St. Michael Parish donates over 5,000 Diapers

St. Augustine Church in Augusta (photo by Eric Austin)

As part of an initiative for parishioners to learn, act, and pray on the life and dignity of the human person, St. Michael Parish, in Augusta, held a collection for items and financial assistance for the Open Arms Pregnancy Center, in Augusta, which offers encouragement and support to pregnant women and young families.

In total, the donation drive led to 5,381 diapers, nearly 300 large packages of wipes, an assortment of outfits and clothes, toys, new and slightly used pack n’ plays, bibs, rash ointments, and over $500 in cash. All of the proceeds have been delivered to Open Arms.

“This is almost a year’s worth of diapers and wipes,” said Pat Bonney, director of Open Arms. “I am so grateful to the parishioners. This is just a tremendous blessing to me and our clients.”

The initiative at St. Michael Parish also included a virtual session exploring the topic of upholding the dignity of human life from conception to natural death and will feature a special prayer service focused on the theme on Tuesday, June 28, at 7 p.m., at St. Mary Church, on 41 Western Avenue, in Augusta. All are welcome to gather at the service. For more information, contact the parish at (207) 623-8823.

For more details about the services and opportunities at Open Arms, visit www.openarmspc.org.

China planners approve two applications; discuss potential future ordinances

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members approved two applications on their June 28 agenda and expanded their discussion of pending ordinances and ordinance revisions to new topics.

Permits were approved unanimously and with little discussion for:

  • Together Wee Grow day care, at 166 Tyler Road, to expand capacity from 49 to 75 children, reusing a previously closed section of the building; and
  • Paul Kraemer and Catrina DiMarzo to make their goat farm, at 131 South Road, commercial, adding an 8-by-45-foot shipping container to provide milking and milk processing rooms.

Board members hope to have the three ordinances or amendments they have discussed for months ready for a Nov. 8 local ballot. They are a new ordinance to regulate commercial solar developments; amendments to the Land Use Ordinance required by the state Department of Environmental Protection; and amendments to the definitions section of the Land Use Ordinance to match the other two projects.

A more-than-a-year-old draft of the solar ordinance, titled “Solar Energy Systems Ordinance,” is on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under the planning board.

Board chairman Scott Rollins listed three other topics he would like to consider for future ordinances (not for November 2022): food trucks, tiny homes and short-term rentals.

Board members are not concerned about a food truck that comes for a few days, as for a wedding or for the August China Days celebration. If, however, one were to park in town for the summer, they want to consider whether, and if so how, it should be regulated locally.

Rollins said there are three kinds of tiny homes. Some are stick-built on site; some are stick-built elsewhere and brought to a lot; and some are on wheels. The last, board members said, might be treated similarly to recreational vehicles.

Rollins and other board members have heard complaints about short-term rentals’ effect on neighbors. Issues include overcrowding, overloading septic systems, traffic and parking and, Rollins said, false advertising, when a building owner invites more paying guests than the space accommodates.

Septic system designs are based on the number of bedrooms in a house, not on the number of beds that can be fitted in, he commented.

Board members do not want to interfere with property-owners who rent their camps or homes occasionally. They agreed that an early step in drafting an ordinance would be to define “short-term,” using some combination of length of rental, number of rentals per year and number of different tenants.

They intend to start exploring other towns’ ordinances on all three topics, looking for provisions that might be useful for China.

Board members scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday evening, July 12. Rollins intends to have near-final drafts of ordinance amendments ready and to continue discussion of the solar ordinance. He thinks it likely there will be new applications to review by then.

China Boy Scout earns Eagle Scout status

Eagle Scout Kaiden Kelley

by Ron Emery

On Saturday, June 11, Troop #479, of China, honored an Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held for China resident Kaiden Sawyer Kelley, at the China Masonic Hall. Family, friends and Scouts attended the ceremony marking the advancement of this young man to the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Kaiden joins a group of Eagle Scouts who have completed community service projects with the help of fellow Scouts and other volunteers. Each Eagle candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile in his community.

