Obituaries for Thursday, May 16, 2019

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HARRY E. PHILLIPS

­WINSLOW – Harry E. Phillips, 89, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, at his home. He was born Dec­em­ber 11, 1929, in South Hamp­ton Township, New Jersey, the son of Alonzo F. And Dorothy M. (Wells) Phillips.

He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. He worked for many years, in various jobs in the shoe shop industry.

Harry is survived by his son, Daniel E. Phillips and Partner Erika R. Bottjer, of Winslow; two sisters, Gladys Pyle, and Beatrice Bachman, both of New Jersey; two brothers, Ronnie Phillips and wife Rose, of New Jersey, Warren Phillips and wife Sue, of South Carolina; sister-in-law, Frances Phillips and family, of New Jersey; two granddaughters, Samantha D. Perry and husband Andrew, of Fairfield, Tabatha L. Phillips, of Anson; grandson, Tyler D. Humphrey and partner Haley Friend, of Waterville; three nieces, Karen Pyle, Myra (Bachman) Conover and Debbie (Bachman) Latshaw, all of New Jersey; two nephews, Scott Phillips, of North Carolina, and Ronny and wife Rhonda (Smith) Phillips, of South Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be held in New Jersey for family and friends at a future date, a private celebration of life gathering to be held locally.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Harry’s memory to the Alfond Cancer Center 39 Old Belgrade Rd., Augusta, Maine 04330.

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

ARTHUR N. LARSEN

WINSLOW – Arthur Neil Larsen, 74, of Winslow, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Augusta Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Waterville on October 18, 1944, to Bernard and Rosie (Hunne­well) Larsen.

In his youth, Arthur attended Waterville schools and graduated from Waterville High School in 1963. In October of 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hamilton, in New York, after basic training. He then was sent to serve in Munich, Germany, until his honorable discharge in September 1966. He also served as a reservist until October 1969. Later, he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.

On September 28, 1968, he married the former Joan Bergeron, of Oakland, and began their life together, locating in Winslow, where they celebrated each other through 50 years of marriage.

Early on in their married life, Arthur worked for Barrows Mayflower as an accountant. Later, he was employed by KVCAP as their transportation director, where he initiated the public busing service that continues to aid the greater Waterville and Augusta area to this day. He also took classes at Thomas College, in Waterville, at this time. His favorite years of employment were served at Larsen’s Variety—his convenience store/gas station, where he worked with his wife Joan and his children Arthur and Melissa. There he spread his goodness and humor to locals and patrons with a friendly smile and a helpful hand. He was also a loyal member and former president of the Lions Club.

During his younger years, he collected stamps and rare coins that he later used to share stories with his grandchildren. His love of history and family lineage sent him on a genealogy journey after his retirement that spanned approximately 15 years. He gathered research from cemeteries and libraries across the state and spent a lot of time at the Winslow Public Library. He also became ‘savy,’ connecting with other genealogists through Facebook. He loved the outdoors, which included feeding the birds and weeding his flower gardens; he may have had a few encounters with a squirrel or two. Watching golf on TV was also a beloved pastime. Above all, his most precious moments came from spending time with his family.

Arthur is survived by his wife Joan; son Arthur B. Larsen and wife Sheri, of Winslow; daughter Melissa Stanley, of Fairfield; grandchildren Joshua, Jacob, Katelynn and boyfriend Jacob Grenier, and Caleb-Jared (Larsen); grandchildren Samantha and boyfriend Dylan Young, Michael Jr., and Shelby (Stanley); sister-in-law Linda Nelson and sons, Dana and Chester; sister-in-law Evangeline Davidson and husband Robert; sister-in-law Shirley (Bard) Huard; sister-in-law Joyce Larsen-Lord; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great nieces.

He was predeceased by his father Bernard Larsen, mother Rosie Larsen, brother Allan Larsen, son-in-law Michael Stanley Sr., brother-in-law Dana Nelson Sr., brother Earl Shaw, sister-in-law Carol Bard and her husband Emile, and brother-in-law Clifford Haines Jr.

