Renovations completed to Windsor Christian Fellowship

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The church as it looks upon completion of the project. (contributed photos)

by Brandon Dyer
Pastor-Teacher, Windsor Christian Fellowship

Severe damage to the roof had to be repaired by reconstructing the deck and shingles.

“Didn’t that church burn down?” This question was posed to me several years ago by a student at Windsor School on a day I was substitute teaching. The short answer to this well-meaning child’s question was, “no.” However, the sanctuary of Windsor Christian Fellowship did look as though it had burned down to some extent. Gaping holes in the front of the building, incomplete siding, and general disrepair—the work to be done on the sanctuary was great.

Over the past 200 years, the church has been known by several names: Windsor Methodist Episcopal Church, Windsor Memorial Baptist Church, and now, Windsor Christian Fellowship. Many pastors have served the church, and many Central Mainers have belonged to the church. One constant, however, throughout the almost 200 year history of the church has been the hand-hewn, post-and-beam sanctuary that sits atop a small hill on the Reed Road, in Windsor. Constant, that is, until 2006 when a much needed renovation began.

The steeple is being taken down to complete renovations to it and to make the necessary repairs to the roof.

Since that time, a radiant heat foundation was poured and many other updates were made, such as all new electrical, doors, windows, siding, drywall, trim, and paint. During the years it took to accomplish all of this work, the church had been worshiping in the Fellowship Hall. For most of that time, the smaller Fellowship Hall sufficed; however, the church recently began to outgrow the smaller space and began to look at the possibility of moving into the sanctuary. Although unfinished, the church met for worship in the sanctuary on October 20 for the first time in more than a decade. Despite the lack of carpet, platform, and using a borrowed sound system, it was a wonderful morning of worship.

The sanctuary no longer looks like it burned down. They anticipate using it for worship for many years to come, as well as weddings, funerals, and many other events in the coming years as they seek to serve the community in Windsor and many others throughout central Maine.

The interior of the church getting a complete facelight. Contributed photos

Kennebec Historical Society to hear about German POWs in Maine

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German prisoners of war picking potatoes in Houlton during World War II. (contributed photo)

In 1944, the U.S. Army Air Base, in Houlton, Maine, in Aroostook, County, became the site of a Prisoner of War (POW) internment camp for German soldiers captured in North Africa and France. The POWs could not be forced to work, but they could volunteer. Those who wanted to work helped the local farmers harvest peas and pick potatoes and cut wood in the forest after harvest time during the winter. In September 1945, Aroostook County farmers decided to take advantage of this opportunity. My dad requested some prisoners to help with our potato harvest. When harvest time rolled around, eight young Germans would arrive by truck each morning about 7 o’clock to help us harvest our crop…with ONE guard. As a 13-year old boy, the arrival of German soldiers, was fearsome. My young mind was not too sure it was a good idea to have the “enemy” right here on our farm.

The Kennebec Historical Society’s November speaker, Henry (Hank) D. Lunn has been a resident of Camden since 1958 and a student of Maine history since his birth on a potato farm in Aroostook County. He graduated from the University of Maine with a major in history and government and has a M.Ed. in Counseling and School Administration. Mr. Lunn retired from public education with over 40 years of experience as a teacher, counselor and educational consultant in the schools of Maine. For the past several years, he has been delivering his “Living History” presentations to schools, historical societies, libraries, and community organizations.

The Kennebec Historical Society November presentation is co-sponsored by the Maine State Library and is free to the public (donations gladly accepted). The presentation will be followed by some light refreshments and take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., at the Maine State Library, located at 230 State Street in Augusta.

Theresa Plaisted presented with Boston Post Cane in 2019

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China Town Manager Dennis Heath, left, presents the Boston Post Cane and a certificate to Theresa Plaisted, of China. (Photo courtesy of the China Town Office)

China Town Manager Dennis Heath, left, presented the Boston Post Cane and a certificate to Theresa Plaisted, of China, on October 21, 2019.

The cane is retained at the Town Office and the recipient keeps a certificate of the presentation. Theresa was born at Augusta on December 19, 1923, and has lived her entire life in China. She attended grammar school at the old school across from the Albert Church Brown Library and graduated from Erskine Academy in 1941. She worked at the Hathaway Mill, in Waterville, for 16 years.

For many years Theresa watched school-aged children who still call her “Aunt Theresa.” She was married to Leon Plaisted for 49 years. At 96, Theresa is still very active and has been wintering in Florida every year since 1999 with her sister Pauline “Polly” Tobey, who turned 93 recently. Theresa’s grandmother, Etta Ward, also held the Boston Post Cane from late 1971 until her passing at age 107 years, 10 months and 2 days on October 23, 1973.

Local Naval boatswain underway

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U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Joshua Plummer, from Jefferson, mans a fuel line on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Atlantic Ocean, on November 5, 2019. The John C. Stennis is underway conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Grant G. Grady)

New books at the Albion Public Library

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Albion Public Library

Non-Fiction:

A Story of Maine in 112 Objects from Prehistory to Modern Times, by Bernard Fishman, Director Maine State Museum.

