Instructional coaches link arms with teachers to navigate distance learning

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by Mandi Favreau

Our four instructional coaches have always fulfilled an amazing role in our district, analyzing student data, creating professional development, offering planning assistance, and supporting teachers and students in every way they can.

Since the school closures brought about by Covid-19, this little team has been instrumental in RSU #18’s ability to pivot to distance learning. From working with one or two buildings, these employees have taken on the full-time role of working with grade-level teachers across the district. The teamwork that has resulted is truly remarkable.

“I am very appreciative of the work of our instructional coaches,” said Assistant Superintendent Keith Morin, “They have played an integral role in orchestrating the development of distance learning systems while balancing both the educational needs of our students and the professional support of our staff in this unprecedented time.”

Pam Prescott of BCS is covering Pre-K, Colleen Bailey(CPS/JHB) is covering grades K and 1, Shelly Moody (ATW/WES) is covering grades two and three, and MMS’s Jenny Barry is covering grades four and five. Grades six, seven and eight are covered by building administrators all working within grade levels. The instructional coaches work with grade-level teachers to create appropriate resources that are placed on the district website for math, reading, writing, and specials. From multiple weekly meetings to creating content to answering teacher questions and reaching out to students, these dedicated educators do a little of everything.

“Unique challenges can present unique opportunities,” said Shelly Moody. “Typically, teachers collaborate within the walls of their buildings. This situation has presented the opportunity for our elementary staff to collaborate district-wide to meet the needs of all students.”  During weekly meetings, educators share resources, ideas, and strategies. The level of collaboration is truly remarkable.  “I’ve been fortunate to virtually link arms with our district grade level teachers and witness their perseverance, patience, and creativity, as we support one another in navigating these uncharted waters,” Mrs.Moody added.

In addition to working with grade-level teachers, the instructional coaches are in constant contact with one another, working as a unit to determine how to best support their teams.

“We rely on one another as thinking partners to process ideas and next steps,” said Mrs. Moody.  “The encouragement and feedback we get from one another allows us to best support the teachers in our buildings and our district-level teams as we strive to meet the needs of all our students.”

“Our dedicated staff, both teachers and paraprofessionals alike, have done an amazing job in keeping the care of our students across our district front and center,” added Morin. “We are fortunate to have an absolutely amazing staff who are flexible, professional, and genuine in their care for our students.”

Pandemic casualty: China Dine-ah closing permanently

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China Dine-ah on Lakeview Drive in China.

The China Dine-ah, a popular eatery in South China, will remain closed permanently, according to owner Lisa Wardwell.

In a Facebook post, Wardwell declared, “It is with immense sadness that I am writing this message to let you all know that the China Dine-ah will not be reopening for the foreseeable future. Being closed for what will be ten weeks on June 1, and now finding out that all of the fairs and many other events have been canceled, in addition to not being allowed to run at full capacity, indicates that we will be losing much of our summer business that we rely on.

“Unfortunately, we can not survive this type of loss. We want all of our loyal customers in China, across the state of Maine and beyond to know that it has truly been a pleasure serving you. We are going to put all of our efforts into reopening our Augusta location, Lisa’s, on Bangor Street, on June 1. We would love your support and you can expect the same exceptional service and delicious food you were accustomed to at the Dine-ah. Thank you for your years of patronage and we hope our paths will cross again soon.”

Norm Elvin, who founded the restaurant in 2008, said, “Sure hope it’s feasible to get the Dine-ah up and going next spring. Not saying I will open it, but I will do everything in my power to make it a rebirth after a year of being shut down.” Elvin sold the Dine-ah to Wardwell in 2014.