RICHARD E. BEALE

WINSLOW – Richard Earl Beale, 80, a 24-year veteran of the United State Air Force, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at his home in Winslow. He was born October 23, 1938, in Danforth, the son of Elijah M and Lilla B (Scott) Beale.

He was educated in the schools of Danforth and graduated from Clinton High School in 1957. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the Unihted State Air Force until his honorable discharge in 1982. He was employed at Pratt and Whiney Aircraft prior to his career in the military, and with VIP Auto after his retirement from 1984 – 1987. He was a member of the Clinton Lions Club and the U.S. Air Force Association.

Richard is survived by his partner of 23 years, Anna Gerald; his children, William Michael Beale and his wife Diane, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Laura Hatfield, of Waterville, Richard Beale and his wife Karen, of Yuba City, California, Mailissa Cavanaugh and her husband Andrew, of Indian Springs, Florida, Mary Dowe and her husband Richard, of Windsor, and James Beale; his sister Mary Randall, of Augusta, sister-in-law Drena Beale, of Florida, and brother-in- law Peter Levesque, of Oakland; 21 grandchildren and too many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members to list.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert Beale, his sisters Margaret Bailey, Verna Proctor, Arlene Beauregard, and Virginia Levesque; his son Robert Mark Beale and the mother of his children Ruth Elaine (Hawes) Beale.

A Celebration of life will be held at the Brown Memorial Methodist Church at 36 Church St, Clinton, ME at a.m., on Saturday, June 22, 2019, followed by a graveside internment.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, C/O Maine General Office of Philanthropy, PO BOX 828, Waterville, ME 04901-0828.

RAYMOND A. PELLETIER

WINSLOW — Raymond Adrien Pelletier, 89, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 28, 2019. He was born on December 23, 1929, at the beginning of the Great De­pression, the eleventh of twelve children of Patrick and Desneiges (Plante) Pelletier.

Despite having been raised in poverty and having faced great adversity throughout his lifetime, he demonstrated determination, resourcefulness, frugality, integrity, vitality, grit, sincerity, kindness, and resilience, modeling these qualities for his family and friends.

Raymond, the first in his family to graduate high school, attended Winslow High School, class of 1948. He was on the Periscope staff and participated in numerous sports, lettering in baseball and football. During the final game of his senior year, he scored the game-winning touchdown against Lawrence High School. He was later selected as a running back on the All-Maine Team.

After high school, he attended Coburn Classical Institute, in Waterville, until its closure. He then attended the University of Cincinnati, but withdrew due to financial constraints. In 1950, he enlisted in the Navy where he rose to the rank of Ensign 1 as a diesel engine mechanic in the Engineering Division aboard the Battleship USS Wisconsin.

In 1952, he married Jeanne I. Poulin, his high school sweetheart. In 1954, Raymond received an honorable discharge and returned to Winslow. Under the GI Bill, he attended the University of Maine at Orono where he studied chemical engineering. Following his freshman year, he withdrew to support his growing family. Though never able to complete his college degree, he instilled his value for education in all of his children, each of whom graduated from Harvard University and subsequently became his “dream team” of professionals in the fields of education, engineering, finance, law, and medicine.

From 1955 to 1992, Raymond worked as a union ironworker and became a 65-year member of Ironworkers Local #496. He contributed to the construction of U.S. Navy communication towers, U.S. Department of Defense nuclear missile silos, bridges, paper mills, and numerous commercial and public buildings, including the Maine State Capitol Building and several hospitals. After retirement from active construction work in 1992, he continued for over a decade to serve as an instructor of rigging, reinforcing, and welding for the ironworkers apprenticeship program and the Maine Technical College System. He was a lifetime member the American Legion, Post Number 5, in Waterville and the Winslow VFW Post 8835.