The Great Halifax Explosion, A WWI Story of Treachery, Tragedy and Extraordinary Heroism, by John U. Bacon.

A Senator’s Eye, by Sen. Angus S. King, Jr.

Fiction:

The Pioneers, by David McCullough.

The Dead Samaritan, by Emily Westbrooks.

Long Forgotten Tales of Downeast Maine, by Jim Harnedy.

Juvenile:

Call of the Wraith, by Kevin Sands.

The Night Country, by Melissa Albright.

Waterville holds 2019 Veterans Day parade

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The Waterville High School performed during the Veterans Day parade, in Waterville, on November 11. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

A Veterans Day parade was held in Waterville on November 11. One of the marching units was the Winslow Police Honor Guard. From left to right, Captain Fleming, Officer Jones, Officer Theobald and Office Veilleux. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Craig Bailey, left, commander of Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, in Waterville, and Pearly Lachance, offering a prayer on the steps of Waterville City Hall, during the Veterans Day ceremony, in Waterville, on November 11. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

Vassalboro American Legion holds veterans open house

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Veterans gathered for an open house at St. Bridget’s Community Center, in Vassalboro. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

Nearly 30 people attended the Vassalboro American Legion Post #126’s open house and honor ceremony at St. Bridget’s Center on Veterans Day, November 11. The goal of the open house was to provide veterans and their families with a central place to find information on veterans’ issues.

One of the primary duties of the American Legion is to serve as a source of information for retiring veterans trying to navigate the increasingly complex benefits system. “That’s been one of the biggest issues,” explains Adjutant Jim Kilbride. “[You] try to get into the system and start to find out that you can get lost very easily. And if you’re elderly, it gets even harder.

James Kilbride, Adjutant for Vassalboro American Legion Post #126. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

“We had a lot of people saying, ‘Well, I don’t know who to get in touch with for this, or who to get in touch with for that.’ So, we went out and got in touch with different groups,” he says and waves a hand at various tables set up around the room where pamphlets and information packets are laid out.

With membership declining in many local American Legion posts around the country, Kilbride saw a need for the Vassalboro post to step up and be a center of information for veterans that might need help. “We figure from here on, we’ll be a place that veterans and their families can get in touch, and we’ll have the information for them,” he says.

Veterans throughout central Maine can reach out to Vassalboro’s Post #126 if they can’t find the information they need. To do so, please call 616-3148, or write to Vassalboro American Legion Post #126, c/o St. Bridget Center, PO Box 112, North Vassalboro, ME 04962, or by email at StBridgetCenter@gmail.com. Jim Kilbride and his wife Rachel, who manage the community center, will be happy to respond to any requests, or will help to direct veterans to the best place to find the information they need.

Despite the declining membership in most American Legions, there is some hope. Kilbride reports the Vassalboro post has added three new members in the past year. Still, he sees danger ahead for American veterans if the decline in Legion membership is a trend that continues. “The thing is,” he says, “we need the membership if we’re going to be able to get the changes in Congress and the Senate and so forth that are needed to make sure veterans are taken care of. There’s a big change in what veterans’ benefits are now [compared to] what they were when I left active duty, [but] that’s because we worked at it.”

The St. Bridget Center, once an old Catholic church, has recently been completely restored and is available to rent for weddings, receptions, and other local events. They also host fundraisers for nonprofits at no charge. Call 616-3148 or email StBridgetCenter@gmail.com for more information.

The POW/MIA table (this poem from the American Legion manual):

The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.

The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have to shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.

The red ribbon on the vase represents the red ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand, with unyielding determination, a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.

A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us at this time.

The chair is empty. They are NOT here.

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to open arms of a grateful nation.

The American flag reminds us that many of them may never return – and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.

New inductees in the Maine Ski Hall of Fame 2019

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Pictured are the recent inductees to the 2019 Maine Ski Hall of Fame, held at Sugarloaf Mountain on October 26. From left to right, Leigh Breidenbach, Brent Jepsen for Henry Anderson, Lizzie Chenard for Billy Chenard, Lindsay Ball, Jeff Schipper for Paul Schipper, Seth Wescott, Don Fowler and Bob Zinck. (photo by Dan Cassidy)

Tax relief payments coming to qualified homeowners

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An Act to Return Funds to Maine Property Tax Payers requires the Maine Office of the State Treasurer (OST) to provide tax relief payments of no less than $100 to qualifying homesteads, when the Property Tax Relief Fund reaches a threshold of funding to support the payments. In 2019, this threshold will be met based on available funds divided by the number of homesteads net of expenses to administer the program. To read the law in its entirety, please click here.

State Treasurer Henry Beck has determined the fund to be at a level sufficient to trigger a payment for FY 2020. Property owners should contact their town office for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Is this a new program?

A. Yes, this is a program that began in 2019 and is administered by the State Treasurer. This program was established by P.L. 2019 Chapter 448, as proposed in LD 1713 “An Act To Return Funds to Maine Property Tax Payers.” It is separate from previous and existing efforts to provide property tax relief such as revenue sharing, certain property tax exemptions and certain property tax credits.

