COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: An opinion on emergency building

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by Wayne Chadwick
China resident

I would like to offer up some insight on the proposed warrant articles for the upcoming June 11, 2019 Municipal and RSU #18 election.

You will be asked 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. Where is the justification for such an expense? There appears to be a “build it and they will come” mentality with our present town leadership. The town manager stated that there is no town building to meet in that holds 200 people. When asked how often there was such a requirement he gave the annual town meeting and voting as an example. This has historically been done at the school which your tax dollars already pay to maintain. So why do we need another building for a few occurrences per year at best.

Everything we build, even if it is originally provided fully or in part by grant money, still has a tax dollar requirement for maintaining it. You are being asked to pay for an engineering study without being given any estimated cost for maintaining it after the fact. Consider the cost of plowing, mowing, heating, cooling, repairs and preventative maintenance and utilities.

You will also be asked to approve the purchase of land for a potential beach/swimming area and boat ramp. The parcel in question is located slightly north of and opposite the town office. This site is steep, steep enough that it has to be protected by guardrail for the entire length of its road frontage. Here are some potential issues to consider: It was stated at the May 26 select board meeting that DOT did not want to issue a permit for a driveway for the property. The Four Seasons Club has agreed to discuss potentially allowing access across their property for the sole purpose of accessing a boat launch, no swimming area. Additionally, to my knowledge, to date there has been no discussion with the DEP to determine if this site meets requirements for permitting. And last but certainly not least, there is the cost. The extreme grade to this property is unequivocally going to increase the cost of development and maintenance. Issues such as erosion, storm water, etc. These are continuous maintenance requirements that will never decrease in cost.

Here again we are looking at the purchase separate from the potential cost.

I offer this in hope that it will provide a more informed voting public.

China selectmen review bids for outdoor summer work

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen spent most of their May 28 meeting reviewing bids for outdoor summer work, with mixed results. Their decisions annoyed a resident with a personal interest in the matter.

The bid requests were in three categories, each subdivided: materials, equipment to be rented (with an operator) and mowing.

Two contractors bid on materials, mostly different types of gravel. Public Works Foreman Shawn Reed recommended rejecting all bids and buying materials as needed. Contractor (and budget committee member) Wayne Chadwick agreed from the audience, saying he thought the bid prices were high. The four selectmen present (Board Chairman Robert MacFarland was absent; Ronald Breton was elected temporary chairman) accepted the advice.

Three contractors bid to provide equipment, with Hagar Enterprises offering to provide up to 16 items (backhoe, excavators, dump trucks, loaders, bulldozer) as needed and the other two bidding on three or four items. Selectmen and Reed agreed it would be easier for the public works crew to have a single contract.

However, selectmen realized that the bidders had not been asked to supply delivery charges for moving machines to China. Despite Chadwick and Reed warning that time is getting short to line up equipment and start work, they postponed a decision to their next meeting, scheduled for June 10.

Bidders for the summer mowing contract were asked to submit prices for ballfields, cemeteries and town properties (the town office lot, the adjoining lot where the red barn stands and the former Weeks Mills Schoolhouse lot). They were also asked for labor and equipment prices per hour for work done outside the contract, an addition that several selectmen found confusing.

Danforth Lawncare was the only company to bid on all three categories; William Danforth said he has done China’s mowing for many years. The job includes cleaning up the properties spring and fall and mowing and trimming in the summer, he said.

Ace Home and Camp Care bid only on town properties, and was the highest bidder. Rumpf’s Backyard Services was the low bidder on the ballfields and the town properties. On the ballfields, Danforth’s bid was $5,700, Rumpf’s $2,800; on town properties, Danforth’s bid was $4,175 and Rumpf’s $3,500.

Informed that Colby Rumpf is 16 years old and just starting his business, selectmen unanimously awarded the entire mowing contract to Danforth, based on his experience and history of reliability.

Later in the meeting, Tom Rumpf, Four Seasons Club president and Colby Rumpf’s father, talked about possible cooperation between the Four Seasons Club and the town to provide an access road to a public landing on the Hall property, if voters approve buying it on June 11 and if selectmen then develop it. (See The Town Line, May 2, and May 30.)

