Obituaries for Thursday, May 2, 2019

/0 Comments/in /by

DENNIS B. TOWLE

SOUTH CHINA – Dennis B. Towle, 71, of Lakeview Drive, South China, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Androscoggin Hospice House, in Auburn. Dennis was born on May 28, 1947, in Dover, New Hampshire. He was the son of John W Towle and Ruth L. (Smith) Towle.

After completing high school, Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era and received training in electronics. He later worked for an electronics company in California and most recently was employed as an electronics analyst at Digital Corporation, in Augusta.

Dennis enjoyed spending time with his friend, Mary, frequently visiting local South China restaurants and ice cream shops. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and indulging in his hobby of prospecting.

In addition to his parents, Dennis was predeceased by his brother, John A. Towle of Virginia Beach, VA; his first wife, Elizabeth (Czelust) Towle; and his second wife, Doris (Sirois) Towle.

Dennis is survived by his brother, Lesley Towle, of Palmyra; his stepson, Donald Sirois, of South China; stepdaughter, Jean A. Breton, of South China; and his dear friends, Mary Freeman, of South China, and Ronald Breton, of South China.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, May 5th at 2 p.m. at the South China Community Church. Burial will be at a later date at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

MICHAEL A. GILBERT

BENTON — Michael “Mickey” A. Gilbert, 58, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at his home. He was born May 14, 1960, in Waterville, one of six boys of Lester and Jane (Laury) Gilbert.

Mickey graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, class of 1978.

Mickey enjoyed camping in the middle of nowhere, campfires, fishing, spending time at his camp in New Sharon and gardening. One of his passions in life was buying and selling anything he could make a buck on. Mickey had many fond memories and stories of going to Red Sox and New England Patriots games with family.

Mickey was most recently employed at Albion Manufacturing.

Mickey was predeceased by his parents Lester and Jane (Laury) Gilbert; and his wife Carol Gilbert.

Mickey leaves behind sons, Nick Gallaway and wife Kristina, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Jim Leclair and wife Nicole, of Norridgewock; grandchildren, Olivia, Ricki, Tyler and Jill; brothers, Allen Gilbert and wife Vicki, of Oakland, Robert Gilbert, of Farmingdale, David Gilbert and wife Rhonda, of Linneus, Edward Gilbert and wife Sheila, of Clinton, Steven Gilbert and wife Michele, of Belgrade; Godson, Alexander Gilbert, of Belgrade; several nieces and nephews.

Private burial service for family will be held at Pond Cemetery, in Unity.

Mickeys Celebration of Life will be held on May 18, 2019, at his residence at 128 Albion Rd., Benton, at 2 p.m. His family is hoping all friends and family will come celebrate and share stories and memories about Mickey. His family will be providing food. Please bring a chair and stories and come enjoy the afternoon.

EDWARD E. LEARY

AUGUSTA — Edward E. Leary, of Palermo, and Augusta, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at his home, in Augusta. He was born on January 3, 1935, in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, son of Eugene and Margaret (Craik) Leary.

He married the former Janice Anderson on December 28, 1957.

Edward spent eight years in the naval reserves and several years in law enforcement in various capacities in state and local government, and then with the Maine Department of Transportation, retiring in 1988. He was particularly proud of his police work and spoke often of his experiences. Edward was a special man of high integrity. He was honest, straightforward, a true friend and companion, and a loyal husband who expected no less from his family, friends, and business contacts.

Edward maintained collections of fishing equipment, bicycles, knives, coins, and was respected for his knowledge of the value and history of each item. He spent most of his earlier years fishing in his spare time. Edward especially enjoyed the Spencer Lake area near Jackman, and the Rockwood area on Moosehead Lake. He visited those places his whole life, even after he had made his final cast.

Edward was predeceased by his infant son, Sean Edward; sister, Margaret “Peggy” in 1984; and his wife, Janice in 2014.

