PHOTOS: Opening day for Waterville youth football

The Spirit Squad members, Joslynn Allen, left, and Ava Frost, cheer on the team at Reed Field. (photos by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

It was opening day for Waterville Youth Football on October 10.

Players take the field cheered on by some older Purple Panthers and coaches. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

From left to right, Tatum, Salvatore and Leo lead their team onto the field. (photos by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

SCORES & OUTDOORS – Monarch butterflies on the decline: what caused the death of this one?

Monarch butterfly.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

One day last week, as we were backing out of our driveway, I noticed something hanging from the front door knob. I stopped, and my wife jumped out to see what it was. What else but a political notice to vote “No” on Question 1. That is not the subject of this column. What is that on her way back to the car, at the base of a pine tree, she picked up a dead monarch butterfly. What had caused its demise?

I have seen a handful of monarchs this summer.

The monarch butterfly is the most widely recognized of all American butterflies with its distinct orange, black, and white wings. While beautiful, this coloring actually sends a warning to predators that the monarch is foul tasting and poisonous. Found throughout the United States, as well as Mexico and Canada, one of the most notable characteristics about the monarch is the astonishing 3,000 mile journey some will make in the fall to their wintering grounds in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Mexico or to southern California, depending on which part of the United States or Canada they migrate.

Millions of monarch butterflies make the trip down to Mexico to roost for the winter. During the migration tens of thousands will land on a single tree in certain areas along their migratory path.

Monarchs can travel between 50 – 100 miles a day; it can take up to two months to complete their journey to winter habitats.

Wherever there is milkweed there will be Monarch butterflies. The monarch is widely distributed across North America, from Central America northwards to southern Canada, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.

Milkweed produces glycoside toxins to deter animals from eating them, but monarchs have evolved immunity to these toxins. As they feed, monarch caterpillars store up the toxins in their body, making them taste bad, which in turn deters their predators.

Monarchs can produce four generations during one summer. The first three generations will have life spans from 2 – 6 weeks and will continue moving north. During this time they will mate and have the next generation that will continue the northward migration. The fourth generation is different and can live up to nine months. These are the butterflies that will migrate south for winter to either Mexico or southern California.

It is predicted that one of the many effects of climate change will be wetter and colder winters. If they are dry, monarchs can survive below freezing temperatures, but if they get wet and the temperature drops they will freeze to death. Because hundreds of millions of monarchs are located in such a small area in the Sierra Nevada of Mexico during the winter, a cold snap there could be devastating.

Monarch butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees. They will sit in the sun or “shiver” their wings to warm up.

As the world warms, suitable habitat will begin to move northward resulting in a longer migration. This means the monarchs may be forced to adapt and produce another generation to reach further north. It is uncertain whether they will be able to do so. Therefore, few monarchs may be able to make the longer trip back to Mexico for winter.

Other threats to the monarch include habitat loss and loss of milkweed which they depend upon as larva to survive. Illegal logging remains a problem today in Mexico in protected areas and is devastating monarch winter habitat.

Whether monarchs are present in a given area within their range depends on the time of year. They are one of the few migratory insects, traveling great distances between summer breeding habitat and winter habitat where they spend several months inactive.

From Sep­tem­ber into early October, fall southern migration to Mexico begins, with the majority of monarchs following the reverse path south along the central migratory corridor. Monarchs from the Northeast head south along the Atlantic coast, concentrating in the states that make up the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay on the journey. Florida is a stop for many monarchs before they fly over the Gulf Coast to Mexico. A much smaller population of monarch butterflies lives west of the Rocky Mountains.

There are populations of monarchs in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and some islands of the Caribbean, as well as in New Zealand. Monarchs may have been blown to these places in storms or naturally dispersed there by island-hopping, or they may have been introduced by humans. These populations are not part of the annual migrations on the North American mainland.

