Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Jefferson Medical College – Part 1

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Augusta House

by Mary Grow

Kennebec Valley graduates

Your writer recognized a question, probably unanswerable, left over from last week’s mention of Dr. James Tuell, of Augusta. Why had he chosen to attend Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, when Maine had a medical school at Bowdoin, founded in 1820, and there was one at Dartmouth, and numerous others closer than Philadelphia?

A review of Henry Kingsbury’s chapter on the medical profession, in his Kennebec County history, found that among area doctors to whom he devoted at least a paragraph (many others were merely listed), half a dozen were identified as Jefferson Medical School graduates. Dr. Frederick Charles Thayer’s chapter on the medical profession in Edwin Carey Whittemore’s Waterville history added two more, plus two who did post-graduate work at Jefferson.

Therefore this week’s article will be the first of two about these doctors (and some of their family members). It is unlikely to explain why any of them chose Jefferson Medical College.

The school, according to on-line sites, was founded in 1824 by a surgeon named George McLellan (Dec. 22, 1796 – May 9, 1847). It is now listed on line as Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

(Kingsbury and other sources also refer to other doctors trained at the [unnamed] “medical school at Philadelphia”; some of the references could be to Jefferson. An on-line source lists six “Extinct Philadelphia Medical Schools” that operated between 1838 and 1881, none of them Jefferson.)

In chronological order, as best your writer can determine, the first Jefferson graduate Kingsbury knew about was Samuel Louis (or Lewis) Clarke (or Clark).

Clark(e) earned a mention in David Thurston’s 1855 history of Winthrop, as well as in Kingsbury’s history. Both described him as a Winthrop native, son of Captain Samuel Clark(e) (and Samuel’s wife Susannah, Thurston added).

Thurston wrote that Dr. Clark “had acquired a very respectable degree of skill in the healing art.” He practiced in Winthrop for a while and then in Bangor.

The only date either historian gave was Thurston’s statement that Clark died in August 1851 at the age of 45. From this information your author deduced that he was born in 1806 or 1807, and estimated that he graduated from Jefferson in the 1830s.

Charles Bunker Cates (Sept. 19, 1820 – Jan. 10, 1888), of Vassalboro, was the next Jefferson graduate Kingsbury listed, a member of the Class of 1845. Kingsbury and on-line sources give this picture of his life.

Dr. Cates was the first of four children of Edmund Cates (1796-1872) and Anna Bunker Cates (1799-1865), who moved to Vassalboro from Gorham. After graduating from Vassalboro Academy, he “studied medicine” (Kingsbury gives no specifics) and then went to Jefferson.

For two years he practiced in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he met and in 1846 married Margaret Buffum Barker (April 9, 1829 – March 17, 1909). They had two sons, David Buffum Cates (1850-1923) and Abraham Barker Cates (1854-1915).

From Fall River, Dr. Cates returned to Vassalboro and, Kingsbury wrote, practiced medicine there until he moved to California in 1886, where he died less than two years later.

The Find a Grave on-line site says Margaret was born in Rhode Island and died and is buried in Whittier, California. She apparently remarried after Dr. Cates’ death, as a photo shows the plaque on her grave identifying her as Margaret B. Dorland.

A Dec. 20, 1952, Waterville Morning Sentinel piece by Fred D. McAlary, copied in the summer 2021 issue of the Vassalboro Historical Society’s newsletter, says Charles Cates was a farmer as well as a doctor; in 1858, McAlary wrote, he built a house in East Vassalboro and ran a farm there.

McAlary’s article is about Charles Cates’ grandson, Samuel C. Cates (David’s son), also a doctor and a farmer, born in 1890 and in practice in Vassalboro since 1925. The Cates house off South Stanley Hill Road was partly a hospital; one room, McAlary said, used to be Dr. Charles Cates’ office.

Charles Cates is buried in Vassalboro’s Friends Cemetery, as are his son David and David’s wife Anabel. Son Abraham died in Minnesota and is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, in Minneapolis.

For the next four Jefferson graduates, your writer found precise dates: Dr. J. F. Noyes, of Waterville, was Class of 1846, Nathaniel R. Boutelle, of Waterville, was Class of 1847, James M. Bates, of Augusta was, Class of 1851, Albert F. Plimpton, of Litchfield, and other Gardiner-area towns was Class of 1859.

Dr. James Fanning Noyes (Aug. 2, 1817 – Feb. 16, 1896), according to Thayer and an 1812 edition of American Medical Biographies (found on line), had an unusually well-traveled life that included brief periods in Waterville. His specialty was ear and eye medicine (otology and ophthalmology), including eye surgery.

He was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island. He attended nearby schools and in 1842, for unexplained reasons, began studying medicine in Waterville with Dr. Joseph F. Potter. He went on to Harvard Medical School and then to Jefferson.

After his 1846 graduation, he did post-graduate work in New York City until he became assistant physician at the United States Marine Hospital, in Massachusetts. He came back to Waterville in 1849 and, the biography says, “soon secured a large practice” – which he abandoned in 1851 (1852, Thayer wrote) to go into partnership with Dr. Potter, in Cincinnati.

The biography says in 1855 he studied in Berlin and in 1859 in Paris, implying he was in Ohio between trips. Thayer, however, wrote that after two years in Europe beginning in 1854, he came back to Waterville “where he entered upon a large practice.” After another year in Europe, mostly in Paris, he practiced successfully in Waterville from 1859 to 1863, doing major surgery and serving as a consultant.

In 1863 he moved to Detroit, Michigan, and had an active practice there. The medical biography includes a long list of papers Noyes wrote for medical publications, with titles like Temporary Blindness from Lead Poisoning, An Improved Iridectomy Forceps, New Operation for Strabismus and The Ophthalmoscope’s Contributions to General Medicine.

