The seventh paragraph in the article titled Selectmen review and approve most of warrant, on page 3 of the February 9, 2017, issue of The Town Line should have read:
After a long discussion, a majority of the board voted to include the article and recommend its passage with Ronald Breton opposing, and Joann Austin abstaining.
by Roland D. HalleeChristmas is here, and as everyone knows, it is the day that Santa Claus comes down the chimney bearing gifts. And, we also know, Santa arrives at your house in a sleigh powered by eight flying “reindeer.” So, what are reindeer?
The reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, also known as caribou when wild in North America, is an Arctic and Subarctic-dwelling deer, widespread and numerous in those areas.
reindeer or caribou
The name “caribou” comes, through French, from Mi’kmaq qalipu, meaning “snow shoveler,” referring to its habit of pawing through the snow for food.
Originally, the reindeer was found in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia and northern China north of the 50th latitude. In North America, it was found in Canada, Alaska and the northern contiguous USA from Washington state to Maine. They were once found as far south as Nevada and Tennessee.
Today, wild reindeer have disappeared from many areas within this large historical range, especially from the southern parts, where it vanished almost everywhere. Large populations are still found in Norway, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska and Canada.
A few reindeer were introduced to the South Atlantic island of South Georgia in Russia in the beginning of the 20th century. Today, there are two distinct herds still thriving there, numbering no more than a few thousand.
Caribou and reindeer numbers have fluctuated historically, but many herds are in decline across this range, with the decline linked to climate change and industrial disturbance of habitat for sedentary, non-migratory herds.
The reindeer travels the furthest of any terrestrial mammal, walking up to 3,100 miles a year, although in Europe, the animal does not migrate as far. Normally traveling from 12-34 miles a day, the caribou can run at speeds of 37-50 mph.
The reindeer hooves adapt to the season: in the summer, when the tundra is soft and wet, the footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep it from slipping.
The reindeer coat has two layers of fur, a dense woolly undercoat and longer-haired overcoat consisting of hollow, air-filled hairs.
Males and females grow antlers. The males lose their antlers during December while the females lose theirs during the summer. So, that punches a hole in the Santa story. If he delivers gifts in late December, does that mean all the reindeer are female since the male would have shed their antlers by then?
There are a variety of predators that prey heavily on reindeer. Golden eagles prey on calves and are the most prolific hunter on calving grounds.
Wolverines, brown bears, polar bears and gray wolves also prey on newborn calves or sickly animals. The gray wolf is the most effective natural predator of adult reindeer.
Reindeer hunting by humans has a very long history and are today the main predator in many areas. Norway and Greenland have unbroken traditions of hunting wild reindeer from the ice age until the present day.
The reindeer has had an important economic role for all circumpolar peoples. Reindeer meat is popular in the Scandinavian countries where reindeer meatballs are sold canned, and sautéed reindeer a best known dish in Lapland. In Alaska and Finland, reindeer sausage is sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. Reindeer meat is very tender and lean. Caribou have been a major source of subsistence for Canadian Inuit.
The Canadian quarter features a depiction of a caribou while it is the official provincial animal of both Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. A caribou statue was erected at the center of the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, marking the spot in France where hundreds of soldiers of Newfoundland were killed and wounded during World War I.
The first written description of reindeer is found in Julius Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico (chapter 6.26), from the first century BC: “There is an ox shaped like a stag. In the middle of its forehead a single horn grows between its ears, taller and straighter than the animal horns with which we are familiar. At the top of this horns spreads out like the palm of a hand or the branches of a tree. The females are of the same form as the males, and their horns are the same shape and size.”
Getting back to Christmas, Santa’s reindeer were first named in the anonymously-written 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” (“Twas the Night Before Christmas,” later credited to Clement Clarke Moore), and were called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blixem. Dunder was later changed to Donder, and still again to Donner (German for “thunder.”). Blixem was later changed to Bliksem, then Blitzen (German for “lightning”). Some consider Rudolph as part of the group as well, though he was not part of the original work. Rudolph was added by Robert L. May in 1939 as “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.”
So, if you leave cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas eve, don’t forget some lichens, and leaves of willows and birches, for the reindeer.
A piano scholarship for deserving students at Erskine Academy has been established in memory of Lori Anne Pinette [1958-2016].
Named for Oak Grove-Coburn School alumna Lori Anne Pinette, the Lori Anne Pinette Memorial Piano Scholarship is awarded annually to an Erskine Academy student for private piano instruction.
