Roland’s Trivia Question, Week of July 5, 2018
Who holds the Red Sox record for the most home runs at the All-Star break?
Answer:
David Ortiz, 31, in 2006
SCORES & OUTDOORS: The proliferation of the turkey vulture in central Maine
by Roland D. Hallee
I remember as a young boy growing up and going to the “movies” at the old State Theater, on Silver St., in Waterville. It was the Saturday kids’ marathon. You would get to the theater at 10 a.m., and probably wouldn’t come out until dark. There were cartoons galore, news reels, several feature films, and even a commercial for popcorn in the lobby. (For 25-cents, you got admission to the theater, a bag of popcorn and soda – and get change back.)
One of the things I remember well, and are still my favorites today, were the old film noir westerns. The films were marked with poor lighting, corny sound effects and acting – but Gene and Roy could sing you a tune, and beat up the bad dudes. Pretty versatile guys to have around.
One scene would always be of a vulture circling overhead, signaling the presence of a corpse, or a carcass of a dead animal near a watering hole an indication of a poisoned pool.
Turkey vulture
I had never seen a real vulture. I thought they only existed where the cowboys roamed the western range.
Later in life, around the 1980s, I saw my first real vulture on top of French’s Mountain, in the town of Rome. However, recently I have seen a growing population of the turkey vulture in central Maine. First, on the Nelson Rd., in Vassalboro, and recently on Chase Ave., in Waterville, near the Delta Ambulance headquarters. Last Sunday, I saw four of them in the road.
Its range is from southern Canada to the southermost tip of South America.
The turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, or turkey buzzard as it is known in some North American regions, is a scavenger that feeds almost exclusively on carrion. It finds it food using its keen eyes and sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals. This is an uncommon ability in the avian world. The olfactory lobe of its brain, responsible for processing smells, is particularly large compared to that of other animals. Lacking a syrinx, the vocal organ of birds, its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses. It nests in caves, hollow trees, or thickets. It has very few natural predators. In the United States, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
It is illegal in the U.S. to take, kill or possess a turkey vulture. It is listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. Populations appear to be stable, thus has not reached the threshold of inclusion as a threatened species, which requires a decline of more than 30 percent in 10 years or three generations.
The turkey vulture received its common name from the resemblance of the adult head of a wild turkey, while the name vulture is derived from the Latin word vulturus, meaning “tearer,” and is a reference to its feeding habits.
The wingspan of a turkey vulture is between 63 – 72 inches, has a length of 24 – 32 inches and weighs 1.8 to 5.3 pounds. Northern vulture are generally larger than the ones from its southern range. It is the most abundant vulture in the Americas. The global population of the turkey vulture is estimated to be 4.5 million individuals.
The turkey vulture is gregarious and roosts in large community groups, breaking away to forage independently during the day. It roosts on dead, leafless trees, and will also roost on man-made structures such as water and microwave towers. Though it nests in caves, it does not enter them except during the breeding season. The turkey vulture lowers its night time body temperature to about 93 degrees F, becoming slightly hypothermic.
Turkey vultures are perceived as a threat by farmers due to the similar black vulture’s tendency to attack and kill newborn cattle. Turkey vultures will not kill live animals, but will mix with other flocks of black vultures and will scavenge what they leave behind.
The breeding season varies according to region. In the north, it commences around May and continues into August. They do not lay eggs in a nest, but rather on a bare surface. Females generally lay two eggs, but sometimes one and rarely three. The incubation period lasts between 30 – 40 days. Chicks are helpless at birth. The young fledge at about nine to ten weeks, and family groups will remain together until fall.
Again, like many other species I have observed, more and more of these animals are beginning to show up in the urban surroundings, where in the past they were only seen in rural areas.
Roland’s trivia question of the week:
Who holds the Red Sox record for the most home runs at the All-Star break?
SOLON & BEYOND: Wrapping up the school year; encounter wildlife on drive home
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979
Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!
Received the following e-mail from the Solon School News: We want to extend our best wishes and good luck to our fifth grade students who will enter sixth grade at Carrabec Community School in the fall.
