CHINA: William Lankist turns 90

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William Lankist, of China

William Lankist, of China, was honored on the occasion of his 90th birthday, at his home, recently. William was born on September 29, 1934, in Guilford, the oldest son of William and Hilda Lankist. He was educated in Guilford schools. He had three brothers, and is the sole survivor. He has been a resident of China for over 20 years, where he resides with his partner, Ruth Fuller.

Family and friends, especially his daughter, Tammy Bailey, attended from Guilford, Sidney, Albion and Unity, and William received a special telephone call from a nephew, Edward Lankist, who resides in Florida.

William did small engine repairs for most of his life.

PHOTOS: Central Maine high schools’ homecoming

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Lawrence high school and junior high school soccer teams. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Members of the Messalonskee grades 1 and 2 red football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Members of the Messalonskee grades 5-6 football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Members of the Clinton Variety PAL football team. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

Around the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries

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by Mary Grow

Part 2
Maine Law

(Read Part 1 here.)

Massachusetts residents who moved to Maine brought with them the Massachusetts enthusiasm for education, as noted last week. Alma Pierce Robbins, in her 1971 Vassalboro history, quoted from a report coming, ironically, from an October 1785 Portland convention called to discuss separating Maine from Massachusetts.

The excerpt on education that Robbins chose said: “A general diffusion of the advantages of Education being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people; to promote this important objective the Legislatures are authorized, and it shall be their duty to require, the several Towns to make suitable provisions, at their own expense, for the support and maintenance of public schools.”

The report further called on legislatures (why the term is plural is not explained) to “encourage and suitably endow” more advanced educational institutions, “academies, colleges and seminaries of learning.”

Or, as Ernest Marriner developed the theme in his 1954 Kennebec Yesterdays, people living in scattered log cabins might not be immediately concerned about a schoolhouse; but the “inherent concern for education which has so long characterized New England people” led them to provide teachers – “[i]tinerant schoolmasters and itinerant preachers, sometimes in the same person” – for their children “even before they incorporated their towns.”

The 1820 Constitution of the new State of Maine recognized the importance of education in Article 8, and provided a minor state role, according to a summary by Richard R. Wescott and Edward O. Schriver in Judd, Churchill and Eastman’s Maine history.

Article 8 is titled Literature. It begins: “A general diffusion of the advantages of education being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people; to promote this important object, the Legislature are authorised, and it shall be their duty to require, the several towns to make suitable provision, at their own expense, for the support and maintenance of public schools.”

The state had a further duty to support higher education, by encouraging and “occasionally” endowing “academies, colleges, and seminaries of learning.” The legislature could regulate any college it supported financially.

Marriner said the first Maine legislature after separation from Massachusetts, in 1820, passed a law requiring every town, “regardless of size,” to raise 40 cents per resident and distribute the money among the school districts in town. (Massachusetts law, summarized last week, applied only to towns with at least 50 households.)

(Alice Hammond, in her history of Sidney, and Wilmot Brookings Mitchell, in his chapter on education in Louis Hatch’s Maine history, date this law to 1821 – perhaps they were thinking of the year it took effect?)

Forty cents per resident did not raise a lot of money, Marriner commented. In 1825, he wrote (quoting Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history), the state-wide average was $47.75 for each school district. “No wonder a whole year sometimes meant only eight or ten weeks,” he added.

Outside and inside a 19th century schoolhouse.

Hammond said the required minimum amount increased to 75 cents in 1833 and to $1 in 1868, but was reduced to 80 cents in 1872 and so remained for almost a century.

The 1821 law also provided for teacher certification, Mitchell said, with “special stress upon sound moral character.” As in Massachusetts, he wrote, the spelling book and the Bible went together; Maine legislators demanded, in addition to “reading, writing and arithmetic,” “piety and justice, sobriety and regard for truth.”

Mitchell said from the 1820s on, the town and each school district in it shared educational responsibility. Hammond implied that until the 1870s, the district was the main actor.

In Mitchell’s summary, districts, overseen by each district’s agent (or, Marriner said, sometimes a group of agents, a mini-committee, for larger districts), had multiple duties: siting, building and maintaining school buildings, providing supplies, choosing teachers, determining the length of school terms and the age at which the district students could start school.

Marriner leaned toward Hammond’s view that the district was the boss. “In the earlier days [of the 19th century] the districts were completely independent in operation and management,” he wrote.

Marriner said each district’s supervisor remained “responsible to no one except the residents of his district.” His list of district duties and responsibilities added one more to Mitchell’s: deciding “what text books should be used.”

After the 1820 state law, each district no longer had to raise district taxes. Instead, each got its share of the money town voters raised annually (not all towns’ voters consistently felt they could afford to obey the 40-cents-per-resident law).

Each district’s share was based on its population of four- to 21-year-olds. In 1829, Robbins said, state legislators added a requirement to send the state “a census of all persons between the ages of four and twenty-one years.”

Voters also elected a town school committee, not more than three nor more than seven men, Mitchell wrote.

This committee’s duties, he said, were to “examine and certificate the teachers, visit and inspect the schools, inquire into the discipline and proficiency of the pupils, choose the text-books, dismiss incapable teachers when they saw fit, and use their influence and best endeavor to secure good attendance.”

Marriner seemed to consider the town committee an exception. “The complete independence of the school districts, while common along the river, was not universal in the early years of the century,” he wrote.

The example of an exception he gave was Waterville, which he said in 1821 elected a superintending school committee “to which the district supervisors were partially responsible.”

Robbins referred to committees in Vassalboro in 1789, one for the east side of the Kennebec and one for the west side, that recommended to town meeting voters the number and boundaries of districts. She did not say whether these were standing or temporary committees.

By 1820, however, Vassalboro had what Robbins called a School Committee, with five members. She referred to school committee reports at town meetings in the 1820s.

Joyce Butler, in a later chapter in Hatch’s history, commented on the variety of local educational facilities under the district system’s “administrative fragmentation” and concluded, “In most cases schooling involved simple curriculums, imperfectly taught by ill-prepared teachers.”

