SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Brighten every room in your home with plants

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by Melinda Myers

Humidity-loving plants like orchids are a good choice to grow in the bathroom where the growing conditions will be right. (photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com)

Anytime is a great time to add a few houseplants to your home. Adding greenery indoors expands your gardening opportunities and provides the many benefits of living with and tending plants. It can boost your mood and reduce stress while adding beauty or nutritious food to your home.

Increase productivity and creativity by including plants in your home or work office. Greenery helps reduce stress even when working at your desk or tackling homework at the end of a long day. Set a few plants on or near your desk or other workspace. Expand your growing opportunities with the help of stylish, energy-efficient full spectrum plant lights to fit any décor while directing light where it is needed to promote healthy plant growth.

Boost the flavor and nutrition of meals year-round by growing leafy greens and herbs in a sunny window or under artificial lights. Start plants from seeds or purchase transplants to grow indoors. Place your indoor kitchen garden in a brightly lit location, free of cold drafts and with easy access to harvest and use. Turn family meals and friend gatherings into unique and memorable experiences by enlisting them to harvest some greens for their salad and herbs to season their meals.

Grow ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and other humidity-loving plants in your bathroom. Consider these and other low-light plants like cast iron, pothos, and philodendron if natural light is limited. You’ll enjoy stepping out of the shower into a mini tropical zone allowing you to ease into your day.

Get a good night’s sleep with a bit of homegrown aromatherapy in the bedroom. Grow lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and other soothing herbs in your bedroom near a sunny window, on a shelf, or in another naturally or artificially lit, bright location. Just give the plants a pet to release their fragrance into the air before crawling into bed for a long restful sleep.

Create a miniature tropical, moss or desert garden in a terrarium to serve as a focal point in any room or as a centerpiece on the dining room table. Use an open terrarium for succulents and other plants that need airflow, lower humidity, and space to grow. Enlist closed terrariums for moss and tropical plants that benefit from the high humidity and condensation that provides continual watering.

Indoor greenery always makes a nice addition when rethinking or refreshing your home décor in any space. You and your family will enjoy the beauty and many other benefits plants provide.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: How do birds keep warm during the frigid weather?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Last week I was watching a cardinal at my wife’s bird feeder and wondered how those little critters keep warm. So, let’s talk about how those little feathered friends keep warm during those times.

Birds are warm-blooded animals that have a much higher temperature than humans, usually in the range of 105 degrees, as compared to our 98.6 degrees. Body temperatures can vary during daylight hours but it can challenge the birds during the night to maintain such a high body heat.

Smaller birds run more of a risk of body heat loss since they have a proportionately larger surface area on their bodies to lose heat but a smaller core volume to generate it.

Birds have different ways to maintain body heat during cold weather. Their feathers provide remarkable insulation, and many species will actually grow extra feathers as part of a late fall molt to give them thicker protection in the winter. Oil also coats their feathers to provide, not only insulation, but waterproofing.

Their legs and feet are covered with scales to minimize heat loss. By constricting blood flow to their extremities, they can also reduce body heat loss even further.

Then, there is the old standby: adding body fat reserves to serve as insulation and extra energy for generating body heat. They will gorge themselves in the fall when food sources are abundant.

Another way to produce insulation from the cold is to fluff their feathers. That enables air pockets to be created, keeping them toasty warm. Also, it is not unusual to see birds standing on one leg or crouched to cover both legs with their feathers to shield them from the cold. They also tuck their beaks into their shoulder feathers for protection, and to breathe air warmed from their body heat.

On sunny days, they will perch with their backs to the sun to maximize the exposure area of their body. They raise their wings to allow the skin and feathers to absorb as much of the sun’s heat as possible, even spreading or drooping their wings while sunning.

If you see a bird shivering, don’t worry. They do this to raise their metabolic rate and generate more body heat as a short term solution in extreme cold.

Many small birds will gather in large flocks at night and crowd together in an attempt to share their collective body heat. Even individually, they will roost in places that may contain residual heat from the day’s sunlight.

But, there is something called torpor that birds will use to conserve energy during the cold nights. Torpor is a state of reduced metabolism when the body temperature is lowered, therefore requiring fewer calories to maintain the proper heat. Birds can lower their body temperature from 22 to 50 degrees. Torpor, however, can be dangerous as reduced temperature also leads to slower reactions and greater vulnerability to predators.

Even with all of these Mother Nature-built in safeguards, mortality rate among birds can run high during extreme winters. You can help.

During winter, keep your feeders cleared of snow and filled with good food, offer liquid water, and provide shelter. You can build brush piles or protective boxes if you have no natural shelters. I think one of the reasons we have as many birds during winter as we have is because birds are attracted to coniferous trees. My wife and I have three rather large pine trees in our backyard, providing them with plenty of protection from the weather.

Mother Nature, again, provides for its creatures, large or small.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which current NFL team was originally called the Titans?

