Travis Mills to deliver Unity College 2019 commencement address

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SSgt. Travis Mills

The road every college student takes to complete their degree is never an easy one. It’s full of trying times, late night study sessions, and early morning exams that can certainly be stressful. Whether they know it or not, the more than 130 Unity College graduates receiving diplomas on Saturday, May 11, all persevered using the mantra of the college’s esteemed 2019 commencement speaker, retired Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills: “Never give up. Never quit.”

SSG Mills has told his inspiring story of perseverance all over television (including Ellen, NBC Nightly News, and Fox News) after losing all four limbs to an IED on his third tour of Afghanistan. Mills is one of only five quadruple amputees to survive their injuries received in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he documented his road to recovery in his memoir Tough as They Come, a New York Times Best Seller.

It took 14 hours of surgery, nine doctors, seven nurses – two of which were dedicated to pumping air in and out of his lungs — and 30 blood transfusions to keep Mills alive. When he finally regained consciousness days later on his 25th birthday, the first words out of his mouth were: “How are my soldiers?” Finding out they would be fine, his brother-in-law broke the news to Mills that he wasn’t paralyzed but was, in fact, a quadruple amputee. He became angry and upset, but found the motivation to carry on in his wife and six-month-old daughter.

After returning to the United States for an intense recovery process, which Mills says is an ongoing process every single day, he founded the Travis Mills Foundation based in Rome, Maine, to assist combat-injured veterans. In addition to assisting wounded veterans, Mills worked closely with many victims of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, helping to guide them following amputation, just as other amputees had done for him. Mills also consults with and speaks to companies and organizations nationwide inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges and adversity, no matter what form that may take.

“It is certainly no exaggeration when I refer to Staff Sergeant Mills as a national treasure,” said Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury. “Having watched his story of recovery both physically and mentally unfold on television, I not only find Travis to be a remarkable human being, but also a genuine person who is a natural-born leader. He has a knack for inspiring everyone he comes in contact with, and he can almost always get them to smile or laugh, no matter what it is they’re going through. I can’t wait for our graduates to hear him speak.”

“I am extremely honored to be giving the commencement speech at Unity College, in my home state!” said Mills. “I look forward to sharing my story with the 2019 graduating class, and I hope to inspire resiliency and drive as they enter the workforce or graduate school.”

Dr. Khoury said Mills will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Sustainability Science before addressing the candidates for graduation from America’s Environmental College.

“From here, our graduates will travel all over the world, pursuing careers that they’re passionate about or seek further education,” said Dr. Khoury. “I think that the words and story of Travis will stay with them well after they receive their diploma, and they’ll find ways to apply it in all that they do.”

Commencement exercises begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11. The ceremony, which happens to be Unity College’s 50th May Commencement, is open to Unity College graduates and their guests. The ceremony and speeches will be streamed on the Unity College Facebook page.

Obituaries for Thursday, February 21, 2019

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KARLA G. DANFORTH

FAIRFIELD – Karla Gene Danforth, 53, passed away peacefully from cancer on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Karla was born on July 20, 1965, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to Ralph Lane Sr. and Maryann (Gurney) Campbell.

Karla graduated from Lawrence High School and received her associate degree in respiratory therapy from Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield.

Karla was a longtime employee of Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston. For the last decade, she worked at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, in Hollywood, Florida, in the neonatal intensive care unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She was passionate about her job and touched the lives of so many families. Karla was voted employee of the year several times as well, and received multiple leadership, and community awards. With such a zest for life, Karla loved the beach, backyard barbeques, and concerts.

Karla was predeceased by her grandparents, Roland and Harriet Gurney.

Karla is survived by her parents Ralph Lane Sr. and Maryann Campbell; husband David Danforth; daughters Megan Danforth and Courtney Peckham and husband Kolby; stepson Noel Danforth and wife Missy, of Gaithersburg, Maryland; stepdaughter Jessica Kaniuka and husband Pierce, of Farmington; three grandsons Tadiyah Danforth, Rainer Danforth, and Kole Peckham; sisters Karen Poulin and husband Kenneth, of Hampstead, New Hampshire, Kim Castonguay and husband Darren, of Vassalboro, Kathy Roderick and husband Allen, of Bingham; brother Ralph Lane Jr. and fiancée Robin Cyr, of Fairfield; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 17, from 12-6 p.m. at the Waterville Elks Lodge, 76 Industrial St., in Waterville.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

MERLON SYLVESTER

WINSLOW AND ALBION – Merlon “Major” Sylvester, 95, formerly of Winslow, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. He was born in Winslow on December 5, 1923, the son of the late Elwood and Eva Sylvester.

