SCORES & OUTDOORS: The night calls of the hermit thrush

/0 Comments/in /by

Hermit Thrush

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

We haven’t visited the world of ornithology in quite some time, so it was only fitting this past weekend when someone at the weekly campfire asked a question about a bird that sings at night. After some research, it was determined the song heard was that of the hermit thrush.

According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the hermit thrush’s song has been described as “the finest sound in nature.” It is flute-like, consisting of a beginning note, then several descending musical phrases in a minor key, repeated at different pitches. It often sings from a high open location. The famous author Walt Whitman referred to the hermit thrush as a “symbol of the American voice, poetic and otherwise,” in his elegy for Abraham Lincoln.

It is an unassuming bird with a lovely, melancholy song and lurks in the understories of far northern forests in summer. They have a rich brown upper body and smudged spots on the breast, with a reddish tail that sets if apart from similar species in its genus.

You can look for the hermit thrush in forest openings or along trails. This species spends winter and summer in different parts of the country. In spring and summer, you’ll likely hear their mournful, flute-like song long before you see them.

Hermit thrushes, Catharus guttatus, visit backyards, but generally do not go to feeders. However, during migration, they often forage on the ground or eat berries in yards with trees or shrubs. Males usually gather food for the nest, while females feed the nestlings. They usually make their nests in and around trees and shrubs, but they can also get more creative. Nests have been found on a cemetery grave, on a golf course, and in a mine shaft.

Young are ready to fly at about 12 days old. They usually have one to two broods a year. They eat mostly berries, beetles, ants, caterpillars, true bugs, grasshoppers, crickets and many other insects. They will also eat spiders, earthworms, and sometimes salamanders.

The male will defend the nestling territory by singing, especially in the morning and evening. Their nest site varies with the region, mostly found on the ground in the east and north, in a natural hollow on the side of a hummock and well hidden by overhanging branches or surrounding low vegetation.

The hermit thrush is hardier than other brown-backed thrushes. If it is startled from the ground in the forest interior, it often perches low and stares at the observer, flicking its wings nervously and slowly raising and lowering its tail.

The hermit thrush migrate in early spring and late in the fall, and probably migrates mostly at night. They are not year round residents of the state of Maine, but merely come here during the breeding season. They can only be found year round in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia.

While most hermit thrushes migrate to wintering grounds in the southern United States and south to Central America, some remain in northern coastal U.S. states and into southern Ontario. They usually breed in forests, but will sometimes winter in parks and wooded suburban neighborhoods.

They are a medium sized bird measuring 6 – 7 inches in length, with a wing span of 9.8 to 11.8 inches, weighing from .63 to 1.31 ounces.

The oldest recorded Hermit Thrush was at least 10 years, 10 months old when it was recaptured and re-released during banding operations in Maryland in 2009. It had been banded in the same state in 1999. They can be found in every contiguous state in the United States.

Conservation-wise, the numbers of the hermit thrush seem to be holding up well.

In culture, the former Canadian indie-rock band Thrush Hermit took its name from a reversal of the bird’s name. It is also shared by the American bands Hermit Thrushes and Hermit Thrush. Also, A Hermit Thrush is the name of a poem by the American poet Amy Clampitt. A hermit thrush also appears in the fifth section of What the Thunder Said, of the T. S. Eliot poem The Waste Land.

The irony of the whole episode is that in the 31 years my wife and I have had this camp, we had never heard it before.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What Boston Bruins player is the only defenseman in their history to record four points in a single game in the Stanley Cup final?

Answer can be found here.

Roland’s Trivia Question for Thursday, June 6, 2019

/0 Comments/in /by

What Boston Bruins player is the only defenseman in their history to record four points in a single game in the Stanley Cup final?

Answer:

Torey Krug, against the St. Louis Blues, on June 1, 2019

 

2019 Winslow Boys and Girls State delegates

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Front row, from left to right, Katherine Stevens, Carrie Selwood and Grace Smith. Back, Jacob Huesers, Aaron Harmon, Caleb Mills. (contributed photo)

Winslow High School juniors will be attending the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State at Husson Uni­versity, in Bangor, and American Legion Boys State, at Thomas College, in Waterville, from June 16-26, 2019. This is the 72nd year of Dirigo Girls and Boys State. The students will be learning how local, state, and federal government operate.

China students at state house

/0 Comments/in , /by

From left to right, Gwen Lockhart, Elijah Crockett, Reiana Gonzalez, Colby Willey, Alexia McDonald, Sam Boynton, Hailey Estes, Senator Pouliot, Lilly Fredette, Joe Wing, Dominick Breton, JMG Specialist Ryan Sweeney. (Contributed photo)

China Middle School students pose for a picture with Senator Matthew Pouliot after participating in the Honorary Page Program.

