China resident sworn in as new state police chief

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John Cote, left. (Contributed photo)

John Cote, of China, was recently sworn in as Chief of the Maine State Police. Cote, a 29-year veteran, has served as deputy chief for the past two years and is the former commanding officer for Troop F, in Houlton. He spent the majority of his career in Aroostook County. He also served several years as a Detective-Sergeant investigating homicides.

He was sworn into office by Governor LePage in the governor’s cabinet room in front of a roomful of family and co-workers. His badge was pinned on by his 82-year-old father, Morris Cote, of Houlton.

Veteran Messalonskee bus driver retires

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Donna Pullen

by Dan Cassidy

Donna Pullen, a 51-year veteran school bus driver for RSU #18 Messalonskee School Department was treated to a surprise retirement party by her fellow bus drivers and supervisors recently. She plans to retire at the end of this school year.

Pullen began her employment in the nutrition department at the school. She was asked several times to become a bus driver, but she always responded that she could not drive a bus. However, in 1967, after many requests, she began her driving career.

“She has gone through three generations of kids,” according to Lennie Goff, Transportation Director of RSU #18. “She drove summer trips and has not stopped,” he said.

“Donna has always had the perfect words at the perfect time to help me feel better about myself when I began as transportation coordinator almost four years ago,” Shannon Bizier said.

Pullen, who resides in Oakland, has been very active in her community affairs. She has served as a public servant, worked on the budget committee, and served on the Fire Department Auxiliary. She was also named Driver of the Year in 2015. “Donna has gone above and beyond,” Goff said.

Mike Perkins, State Representative presented her with a Legislative Sentiment from the 128th Legislature at the celebration. Perkins is also Safety Officer of RSU 18.

Vassalboro Community School Principal Dianna Gram retires after 24 years

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Retiring VCS Principal Dianna Gram, left, greets children at the start of a new school day with in-coming Principal Megan Allen. (Photo courtesy of Mary Grow)

by Mary Grow

Principal Dianna Gram is retiring from Vassalboro Community School this month with mixed feelings.

She expects to miss people she’s worked with over more than two decades, especially the students.

But she’s totally confident incoming principal Megan Allen is the right person to succeed her. “I have a great sense of relief and pride in her similar values,” Gram said, predicting a smooth transition.

As we talked in the principal’s office one afternoon after classes were over, those shared values kept coming up.

For example, both women prefer the school when it’s full of students, not almost quiet as it was then. “It isn’t a real place,” without students, Gram said, and Allen called it “kind of eerie.”

Both talked about the unusual atmosphere at the school – a real community, to both of them. Whole families go through the grades, and now Gram is seeing the children of former students.

Allen referred to “something different you feel when you walk through the door” – nothing she can define, but an environment and culture she has every intention of preserving.

Students walking through the door in the morning are apt to see Gram first thing, as she habitually meets them in the lobby. If a student looks distressed, Gram is likely to pull him or her aside and see if she can find out what’s wrong and take care of it.

Sometimes, she said, she gets an immediate reaction. Other times, Allen said, the student will come to an adult a few days later to talk about the issue.

Sometimes, too, a bus driver will notice a child acting unhappy and will call ahead to ask Gram to check.

VCS is not perfect. Gram admits there are problems, including bullying. But, she said, school adults try to be proactive, for example by having the school counselor spend time in classrooms. Students are encouraged to speak up if they see something wrong, to an adult or to other students. Discipline is used when necessary.

Students are surveyed every year, Gram said. Typically, 90 percent or more say they feel safe at VCS, and almost every student knows an adult to go to if he or she needs help.

Kindness is one of the values stressed at VCS. At the beginning of each school year, students are encouraged to report acts of kindness; the benefactor’s name is written on a piece of paper and the papers hung on the kindness tree in the rotunda for the year.

Two other positive comments were, from Gram, that teachers feel empowered to suggest and try out new ideas, like the Citizen of the Month program started by a former teacher and still going strong; and from Allen, a Vassalboro resident, that people are friendly and respectful when they meet her off-duty, in the supermarket or at the transfer station.