Before his presentation, Tom Rumpf rebuked selectmen for “somewhat wasting the town’s money” on the summer mowing. There were people in the audience who would have given references for his son, he said, if Breton had recognized them so they could speak. Breton later apologized.

Tom Rumpf said the Four Seasons Club board authorized negotiations with town officials to share the club’s driveway for a boat launch only, not a swimming beach. The Hall property has a rocky shore, he said; the club has the only sandy beach suitable for swimming.

Redesigning the road and agreeing on maintenance might be difficult, Rumpf said. “It needs to go slow right now.”

Selectman Jeffrey LaVerdiere has suggested the town buy and distribute to residents Four Seasons Club memberships, to gauge the level of interest in public lake access. Rumpf said the club would consider discounting prices for a reasonable number of memberships if selectmen adopt the idea.

In other business May 28:

  • Selectmen unanimously approved Town Manager Dennis Heath’s request to spend $5,025 to switch to LED lights at the transfer station, to be partly offset by a $1,400 state rebate. The change has already been made in the town office and the nearby former portable classroom, Heath said. He expects to save money on electricity, but could not estimate how much money.
  • On Heath’s recommendation, selectmen unanimously approved a settlement with Three-Level Solar Farm on Vassalboro Road (Route 32 North), resolving a dispute over depreciation and resultant future tax value that started in 2018.
  • Heath said China’s property valuation is far enough out of line with the state’s that the town should raise its valuation. He expects Assessor William Van Tuinen to explain the problem at the selectmen’s June 10 meeting. LaVerdiere objected strongly to anything that would raise taxes, saying they are already so high as to discourage local business, including his general store outside China Village.

The May 28 meeting was governed more strictly than in the past by Robert’s Rules of Order, which selectmen adopt annually. Heath purchased a podium (for $88 at Marden’s, he wrote in a May 23 email) and Breton expected everyone, including Heath and selectmen, to be recognized before speaking and audience members to come to the podium.

Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood had the honor of christening the podium. Asked about one of the expenditures selectmen approved early in the meeting, she left her seat in the back row, walked to the podium, said “Yes” loudly and distinctly as required, and returned to her seat.

An executive session to discuss personnel issues followed the open selectmen’s meeting. Afterward, Heath emailed that board members directed him to poll the public about closing the China Town Office on Saturdays. Currently it is open Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m.

THE MONEY MINUTE: Who will inherit your money?

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by Jac M. Arbour CFP®, ChFC®
President, J.M. Arbour Wealth Management

When you pass, who will inherit your assets? Will your assets be distributed via the probate process? (And will information about your estate therefore become public record?) What if someone should challenge your Last Will and Testament? Will the probate of your assets be an extended and costly process for your estate?

Truth be told, most of the pitfalls of estate distribution can be avoided. Your estate can be distributed to whomever you want, as efficiently as you want, and as privately as you want. What is the secret to making this happen? It’s what I call Proper Prior Planning.

When you choose your beneficiaries, think multigenerational: If the primary beneficiary you have listed should pass before you, whom do you want to be next in line? The answer to this question is your contingent beneficiary/beneficiaries. Have you listed one or more contingent beneficiaries as well?

Some of the questions involving beneficiaries can be difficult to think about, but answering them yourself and making your choices clear are gifts you can give your survivors.

What if you have listed two or more of your children as equal beneficiaries and one of them should pass before you? Do you want the surviving child (or children) to receive the deceased child’s share, or do you want the children of that deceased child to receive that percentage? Potential situations like this and many others must be spelled out in your Will or beneficiary designations on insurance contracts and financial accounts.

One of the common errors we see people make is leaving retirement accounts to children without educating them with regard to the tax ramifications. This is when accounts such as IRAs degrade into what I call “IOUs to the IRS.” The good news is, this too is avoidable.

To be prepared, ask yourself all the pertinent questions about estate distribution and develop a thorough plan. The pros at JMA will be happy to help you. And after you choose your beneficiaries, be sure to educate them about what they stand to inherit, people they will need to contact, and your personal preferences about how they will handle your assets.

