OBITUARIES for Thursday, May 4, 2023

LAURIE A. McFADDEN

FAIRFIELD – Laurie Ann (Campbell) McFadden, 54, of Fairfield, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2023, at her home. She was born May 30, 1969, in Waterville, the daughter of Rayola (Pease) Welch and Robert Campbell.

She attended Lawrence High School, in Fairfield. Laurie loved camping, working around her yard, and her three dogs. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by her mother, Rayola (Pease) Welch; two children, Christopher Snow and Katelynn Grenier; one granddaughter, Katherine Grenier; and nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Connie and Bonnie.

Burial service will be at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scotts Cremation and Funeral Service.

THOMAS G. COWARD

FAIRFIELD – Thomas G. Coward, 61, of Fairfield, formerly of Mon­mouth, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday April 18, 2023, at his home. Tom was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, on January 29, 1962, a son to Norman F. and Agnes P. (Warren) Coward.

Tom had a deep appreciation for family, and he took great pride in his own, especially his grandchildren. Before recently moving to Fairfield, he was a resident of Monmouth for many years.

Throughout his life, and as owner/operator of Mid-Maine Foundations, Tom exemplified hard work and dedication. Outside of work, he most loved spending time with his family and close friends. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, snowmobiling with his friend Richard, ATVing, boating, and traveling the state. When he wasn’t on an outdoor adventure, Tom could be found working around his yard, feeding the deer, watching Yellowstone, or learning about Alaska.

He is survived by his children, Nicole Paul and husband Austin, of Winthrop, Dale Coward and wife Cory, of Auburn, Crystal Hatch and husband Brian, of Monmouth, Jessica Wilbur and husband Jesse, of Biddeford, Brian Hlister and fiancée Ashley Vo, of California, Justine Schroeder, of Palmyra; 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his son, Philip M. Coward, who passed away in 2014; as well as his sisters Donna Gowell, Brenda Coward and Mary Nilsson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 11 a.m., at the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St. Winthrop. Interment will follow in East Monmouth Cemetery where Tom will be buried with his son, Philip. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Arrangements are in the care of the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

ROBERT C. MORRISSETTE

BENTON – Robert Charles Morrissette, 88, of Benton, passed away peacefully in his “little shack in the woods” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, following a short illness. Bob was born September 6, 1934, in Waterville, and lived in the greater Waterville area his entire life.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served four years. He began a career as an insurance agent with State Farm Insurance; however, his uncle, Vernal Furbush, saw more potential and encouraged him to join the Furbush Chevrolet business, in Waterville, as the loan manager in 1968. He moved quickly up through the company, ending as the general manager in 1975. In 1976, he opened his own used car business, Morrissette, Inc., on College Avenue, in Waterville. He remained active in this business until his passing – though he “officially” retired around 2000.

Bob loved cars! Not only did he make a living running Morrissette, Inc., with son, David, for nearly 50 years, he found great enjoyment in tracking down and buying classic cars for his personal use. He’s had several Cadillacs, one Bentley and four Rolls Royces, going so far as having one shipped from Hawaii. He achieved a dream when he bought that first Rolls Royce.

Bob also enjoyed the peace and quiet of being in the woods. In the early years of married life in Sidney, he cut firewood, bulldozed roads and even tried his hand at dam building and creating a trout pond. In later years, he donated many, many man-hours and machine-hours to the Rotary Centennial Trail section of the Kennebec/Messalonskee Trail system, creating trails, access roads and a parking lot at the Benton/Winslow trail and mowing and maintaining many walking paths. He met so many kind people while doing this work – several that became close friends. And, he always made the dogs on the trails happy with a pocketful of treats. On his own property, he cleared and maintained a network of walking trails so he could stroll along and watch the eagles soaring along the river, catching fish to feed the young in a nest near his house. He enjoyed his trails and his eagles right up until his final days.

Bob and his friend, Arthur Thompson, were a common sight around central Maine hauling tractors that Bob was buying and selling. Arthur was the “muscle man” at 92!

Bob is survived by his three children, Daniel and partner Jennie, David and partner Trenetta, and Janet and husband Pat; grandchildren Nicole, Morgan, Cori and Sydney; great-grandchildren Layla, Cash and AnnElyse; his sister Ruth Albenze; and, his former wife, Simone Kramer.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Odilon and Violet (Norman) Morrissette; brother Harold Morrissette; grandson and namesake Cameron Robert Morrissette; and several beloved relatives and friends.

A graveside celebration of life for family and friends will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m., at the Benton Falls Cemetery, in Benton. A private family gathering will follow.

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.

JOHN PAUL HALL

SIDNEY – John Paul “Chef” Hall, 65, died Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Medical and Regional Office at Togus, following a brief illness. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on June 2, 1957, a son of the late George M. and Lillian B. (Paradis) Hall.

Mr. Hall was a graduate of Wilby High School and earned a couple of associate’s degrees while serving in the Army.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving with the Army as a career from 1975 through 1995, first as an infantryman, then as military Pplice.

After retiring from the Army, John worked as an overseas contractor. He then worked for the United States government as a desk officer overseeing construction and security for American Embassies all over the world. He has been in many foreign countries during his career.

Mr. Hall was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Legion Riders, Patriot Riders and the Blue Knights.

John loved riding his motorcycles with his friends Perry and Bob. He was quite a comedian, just like his father. He kept everyone laughing and was the life of the party.

He was predeceased by his parents and a twin brother, James J. Hall.

Mr. Hall is survived by two children, George M. Hall, of Pflugerville, Texas, and Jesseca Izquierdo, of Houston, Texas; his sister Becky L. Leveille, of Sidney; as well as a niece and several nephews and cousins.