Both sources listed medical organizations to which he belonged; and both mentioned his interest in the Oak Grove Insane Asylum in Flint, Michigan, where he donated money to provide an amusement venue for the inmates, which was named Noyes’ Hall.

Thayer added that in his will, Noyes stipulated that his body should be cremated “for sanitary reasons and as an example in the interest of humanity.” His instructions were followed, Thayer wrote; the ashes are in Riverside Cemetery, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Dr. Nathaniel Rogers Boutelle (June 13, 1821 – Nov. 23, 1890), Jefferson 1847, was the sixth child and fourth son of Timothy and Helen (Rogers) Boutelle. Thayer described Timothy Boutelle as one of Maine’s most eminent lawyers in the early 1800s. Dr. Boutelle graduated from Waterville College and then Jefferson, and did a year of post-graduate work in Pennsylvania.

He established his practice and his family in Waterville, marrying Mary Keely (April 6, 1833 – Feb. 14, 1920), daughter of Waterville College professor G. W. Keely, on Oct. 14 or Nov. 8, 1852 (sources differ), and fathering two sons. In the 1890 census, Nathaniel and Mary Boutelle were living on College Avenue, an on-line genealogy says; another source gives the exact address, 33 College Avenue.

Son Timothy was born in 1853 and died in 1864, according to his gravestone. An on-line genealogy gives a birth date in September 1852, before his parents’ wedding, and a death date of Sept. 3, 1864; the pre-marriage birth date seems doubtful in a prominent family. Son George Keely, born March 15, 1857, became a lawyer like his grandfather, was still in practice in Waterville in 1904 and died June 18, 1938.

Thayer wrote that Dr. Boutelle left Waterville at least twice. In 1857, he did unspecified post graduate work in an unspecified country in Europe. In 1864, he volunteered in the Civil War and “performed very efficient service” in a Fredericksburg hospital.

Thayer said Dr. Boutelle was among the founders of the Maine Medical Association and was considered “one of the most skilled and learned physicians of the State.” The on-line genealogy adds that Colby College awarded him an honorary degree in 1860.

His obituary in the Jan. 15, 1891, “Masonic Post” called him one of the earliest Maine residents to breed Jersey cattle, developing a widely recognized high-quality herd. The writer said he was “an earnest and influential mason, although not fond of working offices.”

Nathaniel and Mary Boutelle and their two sons are buried in Waterville’s Pine Grove Cemetery.

James M. Bates (May 31, 1827 – July 9, 1911), Jefferson 1851, was the son of a doctor and father of another doctor (neither of whom attended Jefferson). His father was also James M. Bates ((Sept. 24, 1789 – Feb. 25, 1882); most sources identify both by a middle initial only, but your writer found two that gave the middle name Macomber, one to the father and one to the son.

On-line sites Wikipedia, Find a Grave and American Medical Biographies say the senior James M. Bates was born in Greene. He attended Harvard Medical School; served in the War of 1812 as a surgeon; and after the war was briefly in charge of the Buffalo, New York, “general military hospital.”

Resigning that job, he came back to Maine and practiced medicine in Hallowell from 1815 to 1819 and in Norridgewock until 1830. In March 1831 he was elected to Congress.

From 1845 to 1851 he was “superintendent of the Maine State Hospital for the insane.” He practiced until he died, at age 92, in Yarmouth; he is buried in Old Oak Cemetery, in Norridgewock.

The James M. Bates who graduated from Jefferson, Kingsbury wrote, was born in Norridgewock and started studying medicine in Augusta in 1848 before attending Jefferson. He practiced in South China from May of 1851 to 1854 and in Sidney for another five years before moving to Yarmouth.

(Wikipedia’s story of his life sends him from Jefferson directly to Yarmouth to work with his physician father. But Alice Hammond, in her history of Sidney, confirmed Kingsbury’s account, as she talked about the Rufus Davenport house near Bacon’s Corner, on Middle Road.

(The house “was the home of Sidney’s resident doctors for many years,” Hammond wrote, after Dr. Bates bought it in 1855. He sold it in 1858, to Dr. John Cushing; and Hammond named the other doctors who owned it in succession into the 20th century.)

Dr. Bates enlisted in the 13th Maine Infantry as a surgeon on Dec. 5, 1861, the Find a Grave site says. He was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. Civilian positions included president of the Maine Medical Society and, per Wikipedia, “a trustee of the State Reform School” and of Yarmouth Academy and a member of the Yarmouth school board for over 30 years.

Wikipedia says Dr. Bates and his wife, Hester Ann Sawtelle (March 31, 1829 – July 21, 1913), had at least five children, including a daughter named Hester, who became a physician. An on-line genealogy and the Find a Grave on-line site list four children; the daughters are named Charlotte Maria, who died before her 12th birthday, and Harriette.

One of the sons, George Fred Bates (1860-1944) was the third generation to become a doctor. He trained at Bowdoin and Long Island College Hospital, in Brooklyn, and was described in an obituary as “one of the leading practitioners in the Red River Valley” in Traill County, Minnesota. He returned from Minnesota to the Portland area before the 1940 census.

Dr. James Bates, his wife and four children are buried in Riverside Cemetery, in Yarmouth

Albert Franklin Plimpton (May 5, 1832 – Aug 10, 1892), Jefferson 1859, was the son of Elias and Nancy (Billings) Plimpton, of Litchfield.

Kingsbury said he attended Litchfield Academy and “read medicine in Gardiner and Boston” before going to Jefferson and graduating in 1859. He opened a practice in Pittston and in 1862 moved to Gardiner, where he also ran a drug store from 1867 until he died. On May 26, 1865, he married Carlista Colby.

