LETTERS: Rejection is correct

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To the editor:

The People’s Referendum to block using Ranked Choice Voting for President was recently ruled, by a lower court, to be put on this November’s ballot even though the Secretary of State, Matt Dunlap, ruled the signature collectors did not have enough valid signatures. “Just under 1,000 signatures had been rejected because they were collected by circulators who were not registered to vote when they were collecting signatures, which is required under the Maine Constitution.”

This rejection is correct. From a logical point of view, say you went hunting or fishing without a license and were caught by a Maine Game Warden. You’d say, “Wait, while I run up to the town office to get my license.” Ha! The warden would laugh at you and give you a ticket. I hope the supreme court in their wisdom sees the logic of this and reverses the lower court ruling. Full Disclosure: It was a cold day in January a few years ago that I collected signatures outside our transfer station in favor of ranked choice voting.

Bob O’Connor
South China

Free webinars on invasive forest pests

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Clockwise, from top left, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, and Browntail moth caterpillar.

by Hildy Ellis

Maine Association of Conservation Districts is offering free regional webinars to highlight how to protect Maine forests from Invasive Forest Pests. Webinars will be presented by local Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff and will focus on statewide and regional pest problems. Maine Forest Service staff will be on hand with information on current local forest pest management issues. Presentations are scheduled for Wed, September 23 from 3-4 pm (Knox-Lincoln SWCD); Thu, October 1 from 4-5 pm (Cumberland SWCD); Wed, October 7 from 3-4 pm (Penobscot SWCD); and Tue, Oct 13 from 9-10 am (Central Aroostook SWCD).

Maine already has several Invasive Forest Pests targeting our trees and spreading throughout the state including emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, browntail moth and winter moth.

There are additional Invasive Forest Pests in neighboring states that we don’t want moving to Maine, such as Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly and oak wilt, all of which have the potential to have devastating effects on our forest, landscape and agricultural tree species. Join us to learn how to identify and report sightings of these potential threats – and how to keep them out of Maine.

Webinars are free and sponsored by a grant from USDA-APHIS. Participants may attend any webinar that is in their region or at the most convenient date and time. Pre-registration is required at www.cumberlandswcd.org/conservation-shop/have-you-seen-me-invasive-forest-pest-webinar. Participants will receive information on how to join the webinar after they register. For questions or more information, please contact Hildy at Knox-Lincoln SWCD at 596-2040 or hildy@knox-lincoln.org

Volunteers sought for watershed survey

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photo by Eric Austin

A watershed is the area of land that drains to a water body. The China Lake Watershed covers approximately 26 square miles of land in China, Vassalboro, and Albion. Changes to the land in a watershed can affect the water quality of the lake.

What is a Watershed Survey?

A watershed survey helps identify and prioritize current sources of soil erosion and stormwater runoff on developed land in the watershed. This includes shoreline properties, state, local and private roads, stream crossings, agriculture and forestry, and commercial properties. The last watershed survey for China Lake was conducted as part of the previous 2008 watershed-based plan. Current information is needed to develop long-term planning strategies that will improve the water quality in China Lake, which is currently listed as an “impaired lake” in Maine and has had annual algal blooms since 1983.

Watershed Survey Benefits:

• Raises public awareness about the need to protect China Lake from stormwater runoff and soil erosion.
• Documents current problems that affect water quality.
• Provides landowners with information about how to reduce or eliminate soil erosion and polluted runoff from their property.
• Provides the means by which to acquire state and federal grants to fund future projects that will improve water quality. Volunteers are needed for this monumental event!

For more information or to register:

Call the China Lake Association at (207) 968-1037, or call Dale at Kennebec County SWCD at 621-9000. For more information: www.ChinaLakeAssociation.org

A watershed survey for China Lake will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

Become a Survey Volunteer!

Attend a free two-hour training presentation to learn about watersheds, how to identify erosion and other sources of polluted runoff, and ways to help improve the water quality in China Lake. Then, join us on Saturday October 3rd to walk the watershed and document erosion.

The China Lake Watershed Survey is a community effort to improve the water quality in China Lake now and for future generations.

Project partners include: China Lake Association, China Region Lakes Alliance, Kennebec SWCD, Maine DEP & Ecological Instincts. This project is funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act.