He married the former Christine Caron on March 7, 1946. They enjoyed 68 years of married life together.

Major worked years picking up cans of milk from area farmers and transporting it for Carroll Harding to Portland. After marrying, he worked as a self-employed farmer and woodsman.

He loved spending time with family and friends and being involved with church activities. He also had a great passion for stock car racing. He was always willing to give advice and a helping hand to all family members, especially Fred, Jeannette, and Jr., who drove stock cars. He was a dedicated spectator at Unity Raceway for many years.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Christine; his daughter, Carol; his sisters, Jessie Brooks and Irene Blomiley; and his brothers, Fred and Ralph Sylvester.

Major will be sadly missed by his children, Paulette and her husband, Richard Chapman, Jeannette and her husband, Everett Tinker, Merlon Sylvester Jr., and Fred Sylvester; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

MARGUERITE M. LINSCOTT

WASHINGTON – Marguerite M. Linscott, 72, of Washington, passed away unexpectedly at the Sussman House on January 31, 2019. Marguerite was born in Washington to Robert R. Linscott and Doris Finn Linscott.

Marguerite attended Union High School where she graduated valedictorian, class of 1964. Marguerite continued on to become a hairdresser and she taught at Central Beauty School in Augusta. Her students gave her the nickname “Teach.” They described her as tough but thorough. Marguerite took great pride in what she did which made her one of the best in the business. She was nominated for Best of the Best award in 2004 reader’s poll for her work. After teaching she worked as a hairdresser at  Mahogany in Camden and at The Cutting Room in Camden until her retirement.

In her spare time Marguerite enjoyed working outside in her flower and vegetable gardens, cooking, and working around the house. She was an avid animal lover. She enjoyed having the company of wildlife and had a special bond with her cats and her dog.

Marguerite was predeceased by her father, Robert, in 1988; mother, Doris, in 2002; and oldest brother, Robert Linscott, in 2019.

She is survived by brothers, Mahlon Linscott and wife Barbara, of Washington, and Berkley Linscott and wife Nancy, of Washington; sister-in-law, Janice Linscott, of Union; nephews, Richard Linscott and wife Kimberly, of Washington, Milton Linscott and wife Pamela, of Florida, and David Linscott and wife Christina, of Topsham; and great-nephews, Benjamin Linscott, of Florida, and Harrison Linscott and wife Catherine, of Union.

At Marguerite’s request there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P. O. Box 1294, Rockland ME 04841.

Condolences may be shared at hallfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro.

DEBRA J. GAGNE

WINSLOW – Debby J. Gagne passed away on Friday, February 8, 2019, at her home in Winslow, following a year-long battle with ovarian cancer. Debby was born in Waterville on August 16, 1955, the daughter of Raymond (“John”) and Ruth (Mathieu) Bourque.

She attended Mount Merici school, in Waterville, as a child and graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1973.

Debby began working at Seton Hospital and then Colby College, both in Waterville, in her early 20s and it was during this time she met her husband, Roger G. Gagne, of Winslow. They were married in 1978 and over the course of 40 years of marriage they were blessed with two daughters, Katie and Shelley, two granddaughters, Madison and Taylor, and always enjoyed a tight-knit family culture with most family members living in the Central Maine area.

One of Debby’s greatest joys in life was her girls – in fact, she decided to leave the workforce for 12 years to focus on raising them and always placed their well-being and happiness before her own. She was incredibly committed to her children. She attended every sporting and life event, made sure a warm meal was on the table every night and ensured that the girls were able to enjoy each and every day, including planning many memorable family trips and adventures. She always supported and celebrated their academic and personal pursuits and achievements.

