I always like to know how far and wide The Town Line paper is read and enjoyed.

And now for some more interesting news from the Solon Elementary School. Solon students have recently been involved in two challenges – the School Breakfast Challenge and the Maine Milk Challenge. During National School Breakfast Month in March, Solon Elementary School students took the School Breakfast Challenge to see if their school could boost the number of students eating breakfast at school. Every time a student ate breakfast, his/her name went on a ticket.

At the end of the month, there was a drawing for prizes and these were the winners: Hailey Wyman, Abby Leeman, Olive MacDonald, Noah Caldwell, Colton Enos, Stuart Hamblen, Nick Wildes, Alexis Leidy, and Ella McKinnon.

Solon Elementary School was one of five winning schools in the state in the Maine Milk Challenge sponsored by the Maine Dairy Council. This contest was based on the number of cartons of milk students drank at school for breakfast, snack or lunch.

A representative from the Maine Dairy Council, Katie Hoffman, visited the school on April 12 to present some bookmarks and bags for students and a new apron and hat with a cow theme for Cindy Lawrence who is the cook.

Four Solon students are the winners of district academic achievement awards this spring based on their scores on last spring’s 2015-16 Maine Educational Assessment. Each winner received a certificate, a check for $50, and his/her name on a plaque at CCS.

Of the seven awards presented to district students in grades 3-5, five of those were won by students from Solon. Here are the winners: Grade 3 Math – Desmond Robinson, Grade 3 Reading – Desmond Robinson. Grade 4 Math – Sascha Evans; Grade 4 Reading – Jayden Cates. Grade 5 Science – Laci Dickey.

Math and Reading awards are given each year to a third, a fourth, and a fifth grader in RSU #74 who scored the highest on the MEA. One science award is given to the student who scored the highest on the fifth grade science MEA. The math awards are sponsored by Mr. Chet Hickox, the reading awards by the three K-5 PTO’s, and the science awards by Mrs Sara Hickox.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Beginning on Memorial Day and running through Labor Day, Happyknits will be joining with over a dozen other locally-owned yarn shops throughout Maine in their first-ever statewide crawl. This is a fun way for people who love yarn to hit the road and get to know about the different small yarn shops tucked away all over Maine. A cruise on Casco Bay is being planned for the end of the event for any “crawlers” who wish to go. For more information you can stop in at Happyknits in Skowhegan. It really sounds fun.

Pauline Mayhew was treated on Mothers Day by her husband Harold and son Philip to a delicious seafood dinner at the Lobster Trap Restaurant, in Winslow. Later they traveled to Dexter where the Vietnam Wall Memorial was on display. Harold also found out that he won the Easter Scramble contest in the Morning Sentinel.

And so for Percy’s memoir entitled, “The Measure of Life.” Knowing that life is not measured by the breath we take. Do as the little inch worm does and find beauty along the way. Seeing joys and wonders so simple they cause our soul to ache Treasuring each single moment that takes our breath away. This was found on a tiny piece of cardboard and the lettering was very hard to read, I couldn’t read whoever thought up those wonderful words, but Percy and I thought they were very inspiring.

I’m Just Curious: Amazing uses, Part 2

by Debbie Walker

I promised more uses for Lemons, I also found more of the salt, baking soda vinegar, olive oil and Lord only knows what else I have coming. I swear this stuff finds its way to me! True confession is that I haven’t used all these “uses”.

Keep lemons at room temp. it’ll give you more juice. Even better roll, with some strength, the lemon between your hands and counter top. Had not heard this one before but one teaspoon lemon juice, one teaspoon honey, one cup, it’s supposed to keep your digestion moving, drink every morning. Whiten teeth with half a teaspoon lemon juice, half a teaspoon salt, one cup warm water. Dissolve salt into water; add lemon juice, swish in mouth for one minute, then rinse.

Get rid of old bumper stickers, soak a rag in full strength white vinegar, saturate the sticker, let stand 10 minutes then scrub off. Wipe down windshields with full strength white vinegar. It will remove old bird droppings. Pour full strength white vinegar into spray bottle, spritz over exposed skin and clothing to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Discourage patio weeds from growing between pavers by pouring baking soda into spaces. Eliminate greasy stains in the garage by pouring baking soda on stain; dip brush in water and use it to scrub. Freshen up your car by sprinkling baking soda over seat and floor mats. Let stand overnight then vac it up.

