OPINIONS: Reduce Maine’s carbon footprint by restoring rails

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by John D. Koons

Let’s restore the existing rail right-of-way from Brunswick to Bangor and power rail service with now-available battery or hydrogen-fueled equipment.

Rail advocacy groups such as Trainridersne.org and Mainerailgroup.org have soldiered on for years largely out of the public eye with the hope of restoring efficient rail service on existing rail right of ways. Now is the time to take action.

Vehicular traffic is Maine’s single largest producer of greenhouse gases, accounting for 35-40 percent of its carbon footprint. Maine transportation has been stuck on cars and trucks for far too long. Two years ago, Maine Department of Transportation spent about 86 cents per person on public transit. The national average was about $5 per person—Vermont about $12 per person. Maine lags woefully behind in development of its public transit.

Restoring passenger rail service, i.e., moving potentially millions of bodies in the course of a year between Maine’s cities and towns would help shrink Maine’s carbon footprint to a pawprint. Expanding broadband together with passenger rail service would be an economic juggernaut.

Imagine rail service that connects Brunswick to Bangor and the cities and towns in between. The Opera House and Lockwood Hotel, in Waterville, Reny’s, in Gardiner, Cushnoc, in Augusta, Liberal Cup, in Hallowell, a beautiful and safe snowy ride along the mighty Kennebec River, visits with friends and family members, and hundreds more possibilities suddenly open up for people of all ages. People with disabilities, the elderly, and those who don’t drive could get around without a car.

College students from Bowdoin to Colby to University of Maine and more would be connected by rail.

Maine is often described as being one small town. With rail service, it truly would return to being as connected and accessible as it was over a half century ago.

Nearly every city and town along this rail corridor has been trying to revitalize their downtowns for years. The overlooked common denominator in their midst is the dormant, deteriorating rail line that could be revitalized using very green battery or hydrogen propulsion.

There is strength in numbers of communities linked by this wasted asset and it is way past time to use this existing infrastructure as designed for the common transportation good. Rail naturally links cities and towns together, which have existing infrastructure to handle it.

Travel and tourism would increase in-state and attract many more out-of-staters to inland destinations.

The state recently acquired the dormant Madison rail line. This is tremendous news for trail enthusiasts and would provide a substantial economic boost to central Maine. Trails add value to communities as has been demonstrated by individuals and organizations around the state. I’m one of them, having spearheaded the development of Quarry Road Trails, in Waterville, over a decade ago.

I agree with Mr. Jeremy Cluchey, of Merrymeeting Trails and the Maine Trails Coalition, who asserts in his letter (August 28, 2021, Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel) that “these corridors are languishing public assets, and it’s time to use them for the highest community benefit.” We disagree on the use. Not all unused rail corridors should be converted to trails.

Yes, pursue a trail for the Madison line, but in the case of the Brunswick/Augusta line, rebuild this as a modern train or tram line as originally designed with adjacent trail access where practical. Trails, while enhancing value in communities, serve one small slice of the population pie, while rail serves the entire population 365 days a year. Rail is at least an order of magnitude greater in economic multiplier effect. The question is how to do it reasonably and serve Maine’s markets to their fullest potential. There are answers.

The Maine Legislature authorized a study of rail service along the Portland-Bangor corridor (LD227), with a report due in 2023. This is essential but slow to happen. Why wait? Much can be extrapolated from a several-year-old Lewiston study.

Maine DOT has its hands full dealing with such a huge state full of deteriorating highways. It’s unlikely to wave the banner for rail as Governor Mills focuses on electric cars as a solution. We need more options. Fossil fuels enabled us to get to where we are and we are thankful for that, but we’ve obviously over done it. It is now our responsibility to go back to the future with battery – and hydrogen-powered passenger rail service.

Talk to your state and local representatives. Let’s make this happen for our economy, our towns, our people, and our planet.

Oak Grove School Foundation offers grants

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The Oak Grove-Coburn school today, serving as the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

The Oak Grove School Foundation is accepting applications for grants to support the education and cultural needs of students and nonprofit organizations in the greater Central Maine area.

Recipients must be educational, charitable or religious organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) Of the Internal Revenue Service code.

Grant requests should be received by April 1, 2022. Funding decisions will be made in May and shortly after the funds will be distributed in July. Recent grants have ranged $500 – $5,000. The OGSF has also provided seed money for initiatives that last up to three years.