Kaiden’s Eagle Project had two parts. The first part was the maintenance on a local park trail. Talbot Cemetery Trail within Thurston Park had a large tree removed that was covering the entrance of the trail. The path to the gravestone had the trailblazer refurbished and additional signage was added to the trail. The second part was visiting Maine State Parks and taking 360-degrees pictures. These images were compiled on the website MaineParks.org and are available for anyone who wishes to visit Maine State Parks from home.

Kaiden and his family created the Eagle Scout Ceremony and invited other members of Troop #479 to take part in this celebration. Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Bodine was asked to be moderator for the ceremony. Pastor Ronald Morrell, Sr., gave the invocation. Scouts Isaac Audette and Bryson Pettengill posted the colors.

Kennebec Valley District’s Membership Chair Chuck Mahaleris called the Eagle Court of Honor to Order.

Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Emery introduced the special guests. Chuck Mahaleris brought greetings from Senator Susan Collins and read a letter from her. Other letters of sentiment were received from U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, as well as many others.

Kaiden is the son of Kern and Michaela Kelley, of China, and will be a senior at Erskine Academy, and will graduate in 2023.

Read more stories about the Scouts here.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, July 7, 2022

To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

IT’S HAY SEASON: Gary Mazoki, of Palermo, captured this farmer in the middle of haying season.

IMMATURE: Joan Chaffee, of Clinton, photographed this immature bald eagle scoping out the lake.

BLUEBIRD: Tina Richard, of Clinton, snapped this bluebird perched on a tree branch.

Central Maine to host U12 Major World Series for first time

Games to be played at Purnell Wrigley, Waterville and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland
Former major leaguers to attend

For the first time ever, Maine hosts the Cal Ripken U12 Major 60 World Series right here in Waterville and Oakland. Twelve teams from across the United States play six pool play games per day from August 6 – 10, with playoff games, August 11 – 13. Games will be played at Purnell Wrigley, in Waterville, and Maine’s Fenway, in Oakland.

Bill Green

Bill Green, Banquet Emcee

For 20 years, Green was host and executive producer of “Bill Green’s Maine.” Having retired from his 47-year television career in November 2019, Bill is an inductee to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame, and the Silver Circle of the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Ferguson Jenkins

Ferguson Jenkins
Guest Speaker, Opening Game Commentary Aug. 6

“Fergie” is an All Star Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox from 1965 to 1983. He was the first Canadian and Cubs pitcher to win a Cy Young Award.

 

Lou Pinella

Lou Pinella
World Series Game Commentary, Aug. 13

MLB Alumnus “Sweet Lou” played 16 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1969 and captured two World Series championships with the Yankees in ‘77 and ’78.

Issue for June 30, 2022

Issue for June 30, 2022

Enjoy a safe July 4th Independence Day holiday weekend!

STAFF VACATION: The Town Line staff will be on vacation the week of July 4, 2021. The office will be closed. There will be an issue published as usual on July 7. The Town Line office will re-open on Monday, July 11, at 9 a.m.

Celebrating 34 years of local news

Nathaniel Lombardi captures grand championship title

Nathaniel Lombardi is a long time student of Huards Martial Arts. He has achieved a third degree black belt in karate and jujitsu at the school. Lombardi is no stranger to the competition scene, as a veteran member of the Huard’s Sport Karate Team. He has travelled throughout Maine and New England competing in weapons forms, open hand forms and fighting… by Mark Huard

Erskine Academy’s Paige Reed named America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022

Varsity Brands, the national driving force behind cheerleading’s transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, has named Erskine Academy senior Paige Reed America’s Most Spirited Student for 2022. The award program celebrates schools, organizations, and individuals that go above and beyond to build school pride, student engagement, and community spirit, and carries with it a $3,000 cash prize… Submitted by Amy Rau

Your Local News

Selectboard hears from heads of two advisory committees

CHINA — China select board members heard updates from the heads of two advisory committees at their June 21 meeting, and took the actions one requested…