The author of an 1895 history of Litchfield and account of its centennial, found on line, called him “one of the leading physicians in Gardiner.

Another on-line site says Dr. Plimpton appeared as a Gardiner physician in the 1870 and 1880 census records; in the 1880 census, he is listed as a cripple.

Read other articles in this series here.

Main sources

Hammond, Alice, History of Sidney Maine 1792-1992 (1992).
Kingsbury, Henry D., ed., Illustrated History of Kennebec County Maine 1625-1892 (1892).
Whittemore, Rev. Edwin Carey, Centennial History of Waterville 1802-1902 (1902).

Websites, miscellaneous.

CRITTER CHATTER: Follow up on deer with three legs

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One antler and three-legged deer.

by Jayne Winters

As a follow-up to last month’s article about the whitetail buck with three legs and only one horn, I’d be remiss not to write about the other permanent resident buck at the Wildlife Center. Rather than simply missing an antler, this deer has two, but they’re both deformed and remain in velvet. He’s the oldest deer at Duck Pond Care Center, at about ten years old (the average age in the wild is four to six years).

Don couldn’t recall the specifics of where this buck had come from or under what circumstances, except that he had been living in captivity since he was a fawn. Most of his life had been spent under the care of a well-meaning individual who could no longer provide the upkeep and attention required, so he came to Duck Pond. Don always contacts local zoos or game farms in an attempt to place older animals, but these facilities typically want young critters. Because this adolescent buck had been around humans all his life, releasing him would likely have resulted in an untimely death sentence, so he has remained with Don as part of the small, non-releasable herd.

As noted in last month’s column, missing antlers or deformities are not that uncommon. In fact, research demonstrates that more than half of wild bucks have a genetic potential for abnormalities. There are a variety of reasons: 1) skull trauma (often due to fighting), 2) antler or nerve damage during growth, 3) healed leg fracture/injury, 4) insufficient testosterone, 5) disease or infection, 6) systemic problems, 7) age, and 8) genetics. The abnormality usually recurs throughout the deer’s life, unless it’s due to a skeletal injury, in which case it may gradually disappear with each annual antler cycle.

Antlers are comprised of fast-growing tissue, capable of growing up to an inch or more per day during peak development in spring/summer. The increased daylight hours of spring and over the summer prompt the pituitary gland to produce hormones which in turn release an “insulin-like growth factor” that stimulates antler growth. “Velvet” is the thin layer of hairy skin that covers growing antlers in early spring. Normally, in preparation for fall breeding season, blood supply to the velvet stops, causing it to dry and fall away from the calcified cartilage of the hardened antler. Damage to an antler during the velvet stage can result in antlers growing in weird shapes or strange directions, but more often they’re the result of reduced hormones.

As I wrapped up my note-taking from talking with Don, I left him to safely trap a chipmunk that had slipped past him as he moved the little guy from the incubator to a small cage. There’s never a dull moment at Duck Pond Care Center!

Although admissions usually slow down at this time of year, Don will get calls from folks worried about young animals now on their own, adjusting to life in the wild without their mothers’ care. Some are simply learning how to be independent, but others may indeed be orphaned or injured, struggling to survive. While Don continues to take them in, he does transfer rescues to other rehabbers who are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable.

Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html – Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, November 24, 2022

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Trivia QuestionsThe New England Patriots are 6-5 in Super Bowl appearances. Name the teams to which they lost.

Answer:

Philadelphia Eagles (2017), New York Giants (2, 2007 & 2011), Green Bay Packers (1997), and Chicago Bears (1986)

EVENTS: Yummy, Ready-to-Be-Baked Turkey Pies Coming

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It’s one of Winslow’s most beloved holiday traditions! On Saturday, December 3, from 12 to 3 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering over 400 incredibly yummy, ready-to-be-baked turkey pies for curbside/drive-through pick-up. Cost is just $12 per pie, with all proceeds going to empower the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Freshly-prepared for baking and featuring an all-new crust recipe and a mouth-watering blend of turkey, peas, celery, carrots, onions, broth, and a pinch of sage, each turkey pie will be perfect for supper or for freezing for later winter comfort-food enjoyment.

Also available for your sweet tooth will be various delectable dessert pies, also available for $12 each, prepared by the members of Benton Falls Congregational Church and which will raise money for that church.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 872-2544.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, November 24, 2022

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JEANNE JACKSON

WATERVILLE – Jeanne Jackson, 69, passed away peacefully following a battle with cancer on Thurs­day, November 3, 2022, in Water­ville. Jeanne was born in 1953 to the late Patrick and Irene Moriscano and was the third born of four sisters.

Jeanne married the late Roger Jackson in 1973 and together they had two children, Christine Austin, married to Bryan Austin, and Michael Jackson, married to Lindsay Jackson.

She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Brady, Brett, Tyler, Charlotte, and Camden; sisters Kathleen, Patricia, and Maureen; along with many family members.

Jeanne professed her life to Christ as a young adult and devoted her life to her family and also serving the Lord through ministries in her various churches, outreach ministries, and just “whatever needed to be done.”

A celebration of her life and memorial service was held at Getchell Street Baptist Church, at 3 Getchell St., Waterville, ME 04901.

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

LINDA VASHON

WINSLOW – Linda Vashon, 76, of Winslow, passed away Sunday, Novembeer 6, 2022, at her home, of Alzheimer’s. She was born in Waterville and attended Winslow High School.

From there she was a stay at home mom, until she moved back to Maine and then went to work at Colby College for 30 years and loved seeing the children every day.