Goodbye and good luck to…Tyler Ames, Gavin Atwood, Delena Cabral, Michael Crane, Charlie Golden, Courtney Grunder,Zackary Hemond, Alexis Leidy, Ciara Myers-Sleeper, Abigail Parent, Machaon Pierce, Allison Pinkham, Cailan Priest, Paige Reichert, Desmond Robinson, Gerald Rollins, Lawrence Soucie, Brooks Sousa, Carl Ward, Braden Wheeler, Ciarrah Whittemore and Nicholas Wildes.
Solon students participated again this year in the annual Bookmark Contest in conjunction with the Coolidge Public Library. Each student designed a bookmark with a theme that promoted reading. Town librarian Megan Myers and art teacher Richard Reichenbach judged the contest and picked a winner from each class. These students each received a book from the library, and their bookmarks were duplicated to hand out to patrons at the library.
Winners were kindergartner Evangeline Mullinax, first grader Dylan Priest, second grader Lane Frost, third grader Katelyn DeLeonardis, fourth grader Macie Plourde and fifth grader Ciara Myers-Sleeper.
The top readers in each class were Olive McDonald, Charlotte Hamilton, Annabell Roderick, Jillian Robinson, Cody James, Courtney Grunder, and Ciarrah Whittemore.
Congratulations for reading all of those books!
Winners of the Portland Seadog’s Most Improved Student Contest this spring were kindergartner Eva Mullinax, first grader Hunter Pouliot, second graders Gavyn Perigo and Levi Hamblen, third grader Hunter Emmy Golden, fourth grader Cody James, and fifth grader Abby Parent.
Received the following e-mail from Somerset Woods Trustees of Skowhegan: We have declared June 30 as Mountain Biking Day at Coburn Woods. The town of Skowhegan, Somerset Woods Trustees, the Somerset Trails Committee, and the Central Maine New England Mountain Bike Association have teamed up for a great morning of mountain biking. Bring your own bike and helmet or borrow (ages 10-adult) from them from the town. Bikes will be on site to borrow. Tours of the trails will be lead by experienced bikers. Again, thanks so much for sharing, sounds like a fun day.
Lief and I started out for Dave and Eleanor’s camp up to Flagstaff, where they were staying for a few days. Mark and Karen and Peter and Sherry were also staying the night. As always, there was perfect peace and quiet up in God’s country.
We had seen one beautiful doe on our ride up, which was great! We had intended to spend the night also, but something came up, so after a scrumptious supper we started back to Solon. When we left camp the sky was threatening rain and the bank of the road is very close to Flagstaff Lake, so we wanted to get out closer to civilization before darkness over took us.
We did get out to the main road when all of the miracles started to happen! The first wildlife was a fox that ran across the road in front of us. Soon after that, it started to rain lightly, and we couldn’t help exclaiming when a moose appeared in the road just up ahead of us, soon followed, by the tiniest baby moose. I got out of the car and took a few pictures, but not wanting to get wet or ruin my camera, I doubt that they will be very good.
By the time we had calmed down it had started to pour and darkness had overtaken us. Usually when we are up in that country we don’t see quite that much wildlife, it was a joy. But we decided, since the weather was definitely getting really rough we started out once more. We had traveled several miles, when to our wondering eyes, what should emerge from the bushes but a deer followed by her two babies!
Forgot to mention that when we left camp, to head home, an eagle was soaring over us, and miracles do happen!
Now for a quick one from Percy…..Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. (words by Grandma Moses.)
Seventh annual Bikes for Books held at Windsor school
Bikes for Books T-shirts were awarded to the top three readers of each grade at Windsor Elementary School. (Contributed photo)
On June 6, Windsor Elementary celebrated reading at its seventh annual Bikes for Books awards program. Bikes and helmets were awarded to twenty students at this assembly. Bikes for Books is a reading incentive program for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Every time a student read a book and passed an Accelerated Reader test, his or her name was entered into a drawing to win a new bicycle and helmet. The more books a student read, the more chances he or she had to win. One boy and one girl were randomly chosen from each grade level. Bikes for Books T-shirts were also presented to the top three readers in each grade.