He is survived by his partner and fiancée of 30 years, Martha (Grindall) Audet; his six children, Ronald Pelletier and wife Ning Sawangjaeng, of Lincolnville, Janice Pelletier and husband Len Kass, of Orono, Karen Pelletier and partner Anu Makynen, of Portland, Mark Pelletier and wife Leslie King Pelletier, of Winslow, Dominic Pelletier and wife Beth Audet Pelletier, of Raymond, and Jeffrey Pelletier and wife Lilly Ampai Chiu Pelletier, of Manhattan Beach, California; 11 grandchildren; two step-children; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In 1989, Raymond met Martha Audet while working at Scott Paper Company, in Winslow. Raymond became an important part of the lives of Martha’s children: Arlene and David McLean of Winslow, John and Ashley Audet of Winslow, and Beth and Dominic Pelletier; and Martha’s 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Raymond was predeceased by his parents; ex-wife and mother to his six children, Jeanne (Poulin) Pelletier; brothers, Patrick, Rudolph, Gerard, Lucien (Mike), Leopold, Armand, Robert, Joseph (Donald), sisters, Anne Marie Mailloux, Juliette, Cecile Ellis; nephew, Patrick Ellis, and several other nieces and nephews; and daughter-in-law, Nancy (Willey) Pelletier.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, foraging, gardening, driving, traveling, and helping his children and grandchildren with home-building and maintenance. His skills with all things mechanical, as well as his work ethic, both on and off the job, were considered legendary.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Raymond’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

Out of respect to those with allergic conditions and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Raymond’s memory to: Winslow High School Athletics, Winslow High School, 20 Danielson St., Winslow, ME 04901.

Donations top 700 lbs. to Jefferson Food Pantry

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The Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry received more than 700 pounds of non-perishable food from area residents who donated through the US Postal Service Food Drive this past Saturday. A special thanks to all who donated and to the postal carriers for all the extra work.

All those in need of help providing food for themselves, their families or know of someone in need, the pantry is open the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at St Giles Episcopal Church, 72 Gardiner Rd (Rt 126) in Jefferson.

For more information please call 315-1134. If you would like to make a monetary donation please make check out to St Giles Episcopal Church, PO Box 34, Jefferson, ME 04348, and write JACFP in the memo line.

Selectmen, fire chiefs engage in heated debate over town funding

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China Village Volunteer Fire Department. (Internet photo)

by Mary Grow

China selectmen and fire chiefs went another round in their months-long disagreement at the May 13 selectmen’s meeting, with considerable shouting, many contradictions, some assigning of blame and eventually a partial clarification of positions, but no resolution.

Town meeting voters annually approve money for the fire departments for operations and, in recent years, stipends for volunteer firefighters. Payment of stipends to volunteers in nonprofit organizations is regulated by state and federal laws and rules. Firefighters and selectmen have argued since last fall over their respective roles in overseeing town funds, especially stipends, though at times the argument has seemed to cover all monies the departments have from any source for any purpose.

According to the discussions, stipend money has not been disbursed according to law in the past. Dennis Heath, China’s town manager for almost a year, wants it done legally.

Palermo attorney Matt Evans came to the May 13 meeting as the firefighters’ spokesman – not their lawyer, he emphasized, or he would have worn a suit and tie. He began by asking why the firefighters were not listed as a business item rather than under reports.

Town Clerk Becky Hapgood, filling in for Heath, said she had been told to list the firefighters under reports.

Evans said he was not going to report. Instead, he asked whether the board of selectmen intended to give the three fire departments the money town meeting voters approved for them on April 6.

Board Chairman Robert MacFarland answered yes, both operational funds and money for stipends, subject to state and federal regulations – and the fight was on, because the fire chiefs believe they can obey state and federal regulations without help from selectmen.

Evans’ next question, never specifically answered, was what documentation the fire departments need to provide along with their annual requests for town funds. He asked further, what are the state and federal guidelines and who interprets them?

“You’re making up nonsensical stuff and then you’re going to enforce it on them,” Evans charged.

