Issue for September 26, 2024

Issue for September 26, 2024

Celebrating 36 years of local news

Beauty from Ashes: Reflecting on 9/11 at China school

The searing images of September 11, 2001, will not soon be forgotten by anyone who witnessed the sheer terror of that horrible day. But for some, today’s youth, they have no idea, no context, and no emotion connected to that day that forever changed how Americans live. But they need to know….. by Aimee N. Lanteigne

Town News

Nine attend select board’s “apple crisp” public hearings

CHINA – The promise of fresh-baked apple crisp with ice cream drew nine people to the China select board’s Sept. 23 public hearings on Nov. 5 local warrant articles and on amendments to the town’s General Assistance Ordinance. Six stayed for at least part of the select board meeting that followed…

Planners approve two agenda items

CHINA – At a short Sept. 24 meeting, China Planning Board members approved two agenda items, with almost no discussion…

Trustees summarize library progress to select board

VASSALBORO – Two Vassalboro Public Library trustees, board President Elizabeth McMahon and secretary Valerie Sugden, summarized library progress and plans for town select board members at the Sept. 19 select board meeting…

MMA announces Spirit of America Proclamation to municipal clerks and ballot clerks

CHINA MAINE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION SPIRIT OF AMERICA PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Spirit of America Foundation cherishes Municipal Officials’ help with its program and created October as ‘Municipal Officials Appreciation Month’, and in 2024 dedicated it nationally to Municipal Clerks and Ballot Clerks, to express gratitude….

LETTERS: Laura Jones will represent the area with reason, honesty and kindness

from Priscilla Doel (Vassalboro) Up for vote in the Maine Legislature this November are 186 seats. I am casting my ballot for Laura Jones to represent the Sidney/Vassalboro communities…

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is October 10, 2024.

Local happenings

EVENTS: Champion the Cure Challenge raises more than $560K in flagship event

CENTRAL ME On August 17, nearly 1,600 community members joined Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s annual Champion the Cure Challenge flagship event…

EVENTS: Vassalboro events for October

VASSALBORO — On Saturday, October 19, a Harvest Supper will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) fellowship hall, at 614 Main Street/Rte. 32…

EVENTS: Hazardous waste collection days scheduled

CENTRAL ME – The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, based in Fairfield, plans to host Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in October in Kennebec and Somerset counties…

EVENTS: Announcing annual wildflower seed fundraiser

ROCKPORT – Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District has announced their autumn fundraiser – native wildflower seeds. October is the perfect month to sow wildflower seeds for spring growth…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Fairfield Historical Society Fall Barn & Bake Sale

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Historical Society fall barn and bake sale will be held at, 42 High St Fairfield, on Saturday, October 5, from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, October 6, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m… and many other local events!

Obituaries

CHINA – William Wahlefield, 88, died peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2024…

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries (new)

MAINE HISTORY — One of the many questions your writer has not yet answered – and may never – is why, in the 1700s, people left comparatively comfortable homes in Massachusetts and similar places to come to the Kennebec Valley, on the Massachusetts frontier… by Mary Grow

Around the Kennebec Valley: A history of Ford’s Corner, Part II

PALERMO HISTORY — In Part 1, we explored the lives of three key families at Ford’s Corner around the turn of the 20th century: Frank & Addie Wood, Daniel & Nettie Batchelder, and Leander & Alice Bowler, all active members of the church at the corner of Chisholm Pond Road and Arnold Lane. Part 2 will explore the history of that church building and what Ford’s Corner is today… by Andy Pottle

Around the Kennebec Valley: A history of Ford’s Corner, Part I

PALERMO HISTORY — In North Palermo, where Arnold Lane and Chisholm Pond Road meet, the North Palermo Road just before Wilder Young Hill goes down into Freedom, is a place once known as Ford’s Corner. You wouldn’t know it today, but over a century ago this quiet corner was the center of a bustling community in North Palermo… by Andy Pottle

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Early Sidney Settlers

SIDNEY HISTORY — Researching former Sidney residents on line, your writer has repeatedly come across a colorful small book entitled Early Sidney, by Chloe B., with a photo of the historic Levi Powers house on the front… by Mary Grow

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 17, 2024

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

Previous winner: Shirley Kinney, Augusta

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Well, my article on Woolly Bear caterpillars in the September 12, 2024, issue of The Town Line, generated some emails…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Although there was a time when I was quite enthralled by certain Barbra Streisand albums, such as 1969’s What About Today; the early 70s Stoney End, and Barbra Joan Streisand (especially Michel Legrand’s The Summer Knows from the movie Summer of ’42); and 1975’s Classical Barbra, I have not found her artistry wearing well…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | I don’t remember that I’ve ever written back-to-back articles about the same species, but sometimes things just naturally fall into place. Both of these recent rescues have a happy ending, so how could I resist?…

VETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | In an issue of The Town Line, four or five years ago, I mentioned outside problems which I felt were causing VA unneeded stress. Like any source of information and service, information supplied under duress can be very harmful. The interpretation can lead to misinformation and lead one down the wrong path…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

HEALTH | If you or a loved one are among the nearly 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, consider joining the American Liver Foundation Patient Registry. By sharing your story, you can help share the future of liver health…

Champion the Cure Challenge raises more than $560K in flagship event

On August 17, nearly 1,600 community members joined Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s annual Champion the Cure Challenge flagship event. The uplifting experience at Lafayette Family Cancer Institute brings patients, family members, survivors, and community members together to walk, cycle, or run. More than $560,000 has been raised so far this year to support patients in treatment and enhance research options at Northern Light Cancer Care.

“It’s so rewarding to see how strongly our community turns out to support those facing cancer and raise funds that extend the care and services we provide right here,” says Ava Collins, MHA, FACHE, interim vice president, Oncology Services, Northern Light Health. “Thank you to everyone who joins us at all our events. You make a difference for our friends and neighbors with a cancer diagnosis.”

This year, funds raised the day of the event directly benefit a patient assistance fund, which helps meet critical needs of patients in treatment for cancer. The Challenge continues with two autumn events, which will also be used to build up the Northern Light Cancer Care patient assistance fund.

Community horse riders can take part in the Trail Ride, on Saturday, October 5, in Corinna. To register or donate, visit ctcchallenge.org.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Barbra Streisand, Betsy Graves, Lucille Ball / Desi Arnaz, & Eugene Ormandy

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand

Although there was a time when I was quite enthralled by certain Barbra Streisand albums, such as 1969’s What About Today; the early 70s Stoney End, and Barbra Joan Streisand (especially Michel Legrand’s The Summer Knows from the movie Summer of ’42); and 1975’s Classical Barbra, I have not found her artistry wearing well. A cassette I recently reheard, Memories (Columbia TCT 37678), is a best of grab bag anthology of sorts with the overbearing The Way We Were, the grating Enough is Enough duet with the late Donna Summer etc., but her renditions of Memory from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and the deeply stirring You Don’t Bring Me Flowers duet with Neil Diamond still raise goosebumps.

Betsy Graves

Betsy Graves

From the anthology Maine Speaks, Past the Shallows is a short story by Orono native Betsy Graves dealing with the beginning of a week’s vacation at the family cottage on a lake accessible only by boat. The story has two teenage boys, their sister, mother and grandparents.

It depicts the mixed blessings inevitably found in such gatherings. Young Imogene is relishing”the gentle motion of the water lapping against the sides of the wharf ” upon which she is reclining, “the sun on her face…cool June day, school out…lazy and content as a sleepy cat.”

