REVIEW POTPOURRI – Record: After the Ball; Composer: Stravinsky; Album: Living Marimbas

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

After the Ball

Joan Morris, soprano, with William Bolcom, piano. Nonesuch H-71304, stereo LP, recorded 1974.

Joan Morris and her husband, William Bolcom, have been serving up records and concerts for over 45 years since the early seventies, their specialty being popular songs and composers from the Civil War to the ‘50s Lieber and Stoller. One album spotlighted Henry Clay Work, who wrote My Grandfather’s Clock.

The above set collects classic and not so classic vaudeville hits – Meet Me in Saint Louis, I‘ve Got Rings on My Fingers, the title song, my special favorite Love’s Old Sweet Song and ten others – and Joan Morris gives her charming colorful soprano best with her husband’s skilled keyboard. Their approach is that of the Sunday afternoon drawing room or parlor at Aunt Blanche’s but it is one making for great listening, in small doses!

Stravinsky

Suite Italienne
Debussy: Sonata for Cello and Piano; Busoni: Kleine Suite, Op. 23; Foss: Capriccio for Cello and Piano – Gregor Piatigorsky, cello; Lukas Foss, piano; RCA Victor, LM-2293, mono LP, recorded 1958.

Gregor Piatigorsky

Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976) was a bear of a man in his physique as well as being one of the 20th century’s truly fine cellists and turning out recordings characterized by a special kind of electrifying intensity and sublime beauty. Two special favorites are his early ‘40s Dvorak Cello Concerto with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the two Brahms Cello Sonatas from the ‘70s with pianist Artur Rubinstein.

This week’s record contains the listed works by four quite gifted and interesting modern composers. However, my favorite piece is the just over 10 minute Debussy Cello Sonata, one of the most beautiful examples of quiet sweet subtlety, mystery and bursting rhythm ever written by anyone and performed in the most alive, exciting yet delicate manner by the cellist and his partner, composer/pianist Lucas Foss.

Living Marimbas

Tijuana Taxis
RCA Camden, CAS-961, stereo LP, recorded 1966.

This batch of ten ‘60s Latin-American tunes, including the two classics, Spanish Eyes and Spanish Harlem, is arranged and performed by a studio group of carefully handpicked instrumentalists under the noted pop conductor, Leo Addeo, in an understated manner that is pleasant but not moving.

SOLON & BEYOND: Solon budget committee begins process

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

The Solon Budget Committee meeting was held at the Municipal building on Saturday, January 20, with the following in attendance: Ann Padham, Bruce Hills, Frank Ridley, Barbara Johnstone, Eleanor Pooler, Carol White, Donald Kenerson, George Williams, Albert Starbird, Allen Foss, Joseph Albuit, Jeff Pomelow, Lois Miller and Gaye Erskin . Selectmen, Elaine Aloes, Mary Lou Ridley and Sarah Davis; Treasurer, Sharon Begin; Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Leslie Giroux, Road Commissioner, Mike Foster, Fire Chief, Duayne Rollins. Others there were Keith Galleger, who is running for the selectman position in March and Lief and I.

A meeting of the Coolidge Library Trustees meeting was held at the library on January 18 with the following in attendance: Librarian, Megan Myers, Richard Roberts, Mary Farrar, Jane Ouderkirk, Allen Foss, Lief Bull, and Diane Trussell.

Megan passed out copies of her report and answered questions. The School Bookmark Contest continues to be popular. The winning submission is chosen from each class (Pre K-5) at Solon Elementary School. Megan was this year’s judge, along with the district art teacher.

The annual Summer Reading Program ran June 29 – August 10. This year’s activities were assisted by a local teen volunteer. During the program, Build a Better World, she focused on books and activities that promoted science, engineering, arts and community awareness. There was a small but consistent attendance. Meals were again available to all children and teens from the school’s Summer Meals Program.

Was pleased to receive an e-mail from Ferra Kelley about the following information: Once again, volunteer members of AARP will be preparing & filing Federal/State tax returns, free of charge, to senior and low income families in the area. The Crossroads Bible Church, 705 White School House Rd. Madison have again generously allowed us to work out of their premises, and we are taking appointments for Friday & Saturday mornings, beginning in February. Please do not make calls to the church directly, as they are not otherwise involved in the program. Call Ferra @ 643-2559 to schedule an appointment.