Deb returned to work at Waterville Senior High School for 14 years in an administrative role. She then worked at the Central Maine Morning Sentinel and the Law Firm of Butler Whittier before her retirement in 2016. In her retirement she dove head first into her role as a grandmother, spending time in Massachusetts for newborn feedings, birthday parties and trips to the playground.

Debby was an only child who had an exceptionally close relationship with her parents, caring for them throughout their lives and into their elderly years. She was always up for a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee with her mother, Ruth, a game of gin rummy, baking and cooking, and taking day trips to the Maine Coast where they enjoyed shopping and eating lobster rolls.

Above and beyond her unwavering commitment to family, Debby was an avid New England sports fan, always rooting on the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and especially the Patriots. Even in the throes of her illness she was insistent on treating her family to an outing at Gillette Stadium this past fall where we watched the Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins. She was also an animal lover, doting on her dog Maggie and her children’s dogs Payson and Guinness.

She is survived by her mother Ruth; husband Roger; daughter Katie and son-in-law Brad Callow, daughter Shelley and son-in-law John Glidden; granddaughters Madison and Taylor Callow; cousin Cindy Hapworth; sisters and brothers-in-law Sandra and Earl Joler and Tom and Ruth Gagne; and their children; as well as other relatives and cousins from the Bourque family.

She was predeceased by her father, Raymond Bourque, who passed in June 2017.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument Street, in Winslow, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, followed by a reception to celebrate her life. A family burial will take place at a later date in St. Francis Cemetery, Waterville.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Animal Refuge League of Portland.

GINA LaCROIX

UNITY – Gina LaCroix, 50, of Unity, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 8, 2019, at her residence. She was born  January 11, 1969, in Anaheim, California, the daughter of David and Beatrice (Duran) Robles.

She was a certified nurses’ aide at Farren Care, in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and later worked at Starrett Tool Company, in Athol, Massachusetts. Gina loved music, singing, dancing and especially loved pigs. She was known to be a nurturing, generous and kind soul. She enjoyed being outdoors.

She is survived by her mother, Beatrice Rayl, of Dixmont; a son, Jonathan West, of Keene, New Hampshire; her significant other, Dwayne Shaw, of Unity; a sister, Christiana Capasso, of Gilbert, Arizona, several nieces and pephews; and her god-daughter Willow Rose DeRosaps.

Arrangements were under the direction of Crosby & Neal, in Newport.

Those who wish may leave written condolences at www.Crosby-Neal.com.

BOYD S. WEBBER JR.

WESTON, ME. – Boyd Smith Webber, Jr. “Bud”, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 14, 2019, from a heart attack, in Fort Meyers, Florida where he was working for the winter. He was born in Augusta on February 2, 1958, the son of Boyd Smith Webber, Sr. and Viola Webber.

He grew up on Three Cornered Pond, in Augusta, with his parents and his five siblings as well as a neighborhood filled with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins enjoying the rural life of fishing, swimming, ice skating, ice fishing and other country fun. Boyd attended Augusta public schools and following high school, he spent several years in Florida, working in woodworking and home construction. He returned to the central Maine area and spent many years working as a skillful finish carpenter, fine cabinet maker and in interior home construction, including rough carpentry and dry wall.

Boyd moved to the rural northern Maine town of Weston in the mid-1990s, where he continued to live until his death, often traveling to Florida in the winter months to work.

He will always be remembered for his auburn curls, quiet nature, quirky sense of humor and his love for woodworking. Boyd used his passion for working with wood and his natural artist talents to craft wooden bowls and other items from tree burls, each exquisitely unique, beautiful pieces of art which were sold up and down the eastern seaboard.

Boyd is predeceased by both paternal and maternal grandparents and his niece Rebecca.

He survived by his son Daniel, daughters Tara and Natasha and their mother Annette, all of Florida; his parents Boyd, Sr. and Viola Webber, of Augusta; his brothers Bruce and wife Debbie, Tom and wife Lori, all of Augusta; his sisters, Jean Royle, of Palermo, Sue and her partner Deb, of Augusta, and Patricia, of Waterville; nephews Jim, Kevin and his partner Heather, Shane and his partner Tasha, and Derek and wife Heather; nieces Heidi and her partner Matt, Katherine and husband Seth, and Sara and husband Rick; his great-nieces Aurora and Seven; great nephew Chayton, several aunts, uncles, many cousins and numerous friends both in Maine and Florida.