He is survived by three sons and their families, Shannon M. Leary and Rita Silvia, of Oakland, Edward Sean Leary and Amy Giles, of Portland, and Frank P. and Susan Leary, of Palermo; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, Erin Faulhaber and her daughters Madilyn Kennedy and Amelia Faulhaber, of Clayton, North Carolina, and Kevin Leary, of Manchester, (daughter, grandchildren, and son of Shannon), and Paige and Kelby Leary, of Palermo, daughters of Frank and Susan.

A graveside ceremony will be announced at a later date at the Smith Cemetery, in Palermo, where Edward will join his wife and together they will rest.

EDWARD BELANGER

OAKLAND — Edward Belanger, 78, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Ed was the son of the late Walter and Helen (Albert) Belanger.

Before retiring, Ed made his living as a commercial truck driver. Ed and his truck worked with many local contractors and road crews.

Ed was an avid NASCAR fan and never missed a Patriots’ game. He also enjoyed classic country music; when he wasn’t listening to it, he was singing it. Not a day went by that the History channel did not offer a program to grab Ed’s attention.

Ed is survived by his wife, Nancy; her son, Benjamin Belanger and his children, Mason, Brody and Georgia; her son, Jonathan Belanger, his wife, Betty and their children, Isabella, Gabriel and Addison; his brother Lawrence and his wife, Lynn, his sisters Theresa Culbertson and Judy Pelotte, sister-in-law, Annette Belanger; as well as Nancy’s family and several nieces and nephews.

Ed was predeceased by his sister, Pearl Dubois and her husband Bob, brothers, Guilford and Larry, and brother-in-law, Dean Culbertson.

At Ed’s request there will be no services.

ROBERT A. PULLEN

WINSLOW — Robert Alan Pullen, 56, of Winslow, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019. He was born to Robert E. Pullen and Linda J. Webber on April 8, 1963, in Waterville.

He attended Winslow High School and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He held several jobs over the years, including working at Crowe Rope Industries, in Winslow.

Alan was a skilled pool, darts and chess player, and he enjoyed watching NASCAR, football and hockey. He collected antiques, coins and NASCAR memorabilia. He will forever be remembered for his friendly and generous nature. He would frequently crack jokes and he was always willing to help anyone in need.

He was predeceased by his father, Robert E. Pullen; and his brother, William “Billy” Pullen.

He will be sadly missed by his mother, Linda Webber; sister and brother-in-law, Melissa and Jason Britton; brother, Gary Pullen; niece, Carmen Smith; nephews, Kyle and Travis Pullen; great-nephew, Elijah Pullen; uncles, Rodney Jordan and Gary Pullen; aunts, Glenis Staples and Louise O’Clair; as well as cousins.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

ANASTATIA F. DENNIS

WINSLOW — Anastatia Fuller Huard Dennis, 97, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. She was born December 9, 1921, in Livermore Falls, the daughter of Alton H. Fuller and Nellie (Crowley) Fuller.

She was the second child of four children: Arthur, Eileen and Desmond Fuller. She attended high school at Maine Central Institute, in Pittsfield. Ann married Lawrence Huard, of Winslow, on January 3, 1942. This union brought Ann her first child, Randy Huard. Unfortunately, she became a widow in 1944 when her husband was killed during the Normandy France Invasion of World War II. Ann married again on June 5, 1948, to Sylvio J. Dennis, of Winslow,. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage and three more children, Cynthia and twins Joy and Jill, before Sylvio’s passing in 2011.

Ann worked in many different career fields during her lifetime. She worked for the American Woolen Mill, in Pittsfield, and North Vassalboro, and the Cascade Woolen Mill, in Oakland. She also was employed at the C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville, and the Diamond Match Company, in Oakland. After travelling west, she worked for Hughes Aircraft and AMPEX Electronics, in California.

Upon returning to New England, she began work at Pratt and Whitney and EML, Electronic Music Laboratories, in Vernon, Connecticut. Ann eventually settled back in Winslow. She finished her working years waitressing for Ken’s Family Restaurant and The Eating House.