(Future articles in this series will provide additional contradictory information about who was really in charge of town schools in Kennebec Valley towns in the 19th century.)

On textbooks, Marriner wrote that while the school district determined “what text books should be used,” it did not provide them: each student brought his or her own. Consequently, a teacher might teach a subject to students who were using different textbooks.

In the classroom, Marriner wrote, “There was no grading, and perhaps gifted pupils made faster progress than they do today. Practical economy forced the teacher to group the pupils into instructional classes, usually defined as primer, first reader, second reader, etc.”

In addition to the educational three Rs – reading, ‘riting and ‘rithemetic – Marriner said geography “was taught in every Maine school before 1825.” He offered a summary description of a popular textbook, Malte-Brun School Geography, whose editors, he said, thought the solar system too overwhelming for “the feeble intellect of childhood” and instead expanded from New England towns to the rest of the world. He quoted misinformation the book presented about other countries.

* * * * * *

State aid for education began in 1828, according to Butler. Mitchell said the 1828 law allocated money from sales of specified public lands to a permanent (state) school fund.

Mitchell and Hammond each mentioned an 1833 law setting aside a portion of a state tax on banks for education. They agreed that funding was consistently inadequate and teachers poorly paid.

The first attempt at state coordination Mitchell dated to 1843, an unsuccessful attempt to establish an appointed state “board of school commissioners,” one from each county. In 1846 a board was established; but it was, in Mitchell’s view, much weakened by an 1852 revision (because, he said, the 1846 board was too independent of politicians).

The legislature in 1854 created the position of state superintendent of schools, appointed by the governor and his council. Under a series of competent men, educational administration at the county and state level made progress in the 1860s and 1870s, in Mitchell’s view.

One example he gave, during the superintendency of Warren Johnson, of Topsham, was a late-1860s law setting up a system of county supervisors, empowered to inspect schools and record defects and to advise teachers and school officials. The supervisors and the state superintendent made up a State Board of Education.

The system helped “to eliminate inefficient teachers, to increase attendance, and to lengthen the school year,” Mitchell wrote. Also, he said, “It revealed too many shortcomings to satisfy some of the local school officials, and too many relatives of members of school boards had to step down from the teacher’s desk which they had failed to enoble if not to adorn.”

The legislature abolished the county system in 1873.

Another superintendent whom Mitchell commended was Nelson A. Luce, from Vassalboro. Mitchell said he was appointed Dec. 31, 1878; replaced in May, 1879, “for purely partisan reasons”; reappointed in February, 1880, and served through 1894.

Mitchell called Luce “quiet, tactful…a cogent reasoner and clear writer.” He included a list of reforms legislators approved under his guidance, beginning in 1881 when women were, for the first time, allowed to serve on school boards and as supervisors.

In 1887, new laws made children aged eight to 15 attend school at least 16 weeks a year (Butler said an 1875 law had required 12 weeks for nine- to 15-year-olds), and forbade anyone under 15 from working in a factory, except during school vacation, “unless he had attended school sixteen weeks the previous year.”

An 1885 law required adding to the curriculum “instruction in physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drink.” An 1891 law made all public school teachers spend at least 10 minutes a week “teaching the principles of kindness to birds and other animals.”

An 1889 law required towns to provide textbooks. And in 1894, the legislature approved what Mitchell called Luce’s “most important work:” it abolished the “wasteful, inefficient district system [against which] for years he had argued long and hard.”

* * * * * *

Your writer had little luck finding a history of the Maine Department of Education on line, in either state or national sources. Wikipedia has two sentences; the first is, “From 1854-1913 the Department was mostly a one-person operation,” and the second refers to 1949.

Main sources

Hammond, Alice, History of Sidney Maine 1792-1992 (1992)
Hatch, Louis Clinton, ed., Maine: A History (1919; facsimile, 1974)
Judd, Richard W., Churchill, Edwin A. and Eastman, Joel W., edd., Maine The Pine Tree State from Prehistory to the Present (1995)
Marriner, Ernest, Kennebec Yesterdays (1954)
Robbins, Alma Pierce, History of Vassalborough Maine 1771 1971 n.d. (1971)

Websites, miscellaneous

FOR YOUR HEALTH: It’s Time to Help Protect Yourself from the Flu and COVID-19

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You can schedule an appointment for the seasonal flu vaccine, as well as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccinations at your local CVS Pharmacy at CVS.com.

(NAPSI)—While there’s no distinct COVID-19 season like there is for the flu, it’s been shown that COVID-19 can peak during the winter months. To help fight respiratory illnesses, it’s recommended you get a flu vaccination, as well as the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people six months and older, with rare exception, should get the updated annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. The CDC also recommends that everyone ages six months and older should get the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, unless otherwise noted, to help restore and enhance protection against the currently circulating virus variants.

It’s especially important to protect certain populations. This includes those at increased risk of complications from severe flu or COVID-19 illness, such as adults 65 and older, people with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants, children younger than two and pregnant women.

“Preventive vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal illnesses,” said Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and chief medical officer at CVS Health. “Access to preventive vaccinations is critical to keeping communities healthy.”

According to Dr. Chaguturu, it’s helpful to understand the science behind vaccines so people feel informed and safe getting vaccinated.

Myth #1: You should wait until flu season peaks to get vaccinated.

According to the CDC, the timing of flu season is difficult to predict and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. It’s important to get vaccinated before flu season peaks or outbreaks occur in your area since it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection after getting vaccinated.

Myth #2: You can’t receive other vaccinations with the flu shot.

The CDC says patients can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine and other eligible vaccines. At CVS Pharmacy, patients can schedule multiple vaccinations in one appointment.

Myth #3: You don’t need updated vaccinations for the flu.

Getting the flu shot every year is essential because the body’s protection from the vaccine declines over time. Also, flu viruses vary yearly, so receiving the latest vaccine formulation provides optimal protection.

Flu shot appointments (for up to four people in one appointment) can be scheduled at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic by visiting CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app.

You can visit CVS.com to learn more about vaccinations or schedule an appointment.