The following students received T-shirts: Codey Haskell , Adelynne Jose, Makayla Beaudry, Hunter Beaudoin, Jaycey Tilkins, Grace Lucier, Jude Sheehan, Christopher Ontiveros, Addison Brann, Andrew Trocki, Mason Marable, Griffin Hayden, Camden Hinds, Jackson French, Olivia Austin, Gwen Parker, Anderson St. Onge, Ryan Sevigny, Andrew Box, Alyssa Trocki, Hayden Scott, Parker St. Onge, Jacoby Furrow, Jeremy Parker, Alyssa Gagne, Damon Wilson, Brooklyn McCue, Parker Reynolds, Faith Mitchell and Tenny Lincoln.
The following students won bikes: Owen Barnes, Aubrey Norton, Dominic Trahon, Kayleigh Chamberlain, Emery St. Onge, Makenzie Turner, Griffin Hayden, Megan Bailey, Nathaniel Wooden, Leah Barrett, William Choate, Ashley Lacasse, Andrew Box, Rachael Johnson, Noah Crummett, Evelyn Rousseau, Carson Appel, Alexis Alcott, Connor Bragg, and Faith Mitchell.
Bikes for Books is sponsored by Dirigo Lodge #104 A.F. & A.M. with support from Lily of the Valley # 157 O.E.S. and a matching grant from the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation. This program was made possible with contributions from the following businesses: Netco Inc., Mark’s Saw Shop , Norm’s Small Engine, Rideout’s Market & Grill , J.C. Stone Inc., Hussey’s General Store, Ron’s Auto Electric, Windsor Veterinary Clinic, Aunt Gin’s Restaurant, Otto’s on the River, Elmer’s Barn, Augusta Upholstery, Sharon’s Redemption Center, Black Dog Graphics and Target.
I’M JUST CURIOUS: How I love to read those magazines
by Debbie Walker
Magazines. I love them! In my world some are for reading, like “Reminisce” (I even had a little Christmas story in one issue), “Good Old Days” and “Reader’s Digest.” There are more but I can’t think of them right now.
Some magazines I buy like “Woman’s World” and “First” for reading and cutting up. I give some of the cut ups to friends when it is a subject I know they are interested in. Sometimes the magazine articles give me ideas to add to my writing.
There are some cooking magazines that I find in thrift stores and I save them for my granddaughter. She seems to be the cook in our family. It sure isn’t me! Those recipes always require odd spices and such; too many steps to complete for me to be interested.
There are wonderful magazines like “Farmer’s Almanac” and the other almanacs. I thought forever that they were only weather and gardening information so I never even looked at one. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the terrific articles they print. I have used them as great resource materials!
Kid’s magazines have even given me ideas to write about for these columns.
I have a great time going through “Flea Market,” “Cottage Decorating,” “You Can Make It,” “Better Homes and Gardens” and “Good Housekeeping.” These magazines I really cut up, I pull out pages that have some part that I would like to remake to my own ideas.
Catalogs I pull apart for clothing ideas. I like to copy ideas for jewelry, too. I saw a bracelet made out of old watches that I loved but not $150 worth of love. It gave me a great idea to make my own. I even added a working watch to it. I bought some watches at thrift stores and made my own bracelet/watch for under $20. It was fun and SO satisfying.
My Dad used to have a trash and treasures shop and he was forever bringing home odd things. Once when I was up from Florida visiting, Dad had brought home some old magazines I really enjoyed. They were ‘50s and maybe some early ‘60s “Ladies Home Journal” and “Good Housekeeping.” I would love to have them now. I found them to be hysterical that night. I don’t know what happened to them but I would love to be able to sit with them again! If you know where there are any, please let me know. I promise I won’t cut or tear anything. I would make copies of the things of interest to me. You can call me at 948-4231. I will tell Ken that I am hoping for some phone calls so he won’t give you his ‘grumpy’ voice!
To finish this tonight I found a few more T-shirt sayings I wanted to add to last week’s list of ‘greats’!
When I get tired of shopping I sit down and try on shoes.
Some days my life is just a tent away from a circus.
