Tickets available for Vassalboro fishing derby

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Vassalboro Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 9, from 1-5 p.m., at the Olde Mill, 934 Main St., North Vassalboro.

The prizes! You don’t have to fish to win. There are over $600 in cash prizes from $50 to $300, plus a $256 Natanis Golf package, a voucher for two round trip Amtrak Downeaster tickets, Huhtamaki plates, Framed Pictures, Baskets of Goodies, and many other great gifts from very generous area businesses!

Family Fishing Fun! There’s $940 in cash prizes for 12 categories of fishing. In each category First prize is $40, Second is $20, and Third is $10. There is a kids (12 and under) category, PLUS each youngster who fishes earns a “Vassalboro Fishing Derby” ball cap! There is a trophy and $100 prize for the largest fish (not including pike). The categories include salmon, togue, brown trout, brook trout, white perch, splake, pickerel, pike, large mouth bass, black crappie and small mouth bass. In order to enter the fishing derby you must have one raffle ticket (purchased before 1 PM on 2/9/2020) per fish entered.

Support of Vassalboro Business Association projects! Proceeds from the event help sponsor the Flags along Main Street, the Welcome to Vassalboro Signs, Vassalboro Days, Scholarships for Vassalboro Students, the Color Me Too Fun Run, Halloween at the Olde Mill, the Community Tree Lighting, the Easter Festival, Bikes for Books, the fight against VCS Food Insecurity, and new this year—the Eighth Grade “Maine Event” project.

Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and available from Ray Breton (877-2005), Jim Maloy (441-0378), Linda Titus (631-3303) and Bernie Fortin as well as at Maine Savings FCU, the Olde Mill Store, Rte. 201 Battery & Tire, and the Vassalboro Library.

So the real question is how many books of 6 tickets would you like?

The drawings will begin promptly at 5 p.m., on February 9, at the Olde Mill. You do not have to be present to win! Your purchase will make a difference in our community.

*Here’s a tip — save address labels to speed your ability to fill out those tickets! Or make your own and include your phone number so we can notify you!

GARDEN WORKS: A garden on your countertop

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Countertop Sprouts

Emily Catesby Emily Cates

Growing fresh, delicious, nutritious sprouts for the winter table

Brrr! I don’t know about you, but the most I’m getting out of my garden right now is icicles. Wouldn’t it be nice to grow something fresh and green? Is it even possible when it’s so cold outside?

Enter sprouts, the superheroes of nutrition – here to save the day! Not only are freshly prepared sprouts delicious, but they are alive and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are very good for you. As an added bonus, they are inexpensive, easy to grow, and take up very little room in the kitchen. Kids are oftentimes fascinated at the sight of germinating seeds- which affords all of us an opportunity to enjoy a closer, more personal relationship with the food we eat. And even folks in urban areas and those with limited space can enjoy the benefits of fresh, delicious, nutritious sprouts.

If you’d like to give it a try, the first thing you might like to do is find a source of sprouting seeds. Clover, alfalfa, wheat berries, mung beans, fenugreek, onion, and chia are some popular choices. Whole grains like brown rice, wheat berries, whole barley, rye, quinoa, millet, and beans are easier to digest and even more nutritious when sprouted. (I always prepare them this way before cooking and thoroughly enjoy it!) A word of caution, though: Never sprout treated seeds and always make sure your seeds are food-grade. Some seeds such as those from tomatoes, potatoes, and other nightshade vegetables are poisonous when sprouted. And, of course, use common sense while growing sprouts. When in doubt to the freshness or safety of sprouts that have an off-odor or develop mold, throw them out and try again. Keep records when starting out to streamline the learning experience.

With that in mind, a great source for sprouting seed is local health food stores. Sometimes seed companies like Pinetree and Johnny’s sell sprouting seeds along with special sprouting equipment. (For a long term, sustainable source of sprouting seed stock, try starting your own crop outside in the spring.) For best results, use fresh seeds and store the unused portions in a cool, dry location in an airtight glass jar. The freezer is by far the best place for long-term storage of seeds. Just make sure to let the jar warm to room temperature before opening to prevent the formation of moisture on the seeds. That will keep any seeds from that batch from losing their viability if they are to be stored again.

Now that you have obtained the seeds, it’s time to start sprouting! Germination will occur sooner in a warm room. There are several different methods of growing sprouts, but I have found this way to be the easiest: Soak the seeds in water overnight. Use a strainer or colander for the sprouting vessel, and line it with screen or cheesecloth if the holes are large enough for seeds to fall out. Then place the seeds no more than 2 cm thick in the vessel and rinse several times each day. Keep them moist but not waterlogged. In a day or two, depending on the seed, you should see some action. The seeds can be eaten soon after they have sprouted or a while later when they have grown a couple inches or longer. Experiment on what suits your taste. Expose the sprouts to sunlight until they turn green with nutrition. Then enjoy some fresh garden goodness straight from your countertop!

SOLON & BEYOND: School news; open municipal positions

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

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

Didn’t have room for all the Solon Elementary School news last week, so I’m going to start with that this week.

The Solon School had a Thanksgiving Food drive and they wood like to thank families for donating to their Thanksgiving Food Drive during the month of November. Students brought in 554 items which were donated to the Solon Food Cupboard to help needy families in our area. This was the most food they have ever collected!

