Mary Franks named to Castleton University dean’s list
Castleton student Mary Franks, of Liberty, was recently named to the Castleton University dean’s list for the spring semester of the 2016-17 academic year, in Castleton, Vermont.
Buzzell named to the Champlain College dean’s list
Jacob Buzzell, of Oakland, has been named to the Champlain College dean’s list for the spring 2017 semester, in Burlington, Vermont.
Students on the dean’s list have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the semester. Buzzell is majoring in Computer Science and Innovation.
Lasell College names Augusta resident to dean’s list
Lasell College recently named Benjamin Allen of Augusta, to the Lasell College dean’s list for the Spring 2017 semester, in Newton, Massachusetts.
Allen, whose major is sports management, is a member of the class of 2019.
SOLON & BEYOND, Week of June 22, 2017
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979
Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!
The Stewart Public Library, in North Anson, will hold its annual book sale on Saturday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the North Anson Fire Station, rain or shine. Books, magazines, audio books, DVDs, and CDs will be available for sale. New this year is a small area hosted by the volunteers, of collectible and newer books at higher prices. This area will only be open 9 a.m. to noon. Come and stock up on your reading needs.
The monthly supper at the Embden Community Center will be held on Saturday, July 8, at 5 p.m.
There are many public meals being offered in North Anson during the month of July. Every year the North Anson Congregational Church does a public breakfast every Saturday morning from 7 – 10 a.m.,; this year the dates are July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
The North Anson Methodist Church is having their baked bean, casserole and salad suppers on the following dates at 5 p.m. June 24, July 22, and July 29.
My thanks to all who sent me the news to share with all of you.
The other good news was the Solon School News which started out with, “Best Wishes to Fifth Graders.” We want to extend our best wishes and good luck to our fifth grade students who will enter sixth grade at Carrabec Community School in the fall.
The students attended a Step-Up-Day activity at CCS on June 6 with the other fifth graders from across the district. They met their teachers, saw the school, and did some team-building activities run by the high school’s JMG students.
“We will miss our fifth graders. We wish them the best of luck in the next step of their educational journey. Goodbye and Good luck to Emily Baker, Tehya Caplin, Jayden Cates, Dusty Corson, Sarah Craig, Cooper Dellarma, Sascha Evans, Reid Golden, Levi Hills, Nevaeh Holmes, Elisha Ireland, William Lawrence, Summer Lindblom, Jackson Pease, Alyssa Schinzel, Lucas Vicneire, Hailey Wyman and Dystany Young.
“The Solon Masons sponsored the second annual Bikes for Books program in the Solon Elementary School this spring. This program promotes reading among the K – 5 students. The program kicked off on April 24. Students read books and filled out a form on each book they read, putting the forms in large envelopes in their classrooms. On June 7, an assembly was held to do a drawing for a boy and a girl from each class. Each of those students won a new bike, helmet, and T-shirt provided by the Masons.
“At the assembly, Deputy Mike Pike went over bike safety with the students, especially the importance of wearing a bike helmet every time you ride.
“The students did a lot of reading in this second year of this great program. The total for the K through 5 readers was 410 books. Congratulation to these bike winners and the top readers in each class who received $ 15 Walmart gift cards.
“We appreciate the support of a community organization like the Masons to promote reading and fitness with our students.
“The winners were K students Maxx Caplin and Charlotte Hamilton; Grade 1, Amelia Cooper and Colton Enos; Grade 2 Riley Pelkey and Brice Agren; Grade 3 Macie Ploude and Aaron Soosman; Grade 4,Ciara Myers-Sleeper and Nick Wildes and Grade 5, Elisha Ireland and Dusty Corson. The Top Readers were David Dixon, Karen Baker, Charlotte Hamilton, Ciarrah Whiiemore, Delena Cabral, Amelia Cooper, Jayden Cates, and Dystany Young.”
And now for Percy’s memoir entitled: Love’s Laughter. “There is a place within each of us from which laughter springs. I think it must be somewhere awfully close to the heart. The thrill that leads us to laugh is surely connected to that which leads us to love. Each is as intertwined with the other as music and dance or prayer and devotion. Whether brought on by the candid honesty of a child or the wit of a sweetheart, laughter expresses love and appreciation for that person. And as it bubbles from within and rises to the surface, laughter becomes a manifestation of love.” How very true!
Obituaries, Week of June 22, 2017
THEODORE BRADSTREET
ALBION––Theodore Bradstreet, 70, known to his friends as Ted, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. He was born on October 3, 1946, in Augusta, to Mary (Palmer) and Kenneth Bradstreet.