Common Ground Country Fair to be held on-line

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Keynote speaker Leah Penniman. (photo credit: Jonah Vital-Wolff)

The Common Ground Country Fair, the premier educational event of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), will be held online September 25-27, 2020.

April Boucher, MOFGA’s Fair Director, noted, “While we can’t gather together in person this year, many aspects of the Fair will be available online, including iconic and educational content that folks look forward to year after year.” Additional resources specific to the Fair are available in the fall issue of The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener newspaper. An online marketplace of fair vendors, will run from September 25, 2020, through January 8, 2021, and offers shoppers the opportunity to support local businesses that would typically participate at the Fair, including farmers, crafters, nonprofit educational organizations and more.

The 2020 Common Ground Country Fair artwork features bee balm and bees.

The schedule of live presentations, released earlier today, offers three full days of content related to gardening, farming and sustainable living. The schedule is available at fair.mofga.org and video will be streamed there and on MOFGA’s Facebook and YouTube pages. In addition to keynote addresses each day at 11 a.m. there is a great mix of educational and entertaining content lined up. Learn how to plant garlic, make a sweet annie crown, bake bread, ferment vegetables and so much more! Plus, the ever-popular sheep dog demonstrations will take place each day.

This year’s keynote speakers highlight a mix of national perspectives on farming and gardening in diverse communities. Friday’s keynote speaker, Leah Penniman, is a Black Kreyol farmer/peyizan, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York, and is the author of Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land. Saturday’s speaker is Barbara Damrosch, farmer and co-owner of Four Season Farm in Harborside, Maine, author of The Garden Primer and Theme Gardens and co-author of The Four Season Farm Gardener’s Cookbook. She has also served as MOFGA’s board president. Sunday’s speaker, Winona LaDuke, is a rural development economist and author working on issues of Indigenous economics, food, and energy policy. LaDuke lives and works on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota and is executive director of Honor the Earth.

Members of the MOFGA community are also developing additional content that will be available via an online library on the Fair website. All are encouraged to grow and submit items for the online exhibition hall, submit photos for the online garden parade, share poetry and fair stories and more.

Sarah Alexander, executive director of MOFGA, shared, “We’re hoping that the online fair will still provide a sense of community and engagement related to everyone’s favorite activities from the Fair.”

SCORES & OUTDOORS: They’re everywhere! But are they real spiders?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

I think it was Dr. Demento who used to say, “They’re everywhere, they’re everywhere!”

Well, they are. You could be sitting on the deck or porch at camp, and there’s one on your leg, or walking across your shoulders. Go do some garden work, and you’ll see them there. Deadhead flowers in your beds, yup, they’re there, too. Go fetch a couple of sticks out of the wood pile, Bingo! More of them. They are actually “everywhere” and can be a nuisance.

What am I talking about? Daddy Longlegs. It was Jim Stafford who sang, “I don’t like spiders and snakes,” and it usually applies to me. I think he had me in mind when he wrote the song. However, Daddy longlegs don’t bother me too much. They are tolerable, not like those other scary looking, eight-legged creatures.

But are Daddy longlegs truly spiders? Let’s take a closer look.

According to entomologists at the University of California, Riverside, the term “daddy longlegs” is commonly used to refer to two distinct types of creatures: opilionids arachnids with pill-shaped bodies and eight long legs are actually not spiders, and pholcids, which have long legs and small bodies, and thus resemble opilionids, but which are truly spiders.

What we refer to as daddy longlegs are actually called harvestmen. You see them almost every day. They are not spiders – although closely related – but belong to a group with many different species, called opiliones. The common name daddy longlegs came about because of their small oval body and long legs, and the name harvestmen because they are most often seen in large numbers in the late summer and early fall around harvest time.

While they have eight legs and an outward appearance of a spider, daddy longlegs lack two of the most important features that make a spider, a spider: silk production and venom. Daddy longlegs do not have spinnerets that spiders have to produce silk and make webs. Spiders also produce venom they inject through fangs to quickly kill and digest prey. Daddy longlegs do not produce venom, nor do they have fangs.

So, how about the old legend, “daddy longlegs are one of the most poisonous spiders, but their fangs are too short and weak to bite humans?”

