TECH TALK: Welcome to Reality 2.0

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ERIC’S TECH TALK

by Eric Austin
Computer Technical Advisor

Let me take you back a few decades to the 1980s. I was 12 years old and cruising around the neighborhood on my ten-speed mountain bike. On this particular day, I was exploring the garage sales along Lakeview Drive that are so prevalent this time of year.

At one of them, I found an old video game console for 75 cents and eagerly trundled it atop my bike for the trip home. It was one of those all-in-one units with the games built into it, and two controllers, then called “paddles,” with only a simple knob like a control switch for a dimmable light.

The first videogame: Pong.

All the games included were variations on Pong, in which each player controls a short, vertical line on opposite sides of the screen, moved up or down by the control knob on the game paddle. The objective of the game is to “bounce” a little white dot from one side of the screen to the other in order to score points against your opponent.

Nobody looking at a screenshot of this game would mistake it for an actual game of tennis.

Skip forward to the present day. Steam, the largest digital distribution platform on the web, has their Summer Sale and I pick up the game Grand Theft Auto 5 for 20 bucks.

GTA5 is one of the biggest videogame releases in recent years, with over 11 million copies sold within 24-hours of its debut. Basically, it’s a crime story told in a simulated world based on the Southern California city of Los Angeles and the surrounding countryside.

Consider just a few mind-blowing facts about the world of GTA5: The game world encompasses more than 100 square miles! You can fly a plane, ride a motorcycle, or go scuba-diving off the coast of California. If you stop your car in the middle of traffic, drivers around you will beep their horns and flip you the bird until you get moving again. If you make your character act crazy in the game, passers-by will pull out their phones and film you — just like real life!

I’m only 40 (okay forty-two!), but I’ve watched as our ability to simulate real life has gone from Pong, a rudimentary effort to simulate the game of tennis, to Grand Theft Auto 5, an incredibly detailed simulation of an entire city, down to building interiors, wildlife in the countryside, and artificial intelligence-driven people that react to your actions on the fly.

Grand Theft Auto 5: An entire simulated city.

Considering this kind of advancement just in my short life, what kind of worlds will we be able to simulate in another 50 years? If the past is anything to go by, computer simulations of the future will be so real that they will be indistinguishable from actual reality. Already it is difficult to watch a movie today and know which parts of it are real and which are computer generated. Combine this graphics realism with advances in computing power and artificial intelligence and it is not difficult to imagine what videogames of the future might be like.

This kind of thinking has led a number of brilliant minds, as diverse as entrepreneur Elon Musk and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, to ask: Are we already living in a simulated world? Would we be able to tell if we were?

The argument goes something like this:

We can assume that, in the future, it will be possible to simulate reality to the extent that it is impossible to distinguish it from the real thing. Further, it is an obvious assumption that there will be a greater number of simulated worlds than actual worlds. One can then also assume that some of those simulated worlds would be simulations of the past, such as earth in the year 2017. And since there is only one actual Earth 2017, but many possible simulations of Earth 2017, it therefore is more likely we are living in a simulation than not. For example, if there are a billion simulated versions of Earth 2017, but only one actual Earth 2017, the odds that we are living in the real world and not a simulated one would be a billion to one against.

Consider something even weirder. In a video game-simulated world, your computer only renders the part of the virtual world you are currently experiencing. So, when you are looking in a specific direction in the game world, your computer renders the graphics for the part of the world you are seeing, but not for anything that is currently off-screen. It does this to save processing power.

Well, the “real” world eerily works in a very similar way. According to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, “physical systems generally do not have definite properties prior to being measured” (Wiki, 2017). In other words, quantum particles do not exist in a specific place and time until they are interacted with – something termed in physics as the “(probability) wave function collapse,” in which all possible values (of location, of momentum, etc…) collapse to a single value at the moment of interaction. It is almost as if the universe is a quantum computer which saves processing power by not calculating exact values for reality until it becomes necessary by interaction with an observer. Weird, huh?

Is it possible that we are unwitting inhabitants of an enormous simulation powered by a quantum computer existing sometime in the future?

Are your neighbors simply advanced A.I. personalities designed to give this simulation a veneer of realism? Could we all simply be self-aware A.I. placed into a simulation of earth in the year 2017 and programmed to believe this is not a simulation?

