LETTERS: Time to stop bear feeding program

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To the editor:

The people of Maine now have an opportunity to try to resolve the bear debate by ending Maine’s bear feeding program. Since 2004, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has falsely claimed that bears must be fed in order to kill them to control their population. Since 2004, Maine’s state endorsed feeding program has exploded the bear population from some 23,000 bears to an estimated 45,000. It continues growing by some two percent [to] four percent annually.

Maine’s bear population exceeds the natural carrying capacity by approximately 10,000 animals. MDIFW’s solution is to grow the bear hunting industry and its own coffers by increasing both the feeding of bears and the “bag” limits for bear hunters.

Feeding bears produces more bears. This is the science. The science-based, responsible solution is to end Maine’s bear feeding program.

I have submitted a petition for a rule change to phase out Maine’s bear feeding program over a ten-year period. This would give bears and the bear hunting industry time to adapt to the “new normal” in which bears would go back to being bears and hunters would go back to being hunters. The proposed rule change would still allow food to be used as a scent bait, but would gradually eliminate the feeding of bears and the negative consequences, including increased cub production and reliance on human foods.

No one wants another expensive bear referendum. Unfortunately MDIFW and the bear hunting industry refuse to even consider any form of compromise. MDIFW’s mismanagement of the public’s bears must be addressed. The public has until June 5, 2020, to send comments to MDIFW in response to the proposed rule change. For more information, to get a copy of the proposed rule, or to submit comments, please email Becky.Orff@maine.gov and refer to Chapter 16.09 Bear Feeding Petition. Thank you.

John M. Glowa, Sr.
South China

Town meeting to be by written ballot only; warrant reduced to 24 articles

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by Mary Grow

At their May 11 regular meeting, China selectmen rescheduled and reformatted the annual town business meeting to meet current health requirements and approved reduced 2020-21 expenditure requests in anticipation of revenue shortfalls.

The business meeting will be held Tuesday, July 14, and will be by written ballot. Polls will be open in the former portable classroom behind the town office from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Town Manager Dennis Heath reduced the meeting warrant to 24 articles, each worded so it can be answered either yes or no.

The revised budget figures were the topic of a May 5 special meeting of the selectmen and the budget committee. They were approved with all but one member of each board present. Most decisions were unanimous.

Heath told the two groups he expects next year’s excise taxes will be $127,500 below initial projections, as residents postpone buying new vehicles; state revenue sharing will drop by $100,000; and local road assistance will be $10,000 below the prior estimate.

To offset the decreases, the revised warrant asks for $389,372 less spending than originally planned.

Three major proposed expenditure reductions are:

  • In the administrative other account, more than $86,000, by postponing building the planned document storage addition to the town office and the requested outdoor classroom in the China School Forest behind China Primary School.
  • In the public works budget, $74,000, by reducing the amount of repaving. Instead of adding a mile to begin to catch up on postponed work, the revised budget would cut a mile and a quarter.
  • In community support organizations, $44,000 reductions in the appropriations for the China Lake Association and the China Region Lakes Alliance, mostly by postponing work that would have been done under the LakeSmart program.

The cuts are partly offset by increases in insurance premiums, which range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, Heath said.

To shorten the warrant and reduce the time voters spend at the polls, some articles were combined. For example, Art. 5 now includes appropriations requests for association dues, welfare and social service agencies, which were previously three separate votes.

Two proposed articles to add to law enforcement, by hiring a full-time policeman or by contracting with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, have been deleted.

At the selectmen’s regular meeting May 11, they gave final approval to the revised procedure and the revised warrant.

Heath said the warrant in the annual town report, available at the town office, is out of date. He plans to mail the approved warrant to town voters.

Heath said he learned that voters’ decision some years ago to hold local elections by secret ballot in November can be interpreted as authorization to do the entire town meeting by secret ballot. He recommended that selectmen use the written-ballot process this year due to the pandemic, and later ask voters to decide whether to eliminate the open town meeting permanently.

Selectmen approved the plan, with Wayne Chadwick commenting that this year could be “a test run.”

In other action May 11, selectmen unanimously approved a two-year contract to continue using the Waterville Police Department’s dispatching center to answer China’s 911 calls for fire and rescue services. Heath said the approximately $3,000 increase in the cost of the service is included in the proposed 2020-21 budget.

Board Chairman Ronald Breton recommended a future study of alternative dispatching options, in case they have changed since China chose the present system.