Groups interested in obtaining application forms and guidelines should contact Joann Clark Austin, Oak Grove School Foundation, P.O. Box 150, South China, ME 04358-0150 or Susan Briggs at briggsusan@gmail.com. https://sites.google.com/site/ogsfoundationorg/.

Vassalboro planners approve three applications

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members unanimously approved three applications on their Feb. 1 agenda, none intended to create environmental changes.

Robert Parise and his brother-in-law are buying the Riverside Drive (Route 202) business called RAPS. Parise told board members the new business, named Platinum & Core LLC, will continue the junkyard/scrapyard part of RAPS and discontinue used car sales on the premises, at least for now.

The other change planned is adding a fence about 225 feet long, running from the present building to the tree line, to better screen the property from drivers on the road.

Proposed business hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with possibly occasional Saturday hours. Noisy work will be done inside the existing building.

If Parise and his partner decide later to change the type of business, add another building or make other significant changes, they know they need to come back to the codes officer and probably the planning board.

Planning board members reviewed Parise’s application and approved it without conditions.

The second application was to change the name of the owner of the solar farm on Cemetery Street, in North Vassalboro. The license approved in June 2021 was issued to New England Solar Gardens (NESG); Owens McCullough of Sebago Technics, who made most of the 2021 presentation, explained that it should now belong to a wholly-owned new partner named Maine 1 Vassalboro Cemetery.

NESG has taken parallel actions with two other Maine projects, in Lewiston and Berwick, he said.

Board members were satisfied that the ownership would be the same, just with a new name; nothing would change on the land; and nothing had changed in local ordinances since June 2021 that would require them to review a new application.

The third applicant was Bryan Moore, looking for a renewal of his October 2019 permit to expand a non-conforming structure at 152 Park Lane, in the Three Mile Pond shoreland zone.

Moore presented a new building plan he said an architect had prepared. Although the appearance has changed, he said the new building still would be no closer to the water and would not exceed size limits for a shoreland expansion.

Planning board members approved a permit good for one year.

The next Vassalboro Planning Board meeting should be Tuesday evening, March 1.

Healing waters pool nears goal to open facility in Augusta

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Susanne Bouchard stands in the unfinished pool. (photo by Greg Glynn)

by Greg Glynn

When Susanne Bouchard came to Maine from Germany in 1984, she was surprised there weren’t more warm water pools or spas like she had seen in Europe. If she can raise $300,000, that will soon change.

As a Physical Therapist and Licensed Massage therapist for more than 45 years, Susanne’s life mission has been to build a 92-degree warm water pool and spa in Augusta.

As the Founder and CEO of Advanced Health Physical Therapy and Fitness, in Waterville and Augusta, she knows from her years of experience how water therapy can help patients who suffer from pain, obesity, multiple sclerosis, dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions.

Susanne Bouchard

Bouchard says Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country. This was one of the reasons she started her mission in 2007 to build a warm water pool in Augusta. However, when she started fundraising for the pool at 160 Riverside Drive in Augusta, the 2008 recession quickly halted fundraising and plans were put on hold.

During the past 15 years, Bouchard has forged ahead, reaching out to more members of the community to help build the pool. Donations have come from bottle drives, cookie sales and larger corporate donations. One of her most popular ways to raise money is through donating a brick to the construction of the pool. Bricks range from $500-$1,000 and can be purchased in a person’s name or in memory of a loved one. Bouchard has also tried to reach out to local businesses and secure grants, but it has been tough, especially because of the economy and the pandemic.

Today, the physical pool is still under construction supported by the $1 million she has raised, but the COVID-19 pandemic has again deterred her work. The rising cost of materials and construction has impacted the plans to finish the pool, so it sits empty.

One example says Bouchard is the dehumidification system. In the past two years, the cost of the system went up by more than $40,000. This is one reason why raising the money now is more urgent than ever.

Bouchard also says patients and the community are waiting desperately for the interior of the pool to be finished. Her goal is to complete the project by the end of 2022, but she still needs $300,000.

The winter months are especially tough on the elderly, who are less active and don’t get the exercise they need to stay healthy. It’s not just the older population that is waiting.

Trisha Audette, of Winthrop, says, “My body is like a tin man that runs out of oil, so I need that heat during the winter and that’s why I am on board helping out for the pool because it will help so many people that I know, and so many people that I don’t know. It will help children, teenagers, adults, elderly people, it will be beneficial for any age.”