A celebration of life gathering will be held in Maine in June, date to be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

OTHERS DEPARTED

WESLEY E. JOHNSTON, 87, of Waterville, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, following a long illness. Locally, he is survived by brother Tim Johnston and wife Joan, of Belgrade and Albert Johnston, of Fairfield; sisters Charlene Lawrence and husband Melvin, of Waterville; sister-in-law Caroline Bun and husband Bernard, of Waterville, and brother-in-law TomEstabrook, of Oakland.

DELBERT E. McLAGGAN, 86, of Detroit, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, in Pittsfield. Locally, he is survived by a son, Kevin McLaggan and wife Annette, of South China; and grandson Kyle McLaggan and partner, Myriah Cotter, of South China.

JUNE A. FOWLER, 93, of Troy, passed away on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Locally, she is survived by a sister Gladys Benner, of Fairfield, and a granddaughter Charelle, of Palermo.

BIRCHARD L. BROOKS, 61, of Belgrade, passed away on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Locally, he is survived by a son, Jeremy NBrooks, and wife Megan, of Waterville; daughter Rebecca Kingsbury and husband Braden, of Oakland; brothers Byron Brooks, of Waterville, Clifford Brooks Jr., of Rome, and Jeffrey Brooks and wife Brenda, of Winslow.

ROBERT E. COLSON, 83, of Windham, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Locally, he is survived by a brother Donald Colson, of Benton.

FORMER RESIDENT

RONALD UECKER, 81, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Ron spent over 30 years in the newspaper business in the midwest, and was advertising director for the Waterville Morning Sentinel and Augusta’s Kennebec Journal. He retired in December 1999 and spent 16 years in retirement, with his wife, Mary Jean “MJ” on Togus Pond, before moving to Centerville, Ohio. He is survived by his wife “MJ” Uecker (Rampenthal), of Centerville, Ohio.

Local students named to dean’s list at RIT

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The following local residents made the dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, New York, for the 2018 fall semester: Ada Phillips, of Oakland, who is in the software engineering program; Kieran McCarthy-O’Flaherty, of Oakland, who is in the computer engineering program; Tory Leo, of Mercer , who is in the computer science program; and Ashley Avery, of Athens, who is in the hospitality and tourism management program.

Lions club hosts speaking competition

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From left to right, Lion Cal Prescott, Caleb Sacks, Arthur Sollitt, Erskine Advisor Nicholas Waldron, Hagen Wallace, Adam Ochs, Conor Skehan, and Lion club President Kim Haskell. (Contributed photo)

Five members of the Erskine Academy speech and debate team, in South China, competed in the event.

Arthur Sollitt, Adam Ochs, Conor Skehan, Caleb Sacks, and Hagen “Joki” Wallace were accompanied by Nicholas Waldron, advisor for the speech and debate team at Erskine Academy.

Speaking contest winner Hagen Wallace. Contributed photo)

Hagen “Joki” Wallace, a senior at Erskine, whose topic was antibiotic resistance, placed first.

Arthur Sollitt, also a senior at Erskine, placed second with his speech about gratefulness.

Erskine freshman Adam Ochs, spoke on the topic of alternative medicine and placed third.

Students are encouraged to choose a topic on which they feel strongly, and express their ideas publicly and defend those ideas when questioned.

Judges were Lion Brad Bean, Lion Nancy Studley, and Lion Barry Tibbetts.

After each speech, contestants were questioned by Lion Steve Laundrie and Pam Kenoyer.

Timekeeper was Lion Jerry Maldovan.

Organizer of the event was Lion Cal Prescott.

The first place winner will compete at the regional competition to be held at 6 p.m., on March 19, at the Margaret Chase Smith library in Skowhegan.

Board begins preliminary school budget review

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Vassalboro Community School. (source: jmg.org)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members began review of the preliminary 2019-2020 school budget at their Feb. 12 meeting, despite missing several major pieces.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer, Principal Megan Allen and personnel from what used to be the Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) #92 office presented four budget categories: athletics, special services, district technology and health services.

