It’s the time of year for good ol’ fashioned coon pailing

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Maine coon, unpailed.

by Jim Metcalf

Summer is coming to a close with the enjoyment of corn picked only after the pot of water comes to a boil. But there is one creature who enjoys corn so much that it picks ears at the earliest sign of ripening. In fact, this creature will travel through a corn planting, ripping ears open just to find the best of the best. The creature, of course, is the Maine raccoon, a lovable friendly masked bandit who figures you planted corn just for their enjoyment.

I’m not sure how farmers handle raccoon picnics in their corn field today, but a few years ago there was a happy band of raccoon pailers who could be called upon to catch and relocate corn loving raccoons to outside of Waldo County. Today, those men and women are the upstanding citizens of our towns and would probably deny that they were members of those midnight marauders whom every coon dreaded. But 50 or 60 years ago, the most fun thing one could do on a Friday or Saturday night was to gather on Route 3 at the Sheepscot Lake Fish and Game parking lot, then head out to corn plantings to search for the raccoons.

A number of coon hunters had pickup trucks with dog cages on the front bumper. The cage had a gate and trip wire going into the cab so when the dogs struck on the scent of a raccoon, the cage could be opened from the cab causing all hell to break loose with dogs and coons running every which way. The noise and lights of the trucks along with the yelling encouragement of the hunters caused farm house lights to go on, sometimes followed by double barrel blasts into the air to scare off the night attack.

Most farmers knew the coon pailers and welcomed them to save their corn crop. Most cleared a perimeter road around the planting to make it easier for our trucks. We never entered a field or drove over corn. An occasional farmer was determined to post their land to keep us out because they did not agree to our pailing methods. It cannot be proven, but it was said that those ornery uncooperative farmers were sometimes gifted a couple of pails of coons for their own pleasure.

The reason we pailed coons in August was to train the dogs to hunt and tree before the actual fall hunting season. Raccoons were never killed or harmed although some hunters were not so fortunate with bumped heads and sprained ankles. One night a hunter caught up with a coon and grabbed it by its tail to swing it around, probably to make it dizzy while someone brought a pail and cover. The coon was having no part of this swinging dance and bit the twirler a number of times across his chest. You might recognize that hunter today at the beach. He is the one with the scars of the teeth marks from his left shoulder down to his right belt line.

The actual way the hunt worked was to gather the trucks, dogs, hunters and sometimes hunters’ dates, usually in a party of two to four trucks. Since those were the days of CB radios, everyone could keep in touch as we drove around towns all night in search of the corn destroyers. Once the dogs picked up the scent, they were released to tree one or more coons as quickly as possible. If the dogs were inexperienced, it turned into a flashlight led run through woods with hard low hanging branches or wet butt soaking swamps to slow us down. Thankfully, most times the dogs would run them down and tree them not very far into the woods.

Now came the fun part. The hunters would gather under the tree with five-gallon pails and lids with air holes. We had to divvy up the tasks. Some, mostly dates, would handle the flashlights so we could see what we were doing. However, if this was their first pailing, the flashlights would be taken back because the owners would be scanning the surroundings for a path back to the trucks. One or two would hold the dogs away from the tree. One or two would have to manage the pails and get the coons into them. Finally, someone had to get the raccoon out of the tree.

Usually, those with dates to impress volunteered to get the raccoon out of the tree. If the tree was a small sapling or birch, the date impressers would shake the tree until the coon could no longer hold on and fell to the ground with a thud. If the tree was unshakable, the hunter had to climb the tree and either shake the limb or punch the coon, knocking it to the ground. Every once in a while, a brilliant raccoon would climb down the opposite side of the tree ending up below the hunter. Now it became a game of kick the coon out of the tree before he bites you in the leg.

Whichever way the raccoon landed on the ground, the people with pails had to get their pail over the coon before it ran off. They would then sit on the pail to rest while others gathered to slip the cover along the ground underneath the pail to secure the catch for relocation. You only had a few seconds while the coon was dazed, compounded by two of more people with pails bumping into each other during the pailing. With new and experienced participants, coordination was always a problem and the subject of after hunt criticism and even the lack of invites for future coon pailings. If the operation failed, the coon followed by the dogs headed off deeper into the woods for yet another episode as a wiser more irritated raccoon.

One night the coon and dogs ran onto one of the posted, anti-pailing coon farmer’s land, and immediately stopped howling. The other hunters started criticizing the dog’s owner for the silence of untrained dogs. The owner of the dogs quickly replied, “My dogs read the ‘No Trespassing’ signs and turned it into a quiet chase just as I trained them”. On another night we were all headed through Belfast because an in-town corn patch grower asked for our help. A dog with the best nose picked up a coon’s scent in the middle of town.

Without thinking, the driver pulled the cage release and the dog was out of the cage in a flash howling and treeing a coon on someone’s front lawn. As all the lights in the neighborhood came on, we figured we might spend the rest of the night in the county jail. People in night clothes came out to see a real live coon dog in action. We got the dog back in the truck; left the coon in the tree and quickly headed on to the next farm with some applause from the onlookers.