PUBLIC NOTICES for Thursday, October 3, 2024

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STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice September 26, 2024 If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-C M.R.S.A. §3-80.

2024-202 – Estate of CHRISTINA L. BEAULIEU, late of Harmony, Maine deceased. Rebecca Beaulieu, 130 Madison Avenue, Madison, Maine 04950 appointed Personal Repre­sentative.

2024-274 – Estate of NORMAN EEDWIN STADIG, late of Harmony, Maine deceased. Audrey S. Bemis, 9 Taylor Hill Rd., Harmony, Maine 04942 appointed Personal Repre­sentative.

2024-275 – Estate of DAVID NORMAN BREAU, late of Palmyra, Maine deceased. Beverly N. Breau, 364 Ell Hill Road, Palmyra, Maine 04965 appointed Personal Repre­sentative.

2024-278 – Estate of NORMAN R. GIROUX, late of Pittsfield, Maine deceased. Karen L. Rancourt, 152 Highland Street, Pittsfield, Maine 04967 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-279 – Estate of CHARLOTTE BUTLER, late of Harmony, Maine deceased. Rebecca C. Reitbauer, 11 Libellenweg, Frankfurt, Germany A-M-600, Yvette C. Cotta, 20 Maple St. #1, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 and Johanna M. Knuth, 12 Park St., Madison, Maine 04950 appointed Co-Personal Repre­sentatives.

2024-281 – Estate of FRANCES M. TATAKIS, late of Bingham, Maine deceased. Virginia L. Tatakis, 70 Towle Ave., Auburn, Maine 04210 appointed Personal Representative. This notice is especially directed to Annette Allen, heir of FRANCES M. TATAKIS, address unknown.

2024-283 – Estate of JACQUITA T. GORDON, late of New Portland, Maine deceased. Sharon E. Hutchins, 568 River Road, New Portland, Maine 04961 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-289 – Estate of JOSEPH N. CARTER, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Carla A. Carter, 29 Burrill St., Fairfield, Maine 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-292 – Estate of WESTON E. GOULD, late of Canaan, Maine deceased. Michael H. Gould, 157 Elm St., Hartland, Maine 04943 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-293 – Estate of DEBORAH OLDENBURGH, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Reginald Dennison, Jr., PO Box 1334, Toledo, WA 98591 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-297 – Estate of PAUL A. BAIKO, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Christina Baiko, 63 Pine Valley Dr., Canaan, Maine 04924 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-300 – Estate of IRIS S. BLAISDELL, late of Norridgewock, Maine deceased. Cheryl L. Blaisdell, 94 Marston Road, Waterville, Maine 04901 and Mark E. Blaisdell, 163 Waterville Rd., Norridgewock, Maine 04957 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2024-302 – Estate of EUGENE FRANCIS CROPLEY, late of Pittsfield, Maine deceased. Karen C. Holmes, 320 Somerset Ave., Pittsfield, Maine 04967 and Timothy J. Cropley, 11 High St., Waterbury, Vermont 05676 appointed Co-Personal Repre­sentatives.

2024-303 – Estate of ALAN R. TOWER, late of Harmony, Maine deceased. Kelly Jean Wayne, PO Box 60516, Fort Myers, Florida 33906 appointed Personal Representative.

TO BE PUBLISHED September 26, 2024 & October 3, 2024.

Dated September 27, 2024
/s/Victoria M. Hatch,
Register of Probate
(10/3)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, ss
SKOWHEGAN, ME
PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates or change of name. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be on October 9, 2024. The requested appointments or name changes may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-C MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2024-264 – MICHAEL ALLAN HUNT. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Michael Allan Hunt, 87 Water St., Skowhegan, Maine 04976 requesting name to be changed to Michael Hunt Dubois for reasons set forth therein.

2024-276 – DAMINI JASMIN KAPOOR. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Damini Jasmin Kapoor, 12 Turner Ave., Skowhegan, Maine 04976 requesting name to be changed to Damimi Jasmin Findley for reasons set forth therein.

Dated: September 27, 2024

/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(10/3)

NOTICE TO HEIRS
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT SOMERSET, SS.
41 COURT STREET, SKOWHEGAN, MAINE 04976

Estate of IRENE LANDRY,
Docket No. 2023-306

A Petition for Informal Probate of Will or Appointment of Personal Representative Under a Will or Both has been filed in the Estate of IRENE LANDRY. Said petition notes that there is the possibility that unknown and unascertained heirs may exist whose identity and whereabouts cannot, with the exercise of due diligence, be determined. Accordingly, notice is hereby given to such possible heirs of the existence of the Petition for Informal Probate of Will or Appointment of Personal Representative Under a Will or Both filed.

The following are the names of the unknown and unascertained heirs whose complete address is unknown:

Joseph T. Robinson
Tammy Dupuis
Daniel J. Robinson
Leonard B. Robinson, Jr.

THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to them as heirs of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.

This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in the Town Line, a newspaper having general circulation in Somerset County, with the first publication date to be September 26, 2024.

Name and address of proposed Personal Representative: William H. Landry, 6 Landry Lane, Madison, Maine 04950.

Dated: September 26, 2024

/s/ Victoria Hatch
Register of Probate
(10/3)

Spectrum Generations’ Celebrity Chef Challenge raises over $50K

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Three Maine chefs went head-to-head September 16, at the Augusta Civic Center, competing in Spectrum Generations’ 12th annual Celebrity Chef Challenge fundraiser and serving over 200 guests.

Chef Michael Gosselin, of bon Vivant, a vibrant part of Lewiston’s downtown, received the highly-coveted Judges’ Choice Award, and Chef Steven Dumas, an Augusta native and owner/head chef at Augusta’s Otto’s on the River, earned the People’s Choice Award. Joseph Tupper, head chef at the popular Muddy Rudder Restaurant, in Yarmouth, also created an inspiring dish that did not disappoint, according to a news release from Lindsay MacDonald, Vice President of Community Engagement for Spectrum Generations.

