REVIEW POTPOURRI – Conductor/violinist: Lorin Maazel

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Lorin Maazel

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Lorin Maazel

Conductor/violinist Lorin Maazel (1930-2015) was a child prodigy and at 9 years of age guest-conducted the New York Philharmonic at the 1939 World’s Fair at the invitation of Leopold Stokowski.

Maazel had a reputation for being a little supercilious prig; when he inquired at a rehearsal, “What are we playing today, gentlemen?”, someone yelled out, “How about cowboys and Indians?”

When he was in third grade, he was enrolled in advanced French and calculus. As a teenager, he was a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony during its years under the holy terror leadership of Fritz Reiner and was one of the founding members of that city’s renowned Fine Arts Quartet (its cellist George Sopkin retired to the Maine woods in the late 70s).

Maazel headed to Europe for further study and made an impression in guest-conducting engagements. In 1960, he was the first American to conduct at the summer Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Germany.

By 1965, he was music director of the West Berlin Deutsche Opera and Radio Symphony Orchestra, with which he recorded Verdi’s Traviata, Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Puccini’s Tosca at the opera and Bach’s B minor Mass and Mozart’s Symphonies 38 and 39, to name a few that stand out.

Also exemplary were sets of the Tchaikovsky 6 Symphonies and Sibelius’s 7 with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Maazel’s conducting style was a strange mixture of very exciting and willfully hum drum, as though he was either ignited by a particular piece or didn’t give a hoot. Interestingly, I noticed in having attended two of his concerts that, when he was willfully hum drum in the performance, he seemed to be enjoying himself and quite transfixed.

His technique was crystal clear, he had a photogenic memory and he learned new works at the speed of light.

His appearances in the United States were slow to come but he did guest-conduct several times with the New York Philharmonic during the early to mid ‘60s when Leonard Bernstein was out of town.

Then in 1972, he succeeded the late George Szell as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra and won Grammies for the orchestra’s recordings of the complete Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet ballet and George Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess.

His appointment there did spark controversy. He was one of four candidates with the others being Istvan Kertesz, Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos and Claudio Abbado and was the last choice in a poll taken among the players in the orchestra, but the trustees and other moneymen pulled a fast one and chose Maazel.

I cherish his Cleveland sets of the Beethoven 9 and Brahms 4 Symphonies for, again, their feisty and perverse eccentricities and the very colorful Moussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition.

From 1982 to 1985, Maazel spent very turbulent years as music director of the Vienna State Opera, succeeded André Previn in Pittsburgh in 1988, took a position in 1996 with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, in Munich, and then led the New York Philharmonic from 2002 to 2008.

Maazel owned a 600-acre farm in Castleton, Virginia, where he and his third wife set up a summer music school and festival during the 2000s.

By early 2014, the conductor’s health was failing and he died in July of that year.

His widow is still running the Castleton Summer Music Festival.

Much of Lorin Maazel’s music making can be accessed on YouTube.

PALERMO: Residents approve 33 articles at town meeting

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Palermo town meeting. (courtesy of Will Armstrong)

Submitted by Will Armstrong
Deputy Clerk, Town of Palermo

Editor’s note: This story has been updated because of editing errors in last week’s issue.

The following is a summary of the Palermo town meeting, which was held last Saturday, March 12, 2022.

We had a great town meeting on Saturday, thanks to all our residents and guests who attended.

Moderator Dick Thompson presided over three hours of respectful questions and insightful dialogue as we practiced direct, participatory democracy. Thirty-three warrant articles were approved, including the highly anticipated Liberty Ambulance emergency transport contract; funding commitments for Palermo Days 2022, the Palermo Consolidated School eighth grade class trip, and a number of local charities; a revised article 21, which allocated $200,000 towards reducing the 2022 tax rate; and a comprehensive road paving and maintenance budget.

Thank you to Liberty Chief Bill Gillespie and Deputy Chief Earle Albert for addressing the meeting and thoughtfully answering questions about what this service change means for our residents; two of the most significant are Liberty Ambulance’s average response time of six minutes and an expansion of in-town paramedic service.

Results of the 2022 Palermo Town Election:

Assessor – Blake Brown (70 votes);

Road Commissioner – Steve Childs (67 votes);

Select Board – Pam Swift (70 votes);

General Assistance Administrator – Miriam Keller (75 votes).

Residents heard from several candidates for local offices: current Chief Deputy Jason Trundy (Waldo County Sheriff), Katrina Smith (Maine House District #62), and Palermo Select Board member Pam Swift (Maine House District #62).

Hunter Christiansen, a seventh grader at Palermo Consolidated School, spoke passionately about how meaningful the eighth grade class trips are and how important it was to him and his classmates to be able to travel next year; residents then unanimously approved that funding.ion, which seeks to improve and expand high-speed internet access in our towns. He also noted there were no foreclosures in Palermo this year.

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Wars – Part 12

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The Civil War left China, like Albion and other towns, deeply in debt, paying to outfit the soldiers and compensate their families.

by Mary Grow

Civil War

The United States Civil War, which began when the Confederates shelled Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861, and ended with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, on April 9, 1865, had the most impact on Maine, including the central Kennebec Valley, of any 17th or 18th century war.

Nonetheless, your writer’s original plan was to write only a single article about the Civil War. As usual, she found an oversupply of material that she hopes will interest readers as it interested her; but she still limits coverage to two articles, for three reasons.

The first and most important reason to downplay Civil War history is that unlike, say, the War of 1812, the Civil War is already familiar. Citizens who know nothing about the Sept. 13, 1814, bombardment of Fort McHenry (which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the national anthem) recognize at least the names of battles like Bull Run and Gettysburg. Many people can name at least one Civil War general; few can name one from the War of 1812.

A second point is that numerous excellent histories of the Civil War are readily available, including books specifically about Maine’s role.

And the third reason is that this war is recent enough that some readers undoubtedly have memories of their grandparents telling stories of the generation before them who fought in the Civil War.

Any reader who would like to share a family Civil War story is invited to write it, attach photographs if available and email to townline@townline.org., Att. Roland Hallee. Maximum length is 1,000 words. Submissions will be printed as space permits; the editor reserves the right to reject any article and/or photograph.

* * * * * *

Maine historians agree that the majority of state residents supported President Abraham Lincoln’s decision to fight to preserve the Union. Those who initially disagreed, James W. North wrote in his history of Augusta, found themselves a small enough minority so they either changed their views or moderated their expression.

