Pauleys celebrate 65th anniversary

Don and Christa Paula celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2021. This photo was taken on their 50th anniversary near Mt. Blanc, in Switzerland.

Don and Christa Pauley, of South China, are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2021. They were married in Raymond on August 19, 1956, and moved to South China in 1958 after Don’s active duty in the U.S. Army. They bought their home on China Lake in 1960. Don served on all town boards over a span of 20 years with the exception of the planning board. He is the last of the original three-man board of selectmen.

Christa was gifted with a powerful lyric soprano voice and gave of her talent to so many weddings, funerals and the great adult variety shows for Erskine Academy in the 1960s through the 1980s. Don was her accompanist and gave of his time to accompany the Erskine Academy Chic-a-Laca student shows and the adult Boosters of Erskine Academy (BEA Club) variety shows during those same years. Don retired from Brown and Pauley Fluid Power Engineering Company that he and his good friend, Bill Brown, founded when he retired in 1999 at age 65.

2021 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) at work

Members of the 2021 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) work on a China LakeSmart project. From left to right, Beck Jorgensen, YCC Director Sage Hapgood-Belanger, and Ryan Tyler. The YCC and China LakeSmart are operated by the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA) and CRLA Executive Director Scott Pierz. (photo by Rebecca Hapgood; text by Scott Pierz)

China planners review documents submitted to selectmen

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members used their Aug. 10 meeting for final reviews of documents they submitted to China selectmen ahead of the Aug. 16 selectboard meeting.

Both are proposed ordinance changes that need voter approval: an amendment to the shoreland zoning section of the town Land Use Ordinance to bring China regulations into conformity with state rules; and the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance, a new section of the Land Use Ordinance to guide planning board members as they review future applications for new solar developments, individual and commercial.

Planning board members hope selectmen will put the proposed ordinance changes on the Nov. 2 local ballot for voters’ action.
However, by the time selectmen got to the request, two hours into their Aug. 16 meeting, no one argued with Chairman Ronald Breton’s postponing it to the Aug. 30 selectmen’s meeting.

Codes Officer Jaime Hanson reported at the Aug. 10 planning board meeting that he continues to be very busy. In addition to reviewing permit applications, he is monitoring two properties that are not in compliance with town ordinances and four that are categorized as dangerous buildings.

The owner of one cluttered and rodent-infested property has made progress on cleaning it up – his “only positive response” to neighborhood complaints about such situations, Hanson commented.

Planning board members intend not to meet Tuesday, Aug. 24, unless Hanson gets an application or something else requires their attention. Without any immediate new business, their next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.

DEP’s Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices training offered

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring an in-person day-long training in Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices Certification for Contractors on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Union Town Office, 567 Common Road, Union. The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and includes a morning refreshments and lunch.

If you are an excavation contractor, landscaper, well driller, or other individual involved with soil disturbance within the shoreland zone and have not yet taken a class, sign up now so that you won’t have to turn away jobs! John Maclaine, of Maine DEP, will facilitate this course, which is necessary to become a Contractor Certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices by the Department.

Pre-registration with payment of $60 (mail-in registration) / $62 (online registration) is required by Friday, September 10. Attendees may register and pay online or download a registration form from the Knox-Lincoln SWCD website at https://www.knox-lincoln.org/events-workshops/basic-erosion-and-sediment-control-practices-contractor-certification-training or for more information, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 596-2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org.

Knox-Lincoln SWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sidney Resident inducted into honor society for first-year success

Saint Anselm College student Christopher King, of Sidney, a biology major in the class of 2024, has been accepted into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for first-year success, for the 2020-2021 academic year, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

To be eligible for invitation, students must be enrolled full-time at an institution with an active chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta and have a 3.5 grade point average or higher in their first semester or first year.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Banded longhorn beetles common in central Maine

Banded longhorn beetle

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A little while back, while we were sitting with neighbors at camp, we noticed a bug walking along the floor of the porch. Strange looking thing…really ugly! They asked what it was. That was easy.