Linda enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She and her husband, Doug, enjoyed visiting and eating out at their favorite restaurants.

Linda was precededin death by her husband, Doug Vashon; her dad, Loredon Vigue, of Vassalboro, her mom, Yvonne McCrater and her stepdad, Hermon McCrater, of Winslow.

She is survived by her daughters Glenda Lessard, of Waterville, Lynette and Mike Bolduc, of Winslow, Sherri and John Brooker, of Palmyra; several grandchildren, Amanda and Mark Bonilla, of New York, Samantha Lessard, of New York, Michael Poirier, of Fairfield, Crystal and Fuad, of Vassalboro, and Chelsea and Haley Morin, of Augusta; sister, Joan and Walter Sward, of Manchester, Connecticut; sister, Joan and Walter Sward, of Manchester, Connecticut; and nephew, John Tweedie.

Services will be held November 26, at 9:15 a.m., at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver Street, in Waterville. Burial will be December 3, at Saint Francis Cemetery, weather permitting.

FRANK D. MATHEWS

SIDNEY – Frank D. Mathews, 57, of Sidney, passed away in Augusta on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. He was born in Augusta on October 23, 1965, the son of Manfred and Maxine (McFarland) Mathews.

After graduating from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, class of 1984, Frank went on to the school of hard work. He was an expert applicator for several years working for the family business, M.A. Mathews Siding and Windows. He then went into the woods and became a CLP Certified Master Logger for over 30 years. Frank was a true steward of the forest who took great pride in making the land he worked beautiful.

Frank had many varied interests which ranged from his years of motocross racing to taking Noah skiing in the winter and going “upta camp” in the summer. He was a long-time member of the Sidney Masonic Lodge. Frank was a strong man of faith who served as a deacon at Sidney Second Baptist Church for a time. Together with his wife Lisa, they found a home and loving extended family at Kennebec Valley Baptist Church in Waterville.

Frank has shown amazing strength, resilience, and faith over the last five years, proving to the medical community that he had a fire in him that burned stronger than any cancer. He was a champion who quietly and humbly endured and overcame great obstacles while continuing to grow in his faith throughout.

Frank was predeceased by his mother, Maxine Mathews in 2010.

Frank is survived by his wife, Lisa, of Sidney; his son, Noah, of Sidney; and his bonus children, Desiree Libold, of Benton, and Cody Emery, of Knoxville, Tennessee; his father, Manfred Mathews (Jackie Wright), of Vassalboro; his sisters Linda (Raymond) Breton, of Chelsea, and Lisa (Russell) Willet,t of Oakham, Massachusetts; his brothers Mark Mathews, of Readfield, Michael (Peggy) Mathews, of Carmel, and Dale (Crystal) Breton, of Sidney; numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 19, at Kennebec Valley Baptist Church, 91 Marston Rd., in Waterville.

Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

SHERRILL E. SMILEY

WINSLOW – Sherill Elizabeth Smiley, 83, of Winslow, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022. She was born a twin, on November 6, 1939, daughter of Samuel Raymond and Frieda Knauff Smiley, in Waterville.

She graduated from Winslow High School, in 1958. She attended Farmington State Teachers College where she met and married Bradford L. Buker in 1959.

She was a member and past president of Ye Female Society for the Support of the Gospel, 60 years she was a member of the Winslow Congregational Church, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent-Coordinator of the Sunday School, on the board of the Christian a Education, past deacon of her church. She was in rhythmic choir under the direction of Mrs. Thorne.

She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Girl Scout Consultant, Kennebec Council and assistant Den Mother. She was past Worthy Matron and past officers of Fort Halifax Grange. She and Brad stared the Heart of Maine Square Dance Club and were presidents.

But to her grandchildren, her greatest accomplishment was being their Mémère. They will forever remember the sleepovers, cooking French toast the next day, sliding parties in the winter and making Barney Google, a personal cheer leader at all school /sport activities, playing endless card games and never letting them win, tree decorating parties, finding the pickle and right family game played every Christmas always getting a phone call on their birthday and a singing of Happy Birthday, made sure all her grandchildren knew they were a priority, singing songs, Donut and You are my Sunshine, and always had a smile on her face.

She was always there for each of them no matter what, they could count on her when they couldn’t count on others, she kept every drawing and note, kept candy on hand, coupon books, and mended clothes. She accepted and loved them as they are and welcomed all their significant others and treated them like family. She would wrap the light of Jesus Christ around them and they knew they were safe. She did her hand sign so all would know they were loved. To her grandchildren, her greatest accomplishment was being MEME!

Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Samuel Smiley and John Smiley, her twin sister, Dartha Stanley and her older sister, Frances Fulton; one daughter, Natalie Brooks; and a granddaughter, Melissa Hall.

She is survived by her children Elizabeth Chapman and her husband Robin, Raymond Buker and his wife Tammy, Heather Buker and her fiancé Bob, Johnna McCollor and her husband John; her grandchildren Melinda Crawford, Megan Rowe and her husband James, Bethany Gary and her husband Sean, Samantha Buker, Morgan Staples and husband Teagan, Gunner Buker, Raymond Buker, Jeffery Buker, Donna Nickerson, Deanna Buker and her fiancé Zac, Zackery Plaisted and husband O’Brien, and Hunter Farr. She also has 10 great-grandchildren and several more on the way; as well as many other extended family members.

Family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on November 25 at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home. A private family service will be held at a later time.

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.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Memorial Fund at the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St., Winslow, ME 04901.

BEVERLY K. BARRETT

WATERVILLE – Beverly Kathleen Barrett, 87, of Harmony died peacefully on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Mount St. Joseph Nursing Care Center, in Waterville.
Beverly “Bev” was born, in Waterville, on January 4, 1935, the daughter of Reynold and Blanche (Butler) Burgess.