Ann had many talents and hobbies. She was an amazing dancer. She was also a beautiful knitter, crocheter, seamstress, quilter and gardener. Many people have been recipients of her quilts, blankets and mittens that she made and donated. As the years progressed, her favorite activity was her days in the sun and fresh air and enjoying her family while watching the sun set at camp.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, siblings and spouses.

She is survived by her younger brother, Desmond Fuller, of Plano, Texas; son Randy Huard and spouse Connie Huard, of Winslow, daughters Cynthia (Dennis) Nordby and spouse Wes Nordby, of Minden, Nevada, Joy (Dennis) Roberge and spouse Scott Roberge, of Vassalboro, and Jill (Dennis) Vigue and spouse Rick Vigue, of Winslow; eight grandchildren, Mike and Mark Huard, Kevin Arnold, Heather Beaster, Ricky Vigue, Ashley, Kylee and Nicholas Roberge; and three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Huard and Malyn and Cameron Beaster; nieces and nephews, Desmond Fuller Jr., Vicki Vanderhoof, Dottie Potts and Danny Fuller.

A graveside gathering will be held at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, at a later date.

Donations in memory of Ann can be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38101-9908.

Fortier presented with Scout Citizen Award

/0 Comments/in , /by

John Fortier, left, was presented the Scout Citizen Award March 7 by Eagle Scout John Dalton. (Contributed photo)

Family, friends and Scouting volunteers gathered at the Winslow MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars post on March 7 to pay tribute to John Fortier, of Belgrade, upon receiving the Scouting Citizen Award for 2019. The Scout Citizen Award is an annual presentation in the Waterville area to someone in the community who in their daily life exemplifies the high ideals of Scouting such as strong character and good citizenship.

“John Fortier is an outstanding individual,” said Kennebec Valley District Boy Scout Chair Bruce Rueger. Rueger, who is a professor at Colby College, continued: “John is a graduate of the University of Maine Orono, past president of the Waterville Rotary Club, past director of the Waterville Salvation Army, and past chairman of the Board of Directors, at Northern Lights Inland Hospital, in Waterville. He has lived in, and around Waterville, his entire life and has spent it helping other people at all times.”

Approximately 60 people attended the gathering. The event raised $21,000 to support the outreach efforts of Scouting in the Waterville area – the highest amount raised at such an event to date. “We’ll be able to help a lot of needy Scouts and make sure they get a great experience at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade,” Rueger said.

During his acceptance speech, Fortier, praised the work of Scouting. “The Cub Scouts and Scouts hold a special place of trust when they take and develop young boys and now young girls into adulthood and then release them to practice their Scout Motto and ‘Be Prepared’ to ultimately become especially accomplished citizens.”

Fortier was a Cub Scout as a youth and spent two years in the local Boy Scout troop. “I benefited from scouting and believe I learned valuable skills that have served me well to my current time. My memory is one of the lessons I learned as a Scout was to keep trying and “stick-to-tiveness.” One vivid memory during a weekend jamboree located at a fairgrounds was no gear or Gore-Tex as we know it today – then the rains came, then the mud and that the primitive gear and tents we had at the time did little to prevent the soaking, shivering and cold. It cemented into my mind the importance of the Scout Motto “Be Prepared.” It is impressive to me in this digital day and age of social media when there are so many distractions and disruptive activities influencing our youth that Scouting has never been a more appropriate and never been a more important activity.”

Public hearing set for May 23 on June ballot questions

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China selectmen dealt with a miscellany of business at their April 29 meeting.

Town Manager Dennis Heath announced a public hearing on Monday, May 13, to discuss two June 11 local ballot questions. The hearing will be at 6:15 p.m. in the town office meeting room, before that evening’s selectmen’s meeting.

