Start seeds at the Palermo Community Center

Photo courtesy of Emily Cates

Whether you are a patio container gardener or have a vast vegetable garden, getting those seeds going indoors is a fun and productive way to kickstart your growing season. Grab some seeds and growing trays on Friday, February 23, and we’ll get down and dirty with a hands-on sowing session following a delicious Pot Luck Supper at 6 p.m.

Master Gardener Connie Bellet and friends will help you choose what to plant, when to plant it, where to locate plants and their friends, how long you can keep seeds, needs of specific plants, how and what to feed your plants, and how much to water. Hint: the focus will be on cold-weather crops like parsley, kale, onions, and cabbage. If you have other areas of interest or specific gardening questions, Bellet can either answer them or direct you to appropriate experts in the field.

The supper is free, but a donation of $5 or more is requested to cover the expense of planting supplies, sample mediums, and organic plant foods and fertilizers. Bring a winter dish to share, or donate to the Food Pantry. For information or directions, please contact Connie Bellet at 993-2294 or pwhitehawk@fairpoint.net.

Palermo Food Pantry to reschedule when schools close

For safety’s sake, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, which contracts with local food pantries, has issued a policy that when schools are closed due to weather and road conditions, many of the area food pantries will also close. The Palermo Food Pantry, which is open every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon, will try to reschedule to Wednesday at the same time, at the Palermo Community Center. School closings are shown on the “crawler” at the bottom of the TV screen on the morning news on channels 5 and 8. If in doubt, please call Connie at 993-2294 or June at 993-2225 before 10 a.m.

The winter months are very hard on all of us, particularly when hungry children are involved. All of the food pantries are extremely grateful for donations of food and money, and appreciate your support of our friends and neighbors. The Palermo Food Pantry accepts donations of food on Tuesday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m., and monetary donations may be made out to the Living Communities Foundation, P.O. Box 151, Palermo 04354. Thank you so very much!

Big Brothers/Big Sisters receives grant from local bank

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBS MM) was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from Skowhegan Savings Charitable Contributions Foundation in support of school-based mentoring programs in Somerset County.

The donation will help fund matches at BBBS programs that link student mentors from Skowhegan High School (Bigs) with elementary students (Littles) at Margaret Chase Smith School and Bloomfield Elementary School. Funds will also purchase items for the program’s activity bins used by matches at both locations.

BBBS MM Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson said partnership with Skowhegan Savings is especially vital in the agency’s work to help more kids succeed in Somerset County. “When local businesses like Skowhegan Savings continue to support the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters, they are making a long-term commitment to children in their community; to help change more lives for the better,” Hudson said.

Skowhegan Savings Assistant Vice President and Community Banker Karen Hart and Fawn Wentworth, Marketing Officer recently met with Big and Little matches to see first-hand how the Skowhegan Savings Foundation gift is helping local youth at Bloomfield Elementary School in Skowhegan.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine changes the lives of more than 700 youth in Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo Counties facing adversity for the better, forever by providing strong and enduring, professionally-supported, one-to-one relationships. By partnering with parents, volunteers and organizations, children in Big Brother Big Sister programs have higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and achieve educational success. For more information on volunteering or donating please call 236-BBBS (2227) or visit www.bbbsmidmaine.org.

Skowhegan Area High School student mentors (Bigs) meet with their Littles at Bloomfield Elementary School in Skowhegan as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine youth mentoring programs. The Bloomfield matches, as well as Bigs and Littles who meet weekly at Margaret Chase Smith School, will benefit from a recent generous gift of $3,000 from Skowhegan Savings Charitable Contributions Foundation.

Erskine Academy wins national three-point challenge

The Erskine Academy Varsity girl’s basketball team recently participated in, and ultimately won, the National High School 3-point Challenge which is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer program. On February 13, Coach Donar was presented with a mock check to represent the funds raised for this event.

A letter from from Brian Casalinova, Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society, Inc., to the school, read:

“I am proud and thrilled to be reaching out to congratulate Erskine Academy on winning the National High School 3-Point Challenge! You, your girls and the Erskine community really did something pretty special over these past 30 days! Congratulations! You competed against over 330 other schools across the country, many of them more than four times the size of Erskine Academy, and you crushed it! Way to go! Everyone at the American Cancer Society is so impressed with what you accomplished and we have been celebrating your victory in our Topsham office all day! In my five years of overseeing the Coaches vs Cancer program in New England, no single school has raised more funds in one season that you and your girls this January! Thank you!

“Mitch, I know that you have been recently hit hard by this terrible disease. Please know that you made a significant difference in the fight against cancer! Thank you for helping us deliver on our mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the world in the fight to end cancer!”