By 1860, the telegraph was widely used. News of Fort Sumter reached Augusta the same day, followed two days later by Lincoln’s call for 75,000 three-months volunteers, including one regiment from Maine.

On April 22, North wrote, the Maine legislature, in a hastily-called special session, approved enrolling 10,000 soldiers in ten regiments for three years, plus “a State loan of one million dollars.”

Augusta had filled two companies by the end of April. Other Kennebec Valley companies joined them; they camped and drilled on the State House lawn. The Third Regiment started south June 5, 1861; those soldiers were promptly replaced by others from other parts of Maine, volunteers succeeded by men paid bounties and in 1863 by draftees.

North wrote that the first draft in Augusta was held July 14 through 21, 1863, starting two days after the New York City draft riots began, with news arriving hourly. In Augusta’s Meonian Hall, eligible men’s names were drawn from a wheel by a blindfolded man named James M. Meserve, “a democrat of known integrity and fairness, who possessed the general confidence.”

The process began with selection of 40 men from Albion. Augusta followed, and, North wrote, the initial nervousness gave way to “a general feeling of merriment,” with draftees being applauded and congratulated.

Being drafted did not mean serving, North pointed out. Physical standards were strict; out of 3,540 draftees, 1,050 were “rejected by surgeon for physical disability or defects.” It was also legal to pay a substitute or to pay the government to be let off.

Augusta remained a military hub and a supply depot through the war, centered around the State House and Camp Keyes, on Winthrop Hill, at the top of Winthrop Street. There were large hospital buildings on Western Avenue, North wrote, which were so crowded by 1863 that the Camp Keyes barracks were also fitted up as hospital wards. The trotting park between the State House and the river was named Camp Coburn and hosted infantry and cavalry barracks and enlarged stables.

North described the celebratory homecomings for soldiers returning to Augusta when their enlistments were up, like the one in August 1863 for the 24th Regiment. The “bronzed and war-worn” men had come from Port Hudson, Louisiana, up the Mississippi to Cairo and by train to Augusta, a two-week trip. Greeted by cannon-fire, bells, torch-carrying fire companies, a band, state and city officials and “a multitude” of cheering citizens, they marched straight to the State House, enjoyed a meal in the rotunda and “dropped to sleep on the floor around the tables, being too weary to proceed to Camp Keyes.”

Historians describing the effects of the Civil War on smaller Kennebec Valley towns tend to emphasize two points: the human cost and the financial cost.

Ruby Crosby Wiggin found as she researched the history of Albion a record saying that “out of 100 men who went to war from the town of Albion, 45 didn’t come back.” She listed the names of more than 150 Albion soldiers, six identified as lieutenants.

By 1862, Wiggin wrote, the state and many towns offered enlistment bonuses. In addition, towns paid to equip each soldier. Total Albion expenditures, she wrote, were $21,265; the state reimbursed the town $8,033.33.

Wiggin concluded, “No wonder the town was heavily in debt at the close of the Civil War.”

The China bicentennial history says almost 300 men from that town served in Civil War units. The author quoted from the 1863 school report that said attendance in one district school was unusually low, “the large boys having gone to the war.”

The Civil War left China, like Albion and other towns, deeply in debt. The China history says when the State of Maine began tallying municipal costs and offering compensation in 1868, China had paid $47,735.34 to provide soldiers. The state repayment was $12,708.33, and town meetings were still dealing with interest payments and debt repayments into the latter half of the 1870s.

China town meetings during the war were mostly about meeting enlistment quotas, and, the history writer implied, by 1864 voters were tired of the topic. In July and again in December 1864, they delegated filling the quota to their select board.

When the late-1864 quota had not been filled by February 1865, voters were explicit; the history writer said they agreed to “sustain the Selectmen in any measures they may take in filling the quota of this town.”

The Fairfield historians who wrote the town’s 1988 bicentennial history found the list of Civil War soldiers too long to include in their book and noted that the names are on the monument in the Veterans Memorial Park and in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) record books in the public library across Lawrence Avenue from the park.

Of Larone, the northernmost and likely the smallest of the seven villages that made up the Town of Fairfield for part of the 19th century, the history says, “Larone furnished her full quota of ‘boys in blue’. These averaged one for every family, three-fifths were destined never to see their homes again.”

Millard Howard, in his Palermo history, wrote that “The Civil War was by far the most traumatic experience this town ever experienced.” Of an 1860 population of 1,372, 46 men, “or one out of every 30 inhabitants,” died between 1861 and 1865.

Looking back from the year 2015, Howard wrote somberly, “No other war can remotely compare with it.”

He listed the names of the dead, with ages and causes of death where known. The youngest were 18, the oldest 44. More than half, 26, died of disease rather than wounds; Augustus Worthing, age 31, starved to death in Salisbury prison, in North Carolina.

Sidney voters spent a lot of town meetings in the 1860s talking about the war, according to Alice Hammond’s town history. As early as 1861, they approved abating taxes for volunteers.

As the war went on, voters authorized aid for volunteers’ families and monetary inducements to enlist for residents and non-residents, with preference given to residents. At an 1863 special meeting, they authorized selectmen to borrow money as needed “to aid families of volunteers.”

Hammond noted that Sidney was debt-free before the war, “but in 1865 it issued bonds for $24,000, a debt from which it recovered very slowly.”

Alma Pierce Robbins found from military records that 410 men from Vassalboro enlisted for Civil War service. From census records, she listed the 1860 population as 3,181.

As in other municipalities, voters approved wartime expenses. Robbins wrote that $7,900 was appropriated for bounties and aid to soldiers’ families in 1861. The comparable 1863 figure was $16,900. Perhaps for contrast, she added the 1864 cost of the new bridge at North Vassalboro (presumably over Outlet Stream): $1,057.82 (plus an 1867 appropriation of $418.62).

In Waterville, General Isaac Sparrow Bangs wrote in his chapter on military history in Reverend Edwin Carey Whittemore’s 1902 centennial history, recruiting offices opened soon after the news of Fort Sumter. A Waterville College student named Charles A. Henrickson was the first to enroll, and, Bangs wrote, his example “proved so irresistibly contagious at the college that the classes and recitations were broken up” and the college temporarily closed.

Henrickson was captured at the Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He survived the war; later in the Waterville history, Chas. A. Henrickson is listed among charter members of the Waterville Savings Bank, organized in 1869.