Residents’ interest in their children’s school is obvious. Gram said this year’s 16 pre-kindergarten students had 127 family members and other guests signed up for their graduation ceremony. The annual eighth-grade graduation is held at the China Lake Conference Center, where attendees’ cars fill every parking space and line both sides of the road for half a mile, because VCS is too small to accommodate the crowd.

Dianna Gram, left, retires as principal of Vassalboro Community School this month.

Allen has been at VCS since 2008, starting as a third-grade teacher and moving to grades six, seven and eight. Meanwhile she earned a master’s degree from New England College, a doctorate in educational leadership and management from Capella University and has almost earned her principal’s certificate – she will take two more courses this summer to move from provisional to full certification.

Gram has been at the school 24 years, as special education director, assistant principal and principal. She leaves behind two specific items, in addition to the school’s reputation and the pre-kindergarten program she initiated.

One is the pink flamingo in the front garden. Gram’s “thing” is flamingos; so the 2017-18 school yearbook has flamingos from cover to cover, and many of the gifts filling her office are flamingo-themed. A special gift is a bag autographed by every student, presented at an assembly June 13 that was a total surprise; Gram still shakes her head in amazement as she realizes that everyone gathered in the auditorium while she was unsuspecting in her office.

The other souvenir is Gram’s grandmother’s wooden kitchen table, under a tablecloth in front of her desk, where she has resolved innumerable problems “sitting around the kitchen table.” Asked if she was taking it with her, she said “No, it’s staying for Megan.”

Ashley Carver graduates from Becker College

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Becker College’s Commence­ment ceremony was held on May 5, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Ashley Carver, of Sidney, graduated with honors with an associates degree in veterinary science.

Winslow resident makes dean’s list at Tufts University

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Cody Lambert, of Winslow, was recognized for earning a spot on the Spring 2018 dean’s list at Tufts University, in Medford/­Som­er­ville, Massachusetts.

IF WALLS COULD TALK: Whew! Am I glad that fishing trip is over

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

Whew, WALLS, thank goodness, the annual fishing trip is over. Nope, WALLS, I didn’t want any, but I am sure the boys (including Lew) had their fill of trout at Camp Wapiti, in Patton, (Aroostook County), even though they left on Sunday and returned on Wednesday. They had arranged their flights from Washington State so that they had time visiting family.

Camp Wapiti? Well, the new owners had done the camps over and….and….it is on one of the few lakes that allow fishing with worms! It is true that the Lodge at Lake Parlin was wonderful, but Lew really wanted to fish with worms this year. The fish? Trout, really all sizes from one pound to three pounds! Grandson Matt prepared some wonderful stuffed baked trout on the grill, we were told.

Who went with Lew? Well, Mac McDormond, from Turner, a wonderful friend of the family; sons Nick and Dean, and grandson Matt. All the women divided their time between the David Loubier family at their camp, in Winslow, and me at Lake Wesserunsett. I hadn’t seen Olive and Frances and their mom, Heather, since the children were babies and they were very busy coloring pictures for us to enjoy until more memories are created when they return. Yes, these room are sure quiet since everyone had gone back to Washington State.

One of the memories for Donna was the knitted stockings on the moose next to Gifford’s Ice Cream, as one starts up the East Madison Road. Now, Katrina, were those stockings made especially for the moose so that the moose will attract attention on Skowhegan’s big weekend that was held at Skowhegan Fairgrounds.

Obituaries, Week of June 21, 2018

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ELIZABETH E. TUTTLE

WINSLOW––Elizabeth E. (DeRaps) Tuttle, 77, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born December 21, 1940, in Waterville, the daughter of Leo E. Sr. and Martha L. (Muzzeroll) DeRaps.

On August 3, 1986, she married Roland Tuttle, Sr., in Waterville. Over the years, Elizabeth was employed in several jobs, but she most enjoyed working for over 13 years with children at the Seton Adolescent Center, in Waterville, until retirement in 2005. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church, in Waterville, for over 25 years where she played the organ and sang in nearly every service. She was also a member of the Busy Bees, a ladies’ group at church.