I call my fashion style “Clothes that still fit”!
I’m just curious what you like to read. Contact me with any questions or comments at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading! Don’t forget, we are on line, we even have archives.
China town manager retires after 22 years service
Retiring China Town Manager Dan L’Heureux poses for a portrait at his desk at the China Town Office. His retirement became official on July 1, 2018. (Photo by Eric Austin)
by Eric W. Austin
When Dan L’Heureux was hired at the start of 1996, the China Select Board had two primary goals for the new town manager. First, they were looking to foster more economic development in the town. Second, they wanted someone who could achieve a stable mil (tax) rate that could be maintained even during tough economic times.
Based on just these two criteria, Dan’s tenure as town manager has been a huge success.
“If you plan long-term, and you work that plan, you can’t go wrong,” Dan told me when I asked him the secret to his success. “You plan for the bad times during the good times.”
This philosophy is apparent in every decision he’s made as town manager. Whether it’s the establishment of the TIF (tax increment financing) fund that will finance more than eight million dollars in economic development over its 30-year lifespan, or the purchase of snow plows that might cost more upfront but will save the town money in the long-run, Dan’s always thinking long-term.
The result is a town that’s in better shape than perhaps any time in its history. With no debt, capital assets that are in good shape, and a surplus that will see the town through any unforeseen emergencies, Dan is leaving the town in an enviable position for his successor.
“Dan knows finances,” Selectman Irene Belanger told me. But Dan’s financial savvy isn’t the only reason he is so beloved in the town of China. “Dan is compassionate,” Irene also said.
Recently retired selectman Joann Austin explained further. “He takes all that stuff that gets thrown at the town office, at the town government,” she said, “and he responds and listens, but he doesn’t react. He’s warm and he listens. He’s really quite heroic.”
Perhaps part of it is Dan’s humility. He defines his role as town manager as a supportive one. “The Select Board steers the ship,” he told me. “As managers, we provide the support. We do the research – meticulous and comprehensive research – that allows them to make the best decisions for the town.”
And he isn’t shy about spreading the credit around. “The Select Board and budget committees have been excellent stewards,” he said. “And you can accomplish a lot with good employees. Ours are superior!”
Finding just one thing that defines Dan’s legacy as town manager is not easy. One could point to the transfer station. A well-oiled machine and the envy of neighboring towns, China’s transfer station has maintained a nearly flat budget over the years despite numerous improvements and additions.
One could point to the many ways Dan has saved the town money. His talent in applying for grants has saved residents more than a million dollars over the last two decades. Those grants have funded everything from the building of the salt/sand shed and recycling center at the transfer station, to the sidewalk project in South China; the restoration of the historic one-room schoolhouse in Weeks Mills, to the tree cleanup after the 1998 ice storm. Dan knows how to get more done with less.
At Dan’s final selectmen’s meeting on June 25, Neil Farrington invited him to offer a few words. In response, Dan related how he’d had four criteria when considering whether to take the town manager’s position back in 1996: he was looking for a job that had the support of his family; he wanted to like the work he would be doing; he hoped to find a team he’d enjoy working with (and hopefully would like him in return); and finally, he wanted to like the people he was working for (the Select Board and the residents of the Town of China). His job as China town manager, he said, had fulfilled all four of those criteria. The past 22 years had been exceptionally rewarding for him, and he hoped that feeling was mutual.
On Saturday, June 30, the China Select Board presented Dan with a Spirit of America award for his more than two decades of service to the town.
What’s up next for the new retiree? “People say you shouldn’t make any decisions for six months after you retire,” he responds with a laugh.
Although he now lives in Waterville, wherever life takes him next, Dan L’Heureux will always find a home in the Town of China, Maine.
Eric W. Austin lives in China, Maine. He writes about technology and community issues and can be contacted by email at ericwaustin@gmail.com.
Week of June 28, 2018
Week of June 28, 2018
The Town Line office to be closed for vacation
The Town Line newspaper’s office will be closed the week of July 2, 2018, for the staff’s semi-annual vacation. There will be an issue published on July 5, and distribution should be as usual. The office will re-open on Monday, July 9, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. The Town Line staff apologizes for any inconvenience.
