Week of November 9, 2017
Week of November 9, 2017
Fairfield PAL Junior Division champions
Fairfield PAL football league Sonny’s Pizza team captured the 2017 Junior Division championship with a 12-0 win over VFW on October 22… [read more…]
For Your Health – Surprising Perks Of Your Medicare Plan
For Your Health
(NAPSI)—With more than 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day, the number of people eligible for Medicare is growing rapidly. Medicare Open Enrollment starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, a time when millions of people are evaluating their health plan options to ensure their coverage meets their retirement lifestyle.
When looking at Medicare plans, people check to make sure their physician is included in the plan’s network and prescriptions are covered, but it’s important to see which unique benefits and perks a plan offers to take full advantage of the program. There is much more than standard health care available.
Medicare plans can offer benefits including a free gym or fitness facility membership through programs such as SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading community fitness program designed specifically for older Americans. Exercise is key to helping people live their best lives as they age, maximizing their health and well-being to maintain an active lifestyle. No matter a person’s goal—from running a marathon for the first time to keeping up with grandkids—SilverSneakers members enjoy the many benefits of the program, including:
• Membership to more than 14,000 fitness locations: SilverSneakers members have unrestricted access and unlimited visits to every fitness and wellness facility in the national network, including each location’s basic amenities, such as weights, treadmills, pools and more.
• Specialized fitness classes: SilverSneakers offers a variety of classes in partnering locations that are designed to accommodate all fitness levels and interests. Led by certified SilverSneakers fitness instructors, classes range from SilverSneakers Classic and Splash, to SilverSneakers BOOM®, a fast-paced, higher-intensity class designed for baby boomers and active older adults.
• Friendship and community: So much more than an exercise program, SilverSneakers helps foster new friendships with a welcoming and supportive member community that becomes one of close friends.
• Quality of life: The program changes lives by engaging participants in physical activity to help them do more of what they love. In fact, 91 percent of members say SilverSneakers has improved their quality of life.
More than 14.5 million people are eligible for this program offered at no additional charge through the nation’s leading Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and group retiree plans. You can check your Medicare plan to see if you are eligible for the program and claim your free fitness membership at www.silversneakers.com.
Huard’s Karate Kreatures
Huard’s Martial Arts Little Dragons Halloween class. Photo courtesy Central Maine Photography
SCORES & OUTDOORS: Update on birds
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee
As an update to my column of two weeks ago about the disappearance of birds from our backyard feeders, I have done some more research, and received some feedback from readers.
Through the dog days of August, it is not unusual to see and hear fewer birds. The nesting season has ended. So, young birds and their parents have dispersed and left their nesting territories (your yard). If natural food is plentiful, they are less likely to supplement their diet with your feeders. Migration has also started. Backyard birds with long migration routes will start leaving early in more northern areas of the country as insect populations start to fall off. Midday heat will make birds more inactive. Summer temperatures will often cause birds to be less active during the middle of the day. So, it’s possible that the warm fall we are experiencing has something to do with it. So, they won’t come to feeders as much.
“Things are going wrong with our environment,” writes John Terborgh, a James B. Duke Profesor of Environmental Science at Duke University. “Even the parts of it that are nominally protected. If we wait until all the answers are in, we may find ourselves in a much worse predicament than if we had taken notice of the problem earlier. By waiting, one risks being too late; on the other hand, there can be no such thing as being too early.”
For some interesting insight, read Terborgh’s book, Where Have All the Birds Gone?: Essays on the Biology and Conservation of Birds that Migrate to the American Tropics.
Is this talk about national bird declines just hot air? No. As well as all these apparent disappearances of birds, there has been a serious, countrywide, decline in the numbers of many birds, including many well known and loved species. This decline has been slow and gradual, rather than sudden. Extensive research has shown that these declines are caused primarily by changes in agriculture.