From my old person vantage point, pailing coons was a crazy thing to do, but it was some of the most fun we could have chasing howling dogs who were chasing raccoons through the woods while someone’s date, who could not keep up, would start screaming, “Wait for me, I broke my flashlight and I’m lost”.

It has been known to happen that a hunter without a date would turn back to rescue the damsel and often live happily ever after telling stories about how they met pailing coons in Waldo County.

GARDEN WORKS: Are you buried in veggies? Part 1

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Emily Catesby Emily Cates

How to enjoy an abundant harvest without wasting it

Does this sound familiar? The intentions were innocent, artfully combined, and dutifully cared for: A few rows of fine, well-prepared garden soil, a few wheel barrelfuls of rich compost, a few packets of seeds, and the gentle stream of water from the watering can; The delicate seedlings, under the watchful eye and loving shadow of the gardener, became strong and thrived. Suddenly, it happened! The veggies decided to proliferate. The zucchini are ballooning into baseball bats, the beans barreling headlong into full production, and the plums are breaking branches. Tomato plants are tumbling onto the ground from the weight of their full fruitage. The climbing squash and cucumber vines, in attempts to grow heavenward, are engulfing every plant and tree in their paths. As the gardener strolls into the garden to check on everything and discovers the profusion, shrieks of nervous delight are heard throughout the land!

In cases like this, timing is everything. The peak of perfection of perishable produce is the point at which procrastination will result in poor results. Wait another day, and the garden treasures will be apt to become garden trash. In other words, start cooking! Not a chef? Not a problem. Preserving the harvest need not be complicated, and, in the company of dear friends and family, it can be a highly anticipated event worth looking forward to. The following are a few suggestions that, hopefully, will help dig you out of that looming mountain of delicious produce begging to be used up in a dignified manner of culinary adventure. This time let’s take a quick look at fruit sauces.

What a delightful dilemma to be overrun with fruit! Fruit sauces and butters can be made with just one ingredient or a mixture of what’s on hand. (My favorite sauce is made from Purple Heart plums. If you know of another plum that even compares, please let me know!) Blackberries, elderberries, blueberries, grapes, and other berries that ripen the same time as apples, pears, peaches, and plums are oftentimes a winning combo.

Try using a sauce maker if there’s a lot of fruit, as it saves time and makes a smoother product. I like these contraptions because they make the job much easier, as there is no need to core, peel, or seed the fruit. To begin, wash away any dirt and cut out any bad spots. Then place the prepared fruit in a cooking pot and add some water if necessary. To preserve the character and nutrition of the sauce, I prefer not to overcook a pan of fruit- just enough to soften it for the sauce maker. Then pour the fruit into the sauce maker and crank the handle. The resulting sauce can be stored for short lengths of time in the fridge- or canned or frozen in jars for the long term. For a special treat, bake the sauce down into fruit butter or dry it into fruit leathers. The aroma in the kitchen will transport anyone within a nose’s distance to a land of scented bliss.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The sounds at camp

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Well, we are approaching that sad time of year when my wife and I are readying to shutter camp for the winter. It’s with mixed emotions because we really enjoy camp (we live there from May to October), but it’s football season, and we are both avid New England Patriots fans, and home is where we like to be for Sunday afternoon kickoffs.

The big question that comes to mind is which do we prefer, the sounds of the loons’ eerie calls in the night, the barred owls caterwauling at each other in the early morning hours, peepers in the spring and all the other wonderful sounds of nature, or… the sounds of ridiculously large pickup trucks revving their oversized engines with the loud exhaust belching fumes and smoke into the air, squealing tires, police sirens blaring at all hours of the night, barking dogs, arguing neighbors, etc? Living in the middle of Waterville, those sounds always make me think, “Welcome home.” I think the answer to my question is a no-brainer.

With that in mind, here are some of the more memorable things that I witnessed this past summer at camp.

First, we’ll talk about the bald eagles consistently seen circling over Webber Pond in search of food. On two occasions this past summer, while fishing, we witnessed bald eagles come swooping down from a high perch in the trees, to scoop up fish from the surface of the water with their sharp, deadly talons. One time the bird came as close as 20 yards from our boat. The second time, it was a little further away, but still as magnificent.

Then, there was the morning when, on my way to work on the Seaward Mills Road, in Vassalboro, I saw a rafter of geese crossing the road in front of me. I had to come to a standstill because one of the adult turkeys was stationed smack in the middle of the road while the rest of the brood crossed, in single file, with an adult leading the way. That turkey resembled a school crossing guard as he stopped traffic for the kids to cross.

Not two long after, on the same road, I saw another flock of turkeys crossing the road, but this time they were accompanied by a house cat, who showed all the techniques of a border collie herding sheep. It would move around the flock to keep the young ones in line as they navigated the asphalt. Quite something to see. The cat showed no interest in harming any of the fowl.

