REVIEW POTPOURRI – Author: Larry McMurtry; TV Show: Elementary; Composer: Gustav Mahler

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Larry McMurtry

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Larry McMurtry

Novelist Larry McMurtry (1936-2021) was perhaps most well known for Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment, and The Last Picture Show. His 2008 books: A Memoir is an account of his adventures as a voracious reader, book collector (he would eventually amass a personal library of 28,000 books) and dealer in rare and-not-so-rare books.

He describes growing up on a ranch in the vast West Texas spaces, at least 18 miles from the nearest town and his family being plentifully self-sufficient with raising cattle, hogs and chickens and growing vegetables for their food supply during the depression.
However, books were another matter:

“Of books there were none….it puzzles me how totally bookless our ranch house was. There must have been a Bible, but I don’t remember ever seeing it. My father did read the range cattle books of J. Frank Dobie, but the only one I remember seeing in our house…was The Longhorns, which I borrowed for my father from Mr. Will Taylor, a wealthy and elderly oilman who lived in a great mansion just south of our hay field.”

McMurtry later bought the mansion and used it to house his library.

Highly recommended for those who love, read and collect books.

Elementary

I have been bingeing on Elementary, another take on Sherlock Holmes, with the very consummate starring roles of Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes, Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, Aidan Quinn as a chief of detectives Captain Thomas Gregson (Quinn was in Waterville during the filming of Empire Falls and portrayed David Roby, one of the two sons of Paul Newman’s character), and Jon Michael Hill as Detective Marcus Bell.

The setting is the 21st century New York City and depicts Holmes and Watson’s roles as consultants for the Manhattan Police department and Sherlock’s super-human intuition for solving the continually odious murders in each of its seven seasons from 2012 to 2019 on CBS and now available on Hulu.

Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler

Depending on my mood, I shift back and forth between the 3rd and 5th Symphonies of the ten that Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) left us. YouTube has quite a number of performances of the 3rd which I have lately been enjoying. Recently the Bucharest, Romania, Enescu Festival 2021 hosted a very exciting Mahler 3rd with Paavo Jarvi conducting the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, chorus and the very good contralto Wiebke Lehmkuhl.

Unfortunately that one is not available yet on YouTube but a video broadcast of Paavo from 2008 can be seen.

Here at the house are over 40 different Mahler 3rds, including two different ones of Leonard Bernstein, Bernard Haitink, Klaus Tennstedt, Jascha Horenstein, Erich Leinsdorf, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and Rafael Kubelik plus single ones of Heinz Rogner, Herbert Kegel, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa Pekka Salonen, Semyon Bychkov, Michael Gielen, Riccardo Chailly, Claudio Abbado, Vaclav Jiracek, Benjamin Zander, Pierre Boulez, Richard Burgin, Carl Schuricht, Antoni Wit, Maurice Abravanel, James Levine, Andrew Litton, Armin Jordan, Jesus Lopez-Cobos etcs. Each one scores points and I hope that this list of Maestros might instigate curiosity about the 3rd and other compositions.

Continuing with Robert PT Coffin’s essay Kennebec Crystals:

“The geese were coming back early, up along Merrymeeting, that same spring, before the middle of April. And in late April that best day of all the spring on the Kennebec came, when the first boat arrived, the Boston steamer, with the star on her smokestack and her whistle tied down all the way from Swan Island to the Cobbosseecontee, waking the dead and the hills with her news of spring at last. There was not a church bell in the five towns that wasn’t ringing. Women in bombazine waved handkerchiefs. School was let out for the day and the hills were alive with children.”

More next week.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Plan ahead before joining the Great Resignation

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by Sasha Fitzpatrick

It’s been called the “Great Resignation” – the large number of Americans voluntarily leaving their jobs. If you plan to be part of it (ideally with another source of employment lined up), you’ll need to make the financial moves necessary to keep making progress toward your long-term goals.

Here’s some background: After a year in which the pandemic caused so many people to lose their jobs, the economy is opening back up, but the “quit rate” – the number of jobs people have voluntarily left – has been breaking records. Some economists say this high quit rate is because people are confident of getting better jobs, with higher pay and more flexibility to work at home, or because they are preparing to start their own business or join the gig economy.

If you’re thinking of joining this temporary migration from the workforce, how can you help ensure that you’ll be financially stable and can continue to make progress toward your long-term goals?

Your first move is to look clearly at your financial situation. As mentioned above, it’s best to have new employment in hand before you quit your job. Alternatively, perhaps you have a spouse or life partner who earns enough to sustain the two of you, or you’ve built up an emergency fund that gives you a cushion.

However, if your short-term income is less than you previously earned or you need to go without a paycheck for a while, could you still pay your bills? If you are strapped for cash, you might be tempted to tap into your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. But this move will generally result in taxes and, if you are younger than 59 ½, a 10 percent penalty as well. Because of this, and because your retirement accounts are designed to be a financial resource after you retire, think twice before dipping into these funds if you leave your current employer.

If your employer allows it, you can leave your money in the 401(k) so you’ll still be accumulating resources for retirement. You also have the option to roll those funds into an individual retirement account (IRA) or a new employer’s retirement plan.

And if you plan to work for yourself as a freelancer, consultant or business owner, you’ll still want to save toward retirement. Possible retirement plans for the self-employed include an “owner-only” 401(k), a SEP-IRA or a SIMPLE IRA, all of which may be relatively easy to establish and offer tax benefits. A financial advisor can help you find a retirement plan that’s appropriate for your needs.