According to ArkWildlife, a respected online trading bird food and wildlife habitats company, and 24 years of history with a passion for garden wildlife, “don’t panic, nothing’s gone wrong. The birds are simply following the natural seasons, food availability and their natural behaviour. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, birds can suffer real food shortages during the summer months at a time most vital to them – the breeding season. Wet weather or a late spring can all mean a lack of insects to forage for when the trees and hedgerows have long since been stripped of berries and seeds. So birds turn to our gardens in huge numbers to supplement their diet and even bring fledglings directly from the nest to the feeder.”
Although we don’t see it very often, there is a year-round cycle within the bird world. As we transition into fall, birds go into different feeding patterns.
Don’t worry, according to many bird research sources, they will come back. So don’t take down those feeders yet. Keep them filled, the birds will love you for it.
Here are a few responses we received on our website:
Janie says: It appears the loss of birds is quite widespread…not just in Maine. I live in upstate New York… Catskill Mountains region; and we haven’t had any birds, at all, for over a month. We went for about a 45 minute drive to admire the autumn foliage, and we did not see even one bird spotted flying during the drive… and we were specifically watching to see if another area had birds. My relatives and I feed them year round… and usually have to refill the feeders on a daily basis. There have always been lots of birds year round… this has not happened before in over the 25 years I have lived here. On a positive note, we noticed this weekend a few birds have started to return from wherever they had gone! It is so nice to hear and see them again!
JHM says: I have had a feeder in Waterville, Maine, for many years. The first few days in September the hummingbird sat at the nectar feeder almost all day and evidently left that night on his southern journey. Until about that date my seed feeder had many daily bird visits from tufted titmice, several male and female cardinals, many chickadees, gold finches and house finches, and others. But right about that time in early to mid-September I realized my feeder was staying full and there were no birds, only an occasional squirrel. I cleaned the feeder and bought new seeds, but still no luck. I kept a look out for predators and did see a cat several times. But, that is not unusual. I have seen an occasional titmouse and cardinal but that is it. I have seen some birds in the trees, but not as many as I have seen in the past. I hope they will come back as the birds are a bright spot by my kitchen window during the long winter.
Caroline says: I was just googling “where are the birds” and this article was high in the search. I live in Southport, North Carolina. Usually my feeders are covered with many types of birds, especially House finches. But for the last month or two, I have a couple of chickadees, cardinals and nuthatches. This area is rich in bird life, especially water birds (egrets, herons, etc) and those birds seem to be about the same. But I am very shocked at the decrease in feeder birds. We have a lot of insects here. I have noticed no decrease in them. I am very concerned to find an article from Maine that describes a similar situation.
Legal Notices, Week of November 9, 2017
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801
The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice is November 2, 2017.
If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-A MRSA 3-804.
2017-348-1 – Estate of JOSEPH CHARLES MITCHELL, late of Madison, Me deceased. Stephen R. Knox, 119 Walnut Street, #9, Montclair, NJ 07042 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-147 – Estate of JOSEPH G. VARRICCHIO, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Joseph A. Varricchio, 55 Main Street, St. Albans, Me 04971 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-287 – Estate of VIOLA M. COOKSON, late of Cambridge, Me deceased. Frances Murray, 10 Dean Road, Clinton, Maine 04927 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-288 – Estate of MAXINE SHIRLEY PETERS, late of Solon, Me deceased. Mickey C. Furbush, PO Box 492, Oakland, Me 04963 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-259 – Estate of MARLENE F. AUSTIN, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Marion A. Rexford, PO Box 173, Whitefield, NH 03598 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-292 – Estate of JAMEY SCOTT SANBORN, late Skowhegan, Me deceased. Valerie Sanborn, 155 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Me 04572 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-293 – Estate of SPENCER R. GAGNON, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Iris J. Gagnon, 26 Winter Street, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-296 – Estate of PETER H. O’MEARA, late of Athens, Me deceased. Karla Bailey, PO Box 77, Athens, Me 04912 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-298 – Estate of JUDITH M. DELFRANCO, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Lori DelFranco, 101 Main Street, #2, Fairfield, Maine 04937 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-254 – Estate of DANA ALBERT CLARK, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Amy Beth Clark, 13730 Chauny Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 and P.O. Box 251, Palmyra, Maine 04965 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-299 – Estate of FRANKLIN C. McIVER, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Linda J. McIver, PO Box 174, Shawmut, Me 04975 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-300 – Estate of HILMA M. WILBER, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Cynthia W. chase, 339 Bigelow Hill Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-301 – Estate of JUDITH M. BACON, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased. Sara M. Goodridge, 273 Hamilton Terrace, Pittsfield, Me 04967 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-302 – Estate of ROBERT LAWRENCE LIBBY, late of Hartland, Me deceased. Diane L. Libby, P.O. Box 25, Hartland, Maine 04943 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-304 – Estate of BERNARD F. DOZIER, JR., late of Cambridge, Me deceased. Patricia S. Dowse, 946 Dexter Road, Cambridge, Me 04923 appointed Personal Representative.