There was also the night, which I mentioned before in this column, of the barred owls as they caterwauled to each other late one night. They started quite innocently as you would expect to hear an owl. These, being barred owls, would call out “who cooks for you, who cooks for you, all.” However, the calling began to intensify and before long the calls began to sound like barking dogs, something I had never heard before from barred owls.

Finally, in mid-May, there was the night we heard noises off in the distance that sounded like a small dog wailing from discomfort. It was a yelping sound, followed by a whine. “An injured dog,” was the first thought. However, as the sound persisted, it became clear that the calling was from red foxes calling out to each other during the mating season. The foxes have been around all summer, but the callings have stopped.

Nature has sounds of its own, and even though they can be loud at times, still trump (Oops, there’s that word, again) the sounds of the city.

Every year, the weekend after Labor Day, we make a fishing trip to Nesowadnehunk Lake, in a remote area abutting Baxter Park to the west, where we can lay in our cots in the tent, and listen to the coyotes howl in the distance. Ah, the wonderful sounds to which to fall asleep.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What was the name of the fictitious former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher played by Ted Danson in the hit TV comedy Cheers?

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, September 9, 2021

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Trivia QuestionsWhat was the name of the fictitious former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher played by Ted Danson in the hit TV comedy Cheers?

Answer:

Sam Malone.

Local residents named to Simmons University dean’s list

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The following local residents were named to the 2021 spring semester dean’s list at Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Allyson Cunningham, of Augusta, Kaili Shorey, of Vassalboro, Abigail Bloom, of Waterville, and Maddie Beckwith, of Winslow.

To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

ROTARY CLUB NEWS: Mission to Southeast Asia continues

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by Gary Kennedy

Well we all know it’s been a very difficult past two years. People have been sick and dying; the world has conflict everywhere. The political theatre has been very trying. Travel has been a very difficult situation with Covid and world strife. Through it all you have service to mankind organizations continuing to carry on and trying to serve the less fortunate of the world by supplying hope through education and medical well being.

As most of you know my group of humanitarians service Southeast Asia, by supplying basic medical and educational support. This past year we were not able to do much because of all the obvious reasons. This year we have all our shots and a booster to help keep us and those we support safe.

Missions take a little longer as most places we go require a quarantine period of up to two weeks in some remote hotel; at our expense, of course. Volunteers don’t get paid and need to pay their own expenses. So as you can see you need to love helping humanity to give this much of yourself.

Groups such as Partner’s for World Health out of Portland operate the same way. If you volunteer for Alliance for Smiles you also do it as an act of love. However, you can see the deep friendships and ties that grow around this kind of selfless giving. Our group limits ourselves to mostly medical and literacy projects but often times we will be approached by another project that we become sensitive too. We will take it on if we feel we can handle it.

A couple of years ago we became involved with a couple of orphanages. It required some children’s clothing and food as well as school supplies. It’s always great to see the children. They know us now and throw their love our way whenever we arrive. It’s very heartwarming to have this in our lives. I told you a couple of years ago about my relationship with the organization known as the “Knights of Rizal”. Jose Rizal was/is a Philippine Islands Martyr, well loved by the people. I actually joined in 2003; so I have been with them for some time now. This organization has spread all over the world and is still growing. They are humanitarians at heart and operate similar as to Rotary, Kawanis, Masons and others. Equality, freedom, equal opportunity and love, respect of country and each other sets the foundation.

My group is located in the hamlet of Silang Cavite. We do many projects for children and indigent populations. When I am home I gather all that I can and ship it to the Islands where I will fly to meet and distribute what we have. We have been able to generate a very caring presence which has given those people a wonderful sense of American values. That’s what the world needs at this time, some God driven values with foundations in love, faith and charity. We are always looking for partners to share with these families. Not everyone will go with us but projects to aid the less fortunate can certainly be done. We always need such things as children’s clothing; school books, grades “Kinder through 12”. Also, this year we are looking for “50 Bibles” to supply a beautiful small church that was donated by South Korean missionaries located in the Cagayan Mountains of Luzon. What a wonderful gift for Christmas; you could even sign it. The pain that has been bestowed upon us as of late could be lessoned by continuing doing that which continues healing the wounds of the world. Americans are a blessed people with giving hearts. Let’s all keep our eyes on the prize, the gift of everlasting life by sharing our love with those less fortunate in the world.

Last but certainly not least I would like to thank “Charles Kennedy” who represents the Rotary Club, of Windham, because of their charitable giving to these great humanitarian projects in Southeast Asia. Their fund raising which has amounted to thousands of dollars over the years has seen children with no hope of education to achieve great things through the years. There are several orphanages involved which feel blessed that their children are guided by the loving hands of volunteers and organizations who realize that real world peace has no boundaries. Also, I would like to thank the “Sebago Lake Golf Course and Country Club” for their supporting the golf tournaments which finance a lot of what we do. They have partnered for a number of years now, not only with Rotary but with our veteran organizations. This is how we show the world who we really are and what we are about.

God bless all of good heart. We can be reached at 207-458-2832.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, September 9, 2021

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KATHLEEN A. CARLE

WINDSOR – Kathleen Ann Carle, 52, of Windsor, passed away peacefully in Port Charlotte, Florida, on Sunday, August 22, 2021, following a battle with breast cancer. Kathleen was born in Waterville, on May 9, 1969.