At this early stage, the athletics budget is almost $39,000, up $3,600 from the current year; the special services budget is $1.4 million, about $39,000 lower than the current year’s; the technology budget is less than $61,000, down almost $13,000; and the health services budget is over $71,000, an increase of a little more than $1,400.

These very preliminary figures total less than $1.7 million. The current year’s total budget as approved at the June 2018 town meeting is more than $7.5 million. Major expenditures not discussed at the Feb. 12 meeting include the total instruction budget, which is tentatively over $2.8 million (including athletics), and tuition.

Pfeiffer said he has the state-set tuition rates for the secondary schools Vassalboro students attend, but does not yet have figures on how many students plan to attend each school next year.

The superintendent expects the special services budget to increase slightly. “Federal mandates, federal laws, the state – that’s a huge piece” of expenditures, and failure to comply invites lawsuits, Pfeiffer said.

Emphasizing that the Feb. 12 figures are preliminary and changeable, Pfeiffer asked school board members to study and think about them. The board scheduled a budget workshop for 6 p.m. Monday, March 4, before the next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.

In other business Feb. 12, board members unanimously approved a policy on service animals at Vassalboro Community School. They accepted Pfeiffer’s offer to create procedures to go with a proposed policy on use of video cameras on school property.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of February 21, 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!

BUSY CAMERA1: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, was busy with his camera recently, photographing a cardinal seeking food in the snow.

 

BUSY CAMERA2: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, was busy with his camera recently, photographing two mallard ducks trying to keep warm. They almost look like decoys.

 

WARM RAYS: Pat Clark, of Palermo, snapped this hawk soaking in some warming sun rays while perched in a tree.

Instructional coaching important part of RSU #18

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Instructional Coach Shelly Moody, left, works with fifth grade teachers Brianna Brockway, top left, and Alexandra Cotter on analyzing student data, reflecting on instructional practices, and determining interventions and goals for individual students. (Contributed photo)

by Mandi Favreau, Communication Coordinator RSU#18

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. As rewarding as the profession is, it can also be overwhelming to be the caretaker of dozens of young minds while juggling planning, assessments, and trying to keep up with the best new trends in curriculum within your classroom.

Enter the instructional coach. From analyzing student data to mentoring and planning professional development, these teacher leaders have a terrific positive impact on the schools they work in. “Our staff who fill these roles are the most talented, patient and invested individuals,” said Assistant Superintendent Keith Morin. “They make it their job to increase student achievement by working with incredible staff.”

RSU #18 has four instructional coaches – two at the elementary level and two at the middle school level. Shelly Moody covers Atwood and Williams as an instructional coach and Literacy Specialist while Pam Prescott works part-time with Belgrade Central. Jenny Barry is a part-time teacher/part-time coach for MMS while Dean of Students Meagan Murphy fulfills the instructional coach role at CMS. While a typical day looks a little different for each of them, the main focus of the position is always to support teachers around particular goals for student learning.

Coaches spend time in teachers’ classrooms at their request or based on coaching cycles. They offer feedback and support, present direct instruction to students or co-teach with the classroom teacher. They offer planning support, assist teachers in developing their SLOs and growth plans, and assist with the implementation of new curriculum. “Teachers have a place to go,” said Atwood Principal Jennifer McGee, “a non-evaluative and safe arena, to question, probe, analyze and improve the teaching practices they are delivering to children each day.”

Instructional coaches also work with students on reading and writing intervention.  “The best part of every day is the time I spend in classrooms collaborating with teachers,” said Shelly Moody. “There’s nothing better than watching students apply their strategies to solve math problems or sitting beside a student to conference on his/her reading or writing. As a classroom teacher, I was able to have an impact on 20 students during the school year.  In my role as an instructional coach, I’m able to support teachers in the growth of students in twenty-four classrooms.”

At the elementary levels, coaches facilitate weekly grade level meetings to help teachers examine data and plan across content areas. All of our instructional coaches help the administration make curriculum and instruction decisions based on student data and instructional practices. They also spend time developing and leading professional development focused on analyzing data, exploring instructional practices, and developing interventions. “Our instructional coaches ensure we have the best practices and most recent research regarding instructional practices in our teachers’ hands,” said Principal McGee. “They are always reaching out, to a broader state-wide and national platform, about best practices, and then bringing those back to our schoolhouses and classrooms.”