Of course, would I be able to ask these questions if we were?

Do you know someone living in their own simulation of reality? Come share your experience on townline.org or send an email to me at ericwaustin@gmail.com!

KHS to present Women at Sea in Manchester

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This visual slideshow explores the “herstories” of Penobscot Bay women and daughters who went to sea in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Despite the old sailors’ superstition that women at sea were unlucky, the women accompanied their fathers and husbands on cargo voyages around the world. Some were literally born into the profession and others joined their love ones with initial trepidation. Using letters, manuscripts and newspaper articles from the Penobscot Marine Museum archives and objects from the collection, we will learn about their experiences at sea.

Cipperly Good, Collections Manager and Curator at Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, spent her early museum career just upriver at the L.C. Bates Museum and returned to Maine full-time in 2010 to take her current job at Penobscot Marine Museum. She holds a Masters of Arts in Museum Studies from The George Washington University and is a graduate of Colby College.

The Kennebec Historical Society July presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted) and will take place on Wednesday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Hope Baptist Church, located at 726 Western Avenue in Manchester.

Waterville Cal Ripken Maine District 5 champions

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Front, Alex Spaulding. First row, left to right, Jonathan Roach, Garrett Gendreau, John Nawfel, Ben Foster and Chris Nawfel. Second row, Keegan Dumais, Gage Hubbard, Brendan Roderick, Spencer Brown, Wyatt Gradie and Anderson Maines. Back row, coaches Rick Gradie, Larry Brown, Ben Foster and Wayne Gendreau.
Photo by Cemtral Maine Photography staff

Maine Cal Ripken 11U District 5 champions, Waterville, went undefeated for the weekend and defeated Skowhegan in the championship game, 5-4, with Brendan Roderick the winning pitcher.

New titling program from AKC

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TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG

by Carolyn Fuhrer

AKC has a new titling program: The AKC Trick Dog. It is designed so dogs and their owners can have fun learning tricks together.

There are four levels of titles in AKC Trick Dog:

  • AKC Novice Trick Dog TKN
  • AKC Intermediate Trick Dog TKI
  • AKC Advanced Trick Dog TKA
  • AKC Trick Dog Performer TKP

AKC approved CGC (Canine Good Citizen) evaluators may observe the tricks and sign as evaluators for the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced AKC titles.

For the performer level, all tricks must be done as a part of a routine and a video link must be provided to AKC for evaluation.

Here are the criteria for the four levels of titles:

Novice

Perform 10 tricks, or have the CGC on record at AKC and perform five tricks. May use food/toys as a lure (to guide the dog into position) and may use food as reinforcer and clickers to mark behavior. Dog will do each trick two times for the evaluator.

Intermediate

Perform 10 tricks from the intermediate tricks list. May not use food/toys as a lure except where specifically permitted. May use food as a reinforcer and also clickers to mark behavior. Dog will do each trick two times for the evaluator.

Advanced

Perform five tricks from the advanced tricks list. May not use food/toys as a lure. May use food as a reinforcer and may also use clickers to mark behaviors. Dog will do each trick once for the evaluator.

Performer

Perform a total of 10 previously learned or new tricks from the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced titles. Must do at least two intermediate and two advanced tricks. May not use food/toys as a lure. May use food as reinforcer and may also use clickers to mark behaviors.

You can find all the tricks listed at the section on the AKC website devoted to Trick Dog: www.akc.org/about-trick-dog/

The most exciting news is that MCKC (Mid Coast Kennel Club of Maine) will be offering a CGC test and Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Trick Dog tests at their show at the Union Fairgrounds, in Union, on Saturday, September 2, 2017, after Best of Breed. So, come and enjoy the dog show, maybe enter one of the tests or, if you are not ready yet, come and watch the CGC and trick tests and see what its all about.

For more information about the tests: contact Kathy Duhnoski at kduhnoski@myfairpoint.net.

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 90 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

Lots going on at China transfer station

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Talkin’ Trash

by Irene Belanger
China selectman and Transfer station coordinator

Who would think that “trash” could become so complex!

There is a lot going on at the transfer station and the committee meets at least once a month.

First and foremost “thank you” to all you who use the China Transfer Station facility. Special thanks to staff at the station and committee members. The issues of timing and traffic flow have made life easier. Thank you to all for being kind and considerate of others while dropping off recyclables, reusables, composting and dropping off bags of “trash”.