“These funds will have an immediate, positive impact for older adults and adults with disabilities that are homebound and facing food insecurity. Incredibly, over $30,000 worth of in-kind support was also donated by way of food, silent auction items and other goods and services. We couldn’t do our important work without this caring community of supporters,” said MacDonald.

Scouts drive provides scouting uniforms for 23 scouts; also helps food bank

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From left to right, Christopher Bernier, of Waterville, the Goodwill mascot, and Millard Davis, of Clinton, at the annual Scouting uniform drive at Goodwill, in Waterville. Photo by Chuck Mahaleris

by Chuck Mahaleris

From left, Millard Davis, of Clinton, Christopher Bernier, of Winslow, and new Cub Scout Kenneth Murray Bryar, of Fairfield, who recently joined Winslow Pack #445. Photo by Chuck Mahaleris

Kennebec Valley District Scouting volunteers, under the leadership of Christopher Bernier, of Winslow, held two uniform drives this month providing Scout uniforms to 23 children. The first uniform drive took place at the Waterville Goodwill of Northern New England location, on Wednesday afternoon, on September 8. The second drive took place on September 19 at the Winslow Parks and Recreation Building, at 114 Benton Ave.

Those scouts, who just joined Scouting, could receive an experienced uniform including the patches they would need for their program. Returning Scouts who had outgrown their uniform, could get one new to them by returning their old one for someone else. Christopher Bernier, who is Scoutmaster of the troop, in Winslow, also encouraged scouts to bring in a food item for the needy or something for an animal at the Humane Society Waterville Area.

“Scouting gives kids an opportunity to help other people – or animals – at all times,” Bernier said. Every youth who brought a food item for the Pleasant Street United Methodist Food Bank or for the animal shelter received a “Scouting for Food” patch to display on their new to them uniform. If you need a uniform, contact Chris at circleofone555@hotmail.com.

VETERANS CORNER: Don’t give up your search for VA aid because you don’t think you served long enough

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by Gary Kennedy

I always wonder what I will write about each week. Sometimes I even change my mind after writing for hours. It’s not because I’ve made an error but for some reason the article doesn’t seem to be timely or appropriate for that week. This has become a relatively new dilemma for me. Perhaps its age related. I have to blame something. In any case I start flipping through the maze of paperwork on my desk and eventually I will run across a note reminding me to address certain issues relevant to you and me.

I have decided this week to address a recent situation that I have run across in variations that I believe might be helpful to a couple of Vets and perhaps others who have given up their search for aid because they don’t believe they were in the military long enough or they were discharged with other than an honorable discharge. Even if a discharge says dishonorable it doesn’t mean all is lost.

I will discuss that one upon request. First thing is to present your DD214 to see what it actually tells us. A General Discharge tells us that you were discharged with a satisfactory performance, but not the best. This is a discharge that is often given because of some minor misconduct or failure to meet certain standards. This would imply a General Discharge under honorable conditions. We have seen many of those of late because of those who wouldn’t comply with the militaries recent shot mandate. The veteran can defend themselves either in writing or orally. The veteran’s future rides on what is written on his DD214. Review DD-293 and DD-149 to see if these would apply for your situation. (Upgrade of records) Also, your V.S.O., at Togus, should be able to help you forward with this. In any case don’t be afraid of it. Don’t dismiss what may be available to you. Most things can be made better. When approaching the VA don’t forget to have your DD214 available.

Go to Building 200, the main building, Department of Eligibility. The young lady working there is very good at what she does and can guide you on your way. The question that comes with this problem was time in the military. The last I knew, and I doubt that it has even changed is time in service. Active duty time is 90 days. So, if you have served your country on active duty for 90 days or more you should have no problem. Most soldiers I have dealt with that brought that problem up were reservists. Their active duty is ormally 88 days. The reason is obvious? If the unit is activated then there is no question there as well.

The problem you seem to be having is asking for help. I can assure you most V.S.O’s at Togus are more than happy to serve you. Being short handed, they might get a little stressed out at times but for the most part they are happy to see and aid you in your request. Don’t be afraid of seeking out that what you have earned over the years. There are many benefits that have been given and there are many not being claimed.

VA is undergoing some interior renovation I want to discuss with you and get your opinion. I will save that for next time. Fall is here, most of the fairs are gone and the kids are back in school. Drive safe and watch out for those yellow buses. God bless you and yours and have a great weekend, as well as a wonderful foliage season. Next weekend will be a wonderful family drive to Rangeley. The color should be spectacular.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, October 3, 2024

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DR. ALBERT R. AMALFITANO

WATERVILLE – Dr. Albert R. Amalfitano, 93, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville. Albert was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 1, 1930, the last child to Candida and Aniello Amalfitano, immigrants from Forio d’Ischia, Italy.

After graduation from high school, Albert attended both the University of Maryland and Temple University. He was a member of the Iota Tau Sigma Fraternity. He was also a member of the Army National Guard.

He followed the footsteps of his older brothers, Joe and Lou, and his brother-in-law, John Cifala, to begin a long lineage of osteopathic physicians that continues to this day. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1956. He then completed his internship at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital.

He married Winifred on May 4, 1957, and they moved to Bangor, where he completed his general surgery residency at James A. Taylor Osteopathic Hospital. They relocated to Waterville in 1962, where he joined the practice of Marshall Gerrie Sr. He would remain in Waterville, practicing for more than 50 years, devoted to and proudly caring for the people of this town as a highly respected surgeon and family physician. He was a maverick in the earlier days of his career, performing many surgeries that are now further specialized, including ENT, obstetrics, and orthopedic procedures. He also performed some of the first laparoscopic appendectomies ever done in the United States.

During his long career, he served many years as a board member for the Maine Osteopathic Association. He served as president in 1968 and received numerous awards which include the 1984 Roswell P. Bates DO Public Service Award, the 1994 Distinguished Service Award (the highest honor given by the MOA), and the 2011 Sandra Featherman, Ph.D. Osteopathic Champion Award. Through the years, he enjoyed educating and mentoring countless medical students and interns. In addition, he served as a state medical examiner for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He also frequently performed pilot physicals for the FAA. At the age of 83, he finally retired from his medical practice.

