9th annual Battle for Breast Cancer raises $42,000

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Messalonskee field hockey team. Front row, left to right, Riley Waraskevich, Ann Corbett, Journey Charles, Chloe Tilley, Abby Breznyak, Nealey Dillon, Jenna Cassani and Jenna Reardon. Back, Coach McLaughlin, Morgan Wills, Logan Alexander, Sidney Hatch, Alyson Violette, Shea Cassani, Malaika Thurston, Frankie Caccamo, Sarah Hellen and Coach Feldpausch. (photo submitted by Kim Kennedy)

by Mark Huard

The 9th Annual Battle For Breast Cancer took place at Thomas College, in Waterville, on Saturday, July 13, and was a truly great success.

The July 13 benefit tournament featured 11 Central Maine high school field hockey teams: Skowhegan, Messalonskee, Mt. Blue, Lawrence, Dirigo, Dexter, Nokomis, MCI, Winslow, Erskine Academy and Winthrop.

Now in its 9th year, more than $240,000 has been raised since 2011 for the beneficiary, the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital, in Farmington. Diagnostic breast imaging, biopsies, lab services, surgical consultations, and post-surgical garments are just some of the examples of how the money has been used.”

“Money raised is used to support those with breast cancer living in Central Maine with health care costs as well as practical resources for patients such as gas cards and help with child care which may impact patient care,” said organizer Paula Doughty. “Last year we started a program with platinum thru bronze sponsorship opportunities for businesses or individuals, which provides sponsors with special recognition in the event’s program and during the opening ceremony.” This sponsorship has helped us tremendously.

“For over 40 years I drove 45 minutes a day to work and 45 minutes back from work,” said organizer Paula Doughty. “During this time I did my best thinking. Over the years I had experienced in my family and other people who had jobs but no insurance or high deductibles suffer. Often they got no care at all or couldn’t follow up with medical recommendations because of their financial situations. The hospitals would hound them for the payments they couldn’t make, and they were denied government help, yet didn’t have the money to pay on their own. Often many just gave up and ultimately died. That’s when I thought it would be great to try to help some of these local people with their needs. I met with some of my Skowhegan Field Hockey Boosters and the Battle for Breast Cancer came about.”

The Lawrence field hockey team. Front row, left to right, Abigail Townsend, Taylor Jordan, Sophia Luckern, Ashtynn Stewart, Taylor Leclerc, Emma Poulin, Alexis Trask, Lexi Gordon, Emily Hersey, Haylei Niles and Holly Bolduc. Back, Coach Shawna Robinson, Abbie Vigue Brooke Butler, Capt. Miranda Lambert, Capt. Lexi Lewis, Victoria Dunphy, Capt. Elsie Suttie, Tori Richards, Cassie Richards and Maddie Niles. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

They chose the Martha B. Webber Center because it was local and rural. Often people don’t have the will or the resources to drive to the cities of Maine and they thought it was a good fit. Back in 2011, a total of four teams got together and had the first Battle for Breast Cancer at Colby College which included Skowhegan, Mt. Blue, Winslow and Nokomis. Their goal was to raise $1,000 and they ended up raising $16,655.

Since that time with over 11 teams they have now raised $242,000 dollars which has helped over 550 local people in Central Maine with everything from a gas card to get to treatments to many medical procedures. The entire central Maine field hockey community has stepped up and wanted to participate. Over the last two years they also have been collecting sponsors which has really helped boost the final amounts. The majority of the money is raised by field hockey players raising one dollar at a time with bottle drives, car washes, toll booths, and personal collections.

Next year will be the tenth year and Doughty said we plan on going all out to make it the best ever. “We know after reading and listening to testimonials of patients we help how worthwhile this event is. Hopefully more and more people in the Central Maine Area will donate for our cause,” Doughty concluded.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, August 8, 2019

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The Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, but were still defending champions in 1995. Why?

Answer:

There was no World Series in 1994 due to a players’ strike.