Bev graduated from Waterville High School in the class of 1952.

Over the years Bev was mainly a homemaker and raised her three sons. On top of the hard work put into raising three boys, she also extended a hand and helped raise many of the other children in her neighborhood. She served the community by working in various places in the Oakland area including Grant’s department store, in Waterville, and Buddies groceries, in Oakland.

In the mid 1970s Bev was able to follow her passion for books and reading when she became the Oakland elementary school librarian. She loved working with the children and loved to share her knowledge and passion for learning. She enjoyed reading to them during the school day and inspired many young students to pursue a love for books. She was known for always setting aside personally picked-out novels for them to take home.

In 1982, she met Earl Barrett, the love of her life, and they were married on November 4.

Together, they opened “Bev and Earl’s” vegetable stand on Alpine Street, in Oakland. The greeting on the vegetable stand read “Thanks for being our Friend, Keep Smiling”. Truly, these were words of wisdom that Bev lived by. Through her entire life, she was known for her kindness, selflessness, and positivity. She always extended a helping hand to anyone and made many meaningful friends along the way.

For many years during the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Bev and Earl enjoyed the summer and fall patrons stopping in to get their weekly fill of vegetables. Bev always looked forward to the opening of the vegetable stand and the return of summer friends. She loved to provide in the community and provide love and support to anyone that stopped in.

Those who were blessed to know and be part of Bev’s life realized very quickly that she was the most selfless person they would ever know. She was an angel of God put on this earth to make others smile and be better people. She had the kindest of souls. She loved being around people and was always there to listen and guide many through the good and not so good times. This quality held strong in her later years even as she battled through dementia; she was always smiling and saying, “thank you for coming to see me” and wanting to always share her ice cream that was brought specifically for her. One of her grandsons recently shared that “she was nicest person he had ever had the pleasure of knowing”, and many in her family and in the community share this same thought.

Surviving are her children, Richard and Deborah Wentworth, of Oakland, Jim and Cheryl Wentworth, of Sidney, Don and Doreen Smith, of Sidney, Roy Barrett, of Augusta, Rick Barrett, of Harmony, Roger Barrett, of Oakland, and Jerrilynn and Tim Levinsailor, of Sangerville; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, .

Besides her parents, Bev was predeceased by her first husband Myron Wentworth, husband Earl Barrett, brothers Reynold Jr. Burgess, Leonard Burgess, Earl Burgess, sisters Madeline Stubbert and Marjorie Burgess, and son Daniel Wentworth.

At their request there will be a private family service. There will be no services at this time.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers-Wheeler, 26 Church St., Oakland. An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at: http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

Those who would like to donate in her memory, the family asks that you donate to your local school or town library. Books were significant in Bev’s life and donating in her honor may have the power to significantly change the lives of the future generation.

JOANNE L. WILLIAMS

WINSLOW – Joanne L. Williams, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Woodlands Memory Care, of Rockland, following a battle with Alzheimer’s. Joanne was born in October of 1935, in Houlton, to Dayton and Virgie (Ross) Vail.

She grew up in Houlton as a true “county” girl, graduating from Houlton High School in 1953. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the high school cheerleading squad.

After high school Joanne continued her education at Eastern Maine General School of Nursing, in Bangor, graduating at the top of her class as a registered nurse, in 1956. It was during that time she met George “Rick” Williams on a blind date. They were married in January 1957 and eventually settled in Winslow where they raised four children together. During the early years of marriage, Joanne worked as an RN at Eastern Maine General Hospital, in Bangor, and Thayer Hospital, in Waterville. In 1971 Joanne found her true calling as a nursing instructor for The Maine School of Practical Nursing which later became part of Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield. There she worked for over 18 years. Later in her career, she was a traveling nurse who visited nursing homes to prepare health assessments.

Joanne was an involved volunteer with many organizations including president of The Waterville Business and Professional Women’s Club, Maine Home for Little Wanderers and MaineGeneral Health Auxiliary. In 1971, she was named one of the “Outstanding Young Woman of America”. She was a life-long learner and earned a degree from Thomas College, in Waterville, in 1981, obtained her Certificate in Gerontological Nursing in 1991 and in retirement became a certified grief counselor.

Joanne and George were part owners of Northeast Travel, in Waterville, which gave them the opportunity to travel to many wonderful destinations. Upon retirement, they built a beautiful home in Lady Lakes, Florida, where they wintered for about 10 years. Their family camp on Long Pond, in Belgrade, was a favorite place where they spent many memorable moments with family and friends. They later became part owners of several restaurants including Alfred’s and the Ground Round, both in Augusta.

Joanne was predeceased by her parents Dayton and Virgie (Ross) Vail, her sister Lois Loman, and granddaughter Heather Kornmann.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, George “Rick” Williams; her children, Michael and Valerie Williams, Laurie and Gerry Lizotte, Judy and Zack Matthews, Holly and Ray Caron; ten grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister Joyce London; and brothers Kerry Vail and Kim VaiI.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow, for immediate family.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, Waterville. An online guestbook mat be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital which was near and dear to her heart. St. Jude Children’s Hospital Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

CHARLES M. POMEROY

FAIRFIELD – Charles M. Pomeroy, 72, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. He was born in Waterville on December 26, 1949, the son of Charles and Mary (Gerry) Pomeroy.

He graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1968.

Charlie worked at Keyes Fibre/Huhtamaki, in Waterville, for 40 years, where he had many friends. Charlie’s animated stories will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and boy could he tell stories! He could fix “Anything” with a piece of wire or duct tape.