Here’s something else to keep in mind – an emergency fund. As mentioned above, if you already have one, you’ll have some breathing room if you’re thinking of leaving your job and might have a temporary gap in income. But as the name suggests, an emergency fund is there to help cover unexpected costs, such as a major home repair, without forcing you to take out a loan, or cash out part of your longer-term investments. So, if you are planning to tap your emergency fund, work to restock it as soon as possible.

If you’re participating in the “Great Resignation,” it means you’re feeling positive about your future employment prospects, which is great. But you’ll want to support that optimism with a strong financial foundation.

Sasha Fitzpatrick can be contacted at EdwardJones Financial Advisor, 22 Common St., Waterville, ME 04901, or at sasha.fitzpatrick@edwardjones.com.

SOLON & BEYOND: A few words from the Carney Brook Chronicle

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

This week I am starting out with a few words from an old July 14, 1997, The Carney Brook Chronicle. It begins: I promised you there would be a sequel to my last column’s wild woodchuck story, but it’s just like one of those movies where you have to guess at the ending. I have not seen that vicious varmint since. (The day that I wrote the column I wanted to use the word “varmint” as an apt description of the woodchuck . I just hope the I just hope the animal didn’t have rabies and crawled off and died. When I called the warden service they thought that was odd behavior for a woodchuck. Animals always tend to like me but there is a question with some people. Those of us who “tell it like it is” aren’t as popular as those with numerous faces.

The following words are from another Carney Brook Chronicle on September 26, 1997 paper. Talk about an early start, here I sit at my typewriter at 2:30 a.m., on Tuesday morning! This is the first for me, but I turned and twisted since midnight so I decided to start the day early. I laid in bed thinking, what shall I write and how shall I write it? so here goes…! I received the official notification from the selectmen last evening that the “Welcome to Solon” signs that they had painted would be unveiled on Monday morning, September 29. I was told that the selectmen were going to have signs made several weeks ago and had tried to convince them that they should let the people vote on what would like to say on the signs since we’re having a special town meeting, and these signs were to represent the town. When I had been told about these welcome signs I asked how much they would cost and was told $400, and when I asked what account that sum would be taken from, Smiley said, “Scrap metal”. Since I am a firm believer in democracy and the right of the people to vote, if given a chance, this entire matter has disturbed me greatly. But it has also proved to me beyond a reasonable doubt why apathy abounds in our country today. At this point some of you are probably saying, ” Why doesn’t she go back to bed? I had, and as I laid there thinking, why can’t I go with the flow and not care, as is the tendency these days. I think the question was answered by a quote from Thomas Jefferson. “In matters of principle, stand like a rock, in matters of taste, swim with the current.”

And now for one more bit of information about a really good friend of mine. This in the December 5, 1997, Carney Brook Chronicle. On November 10 Benjamin Safford was presented with the Boston Post Gold Cane by Solon Selectmen Charles Johnson, Robin Robinson, , and John Sillars Jr.’ as Solon’s oldest resident. The cane was presented to him at his home on York Street where he has lived for the last 25 years. Two of his daughters, Glennis Rogers and Gladys Rogers, and his granddaughter, Linda French were present.

Ben was born in North New Portland on April 29,1904, the son of Russell and Emma Jackson Safford. He went to school in Dead River, then to Anson Academy for one and a half years, and Kingfield High School for one and a half years. He married Methy Morris on September 30,1922, and they had four daughters: Glennis Rogers, and Gladys Rogers, both of Solon, Betty Wyman, of Stratton, and Elsie Laughin, of Raymond. Ben worked as a watchman on Mt. Bigelow from 1922 until 1930, brought a truck and worked on the roads in Dead River. While working as a watchman he took courses in drafting, blueprint reading, and surveying from the international Correspondence School. He worked for Glen Viles building a cookroom, dining camp, and guide camp at West Carry Pond. Ben also trapped and had a Maine guide license. He was a very busy man and had several other jobs as well. After he retired, Ben wrote a book, Some History of the Dead River Valley, which sold over 290 copies. He joined the Mason and OES at the age of 21 and has been an active member ever since. My love and best wishes go out to Ben.

And now for Percy’s memoir: Life’s Rainbows: Oh, I wish I had a rainbow, I am waiting for a sign, To brighten things around me, Leave the shadows all behind. Then I put aside the wishing, And the waiting time is gone, Now it’s time to make things brighter With some rainbows of my own. (Mildred H. H. Bell)

Children’s Author of Marine Conservation Series makes sure books are available free to children everywhere

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Twisted Orca books

Look out at the ocean as far as you can see. There’s a magical world right below the waves! Twisted Orca, a family friendly conservation site, wants every child to stare into the ocean in awe of the amazing world before them!

Twisted Orca books deliver positive messages about sea animals through what The Bay Magazine calls “adorably lovable characters”.

While hard copies of the books are available at retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, author Keri Newman wants to be sure the books are accessible to children everywhere.

“One day a teacher reached out to me and told me how much her class loved our books, and how she had given her classroom copy to a little girl whose family couldn’t afford books. I wanted to make sure that regardless of income, children all over the world could learn about saving the ocean”.

Three of the most popular books are now available to download as part of free educational kits on Twisted Orca’s website. The kits also include free themed coloring pages, conservation pledges and Ocean Hero Certificates that kids can sign and save.

For those who wish to purchase items, hard copies of all the books, as well as exclusive ocean inspired art and gifts for the whole family can be found at Twistedorca.com. For teachers, groups, or families on a limited budget, the free book kits are fun and available to all!