Ted graduated from Gardiner High School in 1964. He met his wife of over 48 years, Ruth (Dodge), in the summer of 1967. Ted attended college for many years acquiring a number of degrees. He went on to work in a variety of fields, and remained a passionate researcher and writer into his retirement years. His last article will appear in the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association Journal at the end of the year.
Ted was predeceased by his parents; and one younger brother.
He is survived by his wife; their children Rebecca Bradstreet and Jonathan Bradstreet and his wife Sherry; sister Myra Rosenbaum; brother Robert; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to: St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 300, Chamberlain SD 57325-0300 or online at stjo.org/give.
NATHAN DESJARDINS
ALBION––Nathan Michael Desjardins, 20, of Albion, died on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston, as a result of injuries sustained in a search and rescue operation while working for the Fryeburg Police Department, who were assisting the Maine Warden Service. Nate was born on June 12, 1996, in Waterville, the second son of Nicole (Proulx) Desjardins and Brian Desjardins.
Nate was educated in local schools, enjoyed soccer and graduated with academic honors from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, class of 2014. During his sophomore year in college, he pursued his dream of studying abroad, and was fortunate enough to spend a semester in Seville, Spain, where he fell in love with the people and the culture, and where he also continued to learn how to play the violin, which he continued to teach himself when he returned to Maine.
Nate enjoyed many styles of music, with country being his favorite, and he was ecstatic that he was able to recently attend his favorite country music artist’s (Josh Turner) concert with one of his best friends. He pursued employment opportunities which would enhance his passion for learning and serving the public through roles as an EMT and reserve police officer, while using the money earned to pay for his college education.
He had completed his third year at the University of New England, School of Nursing, in Biddeford, and had a clear vision of using his education to better his contribution to police departments, EMT service or any agency called upon to assist others in time of need. Nate always spoke highly of his friends at UNE, the excellent caliber of his professors, and continued to thrive and excel academically.
Nate enjoyed the outdoors, be it skiing, fishing or kayaking. His hike up Mount Katahdin gave him a love of hiking.
He was a focused individual who wanted to make a difference in this world by contributing whatever he could, wherever he could, whenever he could. Even in death he gave of himself as an organ donor so others could enjoy life a little better.
Nate is survived by his parents; his brother Ross Desjardins; his grandmother Susan Proulx; as well as a very large extended family and circle of friends.
To view a collage of Nate’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family, please visit: www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.
Memorial gifts may be made to: University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland ME 04103.
PATRICIA A. COLE
FAIRFIELD––Patricia A. Cole, 70, passed away Friday, June 9, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born September 1, 1946, in Fairfield, the daughter of William and Ethelyn B. (Short) Fagan.
On June 12, 1982, she married Gerald A. Cole, in Fairfield. She owned and operated Center General Store, in Fairfield Center, for 13 years. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, crocheting, word puzzles, and spending time with family.
She was predeceased by her husband Gerald Cole in 2012.
Patricia is survived by her son, Ken Cutler, and companion Michelle Holmes, of Fairfield; daughter, Sue Sirois and husband Jason, of Sidney; grandchildren, Sydnee Cutler, of Benton, Karlee Cutler, of Benton, Jake Cutler and companion Jen Curtis, of Waterville, Christopher Longley and companion Dylan Tillson, of Sidney; and great-grandchildren, Kaedon, Madi, William, and Lillian.
Arrangements were under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Rd., Skowhegan.
Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville ME 04901.
AVA J. MARABLE
WINDSOR––Ava Jenell Marable passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017. Ava was born nearly 15 weeks early at Maine Medical Center in Portland, on March 26, 2017, one minute after her twin sister Eden, and weighed 1 pound 11 ounces, the daughter of Aaron and Rachelle Marable.
Ava was a fighter, she fought hard her entire time here on earth.
Ava was predeceased by her aunt Sentree; great-grandmothers Mammie and Nannie; and great-grandfathers Waldo and Bill.
Ava is survived by her parents Aaron and Rachelle Marable, of Windsor; her six siblings, Jarell, Dandre, Joslyn, Jakobe, Mason and her identical twin sister Eden; her maternal great-grandfather Ronald Dennison, of Windsor; maternal great-grandmother, Shirley Isbister, of Windsor; maternal grandparents, Warren and Stephanie Joslyn, of Windsor; paternal grandparents, Earl and Debra Gallagher, of Somerville; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
Memorial donations may be made for her twin sister Eden’s continued care at Maine Medical Center in Portland. All correspondence may be sent to: 4 Chuddy Lane, Windsor ME 04363.