At his request, there will be no public visiting hours. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Ave., Augusta.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

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

The family requests that donations in John’s memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

COLLEEN SABAN

PALERMO – Colleen Saban, 95, of Palermo, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2023. She was born on December 12, 1927, in Presque Isle, to Roy C. and Maud (Sinclair) Robideau.

She attended schools in Aroostook County and later Erskine Academy, in South China.

She moved to South China in November 1941. Colleen married Millard Saban Jr. on November 20, 1948, and lived in Palermo. She worked at Health-Tex and Kilroy Army and Navy Store.

She was a member of the American Legion Extension, the Sheepscot Fish and Game Club, the Palermo Grange, the snowmobile club and the Palermo Christian Church, where she made may friends.

Her hobbies were cooking, knitting and crochet, counted cross stitching, hunting, fishing, reading, doing puzzles, and, most of all, playing the piano and giving piano lessons to many children.

She was predeceased by her husband Millard Saban, Jr.; her mother and father; and her brother Richard R. Robideau; many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday, May 2, at Smith Cemetery, Level Hill Road Palermo, beside her husband.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

JUNE M. DAY

CLINTON – June M. (Levasseur) Day, 83, formerly of Winslow and Vassalboro, died Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Androscoggin Hospice House, in Auburn. She was born in Winslow on June 1, 1939, the daughter of Edmond and Antoinette (Roy) Levasseur.

June had fond memories of her childhood. She grew up in a large, but close family. In a home filled with her mother’s love. June passed that love down to her children and grandchildren.

Like many French children at the time June did not learn to speak English until she attended grade school. Later in life she proclaimed not to remember how to speak French, but in fact spoke it fluently when provoked.

June graduated from Winslow High School in 1957. She married Robert Day in 1963, and then moved to Vassalboro, where she raised her children and lived for the next 47 years.

She worked as a seamstress at the C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville, for many years, however, her primary occupation was being a mother. She was a mom not only to her boys, but also a second mom to countless number of their friends.

June steadfastly endured endless “mishaps” and shenanigans through her sons’ teenage years, which for the boys extended well into their 20s. The fact that both reached adulthood unscathed is a testament to both her mothering skills and to the strength of prayer.

June cared deeply for the people around her and devoted her entire life to her family. Becoming a mère was the pinnacle of her existence. Her boundless love, her kindness (and a few French words) will be forever etched in her grandchildren’s memories.

June enjoyed hosting family holidays, especially Christmas. In addition to spending time with her family, she also loved watching football and the Boston Bruins (her dubbers) and visiting the coast.

We will most miss her hugs and her laugh, and of course her cabbage rolls, molasses cookies, dill pickles, and homemade pies.

June was predeceased by her parents; brothers Edmund (Donald), Conrad, Michael, James, Philip and Paul, and sisters Marie Levasseur, Lucille Gagnon, Jeanne Rodrigue, and Ann Merrill.

June is survived by son Robert Day and wife Ginger, of Clinton; son Marc Day and wife Jenniffer, of Cornville; grandchildren Kara and Justin; her sister Claire Paron, of Florida; sisters-in-law Ginger Levasseur, of Auburn, Lorraine Levasseur, of Sidney, and Sue Levasseur, of Albion; and brother-in-law Albert Rodrigue Jr., of Winslow.

There will be a private family committal held at the St. Francis Cemetery, in Waterville.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

VERNIE FRENCH

WEEKS MILLS—Vernie French, 87, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born December 22, 1939, a daughter of James and Marion (Bowman) Haskell Sr..

Vernie grew up in Weeks Mills and graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in the class of 1953. She went on to marry Vivan French on July 31, 1954, and the two raised a family in Weeks Mills.

Throughout her life, Vernie held a variety of jobs, the most important one being “Mom”. She was a devoted wife and mother, the matriarch of her family. With an independent spirit and determination, Vernie could accomplish anything, even with six children by her side. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed quilting and embroidery.

She was was a long-time member of the Dirigo Road Bible Church, in Weeks Mills. When the church was unable to hold services, she would open her home and host parishioners. She was a prayer warrior and studied her Bible frequently.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vivan French; her sons, Randy French, Lawrence French, and Keith French; and her siblings, Charles Haskell, James Haskell Jr., Lawrence Haskell, and Betty Keene.

She is survived by her children, Amy Irish and her husband Pete, Roy French and his wife Hope, and Steven French and his wife Karen; daughters-in-law, Penelope French and Penny French; 17 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Georgia Watson, Virginia Wellman, and Gary Haskell and his wife Kathy.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 4, at 11 a.m., at Chadwick Hill Cemetery, in South China.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME 04363.

Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared by visiting www.plummerfh.com.

ANITA L. SALMON

WATERVILLE – Anita Lorraine (Lamothe) Salmon, 92, of Waterville, passed peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2023, due to natural causes. Anita was born on December 14, 1930, in Newport, Vermont. She was the daughter of Florence and Ernest Lamothe.

Anita graduated from the nursing program at Fanny Allen Hospital in 1952 as her class Salutatorian. Her occupational nursing career began in Chicago, Illinois, and ended in New Jersey, where she resided for more than 50 years. She was always a consummate professional and earned the admiration of her colleagues.

An avid golfer at the North Jersey Country Club, in New Jersey, she was named “most improved golfer” for three consecutive years. She also served as president of the Passaic County, New Jersey Cancer Society, where she was a strong advocate. She enjoyed singing with the Roy Meyers Singers, in New Jersey. She also enjoyed reading and spending time with her family and friends and especially her beloved dachshund, Molly.