The “Free For Taking” building isn’t quite finished but is now the one to use. Staff has had the “soft” opening but we’ll announce the “grand opening” soon. Thank you to Kevin and all who have worked on this structure and the parking area etc.

We could use a few more volunteers so if you feel the urge call Irene at 445-2349. We’re trying to keep the space in good order and appreciate it when those of you who stop and shop or drop off help us to keep things picked up and neat. We don’t want to lose this great space. If you have questions staff can assist you. Please don’t put very large items inside such as storm windows, bikes, large pieces of furniture, swimming pool equipment, tents, etc (very large items) into the building as there isn’t room.

We have nice sections for books, clothes, dishes, knick knacks etc., small good working items. We’ll all need to do our best to keep it as neat as possible. It’s great to share good items we no longer want with others. Please no mildewed items.

At the first recycling area there is now a container for clean plastic grocery and bread bags, case overwrap, dry cleaner bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, woodpellet bags, Ziplock and other recloseable bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags and cereal bags. We have a place we can now take them to for disposal.

There is cooked compost if you need some and more on the burner. Lobster and clam shells are welcome to the cause also. Manure helps the cooking especially horse “stuff.”

The Transfer Station Committee meets at least once a month and we have been discussing “ridged plastics.” If an item has a fair amount or more of metal in the plastic item and especially if there is a motor in the “plastic” then please toss it into the metal bin. Thank you.

When in doubt on anything the attendents are there to help. Please be patient as they are very busy and also must take a break on occasion or in the middle of a task.

PALERMO residents: please purchase your trashbags at Tobey’s Grocery or the Palermo town office.

Enjoy your summer everyone.

Obituaries, Week of July 13, 2017

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DEAN M. POULLIOTT

WINSLOW – Dean Martin Poulliott (“Riggin”), 57, passed away unexpectedly on Wednes­day, June 28, 2017, at his home in Winslow. He was born in Waterville, the son of Kenly D. Poulliott Sr., of Albion, and Glenna C. Rhodes (Bumps), of China.

Dean attended schools in China and Waterville. In his early years, he worked on farms, masonry work, Maine Central Railroad, Bath Iron Works, a logging company, Arb’s Beef, in Minnesota, and the last few years worked out of his home. He was a jack-of-all trades, also dabbling in antiques.

He loved gatherings with friends and family. He especially loved fishing of any kind with his sons and brother. He grew up in China, was outgoing, humorous and a hard worker, and would help anyone at any time.

He was predeceased by grandparents on both sides, his father Kenly D. Poulliott Jr., of China, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dean is survived by his mother, Glenna C. Rhoades, of China; his children Jason D. Poulliott and wife Katie, of Albion, Travis M. Pouliott and companion Vanessa, of China, twin daughters Jodie L. Pouliott, of New Hampshire and Jamie L. Kerr, of Virginia, Deanndra K. Pouliott, of Oakland and Jeremiah I. Nowlin, of Alabama; 10 grandchildren, Hayden, Eastern, Kyra, Kenyon, Elden, Lily, Leah, Ashly, Katelynne and Danelle; brother David A. Poulliott and wife Vicki, and their sons John and Eric, all of Winslow; aunt Rita Gilbert, of Albion and great-aunt Rachel Cunningham, of Waterville; and step-mother Marie Pouliott and family, of Albion.

Dean was a very sociable man, he loved his family and friends and like to tinker, thus the nickname “Riggin.” He made everyone laugh.

Arrangements are made by Mid-Maine Cremation, of Fairfield, and there will be no services.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of his mother on Saturday, July 15, at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, light refreshments will be available.

Memorial donations may be made to the China Baptist Church, 36 Causeway Road, China Village, Maine 04926.

NAOMI SYLVESTER

ALBION__Naomi E. Powell Sylvester passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017, while on a camping trip at Spencer Bay with her husband and close friends Fannie and Tom Begin. She was born in Waterville on November 13, 1950, the daughter of Thomas and Magueritte (Holman) Powell.

Naomi married Merlon Sylvester Jr. on January 2, 1970. They enjoyed 47 and half years of married life together. Naomi loved camping, and caring for her flower beds. She was a dispatcher for the Albion Fire Department for 12 years. She also had a great passion for recycling clothing and household goods for homeless shelters across Maine.