It was a longhorn beetle.

Although you don’t see them often, they are pretty common around the world, including Maine. Oh, I forgot. They are called banded longhorn beetles. There are over 20,000 species worldwide, 1,200 of which occur in North America.

Adult longhorn beetles, Typocerus velutinus, vary greatly in shape, size and color. In general, they are cylindrical and rather long-bodied. Some of the larger ones can reach six inches in length, but most species measure around two to three inches long. Some are dull brown, while others have bright colors or intricate patterns on their wing covers.

But the dominant part of their bodies are their antennae. They can reach at least two-thirds as long as the body, and in some species the antennae are longer than the body. Males have longer antennae than females. Some are slow moving, while others can run quickly or are strong fliers. Depending on the species, adults may be observed feeding on flower parts, leaves or bark.

Banded Longhorn Beetles have extremely long antennae (horns) like their other relatives. Their bodies are colored in alternating bands of red and yellow. The head and pronotum are black. A thin band of yellow separates the pronotum from the head and abdomen. They are wider at the ‘shoulders’ and taper at the tip of the abdomen. Antennae are black and segmented. Legs are yellow with black ‘feet’.

They are often found on flowers, eating the pollen of a variety of species though they seem to favor parsley, carrot and celery flowers. Look for them in herb, vegetable, and flower gardens. Adult beetles can also be found on hardwood trees. Eggs are laid on dead or decaying trees where larvae hatch and begin boring into the wood. Look for larval frass, a mix of feces and sawdust, on the trunk or near the base of the tree. It is produced as a larva digs and is expelled as the tunneling deepens. This species’ larvae seem to prefer birch, sumac and goldenrod. Examine fallen trees and rotting logs in mixed wood forests for signs of the Banded Longhorn Beetle.

Longhorn beetles have many natural enemies, especially parasitic wasps and the larvae of certain other beetles. Many birds feed on adults and woodpeckers are fond of the larvae. Lizards sometimes lie in wait and capture adults when the beetles land on bark to mate or lay eggs.

Adults can be found on hardwood trees. Eggs are laid on the dead or decaying trees where lavae hatch, boring into the wood. Look for larval frass, a mix of feces and sawdust created when the larva tunnels deeper. This species seems to prefer birch, sumac and goldenrod, of which there are plenty in central Maine. They can be found in 38 states, seven Canadian provinces, mostly in eastern Canada, and Mexico.

Partly because of their relatively slow rate of reproduction, the survival of some species of longhorn beetles is endangered. For example, the valley elderberry longhorn beetle is threatened with extinction in California. Development and farming along river banks have destroyed much of this beetle’s natural habitat.

And then, you have the Asian longhorn beetle, which have become a serious threat to some of North America’s most beautiful and popular trees. Native to parts of Asia, the beetle is believed to have arrived in North America in the wooden packing material used in cargo shipments from China. Isolated Asian Longhorn Beetle infestations have been discovered in Brooklyn and Amityville, New York, and in Chicago, Illinois. In all instances where Asian longhorn beetles have been found, authorities have reacted quickly to stop the infestation from spreading.

Trees favored by the Asian longhorn beetle are predominantly maples, but infestations have also been discovered in horse chestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries and black locusts. Currently, there are no known chemical or biological defense against the Asian longhorn beetle and, in North America, they have few natural predators. In all cases of infestation, the affected trees are cut down and the wood destroyed.

In concluding, if you see a banded longhorn beetle, they are scary looking, but quite harmless to humans.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who holds the record for hitting the most home runs in Red Sox history?

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, August 19, 2021

Trivia QuestionsWho holds the record for hitting the most home runs in Red Sox history?

Answer:

Ted Williams with 521 home runs. (Although David Ortiz hit 541 career home runs, only 483 were with the Red Sox.)