This year, RSU #18’s coaches have also been working closely with Assistant Superintendent Morin on supporting new teachers across the district. “This is new to our job,” said Jenny Barry, “and as far as I can tell it has been a wonderful addition to what we already do to support the teachers within our buildings.”

For each of these coaches, it’s hugely rewarding to be able to collaborate with and support other teachers. “My most favorite part of the job is when a teacher expresses their enthusiasm and excitement when they either try something new or focus on a particular strategy and see the success of it,” said Barry.

That’s key for all our coaches.  These are experienced educators who understand all the struggles that teachers face and want to use their expertise to help.

“After spending 35 years in the classroom, I am well aware of the precious little time teachers have to procure new resources, communicate with their colleagues and specialists, or talk with each other about curriculum, instruction, and interventions,” added Pam Prescott. “I love having the time and opportunity to make this happen. It benefits our entire school.”

Week of February 14, 2019

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Week of February 14, 2019

Celebrating 30 years of local news

Becky Hapgood honored for 25 years service to China

It was 25 years ago – 1994: when O.J. Simpson led police on a slow speed chase in his white Ford Bronco, Major League baseball canceled the entire season due to a strike, Lisa Marie Presley married Michael Jackson, The Shawshank Redemption was the top film, Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart topped the pop charts, Law and Order was the number one television show, Bill Clinton was president, Robert Kraft bought the New England Patriots – and Becky Hapgood began her working career at the China Town Office…

Your Local News

Selectmen complete work on town meeting warrant

CHINA — The first two articles ask voters to elect a moderator and to approve or reject the annual authorization to exceed the state limit on taxes if necessary. The final three articles ask voters to approve or reject changes to three sections of China’s Land Use Ordinance…

Budget committee agrees with selectmen on all but two articles

CHINA — They declined to endorse the selectmen’s request to voters to increase each selectman’s annual compensation from $1,000 to $1,800, adding $4,000 to the budget…

Selectmen give thumbs down to request for food sovereignty ordinance

VASSALBORO — Dylan Dillaway, of 47 Daisies Farm on Webber Pond Road, asked selectmen to put on the June town meeting warrant a Food Sovereignty Ordinance…

Take our weekly survey!

[democracy id=”128″]

Window Dressers volunteers to provide demonstration

PALERMO — Corliss Davis and the Window Dressers volunteers will be coming to the Palermo Community Center on Friday, February 22, to demonstrate that adding their low-cost window inserts can can save money on heating, make your living space more comfortable by eliminating drafts, and reduce carbon emissions…

Four Seasons Club receives unexpected gift

CHINA — Just before Christmas, the China Four Seasons Club received what turned out to be an amazing telephone call. The great guys at Power Equipment Plus started by saying, we’re going to make your day. “Oh,” we said, “and why is that?”…

Kennebec Historical Society to present “A History of Camp Keyes”

AUGUSTA — For over 100 years, Camp Keyes has been known as the headquarters for the Maine National Guard, in Augusta. But how did that site on the hill come to be chosen? Who is it named for? Who trained there, and why?…

Fun on Ice

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro resident Ray Breton has opened an ice skating rink right next to the Old Mill and gift shop, on Main St., in Vassalboro. The facility is available to both children and adults. This was the opening day…

China scouts officiate at morning worship

CHINA — Very few Boy Scout troops in the Kennebec Valley District are provided this opportunity. The Scouts from Troop #479 were invited to prepare most of the worship service by Rev. Ronald Morrell…

John Veilleux is Winslow’s police officer of the year

WINSLOW — Officer John Veilleux began his career with the Winslow Police Department as a part-time officer in May 2012…

School News

Winslow student cited for academic excellence at Tufts University

WINSLOW — Cody Lambert, of Winslow, was named to the dean’s list at Tufts University, in Medford, Massachusetts, for the Fall 2018 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater…

Lasell College students named to dean’s list

CENTRAL ME — Students at Lasell College, in Newton, Massachusetts, were named to the dean’s list for their strong academic performance in the fall 2018 semester: Chad Martin, of Fairfield, Alison Linscott, of Waterville, and Grace Redwine, of Freedom.

..