The two questions voters will answer June 11 are:

  • Whether to authorize selectmen to spend $150,000 to buy the Hall lot north of the Four Seasons Club on the east shore of China Lake to provide public lake access, using $125,000 from the lake access reserve fund and $25,000 from the TIF (Tax Increment Finance) fund; and
  • Whether to authorize selectmen to spend up to $25,000 from the town’s undesignated fund balance (surplus) for engineering plans for an emergency services building or a community center on town-owned land on Lakeview Drive, opposite the former Candlewood Camps. Voters approved up to $5,000 for preliminary studies in November 2018. Drawings showing what both buildings might look like are on the town website.

Selectmen Jeffrey LaVerdiere and Ronald Breton expressed reservations about the first question. LaVerdiere said the property slopes steeply to the lake, so building a road, a parking lot and other amenities would be expensive. Breton does not want a swimming beach close to a boat landing, citing safety and parking concerns.

Heath said there might be federal and/or state grant money available. He described the lot as “tiered” and said there might be room for three levels of parking lots.

On a different topic, the manager said China’s 2019-2020 school budget might – he emphasized the uncertainty – increase by five percent. If it did, he said, the local tax rate would also have to increase.

Voters in RSU (Regional School Unit) #18 will act on the school budget May 16 in Oakland, with a confirmatory written-ballot vote on June 11.

Selectmen met two new people who will be working on behalf of the town. Shawn Reed introduced Ron Roy, newly hired in the Public Works Department; and Policeman Tracey Frost introduced Jordan Gaudet, who will join Frost and other Oakland officers working part-time in China.

Transfer Station Manager Tim Grotton said Heath had submitted the application for a recycling grant that, if awarded, would distribute recycling bins around town (see The Town Line, April 25). Heath said he is now looking into another grant to help expand broadband service in China, at a cost tentatively estimated at more than a million dollars.

The manager reported that purchase of the Bailey property at the head of China Lake across Causeway Street from the boat landing will be complete when the deed is registered. He invested an additional $1,000 for a survey, he said, and is glad he did: instead of the six or seven acres voters thought they were buying, they acquired more than 11 acres, partly swamp.

Board members informally approved Heath’s draft purchasing policy, which says the manager may make purchases up to $2,500 on his own; for anything between $2,500 and $10,000, he needs several price quotes and selectmen’s approval; and purchases over $10,000 must be by sealed bid. Final action is expected at the May 13 meeting.

China Food Pantry team walks in Augusta Feed Me 5K

/0 Comments/in , /by

Front row, from left to right, Andrew Maxwell, Rachel Maxwell, James Maxwell, Elizabeth McLean, Peter Maxwell and Aurie Maxwell. Back, Abigail Maxwell, Catherine Durant, Caley Pillow and John Burns. The team leader, Ann Austin, is taking the photo.

On April 27, amidst the rain, the China team representing the Food Pantry volunteers, took part in the Feed Me 5K Walk to End Hunger, in Augusta. This annual event was organized by the Maine State Credit Union and involved charitable groups in central Maine. Each walker raised sponsorship donations which will be combined with fundraising efforts of the Maine State Credit Union and returned to that organization next spring. This year the China team raised $620. Last year the China Pantry’s portion was three times the amount they raised in sponsorship money. Thanks to all sponsors and the staff at the Maine State Credit Union for the hard work and caring shown to the community.

Winslow schools autism program still productive after 13 years

/0 Comments/in , /by

Front row, from left to right, Samantha Lessard, Joan Brown, Kelsey Steeves, Rachel Leak and Peg Pellerin. Back, Nicole DeRoche, Anne Rice, Joan Varney, Anna Collins and Melissa Hanley, head of the program. (Photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow Elementary School has an Autism Program that services 16 students and has been in place at the Winslow Elementary School for 13 years. They do many social groups throughout the day to help students develop social skills including Lunch Social Groups, Play social groups, and end of day Circle of Friends. The Autism Program has a Sensory Room that allows students to take needed breaks to be successful throughout the school day. The Sensory Room is used by many students enrolled at Winslow Elementary School, not just by the students in the Autism Room. The community is very proud and grateful for this intricate Program and its dedicated teachers and facilitators.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Welcome to Citrus County, Florida

/0 Comments/in /by
by Debbie Walker

Last week I wrote about an area north of where I live in Florida. It was Panama City Beach and that area was devastated by hurricane Michael in October 2018. The damage from this storm has been estimated at $25.1 billion dollars. Some readers were curious why I would want to live in Florida and go through hurricanes. I am prepared to answer that question.

