I’M JUST CURIOUS: Book report

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by Debbie Walker

As you may be aware, children in Maine are soon heading back into classrooms across the state, and so am I. After the kid’s book I just read I believe I am possibly looking forward to the first days more than our children. This is my book report:

The book I read is The Exceptionally Extraordinary Ordinary First Day of School by Albert Lorenz. The book has a story and it has “Facts.” I must admit that some “facts” in this book had me going over a few memories of my own. I remember seeing the big yellow bus coming down the road and my earlier excitement turned to FEAR! Guess what! According to this book the “fact” about the bus is: “School Bus – A terror filled nightmare on wheels. Where you sit depends on who you are. Life only gets worse from here on out.” (Well, isn’t that a lovely thought.) (All authored in fun, just saying!)

More Facts: “A Backpack – A place to store squished bananas, sandwich crusts and broken pencils.” (This reminds me of what we called a book bag and a lunch box and we actually carried a book or two.)

The book went on to some more “facts” as follows: Lips – the things on your face that you use to kiss your dog. Nose – The body part that yearns to have your finger in it. Tongue – the licking muscle. Facial Hair – what boys aspire to and girls dread. Teeth – Brush these twice a day or you will wind up like George Washington. He started losing teeth in his 20s and had dentures made from gold, ivory, lead, and animal teeth. (Not wood). Children – small but extremely intelligent humans. Delicious, too. Passing on – A nice way to say “pushing up daisies “or “kicked the bucket” or “eaten!”

I have to interrupt all these interesting facts from this book to direct this one to anyone who uses “hair gel” – Check out the ingredients on your bottle. Noble women in medieval England used bird droppings and lizard fat. On purpose!

Can’t you just imagine what a lovely book this is?! I can hear the kids now with all their comments “Oh, gross!, or oh, nasty!” all the while pushing for more “facts.”

Some of their critter definitions are:

Frogs – jumping amphibians that eat flies. And that have legs you can eat. Parrots – tropical birds that can learn to talk and are a pirate’s best friend. Flies – there are more than 300,000 kinds. Female houseflies lay 500 to 600 eggs in their lifetime of 30 days. Fish – the only pet your parents might let you have. They don’t bark, yowl or spit up hair balls. Cat – a furry creature that poops in a box.

Okay, so let’s not kill the messenger. I just thought I would pass on thoughts as were noticed by the author Albert Lorenz as he researched his book. Not to worry, as a college instructor told me: Childhood phases don’t usually last long; she just couldn’t promise the next one would be any better!

As usual, I am just curious what education this school year will bring (my education!). Find me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com for questions and comments. Thank you for taking the time to read!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Beethoven’s 5 Piano Concertos

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Something a little different this week:

Beethoven’s 5 Piano Concertos were a very significant body of work because they both consolidated the best of what the composer learned from his predecessors — Haydn, Mozart etc. – and broke new ground on the expansion of the piano’s technical possibilities and musical depths. These two considerations, as edifying as they are, cannot be explored more, due to limited space. What will be done instead is to touch briefly on the merits of each Concerto and to offer one recording that is quite special in and of itself from the shelves of duplicates in my possession.

Ludwig von Beethoven

Ludwig von Beethoven

Concerto no. 1 has a jubilant yet graceful beauty in its assertive rhythms and rich melodic writing. A performance of exceptional quality is the mid-’50s, nicely transferred radio broadcast featuring Sviatoslav Richter, with the gifted but very unknown Bratislav Bakala on the podium, one not to be confused with later Richter releases conducted by Karel Ancerl and Charles Munch. The pianist’s often larger than life virtuosity found a captivating vehicle in this work while Bakala’s astute care for every note matched Richter’s own. A CD is available through Berkshire Record Outlet with the pair’s Beethoven 3rd.

Concerto no. 2, actually composed before the 1st but published after it, is very headstrong in its feisty exhuberance. Rudolf Serkin made three recordings; the first one, from the early ‘50s for Columbia and with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, is my favorite of them. Serkin gave a headstrong performance and a very exciting one, both rhythmically and musically. It is available on a Sony CD through Amazon.

Concerto no. 3 is on a grander scale and one beautiful, powerful creation. The 1949 recording with the relatively unknown Eduard Erdmann and conductor Helmut Muller-Kray shows an especially eloquent, deeply moving understanding of its content. It is part of an inexpensive two-CD set on the historical Tahra label, also containing one of the Schubert Sonatas, and can be found via the above-mentioned Berkshire.