Although an applicant’s talent and ability may be considered, this scholarship is principally based on financial need. This opportunity is provided to those who would most benefit from private piano instruction but might not otherwise receive such due to financial circumstances.
Born and raised in South China, Lori Anne Pinette was a gifted pianist and musician. She attended Oak Grove-Coburn School, in Vassalboro, and graduated in 1977. She retained her love of music and performed in various venues in Maine throughout her life. Lori unexpectedly died of a brain tumour in August 2016. The Lori Anne Pinette Memorial Piano Scholarship was established by her friends and family to honor her creative legacy and to continue her love of music in her home town and central Maine.
Interested persons may contribute to the scholarship fund which is tax deductible by sending funds to the following:
Donations made out to Erskine Academy for the Lori Anne Pinette Memorial Piano Scholarship: Erskine Academy, 309 Windsor Road, South China, ME 04358, 207-445-2962
More information can be found at: www.erskineacademy.org/ wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Lori-Anne-Pinette-Memorial-Piano-Scholarship.pdf.
by Roland D. HalleeIt’s the time of year when a majority of us struggle with New Year’s resolutions. What do you resolve to do, and will you be able to stick with it? Personally, I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. It was basically an exercise in futility.
Well, let me help you out. Here are a few that I have come across lately. Pick one, or more, if you can handle it. They shouldn’t be that difficult to implement.
Well, what are you waiting for!
1630 Business Check Lakeview Drive
1702 Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
1722 Business Check Main Street China Village
1825 Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
1850 Traffic Stop Neck Road
1922 Traffic Stop Neck Road
1936 Traffic Stop Lakeview Drive
2000 Business Check Rt. 3
2010 Business Check Rt. 3
2025 Business Check Rt. 3
1330 Assist Code Enforcement Rt. 3
1430 Assist Search Warrant Weeks Mills Road
1512 Assist MDEA with Traffic Stop
1555 Criminal Mischief Complaint Thurston Park
1615 Business Check Lakeview Drive
1640 Traffic Stop Village Road, S. China
1700 Business Check Rt. 3
1715 Business Check Rt. 3
1735 Stolen Vehicle Complaint Dirigo Road
1745 Domestic Disturbance Dirigo Road
1810 Business Check Windsor Road
1857 Traffic Stop Rt. 3
1915 Assist KSO with Criminal Speed Lakeview Drive
1210 Business Check Lakeview Drive
1215 Business Check Causeway Road
1330 Animal Complaint Hanson Road
1355 Traffic Stop Pleasant View Ridge Road
1500 Traffic Stop Windsor Road
1545 Business Check Rt. 3
1622 Residence Check Requested Old Waterville Road
1700 Business Check Lakeview Drive
The following area students have achieved dean’s list status at the University of Maine at Farmington, in Farmington.
Chelsea: Kassidy Frost and Tricia Tzikas; Fairfield: Katlyn Champagne, Holden Cookson, Katie LeBlanc, Hannah Tompkins and Lauren Wadleigh. Freedom: Christina Hall; Jefferson: Allison Fortin and Bridget Humphrey; Liberty: David Mallow; Madison: Alexis Lanctot and Rebekah Powell; Oakland: Mara Balboni, Natalie Corrigan, Tyler Creasy, Harley Davis, Derek Guerette and Christopher Knight; Palermo: Nicole Glidden; Sidney: Spencer DeWitt, Chelsey Oliver and Shawna Oliver; South China: Tyler Belanger, Marissa Chamberlain, Gage Currie, Simon Rollins and Rebecca-Ann Severy; Unity: Donna Chason; Vassalboro: Brianna Benevento, Nathan Bowring, Sean Cabaniss, Benjamin Cloutier, Alicia Stafford and Abbe Waceken; Washington: Olivia Vanner; Waterville: Molly Brown, Avery Isbell, Christa Jordan, Mattie Lajoie, Jacob Montgomery, Kara Patenaude, Sarah Ringer, Lydia Roy and Jinni-Mae Workman; Whitefield: Jordan Bailey, Katherine Newcombe and Emily Russell; Windsor: Victoria Condon; Winslow: Morgan Clark, Kayla Davis, Megan Denis, Mariah Greatorex, Sara Jackson, Stephanie Michaud and Christina Taylor.
