Managing lands for high quality water: Kennebec Water District’s watershed management

by Robbie Bickford
Director of Water Quality, Kennebec Water District

China Lake

In an effort to ensure that KWD’s watershed land is managed to prompt the highest possible water quality in China Lake (or “the Lake”), KWD has contracted with Comprehensive Land Technologies, Inc. (CLT), of China, to assess the health of the forested land and develop a Forest Management Plan to help guide future decisions. The water quality of the lake directly impacts the health of the ecosystem, property values, recreational opportunities as well as public health.

The plan provides recommendations for improving the health of the forest through selective harvesting to prompt an uneven-aged, mixed species forest. An uneven-aged, mixed species forest has been found to be the most effective buffer to limit erosion and to trap nutrients and contaminants in runoff. The full Forest Management Plan can be reviewed on KWD’s website.

In 2020 and 2021, KWD anticipates conducting some selective harvesting of the forest on the North and South Peninsulas by removing over-mature trees and promoting new growth. This harvesting will focus on maintaining a healthy forest and any harvesting activities will strictly adhere to industry “Best Management Practices” to minimize the impact on the land.

China Lake became the source of supply for the Kennebec Water District (KWD) in 1905. At this time, the Lake’s West Basin was more developed than the East Basin with much of the land being used for raising livestock and other agricultural purposes. In 1909, seeing that development around China Lake was increasing, KWD began purchasing the shoreline land around the West Basin. Subsequently, thousands of trees were planted to reforest areas that had been previously cleared.

Today, KWD owns approximately 344 acres in the China Lake watershed consisting of a nearly continuous, approximately 200-foot-wide, strip of land surrounding the West Basin including the areas that are known as the North and South Peninsulas.

KWD works closely with other organizations concerned about the quality of the water in China Lake including the China Lake Association and the China Regional Lake Alliance. In recent years, KWD has provided funding for the LakeSmart program, the Courtesy Boat Inspection program, and gravel road improvement projects. KWD is a partner in the current Kennebec Country Water and Soil Conservation District’s project to develop a watershed-based management plan for the Lake.

KWD will be hosting a public meeting in the Fall of 2020 to describe KWD’s plans to abutting landowners, the communities surrounding the lake, and other interested parties. Actual scheduling of the meeting will be contingent on group gathering restrictions imposed by the State of Maine due to COVID-19.

For more information on KWD and the China Lake Watershed visit KWD’s website (www.KennebecWater.org) and Facebook page.

Camp Tracy to open June 8

Photo source: Camp Tracy website (camptracy.org)

Camp Tracy, sponsored by the Alfond Youth and Community Center, in Waterville, will open on June 8, and run through August 14.

All campers will be dropped off and picked up at the Camp Tracy Lodge/NO BUSES.

Registration & Payment for each upcoming week closes the Friday morning before.

They will offer all traditional camp programs of swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and more.

Starting June 8, Day Camp Tracy sessions will run weekly, Monday through Friday.

They are working hard to make the environment as clean and safe as possible and are following all CDC and health care recommendations.

All campers will have their temperatures taken and be health screened before being admitted to camp for the day.

For more details please contact the Alfond Youth & Community Center, 126 North Street, Waterville, ME 04901, telephone 207-873-0684.

GHM Insurance’s Bill Mitchell wins Rough Notes Community Service Award

Bill Mitchell

Bill Mitchell, President and CEO of GHM Insurance, was recently selected to receive the Rough Notes Community Service Award. Chosen from over 35,000 independent insurance agencies from across the country, Mitchell’s commitment to community service is reflected in the Rough Notes award.

Mitchell was nominated for the Rough Notes Community Service Award by Ken Walsh, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club YMCA of the Waterville Area at the Alfond Youth and Community Center (AYCC). Walsh highlights many of the ways that Mitchell has given back including being a volunteer project manager for the construction of the AYCC’s current building to hosting the annual GHM Golf Classic to benefit the AYCC’s after school programs. According to Walsh, “unlike some donors who simply lend their name to an event and appear once the work is done to accept congratulations, Bill runs this (golf tournament) event from start to finish, we just show up to accept the check on the 18th hole. The grand total of the event’s contributions tops $500,000 to date.” Read more in the Rough Notes’ digital Publication here.

“I am very grateful and humbled in receiving the Rough Notes Community Service Award. GHM is very fortunate to have a great group of employees who work hard every day to deliver exceptional service, and who volunteer time supporting many local organizations. And equally important we have an amazing customer base that supports GHM with their business, which allows us to give back to the communities in which we live and work. My late father, Paul Mitchell, was my mentor, who always urged me to give back to the community whenever possible”, said Bill Mitchell.

GHM has been serving the insurance needs of Maine families and business owners since 1901 through representing several of the finest insurance carriers in the marketplace, who also support a wide range of non-profit organizations across the State of Maine.

 Since 1878, The Rough Notes Company has proudly served the independent insurance agent market, responding to the evolving needs of agents as they work to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s insurance buyers.

Stocks seminar to be presented at Winslow Library

Sasha Fitzpatrick (Photo courtesy of Edward Jones® Investments)

“Stocks: The Nuts and Bolts,” a 45-minute WebEx online seminar that can help you better understand stocks and how they can help you achieve your long-term financial goals, will be offered by financial advisor Sasha Fitzpatrick on Wednesday, May 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Fitzpatrick’s virtual seminar is sponsored by Winslow Public Library.