Concerto no. 4 is a masterpiece of sublime introspection. The 1962 collaboration between Van Cliburn and Fritz Reiner leading the Chicago Symphony was the result of several months worth of the most detailed preparation between the pianist and conductor and shows in the gripping performance available on a nicely remastered BMG CD, again available through Amazon.

Concerto no. 5, better known as the “Emperor,” was conceived on a heroic scale never before experienced in the piano repertoire. In addition, it may be the most frequently played of the five works in concert hall and recording studio, due to its very appealing musical scoring. One highly recommendable live performance from 1995 showcases the then 17-year-old Mihaela Ursuleasa, winner of first prize at the Clara Haskil competition in Switzerland, whose much too early 2012 death remains one inexplicable tragedy. Her rendition, with the late conductor, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, has a quality of newly-minted freshness and is a formidably distinctive entry among a large number of distinctive entries. The Claves CD contains a very engaging Mozart 9th Piano Concerto as its discmate and can be bought through Amazon.

Pianist Wilhelm Kempff considered these five Concertos inexhaustibly rewarding for both performer and listener!

SOLON & BEYOND: Solon Alumni Association holds class reunions

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

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

The annual Solon Alumni reunion was held on July 21 with 46 alumni and guests present. The class of 1968 celebrated its 50th reunion with eight members present. Kathy Adams Swett, Diane Oliver Poulin, James Bubar, Brenda Whitney Padham, Brian Whitney, Betty Heald Price, Diane Hall Lamb and David Rogers. Others celebrating were Alice Davis Heald, 78th, Albert Starbird, 77th, Mary Head Bishop, 75th, Neil Hunnewell, 70th, and Marie Poulin, 69th.

Allen J. Foss received a scholarship for $1,100. Dick Meader was recognized for being inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. Bob Meader won the $25 door prize and donated it back to the alumni association.

An auction was held and $553 was raised for the scholarship fund. The Meader family, in memory of their parents Everett and Arlene Meader, matched the auction amount of $553 making the donation to the scholarship fund a total of $1,106. The auctioneer was Diane Oliver Poulin. Jo Rancourt Holden was elected as the new treasurer replacing Brenda Padham, who retired.

The affair was catered by the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club under the leadership of Eleanor Pooler.

The Solon Congregational Church will host an ice cream social and enjoy the Old Liberty String Band. This event will be held on Saturday, August 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome, and admission is by donation.

The next Embden Historical Society meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 13, at the Embden Town House. The business meeting is at 6:30 p.m. and the program is at 7 p.m. Mac Smith will be speaking on “Mainers on the Titanic”. Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.

The Lexington/Highland Historical Society invites home schooling staff to the Lexington/Highland Historical Museum on Tuesday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum represents a typical homestead of the 1800sd.

The museum is located at the intersection of the Long Falls Dam Road and the Back Road, about 3-1/2 miles from the center of North New Portland. A complimentary lunch will be offered.

The 2018 officers for the AMA Charter #3942 are president, Lewis Gordon, vice president, Frank Bedard, secretary, Randy Connor, treasurer, Frank Bedard, safety officer, newsletter editor, Joseph Gilbert.

Their next meeting will be held on August 25, at Whispering Pines, in North Anson.

Lief loves peanuts! Couldn’t believe my ears when he told me he was going to grow some peanuts…but sure enough, he went on the internet and according to the Farmer’s Almanac, peanuts can be grown as far north as southern Canada. He bought some raw peanuts, removed the shells and we planted a long row of peanuts! Of course, it was rather late to be planting them but they are up and doing well as we watch them grow every day. ( I warned Lief before we married, that it would be an adventure if he married me, but little did I know that it would be an adventure for me, also!) Does anyone out there in this area grow peanuts, we need all the help we can get?!

And now for Percy’s memoir: Undertakings entered into half-heartedly often lack the extra or the plus that can lift them over the hurdle. Enthusiasm may mark the difference between success and failure.

Nelsons celebrate long family history with reunions

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In the Spring of 1862 church bells rang out over the land, as President Lincoln called for volunteers. In Palermo, Maine, Erastus Foote Nelson was hoeing potatoes. He stuck his hoe in the row he was hoeing and walked to the Branch. When he returned home he told his wife, “Eliza, war has been declared. I have enlisted and am to go to Augusta tomorrow.”