She was predeceased by her parents, and her grandson Merlon Sylvester IV.

Naomi will be sadly missed by her husband Merlon Sylvester Jr.; her children, Marji Sylvester, of Clinton, Dorothy Violette and husband Greg, of Albion, and Merlon Sylvester III and wife Tinna, of Albion; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Rachel, Martha, and Lydia; and brothers, Andrew, John, David, Timothy and their families.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Waterville Homeless Shelter, 19 Colby Street, Waterville ME 04901.

LAWRENCE J. BYRNE

WINSLOW – Lawrence J. Byrne (Larry), 90, of Winslow, died on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Togus Springs. Larry was born on August 9, 1926, in Benton Station, the son of Lawrence and Lucy (Trainor) Byrne.

He graduated from Lawrence High School, class of 1943.

After graduation, he worked at Todd-Bath Shipyard, in South Portland, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. He was discharged in April 1946.

He had the good fortune to meet and marry the former Cecile T. Breton, in Waterville, on June 10, 1950, and made their home on Whipple Street, in Winslow.

Larry served an apprenticeship at the former Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Mill, in Winslow, as a machinist and after several years he became a paper mill maintenance planner. He worked in the Winslow mill for all the owners: H&W, Scott Paper Co. and Kimberly Clark, for a total of 43 years.

He was a life member of the Winslow MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #905, both in Waterville, and was also a member of the Scott Paper Management Club for many years.

Larry is survived by his children, John Byrne, of Medford, Oregon; Michael Byrne and his wife Debbie, James Byrne and his wife Laurie, and daughter Lisa Mitchell and her husband Jeff, all of Winslow; as well as nine grandchildren, Ryan Byrne, Sean Byrne, Erik Byrne, Amanda Byrne, Kevin Byrne, Cierra Byrne, Taylor Byrne, Jessica Mitchell, and Taylor Mitchell; and three great-grandchildren, Ajax Byrne, Sawyer Byrne, and Evelynn Byrne.

Larry was predeceased by his wife Cecile in 2015.

To view a video collage of Larry’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family, please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Mount Saint Joseph Residence & Rehabilitation, 7 Highwood Street, Waterville, Maine 04901.

DOLLIS H. BIZIER

VASSALBORO – Dollis Henrietta (Tardiff) Bizier, 93, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017. She died at home, peacefully and surrounded by her loving family. Dollis was born on Feb. 6, 1924, in Waterville, to Alice (Vear) Tardiff and John Tardiff.

She graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1942, and this year she was thrilled to attend and celebrate her 75th class reunion.

She was a woman of extraordinary elegance, dignity and grace and she was loved by so many.

Dollis enjoyed the many family gatherings throughout the years. The annual Thanksgiving gathering, which required a hall due to its overwhelming turnout, was legendary.

She was an active member of the Waterville Alfond Youth Center for many years, where for decades she faithfully went for her daily swim, learning to swim at age 60.
She also had a great passion for cards. She was a state and New England award-winning bridge player and her competitive nature carried over to home cribbage matches, where she was always up for a game with family and friends.

Dollis married Reggie Bizier on July 19, 1947. Together they raised eight children. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this month.

Dollis was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow, now known as Corpus Christi Parish. She and her husband Reggie were well known for their altruism and gave generously to many charities, both locally and nationally.

She was predeceased by her son, D. John Bizier.

She is survived by her husband Reggie; her four daughters, Monique Studholme and her husband Richard, Genevieve Gosselin and her husband Gerald, Alice Marie King, and Denise Benson and her husband Walter; and three sons, Marc Bizier, Robert Bizier and Paul Bizier and his wife Sarah; and daughter-in-law Hope Shorey and her husband Thomas. She has 28 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and three great- great-grandchildren. Dollis is also survived by a sister, Lillian Quirion and her husband Raymond; and many nieces and nephews to carry on her legacy of love.

Memorial donations may be made to MaineGeneral Hospice Care, 10 Water Street, Waterville, ME 04901, or Alfond Center for Youth, 126 North Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

SISTER CECILE GRENIER, CSJ

WINSLOW – Sister Cecile Grenier, CSJ, 85, died Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Mount St. Joseph, in Waterville. She was born April 16, 1932, in Lewiston, the daughter of Leo and Irene (Turcotte) Grenier.

