SOLON & BEYOND: Poolers honored as 4-H volunteers

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

Was happy to receive the following e-mail from Pat Hunt: “I’m sure you remember my husband, Rev. Tim Hunt, the pastor of New Hope E Free Church, in Solon, who passed away in January. A month after his death, I was asked to go on a two-week mission’s trip to Ireland, which seemed like an absolute impossibility at the time. However, I was able to go from October 21 – November 5, and found it to be a simply amazing experience! Our team of three workers with the Dublin Christian Mission (the second oldest such mission in the world) and during our two-week stay, we served hundreds of meals to the homeless and poured incalculable cups of tea and coffee. We also had the wonderful experience of touring much of the country and seeing the old ruins of castles, walls, and homes from this centuries-old civilization.”

For those of you who wondered at the abrupt ending of my column last week, my computer is playing tricks on me again! I had sent my entire version of news facts for things that had happened, and what was coming up, but all of it never made it to The Town Line office……and so, luckily, they will get printed in time.

But before that I will start with the rest of the article about the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club news that was left out in the middle of it. I had written about what some of the members had received awards for ending with Mathew Ladd, in poultry. The next name of the 4H member left out was Macie Plowde, in Plant Science for her Wildflowers. Lacie Dickey was honored by being the outstanding secretary again this year.

Eleanor Pooler and Rance Pooler received certificates and pins for being 4-H volunteers. Eleanor for 60 years and Rance for 50 years.

There will be a craft fair at the New Portland Community Library on December 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 899 River Road, in New Portland . If you wish to reserve a table, call 628-6561 or drop in .$10 per table with three tables left. Things offered are Christmas ornaments, baked goods, wreaths, gifts…and more! Join us for last minute holiday shopping!

The Embden Community Center now has a warming center! The community center now has a generator. If there is a power outage and citizens need a place, to fill water containers, use bathroom facilities, including access to showers, place to charge phones or just someone to talk to, the community center will be open. Hours will be posted on the door. Games will be available. More to come,

Then, of course, there was Percy’s weekly memoir: “A Touch of Loveliness.” Add a touch of loveliness to the things you say and do. Give pleasure to more people by a happy smile, won’t you? Be thoughtful of the people whom you meet in shop and store, then to God you will be dearer. He will love you even more. Aim higher , think kinder, be a better, nicer you, aim higher, think kinder, for this world has need of you. (words by Sr. Mary Gemma Brunke)

Some news I just received from Beyond: On November 23 there is a Huntah’s Supper at the Wellington VFW from 4 – 7 p.m., sponsored by the Wellington VFW and Wellington Church.

Just received the following e-mail : Samual and June (Withee) Knox were honored September 21, 2019, at the Tewksbury Hall, in Skowhegan, for their 25th wedding anniversary. The celebration was given to them by their daughter Emily and son Ethan with the help of family. Samual and June reside in Madison.

Now just a short thought as I cross my fingers and hope that this column will reach it’s destination with no problems: “Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away, but never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.

Lauren Pickett earns spot on Assumption women’s lacrosse team

The Assumption Department of Athletics, in Worcester, Massachusetts, has announced that Lauren Pickett, of Sidney, has earned a spot on the 2019 Assumption Women’s Lacrosse team. Pickett, class of 2022, will compete during the Greyhounds’ spring season.

Assumption Women’s Lacrosse, picked sixth in the Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, won their first five games of the season. The team’s impressive start earned the program its first top-ten ranking in school history, ranking ninth in the in the latest Nike/US Lacrosse Magazine Poll.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: It’s not hunting; it’s just killing

To the editor:

Thank you to Roland Hallee for his recent article “The unfair resources of today’s ‘great game hunter.’” In it he points out tools available to today’s deer hunters such as deer urine scent, GPS devices, artificial callers, computers, and high-powered rifle scopes. Deer hunting is perhaps the most traditional hunting engaged in, in Maine. It still largely requires hunting skills.

Moose, bear and coyote hunting, on the other hand cannot be called hunting. Moose are killed during Maine’s moose hunt while they simply stand there in clearcuts looking at the “hunters.” The only skill moose “hunters” need to possess is the ability to drive a vehicle on woods roads and look for the moose that stand along the roadsides.

Bears are fed and trained to come into feeding stations where they are ambushed by “hunters.” They are also chased by packs of radio-collared dogs until they climb a tree or can run no more. The “hunters” track them via radio signals while driving their trucks and then shoot them while they are either treed or are surrounded by the dogs.

Coyotes are also run down by dogs and are also fed at feeding stations and are shot both day and night when they come in to eat.