Once built the pool will be open to the public, with affordable membership options ranging from day passes to annual or life-time membership. The Healing Waters Pool is anticipated to bring people to Augusta from across the region and entire state, which would have a positive impact on the local economy.

Hot tub. (photo by Greg Glynn)

The plans for the Healing Waters Pool will include a large wheelchair ramp, making it easy for anyone to get in and out of the pool. Bouchard said many of the local area pools don’t have a 104°F hot tub, 55-65°F cold water tub, which allows for patients to experience a contrast bath. This helps to increase blood flow and promotes healing; it also helps boost the immune system.

The Healing Waters Pool will be a salt-water pool, better for people who have lung or skin conditions and can’t tolerate chlorine. The 92-degree warm water will be warmer than any pool in the region because she wants it to be gentle on muscles, joints and bones. The large saltwater pool will also feature five special massaging jets that are specifically placed for the neck and back. The pool will also have handicap men and women locker rooms and a sauna.

The community facility will also have a gym with a basketball court. Bouchard’s vision is a place where health and fitness can go hand-in-hand with fun and education for all ages. Bouchard gives tours of the pool and facility to anyone who is interested in learning more or donating.

“If everybody just gives $5 or $10 a month, it could make a big difference. I am also trying to find local businesses and sponsors that can help make this dream come true. We offer a lot of fundraising options, including signage inside the pool. If you know anyone or a business that can help, please tell them we would love their support,” said Bouchard.

The Healing Waters Pool is a division of Light of Life Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. People can donate in person at Advanced Physical Therapy locations in Augusta and Waterville, mail a check to the Healing Waters Pool, 160 Riverside Drive, Augusta ME 04330, or donate online at HealingWatersMaine.com.

Fairfield woman celebrates 100th birthday

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Centenarian Gladys Benner

Gladys Benner, a resident of Fairfield and shared over 50 years with her now deceased husband, Harlan (Bud) Benner, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 5, 2022. She has two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She had worked at the creamery, in Fairfield, when first moving to Fairfield. She had also worked in a local chair factory and woolen mills. She was a creative lady and her last years of working were as a florist at Sunset Greenhouse, in Fairfield. She retired from there to help take care of her grandchildren. She was a care-taker most of her life. She cared for her grandmother until her death, as well as her mother-in-law, and for a neighbor for many years.

She credits her sharpness to playing solitaire and doing crosswords puzzles every day. She was even found “dancing” from her wheel-chair at her great-granddaughter’s wedding this past fall, and was one of the last to leave that night. She is known for always having a smile on her face.

A Valentine story: What makes a marriage last for over 50 years

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Linda and Ron Morrell today.

by Jeanne Marquis

When I popped over to the China Baptist Church to ask Pastor Ron Morrell if he was willing to do an interview, there he was having lunch with his wife Linda in his book-filled office, enjoying each others’ company and taking a pause on a busy day to be together. That scene alone spoke volumes. The three of us sat down for an interview two days later to hear about their journey of a 58-year marriage and what they felt makes it successful.

Ron and Linda’s journey began when they met at Owosso College, a small Christian college in Owosso, Michigan. Linda says, “The girls were whispering because here’s a guy from California with dark curly hair and a little red ‘sporty’ car.” Ron added it was a red 1959 Studebaker and not exactly a sports car.

They met in November 1963. They were with a group of students who gathered to play parlor games. That evening the game was Password. Linda was seated on the floor near Ron’s chair as it was an informal setting. At one point, Linda nudged Ron’s leg in a friendly way and said he must be cheating since he was doing so well. She got Ron’s attention because he remembers it vividly.

After that evening, Linda surmises other people finagled to bring them together. She waitressed in the dining hall and somehow Ron always was seated at her table. It didn’t take long for a spark to develop and they started dating. On New Year’s Day, 1964, Ron asked Linda to marry him. Ron’s father officiated the ceremony on August 21, 1964.

When asked how they knew they had the right type of love for a strong marriage, Linda confidently said, “You marry your best friend. That’s what it’s all about, and yes, he still is my best friend.”

Money was tight for the young couple. Ron continued his classes at Owosso College and worked for Montgomery Ward in the electrical and paint departments. Linda worked multiple jobs as a nurses’ aid at Riverview Hospital and in factories assembling electrical motors and making sandpaper.