After a lively competition between classes to see which class could bring in the most items, Mrs. Campbell’s first graders won with 174 items. Thanks to all of the families who donated to this worthy cause!

Students celebrate on the Polar Express. This fall students have received a colored pom-pon each time they did a good job meeting school expectations, displaying positive behaviors, or being helpful and/or cooperative as part of the second year of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Students put these pom-pons in a jar on the counter behind Mrs. McFadyen’s desk. When the jar is full, they hold a special schoolwide celebration activity.

In December the jar was full so they held a Polar Express activity. Students could wear pajamas and they served hot cocoa, popcorn and marshmallow treats during the movie. Students had the chance to enter into a raffle to win holiday prizes.

At Halloween, Ms. Rich’s third grade class decorated a pumpkin and won second place in the annual contest sponsored by Smart & Edwards Funeral Home in Skowhegan.

The Solon Staff all dressed up in emoji T – shirts for their Halloween costumes this year.

As always, I was so happy to receive the above news from Solon Elementary School and many thanks are extended!

The Solon budget meeting was held last Saturday. I am pretty sure that was the only one I have missed in all these years….but, I will try to get some information to share with you in next weeks column.

I wrote in last week’s news who was running for the empty selectmen’s seat. (For those who might be considering putting their name in a write-in vote, the following information required for the job is that the selectmen meet every Wednesday from 7:45 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 7:45 p.m.. Also in the spring, property tax assessing on several other days. Most of the work is done on computers using Word and Excel so familiarity with those programs is very helpful.

For those considering road commissioner a Class A or B driver’s license is needed along with knowledge of plowing, road maintenance, and equipment maintenance . It is a full time job with overtime when weather and/or road conditions demand it. The road commissioner is in charge of the road crew employees.

You all know by now, if you read this column, how old I am ! This goes out to all you older women who are in your 80s or older! I didn’t let on how old I was because I didn’t want to be classified as a ” Little Old Lady!” But now you all know my age after the wonderful birthday party I was given in April on my 90th birthday. Anyway, I sent away for a book entitled How Not To Become A Little Old Lady.

Already knew I had some of the traits such as wearing the plastic rain hats and all my slacks have elastic tops, to name a few, so I’m going to quote one of the items mentioned in this book, entitled Need Things Explained: “A Little Old Lady called her travel agent and asked, ‘Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage it is?’ The agent said, ‘No, why do you ask?’ The little old lady replied, ‘Well, when I checked in at the airport at Fresno, they put a tag on my luggage that said FAT, and I’m overweight.’ The travel agent explained that the city code for Fresno is FAT, and that the airline didn’t think she was obese.”

Percy’s quick memoir is For Every Minute you Frown You lose 60 Seconds of Happiness.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: Keep those customers coming back

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Growing your businessby Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

Going the extra mile will always pay off in the end

The facts are this. When people receive poor service, they love telling other people about it. Some statistics claim that if a person gets bad service from a business over 250 people will end up hearing about it. Yikes! How scary is that? All you need is one slip up; one bad day and you can destroy all the good will you have worked so hard to build up over the years.

It’s almost as if people feel that the one good thing about getting poor service is being able to talk about it to other people…and we all know that they do. Fact is, people love retelling horror stories.

And I have to admit that I fall victim to that as well. We all do.

But don’t get scared, or worse yet, discouraged, there are ways to prevent your company and your team from ever performing poorly and that is to create a company culture that instills good service into everything your company does.

But it starts at the top, it starts with the owners, the managers and most importantly it begins with the examples these people set.

If your employees hear you complain about a customer, they are tacitly being given permission to do the same. If on the other hand they watch the company owner, for example, treat every customer with the utmost respect, they will model that behavior as well. In the way business is like parenting. The children in a family are much more likely to model their parents’ behavior than they are to do what their parents tell them to do. Remember that old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Sorry, but that could be the dumbest thing any parent or any company leader ever told anyone.

We all know that the first rule of running a business is that the customer is always right. Second and third rules are, refer to the first rule. While that is the paradox of customer service there is another rule that I recommend and that is developing the customer for life.

It is much easier for better business to have customers for life than to consistently have a turnover in new customers Here is the thing to remember, most people will use your service once. The key is to get them to use your service forever.

That idea should always be at the front of your company thinking so that when someone comes into your hardware store for the first time, even if it’s only to buy a box of nails, you should treat that person with the same special service as you do the contractor who is buying thousands of dollars of materials from you every month.

In the end, this is a very simple idea. No matter what your business, from bookstore, to diner, to hardware store, if you treat every customer as a lifetime customer, and give them the special service that it takes to do that, you’ll always be growing your business.

Dan Beaulieu has owned his own business consulting firm since 1995, during that time he has helped hundreds of companies all over the world with their sales growth challenges and issues. Originally from Maine he returned a few years ago and is ready and willing to help his fellow Mainers start and grow their business. He can be reached at 207-649-0879 or at danbbeaulieu@aol.com.

Erskine holds fundraiser for koalas

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Contributed photo

Students and staff at Erskine Academy recently held a dress down day to raise funds for the Koala Hospital, in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia.

