Obituaries for Thursday, August 8, 2019

KENNETH L. GOULD

FREEDOM – Kenneth L. Gould, 83, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. He was born on July 26, 1935, the son of John P. Gould and Belle Bessey Gould.

He graduated from Besse High School, in Albion, in 1953. While in school, Ken participated in the minstrel show, played basketball, served as class treasurer, class reporter and on the editorial board of the school paper. His favorite saying was always “Silence is golden, but talking is more fun.”

On September 24, 1955, he married the former Priscilla Harding, of China. The two met while shew worked at Custer’s Last Stnd (now The Landing), in China. She remembers Ken excelled at peeling potatoes and would volunteer his time at the ice crea shop just to be with her.

In 1956, Ken and Priscilla, along with their dauther Drusilla, moved to California. It was there that their three sons, Dwight, Dewayne and Doug, were born. But it wasn’t long before Maine called them home. In the summer of 1963, Ken and the family journeyed back east and settle down in Freedom.

He was a man of many talents and trades, but his life’s passion was farming and growing vegetables. Ken’s favorite past-times were those he shared with loved ones, such as ice fishing on Moosehead Lake, playing horseshoes at family barbecues, hosting the grandchildren for sleep overs, running the family vegetable stand, and fishing for perch in nearby ponds and lakes.

Ken was predeceased by his parents; brother George; son Dewayne.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Priscilla; daughter Drusilla and her husband Tom; sons Dwight and wife Brenda, Doug and wife Sandra, and Deana Tardiff, his late son Dewayne’s fiancé; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Charlene Gould, Marilyn Levesque and Patricia Higgins; many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the No. 4 cemetery, in Albion, on Sunday, August 11, at 2:30 p.m. Following the service, friends and family are welcome to gather at the Besse Building, on Main St., in Albion, to celebrate the memory and life of a man so many knew and loved.

ROBERT A. McLEOD

CHINA – Robert “Bobby” A. McLeod, 77, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. He was born May 19, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Edward and Arabella “Billie” (Davis) McLeod.

Bob was a retired truck driver and a proud teamster of Local #443 out of New Haven, Connecticut, working for many trucking companies throughout his life and traveled the country meeting many people along the way before retiring and moving to Maine. He was a proud man who worked very hard to make a better life for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joanne (Teachman) McLeod, of China; two children, a son, Michael McLeod and wife Tracy, of Palermo, and a daughter, Patricia “Tisha” (McLeod) Grant and husband Scott, of Albion; three grandchildren, Melissa Grant and partner Darius Parker, of Winslow, Nicholas Grant, of China, and Heather McLeod ,of Palermo; four great- grandchildren, Aubrey and Autumn Grant, and Grant and Charlotte Parker, all of Maine.

He was predeceased by his grandmother, Margaret Davis; mother, Arabella “Billie” (Davis) McLeod; father, Edward McLeod; and grandson, Daniel McLeod.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Bobby’s memory to your local humane society or cancer center.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

RITA A. ROUX

NORTH VASSALBORO – Rita A. Roux, 90, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019, at her home. She was born March 10, 1929, in Greenville, the daughter of Joseph and Odella (Daigle) Perry.

She was educated in the schools of Greenville and graduated from Greenville High School in 1946. On July 12, 1947, she married Robert J. Roux at the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Greenville. She was employed from 1946 to 1991 as an inspector for C.F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville. Rita was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, in North Vassalboro, and the C.F. Hathaway bowling team and enjoyed playing cards with family, bingo, and she loved to fish.