Local athletes compete in track and field

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Robert Spears, of Sidney, competing in the 13-14 year old pole vault during the Winslow Summer Track and Field event in July. (Photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Davanee Kimball, of Winslow, competes in the 400m at a recent Winslow Summer Youth Track meet. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Has there been a mosquito population explosion?

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The little brown bat inflicted with white nose syndrome.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

The biggest complaint I have heard this summer from numerous people is the extremely high number of mosquitoes that have pestered us. I had noticed it myself but attributed it to the cold and wet spring and early summer.

However, there is another reason for the unusual number of those little blood suckers.

Bats. Or the lack thereof.

We have noticed at camp the void of bats that usually fly around at night. We have seen none. And, last week while at a friend’s home for an evening cookout, I noticed a number of bat houses around. When I asked him about them, he said that in the past, they had several bats flying about, but none this year. Not one has been spotted.

What is going on with that?

According to scientists, a fungus known as white nose syndrome is the culprit. Scientists have concluded the fungus has destroyed in excess of 90 percent of the bats in some populations, ranging from Texas and Florida, as far west as Washington state and all the way to the northeastern U.S.

The Smithsonian Magazine approached the subject in 2011 when the problem was first descried as “catastrophic” and the “worst epidemic in years.”

Spores of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans seem to be both the source and cause of the devastating disease, especially for bats hibernating by the millions in the northeastern U.S. In the four years prior, around 2007 – 2011, an estimated one million bats had already died from the fungus.

The virus was first found in upstate New York in early 2006 when the bats began acting oddly, flying during the day, far from their caves, during brutally cold weather, all uncharacteristic behavior.

Zach Peery, Ph.D., a professor of forest and wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, believes it’s time to step up and implement more vigorous strategies for preventing their waning populations. Peery explains, “Bat declines resulting from white nose syndrome and other factors may compromise potential mosquito suppression, but they also provide opportunities to test the hypothesis that bats limit mosquitoes through a natural experiment.”

A recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases said the white nose syndrome fungus striking bats in such great numbers isn’t necessarily fatal, but if they survive the initial infection, it may still negatively impact the ability of females to reproduce.

A white nose death is grisly. The fungus hits when the bats’ breathing is low and their tiny heartbeats are at an ebb during hibernation. Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Institutes of Health theorize that the bats die when they awaken from hibernation, and their reactivated immune systems go overboard in an attempt to eliminate the intruding disease, destroying the illness but also tissue bats need to live.

However, while preventive measures have been unsuccessful, there has been a recent breakthrough. Some of the most recent information is that the fungus grows on, not just the noses, but also the ears and wings of bats, striking them as they hibernate and causing them to wake up and burn off the fat stores needed for survival. The fungus is known to thrive only in cold, dark environments (such as caves) with a strict temperature range of 39 – 68 degrees F, so it can only affect bats during hibernation.

A combined research team involving the University of New Hampshire, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Forest Service, may have found a possible “Archilles heel,” as the fungus is highly sensitive to UV light. It seems the fungus lacks a key DNA repair enzyme. When exposing the fungi to different UV light intensities, even for a few seconds, and observing how each behave, Jon Palmer, Ph.D., a research botanist in Madison, Wisconsin, wrote, “It is unusual that P. destructans appears to be unable to repair damage caused by UV light. Most organisms that have been found in the absence of light maintain the ability to repair DNA caused by UV light radiation. We are very hopeful that the fungus’ extreme vulnerability to UV light can be exploited to manage the disease and save bats.”

Current evidence indicates that WNS is not transmissible from bats to humans., based on the fact that the fungus only grows in temperatures from 39-68 degrees F., much lower than that of the human body. Also, no human infections have ever been documented after exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves.

Although WNS does not cause illness to humans, a small percentage of bats can be infected with other dangerous diseases, such as rabies. Bats infected with either WNS or rabies may exhibit unusual behavior, which increases the risk of bat-human contact and exposure.

Declines in bat populations can impact human health indirectly since humans depend on bats for important ecosystem services such as controlling pest insects.