Answer
The New York Jets.

EVENTS: AYCC to host polar plunge

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AYCC Childcare leadership team, Chrissy Johnson, Bobbi Pelletier and DJ Adams, take the dip in 2020. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC), serving the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greater Waterville, has announced it will be hosting its 31st annual Polar Plunge, on Saturday, March 16, at the Oakland Boat Launch. They hope to have 100 participants to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club.

Funds are raised by each jumper and team, all contributing to the AYCC Kids Kitchen program. Through Kids Kitchen, every child in the Afterschool Program, both in Waterville and at the off sites, receives a warm meal and snack every day. In addition to the Afterschool Program, the Greenhouse to Your House weekend meal kits are funded through Kids Kitchen. By giving to your favorite jumper, you’re making a difference in the lives of children in our community.

Jumpers with the most money raised will receive the grand prize of a week’s stay at the West Wind II resort, in the Bahamas. Prizes will also be awarded for the best costume, best jump, and to the oldest and youngest jumper.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, March 7, 2024

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DANIEL E. CASSIDY

WINSLOW – Daniel Edward Cassidy Jr, 83, passed away on February 29, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Dan was born in Portland, Maine on June 28, 1940, to Daniel E. and Odell (Thibodeau) Cassidy. In 1946 the family moved to Winslow to open Cassidy’s Market on Augusta Road.

Dan graduated from Winslow High School in 1960. An avid music lover, Dan was an accomplished violin player and played the timpani and snare drums for the high school and traveling bands. He performed all over Maine, sitting as second chair for the violin with the Maine State Orchestra. He enjoyed many of those band trips, including travels to New York City and Nova Scotia, with his future wife, Jean. After graduating, Dan joined the Air Force Reserves, completing his basic training at Lackland Air Force in Texas and was stationed at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor.

Dan began his 33-year-long career at the Central Maine Morning Sentinel in 1966, working his way up from the composing room, to selling advertising, to the co-op and special sections’ manager, and then ended his career as the sales manager at the newspaper. His second “job” was a labor of love. For over half a century he was at the wheel of a school bus driving junior and high school ski clubs to area mountains, sports teams to meets, races, and games. In what little spare time he had, he also volunteered for the Winslow Fire Department.

An ardent outdoorsman, Dan relished and loved Maine. He indulged his love of the outdoors at the Cassidy farm in Bingham, snowmobiling with his brother Francis and nephews, sledding down Mahoney Hill, taking a dip in the deep hole, fishing, hiking, and mowing acres and acres of land. Dan’s greatest passion was skiing, taking to the slopes across the United States, Canada, and five countries in Europe, tackling over 120 mountains. Ensuring he would always have ski buddies, he had his three children and two grandchildren on skis all by the age of two, passing the joy of skiing along to them. Following his retirement, he found a way to turn that love of nature into a third “job” and wrote articles for four publications (Including INside the OUTside, for The Town Line newspaper). While his column, Ski Tracks focused mostly on skiing, he also wrote about camping, hiking, and biking. He was a member of several writer organizations including the Eastern Ski Writers and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. He was an active member of the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association, and he also served as President of the Ski Museum of Maine. He was a proud Sugarloafer since 1962. To say the man lived to ski would be an understatement.

The ultimate family man, Dan always looked forward to friends and family gatherings. He enjoyed many holidays, parties, and travels including annual 4th of July vacations to Cape Cod with close family friends, reunions with family in Lake Tahoe, tours of Europe with extended family, and trips to Gorham to support his grandchildren with their achievements. His retirement also allowed him to fulfill his love of travel when Dan and Jean jumped in the Jeep and toured the country. Dan very much enjoyed and treasured these adventures and we certainly have the photographs to prove it!!

Dan was predeceased by his parents, Daniel E. and Odell, his brothers Lionel and Francis, and his sister Agnes. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Jean (Mathieu), his son Sean and his partner Gerry Logue, daughter Kathleen and her partner Beth Alsberg, and daughter Erin and her partner Jonathan Shardlow, his two grandchildren, Andrew and Courtney Rent, as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and of course, Kitty.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument street, Winslow. A memorial service at the gravesite for family and friends will be held at a later date in the summer.

Arrangements are under the care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the WinterKids of Maine at WinterKids Education Foundation, 506 Main Street, Suite 10, Westbrook, ME 04092, and/or Compassus Hospice at 163 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

CARLENE ROY

CHINA – Carlene Roy, 86, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024, peacefully in her sleep. She was born in Caribou on February 2, 1938, to her parents Ulysses and Lena (Santere) Lagasse.

She was educated in the Skowhegan school district and went on to work in the shoe and textile industry for 20 years. After that, she worked as a bank teller for 20 more years before retiring.