Charlie loved hunting and fishing his entire life, passing that love on to family and friends. Charlie earned memberships into the “Biggest Bucks in Maine”, “The one that didn’t get away”, and “The Maine Skull and Antler” clubs. He was a lifelong member of the Masonic lodge.

He also loved gardening and traveling with Debi. They spent several winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, making many wonderful memories with family and friends.

Charlie was the most happy when spending time with his family, and his dogs.

He is survived by his daughter and her family, Tracy Pomeroy (Doug); granddaughter Miranda (Mike); great-grandson due in May 2023; grandson Ross, great-grandchildren Gabby and Reese; and two step-grandchildren, Maddy and Izzy; his daughter and her family, Darcy Liberty (Rob); two grandsons, Rob (Hannah); two great-grandchildren, RaeLynn and Easton, Connor (Mary); his son and his family Cory (Kirsten); granddaughter Cassidy (Cody); great-grandson Carson; granddaughter Courtney (Jared); grandson Colby (Bodhi); his sisters, Shannon, Sherry, Cindy, Trina, Jodi; and a step-brother Kenneth Charles; brothers-in-law Gary Batey (Cindy), Barry Batey (Sarah); and Aunt Marie Carr,

He was predeceased by the love of his life, Debi, his parents, a sister, and a brother, and his step mother.

A graveside service will be held in the spring, where both Charlie & Debi will be laid to rest together.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville ME 04901.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

VALMOND H. CABANA

WATERVILLE – Valmond Harvey Cabana, 89, of Waterville, passed away at home on Wed­nesday, Nov­ember 16, 2022, after suffering from Parkin­son’s Disease for many years. Val was born in Waterville on January 31, 1933, to Evariste Thaddeus and Ida May Cyr Cabana.

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1951. He then joined the United States Navy and later worked as a Waterville Police Officer and for the U.S. Postal Service.

Val was a member of DAV, American Legion, Elks Club and the VFW. He enjoyed figure skating at Colby College and roller skating.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Cabana; his son, Michael Cabana; and his daughter, Stacey Cabana, of South Portland.

At Val’s request, there will be no visiting hours.

A graveside burial service with military honors was held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, in Waterville, on Tuesday, November 22.

Arrangements are entrusted to Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, please visit http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com to share your memories and condolences with Val’s family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901.

LEON L. PEAVEY

FAIRFIELD – Leon “Bill” L. Peavey, 91, passed away, Tuesday October 25, 2022, at Maine Veterans Home, in Bangor. Leon was born in Fairfield on October 12, 1931, the son of Joseph and Leona (Pea­vey) Robinson.

He attended Fairfield school. He stopped when he went to work in the woods helping his dad cut wood with a crosscut saw.

He was known as Bill because his dad gave him the nickname Buffalo Bill when he was young. Bill was a Veteran of Foreign Wars, serving in the Army, in Korea. He was a cook in the Army.

Returning home he married Ella M. (Pottle) and he also had a milk route delivering for Fitzpatrick Dairy, of Winslow. Over his lifetime, he had other jobs, cooking, construction, and maintenance man. He loved to fish and hunt with family and friends. He built and helped in the construction of many houses. He loved to cook and was great at.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph, and Leona, his spouse, Ella, his siblings, Joseph Holmes Robinson, Inez (Robinson) Moody, Charles Robinson and his wife Vivian, Sylvia (Robinson) Kidd, and Augustus Runnells and his wife Ida, his brother-in-law, Clyde Spaulding, his brothers- in-law and sisters-in-law, Norman and Glennis Thompson, Nathan and Mavis Chase, Lawrence and Hester Pottle, Ed and Faye Pottle, James and Eileen Pottle, and Dorothy Pond.

He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Meins and her husband Jerry, of Kingman, Arizona; his son, Dana Peavey and his wife Darlene, of Clinton; his sister, Virginia Spaulding, of Sidney; his grandchildren, Dallas Lessard, of Arizona, Kevin Peavey and his wife Katina, of Clinton, and Eric Peavey and his wife Corey, of Clinton; his great-grandchildren, Denasia Call and her husband Gordon, Damien Peavey, and Elijah Clarcq; his great-great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Gordon Call Jr; and many nieces and nephews and friends.

A graveside service was held at Brown Cemetery, in Benton, on October 31.

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 honor roll (Fall 2022)

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

High Honors

Third grade: Freya Caison, Camden Desmond, Olivia Hartford, Evelyn Meyer, Sawyer Plossay, Charlie Reynolds, Oliver Sugden, Alivia Twitchell, Mayla Wilson and Haley Witham.

Fourth grade: Hunter Brown, Kamdyn Couture, Molly Dearborn, Cooper Grant, Mikkah-Isabella Grant, Aria Lathrop, Simon Olson, Landon Quint, Willa Rafuse and Alexis Reed.

Fifth grade: Twila Cloutier, Samantha Craig, Mariah Estabrook, Leah Hyden, Lucian Kinrade, Sarina Lacroix, Isaac Leonard, Olivia Perry, Cassidy Rumba, Charles Stein, Lillian Whitmore and Cameron Willett.

Sixth grade: Samuel Bechard, Basil Dillaway, Fury Frappier, Zoe Gaffney, Savannah Judkins, Cheyenne Lizzotte, Agatha Meyer, Mackenzy Monroe, Weston Pappas, Grace Tobey and Ava Woods.

Seventh grade: Benjamin Allen, Drew Lindquist, Caleb Marden, Paige Perry and Judson Smith.