Redmond to head select board; church scheduled for demolition

VASSALBORO — At newly-elected Vassalboro select board member Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr.’s first meeting June 23, he and Chris French promptly and unanimously elected Barbara Redmond, senior member of the board, as the new chairman…

School board elects new chairman

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro School Board members began their June 21 meeting by electing Jolene Gamage chairman, succeeding Kevin Levasseur, with Jessica Clark vice chairman, and proceeded through routine business…

LETTERS: Announces candidacy

from Stephen J. Hemenway (Northport) — My name is Stephen J. Hemenway, a retired Deputy Sheriff of 32 years, currently living in Northport, producing a national family educational public access tv show called The Children’s Corner, which is also on Youtube. I decided a few months back to leave my little retirement “safe zone,” and run for State House Representative for District #39. Why would I do such a thing?…

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is July 8, 2022…

Erskine Academy third trimester honors

CHINA – List of honor roll students at Erskine Academy for the third trimester of 2022…

Erskine Renaissance awards

CHINA – On Friday, June 10, 2022, Erskine Academy students and staff attended the final Renaissance Assembly of the year to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards…

Red Cross asks for donations

CENTRAL ME – The American Red Cross sees a pretty big decline in blood and platelet donations during holiday weeks – around 21 percent. When blood donations drop, so does the availability of blood products for hospital patients. Donors can help ensure blood is ready when needed by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks…

Lions Clubs hold serving kindness celebration

AUGUSTA – Lions Club members from around the state came together on Sunday, June 12, at the Buker Community Center, in Augusta, to celebrate their clubs and members’ achievements…

PHOTO: Waterville Yellow Minors

WATERVILLE – The 2022 Waterville Yellow Minors baseball team photo, from Central Maine Photography…

PHOTO: Winslow Black Majors

WINSLOW – 2022 Winslow Black Majors baseball team photo, from Central Maine Photography…

EVENTS: Palermo library annual meeting slated

PALERMO – Learn about Palermo Soldiers’ role in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Palermo Community Library’s Annual Meeting. The Palermo Community Library will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the annual meeting on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 2 p.m…

EVENTS: Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual membership meeting

PALERMO – Sheepscot Lake Association will be hosting its Annual General Membership meeting on Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Rte 3. Please attend that evening to renew your membership, meet your neighbors, and discuss the programs that help keep the lake healthy…

EVENTS: Unity Parkinson’s Support Group

UNITY – Unity Area Parkinson’s Support Group now meets 3rd Monday of the month from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., at Unity Barn Raisers Community Building at 32 School St., in Unity. Come for education, support and free info. Call Eleanor at 948-1474 or email: dogisland52@gmail.com for more info…

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Native Americans – Conclusion (new)

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — No historian your writer has found says how many Native Americans lived in the Kennebec River Valley before the Europeans arrived. The Maine Historic Preservation Commission has a document on its website estimating 25,000. Another on-line estimate for Maine and Maritime Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) says 32,000… by Mary Grow [2062 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Native Americans – Part 4

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Last week’s article talked about Native American sites along the Kennebec River between Fairfield and Sidney on the west bank, but the east bank between Ticonic (Winslow) and Cushnoc (Augusta) was skipped for lack of space. This week’s article will remedy the omission by talking about Vassalboro and about sites inland on the east side of the river (as was done for the west side last week)… by Mary Grow [1958 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Native Americans – Part 3

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — The Kennebec tribe’s village at Cushnoc (a word that means head of tide, most historians agree) was on high ground on the east bank of the Kennebec River in what is now Augusta, about 20 miles south Ticonic village (described last week)… by Mary Grow [1967 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Native Americans – Part 2

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Earlier articles in this series have identified the Kennebec River Valley as a throughway connecting the coast and the St. Lawrence River, used by, among others, Benedict Arnold going north to attack Québec in 1775 and Canadians coming south to find jobs in Maine in the 19th century… by Mary Grow [1891 words]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Mr. Drew coming to China

CHINA — Mr. Drew and His Animals Too will visits the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village, on Tuesday, July 5, 2 p.m. During his Mr. Drew operates an educational outreach and rescue program and will introduce us to some of his creatures… and many other local events!