I’m glad that several of you liked the article on manners in this column last week, and as promised I will send more of them when space allows….but, we must leave space for Percy’s memoirs:

“It’s the little things we do and say
That means so much as we go our way.
A kindly deed can lift a load
From weary shoulders on the road.
Or a gentle word, like summer rain.
May soothe some heart and banish pain.
What joy or sadness often springs
From just the simple little things.”

This is from one of those little Salesian Inspirational Books, that I have collected for many years.

China planners to prepare a revised comprehensive plan

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members have decided to start carrying out their responsibility to prepare a revised town comprehensive plan before the current one expires in the summer of 2020.

The three members at the Jan. 16 meeting directed Chairman Tom Miragliuolo to ask selectmen to appoint a new comprehensive plan committee and to try to get a request for funds on the warrant for the March 24 town business meeting.

Miragliuolo promptly got in touch with Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux, who replied that he would put the requests on the selectmen’s Feb. 5 agenda. Miragliuolo proposed an estimated cost of not more than $24,000, based on information from Kennebec Valley Council of Governments about other municipalities’ costs.

Residents interested in serving on a new comprehensive planning committee are invited to contact the town office.

Miragliuolo’s state job used to involve reviewing towns’ comprehensive plans. He told the other planning board members that they are created under the state Growth Management Act, passed in the late 1980s with general goals like creating orderly development and economic growth, providing housing and recreational opportunities and protecting natural, agricultural, historic, archaeological and other resources.

China’s current plan was developed by a committee, with major assistance from a paid consultant. The committee reported to the planning board; at the board’s request, selectmen presented the plan to voters, who approved it in November 2008.

Miragliuolo expects the process of revising the plan and getting local and state approval to take a minimum of 18 months. Few towns do it that fast, he said.

The consultant’s fee will be the major expenditure, he predicted. The person with whom the town contracts will be expected to attend committee meetings and draft the plan based on committee members’ and residents’ input.

China is not required to update its plan. However, a town that does not have a current state-approved plan cannot do some things, like adopting an impact fee ordinance, and is disadvantaged in other ways, for example in applying for state grants. The second topic at the Jan. 16 planning board meeting was Codes Officer Paul Mitnik’s draft revisions to China’s Planning Board permit application and conditional use permit application checklist.

Board members agreed the documents should be discussed in more detail at their Jan. 30 meeting, after they have time to consider them.

Obituaries, Week of January 25, 2018

HERBERT L. CATES

EAST VASSALBORO – Herbert Louis Cates, 94, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018, following a month of serious illness. He was born on September 2, 1923, at the East Vas­sal­boro Family Homestead, the seventh of 12 children of Benjamin Harold Sr. and Anabel Ingraham Cates.

He loved being with his family, lobster dinners, trips to the ocean, watching the Rose Bowl, Sunday drives and singing hytor for more than 50 years.

He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Coralene Driscoll Withee; both parents; brothers Maynard, George, Ben and Carleton, and sisters Helen Wyman, Margaret Cates, Effie Cates, Marian Murray, June Rodis and Ann Higgins.

He is survived by four children, Peter, of East Vassalboro, and one daughter; Stephen and wife Emily, of South China, and two children and six-grandchildren; Laura Pooler, and husband Dana, of Afton, New York, and four daughters and 13 grandchildren; and Brian and wife Teresa, of Naples, Florida, and two sons.

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

MARCIA F. COOK

FAIRFIELD – Marcia Fuller Cook, 76, of Fairfield, died on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston. She was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, to the Rev. Clarence and Anora (Peavey) Fuller.

Marcia spent her childhood in Melrose, Massachusetts, and cherished summers at the family camp on Lake Winnipesaukee where she was known for a mean game of “keep-away” and for boating across the lake alone joyfully singing “Rock Around the Clock” at the top of her lungs as if nobody could hear.

While attending the University of Maine in Orono she met Keith E. Cook, and they were married on June 15, 1963. She taught elementary school in the Greater Bangor Area for several years before taking a break to raise three children: Scott Fuller, Michael Keith, and Laurie Beth Cook.