2017-306 – Estate of EARLENE F. WAUGH, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Sharon C. Adams, 1691 Industry Road, Industry, Me 04938 appointed Personal Representative.
To be published on November 2, 2017 and November 9, 2017.
Dated: October 30, 2017 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, ss
SKOWHEGAN, ME
PROBATE NOTICES
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW
Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be, on November 15, 2017. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.
2017-303 – Estate of KELLIE LYNN MELLOWS. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Kellie Lynn Mellows, 335 Green Road, Fairfield, Me 04937 requesting her name be changed to Blake Lynn Nye for reasons set forth therein.
2017-305 – Estate of CHARLES JOSEPH KAVANAGH. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Charles Joseph Kavanagh, 650 Old Ferry Road, Hartland, Me 04943 requesting his name be changed to Cathal Joseph Kavanagh for reasons set for therein.
IN ADDITION: The following Estate was filed in the Franklin County Probate Court, 140 Main Street-Suite 6, Farmington, Me 04938 – Hearing scheduled for November 17, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Docket No. 2017-0189 – Estate of GEORGE H. TAYLOR, late of Fairfield, Me. Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative. George A. Taylor, 171 Back Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976
Dated: October 30, 2017 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of
Estate of JUDITH M. BACON
DOCKET NO. 2017-301
It appearing that the following heirs of JUDITH M. BACON, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:
Camilla O’Brien
Tyrone Roy
THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heir of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.
This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be November 2, 2017.
Names and address of Personal Representative: Sara M. Goodridge, 273 Hamilton Terrace, Pittsfield, Me 04967.
Dated: October 30, 2017
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of
Estate of PETER H. O’MEARA
DOCKET NO. 2017-296
It appearing that the following heir of PETER H. O’MEARA, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:
Kimberly O’Meara Schmidt
THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heir of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.
This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be November 2, 2017 & November 9, 2017.
Names and address of Personal Representative: Karla Bailey, PO Box 77, Athens, Me 04912.
Dated: October 30, 2017
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)
I’m Just Curious: Really?
by Debbie Walker
I’m not sure how this “New Tiny Houses” thing came about; it has become the newest in home ownership. Newest? That’s my “really?” question.
Well, I don’t believe “new” should be included in the term. When I was driving home the other day I saw at least three “tiny houses.” These homes probably were not as fancy as the ones on that Sunday night TV show. However, it is a way for people to have a “home” and not pay rent. It has been going on for a long time.
We have a friend who built what he calls a “camp.” It is small and he works on it as he can afford it. The difference is some of the “tiny houses” are meant to travel, the ones on the way home were not, nor is our friend’s.
I know I am probably not seeing the whole picture but I am seeing some serious problems with moving some of these little “Tiny Houses” down the road. If they want to move around what is wrong with some of the travel trailers?
There are some beautiful “homes” (a home is whatever size and structure you are fond of). The trailers are built for going down the road, wherever your heart desires and to live in with comfort. Some are luxury and some are suited to a rugged camping experience. Storage is everywhere, inside and outside under the trailer. I believe with most companies you can do some customizing, my in-laws used to design their fifth wheel according to their (her!) needs.
I am kind of wondering if this “Tiny House” thing will last a long time. The TV show certainly will not have the run time of “Captain Kangaroo.” I lived in a travel trailer some years back, for a year, and I enjoyed it. We were in Florida and spent a lot of time outside. But even in “weather” we were comfortable. Ken and I spent at least three summers up here in our motor home. We did enjoy those summers even though Ken wasn’t quite as happy as I was contented.