“With the stock market going up and down recently, I’ve had lots of people ask me about stock purchases,” Sasha Fitzpatrick said. “This online seminar should offer them timely information and insight.”

The seminar is specifically designed to help anyone serious about achieving important financial goals—both people just starting out and well-seasoned investors. In just 45 minutes, Sasha Fitzpatrick will cover the differences between common and preferred stock … dividends … investment strategy … and different ways to own stock.

Ms. Fitzpatrick’s online presentation will be followed by a Q & A session, in which participants can call-in and receive specific answers to their questions. The event is free and nothing will be sold.

To register, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L36X5GG.

For more information, please contact Lisa Auriemma at Winslow Public Library, 207-872-1978.

Now a financial advisor with Edward Jones® Investments, in Waterville, Sasha Fitzpatrick previously was a language arts and math teacher at Winslow Junior High School.

Volunteers sought for Palermo community garden

With 32 raised beds, the Palermo Community Garden can offer volunteer opportunities in the fresh air with plenty of social distancing! There are two roll-around garden seats and a kneeler to make planting and weeding much more comfortable for all ages. The Community Garden provides at least 450 pounds of organic veggies and berries a year to the Palermo Food Pantry. It operates on a “sweat equity” basis: You put in an hour of help and you get to pick whatever you need that is ready. Please call Connie at 993-2294 to make an appointment and get info.

GARDEN WORKS: How to plant a garden when seed companies are out-of-stock

Luscious tomatoes. (photo courtesy of Old Farmers Almanac)

Emily Catesby Emily Cates

Are you just itching to plant a garden this year? For many, this is the year, no doubt about it! Faced with COVID-19 uncertainty, droves of folks are inundating seed companies with orders, creating backorders and out-of-stocks to the moon and back. So what’s a gardener-in-waiting to do? Well, read on for a few suggestions. Don’t worry, there’s still hope: The answer might already be in your pantry! Yes, let’s look at some seedy characters in the cupboard that just might help us.

Do you have organic potatoes, dry beans, fresh tomatoes, winter squashes, carrots, or bulbs of garlic and onions kicking around? If so, you could have the start of a garden without even knowing it.

While most commercially-cultivated varieties of garden vegetables like tomatoes are bred for uniformity and keeping qualities as opposed to flavor, it’s still possible to grow something from them — even if the results are not as good as their parent plant. Oftentimes seed saved from a hybrid cultivar will produce inferior offspring, but this can be avoided if the parent plant is an open-pollinated variety that didn’t cross with another cultivar.

The chances of having seeds that are open pollinated, true-to-type, and adapted for our area are increased if the veggie was locally grown. That squash you bought from the farmers’ market last fall? It might be kinda mushy now, but you can try planting the seeds after the frost in nice rich soil, or in a compost or manure pile. If the farmer and her neighbors only grew buttercup squash, for example, then the seeds should grow up into delicious buttercups.

The problems with hybrids and cross-pollination are nonexistent with clones. Clones, by this definition, are plants propagated by separating and planting individual pieces of plant material that grow up into individual plants. Think garlic. Or potato, where you can just go ahead and plant a whole tuber that will grow up into a potato plant which produces several potatoes. I like to plant my spuds this way, especially the small ones. Large potatoes with lots of eyes can be divided into pieces with a few eyes per section. Ones that have begun to sprout are desirable, and green areas are fine. Just make sure they look healthy and aren’t treated with sprout-inhibitors notoriously applied to supermarket spuds.

I have heard of folks replanting carrot and other root tops to start a new plant, but honestly, I’ve never tried this. It would be a good way to promote flowering of the plant and produce seeds for saving, provided the guidelines for open pollination and true-to-types are followed.

We’ve all had the fortune of onions deciding to sprout behind our backs. Instead of chucking them, why not plant them and harvest their “scallions” from the garden?

What about beans? Surely you have a jar of dried beans lurking somewhere, waiting patiently for an apocalypse to compel someone to notice them. Now is the time!

Also, those organic wheat berries you planned on sprouting can also be sowed, exponentially increasing their amount as their plants mature and produce grains. Wheat straw is a good mulch—bonus!

If there’s any doubt of the viability of the seed, a few seeds can be folded into a wet paper towel and kept warm and moist for several days up to a couple of weeks and watched for signs of sprouting.

Well, I hope these ideas are helpful. If you have any you’d like to share, we would love to hear from you! Thanks for reading, enjoy your garden.

Emily Cates is a master gardener living in China and can be reached by email at EmilyCates@townline.org.

SOLON & BEYOND: MCS Library newsletter ready for viewing

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

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

This morning I have some e-mails to share with you, and as always, I thank the people who send me some news.

The following is from Angie Stockwell;

Dear Readers: COVID-19 has not stopped the presses from running nationally, locally, or at the Margaret Chase Smith Library. The May newsletter is ready for viewing. Most all activity here has been done virtually and it seems that may be the “new normal” for awhile yet. Featured are the Essay Contest winners; National History Day updates; Harley Rogers’ update; links for educational resources; and the 50″ anniversary of Senator Smith’s Second Declaration of Conscience. Here’s the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oNy-DoaMUHITci_uXtAV6wlabIoJjd3h/view.

Stay safe, social distance, and be well, Enjoy!