Eliza was left with a farm and four children to care for. Wesley was seven years old, Prince was five, Oville was three, Harriet was two and a new baby on the way. As Eliza recounted to her granddaughter, “I put my wool on my shoulders and carried it to the Branch, had it carded and went to work spinning and knitting. We got along real good. The boys helped real good. When I wrote Erastus that I had a baby boy the day after Christmas, he wrote back on a piece of brown paper, “Name the boy Yeaton Dutton for my two tentmates who have been shot besides me.”

Erastus served with the 19th Maine Infantry from 1862 to 1865. He returned to Palermo and the farm on the hill that is currently the home of Keith Nelson and his sister Jacqueline. The family of Erastus and Eliza grew to include nine children, all of whom were born in Palermo. Erastus Nelson died of pneumonia in 1885. His wife Eliza died in 1921.

The first organized Nelson Family Reunion was held at the home of Erastus son, Frank, on the Western Ridge Rd., in Palermo. This reunion has been held every year since then. Some years it has been held in New Hampshire or Vermont where some of the family settled. This year, the 93rd annual Nelson reunion will be held on Saturday, August 11, at the home of Bob and Marion Foster, in Albion. Marion is the great-great-granddaughter of Erastus and Eliza.

The family of Erastus and Eliza Nelson, circa 1814.

Obituaries, Week of August 9, 2018

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VIRGINIA B. STARKEY

CHINA – Virginia B. Starkey died Saturday, August 4, 2018, from complications of Vascular Dementia. She was born February 17, 1934, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Edward A. and Bertha M. (Frost) Hearn.

She lived in Beverly for 21 years before marrying her husband of 58 years, Richard B. Starkey.    They settled on the Starkey homestead in China and had six children.  The city girl took a fair amount of teasing over the years, but learned to live on the farm for many years before moving into a smaller home that Richard built right next door.  They had a good life together.

Virginia was educated in Beverly, graduating from Beverly High School. She was a member of the Dane St. Congregational Church.  She was employed by Bay State Lamp Company, in Danvers, before marrying, after which she was a homemaker and active with the children in scouts, sports, and church. After raising her own children, she provided child care in her home for many years.

She became a member of China Baptist Church, helping with Sunday School and VBS, and The Order of The Eastern Star where she held several offices.  Ginny dabbled in many interests over her lifetime including, baking, sewing, needlework, painting, and Continuing Education classes and her true love was reading. Before her health declined, the newspaper was read from cover to cover every morning and the stacks of books by her chair were impressive.

Virginia was a home body, but loved people and kept up with family and friends who moved away from town, following the lives of those who had crossed her path.  She will be missed by many of those people, but Mom, Gram, Grammy will be missed especially by her family.

Virginia was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Frances (Atwood) Prest, Raymond Atwood, Edna Hearn Bachmann; and her children George and Lydia.

She is survived by her sister Priscilla (Hearn) Rowand, of Beverly, Massachusetts; her sons Edward and partner Mark Colonna, of Oakland Park, Florida, and Richard Starkey Jr. ,of Farmingdale; daughters Sandra and husband Paul Keller, of China, and Heide and husband Charles Hotham, of Palermo; daughter-in-law Dawn Starkey, of Benton; grandchildren Amy Starkey and wife Jaimie Routhier, Nicholas Starkey, Anna Keller, Aaron and wife Sara Keller, Abby Keller, Summer Hotham, Grady Hotham, Richard Starkey III, and Danny Starkey; two great-grandchildren, RaeLeigh Starkey and Cooper Starkey: and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 1, at 11 a.m., at the China Baptist Church, with a reception to follow in the vestry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, P. O. Box 6146, China Village, Maine 04926.

ALICE M. GOGAN

BENTON – Alice M. (Spencer) Gogan, 91, passed away at Oak Grove on Friday, July 13, 2018. She was born June 11, 1927, to Edna and George Spencer, of Benton.

She married Loring Gogan, Sr. and they had four children. Alice was a homemaker and had various jobs.

She is survived by her children, George Gogan and wife Kathryn, of Clinton, Donna Meyer, of Benton, Frances Begin and husband Thomas, of Plymouth, Lorin Gogan Jr. and wife Patricia, of Winslow; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be at Benton Grange on July 29, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, friends can make donations to: Hospice Volunteers of Waterville, 304 Upper Main St., Waterville ME 04901.