China survey on town office hours

/0 Comments/in , /by

This survey seeks input from the residents of the town of China about the operating hours for the town office. Your participation is critical to ensuring the needs of community are being adequately met in the schedule of operating hours. If you have already completed and returned a paper version of this survey, please do not complete the online survey.

There will be paper versions of the survey at the town office and the transfer station.

The survey is available online here.

The Town Line reporter Mary Grow receives Spirit of America award

/0 Comments/in , /by

Chairman Lauchlin Titus, of the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen, and Mary Grow (Photo courtesy of Mary Sabins)

At the annual town meeting held at the Vassalboro Community School on Monday, June 3, 2019, Chairman Lauchlin Titus, of the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen, presented the 2019 Annual Spirit of America Award to Mary Grow to honor her for her commitment to exemplary local journalism as demonstrated by her years of dedicated attendance at Vassalboro board meetings, and reporting on Vassalboro activities and events to the public. The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented in the name of Maine municipalities to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable community service.

Gov. Mills visits Webber Pond dam fish ladder

/0 Comments/in , /by

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, center, netted some alewives at the Webber Pond Dam, in Vassalboro, on a recent visit. She is flanked by Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher, left, and Vassalboro resident, and Webber Pond Board of Directors member Phil Inness. (photo by Jeff Nichols)

Governor Janet Mills visited the Webber Pond alewife fish ladder on Thursday, May 30. It was an historic event. She is the first governor to visit an alewife fish ladder at all, much less to bring the Commissioner of Marine Resources Pat Keliher and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Judy Camuso to Webber Pond, in Vassalboro.

Gov. Janet Mills, left, discuss alewives at Webber Pond Dam with Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher, right, and Vassalboro resident, and Webber Pond Board of Directors member Phil Inness, center. (Photo by Jeff Nichols)

Webber Pond Association President Frank Richards got to interact briefly. The governor seemed to be having a good time. She was interested to learn that brook trout also ascend the fish ladder and that Webber Pond has become a well-known lake in the realm of bass clubs, tournaments, and even Bassmaster’s magazine.

Webber Pond was one of the first alewife restorations and it has become something of an example for other lakes. The pond has had a run now for about 15 years; since approximately 2004 when the first adults returned from the ocean.

This year the governor’s visit was scheduled on a “Count” day. She borrowed a net from the harvester for the sake of a photo op.

A lot of the conversation centered on the environmental benefits of alewife restoration. The group also had the experience of watching an eagle swoop down and pluck an alewife out of the water.

Next year, possibly, this can be done again and scheduled on a harvest day, in order to present the economic development benefits of alewife restoration to the lobster bait business, lobstering, and especially to the marine fishery.

Alewives are more than lobster bait. They significantly increase the forage available to haddock, cod, and other species in the Gulf of Maine.

Nichole Lee promoted at BHBT

/0 Comments/in , /by

Nichole Lee

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has announced the promotion of Nichole Lee to Branch Relationship Manager II. With this promotion comes the added responsibility of managing two branch locations: 245 Camden Street, Rockland and 368 Route 3, South China.

Nichole joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust in 2013 as a customer service representative. Working from the South China office, Nichole has risen quickly through the ranks acquiring the knowledge and skills to assume her new position as Branch Relationship Manager II. In the community, Nichole serves on the board of the South China Public Library, volunteers at China Middle School through Junior Achievement programs with JMG, and teaches financial education at Erskine Academy, where she is an alumna.

OPINION: China firemen do not endorse town’s plans for new emergency services building

/0 Comments/in , , /by
Respectfully submitted by,
Chief Dick Morse, South China Volunteer Fire Department,
Chief Tim Theriault, China Village Volunteer Fire Department,
Chief Bill Van Wickler, Weeks Mills Volunteer Fire Department.

To the people of the town of China:

First and foremost thank you all for your continued support. At the June 11, 2019, municipal and RSU #18 election, you will be asked on question 2 to vote on whether or not you want the town to spend $25,000 for an engineering and cost study for an emergency services building and a community building.

The way this proposed project has been presented to the town by the town manager and the select board, by presenting drawings at town meeting and by placing this item on the ballot, has given the impression that this project has been well thought through, and by implication, has the backing of the volunteer fire departments.

This could not be further from the truth. We feel it important to make the residents aware that during several discussions with the town manager and the select board and at two public hearings on the subject, China’s three fire departments have stated unequivocally that they neither need nor want such a building and feel that it would be a waste of the $25,000 to contract for the study since there is absolutely no demonstrated need for an emergency services building.

