KV Connect finds new way to help nonprofits

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KV Connect traditionally hosts Waterville Green Drinks the second Tuesday of each month to raise money for local nonprofits while networking with other young professionals in the area. Since COVID-19 swept in, events have had to be canceled, but community needs continue to grow. KV Connect decided to pool its resources to continue to support the community.

“Our goal this year was to raise $2,020 during 2020 to help our local nonprofits. However, we needed to get creative due to COVID because we had to cancel our in-person fundraisers. We also have had to cancel our twice-weekly volunteer opportunity delivering food to the soup kitchen. We wanted to find a new way to engage members in the community and still have an impact,” said Samantha Burdick, president of the KV Connect Steering Committee.

KV Connect’s Community Service and Outreach Committee decided to take things virtual, by trying its first-ever digital fundraiser using Facebook. KV Connect launched the digital fundraiser on July 13 with hopes to raise $500 in five days. “Our goal was to raise $500 in five days to help United Way’s Community First Fund. We know that this fund helps so many non-profits in our region that have been impacted by COVID and our support would go where it is needed most,” said Courtney Squire, chairman of the Community Service and Outreach Committee.

The group was able to exceed its goal. By week’s end, a total of $740 had been raised for the Community First Fund with giving by 19 donors on Facebook. The money will be used to fund programs or projects that address needs in the region. Since March, over $55,000 has been awarded to local nonprofit organizations to help confront food insecurity and provide essential needs to families and children. “We strive to be a community partner, and help young professionals become involved in their community. We are blown away by the support of our members and look forward to continuing to support the community through our volunteer and fundraising efforts,” said Burdick. Those looking to get involved with KV Connect should contact Courtney at the Mid-Maine Chamber (courtney@midmainechamber.com).

KV Connect is a networking group for professionals in the greater Waterville area. Its mission is to connect young people not only to each other but to the many resources the community has to offer. It seeks to positively impact the community through economic, social, political, and community service initiatives.

United Way of Mid-Maine serves communities throughout Somerset, northern Kennebec, and western Waldo Counties. United Way of Mid-Maine is a community partner that works with local non-profit organizations to ensure the community has access to critical service in the focus areas of Strengthening Children, Youth, and Families, Promoting Independence, and Meeting Immediate Needs.

The United Way Community First Fund is accessible year-round to nonprofit organizations to provide extra funding for programs or projects that address a need in the community, or aid in the continuation of an organization’s mission.

The Community First Fund provides funding for programs or projects that are: Combating food insecurity, such as a food bank or meal program, providing access to basic essential needs like toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, baby essentials, providing family and child enrichment, such as book or arts programs, providing community relief for disasters such as flood or ice storms, and providing community support for a crisis such as COVID-19.

Waterville Creates! awarded grant for art kits for all program

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Photo: Waterville Creates!

Waterville Creates!, a nonprofit supporting and promoting high-quality, accessible arts and cultural programs and institutions in Waterville, is the recipient of a $2,500 United Way of Mid-Maine Community First Fund Award for the collaborative Art Kits for All pandemic response program – an effort to help keep our community’s families engaged and entertained during this public health crisis by providing free art supplies and instructions for art projects that can be created at home.

“We’re utterly thrilled. This funding will make a huge difference to many local families who rely on our art programs, events, and scholarships to live a fulfilling and balanced life,” says Waterville Creates! President and CEO Shannon Haines. “Closing our doors during the COVID-19 pandemic was heartbreaking to us. Art Kits for All is an innovative, collaborative program designed to get art supplies into the hands of families and fulfill our mission to support and promote high-quality, accessible art experiences albeit in a completely reimagined way.”

The United Way of Mid-Maine’s Community First Fund supports community betterment and crisis recovery efforts, providing extra funding to local non-profit organizations by funding programs or projects that address a need in the community, or aid in the continuation of an organizations mission.

“We are honored to support Waterville Creates! and their effort to connect families with art resources,” says Bethany Drouin, Resource Development Director of the United Way of Mid-Maine. “The Art Kits for All program will provide value to the lives of families throughout our communities.”

A network of local nonprofits powers the Art Kits for All program, generously providing volunteers and supplies to keep this popular relief program engaging and informative. Representatives from the Colby College Museum of Art, the Kennebec Montessori School, Waterville Public Schools, and the Family Violence Project gather weekly to plan future Art Kit themes relevant to the community, obtain supplies, develop instructional materials, and pack the Kits.

Art Kits for All are distributed for free at the George J. Mitchell School and Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market. The Art Kits are assembled at the Common Street Arts’ Studio, currently closed to the public. Masks and gloves are worn during kit assembly, and all art materials are disinfected to remove any risk of contamination. The kits are prepared and sealed a week prior to the distribution date to further minimize any transmission risk. Future Kit themes include activities inspired by the art of Bernard Langlais and Hew Locke on display at the Colby College Museum of Art, a Plein Air watercolor painting Kit, and a Pastels Kit. Past kits activities have included creating zoetropes, kite-making, and clay sculpting.

Community donations in support of this ongoing effort are requested; donors can sponsor one Art Kit for just $10, and all gifts are tax deductible. To donate, visit: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/waterville-creates/art-kits-for-all.