Members from various service organizations in the Waterville area participated in the Veterans Day parade, in Waterville, on November 11. Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography
Grade 12, high honors: Avianna Boucher, Dustin Crawford, Taylor Cyrway, Allyn Foss, Bobbie Peacock, Samantha Taylor and Sara Taylor; honors: Whitney Coro, Lexie Cowan, Jade Fortin, Evan Gorr, McKayla Gray, Paul Kaplan, Mariah Langton, Eric Libby, Abigail Longley, Brooklynn Moore, Olivia Tewksbury, Sydney Trudeau, Isaiah Walls and Emily Witham.
Grade 11, high honors: Rhiannon Ambrose, Patrick Dube and Katrina Mason; honors: Jacob Atwood, Melanie Clark, Kelsey Creamer, Kaitlin Dixon, Bailey Dunphy, Ariana-Lee Dunton, Daryl Foss, Courtney Fuller, Michael Hargreaves, Jackson Lawler-Sidell, Samantha LeBeau, Brooklyn Miller, Peter Mouland, Tonya Thibodeau, Sierra Turcotte and Dylan Willette.
Grade 10, high honors: Tristan Bachelder and Sidney Small; honors: Lilyana Aloes, Lillian Johnson, Lindsay Lesperance, Lauren Rafferty and Makayla Vicneire.
Grade 9, high honors: Annika Carey and Scott Mason; honors: Emily Avery, Skyler Chipman, Caitlin Crawford, Shay Cyrway, Ariel Guinn, Skylar Karr, Laney Murray, Abby Richardson and Dalton Way.
The following area students have earned honors for the 2016 spring semester at Husson University, in Bangor. President’s list students carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a grade-point average of 3.80 to 4.0 during the period.
Hannah Ainslie, of Augusta, is a senior enrolled in the psychology program.
Erin Bolduc of Augusta, is a junior enrolled in the educational studies with a concentration in elementary education program.
Emily Bowers, of Augusta, is a sophomore enrolled in the nursing program.
Noah Gallagher, of Augusta, is a sophomore enrolled in the mass communications with a concentration in marketing communications program.
Shaun Gallagher, of Augusta, is a sophomore enrolled in the communications technology with a concentration in audio engineering program.
Aaron Haynes, of Augusta, is a sophomore enrolled in the communications technology with a concentration in live sound technology program.
Lauren Raymond of Augusta, is a senior enrolled in the healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.
Laurel Whipkey, of Augusta, is a senior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Morgan Clifford, of Brooks, is a junior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Hunter Belanger, of Chelsea, is a senior enrolled in the criminal justice program.
Lea Cone, of Chelsea, is a senior enrolled in the communications technology with a concentration in WebMedia program.
Danielle Lefebvre, of Freedom, is a senior enrolled in the business administration with a concentration in management and master of business administration program.
Tiffany Camire, of Madison, is a junior enrolled in the nursing program.
Victoria Mullin, of Madison, is a sophomore enrolled in the health sciences program.
Kirsten Wood, of Madison, is a junior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Sharlene Stanton, of Norridgewock, is a sophomore with an undeclared major.
Macy Mansir, of Sidney, is a sophomore enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Hunter Clark, of Skowhegan, is a senior enrolled in the mass communications with a concentration in marketing communications program.
Natasha Thompson, of Skowhegan, is a senior enrolled in the sport management and master of business administration program.
Heather Lupo, of Smithfield, is a sophomore enrolled in the healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.
Hallee Breton, of South China, is a senior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Shayla Pillow, of South China, is a junior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Helen Roy, of South China, is a senior enrolled in the paralegal studies program.
Nicole Scharer, of South China, is a graduate student enrolled in the doctor of pharmacy program.
Sarah Stevens, of South China, is a senior enrolled in the business administration with a concentration in financial management and master of business administration program.
Tasha Dutil, of Vassalboro, is a sophomore enrolled in the healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.
Adam Pelletier, of Vassalboro, is a junior enrolled in the criminal justice and master of science in criminal justice administration program.
Kyle Bishop, of Waterville, is a senior enrolled in the physical education program.
Miranda Shepherd-Bussiere, of Waterville, is a senior enrolled in the psychology program.
Dylan Atkins, of Winslow, is a graduate student enrolled in the doctor of pharmacy program.
Marissa Charette, of Winslow, is a senior enrolled in the healthcare studies program.
Megan Richards, of Winslow, is a senior enrolled in the kinesiology — human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.
Molly Ware, of Winslow, is a sophomore enrolled in the nursing program.
From left to right, Joslin, Sera and Keira Dixon, all of Waterville, were all dressed up for Halloween on October 31.
Photo by Central Maine
Photography staff