But a mean-spirited boozy grandfather wreaks havoc at lunch with everybody, especially Imogene’s brother Buddy whom the old man has singled out . The all around nastiness and the two following days of unending rain lead to a much earlier departure.

Then a beautifully written couple of sentences bring respite to both Imogene and Buddy:

“On the calm flat water in the middle of the lake, Imo saw two loons swimming, hardly moving. They spoke to each other in long, mourning cries with a rippling sound like laughter at the end.”

Lucille Ball / Desi Arnaz

Lucile Ball & Desi Arnaz

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s Desilu Productions launched a comedy series, Angel, in 1960 that only lasted one year. It depicted the life of a newly-married couple, the wife being a Parisian whose language barrier and inability to understand American customs lands her in difficulty.

The one-liners were lame in the second episode I sampled, Voting Can Be Fun, which originally aired October 13, 1960, but it interested me because of the guest appearance of Joseph Kearns (1907-1962), then best known as Mister Wilson, on Dennis the Menace, and whose role as the slightly cantankerous city clerk lent a humorous edge otherwise lacking.

In addition, fist fights break out at a voting station between men on opposing sides of the issues. No need to mention possible relevance to this November’s upcoming election!

The episode is on YouTube.

Connie Francis

Connie Francis

Connie Francis’s singing could be a bit syrupy during her peak years but, when I first watched her on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand singing Who’s Sorry Now, I was smitten by her heartfelt beauty and charisma. An MGM 45 of When the Boy in your Arms is the Boy in your Heart, and Baby’s First Christmas, as arranged and conducted by the very gifted Don Costa, is an example of how two basically mediocre songs can be transformed into decent performances.

Who’s Sorry Now was also performed in 1950’s Three Little Words, which just happened to have also been produced by MGM, was a biopic of songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, and starred Fred Astaire and Red Skelton. In addition, Kalmar and Ruby composed the Betty Boop classic I Wanna Be Loved By You.

Eugene Ormandy

Eugene Ormandy

An early 1930s Victor Red Seal 78 set of five 12-inch discs features music of Johann Strauss Junior (1825-1899) as performed very spiritedly by Eugene Ormandy leading the Minne­apolis Sym­phony (nowadays referred to as the Minne­sota Orch­estra) and includes the Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, Accelera­tion Waltz, and the Overtures to the composer’s operettas, Die Fledermaus (The Bat) and the Gypsy Baron.

Ormandy was music director for roughly five years and recorded extensively for Victor before heading to Philadelphia in 1936 to lead its Orchestra for 44 very successful years. Most of Ormandy’s recordings can be accessed via YouTube.

 

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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES for Thursday, September 26, 2024

LEGAL NOTICES

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)

PUBLIC NOTICES

TOWN OF VASSALBORO

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Municipal Officers of the Town of Vassalboro will meet on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Town Office, at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the following referendum questions to be voted on Nov. 5, 2024.
1) “Shall the Town vote to appropriate $360,000 from TIF funds or the undesignated fund, in the Select Board’s discretion, to serve as matching funds related to a Maine DOT Municipal Stream Crossing grant that has been applied for, and to authorize the Select Board and Town Manager to take any and all actions and enter any agreements necessary in furtherance of the grant application and any grant award.”
2) “Shall the Town of Vassalboro Development Program for the Natural Gas Pipeline Municipal Development and Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) be amended to allow environmental improvement projects in the Town to be funded by revenues of the District, subject to the Findings and the Amendment to the Development Program attached to the original Town Meeting Warrant as Appendix A, copies of which are available at the office of the Town Clerk?”
3) “Shall the November 2024 Amendments to the Vassalboro Sanitary District Charter be enacted?  A copy of the proposed amendment is attached to the warrant and available from the Town Clerk.”

TOWN OF PALERMO

PUBLIC HEARING BY APPEALS BOARD

There will be a Public Hearing by the Appeals Board regarding a variance request on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at the Palermo Town Office, to hear comment on the following:  – Michael Williams, at 290 Hoffman Shore, has requested to allow a 8’x10’ shed to remain where it is located on their property. A variance from the 10-foot setback required from the property line.  – Mark Prestipino, at 329 Stevens Shore Road, to reduce setback from 10 feet to 2 feet to add a septic system.

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries

by Mary Grow

Introduction and Massachusetts law

One of the many questions your writer has not yet answered – and may never – is why, in the 1700s, people left comparatively comfortable homes in Massachusetts and similar places to come to the Kennebec Valley, on the Massachusetts frontier.

They got free or low-cost land, to be sure. But they had to turn a forest into a farm, and they had to bring with them or recreate everything they needed for daily living.

Their needs included, obviously, material things: food they had to kill or grow; water and things in which to carry, heat and store it; shelter; clothing; tools, household utensils and furniture; perhaps a horse, a cow, some chickens and shelter and food for them; and many more necessities and conveniences.

Many of the (few) surviving early diaries and letters describe the lack of such basic goods. James North commented in his well-researched history of Augusta, published in 1870, “It is difficult to conceive at this day how the settlers at this early period provided for their wants, which must have been few and scantily supplied.”

In the 1760s, he wrote, most families lived in log houses. There were no roads; people traveled on foot or horseback following marked trails through the woods.

Alice Hammond, in her 1992 Sidney history, painted a slightly different picture. She said by 1765, enough water-powered mills were operating on brooks running into the Kennebec so that some trails had been widened “to allow pack horses and even carts and sleds in season.” Nonetheless, she mentioned a man reported to have carried “a sack of corn on his back to a grist mill nine miles from his home.”

North said Samuel and William Howard, the first traders at the Cushnoc trading post (later the site of Fort Western, on the east bank of the Kennebec River in Augusta), “rendered them [the settlers] valuable services in exchanging their few commodities, which consisted of the products of the waters and the forest, for the necessaries of life.”

The settlers offered wood (including shingles), fish, moose hides and furs. The Howards provided “pork, corn, flour, shoes,” molasses, a spelling book and many other such items, “with a liberal quantity of liquors which were freely used at that day.”

Hammond added ashes to the list of settlers’ products; traders converted them to potash that was shipped to Europe. Potash had many uses, including as fertilizer and in making textiles, glass and soap.

As late as 1784, North wrote that Hallowell assessors felt a need to explain the difference between the town’s population – 682 white, 10 blacks – and the number of “dwelling houses:” 38. The assessors wrote that most families were still living in their original log cabins, which were not worth assessing for taxes.

“At most there are not above twenty houses in the town that are any ways comfortable or convenient,” in these men’s opinion.

There was also a need for the amenities of society, which settlers translated into religion, government and – in New England, not necessarily in other colonies – education.

Referring to Massachusetts and Maine, most historians call the lowest-level schools primary, elementary or petty schools. They educated students through eighth grade or age 14 (though older students, especially boys, are frequently mentioned), teaching reading, writing and basic mathematics, with Puritanism as a basis.

The next level, Latin or grammar schools, added subjects like Latin, Greek and advanced mathematics, initially to prepare boys for college.

Several local historians have commented on the importance of education to Kennebec Valley settlers.

One was Elwood T. Wyman, Waterville’s Superintendent of Schools in 1902, who was assigned the chapter on education in Rev. Edwin Carey Whittemore’s centennial history. Wyman commented that seeking information about early Waterville schools “is largely groping in the dark,” because records were scarce and memories didn’t go back far enough.