She attended Holy Family School and St. Peter & Paul School, in Lewiston, Academy of St. Joseph, in South Berwick, and earned her B.S. in education from St. Joseph College, in Standish. She continued post-graduate studies at St. Michael’s College, in Winooski, Vermont; St. Paul University, in Ottawa, Province of Québec; two units of CPE, at Tewksbury State Hospital, in Massachusetts; and participated in International Seminar of the Congregation of the Sister of St. Joseph, in France.

Sister Cecile entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon, France, in 1952 ,and made first profession on August 15, 1954.

She taught at St. Rose of Lima School, in Jay, St. Anthony School, in Jackman, Sacred Heart School, in Auburn, and Holy Family School,in Lewiston.

She was involved in religious education and parish work in Sacred Heart Parish in North Sanford, New Hampshire; St. Mary’s Parish, in Lincoln; and St. Theresa’s Parish, in Oakland.

Her most unforgettable ministry was the time she spent with the people of Governador 17 Rosado, Brazil.

Sister Cecile was well known as a gardener and artist, someone who could spend hours working on an intricate cross-stitching pattern, and a lover of nature.

She is survived by her sister, Yolande Pettee, of Wesley Chapel, in Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund, 80 Garland Road, Winslow, ME 04901.

DAVID B. VAN WICKLER JR.

CHINA – David B. Van Wickler Jr., 52, of China, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017, following a long fight with heart and kidney disease. David was born November 28, 1964, in Everett, Massachusetts, to parents David Sr. and Joan (Bickford) Van Wickler.

He graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1984.

David, although blind, enjoyed movies and music. He also was a ham radio operator. He could read and type Braille.

David is survived by his parents, his brother William and wife Pamela Van Wickler, his nephew Cole and niece Caitlyn Van Wickler, two aunts, and many cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

JAMES R. SEVON SR.

JEFFERSON––James Richard Sevon Sr. passed away Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Jefferson following a long illness. Jim was born December 12, 1938 to Kenneth Sevon and Florence (Dunlop) Sevon, of Cushing.

After graduating from Thomaston High School, he served in the Navy on the USS Essex during the Cuban missile crisis. After his military career, he attended Gates Business College. He then worked as a controller for Richard Storer Construction and retired in 2001 from Lincoln Academy as their financial administrator. In 1979 he married Pamela Oakes and they were married for 37 years. Jim was a strong Christian man, a wonderful father and loving husband.

Jim is survived by his wife Pam; sons, James Jr. and wife Jennifer, of Virginia, Joshua Sevon and Courtney, of Jefferson, Michael and Joe,both of Jefferson; daughters, Heidi LaFlamme and husband Jason, of Gardiner, and Jill Wagurak and husband Ivan, of Richmond; sister, Sandra (Sevon) Lavoie; brother, Kenneth Sevon, both of Cushing; and a multitude of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

CALLIE M. SIEGFRIED

JEFFERSON––Callie Mae Siegfried, of Jefferson, passed away at her home on June 26, 2017. Callie was born in Auburn, Pennsylvania and later moved to Reading, pennsylvania, where she met the love of her life, Carl Siegfried. They were married in Miami, Florida, in 1944, just before Carl shipped out for duty in WWII. They were married for 44 years until he passed away.

For more than 20 years, Callie spent summers in Jefferson, and winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she attended church at the Calvary Chapel. Callie was extremely giving of her heart and soul; she was a talented artist and a devoted christian.

She is survived by daughters, Bernice Bailey, and Shirley McGill and husband James; son Karl Siegfried and wife Judy; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

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

Memorial donations may be sent to Calvary Chapel, 316 Bush Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.

JOHN G. NOEL

FAIRFIELD––John G. Noel, 86, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017. John was born in Waterville on November 26, 1930, to Onzime and Julliette (Gagne) Noel.

He served proudly in the United States Army from 1954-1956. He was stationed in Germany with “The Big Red One.” After being discharged from the Army, John returned home to Maine where he and his wife Eleanor became house parents at Good Will Hinckley School. He was also employed at Keyes Fibre Co. where he worked testing new products until his retirement. He also worked at the former Marden’s Shoe store, in Fairfield.

During retirement John enjoyed traveling the state with his wife Eleanor, visiting friends and seeing the sights.