The Koala Hospital’s efforts include the rescue and treatment of sick and injured koalas, conservation and expansion of koala habitats, research relating to habitat, disease, nutrition and habits of wild koalas, and provides educational materials to increase public awareness of all aspects of the koala. Pictured are members of the student council who helped organize the dress down day effort.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Lyme cases reported to Maine CDC in 2019 reach record high

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deer tick

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

I received this press release from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently. It has some interesting information that I thought I would share with you.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received a record number of Lyme disease case reports from health providers in 2019, with 2,079 cases as of January 16, 2020. This is the highest number of cases ever reported in the state, and the number may continue to rise as providers make additional case reports.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria carried by infected deer ticks. The hallmark sign of the disease is a rash referred to as the “bull’s-eye” rash due to its pattern on the skin. This rash occurs in just over 50 percent of patients in Maine, usually within three to 30 days of a tick bite. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches, with later signs of illness including arthritis and heart problems. Lyme disease cannot be transmitted from human to human.

“While we can’t yet speculate about the reason for this increase, these new numbers emphasize the importance of preventing tick bites,” said Nirav D. Shah, Director of the Maine CDC. “Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases are on the rise, so Mainers need to proactively protect themselves.”

In 2019, Maine also experienced increases in two other tickborne diseases, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Last year, 685 cases of anaplasmosis and 138 cases of babesiosis were reported. Cumulative reporting of Lyme disease cases takes more time because the process of confirming a Lyme disease diagnosis often takes longer than for anaplasmosis or babesiosis.

Although ticks are not normally active during the winter, they can be out anytime that the temperature is above 40 degrees, as it was two weekends ago. Maine CDC recommends that residents and visitors protect themselves by using the No Ticks for ME approach:

  • Use an EPA-approved repellent;
  • Wear protective clothing;
  • Perform daily tick checks;
  • Use caution in tick-infested areas.

Recently, Maine CDC launched a new Maine Tracking Network dashboard to continue to monitor 2019 cases for the next few months, alongside near real-time tracking of 2020 cases. Maine CDC plans to add final 2019 data to the Tracking Network in May.

For more information on Lyme disease, please visit: www.maine.gov/lyme. To view Lyme data on the Maine Tracking Network, visit: data.mainepublichealth.gov/tracking.

If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. But these symptoms are still treatable and curable. But if it goes untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, the heart and the nervous system, which explains some of Greene’s symptoms. Patients may suffer with severe headaches and neck aches, heart palpitations, facial palsy, and arthritis with severe joint pain.

A blood test for antibodies to the bacteria is the preferred test for the diagnosis of Lyme disease. However, if a person has central nervous system symptoms, such as meningitis, then IgM, IgG, and western blot testing may sometimes be performed on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Symptoms may last up to six months or longer. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s normal activities and may cause emotional distress as a result. However, most people’s symptoms improve after six months to a year. It’s not known why some people develop post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and others don’t.

If treated, Lyme disease does not last for years. However, for some people, the after-effects of the disease can linger for months and sometimes even years.

Most people know Lyme causes joint pain, and it does. But when it goes undiagnosed for too long, the bacteria can replicate and cross the blood-brain barrier, invading the central nervous system. Without proper diagnosis, neurological Lyme disease can lead to paralysis, schizophrenia and even death.

“It’s certainly possible for people to get Lyme disease and to clear the infection on their own, without treatment,” says Dr. Richard Kuritzkes, a gastroenterologist, in Burbank, California. “But it’s better to be treated, because some of the complications—like arthritis and myocarditis and damage to the central nervous system—can be very serious.”

Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Northern Hemisphere. It is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States. Infections are most common in the spring and early summer.

Lyme disease was diagnosed as a separate condition for the first time in 1975 in Old Lyme, Connecticut. It was originally mistaken for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The bacterium involved was first described in 1981 by Willy Burgdorfer. Chronic symptoms following treatment are well described and are known as “post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome” (PTLDS). PTLDS is different from chronic Lyme disease; a term no longer supported by the scientific community and used in different ways by different groups. Some healthcare providers claim that PTLDS is caused by persistent infection, but this is not believed to be true because no evidence of persistent infection can be found after standard treatment. A vaccine for Lyme disease was marketed in the United States between 1998 and 2002, but was withdrawn from the market due to poor sales. Research is ongoing to develop new vaccines.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Kansas City Chiefs only Super Bowl win came in Super Bowl IV, in 1970, 50 years ago. Who did they beat?

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, January 23, 2020

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The Kansas City Chiefs only Super Bowl win came in Super Bowl IV, in 1970, 50 years ago. Who did they beat?

Answer:

The Minnesota Vikings, 23-7.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, January 23, 2020

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LARRY C. JACKSON

WINSLOW – Larry Charles Jackson, 66, passed away at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, on Friday, January 3, 2020. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 21, 1953, the son of the late Charles and Katherine Jackson.

Larry attended school in both Waterville and China, and graduated from Waterville High School with the class of 1971. He went to work at Kimberly Clark Paper Co., in Winslow, where he stayed until the mill shut down. He began a second career as a custodian in the Augusta school district before ending his last years at his beloved Vassalboro Community School.