SOLON & BEYOND: The day I was “raked over the coals”

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

In last week’s paper I mentioned that I had upset some people with my way of writing the truth. One of the many papers that I have written for was The Carney Brook Chronicle, out of Bingham, back in 1997. I came across the paper that I had written for and on October 24, 1997, on the front page it states: Solon Selectmen Subject Chronicle Reporter To Third Degree At Town Hall. (Editor’s Note: The following is a first person account by Chronicle reporter Marilyn Rogers on a meeting she was invited to by Solon Board of Selectmen.)

One of my favorite past times is trying to hear both sides of every story, so several months ago when I heard a story about our Solon Selectmen I went to the town office and asked them if it was true, and they admitted to it and said it was a big joke. I was put down big time when I said that I thought selectmen should be above such things. What they had done was sign the name of someone who complains a lot to a note they had written. My words were, “This is scary, I’m down here complaining a lot, what are you going to do to me?” Charlie Johnson, First Selectman, replied, “Oh, we wouldn’t do anything to you.” Not true!

Nearly every Monday morning I have either gone to the town office or called to see if there was any news to be printed. A week ago on Monday morning I was busy making cats for a craft fair when the phone rang and it was Robin Judd, Second Selectman, stating that they had some news for me and would I come down and get it. Not suspecting a thing I walked into one of the worst possible scenarios a taxpayer and reporter could be put through.

When I got to the town office I noticed several Chronicles and Somerset Gazettes, all highlighted, laying on a table, and was asked to go to the conference room with the three selectmen. Charlie, with the support of Robin and John (Smiley), Third Selectman, proceeded to rake me over the coals about what they called “negative reporting”. It was a lengthy session of ridicule of my ‘old-fashioned ideas and beliefs’… even an attack about news they themselves had given me the week before. But the statement that brought the worst verbal abuse was one I had made in this paper (Chronicle), I am a firm believer in democracy and I had gone on to say that I thought the people in Solon should have been allowed to vote on the new recently erected town signs. I then went on in my column, to state my opinion on why apathy abounds in America today.

Nobody should have been subjected to the treatment I received in the town office that Monday for stating a difference of opinion. Quite simply it was oppression, suppression, intimidation, and it was awful. I fought back tears for quite awhile but finally they flowed as I hurried out of that office, I do pay my taxes (thanks to GRAMS) and there is still freedom of the press, even in 1990s.

Back in 1765 John Adams made this statement about freedom: “Be not intimidated therefor, by any terrors from publishing with the utmost freedom whatever can be warranted by the laws of your liberty by any pretenses of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.”

OBITUARIES for Thursday, August 19, 2021

STARLENE A. CARON

WINSLOW – Starlene Anita (McCommic) Caron, 79, passed away Friday, August 6, 2021, at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville. She was born February 5, 1942, in Waterville, the daughter of LeRoy Stanford Sr. and Mary Lucille (Poulin) McCommic.

She graduated from Winslow High School in 1960. On June 25, 1966, she married Richard Joseph Caron. She was employed for many years in bookkeeping and accounting by Keyes Fibre Co., in Waterville, and Suburnan Farms. She was a housewife, mother and grandmother.

Starlene was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bowling, spending time with family and friends, refunding, and playing games on her cell phone.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard Caron, of Winslow; three sons, Michael Phillips and wife Lisa, of Florida, David Phillips and wife Debbie, of Sidney, Joe Caron and wife Tina, of Florida; two daughters, Wendy Caron, of Winslow, Paul Murray and husband Bruce, of Winslow; two brothers, LeRoy McCommic Jr. and wife Laurel, of Clinton, Lyndon McCommic and wife Jacqueline, of Winslow; six grandsons; three granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 10 a.m., at St. Francis Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Starlene’s memory to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham ME 04086-1240, or the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville ME 04901.

ROBERTA A. HUSSEY

LIBERTY – Roberta Amelia Hussey, 84, of Liberty, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021, at Woodlawn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Skowhegan. Roberta was born in Morrill, to Robert Alvin Hatch and Millie May Whitcomb Hatch, on January 15, 1937.