She is survived by her five children, Gale Auclair (David), of Augusta, Louis Michael Andreotta, Jr., (Barbara), of Brattleboro, Vermont, Craig Andreotta (Laurel), Laurel Townsend Long, of Neptune City, New Jersey, and Rachel Andreotta, of Augusta; eight grandchildren, Craig Lumbra (Lindsay), of Galena Ohio, Brandon Andreotta, of Bakersfield, Vermont, Sean Andreotta (Carissa), of Tampa, Florida, Nicholas Andreotta, Christopher Andreotta, Brittany Long, of Neptune City, New Jersey, Jacob Rosen, of Washington, DC, and Emily Rosen, of Fullerton, California; two great-grandchildren, Mia and Leyton Lumbra, of Galena, Ohio; as well as Whitney Draper, her dear friend.

She was predeceased by her parents, Florence and Ernest Lamothe; sister, Theresa Goulet, and brothers Maurice Lamothe, Rudolph Lamothe, Roger Lamothe and Roland Lamothe.

A graveside celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport, Vermont, later in 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Society of your choice in her honor.

For more information, kindly contact her daughter, Rachel Andreotta at rachand66@gmail.com

MARILYN I. FLAGG

JEFFERSON – Marilyn Isabel Taylor Flagg “Peggy”, 93, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Born July 22, 1929, Peggy was the youngest of seven children, growing up on a dairy farm in Lyman.

Peggy met and married the love of her life, Pastor Raymond Flagg, Jr., at Gorham State Teacher’s Collage. They married in 1950, making their home in Jefferson and raising five children.

Peggy was a devout Christian, a homemaker, a loving mother, an avid reader, a 4-H leader and a prolific writer. Peggy served alongside her minister husband, Ray, in area churches. Her children, grandchildren, and friends admired her cooking and baking skills, and her recipes live on in her published cookbook Recipes for My Family and Remembrances of Childhood Days, 2009.

Peggy graduated from the University of Maine with a BS in Education and received her MA from Bangor Theological Seminary. She was the Jefferson correspondent for the Courier Gazette and the Lincoln County News for over 45 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, of Jefferson, and United Baptist Church, in South Jefferson, for many years.

She participated in Macedonian Ministries and the Knox and Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Service. Peggy was a longtime member of Willow Grange and of the former Lakeview Eastern Star – having served as Worthy Matron.

Her children were proud of her service to the surrounding communities as a Literacy Volunteer. Peggy taught elementary school in area schools for many years and was known as a dedicated teacher.

Peggy was predeceased by her husband, Pastor Raymond Flagg, Jr.; grandson Jason Flagg; and son-in-law Jeffrey Mank, and was the last surviving child of her parents, Curtis Clarence Taylor and Cordelia Alberta Drew Taylor, and her siblings, Celeste Kimball, William Taylor, Jean Small, Claire Scammon, Curtis Clarence Taylor, Jr. (Jim) and Katherine Jo Drown.

Peggy is survived by her children and their spouses, Linda and Donald LaCasce, of Solon, Delia and William Lufkin, of Warren, Robert Flagg and Linda Spydell, of Jefferson, Patricia and Perry Goodspeed III, of Islesboro, and Candace and Damon Hilton, of Jefferson; her grandchildren, Amy McDougal (Cory), of Solon, Eileen Foley (Bryan), of Winchendon, Massachusetts, Beverly LaCasce, of Solon, Marjory LaCasce, of Solon, Dawn Andrick (Curt), Melissa Habib (Tabish), and Sarah McClean (Ashton), all of Warren, R. Forrest Flagg III, of Orono, Perry Goodspeed IV, of Lewiston, Kate Goodspeed Whitney, of Windham, Joseph Flagg (Stacy), and Nicole Mank, both of Jefferson; great-grandchildren, Christopher Foley, Brandon Foley, Kyle Foley, Riley Flagg, Natalie Flagg, Kaydence Barbour, Elias Whitney, Ryan Andrick, Nathan Andrick, Zain Habib, Kamram Habib, Grace McClean and Ella Mae McClean.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 2 – 4 p.m., at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main Street, in Waldoboro. Peggy’s Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 2 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, 24 Waldoboro Road, in Jefferson.

Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Peggy, or to share a story or picture, please visit Peggy’s Book of Memories at http://www.hallfuneralhomes.com

Memorial donations may be made to the Jefferson Food Pantry, PO Box 208, Jefferson, ME 04348

SUZANNE M. POOLER

OAKLAND – Suzanne Marie (Michaud) Pooler, 58, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta, from dementia. Sue was born on March 17, 1965, in Augusta, to Richard and Joyce Michaud, and graduated from Cony High School in 1983. She attended Mid-State College, in Augusta, and the University of Maine at Augusta, where she earned her bachelor of science in business management in 1995.

Being a lifelong learner, Sue went on to Thomas College, in Waterville, where she earned her master of business administration and was inducted into Sigma Beta Delta in 1997. During her time earning various degrees, she worked as the business manager for Dr. James Davis, DDS, dental practice, in Lewiston, Director of Financial Aid at Mid-State College, in Augusta, Adjunct Faculty, at Thomas College, and ended her working career in 2011 as the Assistant Dean for Graduate and Continuing Education at Thomas College, in Waterville.

She always said the best part of her work in education was helping students succeed. Sue also volunteered her time with the United Way of Mid Maine, serving on various committees and as the board chair in 2010.

Sue met her husband Michael Pooler while they were both students at Thomas College and were married on February 13, 1998. Sue was an avid birder, loved shopping with her sister Mary and spending time “upta camp” with family and friends, especially neighbors, Nancy and Dave Vanorse.

Sue was predeceased by their daughter Kathrine Mary Pooler; her parents Richard Michaud and Joyce Foster, and mother-in-law Mary Pooler.

She is survived by her husband Colonel (retired) Michael Pooler, of Oakland; sister Mary Michaud, of Augusta; aunt Carol Judkins, of Manchester; cousin Gaila and Tom Beach, of Biddeford; father-in-law Dan Pooler, of Brewer, in-laws, Kathy (Pooler) and Steve Smith, of Troy, Rod and Jill Pooler, of New Gloucester, Jim and Michelle Pooler, of Morrill; nieces Jessica Smith, Lauren McArthur, Abbie Berry and Grace Pooler; nephews Ryan Pooler and Austin Turner; and the great- nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours and a Celebration of Life will be at Wheeler Funeral Home at 26 Church St., Oakland, Maine. Visiting hours are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 and a Celebration of Life will begin at noon, on Friday, May 5, followed by a gathering at Governor’s restaurant, in Waterville. A private interment will be held at a later date.

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

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in memory of Suzanne Pooler to the Augusta Maine Veterans Homes, 35 Hero’s Way, Augusta, ME 04330 or at http://www.MaineVets.org.

MEREDITH E. CRESS-VASHON

NORTH CAROLINA – Meredith Evelyn (Haney) Cress-Vashon died Thursday, March 23, 2023, in North Carolina. She was born on October 14, 1930, in Water­ville.

Meredith was the fourth of seven children of James E. and Susan M. Haney (Boles). Siblings include Margaret Kibbin (Haney), Albert Haney, Leroy Haney, Leslie Haney, and Hazel Spires (Haney).

Meredith attended grade school in Augusta. Classmate and friend Alexander Soule, daughter of then Governor Soule, would often give her a ride to school in the governor’s limo. Meredith graduated Valedictorian from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1948, and was awarded a four-year scholarship to the University of Maine. As a teen, she could be found at a local Augusta radio station playing guitar, singing, and yodeling with her brothers Albert and Roy. She was a fantastic guitar player and yodeler!

Meredith married James K. Cress in 1949. They moved to Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 1950. Meredith worked as a credit investigator for The Hartford Bank, in West Hartford, Connecticut, for 18 years. She then worked as a bank teller in Fairfield for 15 years. She left banking to become an executive secretary to William Zimba, of Zimba Company, in Fairfield, retiring in 1995.

Meredith was a constant presence at Benton’s town meetings and 30 years of state and local elections where she served as a ballot clerk. Meredith was a volunteer for various organizations from United Way, BIA and MS foundation, and could be seen at many events supporting the staff and participants. Rainbow was Meredith’s outlet for her brilliant seamstress skills. Creating beautiful gowns for both her daughter Susan and her granddaughters Samantha and Stephanie, as well as other Rainbow girls over the years. She was known far and wide in Rainbow and loved by all for her constant presence and support.

Meredith married Roy F. Vashon in 1992. Together, they served the community by donating food to the church soup kitchen and community pantry from their large garden. She attended St John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Winslow, and participating in church suppers and community food events.

Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. You could always expect Nana Vashon to deliver homemade cupcakes to the classroom and be in the audience during a school performance.

Meredith is survived by her children Barbara Zook, of Panama, her children James Randolph, John Gannon, of Virginia, Megan Major (Gannon), Kenny Zook, of Tennessee, Susan and her husband Kurt Tidd, of North Carolina, and their children Stephanie Getchell, of Connecticut, and Samantha Getchell, of Maine; 10 grandchildren; two grreat-grandchildren; her brother Leslie Haney and his wife Paula, of Connecticut.

Meredith was predeceased by her husband Roy Vashon, and several of her siblings.

A celebration of Meredith was held Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., Ames Cemetery, in Benton.

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.

CAROL L. SOUCY

BELGRADE – Carol Lynn Soucy, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023, peacefully at home.

She is survived by her four children, Nancy M. Doiron, of Gardiner, Mark A. Soucy, John A. Soucy and Jeffrey A. Soucy, all of Mount Vernon; 20 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; her sisters Victoria Ames, of Benton, Rita Duemmling, of Fairfield; and brother Frank Taylor, of Waldoboro.

She was predeceased by her father, Roger A. Soucy, her second husband, George A. Soucy, as well as four brothers, Alfred Taylor, Arthur Taylor, Raymond Taylor and Robert Taylor, and four sisters, Leona Soucy, Irene Dubriel, Betty Lou Truman and Mildred Sukeforth.

A Celebration of Life gathering was held at the Manchester Lions Club, in Manchester, on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

 

 

 

Browntail Moth Update from the Maine Forest Service

Browntail moth caterpillars can be identified by the two distinctive orange dots at the tail end and white tufts along the sides.

This week, we observed browntail caterpillar emergence at all of our monitoring sites. It should be noted that although emergence was seen at every site, not every web has had caterpillar emergence. This is likely because of the recent rainy weather we’ve been experiencing across the state. Rainy spring weather is a great start for an epizootic outbreak of the pathogens (fungal and viral) that attack browntail caterpillars. Although it is still a bit early for the fungus and virus to have a huge impact on the caterpillars, we welcome the coming rain. Rain is also very beneficial to the health of the host trees since the state has had relatively dry spring weather the past few years. These rain events will help invigorate host trees and allow them to tolerate some of the defoliation they will experience.

At most sites, we observed that many host plants (oaks, apple, cherry, crabapple, elm, birch, poplar, shadbush, and rugosa rose) had newly emerged leaves, which make nutritious meals for the young browntail caterpillars. Even though they are small, their hairs readily break off and can cause an irritating rash to areas of exposed skin. Please plan ahead to avoid exposure to hairs and treating symptoms related to exposure.

China planners approve adding storage vault to town office

by Mary Grow

The three China Planning Board members at the April 25 meeting quickly, unanimously and with almost no discussion approved the Town of China’s application to add a storage vault to the town office building.

The application for a conditional use permit was prepared by Keith Whitaker of B. R. Smith Associates (BRSA), of Presque Isle. The addition will house a concrete vault for safe records storage, as required by state law. A 10-foot-long corridor will connect the addition to the south side of the existing building.

Whitaker said the addition will cause no significant changes. There will be no additional people; no new driveways or parking; no added exterior lights (one over the back door will come on only during power outages); no increased water or septic system usage; no additional run-off or other environmental impacts.

Board co-chairman James Wilkens commended the completeness and clarity of the application. The only condition attached to the approval is that a permit be obtained from the state fire marshal’s office; Whittaker said discussions have started.

In other business April 25, codes officer Nicholas French said he met with state Department of Transportation (MDOT) personnel to discuss two 15-year-old culverts under Lakeview Drive, near Fire Road 27, that are undersized and too smooth to stop silt draining into China Lake.

DOT intends to replace the culverts, French said. He does not know when.

With two board members absent, Wilkens postponed discussion of revisions to the Planning Board Ordinance and action under the town’s comprehensive plan to the May 9 meeting. He asked French to add the previously-discussed solar ordinance – a proposed new chapter in China’s Land Use Ordinance to regulate commercial solar development – to the agenda.

Also tentatively scheduled for the May 9 meeting is continued review of the proposed four-lot Killdeer Heights subdivision on Lakeview Drive and Mountain View Drive, if surveyor Adam Ellis has needed information in time (see the April 27 issue of The Town Line, pp. 2 and 3).

Wilkens invited residents to volunteer for China’s Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. Current members, according to the town website, are Barbara Crosier, Randall Downer and Amber French. Others interested should contact the town office.

The May 9 planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., in the town office meeting room, according to the calendar on the town website.

Vassalboro town warrant in almost-final form for select board, attorney review

by Mary Grow

By the April 27 Vassalboro select board meeting, Town Manager Aaron Miller had the warrant for the annual town meeting in almost-final form for board members’ review.

The group discussed questions about some articles. Miller asked board members to review the draft one more time; he said the town attorney will also review it.

The town meeting will, as in past years, be in two sections. The open meeting will be Monday evening, June 5, followed by written balloting Tuesday, June 13.

As of April 27, on June 13 voters will decide local elections; whether to reaffirm the school budget approved June 5; and whether to add a section governing commercial solar installations to the town’s Site Review Ordinance.

Select board members plan to sign the final warrant at their May 11 meeting.

In other business April 27, board members decided to sell by sealed bid a tax-acquired property on South Stanley Hill Road. They set the bid opening date for June 8, their first June meeting; Miller said the sale will be well advertised.

They awarded a bid to install five heat pumps in the former East Vassalboro schoolhouse to Impact Heat Pumps, in Oakland, at a price of $29,975. The building is owned by the town and serves as the Vassalboro Historical Society’s headquarters and museum.

One other bid was much higher than Impact’s. Another, board members said, was $420 lower, but with higher expected maintenance costs. Historical Society representative John Melrose offered other reasons to choose Impact, such as the owner’s recognition of the building’s historic status.

The Efficiency Maine program is expected to help fund the heat pumps. How much the state will contribute is not yet known. Melrose said a donor might help reduce the town’s share.

Board members discussed the fees Vassalboro charges for licenses and permits. Chairman Barbara Redmond suggested a public hearing if board members recommend increases, for example for marijuana growing.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, May 11, in the town office meeting room.

Maine Wolf Coalition captures video and photo documentation of another apparent Maine wolf

In the winter/spring 2023, trail cameras placed by The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc., captured photos and video of an apparent Maine wolf. (photo courtesy of John M. Glowa Sr.)

Submitted by John M. Glowa Sr.

A fourth apparent wolf has been documented in Maine. Prior to this current animal, wolves were killed in 1993 and 1996. In 2019, The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc. (MWC) documented a live Eastern/Algonquin wolf through collection of its scat. The 2019 animal was the first DNA documented live wolf in the state.

Since 2019, MWC has been conducting ongoing wolf research in Maine consisting of the placement of trail cameras and the collection of canid scat. To date, they have collected nearly 200 different scats. Most of those are awaiting analysis at Michigan Technological University.

Trail camera photos and video collected in Spring of this year show an apparent male wolf as it chases an animal, walks up towards the camera and displays a raised leg urination.

Here are links to MWC’s Youtube and Facebook pages which contain videos of the canid.

Maine Wolf Coalition Youtube page
The Maine Wolf Coalition Facebook page

Wolves are legally protected in Maine and the rest of the northeast by the federal Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, neither the state nor federal governments are attempting to document the status of wolves in the northeast. The canid mistakenly called a “coyote” has lived in the region for nearly a century. These animals are actually coyote/wolf hybrids or wolves and their killing by hunters and trappers is largely unregulated. This has led to the killing of multiple wolves in the northeast states, the most recent of which occurred in New York in 2021.

It is virtually impossible to differentiate wolves from “coyotes” when hunting, especially at night. They plan to return to the area later in the Spring to try to collect scat samples and have DNA analyses conducted which may help to determine if the animal is part of a breeding wolf population.

Wild canids in the northeast desperately need some measure of protection to protect wolves that are attempting to recolonize the region from Canada and the Great Lakes states. The state and federal governments must stop ignoring the law and start administering it.

The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 corporation. Our mission is wolf recovery in Maine through research, education and protection.

Vassalboro Community School third quarter honor roll (2023)

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

High Honors:

Grade 3:

Freya Caison, Camden Desmond, Emma Freeman, Tucker Lizzotte, Evelyn Meyer, Sawyer Plossay, Oliver Sugden, Alivia Twitchell and Mayla Wilson.

Grade 4:

Hunter Brown, Kamdyn Couture, Cooper Grant, Sophia-Lynn Howard, Brooklyn Leach, Landon Lindquist, Simon Olson, Landon Quint, Willa Rafuse, Alexis Reed, Asher Smith and Robert Wade.

Grade 5:

Twila Cloutier, Xainte Cloutier, Samantha Craig, Mariah Estabrook, Riley Fletcher, Leah Hyden, Sarina Lacroix, Olivia Perry, Juliahna Rocque, Cassidy Rumba and Charles Stein.

Grade 6:

Basil Dillaway, Zoe Gaffney, Allyson Gilman, Cheyenne Lizzotte, Adrian Sousa, Grace Tobey and Ava Woods.

Grade 7:

Benjamin Allen, Zoey Demerchant, Drew Lindquist, Caleb Marden, Abigail Prickett and Judson Smith.

Grade 8:

Adalyn Glidden, Noah Pooler, and Bryson Stratton.

Honors:

Grade 3:

Titus Caruthers, Parker Estabrook, Marley Field, Norah French, Henry Gray, Olivia Hartford, Finn Malloy, Bryson McKay, Gage Nason, Gabriella Reynolds, Raegin Rodgers, Sawyer Weston, Haley Witham, and Alivia Woods.

Grade 4:

Ryder Austin, Alexander Bailey, Rylee Boucher, Braiden Crommett, Molly Dearborn, Liam Dowe, Chase Fay, Ashlynn Hamlin, Avery Hamlin, Tanner Hughes, Kendall Karlsson, Aria Lathrop, Jackson Robichaud, Keegan Robinson, and Christopher Santiago.

Grade 5:

Lukas Blais, Dawson Frazer, Aubrey Goforth, Chanse Hartford, Aubrey Judkins, Elliott Rafuse, Isaiah Smith, Haven Trainor, and Cameron Willett.

Grade 6:

Samuel Bechard, Bryleigh Burns, Baylee Fuchswanz, Savannah Judkins, Agatha Meyer, Jaelyn Moore and Weston Pappas.

Grade 7:

Juliet Boivin, Tristyn Brown, Ryleigh French, Katherine Maxwell, Paige Perry, Bentley Pooler, Hannah Tobey and Reid Willett.

Grade 8:

Owen Couture, Ryley Desmond, Peyton Dowe, Wyatt Ellis, Madison Field, Kylie Grant, Spencer Hughes, Jack Malcolm, Alexis Mitton, Kole Pratt, Grady Sounier, Kaleb Tolentino, Mackullen Tolentino and Autumn Willis.

Honorable Mention:

Grade 3:

Brayden Lang-Knights, Preston Richmond, Trenten Theobald, and Roman Wentworth

Grade 4:

Reese Chechowitz, Levi Demerchant, Ashton Derosby, Anthony Dyer, Elliot Stratton, Gabriel Tucker and William Vincent

Grade 5:

Kiara Apollo, Wyatt Devoe, Brandon Fortin, Camden Foster, Peter Giampietro, Lucian Kinrade, Isaac Leonard and Arianna Muzerolle.

Grade 6:

Emily Clark, Fury Frappier, Jack LaPierre, Mia McLean and Landen Theobald.

Grade 7:

Dominick Bickford, Gabriella Brundage, Drake Goodie, Cooper Lajoie, Trinity Pooler, Brooke Reny and Alana Wade.

Grade 8:

Aliya Bourque, Madison Burns, Logan Chechowitz, Xavier Foss, Bailey Goforth, Mason Lagasse, Bryella Leighton, Olivia Hartford, Henry Olson, Josslyn Ouellette and Payton Thorndike.

KVYSO senior spotlight on Breckon Davidson

Breckon Davidson, left, with his grandfather, John Shields. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Jen Tuminaro

The Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra (KVYSO), is proud to feature Breckon Davidson, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, in our Senior Spotlight article. He is a talented, diligent musician whose participation in KVYSO has added to the quality and level of ensemble community.

Breckon began his musical journey with piano lessons, from age six until he was nine. At that point, he picked up the cello after seeing Pineland Suzuki School (an organization of strings teachers in central Maine) perform at Granite Hill Estates.

“Working with Pineland in the beginning of my cello playing was amazing, and they had such a refined program for beginners. They had so many group classes, activities, and just made learning cello something that I had a ton of fun to do,” explained Breckon, eventually joining the Allegra Orchestra (Pineland’s beginner ensemble). “My favorite piece that we played with them was the theme to Jurassic Park.”

After auditioning for Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestra (KVYSO’s intermediate orchestra), he was not able to play with them that year in person due to Covid restrictions, but it “only fueled my excitement further. In the fall of 2020, we were able to play in person for the first time in what felt like forever, and it felt exhilarating to be part of an orchestra again.” After a year with KVYO, Breckon began playing with Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony (KVYSO’s advanced orchestra). “That was a huge deal, because that would be the first time in my life that I would be playing a full, unaltered symphony in concert. This was the real deal, and I took it very seriously.”

Around this time, Breckon joined Capital Strings (Pineland’s advanced ensemble) and started taking lessons with Jon Moody. “In Capital Strings, we got to play incredible arrangements of so many kinds of music, whether they be film scores, contemporary classical, folk music, what have you, and it was a joy. Eventually, I started doing the Bach cello suites, and have loved working on them ever since.”

In addition to being a member of KVYSO and Pineland, Breckon is also a part of the Jazz Band at Erskine, where he recently picked up bass. “At first it was like a whole new language, playing bass, but eventually I got the hang of it, and recently played in a concert at Erskine where I played bass in the Jazz Band and a jazz quartet, and played cello for a solo and for my composition class group.”

Music has been part of Breckon’s life for a long time. “I absolutely adore music, and it is an ever-present part of my life. There’s rarely a time that I’m not listening to music, the majority of it being classical. I’ve loved classical music for so long, and I find its rich textures and harmonies to be unlike any other type of music that I know of.”

As for future plans, Breckon plans on going to college as a biology major to become a psychiatrist. “As much as I love music, I also have a great passion for science, and find psychology to be the most fascinating one to me, so I’ll make it my career.” We wish Breckon well as he pursues his goals after his time with us at KVYO is done.

We invite you to support Breckon and the Kennebec Valley Youth Orchestras for the Spring Concert on Friday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m., at the South Parish Congregation Church, in Augusta. Daniel Keller will be conducting our KVYO, with Jinwook Park conducting our KVYSO. The concert will feature the music of Mendelssohn, Debussy, Vivaldi, and more! In addition to joining them on May 5, please consider following them on Facebook and Instagram (Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras). If you would like to donate to our program, please visit their website at https://www.kvyso.org/. They truly appreciate your support of our program!

Issue for April 27, 2023

Issue for April 27, 2023

Celebrating 35 years of local news

A true friendship story between two centenarians

This is the story of Theresa and Lucille who grew up in Brunswick, Maine. As lifelong friends they went to the same schools, married and later both moved to Waterville. Theresa Wilson first lived on Golf Links Road, in Brunswick, and was part of a family of seven girls and three boys… Submitted by Pauline Rancourt

Town News

Select board schedules May public hearings

CHINA – By the end of their April 24 meeting, China select board members had a public hearing scheduled for each of their May meetings. The Monday, May 8, meeting will be preceded by a 6 p.m. public hearing on warrant articles for the June 13 annual town business meeting…

Transfer station water tested; it is potable, with issues

CHINA – Transfer station staffer Cheyenne “CJ” Houle reported on several projects she is working on. The one completed at the end of March was getting the water at the transfer station tested: it is potable, Houle reported…

Killdeer Heights subdivision request postponed to May 9

CHINA – China Planning Board members’ review of Timothy O’Brien’s application to subdivide one lot in Killdeer Heights subdivision into four lots has been put off to their May 9 meeting…

Community Resilience Partnership explained

CHINA – Olivia Kunesh from the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) explained the state-wide Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) program at an April 24 meeting in China…

Select board, town manager work on warrant for annual town meeting

VASSALBORO – At their April 13 meeting, Vassalboro selectboard members and Town Manager Aaron Miller worked on the warrant for the June 5 and June 13 annual town meeting…

Legislative Report as of Thursday, April 7, 2023

CENTRAL ME – List of legislative bills sponsored by local senators and representatives…

Benjamin Reed achieves rank of Eagle Scout

VASSALBORO – Delayed for two years due to Covid mandates, Vassalboro’s Benjamin Reed received his Eagle Scout rank during a ceremony on April 16, 2023, at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church… by Chuck Mahaleris

 Local artists score big at national country music competition

CENTRAL ME – Fred Couverette and Becky Daughty, central Maine country music artists, recently attended the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 15-19…

PHOTO: China sunset

CHINA – John Gardner recently captured this sunset over China Lake…

Elmira College recognizes annual Key Award recipients

OAKLAND – Elmira College, in Elmira, New York, recently announced this year’s recipients of its annual Key Award. This year’s award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Those receiving the award included Emma Fortie and Jonathan Eccher Mullally, both of Oakland…

Matthew Parent named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University

OAKLAND – Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the Fall 2022 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York…

FICTION: The House, part 10: Visions of Christmas Past

They decided to call it a day and attempt to tackle the last room and ‘adventure’ the next day. The following morning Jake said, “Wonder what we’ll find in our final room,” while the four were enjoying a waffle/egg sandwich, compliments of Miri and Amy’s creative cooking. They were still trying different things that they would hope to serve guests in the future and the guys didn’t mind testing them out… by Peg Pellerin

Local happenings

EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time

CENTRAL ME – Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios…

EVENTS: Gaslight Theater’s 2023 season continues

HALLOWELL – Gaslight Theater’s 2023 Season of Laughter continued in April and May with Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, directed by Lucille Rioux. The show will be produced at Hallowell Cithy Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop St., in Hallowell, over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, April 28, 29 and 30, and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m…

Webber’s Pond

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “Open the pod bay doors, please HAL.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is May 4, 2023…

Listing of local town meetings

CENTRAL ME — Listing of 2023 local town meetings in central Maine. To have your town listed, please email us at townline@townline.org…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Meet Travis Mills

HALLOWELL — Meet Travis Mills, Wednesday, May 3, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Quarry Tap Room, 122 Water Street, in Hallowell. Learn how you can support the Travis Mills Foundation, which supports post-911 recalibrated veterans through various programs at their retreat in Belgrade, by sponsoring Valleepalooza 2023… and many other local events!

2022-’23 Real Estate Tax Due Dates

Real estate tax due dates for the towns of Albion, China, Fairfield, Oakland, Palermo, Sidney, Vassalboro, Waterville, Windsor and Winslow…

Obituaries

VASSALBORO – Russell Ibbitson, 67, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2022, at his home. Russell attended schools in Hanson, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of Winslow High School. Russell built his life on the family property in Vassalboro in the early ‘80s, often a team of one… and remembering 13 others.

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 11, 2023

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!

Previous winner: Alden Cook, Augusta

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | The weather has warmed, the snow is melting and the streams are bustling with activity as the spring runoff is in full swing. On a recent trip to Vermont, my wife and I saw many streams along the route swelling their banks and looking primed for brook trout fishing…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | Even though most of us still have some patches of snow in our yards, it won’t be long before it melts and we have more constant warmer temperatures of spring. For wildlife rehabbers, spring brings an increase in phone calls from well-intentioned folks who are worried about young animals that appear to have been abandoned by their mothers…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | I know I have mentioned Joey Green in past columns. I have to mention him again. He has some of the best material on the market for home remedies for cleaning, for health and other user-friendly household needs. This time Joey lists different uses for Bounce dryer sheets and I would like to share with you…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | The 27th former President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) had what might be considered the closest friendship possible with his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt. They more than frequently visited with each other, advised each other, encouraged each other, even rebuked each other…

THE BEST VIEW

by Norma Best-Boucher | Let me see now. Press the silver button on the little black key box, and the key pops out. Press the silver button again, and the key slides back in. I smile…quite pleased with myself…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — As the winter snow melts and the sun starts to shine, people in the Northeast United States look forward to the arrival of spring. However, for many, springtime also brings along the onset of seasonal allergies. This is especially true in Maine, where the blooming of flowers and trees can cause a range of allergic reactions…

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Passing on some of Joey’s wisdom

by Debbie Walker

I know I have mentioned Joey Green in past columns. I have to mention him again. He has some of the best material on the market for home remedies for cleaning, for health and other user-friendly household needs.