The monarch migration is one of the greatest phenomena in the natural world. Monarchs know the correct direction to migrate even though the individuals that migrate have never made the journey before. They follow an internal “compass” that points them in the right direction each spring and fall. A single monarch can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles.

The monarch population has declined by approximately 90 percent since the 1990s. Monarchs face habitat loss and fragmentation in the United States and Mexico. For example, over 90 percent of the grassland ecosystems along the eastern mon­arch’s central migratory flyway corridor have been lost, converted to intensive agriculture or urban development. Pesticides are also a danger. Herbicides kill both native nectar plants where adult monarchs feed, as well as the milkweed their caterpillars need as host plants. Insecticides kill the monarchs themselves. Climate change alters the timing of migration as well as weather patterns, posing a risk to monarchs during migration and while overwintering. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the species’ status.

One easy way to help monarchs is to participate in the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program by planting a pesticide-free monarch habitat garden filled with native milkweed and nectar plants. North America has several dozen native milkweed species, with at least one naturally found in any given area.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the monarch migration a threatened phenomenon. In 1986, the Mexican government created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve which protects 62 square miles of forests in the Sierra Madres where hundreds of million of monarchs spend each winter. The Biosphere Reserve was expanded to include 217 square miles in 2000. Local organizations are also working to stop the illegal harvesting of trees on the reserve to protect wintering habitat.

I guess we’ll never know what killed this particular monarch.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Name the two NFL teams that have a human face on the sides of their helmets.

Answer can be found here.

EVENTS – Question #1: CMP corridor debate Oct. 14

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Jan John
Event organizer

The next Lincoln County Community Conversations event will take place on Thursday, October 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The panel discussion focuses on the November referendum Question 1 in order to provide voters “Views from Both Ends of the CMP Corridor.”

Supporters and opponents of Question #1, a citizen’s initiative on the November 2 ballot, have Maine voters pitted against each other in an all out tug-o-war. The question reads, “Do you want to ban the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region and to require the Legislature to approve all other such projects anywhere in Maine, both retroactively to 2020, and to require the Legislature, retroactively to 2014, to approve by a two-thirds vote such projects using public land?”

A “Yes” vote will ban the construction of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), colloquially known as the CMP Corridor, and any other high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region. It will make it so all construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in Maine has to be approved by the State Legislature. If the transmission lines are on public lands, a yes vote would require a supermajority in the Legislature in order for construction to be approved. These provisions would apply retroactively to September 16, 2020, meaning that all projects previously approved within that time frame would become subject to review and reapproval of or denial by the Legislature. Finally, a yes vote would require the Legislature to review and reapprove or deny the use of public lands for any poles, transmission lines and facilities, landing strips, pipelines and railroad tracks, retroactively to September 16, 2014.

A “No” vote would allow the construction of the CMP corridor and similar projects to continue as permitted in the Upper Kennebec Region. It would uphold the status quo of not requiring state legislative approval for the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the state and not requiring two-thirds of the State Legislature to approve the use of public lands for any poles, transmission lines and facilities, landing strips, pipelines and railroad tracks.

Event organizer, Jan John, of Bristol, shares, “There is a lot to this question and we want to use our Community Conversations forum to bring together representatives from both sides of this issue. We hope that our panel will help us unpack it all, calmly, and present facts and figures so that the voters of Lincoln County are able to make informed choices on election day. This vote has the potential to set precedents for generations to come.”

Please contact John at janjohn1us@yahoo.com or 207-529-6502.

Sidney resident inducted into Honor Society for First-Year Success

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

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

OBITUARIES for Thursday, October 14, 2021

SALVATORE D. CRISCI

AUGUSTA – Salvatore Dominic Crisci, 78, of Augusta, passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021, in Augusta, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Sal Crisci was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Dominic and Margaret (DeMarzo) Crisci.

He attended the University Hart School of Music. Was a band leader of the Staccato Five and was called “Satch”. He served in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1968.