What started in New York in 2006 had spread to more than half of the United States and five Canadian provinces by August 2016, leaving millions of dead bats in its path. WNS causes high death rates and fast population declines in the species affected by it, and scientists predict some regional extinction of bat species, one of which is the little brown bat that is the most common in our area.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, but were still defending champions in 1995. Why?

Answer can be found here.

Litter pick up groups out Friday, August 10 in China

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Members of the Central Church in China participate in the Second Saturdays litter cleanup initiative. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

Litter-free China!, a group organized by Richard Dillenbeck and the China for a Lifetime Committee, will be out on the roads of China on Saturday, August 10, during morning hours. As you drive these roads, please be careful and courteous to this group of volunteers.

SOLON & BEYOND: Remembering our class trip to Washington DC

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

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

Please forgive me, but….I’m going to go way back in ‘Beyond’ in this week’s column. In fact, this column starts out way back in the year of 1947, when I graduated from Flagstaff High School. There were five of us graduating: Joanne Deming, Polly Jackson, Isabelle Burbank, Vernon Bean and myself, Marilyn Houston. There wasn’t any high school in Dead River where Vernon lived so he had joined us in Flagstaff after he graduated from eighth grade.

The ones in that 1947 class had decided we would go on an exciting journey to Washington, DC, (If I remember correctly, we girls had decided on this trip before Vernon joined us. I do not remember why we decided to invite the class of two boys coming up the next year to join us, probably to keep Vernon happy. Anyway, Loen Burbank and Dickie Ames joined us on that railroad ride to Wasahington, DC!) That was quite an undertaking to raise enough money for the trip, but we succeeded, and as I look back I think they might have all agreed with me, that we all had a wonderful time!

One of the reasons why my thoughts went back so far this week is that Lief and I went up to the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel, Old Home Days, last weekend. We stayed at the Mountain View Cabins outside of Stratton Saturday night. When he got to Stratton Saturday morning, we attended the Old Home days at the Stratton Community Building and then went to the Dead River Area Historical Society Building, in Stratton, in the afternoon where the focus was on Clarence Jones, who served in World War 11 and made a name for himself on the River Drives throughout the years.

The members of his family who were present to meet and greet at that place were his sons, Steven Jones, of Bingham, Tom Jones, of Farmington, and Larry Jones, of Limington, and me as his step-daughter. There were lots of interested people who attended that event that afternoon.

On Sunday morning Lief and I attended the Old Home Sunday Worship Service at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel where there weren’t too many in attendance; only three who had ever lived in Flagstaff, Isabelle Burbank, Loen Burbank and myself. It is sad but true, time marches on.

This was the 69th Flagstaff Memorial Chapel Old Home Days Sunday Gathering held at the little building in Eustis that holds the beautiful old memorial windows of the little chapel that it represents from the Flagstaff Congregational Church, in Flagstaff.

Received an e-mail from Happyknits: Speaking of relaxing, Happyknits is joining forces again with CrabApple Whitewater in the Forks for our second annual Confluence Retreat, a fall fiber and foliage get-away. Join us there from October 11-14, for a laid-back four days of knitting and crocheting, and let the good folks at CrabApple take care of your every need. We’ll be offering a few workshops, but the focus will be on having fun and being with friends. We’ve had so much fun this summer meeting folks from all over the state of Maine (and beyond) who have joined the Maine Yarn Cruise. They’ve come from big cities and small towns, from nearby and far away. But they all share what we share – a love of yarn. Each person who visits us becomes part of our Happyknits community, if even for just a few minutes. This was signed by Sarah, MaryLou and Karla.

And so now for Percy’s memoir: If you hear a kind word spoken Of some worthy soul you know, It may fill his heart with sunshine If you only tell him so! If a deed , however humble, Helps you on your way to go’ Seek the one whose hand has helped you, Seek him out and tell him so! If your heart is touched and tender Toward a sinner, lost and low, It might help him to do better If you only tell him so! Oh my sisters, oh, my brothers, As over life’s rough path you go, If God’s love has saved and kept you, Do not fail to tell men so! (No name was listed under the above words.)

WINDSOR: Paving bids go before board of selectmen

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by Sandy Isaac

Paving bids and a proposed solar project for local schools were discussed at the Windsor Selectmen’s meeting on July 23.