Eighth grade: Madison Burns, Henry Olson, Bryson Stratton and Mackullen Tolentino

Honors:

Third grade: Parker Bouchard, Parker Estabrook, Marley Field, Emma Freeman, Norah French, Henry Gray, Ember Irwin, Brayden Lang-Knights, Tucker Lizzotte, Finn Malloy, Gage Nason, Gabriella Reynolds, Preston Richmond, Raegin Rodgers, Trenten Theobald, Roman Wentworth, Sawyer Weston and Alivia Woods.

Fourth grade: Ryder Austin, Reese Chechowitz, Braiden Crommett, Ashton Derosby, Ashlynn Hamlin, Sophia-Lynn Howard, Tanner Hughes, Desmond Landreth, Olivia Lane, Brooklyn Leach, Landon Lindquist, Jackson Robichaud, Christopher Santiago, Asher Smith and Robert Wade.

Fifth grade: Kiara Apollo, Lukas Blais, Grace Clark, Xainte Cloutier, Wyatt Devoe, Riley Fletcher, Camden Foster, Dawson Frazer, Aubrey Goforth, Chanse Hartford, Aubrey Judkins, Landon Lagasse, Arianna Muzerolle, Jaxson Presti, Elliott Rafuse, Juliahna Rocque, Haven Trainor and Meadow Varney.

Sixth grade: Mason Brewer, Bryleigh Burns, Emily Clark, Ariyah Doyen, Allyson Gilman, Lillyana Krastev, Jack LaPierre, Kaitlyn Lavallee, Kaylee Moulton, Kassidy Proctor, Adrian Sousa and Autumn Whitmore.

Seventh grade: Dominick Bickford, Juliet Boivin, Gabriella Brundage, Zoey Demerchant, Jeffrey Feyler, Ryleigh French, Bentley Pooler, Trinity Pooler, Alana Wade and Reid Willett.

Eighth grade: Logan Chechowitz, Peyton Dowe, Xavier Foss, Bailey Goforth,Kylie Grant, Olivia Leonard, Jack Malcolm, Harley McEachern, JosslynOuellette, Noah Pooler and Grady Sounier.

Honorable Mention:

Third grade: Titus Caruthers, Layla Holt, Maksim Lacroix, Bryson McKay.

Fourth grade: Alexander Bailey, Maverick Brewer, Avery Hamlin, Kendall Karlsson, Keegan Robinson and Elliot Stratton.

Fifth grade: Aliyah Anthony, Zander Austin, Jayson Booker, Sophia Brazier, Kaylee Colfer, Brandon Fortin, Peter Giampietro, Jayden Leighton, Isaiah Smith and Eli St. Amand.

Sixth grade: Peyton Bishop, Kaleb Charlebois, Tess Foster, Keighton LeBlanc, Mia McLean, Elliot McQuarrie and Landen Theobald.

Seventh grade: Tristyn Brown, Cooper Lajoie, Mattea Strout and Hannah Tobey.

Eighth grade: Kayliana Allen, Emma Charleston, Owen Couture, Ryley Desmond, Eilah Dillaway, Wyatt Ellis, Madison Field, Caspar Hooper, Mason Lagasse, Alexis Mitton and Kaleb Tolentino.

Vassalboro town office hours adjusted for Nov. 30

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The Vassalboro town office will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 30, so that office staff can meet with candidates for the position of town manager. The office will reopen at noon.

The Vassalboro select board will meet at 5 p.m. Nov. 30 in executive session to interview town manager candidates.

Vassalboro school board reviews draft lease agreement with daycare

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their Nov. 15 meeting, Vassalboro school board members reviewed a draft lease agreement with Jennifer Lizotte’s daycare, which has been operating at Vassalboro Community School (VCS) with mutual satisfaction.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said he, assistant principal Tabitha Brewer and director of maintenance and grounds Shelley Phillips worked on the document with Lizotte. He did not expect a Nov. 15 vote, and board members postponed final action to their December meeting (which, Pfeiffer reported later, will be earlier in the month than usual, on Wednesday, Dec. 14).

Pfeiffer said the daycare is headquartered in the one available room and shares common spaces, like the gymnasium, cafeteria, playground and front lobby, with VCS students and activities getting priority.

School board chairman Jolene Gamage questioned how much extra the daycare costs in janitorial and other services, and whether its presence in the summer adds costs or complicates summer repairs and maintenance.

Phillips said when the daycare shared Winslow school buildings, they “pretty much took care of themselves.” Cleaning had to be done anyway, and Lizotte and her staff were accepting of suggestions and easy to work with.

VCS Principal Ira Michaud said his experience has been the same: Lizotte and her staff are “very good to work with.”

The draft contract includes a $25-per-day fee, to be confirmed or changed at the December meeting. Pfeiffer said both the daycare program and the school have appropriate insurance, and the contract has had legal review.

In its present form, the contract would run to June 30, 2024, with a review scheduled in May 2023 and the possibility of amendments based on 2022-23 experience.

The other topic discussed at length Nov. 15 was Michaud’s and curriculum director Carol Kiesman’s analysis of VCS students’ performance on the NWEA tests. The letters stand for Northwest Evaluation Association; NWEA is described on line as a research-based nonprofit organization that develops assessments of student performance.

NWEA tests are widely used, Michaud said, providing a large number of students with whom to compare local results. Kiesman summarized VCS results from spring and fall 2022: “We did improve from last year to this year, but we have a long way to go.”

Michaud and Pfeiffer said VCS teachers will use their classes’ results to help find strengths and weaknesses and refine teaching methods and materials. The next important round of NWEA tests is in the spring of 2023 – but, Michaud said, the Maine Department of Education intends to change the format, making comparisons with previous results difficult. He sees the spring 2023 tests as “starting a new baseline.”