Here is what I promise: If you do Proper Prior Planning, you will decrease the chances of Potentially Poor Performance!

See you all next month.

Jac Arbour, CFP®, ChFC®

Jac Arbour is the President of J.M. Arbour Wealth Management. He can be reached at 207-248-6767.

Investment advisory services are offered through Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.

Erskine Academy announces top 10 seniors for 2019

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Front row, from left to right, Valedictorian Braden Soule, Salutatorian Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, Hagen Wallace, Elizabeth Sugg, and Jacob Praul. Back, Conor Skehan, Olivia Kunesh, Samantha Heath, Caitlin Labbe, and Kassidy Wade. (contributed photo)

Erskine Academy has announced the Class of 2019 Top Ten Seniors. Valedictorian is Braden Soule, son of Amanda and Jamie Soule, of Fairfield. Throughout his four years at Erskine, Braden has participated in such activities as National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, the EA Leadership Team, Basketball, and Baseball and he has completed nearly 300 hours of community service projects. Braden is a Maine Principals Association Award recipient and a four-year honor roll recipient. Braden plans to attend the University of Maine to study business management.

Salutatorian is Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, daughter of Mary Throckmorton, of Somerville. Willow is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as the LEO Club, and Track & Field. A student who has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, Willow has received awards of excellence in the areas of English, Spanish, and Physical Education, she was the recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa award, and she has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Willow plans to attend the University of Maine where she will major in biology.

Third in academic standing is Hagen Joki Wallace, son of Andrea Ando-Albert, of Manchester and James Wallace, of Augusta. Hagen is a member of National Honor Society and he has participated in such activities as Student Council, Drama Club, Math Team, Future Business Leaders of America, the Debate team, Indoor Track, Baseball, and he has completed over 200 hours of community service projects. Hagen has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, awards of excellence in the areas of English and Latin, and he has received a Renaissance Senior of the Trimester award. Hagen plans to attend Bowdoin College with a major in biochemistry.

Fourth in academic standing is Elizabeth Sugg, daughter of Heather Spaulding Sugg and William Sugg, of Palermo. Elizabeth is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as the LEO Club, American Field Service (AFS), Prom Committee, Soccer, Basketball, and Lacrosse, and she has served as Class President for three of four years. Elizabeth is a four year high honor roll student, she has completed 250 hours of community service projects, and she has received a Renaissance Recognition award. Elizabeth plans to attend Wellesley College to pursue studies in the area of neuroscience.

Fifth in academic standing is Jacob Praul, son of Erika and Darryl Praul, of China. Jacob is a member of National Honor Society and he has been a participant of the LEO Club, Soccer, Basketball, and Tennis. Jacob was a recipient of the Rensselaer Award, he has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, and he has received awards of excellence in Algebra, PreCalculus, Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics. Jacob plans to attend the University of Maine with a major in civil engineering.

Sixth in academic standing is Conor Skehan, son of Michelle and Robert Skehan, of Vassalboro. Conor is a member of National Honor Society and he has participated in such activities as Math Team, Debate Team, and Robotics. Conor has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, awards of excellence in Social Studies, English, US History, and Animation, and he has received a Renaissance Recognition award. Conor plans to attend Trinity College with a major in English.

Seventh in academic standing is Olivia Kunesh, daughter of Hollie Kunesh and Jason Thomas, of China. Olivia is a member of National Honor Society and she has participated in such activities as LEO Club, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, and she has completed a variety of community service projects. Olivia was a recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, she has received awards of excellence in Health, Spanish, and Statistics, and she has received a Renaissance Recognition award. Olivia plans to major in environmental science at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Eighth in academic standing is Samantha Heath, daughter of Jessica and Jonathan Heath, of Vassalboro. Samantha is a member of National Honor Society and she has been a participant of the Drama Club, LEO Club, American Field Service (AFS), the EA Leadership Team, Soccer, Tennis, and she has completed over 125 hours of community service projects. Samantha has been a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers award and the Smith Book award, she has received high honor roll distinction every trimester, and she has received an award of excellence in German. Samantha plans to attend the University of New England with a major in nursing.