This tale has been lurking around for years. I have heard it repeatedly. This is incorrect, an urban myth. Most folks who retell this tale have no idea that they are referring to two completely separate groups of animals, daddy longlegs and daddy longlegs spiders.

Harvestman (left), Daddy Longlegs spider (right)

Daddy longlegs spiders are venomous predators, and although they never naturally bite people, their fangs are similar in structure to those of brown recluse spiders, and therefore can theoretically penetrate skin. For these reasons, this is most probably the animal to which people refer when they tell the tale.

The daddy longlegs we see are the harvestmen – not spiders – and can actually be beneficial. They have a very broad diet that includes spiders and insects, and plant pests such as aphids. They will also feast on caterpillars, beetles, flies, mites, small slugs, snails, earthworms, other harvestmen, and decaying plant and animal matter. Daddy longlegs also scavenge for dead insects and will eat bird droppings. Control should only be performed when absolutely necessary. The clustering behavior only occurs during the fall and for only a brief period of time. If necessary, no need for pesticides, a broom or a vacuum will suffice.

Last weekend, I noticed a harvestman (daddy longleg) carrying a small moth across our deck at camp. I watched it for a while, and observed that it was struggling with the weight of the moth. Finally, the daddy longleg dropped the moth, ate its fill, and left. I kept going back from time to time to see the moth still laying on the deck. After a while, I don’t know whether it was the wind, or the harvestman returned, but the moth had disappeared.

Daddy longlegs legs easily break off. They have the ability to break off legs similar to the ability of lizards to break off a portion of their tail if being attacked by a predator. But it can have an adverse affect on them, especially if its the second set of legs.

The daddy longlegs’ second pair of legs serve as ears, nose, tongue and perhaps even as supplementary “eyes.” The legs are loaded with nerves and literally thousands of tiny sense organs that lie inside microscopic slits in the legs. They can produce a pungent odor that is distasteful to most predators.

Although they can be pests, they have a place in the ecosystem.

It’s going to be difficult, but you now should refer to those eight long-legged animals as daddy longleg harvestmen, and not spiders.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which Red Sox player won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2018?

Answer can be found here.

SOLON & BEYOND: Life as a precarious Lombard tractor steersman

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

Here it is already time to write another column for The Town Line paper after spending several days up in Leif’s special place, Aroostook County. He grew up there and many of his relatives still live there, so we went up and spent quite a lot of time visiting with all of them. His family is truly special and lots of fun like Lief, and we truly enjoyed all the laughter and love that was there.

There were much more beautiful colors in the trees up there than we have down here yet. The vastness of the landscape is overwhelming with its beauty. We both had a wonderful time and think about how we should go up more often, but the long…long…drive up there is very tiring for both of us.

Was also hoping that I would find lots more recent news like some of you sent for last week’s column, but no such luck! And so when I looked through my old stash of “History” I came up with this article that Robert Krumn wrote for some paper called Steer for Your Life – Sam. “Some people have never heard of a Lombard steerman, but then, there aren’t many of them around anymore. Before World War I, however, the men who steered Lombards were as much heroes to youngsters in Maine as astronauts are to kids today. They lived dangerously, walked with a swagger and made up to $4 a day – for as long as they steered, which wasn’t too long for some of them.

Sam White, my 81-year old neighbor in Alaska, is almost a legend in that state as one of the original bush pilots and early game wardens. He started flying open cockpit planes over untracked wilderness and arresting wild-eyed poachers in the late 1920s. Either job would have been adventurous enough for an ordinary man, but Sam is prouder about the years he steered a Lombard Steam Log Hauler through the forests of Maine than of all his later years of adventure in Alaska.

A steamer log hauler was the original crawler-type overland vehicle. It was invented by a homespun mechanical genius named Alvin Orlando Lombard, the precocious son of a back-country sawmill operator. Lombard didn’t consider the log hauler to be his greatest invention, but a lot of other people did, for it revolutionized the logging industry. Prior to steam power, lumbermen could only transport logs by river drives or horse-drawn sleds and drays. The log hauler allowed them to move logs from one valley to another, thus opening up previously inaccessible stands of timber.

Sam will never forget his first look at a Lombard.