Well anyway, that’s my rant about the “Tiny Houses.” Please don’t hesitate in letting me know your thoughts.
WEATHER
(Copied from The Old Farmers Almanac for Kids)
Little Girl’s Poem About Snow
Charley looked at the snowflakes fair,
Falling so swiftly through the air.
With wonder in her big blue eyes
She looked at the fairies from far-off skies.
Soon she called, “Momma, come look at these things,
Floating as softly as if they had wings
I guess, Momma, the angels up there
Are combing the dandruff out of their hair.
by Cora E Talbot (1865-1938)
With that cute little poem I am trying to build myself up for what is sure to come soon, after all this is Maine. Please contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com with questions or comments. Don’t forget to check out our website. Thanks for reading!
REVIEWS: Composer: Johannes Brahm; Film: Hitch, starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates
How I Started Collecting Records — Continued!
Along with the Burl Ives records, there were others given to me. Numerous titles from such labels as Golden Records, Peter Pan and Children’s Record Guild abounded. I remember a Johnny Ray Columbia 45 hit — Just Walkin’ in the Rain – that I heard a lot on the radio. One day Mom bought me a copy of it — my first example of owning a record I had already grown to like from listening to the radio but far from being the last one.
Although I didn’t add any more of Ray’s records until more than 40 years later, I continue to regard him as an intriguing singer with a very individualistic style of delivery. I would also recommend watching the Jack Benny skit on YouTube, in which the comedian visits the singer’s home, as one of the funniest ever produced! (To continue next week…)
Brahms
Piano Quintet
Leon Fleisher, piano, with the Juilliard String Quartet; Odyssey Y 35211, 12- inch stereo vinyl LP, recorded early ‘60s.
Johannes Brahm
This composition was originally scored and performed as a Quintet for five string players and a Sonata for two pianos but Brahms and his two closest friends, violinist Joseph Joachim and Clara Schumann, widow of the great composer, Robert Schumann, felt something was missing. It was then rescored for piano and four string players and became a success that continues to be performed to the present day, with a large number of fine recordings.
It has a kind of special beauty, rhythmic power and sense of tragedy that combine into a unique musical experience. The pianist Leon Fleisher and his Juilliard colleagues gave their all, making this recording one that will reward numerous hearings.
Hitch
starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Allegra Cole, etc.; directed by Andy Tennant; Columbia Pictures; 118 minutes; 2005.
Will Smith
Eva Mendes
This film deals with the activities of a matchmaker, Hitch (Will Smith); his would-be girlfriend, Sara (Mendes), who is also a gossip columnist; a paunchy, klutzy stockbroker, Albert (James) ; and Albert’s girlfriend of a lifetime, Allegra (Valletta), who is beautiful, filthy rich, and very down to earth, an unusual combination. The stars do magnificent work in a very funny film, my favorite being Eva Mendes, who, as Sara, does a wonderful scene of emotional vulnerability in opening up to Hitch about her childhood when she felt really hurt – the kind of honesty in acting that is so rarely seen at anytime in a film of today without the hysterics.
In other words, one superb film!
New books at Albion Public Library
Non-fiction:
Anthology of Vassalboro Tales, by Esther Bernhardt and Vicki Schad
More Than a Train Yard and Whistle Stop: The Canadian Pacific Railway’s Brownville Division, 1886-1963, by Kenneth Hatchette
Carnival Glass, 11th Edition, by Mike Carvile.
Fiction:
The Dog Master, by W. Bruce Cameron
The Train to Crystal City, by Jan Jarboe Russell.
The Land of Painted Caves, by Jean M. Auel.
Juvenile Fiction:
The Demigod Diaries, by Rick Reardon.
IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of November 9, 2017
by Katie Ouilette
WALLS, know what I received? Well, someone wrote a book and sent me the ad entitled A Living History of Western Maine! Really? Well, this is November and, yes, we probably are more interested in bean suppers.