Ninth in academic standing is Caitlin Labbe, daughter of Michelle Joler-Labbe and Richard Labbe, of Vassalboro. Caitlin is a member of National Honor Society, she has participated in such activities as LEO Club, American Field Service (AFS), Future Business Leaders of America, Prom Committee, Soccer, Lacrosse, and she has completed over 100 hours of community service projects. Caitlin has received high honor roll distinction every trimester. Caitlin plans to major in business administration at Thomas College, in Waterville.

Tenth in academic standing is Kassidy Wade, daughter of Robert and Jamie Wade, of Vassalboro, and Storm and Bradley Kelso, of Vassalboro. Kassidy has participated in such activities as EA Leadership, Future Business Leaders of America, American Field Service (AFS), Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, and she has completed nearly 500 hours of community service projects. Kassidy has earned honor roll status every trimester, and she has received Renaissance Recognition and Senior of the Trimester awards. Kassidy plans to major in neurobiology at the University of California San Diego.

Week of May 30, 2019

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Week of May 30, 2019

Celebrating 31 years of local news

Vassalboro senior fair provided much-needed information

On May 22, the FAVOR committee hosted a Senior Fair at the St. Bridget’s Center, in Vassalboro, bringing area agencies together to provide information to seniors and their families…

Your Local News

A dozen residents attend public hearing on two ballot questions

CHINA — About a dozen China residents attended the selectmen’s May 13 public hearing on two June 11 ballot questions, focusing most of their attention on the first and more expensive one…

Pfeiffer: School budget no impact on local taxes

VASSALBORO — The good news about Vassalboro’s 2019-2020 school budget, which totals more than $7.7 million, is that it is more than $26,000 lower than the current year’s budget…

School board decides to reluctantly raise school lunch prices by 10 cents

VASSALBORO — At their May 21 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members reluctantly voted to raise the bill for a full-price school lunch from $2.75 this year to $2.85 for the 2019-2020 school year…

Unity College 2019 graduates: Be prepared for change

UNITY — The theme heard at the Unity College graduation ceremony, on May 11, 2019, was the importance of being prepared for the changing world ahead. New graduates will need to do more than survive change but lead the way for others…

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers…

Take our weekly survey!

[democracy id=”143″]

Gladys Benner presented with Boston Post Cane in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD — The Town of Fairfield has presented its Boston Post Cane to Ms. Gladys E. Benner, who recently reached the age of 97 years. The Town of Fairfield continues the time-honored tradition of presenting the Boston Post Cane to its eldest permanent resident…

Results of dam removal

VASSALBORO — With the removal of the Lombard Dam, in Vassalboro, another section of the China Lake Outlet Stream is flowing freely (photos)…

Caught volunteering, again!

CHINA — China selectman Irene Belanger was caught, once again, volunteering. Here she is seen working in the flower gardens next to the China Town Office, in front of the Old Town Hall, on Lakeview Drive (photo)…

Summer hours at South China library

CHINA — Beginning on Monday, June 3, the South China Library will be observing new summer hours…

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: An open letter to Gov. Janet Mills regarding the NECEC project

from Bob OConnor (China) — This is my Open Letter to you to consider revising your stance on the NECEC project (CMP-Quebec Hydro). Please require that NECEC put the new power lines underground…
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Town Meeting schedule for 2019

Check here to see when your town has scheduled their 2019 town meeting. Current listings for Vassalboro and Windsor. To have your town listed, send an email to townline@fairpoint.net.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Trust emergency responders

from Neil Farrington (China) — As you all know, I’m pro volunteer emergency services. Anyone who voluntarily races towards an emergency I trust with my life (and my wallet).
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Thanks from food pantry

PALERMO — The Palermo Food Pantry thanks the generous people of Palermo who donated food for the pantry in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive sponsored by our post office…

School News

Erskine annual spring concert slated for May 31

CHINA — The Erskine Academy Annual Spring Concert will take place on Friday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m., in the James V. Nelson Gymnasium. Admission is free. Participating ensembles are Chorus, Concert Band, Collaborative Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Music Lab…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OAKLAND: CENTRAL MAINE GARDEN CLUB WATERVILLE will host annual plant sale on Sat., June 1, 8 a.m. – noon, at the United Methodist Church, 20 West School St. Perennials, annuals, food and jewelry will be offered. Proceeds to help maintain Redington Museum gardens and community beautification projects….