These Waterville soldiers became companies G and H in the 3rd Maine Infantry, Bangs wrote. After drilling in Waterville, they went to Augusta and were put under the command of regimental Colonel Oliver O. Howard. On June 5, Howard was ordered to Washington, “carrying with him, as Waterville’s first contingent, seventy-four of her boys into the maelstrom of war.”

Bangs spent years verifying the names of 421 men who either enlisted from Waterville or were Waterville natives who enlisted elsewhere. The names are included in Whittemore’s history.

Bangs added that the Maine Adjutant-General’s report says Waterville provided 525 soldiers. He offered several explanations for the discrepancy, pointing out the difficulties of accurate record-keeping.

Waterville paid $67,715 in enlistment bounties, Bangs wrote. Henry Kingsbury, in his history of Kennebec County, put the figure at $68,016 and said the state reimbursement was $19,888.33.

Linwood Lowden wrote in the history of Windsor that more than one-third of Windsor men aged 17 to 50 fought in the Civil War, most of them in the19th and 21st Maine infantry regiments.

Like other towns, Windsor paid bonuses to enlistees and, Lowden wrote, $2,663.87 “in aid to soldiers’ families…from 1862 through 1866.” He added that Windsor first went into debt during these years.

Camp Keyes, Augusta

A history of Camp Keyes found on-line says that the 70-acre site on top of Winthrop Hill, on the west side of Augusta, had been used as, and called, “the muster field” since before Maine became a state in 1820. It was still available, although the militia had become less significant, when the Civil War broke out.

On Aug. 20, 1862, Maine Adjutant General John L. Hodsdon designated the field one of Maine’s three official “rendezvous areas” for militia and volunteers and named it Camp E. D. Keyes, in honor of Major-General Erasmus D. Keyes, a Massachusetts native who moved to Kennebec County (town unspecified on line) as a young man. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1832 and fought in the Civil War until 1863, when a superior removed him from command, claiming he lacked aggressiveness.

(The other two Maine rendezvous areas were Camp Abraham Lincoln, in Portland, and Camp John Pope [honoring General John Pope from Kentucky], in Bangor.)

Thousands of Civil War soldiers from Maine passed through Camp Keyes. It also housed Maine’s only federal military hospital, named Cony Hospital in honor of Governor Samuel Cony.

After the war, the site remained a militia training ground. The State of Maine bought it in 1888. In 1893 the militia became the National Guard and continued to use the training ground, with Guard headquarters in the Capitol building until 1938.

The on-line site gives an undated description: “Small buildings were constructed of plywood for mess halls, kitchens, latrines, store houses, and lodging for senior military officers. Companies pitched their tents on pads that had been built.”

Main sources

Fairfield Historical Society Fairfield, Maine 1788-1988 (1988).
Grow, Mary M., China Maine Bicentennial History including 1984 revisions (1984).
Hammond, Alice, History of Sidney Maine 1792-1992 (1992).
Howard, Millard, An Introduction to the Early History of Palermo, Maine (second edition, December 2015).
Kingsbury, Henry D., ed., Illustrated History of Kennebec County Maine 1625-1892 (1892).
Lowden, Linwood H., good Land & fine Contrey but Poor roads a history of Windsor, Maine (1993).
Marriner, Ernest, Kennebec Yesterdays (1954).
North, James W., The History of Augusta (1870).
Robbins, Alma Pierce, History of Vassalborough Maine 1771 1971 n.d. (1971).
Whittemore, Rev. Edwin Carey, Centennial History of Waterville 1802-1902 (1902).
Wiggin, Ruby Crosby, Albion on the Narrow Gauge (1964).

Websites, miscellaneous.

The tale of the Frozen Appalachian Trail Leprechaun

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by Jim Metcalf

“If you want huge togue and no fishermen head over to Nahmakanta” volunteered the old logger.

Mitchell replied,” Nahmakanta is on the other side of the Appalachian Trail and the snow is pretty deep this time of year.”

“No problem,” said the logger. “There’s a skidder trail from the Golden Road to the ridge of the Appalachian Trail then an easy downhill to a flat 10-foot-wide groomed trail to the lake and out to the Golden Road near Baxter.”

It was March and the fishing was slow on Chesuncook, so we talked ourselves in to chasing this pot of gold described by the old logger. He and his wife live year-round on Chesuncook, and he certainly knows the country. He also said that he and his wife would lead the trip. What could be better than that. Brian Mitchell, from Freedom, Norman Leeman, from Palermo, and I were staying in Mitchell’s camp on Chesuncook Lake for a couple of weeks to ice fish some of the ponds and lakes in the area.

We usually fished Chamberlain and Eagle in February while staying in a tent at the Crow’s Nest canoe camp site across from the tramway. Our trips were for a couple of weeks at a time and we hauled in enough gear to last all winter. We always found enough dry dead cedar on the cutting side of the waterway boundary to keep the tent stove glowing. But there were problems that always had us thinking about a nice warm cabin with big bunks and soft chairs.

Tenting at the Crow’s Nest meant we had to haul loaded sleds from the last plowed road to the Lock Dam then up and across Chamberlain to the Crow’s Nest canoe camp site. If the snow was deep, we had to pack down a trail before hauling the sleds full of gear. Once at the camp site we needed to dig out 4 – 5 feet of snow to set the tent down on fir branches. Moles, mice and other woods creatures lived happily under the snow, so they were thrilled to meet under our tent for warmth and chattering conversations which kept us awake until we stuffed our ears with cotton from the aspirin bottles.

This camp site had a fine State of Maine built privy to which we cleared a path. The only problem was those below zero mornings when we stood around drinking coffee and prolonging conversation until someone would yell, “Damn it, someone has to go sit in the privy to take the frost off the seat and it isn’t me because my turn was yesterday.” The two of us remaining would try to see which could outlast the other with the loser running up the path yelling bad descriptions of the one who did not have to sit on the frosty seat that morning

This year we left the tent home to stay at Mitchell’s camp on Chesuncook Lake. We had room to move around, no animal chatter under the floor, a shed full of dry wood, a reasonably warm privy without frost. And it was March with the sun higher and warmer. The only bad news was that the snow was deeper and could slush up on warm days with water coming up on the ice. Nevertheless, we were happy and looked forward to celebrating St Patrick’s day with a good catch of fish.

Each of us had jobs to do and if anyone complained about another’s work, they would absorb that job in addition to their own. I had cooking duty so on St Patrick’s day I made a huge batch of bacon and scrambled eggs covered with green food dye I had packed in. Mitchell and Norman sat looking at their Kelly-green scrambled eggs.