Having completed a master’s degree in adult literacy at the University of Maine, Marcia entered a career of service in the Maine adult education system. She had a deep and profound commitment to adult literacy and served in several leadership positions both as administrator and teacher, most recently at the Maine State Department of Education and the Winthrop School District. She led by her passionate example, and she held her colleagues dearly.

She enjoyed reading, music, time with her family, and most recently loved playing ukulele with the Merry Plinksters, in Farmington, as well as other local ensembles. She performed in the spirit of service at community and civic events as well as the Central Maine Homeless Shelter. This experience brought her great joy and the opportunity to share her joy with others.

Marcia loved the ocean and cherished time she spent with family at Pemaquid Point. She was a member of the Waterville United Church of Christ, and enjoyed volunteering within the church community where she provided leadership on the Mission Committee. Marcia’s welcoming personality found common ground within diversity. She was an active member of the central Maine community, and those who knew her appreciated her kind and joyful spirit. She was positive, caring, and loved to laugh.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Cook, of Fairfield; children Scott Cook (Megan Landry), of Gorham, Michael Cook, of Centreville, Virginia, and Laurie Cook, of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren Sean Cook, of Newport, Rhode Island, Rebecca Cook, of Waterville, Isabelle Cook, and Carter Landry, both of Gorham; great-granddaughter Lily Cook, of Newport, Rhode Island; sister Carolyn (Everett) Fuchs, of Hudson, Wisconsin; brother David (Susan) Fuller, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio; and many cousins.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation at www.mainecancer.org or the Mid-Maine Homeless shelter at http://www.shelterme.org/donate1.html.

Arrangements by Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, Skowhegan.

OTHERS DEPARTED

ERNEST J. PHAIR JR., 96, of Hooksett, New Hampshire, on Thursday, January 11, 2018. Locally, he is survived by a brother Robert Phair, and a sister, Shirley Roy, both of Winslow.

FORMER RESIDENT

HELEN A. ALEXANDER, 96, of Waterville, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph, in Waterville. She was born in Unity on August 28, 1921, the daughter of the late William and Mamie (Murch) Gerald. Locally, she is survived by her son, Lynwood Alexander and wife Marie, of Fairfield, and daughters Judith Trundy and husband Gerald, and Brenda Drew and her husband Roger, all of Unity.

CHINA: Selectmen schedule special meeting for budget workshop

by Mary Grow

China selectmen have scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, to continue work on the warrant for the March 24 town business meeting.

At their Jan. 22 meeting, board members spent almost two hours going over the draft warrant Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux prepared. Major items they did not discuss, or did not decide on, include:

  • Almost $340,000 for transfer station operations, more than $30,000 higher than the current year’s appropriation. L’Heureux said the increase was mostly due to more demolition and debris; costs offset by demo and debris fees that are not reflected in the fund request.
  • Two other transfer station requests, recommended by the Transfer Station Committee: more than $56,000 for a pre-crusher and compactor, and more than $24,000 for a new forklift.
  • About $50,000 to reconstruct the north end of Dirigo Road and about $150,000 to replace a culvert on Bog Road.
  • Up to $20,000 for a water system and septic system – but not a toilet — at the former Weeks Mills school house. Selectmen were not sure whether the building could be connected to Weeks Mills Water Company’s line or whether a well would be needed. (ep)

Potential expenditures not yet presented as warrant articles include: (ep)

  • Possible purchase of the Bailey property at the head of China Lake as part of the Tax Increment Finance Committee’s plan to expand recreational opportunities there, a question on which TIF Committee member Ronald Breton said he intends to seek a vote when the committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. The landowner is asking $120,000 for the land; Breton proposed offering $110,000, with the purchase conditional on the land being found suitable for a parking lot.
  • A request from the Planning Board to appropriate funds — $20,000 and $24,000 have been suggested – for a consultant to update China’s comprehensive plan, an item tentatively scheduled on the selectmen’s Feb. 5 agenda.
  • Possible purchase of land around the new fire pond on Neck Road, with no cost estimate. (ep)

The fire pond was the other major topic at the Jan. 22 meeting. China Village Fire Chief Tim Theriault and others involved described it as 10 or 12 feet from the shoulder of Neck Road; about 35 by 75 feet; and about 20 feet deep, with steep sides so that a person, animal or vehicle that went into it would not be able to get out.