Larry was an avid photographer and welder. He could build or repair anything and frequently took on projects for friends and family. Later in life he took great pride in taking care of his Aunt Marjorie Jackson every chance he had. Larry had an amazing, dry sense of humor that was beloved by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Lynne Moses Jackson; his sons Matthew Jackson and partner Melissa Hunnefield, of Augusta, Joshua Jackson and wife Shannon, of Fairfield, and their mother Rose Jackson, of Thomasville, North Carolina, as well as Lynne’s son Matthew Howard.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Winslow VFW, 175 Veterans Dr, Winslow, on Saturday, February 1, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com.

Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Vassalboro Community School Backpack Program and Charitable Donations to: Vassalboro Community School, c/o Principal Megan Allen 1116 Webber Pond Rd., Vassalboro, ME 04989 or: Animal Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd. Waterville, ME 04901 or online at Hswa.org.

SANDRA M. WALTERS

JUPITER, Fla. – Sandra (Massey) Walters , 65, passed away in Jupiter on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 31, 1954, in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Bernadette and John (Steve) Massey.

As a child her family returned to Waterville, where Sandy was raised, and she graduated from Waterville High School in 1972. After high school she attended the Carnegie Institute of Medical Technology, in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked as a medical lab technician, first at Inland Hospital, in Waterville then in Palm Beach, Florida. Sandy worked the majority of her professional life in the Palm Beach area, working for Dr. Mark Stein, and Allergy Associates of the Palm Beaches for a total of 32 years. She was earnest in her work, and took pleasure in being part of a team which strives to improve people’s lives.

Sandy was a loving and devoted single mother, raising her son, Matthew, alone since infancy, first living in Palm Beach Gardens, then Jupiter, Florida. She will forever be remembered for her broad, bright smile, and her dry sense of humor. She was devoted to spending time with her family, and visited Maine every summer to spend time with her parents and extended family.

Sandy was predeceased by her father, John (Steve) Massey, and her brother, Stephen Massey.

She is survived by her son, Matthew, of Jupiter, Florida; her mother, Bernadette Massey of Winslow; her brother, Scott Massey and sister-in-law Brigitte, of Waterville; nieces, Amy and Christina Massey, Lauren Massey, Katy (Massey) DeBlois, and nephew, John Massey; her aunt, Anita Mathieu and aunt, Pat Massey; sister-in-law, Claudette Massey, and many cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated later this spring in Waterville, with date and details to be announced.

CHRISTA E. LORD

JEFFERSON – Christa E. Lord, 89, died Friday, January 10, 2020, at the Country Manor Nursing Home, in Coopers Mills, following a long illness. She was born in Germany on November 2, 1930.

Mrs. Lord attended school in Germany and met her husband, Ormand, while he was overseas there in the US Army during World War II.

She was the classic example of blue collar pride, spending a number of her working years as a grocery store manager for Cottle’s Supermarket, in Waterville, as well as Barden’s while living in the Gardiner area. She was also employed at Carlton Woolen Mills for many years.

Christa was very talented in the art of knitting, and had her way with a many skeins of wool in her day, producing beautiful sweaters, afghans, hats and socks to keep her entire family warm and safe. She also took great pride, along with her husband Ormand, as very successful dog breeders, producing multiple litters of pups from a number of various breeds for families far and wide to enjoy in the form of beloved family pets. She also had a incredible “green thumb” and loved gardening as well as the processing of the fruits of her labor through canning and jelly making.

She and Ormand loved the outdoors and were very involved with camping, boating, fishing and snowmobiling. She loved the Chamberlain lake region.

Mrs. Lord was predeceased by her mother Erna Schild, father Franz Schild, stepfather Walter Ziegler; husband Ormand S. Lord; daughter Dianne Sawyer; and granddaughter Jessie Sawyer.

She is survived by her son Vincent and partner Sarah, of Windsor; her granddaughter Kaela, her husband Craig and their daughter Audrey; her brother Harry Schild and his wife Sheila ,of British Columbia, Canada; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At her request, there will be no public visiting hours or funeral service. A private burial will be held in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

Those who desire may make donations in Christa’s memory to: aspca.org or ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929.

EDWINA M. GENDREAU

OAKLAND – Edwina Marie Gendreau, 88, of Oakland, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020. She was born on July 21, 1931, in Grand Isle, to Arthur and Mabel (Beaulieu) Grivois.

She married O’Neil Gendreau and together they raised their five daughters in Oakland.

She spent many years working at Diamond Match, in Oakland, and C.F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville. After retirement she babysat many local children.

She was mémère to everyone and enjoyed telling her grandchildren stories of her childhood, learning how to cook, raising “the girls” and the meaning of all the “French phrases” that they heard growing up.

She had a special bond with each of her grandchildren and she enjoyed cooking big dinners for the family. Some family favorites were her toutière pies, chicken and dumpling stew, ploys and tomato rice soup.

She found joy in her flower gardens, loved long rides, going out to eat and grabbing an ice cream.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, O’Neil; daughters, Marilyn and Sharon; her siblings, Armand, Mary and Harold; her fur baby, “Little Lady”; and her partner in crime, Yvonne Grivois.