Obituaries

WINDSOR – John Turner Fish passed away at home, in Windsor on Friday, May 17, 2019. John had a long four-year battle with small cell cancer. He was born on June 25, 1948, in Damariscotta, the first born of twins. John was the son of Miles Amos Fish Jr. and Melissa (Turner) Fish… and remembering 4 others…

Common Ground – Round 5: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, June 20, 2019

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy boutique, 11 KMD Plaza, Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville, next to the Dairy Queen!* Email your answer to townline@fairpoint.net or through our Contact page.

You may also mail your answer to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358. (To be eligible for the drawing, you must email or snail mail your answer to us.)

* Should there be more than one correct answer, a random drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Previous winner: Diana Gardner, Windsor

Town Line Original Columnists

Gary KennedyVETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | One issue that seems to be bothering some of you is the new congestion at the Togus VA facility due to the advent of the construction of a new building in front of building #200…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | I offer two paragraphs from E.B.White’s One Man’s Wheat in which he writes about the movies from the sweet peace of his Brooklin, Maine, farm in May 1939…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | We will soon be heading into June and I don’t want you to go into the month without being prepared for your fun holidays. Maybe you can work some of these holidays into your vacation time. Let me know what was the most fun for you!…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | Received this e-mail from Susan Lahti: Good Morning all, Please help us publicize the annual East Madison Historical Association’s Yard and Bake Sale on June 1 – 2 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI)—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care professionals could save more than 130 lives lost to the opioid epidemic each day…

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of May 30, 2019

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To submit a photo for The Town Line’s “Give Us Your Best Shot!” section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@fairpoint.net!

ALL FOR ME?: Val Baker, of Weeks Mills, snapped this yellow-rumped warbler on a suet feeder.

 

BREATHTAKING SUNRISE: Janet Soucy captured this spectacular sunrise over China Lake, at Pellerin’s Campground.

 

CUTE GROUNDHOG: Britt Holmstrom-Salisbury photographed this groundhog in Benton Falls.

SOLON & BEYOND: Margaret Chase Smith Library is an archive, museum, education center

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Received this e-mail from Susan Lahti: Good Morning all,

Please help us publicize the annual East Madison Historical Association’s Yard and Bake Sale on June 1 – 2 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This year we will also have our newly published EMHA cookbook with 200 recipes from members and friends of the EMHA.

Items included in the yard sale include tools, furniture, glassware, small appliances games and puzzles, books and more.

Baked items available are: Yeast and quick breads, cookies, pies candies scones and more.

Thank you for your help in spreading the word!

It certainly seems like winter refuses to step aside for spring but we are hopeful! Stephany Perkins’ talk on her efforts on behalf of JMG in Tanzania was enthusiastically received at the Leeke Lecture. DC political pundit, Sophia Nelson, spoke at Bowdoin and made a point of trekking to Skowhegan to see the library named after her idol. Lions Club Speak-Out Contest selected its regional winner. National History Day in Maine winners were selected at the UMaine contest; now on to nationals. Essay contest winners were announced as well. Community-minded kids from area schools continue to do kind deeds. Maine author, Paul Doiron, will be here on June 11 to talk about his upcoming book. Won’t you join us! This e-mail was from Angela Stockwell.

Author Paul Doiron will visit the Margaret Chase Smith Library on Tuesday, June 11, at 6 p.m., to talk about his popular Mike Bowditch mysteries. Doiron is on the tenth installment of his highly successful series about a crime-fighting Maine Game Warden. He will preview his forthcoming book, Almost Midnight which is due for release in early July. Doiron will also have available for purchase a limited number of earlier titles from the series, which he will be willing to autograph.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The Library is located at 56 Norridgewock Avenue in Skowhegan. For more details, phone 474-7133.

The Margaret Chase Smith Library is an archive, museum, educational center, and public forum dedicated to promoting the values of aspirations, service, civics, and civility modeled by Senator Smith during her long, distinguished career in national politics. The above e-mail was sent to me by David Richards.