Rita is survived by her husband of 72 years, Robert J. Roux, of North Vassalboro; two daughters, Robin L Reagan, of Lisbon, Rhonda L. Weston and husband Dennis, of Vassalboro, son, Randall R. Roux and wife Irene, of Farmingdale; brother, Lorenzo “Joe” Perry, of Tilton, New Hampshire; sister, Frances Davis and husband Keith, of Dover; grandchildren, Casey Reagan, of Lewiston, Katie Reagan, of Lewiston, Jeffrey Roux, of Lavergne, Tennessee, Matthew Roux and wife Ruth, of Cape Coral, Florida, Justin Roux, of Portland, Timothy S. Dibenedetti and wife Tracey, of Augusta, Sarah Rosciti and husband Henry, of North Scituate, Rhode Island, Ryan Pleau and partner Tiana Ireland, Joseph Weston and partner Samantha Mason; eight great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Winifred Sawyer and Carmel Smith.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Rita’s memory to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 WebbRoad, Waterville, ME 04901, or Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main St., Waterville, Maine 04901.

DANIEL C. GAY JR.

WATERVILLE – Daniel Charles Gay, Jr., 82, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. He was born December 29, 1936, in Augusta, the son of Daniel C. Sr. and Emma (Huntress) Gay.

He was educated in the schools of Augusta. On November 12, 1960, he married the former Beverly Lake. Daniel was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War until his honorable discharge. He was employed for many years as truck driver for Colchester Egg. He had many hobbies and interests including fishing, hunting, camping, woodcarving, riding up north with his wife, Bev, loved NASCAR racing and loved and had a special bond with his cat, Krystal.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly (Lake) Gay, of Waterville; two daughters, Debra Anderson, of Fairfield, Cindy Allen and husband Robert, of Fairfield; son, Charles Gray and wife Allison, of South Berwick; sister, Brenda Postemski, of Solon; three grandsons, Mathew W. Allen and wife Laura, of China, Christopher Lothridge, of Augusta, Jackson Gray, of South Berwick; five granddaughters, Tanya A. Allen, of Oakland, Bethany Robinson, of North Windham, Connecticut, Amanda Sherman and husband Andy, of Canterbury, Connecticut, Jennifer Gray and Erin Gray, both of South Berwick; seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Daniel’s memory to the Travis Mills Foundation, 747 Western Avenue, Manchester, ME 04351, www.travismills.org.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

REGINALD G. JOLER

WATERVILLE – Reginald G. Joler, 87, of Waterville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on February 12, 1932, to Leo and Evangeline Joler.

Reginald lived a full and rich life. He was a graduate of Waterville High School and was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He proudly served from 1952 to 1954 in Germany; he was honorably discharged. After returning to the United States Reginald began working for First National until he retired. He had a passion for talking with people and readily offered his assistance to anyone in need. Reginald had a love of the Lord, camping, boating, fishing, building, tree work, western’s, dancing and spending time with family.

Reginald was a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and Knights of Columbus, where he served on many committees, cooked meals for those in need and assisted with blood drives and voting stations.

He was predeceased by his parents Leo and Evangeline; his wife Patricia; son David; brothers, Gerald, Richard, Paul, and sisters Joanne and Doris.

Reginald is survived by his children MaryAnn and husband Sonny, Sue-Ann, Rick, Bryan and partner Karen and Bruce and wife Kristin, stepson Robert; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to, may make donations in Reginald’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 393 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074, or Beacon Hospice Care, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330. Make checks payable to Amedisys Foundation.

RICKY A. GREENLEAF

ROME – Ricky A. Greenleaf passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2019. Rick will be remembered for his big smile and his generous heart. Rick quickly became a friend to everyone he met.

Rick was a lifetime resident of Rome and loved his community. Rick had a passion for the outdoors, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and “noodling” on Watson Pond. Children and pets seemed to gravitate toward Rick, there was never a child or dog that did not want to be near him. Rick was well known in the community for being able to fix almost anything and everything, and he always did it with a smile.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Marion and Irving Greenleaf; his brothers Jerry Greenleaf and Roland “Manny” Greenleaf, and his sister Beverly Chick.