She worked at Penobscot Poultry for several years before receiving her CNA certificate. Upon certification she got a job at Augusta Convalescent Center for a few years and then worked at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, until her retirement.
She had several hobbies she enjoyed, which her family and friends appreciated, including sewing clothes, knitting, baking, and decorating cakes. And everyone loved her cooking.

She is survived by her children, Olga Rumney, Laurie Sakata, Robert Hussey, Evert Hussey, Wanda Zimba, and her stepdaughter, Thiry Hussey; her siblings Nora Buck, Christine Cox, and Mabel Willey; her grandchildren Michael, Aurora, George, Kayla, Jaime, Ben, Lewis, Elissa, Jordan, and Drake; and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held next spring.

Arrangements are by Riposta Funeral Home.

LINDA PATRIE

WINSLOW – Linda Patrie, 76, of Winslow, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, following a brief illness. Linda was born in Waterville on November 14, 1944, to Wilfred and Annie (Gilbert) Huard.

She spent her early life in Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School in 1963.

After high school, Linda attended one year of business school in Portland, and then worked one year at Federal Trust Co., in Waterville. On October 16, 1965, she married Daniel Patrie, of Waterville. They have four children and were married for 55 years. After her children were all in school, she worked at Colby College, in Waterville, in the Admissions office for 25 years. She loved her job there and enjoyed everyone she worked with.

Linda had a love for the ocean, enjoyed knitting and giving to others. She loved spending time with her family, especially at Christmas.

Linda was predeceased by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel, and their four children; Brian Patrie and his wife Lori, of Olathe, Kansas, Barbara Pleau and her husband Robert ,of Vassalboro, Steve Patrie and his wife Denise, of China, and Scott Patrie and his wife Gail, of Oakland; eight grandchildren; Karly and Luke Patrie, of Olathe, Kansas, Stephanie, Sarah and Daniel Pleau, all of Vassalboro, and Lauren, Lyndsey and Cameron Patrie, all of Oakland; one great-grandchild, Robert Veilleux; her sister, Dianne Huard Jackson and her husband Bruce, of Oakland; her niece, Krystal Tavares and her two sons, Aiden and Keagan Tavares, all of Waterville.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, August 16, at Notre Dame Church, Silver Street, in Waterville.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home. Please visit http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share your condolences and memories with Linda’s family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

WILLIAM W. WHEELOCK

JEFFERSON – William W. Wheelock, 72, of Travel Pond Lane, passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021, at his home. He was born in Augusta on February 27, 1949, the son of Leroy C. Wheelock Sr. and Fern (Brunelle) Wheelock.

Bill attended Gardiner area schools and then went on to attain his GED.

He worked at the mills as a laborer for several years. He also worked in carpentry. He loved working with his hands in woodworking and other trades. He also loved his time fishing and hunting and the overall peacefulness of the great outdoors. One of Bill’s passions was cooking and he enjoyed feeding his family his creations. He was an animal lover and enjoyed the companionship of his two loyal dogs, Budgie and Stewart, as well as his beloved bird, Tu-bird. And most of all he was very proud of his children and their accomplishments.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; his five siblings, Leroy Wheelock Jr., John Wheelock, Vance Wheelock, Gordon Wheelock and Nancy Lacasse; and his close cousin, Terry Sounier.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sandra Wheelock; children, Thomas Wheelock and wife Stephanie, Betty Ulmer and husband Malcolm, and Jessica Pilkington and husband Derek; seven grandchildren, Jocelyn Ulmer, Marissa Mannion-King, Corinne Ulmer, Will Wheelock, John Ulmer, Isabella Wheelock, and Ella Pilkington; one great-grandson, Grant Pelletier; siblings, Linda Trueman, Donna Perkins, Dianne Carr, Joyce Wheelock, Lillian Massie, Phyllis Sutter, Florence Sutter, Carol Meyer, Patricia Havey, Sandra Crockett, Ronald Wheelock, David Wheelock, and Robert Wheelock; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many beloved friends.