The next year, they decided to move closer to Ron’s family in San Fernando, California. They rented a four-by-six U-Haul trailer and towed it with their 1963 Chevrolet Corvair all the way from Michigan to California. They enrolled in Azusa Pacific University. Ron got rehired on with Montgomery Ward, held a job on campus as coordinator of public information and as a printer for Air Cold Sales to pay for tuition and their living expenses.

Ron and Linda Morrell, in Bell, California.

With a degree in hand and experience at other churches, Ron became a youth pastor at Bell Friends Church, in Bell, California. Linda worked at the Los Angeles county probation Department in East Los Angeles. They welcomed Ron Jr., their first child, into the world on January 2, 1970.

In 1971, Ron received a challenging position at Pico Rivera Friends Church as pastor and to oversee the building of their new church. The congregation was primarily Hispanic with many of the older members speaking only Spanish, so services were regularly translated. Ron explained, “We had a little side room, like a nursery with a glass window and somebody would translate the sermon.”

At this time Linda also began a challenge of working while going back to college at Cal State LA. Linda was working on a degree in corrections with plans of becoming a probation officer. At night she worked at Los Padrinos juvenile hall in Downey, California.

Ron spoke proudly of Linda, “And in the process of all that and working on her degree, she had two babies. Yes, we already had our son. He was born before that time, but the girls were both born while she was working and working on her degree.”

Linda and Ron Morrell and son.

Ron and Linda kept this pace up for nine years. He had raised the money and acted as the general contractor for the building. The church was built and it was time for a change.

From 1980 to 1983, Ron was the Minister of Christian Education for Whittier First Friends Church, which is a campus church for Whittier College, in Whittier, California.

Linda and Ron Morrell as a young couple.

They were also looking for a bigger, geographical change as well. Dear friends of theirs, Lee and Ann Austin, had recently sold their home in California to move to a town called China, Maine. In March 1980, Ron went out to Maine to visit the Austins.

Ron said, “It was March and I was never so cold in all my life. We spent Saturday night at Myrtle and Ralph Austin’s house, in South China, and they had a big cook stove. That’s the house that Ron Maxwell lives in now. There were beans and cinnamon rolls on the stove. I sat in the corner, warming my feet on the stove and decided then that Maine was the place.”

History shows that Linda agreed. Ron and Linda took a leap of faith that moving their family across the entire continent would be a good future. They have been in China, Maine for nearly 40 years in which time they raised three children, welcomed five grandchildren and guided the many members of China Baptist Church. Ron and Linda have shown us that there are many leaps of faith in every marriage and it is best to take those leaps with your best friend, as Linda has advised us.

In his roles as Pastor, Ron has counseled couples on what makes a strong marriage. Here are some of his words of wisdom on the subject:

  • Make time in your week for date time to get away from the kids and work obligations.
  • Be intentional to maintain the relationship by finding common interests and talking.
  • Clear the air when a disagreement comes up.
  • Having a religious faith helps.
  • Be careful of how you talk about your spouse in front of others.

Good advice from a couple married for 58 years.

Issue for February 3, 2022

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FOR YOUR HEALTH: Tips And Tricks To Make 2022 The Year You Quit Tobacco For Good

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You can get free help quitting tobacco this year.

(NAPSI)—For many, the past year has been a reminder that they can take important steps in taking charge of their own health and well-being. Now that it’s time for new resolutions, making a positive change for some can mean quitting tobacco. Whether it’s cigarettes, dip, e-cigarettes or some other form, quitting tobacco is often at the top of lists of health-related resolutions. However, one reason it’s frequently on resolutions lists is it can take several attempts to quit for good.

One thing to know if you’re planning to quit is you absolutely don’t have to do it alone. Consider talking with your doctor or health care provider for any tips, tricks or suggestions that can help improve your chances of quitting.

Creating a quit plan and using proven-effective resources, such as those available, free, from Tobacco Free Florida, can also significantly increase your chances of quitting for good. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) including gum, patches or lozenges may even double your chances of quitting for good. The Quit Your Way program offers free Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services, as well as such things as text support and a Quit Guide. Group Quit classes are also free and available in-person or virtual.

Here are some more tips for anyone making a resolution to quit:

  • Make a plan and set a quit date. This will help keep you prepared, focused and motivated to quit.
  • Tell your family and friends your quit date. Ask for their patience and support. This might include changing up plans for where you meet up so they can be part of following (and cheering on) your progress.
  • Clean anything that might smell like smoke. Check your car, carpets and clothes. Get rid of anything that might trigger a craving, such as ashtrays or lighters.
  • Remember and reinforce your reason for quitting. Is it for your kids? Put up a few more smiling pictures where you used to take a smoke break. Is it because of the thousands of dollars you’ll save? Keep a note in your wallet or purse where you can track your progress towards a financial goal or reward with all the money you’re saving by not smoking.
  • Have healthy snacks, toothpicks or straws around to grab in situations where you just need something to break up your routine and get through the early cravings.