Elizabeth was a devoted and dedicated wife and mother to her own family and also became a mother to whoever needed one. She was an avid crafter, including knitting, crocheting, embroidery; she loved making afghans, patchwork quilts, countless hats, mittens and slippers.

She was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Martha DeRaps, Sr. and a brother, Leo DeRaps Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Roland E. Tuttle, Sr., of Winslow; three daughters, Deborah French, of Chelsea, Melony Fortin, of Oakland, and Susan Hixon and partner Ric Marshall, of Fairfield; stepson, Roland Tuttle, Jr. and wife Theresa, of Fairfield; brother, Gerald DeRaps and partner Kathy, of Winslow; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and their families.

A graveside service will be held, Sunday, June 24, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Howard Cemetery, Rte. 201 in Winslow with Bill Gilbert and Bill Lawrence officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Second Baptist Church, Waterville.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Elizabeth’s memory to: MaineGeneral Health, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville ME 04903-0828.

PEARL M. HAMILTON

ALBION––Pearl Maxine Haskell Hamilton, 92, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, from complications from a fall. She was born in Benton on January 16, 1926, the eldest daughter of the late Wellman and Lucy Fuller Haskell.

Pearl graduated from Besse High School, in Albion, was a member of the Shawmut Chapel and Branch Mills Grange. She worked for 26 years at the Hinckley Post Office, twelve of them as postmaster, retiring in 1992.

Over the years, Pearl enjoyed gardening, canning and pickling. During the summer she like to travel to the coast with family and friends for lobster dinners. And in recent years, she most enjoyed her rides :”around the block.”

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Clayton Haskell, Jack Haskell, Joe Haskell, Billy Haskell; and sister, Peggy Jones.

She is survived by her sons, Sonny Hamilton and wife, Jane, and David Hamilton and his wife, Mickey, all of Albion; her brother, Stephen Haskell and his partner, Donna Rte; and sister, Rosalie Rood; grandchildren, Rachel Crommett, Matthew Hamilton, Mark Hamilton, Chad Hamilton, Jason Hamilton, Holli Merry and Molli Rainey; 12 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pearl’s memory may be made to: The Make-A-Wish Foundation, 66 Mussey Road, Scarborough ME 04074.

NANCY L. PERKINS

CHINA LAKE––Nancy L. Perkins, 84, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2018, at Bedside Manor, in Oakland, following a 14 month battle with the debilitating disease of Lewy Body dementia. Nancy was born in Portland to Irving and Ethel Pope on October 21, 1933. She graduated from Falmouth High School as valedictorian of her class in 1951. She continued her education at Boston University and graduated in three years to become a registered nurse.

Nancy began her professional career as a teaching nurse at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, in 1955 and after marrying her husband, she followed him in his teaching career, while raising their two sons, living in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Standish, and Rockport. Finally in 1968, she moved to her much loved final home on China Lake. After taking time off to raise her sons, Nancy then worked with her husband for over 20 years running Carroll Perkins Associates where she was a very successful residential real estate broker who was well respected by those who worked with her and knew her. She retired in early 1995 when her husband of 38 years, Carroll F. Perkins, became ill and she tended to him until he passed in September 1995 in their China Lake home.

Although saddened by the loss of Carroll, her faith in God, and the love of her family and friends sustained her and she continued to live strongly and build on the great life she had lived with her husband. She loved singing in the Choir at the Waterville United Church of Christ and having weekly bridge games with some special friends. She also loved to travel, enjoying many trips to numerous parts of the world whether by plane, train, or cruise. She was fortunate to have some special friends whom she loved very much to travel with. She would also spend every winter at her condo on the beach in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, where two other long time family friends also had condos, and she would relish time there with them.

Most of all though, her greatest joys were her grandchildren Matthew and Jenna. She took them each on many special camping and other trips throughout Maine. She also loved following the sports her grandson played, especially during his high school years where she never missed a single game. Her devotion was so strong she would even put off her travels south until the basketball season was over.

Besides her husband Carroll, Nancy was predeceased by her parents and her sister Elizabeth Haggerty.

Nancy is survived by her sons Scott, of China, Gregg and his wife Susan, of Fairfield, and their children Matthew and Jenna; and many extended family members.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory can be made to: Waterville U.C.C., 7 Eustis Parkway, Waterville ME 04901.