A graveside service was held on Friday, August 13, at Rest Haven Cemetery, Windsor.

Condolences, stories and photos can be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

PHYLLIS M. HUNTER

BENTON – Phyllis M. Hunter, 97, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. Phyllis was born January 22, 1924, in Benton, the oldest daughter of the late Albert E. and Ruby M. (Ranlett) Rowe in the home of her late grandparents, Bernard and Vesta (Hall) Ranlett.

It was also the home of her late great-grandparents, Samuel and Ann (Stewart) Ranlett and her great great grandparents, Charles and Nancy (Roundy) Ranlett which was established in 1831. Four generations were born in this Ranlett homestead.Phyllis was educated in the schools of Clinton, Benton, and Fairfield, graduating from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, class of 1942.

After graduation she worked as a secretary for the athletic department at the old Colby College campus, in downtown, Waterville, until her marriage to Gut Ivan Hunter on August 1, 1943. Phyllis also was employed in the office of the late C.F. Hathaway Shirt Company, in Waterville, for 27 years, retiring in 1985.

Phyllis has been a member of Clinton and Benton Grange since 1938, a member of East Kennebec Pomona Grange, Maine State Grange and the National Grange. She was also a charter member and past president of the Clinton Historical Society and a member of the Taconnett Falls Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society as well as the Humane Society Waterville Area. She was a member of Brown Memorial United Methodist Church, in Clinton. She became a member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) in the year 2013.

Since her retirement, she had enjoyed searching the Hunter/Rowe Ancestry and found it to be very interesting and rewarding. She and her husband also spent several winters in Florida which they enjoyed as they both had relatives in the area.
At the time of her retirement, she had 75 African Violets to care for.

Besides her parents, Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Guy, in 1997; her only brother, Albert E. Rowe Jr., in 1985; a sister, Barbara (Rowe) Grant, in 2004; and a brother-in-law, Mark L. Grant Jr., in 2011.

Survivors include her two sisters, Gladys (Rowe) Lee, of Skowhegan, and Theresa (Rowe) Monk, of Clinton; a sister-in-law, Joyce (Hunt) Rowe, of Clinton; two nieces, Trudy (Monk) Hanson and her husband, Donald, of Winthrop, and Ellen (Rowe) Faulkner and her husband Kenneth, of Clinton; two nephews, David Lee and his wife,Johnna, of Skowhegan, and Gary Monk, of Bangor; grandnieces, Hannah E. Faulkner, Nicole Monk, Janet (Lee) Mathieu and Kristin (Lee) Waning; grandnephews, Jacob Faulkner, Timothy Monk, Jason Monk and Larry Lee; two great-grandnieces; four great-grandnephews; and several cousins. Also, on her husband’s side of the family, many nieces and nephews; a niece, Ann (Clifford) Shores and her husband George; brother-in-law, Roger “Babe” Clifford and sister-in-law, Patricia “Pat” Hunter.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held at the Brown Memorial United Methodist Church, in Clinton, on Friday, August 20, at 1 p.m.

Interment at Greenlawn Rest Cemetery, in Clinton, will follow the services.

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.

Memorial donations may be made to Brown Memorial United Methodist Church Trustee’s Fund, P.O. Box 58, Clinton, ME 04927, or Taconnett Falls Chapter of Maine Genealogical Society (MGS), 10 Lithgow Street, Winslow, ME 04901, ATTN: Laton Edwards, treasurer of individual choice.

DONALD D. MOREY

WHITEFIELD – Donald Drown Morey, 83, of Whitefield, passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. The son of William and Marion Drown Morey, he was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 25, 1938.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1958 and was stationed on several aircraft carriers. He met his wife Lois while at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, in Rhode Island, where she was stationed as a Navy WAVE. A Navy buddy led him to Christ, and it changed his life forever.

He attended Barrington College, in Rhode Island, and went on to work with computers at RCA, Sperry Univac, and as a field engineer for Lockheed Martin. He was blessed to travel, spending time in Japan and Spain.