Sal taught and played music in Connecticut and moved to Maine in 1978 where he continued to teach music. Then worked for 28 years as a social worker in Maine. He had an amazing rapport with children serving as a cub master, martial arts teacher, having attained his black belt in 1996 at United Martial Arts Academies training and teaching for over 25 years. He was very proud of his 100 gallon donation mark receiving a special Gold Medal Pin award from the Red Cross.

A devout Catholic, he served St. Michael’s Parish as a Lector for many years.

His nickname “Captain Calzone” came from a family business started in the early ‘80s serving Italian style fried dough and special Crisci Calzones. It grew and expanded over the years to include a restaurant run by his wife Lenann called La Casa and hundreds of fairs, concerts and venues served by the infamous red, white and blue food trailer. The entire family worked in the food truck and trailer over the years bringing smiles to faces of the young and old alike.

Sal enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. His favorite spot was the island of Aruba, where he visited for over 30 years, inviting family and friends to share in his island paradise.

Sal had an inspiring sense of humor and brought smiles to everyone he encountered. His positivity and indomitable spirit left an impact on anyone that crossed his path. He was a very special husband, father, friend, teacher, mentor and human being and will be severely missed by innumerable folks.

He is survived by his wife Lenann of 56 years, (daughter of Constanzio Belmonte and Rosamand Martone); his children, son Brent Joseph Crisci; and daughters Lynn Julian Crisci and Brien Rose Crisci; grandchildren, Alexander Crisci-Hersom, Savannah Brann Crisci, and J.J. Kilduff Crisci; his sister, Marie Crisci Burleigh; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Yohn Crisci, and sons-in-law, Doug Julian and David Iverson.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, September 14 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12 Summer St., Hallowell, with burial following at Riverside Cemetery, in Pittston.

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

HELEN WALDRON

WHITEFIELD – Helen Waldron, 74, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, in her home. She was born on December 28, 1946, to John and Margaret ( Ahearn) Short, in Hallowell.

She graduated from Hall Dale High School and joined the U.S. Army. She served her country proudly and when she was discharged, went to work for the State of Maine for many years. She was active with the VFW, American Legion, and the honor guard.

She enjoyed her arts and crafts, going to bingo, and the casinos, shopping trips with her sister Mary and watching Hallmark movies.

She took Mary’s death extremely hard and when her husband Len got sick, she convinced him to start watching the movies with her and that’s how they spent their time together as she took care of him until he passed away on August 25.

She had a heart of gold and loved everyone especially her grandson Jeromy Cyr and wife Denise and their children Dominic and Kole and her ” girls”, nieces Tammy, Paula, and Kodi. She was so happy when Emily and Marissa were born. She called them her Angels from above.

She was predeceased by her parents John and Margaret ( Ahearn) Short, her brother-in-law Max Harcourt, sister Diane Short, sisters and their husbands Geraldine and husband John Thomas and Mary and husband Edwin Emerson, nephews Alex Cummings and Peter Leach, and husbands Richard Cyr, Roland Wyman, and Leonard Waldron.

She is survived by her three boys, Anthony Wyman and wife Melanie, Vince Cyr and wife Wanda and, Vance Cyr and wife Natalie; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Uncle Floyd and wife Merleen; and sisters and brothers, Irene Harcourt, Donna Saums and husband Glenn, Jackie Dubord, Patrick, and wife Shinna, Harold and partner Sue, Bruce, and wife Lynn, and Matt Short; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her services will be held at 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta, Maine Veteran’s Cemetery on Oct. 20, 2021 at 1p.m.There will be a celebration of life held at American Legion Post 205 located at 396 Eastern Ave., Augusta, directly after service.

ROBERT W. CUNNINGHAM

SIDNEY- Robert W Cunningham, 89, passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, comfortably at home. He was born in Windsor, on May 23, 1932, to Montie and Marguerite (Rainey) Cunningham.