The other e-mail I received last Friday is from Happyknits store, in Skowhegan, and it starts: Good Morning, Yarn Friends! We’re trying a few new things as we adapt to the world around us. One of those new things is a weekly newsletter offering some ideas of how to keep our collective spirits up until we can see each other face-to-face again. Another “new” thing is that we will be in the store on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., to provide you with curbside service or phone help. We can also pack things up and put them in the mail for you. We’ll be featuring some kits and yarn, and starting a knit-along on Ravelry.

By their very nature, knitters are people that look forward to what is still to come. We think Casapinka’s Breathe and Hope shawl is the perfect project for knitting optimism into your day. We will be starting our own Breathe and Hope Knit-Along on our Happyknits Ravelry Group which began May 8, and we hope you will connect with us and your Happyknits friends by joining the group. We’ve got some kit options available here at the store or we can put something together for you if you have a special request.

Have been trying to organize all the items I have saved during my many years of writing for different papers and came across some more clippings that I had cut out. I also took the pictures for some of the articles. Don’t know which paper this one was in; but the headline caught my attention … Solon couple saves Canadian! By Marilyn Rogers, Solon Correspondent. Solon: Late Friday night, Nov. 30, Larry and Wanda Blanchet were returning home and met a large Canadian truck on the bridge in Solon. Larry glanced in his rear view mirror after they passed and saw fire and sparks coming out from under the truck.

Thinking of the safety of the driver, he hurriedly drove to the Solon Superette and turned around, then raced back through town trying to catch the truck. The truck was rolling right along but the Blanchets caught up with it the other side of River Road and by flashing his lights Larry got the Canadian driver to stop.

Larry was able to converse and got it across that the guy’s truck was on fire. They got the fire extinguisher from the truck and used that all up and the fire still persisted, so Larry went to the home of Gary Davis nearby and got water, finally extinguishing the blaze.

A wheel bearing had caught on fire and oil kept the blaze going: it got so hot the tire exploded.

The Blanchets brought the Canadian back to the home of Wanda’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Adams, where he called his boss in Québec. There was a picture of the couple who had helped the Canadian with that awful situation, and thankfully no one was hurt.

And now for Percy’s memoir; Think on this a bit this week; How to live a hundred years happily: Do not be on the outlook for ill health. Keep usefully at work. Have a hobby. Learn to be satisfied. Keep on liking people. Meet adversity valiantly. Meet the problems of life with decision. Above all, maintain a good sense of humor, best done by saying something pleasant every time you get a chance. Live and make the present hour pleasant and cheerful. Keep your mind out of the past, and keep it out of the future. Hope you have a wonderful week.

INside the OUTside: The passing of a Maine ski legend

Natalie Terry was still skiing at 95 years old. (The Town Line file photo)

Dan Cassidyby Dan Cassidy

Natalie Terry, a local ski legend at Sugarloaf Mountain, died Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at her home, in Waterville, of natural causes, at the age of 96.  She was born in Portland, on July 14, 1923.

According to a published obituary, the family moved to Waterville in the early 1930s, where Natalie and her twin brother Don graduated from Waterville High School in 1941. She continued her education attending Thomas College and later worked at Keyes Fiber Company.

I first met Natalie in the early 1960s at Sugarloaf. She was a special person to watch her glide down the trails. It was an honor to be on the Maine Ski Hall of Fame Board when Natalie was inducted into the 2012 Maine Ski Hall of Fame.

She was a natural athlete and took part in several sports including figure skating, diving and golf during her early youth. Natalie was one of the original skiers at Sugarloaf Mountain where she would skin up the only trail on the mountain with Amos Winter and several other local skiers.

In one of my last conversations with Natalie in the latter part of the 1999 ski season, she told me that this would be her last year as an instructor. “I’m 95, but I still plan to ski,” she said.

Sugarloafer from the beginning

Natalie began her long skiing career at Sugarloaf around 1951.  “I was extremely honored at being recognized by the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in the Class of 2012,” she said.  She has worked with seven directors at Sugarloaf, Harry Baxter, Patrick Molignier, Russ Morey, Art and Cindy Hammond, Ken Everett, Paul Brown and Bob Matarese.

During the last 10 seasons teaching at the mountain, she consistently received the highest number of requested private and group lessons of any staff member.  When she was in her late 80s, she showed no signs of letting up.

Natalie said that she and her late husband Tim Terry, a Waterville businessman, along with friends at Sugarloaf climbed the mountain before there were any lifts.  “We used seal skins to hike up and then put them in packs as we skied down the Old Winter’s Way.”

An Austrian named Werner Rothbacher ran the Sugarloaf Ski School. Natalie and Tim had a camp near the ski area and Natalie often skied with friends in the ski school. In the spring they wore blue sweaters with gray stripes. It was the season of 1969-70 when Natalie officially joined the Sugarloaf Ski School. The school was under the direction of Harry Baxter, who later went on to manage Sugarloaf before moving to Jackson Hole. She remembers skiing on Tony Sailer skis during the first season with the school. Four seasons later she became fully certified.

“Being part of Sugarloaf for so many years has not only impacted my life, but my whole family’s life as well,” adding, “My soul is on that mountain.”

Here are a few excerpts from some of her family and colleagues …

Sarah Carlson – daughter…

“I don’t remember not knowing how to ski, having learned when I was three,” said Sarah Carlson, Natalie’s daughter. “I do remember how happy I would feel at the end of a school day Friday, knowing that we were going to pack up the family station wagon and head to Brookside Cabin in Bigelow Village shortly after I got home. We would fire up the woodstove, chop a hole in the brook for water, read by gaslight lantern and go to bed early to be up and ready to head to the mountain.”