WPI announces fall 2018 dean’s list

CENTRAL ME — The following local residents were among 1,595 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts, (WPI) named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2018 semester. Abigail Hodgkins, of Augusta, is a member of the class of 2022 majoring in engineering. Brett Foster, of Fairfield, is a member of the class of 2022 majoring in electrical and computer engineering.

2019 Real estate tax schedule

Find out when real estate taxes are due for China, Vassalboro, Windsor & Winslow.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CHINA — VASSALBORO: A spaghetti dinner will be held on Sat., Feb. 23, from 4:30 – 6 p.m., to benefit the Emergency Fuel Fund, to be held at the United Methodist Church, Rte. 32, between East and North Vassalboro. A 50/50 raffle will take place during dinner…

Obituaries

FAIRFIELD – Flo Sevey, 80, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2019. She was born April 7, 1938. She married Clyde Sevey on March 14, 1953, and were married for 65 years… and remembering 9 others…

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Weasels are naturally very curious and do wander from time to time into people’s houses, perhaps in search of mice. Their small size allows them to get into nooks and crannies…

Gary KennedyVETERAN’S CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | On January 24 Bayard Bergmann wrote a lengthy article which was difficult to understand in part. He wrote, “Only political appointees can stop the VA scandals.” Well, our column is not out to stop the VA scandals, although we believe there are many…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Although Elwyn Brooks White (1899-1985), better known as E.B. White, was born in Mount Vernon, New York, the family vacations during his childhood in Maine’s Belgrade Lakes, the routines of farm life and the workings of nature, enriched his own writings…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | My dad died in June 2005, just before his 79th birthday, but truthfully we lost him long before that. It all started years ago, and progressed very gradually…

TRASH TALK

by Irene Belanger | ALERT! Effective March 1, 2019, and until further notice, there will no longer be a barrel in the recycle building for plastic bags. The current very low and non-existent market has determined this…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | This is one of those weeks when I don’t have any real news to share, but I came across an old clipping (way back in 1988, when I was writing for the Skowhegan Reporter, and my byline back then was, Solon “The friendliest town in the state”)…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — As people live longer, Alzheimer’s and other age-related dementias are on the rise, projected to reach more than 75 million people worldwide by 2030. To date, no effective therapy has been developed for these disorders, which are not only deadly but exact a high financial and emotional toll on society…

New Brain Health Initiative Could Unlock Mysteries Of Alzheimer’s, Dementia

FOR YOUR HEALTH: New Brain Health Initiative Could Unlock Mysteries Of Alzheimer’s, Dementia

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(NAPSI)—Scientists are contemplating important questions about health, mind and age: Could your blood hold the molecular secrets to a fountain of youth, preventing age-related brain disorders? Are brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease caused by a failure of interconnected systems, triggering a dominolike cascade of disease? Can targeting the red blood cells and blood vessels jointly keep your brain healthy and prevent dementia?

The Problem

As people live longer, Alzheimer’s and other age-related dementias are on the rise, projected to reach more than 75 million people worldwide by 2030. To date, no effective therapy has been developed for these disorders, which are not only deadly but exact a high financial and emotional toll on society.

The Research

To find solutions, three large-scale research teams are exploring those questions as part of an initiative to merge research of the brain and the blood vessels to develop new understanding of—and, ultimately, better preventions and treatments for—age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The Scientists

To help, American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, and The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, a division of the Allen Institute, launched the $43 million research project to bridge the science of vascular and brain health through revolutionary, out-of-the-box thinking. Additional supporters include the Oskar Fischer Project and the Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation.

The three teams, headquartered at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.; Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif.; and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, respectively, work to develop new solutions to the urgent problem of age-related cognitive decline. The researchers are:

  • “Rusty” Gage, Ph.D., a neuroscience researcher and president of Salk, who will lead an eight-year project looking into new targets for therapeutic research and biomarkers of early-stage cognitive decline.
  • Tony Wyss-Coray, Ph.D., a professor of neurology at Stanford, who will lead a four-year project studying how changes in the immune system affect cognitive health.
  • Mukesh K. Jain, M.D., a cardiologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, who will lead a team of investigators on a four-year project investigating whether targeting red blood cells and blood vessels can prevent dementia.