She was raised in Liberty, and graduated from Mount View High School, in Thorndike.

Upon graduation, Kathleen ventured out seeking travel and adventure, which led her to spend the winter months in Florida working in all aspects of the resort and hospitality industry. Kathleen met and married Jamie Carle in 1998, settled down in Windsor, and had two children, Cierra Lee-Anna Carle, and Dakota Joshua Carle.

For the past 22 years, Kathleen was the vice president and co-owner of J.C. Stone Inc., located in Jefferson, alongside her husband, Jamie. She was a member of Women in Stone, Maine Entrepreneurs, Think Local Biz to Biz Networking Group, and she was on the boards of the Maine Aggregate Association and the Associated General Contractors of Maine. She also created and hosted the annual Stone Symposium, which was held at J.C. Stone Inc. Kathleen was the recipient of the Pinnacle Award of Merit for the restoration of the Bowdoin Museum of Art and she appeared on the DIY Network’s Blog Cabins in 2014, which featured J.C Stone’s work.

Kathleen had a passion for natural health, nutrition, and spiritual energy. She received her Thetahealing certification from Beth Newman of Evolve In Your Energy and her health educator certification from the Living Foods Institute, in Atlanta, Georgia. She also took numerous classes and immersed herself in the teachings of the Hippocrates Health Institute, located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Kathleen then dedicated her time teaching others how to achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle.

Kathleen was an incredibly positive person and approached her life with a “can-do” attitude. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, infectious laughter, kindness, and grace. She opened her home and heart to everyone, gave many kids a safe place to stay, and treated everyone she met like family. Her personality and natural ability to inspire and motivate others amazed everyone who knew her.

Kathleen leaves behind her husband, Jamie Carle; two children, daughter, Cierra Carle, and son, Dakota Carle; granddaughter, Abigail Mortimer; her mother, Donna Sporie; her sister, Mary Hunt and husband Howard; along with her nephew, Eddie Littlefield; many family members and dear friends.

Kathleen is predeceased by her father, David R. Littlefield.

A celebration of life service was held on Wednesday, September 8, An intimate family committal service for Kathleen took place at the Resthaven Cemetery, in Windsor, following the celebration.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at http://www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Floral arrangements are welcome.

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.

CHARLENE HENRY

WATERVILLE – Charlene Henry, 81, of Waterville, died at her home on Sunday August 22, 2021, following a short illness. She was born in Waterville on July 19, 1940, daughter to the late Raymond and Yvette (St. Peter) Loisel.

In 1957 Charlene was married to the love of her life, Phillip. They enjoyed 64 years together, working hard, raising five children and living a good life.

Charlene was a homemaker and worked as a cashier at local stores including A&P, John’s Market and K-Mart, all in Waterville, where her smile and kind manner were well known to all she served.

Charlene enjoyed knitting and crocheting and made sure every year her grandchildren were well supplied with Afghans, scarves and mittens. She also enjoyed playing Bingo. She had a very soft spot in her heart for animals and was a steadfast supporter of the Humane Society through the years. Traveling with her husband Phil brought Charlene a great deal of joy.

Charlene is survived by her husband, Phil; her children Ray Henry (partner, Francine), Gail Young (husband, Scott), and Lisa Carter (husband, Mike Inman), and Randy Henry (wife, Debbie), and Robert Henry; one niece, Melissa; six grandchildren, Joseph Henry, Michelle, Andy and Kevin Young, Jason Carter, Bethany Gade; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her brother, Jerome Loisel and they were predeceased by their brother, Ronald Loisel.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday Sept. 14, at the St. Francis Cemetery, 78 Grove St. in Waterville.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St. in Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

RICHARD F. DENIS

WATERVILLE – Richard F. Denis, “Dick” “Denny”, 87, passed away from a brief illness on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Westbrooke Manor, in Zephyrhills, Florida. He was born September 26, 1933, in Waterville, the son of Arthur and Emma Denis.

Richard married his soul mate of 66 years, Pauline Denis (York), on July 30, 1955. He spent his career employed by LaVerdiere’s Super Drug Stores, working as a district manager and traveling the state of Maine for many years. He eventually held the position of a vice president, ending his career in the corporate office, in Fairfield, and retiring in 1999.

After retirement, Dick and Pauline moved to Zephyrhills, Florida, where they enjoyed their passion of playing golf year-round. He was a former member of the Waterville Country Club for many years and continued playing with his wife and friends in Florida right up until the time of his passing. Richard was also an avid downhill skier and when his children were young, spent weekends and vacations during the winters with his family at their camp in Rangeley, skiing Saddleback Mountain.

Richard’s love for his family was above all else.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline; a son Paul and his wife Kim (Veilleux), of Fairfield; a daughter, Sherri and her partner Joelene (Snelling), of Hampden; a grandson, Brock and his wife Rileigh, of Raeford, North Carolina; and one great-grandson, Noah.