Keri Newman, founder of Twisted Orca, is a Marine Naturalist and whale enthusiast from Rhode Island. She is currently involved in a project with the World Cetacean Alliance in the United Kingdom to publish a Worldwide Guide for Responsible Whale Watching. Wholesale copies of Twisted Orca books are available for resale through Stillwater Books.

Vassalboro selectmen approve purchase of two compactors

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by Mary Grow

At their Sept. 16 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen unanimously approved purchase of two new compactors for the town transfer station, concluding a years-long discussion of updating the facility.

Tom Maguire, head of Maguire Equipment Inc., of Readville, Massachusetts, reviewed his company’s proposals with selectmen, Town Manager Mary Sabins, Transfer Station Manager George Hamar and Public Works Director Eugene Field.

Selectmen plan to order two compactors immediately. One will be installed when available – Maguire estimates delivery within five or six weeks after he receives an order.

There will be a pause to repair the cement underneath the site of the second machine; then it will be installed, probably not until 2022. Maguire will store it until the town is ready for it.

Selectmen will also order two new large trash containers.

Board and staff members debated spreading the work over several years and decided to get it done in one blow. They discussed related work, like electrical changes and how extensive the concrete repairs are likely to be.

Their plan is to have the town public works crew do the concrete work. Field reminded them that his men might need to be plowing by November and will have spring road work.

If selectmen want them to make concrete work at the transfer station a priority, they will, of course, he said.

“You guys answer to the residents,” he reminded them.

Selectmen agreed it is time to make the transfer station upgrade a priority. They are satisfied that the approved additions and changes can be made within the $156,000 budgeted.

In other business, after hesitation, selectmen approved a short policy statement requiring all employees “whose duties include routine work in the Town Office” to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The only exception is a medical exemption; any exempted employee must be masked when within six feet of anyone else.

Hesitation was because the issue has become politically controversial. Approval was because all town office staff are already vaccinated, Sabins said, so the policy would affect only job applicants; and because social distancing is difficult in the “super-close quarters” (Selectman Barbara Redmond’s phrase) in the office, as well as in some transactions with the public.

Selectman Chris French voted against the policy, because he thinks it should apply to all town employees who meet the public, not just those in the office.

The meeting began with a very short public hearing on the annual update to the appendices to the General Assistance Ordinance, adjusting the allowable amounts of aid. There being no public comment, board Chairman Robert Browne closed the hearing and the selectmen unanimously approved the changes.

Sabins said resident and retiring Codes Officer Paul Mitnik would like to rejoin the Conservation Commission. Selectmen unanimously appointed him to finish out Betsy Poulin’s term, which ends in 2023.

There is still a vacancy on the Conservation Commission, since French resigned after he was elected selectman. That term ends in 2022.

Selectmen unanimously approved the annual resolution declaring the week of Sept. 17 through 23 Constitution Week, honoring the United States Constitution.

Sabins reported the Vassalboro annual report for 2020 had earned a Supreme award from the Maine Municipal Association, for the ninth year in a row. “Supreme” means Vassalboro produced the best annual report of any Maine town in its size category.

Because selectmen plan an extra meeting they have labeled a goal-setting workshop, and because November holidays disrupt their usual Thursday schedule, they developed the following list of pending board meetings.

— Regular meetings at 6:30 p.m., on Thursdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 14 and Oct. 28;
— A special goal-setting workshop meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, open to the public to watch and listen but not to participate; and
— One November meeting, unless a press of business requires another, scheduled for Thursday evening, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m.

French led an inconclusive discussion of the unsatisfactory solid waste disposal situation, which Browne suggested as a topic for Oct. 21. French objects to too much landfilling and too little recycling, due to the failure to restart a successor to the Hampden facility that minimized landfilling and emphasized recycling.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: A good ol’ fishing story from the past

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Reprinted from 2015

We haven’t had one of these in a long time, so it was kind of timely because it happened on one of our last fishing outings of the season. With summer officially ending on September 21, my wife and I are preparing to close camp, so the boat will be coming out of the water soon.

What is it you ask?

A fishing story.

Anyone who has done some significant amount of fishing can attest that sometimes weird things happen while on the water. It can involve birds, mammals, or anything related to nature, including fish.

For instance, recently, while fishing near the large island on Webber Pond, we heard this rather loud splash in the water. In the past we have experienced ospreys go into their kamikaze dive to catch a fish, or a large bass coming to the surface to grab something to eat. On occasion, it could be a loon. On that particular day, that large splash was made by a deer. We don’t know what happened, because we didn’t see, just heard. But the deer was in the water, chest deep, working its way back toward the island. As always, once it reached some vegetation, it disappeared.

But this next one is a fishing story. This is not a fabrication.

We were about to wrap up the fishing for the day, having spent a little over four hours on the pond, when I felt a “hit.” Once I set the hook, I could tell this was going to be a nice fish. I began the process of bringing the fish toward the boat. It was putting up a pretty good fight, finally breaking water and going into its routine of trying to release itself from the hook. It jerked and twisted while doing its “dance” on the water.

The fish wasn’t successful so the struggle continued. As I got the fish closer to the boat, it decided to dive aft. This is when things got really interesting. The bass had managed to get directly under the boat, or so I thought. My fishing rod was completely bent in half, with the tip of the rod nearly touching the water. At this point, I could no longer pull the fish toward the surface nor take up any more line on the reel.

I told my wife, “grab the net, we are now in a Mexican standoff.” The fish was pulling as hard from his end as I was from mine. After what seemed like an eternity, the line finally succumbed to the stress, and broke.