She is survived by her daughters, Lorraine (Kent) Somers, and Gloria Ripley, both of Oakland, and Debbie Poirier, of Embden; grandchildren, Erin, Sarah, and Kaila Ripley, Neil and Jenna Wing, and Leah Poirier; her two great-grandchildren, Alexis Furbush and Marshall Veilleux; her sister, Gloria (Chuck) Reeves, of Utah, her brothers, Leo James and Gerald Grivois, and Mike McAdoo, all of Oakland; brother-in-law, Gene (Betsy) Duguay, of California; sons-in-law, Jeff Wing and Rick Thyng; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

As she requested, there will be a graveside service and a celebration of life at a later date in the spring.

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.

CAROLYN E. DRAHEIM

WINSLOW – Carolyn (Elliott) Draheim, 69, died in Augusta, at the Comfort Care Unit of Glenridge Nursing Home on Sunday, January 12, 2020, just a month shy of what would have been her 70th birthday on Valentine’s Day.

In recent years, Carolyn had been dealing with early onset dementia, and, with help from family, friends, fellow parishioners at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, in Waterville, and her neighbors at Fontaine Oakes Condominiums, in Winslow, she was able to live safely at home. But on Christmas Eve 2019 she was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer which claimed her life quickly.

Carolyn was born in Waterville to Clyde and Alma Elliott and raised on their dairy farm on Eight Rod Road, enjoying the company of many relatives and cousins from her parents’ large families. There she learned the value of hard work and acquired a love of animals, but not of Maine winters.

After graduating from Waterville Senior High School in 1968, and Beal Junior College, in Bangor, in 1970, she moved to Connecticut where she worked in banking. There she also met and fell in love with Richard Draheim, a Navy warrant officer stationed at Groton, Connecticut. Following their marriage in Waterville in 1972, Rick’s career took them to postings in Scotland, various naval bases on the east coast of the U.S. and to the San Diego area where they settled in the town of Santee to raise their family, daughter Melanie and son Elliott.

While living in Santee, Carolyn discovered a love of working with young children. She studied, took courses, attained the required qualifications and for many years taught preschool at church and community centers in the Santee area. Carolyn was an ardent fabric artist, creating many quilts and craft items for family and friends, church fairs and shelters.

She will be remembered for her quiet, soft-spoken manner, warm smile and concern for others over self.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Melanie Draheim, of Houston, Texas, her son Elliott Draheim and his children Elliott Jr. and Jewel, of Owensville, Missouri; and her brother David Elliott and his partner Kit Pfeiffer, of Whitefield.

There was a memorial service held on January 17, at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant St. in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers,the family asks that you consider a donation to an organization of your choice in Carolyn’s memory.

RUSSELL BOURGOIN

JAMAICA PLAIN, Massachusetts – Russell Bourgoin, 70, died in Jamaica Plain, Massa­chu­setts, on Friday, Jan­uary 10, 2020.

Rusty was born on January 30, 1949, to Ingeborg and Joseph Bourgoin in Stuttgart, Germany, but he spent the majority of his childhood in Waterville.

He moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Tufts University with a BA in psychology. Rusty worked for the Social Security Administration, and then became a Computer Systems Analyst who worked for a number of communications companies. He and his family moved to Winchendon, Massachusetts, in 1985, where he resided until his death.

He is predeceased by his wife, Kathy Sullivan.

Rusty was a long-time member of the Gardner Lodge of Elks and the Gardner Fish & Gun Club. Some of Rusty’s favorite things were sharing a beer and a laugh with his friends, playing music, New England sports teams (especially the Red Sox), bird watching, and spending time with family.

He is survived by Bourgoin siblings Alfred (Laura Campbell), Terry (Cheryl Adams), Karen (Mike Labbe), Mark (Pam), and Tina (Scott Willette); honorary brother Wayne Kantor; many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at the Gardner Lodge of Elks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: National Marfan Foundation or: Winchendon Council on Aging.

WAYNE L. CRUMMETT

SHAWMUT – Wayne L. Crummett, 84, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Wayne was born in Fairfield on November 2, 1935, the son of Frank and Hazel (Young) Crummett.

He attended Fairfield schools, graduating in 1954 from Lawrence High. Wayne served in the US Air Force for four years after graduating.

Wayne worked for Keyes Fibre Co., in Waterville, most of his adult life. In 1964, he married the former Barbara Goforth Perkins; they spent 35 years together until her death in 1999.

Wayne enjoyed woodworking and built several pieces of furniture and knickknacks. He and Barbara also enjoyed gardening and planted several large gardens; sharing their bounty with family.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife; his stepson, Alan Perkins; and his brothers, Lawrence, Donald and Blynn.

He is survived by his stepchildren, Dana and wife Dena Perkins, of Brewer, Cathy and Charles Buker and Richard Perkins, of Hartland; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, George Goforth, of Scarborough; and several nieces and nephews; granddaughter, London Bernard.

There will be no services.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

Friends and family who wish may donate in Wayne’s memory to their local Humane Society.

FLORENCE E. PLISGA

WATERVILLE – Florence Elizabeth Plisga, 97, of Waterville, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020, at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, in Skowhegan, following a brief illness. Born on May 29, 1922, she was the daughter of Albert and Grace Lachance.

She attended schools in Waterville, and then married Stanley Plisga Sr. They spent 58 years together before he died in 2001.