LESLIE M. LANE

FAIRFIELD – Leslie M. Lane, 77, passed away Friday, July 13, 2018, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. He was born June 26, 1941, in Waterville, the son of Melvin and Hazel (Otis) Lane.

He enjoyed lawn sales, attending all the local fairs, and stopping for ice cream along the way. He loved spending time with his “sidekick” grandson, Ryan, visiting with the coffee crowd and going to his family’s homes for meals and homemade treats. He was an avid hunter and loved going with family and close friends to favorite spots. Many of these adventures included dearest life-long friend, Bruce Wadleigh and son Billy, Al Haliday, Clay Haliday and son Cory, Shelly and Lance, Sam and Brenda Otis and several more.

Leslie is survived by his children, Tammy Nixon and husband Brian; Sheldon Lane; Erwin Taylor, Jr. and fiancée Diane Morissette, Robert Taylor, Shelly Geidel and husband Lance, Kelly Jeremie and husband Daniel, Phillip Taylor and wife Martha; grandchildren, Lindsey Nixon, Ryan Lane, Cassandra McLaughlin, Bradley Norman, Seth, Jacob, Isaiah and Michael Taylor, Travis, Aaron and Carolynn Bagley, James and Madeline Geidel; and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Leroy and wife Peggy; two sisters, Loretta and husband Ben, Louella and husband Jim; brother-in-law, John Zinkovitch.

He was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn; two sisters, Laura Jean and Linda Zinkovitch.

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

EDWARD E. HOYT II

BENTON – Edward Eugene Hoyt II, 85, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. He was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on August 26, 1932. His parents were Edward and Bridget (Whalen) Hoyt, of Boston.

He attended Boston schools and later in life attended the University of Maine Augusta.

He was a heavy transport driver in Korea for the USMC and finished his military career as a medic in Vietnam for the USAF. In 1972, he worked as an inhalation therapist at Seton Hospital, in Waterville. A few years later he changed gears and was the manager of Fort Halifax Hatchery, in Winslow. The last part of his working life was spent as a salesman of police gear, first with FC Wise Uniforms, of Augusta, and lastly, Neptune Uniforms, of Massachusetts.

He was active in the VFW and American Legion, in Fairfield. Eddie served on the Benton town council and was proudly instrumental in the naming of the bridges in Fairfield/Benton for a fallen comrade; veterans were a passion of his later life.

The family that he leaves behind includes his wife of 60 years, Patrica Ann (Grard) Hoyt, of Benton; his son, Edward Hoyt III, of Benton; his daughters, Theresa Marie, of Oakland, and Patricia, of New Hampshire; his grandchildren, Matthew Hoyt and Natasha, of Oakland, Michael Doughty, of Virginia, Tommy Doughty, of New Hampshire, Annie Gregoire, of Augusta and Edward Richard Hoyt IV, of Fairfield; his brother, Raymond, of Boston, and his sisters, Mary Madden and Marion Katz, of Boston.

He was predeceased by his brother, David Hoyt, USAF ret., and his sisters, Ruth Hoyt, Barbara Comeau, Eileen Kaskeski, and Dorothy Palmer. In May, his youngest child, Verna Alta Gregoire lost her long fight with cancer.

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

CHRISTOPHER P. REED

BENTON – Christopher Paul Reed,31, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018. He was born in Waterville on August 24, 1986, the son of Holly Reed and Paul Poissonnier Sr.

He was employed by Ranger Contracting of Fairfield for many years.

He loved to travel, go camping, and share a campfire with family and friends. Chris loved to cook for his family. He was joyful and talkative with his children, but also could be serious when he needed to be.

Christopher was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Glennys Reed; his maternal aunts, Shirley Small, Pearl Parent, and Amy Lynne Howard; his paternal grandmother, Rita Poissonnier, and his paternal grandfather, Arthur Poissonnier.

Christopher is survived by his parents; his children, Kylie Rae Reed, 13, Christopher Paul Reed, Jr., 12, and their mother, Ashley Pouliot, Madilyn Victoria Reed, 8, Ethyn Gregory Davis, 4, and their mother, Sadie Davis; his three brother, Brian Reed, of Livermore Falls, Andrew Reed and his fiancé, Nikki Trask, and their son, Brayden, of Winslow, and Paul E. Poissonnier, Jr., of Winslow; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

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

Memorial donations to help defray funeral expenses may be mailed to: Elaine Grenier, 16 Frawley St., Winslow ME 04901. Please make checks payable to the same.