It was in Eustis, Maine, one afternoon in 1901. At four-and-a-half miles per hour, a Lombard – with its rapid exhaust and musical whistle – sounded like a train going sixty. As there were no train tracks nearby it was obviously something new and exciting, so Sam’s teacher dismissed class to watch the first two Lombards ever made clatter past. Sam was enthralled; he had never seen anything nearly as thrilling as those 20-ton monsters. He set his heart on becoming a Lombard engineer.

In those days a boy didn’t have to wait long to become a man. Sam started working in the woods during his fourteenth winter. He was a swamper first, not a steersman, but at least he got to listen to the steersmen’s yarns when the lumber crew gathered around the heater in the bunkhouse at night.

For a youngster, Sam was big and strong, and he soon progressed from swamper to bucker, then faller and loader. The work was challenging and the pay was good. In 1908 Sam came out of the woods after 91 days with $91. Lumbering was winter work, so, in between seasons, Sam got what schooling he could and worked at his father’s farm and sawmill. He still had an itch to be a hero, though. His opportunity came in 1914 when the woods boss asked him if he was ready to try steering a Lombard.

Sam, of course, considered the request a great favor, but, actually, there weren’t too many woodsmen eager to take the job. The pay was good; better, in fact, than that of the other three crewmen – the engineer, the fireman or the conductor. But the chances for spending the pay weren’t too promising.

Lombards didn’t have brakes. Mr. Lombard wasn’t insensible to the dangers of going downhill without brakes. It was just that brakes wouldn’t work with a Lombard log hauler followed by 15 or 20 sleds full of logs. Brakes in front would cause a jackknife; brakes in the rear weren’t practical.

This didn’t cause the engineer, the fireman nor the conductor any great concern, because they could jump. But not so with the steersman. He sat wrestling a large iron steering wheel, in a little open shed, on the very front of the steam engine. It was too far for him to jump sideways, so he either steered or got squashed between the boiler and any tree that got in the way.

I’m going to end there for this day, as I’m afraid I’ve gone over my space already! I’m wondering if any of you men can even remember those old Lombards?

Just a short memoir from Percy: entitled Choice: Our lives are songs; God writes the words And we set them to music at pleasure; And the song grows glad, or sweet or sad As we choose to fashion the measure. (words by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.)

OBITUARIES for Thursday, September 10, 2020

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THOMAS A. ESTABROOK

OAKLAND – Thomas J. Estabrook, 89, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Thomas “Tom” A. Estabrook, born on November 4, 1930, the youngest son of Mavard and Eva Estabrook. He passed away in the home he built on the Country Club Road, in Oakland.

Tom’s life was full of adventure, hard work and laughter. Tom’s father passed away when he was only five years old, leaving his mother “Ma” to raise five children on her own. At that point he knew hard work would pay off. Attending Waterville schools and working many jobs, Tom met Betty Johnston whom he married in his early life. Tom and Betty had two sons together, David and Dana.

Again, hard work was in Tom’s fiber, he had friends who migrated “out” west where money was being made. With the adventurous spirit, Tom moved his family to Elmonte, California, where he began working for Ford Motor Company. At that time, the RV business was booming. Being a “Jack of All Trades” he began learning the RV trade and eventually opened Tyler Coach Manufacturer. With his family all located in the Waterville area, and the RV business making its way to the east coast, he and his family set sail and returned to central Maine.

Tyler Coach Mfg. and Shamrock Sporting Goods opened in the mid-’60s in downtown Oakland. David was in high school and Dana at a young age, worked side by side with his father as they built R.V.s, campers, truck caps, ice shacks and more.

As Tom grew older, and David became his business partner, his love and passions for adventures became more a part of his everyday life. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and raiser of Brittany Spaniels. If you were to ask him, “There is no other dog in the world but a Brittany.” Tom’s first Brittany was Wendy Marie II. From her litter, he kept his beloved dog Jenny. Tom, along with his sons, David and Dana, and friends, hunted and fished all over the country and beyond. There were stories amongst stories of the memories that were made on all trips because everything was an adventure.

In February 2009, Tom and David decided to close the doors of Tyler Coach Mfg. so they could retire. They did not want to sell the business to anyone as they were proud of their product development and construction of all that was built.