Local businesses adapted creatively in Covid

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Travis and Lindsay Hill

by Jeanne Marquis

Maine Made Marketplace, an online store featuring Maine’s artwork and hand crafted products, grew out of necessity when, due to the pandemic, regional arts shows were cancelled. It was the brainchild of Travis and Lindsay Hill, who are leathersmiths of Hashtag Leatherworks.

In the Spring of 2020, the Hills saw art shows being cancelled or postponed one by one and knew how important these seasonal shows are to the income of Maine’s artisans. It had been a longtime concept of Travis to make a collective of artists available in one place, as he is a digital marketer in his career. This year, necessity brought this concept into reality.

Travis and his wife, Lindsay, moved quickly — both optimistically believe in the adage that ‘when one door closes another opens.’ They also knew that craftspeople would need an outlet this year to replace the income from the shows that oftentimes is their sole income supporting both their families and their craft. They reached out to artists as early as the third week in March.

By April 2, their LLC was active and the website went live shortly afterwards. Word-of-mouth grew in the community of Maine artists and craftspeople. They were soon receiving requests for submissions, so to keep the quality high and the product categories evenly stocked standards comparable to a typical art show were established. Maine Made Marketplace was open May 1 in time for Mother’s Day gifts and to send Maine-made artwork to family members who may not be able to travel to Maine this summer.

Maine Made Marketplace is also open for curbside pick up for online purchases on MaineMadeMarketplace.com. They would like locals to pass this information to summer residents who may be looking for an alternative to the art shows this year.

Mike Crommett orders at Back’s Dairy Bar drive-thru in South China. contributed photo

Back’s Dairy Bar, 390 Route 3, South China, has been a summer icon in South China since 1989. However, this spring it was clear that this summer was going to be different. As they were opening in the beginning of the season, the owners learned of the new retail protocols: keeping customers 6 feet apart and the recommendation for masks. They opened for a few weeks, and learned quickly how difficult it would be to encourage customers to adhere to the new procedures. They voluntarily closed not wanting to be part of the problem. During Back’s brief closure, the owners worked with a contractor and brainstormed an ideal solution: a drive-through window.

This may seem like a simple fix, but it was more complicated than just adding a window. It meant re-configuring how they operated inside the building with a realignment of equipment and additional staff. The owners drove around the parking lot to plot out the ideal traffic flow for customers. This planning paid off making their reopening a success and a smooth transition to their drive-through operation.

Full Fork Farm adapted early on to the retail challenges of Covid by establishing a self-service, roadside farmstand. The farmstand features modern conveniences of refrigeration, freezer space and the digital capability to swipe your credit card.

Customers are able to safely purchase farm fresh produce from Full Fork and other local sources. Their intention, according to their website, is to make the stand as close to a one-stop shop as possible. In addition to the fruits and veggies grown on their own land, they offer maple syrup, meat, bread, artisan flours, milk, cheese and eggs from regional producers.

Adaptation and sustainability come naturally to Full Fork farm as they practice full circle farming. They preserve the nutrients of the soil with organic techniques and protect the quality of future crops through seed stewardship, saving the seeds from the very best plants. To them nutrition is full circle — healthy soil means more nutritious produce. In keeping with their philosophy of sustainability, it makes sense that Full Fork was able to quickly adapt to the new needs of their local customers. Their farmstand is located at 154 Dutton Road, in China.

CRITTER CHATTER: Heartbreak at the wildlife care center

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A deer being returned to the wild following rehabilitation at the Duck Pond Wildlife Center. (contributed photo)

by Jayne Winters

Donald Cote and his late wife, Carleen, have operated the Duck Pond Wildlife Center for over five decades. Five decades of 24/7 devoted care to nature, large and small, furred and feathered. While we naturally prefer to hear about the successful stories, the “feel good, happily-ever-after” anecdotes, there are certainly sad outcomes which are inevitable in this type of rescue work.

My visits with Don are never boring; he’s a wonderful story-teller, animated and at times, quite out-spoken in expressing his opinions. An hour passes quickly and I must admit, it would be easy to stay longer to chat except for the nagging thought that I’m preventing him from many chores. One story he has wanted to share for some time is about three deer that wandered into a junkyard through a gate which had been left open.

Following an urgent call about a doe and two youngsters, likely her yearling and new fawn, being confused and trapped by the yard’s fencing, Don met with an employee and the town’s Animal Control Officer (ACO) to assess the situation and hopefully rescue the deer. An attempt to encourage the deer to move out of the enclosure by slowly driving a truck to “herd” them resulted in their jumping into a 100-foot x 50-foot, six-foot deep, lined pond which was on site to catch vehicular oil. The local fire department was contacted and responders were able to encourage the deer to get out of the pond; two deer left the area by an open gate, but the smallest one – about six months old and 75 pounds – remained and in a panicked state, just kept running along the fence line. The decision was made to leave it alone overnight in the hopes it would calm down and find its way out.

The next day, however, the fawn was still there, butting its head into the chain link fence in its attempt to get out. Don met several volunteers at the site and the deer was ultimately cornered and put into a trailer for transport to Duck Pond for observation. He was transferred to a large pen, given food and water, and closely monitored. Two days later, he appeared to have a seizure, likely from the repetitive head butting into the junkyard fence. An anti-inflammatory injection often used for prevention of seizures was given, but without any real change in behavior; sadly, the fawn suffered another episode a couple of days later and was found dead shortly thereafter. Although it was obvious that the stress of the previous few days, along with a probable head injury, caused the deer’s death, Don still wonders if it was by seizure(s) or possibly a heart attack.