The meeting began with the public review of paving bids which were submitted earlier that evening to Town Manager Theresa Haskell. Bids were for projects on Piper Road, Coopers Mills Road and Griffin Road. These projects were factored into the current budget recently approved by voters.

Prior to the meeting, Haskell compiled the bid information into a comparison chart for the selectmen to review while asking questions and making their determination. Representatives from seven paving companies were on hand to listen and answer questions. Many of the paving crew members in the room knew and worked with or for each other in the past.

Most of the town roads are on a six- to seven-year maintenance schedule. Road maintenance may consist of crack sealing, shim work (a thin layer of asphalt thicker than a micro-surface, applied to the existing surface of a street), overlay (a layer of asphalt thicker than a shim applied to the existing surface) and complete resurfacing. According to Haskell’s research, road paving work averages $100,000 per mile.

The bids ranged from $235,560 to $361,510, with the average price of material coming in at $34.04 per ton. Over and above work (work discovered during the paving process) may include shoulder work, grading work and gravel.

The paving bid contract was approved and awarded to Maine-ly Paving Services, LLC. They are expected to start the paving project late summer to early fall.

Public work supervisor Keith Hall’s report continued to talk about road maintenance. The public works crew is completing ditching work to the rock wall along Reed Road. They are working on approximately 40 feet, but have hit ledge and will need to hire a “hammer.” Hall will be researching equipment rental. The rock wall will be built up once they have freed it up from the old fencing and deep tree roots.

Transfer station supervisor Tim Coston confirmed that the station revenue from incoming fees was down $2,000 from last year, with no explanation. Haskell reviewed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspection report regarding the transfer station. The last time the DEP inspected the transfer station was in 2011. Not much has changed since then. Grass was well maintained and there was no sign of animals burrowing. Although saplings were observed around the “cap” at the station, the DEP inspector recommended only more mowing.

It was also noted that due to the Windsor Fair, the transfer station will be opened only from 9 a.m. until noon on August 31.

During the public comment period, Regional School Unit (RSU) #12 School Board member Richard DeVries discussed the RSU #12 solar project and asked the selectmen if they wanted to be part of the planned feasibility study.

RSU#12 is investigating purchasing a property to be utilized as a solar farm. The solar farm location (which has yet to be determined) must be able to accommodate a large number of solar panels and have power lines in place, adequate to handle the power generated. The proposed solar farm will need to generate power for multiple locations including the local schools. Board members are looking into a bond to pay for the project and a 20-year agreement for installation and maintenance. In addition, DeVries is reaching out to partners who might want to invest in the project and use some of the power.

The feasibility study is the first step in the process and is estimated to be completed by September 4. The selectmen agreed to be part of the feasibility study at no cost to the town. Many questions were brought up as to locations, wattage to be generated and power line capabilities. The feasibility study should help clarify some of those concerns.

In other business, Haskell reviewed the finalized numbers from last year’s budget. Overall, the town spent only 89.72% of the total approved 2018-19 budget, despite the fact that utilities, (which includes public safety) public works and Maine Municipal Management Services all went over their projected budgets.

The selectmen will hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 6.

Obituaries for Thursday, August 8, 2019

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KENNETH L. GOULD

FREEDOM – Kenneth L. Gould, 83, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. He was born on July 26, 1935, the son of John P. Gould and Belle Bessey Gould.

He graduated from Besse High School, in Albion, in 1953. While in school, Ken participated in the minstrel show, played basketball, served as class treasurer, class reporter and on the editorial board of the school paper. His favorite saying was always “Silence is golden, but talking is more fun.”

On September 24, 1955, he married the former Priscilla Harding, of China. The two met while shew worked at Custer’s Last Stnd (now The Landing), in China. She remembers Ken excelled at peeling potatoes and would volunteer his time at the ice crea shop just to be with her.

In 1956, Ken and Priscilla, along with their dauther Drusilla, moved to California. It was there that their three sons, Dwight, Dewayne and Doug, were born. But it wasn’t long before Maine called them home. In the summer of 1963, Ken and the family journeyed back east and settle down in Freedom.