At his home church he was at various times a Sunday school teacher, trustee, Deacon and Elder. He was a man who loved his family and walked with God.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois, his son Timothy and his wife Vicky, his daughter, Deborah and her husband Wayne, and grandchildren, Hayden, Caleb, T.J., Victoria, Leah, a new great-grandchild, Fitzpatrick (with more on the way) and a brother, Richard and his wife Wylda, and their sons and their sons’ families.

A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, August 29, at 2 p.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, in North Whitefield.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

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

GARY A. THURLOW

WATERVILLE – Gary Alan Thurlow, 65, of Waterville, succumbed to injuries of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor. He was found with his self-inflicted wound, on August 5, by his brother, Jonathan. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 22, 1956.

Gary graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1975.

Gary was a professional golfer in Florida and North Carolina and was an avid skier.

He is predeceased by his mother, Eva M. (Voisine) and husband Dr. John M. Thurlow; and his biological father, Leon R. Burwood, of Hartford, Connecticut.

Gary is survived by two brothers, Jonathan Thurlow, of Waterville, and Daniel Thurlow, of Buckfield; sister, Raelene Thurlow, of Waterville; two nephews, Eric L. Thurlow, of Fairfield, and Evan M. Thurlow, of Waterville; a great-niece, Jada Eva Thurlow, of Fairfield, the daughter of Eric Thurlow, of Fairfield, and Stephanie Ross, of Skowhegan.

Anyone could be struggling with suicide. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need, it’s important to take care of yourself when you are supporting someone through a difficult time, as this may stir up difficult emotions. If it does reach out for support. How can you help them? It can be scary when a friend or loved one is thinking of suicide. It’s hard to know how a suicidal crisis feels and how to act. Call 1-800-273-8255 at any time for help if a friend of family member is struggling.

At Gary’s request that there will be no services.

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

The family would like to have donations in Gary’s memory be made for drug addiction and prevention. Please mail them to Pine Tree Recovery Center, 17 Bishop St., Portland, ME 04103.

GARY TRUSSELL

WHITEFIELD – Gary “Sam” Trussell, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, August 12, 2021. He was born in Gardi­ner on July 21, 1945, and grew up in Pittston. His adult years were spent living in Topsham and Whitefield. He graduated fromSouthern Maine Vocational-Technical Institute, (SMVTI), in South Portland, as a civil engineer and spent 46 years working for Maine DOT. After retirement, he consulted with Kleinfelder, a private engineering firm.

He was a man of few words but much action. Some would say his passion was his career, considering it did take multiple retirement attempts before he stayed away. Others would say his passion was for woodworking and building things. He built a workshop above the garage, his happy place, where he would create everything from toy boxes to cabinets and many other projects. Many would even suggest being on his Kubota was what he enjoyed the most.

But in reality, his passion was his family. Gary and his wife shared a relationship based on mutual support and a deep love for each other. His children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. Family get-togethers around the pool or around the Christmas tree were the days he lived for. The legacy of Gary’s kind spirit, love for sports, craftsmanship, and love for life will live on through them.

He is now reunited with his parents, Roland and Marjory Trussell; and his brother, Bruce.

Gary is survived by his wife, Donna Trussell; five children, Jodi and husband Michael McCaffrey, Todd Trussell, Missy and husband Dov Cohen, Kristy and husband Billy Kinney, Luke Cote and fiancée Maeve O’Connor; three brothers, Chester and wife Bertha, Harold and wife Colleen, and Norman Trussell; 13 grandchildren, Tyler, Chloe, Dehvin, Hannah, Megan, Colin, Trey, Noah, Esmae, Aubrey, Aislinn, Zander, and Della; five great-grandchildren, Kasen, Eve, Lincoln, Olive, and Davina (who will be joining the family soon).