My area of Florida is considered to be Central West Coast. We are about 90 miles north of Tampa. I lived here for 30 years before I went back to Maine for a few years. What will follow is the information that was passed on to me in the first couple of years that I was here:

I knew nothing about Florida when I moved here in September 1984. My first hurricane experience was quite the lesson. I lived in a mobile home and came home to the evening news announcing the evacuation rules. It said that anyone in Citrus County in a mobile home needed to evacuate to somewhere high and dry.

After we heard the alert, we went out and cleaned up anything that could fly with the wind. About that time my boss arrived and said we ought to come to her house. She had a concrete block house, quite a bit stronger than a mobile.

While at her house with native Floridians, I got an education. Citrus County is bordered on the west side by the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane was spinning and stalled in the gulf. It was out there for a couple of days. It was said we would be a direct hit. The natives said, ‘Absolutely not just watch and see.’ Just as the natives said, when the hurricane started moving again, it left us without much more than some winds and rain.

That night they explained to me there really wasn’t much of a problem unless your home was built on the water, a higher tide than usual would be the issue there. Occasionally, Citrus would get some high winds but sometimes we get that in an afternoon electrical storm.

Hurricanes prefer to travel in warm waters and low elevations. We have seven spring (cold water) fed rivers that feed cold water out into the gulf and we have some of the highest elevations in Florida. If we ever go under water, they will be using scuba divers in Mickey Land. Hurricanes usually hit south of us in Tampa (built primarily under sea level!) and bubble out around us north to Cedar Key.

We also have about a 30-mile shallow shelf of land under our section of the gulf. It gets deeper about a foot a mile. (It’s not the best place to plan on deep water fishing or diving.) This is also said to be a possible reason for the detouring storms.

Proof of our good fortune are that the tiny islands off our coast are still here. In other coastal areas the wind and flooding have eroded their islands. Okay, so I learned this stuff from the natives but in the past 30-plus years they appear to have been right. I do still believe in evacuations to be on the safe side.

I am not just curious about why I appreciate my area. I could go on all night with neat things about Citrus County, Florida, just ask me. Send your comments or questions to dwdaffy@yahoo.com or call the office and leave a message if you ‘don’t do computers’. Thanks for reading.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: The Carol Sudhalter Quartet and other recordings

/0 Comments/in /by

The Carol Sudhalter quartet

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

The Carol Sudhalter Quartet

Live at St. Peter’s Church; Carol Sudhalter, baritone sax and flute; Patrick Poladian, piano; Kevin Hailey, double bass; and Mike Campenni, drums. Alfa Projects AFPCD194, CD, a recorded live concert, from March 7, 2018, at New York City’s St. Peter’s Church.

Carol Sudhalter, now in her 70s, has gained a much-justified fan base in New York City’s Queens in the last 35 to 40 years as one of the finest jazz musicians on baritone sax and flute. Her quartet, consisting of three extraordinary musicians, include pianist Patrick Poladian, Kevin Hailey on the traditional double bass and Mike Campenni on drums.

They perform nine selections in a 50-minute program; the composers are comprised of such jazz legends as Bill Evans, Sunny Rollins, and Hank Mobley, along with good tunes by pianist Poladian, Carol herself (in which she sings very nicely) and a beauty, Luiza, from the Bossa Nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Carol is open to bookings here in Maine. For those who run clubs and other such venues, the contact email address is sudhalter.com . Her music making can also be heard on several YouTubes.