Evans’ presence did not prevent chiefs Bill Van Wickler (Weeks Mills), Tim Theriault (China Village) and Dick Morse (South China) from speaking for themselves.

Their position is that they are entitled to oversee their own expenditures, and the selectmen do not need to review every transaction. Van Wickler said he had found and shared as an example the guidelines formula selectmen and firefighters agreed to some months ago, and “it’s our responsibility to use the formula.

“We have all the tools we need to do this right. Trust us,” he said.

Morse agreed: the departments, not the selectmen, are responsible for obeying the law. The selectmen’s responsibility is to hand over the money town voters approved.

Selectmen’s position is that because the money in question is the taxpayers’, their responsibility is to make sure it is spent appropriately.

Board member Ronald Breton summarized toward the end of the discussion: distribution of town funds “belongs to the board” and the town manager tells the selectmen what’s legal.

Theriault, who is a state representative as well as a local fire chief, said part of the problem is that the legislature “does a bad job of making laws.” Concerning volunteers’ stipends, legislators made a law that state officials refuse to enforce.

In a two-hour conversation with the head of the Department of Labor, he learned that administration of volunteer firefighters’ stipends is ignored, because state regulators value volunteers and won’t do something that might deter them from volunteering. Breton reminded Theriault that Town Manager and Town Treasurer Heath “sees it differently, as the guy who signs the checks.”

“So maybe we need somebody with a little more common sense,” Theriault replied, touching off a short discussion of the influence of the military where Heath worked and Oklahoma where he got his governmental experience.

Van Wickler raised a side issue: selectmen have faulted firefighters for not reporting at selectmen’s meetings, but, Van Wickler asked, why should non-employees join town employees in reporting every other week?

Board Chairman Robert MacFarland retorted, “Then why do you take town money?”

Theriault reminded him that the town is responsible for providing fire protection. Town officials’ options are to create a municipal fire department, contract with another town or contract with some other party, like local volunteer firefighters’ organizations.

After three-quarters of an hour’s discussion, selectmen turned to other business, including hearing employees’ reports:

  • The town assessor is inspecting properties; he drives a white vehicle with an identifying sign.
  • Town police have been dealing with speeding complaints and will continue to do so.
  • Eleven beavers have been trapped and relocated so far and the culverts they had blocked have been or are being cleared.
  • The codes enforcement officer is available Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment Wednesdays and Fridays. Asked about the recently hired assistant codes officer, MacFarland replied he “didn’t work out.”

By unanimous votes, the board:

  • Approved a liquor license renewal for the China Dine-ah;
  • Accepted a petition to lower the speed limit on Village Street in South China to 35 miles an hour, a request that will be forwarded to the state transportation department; and
  • Approved police Sergeant Tracey Frost’s plan to buy three new portable radios to match those used by Kennebec County.

Since the next regular selectmen’s meeting would fall on the Memorial Day holiday, Hapgood said it is rescheduled, probably to Tuesday evening, May 28.

See also:

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: An open letter to China residents from the town’s fire chiefs

China selectmen respond to fire chiefs’ letter

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: China selectmen explain their position on the fire department stipend controversy

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: “The way I see it” from a 60-year firefighter and former chief

2019 China town meeting: Selectmen, firemen get approval on stipend increases

Memorial Day parades 2019

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MADISON

Mon., May 27, starting 10 a.m. Line-up 9 a.m. at Garret Schenck School, in Anson. Memorial Day ceremony is also scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Joseph Quirion Monument in East Madison; at 2 p.m. at the Starks Community Center, and at 3 p.m. at Madison VFW on Preble Ave.

PALERMO

Mon., May 27, Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post #163 will hold a Memorial Service at the Veterans Park on Turner Ridge Rd., at 9 a.m. Palermo Boy Scout Troop will participate. Refreshments will be available, following the ceremony at the post home.

SKOWHEGAN

Mon., May 27, 10 a.m. Line-up begins at 9:15 a.m. on Dyer St. Parade route begins at intersection of Dyer St. and Madison Ave., and turns left heading south towards downtown, then left onto Water St. and travel through downtown ending at Skowhegan Veterans Park. Dedication at the park will follow.