Despite the best efforts of many caring people, outcomes are not always positive and there may not be definitive answers as to why. Helping wildlife is certainly not an easy task, but the reward of seeing a rehabilitated animal released into its natural habitat again far exceeds the disappointing losses.

Donald Cote operates the Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit federal and state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. EMAIL CORRECTION: thewildlifecarecenter@gmail.com.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Staying Healthy in Stressful Times

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You don’t have to let stress get you down.

(NAPSI)—You may be feeling stressed during these challenging times, but stress can affect your physical and emotional health. Learn how to manage your stress so that you can stay healthy and cope with life’s challenges.

What is stress?

Stress is how your brain and body respond to a challenge. Any type of challenge—such as performance at work or school, a significant life change, or a traumatic event—can be stressful.

Your body reacts to stress by releasing hormones. These hormones make your brain more alert, cause your muscles to tense, and increase your pulse. In the short term, these reactions are good because they can help you handle the situation causing stress. This is your body’s way of protecting itself. However, too much stress all at once or over time (chronic stress) can threaten your health.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but your response to stress may be different. Some people may experience headaches or an upset stomach. Others may get muscle aches or chest pain. Stress can also disturb your sleep, reducing your energy and making it tough to keep active when awake. In addition, stress can lead to weight loss or weight gain. Over time, stress can contribute to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.

Managing stress through fitness, healthy eating, and relaxing activities

Regular physical activity, healthy food and beverages, and other positive activities may help you relieve stress and stay on track with improving your health.

Physical activity may help you start feeling better right away. It can help boost your mood and improve your sleep. In addition, physical activity adds to strength and stamina, which can help you manage stressful situations.

Physical activity doesn’t have to mean long workouts. Short workouts, such as a set of sit-ups or stretches, can help relieve stress. Try adding a new activity to your daily routine, such as walking around the block or up and down stairs a few times. Partner with a friend or neighbor to help you stay on track.

Consuming healthy meals, beverages, and snacks in moderation can be another way to protect yourself against stress. Preparing or purchasing foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low-fat proteins, and foods without added sugars or fats can give you energy and keep you feeling good.

Learn to recognize what triggers your stress response and identify ways to help you manage it. Other ways to help you manage stress may be to meditate, engage in your favorite hobby, limit your time on social media, volunteer, or connect with people who can provide emotional support.

Visit the National Institute of ­Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney ­Diseases website to learn more about physical activity, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and other behaviors to help you manage your stress. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health website to learn more about stress.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The soothing and enjoyable songs of the Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush

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Winter Wren

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

There are times at camp, especially when the weather is oppressingly hot, that my wife and I will retreat to our gazebo, that sits under shade trees, turn on the fan, and enjoy whatever is around us.

Recently, actually since the beginning of summer, we have noticed a Winter Wren that is hanging around our camp. Now, I don’t know if there are more than one, or just the one. We have not seen two together. It has a pretty little song and we enjoy listening to it in the morning.

Another recent visitor, that we don’t remember ever seeing before, is the Hermit Thrush. Another small, brownish bird with a melodious song.

While sitting in the gazebo, we started to talk about the two birds. So, to compare the two songs, we each took our respective cell phones, and Googled the birds. She the hermit thrush, I the winter wren.

To our surprise, when we played their respective songs, to compare them, we became surrounded by the two different birds, and they were answering our calls. We did it a couple of times, then decided that we were possibly confusing the real birds. So we stopped.

However, the birds in the trees continued to call out for quite some time.

The Winter Wren, Troglodytes hiemali, is a very small North American bird. It breeds in coniferous forests from British Columbia to the Atlantic Ocean. It migrates through and winters across southeastern Canada, the eastern half of the United States and (rarely) northeastern Mexico. Small numbers may exist in the western United States and Canada.

The scientific name is taken from the Greek word troglodytes (from “trogle,” a hole, and “dyein,” to creep), meaning “cave-dweller,” and refers to its habit of disappearing into cavities or crevices while hunting arthropods or to roost.

They have small tails often cocked above its back, and short neck which gives the appearance of a small brown ball. Rufous brown above, grayer below, barred with darker brown and gray, even on wings and tail. The bill is dark brown, the legs pale brown. Young birds are less distinctly barred. Most are identifiable by the pale “eyebrows” over their eyes.

The Winter Wren nests mostly in coniferous forests, especially those of spruce and fir, where it is often identified by its long and exuberant song. Although it is an insectivore, it can remain in moderately cold and even snowy climates by foraging for insects on bark and fallen logs.

Its movements as it creeps or climbs are incessant rather than rapid; its short flights swift and direct but not sustained, its tiny round wings whirring as it flies from bush to bush.

At night, usually in winter, it often roosts, true to its scientific name, in dark retreats, snug holes and even old nests. In hard weather it may do so in groups, either consisting of the family or of many individuals gathered together for warmth.

For the most part insects and spiders are its food, but in winter large pupae and some seeds are taken.