Finally, Mitchell hollered out, “Damn Jim, you #@%$**#, these eggs are sickly green,” then he paused and with a smile said, “But aren’t they good.”

The next morning, we planned on making the trip to Nahmakanta Lake with the old logger and his wife in the lead on their huge Evinrude machine with reverse that the old man said would back the machine out of any trouble. It was bitter cold with a wind as we followed them across Chesuncook to a cove near the Golden Road. As we came into the cove that big Evinrude sled disappeared into the snow with just the rear end pointing straight into the air. The old couple came crawling up out of the hole yelling something about snow covered dry-ki and the fact that we should have set over more to the right to avoid this cove full of stumps, limbs, and other assorted driftwood which the wind had pushed into this cove during the summer. We must have spent an hour lifting, pulling and dragging that damn heavy Evinrude with its useless reverse out of the dry-ki. When we got them upright on the ice, the logger said they were tired and had to head back to camp to rest. But they added, “The skidder trail is just across the Golden Road and you boys will be at the lake in no time. We may even catch up after we rest.” We probably should have taken this as a bad omen, but what could go wrong on a skidder trail.

We had some difficulty crossing the Golden Road as the heater banks were high, but luckily moose had crossed here so there were small breaks in the snowbanks. We were now in an empty log yard and could see the skidder trail ahead. No one had travelled on this trail, so we had to break it out with our sleds. The first section of the trail was in the open and OK to ride, but as we entered the woods things got a little more difficult. Norman led on his wide track with Mitchell following and me in the rear. In the summer a skidder trail looks like the bottom of a H with a crown in the middle and tire trenches on each side, but in the winter, snow fills the trail making it nearly impossible to stay in the middle of the trail up on the crown. As the third in line, I had a decent path to follow, but it was so cold that my breath iced up my glasses making it very hard to stay out of the tire ruts. If I slipped off the crown, I could usually gun the sled to jump back on. When that did not work, I had to jump off and pick up the sled back on to the crown.

This lifting of the sled every 100 yards or so was exhausting, causing more heated perspiration and thicker ice glazing of my glasses. On one slip off the crown into the tire rut I got snagged by a logging cable left on the side of the trail. It caught me around my neck pulling me off the sled and breaking the windshield. I was very fortunate as I had on heavy clothes with extra scarfs around my neck. Norman and Mitchell couldn’t turn around in this narrow trail, so they walked back to help me get untangled and back on the crown. We were now heading more uphill leading us to believe that we should be crossing the Appalachian Trail soon. The trail would be the welcoming sign that an easy downhill run to the flat 10-foot-wide groomed trail by Nahmakanta Lake was at hand. I didn’t notice how sweaty and tired I was getting until I caught up with Norman and Mitchell where the Appalachian Trail crossed. Mitchell with the smallest sled decided to travel down the hill to find the groomed trail. Norman and I sat on our sleds just resting after the skidder trail ordeal.

I was so exhausted and wet with sweat that, when Norman walked partially down the hill to help Mitchell back up, I decided to open up my snowmobile suit to cool off and take a nap in the snow. I think that I got to sleep but was rudely awaken by my two friends slapping me around. I tried to fight them begging for just a quick nap, but they would not let me fall into hypothermia.

Mitchell yelled at me, “listen you @%$#&, if you freeze to death, I’m going to cover your body with your damn green food coloring and tell everyone we found the Appalachian Trail Leprechaun, then put you on display in a glass box in Baxter. I woke up laughing as they zipped up my suit and sat ne up on my sled followed by a good talking to.

Mitchell found there was no 10-foot-wide groomed trail at the bottom of the hill, only more deep snow. We decided the advice from the logger was bogus, and we could have fallen into even more serious trouble if we continued. Our decision was to head back to our camp on the now reopened skidder trail. We made it back to the lake close to dark and saw the big blue Evinrude with reverse gear as we passed the logger’s camp. When we got to our camp, I was physically ill and couldn’t fix a meal or eat. I cannot ever remember being this tired. But I’ll never forget how grateful I am for two friends who saved me from freezing to death. Good old Brian Mitchell is gone now, but we will always remember him for almost putting me on exhibit as the Frozen Appalachian Trail Leprechaun.

SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Always room for strawberries

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Delizz® is a day-neutral strawberry that was the first ever strawberry to be selected as an All-America Selections winner. (photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com)

by Melinda Myers

As you plan this year’s garden, be sure to include some strawberries. They are low in calories, high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and provide seasonal interest in gardens and containers.

Best of all, you don’t need much space to grow this delicious fruit. There are three types of strawberries: June or spring bearing, everbearing, and day neutral. Select the best type of strawberry for your space and harvest needs.

June-bearing strawberries produce one crop of berries in late spring to early summer, depending on where you garden. They produce the largest harvest but in the shortest span of time. Plant now and enjoy an abundant harvest next year.

Everbearing strawberries usually produce two crops of berries each year. You’ll enjoy fresh strawberries early and late in the season, while day-neutral plants produce berries throughout the growing season.

Delizz®, a day-neutral strawberry, was the first ever strawberry to be selected as an All-America Selections Winner. Just like the flower and vegetable winners, it was tested nationally and selected for its performance for the home garden. This 2016 winner is a compact plant perfect for hanging baskets, containers or garden beds. It can be started from seed or transplants and will produce sweet fruit the first year and all season long, even during hot weather.

Up the ornamental appeal of traditional in-ground plantings with a star shaped or tiered bed. The elevated beds make for easier planting, weeding, and harvesting. You’ll find a variety of tiered shaped beds to purchase or plans to make your own.

Use strawberries as a groundcover in sunny well-drained locations for an abundant harvest. Their attractive leaves, white flowers, red fruit and brilliant red fall color add sparkle to the landscape and provide fresh fruit for your meals.

Or grow them in a container, window box or hanging basket on your porch, balcony, or deck. They’ll be close at hand and easy to harvest.

Mix a few everbearing or day-neutral strawberries in with flowers to create an edible and ornamental planter. The harvest will be smaller when grown in a mixed container, but the flowers, fruit and fall color add ornamental appeal and the fruit will be a welcome treat.

Boost the harvest by growing strawberries in their own container. Fill a hanging basket and watch as the runners cascade over the edge for added ornamental appeal.