Rick will be missed by his wife Shelly; his son Nathan and fiancé Anna, his daughter Theresa and partner Kevin, daughter Jessica Greenleaf; grandchildren Landen, Sky and Isla; his sister Deb Williams and brother-in-law Guy Williams and their children Mary Lou and Guy Junior; his brothers Timmy Greenleaf and Terry Greenleaf and his children Daryl and Rachel; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Joe, Jed, Jenny and Sarah; his father-in-law Richard Butler and mother-in-law Patricia Butler, and mother-in-law Frances Dill; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Rick at the Rome Community Center, 8 Mercer Rd., Rome, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Saturday, August 24.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

JOSEPH S. THERIAULT

CHINA – Joseph Stanley (Stan) Theriault 83, of China, passed away peacefully on Fridasay, July 26 , 2019, at his son’s home. He was born to Josie and Joseph Theriault in Knox on April 5, 1936.

Thus everyone in the Knox area and family knew him as ( Stan ) or Stanley to avoid the confusion but throughout his work life he was ( JOE ).

He was the devoted husband of 64 years to Constance ( Bernier ) Theriault, who he met in high school in Westbrook and later married in 1955. They moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, to start his career in the medical field as a lab tech, which took him to many hospitals around the country, Delaware Ohio, Sandusky, Ohio, and Bellvue, Ohio, where he decided to leave the medical profession.

He was a very fast study in whatever he chose to tackle and after remodeling their home in Castalia, Ohio, he decided he was now a carpenter and joined the Carpenters Union and was happy as a clam. He was involved in the construction of (at the time ) the largest wooden roller coaster in the world at Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio, a story he told often. He then partnered with a friend and decided to build and sell travel trailers and truck campers for a while, which after a year or so he realized he was not the partnering type.

Thus, after 14 years of the sweet sounds of Maine calling him, they decided to move back to Maine in 1970 to enjoy Maine. He now being a Union Carpenter, his first job in Maine was helping to build Maine Yankee, a fact he was quite proud of. It didn’t take long and he was on his way up the construction ladder. He was assistant supervisor for Peachey Builders during construction of the JFK Mall, in Waterville, and later as their top superintendent for many years. He was also in charge of the Elm Plaza renovation for Pittsfield Industries, when the Bonanza restaurant was built and Grant’s was remodeled. He had many very interesting construction jobs over the years that took him and his wife all over the country, and he loved to talk about them all. Construction was his passion.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Connie; his sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Rebecca, and Tim and Rebecca, all of China; his younger brother Theodore Theriault, of Keyport, New Jersey; many of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his two youngest sons Steven Douglas Theriault and Michael Stanley Theriault, both taken far too young and it was a bitter pill for him to swallow. He was also predeceased by a brother at birth and a sister.

BARBARA ROY

TEWKSBURY, Massachusetts – Barbara (Sears) Roy, 81, a resident of Fairfield, Winslow, and Tewksbury, Massachusetts, passed away at Blair House in Tewksbury on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. She was born in Bangor on December 23, 1937, to William and Florence (Julia) Sears.

Barbara attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School, and was a graduate of Lawrence High School, class of 1955, both schools in Fairfield. Throughout her adult life Barbara maintained her allegiance to everything connected to LHS, sports, alumni reunions, and attended activities involving her cousin’s children and grandchildren.

Barbara worked many years at Keyes Fibre Co., in Waterville, retiring as treasury assistant. She married the Wilfred Roy in 1958. Barbara’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, playing cards, Julia family Christmas parties, camping and skiing with her children, and spending time at their lake home on Lake Winnecook.

Her Christmas stockings, which she knitted, are treasured by many. Her delicious peanut butter fudge and peanut butter balls will be missed. After retirement, Barbara and Wolf traveled to Hawaii, spent several winters in Florida and attended family functions around the country.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Wilfred; her daughters, Pam Connors and husband, Bryan, of Tewksbury Massachusetts, Jean Ann Young and husband Larry, of Martinsville, Indiana, and son, Scott Roy, of San Diego, California; three grandchildren, Eric Young, his wife Jennifer, and son, Ian; Logan Roy and Kasey Connors; and several cousins.

Local students named to Stonehill College dean’s list

The following local students have been named to the dean’s list at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts.

Justin Davis, a member of the class of 2019, from Palermo, and Makenzie Charest, a member of the class of 2022, from Sidney.