The start of every year sees more and more people live out their resolutions and quit tobacco for good. Today, there are more former smokers in the state than current smokers. About three in five adults who have ever smoked have now quit, suggesting that most smokers who keep trying eventually succeed.

If this is the year you’re planning to quit, and you want information on all these tips and more, check out www.TobaccoFreeFlorida.com or call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669) to start the new year with a Quit Journey.

Public hearing regarding proposed contracting with Liberty Ambulance

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(Photo courtesy of Palermo Community Library)

The Palermo Select Board will be holding a public hearing on Friday, February 11, at 6 pm. The meeting will take place at the Palermo Community Library, located at 2789 Route 3, in Palermo. The main topic of discussion will be the proposed contracting with Liberty Ambulance Service as an emergency service provider for Palermo. Chief Komandt (Palermo) and Chief Gillespie (Liberty) will present their proposal and will be happy to answer all your questions.

For those who prefer to attend via Zoom, the link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85682277706?pwd=S0RrU2V2cmk5alQ4OXptK3pEa3BuQT09, Meeting ID: 856 8227 7706, Passcode: 350168

All are encouraged to attend. Palermo residents will vote on the proposed contract with Liberty Ambulance Services at the Annual Town Meeting in March.

For more information call 993-6088 or email palermomelibrary@gmail.com or visit www.palermo.lib.me.us.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Winter woes

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by Debbie Walker

Winter. What a wonderful season, as long as I am in Florida. When I got up this morning it was 27 degrees. I don’t like it, but I can tolerate it for just a few days.

Sitting in my Florida home, furnace is giving me the heat I need. I decided to share some of my vast knowledge (ha! ha!) of winter that I have collected just to share with you. Also, to remind me to be thankful for every wonderful Florida winter day. Spring will be here soon.

I came across a few words of folklore. Here’s a few facts about the “Birds and the Bees”:

“So how high the hornets, ’twill tell how high the snow will rest.”

Onions:

Mild winter coming in /Onion’s skin thick and tough. Coming winter cold and rough. Okay, I know you are past this stage for the year.

Winter Woes

I know pool noodles have many uses and I find humor in using them in the winter. Have you discovered you could use them to insulate pipes in an area where there are water pipes with no heat? Just cut on one side of the noodle and slip it over the pipe.

Slippery walkway: Before the coming storm fill a 32 oz. spray bottle with a half teaspoon of dish soap, one tablespoon rubbing alcohol and one quart of water. Spritz on walkway and stairs for ice free surface.

In case you lose power (of course we know that won’t happen) you need a large mirror. Sit it on a table at an angle and point a flashlight. This increases the light.

Ice proof: spritz car mirrors with vinegar at night. It won’t freeze overnight. OR cover them with baggies and secure with rubber bands. Remove bags in the morning.

Bubble Wrap: Use bubble wrap to cover front and back windshields, taping each corner. The snow will settle on top of the wrap instead of freezing to the glass. You can just slide the plastic sheet off.

Now we are going to take care of some wardrobe woes:

If you don’t keep Static Guard on hand a safety pin will work to cut down the static. Attach it to the inside of the skirt, shirt, or pants. I have always hated that clinging and it can be embarrassing as well.

Do you have any clothing that have developed those little balls, like a knit top or sweater? It makes them look older, more worn. I was told once to take a razor and shave the clothing. First and only time I did, I slit the top. It was one I liked, too. However, there is a little handheld gadget. I just got a new one at Walmart. It is called a Lint Remover and cost about $10.

Some people resist the urge to buy suede. They are concerned about cleaning it, but there is one easy fix. A pencil eraser and that’s your weapon. Erase the mess. Then use a toothbrush to brush the suede to bring back the texture.

Another woe is because the dry air causes discomfort. I was impressed when I read if you didn’t have a humidifier a handy helper would be a crock pot. Put water in, leave cover off, turn it on. It’s a help.

I’m just curious what hints you have to share. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with questions or comments. Stay warm!! Thanks for reading, Have a great week!