A Celebration of Life at the First Congregational Church, of Pittston (21 Arnold Rd.), took place on Tuesday, August 17, followed by the burial at the Riverside Cemetery (Arnold Road)

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Gary has twin great-grandchildren who were born premature. They have been in the NICU since June with serious heart complications. Though Lincoln was able to come home this week, Olive remains in the hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a fund for the twins, with checks payable to Donna Trussell, to help them get a strong start; send to Donna Trussell, c/o The Gallery Hair Studio, 10 Main St., Suite 5, Topsham, ME 04086.

JERRY M. BOSMA

SPRING, TEXAS – Jerry Michael Bosma, 85, of Spring, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Jerry was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 25, 1936.

Although Jerry did not move to Texas until 1972, he always considered himself a real Texan. He loved history, a good bourbon, smoking his pipe, growing plants and spending time with family. He could make anything grow and his friends would send him plants from all over the country.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carole; parents Rosalie and Edward Hagen, of China; brother Kenneth Hagen, of China,; mother and father-in-law Lillian and Clarence Wood, of Waterville; and nephew Jeffrey Pooler, of Fairfield.

He is survived by his daughter Lizabeth Carole Metzler and husband, Harvey; son Mark Edward Bosma and wife, Kathy; grandchildren Patsy Holmes and husband, Dakota; and William Kennedy and wife, Skye; great-grandchildren Carli, Kelby, William (Shooter), Korden and Tyler Rose, all of Texas; sister, Rosalie (Dolly) Batteese and husband, Robert (Bob), of China; sister-in-law Bette Pooler and husband John, of Fairfield; niece and nephews Sarah, Tyler (Ty), Keith, and Chad; and many more family members.

LUCETTE R. BOURGOIN

WATERVILLE – Lucette Rita Bourgoin, 95, of Waterville, passed away on May 12, 2021 in Cheney, Washington. Lucette was born in Hartford, Connecticut, April 28, 1926, a daughter of the late Alexina (Grenier) and Solomon Huard.

She attended schools in Waterville and Winslow, graduating from Winslow High School in 1945. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Raymond Bourgoin. Together they worked and raised their family of three children in the Waterville area. She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Parish, in Waterville, in her earlier years until its closing, and then became a parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish. She taught CCD classes at Sacred Heart Parish for several years. For nearly ten years, she was a volunteer at Mid-Maine Medical Center, and for over 30 years she was a member of The Waterville Ice Skating Club, serving as its treasurer for most of those years. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, knitting, needlepoint and, of course, ice skating.

Lucette is survived by her three children, Claude Bourgoin, of Standish, Bryant Bourgoin and wife Susan, of Winslow, Cynthia Bourgoin, of Cheney, Washington; her grandchildren, Kyle Bourgoin and wife Christy, Haley Bourgoin, Bethany Fromwiller and husband Michael, Amanda Wells, Chinedu, Cassia, Caryn, Calynne and Caton Oyolokor and wife Taylor, and Charisse Lyman and husband Justin; her 13 great-grandchildren, Leland, Gabrielle, Carson, Leyton, Chace, Mala, Lyla, Rowdy, Alessandra, Olivia, Wren, Zeke and one more on the way; her two sisters, Theresa Boisvert and Delcia Drouin; and one brother, Conrad Huard.

Besides her parents, Lucette was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Raymond Bourgoin, who passed away in 2007, and her brother, Victor Huard.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, August 14, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Silver Street, in Waterville. Committal services were held on Monday, August 16, at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, in Augusta.

A Service of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, Maine 04901. http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

Vassalboro selectmen put tax rate at 14.48 mil

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen have set the 2021-22 tax rate: 14.48 mil, or $14.48 for each $1,000 of valuation. The town website says the 2019-2020 rate was $14.35 for each $1,000, so the new rate is an increase of 13 cents for each $1,000.

The assessor gave selectmen four rate choices at their Aug. 12 meeting. They chose the second to lowest.

Tax bills are mailed out as soon as possible after the rate is set; property-owners should receive them by early September, if not sooner. By town meeting vote, the first quarterly tax payment is due Monday, Sept. 27, and six percent interest on late payments will begin to accrue seven days after the due date.