The Nov. 15 meeting was the evening of the day that 10 Maine schools – Gardiner Area High School was the closest to Vassalboro – received calls claiming an active shooter was on campus. The calls were hoaxes.

Pfeiffer said he was promptly in touch with state police and later with the Kennebec County sheriff’s office and state education officials.

Most of the rest of Pfeiffer’s report dealt with pending maintenance issues – a possible grant to improve heating and ventilation, and repair or replacement of damaged curbing along parking lots and driveways. The curbing in the staff parking lot is still the original, put in in 1992, he commented.

Kiesman enthusiastically reported that VCS pre-kindergarten classes are “all good stuff, wonderful.” The October school newsletter, available on line at vcsvikings.org, reports that pre-k students spent part of the month learning about pumpkins, including a song and crafts projects.

Speaking for finance director Paula Pooler, Pfeiffer said the budget is running as planned and the school lunch program, which in past years has lost money, is “still in the black.”

As the superintendent recommended, board members approved higher wages for some categories of employees. They met in executive session after the Nov. 15 meeting and again on Nov. 21 to continue contract discussions.

Board members accepted the resignation of kindergarten teacher Miranda Kuesport.

The Vassalboro school board’s December meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, to avoid a conflict with the Dec. 20 VCS band and chorus holiday concert.

China transfer station committee debates use of RFID tags

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by Mary Grow

China Transfer Station Committee members spent much of their Nov. 15 meeting talking about whether to continue using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags to separate China and Palermo residents from out-of-town users, or to go back to stickers on vehicles.

The RFID system was started with state grant funding in 2019. The main purpose was to track recycling.

The current system is that a resident gets one free RFID tag and can buy as many more as needed for family or business vehicles, for $10 each. People who move out of town in theory return their tags; that doesn’t always happen, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said.

In addition to identifying users as entitled and showing where each vehicle stops inside the transfer station grounds, the system provides statistics on such things as busiest and least busy times and how often the same tag comes in.

To protect personal privacy, tags are not associated with tag-holders’ names for these purposes. As a result, transfer station attendants know for sure that someone with a tag is a resident only when they recognize the person.

Onsite transfer station supervisor Tom Maraggio asked if town office staff could notify transfer station staff when someone moves away. With about 200 deeds being processed every month, Hapgood said, staff members don’t have time.

Her main problems, with which committee members sympathized, are that people move away and continue to use the China transfer station, and residents lend RFID tags to non-residents. China taxpayers therefore end up paying to get rid of out-of-town waste; they’re getting “gypped”, in committee chairman Paul Lucas’ opinion.

“The problem is we’ve lost control over who can use the transfer station,” Palermo representative Robert Kurek summarized.

Chris Diesch, Palermo’s other representative, asked how big the problem is. Her question led to discussion of ways to give attendants limited access to the town office list connecting tags with people, so they could do random checks.

Committee members cited three objections to going back to stickers. Some people object to putting stickers on their vehicles; changing the system again so soon would make town officials look silly, in Kurek’s opinion; and Maraggio said depending on where they’re affixed, stickers are often harder for attendants to see than an RFID tag dangling from the rearview mirror.

The discussion ended with Diesch, a computer expert, and Lucas agreeing to meet and see what additional uses they can make of the RFID system.

The problem of improper disposal also plagues the Free for the Taking building, building manager Karen Hatch said. Intended as a swap shop where people can leave usable household items they no longer need, it too often acquires unusable items, including furniture and other bulky items for which the transfer station charges fees.

Discussion led to consensus that people leaving such items – the list is on the China website, www.china.govoffice.com, and posted at the transfer station – should pay the fees, even if the items go into the Free for the Taking area. If the previous owner is still on the premises when someone else claims an item, the fee might be refunded.

Transfer station staff pointed out that with winter coming, items too large to be displayed inside the building will have to be rejected anyway.

Lucas repeatedly returned to a suggestion made at earlier meetings that a guard shack be installed at the transfer station gate, where an attendant could direct people to proper disposal areas and collect fees as needed. No one else followed up.

In other business, Maraggio and Director of Public Services Shawn Reed proposed a custom-made liftable metal cover for the pre-crusher.

Reed said the new loader, to be shared by public works and transfer station crews, is here. He hopes the snow-pusher attachment will arrive in a week or so.

Maraggio plans to update the transfer station five-year plan. Briefly-mentioned potential recommendations include replacing the mixed waste hopper, which Reed said has been repeatedly repaired; buying a closed container to store mattresses, of which Maraggio said he gets about 10 a week; and installing a proper lighting system in the Free for the Taking building.

Maraggio said work is going smoothly at the moment. Each transfer station employee has a specialty, but all are cross-trained and able to assist each other. Relocating a cardboard bin near the mixed waste hopper has improved traffic flow.

Hapgood reported receiving many compliments on Maraggio’s Halloween decorations at the station entrance.

Committee members scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, in the town office meeting room.

China town office, transfer station closed Nov. 24-25

The China town office and transfer station will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. On Saturday, Nov. 26, both will be open as usual, the town office from 8 to 11 a.m. and the transfer station from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Local church collects for Samaritans Purse

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Gift boxes filled by China Baptist Church

Last Sunday was collection day for the ‘shoebox ministry’ of Samaritans Purse. Individuals fill shoeboxes with gifts intended for a boy or girl, in a specific age group. Suggested items include school supplies, hygiene items, hair accessories, toys, etc. These are then distributed around the world to children in over 170 countries and territories.

The shoebox ministry began in 1993 as a way to support the war torn country of Bosnia. That year 28,000 boxes were sent to children in the Balkans. Last year more than 10.5 million boxes were collected and distributed. This year the China Baptist Church filled 29 boxes…a small part in a very big mission.