Obituaries

CHINA – Rachel A. (Weston) Bourque, 86, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022, at her home, in China. She was born January 5, 1936, in Mount Vernon, the daughter of Charles and Gladys (Rathey) Weston… and remembering 8 others.

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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

Previous winner: Lisa Hockley, Skowhegan

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Have you ever gone to bed on a warm summer night, and seen this thing flying around that resembles a large mosquito? It happens to me all the time at camp. Sitting up in bed, grabbing the book I’m reading, or possibly a magazine for some light and quick reading. And, there it is, buzzing around the light, and becoming extremely annoying. It looks like a giant mosquito…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | Although spring always brings admissions of injured, sick and newly-orphaned wildlife to the Wildlife Care Center, May and June are also the months that find Don and his volunteers releasing rehabbed critters back to the fields and woods where they belong. The animals have depended upon human assistance to regain their health or simply mature to an age where they can face the world on their own…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates |  Pianist Marcelle Meyer (1897-1958) was one of a superbly gifted group of pianists born between 1880 and the beginning of World War I…

MY POINT OF VIEW

by Gary Kennedy |  FREEDOM is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants, without hindrance or restraint. Also, the absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government. Also, freedom is the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved…

LIFE ON THE PLAINS

by Roland D. Hallee | Well, we’ve been down the whole length of Water St. Now we’ll move a little to the west, and take a stroll down Summer St. The place of note is at the corner of Summer and Sherwin streets, and the home of former Maine Governor Clinton A. Clauson, who died in office on December 30, 1959. He was the 66th governor of Maine…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) | According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in 10 Americans can expect to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you or someone you care about is ever among them, you may be surprised to learn that one of the most important ways your doctor can help detect the condition is with an eye exam…

FOR YOUR HEALTH: When Dealing With Diabetes, See The Doctor About Your Eyes

(NAPSI)—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in 10 Americans can expect to be diagnosed with diabetes. If you or someone you care about is ever among them, you may be surprised to learn that one of the most important ways your doctor can help detect the condition is with an eye exam.

The Problem

That’s because a serious complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. The disease causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. It can affect up to 80 percent of patients living with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness amongst working age adults. It can affect up to 80 percent of people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy has no early warning signs, and symptoms such as blurred vision do not occur until diabetic retinopathy is in an advanced state.

What Can Be Done

Fortunately, early detection and timely treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy by 95%. Primary Care physicians now have access to a simple and affordable solution called the Welch Allyn® RetinaVue® Care delivery model, available from Henry Schein. The RetinaVue care delivery model is a turnkey solution that consists of three core components, including the RetinaVue 700 Imager, RetinaVue Network software for secure transfer of patient images and Professional Medical Services to analyze and diagnose patient images and networks the doctors already have. The imager’s ease of use and lightweight, portable design make it well-suited for use across clinics, at the bedside or even in the home. In a fast and non-invasive procedure, your primary care physician can take a photo of your retina and send it to an ophthalmologist to analyze the blood vessels there. Thanks to this technology, you won’t even need to leave the doctor’s office and may not need to make another appointment with the ophthalmologist, although doctors do recommend that anyone living with diabetes get an annual retinal exam.

What Else You Can Do

Managing your diabetes is the best way to lower your risk of diabetic retinopathy, advises the National Institutes of Health. That means keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. You can do this by:

  • Getting regular physical activity
  • Eating healthy
  • Carefully following your doctor’s instructions about taking insulin or other diabetes medicines.

Treatments include injections of drugs that can slow or even reverse the damage; laser treatment to shrink retinal blood vessels; and a type of eye surgery called vitrectomy that replaces the vitreous humor with another clear fluid.

Learn More

For further facts on diabetic retinopathy, you can visit the National Institutes of Health at www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy. Doctors and patients can find more information on the RetinaVue care delivery model at www.retinavue.com.

Lions Clubs hold serving kindness celebration

Lions Club members from around the state came together on Sunday, June 12, at the Buker Community Center, in Augusta, to celebrate their clubs and members’ achievements.