Services will be at a later date.

ROLAND MICHAUD

WINSLOW – Roland Michaud passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, re-joining with his wife, Ann, of 65 years, who had passed away just 13 days before.

Roland was raised in Waterville by his father, J. Alcid Michaud and mother, Jenny Mae Michaud. Roland was a graduate of Coburn Classical Institute, in Waterville, and Franklin Technical College, in Boston, Massachusetts. Roland worked his entire career for New England Telephone and Telegraph.

The measure of a person is not only what they have accomplished in their life, but more importantly how and why they have accomplished those things. For Roland, the what in life was merely a conduit for the why. Roland often said, if you’re going to take from the community you live in, you are going to find ways to give back.

True to his word, Roland’s “why” in life was to serve the needs of his family, his community, his country, and his God. Roland was instrumental in establishing the first Boys Scout Troop, in Winslow, and went on to be a key leader in the yearly Boy Scout gatherings at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade. Roland believed that giving youth structure and purpose was foundational to their successes in life. Consequently, besides the support for the Boy Scouts, Roland was the first director of parks and recreation for Winslow (a position not yet established and one in which he took no pay) installing many of the first playground apparatuses by himself under the watchful eye of his adolescent son, Mike.

When approached by several members of the community to help establish a local credit union, Roland’s leadership and drive proved instrumental in what would become the Winslow Federal Community Credit Union, of which he served many years as its president and board chairman. Roland was also instrumental in establishing the form of government in Winslow which exists today. In the process he served for almost 40 years on Winslow’s Town Council, many of those as council chairman.

Roland had an engineering mind, often creating from scratch such things as go-karts for his children in the summers and snowmobiles for them in the winters. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that if something needed fixing Roland was the person to bring it to, who then would make sure it was returned to working order. Never done for profit, Roland’s belief in giving back extended to all areas of his life. Roland also served in the Army during the Korean War following his graduation from college.

While Roland’s life was one of service to others, it was his love and caring for his wife Ann that was clearly the single most important focus in his life, a focus he maintained with extreme diligence until her passing just days before his. Roland has left his mark on all of us, a mark that has enhanced our lives in ways we can never repay.

Roland is survived by his son, Michael and wife Karen Michaud (Harfoush), of Winslow, and their children Jacob Michaud and wife Britney Michaud, of Belgrade, and daughter, Kimberly Boutin, of Winslow; his daughter, Esther “Tess” Carter and husband Donald Carter, of China, and their children Michael Loubier and wife Meghan Loubier, of Winslow, and Jasmine Carter and husband Chris Vogt, of Arlington Massachusetts; his daughter, Lucie Loubier, of Winslow, and her children Adam Loubier and wife Mindy Loubier, of Winslow, Benjamin Loubier and wife Heather, of China, and son Nathan Loubier, of Portland; his deceased son, Lee Michaud’s son Dan Michaud and his wife Angie, of Athens; his 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

Roland is predeceased by his parents, father, J. Alcid and maternal mother, Jenny Mae Michaud and stepmother, Dunny Michaud; his brother, Gerald Michaud and his wife Dolly Michaud, his sister, Cleo and husband Val, his son, Lee Patrick Michaud, his son-in-law, Mark Loubier, husband of daughter Lucie Loubier.

Visiting hours for both Roland and Ann will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., on Monday September 13, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

Donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or Hospice of Maine.

FELIX G. LaCROIX

BENTON – Felix G. LaCroix, 89, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Felix was born in Waterville, the son of Joseph and Eleanor (Jacques) LaCroix.

Phil married Denise Provost on June 27, 1953, and shared 68 years of marriage, raising four children.

After graduating from Williams High School, in Oakland, he worked the next 16 years at Scott Paper Company, in Winslow. In 1961 he changed career directions, and along with Denise, they purchased Provost Monuments, in Benton, her parent’s family business. Together they ran the business for 30 years until retiring in 1991.

From even his early years, Phil always enjoyed family gatherings as well as hunting and gardening. During retirement in Florida he became an avid shuffleboard player and competed in many pro events across the state.

Felix was predeceased by his first born son, Felix G. Jr., his parents, three brothers, Arthur, Leo and Norman and three sisters, Jean Doughty, Beth Wainer and Doris Buzzell.

He is survived by his wife, Denise: their four children and spouses, Devi and Brian Young, Elaine and Rick Stedman, Eric and Jean LaCroix and Rock and Bernadette LaCroix; two sisters, Elaine LaCroix and Claire Moroney.

Burial will be at the Falls Cemetery, in Benton, at a later date.

OSCAR W. GERRY

OAKLAND – Oscar “Juggernaut” W. Gerry III, 49, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, surrounded by his family. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident August 21, while riding near Topsham that morning. He was born February 22, 1972, in Waterville, the son of Oscar “Peanut” W. Jr. and Margaret “Peggy” (Torrance) Gerry.

He graduated from Madison Area High School and was a veteran who proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from May 1995 until his honorable discharge in July of 1997. He was employed by Pan Am Railroad until the time of his death.