In 2006 Betty passed away. Soon after, Tom was having breakfast at the Early Bird, in Oakland, and there he chatted with Cecile Burwood. He called her to go out to dinner, and from there, a new chapter in his life began. In 2007, Cecile and Tom married. Tom and Cecile enjoyed every moment of their time together. Cecile quickly learned that Tom loved his dogs, therefore she loved them as well. At the beginning of their marriage, Wendy III and Sparky were his “girls.” Tom and Cecile would jump in the truck with the girls and head to his beloved camp in Moscow. For decades and decades, Tom developed his Moscow property into his sanctuary. They would ride the roads just looking for wildlife or enjoying the beauty of nature.

Tom’s life was rich. No regrets, only memories, love, adventure and laughter is how he left this world.

Tom was predeceased by his parents; siblings, Bill, Preston and Eben Estabrook, sister Ruth Bedard; his best friend and son, David Estabrook.

Tom leaves behind his wife, Cecile; son Dana, wife Janet and son Gregory Estabrook; daughter-in-law and wife of David, Gail Estabrook; his granddaughter, Wendy Martin, husband Dennis and his great-grandchildren, Brooke and Denny Martin.

When Tom married Cecile, his family grew and welcomed in his stepchildren, Ken and wife Tracy Burwood, Carl and Gail Burwood, Linda and Carl Creasy, Tim and Caryn Burwood, Cathy and Rick Veilleux, and Grace Burwood. He inherited 12 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A graveside burial took place on Saturday, September 5 at Lewis Memorial.

Arrangements were under the care and guidance of Giberson Funeral Home, in Madison.

To view the online obituary, share his obituary to social media or leave Tom’s family your condolences please visit our website at http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com

BETTY JANE TRAHAN

NORTH VASSALBORO – Betty Jane (Cox) Trahan, 85, passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020, at Mt. Saint Joseph Nursing Home, in Waterville. She was born January 27, 1935, in Old Town, the daughter of John F. II and Mabel L. (Hildreth) Cox.

She graduated from Winslow High School in 1952. On September 14, 1957, she married Norman Trahan, in North Vassalboro. She enjoyed cooking, reading, antiquing, and spending time with family.

Betty is survived by her husband of 62 years, Norman Trahan, of North Vassalboro; son, Steven Mansfield and wife Bethany, of Winslow; daughter, Marcia Mansfield, of Ogunquit; sister, Beulah Patnaude, of Massachusetts; grandchildren, Marcus Bizier and wife Savannah, of North Carolina, Ben Bizier, of Florida, Nicole Holt, of Birstol, Jennifer Cote and husband Mark, of New Hamshire, John Mansfield, of Starks; 11 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mount St. Joseph, 7 Highwood St., Waterville, Me 04901 in memory of Betty Trahan.

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

JOETTE D. MARKS

BENTON – Joette Dickey Marks, 73, of Benton, passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020, at home, following a nine-year battle with cancer. Joette was born on May 4, 1947, in Waterville, to Elinor (Baker) and Elihu T. Dickey.

She married Winston A. Marks on July 8, 1967, in Fairfield.

Joette graduated from Besse High School, in Albion, in 1965. She was employed by New England Telephone, in Waterville and Farmington, for 17 years. Joette received the REM Award in 2004 for her many years of service and dedication to the Humane Society of Waterville.

Joette is survived by her husband of 53 years, Winston; children, Julie and her husband Toshiharu Kaizawa, of Japan, and Jason and his wife Missie, of Albion; grandchildren, James Goodman and fiancé Macy Karl, of Carmel, and Kaylee Marks, of Albion; and great-grandson James William Goodman, of Carmel; her sister Collette Young and Bob Lindsey, of Newburgh; brother Bradley Dickey and Jody, of Hampden, and her brother Brent Dickey and Cindy, of Madison; as well as nieces and nephews.

At Joette’s request, there will be no funeral service held.

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

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

Those wishing to remember Joette in a special way may contribute in her memory by sending donations to Missie (Michelle) Marks who will purchase items for the Humane Society on Joette’s rehalf.

At the request of Joette, checks can be written and mailed to Michelle Marks, 9 Marden Shore Rd., Albion, ME 04910.

MICHAEL M. BILODEAU

YARMOUTH/WINSLOW – Michael Martin Bilodeau, 38, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. He was born February 13, 1982, in Waterville, the son of John Roland Bilodeau and Pamela F. (Tiernan) Glass.