This CD is one that holds up with repeat listenings.

Given my perpetual fascination with duplicate recordings of favorite classical works, I offer quick comments on four different renditions of the ever popular Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto, arguably the most famous Piano Concerto ever composed:

A live broadcast featuring Van Cliburn with Istvan Kertesz conducting the Berlin Philharmonic; Priceless C70581, cassette, released mid-1980s. It is a good performance but doesn’t stand out like others. Strange, because Cliburn and Kertesz did exceptional recordings in otherwise separate realms. And there is no information with the tape about anything.

Another Tchaikovsky work is the Violin Concerto in an exciting Yehudi Menuhin/Ferenc Fricsay collaboration with the RIAS Orchestra, of Berlin, possibly the same studio one released elsewhere on Deutsche Grammophon.

A studio CD of pianist Misha Dichter, with Jan Latham-Koenig, a name new to me, conducting the Baden-Baden, Germany, SWF Symphony Orchestra; DDD USCD71845. Misha Dichter recorded this back in the mid 1960s with Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra for RCA Victor, a solid dramatic performance on its own terms.

Dichter’s re-make is even more exciting and was recorded the same day, March 22, 1988, as the composer’s Second Symphony, the Little Russian, with the gifted well-known David Zinman replacing Latham-Koenig at the podium.

Two CD couplings of Tchai First with the wonderful Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto:

Hiroko Nakamura with Evkeny Svetlanov conducting the USSR State Academy Symphony Orchestra; Sony SK48030, recorded at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall May 23 and 28, 1990.

Geza Anda with Alceo Galliera conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra; Testament SBT 1064, recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios (the exact same locale as the classic Beatles album in 1969), with Rachmaninoff’s G Major and G Minor Preludes, October 12 – 15, 1953, and January 4, 1954.

The late pianist Hiroko Nakamura possessed an elegant balance of sweet lyricism and tart intensity that added an extra special quality to these much-recorded works. It was a style that didn’t call attention to itself, unlike the differently gauged flamboyance of such virtuoso titans as Horowitz, Richter, Lazar Berman, and Georg Bolet. There were a few moments when her lyricism skirted blandness. But these performances were quite enjoyable. And Svetlanov conducted with lots of excitement and intensity.

She died of colon cancer, at 72, in 2016.

Geza Anda (1921-1976) left a sizable recorded legacy of crown jewels. He had precisely-filleted virtuosity, probing musicianship, commitment to the score, legendary virtuosity and a roaring zest for the good things in life – wine, good hardcover books, records with a high class music system and great conversation for when hard labor was over.

According to one observer, “he disliked sackcloth and ashes.”

The performances of both Concertos, with the superlatively powerful and eloquent conducting of the horrifically underrated Alceo Galliera (1910-1996) and the sizzling two very famous Preludes render this CD an absolute must for listeners who truly care about this music.

Another Jim Thompson quote, from his 1961 novel, The Transgressors, describing a good guy deputy sheriff and a bad guy muscle man, Augie the Hog Pellino, from the Tony Soprano cosmopolitan New Jersey areas, stalking each other in the West Texas nighttime countryside, the sheriff with the greater advantage – “Pellino was doubtless a real handy boy around the big towns, but out here he probably stumbled over his own feet. Set a little trap for him, and he’d run over himself to get into it.”

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Health Services And Screenings Every Woman Should Know About

/1 Comment/in /by

(NAPSI)—Eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting a regular Pap smear and mammogram—these are just a few of the many steps women can take to help ensure they live longer, healthier lives. However, it can be tough to figure out what to do, given the mountains of information that are available. So, how can women determine which services and screenings are right for them—and when? You can start by being aware of what the science says about preventing certain health conditions and by having an open and honest conversation with your doctor about your values and preferences.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death for women. Fortunately, you can help prevent CVD by addressing important risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. For example, if you are age 40 to 75, talk to your doctor about your CVD risk and whether a low- or moderate-dose statin may be right for you. Statins are medications that lower your cholesterol, prevent buildup of cholesterol and fats in your arteries, and reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Depending on your age and risk factors, taking a low-dose aspirin daily can also potentially help prevent CVD. When blood clots form in narrow blood vessels, such as the ones in your heart and brain, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. Aspirin can help keep these blood clots from happening, lowering your risk. There are some risks associated with taking low-dose aspirin every day, so make sure you talk to your doctor about whether aspirin is right for you.