But, he said, he found enough information to show that Waterville’s early residents brought from Massachusetts “the same high regard for education that made and has kept for that commonwealth the foremost place in the Union.”

He continued, “The mother state gave to her daughter Maine no more precious heritage than this strong desire and determination to offer youth as much of elementary learning as limited resources could provide.”

North specifically credited the leaders of the Plymouth Company who oversaw the land grants in the Kennebec valley, calling them “men of elevated character, enlightened views, and of a liberal spirit.” They protected those who settled their land grants from hostile Native Americans and their French backers; and they included in their grants “provisions for the maintenance” of education and religion.

In following articles in this series, your writer plans to share information about education in the central Kennebec Valley, beginning in the late 1700s. A summary description of the legal and regulatory framework will provide background for information on schooling in individual towns.

* * * * * *

Education in Maine was based on Massachusetts law, because from 1677 to 1820 Maine was part of Massachusetts. Louis Hatch devoted the first chapter of his 1919 history of Maine to early landowners, exploration and settlement, beginning with organizations and individuals who received grants from the British crown.

One landowner was Sir Ferdinando Gorges (1565 or thereabouts – May 1647), described as a British “naval and military commander” who was instrumental in promoting settlement in and trade with North America, especially the part that became Maine.

By Hatch’s account, the Province of Massachusetts first acquired coastal towns in what had been Gorges’ territory in southern Maine in the 1650s. There was opposition, from Gorges’ grandson, also Ferdinando Gorges (1630 – 1718), the British monarchy and Maine residents; but in 1668, the Massachusetts Great and General Court (the legislature) sent commissioners, with a military escort, to reaffirm Massachusetts’ claim.

Massachusetts control became final in 1677, Hatch said, when the second Ferdinando Gorges sold his Maine rights to “an agent of Massachusetts for 1,250 British pounds.” In a footnote, Hatch said the agent “acted without authority but the colony after a little hesitation accepted the arrangement.”

The Province of Maine at that time “extended only to the Kennebec,” Hatch wrote. (Your writer finds this description annoyingly vague – the west bank of the Kennebec, which would exclude the river itself as well as the east bank; or the middle of the waterway; or the whole Kennebec Valley?)

Hammond wrote in her history of Sidney (on the west bank) that until 1677, there was little government, religion or education for the settlers, who were occupied with “making a living…[and] warring with the French, the Indians, and each other.” Education, she said, was “almost strictly a family function.”

In 1677, the 1647 Massachusetts education law took effect in the part of Maine that included Sidney. This law, known today as the Old Deluder Satan Law, incorporated the General School Law of 1642. Wikipedia reproduces and summarizes both.

The 1642 law, the Wikipedia writer explains, made a radical change by shifting responsibility for educating children and apprentices from clergymen to “ye chosen men appointed for managing the prudentiall affajres” of the town (the selectmen).

This law aimed to have children able to “read & understand the principles of religion & the capitall lawes of this country.” It applied to both sexes: a provision required that “boyes and girles be not suffered to converse together, so as may occasion any wanton, dishonest, or immodest behavior….”

The selectmen were empowered to fine people who refused to tell them how they were carrying out their educational responsibilities. With approval of a court or magistrate, they could take improperly schooled children from their homes and make them apprentices elsewhere. They themselves could be fined by a grand jury or a court for neglect of these duties.

The Wikipedia writer surmised the law was not well enforced, leading the Massachusetts General Court to pass the 1647 law. This law, reproduced on Wikipedia, begins “It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures…” – thus its unofficial title.

The 1647 law says when a town has 50 households, voters or officials must appoint someone “to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read.” The majority of “those that order the prudentials of the town” shall decide whether the teacher is paid by the students’ “parents or masters” or by the townspeople as a group, with the proviso that parents must not pay “much more” than they would in another town.

When a town has 100 “families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the university.” (The university intended was Harvard.) This requirement carried a penalty for non-fulfillment: any qualifying town that has no grammar school for more than a year “shall pay 5 pounds to the next school till they shall perform this order.”

A 1648 law, Wikipedia says, required parents and masters to teach their children and apprentices “reading, the public laws, the catechism and ‘some honest lawful calling, labour or employment.'” Selectmen were supervisors, “conducting examinations and if necessary fining parents or placing the young with other masters if their education was neglected.”

Hammond said the District Act of 1787 established school districts in towns. Most districts, most of the time, had a schoolhouse, making it possible for students from all parts of town to walk to and from primary school.

And North described a 1789 law “providing for the instruction of youth” that required each “town or district” with more than 50 families to provide a “schoolmaster of good morals” for at least six months every year. He was to teach reading, writing, English, spelling, arithmetic “and decent behavior.”

The length of the schoolmaster’s work was to increase proportionally as population grew, up to 200 householders. A town that large was required to provide 12 months of primary school plus another 12 months of the services of a grammar school teacher capable of teaching English, Greek and Latin.

Teachers were required to be citizens, by “naturalization or otherwise.” They were directed to instruct their students in a range of personal and civic virtues: piety, justice, regard for truth, universal benevolence, sobriety, chastity, moderation, love of country and the like; and to show them, in age-appropriate ways, how these virtues would help “to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and to secure the blessing of liberty as well as to promote their future happiness.”

The effect of these Massachusetts laws was to emphasize the importance of education for everyone, not just the wealthy, and to define it as a public responsibility, carried out at the local level with local money and supervision.

(The 1789 legislative session whose members approved this school law also passed a law to encourage “the manufacture and consumption of strong beer, ale and other malt Liquors” by a five-year tax exemption for manufacturers. It was presented as promoting the local economy. North disapproved.)

Main sources

Hammond, Alice, History of Sidney Maine 1792-1992 (1992)
Hatch, Louis Clinton, ed., Maine: A History 1919 ((facsimile, 1974)
North, James W., The History of Augusta (1870)
Whittemore, Rev. Edwin Carey, Centennial History of Waterville 1802-1902 (1902)

Websites, miscellaneous

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Help Shape the Future of Liver Health

By taking an online survey you can help millions of people with liver disease­—maybe even yourself – get the treatment they need.

(NAPSI)—If you or a loved one are among the nearly 100 million Americans affected by liver disease, consider joining the American Liver Foundation Patient Registry. By sharing your story, you can help share the future of liver health. As a participant in the registry, you will join a group of individuals dedicated to changing the face of liver disease through the advancement of new science and treatments that will benefit all.

The American Liver Foundation Patient Registry is free to join and the first-ever patient registry for all types of liver diseases, including transplant. It helps provide researchers with a better understanding of liver diseases, the effect of current treatments, and how liver disease affects patients. Until now, there has not been one central place where researchers interested in liver disease can access information on a patient’s disease history and more importantly, how patients are managing their disease and its often-debilitating symptoms and associated conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

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VETERANS CORNER: Fisher House is listing; Community Living Center still not finished

VA Fisher House

by Gary Kennedy

In an issue of The Town Line, four or five years ago, I mentioned outside problems which I felt were causing VA unneeded stress. Like any source of information and service, information supplied under duress can be very harmful. The interpretation can lead to misinformation and lead one down the wrong path. It can also lead to distrust and become a very unpleasant venue. Going on 50 years now I have seen this sort of thing go south very rapidly.

Do you remember my article involving the Fisher House? This was a money gift that built a hospitality house. When I and others learned of the construction we objected and made our objections known. However, the powers that be, decided to avoid our warnings and the fact that the Fisher House was going to be built on wet land, land which couldn’t hold weight. I in fact was so adamant about my stand, I included the wildlife habitat and along with my wife asked for a meeting with the State of Maine to express my and others position on that issue.