She was a wife, mother and homemaker while working many years as a crossing guard for the elementary school near her home in Waterville. She enjoyed having children around, especially children in the neighborhood. She was affectionately known as “Ma” to all that knew her, young and old alike.

She had many hobbies, loved to travel, and spent her retirement years living in Venice, Florida, in the fall and winter and on Salmon Lake, in Belgrade, the remainder of the year. She loved having the children and grandchildren come to visit in Florida. She and Stanley made many trips to Disney and to the beach hunting for shark teeth when family was there.

She is survived by her three children, son, Stanley Plisga Jr. and wife, Barbara, of Eddington, daughter, Sheila Maxwell and husband, Ron, of Winslow, and daughter, Donna Plisga and husband, Anthony Lee, of Alaska; grandchildren, Kirk Lewis and Stephanie Stewart and husband Bryan, of Alaska, Nathan Lewis, of Oregon, Trisha Souviney and husband Nick, of Winslow, Jason Maxwell and wife,Karrianne, of South Portland; and great-grandchildren, Aubree Stewart, of Alaska, Cooper Blakley, Bethanny Blakley, Nixon Souviney and Jaclyn Souviney, all of Winslow; several nieces and nephews.

She was also predeceased by her parents, her brother, Albert Jr., and her sister, Marion.

Funeral and burial will take place in the spring with date, time and location announced closer to the date.

A service of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, Maine 04901 www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

TRACY McGREW

CHELSEA – Tracy McGrew, 57, of Chelsea, died at her home on Monday January 13, 2020. She was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on March 19, 1962, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Auger) Tisbert.

Tracy adored her animals, her favorite place to be was in the barn with her beloved horses, Gus and Dolly and partner PJ, and she loved spending time with family and her grandkids.

She was a state worker for many years until she retired to a quieter life in the country where her animals consumed most of her time and that’s just how she liked it. She was a kind and compassionate soul that would do anything for anyone.

Tracy is survived by her partner Phillip Dill, of Chelsea; daughter Melissa Graves, of Massachusetts; two step-daughters Mellanie Large and husband Tyler, of Richmond, Pearyleigh Marrow and Partner Fred Moody, of Waterville, as well as her siblings Arthur Tisbert and wife Vicki, of Windsor, Elaine Landry and Jim, of Mt. Vernon, Joann Dunn and partner John Jones, of Mt. Vernon, Kristine Kitson and partner Steve Sohm, of Vienna, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Tracy’s life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

FREDERICK R. BOOKER

WINDSOR – Frederick Royden Booker, 77, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. Fred was born on October 17, 1942, to Sanford and Lillian (Slocum) Booker.

He was raised in Gardiner where he attended Gardiner area schools.

For most of his adult life, Fred was employed by Lipman Poultry as a poultry grower. During his time taking care of farms he earned several awards and commendations as a top grower.

Fred is predeceased by his parents; his wife of 25 years Gloria; one sister, Ellen (Booker) Walker; three brothers-in-law, William Buker, Robert Walker and Herbert Worrey and a stepson, Rick Talbot.

Fred is survived by his three children, son, Scott and his wife Marsha, daughter Lori (Jackson) and her husband Dana; and son Steven, all of Waldoboro; seven grandchildren: Derek Booker, Ryan and his wife Christine Booker, Adam Rickett, Heather Batchelder, Katie Pickett and her fiance’ Andrew Delano, and Cullin and Kaylee Booker; three step-grandchildren; Heidi (Murray) and her husband Matthew Jennings and Crystal and Ben Foss; four great-grandchildren: David, Jason and Logan Pickett and Emmalyn Booker; and five step great-grandchildren: Isaac, Asher, Gracie, Sophie and Bella Jennings; three sisters: Laura Buker, Clara Hodgdon, and Sandra and her husband Raymond Allen; and one brother, Dan and his wife Kay Booker; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Kennebec Valley Assembly of God, 44 Hallowell Road, Chelsea, Maine on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 1 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor, Chapel, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, Maine.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

ALICE M. CHAPMAN

WATERVILLE – Alice M. Chapman, 93, formerly of North Vassalboro, Winslow, and Benton, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a short illness. She was born in Waldoboro on May 23, 1926, the daughter of the late Ernest Merry and Edna (Post) Merry.

The last few years she has been a resident at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville.

She worked at several local woolen mills as a spinner in Skowhegan, Fairfield, North Vassalboro, Waterville, and retiring from Cascade Woolen Mill, in Oakland,

Her hobbies included knitting, sewing, gardening, traveling, and most importantly playing bingo. She with her family enjoyed time spent at camp on Brassua Lake.

Alice was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Calvin Chapman Sr.; her brothers, Robert Merry, and Edward Merry, her sister, Frances Merry; and her son-in-law, Joseph “Bob” LaBrie Sr.

She is survived by her sons, Herbert Gallagher and his wife Gail, Calvin Chapman Jr. and his wife Louise, Fred Chapman and his wife Mary, and Michael Chapman and his wife Tammy; her daughters, Nancy LaBrie, and Christine Pullen and her husband Rick; her brother, Ernest Merry; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta, at a later date.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

ALAN S. JOHNSTON

CLINTON – Alan Scott Johnston, 59, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, following extended health problems. He was the son of Beverly and Kenneth Johnston of Shawmut, both predeceased.