“In those days Sugarloaf was much like Titcomb Mountain, where I raised my family and where we live now. Everyone knew everyone else and my brother Geof and I were pretty free to roam the mountain with our friends. There was a little red lodge and only T-Bars to ride. My father actually started teaching before my mom. I remember her saying, “Mmmm, I taught you to ski, so maybe I should try teaching, too!” And the rest, as they say, is history.

During the Christmas blizzard of 1968, my mother, brother, and I were having a blast skiing powder that was getting ever deeper. Every time we came down for a run the lift operator, who knew us well, mentioned that we should probably get on the road. Eventually, we tore ourselves away from the mountain, but only made it to Kingfield where we did our traditional stop at Harvey Boynton’s to say hello. My father, who was in Waterville, had been calling up and down the valley trying to tell us to stay put. The roads were closed by that time, so we spent Christmas Eve at the Herbert [Hotel, in Kingfield] with many other stranded families.

My father did a solo week away in the winter of 1971. When we arrived on Friday evening he announced that he had been doing some research and he thought that buying a condominium was a good idea. We all replied with, “A condo… what?” having never heard the word before.

My mother was not so sure this condo thing was a very good idea, but once she saw it that next winter she fell in love with, particularly the view of the Bigelow’s. It was supposed to be a rental property, but after I started participating in the Sugarloaf Tutorial Program (which eventually became CVA – Carrabassett Valley Academy), she decided to move up to the valley in the winter and teach full time.

The story of my mother, being one of the early skiers of Sugarloaf became deeply entwined in family lore. My brother and I heard it often and skied the old Winter’s Way with pride. I told it to my own children over the years and they know it well, too. The teaching of skiing also spans generations as I taught and coached alpine ski racing at Saddleback, Sugarloaf, and Titcomb. My son, Jence, taught in the Bubblecuffer’s Program while at UMF, and also coached ski racing at Titcomb. My daughter, Emma, teaches at King Pine, in New Hampshire. Their grandmother took great pride in the way the thread of the enjoyment of the sport and the teaching/coaching of it wove through the generations. A few years ago, we were actually able to take some runs on what is now known as Natalie’s Birches with a fourth generation. My brother’s son Carter and his daughter Alice took to the mountain for some very special family time. Gran/Mom/Natalie was thrilled by those moments.

Ethan Austin…

“Her skiing instructing career at Sugarloaf spanned roughly 50 years,” said Ethan Austin, Director of Marketing and Communications Sugarloaf.

Megan Roberts… 

“When they talk about skiing being a lifelong sport, Natalie was the example. She was skiing at Titcomb, in Farmington, before Sugarloaf was open,” said Megan Roberts who has spent years in the ski industry and as a ski historian.  “So, she was already more advanced than shoes just learning at Sugarloaf when it did open. In her last years, walking, especially with ski boots on, was difficult for her. But as soon as she was on her skis, her grace and flowing freedom returned. Her love for skiing and sharing the joys and benefits of it was her lifelong passion.”

Greg Sweetser… 

Natalie was known on a first name basis by many of her peers. “I saw her on a regular basis whenever I was at Sugarloaf,” said Greg Sweetser, executive director of Ski Maine Association. “We never worked together, but she was surely an icon in the ski instructor world.

“One thing that really stood out about Natalie was her incredible work ethic, and love of teaching people how to ski and how to improve their skiing. She had a knack of communicating with skiers and bringing out their confidence to perform to their ability, and then take a step forward in building new skills.”

Sweetser continued, “Natalie was there every day, no matter what the weather. She loved the mountain and she loved all her friends throughout the Sugarloaf community. She set a great example for untold younger instructors at the mountain.”

Natalie’s affiliation spent here career teaching skiing which she was passionate about. She was a Level III certified instructor with the Professional Ski Instructors of America, was recognized by Ski Magazine as one of the top 100 ski instructors in America.

She was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in October 2012. A few years ago, the Birches trail, at Sugarloaf, was renamed “Natalie’s Birches.”

Her last year of teaching was the season of 2018-2019 at the age of 95. Natalie will be missed by all who knew her. She was also a hiker and at the age of 90 took her first snowmobile trek.

Tom Butler…

“Nat was an amazing woman to put it mildly,” said Tom Butler, director of Ski Services.“I have known Natalie since the day I was hired as a ski instructor at Sugarloaf in 1992. At that stage she was nearly 25 years into her ski teaching career which began in 1969 and continued through 2019. A 50-year career in the same job, for the same employer is an impressive accomplishment. The fact that she started her tenure at Sugarloaf when she was 46 years old is mind boggling. One can think of the numbers of students she’s taught but I like to think about the generations of students that have had the pleasure of learning from her. Grandparents, parents and children of the same families all learned from Natalie. Her expertise and knowledge were literally passed down from one generation to another. Her influence on these skiers is hard to calculate but her legacy is easily felt all around us.

Natalie was a beautiful skier, smooth and elegant and I would sneak in behind her every now and again to follow, and watch her as she skied down a slope to try and mimic the grace and flow that she exhibited. What sometimes gets overlooked though is how rugged she was. Natalie was physically and mentally tough and would not let weather or conditions dampen her enthusiasm for the sport or her guests. I remember when she was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame, a guest at the banquet commented to her that she reminded him of his mother in that, even at an advanced age his mother wouldn’t think twice about climbing a ladder to paint the house. Natalie looked at him with a quizzical look and without any pretense said, “Well, the house wasn’t going to just go paint itself.”