SANDRA K. UPHAM

WINSLOW––Sandra Katherine (Wadlin) Upham, 80, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018. Sandra was born on September 2, 1937, to Richard I. Wadlin and Doris Roberts.

She spent her early years in the care of her grandmother, moving to Waterville her sophomore year of high school, and graduating in 1955.

She married Richard D. Upham on January 11, 1958, and they immediately started their family. They left the great state of Maine for a few years to live in Indiana and Maryland, moving back “home’ in 1972 to open Flavorland Dairy Bar, and later Medical Supplies Inc., in Waterville.

Sandy and Dick have three daughters: Brenda and Gary Zemrak, Kathi and Kevin Michaud, and Missy Gurski and Shane Wade.

Being a grandmother was one of the greatest joys in her life. She was dearly loved by Wes and Moe, Jenna, Mike and Danielle Zemrak, Mackenzie and Kamryn Michaud, and Trevor and Dawsen Gurski. Little did she know that the smiles of her four great-grandchildren, Alina, Grady, Mara, and Isla Zemrak, would bring such happiness, helping her through the toughest of times.

She is also survived by seven sisters: Lyn, Jeanne, Janice, Marjorie, Mary, Maureen, Debbie; one brother, Alfred, and their families, and many cousins.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may go to a Trust Fund in care of Brenda and Gary Zemrak, 299 Cushman Road, Winslow ME 04901.

ALMA T. BROWN

CHINA––Alma Taylor Brown, 91, of China, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018,following a brief illnesss. Alma was born on July 30, 1926, in Fairfield Center, to Gardner and Nora (O;Neil) Taylor.

She was educated in Fairfield schools and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1944. She was employed at Diamond National and J. C. Penney. On December 24, 1946, she married Sydney J. Brown, Jr. and moved to China where they built their home and raised their family. Alma was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star and the China Baptist Church.

Alma enjoyed working at home, caring for her children, her flower and vegetable gardens then preserving fruits and vegetables and her famous bread and butter pickles. She worked beside her husband on the family farm for many years. Alma enjoyed spending the winters in Florida with her sisters for 25 years.

Alma was predeceased by her husband; her parents; and seven siblings.

Alma is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Linda and Victor Caron, Valma and David Rodrique, Cynthia and Michael Miner, all of China; her grandchildren: Christopher and Mandy Rodrique, Margaret Rodrique, Alicia and Seth Lemieux, Grace Hartung; great-grandchildren: Tessa Joncas, Shae Rodrique, Brynna Rodrique, Emma McCausland, Taylor and Anastasia Lemieux; her brother Clyde and his wife Jeanette Taylor, of South Portland; and many nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.redingtonfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Alma’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the China Baptist Church, Window Replacement Fund, 36 Causeway Road, China ME 04358.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

Tracy, Lois Marie (Webber) (Bernard) – 85, of Waterville, died October 1, 2017. Graveside services, 1 p.m., June 23, at Quaker Hill Cemetery in Unity.

Public invited to China Town Manager’s retirement party

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Dan L’Heureux

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.

Incoming Town Manager Dennis Heath announced that the town office will be closed Saturday, June 30, to make sure office staff have time to attend the party.

Vassalboro residents asked for input on marijuana, picnic area

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by Mary Grow

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 – places where people with a prescription for marijuana can get it filled – allowed in town. The second is whether there is any reason to continue to lease the Route 3 former picnic area and boat launch from the state, instead of canceling the lease.

Town Manager Mary Sabins raised both questions at the June 14 selectmen’s meeting.

The first came up because Sabins expects the planning board to hear an application to open a medical marijuana dispensary in one end of the storage building on Route 3. That business, if approved by planners, would be grandfathered and not affected by any later action, she said.

However, if many residents think one such business in town is enough, selectmen could draft an ordinance banning any more and bring it to a special town meeting. (ep)

Sabins pointed out that China already has a medical marijuana dispensary on Route 3, just east of the Adams Realty office.