John was a member of The Shawmut Chapel, the Elks Club, the American Legion and the Shriners.

He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor; and daughter Laurie.

He is survived by daughter Jane, son Scott and wife Carol, son James; grandson Seth Poulin and wife Jessica; granddaughter Melissa Buxton, grandson Nick Buxton and fiancée Jasmine, granddaughter Erica and boyfriend Dennis; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

An online guest book may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to The Shawmut Chapel Youth Fund, 57 Bray St., Shawmut ME 04975

OTHERS DEPARTED

DOLLIS C. JONES, 74, of Waldoboro, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Locally, she is survived by a son Mark Jones, of Vassalboro; and sister Darlene Cropley, of Windsor.

CHINA NEWS: Selectmen split on new truck purchases

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen approved, barely, Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux’s recommendations on replacing two town trucks with new ones.

At the July 10 selectboard meeting, L’Heureux said he had two bids on a tandem-axle plow truck and three on a one-ton single-axle plow truck. He recommended the following:

  • An International tandem-axle, at a price of $125,000, minus $55,000 for trading in the 2008 tandem-axle, plus $78,995 for plow equipment to be provided by Howard P. Fairfield.
  • An International single-axle for $71,000, minus $25,000 trade-in, plus $55,500 for plow gear, also from H. P. Fairfield.

Selectman Ronald Breton said he talked with the mechanics who maintain China’s truck fleet and on the basis of his conversations wants to trade in a 2015 truck that he said the mechanics said is underpowered and already rusting, not the 2008 that he called “the best truck the town has.”

Breton had invited Bill Bickford or one of his employees to the July 10 meeting, but no one was able to come.

L’Heureux replied that as town manager responsible for spending tax dollars, he considered financial factors over the life of each vehicle in making his recommendation. In general, he said, he tries to trade in a vehicle at about 10 years old to maximize value and avoid major repair costs.

Selectmen met July 10 in the old town house beside the town office. The idea was not a total success; although board members enjoyed looking at historic items before the meeting opened, they found the building too warm and, after dark, too mosquito-infested for comfort.
Contributed photo

The 2008 truck, he said, is at its peak for trading in; in another year, it will lose value, down time will increase and repair bills will mount, especially as outdated equipment becomes more expensive to work on or replace.

The 2015 truck was adjusted after the town bought it and now is “plenty strong enough to do the plowing that we do,” the manager said. It is also more fuel-efficient than an older truck.

Selectmen voted 3-2, with Joann Austin, Irene Belanger and Chairman Neil Farrington in the majority and Jeffrey LaVerdiere joining Breton in opposition, to accept the manager’s recommendations.

In other business, L’Heureux said road repaving is likely to start by mid-August. Work is to be done on Dirigo, Hanson and Bog roads and Parmenter Terrace. The manager said owners of two private roads piggy-backed on the town’s paving bid to get the lower price associated with a larger contract; the road owners will pay for the work done on their roads. Selectmen authorized the manager to sign necessary documents to complete two voter-approved actions: purchase of land adjoining town-owned land around the town office; and transfer of the former portable classroom, now stored on the town’s Alder Park Road property, to the South China Library Association, which will pay the cost of moving it.

L’Heureux said Jack Lord has designed a septic system for the first former portable classroom, set up near the town office as a future emergency shelter, and he has quotes for doing the work. Selectmen also plan a new well to serve the emergency shelter and, they hope, the town office. The current well is contaminated from the salt pile that stood behind the town office for many years; selectmen hope to find better water elsewhere on the enlarged property.

Selectmen appointed Robert Batteese a member of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. L’Heureux plans to advertise for a secretary for the budget committee and members of the bicentennial committee that Farrington heads.

Farrington said he intends to add internet service and a handicapped ramp at the town-owned former Weeks Mills schoolhouse and use it as bicentennial headquarters.

At Farrington’s suggestion, selectmen met July 10 in the old town house beside the town office. The idea was not a total success; although board members enjoyed looking at historic items before the meeting opened, they found the building too warm and, after dark, too mosquito-infested for comfort.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, July 24.

Vassalboro News: Selectmen, public get first look at fish passage plans at outlet dam

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen and interested area residents got a look at preliminary plans for a fish passage at China Lake’s outlet dam at the June 29 selectmen’s meeting.