He graduated from Winslow High School in 2000. He enjoyed hockey, baseball, and was a big fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Detroit Red Wings. During his high school career, Michael was a starting goalie for Winslow High School and they won the state class B hockey championship in 2000. He was also first baseman for the baseball team. He loved being a dad.

Michael is survived by his partner, Sheila Hammond, of Yarmouth; daughter, Raven Elana Bilodeau, of Winslow; son, Xavier Michael Bilodeau, of Winslow; brother, Nicholas Bilodeau and partner Jessica Davis, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; sister, Amanda Bilodeau, of Waterville; father, John R. Bilodeau and wife Karen Andrus, of Winslow; mother, Pamela T. Glass and husband Dr. Howard Glass, of Cape Elizabeth; step-brothers, Eben Andrus and partner Ryan Carrigan, of Portland, Tim Andrus and partner Cecily Glowik, of Portland; step-sisters, Elusia Andrus and partner Thomas Creighton, of Dillon, Colorado, Sophia Glass, of Brooklyn, New York, Dana Glass, of Portland; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established for Raven and Xavier. Please make donations to Raven & Xavier Bilodeau, New Dimensions FCU, 316 Benton Avenue, Winslow, ME 04901.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 455 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

CHARLES W. GARLAND

VASSALBORO – Charles “Charlie” William Garland, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 31, 2020, in Vassalboro. Charlie was born in Portland to Muriel E. (Harp) Greenleaf and Charles Albert Garland of Freeport, both deceased.

Those who knew him remember Charlie as a gentle soul, loved and respected by family and friends. Besides writing, hobbies, and knowledge which he generously shared, he had an adventurous work life. From the Grand Canyon to Disney World’s Back Stage Tours, he enjoyed each day’s adventure. In his words, however, his favorite job was as uncle and godfather. He will be missed dearly by all whose lives he touched. He will be missed.

Surviving are his siblings, Priscilla Long, of Thomaston, Patti Heins and husband, Hans, of Powell, Tennessee, Greg Garland, of Vassalboro, Timothy Garland and wife, Denise, of Farmingdale, Laurie Hugh and husband, Sam, of Shreveport, Louisiana; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 2 p.m. in the Hallowell Cemetery, Water Street, Hallowell.

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

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

For Charlie’s love of Maggie, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Humane Society Waterville, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

LINDA A. ERVING

WINDSOR – Linda Ann (Briggs) Erving, 68, of Windsor, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, following a courageous six-year battle with multiple myeloma. Linda was born in Augusta on September 7, 1951, to the late George Briggs and the late Madeleine (Jean).

She was a 1970 graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, and very proudly received her associate’s degree in Medical Office Assistant from Mid-State College in 2003.

Linda was well known for always having a positive attitude. Her gentle kind nature was apparent to all who knew and loved her. Her love for family and friends knew no bounds. Everyone she cared for became “family” in her eyes.

After being a stay-at-home mom with a daycare in her home in Ashland, Massachusetts, for many years, she enjoyed working outside the home which gave her the opportunity to learn and grow and make new friends. She was employed in Dr. Szela’s office, where Linda became a receptionist after earning her degree in 2003.

Linda is survived by her husband of 48 years, Larry Erving, Sr.; her daughter Angela Erving and her fiancé “Cowboy” John Lindsey Sr, of Massachusetts; her sons Larry Erving Jr and his wife Sarah, of Massachusetts, and John Erving and his fiancée Linda Williams, of Maine; eight grandchildren, Shawn and Hannah Busker, Lily and Holly Erving, Tyrah Erving and Lee Cole, and Justin and John Lindsey Jr.; siblings, Pat Briggs and wife Rita, Robert Briggs and wife Donna, Donald Briggs and wife LouAnne, Rusty Briggs and wife Anita, Michael Briggs, and Gail (Briggs) Bragg and husband Robert.

She was predeceased by her sister Laura (Briggs) Hoover, brother Ernest “Butch” Briggs; and both of her parents; and countless nephews, nieces and cousins.

In consideration of the health and safety of friends and family due to the pandemic, there will be a private burial service. A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at a later date.