New community center opens in Vassalboro
Looking at Rachel Kilbride, you wouldn’t think she’s the type to hear voices, but that’s exactly what prompted her to buy the St. Bridget Catholic Church, in Vassalboro, and turn it into a local community center. “I wasn’t planning to retire in Vassalboro,” Rachel told me. A Winslow native, she was living in Wells with her husband, Jim, when, in the summer of 2014, she responded to an inner urging to look into what was being done with the shuttered Catholic church […]
Your Local News
Board rejects request for reconsideration
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Board of Appeals members have refused to reconsider their May 22 rejection of Jonathan Blumberg’s appeal of Codes Officer Richard Dolby’s permit issued in March to Bernard Welch […]
School board had hoped to appoint new superintendent
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro School Board members hoped to approve a new superintendent for Vassalboro at their June 19 meeting, but no one has been chosen … Vassalboro Community School is also lacking a half-time Spanish teacher […]
Public invited to retirement party for China town manager
CHINA — Residents of China and nearby towns are invited to a retirement party for China Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux, scheduled for 5 p.m., Saturday, June 30, in the portable building behind the China town office on Lakeview Drive […]
Selectmen revisit fire pond issue
CHINA — At their June 25 meeting China selectmen revived the Neck Road fire pond they killed at their June 11 meeting, when they voted to fill it in. New Town Manager Dennis Heath presented cost estimates for three options […]
Residents asked for input on marijuana by June 28
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen would appreciate residents’ opinions on two topics, preferably before the June 28 selectmen’s meeting. The first issue is whether townspeople want to try to restrict the number of storefront medical marijuana shops allowed in town […]
VCS holds new pavilion ribbon cutting
VASSALBORO — Retiring Principal Dianna Gram did the honors at the June 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground pavilion at Vassalboro Community School, before a large audience of VCS students plus some of the people involved in the project […]
Lizotte receives recognition
VASSALBORO — Laurie Lizotte, Child Care Administrator for the Vassalboro Community School Child Care Program, was recently recognized at the staff luncheon at the school on Tuesday, June 19 […]
What’s the buzz about bees?
PALERMO — Jennifer Lund, Maine State Apiarist, is passionate about honeybee health and helping beekeepers succeed. She will answer all these questions and more on Friday, June 29, at the Palermo Community Center […]
Winslow McDonald’s holds grand re-opening
WINSLOW — The McDonald’s in Winslow, owned by Mike and Lana Ortins, gave away more than $1,500 at the restaurant’s grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 16 […]
Lake Association Meetings
Three Mile Pond
Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m.
Windsor Town Hall
China Lake
Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m.
China Primary School
Webber Pond
Saturday, August 18 – 9 a.m.
Vassalboro Community School
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School News
Competition begins for Winslow teen
June 28 marks the start of competition for Hannah Comfort, the Winslow teen competing in the 61st Distinguished Young Women National Finals. Comfort, along with 49 other state representatives, has been in Mobile for the past two weeks […]
Purdue University in Maine holds graduation
Purdue University Global in Maine recently held its graduation ceremony at the Merrill Auditorium, in Portland, at which close to 275 graduates were recognized for their academic accomplishments […]
Mary Franks named to Castleton dean’s list
Mary Franks, of Liberty, was recently named to the Castleton University dean’s list for the spring semester of the 2017-18 academic year […]
Bridger named to dean’s list
Gabrielle Bridger, an Ithaca College student, in Ithaca, New York, from Fairfield, was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2018 semester […]
Andreozzi and Veilleux on dean’s list at Dean College
Dean College, in Franklin, Massachusetts, has announced that Kiara Andreozzi, of Waterville, and Joshua Veilleux, of Winslow, have earned a place on the dean’s list for the Spring 2018 semester […]
Oliveira earns dean’s list at Roger Williams
Michael Oliveira, of Waterville ME, has been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island […]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
from John Glowa — I want to begin by thanking those who supported me in the recent Democratic primary for Maine Senate District #15. My biggest margin of victory was in China and I send a special thank you to my friends and supporters who voted for good government […]