Oscar was a member of the Losers MC Nomads of Maine and loved by all his “brothers” of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club of Maine, and all the supporting and affiliated clubs in Maine and worldwide. The Northwoods Crew will never be the same. Gone, but never forgotten.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Kimberly “Kim” Gerry, of Oakland; children Anthony (Sarah), Haley (Dereck), Nick (Vanessa), Shelby (Jacob), Matthew, Nicky, Sophie, and Brian; siblings Dee (Frank), Carl (Eva), Mary, Norman, Katrina (Ed); his father, Oscar and wife Sheila Gerry of Clinton; several uncles, aunts; nieces, nephews; and cousins.

There will be no funeral services at this time. There are several events scheduled to celebrate and honor Oscar’s life. Updates and events will be posted on Facebook.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Oscar’s memory to Kim Gerry, 34 High St., Oakland, ME 04963 for expenses and his son, Brian.

LEONARD DUPREY

WATERVILLE – Leonard “Lenny” Duprey Jr., 79, passed away on Monday August 30, 2021. He was born in Howland on July 19, 1942, to Leonard Duprey Sr. and Rita (Bouchard) Duprey

Lenny started working at a very early age and maintained that work ethnic right up to the day he passed. He had many jobs throughout his life, but the job he loved the most was Champion’s Fitness Club, in Waterville, where he has worked for the last 34 years. In the early morning hours for those 34 years, through all kinds of weather Lenny would make his way to the club, either by bike or sometimes walking the mile and a half, only resorting in later years to a taxi. He loved his work family and he especially loved all the members. His goal everyday was to be at Champion’s to help in any way he could, and to meet and chat with all his friends. He was free with his hugs and would never miss an opportunity to tell the ladies how beautiful they looked. Lenny was so special to so many. His family and friends was his whole world. He loved them and in turn they loved him. The way life should be.

Lenny will be missed by so many but we all can take comfort in knowing that heaven has gained a very special soul.

Lenny was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Gary, Reggie, Melford and Fred, his sisters Anna Watson and Alice Mendes.

Survivors include his brother, Leo and wife Marsha, of Clinton; his sisters Erma Blakney, of Fairfield, and Phyllis Dumais, of Winslow; his life partner, Myra Cote, her daughter, Sandra Landry, who Lenny helped raise as his own; and two grandchildren, Alex and Desiree Packard; two generations of nieces and nephews.

A service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday September 4, at Gallant Funeral Home, ElmSt., Waterville. A celebration of life was held immediately after at Champion’s Fitness Club, in Waterville.

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

PHILIP P. POISSONIER

FAIRFIELD CENTER – Philip Peter “Butch” Poissonnier, 72, of Fairfield Center, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a long and courageous battle with acute liver failure. Butch was born in Waterville to Rita and Arthur Poissonnier on December 3, 1948.

He was the third child of eight children. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, in Waterville, until the eighth grade. He graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1967. While in high school he helped to start the first hockey club. He also played baseball and participated in gymnastics.

He married the love of his life, Beverly Brooks, on March 30, 1968. He worked for Scott Paper/Kimberly Clark, in Winslow, for over 40 years. He started out as a paper tester and went on to run the paper machines. He studied and obtained a class IV license to run the WasteWater treatment plant at the mill. While the mill was in the process of closing, Butch organized many fundraisers and bean suppers for his fellow co-workers. He organized rallies and was outspoken with the local papers and news stations while the mill was in the process of closing.

He then opened River’s Edge Restaurant and Catering, in Madison, which was a lifelong dream of his. On Fridays he cooked for the Universalist-Unitarian Church evening sandwich program. He was involved in the Elks Club, in Waterville, running the cribbage tournaments. He was also instrumental in starting the free Christmas dinner program. He was an excellent cook and prepared many dinners and BBQs at the Elks Club. He received the REM Award for Community Service, and many other recognitions from civic organizations.

Butch lived a life of family and dedication to helping the community and families in need. He was passionate about supporting his children’s athletic pursuits. He had the local fire department flood his backyard to build an ice rink for the kids to play hockey. He started the first Lawrence High School Boosters Club. He also started an outdoor skating rink in Fairfield for all the local kids. Much to the chagrin of his wife he mowed the backyard into a baseball diamond and kids from many towns came to play baseball. He built his own Field of Dreams and they came! He coached PAL baseball and football for many years. He was the Cub Scout master for the Fairfield troop. He helped with the summer youth hockey program.

When his grandchildren were in Christian school he taught a class in canning pickles using his mother’s special pickle recipe. He taught his boys at a young age (and their friends) how to water ski. Nothing pleased him more than to “get someone up on skis”.

Butch was very sympathetic to people suffering with cancer and was always available to give people rides to the Alfond Cancer Center for treatment. One of the most enjoyable and rewarding projects Butch did for the community is “Nine Days for Nine Children”. He read that a house was being renovated for a single mother with nine young children. The project manager needed people to sign up to prepare meals for the workers. Having just sold his restaurant he decided this would be a rewarding project for him and he volunteered to cook for every meal. He met the wonderful family who was the recipients of this project. He took them under his wing, taught the boys to drive, helped them get jobs, attended their weddings, and has always nurtured this relationship with the Champagne family.