WATERVILLE

Mon., May 27, 10 a.m. to noon. Parade assembles at 9 a.m., at Head of Falls and ends at Veterans Memorial Park on Elm St.

Is your town planning a Memorial Day parade? Please notify us so you can be included in our Memorial Day parade directory, email townline@fairpoint.net or visit our Contact page.

CHINA: Comprehensive plan meeting at Erskine

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, in conjunction with the town of China, will be conducting a Comprehensive Plan public input session on Saturday, May 18, at Erskine Academy cafeteria, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The workshop, titled China’s 2040 Vision, will cover major topics to include water quality of China Lake and Three Mile Pond, housing, land use development and developing a 10-year vision.

Comprehensive Planning Committee spokesman Irene Belanger stated: “The purpose of the workshop is to get a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints about what is special about China and needs to be preserved, and what needs to change and improve in the years ahead. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The more citizens participation, the better the vision will be.”

Following some good work from the China for a Lifetime Committee, this is a key step in the updating of the comprehensive plan for the town of China. Belanger continued, “Come talk with your neighbors and help us shape the future for China.”

All China resident are invited and encouraged to attend.

Fairfield author releases Dystopian novel series

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Michael Huard, of Fairfield, displays his new Sci-Fi and Fantasy series, which includes three full books, Land of the Free, Hope Bringers, and Freedom, that takes the reader into the far future, the 31st century, and it’s not a pretty one. (photo by Mark Huard)

by Mark Huard

My brother has been busy writing over the past couple of years and has released his book series.

Michael W. Huard’s new Sci-Fi & Fantasy series, which includes three full books; Land of the Free, Hope Bringers, and Freedom, takes the reader into the far future, the 31st century, and it’s not a pretty one.

I asked him what the storyline was about and he simply said that he wants readers to envision a sisterhood of Wonder Woman-like martial arts masters in the real world; now throw in the Terminator and a Hunger Games-like mentality and setting, and there you have the Mystical Slayers layout.

This got me wondering, what does he think the world will look like one thousand years from now? He went on to say he hopes it’s a beautiful place, with peace and good will to man.

However, in the books there’s war, greed, tyranny, and through the aspect of advanced technology and robotics, humans are all messed up and fighting to survive and find a healthy environment to live in. The country is torn into pieces of its former self. He said even today mankind is lost in their computers, the digital devices we have our faces in constantly. These are little robots, and in the series these robots grow bigger.

So how do this sisterhood he writes about play a role in all of it? The author was all smiles when telling me they are freedom fighters in the modern world. They believe in liberty and justice, patriotism and truly want the world and in specific, the United States of America to be whole again.

The books are available exclusively on Amazon, and from what I have seen, getting some good reviews.

He also told me that writing for him is very therapeutic and he really enjoys putting words on paper. He seems to be a guy who loves to tell stories and I found myself wondering what advice he would have for other aspiring authors. As for a reply, he said, “If the words come out easily for you, get them on paper, you can fine tune later.”

Michael is also a martial arts instructor and when you read his works you get the feeling his combative fight scenes are pretty true to such knowledge. The women do some serious butt kicking!

I was suddenly debating where his love of storytelling had come from. He explained that reading is the great escape. He loves traveling all over the galaxy in books. Stories like the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, a/k/a Tolkien’s works were his biggest push in such direction. “I’ve also been a Dungeons & Dragons game master for over 30 years for a long time group of fantasy role players; this led my wife to tell me that I should really get my tales on paper.”

The word is out he’s working on a new series and I wanted to get a feel for what’s coming up in the future. The author’s eyes lit up as he went over what’s to come. “I’ve just begun a new series of Gothic Fairy Tales, and it’s going very well.” I took a peak on his author bookshelf and he’s writing about witches and vampires, Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood.