Try filling a traditional strawberry pot – container with planting hole openings on the top and sides – with plants that produce several harvests and remove the runners as needed. Keep all the plants from top to bottom looking their best with this DIY watering device. Place soil on the bottom of the container. Set a couple of perforated PVC down through the planter. Slide the plants through the hole from the inside of the pot. Fill the remaining space with soil. Gently tamp and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. As you water, the water travels through the pipe and out the holes, providing moisture to all plants from top to bottom.

Check containers daily and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Reduce maintenance and increase success by incorporating a low nitrogen slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting or sprinkle over the soil surface as needed. This type of fertilizer promotes growth without interfering with flowering and fruit production.

Start now identifying spaces to add strawberries to your landscape, deck and balcony. Then order seeds or plants early for the greatest selection. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying garden fresh strawberries in your morning cereal, salads or as a snack at the end of the day.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.melindamyers.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Giant spiders expected to drop from sky across the East Coast this spring

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Large Joro spider.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

OK, ladies and gentlemen, get ready for this. The ticks are out early, the brown tail moth caterpillar is ready to wreak havoc on us for another year, and, of course, there is the black fly season. And now… A creepy, large yellow and black spider with a bulbous, bright yellow body is crawling along a tree branch, and, are you ready for this?, will be literally falling from the sky.

An invasive species of spider the size of a child’s hand is expected to “colonize” the entire East Coast by parachuting down from the sky, researchers at the University of Georgia announced last week. and no, this is not an early April Fools’ joke!

Large Joro spiders — millions of them — are expected to begin “ballooning” up and down the East Coast as early as May. Researchers have determined the spiders can tolerate cold weather, but are harmless to humans as their fangs are too small to break human skin. Although the spider is not aggressive, they will bite to protect themselves. The bite is considered quite painful, but not life-threatening.

All spiders are venomous, but some are dangerously venomous, like the black widow and brown recluse here in the United States, but the Joros are not.

The Joro spider is native to Japan but began infiltrating the U.S. in 2013, concentrating in the southeast and specifically Georgia, according to National Public Radio. (What is it with new nuisances coming from the Far East?) They fanned out across the state using their webs as tiny, terrifying parachutes to travel with the wind. They were first spotted in Hoschton, Georgia, in 2013. Since then, they have been spotted in numerous locations in northeast Georgia and also in Greenville, South Carolina. It is believed the species will become naturalized.

Andy Davis, author of the study and a researcher at Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, says it isn’t certain how far north the spiders will travel, but they may make it as far north as Washington D.C. or even Delaware. (Whew! For a minute there I thought we were going to be Ground Zero.)

“It looks like the Joro could probably survive throughout most of the Eastern Seaboard here, which is pretty sobering,” says Davis.

They are bright yellow, black, blue, and red and can grow up to three inches.

They likely traveled across the globe on shipping containers, similar to when the Bubonic plague entered the United States. They are expected to colonize much of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States due to their relative imperviousness to the cold.

Their life cycle begins in early spring, but they get big in June and are often seen in July and August.

They’re named for Jorōgumo, a creature of Japanese folklore that can change her appearance into that of a beautiful woman. She seeks men to seduce, whom she then binds in her silk and devours.

As of 2021, their impact on their new ecosystem is unknown. They have been observed catching the brown marmorated stink bug, another invasive species that native spiders have not been known to eat, and it has also been hoped they may consume mosquitoes and flies (Wouldn’t that be great? But, be careful what you wish for).

Some hope the impact of the species will be positive due to their harmless nature and consumption of primarily invasive or nuisance insects, however, because of the relative lack of information about their ecology and the usual negative effects of most non-native species, it remains unknown whether Joro spiders may ultimately have a positive or negative effect on the ecosystem

Researchers say there’s nothing we can do. There isn’t much to stop them from getting established up and down the east coast through the ballooning dispersal method. Experts said it will likely take much longer than just this spring or summer for the spiders to get established throughout the eastern United States. Instead, it’s thought they will slowly colonize the east coast over the course of the next decade or so.

They’re coming and they’re harmless. Still, I say let’s build a wall to stop them from moving north, and keep them south of Delaware.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who was the winning pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in the clinching game in the 2018 World Series?

Answer can be found here.

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

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Trivia QuestionsWho was the winning pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in the clinching game in the 2018 World Series?

Answer:

David Price.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, March 24, 2022

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DAVID R. BOURQUE

WINSLOW – David R. Bourque, 71, also known as Bugsy and Hobbit, passed on Friday, February18, 2022. David was born, in Waterville, on November 13, 1950, the son of Robert Bourque and Amadine (Rancourt).

David attended Waterville High School and graduated in 1969. He then attended the University of Maine majoring in entomology. He worked for the railroad, Wyndotte Industries, Carlton Woolen Mills, and also volunteered at the Maine Department of Entomology. He also worked at Bug Maine-ia with the children every year.

He lived in Winslow and enjoyed playing cards with his friends, collected bugs, stamps, and bottles. He loved the outdoors, puttering around and cookouts. He enjoyed his family, his camp and making puzzles. He also loved his three cats, Mr. Mittens, Dolly and Lady.

He was predeceased by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Jan (Karter) Bourque; sister, Linda Meiczinger; three nephews, Jeff Meiczinger and wife Karen, Terrence Meiczinger, and Todd Meiczinger; and one niece, Lesley Thompson and husband J.R.; two great-nieces, Charlotte and Emily; one great-nephew, Will; several sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mass services will be at St. Joseph Maronites Church, on Front Street, in Waterville, on April 1, 2022, at 11 a.m.

A celebration of life will happen in the Spring 2022 and will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to MaineGeneral Homecare and Hospice and St. Joseph Maronites Church, in Waterville, Maine.

CAROLINE L. BROWN-WEST

WINDSOR – Caroline Louise Brown-West, 56, of Windsor, passed away unexpectedly while asleep, at home, on Monday, March 7, 2022.

She was born March 16, 1965, in Portland, the daughter of Alice Ruth Tucci and the late Frederick Wayne Brown.

Caroline attended schools in Portland and Windham. She earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Regent University and graduated cum laude in 2019.

Caroline loved being a preschool teacher for several years at Northeast Christian Academy and A Joyful Noise Christian Daycare and Learning Center, in Windham. She also enjoyed meeting a wide array of people during her time of being self-employed. Her conversations with them would often lead to her sharing a word of encouragement, advice, or a much-welcomed prayer. She was loved by all who knew her.