The Aug. 12 meeting began with a half-hour executive session discussion with Codes Officer Paul Mitnik and, virtually, attorney Allaina Murphy, of Preti Flaherty’s Portland office. Afterward, selectmen voted unanimously to pursue legal action against the owner of the former church at 14 Priest Hill Road, on Murphy’s advice (see The Town Line, July 22, p. 14).

When Board Chairman Robert Browne invited final audience comments at the end of the meeting, a man identified himself as Chad Caron, owner of the former church, and said he had come to apologize for the trouble his negligence in managing the property had caused.

Caron said his goal is to take advantage of an “incredible opportunity to restore and preserve” the church, but “I bit off more than I could chew.”

He has neither the financial resources nor the time he needs; hence donated materials have piled up in the yard, to neighbors’ dismay. Mitnik has visited the property and reported to selectmen previously. Caron said he was not aware that he could come to a selectboard meeting.

Caron assured selectmen the building is structurally sound and will not fall down. He does not want it to be torn down, and offered to donate it “to someone who can preserve it.”

Historian says Priest Hill Road property was formerly a Methodist church

Vassalboro Historical Society President Janice Clowes says the Priest Hill Road building was formerly a Methodist church, and it is so identified on its photo in the Vassalboro sestercentennial calendar prepared by Don Breton.

Both Henry Kingsbury, in his 1892 history of Kennebec County, and Alma Pierce Robbins, in her 1971 history of Vassalboro, said the town had four Methodist churches, one of them in North Vassalboro. Neither author gave a precise location.

Robbins wrote that the North Vassalboro Methodists bought an unfinished Winslow church and “moved it to the present site about 1875. This pretty little church stands to this day,…white, with a steeple pointing heavenward and a bell to ring on Sunday morning.”

In other business Aug. 12, Browne and Selectman Chris French approved the work Selectman Barbara Redmond and Town Manager Mary Sabins had done on the proposed Mass Gathering Ordinance. They still need information on a couple technical issues and a review by the town attorney before a final document is ready.

Selectmen will schedule a September public hearing on the ordinance. They intend to ask Vassalboro voters to approve it Nov. 2, in anticipation of a planned country music concert in July 2022.

When discussion turned to possible uses for federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money, Richard Greene, the engineer with Yarmouth-based Hoyle, Tanner and Associates who worked on the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s sewer expansion, asked selectmen to consider assistance to the district.

Selectmen accepted Greene’s offer to send them his list of suggested projects, some essential and others optional. He has included cost estimates and recommended priorities.

The topic will be on the agenda for a later selectmen’s meeting.

Board members had bids for a second compactor at the transfer station, with prices ranging from just under $32,000 to $115,000. Bidders offered a variety of configurations, motor horsepower and potential delivery dates. After discussion that included Transfer Station Manager George Hamar and Road Commissioner Eugene Field, selectmen postponed a decision for more information.

They voted unanimously to let Sabins and Field decide where to use anticipated extra paving money. They unanimously approved Sabins’ planned rearrangement of 2020-21 town funds to cover about $22,000 in overdrafts in two accounts.

After discussion with members and supporters of the town recreation committee, selectmen voted 2-0-1, with French abstaining, to appoint John Fortin a coach. He had failed a background check because of a 10-year-old assault conviction that he described as a result of youthful foolishness.

Browne suggested the selectmen need a clearer policy on interpretation and use of background checks.

Selectmen approved two suggestions Sabins made:

  • When recently retired bookkeeper Jean Poulin is recognized as Employee of the Year at the Nov. 2 Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce banquet, the town will pay the banquet fee for employees who want to see their former co-worker honored. Sabins and Selectboard members intend to pay their own way.
  • Selectmen will schedule a special goal-setting or visioning session, probably in the town office meeting room, probably in early October, to talk about longer-range town issues that they seldom have time to discuss in their meetings.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2.