Selectmen agreed they should have given more thought to safety before asking voters to appropriate up to $8,500 for the pond, money that has been spent digging it. They debated various options for half an hour – temporary fencing until the ground thaws? Permanent fencing now? Snow fence, guard rails, Jersey barriers, chain-link fencing?

A related issue was how much liability would be the town’s and how much the landowner’s if there were an accident. L’Heureux said so far there is no easement or other document defining respective rights and responsibilities.

Ultimately, selectmen voted 4-1 to direct L’Heureux to get bids on buying and promptly installing steel guardrails, with a maximum cost of $6,000 to be taken from the $55,000 contingency fund voters granted selectmen in March 2017. Donna Mills-Stevens voted against the motion on the ground that the cost was too high, especially since voters had been asked for $8,500 on the assumption that amount would cover the project.

A majority of the board informally recommended redesigning the interior of the pond to add a way for a person or animal to get out.

In other business Jan. 22, selectmen made three appointments: Milton Dudley as Planning Board member from District 2, until November 2019; Bill Van Wickler as chief of the Weeks Mills Volunteer Fire Department; and Linda O’Connor as a member of the Transfer Station Committee.

Legislative hearing scheduled on Sheepscot dam issue

“This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Pierce, (Dresden) proposes giving control of the dam on Sheepscot Pond to the Dept. of Marine Resources after decades of successful management by the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.”

On Wednesday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m., the Maine State Legislature will hold a hearing regarding LD 922. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Pierce (Dresden), proposes giving control of the dam on Sheepscot Pond to the Dept. of Marine Resources after decades of successful management by the Dept. Of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It also mandates opening the dam at Sheepscot Pond to Alewives, Sea Lamprey, and other migratory anadromous fish without regard to the historical problems of such a move. The hearing will be in Room 206 at the Burton M Cross Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta. The Sheepscot Lake Association, the Palermo Town Select Board, and a large percentage of Palermo residents oppose this legislation for several reasons including the following:

  • Alewives entering Sheepscot Pond potentially carry VEN, a viral disease which would greatly sicken and negatively impact the species of fish which the rearing station stocks throughout ponds in our state. Alewives also can overload the fish rearing station requiring extra effort to manually separate and remove them on a daily basis, for which there is no budget.
  • Sheepscot Pond has a rare self-sustaining population of lake trout, also known as togue. Lamprey thrive in highly oxygenated water as do the togue and other game fishes. Sheepscot’s game fish will be threatened by the reintroduction of parasitic Sea Lamprey which in the past threatened the togue population and led to the present policy of excluding Sea Lamprey from entering the pond by closing the dam fishway during spawning season.
  • Alewives have the capacity to decimate the togue and landlocked salmon populations in the lake due to a natural enzyme (Thiamase) in the alewife which destroys vitamin B-1 in fishes consuming alewives. That process leads to early death of those sport fish offspring.
  • The opening of the dam will negatively impact water levels. As a result, these migratory fish become landlocked, as they did in the 1960s through the early 1980s. At that time, the sea lamprey were allowed back into Sheepscot. During this period there were years (similar to the previous two years of 2016-2017) when the water was too low in the pond for them to return to the sea and they “wintered over”. Their population grew to such an extent as a result, which negatively impacted the game fish population. The low water levels hurt the recreational use, including swimming and boating. These low levels can decrease home values, and in turn lower tax revenue on which the Town of Palermo depends.

The Sheepscot Lake Association and the Town of Palermo oppose LD922’s proposal mandating action to open the dam without regard to possible consequences. Returning these migratory fishes presents several risks which must be taken seriously. Sheepscot Pond is a significant recreational amenity for our community, town, and region. It’s our home, and all the residents of Palermo deserve to be heard and represented. We urge you to attend this hearing to show your concern and to oppose passage of this bill.

This article has been updated to accurately reflect the new time of the hearing.

I’m Just Curious: Maybe you can use some of these

by Debbie Walker

I’ve been cruising magazines and websites looking for interesting pieces of information.

So……

Did you know that pencil erasers can come in handy?

Use it as a back for pierced earring (done that!)

Spruce up suede by gently running an eraser over suede to remove minor stains and marks.

Use it to remove sticker gunk. It will get residue off glass and metal surfaces.

We will move onto the use of dryer sheets:

Easily remove glitter nail polish. Dab nail polish remover on dryer sheet and scrub glitter off.