Lions Clubs International (LCI) was formed in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a businessman who believed that by developing clubs with caring people they could serve the needs of their communities. LCIF has expanded to over 200 countries and territories and 1.4 M members serving their communities and world needs.

LCI formed a 501C3 Foundation (LCIF) in 1968 and has awarded over $1.1 billion in grants to Disaster Relief, Vision, Diabetes, Hunger, Childhood Cancer, Youth, Humanitarian Causes, and the Environment.

International Director John Youney and Past International Director (PID) Rod Wright recognized the new Melvin Jones Fellows (MJF). When a Lions Club or member donates $1,000 to LCIF for Disaster Relief or Empowering Services. 1,000 credits are issued for each $1,000 donated and may be used to recognize an individual with a MJF plaque. This recognition is the highest recognition LCIF gives out. This year 31 new MJF have or will be recognized.

The above recognitions could have impacted the lives of more than 12,700 people in need.

Three Lions Clubs qualified to receive a Community Impact Grant (value $750+). Falmouth, Jay/Livermore Falls, and Skowhegan.

Lion Michelle Shores, Waterville Lions Club, presented Stories That Warm the Heart, and introduced the first place winner, Lion Louise Neuts, and told by Lion Dawn Connelly.

The Lion members who were involved in singing songs are, Paula Beach, Skowhegan Lions Club, Regal Naseef and Gwen Bassinger, Falmouth Lions Club, and Jeff Woolston, Winthrop Lions Club. Back-up music, Mike Mahoney of M&M Entertainment.

Lions Clubs involved in the Celebration are as follows; Bridgton, Camden, Clinton, Cumberland/North Yarmouth, Falmouth, Farmington, Freeport Lioness, Gardiner/Augusta, Jay/Livermore Falls, Manchester, Massabesic, New Portland, Oakland, Searsport, Searsport Bay Area, Skowhegan, Stratton-Eustis, Waterville, Westbrook, Winthrop, and Yarmouth.

LIFE ON THE PLAINS: Let’s take a stroll down Summer St.

A Hood’s ice cream truck makes a delivery at C.P. Hallee’s Market on Summer St. Note the Shell sign on top. (photo courtesy of Hallee family album)

by Roland D. Hallee

Well, we’ve been down the whole length of Water St. Now we’ll move a little to the west, and take a stroll down Summer St.

The place of note is at the corner of Summer and Sherwin streets, and the home of former Maine Governor Clinton A. Clauson, who died in office on December 30, 1959. He was the 66th governor of Maine.

I remember that day well. It was in the early morning hours, and I had a paper route at the time. My younger brother and I had just received our papers for the day, and getting ready to embark on our daily route, when a truck from the Morning Sentinel came around, and the occupants took them away from us. At the age of 12 years old, I didn’t quite know what to do. They later returned with a newer edition, announcing the passing of the governor as the page one banner headline.

The home was a large, stately, white building with a wrap-around porch that faced both of those streets. However, in recent decades, the home has been altered into apartment units, and the magnificent porch has been removed. A shame in my estimation.

Summer Street, at one time, was the “elite” street of the south end before the construction and extension of Silver Street, and the homes to many prominent Waterville citizens.

On the right side of the street, near the intersection of Redington St., was the home of the Rancourt family, at 9 Summer St. They owned Rancourt’s Market, on Monument Street, in Winslow.

On the south side of Redington St., on the corner was the home and office of Dr. Breard. That home burned several years ago and has been replaced by a single family home.

On the east side of the street was the home of the Boulet family, who owned a lumber business in Fairfield.

Now, one significant place we have not visited sits a little off the beaten path. Located on Veteran Court, between Summer and Water streets, was Bolduc’s Bakery. Boy, how those early mornings greeted us with the aroma of fresh baked bread wafting through the air.

Located on the corner of Veteran Court, was another stately home, surrounded by a tall hedge. I never did know who lived there, but back in those days, I figured it must be someone rich.