There is virtually no such thing as “fair chase” when it comes to killing wildlife. This is neither sport nor hunting. It is just killing.

John Glowa
China

GARDEN WORKS – Ready for Wintertime! Tips and tricks as the clock ticks

Emily Catesby Emily Cates

Few times of the year are as satisfying to me as autumn. With crates full of goodies like garlic, onions, squash, carrots and potatoes- and canning jars brimming with the rewards of successful harvests, I feel surrounded with abundance, always thankful.

After planting the garlic and putting the garden to bed, the frost finally settles into the ground, bringing this season to an end. However, for the adventurous and practical minded gardener, there is still work to be done.

If you are especially motivated and would like to keep working, here are a few suggestions. Let’s look at moving perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees – and also tips for making the garden plot easy to work with come springtime.

There’s a good window of opportunity to take advantage of between the times where plants have gone dormant and when the ground freezes for good this year. Usually this happens for a few weeks in our area starting late October/early November. So, if you have a tree you’d like planted, a perennial divided, a shrub moved, a grapevine pruned, then get to it!

Unlike springtime plantings of trees – for example – which must be well-watered throughout their first season, fall plantings only need thorough waterings up until the freeze. A nice thick mulch extended to the drip line but pulled away several inches away from the trunk is beneficial. (My trees seem to enjoy being mulched with aged debris left over from processing firewood, and they look pretty, too.)

Speaking of mulch, here’s a little time saving trick to working the garden next spring: mulch the heck out of it! (Wondering what to use for mulch? Think cardboard covered with old hay, leaves, straw, or compost. Tarps, old blankets, rugs, garden fabric, and sheets of plastic can do the job too.) Then, in the springtime, the mulch is moved and the garden planted with ease.

What I like to do is clean the garden beds thoroughly from crop residues and weeds – making sure to get any roots and rhizomes – and till it up with a spading fork, adding soil amendments as desired. Then I pile on the mulch, imagining it to be a warm, fluffy comforter for the garden to snuggle. Depending on my mood, I might even sing it a lullaby.

At this point, depending on how badly I overworked in the growing season, I will either take a needed hiatus, or (foolishly) press on to other outdoor activities such as firewood. Most likely it’s the latter scenario, with all the work from the growing season being the prelude, conditioning and leading up to the hard work of the harvest of the woods.

For all the time and effort, though, it sure feels good to have food and a warm home — along with a free “gym membership.”

November is national caregivers month

by Dr. Erica Magnus
AARP Maine Communications Volunteer

While November 11 is widely recognized as Veterans Day, many people may not know that the entire month of November is both National Veterans and National Family Caregivers Month. Both of my parents were veterans. My father served in the Army in World War II and my mother later on served in the US Coast Guard. I encourage everyone to honor and pay respect to those who served our country in uniform and the caregivers supporting our valiant veterans.

There are 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers in the U.S. providing care to approximately 15 million veterans. These hidden heroes support their veteran loved ones with their daily needs—ranging from bathing and dressing to paying bills and transportation and assisting with medical tasks, providing an estimated $14 billion annually in unpaid care.

Numerous organizations have dedicated time and resources to address the challenges veterans face today, including their care needs.

AARP supports our veterans and their family caregivers through both the RAISE Family Caregivers Act and a partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to create a Military Caregiving Guide. I encourage everyone to visit AARP.org/Veterans to learn more about how AARP is working for veterans. Here in Maine, AARP pushed for November to be designated as Maine Family Caregivers Month – a perfect opportunity to celebrate our veterans and the unsung heroes who care for them right here at home.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: Brick and mortar retail ain’t dead yet

 

The new Apple Store at the Maine Mall.

by Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

If you have ever been in an Apple Store, you will have seen the future of retail and it is here now. I was in the Apple Store at the Maine Mall a few Saturday nights ago and was amazed to see how busy it was. The place was packed corner to corner with people of all age groups and ethnicity. And this was the new Apple Store. When we walked into the mall and went to where the Apple Store used to be, we were surprised and at first disappointed to see that it was closed. But then we saw the sign on the window saying that they had moved to a bigger location around the corner to better service their growing customer base.

“Oh yeah, sure,” I thought, thinking that they were just saying that to act like their business was increasing when actually they had probably just got a better deal on the rent. Wrong, wrong, wrong. When we came upon the new store, we could see that they had been telling the truth. It was twice as large, and it was still full of people. And the best part, there seemed to be as many Apple employees as was needed to handle all of these people.

We had not been in the store for more than a minute when a young man walked up to us and asked if he could help. And help he did. He spent over a half hour with us telling us all about the products we were interested in. Man, this guy was good.