Hermit Thrush

The Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, is a medium-sized North American thrush. It is more compact and stockier than other North American thrushes, with relatively longer wings. The hermit thrush has the white-dark-white underwing pattern characteristic of Catharus thrushes. Adults are mainly brown on the upperparts, with reddish tails. The underparts are white with dark spots on the breast and gray or brownish flanks. They have pink legs and a white eye ring. Birds in the east are more olive-brown on the upperparts; western birds are more gray-brown.

Hermit Thrushes breed in coniferous or mixed woods across Canada, southern Alaska, and the northeastern and western United States. They make a cup nest on the ground or relatively low in a tree.

While most hermit thrushes migrate to wintering grounds in the southern United States and south to Central America, some remain in northern coastal U.S. states and southern Ontario. They usually breed in forests, but will sometimes winter in parks and wooded suburban neighborhoods. They forage on the forest floor, also in trees or shrubs, mainly eating insects and berries.

The Hermit Thrush’s song has been described as “the finest sound in nature,” consisting of a beginning note, then several descending musical phrases in a minor key, repeated at different pitches. It often sings from a high open location. Analysis of the notes of its song indicates they are related by harmonic simple integer pitch ratios, like many kinds of human music and unlike the songs of other birds that have been similarly examined.

Walt Whitman construes the Hermit Thrush as a symbol of the American voice, poetic and otherwise, in his elegy for Abraham Lincoln, “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” one of the fundamental texts in the American literary canon. A Hermit Thrush is the name of a poem by the American poet Amy Clampitt. A hermit thrush appears in the fifth section (What the Thunder Said) of the T. S. Eliot poem The Waste Land.

Former Canadian indie-rock band Thrush Hermit took its name from a reversal of the bird’s name. It is also shared by the American bands Hermit Thrushes and Hermit Thrush.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who are the three pitchers with 100 or more career losses with the Red Sox?

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, July 30, 2020

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Trivia QuestionsWho are the three pitchers with 100 or more career losses with the Red Sox?

Answer:

Tim Wakefield, Roger Clemens, and Cy Young.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, July 30, 2020

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MARIA TROUTMAN

WATERVILLE – Maria Troutman, 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2020, at her home. The oldest of three children, she was born on March 18, 1940, in Salerno, Italy, to Dr. Nicola and Margherita Messina.

In 1952, the family relocated to Panama, where she became a bookkeeper for the United Fruit Company commissary (later Chiquita Brands).

By 1970, she had moved to Boston to study fashion merchandising. A college dormmate read a personals ad placed in a Boston paper by a gentleman from Bangor and insisted that he sounded perfect for Maria. She pestered her until Maria wrote a reply and escorted her to the mailbox to ensure it was sent. After a brief long-distance courtship, Maria married the love of her life, James Moran Troutman, on February 13, 1971, in Brewer. She soon bore three children, James, Michelle and Paul.

Maria worked closely with her husband to manage their various business ventures in Brewer, including an electronics repair shop (Auto Radio and TV Service), an automotive air conditioning and glass repair shop, rental housing, and a decorative light bulb business. Her husband’s untimely death on their 15th wedding anniversary left her devastated but she continued to raise their children and managed the repair shop until 1991.

Maria was small in stature but strong in spirit. She was known for preferring to walk everywhere for her daily errands. She loved to watch classic movies, do crossword puzzles and bake bread. She later moved to Waterville, where she remained active, making a remarkable recovery after a heart attack and a triple bypass in 2006. She continued to walk regularly until congestive heart failure eventually slowed her pace.

Her survivors include her son, James Troutman and wife Sarah, of Montville, daughter Michelle Troutman, son Paul Troutman; brother, Paul Messina, of Annapolis, Maryland, nephew Mike Messina, of Baltimore, Maryland, nephew David Messina and his wife Kendra Perry, of San Mateo, California; and sister, Elena Messina and husband Rick Beagle and their son Quinn Beagle, of Baltimore; her grandchildren, Nicholas Troutman, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Benjamin Troutman and Jonathan Troutman, both of Montville.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at Brookings Smith.com.

Those wishing to remember Maria in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the American Heart Association, Maine Affiliate, Inc., 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.

PAUL S. ROGERS

VASSALBORO – Paul Stuart Rogers, 89, passed away on July13, 2020, following a long battle with various ilnesses due to Agent Orange. He was born Feb. 7, 1931.

He had been living at the Maine Veterans Home, Company B, in Augusta, since February 2019. His eldest son, Stephen, was with him when he passed.

Paul was a proud patriot and served his country in the United States Army for 25 years, 11 months, and 12 days and retired as a Master Sergeant. During his military career he traveled to many exotic places, Panama, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam to name a few.

Stateside, he traveled with his family to Massachusetts, South Carolina, Ohio, and New Jersey where he retired. Paul received many awards and citations throughout his military career, including a Bronze Star while in Vietnam.

After Paul retired, he moved back to Maine and began his second career working for the Messalonskee School District, in Oakland, in the maintenance department, as well as driving school bus for many years. He served the school district for 20 years.

Paul was a devoted family man and married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Hood, of Benton, in 1954. He and his wife raised three children: Stephen, Sandra, and Scott. As a military family, moves become no big thing and Paul and his family moved several times before settling down permanently in the Waterville/Winslow area.

Paul was active in the American Legion Post #5 and at one time served as the Post Commander and the Honor Guard. He was also highly active in the Second Baptist Church of Waterville, where he served as a trustee, deacon, and treasurer for many years. Paul loved to sing and used his vocal gift at weddings, funerals, community events and of course his church.