South China’s Al Kramer to celebrate 100th birthday May 21

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Al Kramer’s Lone Wolf, B-17 Flying Fortress in World War II, being readied by engineer and top gunner, Eugene Martin, in preparation of their next mission. (photo from The Town Line files)

by Craig Poulin

A truly special man turns 100 years old on May 21, 2020! And a remarkable 100 years it has been for Alfred “Al” Kramer who currently resides at Woodlands Park Residences, in Waterville. Al was born and raised in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City. World War II found Al a squadron leader in the 8th Army Air Corps, flying a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was shot down over occupied France, along with his entire squadron while returning from a mission over Stuttgart, Germany. Al was sheltered by the French resistance movement and over a period of several weeks, at times looking up at the soles of Nazi boots walking on floorboards under which he was hiding, made his way on a fishing boat back across the English Channel to safety. The complete story is the stuff of which fiction writers dream of creating; but for Al it was all too real.

Al graduated from City College, in New York City, and after the war graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. While working at a firm in New York City, Uncle Sam came calling again, literally at his desk; it was the Korean “Conflict” and he found himself once again in the left seat of another military aircraft, this time a Boeing KC97 Stratofreighter. And as only Al can tell it, he was never officially discharged. So he figured what the heck, he figured if he was still “active” he must be owed a pension. Needless to say after considerable discussions, Uncle Sam politely rebuffed him, but it always remained a source of amusement.

100-year-old Alfred Kramer

Upon return from this second stint in uniform, Al practiced law in Springfield, Massachusetts, with the exception of a few years back in New York City, until his retirement in 1985. To back up a bit, Al started coming to South China in the late 1950s to hunt and fish and became close friends with Al and Barb Poulin, Ed and Alice Dowe and many others in the community. And now, all these years later Al is not only a cherished friend but he is family, with no quotations marks needed.

In the early 1960s, Al had a hunting camp built on Route 3 and upon retiring had it made a year round residence to which he moved permanently in 1985. During “retirement” Al maintained three distinct passions; hunting, golf and a great meal in a fine restaurant (and by the way, he’s a fantastic cook himself)! Perhaps one of the more memorable hunting experiences occurred while duck hunting on a cold October morning on a beaver flowage with a skim of ice on it. Craig Poulin was paddling slowly along with Al in the bow when a group of wood ducks came straight on. They curved to the left and before Craig could shout, “NO! DON’T SHOOT!!”, Al swung for a passing shot and yep, over they went! Shotguns, ammo, coffee, decoys, everything. Right to the bottom and into the muck. With a never to be forgotten look on his face, gear was all retrieved. Luckily, it was only 20 minutes from home, so after an expedited trip back, everybody and everything dried out in front of his woodstove. Not to say they wanted to repeat it, it made for a lot of laughs afterwards.

If Al’s name isn’t memorialized someplace at Natanis Golf Course, in Vassalboro, it should be, because he golfed every day except Sunday (he didn’t want to hog all the time!) from the time he retired into his early 90s, never once using a golf cart. Guess there’s a lesson there for gaining longevity.
Certainly volumes could be written about anyone who achieves 100 years but Al’s is a remarkable story which makes him a truly unique, remarkable man; a man who is always grateful for what he has; not regretful for what is lost or what he never had; a man appreciative of others and generous to a fault with his gratitude and thankfulness. And a man with a philosophy of life that is borne from his vast experiences, both pleasant and difficult. We could all take a page from his book.

If you know Al or simply want to send a card to wish him a happy birthday, I’m sure he would appreciate it. He is truly a member of the greatest generation; someone who gave a lot of himself to his country in trying times. And this, too, is a good lesson for today. Cards and wishes may be sent to Al at Woodlands Park Residence, 141 West River Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

In an article published in The Town Line on May 24, 2012, Al’s final mission was described by his friend Don Pauley.

September 6, 1943, became known as “Black Thursday” in the 8th Air Force annals. Al was a member of the 563rd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group. There were three squadrons to a group, each squadron consisted of 12 bombers, and Al, on this misson, was assigned the lead bomber squadron of the low position, “tail end Charlie.” It also meant they would be the first targets of the German fighters who always picked up the low group to attack first because the German fighter pilots knew the higher bomber groups would not fire down on them for fear of hitting their own bombers.