Carlene was an excellent seamstress, quilter, needle pointer, and knitter. She was always a good cook and was particularly good at making pies. She loved to travel, go camping, and gather with friends and family.

She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Debra Pomelow, her brother and his spouse Roland and Bunny Lagasse, sister and spouse, Francis and Fred Pottle, and sister-in-law and spouse, Jackie and Richard Bouffard.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Lucien Roy; her daughter, Lisa Guilbert; stepdaughter, Kim Roy; son-in-law, Rick Pomelow; grandchildren Shame Pomelow, Angie Nelson, and Lauren Guilbert; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Matte, and Alecia; her great-great-grandchild, Alexis; as well as all her nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Holy Family Cemetery, on the Townsend Road, in Augusta. It will be followed by a gathering of family and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville.

WILLIAM BELL

BENTON – William “Billy” Bell, 93, passed quietly into heaven on Sunday, February 18, 2024. He was born in Fairfield on July 11, 1930.

He first worked for Arthur Brown, in Benton, on the farm and then driving trucks, tractors, and equipment. He then worked for Warren Brothers, which became Tilcon. During the winter he drove oil truck for Peters Fuel Service, in Fairfield, delivering oil.

Billy retired in 1983 after an accident caused him to lose the full use of his left arm.

In his early years, for leisure, he enjoyed roller skating at the Winslow Roller Rink. After retiring, he spent his winters in Florida with his wife, Euleta, and many local friends from the area.

He is survived by his son, Rusty and wife Selena; his granddaughters Sadie Trask and her husband Matt, Betsy Nielsen and her husband Matt, Molly Bell and her companion Dan Armiger; as well as two great-granddaughters, Payton and Rylie Trask.

During the last years of his life, he enjoyed the company of his friend, Lynn Ware, they went for long rides and enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy together.

He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Euleta K. Bell; his parents; his sister, Mary Bell, and brother, Murchie Bell.

There will be a graveside service in the spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

As a thank you for the excellent care Bill received, the family is asking that donations in Bill’s name be sent to Gentiva Hospice, 24 Stone St. #106, Augusta, ME 04330.

EDWARD E. COUTURE

WATERVILLE – Edward “Ed” Edmond Couture, 93, of Waterville, died peacefully at his home on Monday, February 19, 2024. Ed was born on July 15, 1930, in St. Cecile, Québec, Canada. Ed is the oldest of two children to the late Wilfred and Roseanne (Bolduc) Couture.

Ed married Cecile Bernadette Roy Couture in 1955 and they were married for 61 years before her death in 2016. After they married, Ed moved his family to the United States in 1957 and settled in Winslow. Ed had many jobs throughout his career but had been employed by the Town of Winslow for 35 years before his retirement in 1995.

Ed enjoyed playing cards with his wife and friends as well as camping. For 27 years, after his retirement, Ed and Cecile wintered in St Petersburg, Flaorida, and returned home to Maine in the spring and summer. Ed was a man of many skills. He was resourceful and could fix anything mechanical.

Ed leaves behind three daughters, Joanne and her husband Dana Jordan, of Vassalboro, Lisa and her husband Dave Hauser, of Casco, Sylvia and her husband Claude Hallee, of Waterville, and a son, Peter Couture, and his wife Shelly, of Augusta; five grandchildren, Christopher and wife Nicole Couture, of Turner, Nicholas and wife Lacey Couture, of Vassalboro, Ryan and Renee Hallee, both of Waterville, and Tim Cusick Jr., of Augusta; as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Ed will be cremated, and a graveside service will be held on Friday, June 7, at 1 p.m., where his ashes will be laid to rest with his wife at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville.

In memory of Ed’s wife and her battle with ALS, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the ALS Foundation, 10 Ferry St., Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301.

DARYN C. DYER

PALERMO – Daryn C. Dyer, 58, died unexpectedly Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Millinocket Regional Hospital. He was born on June 4, 1965, a son of David J. and Brenda J. (Hannan) Dyer.

Daryn was a graduate of Erskine Academy, in South China, class of 1983.

He had been employed for over 40 years at JS McCarthy Printers, in Augusta, and will be sorely missed by the entire JSM family.

Daryn loved hunting, fishing and all things outdoorsy but his favorite thing was to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was an amazing Grampy or “Bampy”, a loving husband, and the best dad.

Daryn is survived by his wife of 37 years, Leslie A. (Tesseo) Dyer, of Palermo; three children, Tyler Dyer and his wife Felicia, Ethan Dyer and his wife Callie and Nikki Dyer; two brothers, Daniel Dyer and his wife Bethany, and Jamie Dyer and his wife Andrea; a sister, Kelly Kramer and her husband Eric; three grandchildren, Easton Dyer, Olivia Dyer and Marigold Dyer; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A gathering of family and friends was held on Sunday, March 3, at Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd., Rt. 32, Windsor.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: www.plummerfh.com.