Disappointed, I had to investigate as to why I could not land the fish. I figured the bass had to have snagged itself somewhere under the boat. I first checked the side where I have a diving platform. That is the usual culprit. Nothing there. Next, I checked the fin on the lower unit of the motor, nothing. “OK, it’s got to be the prop,” I thought. A quick check of the propeller showed no sign of a fishing line. However, I did notice the anchor line coming across just below the prop, a strange place for it to be.

Closer inspection showed me that the hook, with lure still attached was imbedded in the anchor line. I always try to steer the fish away from that area, but this one had decided, with authority, that is where it wanted to go.

Wait a minute! I noticed something else when I saw the hook and lure. I could see eyes staring back at me. I grabbed the anchor and started to pull it up from the bottom of the lake, and there it was. The fish was still attached to the hook and lure, and tangled in the anchor rope. The fish was hauled into the boat, and the usual ceremony took place. Free the fish from the line, measure and weigh, photo op, and back into the water. It wasn’t a giant: 18-inches, 3-1/2 pounds, but it fought like a whale.

Another fish story to tell my grandkids and great-grandkids, because my friends don’t believe it.

WINTER PREDICTION UPDATE

I promised I would keep you updated on my observations regarding the winter prediction. Well, things haven’t changed much. I have seen many squirrels out and about, and all of them have had a skinny tail, indicating a mild winter. Last Friday evening, I saw my first wooly bear caterpillar. He was about one third rust colored, and two-thirds black, a sign of a relatively tough winter. Again, conflicting indicators.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who is the longest reigning heavyweight boxing champion with 25 successful title defenses.

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, September 23, 2021

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Trivia QuestionsWho is the longest reigning heavyweight boxing champion with 25 successful title defenses?

Answer:

Joe Louis.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, September 23, 2021

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HAROLD A. KITCHIN

BRISTOL, R.I. – Harold A. Kitchin, 89, of Metacom Avenue, died Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was born in Palermo, to Harold A. and Lydia (Phillips) Kitchin.

He graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, and studied to become a machinist at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, in South Portland. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

He was the husband of the late Joyce M. (Bumps) Kitchin with whom at the time of her death on July 22, 2011, he had celebrated 58 years of marriage.

He had lived in Lincoln, Rhode Island, for more than 30 years and Warwick, Rhode Island, for nearly 20 years before becoming a resident of the Rhode Island Veterans Home in 2013.

He was employed as a sales engineer for nearly 40 years for such firms as Reynolds of Baker Street, Reynolds Used Machinery Sales, and Walenty Machinery Sales. He also worked as a lab assistant at New England Institute of Technology.

Harold loved to travel in their R.V. and square dance. He was a man who was community minded, serving as a Pack Master for Cub Scouts and as a church moderator.

He is survived by a daughter, Sharie J. Sparrow, of Warwick, Rhode Island, two sons, Steven H. Kitchin and his wife, Diane, of Swansea, Massachusetts, and, Stewart A. Kitchin and his wife, Dolores, of Cranston, Rhode Island; three grandchildren, Robert Sparrow (wife Krista), William Sparrow (fiancé Erin Harrington) and Danielle Guy; and two great-grandchildren, Rosalie and Kourtney.

He was predeceased by a brother of the late Irene Mathieson.

His funeral service will be private. Interment with military honors will be in Chadwick Hill Cemetery, South China.

Condolences may be offered to his family and remembrances of Harold shared online at http://www.carpenterjenks.com.

Donations in his memory may be made to Erskine Academy Alumni Scholarship Fund, 309 Windsor Rd., South China, ME 04358.

GARY J. MICHAUD

WINSLOW – Gary J. Michaud, 67, of Winslow, passed unexpectedly on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following several years of illness. He was born June 23, 1954, to Alfred and Geraldine (Bouchard) Michaud.

He graduated from Winslow High School in 1973. He worked for many years in construction and until his retirement in 2012 at Michaud’s Welding for his brother Larry and nephew Dana.

He will be remembered for his love of being “up north” hunting, fishing and camping, family gatherings and love of food. He had a great passion for baseball, football, wrestling, and the many years he spent coaching Little League Babe Ruth, midget football, and anything the kids were playing. He was especially looking forward to this high school football season and watching his grandson Evan play his senior year at Winslow. He had been involved in the Waterville Elks Clubs for many years, as well as the Winslow Fourth of July committee and high school booster clubs.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years Diana (Fortin) and children Carrie Dugal and her fiancé David Fretz, James Michaud and wife Cathy, Amy Bourget and husband Kenneth, Joshua Partridge and wife Stacey and Matthew Partridge; his grandchildren Isaac, Noah and Hannah Dugal, Elliot Michaud, Evan and Natalie Bourget and Boyd and Lincoln Partridge; his sisters Carol Nadeau, Donna Ouellette and Diane and Arnold Pelletier; his brother Larry and Pauline Michaud; sister in-law Barbie and Joe Poirier; brother in-law Joseph and Christine Fortin; mother-in-law Jane and Donald Simpson; many nieces and nephews.

At his request there will be no visitation hours. A celebration of life is being planned for Sunday, October 3, 2021.

GREGORY B. DAVIS JR.

WATERVILLE – Gregory Bryant Davis, Jr., 52, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, following a year long battle with cancer, which he fought courageously and with such grace. He was born on May 5, 1969, son of Chrystal (Shorey) Hassen and Gregory B. Davis, Sr.

Greg was a 1987 graduate of Waterville High School. He was a dedicated, hard-working man and held several jobs throughout his life, including Harris Bakery Co., in Waterville, Orion Rope Co. , in Winslow, and most recently Huhtamaki, in Waterville, for the past eight years.