All told, the mission consisted of multiple groups with a total of 338 bombers taking off on the mission. Due to terrible weather conditions, aborted flights and fire from German anti-aircraft battery, and fighter fire, only 150 reached the target. the target was almost totally obscured and mission commander, a Col. Travis, ordered the whole armada to do a figure eight three times trying to get better visibility. All this time, and the anti-aircraft fire took a terrible toll on the bombers as well as using precious fuel. Losses were heavy and 45 B-17s were shot down. Lone Wolf sustained heavy damage and all planes were finally ordered to head back to England after dropping their bomb loads near Stuttgart. Al’s Lone Wolf made it back to France before finally being shot down by a German fighter pilot named Horst Sternberg, who had recorded 23 victories in the air.

Al’s escape on this mission are recounted in the book about his mission, To Kingdom Come, by author Robert J. Mrazek.

With the loss of Lone Wolf, all 12 B-17s of his squadron had been shot down. Al and eight of his crew members bailed out. The ball turret gunner did not make it. Al and seven others of the crew were picked up by different groups of the French underground. The ninth, the navigator, had been wounded and ended up in a German hospital, and spent the rest of the war in a prison camp.

Thus began a series of close calls and narrow escapes that lasted 21 days.

Maine Film Center launches new Railroad Square Cinema website

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The Maine Film Center (MFC) is making the most of its unscheduled COVID-19 “intermission” (aka temporary closure) by launching a new website for the Railroad Square Cinema, Maine’s only Sundance Art House Project theatre. The new and enhanced website features a more mobile-friendly interface for visitors, allows for a greater diversity of content sharing, and for the first time ever includes streaming film recommendations from the Maine Film Center staff. The new website can be found at http://www.RailroadSquareCinema.com.

“All of us at the Maine Film Center are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support during these difficult times that have literally reshaped the way we entertain, educate, and build community,” says Mike Perreault, executive director of the Maine Film Center. “While watching at home can in no way rival the experience of the cinema, the new Railroad Square Cinema website will feature a curated selection of titles available for streaming.”

Established in 1978, Railroad Square Cinema is a three-screen independent movie theater boasting the “best popcorn in the known universe.” Saluted by the Sundance Film Institute as one of the first theaters in the country to be included in its Art House Project, Railroad Square Cinema is consistently recognized as one of the region’s top theaters and according to Yankee Magazine is Maine’s “Best Art-House Theater.”

Class breakfast canceled

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The Skowhegan High School class of 1963 breakfast scheduled for May 16, 2020, at Wentworth’s Restaurant, in Norridgewock, has been canceled until further notice due to the coronavirus. Call 858-0946 with questions.

L.C. Bates Museum to develop virtual programs

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The museum is housed in the Quincy Building, a 1903 Romanesque Revival brick school building, designed by noted Lewiston architect, William R. Miller[3] (1866–1929). (photo by W.A. Judge – LC Bates Museum via Maine Memory)

The L.C.Bates Museum, in Hinckley, for safety reasons, is closed at this time and working on developing virtual programs and activities, especially ones for youth. The summer art exhibit Maine Waters and other museum information will be online by mid-May. Their newsletter has information about the museum’s new online presence.

For more information and access to the newsletter, contact Debbie Staber at dstaber@gwh.org.

Art kits available for kids

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In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis and the need to keep social distance, Waterville Creates! has launched a new collaborative program, Art Kits for All, an effort to help keep our community’s families engaged and entertained during this public health crisis by providing free art supplies and instructions for art projects that can be created at home. Beginning the week of May 11 the kits will be distributed at the Alfond Youth and Community Center (AYCC) and the Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market. Waterville Creates! is seeking community donations to fund this ongoing program. Kit distribution dates and information on how to donate to the Art Kits for All program can be found at: http://www.WatervilleCreates.org.

The Art Kits for All are assembled at the Colby Museum of Art; masks and gloves are worn during kit assembly and all art materials are disinfected to remove any risk of contamination. While Waterville Creates! developed the Art Kits for All concept, many local nonprofits are collaborating in this effort by providing volunteers and supplies.