He was a man of many talents and trades, but his life’s passion was farming and growing vegetables. Ken’s favorite past-times were those he shared with loved ones, such as ice fishing on Moosehead Lake, playing horseshoes at family barbecues, hosting the grandchildren for sleep overs, running the family vegetable stand, and fishing for perch in nearby ponds and lakes.

Ken was predeceased by his parents; brother George; son Dewayne.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Priscilla; daughter Drusilla and her husband Tom; sons Dwight and wife Brenda, Doug and wife Sandra, and Deana Tardiff, his late son Dewayne’s fiancé; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Charlene Gould, Marilyn Levesque and Patricia Higgins; many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the No. 4 cemetery, in Albion, on Sunday, August 11, at 2:30 p.m. Following the service, friends and family are welcome to gather at the Besse Building, on Main St., in Albion, to celebrate the memory and life of a man so many knew and loved.

ROBERT A. McLEOD

CHINA – Robert “Bobby” A. McLeod, 77, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. He was born May 19, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Edward and Arabella “Billie” (Davis) McLeod.

Bob was a retired truck driver and a proud teamster of Local #443 out of New Haven, Connecticut, working for many trucking companies throughout his life and traveled the country meeting many people along the way before retiring and moving to Maine. He was a proud man who worked very hard to make a better life for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joanne (Teachman) McLeod, of China; two children, a son, Michael McLeod and wife Tracy, of Palermo, and a daughter, Patricia “Tisha” (McLeod) Grant and husband Scott, of Albion; three grandchildren, Melissa Grant and partner Darius Parker, of Winslow, Nicholas Grant, of China, and Heather McLeod ,of Palermo; four great- grandchildren, Aubrey and Autumn Grant, and Grant and Charlotte Parker, all of Maine.

He was predeceased by his grandmother, Margaret Davis; mother, Arabella “Billie” (Davis) McLeod; father, Edward McLeod; and grandson, Daniel McLeod.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Bobby’s memory to your local humane society or cancer center.

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

RITA A. ROUX

NORTH VASSALBORO – Rita A. Roux, 90, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019, at her home. She was born March 10, 1929, in Greenville, the daughter of Joseph and Odella (Daigle) Perry.

She was educated in the schools of Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School in 1946. On July 12, 1947, she married Robert J. Roux at the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Greenville. She was employed from 1946 to 1991 as an inspector for C.F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville. Rita was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, in North Vassalboro, and the C.F. Hathaway bowling team and enjoyed playing cards with family, bingo, and she loved to fish.

Rita is survived by her husband of 72 years, Robert J. Roux, of North Vassalboro; two daughters, Robin L Reagan, of Lisbon, Rhonda L. Weston and husband Dennis, of Vassalboro, son, Randall R. Roux and wife Irene, of Farmingdale; brother, Lorenzo “Joe” Perry, of Tilton, New Hampshire; sister, Frances Davis and husband Keith, of Dover; grandchildren, Casey Reagan, of Lewiston, Katie Reagan, of Lewiston, Jeffrey Roux, of Lavergne, Tennessee, Matthew Roux and wife Ruth, of Cape Coral, Florida, Justin Roux, of Portland, Timothy S. Dibenedetti and wife Tracey, of Augusta, Sarah Rosciti and husband Henry, of North Scituate, Rhode Island, Ryan Pleau and partner Tiana Ireland, Joseph Weston and partner Samantha Mason; eight great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Winifred Sawyer and Carmel Smith.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Rita’s memory to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 WebbRoad, Waterville, ME 04901, or Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main St., Waterville, Maine 04901.

DANIEL C. GAY JR.

WATERVILLE – Daniel Charles Gay, Jr., 82, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. He was born December 29, 1936, in Augusta, the son of Daniel C. Sr. and Emma (Huntress) Gay.