Obituaries, Week of February 15, 2018

DOROTHY J. JOSEPH

WINSLOW – Dorothy J. Joseph, 84, of Winslow, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, following a short illness. She was born in Waterville on March 26, 1933, a daughter of John and Marie (Sirois) Bernard.

Dot was co-owner of Joseph’s Flooring Company, in Winslow, for 35 years operating it along side her husband, Maurice. She was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow.

Dot loved her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband, Maurice.

Dot is survived by her son, Michael Joseph; three grandchildren, Erin Pease and husband Brent, Erica Hamlin and husband Eric and Chad Joseph and wife Amy; nine great-grandchildren; and brother Ray Bernard.

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

GERARD H. ROUTHIER

FAIRFIELD – Gerard H. Routhier, 78, passed away at Maine­General Medical Center, in Augusta, on Friday, February 2, 2018. He was born on January 16, 1940, in Coburn Gore, the son of Aurore (Poulin) and Lucien Routhier.

He attended and graduated from Waterville Public School in 1958. Jerry served with the United States Marine Corps for four years and received an honorable discharge.

He married the former Florida Grard, on June 8, 1963.

Jerry was employed by Hannaford Bros. for over 50 years until his retirement. He was best know as pepere by his co-workers. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with family.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Gabrielle.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Florida; his son Bill Routhier and wife Cathy, of Fairfield; daughter Brenda Mansir, of Augusta, and Bev Routhier and her partner Moe Hines, of Sabattus; grandchildren Josh Heckerd and wife Lydia, of Caribou, Amanda Heckerd, of Chelsea, Katie Routhier and fiancé Brittany Perry, of Skowhegan, Nick Routhier, of Clinton, Keith Howe and wife Corinne, of Waterville, Dan Howe, of Sidney, and Nick Hines, of Sabattus; great-grandchildren, Amiah, Vaelin, and Memphis; siblings, Dorothy Turmelle, Arthur Routhier, and Denise Moholland and several sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; cousins; aunts; and uncles.

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

Memorial donations may be made to Dialysis Center, Togus VA Hospital, 1 VA Center, Augusta ME 04330 or: Travis Mills Foundation, 89 Water St., Hallowell ME 04347.

MARJORIE A. HACHEY

FAIRFIELD – Marjorie “Marge” A. (Oliver) Hachey, 83, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2018, at her home, in Fairfield, following a long courageous battle. She was born Sep­tem­ber 23, 1934, in Waterville, the daughter of the late Freeman and Mona (Foster) Oliver.

She attended Waterville High School, graduating in 1952, after which she attended Boston Dispensary in 1954. Later, she married Harvey Hachey, of Winslow, who predeceased her in 1988. Marge worked for 27 years as a phlebotomist at the Waterville Osteopathic Hospital, which later became Inland Hospital.

In 1998, she met her life partner, James “Red” Giroux, and they shared years together going to Florida and car races.

She is survived by her partner, Red, of Fairfield; daughter, Donna Beaulieu and husband Steve, of Clinton; granddaughter, Binica and partner Todd Carter; five great-grandchildren, Cooper Beaulieu, Makayla Robinson, Mason, Colton and Piper Carter; a sister-in-law, Cora Dixon and husband Alton; niece Lisa Workman and her husband Dale; a nephew Scott Oliver and his partner Laura and nephew Kerry Oliver.

She was predeceased by her brother Gerry Oliver and his wife Barbara.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 1 p.m., at the VFW in Fairfield.

Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, Maine 04901

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

OTHERS DEPARTED

DEBORA L. EZZY, 60, of Augusta, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, following complications from surgery related to multiple sclorosis. Locally, she is survived by her father, Stanley E. Chase and his wife Elaine, of Vassalboro; brother David E. Chase and wife Deborah, of Windsor; and nephews Daniel E. Chase and Daryl S. Chase, both of Windsor.

SARAH J. KALER, 78, of Bremen, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at the Sussman House, in Rockport, following a lengthy illness. Locally, she is survived by a sister, Maxine Watson and family, of Whitefield.

KAY R. MEYERS, 82, of Bristol, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, following a brief illness. Locally, she is survived by a son, Eric Meyer and wife Pat McKenzie, and granddaughter Dayze Gaulin, all of Whitefield.

PEARL D. VEILLEUX, 85, of Haines City, Florida, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018, as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Locally, she is survived by sisters Della Boulette and husband Clement, and Shirley Rossignol and husband Ronald, all of Waterville.

DEBORAH L. TIBBETTS, 62, of Monmouth, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston. Locally, she is survived by children Joyce York and husband Jeff, and Charles Tibbetts III and wife April, all of Vassalboro, and Shawn Tibbetts and wife Bonnie, of Windsor.

J. RAYMOND FORTIN, 90, of Madison, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Maplecrest Living Center, in Madison. Locally, he is survived by a grandson Jonathan Fortin and wife Cassie, and great-grandson Jack Fortin, all of Winslow.