He then let the cat out of the bag by saying that he was actually working on a sort of retelling of the classic Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel. He said, however, it’s very different in many ways because the story is about a brother. I think we can all look for that book in the future.

I then had to ask him, seeing how he seems to be pretty busy, “What’s a typical working day like for you, when and where do you write, and do you set a daily writing goal?”

He went over such, “I get up and do all my writing in the morning and early afternoon. Some days I write a lot, some days nothing at all. As a writer you often end up doing everything from, editing, formatting, and marketing to promotional stuff daily. There’s days when no writing gets done and then there’s days when I do sprints, which are blasts of tons of writing and often 5k words get written.”

The last thing we spoke about was to what he thought made books so special. He explained that reading is the great adventure. It can take you all over the world or to new worlds, its relaxing and a good book is a great treasure indeed.

To check out the author’s works, head on over to Amazon and or visit his page Michael W Huard on Facebook.

Week of May 9, 2019

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Week of May 9, 2019

Celebrating 31 years of local news

Theresa Gagne celebrates 100th birthday with family

Irma Richard and Andrew Wilson gave birth to their daughter Theresa on April 18, 1919, in Brunswick. Theresa was one of 11 children. She and her sister, Yvette Griffin, age 98, are the only two remaining. Theresa continued to live in Brunswick until moving to Waterville when she married the love of her life, Emile Gagne, on October 3, 1942. Emile and Theresa have three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren…

Your Local News

Manager shares info about proposed waterfront land buy

CHINA — China Town Manager Dennis Heath shared information about the proposed waterfront land purchase with TIF Committee members. The manager envisions a park with a swimming area and boat landing, well separated for safety, adjoining the Four Seasons beach…

Superintendent satisfied with China schools condition

CHINA — RSU #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley is satisfied with conditions in China schools and the RSU as a whole. Voters from the five RSU towns will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Performing Arts Center at Messalonskee High School to vote on the budget…

Selectmen sign proclamation for Municipal Clerks’ Week

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen have signed a proclamation marking the week of May 5 through May 11 as Municipal Clerks Week, recognizing the work of town clerks and their deputies…

Selectmen sign warrant for June 3, 11 town meeting

VASSALBORO — At their May 2 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen signed the warrant for the June 3 and June 11 town meeting and discussed a proposal it includes asking voters to spend $1,000 to improve Soldiers Memorial Park in East Vassalboro…

Selectmen discuss repairing roads, electronic waste

WINDSOR — On Tuesday, April 30, the Windsor’s Selectmen meeting addressed damaged roads, truck repairs and options for proper E-waste recycling…

Memorial Day parades

Is your town planning a Memorial Day parade? Please notify us so you can be included in our Memorial Day parade directory, email townline@fairpoint.net.

Mud season arrived on time; with a glimpse of summer

(photos)

China food pantry receives donation

CHINA — Melissa Goude and Krystina Foote, with daughter Paisley, present a check for $228.89 to the China Community Food Pantry from the Trademark Federal Credit Union (photo)…

Maine-ly Harmony installs new officers

CENTRAL ME — Maine-ly Harmony women’s barbershop chorus recently installed its 2019-2020 officers…

Town Meeting schedule for 2019

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

from Neil Farrington (RSU 18 schoolboard member) — If we fail our mission to direct these young people to a bright beautiful future, then our social workers and/or drug councilors will follow them into their adult lives. Paying a little more now for extra support needed for success will be well worth the investment…

Take our weekly survey!