That’s how she lived her life, completely on her terms with no excuses and pure grace and determination. We’re going to miss her something fierce,” he said.

Memorial Day parade canceled

The Memorial Day parade, sponsored by Boynton-Webber American Legion Post #179, scheduled for Monday, May 25, has been canceled due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandamec.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, May 14, 2020

BARBARA A. SKILLIN

WHITEFIELD – Barbara A. (Woerter) Skillin, 82, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at home following a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Orman D. Skillin with whom she shared 59 years of marriage. Barbara was born November 21, 1937, in Queens, New York, the daughter of the late William A. and Marjorie (Francois) Woerter.

Barbara was the owner and operator of Silouette of Beauty where she was a passionate talented beautician for many years until her retirement.

Barbara was loved by all who knew her and will always be remembered as an easy going, kind, humble woman who had a passion and an eye for crafts, art and sewing. She loved her home, gardening and her dogs cat. She also enjoyed visiting West Lake.

She is survived by her daughters Bonnie Murray and her husband Michael, of Wiscassett, and Debra Skillin and her fiancé Deane Meadows, of Topsham; her son Daniel Skillin and his wife Bonnie Chadwick; of Sidney; her companion John Christie, of Richmond; grandchildren Brandon Garrett Skillin and Alicia Mae Skillin, Nathanael Michael, James Patrick and Ryan Dale Murray; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents and husband; and brother Richard W. Woerter.

A private graveside service was held at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road.

Arrangements are in the care of the Staples Funeral Home, 51 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner.

Memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.familyfirstfh.com.

HARRY O. POLLARD III

CHINA – Harry Osgood Pollard III, 60, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Harry was born on February 23, 1960, in Waterville, to Harry Osgood Pollard II and Louise Diane Gerry.

He played football for the Lawrence Bulldogs, in Fairfield, and graduated in 1978. He attended the Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, where he studied engineering. Over the years, Harry had a passion for outdoor activities. He loved spending his time boating, fishing, and hunting on Moosehead Lake with his family, as well as watching his children play sports and teaching them to hunt. He also loved spending time in Shirley and gardening with his companion Nina Chamberlain. He was a loving, caring, and rambunctious soul who could fix anything you put in front of him.

He is survived by his father Harry; sister Mary, brother Thomas; as well as his four children, Zachary, Harry, Victoria and Timothy; his four grandchildren, Jackson, Spencer, Wesley and Harry V; and nieces and nephews.

There will be a private ceremony at a later date.

SHEILA A. LUTZ

WATERVILLE – Sheila Ann Lutz, 86, of Waterville, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020, followin a brief illness. She was born on June 16, 1933, in Providence, Rhode Island.

After graduating from East Providence High School, she worked as a telephone operator. She married her husband of 63 years, Richard Anthony Lutz, on November 21, 1953. She was proud of her life’s work as a homemaker and mother. She and Richard raised four children and had lots of adventures moving to several different areas of the country during their marriage.

She was known for her kindness, generosity, and comic wit. Spending time with Sheila guaranteed laughter and a party atmosphere. She was a lifelong fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox and shared her passion for horseracing with her many grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, watching movies, and especially connecting with loved ones.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard and her parents, Eileen and George Jones, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

She is survived by her four children, Eileen McGee, of Manassas, Virginia, Donna Zebiak, of Fairfield, Timothy Lutz Sr., of Johnston, Rhode Island, and Teresa Carter, of Austin, Texas; their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and several cousins.

Arrangements are being made by Gallant Funeral Home, in Waterville.

A condolence page will be available on their website.

A private service, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, will be held on May 12, 2020, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Waterville. Interment will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

A celebration of her life will be planned in the near future.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

ALTON R. COTE

SOUTH CHINA – Alton R. Cote, 85, died Friday, May 1, 2020, following a long illness. He was born in Augusta on July 6, 1934, a son of the late Alcide J. and Emily C. (Nadeau) Cote.

He was a graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, and was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Mr. Cote served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

Following his service, he worked for many years at the Hallowell Shoe Company, followed by the Kennebec Journal, in Augusta, for over 20 years. Mr. Cote was a member of the American Legion and the Abnaki Council #334 Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight and District Deputy and Abnaki Assembly #346 4th Degree Knights.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Raymonde A. (Albert) Cote; his brother, Carlton A. Cote and his three sisters, Carmeline Laverdiere, Geneva Tobin and Rose Cote.

Mr. Cote is survived by his wife, Marlene J. (Loisel) Cote, of South China; four sons, Mark Cote and his wife Diane, of Brandon, Florida, Kevin Cote and his wife Beverly, of Granbury, Texas, Jon Cote and his wife Karen, of Springfield, Georgia, and Michael Cote and his fiancee Amber Murphy, of Clifton, and his daughter, Linda Gosselin and her husband Philip, of Tampa, Florida; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no public visiting hours. Due to social distancing requirements, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date. Burial with military honors will be in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

The family requests that donations in Alton’s memory be made to either Community Health and Counseling/New Hope Hospice, 42 Cedar St., Bangor, ME 04401, or Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

VIRGINIA T. POULIN

WATERVILLE – Virginia Theresa (Karter) Poulin, 87, died on Friday, May 1, 2020, at her home, in Waterville, following a lengthy period of illness. Virginia was born May 27, 1932, at home, in a cold-water flat, at Head of Falls, Waterville, the youngest child of Nora (Peters) and Boulus Karter.