Last call for peaches!

The last delivery of freshly-picked peaches from northern New Jersey will be on Friday, August 23, at the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field. The cutoff date for orders will be August 13, at 4 p.m. These sweet, luscious peaches will arrive in 38-pound boxes, but half-boxes are also available. A full box costs $37, and the half box costs $23. These are large, freestone peaches, perfect for canning, freezing, jam, and, of course, fresh eating. They will arrive slightly firm for shipping.

To order, please call Connie at 993-2294, and if you leave a message, please include your phone number! They will call to confirm and to let you know when you can pick up your peaches. They will be available Friday into the evening hours, and all day on Saturday. You may send a check, made out to LCF, to P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. Orders of four or more boxes will receive a discounted price, so call up your friends and family to share this fresh fruit feast!

Proceeds from sales benefit the Palermo Community Center’s ongoing operations expenses and programs, including materials for the Food Pantry, building repairs, and community services. Your support is greatly appreciated! All board members and administrators of the Community Center are unpaid volunteers, so your support is important to us.

CHINA: Comprehensive planning committee hopes to have final draft by year’s end

by Mary Grow

Three members of China’s Comprehensive Planning Committee, plus Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) representative Joel Greenwood and Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo, spent the last evening in July talking about the updated China Comprehensive Plan that Greenwood hopes to have drafted by the end of the year.

As a basis, there are the existing plan and a map designating areas proposed for development; a summary of results from the visioning session held earlier this year; and a summary of comments emailed in response to a questionnaire from the Tax Increment Financing Committee.

The July 31 discussion focused on designating development areas. Those present tentatively decided:

  • There is no need to designate separate areas for commercial development and for residential development.
  • Many of the areas designated for residential development in the current plan have been pretty well filled with houses – and an occasional small business – since the plan was prepared more than a decade ago.
  • Since, according to KVCOG data, more China residents commute to Augusta than to Waterville, Oakland and Fairfield combined, encouraging residential growth in the south end of town rather than the north makes sense.
  • The Route 3 corridor from the Vassalboro line to a point some miles east of South China Village seems to be already a growth area, as does Route 32 South past the Weeks Mills Road intersection, so encouraging more development in those connected areas should be appropriate.

Greenwood emphasized that designating growth areas and drawing lines on maps is “not prescriptive, just idealistic” and is not intended to restrict development opportunities in town. Looking at where development has occurred since the current plan was approved, he and Miragliuolo agreed the plan had not been influential.

Any resident interested in joining the Comprehensive Planning Committee is welcome. More information is available at the town office. The next committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, with housing and historic resources on Greenwood’s preliminary agenda.

CHINA: Mills-Stevens to take over excavator negotiations from public works manager Reed

by Mary Grow

The proposal to buy an excavator for China’s Public Works Department that has been on the selectmen’s agendas since June 10 is scheduled to appear again on August 19, under new management.

At the selectmen’s Aug. 5 meeting, board member Donna Mills-Stevens volunteered to renegotiate the proposed purchase with Chadwick- BaRoss, believing she can get better terms than Public Works Manager Shawn Reed did. Board Chairman Robert MacFarland expects her report in two weeks.

Reed hoped selectmen would approve the $172,850 price he had negotiated, including a trailer for the tracked Volvo machine and an extended warranty. He said Chadwick-BaRoss agreed to hold the price until Dec. 1, but not to guarantee the machine would not be sold to another customer while China officials debated (see The Town Line, July 25).

Mills-Stevens, a banker and co-operator of Stevens dairy farm, cited her experience in negotiating and in buying heavy equipment as she volunteered.

Selectmen rejected two other alternatives before letting Mills-Stevens take over. Ronald Breton’s motion to buy the excavator on the terms Reed presented received only Irene Belanger’s vote, with MacFarland, Breton and Jeffrey LaVerdiere opposed and Mills-Stevens unable to decide and recorded as abstaining. LaVerdiere’s motion to put the question on China’s November local ballot and let voters decide received his and Mills-Stevens’ votes, with the other three opposed.