Greg was a fan of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots, and enjoyed watching games with family and friends. He was blessed to have had the opportunity to attend some live games with good friends from Huhtamaki. He also enjoyed playing pass with the football, baseball; playing badminton, volleyball or any sport he could engage in with family and friends. Greg was an avid bowler and looked forward to the fellowship, food and fun of Tuesday night bowling league in Augusta.

Some of his favorite past times were looking at vehicles for sale at dealerships and on the side of the road; riding his bicycle; visiting Acadia National Park and Pemaquid Beach; going to see the latest movie at the theater; and visiting his family.

Greg, aka “Bubba”, was the ultimate family man and nothing was more important to him than his family. He was always there to help anyone who needed a hand and never complained. He was the epitome of what it means to be a good son, brother, uncle, and friend. His positive attitude and uplifting spirit led his siblings to view him as the “Captain America” in their lives.

Greg was predeceased by his father, Gregory B. Davis Sr., of Palermo.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Chrystal and Douglas Hassen, of Waterville; stepmother Maryann Davis, of Palermo; siblings, Reginald Davis, Justin Davis and wife Wendy, all of Waterville, Kurt Davis and wife Jenn, of Benton, and Tamra Davis, of Vassalboro; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousinsy.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 11 a.m. at China Baptist Church, 36 Causeway Road, China, Maine. Burial to follow at Chadwick Hill Cemetery, in China.

Arrangements are in the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, Me 04963.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Greg’s name may be sent to China Baptist Church and the Jimmy Fund at jimmyfund.org.

CHESTER C. SUSKE D.O.

WATERVILLE – Chester C. Suske D.O. passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Waterville. Chet was born in Brooklyn New York, son of Chester and Clara (Krisinski) Suske.

He graduated from Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in 1962. He attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 1968.

He enjoyed racing stock cars at local tracks and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a fan of Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He was predeceased by his parents; his son, Stephen; and his brother, Robert.

He is survived by his wife Pauline, of 56 years; his son, Daniel (Tammy); his daughter, Kristen (Robert); five grandchildren, Joslyn, Michigan, Claire, Justice and Charlie Rose; and a great-granddaughter, Adelynn.

There will not be any public visiting hours.

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.

DOROTHY A. FULLER

WATERVILLE – Dorothy A. (Hayden) Fuller, 76, of Waterville, passed away, Friday, September 10, 2021, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. She was born on July 31, 1945, to Merton and Violet Hayden (Wright).

On November 10, 1967, she married the late Kenneth Fuller. Together they raised two daughters,.Dorothy was a loving mother and a very proud nana to her two granddaughters. She loved playing and working Bingo, where she met and made many dear friends.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Della Veilleux and husband David, of Fairfield, Kerri Deschaine and husband Stephen, of Winslow; granddaughters, Emma Michaud and Rylee Veilleux; siblings, Robert Innes, Chester Innes, John Innes, and Isabell Brideau; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Kenneth Fuller, brothers, Melvin Wright, Donald Innes, Arthur Hayden, Aubrey Hayden, Charles Hayden, Donald Hayden, Margaret Innes, Marie Hayden and Wanetta Bennett; and her parents, Merton and Violet Hayden.

Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 25, at 11 a.m. Please contact daughters, Della or Kerri, for location.

RODNEY S. BLAISDELL SR.

CLINTON – Rodney S. Blaisdell Sr., 54, of Clinton, died on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Mt. Mercy hospital, in Portland, following a brief illness of pneumonia. Rodney was born on November 3, 1966, a son of Roger P. Blaisdell Sr. and Gloria M. Huff.

Rodney attended local area schools. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf with his brother Roger. Rodney loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, Olivia, Carter, Severide, Lucas, Dominic, and three others on the way.

Rodney is survived by his father, Roger P. Blaisdell Sr.; a stepfather, Dave Huff; his children, Rodney Blaisdell Jr. and wife Krystle, Brandon Blaisdell and fiancée Gabrielle, Alexandra Blaisdell and boyfriend Greg, Abigail Blaisdell and husband Jeremy; 11 siblings, Roger, Jerome, Ronald, Lori, Kelly, Angie, Jessica, Amanda, Betsy, Joyce, and Brittany.

Rodney is predeceased by his mother, Gloria M. Huff, and Grandma Gertrude Quimby.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 4 p.m., at the Clinton Fairgrounds where a pig roast in Rodney’s honor will take place. Please bring a dish. For questions, please reach out to Rodney Blaisdell Jr.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution Go Fund Me page has been created on Facebook and donations will be accepted at the Celebration of Life to help his children with Rodney’s final expenses.

SHAUN D. COOMBS

WINSLOW – Shaun Douglas Coombs, 43, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 12, 2021. Shaun was born in Waterville, on June 29, 1978, the son of Eugene and Cynthia (Colburn) Coombs.

He attended Fairfield schools, and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1996.Shaun was predeceased by his father, Eugene Coombs, and his mother, Cynthia (Colburn) Coombs.

Shaun was most passionate about being a dad to Haley, Dylan, and Lucas. He was truly the most amazing father. Shaun was a coach and a mentor to many Lawrence Bulldogs. He loved and played football, basketball and baseball growing up. As an adult, he gave his time and support to the Fairfield sports community. He started by coaching his own children, Haley and Dylan when they began playing sports. He volunteered with local PAL sports programs, helped with concessions, organized tournaments, encouraged all the kids involved in sports and was “that guy” at many games, who let the refs know how they were doing!