Vassalboro has an ordinance banning retail recreational marijuana establishments, approved in January 2017. Medical marijuana, under state law, falls into a different category and is not covered by the recreational marijuana ordinance.

The Three Mile Pond issue came up, Sabins said, after a resident complained about the condition of the fence between the state-owned facilities and adjoining private property. She realized that neither the former picnic area nor the boat launch is of use to the town and asked state officials if the lease could be cancelled. The answer was yes, and the public would continue to have access to the boat launch.

The picnic area used to have tables, grills and other amenities, and town officials considered trying to create a swimming area. They found a weedy lake bottom and a lack of interest. The semi-abandoned picnic area attracted unwelcome behavior, so about nine years ago, by Sabins’ reckoning, the amenities were removed, leaving only the boat landing functional.

Selectmen are leaning toward not recommending limits on medical marijuana facilities – board Chairman Lauchlin Titus compared them to pharmacies – and toward giving up responsibility for the boat landing. They postponed both decisions, however, to let residents weigh in.

People wanting to express an opinion are welcome to call the town office or to get in touch directly with Titus, Robert Browne or John Melrose.

China Selectman Irene Belanger sent Vassalboro selectmen a third question, an invitation to close the Vassalboro transfer station and share China’s. After a brief discussion, Titus summed up the board’s response: Thanks for asking, but no thanks. Road Foreman Eugene Field reported on preliminary investigation into fixing an old culvert on Cross Hill Road, an issue he raised at the May 31 selectmen’s meeting (see the June 7 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). As expected, the work will be expensive. Field will continue exploring options.

Selectmen accepted Field’s recommendation and awarded the 2018 paving contract to the low bidder, Wellman Paving, of Winterport. As in past years, China and Vassalboro submitted a joint bid; China also chose Wellman.

Sabins told selectmen their notice to tenants of two mobile homes with failing septic systems had been delivered after the mobile home park’s owner took no action. The tenants were being advised to seek legal aid, she said.

The June 28 selectmen’s meeting begins with a 6:30 p.m. public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant awarded to the Vassalboro Sanitary District to help fund the new sewer connection to Winslow.

China TIF committee reports little progress

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Joe McLean, from Wright-Pierce Engineers, shows bridge plans for the causeway to the TIF committee in May 2018. (Contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

China’s TIF (Tax Increment Finance) Committee members had little progress to report at their June 18 meeting.

The committee’s main focus is on the head of China Lake’s east basin, where the first phase of a multi-year project involves replacing the bridge across the inlet stream. That work is supposed to be done this fall. Phase two calls for additional parking, improvements to the existing boat landing and increased pedestrian access to the shore. Tom Michaud, chairman of the subcommittee working on the causeway project, reported that only one company responded to a request for bids on the bridge. When Joe McLean, the Wright-Pierce engineer working with China, inquired, he found potential bidders were booked for the summer and had not read enough of the request to realize the work is to be done in September and October.

Consequently, Michaud said, the bid deadline was extended, and he hopes for at least four bids.

The shortage of parking is so far stymieing phase two. The land where boaters park across from the landing, and a larger parcel across Routes 202 and 9, belong to Susan Bailey, not to the town. Michaud and other committee members insist that if the project is to succeed the town needs to buy the property.

After a lively discussion, Soares proposed that he, Michaud and fellow subcommittee member Jim Wilkens talk with other landowners on the east side of Route 202 and along the west end of Pleasant View Ridge Road to find out whether anyone is willing to sell.

If parking is to be across the main road, committee member Amy Gartley said, pedestrian safety needs to be considered. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux reminded the committee that the state Department of Transportation (MDOT) agreed to install a traffic light on Route 3 in South China when Hannaford agreed to pay for it. Soares suggested the town could pay for a light at the head of the lake.

Committee members touched briefly on the 45-mile-an-hour speed limit on the causeway, a left-over from the days when the main road ran through China Village and across the causeway. L’Heureux said MDOT plans a traffic study and is likely to adjust the limit to the average actual speed.

The committee postponed discussion of other pending projects. Members reviewed Soares’ draft application form for TIF funds and suggested a few changes and review by town office staff.

According to the Town of China web site, the TIF Committee will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 16.