RICHARD A. STAPLES

PALERMO – Richard Adam Staples, 60, of Palermo and Thomaston, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. Richard was born March 27, 1963, the son of Warren Sr. and Thelma (Fuller) Staples.

Richard grew up in Palermo, attended Palermo Consolidated School, and Gardiner Area High School, and graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China. He worked many jobs, the last 20 years he was a caregiver to his nephew until he couldn’t do it anymore.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Basil, Warren, and Joseph and his wife Sharon, his sisters Norma Staples and Louise Keane, brother-in-law, Andrew (Steve) O’Brien, and sister-in-law, Jean Staples.

Surviving are his daughter, Kayla Lilly and her two children, Dakota Carter and Brooke Doucette, of Old Town; his six brothers, Forrest, James “Red”, Rhama and Ephraim, of Palermo, Larry, of Thomaston, Henry and his wife Linda, of Caribou; three sisters, Grace O’Brien, of Palermo, Ann Bako and her husband Peter, of Weeks Mills, and Martha Staples and her companion Barry Swift, of Somerville; brother-in-law, Steve Keane, of Georgetown; sister-in-law, Glanis Staples, of Palermo; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held on June 22, at 3 p.m. at his home on the Colby Road, in Palermo.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at Directcremationofmaine.com

ANNA MARIE GERALD

WINSLOW – Anna Marie Gerald passed away on the morning of Saturday, February 24, 2024, following a brief illness. She was born on September 9, 1940, the youngest of five children born to Donald R. and Carlene M. (Ellis) Finnemore, in Houlton.

The family lived in Danforth and Hodgdon, before settling in Unity. She graduated from Unity High School, in 1958, as one of 12 students and went on to attend Pierce Secretarial School, in Boston, Masachusetts.

Stephen L. Gerald took Anna to be his wife of September 2, 1960, and she moved to Clinton. For 30 years they worked side by side at L.L. Gerald and Son, in Fairfield, and created a thriving business that served the community well. Together they retired and enjoyed their home (camp) on Unity Pond. Anna enjoyed ice fishing up to Moose Camp, in Lily Bay, snowmobiling, cards with friends and family, and entertaining at the lake. She was involved with the Clinton Evening Extension, Town and Country Trailriders snowmobile club, and the Jaycee Wives.

Anna was an accomplished cook, which aided Steve in getting his projects done. Their son, Scott, only had to put out the word that Anna was cooking an eye of the round, complete with fixings, and friends would come running. Before you knew it, a 10-yard loam pile was spread before the roast hit the table. Anna was amazed at how well Steve’s methods worked.

She quite often had plans and schemes for the camp, to which Steve would state, “that’s for you and your second husband to do.” Whether that was premonition or joking, the love of her life passed away in July 1994.

Anna was blessed again to find another love in Richard Beale. They never married but they spent the next 25 years pursuing a different life; one filled with traveling extensively, enjoying auto racing, retirement, and above all, time spent with family. Unfortunately, Richard passed in 2019. Though Anna sorely missed Richard, she was blessed to have a large “Bonus Family” which encompassed Richard’s six children.

Anna was predeceased by her parents, husband, Stephen, partner, Richard, and bonus son, Robert Mark Beale. She was the last remaining sibling, having lost brothers Donald E. Finnemore Sr. and Lewis Finnemore as well as sister, Loralie Higgins and Marjorie Drake.

She is survived by her only son, Scott L. Gerald and his wife Michelle, of Fairfield Center; her grandsons Blake L. Gerald and Alex S. Gerald; her great-grandsons Elliot and Jack Gerald; many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Barbara Finnemore; her bonus family, William (Mike) Beale, Laura Hatfield, Richard (Rick) Beale, Mailissa (Lisa) Cavanaugh, Mary Dowe, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren from clan Beale.

There will be an informal celebration of life with refreshments held Saturday March 23, 2024, at 1 p.m., in the Brown Memorial Methodist Church fellowship hall, 36 Church St., Clinton.

An interment service at Greenlawn Rest Cemetery, in Clinton, will be announced at a later date.

Please visit Anna’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/anna-gerald where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

LORETTE LEIGH

FAIRFIELD – Lorette Leigh, 83, of Fairfield, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Mount Joseph, in Waterville.

In 1974, Lorette married Robert Leigh. They were married for 35 years until Robert passed away in 2009.

Most of Lorette’s working days were spent at the Diamond Match Factory, in Oakland. In her retirement, she enjoyed many hours of talking on her CB radio with her friends and was known to many as “Chipper Girl.” Lorette was also a member of the Benton Grange, where she made many more longtime friends.

She is survived by her two stepchildren, Randy Leigh and his wife Ruth, of Fairfield, and Wendy Yor,k of Washington; three grandchildren, Jenny Boyden and her husband Matthew, of Clinton, Tracy Jacques and her husband Joe, of Waterville, Lacey Leigh and her partner Nicholas Philbrook, of Matinicus Island; three great-grandchildren, Storer and Jillian Boyden, both of Clinton, and Eli Philbrook of Matinicus Island.