Paul is survived by his wife Beverly. They were married just shy of 66 years; his son, Stephen and wife Pat, daughter, Sandra and fiancé Bill Annis, and son Scott and wife Sherry; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; his brother, James; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Phillip; mother and father, Robert and Alma; brothers, Charles, Bobby, Wilson, and David, sisters, Anita, Laura, Patricia, Margery, Lorraine, and Priscilla.

Paul’s funeral service was held July 18, at the North Vassalboro Baptist Church, the Rev. Stephen P. Rogers presiding.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations in Paul’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Organization.

MAURICE ROY

WATERVILLE – Maurice “Moe” Roy, 77, passed away at the Oak Grove Center, in Waterville, on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, from a battle with cancer. Moe was born on December 2, 1942, in Waterville, the son of Lionel and Lucille (Melanson) Roy.

He attended the school systems in Waterville. Moe’s first job was at Fort Halifax Packing Co., in Winslow. It was not very long that Moe, at the age of 19, decided to hit the road and found work at the Parker House Hotel, in Boston. This started Moe to work at many hotels and restaurants.

Moe enjoyed travelling and found work in Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Reno, Nevada. After several years, Moe came back home to take care of his mother. He also started to work again at Steve’s Restaurant, in Waterville, who would hire him anytime he was in town.

Moe’s personality was one to be desired. Moe spent some years at the Puffin’ Stop working the night shift. He got to know the police and many other workers who were on the night shift which he liked.

Moe is survived by his sister, Patricia Martineau and husband Richard, of Winslow; nephews, Keith Hallee, of Waterville, Kenneth Hallee, of New Mexico, and Anthony Hall, of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

There will be no services.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville.

An online guestbook can be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Blessed Sacrament Church, 101 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

ROY F. VASHON

BENTON – Roy F. Vashon, 88, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2020, at the Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta. Born on July 25, 1931, and raised in Waterville, the son of Raymond and Rose Vashon, he was a lifelong resident of Central Maine.

Roy was a 1949 graduate of Waterville High School. He then enlisted in the Army in August 1952. Roy served our country during the Korean War with the 4345 60th Transportation Company 9th Infantry Division out of Fort Dix, New Jersey. For his service, Roy received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his separation from the Army, Roy continued his service with the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1992 after 30 years.

On September 25, 1957, he married Marolyn McCarthy. During the 25 years of their marriage Roy and Marolyn lived in Winslow and raised two daughters, Sheila and Pamela. Their home was always a welcoming place for family and friends. Roy had a heart of gold and smile that could light up a room. Summers were spent camping, gardening or pool parties in the backyard.

Marolyn passed away in 1983. On Oct. 8, 1990, Roy opened his heart to marry Meredith E. Cress of Benton. Roy and Meredith built their homestead in Benton and became avid gardeners and landscapers. Roy loved his John Deere tractor mower and would spend hours outdoors. When not mowing, he could often be found fishing in the pond late in the afternoons or tinkering with all sorts of devices and machinery in his garage.

Retirement gave Roy the opportunity to spend an abundant amount of time with his grandchildren. You could always see Pépère at concerts, theater productions, sporting events, and more throughout his grandchildren’s time in school.

Roy is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Meredith E. Vashon, of Benton; his daughter, Sheila and husband Scott Nielsen, of Oakland; and grandchildren, Zachary Nielsen, of Thorndike and Zoe Nielsen, of Hermon; daughter, Pamela and husband Gary Moline, of North Port Florida, and grandchildren Justin LaVerdiere, of Fort Myers Florida, and Taylor LaVerdiere, of Naples Florida; stepdaughter, Barbara Zook and husband Ahmed Hassanein, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and grandchildren, James Randolph, of Gloucester, Virginia, John Gannon, of Richmond, Virginia, Megan Major, and Kenneth Zook, both of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; stepdaughter, Susan Tidd and husband Kurt, of Greenville, North Carolina; and grandchildren, Stephanie Getchell, of North Plainfield, New Jersey, and Samantha Getchell, of Westbrook; sister, Jeanne Giguere, of Enfield, Connecticut; along with several nieces and nephews.

Roy was predeceased by both of his parents; his first wife, Marolyn E. Vashon; sisters, Lauriette Maheu, Floriane Cote and brothers, Raymond Vashon, Reginald Vashon.

A graveside committal service was held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Dr., in Augusta.

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

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

Donations in Roy’s memory may be made to either of the following organizations: Alzheimer’s Association to help create a world without Alzheimer’s and all other Dementia, or your local animal rescue or humane society.

RUTH BRADSTREET

ALBION – Ruth Bradstreet, 74, passed away on April 28, 2020. She was born on March 23, 1945, in Portland, to Ruth (Staples) and Richard Dodge.

Ruth graduated from South Portland High School in 1963 and the University of Maine at Portland in 1967. That same year she met her husband of over 48 years, Ted Bradstreet.

Ruth worked as a professional social worker for 40 years. She spent time as a clinical social worker and in private practice before going to work for the State of Maine in the Division of Licensing and Certification where she worked for 22 years before retiring.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents; her older brother; and her husband.