LOCAL TIES

MARGARET PRIOR, 90, of Portland, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2017, at Sedgewood Commons, in Falmouth. She was the wife of the late Carl Prior, who became dean at Unity College, in Unity, in 1968. She joined the Unity Union Church and sang in the choir, taught physical education at Mount View High School, in Thorndike, and coached field hockey and gymnastics. She was also involved with town meetings, worked for the food pantry, was active in church, Rotary International, played bridge and continued to swim and ski.

ALLAN N. HART, 69, of Canaan, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. At one time, Allan worked for both the Fairfield Police Department and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, eventually retiring as a personal body guard for an international client.

AREA NOTABLE

JEAN L. HAMEL, 85, of Waterville, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. She was a former manager of the Waterville Bowling Lanes, on Airport Road, in Waterville, former Wat­erville women’s candlepin bowling champion, and a member of the Maine State Candlepin Hall of Fame. Locally, she is survived by sons Michael Hamel and wife Deborah, William Hamel and wife Susan, and daughter Karen Paradis and husband Peter, all of Waterville.

Vassalboro selectmen to hear about LED lights; ARI update; department heads for budget discussions

source: http://www.vassalboro.net/

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the town office meeting room, with four major items on their agenda. Paul Vesel, Director of Business Development with Realterm Energy, is scheduled to attend to discuss converting the town’s streetlights to LED. Representatives of the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI) are to update board members on the proposed fishway at China Lake’s outlet dam and related matters. Department heads from the public safety, recreation, solid waste and First Responders will join selectmen to discuss 2018-19 budget requests. And board members will again discuss the increased tax bill for Vassalboro’s gravel pit in China.

The Town of Vassalboro will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the town office, to seek public comment on an application for a Community Development Block Grant to help the Vassalboro Sanitary District connect town sewers to the Winslow sewer system. Interested residents unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments to the town office up to the hearing time. Public comments received before and at the hearing will be submitted as part of the application for funds.

Erskine Academy to host 8th grade open house

All eighth grade students and their parents from the surrounding communities are invited to attend the Erskine Academy Eighth Grade Open House on Wednesday, February 28, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym. The administration strongly encourages all incoming freshmen and their parents to attend this event as registration materials will be available and information about the course selection process will be provided. In the case of inclement weather, a snow date of Thursday, March 1, has been set.

Parents who are unable to attend this event are asked to contact the Guidance Office at 445-2964 to request registration materials.

Erskine class of 2018 to hold 5K in April

The Erskine Academy Class of 2018 will host the 9th annual Fly Like an Eagle 5K Race/Walk on Sunday, April 29, at 9 a.m. The race will feature free performance race T-shirts (if registered by deadline), snacks for all race participants, and awards for race winners. The non-refundable registration fee is $20 for adults, $10 for Erskine students, and $15 for all other students if registered by April 22. Registrations received after that date or on race day will be at the rate of $25 and race day T-shirts are not guaranteed. Online registration is available (for an additional fee) at https://www.RunReg.com/fly-like-an-eagle-5k or participants may register by mail by contacting Betsy Benner at bbenner@erskine247.com. All proceeds benefit the Class of 2018.

China selectmen meeting change due to holiday

by Mary Grow

China selectmen have scheduled their second February meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, since the usual Monday meeting would fall on the Presidents’ Day holiday. The board meets in the town office.

On Monday, Feb. 19, the China town office and transfer station will be closed for the holiday.

 

Vassalboro Fishing derby results

2018 Vassalboro Fishing Derby Results

Large Mouth Bass

  • $25 to Dan Roderique—3.85 # and winner of Largest Fish Trophy and $100!
  • $15 to Jenny Rodrigue—2.4#
  • $10 to Jacoby Bragdon—2.3#

Small Mouth Bass

  • $25 to Noah Cummings 3.2#

White Perch

  • $25 to Garrett Baragas–.95#
  • $15 to Jarod Bradgon–.55#
  • $10 to Jacoby Bragdon–.40#

Brown Trout

  • $25 to Chris Cates—1.8#
  • $15 to Sue McMullen—1#

Brook Trout

  • $25 to Emily McLean–.85#
  • $15 to Mike Field–.80#
  • $10 to Noah Cummings–.75#

Pike

  • $25 to Craig Maxim—13.05#
  • $15 to Nick Cummings—12.5#
  • $10 to Nick Cummings—10.1#

Pickerel

  • $25 to Joel Strasnick—3.75#
  • $15 to Sue McMullen—2.35#
  • $10 to Craig Maxim—1.8#

Children 12 and Under

  • $25 to Jaden Berube—2.5#
  • $15 to Jali Kao—2.5#
  • $10 to Peyton Berube—2.3#
  • $10 to Jacoby Bragdon—2.3#