Going back to the west side, located where the parking lot is now for New Dimension Federal Credit Union, was Pomerleau’s Market. The rest of the street to the intersection with Gold Street was lined with single family and multi-unit apartment houses.

On the corner of Summer and Gold was the location of Larry’s Variety, owned by Larry Bouchard, which later was named Ron’s Variety, after its new owner, Ron Gilbert.

As we proceed south along Summer St., opposite Kimball St., was C. P. Hallee’s Market and Shell gas station. That store, which overlooked the South End Arena, was owned by my father, Conrad P. Hallee. Like all the other markets in the area, it was kind of a general store with varied sundry items, and a meat counter, and, of course, the gas pumps in front.

The store was abandoned with the outbreak of World War II, when my dad joined the Army. The old building was still standing in the mid-’60s, because I used to walk past it everyday on my way to St. Joseph’s School for Boys. That spot is now overgrown with vegetation.

The rest of the street was lined with single family and multi-unit buildings, all the way to Grove St., and Pine Grove Cemetery.

One of them, located on the west side, was home to the Bolduc family, which produced many of Waterville High School’s star hockey players, including Dan Bolduc, who went on to play in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, and later with the Hartford Whalers.

Summer Street wasn’t considered part of The Plains, setting on a little higher ground, but played a very significant role in the south end as a whole. The neighborhood, like Water St., was inhabited mostly my Canadian immigrants and their families.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Pianist: Marcelle Meyer

Marcelle Meyer

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Marcelle Meyer

Pianist Marcelle Meyer (1897-1958) was one of a superbly gifted group of pianists born between 1880 and the beginning of World War I, among whom other personal favorites include Artur Schnabel, Artur Rubinstein, Wilhelm Backhaus, Wilhelm Kempff, Edwin Fischer, Eduard Erdmann, Robert and Gaby Casadesus, Walter Gieseking, Rudolf Serkin, Shura Cherkassky, Oscar Levant, Dame Myra Hess, Sir Clifford Curzon, Sviatoslav Richter, Clara Haskil, Monique Haas, Claudio Arrau, Wanda Landowska, Friedrich Wuehrer, Cutner Solomon, Vladimir Horowitz, Cyril Smith.

The reason for this shopping list is to provide names of keyboard artists whose recordings can be found on Youtube so that the hopefully curious can indulge themselves and lead others, thus increasing the market for classical music which has shrunk to even lower levels (down from roughly 30 percent in previous decades to two per cent in this age of attention deficit disorder ignorance).

Born in France, Meyer started lessons at the age of five with her older sister Germaine and entered the Paris Conservatory at the age of 11 for further studies with the legendary pianists Alfred Cortot and Marguerite Long.

She drew the attention of composers Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky and Claude Debussy, who coached her in the interpretation of his Preludes just before he died in 1918.

Meyer championed the works of several other 20th century composers both in France and elsewhere in Europe.

But her finest legacy might lie in her revival of interest in a handful of baroque and 18th century composers such as Bach, Scarlatti, Couperin, Rameau, Haydn and Mozart when she began recording their music during the 1940s.

I have been recently listening to a 17 CD set of Marcelle Meyer, Complete Studio Recordings 1925-1957 (Documents 600209) which can be bought inexpensively from online vendors. It features her playing of the above mentioned composers along with Emannuel Chabrier, Rossini, Schubert, Spanish composers Oscar Espla, Isaac Albeniz and Manuel de Falla, Richard Strauss, Darius Milhaud, and Francis Poulenc.

She played with the most extraordinary emotional warmth, delicacy and inspired one on one connection with the listener. Some of her most beautiful playing was found in the records of Bach, Scarlatti and Rameau where an undercurrent of melodic line was conveyed which eluded other pianists.

On November 17, 1958, Marcelle Meyer died suddenly, at the much too young age of 61, of a heart attack while playing piano at her sister Germaine’s apartment.

Youtube contains a 1956 broadcast of her phenomenal rendition of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the underrated Volkmar Andrae conducting the Suisse Romande Orchestra in Geneva, Switzerland.