Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a sophomore majoring in software engineering, was named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York.
Catherine Gibbs, of Winslow, was named to the University of Alabama Presidents List for fall semester 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
This story is completely fictional. Any resemblances to names of people and/or places is purely coincidental.
Click here for the previous installment.
“I thought you wanted to get to the carriage house after our house,” commented Jake.
“I do, but sometimes a guy just has to do something different once in a while. Amy has been thinking that your garden, once cleaned up, would make a great place for wedding pictures, high school senior pictures…you get the picture,” said Dave laughing at his own pun.
Slapping his forehead at the witticism, Jake replied, “Yeah we get it and I think it a great idea. I could actually start working on some of that clearing myself. You’ve been working steady on the renovations. It’s time I do something more useful around here.”
Sunday morning started out with the four filling up on apple, blueberry and cranberry pancakes. Both men commented on how they loved the combination and that they were a definite ‘do again’. “I think I’m going to go look at the garden area and get a feel of what we can do with the place,” mentioned Jake. “Want to take a stroll, Miri?”
They both dressed for walking among the overgrown briers to see what the garden really had to offer. They started walking around the area in opposite directions, looking at what could be kept and what would need to go. The area near the arbor seemed to be clear of overgrowth of any kind. It would need replacing if they decided to have one since it was made of wood and rotting. The benches, being made of granite, were still in great shape and would definitely be utilized, but the two stone statues had to go. “I just don’t think those fit well here anymore,” said Miri with Jake agreeing with her.
As Miri started walking closer to Ian’s statue, her foot sank, nearly causing her to sprain her ankle and causing her to fall on her butt. Jake ran to her after hearing her cry out. “Are you alright? What happened?” He asked, immediately looking over her ankle after seeing her rubbing it.
“I sank into the ground,” she answered. “My ankle is sore but I don’t think any damage was done. I’m more startled than anything else.”
They looked down at the mini sinkhole and they could feel more of the ground ready to give way to any pressure on it. Stepping back, they looked at each other questioningly. Miri looked to the statue of Ian and back to the ground. “You don’t think that…”
“I’m going back to the carriage house to get a shovel. I’ll let Dave and Amy know what we may have found,” said Jake without allowing Miri to finish verbally saying what she thought was causing the earth to sink.
Within ten minutes, Jake, Dave and Amy returned with the guys armed with a scoop shovel and flat shovel, as well as a wheel barrow.
They found Miri sitting on one of the granite benches with her face in her hands. “He talked to me. Ian asked me to not leave him and to bring him to his father. I believe he is buried there,” she whimpered as she pointed to the hole.
Dave was the first to respond, “If this is an unmarked grave, maybe we need to call in the police just to make sure everything is done legally. If he was buried there, he’ll be exhumed and reburied with his parents. Jake, do you know if they were buried in the town’s cemetery?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I can find out. I’ll call the police and we’ll go from there. Miri, are you sure you heard Ian?”
“After everything we’ve all gone through for, and with him, I’m positive,” she replied.
Instead of digging any further, they all returned to the house, returning the tools to the carriage house. Jake immediately called Midia’s police department, as well as the local cemetery’s office. He found out that there was a Jebediah and Emma Hodges buried in the older sedition of the cemetery but there was no record of anyone else from the family buried there. “How could she have done that?” Miri asked, referring to Ian’s mother. From what we saw and heard of those Christmases long ago, I am thinking that she was a vengeful, not right in the head woman.”
“She did seem a bit of a wackadoodle, but to not give your son a proper burial…” commented Amy, finishing what Miri was saying by shaking her head.
“I’m not sure when the police will arrive but I believe sometime today. Since this might be involving a body, they are calling the state examiner’s office and they might show up together,” informed Jake.
The police cruiser, with a state police forensic services unit van behind them, drove up the driveway nearly three hours later. They found the four occupants of the house sitting on the porch. Jake reached over to shake the hand of Midia’s Chief of police. “I’m Chief Tom Meuller and here are Connie Maitland, the state’s head of the forensic division of the state police, and her assistant, Alan Simpson. I don’t know what I just said, but you folks look like you’ve seen a ghost,” remarked the Chief.