LLOYD G. MEADER
WINDSOR––Lloyd Grand Meader, 82, of Windsor, died Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta following a brief illness. He was born in Vienna, on June 15, 1934, the son of Leslie Meader and Mildred (Merrick) Meader.
Mr. Meader served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Lapointe Lumber Co., in Augusta, for 20 years.
He always had a big smile and a great sense of humor. He had a very charismatic personality, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
His wife, Glaydies F. Meader, predeceased him. They were married December 3, 1956.
Surviving are two daughters, Nancy Gould and husband Thomas, of Pittston, and Stacey Hoyt and husband David, of Arizona; two brothers, Charles Meader, of Vienna, and William Meader, of South China; three sisters, Vivian Hughes, of California, Virginia Carter, of Wilton, and Jerlean Giles, of Georgia; three half-brothers, Floyd Ladd, of Phillips, Boyd Ladd, of Farmington, and Russell Meader, of Washington State; one half-sister Linda Round, of Enfield; three grandchildren, Tonya, Erica and Grant; one great-grandson Briton; and several nieces and nephews.
A committal service, with military honors, will be held Friday, August 11, at 2 p.m. at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor.
Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.
LORI A. PELLETIER
FAIRFIELD – Lori A. Pelletier, 51, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2017. She was born February 18, 1966, in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Walter Pelletier and Judy (Hawes) Pelletier.
The family moved back to Maine when Lori was young.
Although she enjoyed staying home her house was always open to friends and especially to someone who needed a place to stay. She had a special love for her dog Bently and he was loved by all who entered her home. She enjoyed bowling in her younger years and was very proud of the trophies she won. She was blessed with a good heart and was happily looking forward to the birth of her first granddaughter in a few months.
Lori is survived by her father and step-mother, Walter and Beverly Pelletier, of Canaan; her son Walter Bell and his fiancée Ashley Marie Cyr, of Millinocket; her sister Lynne Pelletier and her fiance Dan Shaw, of Windham; her step-brother Tim Patnaude and his wife Lisa, of Sabattus; her step-sister Karen Pullen and her fiance Brandon Norton, of Fairfield,; two nephews Thomas Pelletier II, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Michael Hopkins, of Stamford, Connecticut.
She was predeceased by her mother, Judy Chase and her brother Thomas Pelletier.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 445 Watervillle Road, Skowhegan, Maine.
LLOYD G. MEADER
WINDSOR – Lloyd Grant Meader, 82, of Windsor, died Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta, following a brief illness. He was born in Vienna, on June 15, 1934, the son of Leslie Meader and Mildred (Merrick) Meader.
Mr. Meader served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Lapointe Lumber Co., in Augusta, for 20 years.
He always had a big smile and a great sense of humor. He had a very charismatic personality. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He will be greatly missed.
His wife, Glaydies F. Meader, predeceased him. They were married December 3, 1956.
Surviving are two daughters: Nancy Gould and husband Thomas Gould, of Pittston, and Stacey Hoyt and husband David Hoyt, of Arizona, two brothers: Charles Meader, of Vienna, and William Meader, of South China; three sisters: Vivian Hughes, of California, Virginia Carter, of Wilton, and Jerlean Giles, of Georgia; three half-brothers: Floyd Ladd, of Phillips, Boyd Ladd, of Farmington, and Russell Meader, of Washington State; and one half-sister Linda Round, of Enfield; three grandchildren Tonya, Erica and Grant, one great-grandson Briton, and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.
NORMAN W. MATHIEU
WINSLOW––Norman W. Mathieu, 89, passed away in Scarborough on Sunday, June 11, 2017, from complications following a stroke. Norman was born in Winslow on January 8, 1928, the son of Joseph and Cecile (Roy) Mathieu.
He was a graduate of Winslow High School and spent two years in the United States Coast Guard. On July 8, 1950, Norman married the former Theresa J.
Poulin, of Winslow, with whom he had four children and spent 63 years.
Through his career Norman was superintendent of Hoerner Waldorf Corporation, in Waterville, and also an employee of Scott Paper Company, in Winslow,
Maine Central Railroad, in Waterville, and Winslow Junior High School. His hobbies included bowling, fishing, gardening, music, and watching the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Canadiens.
He was a devout Catholic, a life-long communicant and frequent cantor at St. John Church, in Winslow, which later became part of Corpus Christi Parish.
A great musician since the age of ten, Norman will be fondly remembered as a spiritually uplifting entertainer at the Muskie Center, in Waterville, along with area nursing homes and many private gatherings. His love of music lives on in his children and grandchildren and many extended family members.