I greatly appreciate any news shared in this column, either from Solon or Beyond.

Since the above is all the recent news I have received for this week, I am going to print some of an old column when I was writing for the Skowhegan Reporter on November, 3, 1988. That was when my column was called, “SOLON, The friendliest town in the state.” Had told a couple of people that I’d probably have to leave town after last last week’s Reporter came out and one of them commented on Friday that it was well written but he said, “You know most people probably read it and just laughed.” Oh yes, I’m sure of that (that’s what I’m here for is to give every one a good laugh) but this dreamer’s heart can’t help dreaming that maybe a seed of thought was planted in a few minds.” Wonder how many of you noticed it was the full of the moon last week? That will do it every time!

And now for Percy’s memoir, this week it is from an old yellowed page of Actual Announcements from Church Bulletins. And he means no harm, he just wants to give you something to laugh about: “This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.” Another one states: “A bean supper will be held Saturday evening in the church basement. Music will follow.”

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

I’M JUST CURIOUS: June’s wacky holidays

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by Debbie Walker

We will soon be heading into June and I don’t want you to go into the month without being prepared for your fun holidays. Maybe you can work some of these holidays into your vacation time. Let me know what was the most fun for you!

June 1, Dare Day – or a challenge day. Don’t just pass out dares, take one or two yourself. Show your sense of adventure.

June 2, National Bubba Day – If it is not your nickname you can adopt it for yourself for the day. You determine what “Bubba” would do today.

June 4, Old Maid Day – The suggestion on the ‘net’ was for ladies to get out and get noticed, to help you find your prince charming. I like to think that is the day to get out and celebrate ‘you’. Can’t say that I buy into the ‘Prince Charming’ and ‘Old Maid’ days. What is your thought?

June 6, D-Day – World War II D-Day Invasion – It is the largest amphibious assault in world history. Take a moment of silence and thank our soldiers, past and present.

June 8, Best Friend Day – Take this time to reach out to a best friend you may have lost touch with over our busier years. You never know what this might do for them or for you. Just try.

June 9, Donald Duck Day – Donald Duck has a middle name. Did you know? It is Donald Fauntleroy Duck. June 9 was his first performance on June 9, 1934. Do your grandchildren know Donald?

June 10, National Ballpoint Day – The Ballpoint pen was introduced on this day in 1943. The first ones sold for $12.50. They say the invention ranks right up there with canned beer.

June 13, National Weed Your Garden Day – A weed is any plant not wanted in your garden. I have found around the yard there are ‘weeds’ that just look like another flower to me and I keep them.

June 14, Monkey Around Day – Go out and have some untamed fun (something might cause someone to tell you to act your age). You will relax and have some great memories!

June 16, Father’s Day – Remember on this holiday to honor those who are a “Father figure” to you, and that may include some Moms. Think of the Dad’s who have passed and appreciate them while you have them. They are not a forever given.

June 18, International Panic Day – OK, well maybe get the panic out of your system and then calmly carry on for the rest of the year. I have no idea why this one was created.

June 19, World Sauntering Day – Sauntering is a form of strolling, no hurrying. Walk along slowly, happily and aimlessly. Enjoy your stroll.

June 21, Summer Solstice – Finally Summer Day – Longest day of the year. Grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the season because we always feel it is too short a season. (It has been in the 90’s here all week)

June 26, Forgiveness Day – A time to forgive and be forgiven. It may be tied into the Best Friend Day for some. The world will be a better place if we all celebrate this day.

Once again I have run out of allowed words but I am sure you can come up with some ‘holidays’ of your own invention. How about you pass them on to me, maybe come up with some future holidays and share with me??

I’m just curious what you will invent. Please share. Contact me with questions or comments at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. I’ll be waiting. Happy and Safe Holidays for you all! Thanks for reading!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Paragraphs from E.B. White

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E. B.White

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Paragraphs from E. B. White

I offer two paragraphs from E.B.White’s One Man’s Wheat in which he writes about the movies from the sweet peace of his Brooklin, Maine, farm in May 1939:

“There is no movie house in this town so I don’t get to many pictures; but I keep in touch with Olympus by reading Motion Picture magazine and the daily papers. On the whole, this is a higher type of entertainment than seeing the films-although I miss Tarzan and Lamour, and I am not getting ahead very fast with my study of trees in the movies, a work I have been engaged in for some years.