“In a way we have,” replied Jake. ” By any chance, did you have a distant relative that lived in this house?” he asked of the Chief who was a spitting image of Tom Meuller who was the Hodges handyman that they all saw during the ghostly Christmas events that they had experienced.
Chief Meuller replied, “As a matter of fact, I believe a great granddaddy back eight generations ago, was the handyman for the Hodges. I was named after him. Why do you ask?”
“You have no idea,” said Miri. She looked over to Jake who gave her a nod to continue. Miri decided to give Chief Meuller a summary of what they had experienced since moving in back in June. “Do you know anything about the original family of this house and property?” asked Miri of the Chief.
“Not really, only rumors that were passed down through the family, and you know how rumors go, especially generation after generation,” He replied.
“What kind of rumors?” asked Miri not to skip a beat.
“Oh, hauntings, and that the lady of the house was looney,” answered the Chief. “Like I said, the usual rumors. As a law enforcement officer, I’m supposed to keep an open mind about things but this definitely is quite a story,” said the Chief, taking off his hat and rubbing his forehead. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I sort of believe in some paranormal things, but this is a first for me in this area. Let’s go see what we have.” All continued to walk to the garden. “The place looks great, by the way,” he commented. Looks like you guys did a lot of work. Hope the B&B works out for you. It will bring some business to the town as well.”
The four led the law enforcement team to the garden and the softened earth.that’s okay with you.” – To be continued
2023 10U Messalonskee Eagles All Star team. Front row, Owen Humphrey, Easton Claudel, Lucas Moser, Finn Duffy, and Kael Segars. middle row, Reed Adams, Paxton Coughlin, Preston Ponitz, Beckett Hamlin, John Browning, Aiden Desrosiers, and Bennett Pottle. Back row, Chris Moser (Manager), Trevor Hamlin (Coach), Josh Desrosiers (Coach). The game was played at Rocky Buck Field, in Fairfield. Messalonskee won the game 17-7, over Fairfield. (photo courtesy of Chris Moser, Central Maine Photography)
Linda Garrity Rodrigue, third from left, and Lyn Blaschke Rowden, second from right, represented the Winslow High School Class of 1973 in awarding three scholarships on the occasion of their 50th anniversary of graduation during class night on June 5, at Winslow High School. Kiera Veilleux (far left) rwill attend KVCC for nursing, Aiden Esterline, will attend KVCC for business administration, and Dominique Daigneault (far right) will enter military service. (contributed photo)
The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice June 22 & 29, 2023. If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-C M.R.S.A. §3-80.
2023-169 – Estate of JULIA M. BROWN, late of Norridgewock, Maine deceased. Doreen L. Brown, 229 Ward Hill Rd, Norridgewock, Maine 04657 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-170 – Estate of CARLA DILLON-JONES, late of Madison, Maine deceased. Heidi Atwood, 654 Embden, Maine 04950 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-171 – Estate of BRUCE SCOTT BAGNOLE, late of Cornville, Maine, deceased. Wendy Melissa Bagnole, 31 Hidden Valley Dr., Cornville, Maine 04976 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-172 – Estate of KENNETH A. HOGATE, late of Cornville, Maine deceased. Brenda Hogate, 161 West Ridge Rd., Cornville, Maine 04976 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-173 – Estate of TABATHA LYNN LaFLAMME, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Linda Harwood, 325 Martin Stream Rd., Fairfield, Maine 04937 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-177 – Estate of PATRICIA L. WILDE, late of Norridgewock, Maine deceased. Elisabeth Goodwin, 1309 Grace Point Rd., Morrisville, NC 25760 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-178 – Estate of HAROLD J. HOUSTON, late of Stetson, Maine deceased. Colter J. Houston, 397 East Newport Rd, Stetson, Maine 04488 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-180 – Estate of ELLERY G. WITHAM, late of Embden, Maine deceased. Allen French, 33 Otter Road, Madison, Maine 04950 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-182 – Estate of JUDITH A. PAPADOPOULOS, late of Solon, Maine deceased. Jason A. Ryan, 254 Shore Rd., Salem, NH 03079 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-184 – Estate of JOSEPH CATES, late of Madison, Maine deceased. Darrell J. Cates, 54 Hidden Acres Dr., Madison, Maine 04950 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-186 – Estate of DANIEL P. MICHAUD, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Daniel P. Michaud, Jr., 140 Taft Ave., Ventura, CA 93003 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-189 – Estate of PATRICK J. LECLAIR, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Pamela A. Fuller, 21 Pennell St, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 appointed Personal Representative.