PAGES in TIME
An iconic landmark that stands tall in the Waterville skyline. This year, the congregation of the First Baptist Church will celebrates its 200th birthday. The official date of the anniversary is July 15, 1818 […]
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NORTH VASSALBORO — “Save the Mill” will hold the first Olde Mill Brew & Wine Tasting Festival, on Saturday, July 7, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Olde Mill, 934 Main St. Each ticket allows the participant 12 delicious samples of their choosing from You-nity Winery, Tree Spirits, Liberty Craft Brewing and Lake St. George Brewing Co […]
Obituaries – week of June 28, 2018
WINSLOW – Dorothy Ann (Markee) Rideout, 81, passed away Monday, June 18, 2018, at her home in Winslow, 100 feet from the home she was born in built by her father and older brothers. She was born April 24, 1937, in Winslow… and remembering 4 others…
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The brown-tailed moth is back in the news. We covered this subject a couple of months ago, but it may warrant going over again. It is not a human friendly insect. This particular moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, is one that we probably could do without […]
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | If I had to pick only one conductor whose recordings I could take to a desert island, it would be Anton Nanut. He conducted almost every piece of music as if it were the most beautiful and exciting music to be heard this side of heaven, equaling, if not surpassing, the most well known conductors of the last 100 years […]
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Okay, so I spent too much time looking at catalogs! I see these T-shirts and I like some of the sayings, I rip out the page and maybe more than one! I eventually have enough collected to share with you. I hope they entice you to smile […]
IF WALLS COULD TALK
by Katie Ouilette | What’s happening at the Skowhegan Free Public Library? The new news is that Librarian Jandreau is retiring on July 1. We WISH YOU THE BEST OF EVERYTHING throughout your retirement, Mr. Jandreau and say it with all honesty […]
FOR YOUR HEALTH
Organ transplants have been saving lives for many years. You may even know someone who has received a kidney or a heart transplant, and what a difference that gift of life has made […]
New Transplants Are Changing Lives
Clinton July 4 celebration
The Clinton July 4 Great American Celebration parade will start at 10 a.m. in Clinton, on Wednesday, July 4. The annual celebration, formerly held in Winslow, will be at its Clinton location for the second year.
This year, however, the parade will form at the Formtek parking lot on the Hinckley Road, across from the Tradewinds. The parade route will continue down Baker Street, take a left hand turn onto Main Street, pass Powers Auto Sales on Rte. 100, and continue on to the Clinton Lions Fairgrounds. This was done to make the parade route longer so more people can join the crowd to enjoy the parade.
They will be accepting floats or interested people in the parade until the day of the parade. Contact Anthony Barton or Matthew Gyles with any questions.
Those along the parade route are asked to park in appropriate places in order for the homeowners to stay happy.
FOR YOUR HEALTH: New Transplants Are Changing Lives
(NAPSI)—Organ transplants have been saving lives for many years. You may even know someone who has received a kidney or a heart transplant, and what a difference that gift of life has made.
Another type of transplant has been changing lives in incredible new ways—the transplantation of hands and faces. More than 100 people worldwide have received these types of transplants: a veteran who lost his limbs in war, a woman whose face was devastated in an attack, a child who lost his hands to severe infection. All have had their lives transformed.
These procedures are called “Vascularized Composite Allograft” organ transplants, or VCA transplants. They are composed of multiple types of tissue. With a hand transplant, for example, bones, blood vessels, nerves and skin must all be attached to the remaining arm.
So many tissues, however, make VCA transplants extremely complex. The surgery requires the involvement of dozens of surgeons and other medical professionals and can take 16 hours or more. Recovery is also demanding for patients; rehabilitation can be a full-time job for one to two years.
Yet, the results are life changing. VCA transplants can restore abilities and independence in ways that artificial limbs and reconstructive surgery cannot. Just consider the difference a working hand with moving fingers and a sense of touch could make. It can mean the ability to take care of oneself, work, drive and play. Face transplants enable recipients to rejoin society, often ending isolation and depression.