Alan was a true “Mainer,” born in Waterville, grew up in Shawmut, and had a home on the Kennebec River. Alan worked at Keyes Fibre, in Shawmut, and the Gorbell Power Plant, in Athens.

Alan’s passions were all about what Maine has to offer, good friends, and hunting and fishing. Though it must have been difficult, Alan was an Oakland Raiders football fan, but defaulted to our beloved Red Sox for baseball.

Alan leaves behind a brother, and sister-in-law, Lynn, and Debbie; a niece, Kimberly; and nephews, Zachary, and Matthew; as well as numerous cousins.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

TODD N. TOLHURST

Todd N. Tolhurst, 60, of South China, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020, at home, following a brief illness. Todd was born in Rochester, New York, the son of Albert and Marianne Tolhurst.

Todd spent his early years in Rochester and moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, during high school. Todd was an early IT adopter, a geek before it was cool, and started his career at Radio Shack. He has been the Director of Development at INFORME in Augusta, for the past 20 years. Todd was passionate about his work and was well respected by all. He had many interests such as ham radio WA1M, woodworking, welding, photography, flying drones, science experiments, videography, trivia, cooking, building computers and collecting slide rules. He was known to family and friends as a great debater and oracle of knowledge. Todd was a member of MENSA, the high IQ society.

Todd was a leader in the Gun Owners of Maine organization. He believed very strongly in the Second Amendment and worked to preserve gun rights and foster gun safety.

Todd is survived by his wife Elizabeth Curtis, his brothers Lyle and Mark Tolhurst, Scott Caskey, Donald and Robert Tolhurst; his sister Jeanne Tolhurst Holt.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828 or South China Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 325, South China, ME 04358.

A celebration of Todd’s life will be planned for mid- to late-February. His family has asked if you have stories and thoughts of Todd to share that you please consider e-mailing them to ttolhurst@gmail.com to be read and shared at his celebration and also to help his family heal from this loss.

CLAUDE THOMAS

UNITY – Claude Thomas “The Traveling Man,” 83, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020. He was born on April 18, 1936, the son of William and Esther Thomas.

Claude graduated from Freedom Academy. Claude married the former Marion Spaulding on September 16, 1961. They happily raised their five children in Knox.

Claude served in the U.S. Army. After his release from the Army he went back to work on his family farm. He continued farming until 1975 when he joined Local #320 Carpenter Millwright Union, in Waterville. Upon retiring Claude had a great idea to start growing and peddling potatoes which he did for over 30 years. He became known as “The Traveling Man.”

He was predeceased by his wife Marion of 56 years; his parents; brothers Richard, Arthur, Grant, William, Robert, Gary, Dale, Bernard, Neil, Carl, Lowell (Moe) and sisters Elnora, Arlene, Millie, and Shirley.

Claude is survived by his five children and families: Darrell and Heather, Shirley and Gregg (Ingraham), Janet, Robert and Debbie, and Kirk and Julie; grandchildren Vanessa, Shane, Isaac, Macy, Alex, Trevor and Emma Lou; great-grandchildren Carolina, Daxton and Dawson; special great nephews Lucas and Austin; his sister Frances Paradis and husband Irvin; sisters-in-law, Bea Thomas, Nancy Spaulding and brother-in-law Phillip (Bo) Spaulding and wife Brenda; and many special nieces and nephews.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

KENNETH J. OUELLETTE

WINSLOW – Kenneth J Ouellette, 77, of Winslow, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Northern Light Inland Hospital , in Waterville, following a brief illness. He was born in Eagle Lake on October 24, 1942, the son of the late Roderick and Margaret (Dube) Ouellette.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force and the Army National Guard. He worked at the New England Telephone Company for over 20 years. In his spare time he enjoyed reading, hunting and fishing with Dwayne Rioux and Marcel Sirios, playing horseshoes, going to the movies, and spending time with his family. He also loved playing cribbage with his daughter Robin and son Steve and looked forward to summer outings.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Donna Ouellette, of Winslow; his sons Steven Ouellette and wife Rebecca, of Oakland, Marc Ouellette, of Winslow, daughters Robin Bard and husband Jim, of Oakland, Heather York and companion, Jeff Wheeler, of Bangor; five grandchildren Cody Ouellette, Austin Bard, Aaron Bard, Myriah Palow, Devin Palow; his brothers George Ouellette, of Winslow, Edward Ouellette and wife Pearl, of Waterville; his sisters Beatrice Dubois and husband Carlton, of Florida, Norma Robinson and husband Dana, of Eagle Lake, Rachel Parent and husband Richard, of Connecticut, Marguerite Rutherford, of Indiana, Gloria Ouellette, of Fort Kent; many cousins Lena Sirois, Lori Day, Anita Dunn, Rella Poulin, Daniel Toussaint, Donald Toussaint, Norman Toussaint, and the late Ronald Toussaint and Bertha Toussaint.

HELLEN B. DANCER

WHITEFIELD – Hellen Brawn Dancer, 92, died at her home on Wednesday, January 18, 2020. Hellen was born in Gardineron May 26, 1927, the daughter of Erving and Lois (White) Brawn.

She was raised in Randolph, graduating from Gardiner High School in 1945.