After school Robert joined the U.S. Army from October 1949 to October 1952, in the 27th infantry regiment. He was stationed in Korea for 18 months where he faced combat on the front lines. Robert was issued the Korean service medal with five bronze service stars, combat infantry badge, and unit emblem.

After the Army he went right into the workforce, if he wasn’t working, he wasn’t happy. He spent time as a truck driver, as well as a mechanic, but most of all he was known for being a jack of all trades.

Robert was a long-time member of the American Legion, as well as the Moose Lodge in Florida. He will be remembered as a hardworking man, who enjoyed helping people, and doing anything he could for anyone.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife; one sister; and three brothers.

Robert is survived by two sons, David, Doug and his wife Patricia; special friend, Elaine Brochu; four sisters; one brother; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2021, 1 p.m., at the South China Legion Hall.

CECILIA DOE

WATERVILLE – Cecilia (Dube) Doe, 89, of Waterville, and formerly of West Gardiner, died Saturday, September 30, 2021, at her home. She was born in Green River, New Brunswick, Canada, on May 11, 1932, the daughter of Felix and Albertine (St. Amond) Dube.

Cecilia was the wife of Benjamin Doe with whom she loved to travel and go out dancing. Cecilia also was an avid gardener known for her beautiful landscape and took part in the tour of Gardiner’s Garden club. Cecilia loved friends and family and was a hairdresser out of her home in Winslow for over 20 years.

If you knew Cecilia you knew she loved to enjoy life. She was a member of the Le Club Calumet, in Augusta, as well as many dance groups over the years. She lived to entertain.

She was predeceased by her parents, Felix and Albertine Dube; four brothers; one sister.

Cecilia is survived by her husband Benjamin Doe, of Waterville; her daughter Barbara Spaulding and her husband Gerald Spaulding, of Freedom; her son Michael Bellefleur and lifelong partner Janice Rubin, of Arizona; stepdaughter, Cindy Liebold and husband Steve Liebold, of New Hampshire; stepdaughter, Karen Ringer, of Hallowell; stepsons, Steve Doe and wife Holly Doe, of New Hampshire and Brian Doe and wife Julia Doe, of Florida; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Vaillancourt, of Montreal, Québec, Canada, and Anita Blackman, of New Brunswick, Canada; two sisters-in-law, Emily Atkinson, of Waterville and Kay Ericson, of Massachusetts and many nieces and nephews.

A private family burial will be held in the Cherry Hill Cemetery in West Gardiner.

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

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

BEVERLY MAHEU

CHINA VILLAGE – Beverly (Bragdon) Maheu, 92, passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2021, in her home. She was born on April 9, 1929, the daughter of Kenneth and Dorothy Bragdon.

She is survived by her children, James K. Allen (Ginny), of Winslow, Mary Margo Allen, of China Village; stepchildren Lyn (Judy), Leanne( Terry), Lee; step-daughter-in-law, Becky Maheu; seven grandchildren, James (Yuko), Andrea (Jason), Stephanie (Arne) Brandie, Nathan (Kerry) and Spencer; several great-grandchildren; and niece Kim; and nephew Jay.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Larry, stepson Lance Maheu and sister Margaret Shoemaker.

At her request there will be no service.

Memorial donations may be made to the China Food Pantry at 1320 Lakeview Dr., China, ME 04926.

WARREN E. MANTER

SIDNEY – Warren Edward Manter, 91, of Sidney, Maine and Byfield, Massachusetts. passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Warren was born on October 24, 1929, in Sidney, to Seldon and Inez (Chase) Manter, the youngest of four boys, and older brother to sister Ruby.

Growing up on the farm, Warren learned work at a young age, handling barn chores before and after school, helping tutor other students in a trigonometry class he requested be offered at Williams High School, in Oakland.