From 2010 to 2013 Norman never left his beloved wife Theresa’s side and was her full-time care-giver until she passed away on March 13, 2013.
He is survived by daughters Barbara Mathieu, of Oakland, and Janet Bird, of Scarborough; sons William Mathieu, of Winslow, and Paul Mathieu and wife Miriam Englund, of Freedom, New Hampshire; grandchildren Jenny Michaud, of Portland, Joshua Michaud and partner Misty Doyon, of Oakland, Philip and Nathanael Mathieu, of Freedom, New Hampshire, Christopher Mathieu, of Winslow, and Danielle Zapata, of Waterville; great-grandchildren Bryce and Jayceon Mathieu, and Chace Doyon; sisters Arlene Rulman, of Westbrook, and Ann Roy, of Rockland; brother Anthony Mathieu, of Winslow; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Spectrum Generations, 38 Gold St., Waterville ME 04901 or at www.spectrumgenerations.org., to support the activity fund.
REAL B. TREPANIER
WINSLOW––Real B. Trepanier, 73, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a prolonged illness. He was born in Lac Megantic, Canada, on November 7, 1943, the son of Victor and Maria (Fredette) Trepanier.
Real was a Waterville High School graduate and a u.S. Army veteran serving in both Germany and Vietnam. After his military service, he entered the work force at Fraser Paper Mill, in Madawaska, for 10 years, then he returned to Winslow where he was employed for 20 years for Scott Paper Co. as a treatment plant operator.
Real was the historian for 10 years for the Bourque-Lanigan Post #5 American Legion, in Waterville. He was also a talented violin player and bird carver, ham radio operator and growing bonsai plants.
Real was predeceased by his siblings, Gaeton, Marielle, Richard , Paul and Carmen Trepanier.
Real is survived by his wife, Jeannine (Rancourt) Trepanier, of Winslow; daughters, Natalie Cyr and husband Vance, of Vassalboro and Sonia Trepanier, of Winslow; brothers, Patrick Trepanier, of Norridgewock, and Clement Trepanier and wife Joella, of Tifton, Georgia; sister Anita Trepanier and sister-in-law Jackie (Rancourt) Boulet, both of Winslow; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.
OTHERS DEPARTED
CHARLES W. OLIVER, 98, of Canaan, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Locally, he is survived by children Donna Cookson, of Benton, and Debra Jean and Peter Re Jr., of Oakland.
Margaret Chase Smith essay contest winners
The Margaret Chase Smith Library has announced the winners of its 21st annual essay contest. This year Maine high school seniors were asked to write about their solutions to the current drug epidemic.
The first-place prize of $1,000 goes to Gabrielle Kyes, from Mattanawcook Academy, in Lincoln, for her entry “Crusade Against the Drugs, Not the Users.”
Second place and $500 is awarded to Abigail Hande, of Highview Christian Academy, in Charleston.
The third-place recipient of $250 is Sigrid Sibley, of Poland Regional High School.
In addition, five honorable mention prizes of $50 were presented to Ally Clark-Bonsant and Eleanor Theriault, both of Erskine Academy, in China, Sydney McDonald, from Bangor High School, Thomas Sheils, of Casco Bay High School, in Portland, and Griffin Tibbitts, from Morse High School, in Bath.
Funding for the essay contest and library comes from the Margaret Chase Smith Foundation, located in Skowhegan, Maine.
Bible study group holds last meeting of season
On June 15, the Margaret Stotsenburg Bible Study group from the China Baptist Church had their last meeting until fall. It was a lovely breakfast with fruit, homemade breakfast casseroles and muffins. The group meets every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the church vestry for a time of Bible study, sharing and prayer. Any woman interested is invited to join when they resume in the fall, Thursday, September 7. This group began in the early 1970s and was named for the pastor’s wife who started it. It has been an important part of the church for over 45 years. Contributed photo
CHINA NEWS: Selectmen pay bills; seek office secretary
by Mary Grow
Three China selectmen met briefly Wednesday morning, June 14, primarily to approve the biweekly payroll and pay other bills.
Joann Austin, Irene Belanger and Jeffrey LaVerdiere also talked about beaver control to protect the north entrance road into Thurston Park and about the need for more volunteers for town committees.
The budget committee needs a secretary, who can live anywhere in town (the committee chairman is also from the town at large, and four other members represent four geographic districts). Residents interested in helping plan China Community Days and town-wide economic development are invited to volunteer for what used to be one committee and, selectmen have indicated, will become two separate committees.
Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said the selectmen’s meeting was rescheduled from the usual Monday evening to Wednesday morning to accommodate board Chairman Neil Farrington and member Ronald Breton, who were not available Monday, June 12. Neither was at the June 14 meeting.