She worked for Thompson Lumber Co., before meeting John L. Dancer at her uncle’s store, in Randolph. They married on June 2, 1947. John had started a small dairy farm in Whitefield. Mama said that they were able to find someone to care for the farm so, they could go to a borrowed cottage for a one-night honeymoon! They ran the farm, with all of the joys and burdens associated with it, raising a son and two daughters; she said that while waiting for each baby to arrive, she would feel very sick, but she was needed to drive the hay wagon, so she would nap on the truck seat while John and his helpers loaded the wagon! Along with the duties of farmer’s wife, she was also the town clerk for Whitefield during their years on the farm. After selling the farm in 1968, she worked for the Maine Lung Association, in Augusta, until her retirement in the mid 1980s.

Hellen loved to sew, making many clothes and birthday and Christmas gifts for her children when they were little. During her retirement years she began creating colorful “potholders,” giving many to family and friends. One of her last sewing projects was making over 50 of these to give to each lady (young and old) at her church. She also enjoyed baking desserts, which the family always thought were the best we had ever tasted! Baked beans were her specialty and were always expected at the “potluck” lunches at church. Birdwatching was one of her favorite activities, always hoping to see the cardinals, because, she always agreed with the saying, “Cardinals appear when angels are near.” She also loved flowers and tended many perennials in her backyard each summer.

Hellen was predeceased by her parents; husband, John; daughter, Janey Dancer; son, Pastor John C. Dancer; brothers, George Brawn and Harrison Brawn; sister, Marjorie Page and many other relatives.

She is survived by her daughter, Lois Bourque and husband Stephen, of Whitefield; daughter-in-law, Donna Dancer, of Jefferson; sister-in-law, Louise Dancer, of Whitefield; six grandchildren: Susan Batty and husband Bill, Jonathan Dancer, Joshua Dancer, Elizabeth Heath and husband Joe, George Bourque, and Hellen Bourque; nine Great-grandchildren: Julia, Matthew and Nathanial Batty, Grace, Hannah and Benjamin Dancer, Reanna and Blake Heath, and Estelle Ford; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.

A celebration of Hellen’s life will be held following the service at the American Legion, 46 Griffin St., Gardiner.

Burial will take place at the Kings Mills Cemetery in Whitefield, in the Spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or the Maine Farm Bureau.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Take control of your future

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To the editor:

It is a stark reality that on average, working households in Maine have just $2,500 in retirement account savings. As the current AARP Volunteer State President, a Portland Maine resident, and a former small business owner, I am very interested in changing this situation.

Our great State of Maine has over 175,000 small businesses who could help provide a mechanism for its employees to begin to save for their own retirement. In our 2020 legislative session, a simple solution to address this growing and critical savings program will be considered. AARP strongly supports LD 594, the Maine Retirement Savings Program, sponsored by Senator Eloise Vitelli (D-Arrowsic).

Under this new law, employers would be able to offer their employees a way to save for retirement through payroll deduction. Employees would be automatically enrolled in this program unless they opted out of it. However, a survey we just released showed that 98 percent of voters in Maine who are working believe it’s important to save for retirement at work. And 84 percent of workers without access to a workplace savings program would take advantage of one if it were available. Over time, even a small contribution can make a big difference.

If you are one of the thousands of Mainers concerned about saving for retirement, please urge your legislators to support LD 594. It’s time for Maine lawmakers to give employees the opportunity to increase their savings and take control of their future.

Pat Pinto
AARP Maine Volunteer State President

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Times have changed

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To the editor:

Former Maine Governor Paul LePage gave a speech at Colby College last month. Their Diamond Auditorium was filled from the entrance to the speakers platform with students lined up holding signs expressing opinions on how to improve human conditions. Perhaps I was the only senior citizen there.

Mr. LePage traced his French-Canadian origins in Maine. He came from a large family and was on his own at age 11 when a business family, in Lewiston, took him in. He later took courses at Husson College, in Bangor. Upon graduation he was excused the balance of his tuition for the many ways he benefited the school through clubs and extracurricular activities.

During my lifetime, there have been many changes. Millionaires have become billionaires. An Indian chief once said, “White man is good at making things, but poor at distributing them.”

In the workforce women holding jobs now outnumber men. Competition has replaced cooperation, and children suffer most from the discord and neglect.

Regarding sexual orientation, men differ from women. Diversity advances a species. Darwin called this natural selection. Same sex stems from the dysfunctional family with delinquent fathers, single mothers, and both parents at jobs. Just consider the vices that can infiltrate a home at electronic speeds.

Drugs are more readily available, both legal and illegal. The network of interstate highways has made criminal activity profitable. Also, there is the violence due to the availability of hand guns and assault rifles. A lack of human values is a factor.

A house divided and vacant will not endure. As there are rules for driving, so there are rules of a higher order. These make for a successful lifestyle regardless of rank.

Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty. He learned to read and write from a Bible with help from his stepmother. As a young man, he studied law from borrowed law books to pass the bar exam in Illinois. He served twice in the legislature there. Twice he was elected president of the United States. From reporters, much of his home spun humor and wit has been recorded. “No one is poor who had a godly mother.” He stood six foot four inches tall. When asked he was known to say, “A man stands tallest on his knees.”

Russell Vesecky
Waterville