Dust proof electronic screens. The anti-static will cut down on static electricity causing dust to cling to screen.

Love this one…..

Shoes a bit loose? Cut a circular make up sponge and place it between heal and shoe.

Bobby pin:

Stash a bobby pin in your purse. You can use it to hold up a hem that lost its stitching.

Credit cards can be useful even when maxed out!

Use a credit card to remove a splinter. Drag the card over a splinter to lift and then remove the splinter. (I think duct tape might work too.)

Dollar bills are not just for spending.

Use a bill to measure. It is 6.1 inches long!

Penny:

Use a penny to tighten a loose screw.

Dental floss :

It will never be considered high fashion but in a pinch you can use dental floss to tie your sneaker, etc. It’s strong.

Crafters, painters, etc. I love this one! Haliegh and I will use this one! Rinse paint brushes in water? Slip a baggie into a mug and fill with water. No stain in mug, seal bag and throw away.

Streak-free mirrors:

Two cups club soda and one cup of water in a spray bottle. Clean mirror.

Vinegar and baking soda:

Put 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup white vinegar in the toilet, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. It works so you don’t have to.

Lemon juice:

Put a cup of lemon juice in a baggie, put up to shower head, seal it and leave it for 20 minutes. Remove the baggy and turn the shower on, clean and easy.

Alka-Seltzer:

Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets down a slow moving drain, pour one cup distilled vinegar. After 10 minutes pour in one cup of just boiled water. OK, I haven’t tried that one yet, I used baking soda and white vinegar, it worked.

Okay, I read one the other day about a lady who had a dry skin problem, she had a hard time putting on her make-up because her face was flaky. Another lady wrote the answer might be using scotch tape, roll around the hand with the sticky side out and pat her face and off go the flakes.

Well, that reminded me of how badly my legs are flaking with this winter weather! Wrapping tape around my hand enough to do any good would just not happen. So I figured I could use my roller sticky lint remover, run it up and down my legs, done in a jiffy!

So that’s that. Thanks for reading. Contact me with questions or comments at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. I’m just curious how you might add to this.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: How To Look Out For Your Lips This Winter

(NAPSI)—Presented by Carmex. When it’s cold outside—and hot and dry inside—your lips need extra care to stay soft and feel comfortable. Here are five helpful tips:

Lip Care Tips

1. Stay hydrated: Dry, cracked lips can be improved through hydration. Remember to drink water frequently and apply a lip balm daily to restore the moisture in your lips.
2. Read labels: For serious moisture, search for such ingredients as colloidal oatmeal and cold-pressed antioxidant-rich fruit seed oil, because they provide long-lasting moisture and help rejuvenate lips’ natural beauty. Carmex Comfort Care lip balms, which include these moisturizing ingredients, come in several delicious flavors like Sugar Plum and Mixed Berry. If you’re suffering from dry, cracked lips, look for a medicated lip balm like Carmex’s Classic Original Jar, which contains soothing ingredients like camphor to provide pain relief and menthol for a cooling effect.
3. Cover your lips from the cold: Lips can be stripped of moisture because of dry air that comes with the changing weather. Before leaving the house, cover your lips with a scarf to protect them.
4. Remember, you can still get sunburned: Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you can’t still be at risk for sun damage. Use a daily lip balm with SPF such as Carmex Daily Care Wintergreen with SPF 15 to keep lips hydrated and protected from the sun year-round.
5. Keep cold sore treatment on hand: Dry, cold winds can trigger a cold sore outbreak. Stress and drastic changes in temperature, such as moving from a warm house to the chilly outside, can also lead to a cold sore outbreak or recurrence. If you’re susceptible to cold sores, it could be a good idea to carry Carmex Cold Sore Treatment. While no product can cure a cold sore, it may help you feel more comfortable and confident. Its unique formula works on contact to minimize* the appearance of cold sores, promote healing, and relieve the seven worst cold sore symptoms—pain, itch, dryness, cracking, redness, scabbing and irritation.
*Product does not treat viral infections. When used to help conceal, individual results may vary.
The lip treatments are all available at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target and many other retailers.