The Hope

The research could yield transformational discoveries to better detect, treat and prevent cognitive decline.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Weasels (ermines) are finding their way into people’s homes

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The different coats of the winter and summer ermine.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

In recent weeks, there have been numerous reports of incidences where weasels have found their way into homes. There were reports in Harpswell, Cumberland and Bangor.

The woman in Bangor said she noticed what she thought was a rat or an escaped ferret in her ceiling. It had been running around in the ceiling, so she removed one of the ceiling panels. When it poked its head out, she called the landlord and both determined it was someone’s escaped pet ferret. However, it was later determined to be a weasel, or ermine as they are also known.

Weasels are naturally very curious and do wander from time to time into people’s houses, perhaps in search of mice. Their small size allows them to get into nooks and crannies.

There was one instance when the homeowner captured the ermine in a humane trap, and before she even had it for a minute, the ermine escaped.

Ermines are common throughout Maine and hunt both night and day, but people don’t often see this small animal because it’s well camouflaged, moves fast and tends to keep out of sight.

Weasels are usually brown, gray or black with white or yellowish markings. All weasels become all white in the winter. The winter fur of the least weasel glows a bright lavender color when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Ermines are especially difficult to spot in the winter season, when their coat turns from brown to white, an adaptation that allows it to hide in the snow. The only thing that remains pigmented on an ermine is the tip of its tail, which is jet black.

As nocturnal animals, weasels sleep during the day and are active at night. Most of a weasel’s time awake consists of hunting, storing excess food and eating. Their bodies don’t store fat, so they need a constant supply of food to provide enough energy. In fact, the least weasel eats 40 – 60 percent of its body weight every day, according to the Nature Conservancy.

The most common weasel is the short-tailed weasel. It can be found in North America, Europe and Asia, in regions as far north as the Arctic. Their homes include marshes, scrubs, hedgerows, alpine meadows, riparian woodlands and riverbank habitats, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The genus includes least weasels, polecats, stoats, ferrets and minks. These animals are small, active predators with long and slender bodies and short legs.

According to Dr. Alessio Mortelliti, assistant professor in the University of Maine Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology, “It’s pretty much anywhere in the world, plus it’s an invasive species in some places.”

Ermines are especially ferocious and bold. It is not uncommon for this predator to attack and kill prey that exceeds them in size and weight. For example, ermines, that weigh between 1.6 to 3.7 ounces, have been known to attack gray squirrels, which are much heavier, typically weighing between 12 and 24 ounces. Ermines are very aggressive, “they can go for prey that is bigger than them,” said Mortelliti. Ermines will attack young rabbits and hares, but they prefer smaller prey such as mice and voles. In fact, one of the ermine’s key adaptations is their ability to manipulate its flexible body into small tunnels that are created by smaller animals.

They are also bullies. Although they can dig their own burrows quite quickly, they sometimes take over another animal’s burrows and make them their own.

In Greek culture, a weasel near one’s house is a sign of bad luck, even evil, especially if there is a girl about to be married, since the animal was thought to be an unhappy bride who was transformed into a weasel, and consequently delights in destroying wedding dresses. However, in neighboring Macedonia, weasels are generally seen as an omen of good fortune.

In North America, Native Americans, in the region of North Carolina, deemed the weasel to be a bad sign: crossing its path meant a “speedy death.” According to Daniel Dafoe, meeting a weasel is a bad omen.

In the English language, being called a weasel is considered an insult, being regarded as sneaky, conniving or untrustworthy.

How do these animals find their way into homes? Usually through some openings in the foundation, broken windows or sometimes through openings in the roof like attic vents or chimneys.

How do you rid yourself of one? Use fresh meat, if possible. Position your bait strategically, so that the weasel must bring its entire body into the trap and step on the trigger plate to get to it. Make sure the bait is far enough from the trap walls that an animal cannot reach inside and steal it without entering. Weasels are known to bite, so wear heavy gloves whenever handling the trapped animal and refrain from sticking your fingers inside the trap.

Again, weasels are cute, but do not approach one unless it is safely in a Havahart trap, be careful handling it, and take it deep into the woods, where it belongs.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who is the only NFL player to be named MVP of the Super Bowl from the losing team.

Answer can be found here.