I guess we know how far that got us. Now the Fisher House is slowly listing to the left, thus causing severe structural damage. I understand that the structure itself cost a few million dollars. These buildings which have become popular all across the USA are gifts to the VA. It’s heart breaking to see what’s happening because there are those who will not turn a blind eye and let others get involved, even though this is supposed to benefit the veteran. Veteran involvement could be a very good thing.

There are those with so much passion and talent that would love to be part of their surroundings. A few years ago I suggested that given the fact that there were interested, talented Vets who would love to be part of the solution and who were problem solvers. Mistakes like this one could be avoided. There must be a government virus going around. It seems the state and federal governments can’t seem to get it together and to get it right. Now we have to do and say, or not say, to be in the other side’s compliance zone. We use to be friends and worked things out ourselves but not anymore. The minority seems to have found a way to put fearful controls in places.

Five years ago the Community Living Center was supposed to be finished behind building. 205. That was a building that was sorely needed. Many disabled veterans who had been in the system for many years anxiously awaited. Unfortunately, most of them wouldn’t live to see its insemination. It was passed along that the building dollars got used in different places. The money that remained kept a small crew doing other small jobs over time. This is second hand information that I believe to be true. I am sure I will get to the bottom of this eventually. This all seemed to occur during the changing of the administration. That seems to be happening a lot lately.

I know you are familiar with my articles involving the gym and the swimming pool. This event was conveniently initiated post covid, forward. These two rooms were used for veterans’ rehab. Their primary function was for physical therapy and for PTSD. The pool was a wonderful advent to the wellness clinic. Veterans would meet there and walk around while sharing time with one another. It was great for physical health as well as mental health. Along came attrition disease, due mostly because of lack of concern for those who kept the boat afloat.

I was told it was a clever management tool to help with the retention of employees who were experiencing greener grass elsewhere. One day a few of my group got together and decided to check it out. The door was locked and a sign was placed outside advertising that the gym was for employees for a fee. Veterans couldn’t use it anymore even though it was provided for their use and well being. Three days per-week physical therapists would, by appointment, take their veterans for pool therapy. At the same time other vets could use the opposite side of the pool. When covid hit, the pool was drained and we were told that the pool had problems. We vets were told that we could use the YMCA, upon application. This was a no brainer from the start. Try placing the civilian elderly and the disabled veteran in a pool together. Now, all you have to do is toss in a few children and some PTSD and you have a very dangerous mix. I am sure the U.S. government would agree with me. If they only knew! I am sure it wouldn’t be long before we would wear out our welcome.

The Community Living Center went undone for years. It just began again last year. Now other veterans tour the acre long galvanized fence. Some of us refer to the new buildings as “Silver City”. At least the building we have been waiting for has almost reached fruition. NOPE! After all those thousands of man-hours and tons of shiny metal, the footings and foundation has been poured yet this magnificent building has had the brakes put on. OSHA doesn’t allow for poor design due to Tensile Strength. Tensile Strength is the maximum amount of stress a material can withstand before it breaks when being stretched or pulled. We will have to wait and see what the administration does.

They like to keep these things private. It’s difficult to admit when you are wrong. Only the strong and self assured can handle that task. In any case the secret is out, in part; let’s see what they do with it. I know they have a problem with the moral part of running the government’s business. Veterans, it’s time to vote. Be sure you analyze your candidates well and ask the right questions. We are the soldiers of yesterday but that doesn’t mean we can’t impart our wisdom on our sons and daughters and those we love. It’s not what we take with us but what we leave behind.

Have a safe weekend and God bless you and yours.

CRITTER CHATTER: Happy Endings x 2

Injured raccoon today. Looking good.

by Jayne Winters

I don’t remember that I’ve ever written back-to-back articles about the same species, but sometimes things just naturally fall into place. Both of these recent rescues have a happy ending, so how could I resist?

Injured raccoon on front seat of car.

As a follow-up to August’s column about the racoon that underwent surgeries for a broken leg, fractured jaw, and dislocated eye (I’ve learned the medical term for this condition is “globe laxation”), recovery went exceptionally well. Although not all eye injuries result in loss of vision, it’s likely this coon’s optic nerve was significantly damaged. The surgical site healed well, but it’s unknown whether he will regain sight in that eye. Thanks again to Dr. Cody Minor, of Windsor Veterinary Clinic, and his assistant, who made their final house call to Duck Pond last week to remove the leg cast prior to transfer to another rehabber pending release.

The second happy ending is that of “Winnie.” Her story has made the news on several Facebook pages, as well as in a recent PenBay Pilot/Boothbay Register article. While driving home from Vassalboro on the evening of August 27, a young woman witnessed a truck in front of her drive through a family of raccoons that were crossing the road. There was no oncoming traffic, but the driver didn’t attempt to brake nor stop to offer assistance. Four kits managed to run out of the way of the vehicle, but a little female was hit. Although motionless, she was still breathing; Kristen was able to wrap her in a sweatshirt and placed her on the front seat of her car.

Familiar with Don’s rehab facility, she called him and after confirming it wasn’t the mother racoon that had been hit – which would have been a serious concern for the remaining babies – brought the youngster over to him for admission and assessment. Thankfully, there were no broken bones, and once stabilized, she was transferred to Kathi McCue, at Wilderness Miracles Wildlife Rehab, in Bowdoin, where she has made great progress. “Winnie” was initially placed in quarantine (typical protocol), given physical therapy for a soft tissue rear leg injury, upgraded to a larger pen, and continues to thrive. The ‘icing on the cake’ is that Kristen will be present when Winnie is released.

Kristen was not only a Good Samaritan, but has also been a fundraiser, generously creating GoFundMe pages for both Don and Wilderness Miracles. If you wish to donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com and search for “Support Don Cote’s Wildlife Care Center” and/or “Support Wilderness Miracles Wildlife Rehab.” Wilderness Miracles also has a donation link on its Facebook and web site pages, as well as specific wish lists.

For anyone who knows Don, even semi-retirement he is busy! He receives many calls daily, provides advice and makes referrals. Duck Pond is now primarily a site for folks to bring in small injured or abandoned wildlife, with other rehabbers (or Don himself) transporting the animals to their own facilities for further treatment and care.

He has been working primarily with Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (207-212-1039; FYI, Jen accepts bats and mice), Wilderness Miracles, in Bowdoin (207-720-0074), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). As mentioned earlier this summer, mid-coast Maine has a newly-licensed turtle rehabber! Pam Meier can be reached at The Turtle’s Back (203-903-2708). Wildlife rehabbers are handling their own rescue calls and are especially busy with young animals that require extra feedings and care; Don greatly appreciates their ongoing assistance. Please remember to check these websites for someone close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html

In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

– Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Woolly Bear update and other folklore winter predictions

Photo by Roland Hallee, taken on Sunday, September 22.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Well, my article on Woolly Bear caterpillars in the September 12, 2024, issue of The Town Line, generated some emails.

One reader wrote: “According to your article in this week’s issue of The Town Line you haven’t been seeing any Woolly Bear caterpillars. Maybe it’s because they all migrated to my boyfriend’s house on the Ward Road, in Augusta. We have been spotting many of them since last week and the orange band on all of them is quite long. I guess that means we’ll have a mild winter. Personally, I would prefer snow over rain that freezes over. Snow is much easier to deal with.”