His hobbies included playing Texas Hold-em, Cribbage, and being out on the water fishing. He loved to cook for large crowds, read, do the daily crossword and ride his lawn mower. He was an avid boxing fan and supported Brandon Berry.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Michaud Poissonnier, father, Arthur Poissonnier; and his best friend and brother, David Poissonnier.

Butch is survived by his wife, Beverly Brooks Poissonnier; his three sons, Jason and his wife Laurie, of Durham, Jeremy, of Fairfield Center, and Jamie and his wife Elizabeth, of Norridgewock; four grandsons, Evan, Reid, Joshua, and Ethan, and a granddaughter, Jamie Elizabeth; three great-grandchildren, Brianna, EmmyLou, and Brayden; his brothers Richard and wife Lucinda, of San Antonio, Texas, Paul, of Winslow; sisters Elaine Grenier, of Bradenton, Florida, Elizabeth and her husband Tom Leung, Janine Stewart and Deanna “DeeDee” and her husband Kevin Pomerleau; sister-in-law, Paula “Precious” Witham and her husband Ron.

Butch was a member of the Fairfield United Methodist Church. He loved his church, his pastor and dear friend, Chong Choi. He was a long-time trustee of the church.

A memorial service was held at on Saturday, September 4. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901.

CHINA: Broadband ballot question over 200 words long

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen learned at their special meeting Sept. 2 that it takes at least two lawyers to draft a proper ballot question asking voters if they will authorize selectmen to issue a bond – and a third lawyer to explain the result.

The local referendum question China voters will be asked to vote yes or no at the polls Nov. 2 is more than 200 words long. It has four sections; one section has two subsections.

The China Broadband Committee (CBC) requests the bond issue to provide funds to build new internet infrastructure in China. CBC member Jamie Pitney, who is a lawyer, drafted the first version of the ballot question.

At the Sept. 2 special selectmen’s meeting, town attorney Amanda Meader zoomed in to explain that the Maine Bond Bank, from which town officials intend to seek a loan, needs authorizations worded in specific ways. She had referred Pitney’s wording to a bond expert, and she and Pitney had further refined that lawyer’s draft before it came to the selectmen at their regular meeting Aug. 30.

When selectmen reviewed the proposed question, board member Wayne Chadwick had a problem with the first sentence. It begins: “Shall the Town vote to a) approve the acquisition, construction and equipping of a broadband system to be owned by the Town and built by contractors” and goes on to specify maximum cost ($6,485,850) and other parameters.

The bond issue has a maximum of $5,608,700. Grants are supposed to cover the rest of the cost.

To Chadwick, who readily admits he is not a lawyer, the wording sounded as though if voters said yes, selectmen were obligated to set up the new system. CBC members have repeatedly set two conditions for going ahead with the project: enough residents must sign up for the proposed new service to make it financially sound, and grants must be obtained.

Meader pointed to two phrases farther along in the document that she said allowed selectmen to refuse to apply for the bond if conditions were not met.

One section she cited authorizes selectmen to accept money from grants and other sources as they determine “are necessary and proper.” Selectmen could find that no grants or other funds were “necessary and proper,” she said.

The other section says selectmen can delegate to the board chairman (Ronald Breton) and the town treasurer (Becky Hapgood) the power to issue the bonds and “in their discretion” to establish schedules and other details. Their “discretion” includes the possibility of finding they cannot carry out the responsibility, Meader said.

Meader described the wording of the ballot question as “convoluted” and “cumbersome.” To make the intent and effect clear to non-lawyers, she proposed, and selectmen accepted, a fourth section. It says that voters further:

“[R]equire the Select Board to vote to determine whether in their own judgment and discretion there is sufficient subscribership to proceed with the bond issue.”

After more than an hour’s discussion Sept. 2, the wording was accepted on a 4-1 vote, with Chadwick voting against it because he opposes the whole idea.

The earlier version of the article carried a selectmen’s recommendation of “Leave it to the People,” adopted on a split vote at the Aug. 30 selectmen’s meeting. Irene Belanger, Blane Casey and Janet Preston voted in favor of the recommendation; Breton and Chadwick were opposed, believing the board had a responsibility to offer advice.

Breton raised the question of changing the recommendation at the special meeting. Hapgood ruled, with Meader’s support, that only the three board members on the winning side of the prior vote could make a motion to change it.

Preston moved to make a recommendation that voters approve the bond issue. She called it “a very low-risk opportunity for the town,” given the previous discussion.

Chadwick seconded her motion. The selectmen have more information from their discussions at meetings than the average voter has, and therefore should provide guidance on the ballot question, he said.

Chadwick voted against Preston’s motion, which lost on a 2-3 vote, with Belanger and Preston in favor.

Casey then moved selectmen recommend that voters not approve the bond issue. His motion passed 3-2, with Breton, Casey and Chadwick in favor.