Shaun was a “homebody” who loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family.

Shaun is survived by his wife and best friend, Melissa, and his three children: Haley, Dylan, and Lucas; his siblings: Timothy Hall and wife, Lisa, of Cleveland, Tennessee, Stephanie (Haney) Hall and husband Albert, of Canaan, Brian Coombs, of Solon, and Michael Coombs, and wife, Jody, of Skowhegan; his nieces and nephews, Megan (Haney) Bizier and husband, Dan, James Haney, Sydney and Justin Hall, Travis Coombs, and Jazmyne Coombs.

Visiting hours will be held at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield, on Saturday, September 25, from 4 -7 p.m.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 26, from noon – 3 p.m., at O’Brien’s Event Center, 375 Main Street, Waterville.

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.

In lieu of flowers Shaun would want donations made to the Lawrence High School Boosters Clubs to benefit all of the Bulldog athletes. There is an account set up for the family for those who have asked specifically to help and provide support.

Please send any donations for the family to: New Dimensions FCU, 94 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901. Please make checks payable to Melissa Coombs and place “Melissa Savings” in the memo line.

RICHARD L. HARDING SR.

WATERVILLE – Richard L. Harding Sr., 88, of Waterville, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 12, 2021. Richard was born on June 28, 1933, in Waterville to Leroy and Marguerite Harding.

He grew up in Fairfield and after graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. After serving in the Navy, he returned home where he met the love of his life, Alice. They married, raised four children and were set to celebrate their 65th year of marriage on September 24.

Richard joined the police force where he served the community of Waterville before becoming the sergeant in Fairfield. He was a great protector of all which is why he was a phenomenal police officer, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family more than anything. When you met Richard, he was always telling stories, joking, trying to make you laugh or just put a smile on your face.

He enjoyed fishing, metal detecting, and hunting on the “the ridge” where he waited for the “big one”. He was an avid New England Patriots fan who was often found watching football or hunting shows with his wife. Richard enjoyed trips to John’s Market every day and sometimes even twice a day to have coffee with his longtime friends.

He loved attending all his children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. It was very rare that he missed any of their sporting or school events. Even in his final weeks, he was found watching his great-grandson’s football game and when asked “are you okay, dad?” His response was, “it’s always a great day when you are watching football”. He also found joy in his final weeks with constant visits that consisted of hugs and kisses from his great-grandchildren Brianna, Nicholas, Colt, Aubrey, and his newest great-grandchild, Elijah, who brought smiles to everyone’s faces with his giggles.

Richard is survived by his wife, Alice (Gagne) Harding, of Waterville; children Richard L. Harding Jr. and wife Wendy, Lana Deroche and husband Dana, Lorna Rancourt and husband Steve, Renee Rancourt and husband Chris; grandchildren Richard L. Harding III and wife Lisa, Amy St. Amand and husband William, children Brianna, Nicholas and Aubrey, Ryan Robinson and wife Shawna, son Colt, Megan Murray and husband Adam, on Elijah; many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren he gained through marriage.

Richard was predeceased by his parents Leroy and Marguerite Harding, brother Victor Harding, sister Ruth Harding, and nephew Donald Harding.

A graveside service with military honors was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.

A Celebration of life reception followed at Kingdom Life Church, in Oakland.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Richard’s name may be made to Operation Reboot Outdoors, 887 Upper StreetTurner, ME 04282.

WAYNE J. CHALOU

CHINA – Wayne Joseph Chalou, 71, of China, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his home, from congestive heart failure. He was born on June 15, 1950, in Presque Isle.

He was living in Oxbow with his family until they moved him at a very young age (not his choice) to Frog Hollow, in Hartford, Connecticut. He went to Rockville High School. And then, straight into the U.S. Marine Corp. He served his country proudly in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Lima Company 3/5, in Vietnam, from 1968 to 1970.

He belonged to many different organizations including Italian American Friendship Club, in Tolland, Connecticut, lifetime member of the VFW, in Willington, Connecticut, Uriel Lodge No. 24 AF & AM, in Merrow, Connecticut; Willington Fire Department #1, Eastern Sportsman’s Club, in Ashford, Connecticut, and his favorite, the Willington Fish & Game Club.

He made his home in Willington with his wife Georgette (Schultz) Chalou (Gigi) for 36 years prior to moving to China in July 2011.

He especially enjoyed Friday Night Happy Hours at each other’s homes; deer hunting and bird hunting with the boys up in Northeast Carry. He so loved all his friends like family. He would do anything for anyone, but never ask for help himself. And, he loved to cook…he was the famous collector of gadgets — the kitchen was off limits to anyone but him. He had a memory for everything, movies, songs, sayings and events in his life and others.

Besides his wife, Gigi, he leaves a sister, Rosanna Cutter, of Rockville, Connecticut; two brothers, Dana Chalou, of Frenchville, and Raymond Chalou, of Sierra Vista, Arizona; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Alma Chalou, from Oxbow.

Plummer Funeral Home in Augusta and Simple Cremations are in charge of funeral arrangements. There are no calling hours, but instead will have graveside services at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta, ME 04330, with full military honors, at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, please, in honor of Wayne, donate to the Willington Fish & Game Club, 162 River Road, Willington, CT 06279.

There will be a Celebration of Life held in Connecticut at a later date.

MURIEL VIGUE

WATERVILLE – Muriel Vigue, 91, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Muriel was born on August 19, 1930, in Waterville, the daughter of Ralph and Sarah Knight.