Caroline had a strong faith in God and was an active church member at several churches throughout her life including Windham Church of God, Farmer’s Church, and recently attended First UPC, in Augusta. Over the years, she played the piano and led worship with her beautiful voice.

Caroline was also a fantastic cook. Family gatherings were always blessed with an abundance of delicious foods prepared with love. She enjoyed doing genealogy research on her family tree and she patriotically loved her country.

Caroline was preceded in death by her father, Frederick Wayne Brown, of Portland.

She is survived by her mother, Alice Ruth Tucci, of Westbrook; husband, Daniel C. West, of Windsor; children whom she shared with former spouse, Timothy Richardson: sons Patrick Richardson and his wife, Amber, of Standish, Derick Richardson, of Skowhegan, Timothy Richardson, of Windham; daughter, Alyssa Richardson, of San Antonio, Texas; stepsons Daniel West, of Jefferson, Brian West, of Gorham, Dakota West, of Shapleigh; brothers Frederick Brown and his wife, Anita, of Arrowsic, Jonathan Nittskoff and his wife, Liat, of Ramat Gan, Israel; sisters Jennifer White and her husband, Dean, of Gray, Rebecca Cidre and her husband, Kevin, of Windham, and Tracy Richards of Limington; her in-laws, Dick and Sue West, of Randolph; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of long-time friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 21, at Dolby, Blais and Segee, 434 River Rd., Windham, followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Portland.

For an online memorial guestbook or to participate in Caroline’s tribute page, please visit http://www.dolbyblaissegee.com.

BROOKE A. McGOWAN-TALBOT

WATERVILLE – Brooke Ann McGowan Talbot, 39, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2022. She was born Sep­tem­ber 27, 1982.

Brooke left the world in much the same way she lived in it, with unmatched fight and determination. It was a fitting way to spend her last moments, because everyone who knew Brooke knew that the most important things to her were loyalty and love.

Her family was the love of her life. Being an aunt was where Brooke felt most fulfilled. Her niece and nephews talked to her several times a day, giggling, joking, and reveling in each other’s love. Her laugh and her ‘snuddles’ will be most missed by auntie’s boys who were so dearly loved by her as her own children.

Meeting Brooke for the first time could be described as both comfortable and disorienting in a sense that it felt so natural. She never met a stranger and magnetically pulled everyone together. Brooke had a way of connecting us all.

She was sparkly and warm, always with open arms, a listening ear, and easy words of comfort. If you ever needed anything, you could call on Brooke. She was calm and knew how to solve a crisis if it involved someone she loved. So many of the people who have reached out to give their condolences have mentioned her laugh, light, and how she was always there for them.

She loved food that came with vacation and the sunshine on her skin. She sunburned easily and she was always trying something new at fancy restaurants. However, Brooke could just as easily settle in with hotel slippers.

Brooke was an incredibly driven and hard worker and felt such fulfillment with her team’s continued success at T-Mobile. She was like a proud mom of the people she mentored so diligently and watching them grow individually was one of her biggest joys.

During the summers, you could always find her in the sunshine. She loved to swim at her in-law’s house with her beloved pups, Penny and Lucy, always nearby. If it was hot, Brooke was poolside without a worry in the world.

A fierce family, dog, work, sports, and travel lover, Brooke was everyone’s favorite girl, and could find something in common with anyone. The world moving forward is a bit darker and quieter without her infectious laugh, bright smile, encompassing hugs, and thoughtful conversation.

She put herself last, caring for others not because she had to, but because that’s what made her happy.

And that, in the end, is who Brooke was.

She is survived by her parents Eileen Wright and Matt and Julie McGowan; husband Jonathan Talbot; brother Lucas McGowan, his wife Ann, and their three kids, Colby, Durham, and Ellis McGowan; her in-laws Mike and Cindy Talbot; so many aunts, uncles, cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangement 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

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Humane Society Waterville Area,100 Webb Road, Waterville, Maine 04901, or a charity of your choice.

ANTHONY J. COUTURE

SIDNEY – Anthony Jon Couture, 74, a resident of Sidney, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, following a long fight with heart disease. Tony was born January 6, 1948, to Laurier and Leonette Couture, in Waterville.

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1966. Tony excelled at hockey and baseball, playing hockey at Kent’s Hill Prep and Salem State University. He earned many accolades through his athletic and academic career, including Boy’s State during his high school years. Tony was humbled to be inducted into the Waterville Sports Hall of Fame a few years back.

Tony married the love of his life, Kelly, in 1985 and together they had a son Kristafer Jon in 1986. They just celebrated their 37th year of marriage on February 15, 2022, when they were vacationing in Florida.

Tony had many options, but his career really kicked off in 1981 when he fell in love with the wine industry and traveled to many countries to perfect his craft. With continued success at Colonial Distributers, in Oakland, working for Walter Simcock, Tony made a life changing decision to work for MS. Walker, Inc. of Somerville, Massachusetts, as a regional director of sales for Maine and Vermont, where he had a long successful career, retiring in 2014.

Family always came first. Any free time Tony had was invested in family. We don’t remember Tony missing any of the kid’s ball games or other important events; in fact, he coached or helped to coach most of the teams they played on from kindergarten through high school. Tony loved family vacations; however, he most loved being home and tending to the property and creating an inviting space for friends and family to visit often.

Tony enjoyed every minute of life and had a heartwarming sense of humor right up until the end. He impacted many lives all over this community and across many other countries. He was always available to his friends; willing to give rides or a helping hand any time, day or night.

Tony will be greatly missed. He loved people in a big way, and he loved Jesus. Tony attended Kennebec Valley Baptist Church, on Marston Road, in Waterville, for over 20 years. During that time, he made many friends, especially, Pastor Dr. Kevin Grant. They had a special bond that Tony cherished.

Tony is survived by his wife Kelly; sons Josh and wife Jade, Seth and partner Christine, Kris, wife Sara; and his only grandson Lane Anthony; brother-in law, Mike Levenseller, and Ted Hallee.

Tony loved his parents-in-law like his own parents who passed away when he was a young man; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ron and Carole Deering, of Gardiner; mother-in-law, Sue Levenseller, from Brooksville, Florida; brother-in-law, Mike Levenseller and sister-in-law, Deb Levenseller; brother-in-law, Matt Turek and sister-in-law Meredith Turek; brother-in-law Troy Deering and sister-in-law Ericka Deering; brother-in-law, Ken Christianson and sister-in-law Toni Christianson; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service were held at Kennebec Valley Baptist Church, Marston Road, Waterville, Maine on Saturday, March 19.