Virginia was very proud of her Lebanese heritage. She recalled fondly what a great people her parents were, their honesty, generosity and hard work. By the time she was to graduate high school, the entire family had worked hard, pooled their resources and saved enough money to buy their own home, the immigrant dream fulfilled. This home would be the home that she would return to in her retirement, and the home where she died.

She was a proud graduate of Waterville High School, class of 1950, one of only two in her family to complete high school.As a young woman, she worked several jobs, but was primarily employed at Diamond Match, in Oakland, for most of the 1950s. In 1958 she married David Poulin, of Fairfield, (son of Beatrice (Bearce) and Lawrence Poulin.) Together they had two children, Eric and Lauren. After their marriage, they lived in Saco for nearly six years, and then moved to California for several years. They returned to Maine, and divorced in the early ‘70s after 14 years of marriage.

Virginia moved on, regrouped and built a new life with her son and daughter. Although divorced, she remained in good relationship with the Poulin family for the remainder of her life.

Over the years, she did whatever jobs necessary to provide for her children, however her true calling was childcare, often babysitting for others and leaving her indelible mark on every child she ever cared for.

She had a unique ability to make you feel special, feel loved unconditionally, and feel important. If she liked you, you were in her brood for life. A perfect example is how she bonded with her daughter and son-in-law’s family, claiming Rick’s mother May, each of his siblings, their spouses and their children for her own; loving them, celebrating them, and having great pride in their successes and supporting them in their challenges. In return they made her feel very loved and special.

Virginia maintained a lifelong friendship with her oldest friend from childhood, Marion White, as well as enjoying a wonderful friendship of over 40 years with her dear friend Laya Joseph.

Virginia felt very blessed to be able to be in her home at the time of her death, and her family is grateful for the amazing support that helped this to happen.

She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings: Carrie, Elias, Alice, Mary, Louise and Freda.

She is survived locally by her son Eric Poulin and his partner Linda Fairburn, and her daughter Lauren and husband Rick Ross, also of Waterville; numerous nieces and nephews who will miss their aunt Gin.

Due to restrictions in place because of COVID 19, there is no service planned at this time. However, Virginia will receive a Mass of Christian Burial at a time when we can safely gather to honor her wishes and celebrate her life.

You are invite to offer your condolences and share fond memories by visiting Virginia’s guestbook at www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com, a service of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, Maine 04901.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s memory can be offered to:St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, 4 Appleton St., in Waterville, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

GREGORY J. DUGUAY

WATERVILLE – Gregory “Greg” John Duguay, 54, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020, due to medical complications. He was born March 24, 1966, in Waterville, the son of Lawrence and Faylene (McCann) Duguay.

Greg graduated from Winslow High School and attended Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, in Bangor, as well as Central Maine Tech College, in Auburn, where he earned an applied science degree.

Greg was currently employed at Ware Butler Inc., in Waterville, and had recently become a member of the Elks Club. He loved spending time with his large extended family and many friends. He enjoyed all sports, but his passion was music. He was the drummer in the band RFactor13 for several years. Greg especially looked forward to his annual trip to Delaware to watch the NSCAR races and visit with friends.

Greg was a loving son. He was kind, generous, loyal, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his parents, Lawrence and Faylene Duguay; sister, Karen; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial in memory of Greg will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

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

ELAINE L. JACQUES

SIDNEY – Elaine Libby Jacques, 65, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2020, in her home of 37 years. Her creative spirit was born on March 25, 1955, to Marie and George Libby, of Waterville.

Elaine grew up as the middle sister to older brother Chris Libby and younger brother Steven Libby. After graduating Waterville High School in 1973, she attended University of Maine at Augusta and received an associates degree in liberal arts. Upon graduating she was employed by C.F. Hathaway Shirt Co., in Waterville, in customer service. After a few years there, she worked at Chinet (now Huhtamaki), in Waterville, sharing her many skills in numerous departments for 16 years.

On November 14, 1981, she married the love of her life, Stewart Jacques, originally from Waterville. The two of them built a beautiful home in Sidney. Then in 1992, their greatest joy came when they adopted their daughter, Sarah. After two years of balancing work and parenthood, Elaine focused all of her energies on being an exceptional homemaker and mother. She prided herself on raising her daughter to be resourceful and mindful of others. Countless hours volunteering at Sarah’s schools, leading her Girl Scout troop, driving her to sports practices, and always making sure there was a home cooked meal on the table, were ways Elaine showed that her love was “as big as the whole wide world” for Sarah. Her talents and passions of cooking, gardening, and crafting (especially wreath making) will always be remembered. Elaine was a beautiful spirit who was always up for a good laugh and led a life of creativity and hard work.

Surviving are her husband Stewart Jacques, of Sidney, daughter Sarah and her wife Katelyn Jacques, of Charlestown, New Hampshire; brother Chris and his wife Shelia Libby, of Sidney, brother Steven and his wife Patti Libby, of Waterville, niece Janice Libby Nix and husband Sterling Nix and family, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, nephews Jeff Libby, Ben Libby, and Nate Libby. Also many nieces and nephews in the Jacques family.

There will be no public visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville ME 04901.