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUSTA ANNUAL BOOK SALE, Kennebec Historical Society, Sat., May 18, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at headquarters, 107 Winthrop St. Starting at 1 p.m., all books will be reduced to $1 a bag. FMI: 622-7718…

Obituaries

CHINA – On April 22, 2019, Shirley M. Williams, 69, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2019, at her home in China, following a heroic fight with cancer. Shirley was born on February 12, 1950, to Frances and Leslie Martin, in Gardiner… and remembering 8 others…

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | While on my way to work this week, I saw no less than five dead porcupines on the side of the road. The thought then came into my mind: Porcupines, nuisance or ecological necessity?…

THE MONEY MINUTE

by Jac M. Arbour | Work harder. Work smarter. Give it your all. Think outside the box. Be original. Never give up. Have you ever received any such advice?…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | A poem very suited for Mothers Day from Elijah Parish Lovejoy taken from the 1854 Native Poets from Maine anthology…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | I remember years ago something being said about “When the jackets come off in the spring the bellies start showing,” the pregnant bellies. Since it is about that time of year, it seems appropriate to share some smiles with you…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | More news from Solon Elementary School: Students named as Most Improved Students…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI)—American healthcare, renowned for pioneering new technology to save lives, has all but ignored one of the most costly and deadly Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs), which the federal government defines as preventable patient injuries…

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Which is it, boy or girl?

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by Debbie Walker

I remember years ago something being said about “When the jackets come off in the spring the bellies start showing,” the pregnant bellies. Since it is about that time of year, it seems appropriate to share some smiles with you.

The information came from my most recent Farmer’s Almanac Newsletter. The article is written by Judy Kneiszel. I have used some of her words and some of my own. I’ll bet you have stories of your own.

Carrying High or Low: Carrying high with a big rounded belly supposedly going to have a girl. Carrying low with a smaller belly is said to be a boy.

Wedding Ring Swing: Tie the mother’s wedding ring to a string, hold it over her belly. The ring swaying back and forth would mean a boy, steady circular motion would be a girl. You can also use a needle and thread.

Baking Soda Test: You use the first pee of the morning. Use a paper cup, add one spoonful of baking soda then add some of the urine. If it fizzes it is said to be a boy. If it stays flat, it’s probably a girl. Bright yellow urine is another sign of a boy. Dull yellow should be a girl.

Heartbeat: No, not the dad’s heartbeat! Above 140 beats a minute is a girl, below that is a boy.

Mother’s Age: Add the mother’s age at conception to the year of conception. If the total is an even number the baby is a girl. Odd number and it is a boy.

Cravings: If mother is craving sweets or citrus, that would be a girl. Salty foods and the woman is having a boy. That would mean if mother is craving pickles and ice cream, I guess that would be twins!

Morning Sickness: If the mom has morning sickness in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, she’s having a girl (Well that explains my daughter). No morning sickness it’s a boy!

Beauty Steelers: If the mom is getting compliments on her beauty while pregnant, it’s a boy. Otherwise, it is said the girl baby is stealing the mother’s beauty. At any rate while she is pregnant tread lightly, hormonal reflexes might be a bit off!

Cold Feet: If mom has cold feet it might mean the baby is a boy. If the mom’s feet don’t feel any different it’s probably a girl.

Weight Gain: This one is for the dad. If dad gains weight the baby may be a girl. If the father gains weight at same rate as mom, the baby is said to be a boy. (Or dad is sympathetic.)

Now if you know some different tests I would love to know what they are. Please share. Don’t forget Mothers Day is May 12 and she deserves some spoiling. It is easy to make mom feel special. Spend some special time with her. Don’t forget an aunt, remember your grandmother, too. You can’t go wrong, spend some special time with them. If you are doing a gift put some thought into what they would really like.

I’m just curious if you found your tests were correct. Let me know and I will pass it on in a future column. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Mother’s Day from Elijah Parish Lovejoy

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

A poem very suited for Mother’s Day from Elijah Parish Lovejoy (written when he was already living in the Mid-West during the 1830s and would be killed on November 7, 1837, by an angry mob for his anti-slavery editorials, two days short of his 35th birthday) taken from the 1854 Native Poets from Maine anthology:

Elijah Parish Lovejoy

To My Mother.
My Mother! I am far away
From home, and love, and thee;
And stranger hands will heap the clay
That soon may cover me;
Yet we shall meet- perhaps not here,
But in yon shining, azure sphere;
And if there’s aught assures me more,
Ere yet my spirit fly,
That heaven has mercy still in store,
For such a wretch as I,
‘Tis that a heart so good as thine,
Must bleed – must burst along with mine.