The burial will be a private family service at a family plot at Morse’s Corner Cemetery, Corinna, Maine.

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.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

LOUISE G. BOULET

WATERVILLE – Louise Giguere Boulet, 75, died on Thursday, March 10, 2022, following a brief Illness. She was born June 28, 1946, in Waterville to Joseph L. and Marie Louise Giguere, a late addition to her proud, Franco-American household.

Louise was educated at Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville, an experience she would later recall with mixed emotions. She worked during her younger years as a telephone operator and had many stories to tell about her experiences there. She was also a graduate of the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics.

As a young, not-yet-independent adult, Louise found herself expecting a baby out of wedlock. As was common at the time, she spent time in a convent until giving birth to a baby boy who was subsequently adopted into a loving family. While a much better outcome for the baby, the experience marked Louise forever.

Resuming life in her native Waterville, she met the love of her life, an ambitious, first generation immigrant from Québec, Jean-Louis Boulet. This was followed by years of moves from Waterville to Oakland, St. Aurelie, QC, St. Prosper, QC, finally back to Winslow to raise her three children on familiar ground. In addition to raising a family, Louise helped John launch several businesses, including Mainely Trusses, in Fairfield.

A gifted seamstress, Louise’s passions were quilting and family. She made countless blankets for relatives (which she called “hugs”), wall hangings, place mats, etc. During retirement, she enjoyed traveling to quilting conventions at which she sold quilt kits under the name, Great Pond Quilts. She was an active member of various quilting clubs and was happiest when relaxing at camp with her family.

Louise was predeceased by her parents and husband, Jean-Louis “John” Boulet, and her second husband, Paul MacFawn.

She is survived by her older siblings, Leandre Giguere, of West Brookfield, Massachusetts, Jacqui Marr, of Gorham; sister-in-law, Jackie Boulet, and her children, Michael and Jody Boulet, of Palermo, Richard and Cheryl Boulet, of Blue Hill, and Tricia Boulet and Merrill Lamont, of Medford, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Sophie, Yanic and Zane Boulet, Joseph and Marie Louise Boulet, and Zephyr Lamont; many cousins, nieces, and nephews, all mutually descended from the sprawling family tree resulting from her father’s 21 siblings who immigrated to Waterville in the 1920s.

As was her preference, there will be no funeral service. Family and friends are invited to attend a brief graveside prayer said for Louise at Saint Francis Cemetery, Grove St., Waterville, on July 1 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation in Louise’s memory to Sunset Home, http://www.sunsethomeofwaterville.me. Or simply think of Louise as you do something that flaunts convention just a little bit, anything that might raise a nun’s eyebrow.

BEATRICE C. ROWE

VASSALBORO – Beatrice “Betty” C. Rowe, 96, of Vassalboro, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. She was born on January 17, 1926, in Boothbay, the daughter of Clarence L. and Irene (Abbott) Campbell.

She attended school in Boothbay, graduating in 1945 from Boothbay Harbor High School. After graduation she entered nurses training at Maine Medical Center (former Maine General Hospital), in Portland, through the U.S. Cadet Nursing Corp. She graduated in September of 1948, the final year of the Corp.

She worked in several area hospitals including the VA Hospital, in Togus, where she met her future husband, Carroll A. Rowe, while he was visiting a patient.They married in January 1955.

She stopped nursing and worked on the dairy farm with her husband. Beatrice did volunteer work at Volmer’s Nursing Home and at the children’s health clinics in Vassalboro.

She was a member of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church and was also involved with the UMW Group.

She is survived by her three children, Stephen and wife Ann, of Gray, Susan, of Vassalboro, and Carol Ann, of Waterville; her grandchildren, Courtney Rowe, of Fairfield, William, Nathan, and Danny, of Gray; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll: her brothers, Clarence Campbell, Jr., Bert Campbell, and Gordon Campbell; and her sisters, Pat Giles, and Cynthia, her infant sister.

A memorial service will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church at a later date.

Burial will be at Methodist Cemetery, in Vassalboro.

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.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Beatrice requested, in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to a charity of one’s choice.

OLIVETTE H. LETOURNEAU

WINSLOW – Olivette Hermance (Paquet) Letourneau, 91, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. She was born on Dec­ember 16, 1930, to Flo­rence (Masse) Paquet and Emile Paquet, of Winslow, the sixth of 13 children.

Despite being born at the height of the Great Depression, Olivette frequently recalled many happy memories of growing up in her large, close-knit French-speaking family. She often recounted stories of her mother’s tireless efforts to cook and care for their family of 15; singing French songs with her father while her mother played the piano; making early morning fishing trip outings with her father to Pattee Pond; taking trips to the family camp, in Maria, on the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, and hosting visits from a range of Canadian relatives.

She attended Winslow schools and graduated from Winslow High School in 1948.

She married the love of her life, Richard P. Letourneau, in May 1955, and enjoyed 44 years together until his death in 1999. Together they raised their four daughters and created many happy family memories of holidays, family vacations, and spending summers at the camp that Richard built on Pattee Pond in 1967.

In addition to raising her family, Olivette worked at several jobs and was a self-taught and highly respected bookkeeper, working for Corbett Brothers and then Avian Farms for most of her career until she retired in 1995.

She was also a lifetime and active member of St. John the Baptist parish, in Winslow, and got great comfort from her Catholic faith. She also enjoyed making religious pilgrimages, including a trip to Medjugorje, Bosnia, in 2001. Olivette was an avid singer and was a member of the St. John church choir for many years. Olivette and Richard also loved spending time at their camp, square dancing, and traveling, and particularly enjoyed several cruises together.

Following retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family and her 10 grandchildren, as well as enjoying time with many friends, including her regular card playing groups.

Olivette was predeceased by her husband, Richard, as well as by her sisters Dorianne Poulin, Mariette Leavitt, Justine Dolham, Marilyn Theriault, and Lizette Madore, and brothers Marcel, Leonel, Maurice, Jean Lawrence, Clarence, and Camille Paquet.

Olivette is survived by her brother, David Paquet and his wife, Mary Ann (affectionally recognized by Olivette as her “sister”); her four daughters and their respective families, Katherine Letourneau and husband Tom Fineis, of Lake Forest, Illinois; Jean Saunders and husband David Saunders, of Saco; Linda Grip and husband David Grip, of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; and Lisa Letourneau and husband Lee Chick, of Portland; grandchildren Frank and Peter Fineis; Katie, Allison and William Saunders; Michael, Tommy, and Rob Grip; and Sam and Abby Chick; as well as sisters-in-law Jane Paquet and Yvette Paquet; cousin Father James Roy; and many nieces and nephews from the Paquet and Nadeau families.