The next regular China selectmen’s meeting ought to be Monday evening, June 26, unless board members again change the schedule.
VHS to display prehistoric fishing roots in Vassalboro
From left to right, Tony Jenkins, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Simone Antworth, VHS director, Jan Clowes, VHS president, Gary Shaffer, NRCS archaeologist, Stewart Corson, VHS director, Don Bassett, exhibit designer, and Russell Smith, VHS director. Photo by Tom Kielbasa, NRCS
by Thomas Kielbasa
NRCS-Maine
A new exhibit at a central Maine museum is the fruition of a unique partnership between the local community and the USDA to preserve prehistoric artifacts for future generations.
On June 10 the Vassalboro Historical Society officially unveiled the “Remembered Vision” display at its museum in East Vassalboro, highlighting the area’s prehistoric fishing roots. The new exhibit – which features stone tool artifacts and a diorama depicting a native village – was created with the help of funding provided by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and volunteers with the Historical Society.
The “Remembered Vision” exhibit was funded in part by NRCS through a $5,000 National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) award to promote the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Vassalboro Historical Society (VHS) matched the funds to complete the exhibit.
“It is amazing,” VHS President Janice Clowes said during a special reception at the opening of the exhibit. “The people who have seen it are amazed, and we are so excited about it.”
The exhibit was designed by freelance artist and former display coordinator with the Maine State Museum Don Bassett. Bassett incorporated into the exhibit more than 100 stone artifacts excavated from the nearby Cates family farm, which sits on the mouth of an outlet stream from China Lake and was the site of a seasonal fishing camp for prehistoric and native fishermen.
Bassett said his vision for the Vassalboro exhibit was to bring to the community “the knowledge base that for thousands of years there were people right here on the grounds, and it continued mostly around a seasonal fishing existence.”
“Remembered Vision” is quite literally a “window” into the past; the east-facing window in the exhibit looks out onto the Cates farm and the site of the prehistoric fishing camp.
Bassett explained that much of the farm’s soil is undisturbed and could provide “an enormous cache” of archaeological information, thanks to support from the local community. He said a water treatment facility had been planned for the site in the 1990s, but an outpouring of support from locals to preserve its integrity saved the China Lake site.
“Not only did they save the farm, but found property (elsewhere) for the water district to build their water treatment plant,” Bassett added. “…The community is very proud to have that site, and they are very proud of the museum.””
A carving at the new exhibit, which features stone tool artifacts and a diorama depicting a native village.
Photo by Tom Kielbasa, NRCS
Through the window of the exhibit a visitor can also see the siding of the High Tunnel System on the Cates farm that NRCS assisted with installing nearly two years ago.
The project began in 2014 when the Cates family sought NRCS assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to install a High Tunnel System to help prolong their growing season. NRCS-Maine Cultural Resources Specialist Dr. Gary Shaffer knew the significance of the site since previous excavations over the years had recovered prehistoric artifacts primarily from the Middle and Late Archaic periods; especially from about 6,000 to 4,500 years ago. Shaffer believed the installation or use of the high tunnel at the farm would only minimally disturb the archaeological site (the setting of stakes to anchor the structure to the ground), but future usage could impact the site. His own excavation recovered several ceramic sherds and metal artifacts from the 18th to 20th centuries, as well as a flake of Kineo rhyolite from prehistoric tool manufacture. Importantly, troweling of the B horizon soils in one test pit revealed the dark soil of a prehistoric fire pit. After removal of the black, greasy silt loam from the pit, Shaffer carefully screened the soil to collect even the smallest of artifacts and biological items. As a result, he found a calcined (burned) bone and several pieces of charcoal.
This bone was later identified as a mouth apparatus of an anadromous alewife fish in a charcoal pit that was around 4,000 years old; this “confirmed the presence of significant prehistoric archaeological resources in the footprint of the high tunnel” at the Cates’ farm, according to Shaffer.
It was this project that helped solidify the historic importance of the site and confirm the location’s eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), a list with more than 90,000 properties of historical significance across the nation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s NRHP is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
“The Natural Resources Conservation Service was proud to be a part of this project in Vassalboro,” Shaffer said. “The Historical Society has truly done a great job with putting together this exhibit and ensuring generations to come will learn about the rich prehistory of this area of Maine.”
Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of June 15, 2017
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, has been busy with his camera lately.
A great blue heron wades through the water near his home.
As a red squirrel chomps away on some food, a bird in a nearby nest watches carefully.
Two gold finch perch at a feeder, almost looking like a mirror image.