Heath asked selectmen to review two documents he distributed to them by email, a report on the transfer station and the draft revised comprehensive plan prepared by the town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee and Kennebec Valley Council of Governments planner Joel Greenwood.

In the interval between meetings, Heath announced by email two steps toward reopening town functions:

  • Beginning May 12, walk-up window service is available at the town office.
  • Beginning May 13, the transfer station is again accepting demolition debris, in addition to mixed waste.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, postponed from the usual Monday evening because of the Memorial Day holiday. According to Heath, this would be the final Zoom-only meeting, since the governor has indicated that June 1, 2020, is the first day the stay-at-home order is lifted.

Vassalboro planners study solar power application

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members reviewed two preliminary applications for solar power development in town at their May 5 virtual meeting. They expect one to be ready for a public hearing (if needed) and perhaps final review at their June 2 meeting.

Both projects involve solar panels on metal supports inside a high fence with a locked gate (emergency access is provided for the fire department). Both are close to highways and to connections with Central Maine Power’s system.

The smaller and more nearly ready project is on land owned by Bernard Welch, at 515 Main Street, almost opposite Ron’s Auto parts. The developer is ReVision Energy, represented at the planning board meeting by Project Developer, Nate Niles, and Construction Project Manager, Al Copping.

The project will cover about four acres and will be a community solar farm like the one at Three Level Farm, in China, also developed by ReVision. Niles explained that customers as a group will sign a lease agreement with Welch, own the equipment and share power from the solar panels, with ReVision building and managing the project.

Construction normally takes two to three months, and Copping said the work is mostly “low noise” – the pile-drivers putting in the poles to support the panels are the noisiest equipment.

Niles added that solar projects make no demand on water supplies and generate no waste.

The solar farm is expected to run at least 25 years. Niles agreed with board Chairman Virginia Brackett’s suggestion that instead of decommissioning the project when the panels lose efficiency, usually after 30 or 40 years, new panels could be installed.

Board members discussed at length ways to give residents a chance to ask questions and make comments before the board makes its decision. They decided if ReVision’s final application is received soon enough, they could begin their June 2 meeting by determining if it is complete and, if it is, hold a public hearing by inviting advance input and instructing interested residents on ways to join the meeting virtually.

The larger project, to cover about 20 acres of a 28-acre site, is proposed by Longroad Energy Management LLC, represented by David Kane and by Kara Moody and Brooke Barnes from consulting firm Stantec. It is located at 2579 Riverside Drive, shown on maps as on the east side of the road a little south of the southern end of Burleigh Road (old Route 3).

Moody and Barnes said the project will include solar panels and auxiliary equipment; an existing access road will be extended farther into the property. Since the land is mostly agricultural, little clearing will be needed.

Moody said there is no definite timeline yet; she expects to present a revised plan later this spring.

Instructional coaches link arms with teachers to navigate distance learning

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by Mandi Favreau

Our four instructional coaches have always fulfilled an amazing role in our district, analyzing student data, creating professional development, offering planning assistance, and supporting teachers and students in every way they can.

Since the school closures brought about by Covid-19, this little team has been instrumental in RSU #18’s ability to pivot to distance learning. From working with one or two buildings, these employees have taken on the full-time role of working with grade-level teachers across the district. The teamwork that has resulted is truly remarkable.

“I am very appreciative of the work of our instructional coaches,” said Assistant Superintendent Keith Morin, “They have played an integral role in orchestrating the development of distance learning systems while balancing both the educational needs of our students and the professional support of our staff in this unprecedented time.”

Pam Prescott of BCS is covering Pre-K, Colleen Bailey(CPS/JHB) is covering grades K and 1, Shelly Moody (ATW/WES) is covering grades two and three, and MMS’s Jenny Barry is covering grades four and five. Grades six, seven and eight are covered by building administrators all working within grade levels. The instructional coaches work with grade-level teachers to create appropriate resources that are placed on the district website for math, reading, writing, and specials. From multiple weekly meetings to creating content to answering teacher questions and reaching out to students, these dedicated educators do a little of everything.

“Unique challenges can present unique opportunities,” said Shelly Moody. “Typically, teachers collaborate within the walls of their buildings. This situation has presented the opportunity for our elementary staff to collaborate district-wide to meet the needs of all students.”  During weekly meetings, educators share resources, ideas, and strategies. The level of collaboration is truly remarkable.  “I’ve been fortunate to virtually link arms with our district grade level teachers and witness their perseverance, patience, and creativity, as we support one another in navigating these uncharted waters,” Mrs.Moody added.