Selectmen agreed to put the question on the Nov. 2 ballot and to include the negative recommendations from the selectmen and budget committee, with the numbers on each side after the recommendations (3-2 for the selectmen, 4-1 for the budget committee at an Aug. 23 meeting).

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13.

Vassalboro voters to decide mass gathering ordinance

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters will have a chance to approve or reject a Mass Gathering Ordinance at the polls on Nov. 2.

Selectmen unanimously approved the proposed new ordinance at their Sept. 2 meeting, after reviewing and mostly accepting town attorney Kristin Collins’ recommended changes to the draft Town Manager Mary Sabins and Selectman Barbara Redmond prepared.

Selectmen will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at one of their remaining two September meetings, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16, and Thursday, Sept. 30.

They were motivated to prepare the document by a planned country music concert in town in July 2022. The ordinance spells out requirements intended to make such events safe for residents and attendees, including provision of drinking water and sanitary and waste disposal facilities; availability of medical services; and policing for traffic control and law enforcement.

If voters approve the ordinance, anyone hosting a mass gathering as defined will need a town permit, with the permit fee to be set by the selectmen. Selectmen will hold a public hearing before acting on the permit. The applicant must publicize the hearing in a newspaper and on the Vassalboro website and must individually notify property-owners within 1,000 feet of the site by certified mail.

The definition of “mass gathering area” in the proposed ordinance exempts many types of established permanent assembly places. Selectmen agreed in a July discussion that the ordinance would not apply to places like the Olde Mill, St. Bridget’s Center or Natanis Golf Course.

Two other major topics were left undecided at the Sept. 2 selectmen’s meeting: how to spend American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money, and from whom to buy a second compactor for the transfer station.

Both discussions involved significant sums. Sabins said ARPA money coming to the town is currently estimated at around $461,000; for the transfer station upgrade, voters have allocated $156,000, Board Chairman Robert Browne said.

The Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) submitted a list of ARPA-eligible projects, as proposed in August; the total cost is $2,233,000. Items include repairing 54 manholes in town roads and streets; building storage tanks for odor control chemicals at two pump stations and making other pump-station improvements; repairing the VSD office building; updating the 1982 VSD map; and extending sewer lines to unserved areas.

Selectmen sympathized with the need to help the VSD, especially to lower user fees (which the VSD request says are among the highest in Maine). Board member Chris French commented that manhole covers flush with the pavement might save wear on town snowplows.

However, no board member was interested in giving the VSD $2 million. The district is eligible for Kennebec County funds, Redmond said.

French suggested Delta Ambulance as a possible recipient of money from Vassalboro and other municipalities it serves. He also mentioned expanded broadband for Vassalboro Community School. Redmond replied that she thought state money would be allocated to broadband.

Sabins had heard from one area businessman who had been negatively impacted by the coronavirus. Private businesses whose owners can demonstrate pandemic-related losses are eligible for ARPA money.

Since, as far as Sabins knows, the rules for distributing ARPA funds are not yet final, selectmen agreed to postpone further discussion to a future meeting.

Continued consideration of the transfer station upgrade is tentatively on the Sept. 16 agenda.

French had done research on two offers for a second compactor and explained the differences and related electrical needs, to thanks from the other board members. After discussing French’s findings, selectmen asked Sabins to invite a representative of one company to the next meeting to clarify his proposal.

Both companies offer the new compactor for less than $156,000. Selectmen said either will require additional electrical and other work that will add to the cost.

In other business Sept. 2, Sabins threw out the idea of contracting with a grant-writing company to try to get money to create a park on town-acquired land between Route 32 and Outlet Stream, south of the town office.

Selectmen expanded the idea into seeking bids from more than one company to write multiple grants for projects, work Sabins has been doing as needed. They took no formal action.

Sabins said she visited the town’s property for the first time recently and was favorably impressed by its possibilities for streamside recreation. Conservation Commission members might be willing to draft a park plan, she suggested.

Selectmen made two appointments, Paul Oxley as a member of the Trails Committee and Joseph Henry as a member of the Recreation Committee.

Chamber hosts re-vamped Super Raffle dinner

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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Super Raffle Dinner, is back, with a new venue, and re-energized format. The annual dinner will be hosted on Thursday, September 30, at The Elm, College Avenue, Waterville. This year’s event, titled A Night at the Lodge, is sponsored by Maine State Credit Union, and will begin with a social hour at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and drawings at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided by the team of The Parsonage House and the Heritage House, with a cash bar provided by Proper Pig.

The ticket price of $125 includes dinner for two, one prize and a gift from Maine State Credit Union. Everyone wins a prize. Drawings begin with prizes valued at a minimum of $25 and grow as the drawings proceed. Top cash prizes are $750, $1,500, and $3,000. There is also a 2nd Chance Cash drawing of $500 and Plinko wheel prizes.

Chamber member businesses are encouraged to donate a raffle prize. To donate, or to purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber at 873.3315 or Cindy@midmainechamber.com.

2021 additional event sponsors are: Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Choice Wealth Advisors and New Dimensions Federal Credit Union.