Albert’s favorite pastime was aviation. In the 1970s, he owned and piloted a twin-engine Piper Apache. He spent many hours at Robert LaFleur Airport, in Waterville, flying his plane and taking his children for rides. He loved his annual vacations with his wife and children to Wilmington, Delaware, Ocean City, Maryland, and Easton, Pennsylvania, to spend time with his large extended family. He also enjoyed spending the summers relaxing at his camp on Salmon Lake, in Belgrade. He believed strongly in fixing what was broken rather than replacing it with new, and because of this philosophy, he was always working on projects around the house and camp.

His twilight years were, as expected, quiet. He spent this time residing and was cared for at Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Winifred (Wheeler), his siblings, Michael, Joseph, Laura Cifala, Mary Curtius, Celeste, Louis, and Anthony, and his grandson, Michael.

He is survived by his nine children, Lee, (and his partner Michele), Laurie Thornberg, Cathie (Don) White, Joni, Mark (Sara), Neil (Kim), Nic Lee (Nyari), Bryant Lee, and Jonathan Lee; his grandchildren, Matthew, Hannah, Kaitlin, Lauren, Rachel, Dana, Dominic, Dimitri, Anthony, Benjamin, Giovanni, Marchesa, and Vivianna; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.

A memorial visit for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 10 – 11 a.m., at Veilleux-Redding-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine, to be followed by a Celebration of Life. Burial will occur at the Saint Francis Cemetery family plot.

For online condolences, please visit http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

SUSAN ANN LeCOMTE

WATERVILLE – Susan Ann (Marino) LeComte, 71, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 8, 2024, following a long and brave battle against cancer.

Friends and family are invited to attend visitation from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine.

A Celebration of Life for Susan will be held from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Waterville Elks Lodge, 76 Industrial Street, Waterville, Maine.

To read Susan’s full obituary please go to https://gallantfh.com/obituaries/susan-lecomte

DEBRA E. LYMNEOS

CHELSEA – Debra E. Lymneos, 69, affectionately known as Debbie, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024, at her home, in Chelsea. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1954, the daughter of Sophie (Sulya) and the late Robert Welsh.

Debbie graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in social work and worked for the State of Maine, primarily in child protective, for 26 years. She later served as the Director of General Assistance for the city of Augusta until her retirement in May 2023.

Throughout her career Debbie was known for her caring and compassionate nature. She impacted the lives of numerous individuals through her dedication to social work, always demonstrating consideration and respect for those she served. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was actively involved in community organizations including The 99s, a female pilot association, TOPS, and the Chelsea Historical Society.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Lymneos; her mother, Sophie Welsh; sister Linda Saucier and her husband Roland Saucier; her nieces and nephews, Meredith Saucier, Christopher Saucier, his wife Elisha and their children; cousins Alfred and Donna Tobias; brother-in-law Charles Steve Lymneos and his wife Donna; niece Kristen, nephew Keith and his family.

In memory of Debbie, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of choice.

SOPHIA HAYES

BENTON – Sophia Hayes, 18, died unexpectedly on Friday, September, 20, 2024, when her life was taken in a tragic motorcycle accident.

Sophia is survived by her parents, Thomas Haynes and Laurie Blake; and her siblings, Thomas Hayes Jr., from Lawrence, Massachusetts, Charles Paradise, of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Marie Maniero, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Edward Blake, of Benton, David Blake, of Gardiner, and Isreale Rodriguez, of Benton; many aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephews.

For full obituary go to vrlfuneralhome.com.

SANDRA J. CHRISTENSEN

SMITHFIELD – Sandra J. Christensen, 65, passed away at home on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was born in Waterville on July 30, 1959, the daughter of Alice (Dudley) Christensen and Charles Christensen.

She has belonged to the Smithfield Baptist Church since 1970 where she was a deacon. She enjoyed doing plastic canvas, sudoku, puzzles and reading.

She was predeceased by her father, Charles Christensen.

She is survived by her mother, Alice (Dudley) Christensen; her brother Scott and his wife Pam; her Aunt Florence and Uncle Richard; and many cousins.

Her service will be Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Smithfield Baptist Church, at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.aablecremationservice.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, in her name, at Diabetes Research, Education, Advocacy | ADA or mailed to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

ROBERT ELLIOTT

OAKLAND – Robert “Bob” Elliott, 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024. Bob was born in Augusta on June 4, 1948, the only son of Millard and Charlene Elliott (Brown).

He attended Augusta schools and graduated in 1967. Bob was employed at Augusta Supply for 20 years and retired from Redlon and Johnson where he was employed for over 30 years.

As a child, Bob enjoyed lobstering in South Bristol, with the lobsterman. In his later years he continued the love of the ocean and eating lobsters, enjoyed duck hunting with Brett and Jeff, on Dyer Long Pond, ice fishing, his camp in Burlington, making popovers, football, gardening, mowing the lawn, winemaking and bird watching.

Bob and Cyndee bought their first home on Three Mile Pond, in China, where Bob grew up as a young boy. They resided on the pond for 10 years with their dog Zeke. During these years, the family enjoyed their time in the pontoon boat, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and making family memories.

Bob, Chad, and Steve went ice fishing on Chesuncook Lake and slept on the lake, a memory he always talked about.

For three summers Bob and Cyndee traveled to Prince Edward Island with their three grandchildren and close friends: Sherwood, Laurie, and children.

Bob and Cyndee would spend their summers at home in Florida, at Loon Ridge, in Belgrade. The family made many memories with Sherwood, Laurie, Lindsey, Chris, Blair, Bear and many more family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Millard and Charlene, Brett Ellis, and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife Cyndee Palmieri; his two daughters, Jocelyn LaCroix and her husband Toby, Mikel Booker and her life partner Chad French; grandchildren, Mikayla Marden and husband James “Bub”, Chalbi Simmons and husband Taylor, Nickolas Sandelier; great-grandchildren, Karson, Mia, Easton, Hudson and Sophia; and his sister-in-law Debbi Bozworth and husband Gary; niece Dr. Miranda Shorty, her children, Max and Moxie.