I found this section of another book and I found it interesting:

Bottles for Boots: One liter and other sized plastic bottles are perfect for propping up leather boots. (I already bought things for my boots. Wish I had seen this before!)

Dryer lint: lint you have cleaned out of the dryer you can use as kindling for a fireplace or wood stove.

Guitar pick? Need one? Instead of buying, substitute the plastic fasteners on bread bags. Let me know if it works.

Tennis balls: throw a few old tennis balls into your pool; they will absorb oil from sweat and sunscreen.

Tire pool: You may not have to hunt for a pool. Instead of buying wading pool you can use a big truck tire. Just drape a shower curtain over the tire. Push it down in the center.

Packing peanuts: they last forever so use them in the bottoms of your plant pots for drainage and it makes the pot a lot lighter to handle than rocks.

Just a note: between two and five percent of what we throw away each day is potentially reusable.

Plant food: water from boiling potatoes and pasta. Even the water from a fish tank is reusable, has its own fertilizer!

Okay, I am running out of words so I will finish this by asking you if you would e-mail me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com sub: Uses. Let me know what you tried and how it worked out: Because you know I’M JUST CURIOUS!

see Part 1 here!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Kodaly, Ella Fitzgerald, & The Pelican Brief

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by  Peter Cates

Kodaly

Hary Janos Suite; Respighi: Feste Romane- Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra; RCA Victor LM-1973, 12-inch vinyl mono LP, released 1956.

Zoltan Kodaly

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) was, arguably, one of the four best known conductors of the 20th century, the others being Leopold Stokowski, Arthur Fiedler, and Leonard Bernstein (these three definitely being subjects for later columns.) . That said, it now occurs to me I did a column devoted to the Maestro’s wide influence a while ago. Therefore, I move on to this week’s record.

The featured pieces are the Hary Janos Suite, composed in 1926 by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967), and Feste Romane, from 1928 and composed by Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) . Along with his lifelong friend, Bela Bartok, Kodaly was one of Hungary’s two best known 20th century composers. Hary Janos is a mythical character who proceeds to run off with Napoleon’s wife, Marie-Louise, and unleashes a series of near-lethal events before he miraculously makes things right. The Suite is a colorful piece of orchestral virtuosity.

In 1959, Kodaly’s first wife of 48 years died; he then married a 19-year-old student, with a 58 year age difference, and both were one happy couple (supposedly) until his own death in 1967, one year after a concert tour in the U.S.
Respighi’s Feste Romane evokes the spirit of Roman history from ancient times onwards – the spiritual pilgrimages to the Holy City, the romance of October Festival, the Circuses with their just plain fun-loving folks taking in the feasting of savage lions on the martyrs, etc.

Both works have immense potential appeal for beginning classical listeners and Toscanini’s conducting bristles with excitement.

Ella Fitzgerald

with Nelson Riddle’s arrangements and conducting; Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson; Verve V6-4054, 12-inch stereo vinyl LP, recorded 1962.

Ella Fitzgerald

The words Swings Brightly do not hint at the supremely splendid, vibrant excitement of this album. As far as I am concerned, Ella Fitzgerald sings renditions of the 12 songs contained here that have been rarely surpassed by anyone for power, beauty, elegance and all the other grossly overused synonyms for musical pleasure; and Nelson Riddle’s arrangements are those of once in a lifetime. Simply try Duke Ellington’s I’m Gonna Go Fishing, which I shared on my fb home page from YouTube, where it can be easily heard!

Pelican Brief

starring Julia Roberts, etc.; directed by Alan J. Pakula; Warner Brothers, 1993, 141 minutes.

Two Supreme Court justices of radically different ideologies are murdered on the same day. Thus no common thread is found to launch any type of investigation, until a Louisiana law student, Darby Shaw (played by Ms. Roberts), shows a brief to her professor who passes it along to a friend at the Justice Department.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts

All hell breaks loose for her – her car explodes, killing her professor inside who was borrowing it; she is pursued by killers from out of nowhere and doesn’t know who to trust. It’s 141 minutes of cat and mouse paranoia adding up to a most entertaining film. The late Hume Cronym does a captivating turn as one of the two murdered judges.