A private family spring burial beside her husband will take place at the Maplewood Cemetery in Fairfield.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield, where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

SUSAN H. BOUTHOT

OAKLAND – Susan Helen (Patrick) Bouthot 71, passed away on Monday February 26, 2024, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a long seven-year courageous and hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Greenville on February 18, 1953, the daughter of Charles and Theresa Patrick.

Sue attended schools in Waterville. Sacred Heart School for eight years and Waterville High School where she graduated in 1971. Susan and Arthur were married at the Sacred Heart Church, in Waterville, on July 1, 1972, and lived in Oakland since 1978.

Sue was primarily a home maker, and full-time mom but did work at C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory and The Curtain Shop, both in Waterville when the children were older. She earned an associate degree in Mental Health and Human Services from the University of Maine at Augusta in 2004. She liked to knit and crochet and was very good at her craft.

She is survived by husband of 52 years, Arthur Bouthot; son Robert Bouthot and wife Andrea, and daughter Jasmine McEachern and husband Dan; three grandchildren, Arianna McEachern, Levi Bouthot and Evan Bouthot; sisters, Lynn Burke, from San Antonio, Texas, Donna Wescott and husband Kyle, from Sidney; and brother, Alan Patrick and wife Sookie, from Massachusetts; along with several nieces and nephews. She very much-admired Melissa and Casey Wescott whom she babysat for several years. She wasn’t just an Aunt, she was a special “Tante”.

There will be no visiting or public viewing hours. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Church, in Winslow, at 10 a.m., on Friday, March 15, followed by a funeral luncheon at St. John cafeteria. Interment at the VA Mount Vernon Road Cemetery, in Augusta, will be scheduled at a later date in the spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

DARRELL L. CROMMETT

VASSALBORO – Darrell Lee Crommett, 65, passed away peacefully at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, following a long battle with dementia. He was born May 29, 1958, a son of Theda (Tompkins) and Leslie Crommett Sr.

Darrell grew up in Weeks Mills and was one of 14 brothers and sisters. He graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1977. In 1979 he welcomed his only son, Derek, with then wife, Karen Perry. He retired in 2018 after over 25 years of service as a dedicated delivery driver for Suburban Propane.

Darrell was full of life and lived it to the fullest. He enjoyed playing softball for most of his adult life in various leagues, and especially loved playing alongside his son.

On warm summer days Darrell could be found cruising on his Harley, whether it be a quick trip to the store or a long-distance ride. He spent a lot of time “working” around his property with his Kubota tractor. He loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time snowmobiling or four-wheeling with family and friends. He enjoyed hauling his camper to various locations, especially down to the Fryeburg Fair.

Darrell enjoyed trips up north to his nephew, Shane’s hunting lodge, as well as trips to a camp he built and owned in Springfield for many years. He loved hunting and ice fishing. He could often be found in his ice shack on Three Mile Pond and was most happy to spend a day fishing with his grandson, Liam. He enjoyed his property on the lake, in Vassalboro, and held many fond memories of the neighbors who he considered family.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and would light up when they would come to visit Grampy. His granddaughter Aly gave him a run for his money and was affectionally called his “little pistol”.

Darrell was predeceased by his parents; and his siblings, Leslie Crommett Jr., Myrtie Nowlan, Joanne Shorey, Mary Davis, and Herbie Crommett.

He is survived by his son Derek Crommett, his wife Amanda and their two children Liam and Aly; siblings Clayton Crommett, Vincent Crommett, Grace Davis, Barbara Mayberry, Vicki McPhee, Dianne Demerchant, Beverly Smith and Mariette Field; his life-long best friend, Ed Haskell; several nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Visiting hours will be held at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, on Saturday, March 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

DORIS B. DAVIDSON

FAIRFIELD – Doris B. Davidson, 94, passed away peacefully at Mount Joseph, in Waterville, on Monday, January 15, 2024. Doris was born in her family home, in Waterville, on November 12, 1929, the daughter of Wilfred and Corinne Boucher.

She met the love of her life, Robert, and together they raised their daughter, Debra.

Doris enjoyed spending time with her family. She especially loved listening to her grandson read to her when he was little. She was active in her church and enjoyed the company of her friends.

Doris was predeceased by husband, Robert N. Davidson; and her daughter, Debra A. Chessa.

She is survived by her grandson, Anthony Chessa; son-in-law, John Chessa; and sister, Jeannine Roy.

A funeral Mass will take place at Notre Dame Catholic Church, in Waterville, with interment following at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta, later this summer.

RITA BOWMAN

BENTON – Rita Bowman, 80, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, following a long battle with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s. She was born October 11, 1943, in Brunswick, to her parents Mildred (Gerald) and Delbert Crosby.