After graduating Valedictorian from Williams in 1947, Warren left Maine for the promise of a lucrative career at the GE Plant, in Lynn, Masachusetts . It was on a road in Saugus that Warren picked up the love of his life, walking shoeless down the road. After only a short time working in the large plant, Warren knew he had bigger aspirations as he was planning a life with his fiancée Iva Walls. He began tinkering on trucks and equipment, eventually finding steady trucking work with life-long friend Roy Bacon. Warren and Iva were married in 1950 and welcomed their first son Dale a year later.

In 1958, as Warren and Iva prepared to welcome their first daughter, Cindy, Warren decided to branch out on his own and hauled his first load of gravel under his new company, Warren E. Manter Co., Inc. in Saugus, Mass. Warren soon added another truck and then a backhoe and cable excavator to his fleet.

Warren and Iva purchased Fatherland Farms in Byfield, Massachusetts. He was very involved in his communities serving on numerous boards and committees. Warren was appointed by friend and Governor Francis Sargent to the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission where he served from 1970 until the commission expired in 1975. Warren served on the Board of Directors for Saugus Bank and Trust starting in the early 1970s. In the ‘90s early 2000s Warren served on the Recreation Committee for the Town of Newbury, where a youth recreation field complex on Central Street was named in his honor. He was a Mason and a member of the Lions Club and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Warren also loved to fly, like both his older brothers. He started flying to get a leg up in business, being able to fly bids into cities a few hours away or chase down parts to keep his equipment running. Warren became a well-respected and accomplished pilot, leading to his appointment to the commission as well as being requested to fly Governor Sargent on numerous occasions. Warren, now in his 80s continued to work at his company and live independently, close to his family as he always had. Into his early 90s Warren was still active in his company and building spec houses in a development he had started in the 1970s in Oakland. Warren was predeceased by his wife Iva; brothers Willis, Donald, and George; son-in-law Dean Wade.

Warren is survived by his sons Dale and wife Margaret (Peggy) Manter, Ed and wife Ann Manter, and Barry and wife Jeanie Manter; daughters Cindy Wade and Diane Manter; grandchildren Eddie and wife Jen Manter, Kelly McFadden, Wendy Manter, Tim Wade, Matt and wife Abby Manter, Chris and wife Jen Wade, Catie and husband Chris Perry, Stacey and husband Steve Zubiel, and Jackson Manter; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister Ruby Easton.

Visiting hours will be held at Wheeler’s Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. and again on Friday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – noon. Interment will take place at the Sawtelle Cemetery, on the Pond Road, in Sidney, immediately following on Oct. 15.

The family requests that anyone in attendance at the services follow all current health recommendations.

Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St. Oakland, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Barbara Bush Children’s Center or The Children’s Tumor Foundation or any local program that helps bring a smile to a young child

DEBRA ANN FOSS

WATERVILLE – Debra Ann (Bragdon) Foss, 64, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2021, at her home. She was born in Presque Isle on September 27, 1956, to Phyllis Bragdon.

She attended Waterville High school and graduated years later with a G.E.D. on June 12, 1991.

She loved watching horror movies, spending time with family and friends while playing cards, enjoying a drink and a smoke.

Debra is survived by her son, Tobby Bragdon and wife, Cheryl; daughter, Stacy Foss, daughter, Casey Gallant and husband, Donald; son, Coby Foss and Crissy; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; her siblings, Belinda Bashaw and husband Robert, Michael Masse, Pauline Clark and husband, Robert, Paulette Fernand and husband Wilber, Joseph Gagnon and wife, Theresa and her boyfriend, Carl (Russ) Bragg.

A small service and burial will be held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St, Waterville, on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 10 a.m.

SHAWN A. WITHEE SR.

CHARLESTON, Arkansas – Shawn Allen Withee Sr., 52, of Charleston, Arkansas, passed away on Monday August 30, 2021. Shawn was born in Waterville, the youngest son of Richard Withee, and Nora Foster (Booker).

He attended school in Clinton and Fairfield, graduating from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1987. Shawn’s jobs included truck driving, auto mechanics, and many other things. Shawn had four children.