SYLVIA M. LABBE

FAIRFIELD – Sylvia Mary Labbe, 96, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. Born in Winooski, Vermont, on March 9, 1922, she was the eldest daughter of Odila Marie Pouliot and John Baptist Hebert.

After extensive wartime correspondence she marred Clement Joseph Labbe. They made a home only steps away from the family farm on Savage Street, in Fairfield.

Sylvia was a small woman with a big spirit, maintaining a comfortable home for Clem and children, Priscilla and Paul. She traveled by foot and bus to take care of family business around town, baked daily and crocheted. She took great joy in riding her bicycle and dancing to her heart’s content. And she always savored a good box of chocolates.

She was predeceased by Clem; her parents; brothers, Rene and Donald; and sisters, Ann and Yvette.

Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Priscilla Giroux; son, Paul and his wife, Gretchen; sisters, Frances Plante and Rita Hebert.; grandchildren, David, Sarah and Julia; and great-grandchildren, Lily, Sophie, Amanda, Madden and Summer.

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

Those who wish, could consider a donation to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Waterville, Maine.

OTHERS DEPARTED

SHAWN J. PORTER, 36, of Bangor, formally of Clinton, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Waterville. Locally, he is survived by his father, Carlson Porter, of Clinton; son Raiden D. Porter, of Benton; and brothers Justin Porter, of Clinton, Luke Porter and Travis Belyea, both of Norridgewock.

DOROTHEA E. LADD, 87, of Skowhegan, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. Locally, she is survived by a nephew, Doug Breingan and wife Laura, of Fairfield.

LANCY C. BRADSHAW, 91, of Pittsfield, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018, in Skowhegan. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Maryjane Stafford and husband Bruce, of Winslow.

RONALD C. STEVENS, 86, of Exeter, passed away on Saturday, July 14, 2018, following a brave fight with cancer. Locally, he is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Boucher and husband Paul, of Clinton.

THOMAS E. BEAULIEU, 72, of Chelsea, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. Locally, he is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Marie Beaulieu, of Winslow.

E. ELSIE ROWE, 100, of Granby, Connecticut, passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018, at Meadowbrook of Granby Nursing Home. Locally, she is survived by stepdaughters Phyllis Hunter, of Benton, Theresa Monk, of Clinton, and Gladys Lee, of Skowhegan.

LAURIE J. BUSHEY, 64, of Waterville, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. Locally, she is survived by her husband of 23 years, Ralph Bushey, of Waterville, and sister Beth Taylor and husband Lawrence, of China Village.

WALTER H. WHITE, 94, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home. Locally, he is survived by a daughter Bernadette Puiia, of Winslow; and grandchildren, Heidi Zetterman and husband Matt, of Waterville, Paul Puiia and wife Shannon, and Adam Puiia and wife Allison, all of Winslow.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of August 9, 2018

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To submit a photo for The Town Line’s “Give Us Your Best Shot!” section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@fairpoint.net!

DELECTABLE: Emily Poulin, of South China, recently photographed these ants on wet peonies.

CLEANING HOUSE: Betty Dunton, of Gardiner, recently caught this bird doing some housekeeping.

EARLY RISER: Janet Soucy, of China, snapped this early morning sunrise at Pellerin’s Campground.

Groundbreaking for new South China Library

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From left to right, Aiden Pettengill, Librarian Cheryl Baker, Ian Maxwell and Xavier Colfer perform a ceremonial groundbreaking on August 6 at the new location for the South China Library. (Photo by Eric Austin)

Shine-on Oakland Day benefits food pantry

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Colby Charette (and his dog Sadie) sit among the over 150 boxes of cereal collected at Oakfest’s first “ShineOn Oakland Day” in support of local kids.

Avery Charland, of Fairfield, was among hundreds of kids who painted positive messages on rocks to hide in the community to spread kindness as part of the July 28 “ShineOn Oakland Day” at Oakfest.

Oakland’s first “ShineOn Oakland Day” July 28 collected over 150 boxes of cereal, bringing awareness to child food insecurity and feeding local families who receive support through the Oakland Food Pantry. The ShineOnCass Foundation partnered with the Town of Oakland’s summer festival “Oakfest” which featured three days of community events including a street dance, farmer’s market, triathlon and a parade, where parade goers dropped boxes of cereal into shopping carts pushed by area students involved in ShineOnCass initiatives.