2023-191 – Estate of STEPHEN J. MATTHEWS, late of Norridgewock, Maine deceased. Sandra Matthews of 16 Cowette St., Skowhegan, Maine appointed Personal Representatives.
2023-192 – Estate of SARAH HAMMOND, late of Pittsfield, Maine deceased. Eric Shayne Hammond of 186 North Main St, Pittsfield, Maine appointed Personal representative.
2023-193 – Estate of CAROLYN ANN BOWRING, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Merton C. Bowring, Jr. of 22 Blair St., Skowhegan, Maine appointed Personal Representative.
2023-195 – Estate of MARK ONAL MUNN, late of Athens, Maine deceased. Hilary B. Pelletier of 201 Windsor Rd., China, Maine and Katie Munn of 316 Windham Center Rd., Windham, Maine appointed Co- Personal Representatives.
2023-196 – Estate of IVAN CHADBOURNE, late of Harmony, Maine deceased. Tracy Guilbert, 18 Castle Rd., Harmony, Maine and Neil C. Chadbourne of 97 Laughton Rd., Ripley, Maine appointed Co-Personal Representatives.
2023-197 – Estate of ELEANOR J. KETCHUM, late of Embden, Maine deceased. John W. Smith, 200 Clark’s Cove Rd., Walpole, Maine appointed Personal Representative.
2023-201 – Estate of DANA CLIFFORD DAVIS, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Dean W. Davis, 90 Linton Street, So. Portland, Me 04106 appointed Personal Representative.
TO BE PUBLISHED JUNE 22, 2023
Dated June 16, 2023
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(6/29)
It is hereby ORDERED that notice of the following matter be given to all persons interested by causing a copy of this order to be published once a week, two weeks successively before SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, in THE TOWN LINE, a newspaper published in So. China, Maine.
Petition for Formal Appointment of Special Administrator, Estate of Raymond Roberts, Docket No. 2023-111-1 is pending in the Somerset County Probate Court in which unknown heirs of unknown address, may have an interest. The other interested parties are Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, Christopher Brooks, Esq., Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon, 84 Marginal Way, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101.
This matter will be heard at a Probate Court to be held at Somerset County Probate Court, 41 Court Street, Skowhegan, Me 04976 on September 12, 2023, at 10:30 A.M., at which time and place any person interested may then and there appear and be heard if he/she see cause. You should contact the Court by telephone at 207-474-3322 or write to the Court at Somerset Probate Court, 41 Court Street, Skowhegan, Me 04976. Failure to contact the Court of the first publication of this notice will result in a default and substantial loss of rights.
/s/ Robert M. Washburn,
Judge of Probate
A true copy of the original
Attest: /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(6/29)
RELAX: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, photographed this loon as it sits in the lake, relaxing.
Lake Life Today is a series of articles that are hoped will inspire you to see how, by taking just a few steps, you can make a difference and help preserve the quality of water in our lakes for future generations.
These articles have been collected and organized by LakeSmart Director Elaine Philbrook, a member of China Region Lake Alliance (aka “the Alliance”) serving China Lake, Webber Pond, Three Mile Pond, and Three-Cornered Pond. The Alliance would like to thank our partners at Maine Lakes and Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) for information to support this article.
Our last articles included information about phosphorus, its sources and how it impacts our lakes whether it is from shoreline properties or sources found in our watersheds. The next several articles will be sharing actions you can take to “slow the flow” of water on your property to keep nonpoint source pollution (NPS) from entering our lakes. The first action is creating a “beneficial buffer” along the water’s edge. This area is the last but most valuable line of defense we can use to keep NPS and other pollutants such as phosphorous from entering our lakes.