Shawn’s hobbies included auto mechanics, riding his motorcycles, spending time with his dogs, and making everyone he ever came in contact with laugh. His mother always said he missed his calling to become a stand up comedian, and everyone that has ever met him would agree. Shawn had a great sense of humor, quick wit and was not easily offended, phone calls could go on for hours and frequently did. Shawn had a kind and caring heart and spirit that touched all.

Shawn was predeceased by his father, Richard Withee.

Shawn is survived by his mother, Nora Foster, of Canaan; stepfather, Alfred Huff, of Hartland; daughter, Tori Wreck, of Lincoln, Illinois; sons Shawn Withee Jr., of Scarborough, Nathan Withee, of Oakland, Nicholas Withee, of Oakland; brother, Lee Withee, of Charleston, Arkansas; brother John Withee, of Georgia; sisters Stacy Hamlin, of Fairfield and Jennifer Vear, of Canaan; several grandchildren; nieces, nephews; and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life at Forrest Hills Cemetery, in Madison, on June 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. where Shawn will be laid to rest. There will be a gathering after, at Lisa, and Lenny Cowan’s home, at 83 Old Point Rd., in Madison.

PAUL D. FERRIS

CROFTON, Maryland – Paul David Ferris, 75, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2020. Paul was born in Waterville where he spent his childhood. He was one of five children raised by his parents, Joseph and Sadie Ferris.

As a young boy, he spent most of his time in a small home in the Lebanese community known as Head’a Falls, taking care of, and going to daily Maronite Mass with his grandmother, Jamilie Thomas, an immigrant of Lebanon who left a lasting imprint on Paul’s life.

Paul was an intellectual and a man of faith, joining the Maronite Seminary, in Washington, D.C., after attending college at Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Indiana. He left the seminary to have a family and met his future wife, Deborah Padua, at Catholic University, in Washington, DC, from where he graduated. They had two children, Joseph and Jamillia. Paul settled with his family in Crofton, Maryland, where he was an involved member of the community and the local Catholic church. He raised his family working as a religious educator at Fort Meade, Maryland, a real estate agent and a mortgage broker. He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, which for many years could be heard at the 8 a.m., Sunday morning Mass at Seton Parish.

For the last 20-plus years, he served as a tireless FEMA reservist comforting and providing relief to families affected by natural disasters. He was well-respected by his peers and was recently elected to the Reservists Advisory Board, remaining active until the week of his death.

Throughout his life, Paul was vocal advocate for those less fortunate and for torture survivors, joining a weeks-long silent White House vigil in 1996. He maintained a strong allegiance to his alma matta, Notre Dame University, cheering on the school’s football and women’s basketball teams with pride.

Paul is survived by his family, including his children Joseph Ferris and Jamillia Ferris; son-in-law Joshua Harrison; his former wife Deborah Padua Ferris; and granddaughters Isabella, Meghan, Sadie, and Magdalena; his older brother, Robert Ferris; and extended family of cousins.

Burial will be at Saint Francis Cemetery, ,in Waterville, after 9 a.m. Mass, at Saint Joseph’s Maronite Church, on Friday, October 8, 2021.

Attendees are invited for a light lunch at Saint Joseph’s Church Hall, catered by Paul’s favorite lunch counter in Waterville, The Lebanese Cuisine.

G. ANTHONY JONES

WATERVILLE – G. Anthony “Tony” Jones, 89, originally of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. He was the husband of the late Margaret (Tardiff) Jones, and the son of the late Wendell Jones and Cecile Goldrup.

He graduated Waterville High School in 1951. He was employed at the Waterville Hardware Store, on Main Street, in Waterville, for 17 years, and Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at Thomas College, also in Waterville, for 21 years. He was a part-time volunteer fireman (Hose 1), serving as firefighter, clerk and captain from 1954-1971, in Waterville. He gained national attention as the “best dressed fireman” in the country for responding to a fire while in his tuxedo for an Elks Club service.