In addition to working with grade-level teachers, the instructional coaches are in constant contact with one another, working as a unit to determine how to best support their teams.

“We rely on one another as thinking partners to process ideas and next steps,” said Mrs. Moody.  “The encouragement and feedback we get from one another allows us to best support the teachers in our buildings and our district-level teams as we strive to meet the needs of all our students.”

“Our dedicated staff, both teachers and paraprofessionals alike, have done an amazing job in keeping the care of our students across our district front and center,” added Morin. “We are fortunate to have an absolutely amazing staff who are flexible, professional, and genuine in their care for our students.”

Pandemic casualty: China Dine-ah closing permanently

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China Dine-ah on Lakeview Drive in China.

The China Dine-ah, a popular eatery in South China, will remain closed permanently, according to owner Lisa Wardwell.

In a Facebook post, Wardwell declared, “It is with immense sadness that I am writing this message to let you all know that the China Dine-ah will not be reopening for the foreseeable future. Being closed for what will be ten weeks on June 1, and now finding out that all of the fairs and many other events have been canceled, in addition to not being allowed to run at full capacity, indicates that we will be losing much of our summer business that we rely on.

“Unfortunately, we can not survive this type of loss. We want all of our loyal customers in China, across the state of Maine and beyond to know that it has truly been a pleasure serving you. We are going to put all of our efforts into reopening our Augusta location, Lisa’s, on Bangor Street, on June 1. We would love your support and you can expect the same exceptional service and delicious food you were accustomed to at the Dine-ah. Thank you for your years of patronage and we hope our paths will cross again soon.”

Norm Elvin, who founded the restaurant in 2008, said, “Sure hope it’s feasible to get the Dine-ah up and going next spring. Not saying I will open it, but I will do everything in my power to make it a rebirth after a year of being shut down.” Elvin sold the Dine-ah to Wardwell in 2014.

South China’s Al Kramer to celebrate 100th birthday May 21

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Al Kramer’s Lone Wolf, B-17 Flying Fortress in World War II, being readied by engineer and top gunner, Eugene Martin, in preparation of their next mission. (photo from The Town Line files)

by Craig Poulin

A truly special man turns 100 years old on May 21, 2020! And a remarkable 100 years it has been for Alfred “Al” Kramer who currently resides at Woodlands Park Residences, in Waterville. Al was born and raised in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City. World War II found Al a squadron leader in the 8th Army Air Corps, flying a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was shot down over occupied France, along with his entire squadron while returning from a mission over Stuttgart, Germany. Al was sheltered by the French resistance movement and over a period of several weeks, at times looking up at the soles of Nazi boots walking on floorboards under which he was hiding, made his way on a fishing boat back across the English Channel to safety. The complete story is the stuff of which fiction writers dream of creating; but for Al it was all too real.

Al graduated from City College, in New York City, and after the war graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. While working at a firm in New York City, Uncle Sam came calling again, literally at his desk; it was the Korean “Conflict” and he found himself once again in the left seat of another military aircraft, this time a Boeing KC97 Stratofreighter. And as only Al can tell it, he was never officially discharged. So he figured what the heck, he figured if he was still “active” he must be owed a pension. Needless to say after considerable discussions, Uncle Sam politely rebuffed him, but it always remained a source of amusement.

100-year-old Alfred Kramer

Upon return from this second stint in uniform, Al practiced law in Springfield, Massachusetts, with the exception of a few years back in New York City, until his retirement in 1985. To back up a bit, Al started coming to South China in the late 1950s to hunt and fish and became close friends with Al and Barb Poulin, Ed and Alice Dowe and many others in the community. And now, all these years later Al is not only a cherished friend but he is family, with no quotations marks needed.

In the early 1960s, Al had a hunting camp built on Route 3 and upon retiring had it made a year round residence to which he moved permanently in 1985. During “retirement” Al maintained three distinct passions; hunting, golf and a great meal in a fine restaurant (and by the way, he’s a fantastic cook himself)! Perhaps one of the more memorable hunting experiences occurred while duck hunting on a cold October morning on a beaver flowage with a skim of ice on it. Craig Poulin was paddling slowly along with Al in the bow when a group of wood ducks came straight on. They curved to the left and before Craig could shout, “NO! DON’T SHOOT!!”, Al swung for a passing shot and yep, over they went! Shotguns, ammo, coffee, decoys, everything. Right to the bottom and into the muck. With a never to be forgotten look on his face, gear was all retrieved. Luckily, it was only 20 minutes from home, so after an expedited trip back, everybody and everything dried out in front of his woodstove. Not to say they wanted to repeat it, it made for a lot of laughs afterwards.