Please visit Bob’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/robert-elliott-2024 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

RICHARD LaBELLE

ROME – Richard LaBelle, 96, passed away on Monday evening, September 23, 2024. Richard “Dick” LaBelle, Rome’s oldest resident. Born October 3, 1927, in Pearl River, New York, Richard was the sixth child of Ernest Adelbert and Ruth (Bickford) LaBelle.

Richard was the oldest living resident of Rome.

As a child, Dick moved around following the business of his father’s portable sawmill for many years. In his younger years, Dick would move with his family from New York to New Jersey to New Hampshire before finally settling in Maine. Richard answered America’s call to service during World War II. In 1945, he enlisted in the United States Navy, heading to the Naval Training Center, in Bainbridge, Maryland, before taking a train cross-country to join his shipmates. The young Private served in the Pacific Theatre, spending much of his time in China.

Upon his return from war, Dick continued to travel with his family. His father’s business took him to Maine, where Richard would meet the love of his life. After courting her for some time, Dick married Lois Marie Mosher, daughter of the late Paris L. and Martha E. (Dudley) Mosher, on November 25, 1950, in Fairfield. Together, they settled and made a home on their Jamaica Point farm. Dick and Lois raised five children on their beautiful eleven-acre parcel overlooking Great Pond.

Richard was always an active woodsman, either in career or leisure. In 1949, he began his 18 years working in the woods for Luther Stevens. With a changing economy and a growing family, Dick yearned to provide his family with a stronger way of life. With an eighth-grade education and very little start-up money, it was in 1969 that Richard took a risk and defied the odds to start his own business, Dick LaBelle’s Plumbing. Even without indoor plumbing in his own home, He was determined to take his new-found trade and create a livelihood that would afford a better future for his family. With signature red trucks and blue Dickies, the company continues to deliver quality service 55 years later under the watchful eye of his son, Alan and grandson Chapin.

Even after his retirement in 1991, Dick would work part-time in the plumbing business. As he looked to his retirement, he found much more time to take up his special interests. On a spring day, you may have found Dick planting flowers and vegetables in his greenhouse or sawing logs and splitting wood in the yard. On a summer’s day, he may have been deep among his raspberry bushes or huddled between sewn rows of vegetables. Fall brought harvest and a bit of rest before winter when Dick would retreat to the woodshop to construct beautiful pieces of small furniture for family and friends; he was especially well known for his beautiful mission-style furniture. For 38 years, Richard served the Town of Rome as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor, a member of the Rome School Board, Board of Health, Budget Committee, Planning Board and/or Rome Recreation Committee.

Though busy with work and hobbies, Richard always had time for the Lord. Dick and Lois were members of the Rome Baptist Church for many years. In 1990, they began a search for a new home church and found a small country church to call their home: North Belgrade Baptist Church.

Richard is survived by his five children, all of Jamaica Point, Rome, Susan LaBelle, Cynthia and husband Gary Wilkie, Sandra LaBelle, Sara LaBelle, and Alan and wife Lynn (Buzzell) LaBelle; eight grandchildren, Joshua Desrosiers and wife Kahlie, Dr. Jessica Desrosiers and husband Ramel Dennis, Andrew Wilkie and wife Molly, Paige Collier and partner Kelsey Saucier, Chapin LaBelle and wife Rebekah, Alyssa and husband Ryan Bell, Richard LaBelle, and Chena and husband Jacob Bean; great-grandchildren, Jessica Dennis, Elsie Bell, Ander Bell, River Wilkie, Aiden Desrosiers, Nevaeh Dennis, Peri Wilkie, Emilyn Desrosiers, Adaline Bean, Quinn LaBelle, and Warren Bean; and sister-in-law Hannah LaBelle.

Richard was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Lois Marie (Mosher) LaBelle, and his great-grandson, Isaiah Hamlin Dennis, siblings Archena Bickford McCrory, Russell LaBelle, Herman LaBelle, Jean Linderman, Frances McCord, W. Arthur LaBelle, Sr., and Lee LaBelle

Visiting hours will be held Friday, October 4. 4 – 7 p.m., at Wheeler’s Funeral Home, 26 Church St. in Oakland. A funeral will be Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m., at the Lakes Christian Fellowship Church, 744 Augusta Rd., in Belgrade. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery, Wooster Hill Rd., Rome.

Services are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home Church Street, Oakland Maine. http://www.wheelerfh.com

Donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Lakes Christian Fellowship Church, 744 Augusta Rd., Belgrade, ME 04917 or to the Maine Veterans Home, memo: Employee Appreciation Committee, 35 Heroes Way, Augusta, ME 04330.

LUCILLE NICKLESS

BELGRADE – Lucille Nickless, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024. She was the daughter of Louis and Margaret (Brown) Jenney.

She grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Belgrade High School. She worked for the State of Maine for 28 years, retiring as a computer analyst.

Lucille’s home was always a hub of warmth and joy, where family and friends gathered to feel her love and selflessness. She was known for her quick wit, always ready with a clever remark that brought laughter to any room.

Lucille had a variety of interests that brought her joy, including lunch dates, knitting and playing bingo. But above all, she loved spending time with her family. Her generous spirit and dedication to those she loved will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love, laughter, and care will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends. Lucille’s kindness, sharp wit, and selflessness touched the lives of so many, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Lucille was predeceased by her husband, Carroll; her son, Chester; and her five siblings, Douglas, Katherine, Lawrence, Gordon, and Eleanor.

Born in Connecticut, Lucille was a pillar of strength and love for her family and all who knew her.

She is survived by two of her children, Richard Nickless and his wife Melanie, of Gardiner, and Rhonda Kaiser and her husband John, of Winthrop; grandchildren Richard Nickless Jr., Melissa Goucher, Chad Nickless, Mathew Nickless, Joshua Nickless, Alexandra Nickless, Kayla Kaiser, Ashley Miller, and Lauren Souza; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family invites all who knew and loved her to join them in celebrating her life at a graveside service at 2 p.m., on Friday, October 4, at Pine Grove Cemetery, Belgrade, followed by a celebration of her life, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Alfred W. Maxwell Jr. American Legion Post #40, Bowdoin Street, Winthrop.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alpha Phi Foundation in honor of Lucille.