Les Ames, remembered as family man, decorated veteran, community leader

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Les Ames, front, with Don Pratt, left, and Mark Rustin, grand master of the Masons of Maine, on the recent occasion of Les’ 95th birthday. (photo courtesy of Sheldon Goodine)

Leslie D. Ames, 95, of South China, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Togus Springs, Togus VA Medical Center. Les has now joined his loving wife of 62 years, Faith Ames in Heaven. Les was born at home in Camden on February 5, 1925, son of Harold and Edna Higgins Ames.

He started working on a dairy farm at age 10 delivering milk at 10 cents an hour. He bought his own truck and worked hauling whatever was needed to be hauled, changing out truck bodies when necessary.

On December 7, 1941, World War II was upon him, and Les was drafted in the Army in February 1943. He remembered the radio broadcast that changed his life. “I can remember that day as clear as yesterday,” he said in a 2018 interview with The Town Line. “I was still in high school. You knew things weren’t ever going to be the same,” he said. Pearl Harbor had just been bombed and President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan. “A few of my classmates left right after the announcement” he said. His draft notice arrived shortly after his 18th birthday, February 18, 1943, but three deferrals allowed him to graduate from high school before reporting for service in the Army. He enlisted June 22, 1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and reported to Camp Croft, South Carolina, for 17 weeks of Infantry Basic training.

Four weeks into basic training he was accepted into the Air Corps Flying Cadet program in Lynchburg, Virginia. “The Air Force had more planes than pilots,” Les recalled. In March 1944, his flight training came to an end when he received a telegram from General “Hap” Arnold, commanding general U.S. Army Air Force, saying, “you are further relieved from Air Force training for the convenience of the government.”

There were too many pilots and infantry divisions were needed for the escalating ground war in Europe. Assigned to the 78th Infantry Division, attached to the 310th Infantry Battalion, October 1944, found him on a Liberty ship headed to England and spending a month in the English coastal resort town of Bournemouth, practicing amphibious landings in preparation for a beach landing at Le Havre, France.

Heading north through France, Belgium and into Germany toward Aachen, he told of traveling on mud roads and along hedgerows so thick a tank would stand on end when it tried to penetrate the dense growth along the road. He spoke of the constant cold, of having no shelter from the winter weather, of K-rations instead of hot meals and of the increasing incidents of trench foot that made walking painful and difficult for the soldiers.

Wounded on January 7, 1945, when a piece of metal shrapnel went through his right arm severing bones, nerves and tendons before lodging between two of his right ribs, he was evacuated from the battlefield through France to England and eventually back to Fort Devens, where he had joined the army two years before. Thirteen months after his injury a surgical team from Walter Reed Hospital reconstructed his right arm. “It (the surgery) was very successful, although it left me with my right arm three-quarters of an inch shorter than the left which plays heck with my golf game,” he said. After medical discharge in August 1946 he attended the University of Maine under the veteran rehabilitation program graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.

His medals for service during World War II’s Ardennes, Rhineland and Germany Campaigns include the Purple Heart, the Bronze star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Les returned to Maine and graduated from the University of Maine in 1950 as a mechanical engineer. The same year he married the love of his life, Faith LaFleur Ames. They had two children, Michael R. Ames, a retired teacher who now lives in Newport, and Pamela J. Ames, an attorney, in Waterville.

Les and Faith made their home in South Portland, Omaha, Nebraska, and Cumberland Center. Les worked for American Can Company starting in July 1951 as a professional engineer and retired as plant manager of the Casco Bay plant, in Portland. Les and Faith retired to their home, in South China, where Les lived right up to shortly before his passing.

Les enjoyed the family camp on China Lake, and as an active resident of the community, was a member of the South China Community Church, a member of the Boynton-Webber American Legion Post #179, a Shriner and a Mason for 72 years.

Les was trail master for the Maine Snowmobile Association for many years and continued distribution of trail markers to snowmobile clubs all across Maine.