She is survived by their children Rebecca Bradstreet and Jonathan Bradstreet and Jon’s wife Sherry; her sister-in-law Myra Rosenbaum, her brother-in-law Robert Bradstreet; and some nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held when it is once again safe to gather together.

Cremation was performed by Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast, ME 04915.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Maine Public online https://www.mainepublic.org/support-0 or by phone at 1-800-884-1717.

RONALD V. HARDING

WATERVILLE – Ronald “Ron” V. Harding, 73, also known as Butch, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Ron was born May 12, 1947, to Virgil Harding and Jeanette Rancourt Harding.

His childhood was spent in Oakland with his teenage and adult years mostly in Waterville. He married Ann Lamontagne in March 1969, and had 51 years of marriage and two daughters together.

Ron was well known for his dedication to, and love of, his family and his work. Even though he worked long hours in the job he loved as an electrician on construction, he always made time for his family when he was home. He is also very well known for his strong work ethic as well as his formidable will, stubbornness, and determination, which served him well during his life including in his last few months and years.

His retirement dream was to have a motor home and travel the country, which he did in the winter months for the last decade with his wife Ann. Those travels afforded many experiences for them both including seeing new places and meeting new people. But his favorite places to be, besides Maine, was in Alabama on the farm helping his longtime friend get the planting done, or in the Smoky Mountains enjoying the amazing view.

He leaves his wife Ann; two daughters, Mary LaFountaine and Lori Harding; and granddaughter, Brianna McDonough, all of Waterville; siblings, Raymond Harding, of Clinton, Pauline Gorham, of Oakland, Patricia Haskell, of Sidney, and Robert Harding, of Clinton; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private family committal will be held at a later date at the Benton Falls Cemetery.

Ron loved animals, especially dogs, so if you would like to honor him you may make a donation to your local animal shelter in his name.

PHILIP P. POKLADOK

VASSALBORO – Philip P. Pokladok, 71, of Vassalboro, died Tuesday July 14, 2020, at his home. Known as “Pokey” to his peers, he was born in Montague, Massachusetts, January 4, 1949, the son of Walter and Helen (Bakula) Pokladok.

He grew up on Petty Plain Rd., in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Following high school, he was accepted to Lowell State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education. In 1971 he moved to Maine and was employed by the Augusta School Department. In 1989, when a new home was built to spec, he moved his family to Vassalboro. It is here, that he lived until his untimely death.

He enjoyed teaching music including teaching many violin students and performing with many groups. He changed careers over the years, and retired after 30 years with the Augusta Post Office in 2019.

He took pride in his garden, growing varieties of vegetables and fruits and always sharing them with others. He enjoyed assisting those in need through the Meals on Wheels program, in Waterville.

He also took great pleasure in fishing. Having a stream as part of his property afforded him many enjoyable times fishing, catching varieties of fish either by himself or with his grandsons. If you ever needed a joke, he was the one to ask.

Phil is survived by his daughters, Linda Bouffard and her spouse, Paul, of Randolph, and Carol Pokladok and her companion, Aime Wheeler, of South China; his sisters, Mary Stoltz and her husband, Peter, of Illinois, and Elizabeth Granquist and her husband, Denny, of Arizona; and his grandchildren, Joshua and Jeremy McArthur.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

GENEVIEVE A. LESSARD

WATERVILLE – Genevieve Abeille Lessard or (Nanou) as she preferred to be called, 83, died Thursday, July 16, 2020, at her home, in Waterville, after battling cancer for the third time. She was born in Toulouse, France, on June 23, 1937.

She survived World War II as a young child bouncing around France and spent her early years working at her family’s delicatessen in Paris. She arrived in the United States in 1961. She worked in Connecticut for a few years at various jobs before meeting her ex-husband of 20 years and close friend Robert Lessard, of Florida.

She and Bob bought the D & A Billiard Lounge in the late 1970s and she became the sole proprietress in the early ‘80s. Many Central Maine billiard enthusiasts recreated there under her watchful eye, until her retirement near the end of the century. She enjoyed spending time with people young and old, animals and flowers.

She always made time for her friends and family, immediate and extended. In her later years she traveled frequently, became a bingo fan, constructed every 3D puzzle she could find and enjoyed reading books in the several languages in which she was fluent. She embraced new experiences and was quick to laugh.

She was predeceased by her mother Helena Quinzonni; her sister Venda Morissette, extended family members Glenn Poulin and Brett Pelotte; her brother Ramon Rovati, status is unknown; many nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation hours nor funeral service.

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

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local hospice organization, youth center or animal shelter.

JEBADIAH DeVOLL

WATERVILLE – Jebadiah DeVoll, 20, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2020. Jebadiah was born July, 2, 2000, in Waterville.

Jebadiah graduated from Maine Academy of Science in 2018. He was a warm hearted soul with a sense of humor, who volunteered several summers working with children and animals. His hobbies included ice-skating, wakeboarding, gaming and using RC cars. He worked at Cold Brook Mitsubishi Auto in Skowhegan where he was able to pursue his passion in automobiles. Jebadiah was a remarkable young man who was loved by so many.

Jebadiah is survived by his mother, Tracy McCarthy and her husband Ted McCarthy; his siblings Brooke Dahl, Jade Lamb, Jewel Lamb, Jasmine Gates, Jeremy Rowell, and Justin Rowell-Savage; his grandparents, Nathaniel and Barbara DeVoll, and Sharon Foll; his niece Azalea Dahlaleo; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graveside service was held at Pine Grove Cemetery, in Waterville, on Friday, July 24.

Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville.

LORI L. GRADY

JEFFERSON – Lori L. Grady, 62, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. She was born in Augusta to Ralph L. Bryant and Donna E. (Dawson) Bryant.

Lori was predeceased by her parents; and her brother, Kevin Bryant.

She is survived by her husband, Robert “Bobby” Grady, of Jefferson; daughter, Lona T. Musial and husband Todd, of Jefferson; son Chad W. Boisvert and wife Penney Moshier; of Whitefield; grandchildren, Layla and Eddie Musial, of Jefferson; brother, Darren “Darry” Bryant and wife Wanda, of Jefferson; sister-in-law, Debbie Bryant, of Somerville; as well as many nieces.

The family will remember Lori privately.

Arrangements were by Hall’s of Waldoboro.

To extend online condolences visit http://www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

RALPH M. DICKEY

WATERVILLE – Ralph Michael “Mike” Dickey, 65, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Deblois. He was born on April 3, 1955, to Ralph and Marilyn Dickey, of Waterville.

Mike was a kind, happy, and gentle man deeply loved by those closest to him. The legacy he leaves behind is filled with kindness, generosity, and humility. He was always willing to help others and never expected anything in return. He had a quiet and gentle disposition and was liked by everyone he met. Mike was a hard-working and loyal husband, father, and friend.

He was a long time member of Winslow Baptist Church.

Mike is survived by his wife, Linda Dickey; daughter, Amanda Smith and her husband Matt of North Carolina; and son, Zach Dickey and his wife Natasha, of Waterville; five grandchildren, Roman, Colin, and Lucy Smith and Dashiell and Sebastian Dickey; his sisters, Brenda York, of Oakland, Cheri Dickey, of Clinton; and brother Chuck and wife Carolee Dickey of Albion.He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Marilyn Dickey; and his brother, Calvin Dickey.

A memorial service will be held at Centerpoint Community Church, on Saturday, August 1, at 10 a.m. with an outdoor reception to follow.

WILLIAM P. SEAVEY JR.

WINDSOR – William Paul “Bill or Billy” Seavey Jr., 84, of Windsor, passed away peacefully at home, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. He was born in Rockland on July 11, 1936, to William P. Seavey Sr., of Rockland, and Elizabeth Reed Seavey, of Owls Head.

In his early years Bill and his family lived on Franklin Street, in Rockland, and moved to Owls Head in 1945 where he attended Timber Hill Elementary School, a one-room school, having Miss Kelsey for a teacher.

As a teen, Bill spent many hours on the water fishing, swimming, and working off the PK Reed Wharf owned by his grandfather, Peter Reed. After graduating in 1956 from Rockland High School, he enlisted in the Air Force as a radio technician. He served at the Shemya Air Force base located on the island of Shemya, in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands, and in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the high security services.

While enlisted, Bill married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Janet Stewart Seavey on December 7, 1958. After serving in the Air Force, Bill and Janet returned home to Owls Head where they built a home and spent the next seven years raising a family, while Bill worked for National Sea Products shipyard.

In 1967 Bill was proudly selected for a civilian electronics position working for the Navy in Hawaii. Bill, Janet and their five children packed up, moved across the country to the Pacific, and spent the following three years in Waianae, Oahu. Upon returning home to Owls Head in 1970, Bill started his own business, Coastal Marine Electronics. Bill remained self-employed for 15 years before becoming a radio technician working for the State of Maine DOT, a position he held until retirement in 2006.

In 1976 Bill and his family moved to Warren where they started and operated Judas Meadow Farm to follow his wife’s passion for sheepherding, eventually, moving the farm to Windsor in 1987. Bill and Janet spent many summers traveling all over Maine in their airstream camper attending state fairs to show their sheep, winning dozens upon dozens of awards along the way. Bill and Janet continued raising sheep into his retirement years. After Janet’s passing in October 2010, Bill maintained a small flock in her honor with the last set of twin lambs unexpectedly arriving in 2018. Bill was a natural inventor using his love for electronics and technology to solve and create solutions to many challenges throughout his whole life.

In 2012, Bill found companionship and love in a life-long friend, Marti Reed. They spent many afternoons walking and driving around their hometown in Owls Head and played hours of cribbage, with their dog Lauren by their side.

Bill, Billy, or Grandpa to some, will always be remembered by his family for the twinkle in his eye, quick-wit, kind-hearted and gentle soul, and the love he held for everyone.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 52 years Janet; his parents William and Elizabeth Seavey; his sisters Martha Sleeper and Norma Morey; his sons-in-law Peter Warman, Donald Lynds, and Daniel Tolman; and granddaughter Morgan Kelley Tolman; along with his first cousins Christopher Sprague and Carl Reed Jr.

He is survived by children Richard Pillin and his wife Cindy, of Owls Head, Randi Tolman, of Kernersville, North Carolina, William P. Seavey III and his wife Paula, of Vassalboro, Martha Boynton and her husband David, of Waldoboro, and Emily Warman, of Windsor; his cousins Ann Gustin, of Owls Head, and Naval Captain Sullivan Reed, of Owls Head; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Bill, and committal of both Bill and Janet’s ashes will be in Windsor, at the Resthaven Cemetery, on the Ridge Road, on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Condolences may be expressed at http://www.funeralalternatives.net

In lieu of flowers Bill would want you to support your local animal shelter.