Taking statins and aspirin to prevent CVD are effective but they are just one part of CVD prevention. You can reduce your risk of CVD by quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and becoming more physically active. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to help you quit. If you are overweight and have other CVD risk factors or even if you are healthy and simply want to stay that way, ask your doctor about how you can develop heart-healthy habits.

Cervical Cancer

Screening for cervical cancer finds the disease when it is most treatable. Unfortunately, 12,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Most cases of cervical cancer happen in women who have not been regularly screened or appropriately treated. That is why it is critical for women to get screened regularly starting at age 21. There are several effective options for screening, depending on your age and preferences. The Pap test and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test are the most effective ways to screen for cervical cancer and are done during a visit to your doctor’s office. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you and how often you should be tested.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women; roughly 237,000 cases are reported in the United States each year. Breast cancer screening aims to find the disease early, when it is easier to treat. Mammograms, which are X-ray pictures of the breasts used by doctors to look for early signs of the disease, are the most effective method of screening for breast cancer. Evidence shows that the benefits of mammograms increase with age, with women aged 60 to 69 most likely to benefit from screening. Still, about one in three women who should get a mammogram regularly do not. If you are between the ages of 50 and 74, talk to your doctor about getting a mammogram regularly. Some women decide to start screening as early as age 40. Talk with your doctor about your individual situation and circumstances, when you should start screening, and how often you should be screened.

Screening for Osteoporosis

As people age, their bones begin to thin. For some people, their bones become very weak and can break or fracture more easily, a condition known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects one in every four women age 65 or older in the United States. Bone measurement tests can be used to screen for osteoporosis and identify the likelihood of future fractures. For people who have osteoporosis, treatments are available to reduce the risk of a fracture. If you are a woman age 65 or older (or younger than 65 with certain risk factors), ask your doctor about being screened for osteoporosis and other ways to improve bone health.

Recommendations for Keeping Yourself Healthy

These recommendations were developed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force—an independent group of national experts in prevention. The Task Force makes recommendations, based on the latest science, about what works and what doesn’t work for preventing disease and promoting good health.

Learn More

For more information on these and other Task Force recommendations, visit www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.

SOLON & BEYOND: Awards presented to bookmark contest winners

/0 Comments/in /by
Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

On an assembly at Solon Elementary School on March 20, town librarian Megan Myers and library trustee Rich Roberts presented awards to the winners of the sixth annual Bookmark Contest that the school holds in conjunction with the Coolidge Public Library. Each winner received a certificate and a book from the library, and their bookmarks have been duplicated to pass out to library patrons. Bookmark winners are Charlotte Hamilton, Nevaeh Palmer, Katelyn DeLeonardis, Karen Baker, Olive Macdonald, Layla Andrews, and Lillianna McCoy.

Kindergarten screening for students entering kindergarten in the fall of 2019 will be held on Tuesday, May 7, at Carrabec Community School. Please call Heidi Atwood at 696-3100 to make an appointment for your child to be screened.

Third Quarter Honor Roll: All A’s; Katelyn Deleonardis, Kaitlin Dellarma, Lane Frost, Cody James, Madyson Mckenney, Macie Plourde, Jillian Robinson and William Rogers. All A,s B’s: Isabella Atwood, Karen Baker, Kaylynn Clark, Amelia Cooper, David Dixon, Veronica Hoffman, Jayden McKenny, Ella Mckinnon, Aiden McLaughlin, Joseph McLaughlin, Riley Pelkey, Annabell Roderick, Thomas Roderick, Asron Soosman, Kaitlyn Soucie and Fisher Tewksbury.