He was educated in the schools of Augusta. On November 12, 1960, he married the former Beverly Lake. Daniel was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War until his honorable discharge. He was employed for many years as truck driver for Colchester Egg. He had many hobbies and interests including fishing, hunting, camping, woodcarving, riding up north with his wife, Bev, loved NASCAR racing and loved and had a special bond with his cat, Krystal.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly (Lake) Gay, of Waterville; two daughters, Debra Anderson, of Fairfield, Cindy Allen and husband Robert, of Fairfield; son, Charles Gray and wife Allison, of South Berwick; sister, Brenda Postemski, of Solon; three grandsons, Mathew W. Allen and wife Laura, of China, Christopher Lothridge, of Augusta, Jackson Gray, of South Berwick; five granddaughters, Tanya A. Allen, of Oakland, Bethany Robinson, of North Windham, Connecticut, Amanda Sherman and husband Andy, of Canterbury, Connecticut, Jennifer Gray and Erin Gray, both of South Berwick; seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Daniel’s memory to the Travis Mills Foundation, 747 Western Avenue, Manchester, ME 04351, www.travismills.org.

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

REGINALD G. JOLER

WATERVILLE – Reginald G. Joler, 87, of Waterville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on February 12, 1932, to Leo and Evangeline Joler.

Reginald lived a full and rich life. He was a graduate of Waterville High School and was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He proudly served from 1952 to 1954 in Germany; he was honorably discharged. After returning to the United States Reginald began working for First National until he retired. He had a passion for talking with people and readily offered his assistance to anyone in need. Reginald had a love of the Lord, camping, boating, fishing, building, tree work, western’s, dancing and spending time with family.

Reginald was a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and Knights of Columbus, where he served on many committees, cooked meals for those in need and assisted with blood drives and voting stations.

He was predeceased by his parents Leo and Evangeline; his wife Patricia; son David; brothers, Gerald, Richard, Paul, and sisters Joanne and Doris.

Reginald is survived by his children MaryAnn and husband Sonny, Sue-Ann, Rick, Bryan and partner Karen and Bruce and wife Kristin, stepson Robert; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to, may make donations in Reginald’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 393 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074, or Beacon Hospice Care, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330. Make checks payable to Amedisys Foundation.

RICKY A. GREENLEAF

ROME – Ricky A. Greenleaf passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2019. Rick will be remembered for his big smile and his generous heart. Rick quickly became a friend to everyone he met.

Rick was a lifetime resident of Rome and loved his community. Rick had a passion for the outdoors, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and “noodling” on Watson Pond. Children and pets seemed to gravitate toward Rick, there was never a child or dog that did not want to be near him. Rick was well known in the community for being able to fix almost anything and everything, and he always did it with a smile.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Marion and Irving Greenleaf; his brothers Jerry Greenleaf and Roland “Manny” Greenleaf, and his sister Beverly Chick.

Rick will be missed by his wife Shelly; his son Nathan and fiancé Anna, his daughter Theresa and partner Kevin, daughter Jessica Greenleaf; grandchildren Landen, Sky and Isla; his sister Deb Williams and brother-in-law Guy Williams and their children Mary Lou and Guy Junior; his brothers Timmy Greenleaf and Terry Greenleaf and his children Daryl and Rachel; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Joe, Jed, Jenny and Sarah; his father-in-law Richard Butler and mother-in-law Patricia Butler, and mother-in-law Frances Dill; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Rick at the Rome Community Center, 8 Mercer Rd., Rome, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Saturday, August 24.

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

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

JOSEPH S. THERIAULT

CHINA – Joseph Stanley (Stan) Theriault 83, of China, passed away peacefully on Fridasay, July 26 , 2019, at his son’s home. He was born to Josie and Joseph Theriault in Knox on April 5, 1936.

Thus everyone in the Knox area and family knew him as ( Stan ) or Stanley to avoid the confusion but throughout his work life he was ( JOE ).

He was the devoted husband of 64 years to Constance ( Bernier ) Theriault, who he met in high school in Westbrook and later married in 1955. They moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, to start his career in the medical field as a lab tech, which took him to many hospitals around the country, Delaware Ohio, Sandusky, Ohio, and Bellvue, Ohio, where he decided to leave the medical profession.