The China Village VFD has no current plans to move from their station, and if they did they would want to move into a building that they own, not a town-owned building. As we have stated many times, China’s Volunteer Fire Departments are all separate and individual, private nonprofit corporations organized under Maine law and we have no plans to make any changes. As demonstrated by their recent words and actions, the town manager and some members of the current select board appear to want to make changes to this system that has been working very well since at least 1947 and have suggested changes that we cannot agree with. The system we have works very well for the town and there is no need to fix something that is not broken.

By presenting this project in this manner, the town manager and the select board give the impression that we need to start down the road to consolidation or to becoming a municipal fire department. Having had discussions on this topic with the volunteers at each station, we assure you that is the last thing that we would recommend for the town at this time. Such a move would not be a positive change, it would negatively affect membership and would be enormously expensive. Please understand and rest assured that should we have a real need for any major change, the VFDs will not hesitate to come to the town and make it very clear what that change is. This is not that time.

Although supported by the town manager and select board, there was a unanimous vote of ought not to pass by the budget committee and recommendations from the three VFDs not to proceed with this at the budget hearing and budget committee meeting.

We urge you to vote no on this question, thereby telling the town manager and select board that they are not listening and have once again overstepped by putting this on the ballot regardless of the facts.

Obituaries for Thursday, June 6, 2019

/0 Comments/in /by

JULIETTE M. POTELLE

WINSLOW – Juliette M. (Michaud) Potelle, 87, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2019, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. She was born November 18, 1931, in Frenchville, the daughter of Wilfred and Delia (Caron) Michaud.

She was employed for 39 years at Keyes Fibre (now Huhtamaki), in Waterville.

Juliette is survived by two daughters, Linda Anderson and husband Charles, of Benton, Judy Libby and wife Carmen Welch, of Skowhegan; son, Jeffrey Potelle and wife Susan, of Rago, Kansas.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Juliette’s memory to an animal shelter of their choice.

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

MARRIANNE POTTER

SOMERVILLE – Marrianne (Anne) Potter, 60, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019. She was born in Somerville on November 12, 1958, the youngest daughter of Forest and Delia (Smith) Peaslee.

Anne, attended Erskine Academy, in South China, where she met the love of her life, Richard. The two just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary last fall. Anne attended the University of Maine at Augusta, where she majored in childhood education. She loved working with children and in her later years, she spent her days working as an Ed Tech at Jefferson Village School.

Anne was a gifted quilter and seamstress. Creating curtains, quilts, and other home furnishing. An avid baker and cook, she was often trying new recipes and sharing with others. During the holidays, she would create gift baskets with homemade fudge, jams and relishes, that she and Richard made together. She was a creative, sentimental and giving person. For several years, she and Richard enjoyed a seasonal campsite at Green Valley Campground, in Vassalboro. Anne enjoyed the themed weekends of decorating the camper and campsite. She volunteered for various community events, which included story telling and arts and crafts. Reading and coloring were a favorite past time of hers too.

Anne had many accomplishments that she was proud of. Keeping a well-kept home, preparing meals, sharing conversations at the dinner table, spending time with Richard on the road for work and keeping his gardens in top shape when he was away. Her “grandbabies” were her pride and joy

Anne was predeceased by her husband Richard, in January, a daughter, Tarasa Potter; her father and mother, Forest and Delia Peaslee, her brothers, Frank, Frederick, and Peter.

She is survived by her two daughters: Angimarie and her husband Lewie, Karrianne and her husband Jason; two sons: Zeb and his wife Danica, Smitty and his wife Kim; her mother-in-law, Ramona; five grandchildren: Connor, Logan, Audrey, Bradley and Matthew; brothers Kenny, Forest, Larry, Neil, Dannie, Hunter and her sisters, Jane, Bunny and Ceceil, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At her request, there will be no public visiting hours. Following cremation, a memorial will be held early this summer.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s name can be made to MaineGeneral Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Arrangements are under the care of Mid-Maine Cremation, in Waterville.

WOODROW W. MCLELLAN JR.

SIDNEY – Woodrow W. McLellan Jr., of Sidney, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2019, following a long illness. He was born on May 19, 1945, the son of Woodrow William McLellan and Gladys June McLellan.

Woodrow graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland. Following his schooling he joined the Army in September of 1963, serving for three years. He spent 30 months in Germany.