Now, I just happened to have attended the East Madison Historical Society’s meeting and much was discussed about a bean supper on October 28 at the East Madison Grange Hall. So our fair and small town values its history, bean suppers and all.
Yes, faithful readers, you already know that East Madison was the first Madison, until the Madison Paper Industry settled along the Kennebec River. However, you didn’t know that we are very much Madison and the Madison Selectmen had their meeting at our fire hall on Monday, October 23. Yes, WALLS, we are very fortunate that our selectmen recognize us and our importance as citizens of Madison. In fact, WALLS, you have asked about the relationship of both sides of our Lake Wesserunsett. Well, the meeting was, as usual, informative and extremely interesting. The seating was full of East Madisonites, who spoke up and solved problems. Great meeting, faithful readers!
O.K., just as promised last week, sort of, faithful readers. Yes, you were promised laughter, because Halloween is a happy time, but, wouldn’t you know, National Geographic magazine has stolen the show! The cover of the November issue has The Search for Happiness wanting WALLS to tell you all about it. Actually, if you are familiar with the magazine, you know full well that there are pages and pages for the reader and this time, National Geographic has some of the towns in our world that are happy places. Now, faithful readers, don’t all rush to buy a plane ticket, but at least, if you come across the November issue, be happy!
SOLON & BEYOND, Week of November 9, 2017
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979
Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!
Want to thank Roland for his very good column entitled, “Where have all the birds gone?” We, along with many others, have been concerned about the total disappearance of all the birds this summer. Have missed watching the many different kinds at our bird feeders and then they just up and stopped showing up at all! Then this last week a few chickadees, ( which are my favorites) arrived and I was so happy to welcome them back.
The Solon Congregational Church Holiday Craft Fair is coming right up on Saturday, November 11, at the Solon Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This craft fair has been growing each year and there are many great crafters and vendors again this year. There will be Scentsy, Lula Rue Clothing, wood crafts, hand made crafts by Rachel Danner, Alpaca goods, great crafts and food made by Patty LeHay, candles, knitted crafts, just to name a few! There will be the popular Kid’s Holiday Shopping room, where they can shop for items for family members for under $1 and have help wrapping it up, all by themselves, no adults allowed! Another popular thing that has been expanded is the Basket Raffle, where there will be 15-plus themed baskets to buy chances on, some of the themes are Family Game Night, Pets, Thanksgiving Dinner, Tail Gate Party, Christmas themed, Movie Night, Boy and Girl themed, etc.
As usual the kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch, with yummy selections and the bake table! Hope you plan to check us out! It sounds like a great fair as always.
The Embden Thrift Shop will be having a bag sale on all pants (women, men and children) this week (Wed., Fri., and Sat.,) 10 to 3.
Don’t forget the Annual Anson-North Anson Snowmobile Club Craft Fair this Saturday, November 4, at the Carrabec High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is always a great one also, I always look forward to visiting with friends there.
And yet another annual event is also coming up on November 11 at The North Anson Congregational Church, the Holly Shoppe! This will take place from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be candy, jewelry, baked goods, knives, gifts, cookie walk and St. Nick’s Christmas Shop. Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Was happy to receive a letter from the Somerset Public Health stating that Madison has started a Madison Mug Up! This is a social gathering which will be held at the American Legion Post #39 on the third Thursday of every month. All are welcome. Stay a minute or all morning. Learn about winter preparedness, Share your skills, experience and knowledge, Shoot pool, do crafts or puzzles, play cards or games, coffee, snacks and chat, make a friend, celebrate holidays and more.
Upcoming Socials: Thursday, Dec. 21, Time 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Place: American Legion, 20 S. Maple Street, Madison, ME 04950. For more information call: 474-7473.
The following wise words are some that Percy used back on June 23, 2011: this is entitled Reach Out with Love: Reach out with love it’s here to stay, Generously share it every day. Each one of us has much to give, If only we can learn to live. For every thought and word and deed, To make it worthwhile it’s love we need. And when we feel that love is shown, We speak a language all its own! To make impressions wealth is spent, But to reach out with love doesn’t cost a cant! (words by Hedwig Wroblewski.)