And life is short at best, and Time
Must soon prepare the tomb;
And there is sure a happier clime,
Beyond this world of gloom-
And should it be my happy lot-
After a life of care and pain,
In sadness spent, or spent in vain-
To go where sighs and sin are not-
‘Twill make the half my heaven to be,
My Mother, evermore with thee!

Owen Lovejoy

His mother, Elizabeth Pattee Lovejoy, outlived him.

Two of Lovejoy’s brothers, Joseph and Owen, published a book about him in 1838.

John Quincy Adams

The sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, wrote an introduction to the volume from which the following two sentences are taken – “Martyrdom was said by Dr. Johnson to be the only test of sincerity in religious belief. It is also the ordeal through which all great improvements in the condition of men are doomed to pass.”

Those who wish to know more about this uniquely great man, born and raised in the then-‘Albion wilderness,’ would find his Wiki piece quite comprehensive on its own terms and a point of departure for further reading.

 

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Pressure ulcers costs healthcare billions each year

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Pressure ulcers cost U.S. healthcare $10.2 billion and contribute to nearly 29,000 hospital deaths each year. But new technology can dramatically curb the pressure ulcer pandemic.

by Margaret Doucette, D.O.

(NAPSI)—American healthcare, renowned for pioneering new technology to save lives, has all but ignored one of the most costly and deadly Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs), which the federal government defines as preventable patient injuries.

While the number of other HACs has decreased by 8 percent, pressure ulcers have been resistant to improvement efforts. They continue to grow by 10 percent annually.

Pressure ulcers are both costly and deadly.

The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reports that pressure ulcers add $10.2 billion to U.S. healthcare costs. As the chart above shows, pressure ulcers are associated with more than 45 percent of the nation’s 63,619 HAC-related deaths and are the leading contributor to HAC-related deaths.

Costly, deadly problem

Averaging the impact among the nation’s 5,534 hospitals means that each will treat more than 127 pressure ulcers, write off more than $1.8 million in unreimbursed treatment costs and see more than five pressure ulcer patients die every year.

Medicine has wrestled with the problem of pressure ulcers for generations. Their prevention relies on physically moving or turning a patient at frequent intervals to relieve pressure on different parts of the body. Unfortunately, turning a patient can slip on the priority list of busy hospital staff.

Technology that monitors patient movement and notifies nurses when a patient needs to be turned exists and is available throughout the United States. Dozens of studies presented in public medical forums demonstrate that a wearable patient-monitoring technology helps hospitals prevent pressure ulcers, reduce their medical costs and save lives. These studies all monitored patients at risk for pressure ulcers using the Leaf Patient Monitoring System, the only system on the market designed exclusively to help providers prevent pressure ulcers.

One randomized trial of more than 1,200 patients at a large California academic medical center concluded that the pressure ulcer incidence rate was 74 percent lower among patients monitored by the wearable monitoring system.

Tech can save lives, money

Applying the same rate of reduction to the national problem, the deployment of wearable technology could save more than 21,000 lives and nearly $7.5 billion in unreimbursed healthcare costs each year. For the average hospital, that would mean $1.36 million in annual savings.

Technology can help our understaffed clinical teams reduce the risk of very preventable pressure ulcers. For the sake of our patients’ well-being—and our healthcare institutions’ financial stability—we need to seriously consider the benefits new technology can provide.

  • Margaret Doucette, D.O. is chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Boise VA Medical Center, where she oversees wound prevention and care efforts. The founder and former medical director of the Elks/St. Luke’s Wound Care Center and a co-founder of the Idaho Pressure Ulcer Prevention Coalition, Dr. Doucette has been instrumental in developing wound care programs across the continuum of care in Idaho. She is published and presents nationally and internationally. She is adjunct faculty at several universities and a clinical associate professor at the University of Washington.