The family will hold a private graveside burial service at St Francis Cemetery, in Waterville.

A memorial Mass and reception for family and friends are also being planned for a later time.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, in Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Olivette’s memory to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (www.donate.maryknoll.org/) or the Blessed Sacrament Church, 101 Silver St., Waterville, Maine 04901.

KATHLEEN V. ATTAYA

WATERVILLE – Kathleen Vivian Attaya, passed away at home on Dec­ember 10, 2021, following a long illness. She was born, in Au­gusta, on March 17, 1959, the daughter of Clement and Barbara (Johnson) Bolduc.

She was a spitfire who loved to laugh and would give you her last dollar, if you needed it. Kathy, and her husband, Timmy, who passed in 2015, operated All Seasons Motor Sports Show, every January, at the Augusta Civic Center from 1987-2009. She loved their frequent vacations to Florida and Aruba.

Kathy was predeceased by her mother, Barbara Bolduc, sister Eileen Bolduc, brothers Charlie and Kenny Bolduc, and her husband Tim Attaya.

Kathy is survived by her father, Clement Bolduc, of Augusta; her sons, Jeremiah Greenlaw, of Augusta, and his daughter Jasmine; Matthew Greenlaw, and his daughters Terra, Elizabeth and Kaylee; sisters Patricia Dube, of Waterville, Ann Lyon and her husband Charles, of Augusta, Pam Kimball and her husband John, of Windsor; and brother Daniel Bolduc, of Augusta; as well as her aunt Rita Bolduc, of Clarksville, Tennessee; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

No services will be held.

DOLLY LAGASSE

WATERVILLE – Dolly Lagasse was born in Lewiston, on February 7, 1957, the daughter of Joseph and Betty Ruby (Worster).

She attended Hall-Dale High School and continued her education at Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), in Fairfield, in the respiratory therapy program. Dolly grew up working closely in and with her families’ hospitality and restaurant business’s including the Worster House and Freddies’ Restaurant, in Hallowell.

Once a mother, she became the proud owner and operator of a wonderful childcare facility for many years, providing exceptional care to children in the Central Maine area. As her three children became older, she transitioned to a devoted stay at home mother.

Years later she re-entered the work community managing fast food restaurants. Dolly also was a member of a local church community for many years. Dolly loved her family deeply and found significant enjoyment spending time in the Belgrade Lakes and Blanchard regions camping, fishing, and socializing. She enjoyed adventures, shopping, antiquing, and taking leisurely drives along Maine’s beautiful coast.

Dolly adored being an exceptional caregiver to her family. She loved cooking and found much joy in sharing her delicious meals with loved ones. Dolly’s sense of humor and whit was infectious, and she radiated love and beauty. Her love for nature and camping started as a child, which became important experiences and memories created and shared with her children. Throughout her childhood she enjoyed ice skating and baton twirling which she taught her children, creating lifelong memories. Dolly was predeceased by her parents, Joseph, and Betty Ruby; her sister, Susan Ruby; and her grandson, Trenton D. Oaks.

Dolly is survived by her three children, Mark J. Ryder, Jessica M. DeMott and her partner, Tyler Jasud, and Ericka F. Lagasse; her ten grandchildren, Tyler M. Nadeau, Tenley M. Nadeau, Tennah F. Lagasse, Taleah J. LaGasse, Evan W. DeMott, Wyatt J. DeMott, Jaidon Smith, Kylan J. Wimmer, Asher D. Ryder and Ava M. Ryder; five siblings; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, in Fairfield, on Sunday March 20, 2022, immediately followed by a memorial service. A celebration of life and reception was held for close family later that day.

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.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

LETTERS: Tuminaro has capabilities and energy

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To the editor:

It is a privilege to endorse Jennifer Tuminaro in her run for public office.

Whether secular, religious, in school, in church, in business, Jen has given credence to the Biblical passage, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all diligence.” Over and over she has proven to us her limitless capabilities and energy in whatever she puts her hand to.

With determination, dedication and devotion, as a wife and companion, mother, friend, counselor, teacher, organizer, and leader, Jen’s love for life is her ‘crowning glory’.

Appropriately, on the precipice of his presidency, during his inaugural address, JFK spoke these infamous words that still resonate for us today, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Be sure of this, if elected, she will do it.

Pastor & Donna York
Dirigo Road Bible Church
Weeks Mills

China planners finish three ordinance changes

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by Mary Grow

CHINA, ME — China Planning Board members used their March 15 meeting to finish getting three proposed ordinance changes in final form. They hope to ask voters to approve them at the June 14 town business meeting.

The draft ordinances are amended versions of Chapter 2 and Chapter 11 of China’s Land Use Ordinance and a new Chapter 8 of the ordinance, adding proposed regulations for solar developments.

All three documents were to be posted on the town website, china.govoffice.com, for voters’ review. Board members scheduled a March 22 public hearing on the proposed changes.

As of mid-morning March 22, preliminary amended drafts were on the website, each labeled “Further changes will be posted shortly.”

The March 15 meeting let board members ask questions, consider some of the likely consequences of the changes they recommend and correct a few typographical errors. There was no disagreement over any proposed change; all votes were unanimous.

Most of the amendments to Chapters 2 and 11 were required to conform to state standards in areas where the China ordinance was less strict than state regulations. Board members recommended the new “Solar Energy Systems Ordinance,” because they found it difficult to fit rules for sets of solar panels into an ordinance intended to apply to buildings.

After the ordinance discussion, Codes Officer Jaime Hanson suggested board members consider recommending higher fees for solar developments. The town’s current fee schedule is based to a great extent on the amount of ground covered by impervious surface, he said. It does not fit an installation with very little ground contact, and does not reflect the amount of time he puts in on a solar project.

Board members were receptive. Hanson offered to see what other towns’ solar development fees are, to provide a basis for a recommendation to China Select Board members.

Board member Walter Bennett raised the issue of private roads so muddy as to be impassable, or almost so. Hanson and board members agreed that neither they nor other town officials have jurisdiction; owners of houses served by an ill-maintained road should form a road association or take other private legal action.

As of the March 15 meeting, planners intended after the March 22 hearing to hold their next meeting Tuesday evening, April 12.