The dam in East Vassalboro belongs to the Town of Vassalboro. The fishway will also belong to the town, board Chairman Philip Haines said. The Kennebec Water District, which draws its water from China Lake, plays a role in dam management, and the China Lake water level is governed by a state Department of Environmental Protection order.

Bryan Sojkowski, a fish passage engineer for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designed the fishway. He does similar work from Maine to Virginia, he said.

Landis Hudson, of American Rivers, a leader of the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI) that is planning a clear route for migratory alewives from the Sebasticook River to China Lake, and Sojkowski explained the plans and the many issues they have considered and are considering.

The Denil Fishway Sojkowski showed has two four-foot-wide uphill tracks with baffles, located close to the east bank of Outlet Stream. Sojkowski explained how the location minimizes interference with dam operations and how migrating fish will be steered into the entrance to the tracks. Sojkowski emphasized that this plan is not necessarily final, and the group welcomes suggestions from area residents. The cost is not firm – the range is from $100,000 to $500,000. The capacity of the fishway is so far an estimate: with about four feet for the alewives to climb, the current plan should accommodate up to a million fish a year.

The expectation is that construction costs would be paid by grants from federal, state and private agencies, not by the town. There could also be a maintenance fund, although maintenance work is expected to be minimal.

The major maintenance, Sojkowski told Public Works Director Eugene Field and the rest of the audience, would be a brief daily inspection to remove any branches or other obstacles. Either KWD personnel or Field’s crew could take that responsibility, Haines suggested.

Webber Pond Association President Frank Richards said when the pond’s fishway was installed in 2008, paperwork included a memorandum of understanding on maintenance with the state Department of Marine Resources. So far there’s been so little maintenance needed that he’s not had to look at the memo.

Selectman Lauchlin Titus said board members have a legal opinion that they need a town meeting vote to “alter” the town-owned dam, leading to an inconclusive discussion of whether the proposed plan would be an alteration. Sojkowski said there would be a big aesthetic change, but no change in the dam’s function – things like flow, flood capacity and water level control would remain the same.

Titus sees the fishway as an economic development project for Vassalboro, providing not only another place for trapping and selling alewives (as is done now at Webber Pond) but also an attraction for visitors comparable to Damariscotta’s or Benton’s alewife runs. Final plans will include places for people to watch the alewife run, not necessarily at the fishway.

Sojkowski expects to have a final design by this fall and to seek bids on the work probably in February 2018.

The rest of the selectmen’s June 29 business was mostly financial, including routine payment of bills.

They and budget committee members approved Town Manager Mary Sabins’ request to transfer $400 from the 2016-17 administration budget to the public safety budget, which would otherwise be slightly overdrawn due to the transition from one police chief to another.

Selectmen approved recommendations to carry forward 2016-17 funds for recreation, the East Vassalboro boat launch repair and a fire department project into the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, July 13.

Area residents capture nature’s best on camera (Give Us Your Best Shot!)

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A female, left, and male evening grosbeaks visit Pat Clark, in Palermo, on occasion.

 

Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, snapped these two, a blue jay on the left, and cardinal on the right, competing for some grub.

 

Michelle Shores, of Waterville, photographed these lilies in her garden recently.

 

Tina Richard, of Clinton, snapped these two bald eagles in their nest earlier this year.

 

Eric Austin, of China, photographed this young porcupine stopping to take a break in his yard this past spring.

 

A tufted titmouse gathers Emily Poulin’s dog’s hair, probably as nesting material, in South China. She puts the hair out following the dog’s brushings.

Obituaries, Week of July 6, 2017

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LESTER B DAVIS

Lester B Davis, 89, of Palermo, died on Monday, May 29, 2017, at Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta. He was born in Washington, D.C., on April 6, 1928, the son of Lester and Neva Davis.

Lester served in the U.S. Army. He married the former Dorothy Eleanor Deyoe on June 5, 1949.

Lester’s work history included: Treasurer for the City of College Park, Maryland; Metropolitan Life Insurance, in Wilton, and Augusta; and Lester B Davis Tax and Business Services, in Palermo.

Lester served as a volunteer with the Boys Club in College Park and as a Boy Scout leader for Troop #222, in Palermo. He was the announcer for the wrestling and basketball teams at Erskine Academy, in South China, for 30 years. He was recently honored for this accomplishment. Lester had a particular fondness for the staff and students at Erskine Academy. He was also interested in researching family genealogy.