She attended Fairfield schools and married Florian Vigue on June 28, 1947. They raised three children, Linda (Veilleux) Michaud, Steve Veilleux, and Daniel Veilleux, in the Waterville area. During her lifetime, she was employed at the Wyandotte Textile Mill, in Waterville, and retired from Ralston Purina, in Winslow.

She was a member of Notre Dame/Corpus Christi Parish, in Waterville, and donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for 40 years.

Every chance she could get, she loved to attend local Beano games and trips to the Oxford Casino. She would also travel once a year to Las Vegas, Nevada, with her sisters and sisters-in-law for a full week of gambling, the slot machines were her favorite. Each Christmas she would receive a shoe box full of scratch tickets and sit for hours scratching the tickets hoping for a big winner.

She also enjoyed getting together during the holidays with her sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins and nieces making tourtierre pies for the whole family.

Muriel was predeceased by her father, Ralph Knight, mother, Sarah Knight, her husband of 54 years, Florian Vigue, daughter, Linda Michaud, son-in-law, Norman Michaud, son, Daniel Veilleux, granddaughter, Desiree Veilleux, brother, Robert Knight, sister, Helena Willette, sister, Katherine Poulin, sister, Annie Knight, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her son, Steve Veilleux and wife Lea Veilleux; seven grandchildren: Brian Michaud and wife Kerri Michaud, Jon Michaud, Lori Michaud, Lisa Poulin and husband Shawn Poulin, Stephanie Burgess and husband Nate Burgess, Chelsea Dryer and husband Johan Dryer, Travis Veilleux and partner Brittney Turner; 11 great-grandchildren, Emma Michaud, Murphy Michaud, Lindsay Laflamme, Jayde Hebert, Amanda Poulin and fiancé Racean Wood, Ashley Poulin, Karinne Burgess, Ryan Burgess, Brooklyn Burgess, Jenna Dryer, Colton Dryer; her brother James Knight and wife Pat Knight; sister-in-law Aline Knight; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will not be any public visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 23, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville. Followed by a committal service at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville.

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

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Muriel Vigue to, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

TABITHA L. BLAIR

BAREFOOT BAY, Florida, and Whitefield – Tabitha Lisa Blair, 41, died Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Holmes Regional Medical Center, in Melbourne, Florida, after succumbing to COVID pneumonia, following periods of diabetic ketoacidosis. Tabitha was born in Augusta, on September 9, 1979, the third child of Terry L. and Sally A. (Bowden) Blair.

“Tabi,” as her family and childhood friends new her, attended Whitefield Consolidated School and graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1997. She received a B.A. from the University of Maine at Augusta and was also enrolled in the horticulture program at Oregon State University.

Tabitha worked as a florist at Shaw’s Supermarket, in Augusta, and at the Gardiner Area Boys and Girls Club before beginning her career as an educator, teaching at Somerville and Chelsea schools. She found her stride as a fourth grade teacher at Treasure Coast Elementary School, in Sebastian, Florida. She was known as a no-nonsense teacher, who loved bright colors, fun decorations, and especially pink flamingos. As one of her students phrased it, Ms. Blair was the “G.O.A.T.” at math!

Tabi grew up as a “Mainer” playing various sports, hunting, camping, and swimming in the cold waters of the ocean or mountain streams – but always craved warmer weather. Ultimately, it was her love of sand and forever sunny skies that pulled her to Florida in 2016. Despite loving her new home, it was important to her that her ties to Maine remained strong, and she returned for several weeks each year with her children, Emma and Luke. They always created a “Summer Fun Bucket List,” which included new adventures and fond traditions, including the annual Blair family trip to Dolly Copp Campground, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Tabi enjoyed gardening and secretly dreamed of one day working at Disney World’s Annual Flower and Garden Festival. She spent many hours planting and pruning gardens as part of the Garden Club at TCE and at her parents’ homes in Maine and Florida.

She shared a special bond with her parents, including the same sense of humor as her dad. She was a fantastic cook, mastering all the family favorites – lasagna, specialty party dips, and the world’s best whoopie pie (a recipe handed down from her mother).

Tabi also loved to read. Perhaps her favorite days were those soaking up the sun and salty air on the beach with a book in her lap, while her kids played in the surf.

Ms. Blair is survived by her children, Emma C. Blair and Luke M. Blair; her parents, Terry L. and Sally A. Blair, of Whitefield; her brother, Terry L. Blair, Jr. and his wife Terri, of Whitefield; her older sister, Tamara L. Blair Kirk and her husband, Robert, of Augusta; and her younger sister, Anne Dora T. Bishop and her husband, Christopher, of Whitefield; as well as 11 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Sheepscot Valley Community Church, located at 25 Pittston Road, Whitefield.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Augusta. Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

LEO J. GRIVOIS

OAKLAND – Leo James Grivois, 91, of Oakland, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. He was born in Waterville on January 21, 1930, the son of the late Arthur and Mabel (Beaulieu) Grivois.

Leo worked in the woods for many years, from the 1940s using bucksaws and horses to yard out the wood, to later in his career using chainsaws and skidders. He later worked as a custodian at the Messalonskee School District, in Oakland, retiring in 2009.

He enjoyed auctions, lawn sales, fairs and loved showing his horses.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Ruth M. (Corey) Grivois; his siblings, Mary Corbin, Edwina Gendreaur, Armond Grivois and Harold Grivois.

Leo is survived by his children, David J. Grivois and his wife, Diane, of Oakland, Gary R. Grivois and his wife, Lynne, of Winthrop, and Victor R. Grivois and his wife, Brenda, of Waterville; his siblings, Gerald Grivois, of Oakland and Gloria Reeves and her husband, Chuck, of Utah; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, September 25, at Lewis Cemetery, in Oakland.