If Al’s name isn’t memorialized someplace at Natanis Golf Course, in Vassalboro, it should be, because he golfed every day except Sunday (he didn’t want to hog all the time!) from the time he retired into his early 90s, never once using a golf cart. Guess there’s a lesson there for gaining longevity.
Certainly volumes could be written about anyone who achieves 100 years but Al’s is a remarkable story which makes him a truly unique, remarkable man; a man who is always grateful for what he has; not regretful for what is lost or what he never had; a man appreciative of others and generous to a fault with his gratitude and thankfulness. And a man with a philosophy of life that is borne from his vast experiences, both pleasant and difficult. We could all take a page from his book.

If you know Al or simply want to send a card to wish him a happy birthday, I’m sure he would appreciate it. He is truly a member of the greatest generation; someone who gave a lot of himself to his country in trying times. And this, too, is a good lesson for today. Cards and wishes may be sent to Al at Woodlands Park Residence, 141 West River Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

In an article published in The Town Line on May 24, 2012, Al’s final mission was described by his friend Don Pauley.

September 6, 1943, became known as “Black Thursday” in the 8th Air Force annals. Al was a member of the 563rd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group. There were three squadrons to a group, each squadron consisted of 12 bombers, and Al, on this misson, was assigned the lead bomber squadron of the low position, “tail end Charlie.” It also meant they would be the first targets of the German fighters who always picked up the low group to attack first because the German fighter pilots knew the higher bomber groups would not fire down on them for fear of hitting their own bombers.

All told, the mission consisted of multiple groups with a total of 338 bombers taking off on the mission. Due to terrible weather conditions, aborted flights and fire from German anti-aircraft battery, and fighter fire, only 150 reached the target. the target was almost totally obscured and mission commander, a Col. Travis, ordered the whole armada to do a figure eight three times trying to get better visibility. All this time, and the anti-aircraft fire took a terrible toll on the bombers as well as using precious fuel. Losses were heavy and 45 B-17s were shot down. Lone Wolf sustained heavy damage and all planes were finally ordered to head back to England after dropping their bomb loads near Stuttgart. Al’s Lone Wolf made it back to France before finally being shot down by a German fighter pilot named Horst Sternberg, who had recorded 23 victories in the air.

Al’s escape on this mission are recounted in the book about his mission, To Kingdom Come, by author Robert J. Mrazek.

With the loss of Lone Wolf, all 12 B-17s of his squadron had been shot down. Al and eight of his crew members bailed out. The ball turret gunner did not make it. Al and seven others of the crew were picked up by different groups of the French underground. The ninth, the navigator, had been wounded and ended up in a German hospital, and spent the rest of the war in a prison camp.

Thus began a series of close calls and narrow escapes that lasted 21 days.

Vassalboro selectmen approve power purchase agreement

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen put one long-discussed issue to rest at their April 30 meeting, when they unanimously approved a power purchase agreement with ReVision Energy to buy power from an out-of-town solar project, they hope beginning early in 2021.

However, they and Town Manager Mary Sabins made no progress on the difficult questions of deciding when and how to hold the annual town meeting and what to do if it can’t be held before the fiscal year ends June 30.

They have not yet abandoned the scheduled open town meeting Monday, June 22, followed by a written vote Tuesday, June 23. The June 23 vote would include local elections and the school budget validation referendum, at which voters accept or reject the 2020-21 school budget adopted the day before.

But they spent part of their April 30 meeting considering possible alternatives in case the plan can’t be followed.

Possibilities include holding an open meeting with social distancing, for example by using two different rooms at Vassalboro Community School or having an outdoor meeting on the ballfields. Technology coordinator David Trask said connecting two rooms would be difficult, but possible; providing a public address system on the ballfields would be easy.

If the selectmen were to abandon the open meeting and hold a town meeting by referendum, at least three problems arise. Sabins said the warrant questions would need to be reworded; Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus and Selectman John Melrose believe the required advance notice makes action before June 30 impossible; and Sabins said School Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer has legal advice that the school budget cannot legally be voted by referendum, but requires an open meeting.