Another wrote: “Seeing lots of woolly bears. Everyone has a long brown stripe.”

Still another: “I saw one large healthy-acting woolly bear a couple days ago, and am pleased to report his orange band was at least half his body length.”

Another reader, who lives in Palermo wrote: “I live on Hostile Valley Road, in Palermo, and I just wanted to let you know the ‘bears’ are doing well over here. I walk many days and do a lot of gardening. I’ve seen at least a dozen so far these past two weeks. Most have been the traditionally marked version with a mid-body red/brown combined with the two black ends. Look very proportional with the blacks together equaling the red. I have seen one that was black on one end with the rest of the body red/brown.”

So, with all of that, guess what happened last Sunday? I saw two woolly bears, and managed to photograph one of them. Again, large rust colored band compared to the black tips.

From all reports, all the woolly bear sightings have mentioned a long rust-colored band, one e-mailer saying the band occupied at least half of the body.

Let’s hope the little critter is correct and we will have a relatively mild winter, as in the last couple of years.

Old farmers’ folklore states the severity, or mildness, of an upcoming winter is predicted with the woolly bear’s markings. The wider the rust-colored band, the milder the winter.

Other folklore to consider, the height of bee hives. The higher from the ground, the more snow can be expected. I have seen a few bee hives this year, one was in the ground, the others attached to the corners, in the rafters under the roofs, which is pretty normal.

Also, the amount of difficulty peeling an onion. My wife and I eat a lot of onions, and this summer, they have peeled easily, another sign of a mild winter.

Moose sighting on Killdeer Point

How many people witnessed the moose sighting on Killdeer Point last week? According to those who did, the moose took a swim, emerged on Killdeer Point, then went for a stroll up the road. Where it went from there, nobody seems to have seen that.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Boston Red Sox have won nine World Series. Only two other teams have more. Who are they?

Answer
New York Yankees (27), St. Louis Cardinals (10), (Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, has 9 also).

OBITUARIES for Thursday, September 26, 2024

NANCY A. CAYFORD

WATERVILLE / SOUTH CHINA – Nancy Ann (Dubois) Cayford, 72, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at camp, her “happy place”. She was born in Waterville on October 28, 1951, the daughter of Wallace and Shirley (St. Peter) Dubois.

Nancy graduated from Waterville High School in 1970. She retired in 2019 after 20 years as front desk associate at the Fireside Inn and Suites (formerly Best Western), in Waterville.

Before her declining health Nancy loved vacation trips, cruises, and casino adventures with her beloved partner of 30 years, Dan Pooler, and his sister, Margie and brother-in-law, Craig Handley. Their recently purchased summer home on China Lake instantly became her “Happy Place”, where family and friends were encouraged to visit and enjoy the lake. She loved floating around the lake on her inner tube, going for boat rides, and evenings by the fire pit with Dan.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents; her son, Vance Cayford, daughter, Lori Cayford; brother, Tim Dubois, sister, Susan (Dubois) Moffett, and sisters-in-law Linda Harding, Nancy Hewins and Pam Pratt.

She is survived by “her perfect man”, Dan Pooler; stepsons Dan Pooler and wife Sarah, and Shawn Pooler; sisters Donna Spillman and husband Wayne, and Debbie Goldsmith; sisters-in-law Donna Martin and Margie Handley and spouse Craig; grandsons Gaige and Gavin Hessert; step-grandchildren Kenzie, Jordan, and Maryanne Pooler; and great-grandson, Ezra Hessert; as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in South China, Fire Road 37 (directly across from the China School sign), Camp 54.

Please visit Nancy’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/nancy-cayford where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers those who wish may donate to Dialysis Clinic, Inc., 205 Ridge Rd., Fairfield ME 04937.

JOHN JOHNSON

CHINA – John Johnson, 58, passed away at Lahey Hospital, in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Sunday, September 8, 2024. John was born in Winslow on April 26, 1966, son of Patricia (Corey) Johnson and John Johnson.

He graduated from Winslow High School in 1984 and went straight into the workforce as an excellent Subaru mechanic for 32 years.

John was an avid hunter, fisherman, and snowmobiler. He loved being in the woods, regardless of the season. John enjoyed building tree stands, making his own deer jerky, and riding his Polaris up to Canada.

At the age of 32, John became the proud father of triplet girls. He passed his enthusiasm for animals and the outdoors on to his children, who grew up to be lovers of animals and nature as well.

John was predeceased by his father, John Johnson; and his sister, Anna Bouchard.

He is survived by his mother, Patricia (Corey) Johnson; his wife, Lisa Johnson; and his daughters Kinsey, Lexi, and Meagan Johnson; his sisters, Linda Marshall and her husband Paul Marshall, and Terry and her husband Blaine Breton, and Jody Leary and her husband Chuck Leary.

A graveside service was held at St. Francis Cemetery, in Waterville, on Friday, September 20,2024. .

Services are in the care of Veilleux – Redington – Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville.

WILLIAM WAHLEFIELD

CHINA – William Wahlefield, 88, died peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Bill was born in New York City on July 20, 1936. He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering and continued his studies at Lowell Technical Institute. He was a supervising civil engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in the Construction Grants department and a member of the Underwater Inspection Unit inspecting bridges, wall foundations, and sewer outfalls throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He eventually started his own business, Atlantic Engineering, which operated until 2019. He retired at the age of 83. In 2002 he married his wife, Deanna. They resided in Revere Massachusetts, until moving to the place he truly loved, China, Maine, in 2020. He was also a dedicated member of the Elks in Winthrop, Massachusetts and Augusta.

Bill was an avid fisherman all his life, sharing this passion with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a young man, he took up SCUBA diving so he could explore the beauties of the ocean even further, and, of course, bring in a few lobsters along the way. After fishing out of the Boston Harbor for many years, he retired to China Lake, and was often seen hauling in fish at his secret “Honey Hole.”

Bill truly loved animals of all kinds, especially dogs. He treated every dog he met as his own, spoiling them with abundant amounts of table scraps, invites to sit on his lap, and never-ending scratches.

He was a do-it-yourself type of man, taking on any challenge no matter how large. And most importantly, he was a man who valued family. He placed family above all else, and spent his life going above and beyond for them. In the summers, he spent his mornings at the griddle making eggs, bacon, and buttery english muffins for everyone. Every afternoon you could find him at the grill, determined to bring his family and friends together for a big meal. His beautiful wife Deanna “Nana Deedee” was often cooking alongside him making her famous macaroni salad. He loved making his homemade custard for dessert and sharing his box of Hershey bars with almonds.

In between, he filled his time with fishing, bringing his grandchildren tubing, spending time with his daughters and son, and fixing anything he could get his hands on. His energy was contagious and he was a joy to be around, always managing to be the funniest in the room. He lived life to the fullest, beating to his own drum until his last days. Bill passed along his strong values, resilience, selflessness, work ethic, and huge heart to all his children and grandchildren. His impact will be felt forever.

William “Papa Bill” is survived by his wife, Deanna Wahlefield; his children, Cathy (Parris) Varney, Charlotte Keefe, Julie Brachanow, Linda (Ariel) Anguiano, Joanne (William Sullivan) Torres, William Wahlefield Jr.; his grandchildren, Parris Varney Jr., Lindsey Varney, Liam Keefe, Casey Mcgah, Nathania Brachanow, Frankie Brachanow, Tonya Omar, Catherine Downard, Charlotte Anguiano, Kiyanna Anguiano, Denise Lawrenson, Deborah Morel, Joanna Torres, and Gabriella Torres; 16 great-grandchildren; four step-daughters, Rhonda Fulton, Kimberly Imbruglia, Annette Guarino, Sharon Mercier; and many step-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter Julia Healey, his son Richard Wahlefield, his brother Richard Wahlefield Jr., his mother Kathleen Wahlefield and his father Richard Wahlefield.