He not only knew everything about the products, he even asked all the right questions so that he could get a better idea as to what our needs were and thus what the best product and model would be for us. We felt that we were not getting a sales pitch but rather an education about the Apple equipment, what they did and which ones we should look at that would best fit our needs.

We looked at the iPads, the Apple Watches and the iPhone. There was even a young woman with a microphone in front of a wall-to-wall screen teaching people how to best take photos with their iPhones.

And get this, nearly everyone was walking out with their smart white Apple bags, each holding Apple products costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars! Did you know that Apple retail stores yield more dollars per square foot than any other store in the world, yes, including Tiffany’s?

My point here is all about service, product knowledge, educational and informative sales. A little later, after my wife had spent $300 on a printer (and I feel I got off cheap), we walked down to the big electronics anchor store down the hall to look at a small refrigerator for her quilting studio. The place was deserted. When we looked around for help, we saw clusters of blue-shirted clerks talking and joking with each other. Once in a while one of them would turn and look at us but then go back to talking to the group of clerks he was with. Finally, one person did break away from the group and amble over to us to ask if we needed anything? When my wife asked him a question about one of the fridges she was interested in, he told her that this wasn’t his department and we would have to wait for him to find the right person in charge. And “oh, it might be a few minutes” because he was probably on break.

We don’t know if the small refrigerator expert ever came off his break, because we never bothered to stick around and wait until it was convenient for him to return. So, that big store will be out of business and they’ll be screaming to the heavens that the internet broke the brick and mortar retail business.

And to that I would say, just take a walk down the hall to the most successful brick and mortar store in the history of the world and take a page out of that book, or maybe a bite out of that apple, and you’ll see the right way to grow your business.

Obituaries for Thursday, November 21, 2019

SYLVIA PLOURDE

WATERVILLE – Kathleen Sylvia (Hamel) Plourde, 82, of Waterville, passed away following a long illness on Friday October 25, at the Glenridge Comfort Care Facility in, Augusta ME. Sylvia was born in Sanford on September 27, 1937, to Leo and Violet (Gilbert) Hamel.

She attended Waterville Schools, graduating from Waterville Senior High School, class of 1955. She married her husband Carroll Plourde, July 27, 1959. They were married for 54 years.

Sylvia worked in the banking industry in the city of Waterville. She began her career as a teller and worked her way into the Repayment Department. She retired from Fleet Bank. Sylvia volunteered as an aide on a special needs school bus. She also was a volunteer for the City of Waterville’s North End election poll site.

Sylvia was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, enjoyed traveling, listening to Elvis music, reading romance novels, playing games on her tablet. She was an avid Facebook user and loved everything! Sylvia started each and every day since the 1960s reading the local obituaries to see if she had died. If she had found herself listed, she was going to go back to bed and not make breakfast.

When she would go away on vacations, family and friends would save the daily obituaries. Upon her return she would check to ensure she was not listed. Fortunately for her loving family, her name did not appear until after six decades of additional life!

Sylvia was predeceased by her husband Carroll Plourde, of Waterville, and her oldest son, Brian Plourde, of Dresden.

Sylvia is survived by Diane Plourde, of Dresden; daughter Venessa and Tony Mondi, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, son Daniel and Katrina Plourde, of Jacksonville, Florida, son John and Iris Plourde, of Houston, Texas, daughter Katherine Plourde and Darren DeLorme, of Warren Michigan; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service for Sylvia on Friday, November 29, at 11a.m., at Notre Dame church, in Waterville, with reception of family and friends to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Blessed Sacrament Chapel, 101 Silver St, Waterville Me, 04901.

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

BARBARA L. HEALY

WINSLOW – Barbara Lucille (Smiley) Healy, 96, passed away at her apartment at Goudreau’s Waterfront Retirement Community, in Winslow, on Thursday, November 7, 2019, from ill health. Barbara was born July 12, 1923, in Waterville, to Milton Perry Smiley and Florence Louise (Norton).

She was the oldest of six children. She attended elementary and high school in Winslow and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in June 1945, with a BS in home economics.

She had various employments throughout her working career, Gardiner Telephone Company, Librarian at the James Bean Elementary School, in Sidney, and many years of volunteer work at Inland Hospital Library, in Waterville.

Barbara was married on August 22, 1946, to Robert Morris Healy (Lt. Col., Ret. USMC). During her journey with “Rab” through his military career she had the opportunity of moving to various locations in the United States, with four years being the average length of time in one place. After his retirement in 1964, from the military, they moved to Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. In 1978 they moved to Sidney, and in 1993, moved to Boiling Springs Lakes, North Carolina. After the death of her husband in 1995 she finally moved back to Maine. She lived in a condo she purchased in Waterville and after many years there moved to Goudreau’s Waterfront Retirement Community, in Winslow.