VCA and traditional organ transplants are the same in some respects. Criteria for matching donors and recipients include the need for compatible blood and tissue types. However, VCA requires matching for additional features such as skin tone, body size and hair color. Gender may also be taken into consideration.
A commonly asked question about face transplants is whether the recipient will look like the donor. The answer is yes and no. Yes, skin characteristics such as moles, freckles and scars will transfer to the recipient. However, because the recipient’s underlying bone structure is apt to be different from the donor’s, resemblance will likely be minimal.
Like with kidneys, livers and other organs, there is a national waiting list for VCA transplants that matches donors with potential recipients. However, enrolling as an organ donor on a state or national registry does not mean you’re authorizing VCA donation. Your family would make the decision about VCA donation after your death.
You can learn more at www.organdonor.gov, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.
SCORES & OUTDOORS: The irritating brown-tailed moth is back in the news
brown-tailed moth
by Roland D. Hallee
The brown-tailed moth is back in the news. We covered this subject a couple of months ago, but it may warrant going over again. It is not a human friendly insect. This particular moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, is one that we probably could do without.
This moth, once native only to Europe, was accidentally brought to Massachusetts in 1897 on nursery stock, and soon spread to the rest of New England, Today, it is found only on Cape Cod and along the coast of Maine, where it is considered an invasive species.
The brown-tail moth is armed with defensive barbed hairs throughout its life span but especially during the caterpillar stage. These hairs break off, and for many people exposed, are susceptible to skin rashes, headaches, and even difficulty breathing. This caterpillar also has a huge host range of plants on which they feed.
The brown-tail moth caterpillar has tiny poisonous hairs that cause rashes similar to poison ivy on sensitive individuals. Rashes may develop when people come in direct contact with the caterpillar or indirectly from airborne hairs. The hairs become airborne by either being dislodged from living or dead caterpillars, or they come from cast skins with the caterpillar molts. Respiratory distress from inhaling the hairs can be serious.
Typical brown-tailed moth rash.
Caterpillars are active from April to late June. Hairs remain toxic throughout the summer but get washed into the soil and are less of problem over time.
The moths, which are attracted to light and fly at night, and active in July and August, have a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The wings and midsection are solid white on both the male and female. The abdomen has brown on it, and the brown coloration extends along most of the upper surface of the abdomen in the male, whereas the top of the abdomen is white on the female, but the tuft of brown hairs are much larger.
The factors underlying brown-tail moth population dynamics are little understood and have been only thoroughly investigated by few researchers.
According to the Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness staff, the brown-tail moth has been getting plenty of attention over the past few years. This is because the numbers have spiked to a level that haven’t been seen in quite some time. Last year was a banner year and this year’s population is predicted to be even higher.
Throughout much of its life cycle, the moth sheds its toxic hairs. Eggs are laid in August-September, when a female can lay up to 400 eggs. They build their winter nest in the fall and remain there from September to June. In June and July, the larvae spin cocoons in which to pupate. The cocoons are full of toxic hairs. The moth emerges in July and August, mate and lay eggs to begin a new cycle. During this period, more hairs are shed to cover the egg mass.
The brown-tail moth’s excessive desire to eat, and its habit of feeding on many different kinds of foods, together with its tendency to reach outbreak densities, makes this species a major pest of hardwood forests and may also attack fruit and ornamental trees.
According to the Coastal Pharmacy and Wellness staff, moth spray or lotion, to combat the rash, are available by prescription from your doctor. There is no antidote for the toxins, so treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and eliminating further exposure. “Since many reactions occur over weekends, seeing a doctor may not be immediately possible. In these cases, you may find relief by soaking in a warm bath and applying calamine lotion or antihistamine cream.”
Pursuant to Maine Statute Title 22§1444 the Chief Operating Officer of the Maine Center for Disease Control can declare an infestation of brown-tail moths as a public health nuisance. The declaration may be made on the COO’s initiative or upon petition by municipal officers.
Roland’s trivia question of the week:
With his win in game five of the 2013 World Series, Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox became only the second Red Sox left-handed pitcher to win three World Series games. Who was the first?
Answer can be found here.