Her daughter, along with her two granddaughters, Kayla and Lauren, are proud alumnae. Your contribution will support heart health initiatives. https://gofund.me/b15d36db

KENNETH R. LaCHANCE

CLINTON – Kenneth R. Lachance, 69, gave up his fight Monday, September 23, 2024 at BIDM (Beth Israel Deacon Medical Center,) Boston, Massachusetts, where he received 20 years of exceptional care.

Kenny was a hard worker. He was a jack of all trades working as a union shipfitter at Bath Iron Works, a mechanic, a welder, and a carpenter’s union in 1996 to name a few.

In his younger years he enjoyed working on fast cars, being at the racetrack, boxing, working with his father in his butcher shop, and creating detailed woodwork.

The man could not say no to a lobster, or any seafood dish. Many good memories made ice fishing on Moosehead Lake. His greatest pride was sharing the love and passion for the game of basketball with his granddaughter Jordyn.

He was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Geneva (Cote) Lachance, of Winslow; son Craig Joseph Lachance; and brothers Wayne and Raymond Lachance.

Kenny is survived by one brother; daughter Kelly Jo Lachance, Wayne Penney and their families; son Kenneth Hyde; granddaughters Merranda Lachance, Kaula and Jordyn Towers, Jamee Cyr, and Metehya Lachance, with their families; as well as 14 great-grandchildren.

Kenny has had a lot of friends from a lot of places throughout his life. The family hopes you can join them celebrating his life on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Winslow VFW, at 11 a.m., located at 175 Veterans Drive in Winslow.

CYNTHIA DAVIDSON

BELGRADE – Cynthia “Cindy” Davidson, 63, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at her home, in Belgrade. Born on October 25, 1960, in Waterville, she was the third daughter of Sumner “Everett” Trask and Dolores Cabana Trask.

Cindy married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Davidson, on March 12, 1983. Together, they lived in Florida during Andy’s service in the U.S. Air Force, where they welcomed their son, James. Upon returning to Maine, they settled in Cindy’s childhood home and soon welcomed their daughter, Katrina.

Cindy attended grade school in Belgrade and graduated from Messalonskee High School in 1979. After high school, she pursued a career in nursing and dedicated herself to caring for others in nursing homes, hospitals, and home care. Cindy also had a passion for dance, starting at a young age with Sandra Grant’s classes. She attended numerous dance workshops and taught dance for many years, even running her own studio at the North Belgrade Community Center. Her love for dancing and sharing it with others remained a joy throughout her life.

Cindy was a creative spirit, known for her talent in scrapbooking. She crafted many treasured memory books for her family. Her gentle, caring nature and her ability to bring joy to others will be deeply missed.

She was predeceased by her parents, Everett and Dolores, stepmother Rita Trask, sister Gail Hudson, and cousin Valmond Cabana.

Cindy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Andrew; son James and his wife Kate; daughter Katrina; grandchildren, Chloe Elkins, Sophia Mitchell, Olivia Lane, and Jace and Jack Davidson; her sister Sharon Young and husband David; brother David Trask and wife DeAnna; step-siblings, Susan Blake and husband Herbert, David Seeley, and Michael Seeley and wife Debra; nieces Melanie Blair, Melinda Gervais, Elizabeth Trask; and nephew Eric Trask.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from noon – 1 p.m., at Wheeler Funeral Home, in Oakland. A graveside service will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, at 2 p.m., in North Belgrade.

PETER A. LOCKHART

AUBURN – Peter Alan Lockhart, 70, of Auburn, husband of Lisa (Agurkis) Lockhart, passed away Monday, September 16, 2024.

They married on a beautiful day in China, on June 4, 2004. Peter was a courageous man with many health conditions until his passing.

His love for Lisa was unconditional with many happy trips around the state and special time with his grandchildren. He had a love of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots as well as hunting at his families camp, in Palermo.

Peter graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1971, and graduated from Washington Community Technical School, in Calais, for electrical construction, working beside his father in the electrical business before going to work at Bath Iron Works for 17 years as a marine electician and finally worked at Ace Security before becoming disabled.

Peter was predeased by his father Frank and Mother Marian (Hopkins) Lockhart, of China, and his uncles Donald and aunts Liesel Lockhart and Lloyd and (Isabel) Lockhart.

Peter is survived by his wife Lisa; his three sons, Justin (Stephanie) Lockhart, Jeremy (Krystle) Lockhart and Travis Lockhart; his brother Roger (Mary) Lockhart Sr., of China; nephew Roger (J.R) and (Stacy) Lockhart, Jr., and their children, Gwen and Owen, of China; niece Sarah and Jay Pucci, of South Carolina; and grandchildren, Hayden, Hunter, Piper Lockhart, Josh and Tyler Wilde, and Trent Poulin; great-grandchildren, Schyloh, Emmit and Leo; cousins Donald and (Robin)Lockhart, of South Carolina, Sandy and (Dominick) Lupichino, of Connecticut, Eunice and (Bob) Johnson, Everett and ( Debbie) Lockhart, all of Connecticut, Barry and Gail Mitchell, of China, and Cindy (Jim) Hart, of China, Carol Ann (Terry) Cusick, of Gardiner; mother in-law Priscilla Agurkis; sister and brother in-law Stephanie Agurkis, and Briggs Seekins.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, October 4, 2024, at China Baptist Church, in China, at 2 p.m. Refreshments to follow in the Vestry.

Donations can be sent to The American Kidney Foundation in Peter’s name.

CHARLES R. BELLOWS

WATERVILLE – Charles Raymond Bellows, 43, the man, the myth, the legend known to some as “mastermind”, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024. He was born June 17, 1981, in Waterville, to parents Darla (Carpenter) O’Neil and Charles “Chuck” Bellows.