In October 2016, he traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight for veterans. It was a very memorable experience for him.

He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor.

He is survived by his six children: Bonnie Davis; Cheryl Jones and husband David, Glen Davis and partner Pat Belanger, Kathy Cheeseman and husband David, Sandra Randall and fiancé Sam Grenier, and James Davis and wife Karen; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

FREDERICK M. STEEVES

VASSALBORO – Frederick “Fred” Maynard Steeves, 79, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Maine Veteran’s Hospice Center, in Augusta. He was born May 30, 1938, in Rockland, the son of Charles Steven Steeves and Edna (Lathrop) Steeves.

He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the US Air Force until his honorable discharge. He also trained with the Marine Corps.

On March 14, 1986, he married the former Nancy Hastings, in Seward, Alaska. In his younger days, he worked for a fire truck production company and in the chicken industry. He also was a fisherman in New Bedford. After moving to Seward, Alaska, in 1965, he owned his own marine welding business. He was also a fisherman, trapper, bear guide, and bus driver.

Fred was a member of the Centerpoint Community Church, Lions International, the American Legion, and Pioneers of Alaska. He enjoyed hunting, photography, flower gardening, and gold panning.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nancy (Hastings) Steeves, of Vassalboro; children, Alan Steeves, Bobby Raynes, Mark Steeves and wife Jeanmarie, Trilby Post, Noreen Skillman and husband Dan, Jay Sturm, and Joe Sturm; three sisters, Ruth Kyte , Pricilla Lundevahl, and Alaide Hopper and husband James; two brothers, Wayne Steeves and wife Carla, and Leslie Steeves; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, a grandchild, several sisters, brothers, nephews, and nieces.

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

Memorial donations may be made to Temple Academy, 60 West River Road, Waterville, ME 04901.

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.

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, of Sidney, Lindsey Sirois, of Sidney, Kaitlyn Longley and companion Dylan Tillson, of Sidney; great-grandchildren, Kaedon, Madi, William, and Lillian.

She was predeceased by her husband Gerald Cole in 2012.

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

Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, Maine 04901.

SARAH A. CUNNINGHAM

WINDSOR–Sarah Ann Cunningham, 69, of Choate Road, passed away on Thursday June 22, 2017, following her courageous battle from cancer. She was born in the home of her parent’s doctor, in Vassalboro, the daughter of Floyd and Clara Randall Brann.

She attended Windsor schools graduating from Erskine Academy, in South China, class of 1965.

She waitressed for a while for Glendon Casey. Sarah was a stay home mom raising her own children as well as several other children from Windsor. She worked as an Ed Tech at the Windsor Elementary School for several years.

Sarah also worked for the Town of Windsor for 16-1/2 years where she received her certification for town clerk. She would be the first town clerk in Windsor to be certified and she is also the only town clerk to receive her lifetime certification. In 2004 Sarah received the Rookie of the Year Award from the Maine Town and City Clerks Association.

Following her retirement, Sarah and her husband became members of the Windsor Historical Society as well the Young at Heart Senior Citizens Club.

Sarah and her husband were lifetime members of the North Windsor Baptist Church where she served as a Deacon and sang in the church choir. She also served as church treasurer and custodian at the church for many years.

She will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and community member who will be greatly missed. She touched everyone in a special way with her contagious smile.

She was predeceased by her brother Mickey Randell.

Sarah leaves her husband of 51 years, Roger Cunningham, of Windsor; two sons, Kevin Cunningham and his wife Tracy, of South China, and Jason Cunningham and wife Lin, of Azusa, California; a daughter, Amanda Roddy and husband Tom, of Palermo; a sister, Wendy Brann, of Augusta. Sarah is also survived by four grandchildren.

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

Memorial donations may be made to North Windsor Baptist Church, 955 Ridge Road, Windsor, ME 04363, or to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 US Rt#1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105.

OTHERS DEPARTED

SHIRLEY A. DAMREN, 91, of Belgrade, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. Locally, she is survived by son Peter Damren and wife Karen, of Belgrade, and daughters Mary Hammond and husband Donald, of Belgrade, and Patricia Brown and husband Roger, of Oakland.