Sabins pointed out that gatherings of more than 50 people are probably banned through the summer. Trask asked if several 50-person groups could assemble in different parts of the ballfields.

A related complication is what to do about taxes and spending. The normal procedure is that voters approved the budget; the assessor compares revenues with expenditures and recommends a tax rate; selectmen make the tax commitment, usually in August; and bills go out in time for the first quarterly payment in late September.

If a budget is not approved by June 30, the usual procedure is for the municipality or school department to continue at the previous year’s levels until voters approve a new budget.

Melrose suggested since the current 2019-20 and proposed 2020-21 budgets are very similar, selectmen could set the tax commitment without an approved 2020-21 budget. Sabins was not sure doing so would be legal.

Most requirements related to town meeting procedures are set by the state legislature; legislators could amend them.

Selectmen intend to discuss the issue again at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Thursday evening, May 14, or at a special meeting if Sabins gets information that will let them make decisions sooner.

The solar energy contract is almost identical to the one signed by the Vassalboro School Department on April 28, Portland-based attorney Aga Dixon told selectmen (see The Town Line, April 30). As she did with school board members, Dixon explained the contract in detail, including the estimated savings in the town’s electric bill and the variables that could affect projected figures.

Selectmen authorized Sabins to sign the contract, and Dixon gave her a partial list of follow-up documents she should receive. Selectmen expect Vassalboro will be in time to join the distribution list for power from a proposed solar array in Skowhegan. Dixon said construction should begin in May and the project should be generating power early in 2021.

Vassalboro Sanitary District representative Lee Trahan joined the discussion. He said VSD board members need more time to consider whether to participate in the solar power program. Dixon said if they decided to join too late to sign as part of the selectmen’s contract, they could do a separate contract as the school board did.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: The many uses for mineral oil

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by Debbie Walker

When I have questions there seems to always be someone there with the answers. We have a wonderful reader who knows I am interested in older ways. To me, mineral oil is one of those things. I don’t remember seeing it in our house when I was growing up but my great-grandmother had a bottle on her kitchen counter, along with her witch hazel. Our reader emailed about the different uses and here we are, using them to inform you, too. Thank you, Doc.

Doc tells me when he was a pharmacist in the ‘60s mineral oil was widely used, primarily as a laxative, orally as well as an enema. In fact, it is still used today. (Now, I just know you are thrilled with that little piece of info.) It is used mainly as a lubricant – for the skin – cosmetics (it doesn’t clog pores) – preserving wood products – etc. You will be surprised as you read on:

Common in many cosmetics and lotions:

Use as a fragrance-free baby oil. Baby oil is mineral oil with fragrance. You can use mineral oil in place of baby oil but not use baby oil as mineral oil. The fragrance is the difference.

Remove oil-based makeup, even theatrical makeup. Can be used as moisturizer for Moisturizer: Contrary to popular belief, mineral oil does not cause acne or blackheads. “It’s molecular structure is too large to penetrate pores, so it moisturizes by creating a barrier on top of the skin that keeps moisture in. Soften cracked heels.

Can be used in preserving wood products especially in the kitchen, cutting boards and utensils. It’s more hygienic. And unlike olive or veggie oil, it won’t go rancid.

Plain old mineral oil will give your wood the exact same look as commercial products, without the smell and the cost.

Condition wood furniture.

Poor a bit on a wood floor or stairs to prevent wood creaking. (my house in Maine had that problem). And silence a creaky door.

Shine appliances, remove stickers, cleans rusted garden tools, remove oil-based and latex paints from skin, honing and polishing oil, has also been used for brake fluid, just like the man said, the list of uses just goes on. In fact, it bounces right over to treating mites in dog’s ears, kill aphids and other plant pests.

One thing that I was interested in was the use to protect skin in freezing weather. “Old time arctic explorers went out of their way to avoid washing their faces to preserve the protective layer of natural skin oil to prevent chapping. Because it provides such a good barrier against the elements, mineral oil is a great product to protect exposed skin in cold climates.” It makes me remember back to when Deana used to run inside from the snow, cold and her little face so cold and red, maybe…

I can only guess that many of us never knew the many uses for mineral oil and its effectiveness and cost-effective uses without all the other added ingredients of today’s products. It’s funny how in looking back to products of the past many of us are really wondering, where is the real improvement. It’s certainly not in the costs, and I am wondering, do we really need all those added chemicals. Talk to some of your elders and see what you find out and please let me know.