“The newspapers, of course, keep one informed of the marriages, births, deaths, separations, divorces, and salaries of the stars. If Gable weds Lombard, I know about it. When Tone and Crawford reach the end of the road, I am informed. Separations and divorces are scented with the same delicate orange blossoms as marriages and elopements, the same romantic good fellowship. One of the most interesting accomplishments of the film community, it seems to me, is that it has made real for America the exquisite beauty of incompatibility. Divorce among the gods possesses the sweet, holy sadness which has long been associated with marriage among the mortals. There is something infinitely tender about the inability of an actor to get along with an actress.”

A footnote to the above-mentioned actor Franchot Tone (1905-1968). He is one of the most underrated actors I have ever seen in films and his roles as Roger Byam in 1935’s Mutiny on the Bounty and the President of the United States in Otto Preminger’s 1962 Advise and Consent conveyed his talent at sucking the air out of a room.

Vivid moments from two recent concerts:

I traveled to Portland for the last concert of the Symphony’s 2018-19 season on May 13 at downtown’s Merrill Auditorium. It featured guest conductor Jeffrey Kahane who had already directed two previous concerts this season. Kahane lives with his wife in Santa Rosa, California, and they have another home in Denver, Colorado. He resigned in 2017 as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra after 20 years.

The Maestro led the Beethoven 1st Piano Concerto by memory from the keyboard. He then conducted a powerful Rachmaninoff The Bells for choir, orchestra and soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists and finished with Rimsky-Korsakov’s colorful showpiece, Capriccio Espagnol. The Orchestra has achieved considerable growth in the more than 45 years since I last attended a concert under one of their former conductors, Paul Vermel, who did do very good performances with it. I remember a Berlioz Romeo and Juliet, Charles Ives 2nd Symphony, Brahms Violin Concerto with Itzhak Perlman and a nicely-staged Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte.

Last Saturday’s Detroit Symphony live link featured the 26 year old Italian-born pianist, Beatrice Rana, in the Sergei Prokofiev 3rd Piano Concerto with the Orchestra under guest conductor, Kent Nagano. The Concerto, completed in 1921, was premiered by the Chicago Symphony in 1922 with the composer as soloist. Its technical demands are ferocious, its rhythms very compelling but it has the most exquisite delicacy and lyricism. Ms. Rana brought a wonderful balance of these musical qualities to her playing .

The accompanying Bruckner 3rd Symphony has the gripping power, serenity and eloquence of that composer, along with long stretches of development that need the right pacing or the symphony could become quite dull. As with long-gone conductors Eugen Jochum, Herbert von Karajan, and George Szell and the still living Ivor Bolton and Daniel Barenboim, Nagano met these challenges.

The concert can still be watched for a while through the DSO link.

My favorite Mamas and Papas pop song has always been the 1966 hit record, Go Where You Wanna Go; for those who no longer have that record, it can be heard through YouTube.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Fighting the opioid epidemic

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(NAPSI)—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care professionals could save more than 130 lives lost to the opioid epidemic each day.

How? With a deeper understanding of pain, pain medication and addiction, especially related to opioids. Communities rural and urban are witnessing a growing and deadly phenomenon, while health care providers feel caught between prescribing guidelines and patients’ needs.

To address this issue, doctors, nurses, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists and other clinicians can take courses from CME

Outfitters and USF Health, supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson, that provide strategies for how and when to prescribe opioids, better understand the biologic underpinnings of pain and addiction, and look at targeted, effective and safe treatment alternatives.

Fighting the opioid epidemic in our communities goes beyond educating the health care professionals who prescribe opioids to educating patients as well. If you are prescribed an opioid:

  • Make sure you understand your treatment and what to expect
  • Learn how to safely dispose of unused medication
  • Understand how to help loved ones struggling with addiction
  • Know what lifesaving measures you can take in case of an overdose.

Learn more at www.cmeoutfitters.com/rx4pain.