A service will be held at 1:30 p.m., at the China Baptist Church, 36 Causeway Rd, China, on Sunday, October 13, 2024, followed by a celebration of life at 2:30 p.m., at 701 Neck Road, China. All of his friends and acquaintances are invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society or your local animal shelter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

DOUGLAS DAVIS JR.

BENTON – Douglas Davis Jr., 72, of Benton, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2024. He was born in Waterville on September 17, 1951, to Cecile Tingley and Douglas Davis, Sr.

He attended school in Fairfield and joined the U.S. Army in 1970, stationed in Germany and then at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He then worked for MSAD #49 for many years.

Doug loved sports, whether it be watching sports or playing sports. He loved to play golf. He was in a bowling league for many years, earning many awards and honor scores. Doug enjoyed collecting baseball cards and playing cards with family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Lucille Thibodeau and brother, Greg Davis.

He is survived by daughter, Christine Fontaine and husband Ted; son, Keith Davis, wife Magda; grandchildren, Mariah Bryant and fiancé, Richard Shibles, Nicolas Fontaine and Mckenzie Davis; great-grandchildren, Reed and Walker; brothers Gilbert Willette and David Davis; sisters Colleen Willette Rezendes and Rhonda Levine; brother-in-law, Stephen Thibodeau.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1 p.m., at St. Francis Cemetery, in Waterville.

LEON A. DUFF

VASSALBORO – Leon A. Duff, 89, of Vassalboro, passed passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024. Lee was born on June 5, 1935, at his homestead in East Hodgdon, to Maurice and Ruth Barton Duff and was the ninth of 10 children.

He graduated from Ricker Classical Institute in 1953 and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education from Bob Jones University in 1957.

He started his career as a high school English teacher in New Haven, Connecticut, and eventually received a master’s degree and post master’s certificate in Education Administration from the University of Connecticut.

Lee was passionate about education and worked his way through the ranks to eventually become assistant superintendent at Amity Regional School District and then superintendent of schools in Woodbury and Bethlehem, Connecticut.

In 1984, he moved his family back to Maine where he spent 17 years as superintendent of schools for Winslow, Vassalboro and China, and retired in 2001 after 44 years in education.

Lee was an active member of Winslow Congregational Church and spent much of his retirement volunteering his services to United Way, Kennebec Behavioral Health, and Hospice Volunteers of the Waterville Area. He was an avid racquetball player and known for his quick wit, dry humor and sage advice. He loved to play cribbage and was a fierce competitor during outdoor family horseshoes and washers tournaments. Family fun was always on the agenda, but not until the work was done.

He was ready with a chore or project as soon as help arrived. He was generous, kind and giving. When he saw or heard of a need, he offered help and guidance. He shared stories and wisdom with family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. He made a difference for many people. Lee once said “As long as I am able, I want to make a difference and that’s the bottom line.” And that is truly how he lived his life.

Lee is survived by his wife Barbara; children Bruce and (Leslie) Duff, of Plain City, Ohio, Suzanne and (Chuck) Rogers, of Colchester, Connecticut, Kathryn and (Robby) Pelotte, of Hallowell, Maury and (Pennie) Duff, of Brewer, and Emelia and (Patrick) Strainge, of Woolwich; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Barnes Duff; his parents; and five siblings.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St., in Winslow.

Memorial gifts may be made to Maine General Homecare and Hospice, in gratitude for their kind and compassionate care in Lee’s final weeks.

DAVID A. STEVENSON

VASSALBORO – David A. Stevenson, D.M.A., 72, of Vassalboro, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024. Born in Mars Hill on January 20, 1952, David lived most of his life in Unity and Vassal­boro.

He was a devoted father who loved taking his family on epic road trips around the U.S. each summer, which eventually turned into international travel with his wife. He particularly looked forward to their February vacations in Saint Maarten and fondly remembered their trek across El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. David was quite the Renaissance man; this unassuming guy was incredibly handy and could replace a head gasket while giving instructions on how to do it in Spanish, build anything from custom cabinets to canoes, plumb and wire a house, plow and maintain fields with an antique tractor, and more.

In retirement, he embraced ‘slowing down’ by helping build his daughter a new house and growing fields of pumpkins with his grandchildren to sell and contribute to their college funds. Few things made him happier than watching his grandchildren play sports and perform in recitals.

David was a music teacher for 42 years, primarily at Mt. View High School, in Thorndike, where he was known by his many students as Stevo. In addition to teaching, he arranged and composed many of the pieces his students sang, planned an international tour each April vacation for the Chamber Singers, wrote and ran the annual Olde Tyme Radio Hour variety show, and conducted the Kennebec Valley Chordsmen. Dedicated to his craft, David received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University and had numerous compositions published under various pen names. Despite these accomplishments, he was perhaps best known for his quiet strength and humility.

David was predeceased by his parents, Dana P. and Madeline Dickey Stevenson. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sonia; his daughter Jen; his son Anthony and wife Sarah, their three children, Manny, Lucia, and Violet; his sister Paula Young and husband Dana Turcotte; his brother Jeff Stevenson and wife Brenda; his extensive Zepeda family; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the China Lake Conference Center, 255 Neck Rd., China, ME 04358; all are welcome.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice.

LUCIEN VEILLEUX

WATERVILLE – Lucien Veilleux passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024. Lucien was born on Thanksgiving morning November 30, 1933. He was the middle child of John and Josephine Veilleux, in Waterville.

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1951. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and candlepin bowling. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in April 1952 and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He was selected as “Airman of the Month” by Stars and Stripes magazine. In April 1954, he was promoted to Senior Airman to be in charge of the machine shop, with the rank of NCIOC. He was discharged in March 1956 and while attending Southern Maine Vocational-Technical Institute (SMVTI), in Portland, he met Glennis Bubier. They courted for three years and were married on April 4, 1959. They were blessed with three children, Kevin, Garrett and Karen.

Lucien was proprietor of Veilleux’s Meat Market, on Sherwin Street, in Waterville, from 1958 to 1967. Then he went onto work at Laverdiere’s Super Drug Stores, as manager, in the Waterville area for 26 years until they sold to Rite- Aid in 1995.

Lucien is survived by his wife of 65 years, Glennis; children, Kevin, Garrett and Karen; his brother Roland, of Skowhegan; his sister Vernette Dechaine, of Statesboro, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Josephine Veilleux; brother Leonel Veilleux;and his wife Bernly; his sister Jeannette Bourgoin and her husband Roland; his sister-in-law Everlyn Veilleux; his brother-in-law Roland Dechaine; his mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Richard Bubier; brother-in-law Clarance (Sonny) Bubier; two sisters-in-law, Delores Leveque and husband John and Connie Wood and husband Harold.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, September 24, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Silver Street, Waterville. The burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Fairfield.

Obituary was primarily written by Lucien himself.

Services are in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. Please visit http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com to view the memorial page and sign the on-line guest book.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

CHRISTINE E. DePROFIO

WINDSOR – Christine E. DeProfio, 60, passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at her home. She was born December 26, 1963, a daughter of Francis “George” and Helen (Yoe) Schuessler.