Anya Fegal helps collect cereal boxes in one of the ShineOnCass shopping carts.

Monica Charette, who organized the event with Foundation volunteers, said she hopes this will become an annual event to support the Oakland Food Pantry, local families in need and offer opportunity for children to participate in an activity that gives back to the community. The ShineOnCass Foundation also hosted “Oakland Rocks” where kids painted positive messages on over 200 rocks to place in their community to help spread kindness. All who participated received “ShineOnCass Kindness Matters” wristbands.

The ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor the spirit, continue the work, and encourage others to live the legacy of Cassidy Charette, whose kindness and passion for others Shines On. Cassidy was a 17-year-old Messalonskee scholar and athlete, and a devoted community volunteer who died in a hayride accident in 2014. The organization’s mission is to educate, inspire and empower youth to make their world a better place through volunteer charitable activities.

Parents Hold The Key To Reducing Underage Drinking

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(NAPSI)—Underage drinking is a significant concern and public health challenge nationwide contributing to a wide range of costly health and social problems. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the economic burden of alcohol misuse in the U.S. is estimated at $249 billion, with three-quarters of those costs coming from binge drinking. Almost $24.3 billion (about 10 percent) of the total $249 billion economic cost of excessive alcohol consumption is related to underage drinking, much of it due to premature mortality of underage youth.

Annually, alcohol is a factor in the deaths of approximately 4,300 youths in the United States, shortening their lives by an average of 60 years.

Last year, nearly 20 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol. In fact, alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and a higher proportion use alcohol than use tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs according to Monitoring the Future.

While teens tend to drink less frequently than adults, 4.5 million young people drink larger quantities or binge drink, having five or more drinks males, and four or more drinks for females during a single occasion.

While underage drinking is a source of concern, parents can influence whether their child decides to drink or not.

Moms and dads may want to start by knowing the risks and signs of underage drinking. Teenage drinkers are more prone to have legal issues and participate in unsafe sexual behaviors. They are more likely to have memory problems and changes in brain development that cause life-long effects. There’s also an increased risk for using other drugs, hurting themselves or someone else and developing an Alcohol Use Disorder.

There are signs that parents should recognize as it might indicate their child is drinking. If parents notice several of these signs or if they occur suddenly and are extreme, it could mean there’s alcohol use involved, and parents should intervene with their children and seek professional help through the child’s school or contact the county health department. These signs are mood changes like a quick temper, irritability and defensiveness; school problems such as poor attendance, low grades and/or recent disciplinary action; switching friends and a reluctance to introduce the new friends; and finding alcohol in a child’s room or backpack or smelling alcohol on their breath.

The good news is there are a number of things parents can proactively do to help children stay alcohol-free.

  • Show you disapprove of underage drinking.
    More than 80 percent of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision to drink or not drink. So they really are listening, and it’s important that you send a clear and strong message.
  • Show you care about your child’s happiness and well-being.
    Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Try to reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink—not just because you say so, but because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you’re working with, and not against, your child.
  • Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol.
    You want your child to be making informed decisions about drinking, with reliable information about its dangers. You don’t want your child to be learning about alcohol from friends, the internet, or the media—you want to establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.
  • Show you’re paying attention and you’ll notice if your child drinks.
    You want to show you’re keeping an eye on your child, because young people are more likely to drink if they think no one will notice. There are many subtle ways to do this without prying.
  • Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking.
    Even if your child doesn’t want to drink, peer pressure is a powerful thing. It could be tempting to drink just to avoid looking uncool. To prepare your child to resist peer pressure, you’ll need to build skills and practice them.

Keep it low-key. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get everything across in one talk. Many small talks are better.

There are free tools available to help parents have meaningful conversations with their kids and learn more about how to reduce the chances that children start drinking. “Talk. They Hear You.” is a resource from SAMHSA that can help parents get started. Parents, caregivers and educators can download materials by visiting https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking. “Talk. They Hear You.” also has accessible videos that demonstrate the importance of discussing alcohol use with your children. These videos serve as examples how a parent can approach their child about alcohol use and can be found at http://bit.ly/2LuvT0F.

Moms and dads are the biggest influence when it comes to underage drinking, they hold the key to helping kids make good decisions and steer away from alcohol use.