He was very proud of the fact that he had many truck driving jobs with no accidents.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Chandra McLellan; his sons, Woodrow William McLellan III and his spouse Townley “Chip” Baker McLellan, David Allen McLellan and his wife Laurie McLellan, and David Lee Rossignol; his daughters, Tina Rodrigue and her husband Jeremy, and Samantha Tims and her husband Kevin; his seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Katherine Hamlin and her husband Phil, and Lulu “Cookie” Luce and her husband Floyd; two brothers, Frank McLellan and his wife Tina, and Clifton McLellan and his significant other Constance; his sister-in-law, Germaine McLellan; a multitude of nieces and nephews; and in-laws.

Woodrow was predeceased by his brother, Thomas McLellan.

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.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the: American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta ME 04330-5615.

RICHARD GRENIER

WINSLOW – Richard Eugene Grenier, 83, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Goudreau’s Retirement Inn, in Winslow. He was born March 9, 1936, in Waterville, the son of Wilbrod and Cecile (Libby) Grenier.

He was educated in Waterville and Winslow schools. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps from 1955 to his honorable discharge in 1957.

Dick was employed by Keyes Fibre, in Waterville, for 32 years. He was a member of the American Legion Bourque-Lanigan Post #5, in Waterville. He enjoyed camping at Cathedral Pines for 50 years where he met many new friends who became his camp family and even naming a road to honor him. He loved driving the back roads and going to Big Jim. In his younger days he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing hunting, snowmobiling, and other outdoor activities. He enjoyed spending time with his families and was very proud of his two granddaughters, Stasha and Tia. who enlisted and graduated as Master Sargent from the Young Marines.

He is survived by his sister, RaeJean (Grenier) Beane and her partner Dickie Pullen and three nephews, Richard, Rusty and Roger, all of the Bingham area; two stepsisters, Theresa and George Savage, of Sidney, and Alice and Skip Sherburne, of Milfred; one uncle, Raymond Grenier, of Winslow; his five daughters Dawn Bilodeau, of Boynton Beach, Florida, Tammy and Buster Hopkins, of Plymouth, Catherine Nelson, of Canaan, Connie and Red Laliberte, of Sidney, and Lori Barnard, of Winslow; his nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Dianne; his parents, Wilbrod and Cecile; his stepfather, Lionel (Ned) Betit; a daughter, Cynthia; and his son-in-laws Paul Bilodeau and Ronald Nelson.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to, may make a donation in Dick’s name to: MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville ME 04903-0828.

TIMOTHY J. BECK

VASSALBORO – Timothy James Beck, 44, formerly of Palermo, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019, in Whitefield. He was born in Waterville on June 21, 1974, the son of Gary and Gloria (Scates) Beck.

He lived most of his life in Palermo, attended Palermo elementary schools, then graduated from Cony High School, in Augusta.

Tim loved the outdoors–hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and riding his motorcycle. He was an excellent stone mason. Tim was also a very talented musician, who loved writing songs and performing with friends. He will be remembered for his big heart and willingness to help others.

Tim is survived by his parents, Gary and Gloria Beck, of Sun City, Arizona; his sister Trisha Beck, of North Vassalboro; his niece Samantha Decker and great-nephew Noah Paul Wood, both of North Vassalboro.

A Celebration of Life will be held later in the summer. Meanwhile, always remember Tim with good thoughts, a smile, and Rock On!

OTHERS DEPARTED

GREGORY V. HAYDEN, 55, of Skowhegan, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 26, 2019, at his home. Locally, he is survived by a daughter Alissa Hayden and companion, Caleb Morin, of Winslow.

DANIEL G. NADEAU, of Vernon, Connecticut, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Daniel was born in Waterville on March 23, 1942, the son of the late Eariel and Fernande Nadeau. He attended St. John the Baptist Regional Catholic School, in Winslow, and graduated from Winslow High School in 1960, where he was a member of the football team and was captain all four years.

HELENE N. VIGUE, 98, formerly of Fairfield Center, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Harshwood Center, in Lewiston. Helene is the former executive director of the Waterville chapter of the American Red Cross. She previously worked at the C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville.

NANCY L. AKERS, 72, of Waterville, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at her home. Locally, she is survived by her husband of 54 years, David J. Akers Sr., of Waterville; two daughters, Alice Fletcher and husband John, of China, and Melissa Fletcher and husband Mark, of Albion, and son David J. Akers Jr. and wife Rachel, of Albion.

JEANNETTE M. AuCLAIR, 89, of Waterville, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019,at her home. Locally, she is survived by sons James AuClair, of Fairfield and glenn “Bud” AuClair, of Waterville; brother Lee Couturier, of Winslow; niece Diane Drapeau, of Winslow, and nephew David Couturier, of Fairfield, and Lee Couturier and Daniel Couturier, both of Skowhegan.