Les and Faith were instrumental in the resurrection of The Town Line newspaper in March 1999. Due to financial difficulties, the paper was shuttered in October 1998. Having established nonprofit status, Les and Faith donated the funds necessary to begin the process of reviving the community paper. In so doing, they became the first donors to the newspaper, and charter members of the organization.

For years, Les was the “official” China Lake ice out judge for The Town Line newspaper, working anonymously in that capacity.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Les was a member of the South China VFW, when he was actually a member of the Boynton-Webber American Legion Post #179, in South China. It was a source error.

Saluting RSU #18 Nutrition Angels

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by Mandi Favreau and Barbara Bonnell

Whether during the school year, during the summer, or during unprecedented times like these, our RSU #18 nutrition staff members come to work every day to do their job – no questions asked. During the early April power outage, this dedicated group of workers came in and made sandwiches by phone lights so no child would go hungry!

“The staff works hard to prepare quality meals that are satisfying to the students,” said nutrition director, Barbara Bonnell. “It’s a difficult task to keep the meals interesting for the children.“

Hand packing roughly 1,500 meals a day is also quite an undertaking, and it all begins at 5:30 in the morning. Ordering, prepping all the veggies, assembling and wrapping sandwiches, not to mention keeping everything organized, is a huge amount of work. Everything needs to be done quickly and efficiently to have all meals ready by 9 a.m., so they can be delivered to individual homes and open sites around the district. Once everything is prepared, it is packed into lunch bags and boxed to be shipped out with our equally dedicated bus drivers.

As soon as the meals are out the door, the prep for the next day begins. Food is ordered and received, bags are opened, items are defrosted, veggies and fruits are cut and packaged, cookies are baked and packaged to be ready for the next day. Fridays are the toughest as they prepare all the meals to send to each family for the weekend. No rest for the weary, once those meals leave the kitchen, they start right in again preparing for Monday.

“The RSU #18 nutrition staff can only be described as superheroes,” said Bonnell. “They are a championship team!  We are extremely proud of them and what they do!”

China group organizing gardeners to support local food pantry

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Marie Michaud’s two loves in one picture: her garden and her grandchildren. (contributed photo)

by Eric W. Austin

Marie Michaud doesn’t have any experience addressing local food shortages, but that hasn’t stopped her.

“I just feel something in my heart and I do it,” she says to explain the current project encouraging local gardeners to plant a few extra rows to support China Community Food Pantry.

Well known in China for her work on the LakeSmart initiative, Michaud researched and developed the idea of a new gardening committee to address potential food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and presented her plan to the Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association (GNRNA), the local group sponsoring the effort.

“We are seeking volunteer gardeners to increase their garden plots and provide fresh vegetable donations,” she says. “The pandemic has caused problems in the food distribution system, so we are organizing gardeners to ensure that we can deliver harvested carrots, corn, cucumbers, potatoes, green beans/wax beans, summer squash, Swiss chard, zucchini and tomatoes to the China Food Pantry later in the summer when they are likely to need it the most.”

She also brought her idea to the China for a Lifetime committee, a town committee dedicated to supporting community activism. The plan was embraced with enthusiasm. “We support Marie’s effort one hundred percent!” says committee chairman Christopher Hahn.

Those without gardens are not being left out. “We are also looking for people willing to help tend the extra rows,” says Michaud. “We’ll need people to help harvest the veggies, and transport the items to the food pantry. We happily invite all ages to join us in this worthwhile activity. Help us spread the word by sharing this information with your family and friends!”

Those interested in participating, either by planting extra rows or by helping those that do, can contact Marie Michaud, garden chairman, at 242-0240 or by email at mmtmfarm@gmail.com.

“Please join the Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association in our effort to plant more in our gardens,” says Michaud, “and donate fresh produce to supplement the food supplies of the China Food Pantry. As the only food pantry in our town, this worthy charitable organization has dedicated 27 years to helping address food insecurity for residents of China.”

Eric W. Austin writes about issues important to central Maine and can be reached by email at ericaustin@townline.org.