DR. ROBERT P. GOULD

WINSLOW – Dr. Robert P. Gould, 87, of Winslow, died peacefully, on Friday, September 4, 2020, at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Robert was born on December 3, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Mamree P. Fraser and Horace H. Gould.

He lived in Blue Hill from 1935-40 and then to Ellsworth in 1940, and attended Ellsworth High School. He was active in sports and theater and graduated in 1950. He was proud of winning the public speaking contest at the state level in 1949.

After high school Robert served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955. He also attended the University of Houston and the University of Maine. In 1953 he married Mary Sue Harris and they had three children Robert Harris, Linda Susan and Lisa Ann.

After graduating from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1961, he moved to Skowhegan to open his dental practice which spanned 40 years.

In 1990 he married the love of his life, Nancy Jean Staples. They enjoyed many wonderful years at Moosehead Lake, Boothbay Harbor, playing golf, traveling and making their homes in Skowhegan, Florida, and Winslow.

Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with his best friends, Bill Philbrick, Jim Dufour, Mickey Powers and George Cannell, at Lakewood Golf course, in Madison. He was a proud member of Kora Shrine Temple, Masons and the Rotary Club where he served as president in the mid-’70s.

Robert was a member of the Federated Church of Skowhegan and sang in the choir for 26 years. He also served as deacon and held other positions on committees. He had a lifelong passion for singing and loved to sit in with Kay Brown at the Tugboat Inn, in Boothbay Harbor, up until last year at the age of 86. Another fond memory of Boothbay Harbor was playing an extra in the filming of the musical “Carousel” in 1956.

In recent years Robert especially looked forward to monthly luncheons with his family. While at Oak Grove Center, where he lived in his last year, he loved listening to his music through headphones and often shared his favorite tunes with the other residents so they could enjoy it, too. He loved putting jigsaw puzzles together and looked forward to his daily newspaper and crossword puzzle. In his time at Oak Grove he made many friends including many of the Wyeth staff and his “Bingo Buddies”.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Nancy Stenger, and his son, Robert Harris Gould.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Linda Nickerson (Richard), of Windham, and Lisa Knightly (John), of Poland; stepchildren Cathy Lovendahl (Anders), of Waterville, Scot Adams (Chris), of Starks, Michael Adams (Lesley), of Norridgewock; grandchildren Benjamin Toppi, Laura Toppi and Kathryn Seymour; step-grandchildren; Mandy Adams, Jason Seymour, Amanda Doyle, Ashley Adams, Nick Adams, Cameron Seymour, Dylan Adams, Arianna and Sarah Nickerson, and Olivia Lovendahl; six step-great-grandchildren; nephew Teddy MacGregor and niece Heidi Potter.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no visiting hours and there will be a private celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lakewood Theater, PO Box 331, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

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

WINDSOR: Share the Road with Carol update

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Bicycling enthusiast Carol Eckert was tragically killed in a bike accident in 2016.

Regarding the earlier published information about Share the Road with Carol memorial ride event in Windsor, on September 13, 2020. Due to the COVID 19, 100-person outdoor event limit, and the number of volunteers needed to make this event safe, the event has had to cap rider registration at 75.

With overwhelming early turnout and online registration near its cap, unfortunately there will be NO same day registration. If you are interested in riding, check the registration site to see if slots are available: www.BikeReg.com/share-the-road-with-carol. If you miss this year, please join them in 2021.

Two contests on China’s local ballot

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by Mary Grow

China voters have two contests on the Nov. 3 local election ballot.

For three seats on the board of selectmen, there are five candidates. Incumbents Ronald Breton and Janet Preston seek re-election, and Blane Casey, Brent Chesley and Jeanne Marquis also are running for a seat. Donna Mills-Stevens is not a candidate for re-election.

On the planning board, Chesley is challenging incumbent James Wilkens for the at-large seat. Toni Wall is an unopposed candidate for the District 2 seat she now holds; there is no name on the ballot for the District 4 seat held by Tom Miragliuolo.

For the budget committee, there is no candidate for secretary. Thomas Rumpf, District 2, and Timothy Basham, District 4, are unopposed for re-election.

Voters also have ordinance amendments to accept or reject, to the Solid Waste Flow Control Ordinance and the Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance.

China’s polls will be open Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office. Absentee ballots are now available.