Charlie led an adventurous life, ever since his early years running through the Southend of Waterville. At a young age he learned of his talents as a prolific writer, poet, visual artist, graffiti artist and often shared these gifts with loved ones and comrades. He has an insatiable laugh, he was hilarious and always the biggest presence in any room. He was bold and intelligent. He was a lyrical artist and wrote many verses with hundreds of songs; many on YouTube.

He was loyal and defended people when they were treated unfairly. He taught others to be strong and never give up. He was determined and loved hard. In spite of Charlie’s hardships, Charlie always remained positive and it reflected around him deeply. Charlie’s loved ones knew him to have a warriors mindset and the heart of a lion. He was the strongest, most fearless and loyal person one could meet. Even if you disagreed with him, Charlie commanded respect.

In his pastime, Charlie enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, or in deep thought, often in solitude, or in nature with his beloved. While he never achieved mainstream success, Charlie was arguably the greatest hardcore rapper to have deep roots in the pine tree state. Charlie stood for love, truth, and loyalty; for language, truth, and logic, and his legend will never die!

He was predeceased by his father Chuck and mother Darla; three children; Justice, Charli and Mason; siblings, Israel, Antelsy, Michael and Elizabeth; stepfather Mike; and many extended family members.

A Celebration of Life was held at Governor’s, in the Ballroom, on Sunday, September 22, 2024. The formal funeral service dates are to be determined.

Others Departed

WILLIAM H. MORGAN

SIDNEY – William “Bill” H. Morgan, 72, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville, on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10 a.m., with an interment ceremony planned for 1 p.m., at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home. A full obituary and online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill’s name to the Sidney Food Bank, 3022 West River Rd., Sidney, ME 04330.

ROBERT F. STEINMEYER

WASHINGTON – Robert “Bob” Frank Steinmeyer, 81, of Washington, passed away peacefully at the Sussman House, in Rockport, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

For a full obituary with service information, please visit Bob’s Book of Memories at http://www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary Policy

Because The Town Line has always published obituaries as a public service, free of charge (donations accepted), we reserve the right to edit for length and content, when necessary. Since newspapers are recorders of local history, and for future genealogical purposes, the basic information will include name, date of death, date of birth, parents, and a brief history of the decedents life. Predeceased and survivors are listed by blood or law. The service will be included if it takes place after the publication date. We do not publish first person messages nor thank you’s.

Others Departed are published to alert residents that a neighbor or acquaintance in the community has lost a loved one from outside our coverage area.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What are all the cries and tail wagging about?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about different colored squirrels and what was the cause. That prompted an email from a reader who wrote, “Might you consider writing about their various calls? A week ago Thursday, I heard something making noise in my far tree line. After listening for about a half hour, I started to walk out and look, and it stopped. Sounded like a pained cry followed by what sounded like repeated pants. Happened over and over. I kept watching for someone on my neighborhood watch page to report a missing pet. On Saturday, I heard the same noise and could see a gray squirrel up in my maple tree making the same sound and flicking its tail in agitation. Mystery solved and feeling relieved that what I first heard wasn’t something dying. Still don’t know what agitated it either time.”

Well, let’s take a look at their tendencies.

A high-pitched squeal can indicate fear or pain, while a low-pitched growl can indicate aggression.

Most likely, the crying is coming from a female who is, let us say, lonely for a little male companionship. But whether it’s a come-hither cry, conversational chattering or a high-pitched chirp to get off their turf, there is nothing we need do for them except let them be.

Red squirrels are known to produce both loud and soft “chucking” noises, a vehement “wrruhh-ing” as well as various moans and teeth chattering. Piercing screams have been documented during particularly aggressive encounters and red kittens produce “shrill piping calls”.

Not moving or moving very slowly if you approach it is a sign a squirrel is sick or injured. Obvious injuries, for example, if it’s been hit by a car or caught by a cat or dog. Swollen or sore areas on the face, which can be a sign of infection. Hunched-over posture.

On the flip side, what sounds do squirrels make when they’re happy?

Squirrels may make barking sounds when they feel threatened or when they want to communicate with other squirrels. Squirrels may make whistling sounds when they are happy or content.

When distressed, squirrel kits make high-pitched, chirping noises similar to birds. Squirrels use sound to protect themselves and their territories. Their alarm calls are made up of screeches, rattles, barks, and snorts.

Squirrels express frustration by twitching their tails when they are angry. Those familiar with these expressive rodents know how they let their anger be known: a guttural growl, a chattering of teeth, a stamping of feet. But the key to interpreting their emotions may also lie somewhere else: in the curve of their majestic, bushy tails.

Ever notice a squirrel staring at you? Mainly fear, but he’s also sizing you up. Squirrels have a lot of predators, which means that to survive, they constantly have to stay alert to potential dangers. When a squirrel encounters a new potential threat, it may stand perfectly still to determine the danger level.

When they are mad, researchers believe tail flagging may be an expression of frustration. Aggression is another big sign of frustration, which explains why many of the squirrels given locked boxes actually attacked the box by biting and dragging it.

Screaming? Squirrels use high-pitched screams or screeches to alert other squirrels of danger. Deep, guttural barks are a squirrel’s way of protecting their territory but may also be part of a mating ritual.

What does it mean when a squirrel barks at you?

The sound can resemble a dog barking but is much more high-pitched. This can be heard when they feel threatened by another animal coming near their territory, or if someone comes too close to them while they are eating. It usually means they are warning other animals to stay away from the area.

Also, shaking their tails is basically a squirrel’s way of shaking a fist at you. They usually do this when they sense a threat somewhere.

What does it mean when a squirrel stands up?

Squirrels also present themselves with a puffed-up, enhanced and erect posture when defending territory. They will often stand on their hind legs to let intruders know they are a formidable enemy should advances be made further into the territory.

So now, when we see those clever, sometimes mischievous critters in the backyard, or those bird feeders they seem to enjoy so much, you might be able to tell what is going through their little heads.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What New England Patriots coach took the team to the Super Bowl in his first year of coaching?

Answer
Raymond Berry.