Shortly after, they moved to the 200-acre dairy farm, in Benton, that she grew up on and where her parents lived out their lives. Her love of animals in all forms was born on her family’s farm. She was active in the 4H and a true farm girl. She spent her childhood exploring the farm on the back of her first horse, a Paint named Beauty.

She graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1961. She was the salutatorian of her class. She attended college for one year in hopes of becoming a teacher. But, it wasn’t meant to be, life had other plans for her. While back home on the farm, Rita met her first husband, David West. They were married in 1963 and soon after they purchased their own 100-acre farm on the same road as her parents where she lived for the next 48 years.

She filled her barn with countless animals of every shape and form who she lovingly cared for. Her house was oftentimes overflowing with her beloved cats and dogs over the years.

Gardening was also a love of hers. She always had a huge vegetable garden that she would soon lose the battle of the weeds. But not before she managed to can and freeze for her family and sell the extra on the roadside. Her flower gardens also brought her great joy. Year after year she planted her dahlias, cannas, and gladiolus bulbs in the spring and enjoyed them all summer.

Rita was also sometimes known to kick up her heels on a Saturday night with David and their friends at the local dance halls of the day.

They were also proprietors of a store in Benton for a time called West’s Variety. It was not her dream and when the store was sold she did not shed a tear.

While owning the store, Rita attended the reserve police officer academy with David and that propelled her into the next chapter of her life. She worked as a reserve officer for Winslow Police Department for many years and started her 26 years as a security officer along with a few other jobs at Colby College, in Waterville.

She met her second husband, James Bowman, at her 25th class reunion, who she remained married to until his passing in December 2022.

Rita’s passion in life was her love of horses. She had a lifelong love affair with them. She enjoyed taking her grandchildren to riding lessons and horse shows. This brought her great joy in her life. She passed this love on to some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rita was predeceased by her parents; husband; brother Ronald, sister, Diane; and her grandson, Owen Hotham.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna and Jay Young, Deborah and Sean Ford; son, Jody West; stepson Ben Bowman; and brother, Roger and Sharon Crosby; grandchildren, Alli Hotham, Quentin Hood, Amanda Gheorghe, Adam West, Peter Bryant, Bianca and Beorn Brueckner, and Tuesday and Torin Ford; great-grandchildren, Hailie and River Hotham, Carter Grenier, Lincoln Rideout, and Daxton and Ryker Bryant; nieces Tammy Crosby and Bonnie Crosby Dersham who spent most weekends, school vacations, and summers with her; her former daughter-in-law of many years, Amy Doody; her granddaughter-in-law, Ashley Ferris; her ex-husband, David West.

There will be no service per Rita’s request. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at Directcremationofmaine.com.

Anyone wishing to honor her can make a donation to Charley’s Strays, in Clinton.

China & Vassalboro presidential primary results

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China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported the following results from Tuesday’s primary election.

Two hundred and two Democratic votes were cast, with Joseph R. Biden, Jr., receiving 164, or 81 percent. Dean B. Phillips got 19 votes; declared write-in candidate Stephen P. Lyons got 17; and two ballots were left blank.

On the Republican side, 461 ballots were cast, 358 (78 percent) for Donald J. Trump. Nikki R. Haley got 91 votes (20 percent). Trailing well behind were Ron DeSantis with four votes; Vivek G. Ramaswamy with three; blank ballots and write-ins with two votes each; and Ryan L. Binkley with one vote.

Nelson called the 663 votes “a lower than normal turnout for China,” but, she said, “it was a nice steady flow all day.” Unexpected visitors included Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and a reporter from Channel 6 News, who stood outside the polling room under an umbrella.

* * * * * *

Vassalboro town clerk Cathy Coyne reported 523 presidential primary ballots cast in that town, 367 Republican and 156 Democratic.

Donald J. Trump got 284 Republican votes (77 percent), followed by Nikki R. Haley with 80 (22 percent) and Vivek G. Ramaswamy with two. There was one blank ballot; no one voted for Ryan L. Binkley or Ron DeSantis.

Joseph R. Biden received 128, or 82 percent, of the Democratic votes. Dean B. Phillips received 14, and there were 14 blank ballots. No Vassalboro voter chose Stephen P. Lyons.

China GOP to caucus

There will be a Town of China Republican Caucus on Thursday March 14, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of a Maine Republican town caucus is to elect delegates and a delegation chairman to the Maine Republican State Convention to be held April 26 and 27, 2024; to elect representatives to the Kennebec County Republican Committee; to elect the officers of the Town of China Republican Committee; and to review and ratify bylaws for the town committee. Republican candidates for state and local offices present will be given an opportunity to speak. Any registered Republican voter in the Town of China can participate. The caucus will convene in the portable building behind the town office at 6:30 p.m.