Dates to remember: Public Hearing on the budget on April 25, at 6 p.m., at Carrabec High School. Budget referendum vote Tuesday, May 7.

Career Days Scheduled: RSU #74 will be holding three Career Days for K-5 students in May. Each Career Day will be held at the Garret Schenck School for students from all three elementary schools. Each student will hear three speakers talk about their jobs so that students begin to learn about career options when they’re young.

Career Days will be May 2 for grades K-1, May 16 for grades 2-3, and May 23 for grades 4-5. The timeframe will be 8:30 – 10:15 each day. Parents are welcome to join them for Career Day activities.

The following e-mail was sent to me about the April meeting of the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club by the secretary. “Last meeting we had 14 members and four leaders. We had Cooper as president and Sarah did this report. Craig did lice spray, Devon and Mat did string art. Katelyn and Autumn made ambrosia.

April 27 has been set up for two members to give their demonstrations at Bingham Grange. There will be a supper at 6 p.m. for everyone.

After we had refreshments.

On May 4 we will have the Luck of the Draw. The kids will help by being runners. Hailey Dellarma will be making a basket for that.

Next meeting will be on May 11. We will be doing stepping stones.

Received the following e-mail with the words, “Support Local Yarn Store Day,” on April 27, 2019. Dear Yarn Friends, Next Saturday is LYS (Local Yarn Store) Day, an occasion for folks worldwide to step out and show support for their local brick and mortar yarn stores.

We think it’s a perfect opportunity for us to let you know how much we appreciate all of you. You truly are what puts the “Happy” in Happknits!

Any yarn purchase on that day will get your name entered into a drawing for a $25 Happyknits gift certificate. We will also be offering a free download of the yet-unpublished Magical Thinking shawl pattern from Ravelry designer Casapinka to anyone who purchases the yarn to make it.

We hope you can stop by between 9 a,m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Saturday, April 27: “Earth Day” Kennebec Banks Picnic Area Clean-up (April 28 rain date) from 1 to 4 p.m. Will you help us clean up our popular Kennebec Banks Picnic Area? Every year many wonderful volunteers help us get this beautiful river park ready for the summer. Please join us! With your help we hope to be even more ambitious by picking up litter from the east side of the Eddy to the picnic area and boat launch.

And now for Percy’s memoir:

Be glad that your life has been full and complete,
Be glad that you’ve tasted the bitter and sweet,
Be glad that you’ve walked in sunshine and rain,
Be glad that you’ve felt both pleasure and pain,
Be glad for the comfort that you’ve found in prayer…
Be glad of God’s blessings …His love and His care.

(words by Helen Steiner Rice)

Renaissance awards at Erskine

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Seniors of the Trimester recipients, from left to right, Jack Tobey, Milo Lani-Caputo, Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, Will Bourque and Morgaine Kmen. (Contributed photos)

On Friday, March 29, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.

Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Robert Cade King, Isabella Bishop, Justin Browne, Sam Worthley, Jenna Butler, Kaytie Millay, Tara Maltese, Sam Falla, Alyssha Gil, Annika Gil, and Seth Reed.

Faculty of the Trimester recipients, Darrin Wood, left, Marcia Coffin. (Contributed photos)

In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to five members of the senior class: Jack Tobey, son of Amy and Christopher Hayes, of China, and Corey and Cheryl Tobey, of Palermo; Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, daughter of Mary Throckmorton, of Somerville; Will Bourque, son of Michelle and Joseph Bourque, of China; Morgaine Kmen, daughter of Christine Little and Mark Kmen, of China; and Milo Lani-Caputo, son of Andrea Lani and Curry Caputo, of Whitefield. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.

In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, Faculty of the Trimester awards were also presented to Marcia Coffin, attendance secretary; and Darrin Wood, EA community member.