He was active in the Waterville community: Officer of the Myrtle Street PTA, Chief of the Onawa Tribe of the Indian Guides, CCD teacher, City Alderman Ward #1, Director of Mt. St. Joseph Nursing Home, Commissioner of the Waterville Sewerage District and Trustee of the Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District. He was the Chairman and Master of Ceremonies for his 35th Waterville High Class Reunion. He was recognized on the local, state and national levels of the BPOE. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Waterville lodge, Exalted Ruler, President of the Maine State Elks Association, District Deputy, and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He was particularly proud of his work as coordinator of the Maine State Elks Diabetes Van and served as vice president of the Maine State Diabetes Association. Tony’s hobbies were golfing and stamp collecting.

Tony is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Maddin and spouse James, of Windham, and Judy Ferdinandi and spouse Jack, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; as well as four grandchildren, Stephanie Bradley, of Gilbert, Arizona, Ian Jones, of Gorham, Conor Maddin, of Windham, Carly Jones, of Mesa, Arizona; and two great-grandchildren, Max and Jade Bradley, in Gilbert, Arizona.

He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, and son, Timothy.

Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. Burial will be private.

Visit NardolilloFH.com for online condolences.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of G. Anthony Jones to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.

LETTERS: Voting “yes” for better internet service

To Town Line editor and the Town of China Residents:

Joann Clark Austin

Joann Clark Austin

I feel compelled to write to the Selectmen of China, and the townspeople.

The town selectboard asked in 2017….., that’s four years ago….., for help. The Town,….we…., needed some people who understand the workings of the internet to solve our connectivity issues. For many in our town Covid has made poor internet connectivity and poor internet speeds even more apparent. The selectmen asked folks to volunteer, to work for many years, to find the best answer to internet services in China. The committee has done that. That is what we are voting on on the November ballot.

The selectmen told this generous dedicated set of volunteers they not only had to find the right answer, but that they, the volunteer committee, also had to sell the idea to us town folks (who, speaking for myself, could never have found the answers and who has so little understanding that I didn’t care to go to the three explanatory meetings they have held as requested). I did get to one.

Then last week, the selectmen would not allow the committee to use their working funds to send out a flyer supporting their proposal, while at the same time, the select board gets to put a note on the printed ballot to vote “No”, with no reason given. Selectmen should have put a “Leave to Voters” recommendation with explanations of why three of them voted to not recommend going forward. At the end of that meeting my heart just ached for the volunteer committee. Why would anyone ever volunteer again?

I discovered by chance that Consumer Reports says that a municipality doing exactly what the Broadband Committee proposes is the best way forward…. That good utility services like electricity, telephone, and now internet are (and have been since the 1940s) best accomplished in more rural areas by municipalities. And even better, if we vote “YES”, but there are not enough townsfolk signing up for the lower cost, higher speed, more reliable service, then the town can reevaluate and pull out of further implementation.

Based on what I’ve been hearing and my own poor internet service over the years, I am definitely voting yes on the November Ballot question.

from Joann C. Austin (China)

Winslow resident graduates from UMass Lowell

Treva Campbell, of Winslow, is among 4,582 graduates in the University of Massachusetts-Lowell’s class of 2021, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Campbell received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

Vassalboro Fundraiser for Fortins

Fortin’s Farm where 8 cows were struck by lightning. (photo from Facebook event)

VASSALBORO – The Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser for the Fortin’s will be held at St Bridget Center, Saturday, October 16, from 4 – 7 p.m.

St. Anselm College presents dean’s list

Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, New Hampshire, has released the dean’s list of high academic achievers for the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year. To be eligible for this honor, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.4 or better in the semester with at least 12 credits of study which award a letter grade. A total of 573 students representing 24 states received this honor.

Area students include, Katherine E. King, of Sidney, class of 2021, majoring in biology, and Christine M. Quirion, of Winslow, class of 2022, majoring in business.