China select board reviews, amends 2024-25 budget

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by Mary Grow

China select board members spent another two hours March 4 reviewing and amending their draft 2024-25 town budget, in preparation for a budget committee meeting to be held March 5.

They recommended reductions in several accounts. Board chairman Wayne Chadwick expects a hefty tax increase and wants to minimize spending as much as possible.

However, board members realize that prices of many commodities and services essential to running the town have risen. For example, transfer station manager Thomas Maraggio told them the bill for changing the hydraulic oil in one of his machines is now $2,000.

Reductions agreed to at the March 4 session included:

— Eliminating Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood’s proposed new position of community recreation director and reducing the copier account by $1,000, saving $23,800 in the administration budget;
— Reducing the amount suggested in the public works budget for road sand and salt by $20,000;
— Deleting a $3,000 contribution to The Town Line newspaper; and
— Deleting a $100 contribution to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

Chadwick said select board members will review the budget committee’s recommendations before preparing a final budget to be submitted to China voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting.

Vassalboro select board continues 2024-25 budget discussions

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members continued discussion of the draft 2024-25 town budget at a special Feb. 29 meeting, focusing on two topics.

Holly Weidner, of the Conservation Commission, joined a wide-ranging discussion of protecting water quality in Vassalboro’s lakes (see the Feb. 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 3).

With Brian Lajoie from the public works department present, board members continued discussion of that budget section, considering next year’s priorities and longer-term needs, like replacing trucks as they wear out.

The select board holds a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7. Board chairman Chris French intends continued budget consideration to be among the items on the agenda.

The water quality discussion began with a recap of plans to continue the Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) program.

Weidner corrected the previous report: inspectors have not found invasive plants on boats about to be launched in area lakes. The number of non-invasive plant fragments declines, she said, as inspections make more boaters aware of the need to clean watercraft thoroughly when they move from one water body to another.

The state requires sponsors of bass fishing tournaments and similar events to provide their own boat inspectors, she added.

Town Manager Aaron Miller said a recent meeting with interested parties affirmed the agreement that the CBI program will continue, overseen by the Vassalboro Conservation Commission, with the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA) hiring inspectors.

Weidner said Vassalboro had a watershed management plan from 2005 to 2015, prepared with help from the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Towns with watershed plans, like neighboring China, are eligible to apply for water quality improvement grants.

Watershed Management Plan

In a post-meeting email about the 2005-2015 watershed plan, Holly Wiedner said it was named the Webber Pond Watershed Management Plan. It covered the drainage areas of three water bodies: Webber Pond, which is wholly in Vassalboro; Three Mile (or Threemile) Pond, shared among Vassalboro, China and Windsor; and Three Corner (or Three Cornered) Pond, in Augusta.

Select board members expressed interest in learning more about the prior plan and why it was allowed to lapse.

Proposed public works projects include reorganizing access to the fuel pumps at the town garage, which are used by multiple town departments; buying a skidsteer and a trailer to move it, and updating other equipment; and saving up money to add a storage building on the public works lot on Bog Road.

The skidsteer will let Vassalboro keep its commitment to the state to plow North Vassalboro sidewalks after the state transportation department rebuilds them, probably this summer. The new machine will have other uses year-round.

For the new building, Lajoie and board members plan what they described as a 50-by-50-foot pole barn with metal sides and roof. Lajoie said it would probably sit on a paved area. Board members will not have a firm price until they solicit bids.

After another discussion of paving costs, board members agreed tentatively to leave the 2024-25 paving budget at the current year’s $453,300. French insisted on using $100,000 left in the current account (mostly because the price of asphalt was lower than projected) for next year, to lower the impact on local taxes.

French’s proposal was approved after a discussion of how to manage the transfer to keep the auditors happy.

Miller reported one town project is done: adding surveillance cameras at town buildings was completed Feb. 29, when the transfer station’s cameras were installed.

The manager assured Weidner the final version of the proposed 2024-25 budget will include information voters need to evaluate it, like what roads are proposed for repaving. Board members talked briefly about varied funding sources, including appropriations from the alewife fund (income from the annual alewife fishery) and the Tax Increment Financing Fund (TIF, taxes on the gas pipeline running through Vassalboro).

China planners refer solar ordinance back to town attorney

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by Mary Grow

China planning board members prepared for future action on two issues on their Feb. 27 agenda.

After considering questions about the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance raised at the Feb. 26 select board meeting, they referred the document back to town attorney Amanda Meader, asking her to recommend different language for one section.

Select board member Brent Chesley called the section confusing and misleading. Everyone realizes Meader charges for her time, but, planning board member Michael Brown opined, “It’s worth a little more money to get it right.”

Board members scheduled a March 12 public hearing on the application for a community solar farm in a gravel pit off Windsor Road (Route 32 South) (see the Feb. 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). Project managers Nick Lacasse, of Perennial Sand Pit Solar, in Hallowell, and Andrew Johnston, of Freeport-based Atlantic Resource Consultants, were present.