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

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

REV. WILLIAM R. GILBERT

FAIRFIELD – Rev. William (Bill) R. Gilbert, 87, of Fairfield, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at the Veterans Home, in Bangor. He was born on December 31, 1933, to Joseph W. Gilbert and Mary Helen Perry Gilbert.

He attended Fairfield schools and received his GED in the U.S. Army. He served in Korea from 1956 – 1958.

He worked at the Cascade Woolen Mill, in Oakland, and later at Keyes Fibre Co. (now Huhtamaki), in Waterville.

He studied for the ministry for 12 years from Moody Bible Institute correspondence courses. He was assistant pastor at Benton Christian Church, and interim pastor at Second Baptist Church, in Waterville, where he was ordained, and became pastor in 1986. He ministered there for 30 years.

He was chaplain and life member of Fairfield V.F. W. Post #6924, and a member of Grover-Hinckley American Legion Post #14, in Fairfield.

Bill enjoyed woodworking and had “Bill’s Naughty Pine Shop,” where he made doll houses, miniatures, country furniture, cedar strap canoes, kayaks and more.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Lester and Raymond, and his wife of 53 years, Alice.

He leaves a daughter Christiane, of Old Town; stepchildren, Laurel McLeod, of Winslow, Bruce McLeod, of Fairfield and Aileen Steigerwalt, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania; granddaughters Katie and Taylor; and great-granddaughter, Elana Paumen.

There will be no funeral nor celebration of life. Interment was at the Old Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta.

CHINA: People’s Park group dealt major disappointment

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The property in question, from Google Streetview.

by Mary Grow

[There has been an update to this story: CHINA: Follow-up on land sale story from last week]

Lindsey Harwath, President of the The People’s Park group hoping to create a public park off Lakeview Drive on land that town officials just sold, has reported a major disappointment.

At the Aug. 30 selectmen’s meeting, selectmen reviewed two bids for the approximately 40-acre parcel with their chosen realtor, Lucas Adams, of Adams Realty, in South China. One bid was for $10,000, from The People’s Park. The other was for $80,000 from a then-unnamed party, now identified as former China resident Austin “Gerry” Ogden.

Adams had valued the land at between $80,000 and $100,000. Selectmen had split the difference and set $90,000 as their preferred price.

They authorized Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to negotiate and contract with the higher bidder. Adams told selectmen that person’s plan was to keep two lots and offer the remainder of the land to The People’s Park, at a “reasonable” price.

Hapgood reported at the Sept. 13 selectmen’s meeting that she and Ogden had agreed on $83,000. Closing was postponed to sometime in October, she said, because the title company is so busy.

Harwath said before town selectmen acted, Adams had discouraged another interested resident from making a formal offer and had told Harwath that if Ogden became the landowner, The People’s Park “would be in a better financial position than if we tried to buy the lot from the town.”

On Sept. 15, Harwath met with Adams, Ogden and Ogden’s wife Lynda at Adams’ office. Fellow People’s Park board member Jeanne Marquis joined the meeting late.

At that meeting, Harwath said, Ogden said he intended to keep three lots from the property. He offered to sell the remaining acreage to The People’s Park for $110,000. Or, Harwath said, he would sell the group the entire almost-40 acres for $160,000.

Ogden worked with Lawrence “Larry” Adams, the family-owned real estate firm’s previous head, when the Ogdens lived in China.

China planners to hear application to convert Knowles building to marijuana business

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members have scheduled a Sept. 28 public hearing on Miguel Rivera’s application to convert the Knowles Mechanical Building at 1097 Route 3 to a medical marijuana business.

The building is a short distance east of Dirigo Corner, where Dirigo and Alder Park roads intersect Route 3 (also called Belfast Road). Codes Officer Jaime Hanson, summarizing Rivera’s application, said Rivera plans no changes to the exterior of the building, the parking areas or the grounds.

Hanson said the existing septic system, approved in 2013, should be adequate for the proposed new business. Rivera said he has not had it inspected, but the facilities indoors seem to work properly.

The change of use will have no effect on a mapped wetland on the property, Hanson said. Referring to a requirement that no medical marijuana business can locate on a property within 500 feet of a school, day care or other child-oriented use, Hanson said the provision is met.

That issue later raised two others: whether the existence of a medical marijuana facility prohibited a child-based use in an adjacent building and thereby “burdened” surrounding lots, and whether home-schooling counts as a child-oriented use. The questions were left unanswered.

Rivera said he has a state medical marijuana caregiver’s license. He plans no more than two or three employees in the building at a time, he said. He will not have a marijuana growing operation in the building.

Planning board members agreed the next steps are notifying abutters of the proposed change of use and holding the Sept. 28 public hearing. Unless new pandemic regulations require a change, the hearing should be at 6:30 p.m. in the portable building behind the town office on Lakeview Drive, with interested residents invited to attend in person.

Hanson said there might also be an application to amend a subdivision, by approving the already-accomplished relocation of Fire Road 19, at the Sept. 28 meeting.

In other business, Hanson reported that he remains backlogged on permit applications, but Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood has authorized staff help. Planning Board Chairman Randall Downer expressed appreciation to the manager.

Board member Toni Wall said she plans to spend six months on the Appalachian Trail next year. She asked whether she should ask for a leave or resign from the board.

Board member James Wilkens said he considered the question the board’s business and made a motion to authorize a six-month’s leave for Wall. The motion was approved 4-0 with Wall abstaining.