Christine grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she graduated from high school in the class of 1982.

On September 8, 1984, she married Joseph DeProfio and the two made their home in Windsor and raised two sons, Christopher and Steven.

Christine worked for Digital Corporation, in Augusta, later known as SCI and was employed for the last 21 years by UnitedHealthcare. In 2005, she graduated from Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, with an associate degree in Medical Transcription. Christine was an avid reader who enjoyed going to the beach and shopping. She will be remembered for her selfless nature and down to earth personality.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brother, George Schuessler and his wife, Deborah.

Christine is survived by her husband of 40 years, Joseph DeProfio; her sons Christopher DeProfio and his wife Chelsea, and Steven DeProfio and his wife, Elizabeth Penrose; grandson, 18-month-old Lucas DeProfio; her siblings, Linda Dodwell and her husband Thomas, Karen Cutler and her husband Ralph, and Paula Serrentino and her husband Phillip; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., on Monday, September 23, at Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME 04363.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Christine’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/maine.

LETICIA F. BROWN

SIDNEY – Leticia F. Brown, 58, passed away on Thurssday, September 19, 2024, following a long battle with cancer.

Leticia Brown dedicated 22 years of exemplary service to MaineGeneral Health. Leticia began her healthcare career as a medical transcriptionist at Mid-Maine Medical Center, in Waterville, in April 1994. In December 2000, she transitioned to MaineGeneral Health, taking on the role of Manager of Medical Transcription. As her career progressed, Leticia served as the Director of Health Information Management, Coding, and Transcription. Leticia retired from MaineGeneral Health on January 19, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, professionalism, and warmth.

Leticia will be remembered for her kindness and the care she showed everyone around her. She was particularly enthusiastic about helping those around her, especially her family and others suffering from cancer. Since 2014 Leticia participated in raising money in support of Team Hallowell for the Dempsey Challenge. Currently, she and her Lady Warriors are raising money for MaineGeneral’s “Day of Hope.”

Leticia is survived by her significant other, Terry Jacques, of Sidney; her two sons, Brandon Brown (his wife Ashley), of Oakland, and Ryan Brown, of California; her granddaughter, Maggie Hickey, of Oakland; her two brothers, Lyle Frost (his wife Cheryl), of Florida, and Wendall Frost (his wife Kay), of North Anson; her three sisters, Darlene Robbins, of Waterville, Melody Warren (her husband Terry), of Mercer, and Darla McGuire (her husband Peter), of Augusta.

She was predeceased by her parents Lyle and Arlene Frost; and her siblings Franklyn Frost, Arnold Frost, Melvin Frost, Sylvia Davis and Olene Hasson.

Leticia’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28, from noon – 2 p.m., at the Augusta Elks Club.

Arrangements are entrusted to the compassionate care of Wheeler Funeral Home, located at 26 Church St., Oakland. Memories of Leticia can be shared, and an online register book can be signed by visiting http://www.wheelerfh.com

In lieu of flowers, Leticia invites you to donate to her fundraising page for the charity online at https://tinyurl.com/LeticiaBrown

JEANNETTE V. CURTIS

WATERVILLE – Jeannette Veronica Michaud Curtis, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at her home in Waterville. Jeannette was born on December 5, 1930, in Waterville, and is the daughter of Joseph E. Michaud of Saint-Isadore, Québec, Canada, and Hermoza V. Michaud (Gilbert), of Waterville. She graduated from Waterville High School with the class of 1948.

After graduation, Jeannette was employed by Spring Brook Ice and Fuel Co., in Waterville, while patiently waiting for her high school sweetheart, Keith M. Curtis, to return to Waterville from his U.S. Navy deployments.

On May 16,1953, she married Keith, the endearing love of her life. Over the next three years, Jeannette and Keith were blessed with three children, Kathy, Scott and Craig.

After living in Waterville and then Brunswick, they left Maine and moved to Wappingers Falls, New York, where they raised their children until they graduated from college. Jeannette was a stay-at-home nurturing mother and beloved wife. She was the quintessential homemaker, managing all aspects of the family. She instilled in her three children the importance of family life, unconditional love, and the values of hard work, commitment, respect, gratitude and integrity.

In 1989, Jeannette and Keith moved back to Waterville, their “home-sweet-home”. They found their dream home and settled down to enjoy their retirement, family, friends and their life together. It was a special time for them. Jeannette enjoyed several hobbies, including baking, reading, gardening, basket weaving, puzzle making, and over 30 years of team and doubles bowling. She was a very talented seamstress, creating beautiful outfits and home decor for herself, family, and friends. She was always happy to assist when someone needed tailoring or alterations.

Jeannette looked forward to summer vacations at Moosehead Lake where the family went for many years. She loved boating, swimming, canoeing, cooking four-course meals campside and watching sunrises and sunsets with Keith, and connecting with old friends each year. After she and Keith became empty-nesters, and even into their 80s, they continued trips to the lake, preferring the rustic lifestyle of a campground over an amenity-filled cabin. They enjoyed nature and being outdoors and they truly perfected their art of camping.

Jeannette’s beautiful love story with Keith was put on hold when he passed away in 2023. After more than 70 years together, the loss she felt was unimaginable, leaving a void in her heart. She will be remembered as a kind, friendly, loyal, devoted, and courageous woman, a woman who loved her husband and family unconditionally, a woman who would reach out to help friends and neighbors.

Jeannette was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Keith Merle Curtis; her parents, Joseph E. Michaud and Hermoza V. Michaud; her three sisters, Gertrude Michaud, Germaine Alice Michaud Orloff, and Marie Michaud Lacombe, and a brother, Joseph Michaud.

She is survived by her three children, Kathy L. Curtis-Hernandez RN and her spouse, Gus Hernandez, of Scottsdale Arizona, Dr. Scott K. Curtis DVM, of Winslow, and Dr. Craig W. Curtis MD and his spouse, Sande Curtis NP, of Dedham; her younger brother, Harold Michaud and his spouse, Stephanie, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth King Michaud, of Waterville; her five grandchildren, Justin Curtis Jenkins and his spouse, Andrew Foster Shi, of Los Angeles California, Dr. Kimberly J. Curtis PhD and her spouse, Ian McDonnell, of Marlborough Massachusetts, Ethan S. Curtis, of Winslow, Dr. Kyle E. Curtis MD and his spouse Erika Curtis, of Farmington, Marcis I. Curtis, of Dedham; and a great-granddaughter, Eloise Curtis.

A public graveside memorial service will be held for Jeannette and her husband, Keith, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville, on Saturday October 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. Immediately following the memorial service, a reception and Celebration of Life will be held for Jeannette at the Best Western Plus Grand Hotel, 375 Main St., in Waterville.

Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville ME 04901. Memories may be shared and an online registry book may be signed by visiting: vrlfuneralhome.com

Others Departed

PETER A. LOCKHART

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

MARC J. LaPOINTE

ANDERSON, Indiana – Marc Joseph LaPointe, 61, of Anderson, Indiana, formerly of Oakland, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 19, 2023, in Anderson, Indiana. Marc was born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of the late Leo George LaPointe, and is survived by his mother, Carole (Ferland) Pouliot and her husband, Ken Pouliot.

Marc had lived in Maine most of his life before relocating to Anderson, Indiana. He worked in Anderson for Two Guys and A Truck for the better part of 27 years as a mover. Marc enjoyed his job and the co-workers that became like family to him. Marc was a people person and every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn’t met yet and one he could share his jokes with.