One of the most important parts of her life was that of being a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a Fort Halifax Chapter member for 71 years. She was very involved with the different committees of NSDAR and had been Chapter Regent and was currently Vice-Regent of the chapter. Barbara was associated with, and a member of the Winslow Congregational Church since her birth. She was always a good listener and willing to help others in any way she could. Some of her hobbies and interests included reading, knitting, puzzle working and traveling.

Survivors include: a daughter, Sandra H. Swallow and husband, George H. Swallow III, of Harpswell; a son, John Milton Healy, wife Lisa (Mosher) and granddaughter Cara Healy, of Chichester, New Hampshire; a daughter-in-law, Cynthia Healy, and grandchildren Aaron Healy, April (Healy) Moss, Jesse Healy and Seth Healy, all of North Carolina; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband and son, Rex C. Healy, of North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 2 p.m., at the Winslow Congregational Church with Rev. Kimberly Shrader officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara S. Healy can be made to the following: Winslow Congregational Church – Memorial Fund, 12 Lithgow St., Winslow, ME 04901, or Fort Halifax Chapter, NSDAR, c/o Sandra Swallow, 6 Sage Rd. Harpswell, ME 04079-4420.

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

EMILE J. RODRIGUE

CLINTON – Emile Joseph Rodrigue Jr., 78, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2019. He was born in Winslow on March 13, 1941, to Emile J. Rodrigue and Dora (Gagne) Rodrigue.

He was raised in Waterville, attending Waterville public schools. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina. While in the Corps, he married the former Carmeline Marguerite Pomerleau, on October 27, 1960. While in the Marine Corps he was a part of the first Solant Amity Cruise, a joint Marine and Naval operation to demonstrate goodwill, peace, friendship and American military might to new and developing countries and demonstrate the United States’ willingness to assist these countries to take their place in the community of nations.

Moving back to Maine, he worked at first as a truck driver, and then as a meat cutter and butcher for Eastern Packing Company and then later Jordan’s Meats, in Waterville. He learned the art of taxidermy by mail and ran a successful taxidermy business. He and Carmeline operated Bill’s Truck Stop and Restaurant. He was superintendent of the Clinton Water District, and a reserve officer for the Clinton Police Department. He later worked for the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as a Deputy.

He was an avid outdoorsman, a hunter, trapper, fisherman, and marksman. He loved being outside in nature and could communicate with crows. He was a family man, a hero to his two boys and a loving husband, and he will be sadly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carmeline, of Clinton; sons, Emile III, of Fairfield, and Dan, of Wasilla, Alaska; two siblings, Lionel (Chinoo), of North Carolina, and Reney, of Indiana.

He was predeceased by his parents; his siblings Harvey, Perley, Nancy and Shirley.

A private graveside ceremony will take place at a later date.

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

JAMES T. ROBERGE

AUGUSTA – James T. Roberge, 90, died Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at TogusVA Hospital. He was born September 9, 1929, the son of Ben and Leona Roberge. Jim graduated from Waterville High School and The Colorado Gunsmith School, where he built his 300 Win­chester Magnum. He entered the U.S. Army and served four years. He was a gifted musician, playing Taps at several military funerals where his first wife admired him at age 13. They married 13 years later.

James is survived by his wife, Lucille (Bolduc) Roberge; his two daughters, Melissa and Ernie Hartman, of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Andrea and Dana Daigle, of Winslow; his two sons, John and Jayne Roberge, of Mount Vernon, and James Roberge, of Waterville.

Burial was at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

NORMAN S. TIBBETTS

WATERVILLE – Norman S. Tibbetts, 98, passed away Friday, November 8, 2019, at Lakewood Long Term Care Center, in Waterville. He was born August 5, 1921, in Rome, the son of George S. and Leota (Kelley) Tibbetts.

He was educated in the schools of Rome and Oakland. On February 21, 1970, he married the former Marjorie Ricker, in Skowhegan. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the US Army until his honorable discharge.

Norman was employed as a car salesman for 30 years and worked at the Maine Biological Lab, in Winslow, as a poultry inspector. Norman and Marjorie traveled to 49 states in their travel trailer. They wintered in Texas for 10 years and 4 years in Florida. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of New Sharon and Lions Club. He enjoyed bicycle riding across the United States, square dancing, travel, skiing, golfing, and hiked the Grand Canyon.