After the final decision, Reed said he had “spent a lot of time and energy and effort on this,” trying “to do the best possible I could for the taxpayers.” His starting premise was that having a town-owned excavator instead of contracting for one would save money.

Now, he said, the selectmen could take over the project and he would focus on his other duties. Personally, he did not care what they decided; not owning an excavator would mean one less piece of equipment for which he was responsible.

On other public works topics, Reed reported most of the tools authorized to let new hire Josh Crommett do vehicle maintenance have arrived, and the work of removing beavers and their dams from the Bog Brook Road area continues.

The excavator discussion was interrupted by a parliamentary dispute. After Breton’s motion was made and seconded, Wayne Chadwick, the contractor whose excavator selectmen agreed to hire this year, asked to comment from the audience and MacFarland recognized him. Breton objected, saying by Robert’s Rules of Order audience members could participate in discussion until a motion was on the floor; then only board members could speak. Chadwick left the meeting.

When Breton returned to the topic before adjournment, Town Manager Dennis Heath said Breton was correct, and since the board adopted Robert’s Rules, members should follow them. However, he said, the rules are flexible: MacFarland could have asked the rest of the board to let Chadwick speak out of order.

Although the excavator will not – at least as of Aug. 5 – be on a Nov. 5 local ballot, selectmen accepted Heath’s recommendation that they ask voters another question: “Do they want to allow retail medical marijuana facilities in China?” The question Heath drafted asks if the current local ordinance prohibiting marijuana businesses should be amended to make an exception for medical marijuana businesses. (The single-page “Ordinance Prohibiting Retail Marijuana Establishments in China” is on the town website under “Ordinances, Policies and Orders.”)

China has one medical marijuana store, established before state law changed. Heath said it is grandfathered and would not be affected by a November vote. Under revised state laws China voters must “opt in,” that is, approve a local ordinance allowing such businesses, before any more can open. The planning board has one application on which it cannot act unless voters approve (see The Town Line, July 18).

Local elections will also be Nov. 5. Nomination papers are available at the town office for positions on the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Budget Committee and for one seat on the Regional School Unit #18 board.

In other business Aug. 5, Heath announced that Tracey Frost, China’s part-time police chief, has resigned due to lack of time. Craig Johnson, a retired Clinton police chief, will succeed Frost; Michael Tracy and Jordan Goulet will continue to serve China, Heath said.

Selectmen unanimously appointed Amber McAllister to the Tax Increment Financing Committee.

Belanger and others commented on the success of the China Days celebration August 2, 3 and 4. Heath commended the police department, and audience member Tom Michaud praised town office staff member Kelly Grotton for her well-organized management of the event.

LAKESMART: Jeanne Marquis and dad, Carl J. Stenholm

Jeanne Marquis

Jeanne Marquis and her 94-year-old father, Carl John Stenholm, were recipients of the LakeSmart Award for their lake property on Fire Road 1, on China Lake. Marquis says their Maine property has been in their family since the late 1800s when her great-grandfather, John Benson Doe, returned from sheep ranching out west to purchase their red brick home on the Neck Road. China Lake continued to call this family back home for three generations just as it did for John Doe, even if it was just for the summers. Two years ago, Marquis and her father made a permanent move to their China Lake home as their year-round residence.

Marquis told us, “I am very grateful for the work the LakeSmart Program and the China Lake Association does to improve the quality of the lake and monitor the loon population. It’s encouraging to see the loons and the eagles return to this area for the generations ahead of us to enjoy.”

If you would like to schedule a LakeSmart visit please contact Marie Michaud at 207-242-0240 or by email at ChinaLakeSmart@gmail.com. The visit only takes around an hour. We will share lake friendly ideas for your property. We can offer Youth Conservation assistance to get any suggested lake-friendly ideas completed, too. Together we can help protect China lake for now and for the future.

See also:

LAKESMART: Geoff and Patricia Hargadon

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of August 8, 2019

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

MOVING OUT: Tina Richard, of Clinton, caught this fledged eaglet on the ground near her favorite walking trail, in Winslow.