Q. How is this program funded?

A. This program is funded by the Property Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents. The Property Tax Relief Fund for Maine Residents consists of excess general fund revenues.

Q. Does a qualified taxpayer with a property valued at $20,000 receive a payment?

A. Yes, all qualified homestead exemption property taxpayers will receive the same payment.

Q. I work for a town or city. How should I send my list of homestead property owners to the Treasurer?

A. Our office has sent a request to each Municipal Tax Assessor with an attached template that will need to be completed and returned. If you do not have Excel, we will work directly with you to find a solution. TRIO Users will be provided an extract to use and pull the exact data we need. If you have not received the template, you can download that here. Please make sure the list is accurate.

Q. The money for this relief used to come to the municipality as an offset to taxes, is this not the case anymore?

A.This is a different program from the homestead exemption. The homestead exemption is simply the qualifier for the relief payment.

Q. How do we contact you?

A. You may call 207.624.7477 or Email: PropertyTaxRelief@maine.gov

Q. If a check was sent with information that is incorrect, who should be contacted?

A. If you are a recipient of a payment, please contact your Tax Assessor who will make a formal request to the Office of the State Treasurer to correct the recipient’s information. We will only reissue checks by request of the Tax Assessor who submitted the original name. Other examples of errors that can be potentially be corrected include:

  • Name spelled incorrectly
  • Mailing address incorrect
  • Spouse or co-owner is deceased.

The Office of State Treasurer has discretion to approve or not approve the reissue of payments consistent with the intent of the law. The Office of the State Treasurer may require certain documentation before reissuing payment. We wish to be of assistance ask for the patience of taxpayers.

Q. Who qualifies for a homestead exemption?

A. For more information on this program, please review the FAQ here: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/faq/homestead_faq.html

Q. I submitted my application after April 1, 2019. Will I receive a payment?

A. No, only properties that qualified for the exemption on or before April 1, 2019, will receive a payment.

Q. When will I receive my payment?

A. Payments will be processed and mailed in the months of January and February.

Q. Have a question that has not been answered?

A. Please contact our office at PropertyTaxRelief@Maine.gov and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Eagle Scout candidate organizes work day

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The brick pad, the picnic table and sign placard near the outlet stream. Front, from left to right, Kameron Rossignol, Kasen Kelley, Remy Pettengill, Ayden Newell, Caleb Knock. Back, Ben Lagasse, Aiden Pettengill, Hunter Praul, Kaiden Kelley, Michael Boostedt, Leaders Derek Rossignol, Darryl Praul and Ron Emery. Missing from photo Leaders Lee Pettengill and parents Keith Lagasse, Jonathan Knock and Grange member Bernie Welch (contributed photo)

by Bernie Welch
Member of the Vassalboro Grange
Photo by Ron Emery, Troop #479

There is something wonderful about being amongst volunteers. What better way than to be part of an Eagle Scout project that promotes community, conversation and education. The Vassalboro Historical Society and the Vassalboro Grange partnered with the Maine Rivers to create an opportunity for the talented troop #479, of China, and specifically Eagle Scout candidate, Ben LeGasse, with the thought of sharing a bit of Vassalboro Lore from the Historical Society and the Grange, plus providing a place to share the plan for an alewife introduction to China Lake. Ben and his father organized a work day on Saturday, October 19. They pre-planned and created a bench and sign placard for the north side of the Grange and also planned and placed a picnic table and sign placard at the Outlet Stream to provide respite for the fishermen, bird watchers and soon to be alewife tourists that promise to be more plentiful once the Maine rivers project is complete.

Ben and his father organized a work day on Saturday, October 19. They pre-planned and created a bench and sign placard for the north side of the Grange. (Contributed photo)

An eagle Scouts project is one that fills a need. The Eagle Scout Service Project, or simply Eagle Project, is the opportunity for a Boy Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community. This is the culmination of the Scout’s leadership training, and it requires a significant effort on his part.The project must benefit an organization other than the BSA, and it cannot be performed for an individual or a business or be commercial in nature. Completing an Eagle Project is a requirement in order for Boy Scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank. Ben chose to organize his project to support the greater Vassalboro community. On the work day he involved his fellow scouts and their fathers. All Scouts actively participated in clearing the area and placing sign posts , the bench, the brick picnic table pad and the picnic table.

Ben also solicited and received tremendous support from Hannafords in South China, Fieldstone Quick stop, Lowes Home supply and, of course, parents and friends. The fathers of the scouts were also out in force providing guidance, institutional memory and wisdom when using hand tools. A ground wasp nest did not deter but did enliven the effort on the day of the event. Grange members provided food and information about the grange. Ben will share his project with the Vassalboro Historical Society and the Maine Rivers during future meetings. His discussion and question answer session at the last Friday Grange meeting was informational and a bit of fun.

Scouting in our area is a hidden community gem. Young people inspire community members to think about the power of doing something for the benefit of others. Yes, there is something wonderful about being volunteers. And you know what , they can be us!

Ben, 17, is a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, and the son of Keith and Kristie LaGasse, of Windsor.