Learn More

For further facts and tips, go to mycarmex.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Raccoons should be left alone no matter where you see them

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

On our way home to Waterville driving along Rte. 201 recently, during the recent unseasonable warm spell, my wife and I observed a raccoon walking along the roadside in Winslow. My first thought: “A raccoon out during the day is not normal, and could mean it is rabid.”

While it is true that a rabid raccoon will exhibit a variety of unusual behaviors, activity during daytime is most definitely not a guaranteed indicator of rabies. You see, although raccoons are primarily noctural, they do often get some stuff done during the day. It’s not that unusual for a raccoon to be active in the middle of the day. We just don’t see it often. They often go off in search of food or drink, especially a nursing female raccoon who has babies to take care of, and who has extra nutritional requirements.

Raccoons can be cute…

Raccoons, along with foxes, skunks and bats are considered a primary carrier of the rabies virus in the United States. While any warm-blooded animal can carry rabies, these are the ones that are called “rabies vector species.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one human has ever died from the raccoon strain of rabies. That is because a rabid raccoon is usually dead within 1-3 days of becoming infected, and even if you’re bitten by a rabid raccoon, effective post-exposure treatment is available and recommended.

How can you tell if a raccoon has rabies? Rabid raccoons are very sick, mostly they are lethargic. Their walk may be erratic, or their legs paralyzed. They may be walking in circles or falling over, discharging from the eyes or mouth, or lurching in an unnatural fashion. In short, they just plain look sick. If you see a raccoon outside when it’s light out, and it looks agile, alert, is running or foraging in a smooth and coordinated manner, then you can be almost certain that it doesn’t have rabies. This doesn’t mean you should approach it and offer it a lick of your ice cream cone, but you most likely have nothing to worry about.

But the best advice is that should you see a raccoon, no matter what time of day, leave it alone. Never try to feed it or approach it. A raccoon out during the day may be foraging for food. For example, especially in urban locations, if you always put your trash out at 1 p.m. in the afternoon, raccoons will learn that. So, if you see one that is lingering in your yard, seems overly friendly, is acting unstable, etc., leave it alone, and contact your police or animal control officer.

  • A couple of myths about raccoons is that if a raccoon is seen during the daylight hours, it is rabid. Well, we’ve already discussed that, and the answer is “no.”
  • Raccoons hibernate during the winter: No, they go through a period of decreased activity in the winter.
  • All raccoons are carriers of rabies: No, the majority of them do not have rabies but those that do, will die within days of being infected.
  • Raccoons eat cats: No, they don’t – usually. Raccoons are quite capable of killing cats but normally don’t attack cats unless they are threatened or rabid.
  • Raccoons always wash their food: No, it is more akin to their “feeling” their food.
  • Raccoons make good pets: No, raccoons do not make good pets. Even though it is legal to keep wild animals in Maine including raccoons – with a permit – it’s not advisable to have a raccoon as a pet. Over time, as it grows older, it could become too wild to handle.

…but they can also be vicious.

Raccoons in general can be a nuisance, but caution should always be used around them. I once had one living under my garage. I set a Hav-a-Hart trap baited with cat food, and captured it within an hour and a half. But the tricky part was moving it to another location in the country. Frightened, it was very aggressive while in the cage, and I had to use a stick, with gloves on, in order to load it in the back of my SUV. Its claws were as sharp as razors and could have done some major damage to my hands when I tried to grab the handle. The release was successful, and the raccoon hurriedly waddled away. I don’t recommend this to just anyone.

As a matter of fact, my sister-in-law once tried using a broom to fend off a raccoon that had attacked her dog. The raccoon retaliated and bit her. The ‘coon ran off and was never found. So, because of the uncertainty of whether or not the raccoon was rabid, she had to undergo a series of painful shots. Although that incident is probably an isolated one, you never know how a raccoon will react. In this case, she probably didn’t have much choice because the raccoon had attacked her small dog. But it serves as an illustration of what can happen.

A very safe rule of thumb, quite simply, is if you see a raccoon, leave it alone, or contact a professional if you suspect that it is rabid.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The New England Patriots have appeared in the most Super Bowls with nine (5-4). Which two teams are second with eight?

Answer here.

Roland’s Trivia Question, Week of January 18, 2018

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The New England Patriots have appeared in the most Super Bowls with nine (5-4). Which two teams are second with eight?

Answer: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) and Dallas Cowboys (5-3).

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