He leaves behind two sons, Shaun Evans and his wife Tabatha Evans, of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Joe Evans and his wife Brittany Evans, of Bloomington Springs, Tennessee; his brother, Raymond LaPointe, of Waterville; his sisters, Sue LaPointe, of Augusta, and Carolyn (LaPointe) MacKeil and her husband Mark MacKeil, of Peachtree City, Geogia; and several nieces.

EVERT FOWLE

LANCASTER, Massachusetts – Evert Fowle, of Lancaster, Massachusetts, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 14, 2024, following a 10-month fight against cancer. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the late Evert and Cellen Fowle and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Lexington High School in 1975.

Evert was an avid Boston sports fan, with a particular love for the Red Sox. Evert developed a lifelong love for travel with his family on road trips across the country and on adventures through Europe. He graduated from Macalester College in 1979 and Syracuse Law School in 1984.

After law school, Evert moved to Central Maine and began his career as a prosecutor working for David Crook, who became a lifelong mentor and friend. For 27 years, he served Kennebec and Somerset counties in the District Attorney’s Office, his last 10 years as the District Attorney. He devoted his career to helping victims and seeking justice for the people of Maine. His work went beyond the four corners of being a prosecutor. He strived to lower recidivism by co-founding Kennebec’s Co-Occurring Disorders Court in 2005 and the Veterans’ Treatment Court in 2011. Later that year, the governor swore Evert in as a District Court Judge. He spent much of his time on the bench presiding in Newport, Belfast, and Augusta.

Evert met his wife Lori in 1986 and the two were married in 1990. They moved to Vassalboro where they raised their three children. Like all other facets of his life, Evert parented his children by leading by example. He cultivated their curiosity by reading them books and being a lifelong reader. He showed them how to live a full life by living one himself, through attending symphonies, “Sox” games and community events. He did all of this while keeping a balanced checkbook. He could tell a good story, but was an even better listener, especially when his family wanted to tell him about their day.

In retirement, Evert and Lori divided their time between Maine and Florida before moving to Massachusetts in 2022. He enjoyed exploring and hiking with Hayden. For the last six years, Evert and Lori traveled around the country with friends and family joining them in places ranging from southern California to Vail, Colorado, to Jekyll Island, Georgia, to Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Evert leaves behind his wife, Lori; their three children, Evert, Hayden, and Morgan; daughter-in-law, Alyssa; and granddaughter, Sutton; his three siblings, Cellen Wolk, Jef Fowle, and Janet Fowle.

A memorial service will be held in Hallowell, at Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center, on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations serving Kennebec and Somerset counties: https://www.familyviolenceproject.org/ and https://www.silentnomore.org/how-we-help.html.

STEPHEN W. FOSS

CANAAN – Stephen Wayne Foss, 76, of Canaan, originally from China, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon September 12, 2024. “Butch”, as he was affectionately known, was born in Waterville, on August 25, 1948, to Bernard and Catherine Foss.

Stephen will be remembered for many accomplishments. After graduating high school in 1966, Stephen enlisted into the United States Air Force. Where he was deployed in 1967 to fight in the Vietnam War. He served until 1972.

In 1972 – 1977, Stephen went to serve in the United States Navy where he was stationed in Europe.

From 1977 – 1991, Stephen transitioned to the United States Army Reserves, 1125th U.S. Army Hospital, in Bangor. From 1989 – 1990, Stephen was stationed in Panama to provide reinforcement to the hospital during the Noriega Conflict. In 1991, Stephen was then deployed to Desert Storm assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division – “Big Red 1” – which led the ground invasion into Iraq.

From 1991 – 1995, Stephen moved into the Army Individual Ready Reserve. From 1995 – 1997, Stephen finished his 31-year military career at the 133RD Battalion Maine Army National Guard as an E6, staff sergeant. Throughout this career, Stephen served as a Combat Medic.

In his normal life, Stephen was a certified Nurses Aid (CNA), Certified EMT and then went onto becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Stephen had worked at Pleasant Hill Nursing Home before he went on to work at AMHI, now known as Riverview Psychiatry Hospital, in Augusta, which he retired from.

Stephen was a volunteer First Responder at the Canaan Fire Department along with being a medical officer part time at the old Somerset County Jail, in Skowhegan. He then went to work part time at Genesis Oak Grove Center, Waterville.

Stephen was also a USATF-Maine National Level Certified Official who specialized in Weights and Measures. His other caveats were officiating throwing events. Being a USATF-Maine National Level Certified Official, Stephen could officiate most events but maintained SME (subject matter expert) in Weights and Measures.

He is survived by his wife Valaree JL Foss; his daughter Stefanie L. Foss; his son-in-law Chris Foster; his sister Doreen Casabona; his grandson Ian Norton; many nieces, nephews.

He was predeceased by his first daughter Tavi J. Norton who recently passed herself in 2021.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Skowhegan Federated Church, 13 Island Ave, Skowhegan, followed by a graveside interment, 3 p.m., Fairview Cemetery, Hartland Road, Canaan. Finger foods and beverages provided after at the Carrabassett Masonic Lodge, 21 Oak Pond Road, Skowhegan. The Masonic Lodge is 1.7 miles from the cemetery.

Please visit Stephen’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/stephen-foss where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

MURIEL O. M. DOUCETTE

SOUTH CHINA – Muriel Olsson Mann Doucette, 92, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was born in New­port, Rhode Island, on October 30, 1931, to Ger­maine Olsson Frederick and William Frederick.

She lost both parents at the tender age of 2-1/2 and was raised and later adopted by her maternal grandparents, Capt. Neil and Irene Olsson, of East Skowhegan, on a large dairy farm that comprised a large portion of Eaton Mt.

She graduated a top ten student of the 1949 Class at Skowhegan High School. She was a quite active actor and singer there and wore the crowns of Grange Poultry Queen and Apple Queen and was a Lady in Waiting at her Senior Prom. It was written in her year book “ She likes to act and likes to sing, but above all, she likes to smile”.

She went on to marry and had three beautiful children. They were the bright light in
her life. As the children grew she decided to go back to work outside the home. After passing many state exams for different positions, she went to work for the State Dept. of Transportation where she worked for 30 years, starting as a clerk/typist and eventually becoming chief accountant.

With her beloved husband Howard, they owned cottages at Belgrade lakes and Bottle Lake, in Lakeville Plantation. The enjoyed fishing on Junior Lake and going through the channels at West Grand Lake. Beautiful Salmon were quite plentiful and they enjoyed many a tall tale of who caught the biggest fish.

Her last home was in South China and here she would find a perfect outlet for her passion of gardening, flowers and bird watching. She was always improving the landscape around her and stayed quite active until a major back operation in 1977 slowed her down, but just a bit. She surely loved her country home.

She is survived by her three children, sons Larry Mann and partner Rene Veilleux, of Auburn, and Gary Mann and wife Tina, of East Winthrop; and daughter Margaret DeGroff, of Riverside, California; step-son Thomas Doucette and wife Colleen, of Windsor; and step-daughter Cheryl and husband Doug Clary, of Vassalboro; grandchildren Carrie and Alice DeGroff, of California, Jacob Mann and Katy Mann, both of Winthrop, and Jason Mann; four great-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours, 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901. Burial will follow at 1 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, 449 Ohio St., Bangor, ME 04401, where she will be laid to rest with her husband.

Donations may be made in her name to the American Diabetes Association, or The Kennebec Valley Humane Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.plummerfh.com.