He was a very fast study in whatever he chose to tackle and after remodeling their home in Castalia, Ohio, he decided he was now a carpenter and joined the Carpenters Union and was happy as a clam. He was involved in the construction of (at the time ) the largest wooden roller coaster in the world at Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio, a story he told often. He then partnered with a friend and decided to build and sell travel trailers and truck campers for a while, which after a year or so he realized he was not the partnering type.

Thus, after 14 years of the sweet sounds of Maine calling him, they decided to move back to Maine in 1970 to enjoy Maine. He now being a Union Carpenter, his first job in Maine was helping to build Maine Yankee, a fact he was quite proud of. It didn’t take long and he was on his way up the construction ladder. He was assistant supervisor for Peachey Builders during construction of the JFK Mall, in Waterville, and later as their top superintendent for many years. He was also in charge of the Elm Plaza renovation for Pittsfield Industries, when the Bonanza restaurant was built and Grant’s was remodeled. He had many very interesting construction jobs over the years that took him and his wife all over the country, and he loved to talk about them all. Construction was his passion.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Connie; his sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Rebecca, and Tim and Rebecca, all of China; his younger brother Theodore Theriault, of Keyport, New Jersey; many of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his two youngest sons Steven Douglas Theriault and Michael Stanley Theriault, both taken far too young and it was a bitter pill for him to swallow. He was also predeceased by a brother at birth and a sister.

BARBARA ROY

TEWKSBURY, Massachusetts – Barbara (Sears) Roy, 81, a resident of Fairfield, Winslow, and Tewksbury, Massachusetts, passed away at Blair House in Tewksbury on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. She was born in Bangor on December 23, 1937, to William and Florence (Julia) Sears.

Barbara attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School, and was a graduate of Lawrence High School, class of 1955, both schools in Fairfield. Throughout her adult life Barbara maintained her allegiance to everything connected to LHS, sports, alumni reunions, and attended activities involving her cousin’s children and grandchildren.

Barbara worked many years at Keyes Fibre Co., in Waterville, retiring as treasury assistant. She married the Wilfred Roy in 1958. Barbara’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, playing cards, Julia family Christmas parties, camping and skiing with her children, and spending time at their lake home on Lake Winnecook.

Her Christmas stockings, which she knitted, are treasured by many. Her delicious peanut butter fudge and peanut butter balls will be missed. After retirement, Barbara and Wolf traveled to Hawaii, spent several winters in Florida and attended family functions around the country.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Wilfred; her daughters, Pam Connors and husband, Bryan, of Tewksbury Massachusetts, Jean Ann Young and husband Larry, of Martinsville, Indiana, and son, Scott Roy, of San Diego, California; three grandchildren, Eric Young, his wife Jennifer, and son, Ian; Logan Roy and Kasey Connors; and several cousins.

Local students named to Stonehill College dean’s list

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The following local students have been named to the dean’s list at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts.

Justin Davis, a member of the class of 2019, from Palermo, and Makenzie Charest, a member of the class of 2022, from Sidney.

Last call for peaches!

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The last delivery of freshly-picked peaches from northern New Jersey will be on Friday, August 23, at the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field. The cutoff date for orders will be August 13, at 4 p.m. These sweet, luscious peaches will arrive in 38-pound boxes, but half-boxes are also available. A full box costs $37, and the half box costs $23. These are large, freestone peaches, perfect for canning, freezing, jam, and, of course, fresh eating. They will arrive slightly firm for shipping.

To order, please call Connie at 993-2294, and if you leave a message, please include your phone number! They will call to confirm and to let you know when you can pick up your peaches. They will be available Friday into the evening hours, and all day on Saturday. You may send a check, made out to LCF, to P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. Orders of four or more boxes will receive a discounted price, so call up your friends and family to share this fresh fruit feast!

Proceeds from sales benefit the Palermo Community Center’s ongoing operations expenses and programs, including materials for the Food Pantry, building repairs, and community services. Your support is greatly appreciated! All board members and administrators of the Community Center are unpaid volunteers, so your support is important to us.