Board chairman Toni Wall thanked them for providing a complete application by “sending mega-materials” and updates that board members requested at their Feb. 13 meeting. Lacasse and Johnston replied to board member Elaine Mather’s questions about one document in the lengthy application.

Wall said it is likely the board will act on the application on March 12, after the hearing.

Codes officer Nicholas French said there are tentatively two other items on the March 12 agenda: continued review of Chris Harris’s application for a subdivision off Route 3 (see the Nov. 2, 2023, issue of The Town Line, p. 3); and an application for timber cutting in a resource protection zone off Lakeview Drive.

French said he continues to remind residents running small businesses from their homes that they need a home occupation permit. The application process is simple and not expensive, he said.

The March 12 planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., either in the town office meeting room or in the former portable classroom behind the office building. Wall said the public hearing will be early on the agenda.

WINDSOR: LS Power informs town of project suspension

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by The Town Line staff

At the Februry 13 meeting of the Windsor Select Board, Town Manager Theresa Haskell reported she received a letter from Jason Niven, director, project development, on behalf of LS Power Grid Maine. The purpose of the letter was to notify town leaders that LS Power Grid Maine’s development of this project, (Aroostook Renewable Gateway Project), is not moving forward at this time. LS Power Grid Maine LLC requested the town leaders help notify residents of this update.

Haskell also briefly discussed the Dirigo Assessing Group proposal. As discussed with the select board, Haskell will share the proposal with the towns legal team and C. Vern Ziegler, current town’s assessor’s agent and will bring back feedback to future meeting.

Haskell reported a town resident sent a letter to the town regarding the E-911 address change. The resident is not happy about the address change. He listed out several inconveniences this is going to cause him in his letter. Theresa noted that the E-911 address updating is for emergency, fire and rescue services. It has been done and is being done in several towns and is necessary not only for mailing but for accurate arrival for emergency services. There was much discussion about the hardship this may put on the handful of residents that will need to change their addresses. Theresa will be sure there is a posting on the website about the E-911 address update.

Haskell asked the select board if allocation of the snowmobile reimbursement would remain the same as in past years, 75 percent to local Snowmobile Club and 25 percent to be split equally among Windsor Boy Scout Troop #609, Windsor Brownie Troop, and Windsor Youth Association. The board indicated it would remain the same.

Animal Control Officer Ryan Carver reported he will start his door-to-door visits for unregistered dogs. He will issue the resident a 10-day notice. The notice will notify the resident that if their dog is not registered, they could be issued a summons for their unregistered dog when the 10-day notice expires.

Ryan reported a possible rabies case was sent off for testing. It came back negative.

Public Works Supervior Keith Hall answered questions the select board had regarding the upcoming public works budget. The select board asked Hall to get more specific numbers to them. The select board would like to know where money could be reduced in the public works budget regarding adding a public works equipment reserve line to purchase a JCB Mini Excavator with thumb, dig bucket, clean up bucket and mulching head. Also, information about what this piece of equipment would be used for and an estimated guess of future savings.

Hall reported things are going well at the transfer station. The transfer station is fully staffed with a back-up attendant available currently.

Haskell handed out the monthly transfer station report. January was up from last year at this time by $646.30 making the overall total $4,512.89 up for the year.

Ray Bates, select board chairman, opened two sealed Cemetery Mowing RFP’s (request for proposals). A bid was submitted from Maurice Soucey for $25,000.00, proposal beginning July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025. A bid was submitted from Ryan Carver Megan & Hayden Lawn Care and Plowing for $21,500.00, proposal beginning July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025. The RFPs were reviewed, and discussion followed about the equipment being used. The select board discussed having reference checks done by Joyce Perry, cemetery sexton, prior to making the decision.

The next regular select board meeting was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. A special select board meeting was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to go over the 2024/2025 budget.

EVENTS: Lincoln County Historical Association lecture sheds light on Black sailors of the 18th and 19th centuries

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Korinne Tanzer

In an online lecture on Thursday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m., speaker Korinne Tanzer will discuss a few of the incredible Black sailors – free and enslaved – who worked the waters of the Kennebec River or spent time at sea, helping shape Lincoln County’s past. Spanning the 18th and 19th centuries, Tanzer’s talk will introduce early enslaved men who were forced to sea by their enslavers and free men like Zina Lewis, who, full of “good grit” as reported by one local newspaper, made a name for himself as a very successful Black captain on the Kennebec River. Tanzer tells of the determination and grit of men whose stories have been hidden but who left an important mark on Maine’s rich maritime tradition.

The lecture is open to the public and free, but pre-registration is required. Please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or click on https://tinyurl.com/yt9td72y. A suggested donation of $5 will help support LCHA’s ongoing history programming.