Mineral oil can be found in the pharmacy department at your local grocery store, at a pharmacy or at Wal-Mart.

I’m just curious what we will find. I am at debbiewalker@townline.org. thanks for reading and have a great week! Thanks again, Doc!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Beethoven’s Symphony #7

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Beethoven

Symphony # 7
Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra; Columbia, M-557, five 12- inch 78s, Recorded 1944.

Eugene Ormandy

Back during the 78 rpm days, lasting the first half of the 20th century, the record sides were three to five minutes in duration; when longer classical works were recorded, the scores were marked at certain notes to indicate when a red light in the studio would go off overhead, signalling everybody to stop. These limitations created a hectic rushed tension in trying to meet the deadline.

Thus, when the long playing records were released to the public in 1948 with 20 to 30 minutes of playing time, conductors and players could relax more. And performance practices were influenced by recording technology as much as musical considerations.

Eugene Ormandy commented on these pressures during an interview in the late ‘60s. He often felt inhibited by the limited time of conducting for the shorter 78 record sides and welcomed the LP days because he said he and the players could really let themselves go as musicians with longer takes.

Interestingly, after listening for decades to Ormandy’s recordings, I have found that a number of earlier 78 sets of certain works he re-recorded later had more of an uninhibited excitement than the later stereo ones. A case in point is the Beethoven Seventh Symphony from 1944 and his 1966 one from 18 years after the LP era began.

The Symphony itself is a masterpiece in its dance rhythms and wonderful beauty in each of the four movements. The opening movement has two distinct sections – the beginning Poco Sostenuto with its grand procession of leisurely pacing and the sprightly intense Vivace building to one of the greatest musical crescendos in all of Beethoven’s writing.

The second movement Allegretto is akin to a sweet embracing waltz of elegance in the writing for strings.

The third movement Presto has rambunctious, slam bang high spirits while the final fourth movement Allegro con brio is fast moving, headstrong jubilation at a genius level.

Ormandy gave a performance on these old 78s that might be seen as driven and hectic in places but he conveyed joy and conviction in every note and bar.

This performance can also be heard on YouTube and is an enriching listening experience, highly recommended.

Footnote: the individual who wrote program notes for this Symphony’s first performance in December 1813, commented that Beethoven was depicting a social revolution in the music itself and was verbally murdered by the composer for misreading its meaning.

THE MONEY MINUTE: A dose of positivity goes a long way

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by Jac M. Arbour CFP®, ChFC®
President, J.M. Arbour Wealth Management

What a world, huh? One day we are cranking along, humming and whistling, and the next, the brakes are screeching and seemingly everything comes to a halt. Life can change quickly.

We have all faced adversity at some point and when we do, it is important to check in with ourselves and examine the lens through which we are viewing life and the experiences we encounter.

In China, the symbol for crisis has duality; it means both danger and opportunity. My good friend and mentor, Harvey Mackay, says that when adversity strikes and “cool heads prevail, opportunity wins most of the time.” Furthermore, it has been said by many writers that opportunity is often times disguised in rags and looks like work.

Around three thousand years ago, Homer wrote that “adversity has the effects of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Today, we see this remains true. Just look at what is happening around you within Maine manufacturing companies.

Companies who make industrial flooring installation kneepads are utilizing their stock materials to make face shields to protect medical personnel. The shields were designed, prototyped, and on the assembly line within weeks of the initial idea.

A company that makes tongue suppressors was asked by the U.S. government to make up to 50 million swabs for medical America. And they are chipping away at it.

Manufacturing plants that use to make “A” are now making “Z” upon the desire to jump in with both feet and do their part to help those in need. From helping supply food to hungry children, to converting their industrial spaces to manufacture face masks, Mainers are stepping up in a very big way.

Mother Theresa once said, “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” The same is true for all of us. We are extremely resilient beings and are capable of anything to which we dedicate our minds, hearts, and spirits.

As the pandemic continues, I choose to view life through a lens that looks at how people are positively responding to the crisis around them. People have a ton of beauty within them and as my wonderful mother always says, it is essential to look for the beauty within people.

Here is what I promise: When you look for the beauty within people, you will be rejuvenated by the positivity you see. Take a dose. It goes a long way.

See you all next month.

Jac Arbour CFP®, ChFC®

Jac Arbour is the President of J.M. Arbour Wealth Management. He can be reached at 207-248-6767.

Investment advisory services are offered through Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.