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

LINDA R. OGREN

BENTON – Linda Reynolds Ogren, 72, of Benton, passed away on Sun­day, May 3, 2020, from complication due to COVID-19. She was born May 16, 1947, to Theodore Linwood Reynolds and Barbara Chace Reynolds, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Linda was raised on the Reynolds Farm on Post Road, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. It was during her childhood that she developed a love of animals and gardening that would continue throughout her life. The Reynolds farm was a working dairy, egg and produce farm. At 10 months old Linda would go on her first of many trips with her father while he was making milk deliveries. Growing up, Linda could frequently be found working in their vegetable stand that was known to everyone in the community. Linda always had a favorite cow and she loved spending time working with them in the barn.

Linda met and married Roger Emund Ogren in September of 1965. They first settled in Rhode Island and had three children. It was during this time that Linda began raising and showing Bloodhounds. This passion would continue for many years. This passion gave her the ability to travel around the country and to Canada to show her beloved Bloodhounds where she won a large amount of trophies and ribbons with their success at shows. In 1973 Linda and Roger moved to Mt. Vernon to continue raising their children. During this time Linda was able to expand on her talents for growing flowers and creating gardens. She had a “green thumb” and could make anything grow. Linda was also very talented with sewing and crafts. Linda owned and operated “A Touch of Country” craft store for many years out of her home and could frequently be found at craft fairs around the community.

Linda was a very talented artist and excelled at Rosemaling painting. Linda loved to cook and was always trying out new recipes. She passed down many recipes to family members even creating personalized family cookbooks for each of her children with photos and names of who each recipe was passed down from, with Roger’s help taste testing them all.

Linda and Roger eventually moved back to Rhode Island for a time and it was during this time that Linda and Roger discovered “Genealogy” which would become Linda’s greatest passion. During this time Linda traced her family members back to Roger Williams and the Mayflower. Because of Linda’s love for genealogy, she became a moderator on several genealogy forums and assisted people all over the country and in other parts of the world find and connect with family genealogy. Linda had an incredible mind and could remember even the tiniest of details to help anyone who needed it. Linda continued this passion when they moved back to Maine. There was not a craft that Linda could not master and the last few years she spent countless hours knitting hats and scarves that she could send to her friends and family and also gave them to her care givers during her stay in the hospital.

Linda was an avid sports fan and followed college basketball and Nascar faithfully. Many family events where planned around these two favorite things. Her favorite team was the Rhode Island Rams and she would always be sporting her URI sweatshirt and holding her stuffed Rhody the Ram while loudly cheering her team on.

Linda was predeceased by both her parents.

Linda is survived by her husband of 54 years, Roger E. Ogren, daughter, Stephanie Ogren LaPointe, of Pittston; son, Roger “Rick” Ogren and his partner Karen Hansen, of Mount Vernon, and her daughter, Andrea Ogren Donovan and her husband Craig, of Chelsea; her grandchildren, Bradley Carleton, Shawna Riuox and her husband Cody, and Alex LaPointe, all of Pittston, and Erik Ogren and Katherine Donovan, of Chelsea; great-grandchildren Mckinley and Jameson Rioux, of Pittston; her Aunt Carolyn Hoxsie, of Rhode Island; brother-in-law John Ogren and his wife Rebecca, of Connecticut; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Due to current restrictions there will be a private family ceremony of celebration at a later date.

Arrangements are by Staples Funeral and Cremation Service, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

DENNIS B. MARTIN SR.

WATERVILLE – Dennis Byron Martin Sr., passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020, at his home on Carver Street, in Waterville. Dennis was born in Gardiner, October 25, 1947, the youngest son of Clinton and Doris (Foster) Martin.

He graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1967. He was a true athlete from a very young age. He played football, basketball, baseball and participated in gymnastics. Following graduation, he met the love of his life, Donna Joyce Pooler and they married at the young ages of 20 years old on December 2, 1967.

Dennis and Donna went on to start their family and raised three children in Waterville. Dennis spent his working life as a conductor at Maine Central Railroad. Though he worked long hours his main priority was always his wife Donna and his three children. Through the children’s years, you would always see Dennis coaching his sons in football, hockey and baseball and on the sidelines watching his daughter cheer, compete in gymnastic and dance. He was also a-long time baseball umpire; you could hear his strike from miles away. Along with that Dennis and Donna enjoyed spending time with his best friend and brother Clinton (Sonny) Martin and his wife Thelma.

He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and ice fishing in his younger years with his brother Ricky and friends from the railroad. His competitive spirit brought him back to the field where he played men’s league softball. Donna and Dennis would even travel to Canada where Dennis would compete in this game. He was also a long-time member of the Elks Lodge where he tended bar, made friends, where many fond memories were made. Dennis was also deemed a Master Mason from the Grand Lodge of Maine in 1977.

Donna and Dennis enjoyed spending time with their family at their home, especially around the pool they had installed 41 years ago. Dennis and Donna would also look forward to their long weekends in Old Orchard Beach. The house was full during the holidays with their children, spouses and grandchildren who who fondly called Dennis their Papa. Papa’s Christmas Breakfast was looked forward to and loved by all. Cribbage was a favorite, but “Jacks or better, trips to win” was always Papa’s game. Additionally, Papa was a scratch ticket master. He loved the thrill of “how much money is Papa getting!” Papa enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and you would even hear him at times honk his horn when one of his grandchildren made an amazing save, had a great hit or a homerun, made a great tackle or scored a goal.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Donna (Pooler), his daughter Tammy and her husband Shane Littlefield, of Fairfield, his son Dennis Jr. and his wife Wendy, of Oakland, and his son Troy and his wife Danielle, of Waterville; grandchildren, Tennyson Martin, Adam Littlefield, Cameron Littlefield, Brooke Martin, Denny Martin and Gabi Martin; brother Joseph “Ricky” and wife Lorette Martin, of Fairfield; sisters-in-law, Thelma Martin, of Winslow, and Marge and husband Craig Handley, of Sidney; Dan Pooler and his partner Nancy Cayford, of Waterville, and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents, his brother Clinton “Sonny” Martin, a sister Alice True and husband Richmond, a sister Clinda Jordan and husband Charlie, his wife’s parents Daniel Pooler, Sr. and Alice (Butler), and his sisters-in-law, Pam, Nancy and Linda.