A SHORELINE BUFFER ideally starts at the water’s edge and extends 75 feet or more into the upland area of your property. The best shoreline buffers are deep, wide, and continuous (with only a narrow path or other small break for access to the water). These buffers have many layers of vegetation, including tall trees (canopy), shorter trees (midstory), shrubs, perennials, and groundcover. A layer of duff (twigs, fallen leaves, and pine needles) also accumulates on the ground in a buffer.
Vegetation in a buffer intercepts raindrops so less rain impacts the ground. The uneven duff layer absorbs rain, and loose soils filters out pollutants. Tree roots help anchor soil in place and absorb water and nutrients. Buffers act like a sponge, soaking up rainfall, absorbing nutrients and runoff, and reducing the flow of stormwater into the lake.
But that is not all buffers do.
Buffers also provide habitat for insects, birds, small mammals, and believe it or not, sometimes even fish! Tree branches overhanging the lake provide cover for fish that need safe and cool places to protect themselves. Dropped leaves provide food for bugs and dropped limbs provide habitat structure for mammals. Ideally, shoreline buffers are composed of native vegetation, which is easier to maintain and better for wildlife.
It can be tempting to “limb up” trees in the buffer to increase lake views but most local ordinances allow only trimming the lower 1/3 of branches, and dead limbs can be removed. Remember, each branch left on the tree enhances the integrity of the buffer and provides more habitat value for wildlife. Let the trees frame your view!
Buffers are the last line of defense for a lake against NPS pollution and stormwater runoff coming from your property! You can make your buffer bigger and better by adding plants to fill in thin spots, even a few at a time. In fact, you can plant up to 24 plants along the shore each year without a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Let leaf litter accumulate in the buffe, and limit the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides on your property. Note that pesticides and fertilizers are not allowed within 25’ of shore. With a healthy buffer, you are helping to ensure your view is of a clean, healthy, and blue lake!
One final point: buffers are not a one size fits all. The information shared above is for an ideal buffer. This information comes from The Lake Book A handbook for Lake Protection from MaineLakes. You can visit their site for more information about caring for our lakes in Maine at: https://www.lakes.me/
If you have any questions about what you can do to ensure the integrity of your valued lake or if you would like a free LakeSmart evaluation you can reach Elaine Philbrook by email at chinalakesmart@gmail.com and follow-up to read the next Townline newspaper.
Live lightly on the land for the sake of the lake (LakeSmart).
Erskine Academy seniors of the trimester, ront row, from left to right, Paige Reed and Katie Williams. Second row, Beck Jorgensen, Samantha Reynolds, and Samuel Boynton. Third row, Jarell Sandoval, Carson Appel, and Kaiden Kelley. (contributed photo)
On Friday, June 9, 2023, Erskine Academy, in South China, students and staff attended the final Renaissance Assembly of the year to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.
Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Lily Matthews, John “Jack” Allen, and Emma Tyler.
In addition to Recognition Awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to eight members of the senior class: Samuel Boynton, son of Sean and Jennifer Boynton, of China; Samantha Reynolds, daughter of Tonya and Benjamin Reynolds, of China; Beck Jorgensen, son of Jon Jorgensen, of China, and Alison Atkins, of Oakland; Kaiden Kelley, son of Kern Kelley and Michaela Clark-Kelley, of China; Katie Williams, daughter of Stacy and Preston Richmond, of Vassalboro; Carson Appel, son of William Appel and Suzanne Brown, of Windsor; Jarell Sandoval, son of Rachelle and Aaron Marable, of Windsor; and Paige Reed, daughter of Robert and Jessica Reed, of Vassalboro. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.
In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, a special recognition award was presented to Chris Sementelli, Athletic Trainer, and Faculty of the Trimester awards were presented to Rod Robilliard, English Instructor; and Michael McQuarrie, Headmaster.
Erskine Academy faculty of the trimester, from left to right, Rod Robilliard, Chris Sementelli, and Michael McQuarrie. (contributed photo)
Jeffrey Beyea, of Whitefield, has been named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Annemarie Allen, of Windsor, received a Bachelor of Science degree n Health Science/ Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut, during a commencement ceremony held in May.