GILMAN R. PELLETIER

WATERVILLE – Gilman Rudolph Pelletier, 82, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, July 23, 2020, from a progressive illness. He was born in Madawaska on January 5, 1938, to Henry and Isabelle Pelletier.

Gil attended schools in Caribou and thoroughly enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, dancing, and even picking potatoes. Gil met the love of his life, Marilyn (Guerette) Pelletier, while in high school and frequently traveled between Caribou and Portland to court her while he was enrolled in Officers Candidate School and she was completing her nursing education at Mercy Hospital. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage and are the proud parents of three daughters: Susan, Debra, and Kimberly.

Gil was a very proud soldier in the Armed Forces (Army) and a Vietnam veteran (1969-70) and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel by working his way through the ranks, which included completion of the Command and General Staff College. He was a true Patriot. Gil was awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Achievement Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

After his retirement, Gil went on to achieve an associates degree in business from Thomas College, in Waterville, and to volunteer with a passion for Meals on Wheels via the Muskie Center, in Waterville. He was eventually awarded the Distinguished Community Service Award in 2011 by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce after 25 years of service. Gil also achieved recognition as one of Channel 6’s “6 Who Care” volunteers for 2012.

Gil was also a member of Corpus Christi parish, the Knights of Columbus, was named the Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5 Legionnaire of the Year for outstanding leadership in 2011, and given the Commander’s Appreciation Award for devoted service. In 2013, Gil received the Post #5 Commander’s Award. Gil was active in the Forest J. Pare Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #1285, in Waterville, served on Waterville’s Sewerage Board, and supported charities such as the Muskie Center.

Gil was predeceased by his parents Henry and Isabelle (Nadeau) Pelletier; his brother, Henry Jr. “June” and his wife Jeanne Pelletier; sister, Norma and her husband Tom Waters; brother-in-law, Henry Nadeau; sister-in-law, Cola Pelletier; and niece Sheri Ouellette.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn (Guerette) Pelletier; daughters, Susan Pelletier, of Windham, Debra (Pelletier) Webb and husband David, of Windham, and Kimberly Pelletier, of Lee; brother Roger Pelletier; sisters Doris Nadeau,Cecile and husband Robert Raby, LouAnn Kelly; brother Jerry and his wife Kathy Pelletier; and many nieces and nephews. family members, Jacqueline LaPlante, Diane Guerette, John and Linda Monahan, Gary Guerette, Jeff and Carol Harvey, and Michael and Roseanne Guerette.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with the family by visiting Gilman’s guestbook at http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Due to attendance restrictions set by the State of Maine because of the pandemic, attendance will be by invitation only. Committal services will be held at a later date with full military honors at The Maine Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta.

Arrangements were by Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, Maine. (207) 872-7676.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations in Gilman Pelletier’s name to the Good Shepherd’s Food Bank of Maine or the Muskie Center in Waterville Maine.

LETTERS: Thanks to The Town Line

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To the editor:

I will be spending my 51st summer on China Lake in a few weeks. It will be a different time (my husband passed away in April). The pandemic will limit access to many familiar areas, no Common Ground Fair, but my family’s memories will await at the cottage.

After years of anxiously looking forward to the first Thursday of our annual stay to catch up with local news in The Town Line, the nice lady in the office advised that I could have it mailed to Texas.

Now four copies of the previous month arrive without fail even during these times when we are unsure if our daily newspapers will be delivered. I am so grateful for the opportunity to stay connected to China Lake throughout the year and have already collected a stack of articles about places to visit.

I was especially intrigued by the story about the “dump queen“. The little room has been a welcome resource to replace items lost to the little winter residents every year and an outlet for things useful to someone else.

Thank you to the entire staff at The Town Line, hope to see you in late August, in time for cool weather and beautiful leaves.

Susan Thiem,
Corpus Christ, Texas

LETTERS: Living in peace, happiness

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To the editor:

Because of the lock down, I have been watching an old late night show with a guy by the name of Dick Cabot. It’s on at 9 p.m. on the Decades channel, 5.3 Portland.

I am writing this as so much has been written and said about all the injustice that has been done to so many people of different colors. With that in mind, one show highlighted the actor Anthony Quinn. As they conversed about all kinds of theatrical stuff, Quinn was asked what was his favorite role.

He told Cabot that it was his portrayal of an Indian chief by the name of Red Coat. It seems Chief Red Coat was allowed to address Congress circa 1840. Quinn was given a dias to speak from to say what Chief Red Coat said, and it was tearful to see Quinn, without a script, orate what the chief said to Congress. It began like this: “Members of Congress. You invaded our shores over two centuries ago and my people welcomed you with open arms. Since that time, you have taken over our nation. Ours, not yours. And now you imprison my people on reservations located in a country we once owned.”

That is just a short clip but we all know what the fate of the Native Americans is.

It is my hope and prayer that as America’s conscience opens up to help others, please consider the real Native American, without whose help the original colonies would have never survived. Just think back of clean skies, clean water, unpolluted lands and people living in peace and happiness.

Frank Slason
Somerville