A graveside service will be held on June 5, 2020, at 1 p.m., at Lewis Cemetery, in Oakland. More details will follow as we learn how many loved ones can attend during this pandemic. A celebration of life is planned for later in the summer. Place and time will be publicized when plans are confirmed.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Dennis’ guestbook at www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

The website will be open on Tuesday, May 12.

A Service of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, Maine 04901. (207)872-7676.

THOMAS A. DILL

WATERVILLE – Thomas Alan Dill, 65, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020, after battling several health issues.Tom was born on February 26, 1955, in Gardiner, to parents Marguerite (O’Reilly) Dill and Clifford E. Dill.

He graduated from Gardiner Area High School in 1974. Tom received the Kiwanis Club Award for Extra Ordinary Achievement having used large print books and various magnifying equipment because of congenital glaucoma. Tom also graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta where he majored in speech and communication and minored in broadcasting.

During his college days, Tom had the honor and privilege to meet and interview a number of country music’s major recording artists including Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Donna Fargo and others.

Tom was employed by Natalie’s Cafeteria with Department of Transportation for 12 years. He hosted Country Gold Jamboree on WKCG – FM 101.3 on Saturdays from mid-night to 6 a.m., on Sunday. Tom worked for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, in Augusta, until 2011. He left work there due to various health issues after serving 19 years. Tom enjoyed working at the Gaslight Theater, in Hallowell, (Of Thee I Sing) in 2004 playing the non-verbal role of a newspaper reporter. On August 6, 1994, Tom married Sally (Rickards) Savoy, in Augusta. Last year they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. His interests include United States history with a special interest in the Civil War. Tom also enjoyed literature with a special interest in Shakespeare’s life and work. Tom was an avid collector of music, once owning a collection of over 100,000 records and albums.

Tom was a member of the Rainbow Club for the blind and visually impaired, as well as, a member of Blind Bowlers. Tom was in the Winter Street Baptist Youth Choir during his younger years. He and Sally were part of the Worship Team at Blessed Hope Christian Advent Church. Tom was an inspiration to all who knew him in spite of his many medical setbacks throughout the years.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sally (Rickards) Savoy Dill, of Waterville; their son, John Mark Savoy, of Canada; and his sister, Cindy DeLong, of South Gardiner; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Tom was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Myles and Gertrude O’Reilly; and paternal grandparents, James Edward Dill and Carrie Clark Dill; his parents, Marguerite (O’Reilly) Dill and Clifford Edward Dill; his brother, Phillip James Dill; his brother-in-law, James Wilmont DeLong; his great-grandson, Kolo Savoy; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and niece Nancy Lemar.

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

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

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

Donations may be sent to Blessed Hope Christian Advent Church, 10 Pleasant St., P.O. Box 473,Waterville, ME 04903-0473.

EVA B. COOMBS

WINSLOW – Eva B. Hamlin Morrison Coombs, 88, only daughter of the late Martin Blaisdell Hamlin and Adeline Johnson Hamlin, passed away following a long battle with cancer on, Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Eva was born in Waterville on July 26, 1931, and was educated at Randolph Grammar School and Gardiner High School.

She married Andrew E. Morrison who passed away on February 7, 1975. In January 1981, she married retired Maine State trooper Robert L. Coombs. They were married almost 30 years before his passing March 17, 2010.

Eva worked several years as a pharmacy technician at Dexter and LaVerdiere’s pharmacy, both in Winslow.

Eva and Bob enjoyed many years of traveling, especially on their Harley, and on reunion tours with Cyr Bus Lines.

Eva was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Donald J. Hamlin, of Waterville, Weston J. Hamlin, of Gardiner, and their wives; son, Gary L. Morrison, of Winslow; foster brother, Robert J. Henry, of Spain; nephew, Shawn P. Hamlin, of Lewiston; great-granddaughter, Avery Rose Morrison; and several aunts and cousins.

Eva is survived by her son, Terry L. Morrison and his wife, Lil, of Madison; daughter-in-law, Suzon H. Morrison, wife of the late Gary Morrison, of Winslow; foster brothers, David Christian and wife, JoJo, of Oregon, and Michael Henry and wife Terri, of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandsons, Cory Morrison, of Winslow, Michael Morrison and wife Kristi, of Waterville, Chad Morrison and wife Shannon, of Fairfield, and James Morrison and wife Audra, of Montana; two granddaughters, Bethany Morrison, of Randolph and Jennifer Morrison, of Portland; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; niece Eva Dobak, her husband, Dave, and daughter, Madison Michelle, of Portsmouth, Virginia; nephews Jeffrey Hamlin and wife Becky, of Texa and Gregory Hamlin and wife Shirley, of Thomaston; first cousins, Cheryl A. Connolly, of Windham, and Jack Connolly, of Jackman.

There will be no visitation hours. Funeral will take place at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta, Maine, at a date to be determined.

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

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

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Winslow Fire Department.