NIGHT OWL: Jean and Bill Roseman snapped this owl near a camp on Sheepscot Lake.

SIGHTSEEING: This blue heron was photographed by Michael Bilinsky, in China Village.

China Town Office to have new hours beginning in the fall

Dennis Heath, China town manager, has announced that following approval by the board of selectmen, the China Town Office will have new hours beginning November 1, 2019.

The office will be open Monday, from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Tues., 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and the office will be closed Saturday and Sunday.

Alex Stewart builds shelter at Lincoln School in Augusta

Alex Stewart, center, with his scout troop.

by Ron Emery, committee member

On Saturday, April 6, Troop #479 honored an Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held at the China Baptist Church for Augusta resident Alex Stewart. Family, friends and Scouts attended the ceremony marking the advancement of this young man to the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Alex Stewart

Alex joins a group of 40 Eagle Scouts from Troop #479 who have completed community service projects with the help of fellow Scouts and other volunteers throughout Kennebec Valley.  Each Eagle candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile in his community.

Alex used his Eagle Project to give something back to his elementary school, Lincoln School. He collaborated with Jonathan Stonier, director of buildings and grounds for the Augusta School Department, to build a covered outdoor area in an underutilized space near the school. He received assistance from adult leaders and older Scouts as well as Custodian Brian Bolstridge the first two days of construction. He also received help from the younger Scouts on the third day to spruce up the grounds around the project with mulch, landscape rocks and several flower beds. He hopes the teachers and students will be able to use the structure as an outdoor learning station.

Also in attendance were Scoutmaster Scott Adams, to present the Eagle Scout Awards. Sean Stewart (Alex’ brother) gave the Eagle Scout Challenge and also asked Alex and other Eagle Scouts to reaffirm the Scout Oath.

Alex is a graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, and lives with his parents, Greg and Kristina Stewart, in Augusta. He was on the Cony golf team. This summer he is working at Shaw’s, in Augusta, and will be pursuing a degree in engineering at the University of Maine in the fall.

Rémy Pettengill’s project benefits homeless veterans living at VA

Cabin in the Woods photo of those who helped Rémy Pettengill with his project. Front, left to right, Aiden Pettengill, Bryson Pettengill, Danielle Pettengill, Rémy Pettengill, Kevin (homeless vet) and Don Hill. Back, Michael Boostedt, Kevin Boostedt, Darren Corson, Cole Corson, Lee Pettengill and Ron Emery. (contributed photo)

Rémy Pettengill’s Eagle Service Project was to make 50 Hygiene Care Packages for distribution to the Togus veterans. These Care Packages consisted of a handmade zippered bag filled with items donated or purchased such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, denture adhesive, shampoo and conditioner, soap, razors, shaving cream, mouthwash, and nail clippers. Each bag was labeled for a man or woman and the items were listed on a tag attached to each bag to help with the packaging and distribution.

During the project, one evening was set aside for older scouts and leaders to cut out the material using a pattern for the hygiene bags. Another evening was for sorting out the donated toiletry supplies and filling the hygiene care packages. Rémy provided the leadership and instructions.

On Sunday, July 21, the Scouts and leaders were invited to assist the wheelchair veterans in getting to the church service. After the service, Togus invited the group to have lunch prior to delivering the hygiene bags to each veteran residing in the Cabins in the Woods. Rémy distributed the bags to the Scouts for delivery with help from Dan Hill, the Ma­sonic Service Asso­cia­tion Rep­resen­tative for Togus.

Rémy first got involved with the veterans by way of the Masons. He went to Togus with the Masons to push the wheelchair-bound veterans down to their church service. While talking to Hill he learned that some of the veterans were not provided with the basic necessities to keep them healthy. Rémy thought he could help provide the toiletries for the brave men and women who served our country. With this in mind, he started planning his Eagle Service Project.

Rémy, 13, is the son of Lee and Danielle Pettengill, of South China, and will be entering the eighth grade at China Middle School this fall.