Norman is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marjorie (Ricker) Tibbetts, of Waterville; two daughters, Norma Tibbetts, of Florida, Linda Landry, of Florida; step-daughter Diane Hubert, of Waterville; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; son-in-law Clyde Ricker and friend Dottie; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; three brothers, Elwin, Blaine and Arden; son, Dana Tibbetts; and grandson Kevin Hubert.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family at the Veteran’s Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Norman’s memory to Northern Light Home Healthcare and Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106.

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

EDWARD J. FRAPPIER JR.

FAIRFIELD – Edward Joseph Frappier, Jr., 86, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, November 9, 2019, at his home, in Fairfield. He was born July 13, 1933, in Waterville, the son of Adelard E. and Louise M. (Pelletier) Frappier.

He attended local schools and earned his GED from St. Francis. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. On July 6, 1968, he married the former Jacklyne Olson, in Waterville. He worked for many years as a co-owner of Bill’s Tire Service, in Waterville and Winslow, and was a member of the Benevelent and Protictive Order of Elks Lodge, in Waterville, MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, in Winslow, Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, in Waterville, and several snowmobile clubs. He enjoyed snowmobiling and rode up until his last year, hunting, fishing, and enjoyed life.

Edward is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jacklyne (Olson) Frappier, of Fairfield; daughter JoJean Dumont, of Winslow; son Alan Frappier and wife Kelly, of Houston, Texas; granddaughters, Melissa Parziale and wife Jillian, of Florida, Kristen Frappier, of Waterville, Kaela Dinsmore and husband Chandler, of New Mexico; grandsons, Edward Frappier III and wife Shertori, of North Carolina, Caleb Frappier, of Virginia, Jacob DeRaps; brother, Francis Carrrigan, of Anson; several great -grandchildren, and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents and two sons, Michael and James.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Waterville Elks Lodge, 76 Industrial Street, Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Edward’s memory to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pethaven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330.

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

Joy to the Ville

On Saturday, December 7, the city of Waterville will once again embrace the holiday spirit with the third annual “Joy to the Ville” event – an all-day community celebration meant to highlight the magic of the holiday season on the Kennebec River. Waterville Creates! and their friends at the Waterville Public Library, the Colby College Museum of Art, Snow Pond Center for the Arts, the KVCAP Family Enrichment Council, and the Children’s Discovery Museum are joining forces with local business sponsor Bangor Savings Bank and media sponsor News Center Maine to organize this day of free, family-friendly holiday programming throughout Waterville! For a complete listing of activities visit: https://www.watervillecreates.org/event/joytotheville/.

Buy an extra turkey for the China Food Pantry

You can help assure that all families in China will enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving. This coming weekend, November 21 – 22, Thanksgiving dinner boxes will be passed out. Drop off your extra turkey on the pantry’s front porch at 1320 Lakeview Drive.

Vassalboro residents seek ways to reduce speed on Rte. 32

by Mary Grow

Half a dozen North Vassalboro residents attended the Nov. 14 Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting to ask what can be done to reduce speeding on Route 32 (Main Street) near the North Vassalboro post office.

The speed limit there is 35 miles an hour, they said, though a short distance north it drops to 25 miles an hour. Motorists pay little attention to either, or to the local children and elderly pedestrians who might be trying to cross the street. There are no marked crosswalks.

Selectmen asked Town Manager Mary Sabins to see what information is available or can be developed about vehicles’ speeds on the street. They plan to ask the state Department of Transportation (MDOT) to consider lowering the limit.

Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus warned the concerned residents that MDOT bases its speed limits on average actual speeds and might propose adjusting the limit up instead of down.

Returning to the topic of a new, or possibly additional, compactor at the transfer station (see The Town Line, Nov. 7), board members discussed ways to approach the expenditure. Sabins has been in touch with two engineering firms about establishing needs and cost estimates.

Titus’s suggestion that they set a ceiling price not to exceed $100,000 and see how far it will go toward all they want done became a motion that was approved unanimously.

Sabins updated board members on an ongoing disagreement over a Riverside Drive junkyard that is not in compliance with town regulations. Former Codes Officer Richard Dolby and present Codes Officer Paul Mitnik have both tried to resolve the problem, she said; they have made progress, but less than hoped.

She reported no one has expressed interest in becoming a member of the Vassalboro Board of Appeals. She and selectmen still hope volunteers will come forward.

The manager distributed a tentative schedule for selectmen’s, budget committee and school board meetings from January 2020 through the Monday, June 1, annual town meeting and the Tuesday, June 9, municipal election. Nomination papers for local elective office will be available Monday, March 2, and due back at the town office Friday morning, April 10.

The next Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, instead of the usual Thursday evening, to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday.