The 2022 U14 Winslow girls soccer team, front row, from left to right, Mirra Meak, Davanee Kimball, Isabella Loubier, Olivia Coldwell, Maria Moumouris and Tenley Nadeau. Back, Head coach Sim Meak, Meredith Tyler, Elaina Rioux, Hayden Breton, Elsie Spear, Alexandria Young, Kera Bilodeau, Assistant coach Joshau Giroux and Kayla Giroux. Absent from photo Mikaylka Achorn. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)
Barred owl
by Roland D. HalleeLast Thursday night my wife woke me from a sound sleep to listen to something outside our camp. Well, being somewhat groggy, I didn’t hear anything, and went back to sleep. It wasn’t long afterwards that she woke me again.
“Can’t you hear that?” she inquired sounding a little frustrated – You see, my wife tells me I’m going deaf.
I sat up, and listened attentively. “OK, I hear it, it’s a Barred Owl,” I told her.
She persisted. “Listen carefully.”
What I then heard made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was at least two, maybe three, barred owls caterwauling to each other. This was at about 11 p.m. I had heard Barred Owls behind camp a thousand times, but never anything like this. It was almost as intriguing as listening to loons calling to each other.
The “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” call was unmistakable. But, I think it was a strange time of year for them to engage in this activity. This is usually done during the spring courtship, when one will vocalize to its mate, and vice versa. There were times when it was so loud and sustained, it almost sounded like a barking dog.
These calls are most heard at night or in twilight, and especially during the breeding season. However, calls can be heard year round since these birds do not migrate. They are very territorial, and will chase away intruders with loud hoots. These vocalizations become more frequent during the mating season, where female birds make invitation calls to mate with males.
Scientists, however, have debated that the calls of Barred Owls are much more diverse than we think. The research indicates that more needs to be known about the Barred Owls before they can deduce more about its behaviors in and out of the breeding season. Owls in general can be a difficult species of bird to study since they are mainly nocturnal and are not incredibly active until the breeding season.
Barred Owls, Strix varia, are easiest to find when they are active at night, but they are easier to hear than to see. From a distance, their calls can sound like a barking dog. They prefer mature forests, and their main diet is small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Since the 1960s, Barred Owls have expanded their range to the Pacific Coast where they are considered invasive. That is because it is believed they are partly to blame for the recent decline of the northern Spotted Owl, which is native to British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. When Barred Owls and Spotted Owls occupy the same space, the Barred Owl is more aggressive and will out-compete the Spotted Owl. Barred Owls have even been known to kill Spotted Owls. Interbreeding is also suspected.
In 2007, White House officials announced a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to shoot Barred Owls in order to reduce the threat to the Spotted Owls. If implemented, it was estimated 2,150 to 2,850 Barred Owls should be taken over a five to 10 year period. It is feared that increased populations of Barred Owls could eventually render the Spotted Owl extinct. Environmentalists fear increased blame on Barred Owls for declining Spotted Owl numbers will result in less attention being paid to territorial protections and resumption of logging in protected Spotted Owl habitat.
According to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, the experiment is ongoing and results are still being studied.
An adult Barred Owl can be anywhere from 16 – 25 inches long and weigh 1.1 to 2.3 pounds, with a wingspan of 38-49 inches. The Barred Owl is the only true owl of the eastern United States which has brown eyes. All others have yellow eyes.
The upper parts are a gray/brown, the underparts are light with markings. The chest is barred horizontally while the belly is striped vertically. The legs and feet are covered with feathers to the talons, and the head is round with no ear tufts.
Even though they are primarily nocturnal, they generally hunt near dawn or dusk, swooping down from a high perch, to take their prey.
We haven’t heard them in over a week, but I know they are still out there. I can’t wait for the next concert.
What Red Sox player was hit by a pitch an American League record 35 times in the 1986 season: Carl Yazstremski, Don Baylor, or Jim Rice?
What Red Sox player was hit by a pitch an American League record 35 times in the 1986 season: Carl Yazstremski, Don Baylor, or Jim Rice?
Don Baylor.
St. Augustine Church/St. Michael School, in Augusta (photo by Eric Austin)
In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love of all of God’s creatures, over 20 churches around Maine will hold Blessing of the Animals prayer services. Animal lovers are invited to bring their pets to have them blessed and gently sprinkled with holy water. The services are a way of thanking God for the pets that bring joy to so many. People of all faiths are welcome! Here are the Blessing of the Animals ceremonies listed by date and location:
Augusta
St. Michael School (parking lot)
56 Sewall Street
1 p.m.
Winslow
St. John the Baptist Grotto
26 Monument Street
1 p.m.
Christopher Bernier, Camp Director of the Camporee, leading the opening ceremonies, at Cobscook, for the camporee. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)
Scouts from all over Maine – with the largest contingent from Kennebec Valley District – garbed as brave knights, powerful wizards, elven maidens and stealthy rogues descended upon Cobscook Bay State Park, in Edmunds, for the 60th anniversary Cobscook/Moosehorn International Camporee on the weekend of September 16-18.
The event, organized by Christopher Bernier, of Winslow, and his staff, saw more than 100 Scouts and leaders competing in such themed events as Shield Decorating, Pennant Competition, Axe throwing, Catapult, “‘Tis Merely a Flesh Wound” (First Aid), Tug-o-War, Archery, mounted obstacle course to rescue the Princess, and the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch (Shot put throw to destroy the evil stuffed rabbit).
Bernier said, “The Cobscook camporee has been in the works for a year and could not have happened without all of the staff who came together to pull it off. The weather cooperated and everyone had a blast.” Some traveled three hours or more to attend the highly-anticipated program that has become the longest, continuously-run annual Scouting event in the nation.
Declan Noyes, of West Gardiner, is a Cub Scout in Gardiner Pack #672. He said that his favorite part of the weekend was the Scavenger Hunt where each troop scoured the woods and the edge of Cobscook Bay looking for magic items of tremendous power or weapons to help them in their battles against evil. “I also liked looking out at the ocean,” he said.
Daniel Deprez, of Gorham, recently joined Troop #73 and this was one of his first Scouting events. “There was a lot of fun stuff to do,” Daniel said. “I’m having fun.” He dressed as a brave knight for the weekend’s challenges.
Isa Russell, of Randolph, is a member of Troop #2019. “I think dressing up in costume and being in character is my favorite part,” said the maiden of Scouting.
Other activities included cooking challenges and costume competitions.
SARASOTA, Florida – Patricia D. (Blaisdell) Chase Smith, 66, died Monday September 5, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida. She was born on December 21, 1955, in Waterville, the seventh child born to the late Reginald and Pauline (Vigue) Blaisdell.
Pat attended Waterville public schools, where she paused her education in eighth grade to go to work and help provide for her brothers and sisters at home. Knowing the importance of her education , she went back and completed both her GED and her CNA in 1975. Pat worked at various jobs over the years from nursing homes to waiting tables, from call centers to bird hatcheries. She made friends at every job she held as she loved to talk and always wanted to be family with every friend she made.
On August 22, 1981, she married the late Kenneth “Kenny” L. Chase Jr.. They enjoyed 32 years together, raising a family, camping, attending NASCAR races around the country and watching their grandchildren grow until Kenny’s passing in 2013.
Pat was lucky to find love again with William “Bill” Smith. They were married on June 4, 2016. They would spend their time traveling between their combined homes in Maine, Florida, and Bill’s family camp in Pennsylvania. She loved meeting Bill’s family and welcomed them into her own.
Pat is survived by her husband William “Bill” Smith, of Sarasota, Florida; her daughter January and husband Jason, of Clinton; her granddaughters Jorja and Jenna; her bonus daughter Lisa and husband Larry; her siblings Reggie, Carol, Roger, Ronnie, Barbara, Mike, Brenda, Al and Donnie; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents Reginald and Pauline; her husband Kenny, her sister Joyce and her brothers-in-law Ron, Paul and David.
Services were held on Monday September 26, 2022, at the China Baptist Church, 38 Causeway Rd., China, with a graveside burial immediately following at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.
ALBION – Carol Marie Rundlett (nee Leck), 84, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born in Meridan, Connecticut, daughter of Edward and Lillian Leck. She went to Wagner College, in Staten Island, New York, where she met her husband, David Rundlett, of 63 years.
Carol was the Director of Academic Resources at CW Post Long Island University for 20 years where she loved helping disabled students achieve their dreams of getting a college degree. She retired and she and her husband moved to Albion, in 2001. She will forever be cherished and remembered by her family and friends.
Carol is survived by her children Deborah Hicks, of Corinna, Richard Rundlett, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Jonathan Rundlett, of Davidsonville, Maryland; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and her brother in Lakewood, Colorado.
A memorial was held on September 12, and she was buried in Libby Hill Cemetery, in Albion.
WINSLOW – Leonard Douglas Poulin, Sr., 81, passed away in his workshop on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Leonard was born on December 15, 1940, and lived in Winslow his entire life.
He graduated from Winslow High School in 1959 and married Yvette Lachance, his high school sweetheart, on September 2, 1963. They had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Doug and Yvette were lifelong parishioners and generous supporters of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Winslow.
After high school, Doug joined the Air National Guard Reserve, serving for six years and graduated from Maine Vocational Technical Institute with a degree in building construction. In his early 20s he began his career with the Maine Department of Transportation where he worked as a civil engineer and superintendent until his retirement. He worked on and supervised many road and bridge projects throughout his career, notably the creation of portions of Maine Interstate-95 and the Donald Carter Memorial Bridge, connecting Waterville and Winslow. His years of career experience allowed him to sit and pass the State of Maine Professional Engineer License Exam in 1993.
Doug and Yvette were real estate investors right from the beginning of their marriage. They built their home on Marie Street, in Winslow, and went on to own and operate over 40 rental units in addition to having full-time careers and two children.
After retirement, Doug could be found at his 300-acre woodlot where he and his brother, Mike, spent countless hours harvesting, cutting and splitting firewood that he shared with his family to heat their homes. At the same time, his woodlot served as a multi-use recreation area for his family where they all enjoyed the miles of trails he built throughout to camp, hunt, walk, snowshoe and enjoy nature. He and Yvette loved 4-wheeling to their favorite spot by the brook to picnic or just sit and enjoy its quietude.
His greatest satisfaction in life came from spending time with his extended family and many friends. His daily schedule revolved around his “meetings” at The 107, McDonalds, and his shop solving all the town and world problems. He continued to keep in touch with co-workers and friends from the Maine DOT and from his high school class. He particularly loved seeing his children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter and all their cousins and friends swimming in the backyard pool that he worked so hard to maintain every summer since 1974.
For many years after retirement, he could be found in his garage “man cave” reading, watching television, and welcoming his many visitors. He always had special treats ready for both visiting children and pets. He was a “demon” at playing cribbage and did it every Wednesday for years with his brother, Mike, a game he first learned to enjoy as a lifelong member of the Waterville Elks Lodge.
He was a generous father, neighbor and friend always anticipating our needs and making sure they were met or would lend a hand. During winter snowstorms, after plowing all his family’s driveways, if he saw that town plows had blocked the end of his neighbors’ driveways, he would always be sure plow those, too.
Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Noel Laurier Poulin and Yvette Ferland Poulin.
He is survived by his wife Yvette (Lachance) Poulin; his children Leonard Poulin, Jr. and partner Laurie Allen; his daughter Leslie Wilson and husband Ian; grandchildren Joshua, Jorja, and Liam Poulin; great-granddaughter Harper Poulin; his brothers and their wives, Warren and Patricia Poulin, Michael and Madeline Poulin, and Tom and Roberta Poulin; and his sisters-in-law Lucille Roy and Juliette Akins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow, with a Celebration of Life at the Waterville Elks Lodge immediately following.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Poulin family.
SIDNEY – Dorothy Morrissette, 91, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a period of failing health. She was born in Waterville, March 23, 1931.
She graduated from Waterville High School in 1949. She was married to Donald A. Morrissette for 40 years until his passing in 1993. They spent many happy years on Snow Pond, in Sidney, and then were fortunate to be able to retire and enjoy warmer winters in Florida. After Don’s passing, she continued to travel to Florida, and spent the happiest times of her life there among many wonderful friends at Plantation Landing, in Haines City. She took up golf (at age 60!) and played two and three times a week. She had the fondest memories of those times and spoke of them often.
She is survived by her only child, Donna Witham and her husband David, of Sidney; her grandson Kevin Foye, of Oakland; and two great-grandsons, Corey Foye, of Portland, and Collin Foye, of Gardiner, sons of the late Tim Foye who passed away in 2009.
She didn’t want any funeral service and will be buried at the Veterans Cemetery, on Civic Center Drive, in Augusta. No date has been set.
Her care is being handled by Gallant Funeral Home of Waterville and Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn.
CLINTON – Curtis C. Carr, 50, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. He was born December 29, 1971, in Waterville.
He grew up in Oakland. He was a current resident of Clinton.
He was predeceased by his parents, Melvin Carr and “Skeets” Marie Carr, of Oakland; also by many uncles and aunts.
He is survived by his uncle Leo Gauthier and many Gauthier cousins; “his sisters from another mister”, Denielle ONeal, her partner Mike Mea, of Winslow, Alisha Simpson and her son Alex Simpson, of Skowhegan.; and his domestic partner Rebecca Day, of Clinton.
Curtis worked for Levi’s Paving Company for 10-plus years. He enjoyed fishing, cornhole, puzzles, scratch tickets, and watching football.
A graveside ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Lewis Cemetery, in Oakland. Followed by a celebration of life at noon, at the Oakland American Legion Post #51.
WATERVILLE – Basil Upton Grant, 85, passed away of age related illnesses, peacefully, at home on Thursday, September 15, 2022. Basil was born May 5, 1937, in Houlton, to Basil F. Grant and Audrey Upton Grant. Basil was the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. George Upton, of Sherman.
Basil married Susan Bradbury Grant on October 4, 1964, in Bridgewater, spending 57 years together as husband and wife.
Basil was affectionately known as “Sonny” to his family and friends growing up because he was such a happy child.
Basil graduated Houlton High School in 1955 and attended Ricker College, and then the University of Maine, getting his degree in education in 1959. In 1959 Basil commenced his passion for teaching at Bridgewater Classical Academy. In 1966 Basil obtained his master’s degree in education (biology) from the University of Oregon. In September 1966 Basil was hired as an educator at Waterville Senior High School where he worked until his retirement in 1998.
In 1972 Basil was recognized as the Maine Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology Teachers and the Fourth Maine Environmental Congress at Bowdoin College. Basil gave countless hours of his time to his students, especially enjoying teaching his advance placement students genetics with fruit fly experiments.
In the community Basil was a 50-year member of the Waterville Kiwanis service organization. In 1972 Basil organized and created the local Key Club Chapter, associated with the Kiwanis Club and Waterville Senior High School. In 1986 he was recognized as the Key Club New England Advisor of the Year, an accomplishment made possible by the nomination from his son Steve, the New England Key Club Lieutenant Governor.
Basil’s family was everything to him. Basil enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events from everything from soccer, to dance, to gymnastics. His real love was traveling with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. Basil loved going to London and Hawaii and everywhere in between.
He is survived by his wife Susan Grant; his children Brad Grant and wife Laurel, of Winslow, Steve Grant and his wife Stephanie, of Keller, Texas; five grandchildren David Grant, Susan Grant, Colton Grant, Lauren Grant and Taylor Grant; his niece Robbie Myers and her husband Gary; great-niece Trina Morris and her daughter Sophia.
A celebration of life will take place in the future.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memory shared at http://www.gallantfh.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waterville Kiwanis Club by contacting Bart Stevens at barton@c21nason.com.
WATERVILLE – Rodney Eugene Theriault, 56, passed awayFriday, September 16, 2022, at the Pines unit of Graybirch Longterm Care facility, in Augusta, from complications due to diabetes.
Rodney was born in Waterville on December 13, 1965, the youngest son of Larry and Colette Theriault, and lived at the Theriault home on Summer Street until his health forced him to move to Graybirch in 2020.
Rodney was a plumber and heating technician most of his adult life, working for many different companies, but he was most proud that he was a self-employed technician, operating Rodney’s Oil Burner Service for several years. He had a growing clientele of friends, family, and many loyal customers that he accrued over his career. Some gave him honey and other goodies because of his friendly and dependable service.
Rodney was a huge New England sports fan, especially when it came to the Red Sox, Patriots and especially the Bruins. He spent many hours in the off-season watching Bruins classic games and reruns. He had a Bergeron jersey hanging in his living room year-round so that it was there when there was a Bruins game on TV. He also enjoyed watching the classic shows like Hogan’s Heroes and John Wayne movies, but sports were his true love.
Rodney was an avid painter, with much of his work hanging around the Pines halls and family rooms. Rodney was a self-taught artist. He learned by watching many hours of Bob Ross videos and going to sidewalk art shows. He especially loved to do outdoor scenes like rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and cabins.
Rodney earned the nickname Pew from his siblings at a very young age, based on the cartoon character Pepe La Pew. Pew was well known to be a very slow and non-excitable animal, and this fit Rodney’s personality perfectly. His siblings always teased him that he would never be on time for anything, and his mother would tell him that dinner would be served at 5:00 if she wanted to serve it at 6:00. Even with that extra hour he would still be late. If Rodney told you he would be over to clean your furnace on Tuesday – look for him on Thursday.
Rodney was predeceased by his parents Larry and Colette.
He is survived by his brothers, Joe Theriault and his wife Celeste, Danny Theriault and wife Vicky, and Patrick Theriault; as well as his sister Cathy Taylor and husband Dan; niece Danielle Woods (Jesse), and nephews Eric Theriault (Kristina) and Dustin Taylor (Sara); great-nephews Wyatt Taylor, Caden Woods, and Emmitt Theriault; great-nieces Sophia Taylor, Olive Theriault and Atley Woods.
A graveside service was held at St. Francis Cemetery on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.
SIDNEY – Donald W. Carrier, 78, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Donald was born in Piopolis, Canada, on September 10, 1944. He was the son of the late Joseph Carrier and Jeannette Fortier Carrier and is one of 15 brothers and sisters.
Donald moved to Maine where he met his wife, Geatane, of 57 years, and had two children, Roger and Michelle. They lived in Augusta until 1984 when, after building his own home, they moved to Sidney were they have resided for the last 38 years.
Donald worked doing drywall for his brother-in-law at Jean Pepin Drywall for 30 years. He then started his own business. But for the last several years, Donald was working with his son, Roger, his two grandsons, Joshua and Tayler, and his brother, Julien.
Donald had a great sense of humor and always liked to have a good time. He enjoyed four wheeling with his son and grandsons, working in his yard and on his house with Geatane. He also enjoyed puttering around in his workshop, and loved helping people; he would always be there when ever needed, no matter the day or time, he was always there to lend a hand. Most of all, he was a loving family man and loved spending time with his wife, his son, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donald is survived by his wife, Geatane Carrier, of Sidney; his son, Roger Carrier and his wife, Suzette, of Augusta, along with their children, Justine DeSanctis and her husband, Mario DeSanctis, of Sidney, Joshua Carrier and his partner Kailee Nickerson, of Palermo, David Caldwell and his partner Elizabeth Piccone, of Augusta, and Tayler Carrier and his partner Delaney Russell, of Augusta; his four great-grandchildren, Mia and Antonio DeSanctis, Jameson Caldwell, and Joshua Carrier II; his brothers, Julien and his wife, Rolande, Ernest and his wife, Ginette, Benoit and his wife, Huguette, Raymond and his partner, Diane, Jean and his wife, Line, Francois and his wife, Sylviane, and Mario and his wife, Jocelyn; his sisters, Claire Pepin, Diane Breault, and Lorraine Rodrigue; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; his daughter, Michelle; his grandson, Matthew; his brother, Herman, his sister, Muriel Plante and his bother-in-law, Gerard, his sister, Olivetti Gauthier and his brother-in-law, Yvon, his sister, Jacinthe Lachance, his brother-in-law, Donat, his brother-in-law, Jean Paul Pepin,, and his brother-in-law, Lionel Breault.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m., on Saturday, October 1, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta.
Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road, Augusta.
Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.
AUGUSTA – Michelle Cote Duquette, 55, of Augusta passed away peacefully at Maine General Medical Center, on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, following a lifelong battle with Mytonic Dystrophy.
After her graduation from Waterville High School, she was employed by Colby College, in Waterville, until her marriage. She then shared her time volunteering. In 2008, she received her nail certification from Capelli Institute and used those skills traveling to mursing homes and performing manicures for the residents. She enjoyed playing Bingo with her twin Melissa and mother.
Her memory for dates was phenomenal and she never missed an opportunity to reach out with a celebratory birthday wish or congratulations regarding special occasions. Michelle would spend the better part of three months painstakingly crafting candy gifts for relatives at the annual Cote Christmas Party.
She was brought up in Vassalboro and was a member of Corpus Christi parish, in Waterville/Winslow. After her marriage to Carl, they settled in Augusta and Michelle became a member of St. Michael Parish where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.
She was predeceased by her parents Marie (King) and Onezime Cote as well as her identical twin sister Melissa.
She is survived by her husband Carl Duquette; sisters-in law Catherine Duquette, Joan Bourgion and brothers-in law Eric and Thomas Duquette; as well as nephew Hayden and numerous cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, September 28, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville.
Burial will follow in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville.
An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.
WINSLOW – Yvette “Mary Rose” Begin, 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Lakewood Nursing Home, in Waterville. Yvette was born in Waterville to Francis and Alma (Morin) Reny in June 1924. She attended Waterville area schools.
In February 1946, after a brief courtship, she married the love of her life, Omer Begin. Together, they raised seven children.
Yvette was predeceased by her parents Francis and Alma; her husband Omer, brother Leo, sisters Cecile, Priscilla, and Gloria; and her son Bruce.
She is survived by her children Diane (Alan), David (Jenny), Ken (Susan), Mike (Hope), JoAnn (Ron), Jeff; daughter in-law Doralene “LuLu,”; and grandchildren Derek, Valerie, Cayce, Anna, Noah, Sara, Brian, Chris, Shannon, Amanda, Mike, Brandon, and Katie; as well as 23 great-grandchildren.
In her twilight years, she lived in Winslow with JoAnn and Ron in her cozy in-law apartment. She remained adamant about helping around the house and was never without sharp wit or humor. Yvette was an avid reader, enjoying dozens of books every year and keeping close track of all of them. She enjoyed making puzzles, playing Candy Crush, and was very competitive with family over games of Words with Friends. She looked forward to football every season and loved the Patriots. The Bucs, too, once Tom Brady took his talents to Tampa.
As her health declined, she took special joy in spending time with her children, and grandchildren who would often visit. She looked forward to afternoon coffee and sweets with JoAnn, visits with long-time family friend Tish, music listening sessions with Hope, and Wheel of Fortune with Brandon and Lindsay.
At her request, a private celebration of life will take place at a later date.
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.
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
Vassalboro school board members got positive reports on the opening of school and the financial situation at their Sept. 20 meeting.
Principal Ira Michaud reported that staff members and students are starting the fall semester cheerfully. Eliminating masking and distancing requirements helped, he wrote: “For the first time in over two years school feels more relaxed and everyone feels more connected.”
Soccer games are under way and after-school clubs will be starting in early October.
Finance director Paula Pooler reported that the 2022-23 budget shows no problems. The unaudited 2021-22 budget, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, says the undesignated fund balance increased substantially, to over $1.2 million, she said.
Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer contrasted that preliminary figure with 2018, when the school department had a deficit of more than $250,000.
Pooler said part of the money came from additional state revenue during the pandemic. Another substantial portion is pandemic related, but less happily: school officials saved about $145,000 in payroll, because they were unable to fill positions.
Pooler does not expect such positive numbers in the future. School officials will make recommendations for using the surplus as part of 2023-24 budget planning.
Jennifer Lizotte joined board members to talk about the before and after school daycare program that has been housed at Vassalboro Community School for many years. There is less space for the program this year, raising questions about the agreement with school authorities.
Lizotte said the program operates weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. Currently 44 youngsters are enrolled, and she has a growing waiting list.
School board members agreed the service is valuable to Vassalboro parents. They will continue to monitor the situation.
The next regular Vassalboro school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Oct. 20.
Reminder to submit school lunch application
A reminder to all parents of Vassalboro Community School students: if you have not yet filled out and sent in your application for free and reduced-price school meals, please do so as soon as possible.
And do not be dismayed if you get a rejection: your children attending VCS will still get free breakfasts and lunches, because Maine is one of two states providing free school meals (California is the other).
The applications are important, officials said at the Sept. 20 school board meeting, because the number of qualified students determines the level of funding VCS receives under the federal Title One program and some state funding programs. Underreporting means VCS will not get its fair share of outside funding.
by Mary GrowAt their Sept. 26 meeting, China select board members unanimously adopted a temporary amnesty program for residents, permanent and seasonal, who made changes on their property without getting a required permit.
China’s land use ordinances list numerous actions for which a permit is required, from the codes officer, the planning board or the plumbing inspector. In the last few years, with China frequently changing codes officers and with the pandemic limiting face-to-face communication with town officials, getting a correct permit in a timely fashion has sometimes been difficult.
Information compiled by Dwaine Drummond, temporary assistant to new codes officer Nicholas French, and town manager Rebecca Hapgood, shows “hundreds” of instances of non-compliance with permit requirements.
Drummond explained in his written proposal, titled “Self-reporting and compliance with the Town of China Land Use Ordinance,” that some violators did not know they needed a permit; a minority ignored regulations; and in some cases, violations resulted from “miscommunication or misinterpretation of codes and construction techniques.”
Select board members agreed that people who report themselves before Nov. 30 for not getting a required permit will be eligible to apply and, if their project meets requirements, to get a permit for the regular permit fee. Normally, an after-the-fact permit costs substantially more.
If whatever was done without a permit is not legal under China’s ordinances, the property-owner will be required to undo it to the extent necessary to make it legal or to make other reparation, for example by replanting an area in the shoreland from which trees were illegally removed.
Land use ordinance requirements apply to buildings of all sorts; additions and changes to existing buildings; uses and changes of use of land and buildings; signs; tree-cutting and almost any other change in the natural environment anyone could envision. The complete ordinance is on the town website, china.govoffice.com, and town office staff are available to answer questions during office hours.
On a related matter, select board members decided that if Drummond and French recommend action on potentially dangerous buildings, they will hold local hearings, rather than immediately referring any cases to court. As part of the town’s responsibility for safety, select board members are empowered to investigate abandoned or neglected buildings and, if they find a building poses a threat to health or safety, to order the owner to repair or demolish it.
In other business Sept. 26, select board members reviewed records from the town’s new speed monitoring sign, after its September placements on Lakeview Drive and Neck Road.
On Lakeview Drive in a 45-mile zone, between 2 and 5 a.m. none of 26 drivers obeyed the limit. Eighteen were doing at least 55 miles an hour, and eight were doing 65 or more.
Overall, in a recorded week more than half the drivers, 930 out of 1777, obeyed the limit as they approached the flashing speed limit sign; 99 were recorded as going 65 or faster.
Even on the narrow, winding Neck Road (also with a 45-mile-an-hour limit), the sign recorded five drivers who exceeded 65 miles an hour. Overall, compliance was high on Neck Road: 4,717 drivers out of a total of 5,383 obeyed the limit as they approached the sign, and the average speed was below the limit, rather than above as on Lakeview Drive.
Results of the survey are being shared with the Kennebec County deputy sheriffs who patrol China roads, Hapgood said.
Select board members appointed three residents to the Regional School Unit (RSU) #18 Cost Share Committee: board chairman Ronald Breton, board candidate Brent Chesley and RSU representative Dawn Castner.
Board members voted to advertise and sell by sealed bid an unneeded storage building currently on the public works lot. Bought for a dollar from RSU #18 some years ago, it has not been used.
Board member Janet Preston asked if it would meet the need for additional records storage that board members and Municipal Building Committee members have discussed for months. Hapgood’s dismayed expression was a sufficient answer.
Following up on a Sept. 12 discussion (see The Town Line, Sept. 15, p. 2), Hapgood said consultant Lynn Gilley Martin, of Fire Safety Compliance Associates, had arranged meetings with members of China’s volunteer fire departments and China Rescue, as they work on compliance with state standards.
Ronald Breton
The select board meeting was preceded by two public hearings. One was on the Nov. 8 local ballot, which includes local elections for select board, planning board, budget committee and RSU director, plus eight local referendum questions. The other was on state amendments to the General Assistance Ordinance and to the amounts of aid in the ordinance’s appendices.
The two audience members present had no comments. No one participated on line. After Breton closed the hearings, the ballot was approved, and later board members approved the ordinance amendments.
During the select board members’ comments at the end of the meeting, Breton objected strongly to the way a few people, whom he did not name, are using the Friends of China website. He accused them of spreading misinformation and of making allegations about town government that he labeled slander.
He had seen none of the complainers at any meeting or hearing, Breton said. He challenged them to come and see how China’s government actually works.
The Friends of China website was set up to be helpful, and there’s no place for such misuse of an information medium in this town, he said. “This is a good town.”
Because of the Monday, Oct. 10, Indigenous People’s Day holiday, the next regular China select board meeting will be Tuesday evening, Oct. 11.
Eagle Scout Connor Files at the Skowhegan Federated Church.
Skowhegan has one new Eagle Scout after Connor Files received Scouting’s highest rank during a ceremony at the Skowhegan Federated Church, on Sunday, September 25.
Connor pinning the Eagle Scout Mother’s Pin on his mom Margaux Files after she had pinned the Eagle Scout medal on her son’s uniform.
“My Eagle Scout project,” Connor said, “included mapping trails in the Coburn Woods and installing an informational kiosk for the Somerset Woods Trustees.” Connor, son of Darren and Margaux Files, of Skowhegan, is 16 years old and attends Skowhegan Area High School.
State Senator Brad Farrin, of Norridgewock, was one of the 70-plus who attended the ceremony and praised Eagle Scout Files for his “excellence in skills development, leadership, personal growth, and community service” while presenting him with U.S. flag that had flown over the State of Maine Capitol Building, along with a legislative sentiment.
Connor loves to be outdoors. Besides Scouting, he enjoys downhill skiing, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. “Connor is an extremely hard worker,” said his father and former Scout Master Darren Files. “He is always eager to help. His mother and I never have to ask him to do something twice. He makes parenting easy. Sometimes teens find it difficult to balance everything they do. Connor does a great job finding the balance between work, Scouts, soccer, skiing while also maintaining high honors in school. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Eagle Scout Gage Morgan provided the Eagle Scout Charge to Connor and reminded him, “The foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character.”
Rev. Mark Tanner provided the invocation and benediction and praised Connor not only for his Scouting work but also for the care and nurturing way he interacts with both the younger scouts in the troop as well as his own brother, Nolan.
Connor said, “Scouting is a great opportunity not only to get kids out into the wilderness but also teach them fantastic life skills that will take you far in life.”
Brothers Nolan and Connor Files show off some of Connor’s Pinewood Derby cars.
Downtown Waterville
The city of Waterville is pleased to announce its successful application to the EPA’s Brownfields grant program, a federal initiative that provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, supports future cleanup activities, technical assistance, and research. Now secured, the federal funding will underwrite project costs for Waterville-based developers and investors who need to conduct civil and environmental site assessments relative to project planning activities and developing site-specific cleanup plans.
Garvan Donegan
“Having the ability to incentivize sustainable development and transform underutilized spaces into prosperous community hubs is crucial to sustaining local economic development. This funding will allow the city of Waterville to stimulate the restoration of its historic buildings and sites to encourage commercial and industrial growth, support the development of housing, and create jobs within the municipality,” explains Central Maine Growth Council Director of Planning, Innovation, and Economic Development Garvan Donegan.
Brownfield sites are those which have been contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Sites that complete the assessment process can be redeveloped into a diverse range of uses, including housing, commercial and retail businesses, industrial workspaces, and more. Complementing a period of robust revitalization within the municipality and along the Main Street corridor, the secured assessment funding will support and sustain redevelopment projects for the next 3-years; Waterville was one of 265 communities throughout the country that was selected to receive grant funding.
“This is an exciting time for the city of Waterville, which is continuing to experience forward-moving growth related to private investment and development,” says Waterville City Manager Stephen Daly. “We look forward to providing this funding to support projects which highlight our expanding downtown, incentivize investment, and boost our existing housing stock.”
The city of Waterville will be deploying the development funding through a competitive grant application process in the fall of 2022 to support site assessments related to future development and redevelopment activities. For more information on Brownfield assessment funding, please email gdonegan@centralmaine.org.