This week I received his latest email about his books. To name a few, he has Pet Cures; Health Remedies; Clean it, Fix it, Eat It (I love this one!), Cleaning Magic and there are many more. If you like this stuff like I do you will be happy for hours while you scan the material. Then, of course, we have to share the things we learned with someone else (like I did) and I share with you.

In my e-mail this time Joey lists different uses for Bounce dryer sheets and I would like to share with you:

1. Repel mosquitoes: Tie a sheet through your belt loop, hanging from a hat, and feel free to use more than one.

2. Freshen air in your car: Tuck one in the visor or under the seat or maybe in your glove compartment.

3. Static electricity: wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep static cling out of business on your TV.

4. Remove hairspray: Do you get hairspray on mirrors, walls, or floors? Dampen a sheet of Bounce with water and wipe clean.

5. Stop thread from tangling: Not many folks use a needle and thread anymore but if you do try putting your threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce. Eliminates static cling.

6. Eliminate static from pantyhose: If you still wear pantyhose and don’t want clothes to cling, rub a damp used sheet of Bounce over the hose.

7. Prevent a sleeping bag from getting musty: When you roll it up for storage slip a dryer sheet inside.

8. Dust a Car Dashboard: A used dryer sheet will help repel dust from the dashboard.

9. Prevent Loss of Dirt: If you have a plant in a pot and see your dirt is coming out with the water, repot and put a used dryer sheet in the bottom. That will fix it.

10. Remove Pet Hair from Furniture: With a used dryer sheet wipe the area affected. The hairs are attracted, works like a magnet.

11. Prevent Musty Suitcase: If you don’t travel often, when you are ready to use luggage, it smells musty. Prevent that by leaving a Bounce sheet in it before storing.

12. Keep Cats Away from Christmas Tree: At night or whenever you leave the house during the day, put down Bounce around the tree and pick them up in morning. Bounce has an Oleander fragrance that cats don’t like.

13. Remove Chewing gum from your dryer: I have never had this problem yet… but you dampen a used Bounce sheet and wipe off the gum. Hope it works.

14. Prevent Dusty Lampshades: Rub a sheet of Bounce on the shade. It removes static electricity that attracts the dust.

15. Clean Baked-on Food from a Cooking Pan: I have used this one and it does work! Put Bounce in the pan with water and let sit overnight and then sponge clean. (also works for removing dead bugs from the front of your car).

Okay well, that’s all I have room for tonight. I’m just curious what tips you will use. Look Joey Green up on your internet for more of his ideas. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with any comments or questions. Have a great week! And thank you Joey!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

William Howard Taft

The 27th former President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) had what might be considered the closest friendship possible with his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt. They more than frequently visited with each other, advised each other, encouraged each other, even rebuked each other.

Under Roosevelt, Taft served as Governor/General of the newly-annexed Philippines and, in a strange twist of fate, as Secretary of War at the same time; TR had so much faith in Taft that he used him as his personal roving ambassador at large (no pun intended with Taft’s well known obesity of over 300 pounds) and as a diplomatic mediator in setting up peace talks between the Russians and Japanese during their 1905 War.

When the 1908 Republican Convention occurred, Roosevelt, due to his own popularity with the voters, pretty much had control of its delegates, got his friend easily nominated as the front runner and a Republican president another four years in the White House, an achievement not to be achieved again until the Reagan/Bush years of 1980-1992.

An interesting anecdote in Christine Sadler’s 1963 book America’s First Ladies tells of a vicious blizzard of an ice storm that “tied up transportation all along the Atlantic coast, left thousands of inaugural visitors stranded on trains and roads leading into Washington, and temporarily halted the sending of telegrams. President Roosevelt said the storm was aimed at him and would abate when he got out of town, but Taft replied, ‘You’re wrong; it’s my storm. I always said it would be a cold day when I got to be president of the United States. ‘ ”

At the actual inauguration ceremony, Taft’s youngest son Charles brought along a copy of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island in case he was bored by his father’s speech; it proved to be a very interesting speech which 11-year-old Charles enjoyed immensely. The boy never even cracked his book and his father considered the boy’s attention a personal compliment.

Taft himself had always set his ambition on being Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court but his wife Helen (1861-1943) pushed him into politics and he lacked the will to resist her.

However, once in the White House, Taft, while still believing in Roosevelt’s policies, steered a more cautious middle ground between the traditional Republicans who detested Roosevelt’s aggressive “bull in a china shop” progressivism and the progressive Republicans who wished to continue where Roosevelt left off.

He also basically disliked the job, didn’t try very hard to achieve much and had an ultra-cautious Vice-President James Sherman (1855-1912) who made Taft seem like a radical progressive.

Meanwhile, the First Lady suffered a physical collapse and some paralysis of her facial muscles which left her an invalid most of the first year (She did eventually recover much of her health and lived to see oldest son Robert elected to the U.S. Senate in 1939.).

As mentioned in an earlier column, Taft lost in the three-way race of 1912 in which Roosevelt’s Bull Moose candidacy split the Republican vote and was quite happy to turn the White House over to Woodrow Wilson.

Finally in 1921, President Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) appointed Taft to his dream job as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court where he would do fine work, would swear in both Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover as president in 1925 and 1929, respectively, and would retire in February 1930, one month before his death from a heart ailment at the age of 72.